Today's flashback takes a different form.
I was graciously invited to take part in one of the millions of neighborhood inaugural events that were held this past weekend here in PoliticsMeccaUSA. It was a lovely event hosted by a couple of my students. Not knowing a soul, a girlfriend and I showed up and ended up having one of the nicest nights we have both had in a long time.
I was reminded how magical it is to get to know new people.
As the male counterpart of the couple I teach took my arm and led me around the room, I realized that all these people knew me, and yet I had just begun to learn about them as my students' abilities have grown to the level of speaking in-depth about their groups, hobbies, sports teams and the other two couples they bicycle tour with. It was flattering; the wine helped me overcome feeling overwhelmed.
I met one lady that night who, in 1974, went to the Galápagos Islands. She had a resident visa in Ecuador at that time, so she got a military flight for $70, she and her husband were weighed before getting on the plane, and then crates and crates of beer was loaded on after them. As they took off, everyone madly started doing the sign of the cross (South American military plane, early 1970s...can't say I blame them!) and they landed about an hour or so later in the Galápagos. They had to take a boat to the main residential island of Santa Cruz, and stayed in Puerto Ayora. Tourists are no longer allowed to stay on the islands, I believe.
During her week there, she met a Norwegian family that had lived there for a couple generations and, from what she said, they became quite close by the time she and her husband had to return to the mainland.
Fast forward 18 years, to December 1992 when I, on my resident visa in Ecuador, got a non-tourist rate to fly a small commuter plane out to the newer airport on the island of Santa Cruz and stayed for four nights in Puerto Ayora. My first night there I met a man about my same age who took me each night to show me the "natives only" side of the Galápagos while my companions slept in their hostel. It was a purely amazing and one-of-a-kind experience and part of why the Galápagos are considered my personal paradise.
Upon my departure on my fifth day on the Islands, I was given a book by this man, with a message written on the front cover to me, written by a Joanna Angermeyer: "My Father's Island". He knew the people in the book; the author was a personal family friend and he wanted me to have it to always remember why the Galápagos are such a special place to those few who have decided to make their lives there.
The woman's eyes lit up on Monday night when I related this to her. "Angermeyer..." That was the family she had met in her time in the Galápagos back in 1974, when my friend would have only been about 2 years old. It was a serendipitous conversation as we stood there, relating, remembering, allowing ourselves to fall back into an empathetic zone of experiences shared and people known, albeit separated by almost 20 years.
This conversation was one of the many highlights on Monday night, and showed me how important it is to continue to extend myself beyond my comfort zone; I never know what treasures await me there.
And perhaps I should go back and re-read that book this weekend.
viernes, 23 de enero de 2009
domingo, 18 de enero de 2009
conflicted
He is on standby.
On the list, He is #1 on the list for his rank to be called out for a year of service.
This doesn't mean *necessarily* Iraq or Afghanistan. Upon learning more about it last night, He will go where there is need for his rank--Navy Captain. That could be anywhere...including, of course, where the pirate activity is occuring off the Somali coast of Africa. And as He is an active reservist, not IRR, He is not being called up against his will. Even though He has had three years active duty time and time during Desert Shield/Desert Storm so long ago, it is possible the rotation has been exhausted for his designator. Or that they don't count the aforementioned time.
The chances are 2:3 that He will go. He'll get 60 days' notice.
I sat down and told him that, even though we can't live in the same house, that doesn't mean I want him to go off to war. Main reason being, I don't particularly want my children to not have a father for a year. The one person who I have told about this possibility said, "Well, now you'd finally have what you wanted." I don't see what she is talking about; I want a separation, not for him to disappear. I have never said that. Remember, I won't even consider moving away because I feel so strongly about the children having time with their father. I want the children to have quality time with both of us, not just with me--as I know I need a break, too.
And selfishly (because I am essentially selfish), I know that I also have no family support here. Calling on friends is hardly an option as all the children are all so much older and everyone is so deeply involved in their own heavy schedule of activities; yet my children are still yet too young, by law, to leave home alone. But such is Life. Again, not quite what I had signed up for.
But I will figure it out. I always do!
So then I wonder if I shouldn't just try to make this work. I don't know--to give him some hope or something. Not for me, but for Him. But, as my friend pointed out, He would return in a year and we'd be back in the same situation: He thinking all is hunky-dorey and me, discontented and unfulfilled.
And, really, all is simply in theory as the earliest he could be recalled would be 1 April. So until a 60 day notice comes up, Life must continue on as normal. Just impossible to make any long-term plans for travel on my part; my trip to South America this year may not happen...or I'd just have to take the kids with me...but then I'd need to get passports for them both...hmm. Must think about this now, mustn't I?
On the list, He is #1 on the list for his rank to be called out for a year of service.
This doesn't mean *necessarily* Iraq or Afghanistan. Upon learning more about it last night, He will go where there is need for his rank--Navy Captain. That could be anywhere...including, of course, where the pirate activity is occuring off the Somali coast of Africa. And as He is an active reservist, not IRR, He is not being called up against his will. Even though He has had three years active duty time and time during Desert Shield/Desert Storm so long ago, it is possible the rotation has been exhausted for his designator. Or that they don't count the aforementioned time.
The chances are 2:3 that He will go. He'll get 60 days' notice.
I sat down and told him that, even though we can't live in the same house, that doesn't mean I want him to go off to war. Main reason being, I don't particularly want my children to not have a father for a year. The one person who I have told about this possibility said, "Well, now you'd finally have what you wanted." I don't see what she is talking about; I want a separation, not for him to disappear. I have never said that. Remember, I won't even consider moving away because I feel so strongly about the children having time with their father. I want the children to have quality time with both of us, not just with me--as I know I need a break, too.
And selfishly (because I am essentially selfish), I know that I also have no family support here. Calling on friends is hardly an option as all the children are all so much older and everyone is so deeply involved in their own heavy schedule of activities; yet my children are still yet too young, by law, to leave home alone. But such is Life. Again, not quite what I had signed up for.
But I will figure it out. I always do!
So then I wonder if I shouldn't just try to make this work. I don't know--to give him some hope or something. Not for me, but for Him. But, as my friend pointed out, He would return in a year and we'd be back in the same situation: He thinking all is hunky-dorey and me, discontented and unfulfilled.
And, really, all is simply in theory as the earliest he could be recalled would be 1 April. So until a 60 day notice comes up, Life must continue on as normal. Just impossible to make any long-term plans for travel on my part; my trip to South America this year may not happen...or I'd just have to take the kids with me...but then I'd need to get passports for them both...hmm. Must think about this now, mustn't I?
miércoles, 14 de enero de 2009
insights
La Princesita never ceases to blow me away.
One of the latest revelations to surface involved her church school lessons. She stated that, although she likes the stories of, say, Adam and Eve, she doesn't think they are true.
Surprised at her directness, I asked her why.
"Because snakes can't really talk. And what about the cavemen? And the dinosaurs? Wasn't there an order that things kind of followed, and humans kind of came from them? How could God just have planted a human here and make him talk like we do and say 'there, all done'?"
Wow. I was silent.
"I mean, obviously there is God but I don't think that it happened like all the stories say it happened. How did anyone know? Nobody else was alive, so it's just a story."
--That where the idea of myth comes in.
"What's myth?"
--Stories that kind of draw pictures of things we believe to create a story that makes something hard to understand easier.
"So what is this a picture of?"
--Well, Adam and Eve show us that we need a male and a female to create life. There is no other way. We know that by science.
"Yeah. But what about the snake?"
--You know that little voice inside of you that nags you when you do something you shouldn't do? It's kind of like that little voice.
"Oh, okay." And she turns back to her coloring.
*---*
That conversation left me bursting with pride. My little girl is willing to grow, expand and question in ways that I never felt the freedom as a child to do. Instead, I was given no reason to think beyond the parameters of literalism, which is something I truly believe hindered my intellectual development. She wants to understand the world in the way she best feels comfortable; a practical, scientifically-explicable way and is open to learning different points of view including, more importantly, the WHYs driving different points of view. The thoughts that she voices can sometimes amaze me as they often reflect a level of thinking I didn't achieve until I was much, much older.
May I always give my children the tools they need to be free, open-minded thinkers.
One of the latest revelations to surface involved her church school lessons. She stated that, although she likes the stories of, say, Adam and Eve, she doesn't think they are true.
Surprised at her directness, I asked her why.
"Because snakes can't really talk. And what about the cavemen? And the dinosaurs? Wasn't there an order that things kind of followed, and humans kind of came from them? How could God just have planted a human here and make him talk like we do and say 'there, all done'?"
Wow. I was silent.
"I mean, obviously there is God but I don't think that it happened like all the stories say it happened. How did anyone know? Nobody else was alive, so it's just a story."
--That where the idea of myth comes in.
"What's myth?"
--Stories that kind of draw pictures of things we believe to create a story that makes something hard to understand easier.
"So what is this a picture of?"
--Well, Adam and Eve show us that we need a male and a female to create life. There is no other way. We know that by science.
"Yeah. But what about the snake?"
--You know that little voice inside of you that nags you when you do something you shouldn't do? It's kind of like that little voice.
"Oh, okay." And she turns back to her coloring.
*---*
That conversation left me bursting with pride. My little girl is willing to grow, expand and question in ways that I never felt the freedom as a child to do. Instead, I was given no reason to think beyond the parameters of literalism, which is something I truly believe hindered my intellectual development. She wants to understand the world in the way she best feels comfortable; a practical, scientifically-explicable way and is open to learning different points of view including, more importantly, the WHYs driving different points of view. The thoughts that she voices can sometimes amaze me as they often reflect a level of thinking I didn't achieve until I was much, much older.
May I always give my children the tools they need to be free, open-minded thinkers.
martes, 13 de enero de 2009
So, whaddya want from me?
A local AP tutoring firm contacted me, with an email line stating they had "Desperate Need for AP Spanish Tutor." Interesting, I thought, and I responded that I would be interested, provided that such contract employment would be on my terms, not theirs (business for me, currently, is not hurting).
My terms being that 1) all classes are held in my home classroom, and 2) my pay is $50/hour.
I received a response inquiring where my classroom was located. Then a follow-up asking me to send my CV and three references. Sure, not a problem...striking me a bit as funny as HE had searched ME out to offer ME a position (evidently responding to my CraigsList ad). However, I said I would send everything only pendent upon my pay being commesurate with my going rates.
He emailed back requesting a meeting with me as soon as possible. I told him that, due to my teaching schedule, I am unable to meet with him before Friday morning. Knowing full well, of course, that his only purpose in seeing me face-to-face was to try to talk me down from my going rates.
He then began to get upset, evidently, in his email, wondering what kind of time I would have to dedicate to his students if the earliest I could come to him is Friday morning. I fired back that I stay at home teaching so that I can be a mother for my two young children as well, 'sir'. That permits me to have students while having my children at home and working around my schedule as, most importantly, a parent first. My students all understand and, above all, respect that in me.
I then said that, if that is not an acceptable arrangement for your company, then we are perhaps not a good match.
He didn't appreciate that response, as I received a rather snide comment back about my "TEACHING SCHEDULE" permitting. I do have students Monday-Thursday afternoon/early evening, then children pick-up from school, dinners to prepare, etc. I have my limits; hence what I have chosen to do--while earning more money than I did at the Uni working their hours. Plus, by now my feathers are a bit fluffed; I did not go to him asking for employment. He, instead, was "desperately seeking a Spanish AP tutor" and sought me out. Then had the nerve to switch the table to feed his own ego? make me seem like the bad guy? I'm not exactly sure, but it didn't work as he has lost one hell of an excellent prospective tutor that he sought and then proceeded to chase away.
It was today that I realized how far I have come in such a short time in my business. Whereas two years ago I would have jumped like a puppy through whatever hoop this man had set out and complied with whatever pittance had been tossed my way, I have learned that my name has gotten out, I have regular students and recommended students alike who I have earned all by myself, with no need for a school or an agency for matchmaking. I don't have to take the crap he was trying to deal out anymore, and I would not have enjoyed working for someone like that. My sympathies to those who do work for him.
In my final email of this exchange I did thank him for his interest...! Queen of the subversive jabs am I!
(and just to let you know---I really, really derive great pleasure from coming out on top of such pettiness!)
My terms being that 1) all classes are held in my home classroom, and 2) my pay is $50/hour.
I received a response inquiring where my classroom was located. Then a follow-up asking me to send my CV and three references. Sure, not a problem...striking me a bit as funny as HE had searched ME out to offer ME a position (evidently responding to my CraigsList ad). However, I said I would send everything only pendent upon my pay being commesurate with my going rates.
He emailed back requesting a meeting with me as soon as possible. I told him that, due to my teaching schedule, I am unable to meet with him before Friday morning. Knowing full well, of course, that his only purpose in seeing me face-to-face was to try to talk me down from my going rates.
He then began to get upset, evidently, in his email, wondering what kind of time I would have to dedicate to his students if the earliest I could come to him is Friday morning. I fired back that I stay at home teaching so that I can be a mother for my two young children as well, 'sir'. That permits me to have students while having my children at home and working around my schedule as, most importantly, a parent first. My students all understand and, above all, respect that in me.
I then said that, if that is not an acceptable arrangement for your company, then we are perhaps not a good match.
He didn't appreciate that response, as I received a rather snide comment back about my "TEACHING SCHEDULE" permitting. I do have students Monday-Thursday afternoon/early evening, then children pick-up from school, dinners to prepare, etc. I have my limits; hence what I have chosen to do--while earning more money than I did at the Uni working their hours. Plus, by now my feathers are a bit fluffed; I did not go to him asking for employment. He, instead, was "desperately seeking a Spanish AP tutor" and sought me out. Then had the nerve to switch the table to feed his own ego? make me seem like the bad guy? I'm not exactly sure, but it didn't work as he has lost one hell of an excellent prospective tutor that he sought and then proceeded to chase away.
It was today that I realized how far I have come in such a short time in my business. Whereas two years ago I would have jumped like a puppy through whatever hoop this man had set out and complied with whatever pittance had been tossed my way, I have learned that my name has gotten out, I have regular students and recommended students alike who I have earned all by myself, with no need for a school or an agency for matchmaking. I don't have to take the crap he was trying to deal out anymore, and I would not have enjoyed working for someone like that. My sympathies to those who do work for him.
In my final email of this exchange I did thank him for his interest...! Queen of the subversive jabs am I!
(and just to let you know---I really, really derive great pleasure from coming out on top of such pettiness!)
lunes, 12 de enero de 2009
dreaming of stilettos
They were black, sexy stiletto dress shoes, to be worn with a sexy black dress. I found them and wanted them, even though I have yet to ever wear stilettos.
With my long legs and the perfect length dress, I would be--well, invincible.
*---*
I am going to an Inauguration Ball, hosted by a couple I have been teaching for almost two years who were kind enough to invite their young Spanish teacher to share in next week's fun. My date is a girlfriend, a fellow mother of a classmate of La Princesita who lives around the corner. Black tie; should be a lot of fun. However, I don't really have a black-tie dress.
I have a week. I will see what I can figure out. She-ra suggested I raid the closet of her babysitter, an 18-year old away at college. Is that a compliment or a jab? :)
*---*
I have had a new surge of Life. I feel good, I feel like I look good, and I take my stiletto dream as an embracing of the sensuality I have permitted to reenter my life. Granted, this sexual validation comes from a battery-operation fallus (which I cannot seem to quite get enough of right now) but I choose to see this as a first-of-the-year pick-me-up that usually does not hit until the sun begins to shine with more direct rays in the springtime.
And I feel good.
Now to find a dress. And, if the mood hits, maybe I will find stilettos for the night...but don't hold your breath.
With my long legs and the perfect length dress, I would be--well, invincible.
*---*
I am going to an Inauguration Ball, hosted by a couple I have been teaching for almost two years who were kind enough to invite their young Spanish teacher to share in next week's fun. My date is a girlfriend, a fellow mother of a classmate of La Princesita who lives around the corner. Black tie; should be a lot of fun. However, I don't really have a black-tie dress.
I have a week. I will see what I can figure out. She-ra suggested I raid the closet of her babysitter, an 18-year old away at college. Is that a compliment or a jab? :)
*---*
I have had a new surge of Life. I feel good, I feel like I look good, and I take my stiletto dream as an embracing of the sensuality I have permitted to reenter my life. Granted, this sexual validation comes from a battery-operation fallus (which I cannot seem to quite get enough of right now) but I choose to see this as a first-of-the-year pick-me-up that usually does not hit until the sun begins to shine with more direct rays in the springtime.
And I feel good.
Now to find a dress. And, if the mood hits, maybe I will find stilettos for the night...but don't hold your breath.
sábado, 10 de enero de 2009
I have my bed back
Young Prince has moved out and fully into his Big Boy Bed. Yes, he is 4 1/2. But I had an "until 5 at the latest" rule. Exceptions include nightmares and big storms. Otherwise, everyone OUT!
I am enjoying my king-sized bliss--all by myself.
The first morning I have not yet had to be up and out for any reason, I took advantage to dust off my (former) dead battery case. You know the one--big, purple with pearl action. And ears.
Ah, why I had I abandoned thee? What an absolutely glorious way to begin a Saturday.
I am enjoying my king-sized bliss--all by myself.
The first morning I have not yet had to be up and out for any reason, I took advantage to dust off my (former) dead battery case. You know the one--big, purple with pearl action. And ears.
Ah, why I had I abandoned thee? What an absolutely glorious way to begin a Saturday.
***
In order to fully enjoy the effects of my little purple Peter Rabbit, I have to conjure in my mind the picture of him. The only man I have ever loved; the only one, in the history of my lovers, to have ever raised me to the heights of bliss just by a look. The only with whom I could fight and look forward to our reconciliation...and who would come after me when I never would admit I wanted to be chased. The only who would love to create with me as a team, be it a meal or a project, or even a work of art. The only who could tell by the tone of my written word--not even voice--my mood. The only one felt challenged by me yet not intimidated by my powerful and very complex spirit. The only one who could make me laugh and cry and feel valid no matter what, because of an acceptance of who I am. The only one who physically fit me as if we had been created for each other.
To experience a love like this makes everything else so gray by comparision. Unfair it is, really; nobody else could ever have a chance in my life. Having such a partner by my side like that, I feel invincible. I am learning to find this strength within myself. Some days are better than others, but I know this will be a good year. I am prepared to make it so.
And with a little help from my friend, all the better!
To experience a love like this makes everything else so gray by comparision. Unfair it is, really; nobody else could ever have a chance in my life. Having such a partner by my side like that, I feel invincible. I am learning to find this strength within myself. Some days are better than others, but I know this will be a good year. I am prepared to make it so.
And with a little help from my friend, all the better!
viernes, 9 de enero de 2009
coffee therapy
There is nothing more therapeutic than a morning spent with a girlfriend.
Or two.
Such rich conversations, filled with giggles and sighs, over cups of hot cappuccino are sometimes just what any doctor would order for attempting to solve the world's problems. Whenever this opportunity presents itself, with any of my girlfriends, I find myself mellow, tranquil, calmed and yet with spirit so recharged I feel anything is possible.
I need to make a habit out of this! Let's see how the upgrade to a w(h)ine night next Monday works...
Or two.
Such rich conversations, filled with giggles and sighs, over cups of hot cappuccino are sometimes just what any doctor would order for attempting to solve the world's problems. Whenever this opportunity presents itself, with any of my girlfriends, I find myself mellow, tranquil, calmed and yet with spirit so recharged I feel anything is possible.
I need to make a habit out of this! Let's see how the upgrade to a w(h)ine night next Monday works...
*---*
The problem with an in-house separation is that it can be easy to take for granted that one parent might be around, even when not his night to "have" the kids, so that the other can take part in another activity. This occurred last night when I, assuming there was nothing on the calendar for the evening--precisely because there ISN'T anything on the calendar for that night--made alternate plans. Turns out He had other plans so I ended up not being able to do anything.
Okay, my bad. It wasn't my night off. The problem with this arrangement is, however, that I don't get a night off during the week. His nights with the kids are M/T, mine W/Th, and F goes to whoever has them for the weekend. The issue lies in the fact that he isn't coming back to the house until about 1/2 hour before the kids' bedtime any night of the week. This means, essentially, that every single night of the week is my night "on" and I don't get to make any alternate plans for any night of the week without children. Monday is the only exception; He has Mondays off, so he's in charge of them during that day. He also takes advantage of my being "around" by scheduling medical/counseling appointments for during that afternoon when he should be taking care of the kids. Instead, I am expected to be there to watch them until whenever he chooses to return. I don't feel that is particularly fair, especially when I am the one to have to change my plans around to accomodate him; he never has to change a thing to accomodate me, except perhaps to take a day off once in a while, which he does anyway--so I'd rather not be around when he does.
Rambling. Sorry. This just means that we are not going to be able to maintain this much longer. I have ceased to prepare meals for him. I no longer do his laundry nor clean his floor of the house (except my office that is downstairs right now). Yet I know that, in the end, I will have to be the b*tch and give him the goal deadline: Out by (insert date). And I'll have to find him the place, or he won't do it.
And I need to treat this as if he simply were not here. No activities on weeknights, aside from Mondays, that don't involve the children, because I simply cannot depend on him to take them, even if his night to have them. Not necessarily very fair to me, if I wanted to join a class or something, but fair is apparently not a part of the equation right now.
Or perhaps it is my punishment for breaking this marriage apart in the first place.
The problem with an in-house separation is that it can be easy to take for granted that one parent might be around, even when not his night to "have" the kids, so that the other can take part in another activity. This occurred last night when I, assuming there was nothing on the calendar for the evening--precisely because there ISN'T anything on the calendar for that night--made alternate plans. Turns out He had other plans so I ended up not being able to do anything.
Okay, my bad. It wasn't my night off. The problem with this arrangement is, however, that I don't get a night off during the week. His nights with the kids are M/T, mine W/Th, and F goes to whoever has them for the weekend. The issue lies in the fact that he isn't coming back to the house until about 1/2 hour before the kids' bedtime any night of the week. This means, essentially, that every single night of the week is my night "on" and I don't get to make any alternate plans for any night of the week without children. Monday is the only exception; He has Mondays off, so he's in charge of them during that day. He also takes advantage of my being "around" by scheduling medical/counseling appointments for during that afternoon when he should be taking care of the kids. Instead, I am expected to be there to watch them until whenever he chooses to return. I don't feel that is particularly fair, especially when I am the one to have to change my plans around to accomodate him; he never has to change a thing to accomodate me, except perhaps to take a day off once in a while, which he does anyway--so I'd rather not be around when he does.
Rambling. Sorry. This just means that we are not going to be able to maintain this much longer. I have ceased to prepare meals for him. I no longer do his laundry nor clean his floor of the house (except my office that is downstairs right now). Yet I know that, in the end, I will have to be the b*tch and give him the goal deadline: Out by (insert date). And I'll have to find him the place, or he won't do it.
And I need to treat this as if he simply were not here. No activities on weeknights, aside from Mondays, that don't involve the children, because I simply cannot depend on him to take them, even if his night to have them. Not necessarily very fair to me, if I wanted to join a class or something, but fair is apparently not a part of the equation right now.
Or perhaps it is my punishment for breaking this marriage apart in the first place.
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