January 26, 2016

Beat the alarm clock by 3 minutes and was ever so tempted to say “fuck the yoga”… but, I wanna change this body.  Honestly, I’m beginning to doubt it will ever happen.  I change a few pounds here and there and that’s it.  Did yoga, though…

..and then got a friend request from a man who had seen my post on the expat site.  He moved from Israel last year and is also a Swiss citizen.  Lives there now with his family – has 20 years experience in my field.  Ever so cool!!

Work: Busy, busy day.  Victim of sexual molestation - able to talk and connect with this person.  Blows me away that I am so damn lucky to work with these kids. One high point was getting a text from my best buddy from high school, Brent.  It’s his birthday today.  For YEARS I have wished him a happy birthday on this day and today he beat me to the punch (reminding me to wish him a happy birthday).  That guy hasn’t changed a bit and I miss the hell out of him.

Picked up Ethan at his internship at the Bike Shop, then Mags at school and we drove home.  ALL THREE OF US were exhausted – not sure why.  I can’t speak for the kids, but I did a face plant on my favorite thing, my bed.

I was so tired that the concept of cooking something brought to mind images of kitchen fires, so we went to a Salvadorian/Mexican place in the area for dinner.  I was so proud of myself for only eating half of my burrito.  It has been some time since that has happened, but it could simply be because my body is too damn tired to digest and put the kibosh on eating the whole thing.  Somehow, I ended up with a piece of pork in my boot.  I have no idea who this happened, as I was eating very respectfully and everything (didn't throw food even once). 

Pictures: Our table decor; Ethan got a  shot of my glorious boot pork.

january 25, 2016

All three places I had applied to on Friday had responded – two were positive, one is not hiring currently yet was very regretful.  This is the Swiss way – punctual and respectfully heartfelt.  I responded immediately and answered questions they had.  Daumen drücken.

Gym this morning after I dropped the kids off, instead of getting up early and doing yoga.  Once home, I started looking into school for the kids.  I am concerned.  Clearly international schools are not possible – I think the least expensive was approximately 24K Swiss francs a year.  Swiss schools are set up differently than here:  Kids attend a primary school until about 6^th grade, then attend certain school/areas.  I’m not sure how to get them high school education if it isn’t available in the same way.  I called Kim, a friend who works at Union Mine, left a message.  She phoned back and told me she knows of a mother whose child went abroad for a year and she will give her my mother.  Still, Doubt was entering my mind.

Then Judy called – my speech therapist from my car accident in 1988 – and she told me what an incredible adventure we were going to be having…Universe showing me to keep on moving, keep on trying.  

Picked up the kids then headed to my client.  They are finished for now, which is wise to realize.  The door is always open if they wish to return.

Off to Zumba – with contacts this time.  It made it a lot easier, even standing in the back (where I’d been sent by the instructor, my co-worker).  I do not think much is changing with my body.  I am too attached to food and there is nothing to distract me. 

Picture: Today's Wicked Tree

January 24, 2016

I’m not sure what this dizziness is about but really  I need to get it checked out; early morning hours are like being on a carnival ride (without actually being on a carnival ride).  

Being up and about makes things a bit easier.  I sent off another job application to yet another school and looked into psych jobs…again I didn’t get very far.  I’m not looking to “be” a psychologist there and I’m not quite certain of the correct nomenclature for what it is I do – youth and family services.  

Mags had her Dean Winchester party today (and she was smelling sulfur [a sign of spirits] everywhere this morning) at 1, then Ethan and I headed out to hike.  Cronan Ranch had all of New York City there, so we headed to another (shorter) trail head and began exploring.    Initially we followed set trails, but it wasn’t long until we went off and found the tributary stream to the American River with a long tree acting as bridge.  Ethan crossed over and searched for a path and finding one, I followed.  Annie fell into the river, but she loves to swim, so no harm, no foul.  Ethan and I walked and walked alongside the freshly-fed river, frothing with foam at its new-found strength.  I saw how the earth we were walking upon looked like an old riverbed…on our way back, Ethan noticed an old rock wall built by miners many years ago to reroute the American river in hopes of finding gold on the old river bed.  And here we were, Ethan and I, 160 or so years later, walking alone, not a soul in site, other than the two dogs.  I spoke with Ethan somewhere during our adventure – he was doing better.  

 

We headed to a newer taqueria in Coloma and paid money for food that would have been right at home at a high school football game.  Really?  That kind of cheese for nachos?  Yet my question about the restaurant been answered and all is good. I'm on a forever quest of La Bodega nachos. We picked up Maggie at her party and headed home.

Tonight is Return of the Jedi.  This one is somewhat of a Jim Henson meets George Lucas –too many crazy creatures for my tastes.  Made a reservation for Yosemite for the kids and me  in March.  Looking forward  to one hell of an adventure.

 Pictures: Hiking near Coloma

January 23, 2016

I awoke early again, but it was still dark and there was no way in hell I was getting out of bed, so I just stayed.  Next thing ya know, I awoke again and it was 8:59.  Most excellent.  It had been raining most of the night (I had heard it) and was still raining, which I also loved.  Perfect Saturday morning.  Almost.

A chat with a friend motivated me and I applied for work at three additional schools in Switzerland.  It is also time to get going with the psych degrees and look for work in that field.  I was assured on an expat site that, with Switzerland being so focused on social help that I’d have a well-paying job within weeks.  I’d like to look more deeply into that claim.

The kids and I straightened up the house to some Toto and Eagles spinning, then headed to sushi.  The big plan of the day was to watch the Star Wars movie and 3D tickets resulted in a $49.50 dollar bill, but it was very worth it.  I cried 3 times.  Quite nostalgic seeing it on the big screen with those faces.  I may go see it again next Saturday when the kids are with their dad.

There was a break-up today.  I’m not sure which end it came from, but he is quite deflated.  As necessary as I know these experiences are, it hurts my heart to see.  

  

So I made a little comfort food as we started watching Star Wars 4, 5 & 6.  I also bought tickets for Mags and I to go see Rocky Horror Picture Show on Valentine’s Day weekend.  I figure it’s time to introduce her to hot transvestites and time-warps.

Picture: Han then and now; Maggie's joke - lettuce turnip the beet; Spinning the Eagles

January 22, 2016

Up at 4:37 (without alarm) because Mags has Quoai Café on Fridays and I wanted to get yogad and showered.  She told me at 6:45 she wasn’t  going because it was raining.

Off to JH, where my new Use of Keys was akin to riding without training wheels for the first time.  I saw the POs and guards watching me like nervous but proud parents, yet I did it all by myself – code, signed key in, close, code, signed key out, close.  And with that, I was able to go pee without having to ask anyone to buzz me out.

A terrific aspect about the things I have done in the past  (in terms of career) is that today I spoke with the woman who is in charge of the education there.  It was wonderful to be able to discuss a wrap-around service for the kids which includes education (follow the child) and mental health services.  Somehow my two worlds collided today.

 

After the hall, I headed to the agency and I got to hold a baby!!  When she’d cry, I swear my boobs hurt, but fortunately the lactation gig has been up for some time so no shirt rings here.  I’m so grateful my kids are the age they are because I am past the age of raising babies, but it is so nice to hold them, once in a while.

Picked up the kids and we headed home.  Mags fell asleep in her room, so Ethan and I hung out, cooked and spun The Doobie Brothers.  Somewhere in there, I started organizing my records when Ethan noticed that the drawing of M  I also have finalized some plans for a Hips weekend (very excited about that). 

arty Robbins looks remarkably like Will Ferrell, so once Mags awoke, we decided to rent Anchorman (which had “El Paso City” in it, btw).

Pictures:  Organizing my records; Today's Wicked Tree