In the backyard at our home in 4th Street…
(We’ve both put on the kilo’s since moving to Lae early June 2010!)
With my sweetheart Eli, Isaac and Valdek (Early January 2011)
Early January when Valdek (the light skin kid) was visiting us from Madang – him and Isaac would have these “boy” run ins. Although very smart and eloquent for his age, it’s probably fair to say that Valdek’s a little on the spoilt side – very used to getting his way with things if you know what I mean. More often than not the cause of the differences between the two lads lay with Valdek (Could I be siding with Isaac here?). One of several and regular points of contention was Valdek not allowing Isaac to play with his flash toy red ferrari racing car – which at the time happened to be bigger and flashier than any of Isaac’s toy cars.
With Dutch physiotherapist/volunteer Marcel, Isaac and Valdek (Early January 2011)
One afternoon I was in a store that sold toy cars and I thought… (this is where the 3rd kid in the story comes in) – fuck it… I’m going to get Isaac a bigger, flashier and better looking toy car than Valdek. So I did.
When I got home later that afternoon I couldn’t wait to give Isaac the toy truck I had bought him (it was a MACK truck by the way!) – I so wanted to see the look of surprise on his face. Believe me… he was absolutely rapt as he slowly laid eyes on his new toy – the look on his face and his excitement was well worth the investment.
But then the kid and bully within took hold… as I was helping Isaac unwrap the box I said to him (in Tok Pisin of course) : “Isaac… take your new big flashy truck over to Valdek and tell him that his fancy red racing car is a piece of shit (pekpek) and the next time you pass him on “road” you’re going to smash it”. Isaac’s face lit up and he did as I suggested – two weeks of putting up with needling from Valdek were released instantly.
Naturally the two of us got into big trouble from Eli. But it was well worth the castigation let me tell you!
The positive flow on from this episode of male one-upmanship is that it has brought the two of us a smidge closer.
Guess I haven’t really grown up at all.
Rob I love both photos and the story even more.. Sorry Eli!
M
Boys will be boys ya… !!
Rob, give my regards to Marcel, if you ever speak to him.
M
Will do Mum,
R
Tsss, Valdek wanpela draipela pikinini. Em i kamap bikpela stret. Is Marcel still a volunteer?
Yep…. still in Goroka but moving further up the H’Lands shortly.
R
He was in Banz if I remember correctly. Where is he going now?
He is in GKA and will be going to Banz!
So he never went to banz? I thought he would be going there in January 2010.
He was meant to move up there 2010 but that has not happened yet. You know what PNG is like old chap. Nothing has changed if anything it has gotten worse.
Mate, your the only one who does that, I have two boys and occasionally side with the little which peeves their mother to no end
Good to know I’m not alone!