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!!!