For all of those who are raising children, or who have an interest in children in general, you should check out my friend Naomi's blog - http://toraiseanation.blogspot.com
Naomi has been an amazing nanny for many years, and I've learned so much from her. She's working on writing a book, and from the discussions we've had about what kind of stuff she wants to include in it, it's going to be a must-read for anyone who wants to effectively raise children in this day and age. She's using this blog to get some feedback...and ya'll should check it out.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Call me crazy - and horribly overwhelmed.
Step 1: Take on too many jobs for money
Step 2: Take on too many jobs for no money
Step 3: Take classes that demand more time than any other class at Oakland U
Step 4: Make sure all of these factors clash at the same time
Step 5: Curl into the fetal position, suck on thumb, and cry.
Yeah - livin' the dream, people. I'm livin' the dream.
It's funny, because people always tell me that these are the best years of life. I guess I haven't quite seen the light yet, not because my life is miserable, but because I'm running around too much during the semester, and therefore I can't stop and take everything in.
I've been working on a paper for my communism class - and an intense one at that. I have to identify the economic, political, and social problems of education from a socialist's perspective, propose a set of solutions, and anticipate the arguments against said solutions. It's insanely difficult - within the past day and a half, I've perused five essays, eight books, and notes from Marx's work that I've read throughout the course of the semester. But the positive side of all of this is, despite the fact that I'm working so hard that I lose track of time, I think I may have found my calling.
I want to work on education reform. I'm not sure how. I'm not sure why. But the fact of the matter is the K-12 education system in America is so horribly flawed that there needs to be no bullshit, intelligent people that stand up and say that changes need to be made. All of these readings have really inspired me, not just because of the fact that there are so many problems within the system, but because the solutions are right in front of us, and they're actually possible. It's exciting to think that my future children really could have something better than what I had.
On a funny note, while I was working on this paper two days ago, I went and I stretched my back after being hunched over my computer for an extensive period of time...and something popped. I couldn't move. That's right - I threw out my back working on a paper. I'm just that intense.
Step 2: Take on too many jobs for no money
Step 3: Take classes that demand more time than any other class at Oakland U
Step 4: Make sure all of these factors clash at the same time
Step 5: Curl into the fetal position, suck on thumb, and cry.
Yeah - livin' the dream, people. I'm livin' the dream.
It's funny, because people always tell me that these are the best years of life. I guess I haven't quite seen the light yet, not because my life is miserable, but because I'm running around too much during the semester, and therefore I can't stop and take everything in.
I've been working on a paper for my communism class - and an intense one at that. I have to identify the economic, political, and social problems of education from a socialist's perspective, propose a set of solutions, and anticipate the arguments against said solutions. It's insanely difficult - within the past day and a half, I've perused five essays, eight books, and notes from Marx's work that I've read throughout the course of the semester. But the positive side of all of this is, despite the fact that I'm working so hard that I lose track of time, I think I may have found my calling.
I want to work on education reform. I'm not sure how. I'm not sure why. But the fact of the matter is the K-12 education system in America is so horribly flawed that there needs to be no bullshit, intelligent people that stand up and say that changes need to be made. All of these readings have really inspired me, not just because of the fact that there are so many problems within the system, but because the solutions are right in front of us, and they're actually possible. It's exciting to think that my future children really could have something better than what I had.
On a funny note, while I was working on this paper two days ago, I went and I stretched my back after being hunched over my computer for an extensive period of time...and something popped. I couldn't move. That's right - I threw out my back working on a paper. I'm just that intense.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
What's that golden ball in the sky?
Yes, that's right - it's the sun. And guess what, Michiganders - it's actually going to get above 40 degrees tomorrow. I'm so glad - I was beginning to think that Jesus hated us and wanted us to die, lips blue and nostrils dripping icicles like Jack from "The Shining."
I decided about a week ago that I'm going to start babysitting little Aiden three days a week, 6 am - 1:30ish pm. I'm kind of stoked about the hours, because that means that I get to sleep in an extra two hours and still get morning shifts of some sort. Plus, it's a guaranteed 21 hours a week, and then an additional 10-15 a week at Caribou, so I'll actually be making relatively decent money. I'm apprehensive, though, and for obvious reasons: I don't want this to turn into a situation in which, like most other bosses I've ever been employed under, my services are taken advantage of and my back becomes the perfect place to walk upon. That'd be especially bad in this situation, considering it's my family that I'm working for...yikes with stripes. But, trying to look on the bright side again, at least I get to play with lil' peanut on a regular basis now, and it's starting to get warmer so I might even be able to take him on the occasional adventure.
Tim and I are going to be heading down south this summer! (And no, we're not cousins who are trying to find a loophole and get hitched. Assholes.) The dates are set - May 4th through the 9th. We're going to start off by (hopefully) driving through the mountainous regions of NC and seeing my cousin, his girlfriend, and her little boy. The next day, we'll be driving an additional four hours to see the remainder of my family that lives in that state, including my godmother and my uncle who moved about two years ago. Then, for the remainder of the trip (drum roll please), we're going to be staying in a private beach house, just off the water...I'm so freaking excited. A vacation very much needed for the two of us - I think I'm going to start a count down.
On that note, I need to start my massive amount of homework. Oh, and if there are really bizarre typos throughout this blog, it's because my computer has decided that it doesn't particularly like to type, so I have to jam my fingers on the keys in order for the letters to pop up correctly...my poor laptop, all it wants to do is curl up and die "Million Dollar Baby" style - but I don't believe in euthanasia, especially when I have two months left in my semester and I need this laptop. It's unfortunate.
I decided about a week ago that I'm going to start babysitting little Aiden three days a week, 6 am - 1:30ish pm. I'm kind of stoked about the hours, because that means that I get to sleep in an extra two hours and still get morning shifts of some sort. Plus, it's a guaranteed 21 hours a week, and then an additional 10-15 a week at Caribou, so I'll actually be making relatively decent money. I'm apprehensive, though, and for obvious reasons: I don't want this to turn into a situation in which, like most other bosses I've ever been employed under, my services are taken advantage of and my back becomes the perfect place to walk upon. That'd be especially bad in this situation, considering it's my family that I'm working for...yikes with stripes. But, trying to look on the bright side again, at least I get to play with lil' peanut on a regular basis now, and it's starting to get warmer so I might even be able to take him on the occasional adventure.
Tim and I are going to be heading down south this summer! (And no, we're not cousins who are trying to find a loophole and get hitched. Assholes.) The dates are set - May 4th through the 9th. We're going to start off by (hopefully) driving through the mountainous regions of NC and seeing my cousin, his girlfriend, and her little boy. The next day, we'll be driving an additional four hours to see the remainder of my family that lives in that state, including my godmother and my uncle who moved about two years ago. Then, for the remainder of the trip (drum roll please), we're going to be staying in a private beach house, just off the water...I'm so freaking excited. A vacation very much needed for the two of us - I think I'm going to start a count down.
On that note, I need to start my massive amount of homework. Oh, and if there are really bizarre typos throughout this blog, it's because my computer has decided that it doesn't particularly like to type, so I have to jam my fingers on the keys in order for the letters to pop up correctly...my poor laptop, all it wants to do is curl up and die "Million Dollar Baby" style - but I don't believe in euthanasia, especially when I have two months left in my semester and I need this laptop. It's unfortunate.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Grey, February days and a steering wheel.
Today, for the first time in quite a while, I decided to get in my car and just drive.
Needless to say, it's been a rough-ish month with the various adjustments to the new baby in the house, classes being tougher than ever, and friends dropping off the map like flies because of the ever-important job hunt. So this afternoon, I was having a difficult time getting the nasties out of my head. I played guitar for a while, but nothing was sounding right. I tried reading, writing, even using some pastels and drawing - nothing seemed to take the edge off.
So, I got in my car.
I made it all the way down to OU's campus with the intention of walking around and posting flyers around the various buildings, only to realize as soon as I parked that I had left my coat at home, and in the twenty minutes it took for me to get to the OC the temperature had dropped at least ten degrees.
So, back in the car.
I stopped and got a hot chocolate at the new Bean and Leaf cafe in Rochester. (Not to be "that guy" that advertises in their blog, but ya'll should go to this place. Their tea is unbe-freaking-lievable, especially the cinnamon one. Nom nom nom.) Afterwards, I just put my ipod on shuffle and continued to drive north, letting my mind go blank.
On days where your goal is to be productive, to get as much done as possible, and to put all of the negative thoughts out of your mind until you have time to deal with them later - sometimes those are the best days to let the steering wheel and your cheap speakers in your beat up Ford Escort ZX2 take control of your life. It was soothing to just drive around various areas of Macomb and just look at the trees, thinking that soon the sun would be shining for more than ten minute spurts and we would see the blossoms fill the branches...I don't think any form of productivity could have put me in that mindset today.
So, when all I wanted was to go out and actually spend spring break doing something worthwhile and memorable, apparently all my brain needed was a long car ride with no one but the stereo speaking. Who would've thought.
Needless to say, it's been a rough-ish month with the various adjustments to the new baby in the house, classes being tougher than ever, and friends dropping off the map like flies because of the ever-important job hunt. So this afternoon, I was having a difficult time getting the nasties out of my head. I played guitar for a while, but nothing was sounding right. I tried reading, writing, even using some pastels and drawing - nothing seemed to take the edge off.
So, I got in my car.
I made it all the way down to OU's campus with the intention of walking around and posting flyers around the various buildings, only to realize as soon as I parked that I had left my coat at home, and in the twenty minutes it took for me to get to the OC the temperature had dropped at least ten degrees.
So, back in the car.
I stopped and got a hot chocolate at the new Bean and Leaf cafe in Rochester. (Not to be "that guy" that advertises in their blog, but ya'll should go to this place. Their tea is unbe-freaking-lievable, especially the cinnamon one. Nom nom nom.) Afterwards, I just put my ipod on shuffle and continued to drive north, letting my mind go blank.
On days where your goal is to be productive, to get as much done as possible, and to put all of the negative thoughts out of your mind until you have time to deal with them later - sometimes those are the best days to let the steering wheel and your cheap speakers in your beat up Ford Escort ZX2 take control of your life. It was soothing to just drive around various areas of Macomb and just look at the trees, thinking that soon the sun would be shining for more than ten minute spurts and we would see the blossoms fill the branches...I don't think any form of productivity could have put me in that mindset today.
So, when all I wanted was to go out and actually spend spring break doing something worthwhile and memorable, apparently all my brain needed was a long car ride with no one but the stereo speaking. Who would've thought.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Warm fuzzies on a fluffy snowflake day
Little Aiden Michael Hester was born 8:23 pm yesterday evening. A whopping seven pounds and four ounces, and a bundle of pure sweetness. His eyes are so bright, and at less than a day old, he's already trying to look around figure everyone and everything out. His mom's doing great, grandparents are smiling from ear to ear, and I'm caught up in all of my thoughts just trying to comprehend the entire situation.
When I was looking at him yesterday, touching his tiny little fingers and chubby little cheeks, I tried to fully comprehend how people choose not to believe in God when something so perfect and so pure can come into existence within nine months. Little button nose, a bit of peach fuzz on the top of his head, rosebud lips - each feature is distinctly his as well as distinctly linked to various members of our family.
And at the same time, as perfect and pure as that little creature is, it's amazing how just a little coo from him while he's curled up in your arms can strike a bit of fear into your heart. In a few short hours, I realized that my whole life is going to be completely different from this point on, in a lot of wonderful ways, and in a lot of ways that will cause plenty of frustration and tears. You can't help but wonder about all the ways that he'll succeed, and yet you're worried to see where the bumps (or even sinkholes) will appear on his path.
While all of these thoughts were racing through my head, I just held him close as he scrunched his tiny nose and yawned, and all I could tell him with conviction was "I'm Auntie Pammy - and I'm going to spoil you rotten."
When I was looking at him yesterday, touching his tiny little fingers and chubby little cheeks, I tried to fully comprehend how people choose not to believe in God when something so perfect and so pure can come into existence within nine months. Little button nose, a bit of peach fuzz on the top of his head, rosebud lips - each feature is distinctly his as well as distinctly linked to various members of our family.
And at the same time, as perfect and pure as that little creature is, it's amazing how just a little coo from him while he's curled up in your arms can strike a bit of fear into your heart. In a few short hours, I realized that my whole life is going to be completely different from this point on, in a lot of wonderful ways, and in a lot of ways that will cause plenty of frustration and tears. You can't help but wonder about all the ways that he'll succeed, and yet you're worried to see where the bumps (or even sinkholes) will appear on his path.
While all of these thoughts were racing through my head, I just held him close as he scrunched his tiny nose and yawned, and all I could tell him with conviction was "I'm Auntie Pammy - and I'm going to spoil you rotten."
Monday, January 26, 2009
...I think it's broken.
Tim and I were walking to a shoe place in downtown Rochester, when I noticed a faded yellow sign leaned up against the door that said "HOE REPAIR" in bold, black letters.
Here's a list of questions:
1. What factors determine a broken hoe?
2. How do we know if this hoe desires to be fixed?
3. Does the hoe have a choice in how it's repaired?
4. Who does the repairing of the hoe?
5. Is hoe repair something you can get a degree in, or is it a simple certification process?
6. In these horrible economic times, are there ample opportunities for hoe repairmen and women, or are there simply not enough hoes to go around?
7. Do hoe repairmen and women aim to change the face of the planet, one broken hoe at a time?
8. Is hoe repair an hourly position, salary position, or based solely on a hoe-by-hoe basis?
For all of you who are interested, these are the sorts of questions that political scientists should always be asking. That is why, in fact, I've chosen to finish this blog and go to bed as opposed to finishing my homework for my Communism course.
7. Do hoe repairmen and women aim to change the face of the planet, one broken hoe at a time?
8. Is hoe repair an hourly position, salary position, or based solely on a hoe-by-hoe basis?
For all of you who are interested, these are the sorts of questions that political scientists should always be asking. That is why, in fact, I've chosen to finish this blog and go to bed as opposed to finishing my homework for my Communism course.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Discoveries
The retreat this weekend was unbelievable on so many levels. From Tom's impression of Grover, teaching us all the concept of the words "near" and "far," to misunderstandings during the game Catch Phrase ("He wrote the Peanuts" sure sounds an awful lot like "He rode the penis"), to simply reconnecting with friends ("You're the Mindy to my Mork") and with God (who is also a good friend) - I was smiling nonstop. I feel as if I've been so disconnected with humanity over the past couple of months, and this was exactly the jump start that I've been needing.
It's amazing how even when you're on the planning team, sometimes certain aspects of the retreat really hit you once your actually going through the motions on the planned weekend. I fully realized that I've been going through a mild form of depression for the past month. I really thought it was a bad case of the winter blues initially, considering how cold and gray it's been since freakin' October. But honestly, I've been sleeping more than usual (not just because of my bizarre work schedule), I've been separating myself more and more from friends because I felt so numb and I didn't want people to notice it, and I feel like I'm an outsider with my own family...and I know exactly what it is that's dragging me to the teary-eye mood level. It's not like the situation is going to go away any time soon, but even just in coming to the reality that I was down and not just persistently sleepy and numb helped me to feel loads better.
So, there's going to be lots of working out, crocheting, and drawing over the next couple of months in an attempt to heal. Look out, world :)
Tim and I spent an amazing day together. Starting off with visiting my family (it was my mommy's birthday on Friday), we then went to get a simple soup-and-salad dinner and watch the movie "Defiance" with his brother, Brian. Unbelievable movie, might I add. It was intense - not for the faint of heart by any means, but an incredible story that you really don't want to miss out on. It was just so wonderful to spend a day with the boy - it's incredible to me that even after a year of dating, I still get the butterflies in my stomach and serious sweaty-hand-syndrome when we're holding hands during a movie.
Alright, time to go to bed. 4 am comes early (believe it or not). More to come later.
It's amazing how even when you're on the planning team, sometimes certain aspects of the retreat really hit you once your actually going through the motions on the planned weekend. I fully realized that I've been going through a mild form of depression for the past month. I really thought it was a bad case of the winter blues initially, considering how cold and gray it's been since freakin' October. But honestly, I've been sleeping more than usual (not just because of my bizarre work schedule), I've been separating myself more and more from friends because I felt so numb and I didn't want people to notice it, and I feel like I'm an outsider with my own family...and I know exactly what it is that's dragging me to the teary-eye mood level. It's not like the situation is going to go away any time soon, but even just in coming to the reality that I was down and not just persistently sleepy and numb helped me to feel loads better.
So, there's going to be lots of working out, crocheting, and drawing over the next couple of months in an attempt to heal. Look out, world :)
Tim and I spent an amazing day together. Starting off with visiting my family (it was my mommy's birthday on Friday), we then went to get a simple soup-and-salad dinner and watch the movie "Defiance" with his brother, Brian. Unbelievable movie, might I add. It was intense - not for the faint of heart by any means, but an incredible story that you really don't want to miss out on. It was just so wonderful to spend a day with the boy - it's incredible to me that even after a year of dating, I still get the butterflies in my stomach and serious sweaty-hand-syndrome when we're holding hands during a movie.
Alright, time to go to bed. 4 am comes early (believe it or not). More to come later.
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