Out of the Bubble: Life in the Real World

I recently corresponded with a friend about the difficulties of life after Wellesley. It seems that we, both, had the idea that after graduating from such a prestigious school we'd be able to easily find amazing jobs and lead wonderfully fulfilling lives. We have both had a serious reality check: jobs were few and far between and people weren't "rolling out the red carpet" (as my friend put it) to offer us positions. Then, often the positions, actually available, haven't been too intellectually stimulating. Thankfully, we have both finally found employment (I even like my job), but I still feel a bit dazed and disillusioned now that I am out of the school bubble. Now I'm living life in the real world once again.

What exactly does that mean? Well for my little family, it means that we no longer get discounted rates for school lunch, the electric bill or health insurance. It means that Zac and I both need to work so we can live and not just survive (at least in Hawaii), which then means we both come home tired. I give a huge high-five to all the women out there who have been working full-time for years, especially while raising a family. It is devastatingly tough. I miss spending the time with my boys; I worry sick about them and hope that I'm not screwing up their lives by working outside the home. Plus, I feel like I don't have any time for myself (no more free time for scrap-booking, movie-watching or piano playing); all my time at home is spent keeping up on laundry and dishes, etc.

However, I do see a bright side to all this real world upheaval. I've learned that I have an incredible husband who is willing to do more than his fair share of the housework while I learn to adjust to a new routine. This morning, I woke up late and found that he had cleaned the entire kitchen and living room and had started on the laundry. This morning is only one small example of the extra assistance I receive from this guy. On top of all of the housework help I receive, he encourages us to stay active (think lots of biking, hiking, swimming, surfing, scuba and of course volleyball); he helps me keep track of the boys' schedules–making sure he is home for them when needed to ease my pangs of guilt–and he even packs my lunch in the morning. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for this amazing man.

I've also learned to appreciate more of the little things, like celery sticks in peanut butter, hugs from my kids, reading to Tyson at bedtime, sitting still with my feet up, listening as my boys relate funny stories, a good song on the radio, emails from family and friends just because, and especially the feeling of waking up on Saturday and Sunday morning to the sun shining in the window rather than the blare of the alarm.  It's all about the little things right?

So, I'm going to be super tired most days of the week. I'll probably want to pass out every time I open up the electric bill; and I'm pretty sure I'm going to want to quit a million times over, but if I can keep my perspective focused on the amazingly wonderful–though small as can be–parts of my life, and keep my dear husband at my side, then I think living in the real world will turn out to be its own type of bubble, aka: prime real estate.

Performing in "Pippin"

This year both Tim and Tyson performed in the high school play. The play was "Pippin." Tim had dual roles with another cast member; every other performance he was King Charlemagne or a Soldier/Nobleman. Tyson performed the part of Theo--a small boy whose mother falls for the main character, Pippin. The play ran for three solid weekends and all but two nights were sold out. Zac and I made it to all but a couple of shows (super proud parents). I couldn't believe how awesome they did. I really enjoyed watching them each and every time. Who knew we'd have a couple of actors in the family!!!

My Gift

I received this special gift on Mother's Day this year. I think it bears a striking resemblance to...

My First Homemade Lei

Tyson's cub scout group participated in a special Memorial Day activity at the Punchbowl cemetery. The Punchbowl Cemetery is a national memorial/burial ground for men and women who served in the armed forces. The official name is The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Veterans from World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, as well as their dependents are interred there.

The cub scouts were asked to bring small leis to place on all the graves for Memorial Day. For our lei we gathered blossoms (I believe they are plumeria) from the trees in our church parking lot. We gathered a bunch and had enough to make two leis. I think we did a fair job for our first lei ever. It was a fun project. The best part: they smelled soooo good!

Good Old Grammar

Earlier this week, I was speaking with a co-worker (yes, I now have co-workers–wahoo!) who has learned English as her second language, and knowing I was an English major she approached me with this question:

Which of the following is correct and why?

Your license has expired.

Your license is expired.

I have to admit I was a bit baffled. I told her I believed the first example to be correct, or at least more correct, but I couldn't explain why. She said she thought both were acceptable. In many ways, both are acceptable. I'm stumped and I can't find my grammar books.

Anyone....???

Thanks,
-a very ashamed English Major

Learning Illustrator

I've been trying to learn how to use a few other Adobe programs. Here's my first attempt in Illustrator:

Not too bad...right?

1, 2 and 3...Check!

I can now check The Hunger Games book series off my list of books to read. My friend, Alicia, recommended I read the first book a few years ago, but I was in school at that time and hardly had time to read what was required for class. The recent movie revived my interest and I read them together with my husband (he has a great voice for narrating). Here are my comments/reviews of all three books:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

My first impression leads me to label the book as a definite teen read or mind candy--perhaps more of a negative connotation than intended. I sense that Collins intends to relay a message, but I find her attempt unsuccessful. According to the book jacket, the author's writing "[explores] the effects of war and violence on those coming of age;" the idea is blatant enough after reading the book, for the Hunger Games are games of violence for "those coming of age." The deficiency appears with the lack of message at the end of the book. Obviously the reader senses a negative vibe when contemplating the violence the kids go through, but I don't think Collins adaquately portrays the effects of the savagery until her third book Mockingjay. That being said, I did actually enjoy the book very much. In fact, I found myself sucked into the characters' lives and their world. I liked the book so much I forced Zac into reading the next book right away (I pretty much burned him out and had to read the third book on my own).

Catching Fire

Collins' second book in the series wasn't quite as interesting as the first, but just as before, I find myself stuck in the world of Katniss. Collins creates a fascinating future to consider. I would suggest that Collins' adeptness at writing in first person is best realized when contemplating which character, Gale or Peeta, Katniss should be with. Throughout Catching Fire (and The Hunger Games) Katniss flip-flops between the two characters. Ultimately, she wants to remain single, but she does feel tied to the two boys, but experiences confusion as to which one she truly feels the strongest emotions toward. The reader also feels confused and conflicted. Unlike other books where the author helps sway the reader one way or another, I felt I was in the very shoes of Katniss Everdeen and I couldn't decide which boy should be the one. I find that Suzanne Collins' ability to allow the reader to experience her characters' emotions expresses her skill at writing.

On another note, I was surprised that Katniss and Peeta ended up in a predicament similar to the first book (fighting again). Although I still didn't sense a clear message or point being made by the author, I began to feel the strain on Katniss--so much stress and pressure to succeed, yet not really knowing how or what to succeed at--and contemplated how the strain related to the violence inflicted upon her life.

One last thought about Catching Fire: The cliffhanger ending was a brilliant ploy to make the reader buy the next book, but frankly, it was just downright cruel.

Mockingjay

My first thought: chaos interspersed with dull reflections. However, Katniss did appear more human in this book (almost ironic as she is set on a pedestal as the symbol of the rebellion--the one who can withstand it all). Collins' finally starts to show how violence can take a toll on a person. Katniss, the unbreakable fighter, begins to crumble internally--emotionally. She hides her physical body in closets, etc., and tries to hide her inner feelings, but eventually they spill out uncontrolled. The violence she's experienced overwhelms her ability to thrive. An interesting dichotomy unfolds between the public and private personality. Although she tries to keep her personal thoughts and feelings away from the public eye, people register affection for her when they see glimpses of her true self. A lesson perhaps? Don't hide your true self; people seek out the real you--that's what makes you loved.

Overall, I believe this book has more depth than the other two books in the series. I would still suggest that the first, The Hunger Games, is the best of the three, but I'm glad I read the entire series. I am now prepared, and excited to go see the movie. I hope it lives up to the excitement of the books.