Back to work

Now I know what working moms talked about when they said they are busy. Today is Monday, and yesterday I went to bed at 2:30 am. I was grading until then. Both my classes had homework due and exams last week, and since I only gained access to the University system last week, I am still trying to set up all my Blackboard functions. I am exhausted. Beyond exhausted. I haven't almost had any time for myself, which is terrible, because I am terribly hooked to the second Millennium book. These week all the big TV series had their big seasons premieres. I usually watch a bunch of them, but this time I was only able to catch a part of House on Monday. I missed Law & Order SVU (although after a very judgemental episode on vaccines I swore I would never watch it again), Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives and part of Brothers and Sisters. I also would like to watch some Jay Leno. I like the guy, I guess I fit in the 5o year old demographic. But I guess I have to say goodbye to TV. Our Netflix copy of Slumdog Millionaire has been sitting in the counter top of two different apartments for months now. Yes, more than two.
Little L is not doing too good in school. The other day he was throwing toys to other kids. And according to his teacher (too young, too blonde, too innocent) the worst part is that he is a good hitter, with a strong hand. I would have cracked up, and then I realized that I am actually his mom. So I shouldn't. I have to adult up, and try to help him ease his stress over the whole school thing. We were sure he would love it, because he loves to be with kids. But apparently he is so mad, that for the first seven days he got the teacher convinced that he doesn't understand any English. And trust me, he does. Absolutely everything. And there is no mom's pride involved in my statement. Some friendly wisdom I got on Saturday from my very pregnant Spanish friend: routine, routine, routine. We'll try it. It may work. We had a lovely and very Spanish evening at her very Spanish apartment. Una velada encantadora. I only met her in January, but I'm growing very close to her. Which helps when you get disappointed by other friends. But I won't get into that. It's Monday and it should start with a positive note. I had a very happy and very busy weekend. So now I feel like that very useful little blue engine...

My last day as a stay at home mom

Tomorrow I start working. Little L, who is 28 months already, will start going to daycare three afternoons a week. I found a lovely school, and I am sure he will be well taken care of. But it is going to be hard. If he smiles less, I will blame it on myself. If he loses weight, I will blame it on myself. If he is not as bubbly as his usual, I will blame it on myself. If he is not happy, it will be my fault. When I started to look for a job we really thought that sending him to school would be the best option for him in a city with a six month long winter. It doesn't sound that good twelve hours before I drive him there. I am trying to prepare my class, but all I can see is his smiley face.
I wanted to have a special day today. Go to the park, eat together, go for some ice cream in the afternoon... Instead, he, as usual, spent the day in front of the TV. I asked him what he wanted to do, and his answer was, four times : "Buzzzzzz..." Which, in his language means "I want to watch Toy Story again". Which we did. At the end, it was his day, wasn't it? But I still feel like the worst mom ever. No park, no ice cream, no glory.

By a split second

Today I could have died. I don't think I have ever seen death closer than today. As close, maybe, and the other few times a car also was involved. I went with my seven months pregnant friend E to a mall in the suburbs. We wanted to go to Zara, can you get any more Spanish? We had lunch, bought many clothes for our kids, enjoyed our time there... It almost looked like a movie, some kind of feel good soap. Then, on our way back to the city, we suddenly saw something bouncing our way in the highway. We saw it in slow motion. At first glance we couldn't tell what it was, but as it came closer we realized it was a huge truck wheel. Not only the tire, but the whole huge wheel. Bouncing 15 feet high at a crazy speed directly towards my friend's car. I saw it crashing, I swear, but thank God E, who is way more reflective than I am, was able to turn a little bit to the left and we missed it by a couple of inches. Thank God there was almost no traffic on Sunday. Thank God it didn't hit the car in front of us, or any other car behind us, for that matter. For someone who doesn't usually believe in God I named him quite few times today. I know that's convenient. We didn't speak for a couple of minutes, as we were in shock. When we did, we could only say one thing: "Coño, estamos vivas. Lo demás da lo mismo". I think our friendship is closer today. Our bonding deeper. Our luck, untouched.

Back to work

I am starting to freak out. I have been a stay at home mom for the last two years and a half. I have been very happy with this arrangement. I really enjoyed taking care of my son. I know it was a privilege to be able to spend such a long time with him. But we have reached the point when he is watching way too much television (we watch The Incredibles twice each day), and I think he is longing to spend some time with other kids. I found a daycare I really loved, recommended by a friend. It's called Wee Care. And I surprisingly found a job in the middle of a recession. My first try. I'm going to be teaching Spanish at De Paul University, which is four blocks from the apartment we are moving to. Lots and lots of changes, all to happen within a couple of weeks.
I was surprised when they offered me class after interviewing me over the phone. I jumped when they told me they had a second one for me. The schedule is pretty bad for a mom, but I haven't worked in more than two years, so I couldn't ask for more. I just hope I haven't forgotten how to teach...
On top of that I had an interview at an Spanish government office in Chicago, for a job that seems rather interesting. I don't think I will get it, because it was my first formal interview ever, but I didn't think I would pass the exam and make it into the interview either... And here we are. I should know by next week.
Everything looks like it goes so well... If only those babies would want to stay in my uterus... But thats a whole different blog. More about changes soon.