I love three-day weekends, especially one like this one. There is just so much more time to get things done, and I don't feel like I have to sacrifice fun activities for laundry and homework. Not that I've gotten very far on my homework yet. But I did get new shoes and a haircut for the BusyBee, both of which have been necessary for a while now.
Not much else of note has been happening, just busy as usual. Class two nights a week is a major time drain. The BusyBee also attended back-up daycare for two days this past week, while her school was closed for Shavuot. The extra schlepping of her and all her stuff is hard on me, but the change in routine is much harder on her. Fortunately, she handled it like a pro. Funny how sometimes she can roll with the punches, and other times is totally inflexible.
Tomorrow we're planning to attend the Hopper exhibit at the MFA. Should be a good way to avoid a rainy day. And there's still that homework to get to.
Enjoy the start of summer.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Friday, May 11, 2007
On Being Sick
I have had a very bad cold this week.
I felt lethargic all day Monday while at work, and on Tuesday I woke up without a voice. I stayed at home on the couch all day Tuesday and most of Wednesday (had to attend the BusyBee's Mother's Day breakfast at daycare). I even had a fever.
Being sick is not such an unusual experience for me. I seem to get run down and worn out more and more often. At first I would chalk it up to germs brought home by the BusyBee, but this time, I think I just got sick on my own.
The hardest part is the coughing. My coughs can sometimes drag on for weeks. Co-workers tend to get very annoyed, but it's not as if I can stay home with just a cough. The second issue is everyone giving me advice on how better to take care of myself. I try to be nice about it, but I hate that part of being sick more than the rest of it combined.
While colds are a universal experience, there is truly the mother of universal experiences that trumps it. When I was pregnant with the BusyBee, I was stunned by how universal pregnancy is. Even men had comments on my situation. My favorite interaction was in a CVS when Mr. Bee and I stopped to pick up a few things. As I was paying, the clerk noticed we were buying Tums, and assumed they were for a very pregnant me. She told me that heartburn meant the baby had a lot of hair. Well, the BusyBee did in fact have a lot of hair when she arrived, but I don't think it was causing Mr. Bee's upset stomach.
For Mother's Day, the BusyBee made me a great frame with a cute picture of herself at daycare. The frame is purple, of course, since that is her favorite color. It show her "smile-on-command" face, which results in very squinted eyes. I love it.
Happy Mother's Day, everyone.
I felt lethargic all day Monday while at work, and on Tuesday I woke up without a voice. I stayed at home on the couch all day Tuesday and most of Wednesday (had to attend the BusyBee's Mother's Day breakfast at daycare). I even had a fever.
Being sick is not such an unusual experience for me. I seem to get run down and worn out more and more often. At first I would chalk it up to germs brought home by the BusyBee, but this time, I think I just got sick on my own.
The hardest part is the coughing. My coughs can sometimes drag on for weeks. Co-workers tend to get very annoyed, but it's not as if I can stay home with just a cough. The second issue is everyone giving me advice on how better to take care of myself. I try to be nice about it, but I hate that part of being sick more than the rest of it combined.
While colds are a universal experience, there is truly the mother of universal experiences that trumps it. When I was pregnant with the BusyBee, I was stunned by how universal pregnancy is. Even men had comments on my situation. My favorite interaction was in a CVS when Mr. Bee and I stopped to pick up a few things. As I was paying, the clerk noticed we were buying Tums, and assumed they were for a very pregnant me. She told me that heartburn meant the baby had a lot of hair. Well, the BusyBee did in fact have a lot of hair when she arrived, but I don't think it was causing Mr. Bee's upset stomach.
For Mother's Day, the BusyBee made me a great frame with a cute picture of herself at daycare. The frame is purple, of course, since that is her favorite color. It show her "smile-on-command" face, which results in very squinted eyes. I love it.
Happy Mother's Day, everyone.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Almost Graduation Day
On Tuesday night I finished my fifteenth graduate school course as I work towards my MBA. I have just one class to go, and will officially be done with school in July.
It will have taken me four and a half years.
I'm planning to attend the graduation ceremony in a few weeks, though I won't know most of my fellow graduates, having been in the part-time program. I never thought I'd go to the ceremony, but as it got closer I realized that I needed a moment to celebrate this accomplishment. Obviously, it wasn't easy.
I have been applying to or enrolled in grad school for my entire married life. Mr. Bee has practically earned a degree of his own by coaching me through this and handling some of the details of life (and a lot of childcare) that I couldn't attend to while working full-time and taking classes. He needs a moment to celebrate this too.
I have also been lucky to have two employers that recognize the importance of graduate education and have paid all of my tuition (and in one case, fees and books too). To have gotten a free degree is really unbelievable.
Many others have supported and encouraged me along the way as well, and I thank you all for it. Whether you filled out a survey on bread pudding, advised on my leadership skills, or just put up with my schedule and having less free time to spend with you, I appreciate it.
Soon on to the last course. I just have to remember that I'm not totally finished yet. :)
It will have taken me four and a half years.
I'm planning to attend the graduation ceremony in a few weeks, though I won't know most of my fellow graduates, having been in the part-time program. I never thought I'd go to the ceremony, but as it got closer I realized that I needed a moment to celebrate this accomplishment. Obviously, it wasn't easy.
I have been applying to or enrolled in grad school for my entire married life. Mr. Bee has practically earned a degree of his own by coaching me through this and handling some of the details of life (and a lot of childcare) that I couldn't attend to while working full-time and taking classes. He needs a moment to celebrate this too.
I have also been lucky to have two employers that recognize the importance of graduate education and have paid all of my tuition (and in one case, fees and books too). To have gotten a free degree is really unbelievable.
Many others have supported and encouraged me along the way as well, and I thank you all for it. Whether you filled out a survey on bread pudding, advised on my leadership skills, or just put up with my schedule and having less free time to spend with you, I appreciate it.
Soon on to the last course. I just have to remember that I'm not totally finished yet. :)
A Few Hundred New York Minutes
Last weekend Mr. Bee and I took our long-awaited trip to NYC. Mr. Bee had purchased tickets for us to see "Wicked" last October (for my birthday) and Sunday was finally the day. We left the BusyBee with my sister- and brother-in-law, and took the train there from New Haven.
After lunch and a little shopping, we saw the show. It was absolutely wonderful. I can't get the songs out of my head. I'm a big Broadway fan, and while I haven't seen everything I'd like to see, I try to go when I can. I've been a fan since I heard the first haunting strains of "Phantom of the Opera" in seventh grade. I can vividly remember singing from the sheet music in the choir room with my three other best friends at the time.
One of those best friends actually had a Broadway role in "Wicked." He was one of the supporting characters, and while watching it, and listening to the CD since then, I can totally see him playing the role (he left the show last summer). In my mind, he's made it. We're not in touch any longer, but I'm proud of him still.
The most amazing part of the day was a totally random, but very New York, moment. We were in Union Square and walked past a movie theater that was screening the new movie "Waitress," starring Keri Russell. She happened to step out of her town car as we walked by. "Felicity" in the flesh. That show was one of my favorites, especially having been a college student myself when it first aired. So that was definitely exciting.
The BusyBee reportedly had a great day too. I felt bad about leaving her (we got her the program from "Wicked" and she's learning all the songs) and can't tell you how many times I thought of her while we were gone for those 10 or so hours. But as soon as we got to NYC, Mr. Bee and I were already planning our next trip and to bring her along.
After lunch and a little shopping, we saw the show. It was absolutely wonderful. I can't get the songs out of my head. I'm a big Broadway fan, and while I haven't seen everything I'd like to see, I try to go when I can. I've been a fan since I heard the first haunting strains of "Phantom of the Opera" in seventh grade. I can vividly remember singing from the sheet music in the choir room with my three other best friends at the time.
One of those best friends actually had a Broadway role in "Wicked." He was one of the supporting characters, and while watching it, and listening to the CD since then, I can totally see him playing the role (he left the show last summer). In my mind, he's made it. We're not in touch any longer, but I'm proud of him still.
The most amazing part of the day was a totally random, but very New York, moment. We were in Union Square and walked past a movie theater that was screening the new movie "Waitress," starring Keri Russell. She happened to step out of her town car as we walked by. "Felicity" in the flesh. That show was one of my favorites, especially having been a college student myself when it first aired. So that was definitely exciting.
The BusyBee reportedly had a great day too. I felt bad about leaving her (we got her the program from "Wicked" and she's learning all the songs) and can't tell you how many times I thought of her while we were gone for those 10 or so hours. But as soon as we got to NYC, Mr. Bee and I were already planning our next trip and to bring her along.
Monday, April 23, 2007
A Whirlwind Vacation
We had a wonderful time in California.
In just four days, we managed to cover a lot of sites we hadn't done before (San Francisco Zoo, Monterey Aquarium, 17 Mile Drive, Jelly Belly Factory) as well as some sites most people probably never see (the towns of Geyserville and Healdsburg, CA). The wedding we attended was just beautiful, and BusyBee even got to dance on stage with the band. She called them "the stars" and was in total awe of their sequinned and fringed dresses. I think we have a future performer on our hands.
BusyBee also handled the flights reasonably well, which was such a relief. Travelling is so complicated these days, but we had done lots of prior discussions on going through security and being on the plane. The only difficult part was getting her to sleep on the flight out there, as we flew into the sun and the light made sleeping very difficult. She did much better when we had to wake her up early to leave, and then had time to sleep on the plane. Something to keep in mind on future trips.
BusyBee LOVED the little time we spent at the beach and in the pool. This is heavily influenced by "The Little Mermaid," but I hope it lasts longer than its place in the DVD rotation will. I can't express in words how much joy it gives me to see her loving something so much. I didn't even mind the three tons of sand she managed to get all over herself.
Now we are back home and enjoying the tail end of our kitchen renovation. It's starting to come together very nicely, and I'm a little shocked by it. Using real silverware again? Working appliances? It seems to good to be true after a year of living without it.
In just four days, we managed to cover a lot of sites we hadn't done before (San Francisco Zoo, Monterey Aquarium, 17 Mile Drive, Jelly Belly Factory) as well as some sites most people probably never see (the towns of Geyserville and Healdsburg, CA). The wedding we attended was just beautiful, and BusyBee even got to dance on stage with the band. She called them "the stars" and was in total awe of their sequinned and fringed dresses. I think we have a future performer on our hands.
BusyBee also handled the flights reasonably well, which was such a relief. Travelling is so complicated these days, but we had done lots of prior discussions on going through security and being on the plane. The only difficult part was getting her to sleep on the flight out there, as we flew into the sun and the light made sleeping very difficult. She did much better when we had to wake her up early to leave, and then had time to sleep on the plane. Something to keep in mind on future trips.
BusyBee LOVED the little time we spent at the beach and in the pool. This is heavily influenced by "The Little Mermaid," but I hope it lasts longer than its place in the DVD rotation will. I can't express in words how much joy it gives me to see her loving something so much. I didn't even mind the three tons of sand she managed to get all over herself.
Now we are back home and enjoying the tail end of our kitchen renovation. It's starting to come together very nicely, and I'm a little shocked by it. Using real silverware again? Working appliances? It seems to good to be true after a year of living without it.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Eye Color and California Dreaming
The BusyBee woke up with pink eye on Friday. This was devastating news, as she couldn't go to school and be Shabbat Helper. DEVASTATING - I've never heard her wail like that. We got meds, and she is getting better, but slowly.
This led to a few interesting discussions with BusyBee announcing that her eyes are all better. Usually, she'd say that her eyes aren't pink anymore, but that they're blue again. Two issues here: I wouldn't really call her normal eye color blue, and that she can't in fact see her own eyes (without a mirror, that is). I think she really believes she can see them as clearly as she can see the television screen.
The amazing news is that I myself didn't contract the pink eye. I seem to get pink eye on an annual basis, usually when I'm so stressed out that my body needs to actually plague me with something to get me to slow down a bit. I was using Purell with such an intensity on Friday that I'm a little surprised I didn't damage my hands. But with California coming up and a grad school paper to write, I couldn't afford to get sidelined.
We leave for San Francisco in just two days!!! Haven't packed a thing yet, but I'm a pretty efficient packer. Pray that our flight can leave on time and not be cancelled due to weather...
This led to a few interesting discussions with BusyBee announcing that her eyes are all better. Usually, she'd say that her eyes aren't pink anymore, but that they're blue again. Two issues here: I wouldn't really call her normal eye color blue, and that she can't in fact see her own eyes (without a mirror, that is). I think she really believes she can see them as clearly as she can see the television screen.
The amazing news is that I myself didn't contract the pink eye. I seem to get pink eye on an annual basis, usually when I'm so stressed out that my body needs to actually plague me with something to get me to slow down a bit. I was using Purell with such an intensity on Friday that I'm a little surprised I didn't damage my hands. But with California coming up and a grad school paper to write, I couldn't afford to get sidelined.
We leave for San Francisco in just two days!!! Haven't packed a thing yet, but I'm a pretty efficient packer. Pray that our flight can leave on time and not be cancelled due to weather...
Thursday, April 5, 2007
An In Between Day
To quote a favorite poem from high school English class:
Today is very boring, it's a very boring day.
Well, not exactly. But it is an in between day. We spent the last few days with Mr. Bee's family for our Passover seder (and because BusyBee's school was closed). I am at work today, but have off tomorrow for Good Friday. Then I work just three days next week before we leave for a family wedding in California.
I had 374 new email messages when I got in today, after just 2.5 days away (and I did some deleting while away, too). I'm scared to see the total when I get back from four days away in California.
Tonight we are going to a Community Pesach dinner at our synagogue. It was a nice event last year, and I expect tonight will be as well.
Tomorrow BusyBee will be Shabbat Helper at her school. She is beyond excited to bring in her little flashlight, a Glinda doll from McDonald's, and an assortment of other small toys. Since it is still Pesach, we'll be bringing a box of matzah instead of a challah. I hope that is the only change to the routine, as BusyBee hates changes.
Back to work. Anyone know how to import a ticker list into Bloomberg?
Today is very boring, it's a very boring day.
Well, not exactly. But it is an in between day. We spent the last few days with Mr. Bee's family for our Passover seder (and because BusyBee's school was closed). I am at work today, but have off tomorrow for Good Friday. Then I work just three days next week before we leave for a family wedding in California.
I had 374 new email messages when I got in today, after just 2.5 days away (and I did some deleting while away, too). I'm scared to see the total when I get back from four days away in California.
Tonight we are going to a Community Pesach dinner at our synagogue. It was a nice event last year, and I expect tonight will be as well.
Tomorrow BusyBee will be Shabbat Helper at her school. She is beyond excited to bring in her little flashlight, a Glinda doll from McDonald's, and an assortment of other small toys. Since it is still Pesach, we'll be bringing a box of matzah instead of a challah. I hope that is the only change to the routine, as BusyBee hates changes.
Back to work. Anyone know how to import a ticker list into Bloomberg?
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