I have a monkey on my back. And I even have the pictures to prove it. I'll tell you about it tomorrow…
There’s been another rite of passage at the Cohen/Vieira home. Our middle son Gabriel aced his road test, which may be why I feel so sick to my stomach this morning. Let me explain.
After leaving the show yesterday I met up with Gabe back home because he wanted to practice driving before the test. On his first attempt to parallel park, he bumped the curb just slightly, but it was enough to put a real dent in his confidence, even after an hour’s worth of mostly successful maneuvers.
By the time we got to the test site, I was beginning to feel nervous for him. I wasn’t even sure if I should wish him luck because I was afraid that might psyche him out. To make matters worse, we had to wait in a long line of cars for our turn, each one of them filled with another anxious driver-to-be.
Finally it was Gabe’s turn. I got out of the car, handed him the keys, and stood by the side of the road as he drove off with the guy conducting the road test. I called Richard to say Gabe was in the driver’s seat. And then I waited for what seemed like an eternity (actually it was closer to 10 minutes).
As Gabe pulled up (without bumping any curbs, I might add), I wanted to run up to the car and make sure everything was okay, but what if it wasn’t? So I decided to hang back rather than embarrass him. Either way, having his mommy hovering wouldn’t have been cool.
I could see that the test administrator was talking to Gabe but I didn’t have a clear view of Gabe’s face to know if there was a smile or a frown emerging. And then both of them opened up their car doors. As Gabe got out, he glanced at me and smiled.
For a fleeting second my stomach ache went away, only to be replaced by another one. I was so anxious for him to pass the test that I’d forgotten about the anxiety that comes once your child does. Gabe is the second kid in this family to have the keys to the car and now there’s a whole new set of worries. Every parent knows the feeling.
As we got in the car, I assumed he would want to drive home. But I think he’d had enough driving for one day. His only request was that we stop at Cold Stone Creamery for some ice cream. “No problem,” I said. At least for one more afternoon, the new King of the Road was still my little boy.
After leaving the show yesterday I met up with Gabe back home because he wanted to practice driving before the test. On his first attempt to parallel park, he bumped the curb just slightly, but it was enough to put a real dent in his confidence, even after an hour’s worth of mostly successful maneuvers.
By the time we got to the test site, I was beginning to feel nervous for him. I wasn’t even sure if I should wish him luck because I was afraid that might psyche him out. To make matters worse, we had to wait in a long line of cars for our turn, each one of them filled with another anxious driver-to-be.
Finally it was Gabe’s turn. I got out of the car, handed him the keys, and stood by the side of the road as he drove off with the guy conducting the road test. I called Richard to say Gabe was in the driver’s seat. And then I waited for what seemed like an eternity (actually it was closer to 10 minutes).
As Gabe pulled up (without bumping any curbs, I might add), I wanted to run up to the car and make sure everything was okay, but what if it wasn’t? So I decided to hang back rather than embarrass him. Either way, having his mommy hovering wouldn’t have been cool.
I could see that the test administrator was talking to Gabe but I didn’t have a clear view of Gabe’s face to know if there was a smile or a frown emerging. And then both of them opened up their car doors. As Gabe got out, he glanced at me and smiled.
For a fleeting second my stomach ache went away, only to be replaced by another one. I was so anxious for him to pass the test that I’d forgotten about the anxiety that comes once your child does. Gabe is the second kid in this family to have the keys to the car and now there’s a whole new set of worries. Every parent knows the feeling.
As we got in the car, I assumed he would want to drive home. But I think he’d had enough driving for one day. His only request was that we stop at Cold Stone Creamery for some ice cream. “No problem,” I said. At least for one more afternoon, the new King of the Road was still my little boy.
This is the first chance all week that I've had to blog and wanted to post this today…I'll answer your questions next Friday. Have a great weekend.
We’re hosting Passover this Saturday and I’m feeling a little sad. I had never been to a seder until I met my husband Richard, and I have nothing but fond memories of celebrating the holiday at his parents’ home every year. This will be the first seder without Richard’s Dad, Ben, who passed away in February.
Ben always led the readings and no matter how large our family gathering became--as more and more grandchildren joined the fold--he always made sure that Richard read the role of the "simple son" (it was a family joke, of course).
I never knew how much I could enjoy brisket and a glass (or two) of that wonderfully cheap Manishevitz wine, not to mention watching the kids search high and low for the Afikomen (hiding of the matzoh).
Richard’s mom, Mimi, is driving to our house this afternoon with a car full of Passover treats. I’ve already ordered the gefilte fish and matzoh ball soup from the specialty store Barney Greengrass in New York City. [I’ve mentioned before that I make a mean chicken, but when it comes to gefilte fish, I leave that to the experts.]
Tomorrow evening as we gather around the table, there will come the time when tradition dictates that we open the door for the prophet Elijiah—the belief is that his coming will usher in the Messiah. A glass of wine is set out on the table in anticipation.
This year I’m sure we will put out a second glass of wine in hopes that Ben drops by as well.
We’re hosting Passover this Saturday and I’m feeling a little sad. I had never been to a seder until I met my husband Richard, and I have nothing but fond memories of celebrating the holiday at his parents’ home every year. This will be the first seder without Richard’s Dad, Ben, who passed away in February.
Ben always led the readings and no matter how large our family gathering became--as more and more grandchildren joined the fold--he always made sure that Richard read the role of the "simple son" (it was a family joke, of course).
I never knew how much I could enjoy brisket and a glass (or two) of that wonderfully cheap Manishevitz wine, not to mention watching the kids search high and low for the Afikomen (hiding of the matzoh).
Richard’s mom, Mimi, is driving to our house this afternoon with a car full of Passover treats. I’ve already ordered the gefilte fish and matzoh ball soup from the specialty store Barney Greengrass in New York City. [I’ve mentioned before that I make a mean chicken, but when it comes to gefilte fish, I leave that to the experts.]
Tomorrow evening as we gather around the table, there will come the time when tradition dictates that we open the door for the prophet Elijiah—the belief is that his coming will usher in the Messiah. A glass of wine is set out on the table in anticipation.
This year I’m sure we will put out a second glass of wine in hopes that Ben drops by as well.
April 11, 2008
Meredith tackles more of your questions! Ask yours today, and check back next Friday for the answer. Maybe she'll choose yours!
Jan said: When does your new taping schedule for Millionaire begin? When will the new viewing season begin? I enjoy that show as much as Today because I only get to watch about the first 30 minutes of Today.
We begin taping the new season of Millionaire on July 21st. We tape the last two weeks in July, then take August off, mostly because I’ll be in China with the Olympics. Then we continue taping in September, October, and finish up in the first week of November. All together we shoot some 200 shows of which I do about 175. I’ve often said when I look ahead at the schedule, I start to whimper—it seems so overwhelming. But in the doing it is an absolute blast. As for when you can watch the new season on TV, I believe it is some time in September, so check your local listings. And if any of you are in the New York City area, come see the show.
Jason Li said: Hey Meredith, I'm 20 from Singapore and have been watching TODAY on my ipod ever since i got it. It's a great show! I've always wanted to be a journalist so I try to listen/watch/read news from all over - for both the stories and how news is broadcast from country to country. And I love the familiar, informal feel to TODAY! Wonder if it'd be possible for a foreign person like me to do an internship with NBC? I've done one with Channel NewsAsia, the local news network, but it'd be great to do one overseas!
According to our Program Manager Ada Famulari, we don’t get involved in all the legalities entailed in bringing over international students to this country for internships; neither do we sponsor nor house interns. But if you come here on a student visa, and you are eligible to do internships in the United States, then you are more than welcome to apply to our NBC internship program. For more information, log on to nbcuni.com and read all about our internship program.
Tracey said: Hi Meredith, So I was just rejoicing that it was the first official day of spring (even though it's still cold as all get out) but it still got me thinking about warmer days! What are some of your favorite springtime activities?
As the weather heats up I like to go running, and then lay down on the stone patio in my backyard. I know that sounds crazy, but the warmth of the rocks makes me feel as if I’m in a spa. I also love to plant flowers.
Feel free to post a question of your own for next time!
Meredith tackles more of your questions! Ask yours today, and check back next Friday for the answer. Maybe she'll choose yours!
Jan said: When does your new taping schedule for Millionaire begin? When will the new viewing season begin? I enjoy that show as much as Today because I only get to watch about the first 30 minutes of Today.
We begin taping the new season of Millionaire on July 21st. We tape the last two weeks in July, then take August off, mostly because I’ll be in China with the Olympics. Then we continue taping in September, October, and finish up in the first week of November. All together we shoot some 200 shows of which I do about 175. I’ve often said when I look ahead at the schedule, I start to whimper—it seems so overwhelming. But in the doing it is an absolute blast. As for when you can watch the new season on TV, I believe it is some time in September, so check your local listings. And if any of you are in the New York City area, come see the show.
Jason Li said: Hey Meredith, I'm 20 from Singapore and have been watching TODAY on my ipod ever since i got it. It's a great show! I've always wanted to be a journalist so I try to listen/watch/read news from all over - for both the stories and how news is broadcast from country to country. And I love the familiar, informal feel to TODAY! Wonder if it'd be possible for a foreign person like me to do an internship with NBC? I've done one with Channel NewsAsia, the local news network, but it'd be great to do one overseas!
According to our Program Manager Ada Famulari, we don’t get involved in all the legalities entailed in bringing over international students to this country for internships; neither do we sponsor nor house interns. But if you come here on a student visa, and you are eligible to do internships in the United States, then you are more than welcome to apply to our NBC internship program. For more information, log on to nbcuni.com and read all about our internship program.
Tracey said: Hi Meredith, So I was just rejoicing that it was the first official day of spring (even though it's still cold as all get out) but it still got me thinking about warmer days! What are some of your favorite springtime activities?
As the weather heats up I like to go running, and then lay down on the stone patio in my backyard. I know that sounds crazy, but the warmth of the rocks makes me feel as if I’m in a spa. I also love to plant flowers.
Feel free to post a question of your own for next time!
If you really listened to today's show, you are probably wrapped in the fetal position right now.
The first story out of the box was the terrible weather in the midwest--from tornadoes to snow storms. Snowstorms? It's the middle of April...
Following that we had the story of American Airlines grounding yet another 900 planes to check for possible safety violations, and then right after that came the story of the polygamist compound in Texas being investigated for suspected child abuse.
And speaking of abuse, I won’t soon forget the image of high school students in Baltimore beating up their teacher, all of it captured by some student's cell phone camera. And if that wasn't enough, we learned that seniors in nursing homes are at risk of being sexually attacked by other residents with criminal records.
By now if you think that the world has gone to the dogs, well, they're not doing so well either. It turns out there has been an uptick in dog-napping, particularly pure breeds that are sold on the black market.
When the broadcast was over it was all I could do to drag myself out of there. I thought, "At least it's a beautiful day here in New York, maybe I'll go for a run and clear my head." But as I went to fill my plastic water bottle, I suddenly remembered yet another news item of the day—how plastic bottles can leech dangerous chemicals.
Talk about wanting to run…as far away from this day as I could.
Well, TGI-almost-F.
The first story out of the box was the terrible weather in the midwest--from tornadoes to snow storms. Snowstorms? It's the middle of April...
Following that we had the story of American Airlines grounding yet another 900 planes to check for possible safety violations, and then right after that came the story of the polygamist compound in Texas being investigated for suspected child abuse.
And speaking of abuse, I won’t soon forget the image of high school students in Baltimore beating up their teacher, all of it captured by some student's cell phone camera. And if that wasn't enough, we learned that seniors in nursing homes are at risk of being sexually attacked by other residents with criminal records.
By now if you think that the world has gone to the dogs, well, they're not doing so well either. It turns out there has been an uptick in dog-napping, particularly pure breeds that are sold on the black market.
When the broadcast was over it was all I could do to drag myself out of there. I thought, "At least it's a beautiful day here in New York, maybe I'll go for a run and clear my head." But as I went to fill my plastic water bottle, I suddenly remembered yet another news item of the day—how plastic bottles can leech dangerous chemicals.
Talk about wanting to run…as far away from this day as I could.
Well, TGI-almost-F.
