April 24, 2007
First of all, THANK YOU to everyone who posted comments on my last post. It’s really nice to have supportive people out there to vent with and I hope I can avoid getting angry at stupid, judgemental women in the future. In this case, though, it felt like a come back was necessary. Anyways…. enough of that!
I’ve officially become a convert. No, I’m not switching religions or anything that major, but I purchased my first MACbook. I’ve never used a MAC. We’ve always had a PC, both desktop and laptop. We are heading home for a week to visit family and friends in Michigan, so we pick up the computer while we’re there. I’m super excited because I’ve heard how amazing MAC’s are for photos, web design/blogs, videos, music, etc. However, I’m a little nervous because I use Microsoft Powerpoint and word all the time for school. I bought the program iWork that converts the files, but I’m hoping I can use it with little trouble. Anyway, just wanted to share and lighten it up a bit after my last Mommywars post.
This whole thing got me thinking, which kind do you guys use, PC or MAC?
For those of you who use a MAC, was it difficult to convert? Do you have any tips for me?
April 19, 2007
I had my first "Mommywars" (as Elle calls it) encounter recently. I was at an end of tax season work function with Frank. Some of the wives, girlfriends, fiances had congregated in the kitchen and children was the hot topic. Several of them (in the same age range as Frank and I) have children between the ages of 6 - infant. A go around began - the few of us who are married and do not have children started getting grilled about when we want children, why we haven’t tried yet, how many children we want. As the person before me was giving her answers, I started to get nervous. Should I tell them we’re planning to adopt? We haven’t officially announced our plans yet. How would they react? Would they ask why? Should I give them the long explanation? I wanted to avoid a big, lengthy discussion, but I am also proud of our choice and feel excited to share. So, I told them we’re planning to adopt. We want 3-4 children and we are planning to start the process next year. I looked to my left thinking that maybe, just maybe they would move on to the next wife. Nope. The questions began. Some of them were VERY personal questions. I tried my best to answer and the times I was uncomfortable, I simple changed the subject. However, then another interrogation began. One of the wives pointed out that I am going to medical school. They started asking how I would manage a career and being a mother. WTF!?! Are we back in 1870??? They asked if we plan to use daycare or nannies, they told me how those options give developmental and attachment delays - I was starting to get pissed. Then, the topping on the cake…. one of the wives look right at me and said, "Hmm, I just don’t understand women like you. I believe I was put here to be a mother and I think pursuing a career on the side is just self satisfying." OMG I have never been so angry. I didn’t know what to say. I just look at the woman and said, "Well, I was raised to believe that a woman is capable of doing more than just pop out babies. But, you’re right…. maybe we should all just stay home barefoot in the kitchen. I mean, really, being a doctor is such a selfish field of work." And I walked away.
Can you believe that??? I sincerely hope this is not what I have to look forward to when dealing with other mothers for the next upteen years…
April 14, 2007
"We must overcome the notion that we must be regular. It robs us of the chance to be extraordinary and leads us to the mediocre."
~Uta Hager
***
For me, regular or usual is not an option. It never was. Sure, there are tons of things about me that are regular, typical, boring, average (insert word here). However, I spend a great deal of time living a life that is irregular and planning for more life that is even more irregular. As crazy as it may seem to some of you, I get excited about my life becoming even more unusual. That’s what I’m working so hard towards.
- It isn’t that typical to become a doctor. In fact, only 0.29% of the United States population are doctors. That is 1/3 of 1%. Pretty uncommon when you think about it. Of those, less than half are women. I feel proud to be working towards a career that is atypical and even prouder that I will represent women in a traditionally male work force.
- It is not common for high school sweethearts to get married either. In fact, only 2% of couples who started dating when one or both were in high school end up married. Of those marriages, 70% fail in the first 2 years. Guess we’re not ordinary in that sense either.
- It is not usual to live in a foriegn country. Most people live in the same area they grew up or at least in the same state. In fact, there are over 300,000,000 Americans. Less 4 million have ever lived outside the country. That’s only 0.013% Pretty uncommon.
- It’s also pretty uncommon to adopt. In the US, 2.5% of the population is adopted children. That’s about 1.6 million out of 300 million people. Of the 1.6 million adopted children, only about 20,000 were Russian born.
Our choices / lifestyle are not for everyone and I’m not saying that we’re doing things right or better than anyone else. I’m simply saying that I enjoy the lifestyle I live. I’m happy to be married to Frank and planning to adopt from Russia. I’m happy to be studying to be a doctor while living in a foreign country. I wouldn’t change anything about my life and when I found the above quote, it made me think.
***
All of that said, of course I desire the usual things - a healthy, loving marriage, children opening gifts around a grand Christmas tree and a long line of stockings hung above the fireplace, cooking a special meal in a large kitchen for a group of good friends, traveling with Frank to unusual places and exploring other cultures, planting a garden, going to school plays and basketball games, etc. Those things are important to me, too. It’s just that there is a whole other side of me that desires to do something a little more. Something extraordinary. That’s what gets both Frank and I excited and that’s what keeps us going.
April 10, 2007
Frank is my husband, hopefully that is clear by now.
It occured to me that I haven’t talked about him much. So, here is a little bit of information about Frank:
Frank is honest, loyal and loving. He works harder than anyone I’ve ever known. Frank has overcome obstacles that sometimes seem unreal to us. He has a Bachelors in Accounting from University of Michigan and a Masters in Business Administration. Frank works for KPMG as a Senior Tax Accountant. He loves fishing, working out, sporting events and running his internet business. He is amazing with children and looks forward to settling down a bit. I know he will be an incredible father.
Random tid bits - He sneezes every morning. He loves classic rock. He doesn’t like to admit it, but he loves reality tv as much as I do. He even watches American Idol and the Bachelor. He loves going to the movies and is thoroughly addicted to movie theater popcorn. Frank makes great potato chip (gasp) omelettes and can grill anything. Frank roots for my alma mater - Michigan State for sports over his own. (I think he knows better… hehe) He moved a lot as a kid. He plays on softball and basketball leagues for work. Frank didn’t travel much as a child, but once we started dating he found out that he loves to travel.
I could go on and on, but I think I will stop for now. Most of all, I love this man!
April 8, 2007
When I think of the Easter Bunny, I can’t help but think of this ….
of course, I also think of family dinner at Grandma’s house, Easter baskets, egg hunts and the typical stuff. I also think of the day I found out my Dad used to take careful bites out of the cookies, which I insisted upon leaving the Easter bunny. (Santa got them - why not the bunny?!) He made it look like two buck (or bunny) teeth imprinted. Thanks Dad!
Happy Easter Everyone!