Finally getting back to writing after a drought. I had started working in October at my daughter’s school as an aide for the 5th grade. I loved the work, but I think one makes more money in fast food so I needed to find something that paid a bit better. The day after I accepted the job I got a call from a local liberal arts college about a position I had applied for. Two weeks after starting at my daughter’s school I was starting another new job.
Having not worked for two years, it has taken a while to get back into the groove. The job at her school was a good transition to getting back to a 40 hour work week. I truly love my new job. It is with a small Catholic college in a Liberal area. I’m getting used to saying prayers at meetings, which having worked in the San Francisco Bay Area, is something I have NEVER done. It is nice though. The environment is supportive. I suppose it helps that I’m Catholic but I see other faiths embraced as well.
So now that I’ve been at this job for two months, survived the holidays, and am feeling a bit more organized, I’m finding myself missing a few things. Time for myself is number 1. My husband is a huge help in getting our daughter to and from school. He is able to work from home 3 of the 5 weekdays and handles pick up and drop off on those days. Tuesdays and Thursdays are my days. Of course, I generally make lunches and dinner while he is good about making beds and cleaning around the house. I’m very fortunate that way.
Still, I try to work out during the week. The only time I can swing that is 5:00 AM which means I get up at 4:30 AM. Going from exercising at 9:00 AM to 5:00 AM has been challenging. I get to work out 2-3 times during the week currently, but would like to get that up to 3-4. When I wasn’t working I was going 5-6 times a week. I figure if I can work out on Saturdays and 3-4 times during a regular week I’m in good shape. But I have to get my sleep. I do like to sleep though, but to make these workouts I try to be in bed by 9:00 PM. One day recently I had too much caffeine and wasn’t able to sleep at all. I had planned to work out, then when I realized I wasn’t falling asleep canceled my workout at midnight. At 4:00 AM when I realized I still hadn’t slept I decided to work out anyway. Afterward, I had a quick shower, breakfast and 45-minute nap before I ran out to work that morning. Not really sure how I managed to get through the day but that night, I slept like a baby. This is why I have to stay away from caffeine.
So now we have a new year which always gives me a chance to reflect. I’ve had many close to me lose loved ones in the last couple of months. A mother, a husband, a father. It has made me reflect on the many blessings I have in my own life. My family, my friends, my new job, even the support at the amazing gym I belong to. I want to do things to encourage and support this joy in my life. I need to carve out time like I have today, to write, read, and recharge. I find I’m quite the introvert and do my best recharging alone. I have a hard time reaching out but am taking steps in the new year to do that with certain things in my life. I may write about them and I may not. Time will tell. But I do see the many blessings I have. I am grateful for all of them and hope to share more in the coming months.
I hope 2019 is a better year for all. I hope our country looks to be more compassionate to those trying to make a new life as it has in the past. I hope those in leadership positions will find wisdom and embrace empathy. I hope I can be part of the solution in this world to spread that empathy and wisdom.
Enjoy the journey. Love and be loved. Find your bliss. Peace.