Day One

Well, here we are at the Ottawa airport...and like any mom about to head out on a 7 week journey with a 22 year old, I decide it is best if we have a wee chat about ground rules. So, I give the speech about norming and storming and performing (you know, the group dynamics thing), and suggest we set some rules. So, Nathan says, "rules are dumb." Sigh. So, I explain that it is very important to me that we both agree to what the rules are, so he says, "well, how about if we take turns setting the rules?" "OK, I say, good idea....but I go first!" So, I tell him how traumatic it is for me to not know where someone I am traveling with is, so my first rule is, ALWAYS tell me where you are going, or where you will be - even if you are just strolling 20 feet away. So then Nathan says,"that's a dumb rule." Sigh. Then I say, "now it's your turn." So he thinks for a second, and says, "my rule is, we can't make any more rules". Sigh. It is going to be a LONG trip.