Exhausting and Exhilarating

There are weeks in a mother’s life that are both exhausting and exhilarating, which is why I haven’t posted here for a while. Phew! (Sorry.)

The exhausting part:

1. My third and final class started this week, which meant lots of preparation and hand-holding (my own) and wringing of hands (my own).

2. I’m behind on grading for my other class, but what else is new for an English teacher? It’s being caught up that is the anomaly. Still, a stack of papers does not provide one any deep, heartwarming satisfaction.

3. Buying a blazer and trying on pants with my February body, which happens to be a size bigger than my regular body. How did that happen, red velvet cupcakes? You let me down. And can’t stores in the mall invest in some flattering mirrors and decent lighting? I would rather not feel like a naked deer in headlights and black socks.

4. Taking my kids to this “gym” where they run around and navigate germ-infested mats and germ-ridden plastic ball pools with the occasional faint whiff of urine. Mm. Lovely. Oh, and I had to do it too. Just loved that. My original plan had been Circle Time at the library, but it was CLOSED. Library, you let me down, too. So now I’m on the lookout for special, dirty gym editions of lice and pink-eye.

4. Preparation (mostly thinking and worrying) for an interview for my dream job, and driving there in wicked rush hour traffic after teaching two classes (total brain-fry), only to arrive five minutes late. Gulp. I guess it’s better than the last big interview I had, though, where I faced two old men with a rotund, very pregnant belly. Hmm. Wonder why I didn’t get that one?

The exhilarating part:

1. Acupuncture. Always. There’s nothing like getting your ch’i in order and ignoring the laundry (which never is).

2. Two kid-free days. Okay, exhilarating isn’t the word, but peaceful and calm? Yes. Husband took them to their grandparents for an overnight and I shopped (for that damn blazer), made a wholesome salad, and Skyped with my mom before getting to bed early and sleeping for oh, nine straight hours or so. Then I made my lil’ ol’ self breakfast and lunch and worked in peace. It felt like I was in college again. (Except for the work part.)

3. Reading the latest Maladjusted Book Club pick, which is just so fun and so smart. It is the Bridget Jones of the working mum. (Hint: I bought it on Kindle, so can read it on both the iPad and iPhone–yes, this is another reluctant advertisement for Apple and, I assume, Amazon. Bleh. But you see, I always have my phone with me. There is such comfort in having my book with me, I cannot explain….)

4. And, for the finale. I am guest-posting on Mammalingo today! If you haven’t read Melissa’s blog, get thee to this mummery. Mommery. Dictionary, really. Like the Oxford Dictionary, only for parents. And check back here tomorrow for her guest post as part of the Won’t You Be My Neighbor? blogging series.

So go, now, go!

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Tagged as: acupuncture, ch'i, I Don't Know How She Does It