Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Bad Day 57--Wow! 180 Degree turn just like that!

I was all set to write about what a terrible day I was having. I had composed the post and everything in my head, and then Child 1 did something amazing and I am so very proud of her for it, so it turned out to be a good day after all.

Here is why it started out badly--I was late to work. Not just not early, nor just on time, but actually late by 10 minutes which really made me mad because I left early. The problem is that Husband is a cheapskate frugal and convinced me that taking the bus is a good way to get to the metro because it saves money and is convenient. That might have been true before, but Metro changed its schedule and I found out today that I either have to leave the house at 6:50 in the morning to get to work by 8:15, or I can leave at 7:05 and wait for the bus outside for 20 minutes while it never comes and my hair gets all sweaty and arrive 10 minutes late and get rained on because I forgot my umbrella. So sorry, Husband, I'm just not the kind of girl who can live with sweaty hair and being late, so I choose option 3 which is drive to the metro and park. This would be option 4 if I had a magic carpetbag.



Then, when I got to work, I had a million e-mails to go through (OK that may be an exaggeration. Maybe only 500,000.) and only two were from Husband, but at least now I know he arrived safely in Dubai. And then I had a meeting with my Bureau and they told me that pretty much my favorite options for bidding were not going to work out and I should consider working outside the bureau which is what I'm already doing and I'm afraid is their way of saying "don't call us, we'll call you" or "we're going in a different direction" or "what makes you think we're ever going to give you a job?" Which is why I so hate bidding.

And then I only had 30 minutes for lunch, and I got a blister from running around our HUGE building looking for people who were in the wrong place, and then I was late coming home because an Ambassador wanted to chat and you can't turn down an Ambassador, plus he is really nice and maybe he can get me a job someday. And then I didn't have time to cook dinner and I ordered Chinese and was just going to have barely enough time to gobble a few bites before taking Child 3 to her activity but then two good things happened.

Thing 1: my friend who lives down the street and is also a single parent called to ask could we carpool to the activity so we would both only have to drive one way. Yes! Brilliant idea! Thank you, thank you. I got to eat, and chat with Child 1 and Child 2 and then make my way to the activity to pick up Child 3 and her friend and bring them home. So much better than doing it on my own.

Thing 2: Child 1 stood up for her beliefs in a very mature yet very public way and showed the world that she is a kind and loving person. And I am so proud of her because I'm sure there are many people who disagree with her position, yet she was courageous enough to do it and without any prompting from me. She is awesome in every way and so much braver than I was at her age. Her parents rock! Oh, wait. . . that sounds a little self-centered. How about she is so being raised right? Or maybe, I'd like to congratulate her parents! :-) (Child 1, you know I'm just kidding. You would be awesome even without me for a mother.)

Today, this law student in North Carolina is having a worse day than me.

A Honda Prelude fell into a sinkhole in North Carolina. (ABC News)

He was on his way to get pizza when his car was swallowed by a giant sink hole. He was unharmed, but his car is probably totaled. So thank you, Duke Law Student, for reminding me to be grateful that the earth has never opened up and swallowed my car whole, and that I have good insurance if it does.




3 comments:

  1. No I wouldn't! I was raised this way! Any other household and I would be a completely different person. But thanks mom. Love you!

    --Child 1

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  2. Child 1 might have my permission to drive some day if she keeps on being as awesome. Mom has my permission to let someone else drive. You all have my permission to stay out of sink holes and eat lots of pizza.

    Love you all,
    Artemis

    ReplyDelete
  3. I like that idea.

    --Child 1

    ReplyDelete