“Yeah, I’m the house mom.”

Let me flashforward to a friendly American woman that was recently married to her Australian boyfriend after dating for 26 years.  Our wait within the gigantor Qantas plane was rather lengthy, and she was giving us the insider tip to remove the headphones as soon as the PA began to be unleashed, for the volume is cruel and unkind to the eardrums, and can be downright startling.  She continued to have conversation carried on with the other girls surrounding me (we were all sitting together on the same side of the plane), and she initially inquired about our Australian purpose with, “Are you part of a girls volleyball team?”  Where that came from… I have not a clue.  Everyone mildy chuckled and then she then asked, “Oh, are you all part of a sorority?”  in which I had to smugly interject with a “Yeah, I’m the house mom.”  And all laughed and all was well and good… and despite my gender, perhaps when it comes to my role or purpose in this trip, that’s not too far from the truth.  I am the only male on this excursion, with the exception of our instructor Chris Greer, but as absolutely laid back and incredible as he is, there is a fine, fine line where he is that “authoritative professional,” where as I am not and I do not have that direct responsibility.  While I truly believe I can speak for the group that we view Greer in a very well-respected and mature way, he is ultimately accountable for everyone and their actions, so I have slightly more liberty and freedom in my interactions with others.  Where am I going with this?  I have no clue.  Hell, this isn’t even a rant.  Maybe I’m just high off of atmospheric fumes for being in the sky so long, and my rambling words aren’t helping any.  Bottom line, Greer is great, as our my fellow female traveling companions, and I intend to look after all of them, being the only male student on the trip and the unofficial “house mom”… or something like that.  Call me what you will.  Besides, I made a promise to both Carrie and Amey’s parents that I would look after the girls, and I always strive to keep my promises and hold my integrity for all it’s worth.

“I meant what I said, and I said what I meant, an elephant’s faithful one hundred percent!”

--Horton from Dr. Suess’ “Horton Hatches An Egg”