School Daze

"Mommy, your ama is like a hill with a rock on top," said Liam today.

Ack! So many new schools starting. I have somehow remained fairly grounded up til today, but my head has been spinning today. Chris has been working like a maniac on Kalian's new co-op preschool - it's an organization that has policies that don't make sense, but that they've been doing for so long that they are not interested in changing - i.e. I had to print out 17 copies of the detailed board meeting minutes that Chris typed up. Uh, "Why can't you just e-mail them to everyone?" I asked him tonight. He said he did but they want hard copies, as well. Hmm...I've certainly been in those orgs before. No wonder Bush is still president, we keep makin' copies...

This morning, I thought I'd take advantage of the fact that Liam's preschool teacher and our friend Inga was coming over to do a thorough house clean - including the first real clean of the bathroom. I fantasized that I'd also re-organize the closets, and so some course prep work as well. Ha! One hour into the job, while Chris had taken the kids on the bike to the park, I was barely done scrubbing the toilet, so then I rushed to pick everything up. I hadn't even swept when Chris came home with the kids, so I tried to patiently work with Liam to vacuum and sweep. Chris and I had just enough time to take showers before Marissa, Liam's new preschool teacher came over. Why do we clean when company comes, anyway? It was so great that she came over, but it also felt stressful to try to introduce ourselves and Liam, as well as ask all of the questions we had - all within the context of her getting to play with Liam. We were lucky to get out Liam's potty training status and that he has no food allergies and likes to play with legos before she had to go.

After that, I had to rush over to the K school to prepare for my meeting with my advisor. I am still working out the kinks computer-wise and didn't have my course decisions with me, so I had to edit out the personal and negative comments on my copy to give to A.K. His assistant had very formally scheduled our meeting, and I had sent out a copy of my CV to him. Earlier this summer I had painstakingly filled out a long form with detailed questions about my goals and interests for him. But when I knocked on his door, he very sweetly and absent minded professor-like asked me who I was and apologized for not having looked at any of my info.

However, he ended up being incredibly helpful, and we had some mutual connections from Duke - LW, for one. He was very helpful in giving candid feedback on the professors I am considering for courses. He was very tactful not to diss anyone, but instead chose to give positive feedback on certain professors and none on others that I presumed he was not recommending. Of course, this shook up my schedule even more, so now I'm even more confused as to what classes to take. I'm trying to balance research methods/quant with media and then my distribution requirements and taking something "fun" - feels impossible with only 2 semesters.

I also "tried on" the PhD hat and told him I was going to go for it. He outlined a number of steps for me - that I had already considered but that I thought were helpful: 1. bulk up my resume/pedigree 2. focus on what I'm interested in 3. get to know folks who would help me - that's why I was meeting with him. Guess I'm on the right track. I felt great after talking with him - that I was taking the right step forward.

So then I stopped by K's office - the sec of MG - she had suggested stopping by for her story of dealing with the Cambridge school system for her kid with developmental needs. Her story was heartwrenching (though stranger pickup was int) trying to navigate the system for her kid who turned out to be mildly autistic. It made me even more weary of trying to navigate the system and fight for appropriate services for Liam. After she mentioned mothering magazine, I mentioned that I had homebirths - which appeared to impress her. She wanted to have a playdate....Introducing, the wonderous homebirthin' mama Jen!

Then, I had to rush (I'm using that word quite a bit...) back home and make a salad for the dinner we were serving Inga and the kids while Chris and I headed out to a parent orientation for Liam's preschool. The 3 minute walk to and from the school was a nice date for Chris and me. And it did feel like a nice break to be served nice food and wine, but then I realized that it all comes out of our tuition. We miss Heart of a Child! But we are excited about the program there. After schmoozing, we sat down to an introduction of the teachers, policies, etc. blah blah blah. I kept telling Chris the whole night not to sign up for any committees. He seems to be doing enough with the co-op, and we are struggling so much financially that we should really be getting one of the scholarships. Is that selfish? Then, he raised his hand, before he asked his question, he gave me a "don't kill me" look and asked how much time is involved in each committee. Fortunately, we left without being recruited and with some cookies stuffed in my purse.