It's been a while since I've last posted. With all the transition of a new job, home, and life there really hasn't been a moment when I could have sit down and write.
There's been alot happening. We survived our first month living off campus. We really are having $$ shock with the cost of paying for electricity and random other items. We had a huge snow storm which caused us to be snowed in with no power. Then we had a clogged toilet and had to get new tires on Karl's car. To say the least, the plan to save money for buying a house has diminished. We're still hoping to do so in April but I have little hope on this now. We may just have to rent for a year in a house closer to my work.
Work has been good - I'm adjusting to a new campus and culture. I'm trying to figure out how to gather all the pieces of my job from others who have been taking care of it since no one was in this position for a while. I really enjoy the campus, students, and the people I work with. The commute is the hard part with roughly 40 hours a week is spent traveling. That's alot on my body. I leave my house usually 5am to go work out, catch the train by 7am, and get into work by 8am. Then work work until 4:45pm and catch the train back to Newark, getting home (hopefully) by 6:45pm. I leave and return in darkness. Now that daylight savings time has occurred, there's still light when I get home which makes it better but not really. I prefer to get home no later than 6pm so there's time for dinner and play. Karl has been so flexible and amazing with this whole situation. He really has taken on the "stay-at-home" role. He stills works (usually 1-9pm) but the kids stay with him in the morning and all day Fridays. They do trips to museums, the Y, and the library. Everyday when I get home there's new art projects and stories of their adventures. O how I wish I could be with them.
So we're adjusting to this new life. I'm missing my flexibility and ease of my Delaware job. I miss my family and homelife but hopefully we can move and improve our situation.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Breaking News: Sickness overcomes the Luka family
Everyone, and everyone has caught whatever it is that now resides in our home. Last week when Carlita was off with her tia, she threw up four times. In my office there's been an awful stomach bug going around and people have to take one to two days off. "Not me.. I won't get this.. I never get sick" I told myself. This past Wednesday Luke threw up twice. Poor baby. That should have been a sign.
Then at 4:30pm at the end of my work day I wasn't feeling so good. hmmm... what's up with my belly? Off to the bathroom. Hmm... I'm not feeling so hot. By the time I walked from my office to the train station (10 minutes) I was sweating and ready to pass out. I had to lean against a sign to hold myself together. My friend, co-worker, and fellow blogger, Gina (aka hiyaluv) was with me and asked if I was okay. No I wasn't. 10 minutes into our train ride home I threw up badly! I was so lucky to have a box of food that I was taking home for the family to hold all that puke. Really it was disgusting! And then I passed out and Gina had to wake me up when we arrived in Newark. Somehow I drove home, walked into the house, and was in bed by 7:30pm. I spent the time sweating and hoping for no re-occurrence. Instead, I spent quality time with my friend, the toilet. My intestines were so loud that you thought trains and planes were going by. Really so disgusting! The next 36 hours I stayed home from work. At moments I was fine, nothing wrong so I would eat food. No that was a big no no. Next minute I was back with my BBF for at least an half hour.
So now it's Friday night and I think it's over for me but you know what ... Karl just threw up and is having a cheating relationship with my BBF (actually you can have her Karl I really don't need to see her again for a while). It's all quiet in the house at 9pm and I'm ready for bed. I really hope Karl is the last one to have this bug and we can have a good weekend. Otherwise, it's going to be a long weekend.
Then at 4:30pm at the end of my work day I wasn't feeling so good. hmmm... what's up with my belly? Off to the bathroom. Hmm... I'm not feeling so hot. By the time I walked from my office to the train station (10 minutes) I was sweating and ready to pass out. I had to lean against a sign to hold myself together. My friend, co-worker, and fellow blogger, Gina (aka hiyaluv) was with me and asked if I was okay. No I wasn't. 10 minutes into our train ride home I threw up badly! I was so lucky to have a box of food that I was taking home for the family to hold all that puke. Really it was disgusting! And then I passed out and Gina had to wake me up when we arrived in Newark. Somehow I drove home, walked into the house, and was in bed by 7:30pm. I spent the time sweating and hoping for no re-occurrence. Instead, I spent quality time with my friend, the toilet. My intestines were so loud that you thought trains and planes were going by. Really so disgusting! The next 36 hours I stayed home from work. At moments I was fine, nothing wrong so I would eat food. No that was a big no no. Next minute I was back with my BBF for at least an half hour.
So now it's Friday night and I think it's over for me but you know what ... Karl just threw up and is having a cheating relationship with my BBF (actually you can have her Karl I really don't need to see her again for a while). It's all quiet in the house at 9pm and I'm ready for bed. I really hope Karl is the last one to have this bug and we can have a good weekend. Otherwise, it's going to be a long weekend.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
I'm moving on up... to off-campus!
hello everyone. It's been an exciting and exhausting two weeks. After the New Year, I had my last three work days at the University of Delaware. It was mostly spent working on helping the RSA (Resident Student association) group prepare its No Frills bid (and Advisor bid). I had last meetings and a final farewell from my department.
then I started my new job on Jan. 6 at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA as their Asst. director of Residential Life overseeing staff recruitment and development. I am so excited for this new job and working at Temple. My first day was spent meeting with HR (and getting benefits all set up), spending some quality time with my new supervisor (Kevin Williams), and picking up the colors for my office (yellow of course), and RD training. The next day I actually spent time in my office trying to get my computer set-up which I had no luck because its a Dell desktop - yikes... I haven't had one of these since 1998. Then the following week (Jan. 10-13) I was in retreats all day. We had RD training (setting them up for a successful RA training), and then the Division of Student Affairs retreat, and lastly RA training. I have met amazing people and am so lucky that I did come in at this time so I could make connections faster than another time of the year.
But the really big day came on Friday, Jan. 14th when the moving truck came to Ray St. and moved all our stuff to our new rental home in Landenberg, PA. It really was amazing to see all our stuff placed into a truck and moved. And yes we have way too much stuff between the holiday boxes and kids' items I'm a bit overwhelmed by it myself. Our stuff takes up half of the car garage. Other items went into the house but not alot since the house is fully furnished (okay my clothes, shoes, and purses and I guess some kids' stuff and o hey Karl's one box of stuff).
We slept for the last time on campus in our Ray St. apartment. We have little things to do like clean and laundry and then we're off to set up our new home. It's definitely going to be weird not to be driving to a residence hall or being around college students all the time. It's going to be weird the silence (okay... not so much because we do have Carlita and Luke). but it's going to be weird to open a door and not have that instant community. I have mixed emotions about it - I really do enjoying living on campus - the energy and the pulse but after 18 years I guess it's time for me to give up my college ways and move off.
So good bye Ray St. Good bye on- campus life. Good bye UD. Hello new life!
then I started my new job on Jan. 6 at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA as their Asst. director of Residential Life overseeing staff recruitment and development. I am so excited for this new job and working at Temple. My first day was spent meeting with HR (and getting benefits all set up), spending some quality time with my new supervisor (Kevin Williams), and picking up the colors for my office (yellow of course), and RD training. The next day I actually spent time in my office trying to get my computer set-up which I had no luck because its a Dell desktop - yikes... I haven't had one of these since 1998. Then the following week (Jan. 10-13) I was in retreats all day. We had RD training (setting them up for a successful RA training), and then the Division of Student Affairs retreat, and lastly RA training. I have met amazing people and am so lucky that I did come in at this time so I could make connections faster than another time of the year.
But the really big day came on Friday, Jan. 14th when the moving truck came to Ray St. and moved all our stuff to our new rental home in Landenberg, PA. It really was amazing to see all our stuff placed into a truck and moved. And yes we have way too much stuff between the holiday boxes and kids' items I'm a bit overwhelmed by it myself. Our stuff takes up half of the car garage. Other items went into the house but not alot since the house is fully furnished (okay my clothes, shoes, and purses and I guess some kids' stuff and o hey Karl's one box of stuff).
We slept for the last time on campus in our Ray St. apartment. We have little things to do like clean and laundry and then we're off to set up our new home. It's definitely going to be weird not to be driving to a residence hall or being around college students all the time. It's going to be weird the silence (okay... not so much because we do have Carlita and Luke). but it's going to be weird to open a door and not have that instant community. I have mixed emotions about it - I really do enjoying living on campus - the energy and the pulse but after 18 years I guess it's time for me to give up my college ways and move off.
So good bye Ray St. Good bye on- campus life. Good bye UD. Hello new life!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Things to do with kids -Surviving Winter break and countdown to New Year
The week after Xmas, as a mom, you are excited and fearful of what to do with kids. Really you love them but they are a handful. It was also a week of no work, and I really wanted to enjoy doing things with the kids since with my new job I'll have less flexibility to be with them. I started planning out what we would do everyday to keep these kids entertained. If we stay indoor, they will go crazy (as they did on snowy Monday). It was just too windy and cold to be outside - we couldn't even make a snowman. Karl tried to take them outside - they were able to go down the hill once before rushing back inside. The rest of Monday was spent keeping kids entertained, drinking hot cocoa, and watching kids' shows.
On Tuesday, Dec. 28th, we went to the Delaware Natural History Museum for Dino Days. There were lots of activities for kids to do around Dinosaurs. They got to dig for fossils, take dino pictures, touch fossils, and act like dinosaurs looking for food in a stimulator. We enjoyed it so much that we signed up to be members. It's a nice small local museum for those rainy days. Went home for afternoon naps (only Luke who slept until 5:30pm). Carlita and I played and packed up more stuff. In the evening, had dinner as we watched kid shows (i.e. Word World, Dinosaur train, Curious George) and of course Cars, Luke's favorite movie. We introduced him to this movie over Thanksgiving and now we see it everyday (we only see the beginning and the end since he only wants to see the racing). Then it was bed time!
On Wednesday, Dec. 29th, we headed up to Strasburg, PA to go to the Choo Choo Barn. I got a 2-for-1 admission coupon through Tropicana Juicy Rewards (we drink alot of OJ in our house). Love free coupons. I thought this would be fun for the kids, especially Luke who loves trains. And it was fun! The Choo choo barn is a huge room of miniatures, with trains going around and so many different elements to look at. there was a ski lift, circus, a replica of Dutch Wonderland, a parade, and even a fire that was put out by firefighters. Luke so wanted to get into the trains so we went upstairs to a store all about Thomas the train. I purchased a holiday video that came with a little Thomas which satisfied the little boy. Carlita got a fairy for herself and by noon we headed back home. On this day Karl came home early from work so he stayed home with the kids for the afternoon as I went for some post-Xmas shopping at Ronny's. I'm excited to have another tree to decorate next year. I returned home and we all went out to eat at Cici's pizza. Ate way too much food but it was so good. Home for an evening of kid shows and sleep time (though Carlita struggled getting to bed).
On Thursday, Dec. 30th, we headed out to Pump it up, a local indoor bouncy playroom. What a blast we had. It was really packed but it was worth it. Luke loved jumping up and down and Carlita was up and down the slide so many times. We liked it so much that we purchased a frequent return card so Karl can take the kids every Friday in Jan. this is what we needed to do with the kids - bounce them out of all their energy. When we drove home there was silence and then no complaining about lunch, and Luke went down for his 4-hour nap in a snap. Carlita was calm all afternoon, while we did our mails, play a game of "jail" (a game she invented - something along the line of seek and you should be jailed), laundry, and playing. Once Luke woke up, we went to the local teacher store (since they have a Thomas the tank engine table there) and played for a while. The evening was our usually: PBS shows, dinner, bath, Cars, and nighttime. Luke has a really bad rash which isn't making him too happy.
Friday, Dec. 31st: The last day of 2010. What a year it has been so it end it all we met up with my sister at the Port Discovery Children Museum in Baltimore, MD. We actually are members there but haven't been there in a long time since we just go to the new Delaware Children Museum in Wilmington, DE. We got there at 10am, which I'm glad we did since it was getting packed. They were having a countdown to noon so there were lots of families and children. Luke immediately ran off into the huge sphere thing they have as well as Carlita. We didn't see Sandra and her family (Mike, Sofia, and Ruth - Mike's mom) for at least 20 minutes due to the kids doing their own thing. We had a blast there, did the noon countdown, ate lunch, and then headed back to Delaware by 2pm.
Once back in town, Luke went down for a nap, we watched shows, made dinner, and went to bed at 9pm. Actually I fell asleep with Carlita so Karl had to wake me up for the midnight countdown.
10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1~~ Happy 2011 New year~~~ We ate our 12 oranges pieces and grapes, broke the coconut out in the street, and drank sparkling cider. Carlita woke up due to the loudness and we were all in bed by 1am. Luke slept and slept until the next morning. What a boy and what a family we have!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
The xmas run down
Dec. 25. It came and it went too fast. I am one of those crazy holiday lovers. I have plastic bins for each holiday and Xmas has its own 10+ collection of bins. From xmas tree to holiday swag, I love Xmas. My favorite thing to do is wear holiday gear. Sometimes fashionable, and sometimes tacky. I'm still trying to find that right balance between too much and right on. Even Rosa, my Rav4, got into the Christmas spirit dressing up as Rudolph. Couldn't miss her in any parking lot.
I love holidays I think because it represents so much about what is good in the world, represents our dreams, and have lots of glitter. Yes I love the holidays and I want so much to have my kids have wonderful memories of holidays, not just Christmas. We have movie marathons (really only one movie a night with these young kids, craft projects, dressing up in the holiday spirit (I as an elf), going to see lights, and of course getting pictures taken with Santa. But it seems so much harder now with kids to make everything magical. I think the stress of ending my job and starting a new one got to me, or that I've gained all my weight back (too much Xmas cookie baking) but I didn't get all my holiday gear and hats on this year. We hardly got to listen to all the Xmas CDs and I only got to see one adult Xmas movie (White Christmas). But something magically happened on Xmas this year - it snowed!. It really did which just made it all so better. So as I was rushing around the week leading up to Xmas I was hoping and wishing for snow to do its magic and it did.
Christmas this year was spent here in Delaware. Usually we go out to Oregon either for the holiday or New Year's but with a new job starting next week and moving, it was just too much stress for us to handle and I'm glad we stayed here. I couldn't imagine traveling with the kids during this time and coming back here to only enjoy a few moments of private family time before a new routine is set.
So Xmas eve we went to church service, Carlita danced, and the kids struggled through it - Luke and Karl ended u playing in the Great Hall and Carlita was doing flips all over the place. Then we got home and put the kids to sleep and Santa arrived with his reindeers. He was very glad to see oats and carrots for the reindeer (they traveled fast) and was thankful that we put glitter out in the yard in order to find us (there's not exactly a chimney here in Ray St. for him to come down through). The cookies I baked he enjoyed and flash he was gone.
Xmas day was fun - kids woke up at 7am and opened a present that was left under the kids' tree and then Carlita found the rest of the presents under the big tree in the living room. She went crazy opening presents and helping Luke do the same. Clothes, games, and art supplies were the highlights. But what Carlita wanted the most was a Barbie doll in a pink glittery dress with a crown and princess shoes. It wasn't left at our place but I got word from Santa that it might be at Sandra's (my sister's).
So after a morning of pancakes and presents, we headed to Maryland to my sister's. She was hosting her in-law family and when we arrived, their tree was bursting at the seams with presents. After a quick lunch, the gift opening extravandaza occurred. Carlita was intense with opening presents and helping others in finding their gifts. The highlight was Carlita getting not just one Barbie but 7 Disney Princess dolls from Santa. With her cousin Sofia, they got a total of 14 princesses, and we're not including all those other dolls they got each (baby dolls and Barbie).
Luke got a Hot wheels carrying case, a train set, and other great things. My favorite part of the opening of presents is the kids's reaction to the present, even though they don't know what it is. Finally the adults got to open presents and got a lovely house warming present from my sister, a welcome mat with "Kaliher" imprinted on it. The kids really enjoyed walking all over it, which was interesting considering it's rough.
After the present blitz, we had a lovely dinner made by my sister - pork shoulder. Yummy!!!! and then we left to stay over at my mother's in Frederick, MD. Unfortunately as we got to bed we got news of the incoming snow storm and made a decision to return to Delaware in the morning of the 26th, which was my sister's birthday. We had huge plans for her - she was going to re-new her wedding vows with the same priest that married her and Mike, and then Mike's family and I would decorate the house and surprise Sandra with a party. I already had the cake (Carvel ice cream cake - a tradition for our family) planned out. But with the snow storm coming in, we had to get the cake and balloons and set up this party right away in the morning at her house and leave by 10am, which we did. Sandra was surprised by the party and the thoughtfulness that went into planning a "surprised" party.
So we drove back to Delaware in hopes to be snowed in. We barely got one inch of snow but Carlita and Karl had a blast in the snow. It was really windy so when Luke went out, they didn't last too long. We spent the next 24 hours playing and watching Xmas Children special. What a great way to enjoy the holidays! I'm so glad we stayed here in Delaware to enjoy our Ray St. apartment for the last time and make some good holiday memories. Thank you Santa for the glitter (aka snow and presents)!
I love holidays I think because it represents so much about what is good in the world, represents our dreams, and have lots of glitter. Yes I love the holidays and I want so much to have my kids have wonderful memories of holidays, not just Christmas. We have movie marathons (really only one movie a night with these young kids, craft projects, dressing up in the holiday spirit (I as an elf), going to see lights, and of course getting pictures taken with Santa. But it seems so much harder now with kids to make everything magical. I think the stress of ending my job and starting a new one got to me, or that I've gained all my weight back (too much Xmas cookie baking) but I didn't get all my holiday gear and hats on this year. We hardly got to listen to all the Xmas CDs and I only got to see one adult Xmas movie (White Christmas). But something magically happened on Xmas this year - it snowed!. It really did which just made it all so better. So as I was rushing around the week leading up to Xmas I was hoping and wishing for snow to do its magic and it did.
Christmas this year was spent here in Delaware. Usually we go out to Oregon either for the holiday or New Year's but with a new job starting next week and moving, it was just too much stress for us to handle and I'm glad we stayed here. I couldn't imagine traveling with the kids during this time and coming back here to only enjoy a few moments of private family time before a new routine is set.
So Xmas eve we went to church service, Carlita danced, and the kids struggled through it - Luke and Karl ended u playing in the Great Hall and Carlita was doing flips all over the place. Then we got home and put the kids to sleep and Santa arrived with his reindeers. He was very glad to see oats and carrots for the reindeer (they traveled fast) and was thankful that we put glitter out in the yard in order to find us (there's not exactly a chimney here in Ray St. for him to come down through). The cookies I baked he enjoyed and flash he was gone.
Xmas day was fun - kids woke up at 7am and opened a present that was left under the kids' tree and then Carlita found the rest of the presents under the big tree in the living room. She went crazy opening presents and helping Luke do the same. Clothes, games, and art supplies were the highlights. But what Carlita wanted the most was a Barbie doll in a pink glittery dress with a crown and princess shoes. It wasn't left at our place but I got word from Santa that it might be at Sandra's (my sister's).
So after a morning of pancakes and presents, we headed to Maryland to my sister's. She was hosting her in-law family and when we arrived, their tree was bursting at the seams with presents. After a quick lunch, the gift opening extravandaza occurred. Carlita was intense with opening presents and helping others in finding their gifts. The highlight was Carlita getting not just one Barbie but 7 Disney Princess dolls from Santa. With her cousin Sofia, they got a total of 14 princesses, and we're not including all those other dolls they got each (baby dolls and Barbie).
Luke got a Hot wheels carrying case, a train set, and other great things. My favorite part of the opening of presents is the kids's reaction to the present, even though they don't know what it is. Finally the adults got to open presents and got a lovely house warming present from my sister, a welcome mat with "Kaliher" imprinted on it. The kids really enjoyed walking all over it, which was interesting considering it's rough.
So we drove back to Delaware in hopes to be snowed in. We barely got one inch of snow but Carlita and Karl had a blast in the snow. It was really windy so when Luke went out, they didn't last too long. We spent the next 24 hours playing and watching Xmas Children special. What a great way to enjoy the holidays! I'm so glad we stayed here in Delaware to enjoy our Ray St. apartment for the last time and make some good holiday memories. Thank you Santa for the glitter (aka snow and presents)!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
The last month of the year
I can't believe 2010 is over. It seems like it sped all the way the last month. It was almost impossible to get on this blog to talk about all the happenings because there were just so much.
First, my professional career is coming to a close at the University of Delaware. I've been here for 8 years and am excited for a new adventure. I will miss my students and staff the most. I received great gifts from each group I advise (RSA gave me a scrapbook, RSAC thank you cards, and SIH an engraved picture frame). I spent alot of time "downloading" my brain to individuals who need information to keep Ray St. afloat. Actually, Ray St. and RSA and SIH will be fine. I have a great staff and student leaders who have stepped up since my announcement in late Oct. to leave this job. As tradition, I had the "last supper" with my staff on Friday evening (the day the halls closed). Gifts, stories, and tears were exchanged. Though I don't start my new job at temple until Jan. 6th, it really was an ending now in Dec. for all my relationships at UD. I had last lunches with UD friends and individuals who have supported me through the past years. It's been a long journey, to say the less. One of my colleagues stated "You did it your way!". You can say that again. I really never imagined myself being at UD this long, and never imagined that I would be Dr. Lulu now. Though I believe you can have a 5-10 year goal/plan, really you can't. You can't forecast the future and the possibilities that await you. It is bitter-sweet leaving UD. I wished certain things were different in my department but I have learned alot and will take alot from this experience. Thank you UD for pushing me to my potential, and helping me make lifelong friends.
Second, the month of Dec. was packed with family activities, mostly related to church events and Carlita performing. We had Carlita singing in her chorus, being an angel in the Xmas Pageant, and dancing at the Xmas eve mass. Then we had Xmas parties at Luke's Daycare and at Carlita's school where I dressed up as an elf (yes that's my own costume).
I also had a going away party for Carlita on her last day at the Early Learning Center, since we will be taking her out of there to stay home for a month in order for us to start saving money for a house. Carlita actually wasn't too upset about this. If she could, she would stay home all the time. So when the week of Dec. 20th came with no students around you would think I had plenty of time to wrap things up here but I was on speed to get Xmas and everything ready for the holidays. Xmas cards were finally sent out (over 150 cards made). Presents finally purchased and more packing done. Unfortunately, I lost my keys in the Toys-r-us parking lot so I had to get a new driver's license and keys. Not the way I wanted to be spending my week.
Third, I'm transitioning into a new lifestyle - where my work will be seperate from my homelife. For most of the world, this is true but for me the past 18 years I've only known campus life and living in the residence halls. I get what it's going to be like having to get up early in the morning to travel to Philly and get back home late. I'm in mourning of losing a lifestyle that is flexible and adjustable. I can do whatever I want, whenever I need to at any hour of the day. Now I have to pack in work from 8 to 4:30pm. People at work won't know me as a mother and my homelife (other than they reading my blog and me talking about it which I will). It will just be different. Karl is excited about it and I think the kids (at least Carlita) is excited but for me I'm sad. I'm sad that I won't be able to work out in the morning, take a shower and eat lunch in my apartment, and get to work in the afternoon and do meetings at night. I'm going to be sad learning about my students at all hours of the night, and getting to bond with them over the little things. Now I'm seperate from them more and will need to work alot harder to make those connections, but my job is different and I will need to do different things as the job requires.
So thank you 2010 for a wonderful year. It's been intense and exciting. I've achieved all my goals and you have been good to me. I hope 2011 brings more of the same.
See you all in 2011.
First, my professional career is coming to a close at the University of Delaware. I've been here for 8 years and am excited for a new adventure. I will miss my students and staff the most. I received great gifts from each group I advise (RSA gave me a scrapbook, RSAC thank you cards, and SIH an engraved picture frame). I spent alot of time "downloading" my brain to individuals who need information to keep Ray St. afloat. Actually, Ray St. and RSA and SIH will be fine. I have a great staff and student leaders who have stepped up since my announcement in late Oct. to leave this job. As tradition, I had the "last supper" with my staff on Friday evening (the day the halls closed). Gifts, stories, and tears were exchanged. Though I don't start my new job at temple until Jan. 6th, it really was an ending now in Dec. for all my relationships at UD. I had last lunches with UD friends and individuals who have supported me through the past years. It's been a long journey, to say the less. One of my colleagues stated "You did it your way!". You can say that again. I really never imagined myself being at UD this long, and never imagined that I would be Dr. Lulu now. Though I believe you can have a 5-10 year goal/plan, really you can't. You can't forecast the future and the possibilities that await you. It is bitter-sweet leaving UD. I wished certain things were different in my department but I have learned alot and will take alot from this experience. Thank you UD for pushing me to my potential, and helping me make lifelong friends.
Second, the month of Dec. was packed with family activities, mostly related to church events and Carlita performing. We had Carlita singing in her chorus, being an angel in the Xmas Pageant, and dancing at the Xmas eve mass. Then we had Xmas parties at Luke's Daycare and at Carlita's school where I dressed up as an elf (yes that's my own costume).
I also had a going away party for Carlita on her last day at the Early Learning Center, since we will be taking her out of there to stay home for a month in order for us to start saving money for a house. Carlita actually wasn't too upset about this. If she could, she would stay home all the time. So when the week of Dec. 20th came with no students around you would think I had plenty of time to wrap things up here but I was on speed to get Xmas and everything ready for the holidays. Xmas cards were finally sent out (over 150 cards made). Presents finally purchased and more packing done. Unfortunately, I lost my keys in the Toys-r-us parking lot so I had to get a new driver's license and keys. Not the way I wanted to be spending my week.
Third, I'm transitioning into a new lifestyle - where my work will be seperate from my homelife. For most of the world, this is true but for me the past 18 years I've only known campus life and living in the residence halls. I get what it's going to be like having to get up early in the morning to travel to Philly and get back home late. I'm in mourning of losing a lifestyle that is flexible and adjustable. I can do whatever I want, whenever I need to at any hour of the day. Now I have to pack in work from 8 to 4:30pm. People at work won't know me as a mother and my homelife (other than they reading my blog and me talking about it which I will). It will just be different. Karl is excited about it and I think the kids (at least Carlita) is excited but for me I'm sad. I'm sad that I won't be able to work out in the morning, take a shower and eat lunch in my apartment, and get to work in the afternoon and do meetings at night. I'm going to be sad learning about my students at all hours of the night, and getting to bond with them over the little things. Now I'm seperate from them more and will need to work alot harder to make those connections, but my job is different and I will need to do different things as the job requires.
So thank you 2010 for a wonderful year. It's been intense and exciting. I've achieved all my goals and you have been good to me. I hope 2011 brings more of the same.
See you all in 2011.
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