Now I'm in the second meeting with this woman for today. More food.
Complete with big stainless steel dinnerware and containers. Either
she eats only at meetings or she eats all day.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
This particular astronaut in our meeting really needs to wear a bra.
Seriously. She is in her late 60s I think.
Seriously. She is in her late 60s I think.
Also she pulled out her entire breakfast and laid it out along the
table in our meeting as she was arguing for her case. Complete with
black beans from a mason jar and a huge grapefruit she peeled right
there in the meeting.
And I don't even qualify for an interview? Least I'd look better with
no bra. God bless America.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Update on 3
We are now entering the stereotypical age of 3, complete with whining, smack-talking, and demands. And oh yes, tears in her (root)beer.
Lord.
Today Paul's taking the day off for a Dadd-daughter day. They're going to pick strawberries (per Anna, she must protect them from the Big Brown Bear!). Then later tonight they're going to an Astros game. Since I was supposed to be in Germany, I am without a ticket, which makes my argument for not really wanting to drag beautiful 3 up and down the seats to the potty, to get popcorn, drinks, trinkets, and for the long haul from the car to the stadium MOOT.
In the meantime I have no idea what to do with my spare time tonight. I should have plans on stand-by at all times. Who's free? Dinner? Wine? What up?
Bueller, Bueller?
Who am I kidding, it's me and the DVR tonight!
Lord.
Today Paul's taking the day off for a Dadd-daughter day. They're going to pick strawberries (per Anna, she must protect them from the Big Brown Bear!). Then later tonight they're going to an Astros game. Since I was supposed to be in Germany, I am without a ticket, which makes my argument for not really wanting to drag beautiful 3 up and down the seats to the potty, to get popcorn, drinks, trinkets, and for the long haul from the car to the stadium MOOT.
In the meantime I have no idea what to do with my spare time tonight. I should have plans on stand-by at all times. Who's free? Dinner? Wine? What up?
Bueller, Bueller?
Who am I kidding, it's me and the DVR tonight!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Finally losing the baby weight, 3 years later
I am such a slow loser. Seriously, my best is half a pound per week. Always have been that slow. It’s so frustrating!! But now I am officially 8lbs lighter than I was in January! FINALLY at my pre-baby weight. THREE years later. Not traveling as much has really helped. I have been able to wear my pre-baby clothes for a little while now, which is great! But then I realized that those old clothes are very worn, faded, and just outdated. So I have been slowly rebuilding my wardrobe.
Another thing I’ve noticed: even though the scale says the numbers I’d like, my body is not where I’d like it to be exactly. Well, not like it was. Biggest problem area is the tummy (surprise!). I used to have some sort of apparent abs. What is still missing from the pre-baby me is just overall being in shape. I am out of shape. No good muscles, no strength, and franky, no energy. I can run 3-4 miles at 4:15 am, which I guess is something. But I am otherwise a weakling. The pre-baby me could do boot camp and the Slim In Six series and keep up. These days, the last thing I feel like doing when I get home is anything related to working hard! I keep thinking maybe I should sign up for boot camp this summer. But then there’s the morning schedule conflict of getting Anna to school. But at least formal boot camp would make me commit.
So I have to find some motivation. I think after teaching is done (only one lecture and 2 exams left) maybe I’ll find the inner strength to start. I should at least start some sit-ups. I realized yesterday that one possible motivating factor is that we’re going to the shuttle launch in May and there’s the potential to be seen by my co-workers in a swim suit at the beach. So I’m at least motivated partly.
In all I have about 3-5 more pounds to lose on the scale. For some people, that’s SO NOTHING, but for me it’s another month or so. Adding exercise will trick the scale and the numbers will go up, up, up. That’s another psychological component I’m avoiding. Again, I know it’s adding muscle mass and water when I start exercising, but the psychological component related to the scale is something I’ve never been able to get past in my own mind.
Energy is the thing I am lacking I think. I’ve just got to find it. That and being so busy every day, that any spare hour I get to myself I’d rather spend just doing nothing but watching TV. Which I miss. L
I think when teaching’s done, that’ll help.
But ohhhh when the last 3-5lbs are gone, I will be so happy and can return to a diet-free life and just maintain with exercise (and moderate eating). Because as hard as it is for me to lose weight, it’s easy for me to maintain. So today I passed up the cupcake and the offer to go out for lunch with friends because it can wait until another 3-5lbs. THAT is actually my real motivator. I’m so close! I have a great co-worker who reminds me I can “have it” in a few weeks. There’s time.
In the meantime I am enjoying my 8-lbs-lighter body J
Sunday, April 18, 2010
> My trip to Germany has been cancelled due to the crazy volcano. Now
> THAT'S something! Hardeeharhar. Anyway the entire ISS Symposium and
> the programmatic meetings to follow all week have also been
> completely cancelled too. At least postponed. I hope I get to go
> when they're rescheduled. For now I feel bad for ESA: I know it took
> alot to pull together such an event!
>
> In the meantime we've been productive here at home pressure washing
> and painting the outside of the house and just getting through lists
> of stuff to do. So making the most of time either way you look at
> it :)
>
> We are especially enjoying Anna being old enough to either help or
> entertain herself. Since this involves paint, she is more interested
> in "helping". :)
> THAT'S something! Hardeeharhar. Anyway the entire ISS Symposium and
> the programmatic meetings to follow all week have also been
> completely cancelled too. At least postponed. I hope I get to go
> when they're rescheduled. For now I feel bad for ESA: I know it took
> alot to pull together such an event!
>
> In the meantime we've been productive here at home pressure washing
> and painting the outside of the house and just getting through lists
> of stuff to do. So making the most of time either way you look at
> it :)
>
> We are especially enjoying Anna being old enough to either help or
> entertain herself. Since this involves paint, she is more interested
> in "helping". :)
Friday, April 16, 2010
Looks like Mother Nature has Different Plans for My Germany Trip
We're supposed to be headed to Berlin tomorrow at 7pm. I guess we'll see!
Worldcue® AlertSeverity: Critical Alert
Transportation: UPDATE 3: Ash cloud in Europe continues to disrupt flights with slow improvement in western Europe. Expect airspace closures through April 17. Confirm flights.
The locations affected by this alert are:
Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greenland
Iceland
Hungary
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Romania
Sweden
Switzerland
Ireland
United Kingdom
This alert began 16 Apr 2010 15:42 GMT and is scheduled to expire 18 Apr 2010 23:59 GMT.
Incident: Severe flight disruptions due to volcanic ash cloud
Duration: Indefinite
Affected Areas: Southern Iceland, airspace over much of northern and central Europe
Impact: Severe flight disruptions and airport closures across northern and central Europe; transatlantic flight cancellations; flooding and road closures in southern Iceland
Updated Information. The ash cloud from a volcanic eruption in Iceland continues to drift over northern and central European airspace, causing airport closures and flight cancellations across Europe. As of mid-April 16, the situation is slowly improving along a line beginning in the western parts of the continent slowly rolling eastward. Any significant improvement before April 17 is highly unlikely, however. The situation was getting worse April 16 in central and eastern Europe, and closures and cancellations there are likely through April 18. There is still no reliable information about movement patterns, extent or density of the ash cloud. Reopened airports could close again at short notice depending on weather conditions. Most meteorologists predict the cloud will remain largely stationary, gradually moving eastward. The ash cloud is unlikely to immediately affect air traffic in Europe south of the Alps; the Balkan region could experience some airspace restrictions starting April 17. A meteorologist for Eurocontrol, the European air traffic control agency, predicted that prevailing weather patterns will likely push the cloud further south, possibly leading to closures at airports in southern France, northern Italy and the Balkans as early as April 17.The following locations have announced air traffic restrictions (emergency flights could be permitted to take off and land):
Austria: Airspace to close indefinitely 1900/2000 April 16; Graz (GRZ) and Klagenfurt (KLU) airports could remain open. Severe disruptions likely through at least April 17.
Belarus: Airspace partially closed indefinitely April 16. Severe disruptions likely through April 18.
Belgium: Airspace closed indefinitely at 1630 April 15; Brussels (BRU) closed until at least 1800 April 16. Gradual improvement not likely before April 17.
Czech Republic: Airspace closed indefinitely April 16; Prague (PRG) closed indefinitely as of early April 16. Severe disruptions likely through April 18.
Denmark: Airspace closed until at least 0300 April 17. Severe disruptions likely through late April 17.
Estonia: Airspace closed indefinitely at 0900 April 16. Severe disruptions likely through April 18.
Finland: Airspace closed until at least 1500 April 17. Severe disruptions likely through April 18.
France: Paris' Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG), Paris-Orly (ORY) and about two-dozen other airports north of the approximate line Tours-Besancon closed indefinitely. Airports south of that line likely to remain open, yet many airlines there have suspended flights. Gradual improvement throughout France not likely before late April 16.
Germany: All airports except Munich (MUC) are closed through at least 0800 April 17. Closure of MUC likely at short notice.
Hungary: Airspace to close indefinitely 1700 April 16.
Ireland: Airspace to gradually reopen April 16; Dublin (DUB), Cork (ORK) and Shannon (SNN) open. Transatlantic flights to and from Ireland on schedule as of mid-April 16.
Latvia: Airspace closed indefinitely at 0900 April 16. Severe disruptions likely through April 18.
Lithuania: Airspace closed through at least 1500 April 18. Severe disruptions likely through April 18.
Luxembourg: Airspace closed indefinitely. Severe disruptions likely through April 17.
Netherlands: Airspace closed indefinitely at 2100 April 15. Severe disruptions likely through April 17.
Norway: Airspace closed indefinitely April 15. Severe disruptions likely through April 16 in northern Norway, and into April 17 in the southern half of the country.
Poland: Airspace closed indefinitely, except for southeastern Poland; Krakow (KRK) and Rzeszow (RZE) open, but likely to close late April 16. Severe disruptions likely through April 18.
Romania: Airspace to be highly restricted starting late April 16. Severe disruptions likely through April 18.
Russia: The airport in Kaliningrad enclave (KGD) closed April 16. Airspace over Russia remains open April 16, but authorities could close St. Petersburg (LED), Nizhny Novgorod (GOJ),
Murmansk (MMK) and Moscow(SVO, DME, VKO) on short notice.
Slovakia: Air space closed indefinitely 1300 April 16. Severe disruptions likely through April 18.
Sweden: Airspace gradually reopening starting with northern Sweden; Stockholm (ARN) remains closed, could reopen April 17.
Switzerland: Airspace to close 2359 April 16 through 0900 April 17, likely longer. Severe disruptions likely through April 18.
United Kingdom: Airspace highly restricted (including all four London-area airports) until at least the early morning hours April 17. Airports in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are slated to reopen at 1900 April 16. Some transcontinental flights might resume late April 16 from airports in the northern UK.
Most airlines have canceled flights to the region and suspensions could continue after officials lift airspace restrictions. Air travel to and from Iceland, however, remains largely unaffected. The high number of canceled and diverted flights has caused severe schedule disruptions at almost all open airports in Europe. Expect delays and random flight cancellations.Some alternate transport in continental Europe has reached capacity limits. Many EUROSTAR trains between Paris and London are overbooked, as are long-distance trains and buses in the UK, Germany, Belgium and France, where a train workers' strike has had negligible impact on train operations. Rental car stations across Europe have reported capacity shortages.AdviceContact your airline or travel agent for updated flight information. Expect severe travel disruptions to and from many of the destinations listed above through April 17. Book hotel rooms immediately if stranded in these locations; do not check out without confirmation of onward travel. Use alternate transport, such as ferries and high-speed trains, which connect the UK with mainland Europe. Seek updated information on road conditions if traveling on the Ring Road along the southern coast of Iceland between Hvolsvollur and Vik.ResourceUK Meteorological Office Ash advisories: www.metoffice.gov.uk/aviation/vaac/EUROSTAR Web site: www.eurostar.comEUROSTAR hotlines: +44 (0) 8705 186 186
Worldcue® AlertSeverity: Critical Alert
Transportation: UPDATE 3: Ash cloud in Europe continues to disrupt flights with slow improvement in western Europe. Expect airspace closures through April 17. Confirm flights.
The locations affected by this alert are:
Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greenland
Iceland
Hungary
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Romania
Sweden
Switzerland
Ireland
United Kingdom
This alert began 16 Apr 2010 15:42 GMT and is scheduled to expire 18 Apr 2010 23:59 GMT.
Incident: Severe flight disruptions due to volcanic ash cloud
Duration: Indefinite
Affected Areas: Southern Iceland, airspace over much of northern and central Europe
Impact: Severe flight disruptions and airport closures across northern and central Europe; transatlantic flight cancellations; flooding and road closures in southern Iceland
Updated Information. The ash cloud from a volcanic eruption in Iceland continues to drift over northern and central European airspace, causing airport closures and flight cancellations across Europe. As of mid-April 16, the situation is slowly improving along a line beginning in the western parts of the continent slowly rolling eastward. Any significant improvement before April 17 is highly unlikely, however. The situation was getting worse April 16 in central and eastern Europe, and closures and cancellations there are likely through April 18. There is still no reliable information about movement patterns, extent or density of the ash cloud. Reopened airports could close again at short notice depending on weather conditions. Most meteorologists predict the cloud will remain largely stationary, gradually moving eastward. The ash cloud is unlikely to immediately affect air traffic in Europe south of the Alps; the Balkan region could experience some airspace restrictions starting April 17. A meteorologist for Eurocontrol, the European air traffic control agency, predicted that prevailing weather patterns will likely push the cloud further south, possibly leading to closures at airports in southern France, northern Italy and the Balkans as early as April 17.The following locations have announced air traffic restrictions (emergency flights could be permitted to take off and land):
Austria: Airspace to close indefinitely 1900/2000 April 16; Graz (GRZ) and Klagenfurt (KLU) airports could remain open. Severe disruptions likely through at least April 17.
Belarus: Airspace partially closed indefinitely April 16. Severe disruptions likely through April 18.
Belgium: Airspace closed indefinitely at 1630 April 15; Brussels (BRU) closed until at least 1800 April 16. Gradual improvement not likely before April 17.
Czech Republic: Airspace closed indefinitely April 16; Prague (PRG) closed indefinitely as of early April 16. Severe disruptions likely through April 18.
Denmark: Airspace closed until at least 0300 April 17. Severe disruptions likely through late April 17.
Estonia: Airspace closed indefinitely at 0900 April 16. Severe disruptions likely through April 18.
Finland: Airspace closed until at least 1500 April 17. Severe disruptions likely through April 18.
France: Paris' Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG), Paris-Orly (ORY) and about two-dozen other airports north of the approximate line Tours-Besancon closed indefinitely. Airports south of that line likely to remain open, yet many airlines there have suspended flights. Gradual improvement throughout France not likely before late April 16.
Germany: All airports except Munich (MUC) are closed through at least 0800 April 17. Closure of MUC likely at short notice.
Hungary: Airspace to close indefinitely 1700 April 16.
Ireland: Airspace to gradually reopen April 16; Dublin (DUB), Cork (ORK) and Shannon (SNN) open. Transatlantic flights to and from Ireland on schedule as of mid-April 16.
Latvia: Airspace closed indefinitely at 0900 April 16. Severe disruptions likely through April 18.
Lithuania: Airspace closed through at least 1500 April 18. Severe disruptions likely through April 18.
Luxembourg: Airspace closed indefinitely. Severe disruptions likely through April 17.
Netherlands: Airspace closed indefinitely at 2100 April 15. Severe disruptions likely through April 17.
Norway: Airspace closed indefinitely April 15. Severe disruptions likely through April 16 in northern Norway, and into April 17 in the southern half of the country.
Poland: Airspace closed indefinitely, except for southeastern Poland; Krakow (KRK) and Rzeszow (RZE) open, but likely to close late April 16. Severe disruptions likely through April 18.
Romania: Airspace to be highly restricted starting late April 16. Severe disruptions likely through April 18.
Russia: The airport in Kaliningrad enclave (KGD) closed April 16. Airspace over Russia remains open April 16, but authorities could close St. Petersburg (LED), Nizhny Novgorod (GOJ),
Murmansk (MMK) and Moscow(SVO, DME, VKO) on short notice.
Slovakia: Air space closed indefinitely 1300 April 16. Severe disruptions likely through April 18.
Sweden: Airspace gradually reopening starting with northern Sweden; Stockholm (ARN) remains closed, could reopen April 17.
Switzerland: Airspace to close 2359 April 16 through 0900 April 17, likely longer. Severe disruptions likely through April 18.
United Kingdom: Airspace highly restricted (including all four London-area airports) until at least the early morning hours April 17. Airports in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are slated to reopen at 1900 April 16. Some transcontinental flights might resume late April 16 from airports in the northern UK.
Most airlines have canceled flights to the region and suspensions could continue after officials lift airspace restrictions. Air travel to and from Iceland, however, remains largely unaffected. The high number of canceled and diverted flights has caused severe schedule disruptions at almost all open airports in Europe. Expect delays and random flight cancellations.Some alternate transport in continental Europe has reached capacity limits. Many EUROSTAR trains between Paris and London are overbooked, as are long-distance trains and buses in the UK, Germany, Belgium and France, where a train workers' strike has had negligible impact on train operations. Rental car stations across Europe have reported capacity shortages.AdviceContact your airline or travel agent for updated flight information. Expect severe travel disruptions to and from many of the destinations listed above through April 17. Book hotel rooms immediately if stranded in these locations; do not check out without confirmation of onward travel. Use alternate transport, such as ferries and high-speed trains, which connect the UK with mainland Europe. Seek updated information on road conditions if traveling on the Ring Road along the southern coast of Iceland between Hvolsvollur and Vik.ResourceUK Meteorological Office Ash advisories: www.metoffice.gov.uk/aviation/vaac/EUROSTAR Web site: www.eurostar.comEUROSTAR hotlines: +44 (0) 8705 186 186
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
We've come a long way...
Another butt-busting, hard-working yet fun weekend. I'm sore all over but got to bed by 8:40 last night so I feel alert and awake! Even felt fine during this morning's run, when lately I'd felt just run over by a train. Good day! Let's hope it keeps up.
Three years ago I was retreated to my home (or my mom's home) with a cranky acid reflux baby who wouldn't let me so much as get 30 minutes of Slim in Six in without me having to run to her scream fest. I was certain my life was over: no more running when I wanted to, just going out to enjoy the weather. Social events were a joke. Even pulling weeds in the yard required coordination and planning around the little fuss bucket for the first few months. All of my freedom YANKED AWAY because she hated stroller rides so I couldn't even just take her for a walk, and I'd see lots of moms running along with their little happy bundles in their strollers (Anna did like stroller rides for the first several weeks when the bumpy grass stroller rides was one sure way to get the screaming to stop). My free evenings and weekends were just wasted, even though I thought I was prepared for it all. Turns out I was a bigger selfish spoiled brat than I ever thought: Totally selfish about what I did with my time before Anna came (and duh, why NOT?). So HELLO, smack in the face that my child wasn't born as one of those happy goo-goo-ga-ga babies who sits peacefully in the carrier while mom chats over lunch with a friend or mom and dad mingle at a party.
Or maybe I'm idealizing the perfect baby that no one has? No. Those babies DO exist. I've seen them, thankyouverymuch.
Anyway, I signed up for the Yuri's Night 5k several weeks ago. I did that last year too. Last year I got up early and showed up out of shape and I took my pummeling as finishing ahead of only the stroller pushers out there. This year I signed up hoping for a better experience, and I got it (Saturday was this year's run)!
My pace wasn't super fast this year (a little under 11 minute mile pace) but I didn't want to vomit in front of friends, former astronauts, and co-workers, and I actually noticed there WERE NO stroller pushers this year (wonder: did they put a restriction or something?). Anyway I signed up for this year before Paul decided to co-sponsor the event, which meant Anna would be out there while I was running and Paul was working the Valeo PT tent with his staff, offering consults, stretches, massage, etc. I figured at most I'd be gone for 30 min for the run and he'd have to deal with Anna till I was done.
On the route, I gave her a kiss as I passed by, and she was busy picking up cups that the runners throw on the ground as the drink and run. She had a proud look on her face. I can't tell if it was a "that's MY MOMMY!" proud or if it were a "Look mom I'm helping like a big girl!" proud smile but it was really dang cute.
At the finish like she high-fived me and when I asked if she was helping, it was that proud smile again. So I gave her high-fives too! She talked about it again that night before bed when we always re-cap the highlights of the day after lights out.
I love that she was out there helping and actually did great. After the run she and I talked to lots of different people at the Valeo tent as she ate small package after package of cream cheese (she's her mother's daughter).
Occasionally I take a second to appreciate the fact that we're at an age that for the most part I can once again have an adult conversation and start to see glimpses of activity of my pre-baby life. Paul's co-sponsoring this run came AFTER I registered to run, and it all came up so fast I didn't have time to wonder what to do with Anna. We did what normal people would do: give her a chance and bring her with us. And it worked out. YAHOO!
Hmmm, maybe this blog entry doesn't make sense to those reading. But it makes sense to me so I had to post it. We've come a long way and it was so fun to have Anna out there as part of the community athletic event, and among friends. So I didn't overlook it all. And wanted to get it down here.
Three years ago I was retreated to my home (or my mom's home) with a cranky acid reflux baby who wouldn't let me so much as get 30 minutes of Slim in Six in without me having to run to her scream fest. I was certain my life was over: no more running when I wanted to, just going out to enjoy the weather. Social events were a joke. Even pulling weeds in the yard required coordination and planning around the little fuss bucket for the first few months. All of my freedom YANKED AWAY because she hated stroller rides so I couldn't even just take her for a walk, and I'd see lots of moms running along with their little happy bundles in their strollers (Anna did like stroller rides for the first several weeks when the bumpy grass stroller rides was one sure way to get the screaming to stop). My free evenings and weekends were just wasted, even though I thought I was prepared for it all. Turns out I was a bigger selfish spoiled brat than I ever thought: Totally selfish about what I did with my time before Anna came (and duh, why NOT?). So HELLO, smack in the face that my child wasn't born as one of those happy goo-goo-ga-ga babies who sits peacefully in the carrier while mom chats over lunch with a friend or mom and dad mingle at a party.
Or maybe I'm idealizing the perfect baby that no one has? No. Those babies DO exist. I've seen them, thankyouverymuch.
Anyway, I signed up for the Yuri's Night 5k several weeks ago. I did that last year too. Last year I got up early and showed up out of shape and I took my pummeling as finishing ahead of only the stroller pushers out there. This year I signed up hoping for a better experience, and I got it (Saturday was this year's run)!
My pace wasn't super fast this year (a little under 11 minute mile pace) but I didn't want to vomit in front of friends, former astronauts, and co-workers, and I actually noticed there WERE NO stroller pushers this year (wonder: did they put a restriction or something?). Anyway I signed up for this year before Paul decided to co-sponsor the event, which meant Anna would be out there while I was running and Paul was working the Valeo PT tent with his staff, offering consults, stretches, massage, etc. I figured at most I'd be gone for 30 min for the run and he'd have to deal with Anna till I was done.
On the route, I gave her a kiss as I passed by, and she was busy picking up cups that the runners throw on the ground as the drink and run. She had a proud look on her face. I can't tell if it was a "that's MY MOMMY!" proud or if it were a "Look mom I'm helping like a big girl!" proud smile but it was really dang cute.
At the finish like she high-fived me and when I asked if she was helping, it was that proud smile again. So I gave her high-fives too! She talked about it again that night before bed when we always re-cap the highlights of the day after lights out.
I love that she was out there helping and actually did great. After the run she and I talked to lots of different people at the Valeo tent as she ate small package after package of cream cheese (she's her mother's daughter).
Occasionally I take a second to appreciate the fact that we're at an age that for the most part I can once again have an adult conversation and start to see glimpses of activity of my pre-baby life. Paul's co-sponsoring this run came AFTER I registered to run, and it all came up so fast I didn't have time to wonder what to do with Anna. We did what normal people would do: give her a chance and bring her with us. And it worked out. YAHOO!
Hmmm, maybe this blog entry doesn't make sense to those reading. But it makes sense to me so I had to post it. We've come a long way and it was so fun to have Anna out there as part of the community athletic event, and among friends. So I didn't overlook it all. And wanted to get it down here.
Friday, April 9, 2010
The Yearly Easter Saturday Crawfish Boil
OK these are admittedly Anna-centric. I guess that about says it all.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
This is travel central
This year I said the travel is supposed to slow down. I have made a conscious effort to not go to stuff here at work if it's not critical. I've even passed up a work-related series of meetings at KSC and a shuttle launch earlier this year because of too much travel.
I still can't get away.
Jan = Disney
Feb = Cruise
March = I STAYED HOME (except for local trip to Louisiana)
April = Colorado, Berlin Germany
May = STS-132 shuttle launch, Florida
June = Trieste, Italy
July = New Orleans
August = Colorado
September = Kansas City
October = Berlin (again), Las Vegas = Canceled
November = Austin for Thanksgiving, and San Diego for a conference
December = well the typical drill is Christmas at the in-laws this year (Louisiana).
Jan = Disney
I shouldn't complain. I really don't mean to complain. I know I am super lucky to travel! Some of these trips are the ones I treasure for my little family (Colorado, shuttle launch, 4th of July). There are actually more I'd like to do, like little local trips to family. The remaining trips are outreach trips, work trips, and/or conferences. They're all super fun, but does this look insane to you? I am not really complaining but I think it's lending to my exhaustion. That on top of the events that never slow down around our house on the weekends and evenings. I know we bring this all on ourselves.
People who complain they're too busy do have control over their lives enough to slow things down. I get that. So it's all my fault. But right now, my job is super fun and I'm growing with it, Paul's got a busy, successful clinic to grow (and we have a big event coming up this weekend), and our young daughter has memories to make. I guess I could quit teaching but that's finally become turn-key enough that it's less effort than ever. My running with the 4am group has been cut back to just twice a week even though it's my full intention to ramp up again to 3 if I can just get a good week in.
Problem is that with such busyness I get cranky and take it out on people who ask just a little more of me. My inner thought is: seriously? You want me to DO WHAT for you? You want me to GO WHERE with you? I think people outside my world are selfish if they ask something of me that seems benign enough to them.
I've got to learn to cope and in the meantime, everyone forgive me for appearing selfish. Admittedly, I am at the time in my life where every minute counts and I am fierce in protecting my own agenda, starting with my little family. The good news is I will tell you NO when I mean it and when I tell you YES it's because I mean it too. So I'll never be doing something I don't really want to do.
And in the meantime I'll be a little tired :)
I still can't get away.
Jan = Disney
Feb = Cruise
March = I STAYED HOME (except for local trip to Louisiana)
April = Colorado, Berlin Germany
May = STS-132 shuttle launch, Florida
June = Trieste, Italy
July = New Orleans
August = Colorado
September = Kansas City
October = Berlin (again), Las Vegas = Canceled
November = Austin for Thanksgiving, and San Diego for a conference
December = well the typical drill is Christmas at the in-laws this year (Louisiana).
Jan = Disney
I shouldn't complain. I really don't mean to complain. I know I am super lucky to travel! Some of these trips are the ones I treasure for my little family (Colorado, shuttle launch, 4th of July). There are actually more I'd like to do, like little local trips to family. The remaining trips are outreach trips, work trips, and/or conferences. They're all super fun, but does this look insane to you? I am not really complaining but I think it's lending to my exhaustion. That on top of the events that never slow down around our house on the weekends and evenings. I know we bring this all on ourselves.
People who complain they're too busy do have control over their lives enough to slow things down. I get that. So it's all my fault. But right now, my job is super fun and I'm growing with it, Paul's got a busy, successful clinic to grow (and we have a big event coming up this weekend), and our young daughter has memories to make. I guess I could quit teaching but that's finally become turn-key enough that it's less effort than ever. My running with the 4am group has been cut back to just twice a week even though it's my full intention to ramp up again to 3 if I can just get a good week in.
Problem is that with such busyness I get cranky and take it out on people who ask just a little more of me. My inner thought is: seriously? You want me to DO WHAT for you? You want me to GO WHERE with you? I think people outside my world are selfish if they ask something of me that seems benign enough to them.
I've got to learn to cope and in the meantime, everyone forgive me for appearing selfish. Admittedly, I am at the time in my life where every minute counts and I am fierce in protecting my own agenda, starting with my little family. The good news is I will tell you NO when I mean it and when I tell you YES it's because I mean it too. So I'll never be doing something I don't really want to do.
And in the meantime I'll be a little tired :)
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Exhausted
Why did I wake up this morning looking and feeling like I partied all night? Seriously, I was asleep by 10pm! This isn't even FAIR.
Plus I'm exhausted. Always. Since like the beginning of March I can only recall a handful of days when I actually felt alert and not *so tired*. What the hell, people?
Plus I'm exhausted. Always. Since like the beginning of March I can only recall a handful of days when I actually felt alert and not *so tired*. What the hell, people?
Anna's 3 year stats
I think I forgot to post Anna's 3 year stats that came from her well child doc's visit. That was March 9. She didn't want to go to the doctor's office but we had a few chats, I told her what to expect, and once she saw the other kids go in, she was ready. Her weight was 33lbs and height was 37.75". She's 75th percentile for both weight and height so the doc said she was perfect :)I was prepared for the doc to ask Paul and me a new set of questions...new takes on the old questions. Instead she looked right at Anna and asked: "what do you do when someone you don't know wants you to go with them? Do you go?" Good Lord I had never even thought to start these talks with Anna! Anna bluffed and said "no" (score!). More questions like: do you brush your teeth? Do you sleep in your own bed? Do you wear your seatbelt in your car seat?There were also a few motor development tests thrown in for fun and we left without a shot which was a bonus. She did say that Anna's ear tubes are working their way out as they should but to come back in 6 months to be sure they're out completely or else they'd need surgery to remove. Lord I hope not!
We hadn't been to the doc in a long time with Anna. I can't remember the last time we had a sick visit. Guess it's been a good year (knocking on wood!). That's an improvement we appreciate as she's gotten older. Not even a fever. Since it's been awhile since she's been sick, I am fully aware it will happen at the most inconvenient time AND I will feel so bad for her because I'm just not used to it...so I know, I know.
Well as usual lately I'm exhausted. When I get home it's all Anna till bed time then I'm usually doing some catch up on the house or teaching or something and really I just want to watch TV! I am soooooo behind. It's already almost 9pm. Yawn.
We hadn't been to the doc in a long time with Anna. I can't remember the last time we had a sick visit. Guess it's been a good year (knocking on wood!). That's an improvement we appreciate as she's gotten older. Not even a fever. Since it's been awhile since she's been sick, I am fully aware it will happen at the most inconvenient time AND I will feel so bad for her because I'm just not used to it...so I know, I know.
Well as usual lately I'm exhausted. When I get home it's all Anna till bed time then I'm usually doing some catch up on the house or teaching or something and really I just want to watch TV! I am soooooo behind. It's already almost 9pm. Yawn.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
The Toy Room
For the child who doesn't even use these toys, let's at least get them out of my living room!
We realized the space under the stairs was closed in wasted space. I came home one night and Anna and Paul had put a hole in the wall that turned into this. We still need to put a door on.
She does bump her head occasionally on the stair slanted beams. She'll get used to it :)
I am going to Germany April 17-24 for the ISS Symposium that is being sponsored by the European Space Agency. At the end of that conference, I will be attending a series of programmatic meetings at the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences. Sooooooo cool. Details of the ISS Symposium are here: http://www.iss2010symposium.com/
I don’t even know the German language at ALL so this will be a challenge. At least in Paris I knew enough French to get around, and that made it fun! Now I will feel slightly stupid ;)
My hotel (http://travel.aviewoncities.com/hotel/propertydetails/127264/SUMMARY?isHRN=true&cid=71006) will be right on the grounds of the Gendarmenmarkt square, though the agenda looks packed from morning till bedtime.
It’s great to have a job you love!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
