Learning Life's Lessons

Although I've been a student there for over three years now, I haven't mastered using the services on the U of M campus. First of all, there's parking. Or lack thereof. Dollar-an-hour lots are as good as it gets, but on the West Bank (or at least I think it's West -- I get them mixed up -- again, over three years) $2.50 an hour is standard rate. That wouldn't be so outrageous if I could complete anything in less than an hour.

Next, there's the library, which isn't so bad really. Unless copying is involved. There's this system where you can put money on your U Card and save five cents per copy. I've done it before and felt confident going into it today. I had $20 in my wallet. Five for parking (ugh) and fifteen for copies (ugh, ugh). So, I put my twenty into the machine thinking that I could get change back to pay for parking. Not the case. All $20 was added to the card. I wanted to keep a positive outlook, but when will I use $23.85 on my copy card? And I had to find an ATM (with a $1.50 service charge) to get cash for parking. Ugh.

Like Oprah, I assume that everything happens so that a lesson can be learned from it. But after spending $26.50 during one trip to campus and finding that the periodicals carried volumes 1, 2, 4, and 5 of the English Journal when all I wanted was volume 3, I wasn't sure what there was to learn.

But never doubt Oprah, for on my way back from the cash machine I was drawn to a light glowing from around the corner. A Coke machine. And on that Coke machine, a slot for the U Card. And I, with $16.20 left to spare, figured out what my lesson was for the day: The U Card works on vending machines and Diet Coke makes everything better.

Oops

Although it doesn't look like it here, Heather's daughter Olivia had a lovely time in the pool this weekend.

Until I held her.

Let me start by saying I'm not tall. For most people, four feet of water is a wading pool. For me, it's tread worthy. Sure, my shoulders are above water, but holding a child in that depth isn't necessarily smart. And I didn't just decide to hold the baby. I wanted to play motorboat and twirl her around in a circle.

The first couple of rotations were successful. She was wide-eyed and smiling. But during our last turn, I (apparently) held her too close to the water and she swallowed a minuscule, albeit significant, amount.

Water is a new concept to Olivia who has, in her young age, only been exposed to breast milk. Pool water shoved in the face does not mimic breast milk, and she responded with severe coughing that seemed to halt all movement and sound at the pool. . .or so it felt for a moment. Luckily, Heather was nearby and with her magic mommy embrace she made it all better. Still, I had nearly ruined the baby.

During the teasing that ensued, I tried to hide away in the deep end of the pool. When that didn't work, I suggested that Olivia was thirsty and dove for the water with all her strength. Although those who bore witness were laughing, their gazes made me feel a bit like Carrie in Sex and the City when Charlotte questions her ability to take care of Brady, Miranda's child.

Luckily, Angela was tuned into my horror and dismay and she knew just what to say to make me feel better.

"That could have happened to anyone," she whispered. "Besides, Olivia didn't need to be such a baby about it."

Exactly.

Fabulous Footwear

Notice how far it is from camera to toe. With three inches of heel, I was particularly tall (and wobbly) at this weekend's wedding. Took this shot just before changing into more danceable shoes.

This is all you'll get to see of the outfit, but trust me, it's the most fabulous part.

And speaking of fabulous...



How lovely are they?

And here's a sample of just how much fun was to be had:



Quite sad it all had to end.

Wiscansin

Lovely location for a wedding. Who knew Wisconsin was so beautiful?

Wedding Weekend Recovery

I started to write about the fantastic fun that I had this weekend at a-dub's wedding (most beautiful bride anyone has ever seen), when I received an e-mail from best girlfriend, JM. Surely, I can't capture the essence of the event better than she has (see italics below), and frankly, I'm too tired to try. Although I should note that I did get to spend considerably more time at the pool than she and am feeling, perhaps, more rested. She does, without question, deserve an award for most dutiful and eloquent bridesmaid. So thanks, JM. Hope this isn't cheating:

I am back at work, missing you all, and walking with a severe limp! My calves are so sore and swollen from dancing like a maniac, and why I thought it was a GOOD idea to head bang to Pour Some Sugar On Me I'll never know! Unable to move my neck or walk up or down stairs (I hold onto the banisters and swing my legs down 3 steps at a time).

yuk - just took a sip of coffee that was, most unfortunately, NOT the coffee I purchased this morning, but rather the one I bought and didn't finish on June 30th! (complete with cream -now sour).

So, as we go back to our respective lives - we bear the scars of the weekend and I wish I had a beer in my hand and an afternoon to lazily hang with you in the sun.

All very worthy of her own blog, don't you think?

My Lake

Although I love my lake, I will be leaving it for a different one this weekend. Another blog break begins. Forgive me.

Type A. . . You think?

I am a big fan of the to-do list. In fact, I like to think of it as a genre in which I excel -- especially when I successfully check off all of the items on a list. It's an added bonus when I can knock off most of the tasks in a couple of hours. The trick is to start those things that take some time, like laundry and one-hour film development, and then continue down the list while other items take care of themselves. There's no more satisfying feeling than to know that two things on a list are being done at once. Perhaps I take greater pride in this achievement than seems normal, but we've all got our quirks, don't we.

I admit, I haven't perfected the art form just yet. Without intending to, I always make the mistake of adding one bastard item that is near impossible to complete.

Here's yesterday's list:
groceries
Target
post office
develop film
renew passport
pay bills
laundry
thesis work

Seems like a reasonable list. Most of the errands were in a one-mile radius of one another so I could save both time and gas. Two of the tasks could be started while I moved on to other items. Not a bad list indeed.

Until. . . thesis work. Seriously. Why did I write it down? Do I subconsciously enjoy the guilt that comes from leaving one item on the list? It's not like I don't already feel the pressure of not having worked on the thesis in weeks. The worst part is that I really believed myself when I wrote the words. Such disappointment no one should have to feel.

So, here's today's list:
pack
paint toenails
thank you card
blog

I'm sure I'll add something later like "begin novel," but for now, crossing four little letters off the list feels pretty good.

Wish I had something more profound to say...

As I sat in our closing circle at diversity camp, I was overwhelmed with pride in the community of remarkable educators with whom I had spent the week. I am emotionally and physically exhausted from the experience, and there are no words I can use to explain it without giving away just how cheesy I am at heart. So instead, I'll just say, I am changed.

And I will also say, for those of you who checked my blog religiously during my absence (particularly the sister who has been working ridiculous hours and has been in need of many breaks), I am back.