AFK to West Virginia...maybe...probably

My mother, a filipino national-born and bred, will be having her American Citizenship interview on the 18th. Should be rather quick - she's 65 and has been in the U.S. for over 30 years so I think they'll ask her her name and if she's a terrorist and then call it a day. Hopefully she gets sworn in that same day, if not - then disregard the rest of this post. If she DOES get sworn in the same day:

I (along with said new American citizen mother, Catherine, and David) will be leaving for Shepherdstown WV on the 19th and will be gone until 8/31. This will be David's 2nd flight, but the first time he'll actually be mobile and able to be the screamy little thug he's turned into. The first time Catherine flew, she was 3 years old, so anyone who has advice for me - feel free.

I'm worried about transporting him in between flights - we stop over in Atlanta - but it's a day flight so I'm hoping he gets a good nap in, if not the two he'll be missing. We're bringing a DVD player and headphones, but I know David won't keep them on. He's watched the dvd player in the car without the sound on, unfortunately I think Catherine will have to watch Curious George the movie about 5 times. =/

I don't know, I'm worried. Lugging the kids AND my 'scared to fly - are we lost? - this airport is too big' mother across country for her to see her new granddaughter and my brother. I can already feel the pain from throwing my back out and pulling my hair out by the roots.

=/

Vishanti 15 years ago
Is she going to maintain a dual citizenship, or just the American side? I know my dad gave up his Filipino citizenship when he was naturalized, but in recent years the Philippines allowed expatriates to regain their Filipino citizenship without renouncing citizenship in other countries. So now my dad is a dual.
ROzbeans 15 years ago
Nope, straight up US citizen.
Vulash 15 years ago
Enjoy WV! I have no advice for the kids :P
Vishanti 15 years ago
Yeah, can't really think of much when it comes to kids. When I was flying as a kid, I was either freaking out from the dips or playing linked Gameboy games with my cousins. Nowadays, I try to make myself fall asleep before takeoff so I don't have to worry about all the dips when the pilot is trying to get on course.

Used to love asking for as many decks of cards as they'd give me (do airlines even carry those anymore?) since it was free throwing ammo for when I got home.
ROzbeans 15 years ago
If I were flying alone, I'd be bringing a handful of 5 dollar bills so I could get fucked up on crappy alcoholic drinks on the plane. One time as I was heading out to Kansas City, dude next to me kept interrupting my booze fest and eventually gave me his 2 numbers and 3 email addresses when we landed. (which i promptly shit canned as soon as he turned his back).
Vulash 15 years ago
I like flying the small Alaskan Air flights because of the free local booze
Verileah 15 years ago
Share those tiny bottles with the kids?

I dunno - my kid's always been good on planes, it's a fucking miracle considering her ASD.

Does David cooperate with a stroller? The airline should be able to set you up with some accommodations if there's anything you think would be helpful, including having a stroller waiting for you right when you deplane. Don't remember if he's too old/petulant for that.

Grats to your mom btw .
ROzbeans 15 years ago
Thanks, Veri =) Well, I don't foresee a problem, but my mother is so nervous.

Yeah you can take a stroller down to the door and then they throw it down to the cargo for you. It'll be there when we get off so I figure I'll just do that while Catherine holds the car seat. She's hoping they'll drive us around on those little carts, which I might be able to swing since my mother can't walk that far for very long, so we'll see. That would be easier.
Vishanti 15 years ago
You qualify for USO privileges, right? Stuff their faces before you depart and hopefully they'll get tired and conk out immediately. Of course, I guess that brings a risk of having to use the cramped facilities in the air.
ROzbeans 15 years ago
I thought the USO was for active duty, not their dependents. I wouldn't feel comfortable dragging my kids up in there anyway - Mike said active duty guys coming home often use it to sleep and they don't need a 1 year old screaming his head off for his juicy juice or grapes.
Faeini 15 years ago
for the flight down from ak to NC was meh had only the naps on the flight but we also got delayed and had to wait another day to get back on track , with alex was his first time flying has him in the chest pack thingys for walking on and off the plane and in the air port , clover was a handful tho but i got lucky and both kids slept thro all the flights O.o . we did take tylenol for alex.
Kelefane 15 years ago
When I flew for the first time - I had an anxiety attack waiting in line to get on lol...but for some reason, once I actually got into the plane and in my seat, I was calm as hell.

I think its just those pre-(doing something here) that you havent done before jitters for the most part that a lot have when flying.
Vishanti 15 years ago
ROzbeans;106904
I thought the USO was for active duty, not their dependents. I wouldn't feel comfortable dragging my kids up in there anyway - Mike said active duty guys coming home often use it to sleep and they don't need a 1 year old screaming his head off for his juicy juice or grapes.


My dad hasn't been active duty since '97, but my mom took me to one of those during a layover back in '05. There wasn't a whole lot going on at the time, just people playing on the computers (infected from lots of porn surfing) and getting the free food/drink.
ROzbeans 15 years ago
We are definitely off! My mother passed her citizenship interview and will be sworn in on 9/8! Whooo!!!! le
Laschae 15 years ago
Awesome, congratulations to her! Hope it's a fun visit.
Vishanti 15 years ago
Congratulations!
ROzbeans 15 years ago
Oh snap. I am so tired. We got back today and I am pooped. =/
Den 15 years ago
Welcome back!
Addi 15 years ago
How did u like WV? I don't know where the city u went to is in WV and have never heard of it but where i am in WV i love it.
ROzbeans 15 years ago
Oh yeah, WV is just gorgeous. I saw the Blair Witch city, too!