And justice for all

So, this past weekend was spent doing nothing much. Indeed – a perfect weekend if there ever was one. Yesterday was occupied by cleaning the house from top to bottom. Purged it now stands; clean and welcoming. This makes me happy.

And as we all know: a happy wife tends to lead to a happy life for my hubby.

The rugby went well, but was upsetting. I only had one game wrong this weekend. But, it was my powerplay, so it cost me 2 points. Stupid Bulls.

The husband and I have been summoned to a funeral this weekend. I wonder how prevalent this is going to become in this marriage. I rather like family gatherings, it’s always good to see the old faces again. But, when it’s not my family, it tends to be a tedious time. I have made the sleeping arrangements and everything. Should be an interesting weekend.

The finances are still a bit whack currently. Am working on ‘em.

No studies happened this weekend. It was family time. And a wonderful time was had by all.

My baby girl is now 4 months old. She is now eligible for some cereal at night. But, a max of 2 teaspoons was allowed.

I still have a problem with the leave system. I can’t believe that I have to take annual leave if my kid gets sick, or has to go for shots, etc etc. I just don’t have enough. On the plus side – I have some stacked up from last year. There just seems to be some confusion on exactly how much is available. Did you know that annual leave does not accumulate while you are on maternity leave? I didn’t.

The news these days is very depressing. This morning alone I read about taxi violence, people stealing houses, political fraudsters coming off scot free. It’s very disheartening. I don’t like what JZ is doing, I think he should be prosecuted. Those far more eloquent than I, have said similar things on the news24 website. I wonder where this country is heading. Will there be justice for anyone in a one party democracy?

**sigh**

I’ve done maybe 2 or 3 hours of studying over a two week period. It’s worrying that I don’t feel like I’ve learned anything. I did a mock exam, did well, got 98%. Still don’t feel like I’ve really memorised anything. I have this feeling of impending doom if I don’t study the theory as well. Rote memorisation of questions is not the way to go in this instance.

I have this inability to study over weekends. This behaviour was cultivated from the very beginning of my academic career, when I was five. I’m a staunch believer in getting work done during the week (or, late Sunday nights, if it can’t be helped).

Today I feel lousy. I wish I could have just stayed at home with my baby and my husband. There is no time anymore. Every night is the same. Getting home, I pass out. It’s not even fair.

Anyway, just thought I’d bitch a bit. I’m worried about my studies. Studying during working hours is not a sustainable plan. And, I don’t get study leave. What a rip off.

Walking on sunshine

Unbeknownst to me, as I was watching the husband play rugby last Saturday, I acquired some form of heatstroke. Or, sunstroke. Or, something.

I was fine all day Saturday, sitting in the shade for the half hour of warming up they did, and then the ensuing 80 minute game with 10 minute remission at half time. I even had a soft drink to keep me busy. We went home after the game – they had won 33-3. And, I felt fine, if a tad tired.

Sunday morning I woke up with the world’s worst headache. I was sensitive to light and sound. My body was sore all over, my skin on my face and lips was tight. I felt horrible. So, the husband found me some pills I could take while boobie-feeding. He brought me some water. I then swallowed the pills and promptly went back to sleep, duvet over my feverish head.

I eventually woke up at 10am again, feeling a million times better, if a bit sunburnt. I was a bit surprised, as I spent all that time in the shade. But, I’m not overly shocked, as I know that UV rays will get you wherever you are. I should’ve been smart about it, and put some sunscreen on. Lesson learnt.

On another note, my exam registration went through, so it looks like I will be writing in June. Somehow I forgot to study over the weekend. I had such high hopes for myself. So, I have to redouble my efforts this week. Hopefully I will get some good study hours in this week. If I can just study and revise 20 pages of the study guide per week, I will have more than enough time to absorb all the material.

I also have to go to gym every day this week, at the risk of losing the rebate my medical aid pays to the gym, if I don’t. I am not happy about this. I feel like the R350 I'm shelling out for gym membership is going to waste. The internal struggle continues as I grapple with the “should I, shouldn’t I?” as far as cancelling my membership is concerned.

Everybody who knows me, and wants to come to my birthday braai at my parents’ house – you are all welcome. If you need a place to snooze, please lemme know at your earliest convenience. It’s happening over a long weekend – easter. Give me a call and lemme know. I plan to bring Scrabble, Pictionary and 30 seconds. Yes, I’m a big nerd.

I’m getting used to the heels. I find starting out with small heels and then upgrading to longer ones, tends to ease the process. Also, not running up and down the stairs and corridors also helps.

My heatstroke remains with me only in the tightness in my face. Otherwise, life is still good.

Have a great day, blogmune!

Torture of a podiatary kinde

Today is the last work day of the first week after my maternity leave. So far, the most difficult thing to get used to has been these stupid high heel shoes. My feet ache and complain 2 hours into the work day. I am not used to this. Whoever created and instituted the high heel shoe for professional women, was just plain sadistic.

I look at the men’s shoes longingly. They are flat, have rubber soles. They speak of comfort. Wish I could get away with wearing guy shoes at work. I’ve always wanted a job where I could wear jeans and skateboarder shoes every day. I think I should’ve gone into the journalism line in the end. Pity that I moved around so much as a kid. Couldn’t settle down and join the school newspaper. Most schools don’t have em.

I was 10 minutes late this morning. I’d like to take this time and blame my wonderful husband for not kicking me out of bed when I was supposed to get up. The top brass here at the office had deigned me worthy for “flexi-hours”. But, I’m on probation for the next 6 months, as HR informed me this morning. So, we’ll see how it goes. It works well for me, coz I have to drop and fetch my baby at daycare.

It was sort of weird driving past the office this morning, on the way to daycare… I was thinking to myself that if I didn’t have to drop the kid, I would have been on time. Also, if the day care was on the way to work, I would have been on time as well. Instead, I drive past the office every morning, and then drive back. Don’t get me wrong though, it’s worth it. The baby is well taken care of in the BEST day care (and most expensive) I could find.

I have a grand total of 5 work outfits. The new pants I bought is dragging on the floor today. I forgot to put a seam in last night. It’s the weirdest thing – I get home, hang with the baby; feed her. We have dinner. Then, I just pass out. I’m suddenly so tired that I need to just lie down. I then immediately fall asleep and we rinse and repeat for the next morning.

This morning, as I drove past the mall, a deep longing seized me. If only I could go to the really expensive hairdressers again. My spending habits had to change after the conception of my bundle of joy. And, I’d rather have her than awesome hair. It’s just that, sometimes I miss the perks that came with money. So, the plan is to study further, and stick it out in this job till my contract comes to an end (next year). Then, I will look for a better paying job.

I’ve always been really good at going for interviews. It’s also strange. I plan an outfit, do my hair nice, put on some make-up, etc, when i have an interview. My vocabulary (and CV) is very good, and I use it to full effect when speaking to prospective bosses. But, the crazy thing is, I can’t be bothered to do all that for daily work. I wish I could work in a place that’s les… serious and full of deadlines.

I’m happy at my current office, don’t get me wrong. But, if I could fantasise about the perfect job for me, it would be as I said above – jeans every day. No or few deadlines. Hi tech, where everyone at least had a nodding acquaintance with Twitter, for crying out loud. Friendly people. Very little pressure.

I don’t know.

I wonder which line of business would have suited me better. Journo-ism is full of deadlines. But, if it were a job I’m good at and where I know what I’m doing, I wouldn’t mind having a deadline to do it in, as long as it’s reasonable.

Child care? Who would have me?

My master plan is to try applying for work with the government if all else fails. They are always hiring as far as I know. I just wanna get out of the audit game at some point. It’s rather repetitive. And feels like a lot of stress all for nothing.

I was hoping my body would go back to it’s pre-pregnancy shape, but it seems not. I am now 2 pants sizes bigger than I was last year. Hopefully things will fall into place in time.

I knew I should have packed some food for today… I’m hungry. Gonna see what I can forage.

A fresh approach

I’m back at work, and it’s almost like I was never away. From day one responsibility and deadlines are thrust upon me. But, hey, that’s what pays the bills.

My little baby is at daycare. I take her there every morning before work and fetch her after. I chose the most efficient, friendly and clean place I could find. The babies are well taken care of, with 2 babies per caretaker. It was also the most expensive place, but when it’s about your baby’s safety and security, no price is too high. The experience and qualifications of the ladies at the daycare was also a bonus.

My husband is doing his honours degree part time, working full time and he plays rugby. He gets the baby ready every morning, while I get myself ready. Chores are on a first come first served basis. We wash clothes and dishes and clean every now and then. This is turning out to take a lot of getting used to.

Sometimes I cook. It’s not frequent or gourmet, or anything, but I do try.

My baby seems to be growing like she gets fertilizer dumped on her at daycare. I miss her a lot during the day. Dropping her off every morning is heartbreaking, but I’m getting better at it. She usually just sleeps or giggles and smiles when she gets dropped off. I hope this will continue as she becomes more aware. She is a good baby.

Last night at 9pm she woke up after a 3 hour nap, she wanted play time. So, her daddy and I took turns having her on our laps. We even did some scrapbooking. I want to document her growth as closely as possible. She is growing with much speed.

I have decided to write the CISA exam in June of this year. Husband and I did some studying last night while the baby slept. I have a lot of work ahead of me.

There’s something about the environment here at the office. It’s very… I don’t know – it’s like the climate here is very competitive, but friendly and helpful. Everyone wants to learn and succeed. There are many successful people here at the office. I am having third thoughts about my second thought on writing my board exam again. I already had a lady offer me her notes for QE 1.

I’m blown away by how the people around you can influence you. I think this is a major component of why my prior job was less than fun. Everyone there was frazzled and tired and over-worked. The negativity has a way of rubbing off on co-workers.

My original point was that I have created a study plan for the year and I think it is attainable. The result of this CISA exam will set the tone for the QE exam, I think. Methinks I want some letters behind my name.

These days, my baby giggles and sings. She enjoys trying to stand. She likes sitting and watching television. Sometimes she topples herself while sitting. Next thing you know, her face is in the cushions and she’s on her stomach.

She has a pronounced dimple on her right cheek. It’s adorable. She still has eyes of deepest ebony. Her legs and arms are decidedly pudgy. But, she is healthy and growing well.

At the end of next week, I have to take her for immunization shots again. My leave has been approved and everything. It breaks my heart. She is very brave though. She doesn’t cry much. She stops soon after starting. But, having to have her hurt is just awful. But, I’d rather she got the vaccinations, than her getting polio or some other preventable calamity.

I applied for flexi-hours on Monday. They have been approved. I start work earlier, but I get to go fetch my baby and go home earlier too. I beat a lot of the bad traffic. So far it is absolutely worth it; especially with the help of my husband every morning. I am truly blessed as far as that’s concerned.

The secret to happiness is to be grateful, after all.

I have the cutest picture of my husband holding my baby the day after she was born. I picked up a picture frame at the office supplies store down the street yesterday. It’s awesome to see the two of them every time I look up. I’ve been thinking about adding a few more recent pictures of them to the wall of my little office. I miss them so much every day.

Last weekend my husband’s rugby team beat their opponents 19-0. In the rain. I didn’t see much of the match. I was engaged in attempting to make sense of Dickens’ Tale of Two Cities. It reminds me of when I read David Copperfield 8 years ago. Dickens takes a really long time to describe things. I was 25 pages into the story and nothing had really happened yet. There was just a lot of describing.

This coming weekend there will be another rugby match. I’ve decided to pay better attention this time around. It would be awesome to see the husband in action. He has worked off about 15 kg’s since the end of last year. I’m monstrously proud of him; and just as monstrously jealous. My baby birthing fat is clinging to me for dear life.

I’ll be switching medical aids soon. I’ve done the paperwork. I eagerly await the results.

I’m broke. I’m broker than broke. The paradigm of my life has shifted in huge leaps in a relatively short amount of time. Last year this time, I was skinny, living with my parents, very un-pregnant, nobody’s mommy, had few responsibilities, spent most of my money on travel and clothes. Today, I am a co-home owner, somebody’s (large) mom, responsible for co-cooking, co-cleaning and stocking the fridge. My budget has done a 180 and there is almost zero wiggle room. Things will improve, I’m hoping.

On the whole, life is good. I wake up next to the two loves of my life every morning; my best friend and my baby. The fridge is stocked, my car is gassed. I have a great job. My parents and his have been very supportive in all ways, especially financially – which has been a great help. Setting up house is amazingly expensive, despite all the wedding gifts we received.

Last year I was a skinny free agent, but utterly miserable. Today I am a post-pregnancy mommy with a fixed schedule and budget – I couldn’t be happier.