Monthly Archives: August 2012

I am a feminist.  I believe wholeheartedly that I can be and have it all.

I recall years ago when my husband went to his reunion at Columbia.  I went with him to one of the events.  All the wives were huddled around each other, while the husbands talked about old times.  Being the Barnard woman I am, I tried to interject with the guys where I could.  This took place until one of the wives asked a question I dreaded.  She asked, “So what do you do for a living?”

I always hated that question because I didn’t feel comfortable saying, “Me?  Oh I am a stay at home mom.”  OK, you at home mothers by choice.  I know it is the 21st century, and women can have any career they want, bear children, and still walk away from “It all” whenever they choose to.  I was still young, and not quite sure what I wanted out of life.  I felt I spent my seven sister education on nothing.  I didn’t realize, it was in the trenches of diapars and baby babble, where Wonder Woman was being born.

Fast forward years later.  I have 2 beautiful children, a husband, and a rising career.   I have had the opportunity to start businesses, work for major corporations, and walked away from each company with the expectation that I was going to experience something great.  I have it all just like Wonder Woman, and I intend to use my golden lasso, fly my invisible jet, and save many children from a voiceless existence through the courtroom.  Oh, and I am going to be a darn good mother too.

See, I am a feminist, and proud of it.

Isn’t it interesting how we are not as afraid of familiar experiences as we are of new ones?  As I embark on my second year of law school, I am reminded that although I have been down this road once before, I should not discount the road I have ahead.  Not only do I now have classes, I also have student organizations, journal, projects, and an internship.  I am so familiar with school now, I have convinced myself I can pile on additional activities.  As I write this, I should be reading for a class, or preparing for an event.  This won’t happen however because my lovely oh so wonderful husband has decided to remodel my son and nephew’s bedroom (this should be interesting).

Another interesting addition is that I will gain a teenager on this Wednesday.  My 15 year old sister-in-law after many years is coming to the U.S.   We won the teenager occupant lottery.  I am both excited and a little scared.  I know what I was like as a teenager, and it wasn’t pretty.  Hubby is convinced she will be different because she is coming from Jamaica, and she had a different upbringing.  I am laughing as I write this, because he really has no idea.  The teenage girl is a species unknown to even the older version (grown woman).  They pout, whine, yell, are emotional, yell, act out, and yell.

Lastly, we are getting my daughter a dog (yes-I am absolutely a glutton for punishment).  She has begged so much, that when we said she could get one for her birthday last year, I think we believed her birthday would never come.  I shake my head at our blind stupidity.  What on God’s green earth will we do with a dog, 3 kids, 3 adults, and a teenager.  Not to mention one of the adults has chosen to spend 15 hours of her day outside of the house (I am thinking that is a smart move).  If by some chance I survive the next few weeks, I will definitely give you a rundown.  In the meantime, I have a date with Constitutional Law.  Wish me luck and hopefully there will not be too much yelling!!

Readers:

It has been a while since my last post.  To bring you up to speed, as a law student I completed my first year of law school.  I did OK considering my other responsibilities.  Also, I am starting the last week of my summer internship at this agency that represent Children in custody proceedings.  The experience has been top notch, so much so I want continue working there.  I cannot however, because I made a commitment to another organization for the fall semester.

Also, I was selected for a Journal at my law school.  This was by far a huge achievement, one I do not take lightly.  

Finally, my children and husband went on a trip. Below is my entry regarding that.  Enjoy!

Kids,

So you guys have been in Jamaica, WI with Dad, Grandma, an Aunt, Uncles, and a Cousin.  I unfortunately had to stay behind because of my internship.  This turned out to be a problem for K.  Several times you called me crying because you miss me.  I have to say I am moved to tears.  You totally shocked me this past week.  Usually you prefer daddy to me, and although there have been times I wished you would cry for me, I don’t like the reality of that.

Although you love Jamaica, you want mommy there too, which makes sense.  A family should go away together.  What is funny is that your brother has not once expressed he misses me.  Daddy didn’t either.  I’m sorry you feel alone in your emotion, which I think is part of the problem.  What I can tell you, is you are not alone.  I miss you too, and love you dearly.

Love,

Mom