Gulp.

The Box is the Best Part

J just got back from three days in another city. It was a good and productive time and he made new friends. It's a custom here to give a gift to someone who comes and visits or performs some service. J has received hand-knitted bags, books, trinkets, etc. But this time, his host handed him a wrapped package (it would seem all of the country uses a deep pink wrapping paper with sparkles). He didn't open it until he arrived home. We, of course, wanted to know what surprise was lurking under the Lisa Frank exterior, and it was this (see above).

Always Pay Attention to Directions!

A Token of Affection in Spray-Painted Plastic

The kids and I cried with laughter when we assembled this ship-clock-lamp and placed it on a table. Then, we cried some more when we read the ubiquitous Asian box with its crystal clear instructions. But then J shut us right up when he said that his host was so poor that he had to time when he'd turn the lights on for the training because he could not afford electricity. And he still spent money on the above item. Well, I swallowed any mirth I might have felt right then and there. This thing is staying in our room now.