Tag Archives: American Museum of Natural History

Our Camera Was Stolen

I am disappointed in my fellow humans today.  Our camera is gone, presumably stolen from a bench at the American Museum of Natural History as the girls were taking a break from running around the exhibition space.  This is a place that’s swarming with children, for god’s sake.  We had just taken some adorable pictures of Chloe and Sophie as they frolicked among the butterflies and gleefully pointed out the Tibetan tribal masks.  And quicker than you can say “Cheese!” the camera had disappeared.  

Of course, the girls immediately realized what had happened – it didn’t help that I was cursing up a storm.  It was an interesting experience actually. I’m a cynic, and I had to rein myself in after a couple of minutes.  Although I didn’t believe for a second that someone had “found” it and would turn it in, I felt the need to mention that such an outcome was a possibility (even though it was clearly an afterthought) when Sophie started to say, “A mean man took our camera.”  
We went to the security desk and filed a lost and found report, and checked in before we left.  Nothing, nada, rien.  A mean man (or woman, no need to discriminate here) took our camera.  Where do people get the nerve to do something like that?  Needless to say, I am not posting any photos tonight – I’m symbolically mourning not just the loss of the camera, but people’s ugliness.  Melodramatic, I know, but I am so pissed off right now…

Merry Christmas!

Too tired to write much this evening. Was up in the middle of night thanks to Sophie, who apparently had a nightmare. Then up again at 6:30 AM, thanks to Chloe, who absolutely had to see the presents that Santa Claus left for everyone. You know, in case he changed his mind and removed them by 8 AM.

It was a lovely day, spent among family – eating good food (I don’t think our kitchen has ever had that much of a workout – I even used the microwave as a regular oven), drinking good champagne and wine, and relaxing. The girls enjoyed their presents, and Chloe had only one meltdown, when we pushed her to take a walk with her Papa, aunt, uncle and cousin, and she adamantly refused. Sophie spent most of the afternoon napping (I wonder why…) and when she wasn’t sleeping, she was either eating, playing with her new Play-Doh or her new toy pirate ship, or pushing her shopping cart around the house.

Our relatives also enjoyed themselves, a sentiment that manifested itself by their eating way too much. My oldest nephew, who is 17, said he’s gained about 5 pounds since arriving here – 3 days ago! This is what happens when you come to America (or go on a cruise). You conveniently forget healthy nutritional habits and succumb to gluttony.

Tomorrow’s plan is to confront the crowds at the American Museum of Natural History and to visit Central Park. One can only hope that some physical activity – perhaps strenuous rockclimbing – will help to ease the pain induced by our recent overindulging. To be continued…