11 December 2009
¡Mierda!
Well, considering he is 31 months old, it took a long time to have the first stinky accident, with it's accompanying funny story.
10 December 2009
The maid
It is definitely a character movie full of open questions. Why does she hate Camila, the oldest daughter? Does she finally sleep with Lucy's uncle? Where is she running at the end? And more than anything, why does she devote her life to this family who will never appreciate her efforts? It is also a cruel depiction of the Chilean upper middle class, la burguesía. In a way it reminds of Luciana Martel's films, it's like a Christian clean version of La ciénaga. In any case, it's worth seeing.
I always forget that there was a time when I went to the movies at least twice a week, when I bought and read film magazines, and when I knew what directors were going to be up to for the next two years. That was long gone. I don't have the time or money to do all that. But I will try to get back in shape. Maybe this blog will eventually evolve into a cultural one... Don't even get me started in books.
04 December 2009
TVE
25 October 2009
Silk Road Theater
23 October 2009
cooktopless
21 October 2009
Craziness
Last Friday I went to a Department drink meeting, and I really enjoyed meeting the people who work there, including the cute young Italian professor. Hmmmm, maybe I should start taking Italian classes again. And I found out that they are going to renew my contract for Winter, and most likely Spring. I'm very happy about it, since I like my students, and they like me enough to want to sign up for my classes. I may not be the disaster I think I am. And I love the University where I am teaching.
Little L likes his new teacher, although I am not sure if I like the daycare enough. I'm still on the lookout for something I like better. While I do that, I wait impatiently for my mom to send me the third installment of Millennium. Is nowhere to be found in the United States. So she is shipping it from Spain.
15 October 2009
Wired after the fire
02 October 2009
Bummer
"David Letterman had sex with his female employees", and the ones that state "David Letterman denounces blackmailing attempt". Depending on which of the two you get, the guy is pictured as a devil or a hero. Of course I have my opinion on the issue, he was very brave to denounce it, and whom he sleeps with is none of our business. But I'm surprised to see that in American media, it's him the one that's getting the guilty mediatic verdict, instead of the guy who actually committed a crime, the blackmailer. It's just a thought.
28 September 2009
Back to work
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...
08 September 2009
My last day as a stay at home mom
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.
06 September 2009
By a split second
03 September 2009
Back to work
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.
25 August 2009
Enganchada
Going back to real life, I'm going to start teaching at a local private university in two weeks. Spanish 101 and 104. I'm excited, because I haven't worked in almost three years. And scared. Do I still remember how to teach? How is L going to do in daycare? I feel like a traitor, sending him there, but we think he will be happy surrounded by other kids. He enjoys playing with other children in the park, and in Chicago in the Winter, there is no park.
I will post about the move another day, because the lease hasn't been signed yet and we don't want to jinx it.
But if you have a few hours available, try the book.
Back to life.
17 August 2009
Letters
15 August 2009
Blogging bug
Why did the blogging bug attack? I went to watch Julie and Julia with a friend tonight, and I just couldn't resist all that typewritting, as I couldn't resist all that smoking, and I wouldn't have resisted all that beef bourgignon if I had been able to find a place that served it at midnight in Chicago. I briefly played with the idea of going to a Borders, getting the book, and cooking it myself, but last time I checked there were no emergency butchers around. This is not New York, or Tokyo or London. If it's midnight, you just got to McDonald's. I resisted that, at least. I guess I'm back. And this time it better is for good.
24 May 2009
Sneakers
01 May 2009
Terrible Twos
27 April 2009
Vaya fin de semana...
I'm tired, but quite happy.
22 April 2009
22 de abril
17 April 2009
A day in the park
16 April 2009
Maybe Spring?
11 April 2009
Mistresses
07 April 2009
¿Quién me ha robado el mes de abril?, que diría Sabina...
It's April in Chicago. And I look like a newcomer. As if I hadn't said this the last five Aprils.
04 March 2009
Manifiesto
Hace unos días comenzó la preocupación de alumnos y profesores de la Facultad
de Letras de la Universidad del País Vasco / Euskal Herriko
Unibertsitatea ante los crecientes rumores sobre la eliminación de
cuatro titulaciones en Filología en dicha Universidad: Hispánica,
Clásica, Francesa y Alemana.
Pues bien, parece que los rumores se confirman, y tras una semana
larga de movilizaciones en la Facultad de Letras, que han contado con
el apoyo directo del equipo decanal y que han tenido un importante eco
en prensa, radio y televisión, el Rectorado, en una reunión con el
Decano que se celebró el lunes, desautorizó la propuesta de la
Facultad de mantener esas cuatro titulaciones en Filología en la
UPV/EHU. Como consecuencia de ello, el equipo decanal en pleno
presentó ayer su dimisión. (Más abajo os adjunto el link con la
noticia de prensa aparecida hoy).
Nuestra intención como profesores y alumnos de la Facultad de Letras
afectados por la supresión de estas cuatro titulaciones en la UPV/EHU
es protestar enérgicamente ante el proyecto del Rectorado. Para ello,
se ha constituido una Plataforma de Defensa de las Letras y se ha
redactado un manifiesto que se leerá mañana jueves, 5 de marzo, en una
asamblea que se celebrará en la Facultad de Letras de la UPV/EHU, en
Vitoria.
Nos gustaría poder contar con vuestro apoyo a nuestra protesta. Para
nosotros, alumnos y profesores de la Facultad de Letras de la UPV/EHU,
sería un elemento inestimable en nuestra reivindicación ante el
Rectorado.
Agradeciéndoos vuestro apoyo y vuestra amistad, recibid un cordial abrazo de
Natalia Vara Ferrero
Departamento de Filología Hispánica, Románica y Teoría de la Literatura
Facultad de Letras
Universidad del País Vasco / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea
Paseo de la Universidad, 5
Apartado 2111
01006 - Vitoria
03 March 2009
Growing list of differences between child rearing in Spain and the USA
1. In Spain you bathe babies every day. No matter what. In the US, at most every two days. Everyday bathing is not considered healthy, actually. (I follow Spain here, mainly because I have a messy kid. Everyday)
2. Breastfeeding is not as encouraged as here. It's getting better, bust most moms only breastfeed until the fourth month. Breastfeeding a two year old still looks bizarre over there. (US. He's almost two and I'm still breastfeeding)
3. Everyone tries to hold newborns in Spain. Friends and family visit you in the hospital, and everyone wants to hold the newborn. It's socially accepted, and moms are usually happy about it. In the US the bond between parents and baby is protected, and everyone else asks for permission to take the baby. Usually they are not passed around until they are a little older. (Half and half. I don't think newborns like to be taken far from their mamas, but if someone close asks, I'm fine with it)
4. In Spain we don't do swaddling. It was a totally new concept for me. No receiving blankets, no "bebe burrito". (Spain. I was never able to learn how to swaddle a baby. And I tried...)
5. You can see plenty of pregnant women smoking is Spain. Sometimes doctors tell them than reducing to five cigarettes a day is better than totally quitting. Less stressful. Hopefully, that's changing, too. (US. I quit smoking when I found out I was pregnant. It's not that difficult)
A. , you are right on. I'll add yours, which were going to be my next three:
6. Spaniards give pureed food to babies until they are 18 months (at least). When they transition to regular food, they are fed, so they don't get dirty. Strawberries are considered highly allergic, and not recommended until they are two at least. But we give 10 month olds cured ham... (I went with the US here. My baby "feeds" himself, along with the bib, the high-chair, the floor... since he was twelve months. And he is a wonderful eater).
7. Car seats are not optional in Spain either, at least legally, and in the north where I am from everyone abides by the law. But, if you switch off the airbag, they can go in the front seat.
8. Yes, my friend, Spaniards pour litres of cologne and lotion on babies. Watch out... My mom does it when I'm not around. I pretend not to smell it. (I follow US rules here, they don't need it, and it damages their skin).
9. Spaniards let babies use pacifiers and bottles forever. Actually, cereal is given with formula in a bottle, not with a spoon, like here. Until they are two or three.
24 February 2009
10 rules for desperate moms
1. Chill out. Relax. They don't break. Really. Newborns are amazingly designed to survive the first four months of life shared with first time parents. So just chill. Most likely, if you are calm, the baby will be calm too. I know, I know, easier said than done. Maybe the second time around...
2. Babies are persons. I was recently told by someone that my toddler looks like a little adult. He IS a little adult. Treat them as such. They are not stupid. They just have communication issues. Like political parties. And you still vote for them, don't you?
3. Raising my child between two cultures has shown me that rules are not that important. Most of them, at least. I will link another list with the cultural "raising babies" differences between Spain and the USA. http://spanishmom.blogspot.com/2009/03/growing-list-of-differences-between.html
4. Everyone said so and I didn't listen: time goes by sooooooooo fast. Suddenly, they are two.
5. Babies don't need tons of things. They are actually overwhelmed by too many toys. Most of them prefer to play with the boxes that contain the toys. Or with a wooden spoon and a pot. Or with a piece of fabric...
6. They love to imitate you. And to feel included. Our son has eaten with us at the table since he was very young. He is a very good eater, and eats almost everything.
7. Don't create picky eaters. Get them used to real food since the beginning. Pureeing food doesn't take long. It smells better, it tastes better, and it is healthier. Expose them to anything you are eating (within safety standards), and they will be open to give it a try.
8. Shower them in books. I wasn't sure it would work but... it did. I have a 22 month old whose favorite toys are books. Not always his, though, we are still working on that.
9. Don't monopolize the baby. Fathers are able to do everything we do but breastfeeding. I often find that moms tend to consider fathers unsuitable to take care of them. They are not. They can be as effective, resourceful and compassionate as we are. Give them a chance.
10. Take time for yourself, specially if you are a stay at home mom. Go out with your friends, enjoy a movie, go shopping, or sit on a park and read. You will be happier, which will make your baby happier. It took me a while to admit this, but it really helps. And this way dad has time to bond with the baby alone.
I don't pretend to know everything. Actually I don't know much, but at least I know more than when we came back from the hospital with little L. I hope to keep learning for years to come. That's the most amazing thing about kids. They teach you many more things than you teach them.
A pain in the neck
Going back to the pain, first, it was cause by a silly car collision (I wouldn't dare call it a crash) eight years ago, November 2000. I was driving to the University, stopped at a roundabout (you should have seen thousands of them if you have ever been in Spain), and the driver behind me hit me. At first I didn't feel bad, probably because my beloved Corolla was in pretty good shape, but in a few hours the pain started. I went to the ER, they gave me some Voltaren (powerful pain killer) and sent me home. I had a trip to Paris booked for the following week (by bus, of course), and I got the green light from the ER doctor to go. It was long and painful, I survived thanks to Tylenol (recommended by my gorgeous Venezuelan friend, who lived in Baltimore at the time), and called my mom to beg for a doctor's appointment. As soon as I got back to Vitoria I saw the doctor, and I had a esguince cervical grave, or cervical sprain. One month of physical therapy, three months without driving, a year on Tylenol and some money from the car insurance after, I was left with a recurrent pain, that comes back from time to time. I has gotten better with the years, and it doesn't hit often anymore. But a yoga class and six days without proper sleep (including one half spent on my baby's bedroom floor) have taken me back to 2000. But I don't have Venezuelan friends offering to get the best doctors anymore...
I'll go back to my life later. If I have time, and can still sit and hold my head...
15 February 2009
Hiding, or prohibir es despertar el deseo
13 February 2009
Surviving
1. I don't get scared that easily anymore. I turn off the lights, I would read for a while, and then I would go peacefully to sleep.
2. I sleep better alone. I know it's not romantic, but I think separated beds are a very civilized way of living. I miss him, but I got much better quality rest.
3. I was able to keep the house clean and tidy. Probably because I didn't expect anyone to help me. My daily routine was way more organized.
4. L is going to keep throwing tantrums. I have to learn how to cope with them.
I survived. I'm happy. I feel stronger.
I also made a new friend, a mom I meet n swimming class months ago. She is from the Philippines, and has a lovely eighteen month old. The boys had fun, and we were happy to have someone with whom we could have a girly grown up conversation. I need that sometimes. I need a break from intellectually charged conversations.
Loner mom is not so lonely lately. I guess that's good. Last Saturday I even went out and got pretty drunk. Not something I do often, but I had lost all of my alcohol resistance (remind me to talk about Spanish drinking habits another time). The hangover was horrendous, but I survived it too. And I want to go out again. Soon.
03 February 2009
I met a mom!!!!!!!
Yoga
29 January 2009
Lottery
27 January 2009
Revolutionary Road
But I was going to talk about something else. I went to the movies on Saturday with husband. Brave of us, considering that it was 8 degrees when we got into the theater. We watched Revolutionary Road. It was so good that I didn't minded how depressing it was. Dense and hard movie to watch, but very very good. I don;t go to the movies often anymore, maybe once every couple of months at most. When I was younger I used to go twice a week, since I love cinema. I even made it part of the PhD I was taking (and I hope to resume at some point). But I don't have time anymore. Going to the movies involves a babysitter, dining out, prepare everything to leave the baby at home (specially my self consciousness, since I still feel a little bit guilty when I leave him; you can call it Stockholm syndrome). So I usually enjoy it a lot, since it's a special occasion. This time it wasn't a exception. And the movie touched so many aspects of my life... I could be April any day of the week. I get her sadness, her lost, her hope, broken once again... But it helped me realize that I am still on time to avoid getting to that point, to fix things, to fix my life... I didn't like Leonardo Di Caprio until I saw Gangs of New York on Christmas. I still think he looks a bit too young opposed to Kate Winslet, but he does a remarkable job, and so does her. Great performances, that help build the tension throughout the movie. Tension not eased by the fact that you cannot smoke on cinemas anymore, and they smoke hundreds of cigarettes. But that deserves a whole entry on its own.