What are you reading?

My mom is not a native English speaker; her comprehension is better reading than listening (whose isn't?), and there's frustration whenever anything in English has to be conveyed over the phone. She just doesn't hear the words. In some situations it's worth spelling them (addresses, etc.); in others it's just as well to let it go, and I know that by now but she doesn't.

I called on my last day in Hawaii since I wasn't sure whether my phone would work in Australia. Side note: in theory it does but I haven't gotten a signal. I borrowed someone else's phone to let her know I got in safely, told her "I can't talk now, this is someone else's phone, here's my hotel number but I'm leaving right now, we'll catch up later." As usual, the concept of "now is not a good time to talk" did not register, and she ended up trying to cram in some very not urgent information, such as the kind of food she'll be bringing when she visits in a few weeks since I won't have any food in the house. To which I said, "MOM, THIS IS SOMEONE ELSE'S CELL PHONE. I CAN'T TALK NOW." We still haven't talked, although apparently she's called the hotel very often (there are about two hours that coincide between my not being at work and her not being asleep and the other way around). She gave my number to one of her friends that lives in Sydney, who called me just as I was going to bed (which was fine) to touch base, ask me when I'd be in Sydney, etc. She had apparently called the hotel every hour for the previous four hours asking for me before she reached me. Anyway, I gave her my itinerary, we agreed to talk later, and I was about to fall asleep, when the phone rang again. She called to argue with my itinerary. Okay fair enough, she lives here, I don't, but I'm not on vacation yet. I had to work the next day, it was late, and I wasn't up for a discussion about where I was going. I just said "okay" and went to sleep.

Anyway, back to Hawaii. I called to touch base, not in a hurry but also not with enough time to dilly dally. I wanted to talk to my parents, but didn't have a whole lot of time.

Mom: Where are you now?
A.: Just got out of work, heading to the beach in half an hour.
Mom: When's your flight?
A.: Just after midnight.
Mom: What's the time difference again? Are you ahead or behind?

We have this conversation EVERY TIME we talk when I'm in HI... my parents cannot seem to commit to memory that Hawaii is six hours behind EST.

Mom: What are you reading?
A.: I don't really have time to talk about it.
Mom: Gasp! You are bringing a book, aren't you?
A.: I'm bringing several books. I don't want to talk about them right now [nor spell out their titles].
Mom: I just don't think you should board such a long flight without a book. Anyway, call me as soon as you get in.
A.: Mom, I won't have a phone as soon as I get in. I'll have to get to Canberra before I call you.
Mom: Are you driving?
A.: No, a coworker of mine is driving.
Mom: On the left?
A.: I should hope so.
Mom: Is he on your flight?
A.: No, he's meeting me there.
Mom: Why isn't he on your flight?
Dad: Tatyana!
Mom: I'm just curious. That just seems weird.
A.: Because I'm going from Hawaii and he's going from DC.
Mom: [I don't recall exactly, but some question along the level of ridiculousness of,] Is his flight direct?
A.: WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?
Mom: Okay, well, have fun at the beach. Oh, do you want me to bring that pewter tea set when we visit.
A.: ??
Mom: You said you liked it.
A.: Um, if you have room, please do, but don't worry about it.

We said goodbye and talked again for that minute in Canberra.

Not much to report since most of what I've seen in Australia is insides of buildings. Hopefully more interesting stuff later.