Thanks to Diana for helping suggest the name. Since I keep it in a lime/chartreuse green case, its new name is Kermit the Pod.
Oh, did I mention that Diana's is in a pink case and she named her Podninah? I am so touched.
Some might say that my adulthood started when I became a Bat Mitzvah. Some may say that it started when I graduated high school or college. Some might even say that it began when I became financially independent from my parents or got married. There would be those who would argue that I officially became and adult when I had children of my own.
All of these people would be wrong. At the age of (almost) 29 and a half, today, the 23rd day of March, 2006, I have officially become an adult.
I made myself my first cup of coffee ever, drank it, and finished it.
To quote Jake Gyllenhaal in the movie, JARHEAD, "My combat action has commenced."
Gila came home today with a very cute project, it was called, "MY PURIM FEELINGS BOOK."
Each page listed a feeling that was in the Purim story and then the child recounted what situations instill that feeling in her.
I will transcribe the book. Please note: the purim feelings are written in regular print. Gila's feelings are written in Bold print. My side comments and Gila's subsequent commentary are written in italics. My feelings should be quite clear.
My Purim Feelings Book. By: Gila
Mordechai was happy when the Jews were saved.
I feel happy when...my mommy gives me breakfast. (OK, not bad. So far so, good. Don't worry, it goes downhill from here.)
The Jews were sad to hear about Haman's plot.
I feel sad when...my mommy hurts me. (Hello?!? I have never lifted a finger to this child except for maybe once or twice when she ran into the street)
The king was angry at Haman
I feel angry when...my mommy pinches me. (When I asked Gila about this she told me that when I brush her hair sometimes it feels like I am pinching her.)
Queen Esther was scared to go to the king without permission
(this is by far the worst sounding one) I feel scared when...someone comes to my bed in the middle of the night. (luckily Gila clarified this one to me and said "you know, monsters.").
Haman was surprised when the king found out about his plot.
I feel surprised when...it's my birthday and my mommy doesn't tell me.
Do we think my daughter has mommy issues? Am I going to have to pay for years and years of therapy for her?!?
Funny story. The place I worked at today is a pretty "white bread" type of place. I think I have had maybe one Jewish patient (if any) since I started working there more than three years ago. Anyway, today I was treating a patient and she asked me if I had any children. I told her I have three. She asked their names and I told her. When she looked confused, I informed her that their names are Hebrew. She then responded, "Oh, so is your husband Jewish?". I told her that he is. She then said, "Oh, I am sure you love him anyway."
My biggest pet peeve of the day is these so called "Professional Organizers" who think they can change people like me and help to bring organization into our lives.
Here is the problem with these profesional organizers. MOST OF THEM HAVE NEVER BEEN DISORGANIZED. It is easy to give solutions to problems, but unless you have actually had these problems, how can you even begin to think the solutions will be effective?
I recently read a magazine article written by one of these professional organizers. She went through all the typical "find a place for everything" suggestions, one being: "put a small basket next to your door and then you will never loose your keys because you will always drop them there and then be able to find them when you need them next" (or something like that). OK, I have news for you. I have a place for my keys. I have a really cool mirror with compartments for keys and stuff right next to my front door. How often do I lose my keys? Um, at least twice a day and I am not joking. In fact, I am currently missing my real set of keys and I have been using a random car and house key that I found lying around the house. The truth is, there are people who never loose their keys EVER and then there are people like me that try every system and can barely ever find them. Why don't I put my keys in the mirror thingy? I don't know. Half the time I come into my house I have kids or packages in my hands and I just don't think about putting my keys down in the same place to be found later.
This same article disscussed implementing an organizational system. You know the kind with the catch phrase that is really an acrostic with different steps to the system (for example: M.E.S.S.: Misplace, Estimate how long it will take to clean up and then go to sleep instead, Stuff everything into the nearest closet, Store things in random places: that is my motto). So one suggestion was that after you have organized the room, or the house, take 15 minutes every day for upkeep of the system. Yeah, not necessarily happening.
The only talent (for lack of a better word) that I have that comes naturally to me that I can sort of equate with natural organization is my sense of direction. I have thankfully always had a good sense of direction and I don't always get that other people don't have this talent. I don't realize that other people don't find it fun to get off at random highway exits and try to find their way back home through various side streets and roads just to learn their way around the city. A good sense of direction can not be taught. Its there or it isn't there. Same with organization.
My basic point is, I will try to be organized. I will try different systems. Some will work, and some won't. But the bottom line is that these professional organizers are a racket because how can someone who truly has the innate talent of organization help someone like me who is NOTHING like that? Just a thought.