Busy Woman

So - I've got four different things (five actually) on my plate, and I need to figure out the best way to schedule/handle them.

1) The iLillium Chronicles - one chapter a week (TIC)
2) Doula Certification - enrolled by May 1st - completed by January
3) Spanish - be fluent enough that I can doula Spanish speaking clients - so be good by Feb 2006
4) ASL - TBD
5) Exercise - 3x a week (and I'd like to be able to swim twice a week - I need to find a Y)

TIC - I will be able to work on at work most days - I don't see that being an issue.
DC - I figure that once I decide, even before I enroll (waiting on that pay!) that I should be able to deal with that by studying at least one hour a night, and fulfilling my other requirements (classes, birth attending) on the weekends.
Span - I'll have to get that CD from Bellisa when we have our 'open house' this summer - and I'm quick with language, so I should be good to go if I study consistently for 9 monthes.
ASL - TBD - if anything falls off of my plate - it'll be this.
Fitness - gah - more on that in the next entry - I like to keep the chapters really clean & separate.

So - okay - less TV, fewer non-doula books (unless I'm writing em) and more focus. Heh. I know I can do it!

Writing it Out

So....I've uploaded my unfinished writings to this computer, and I've decided which one to work on. I want to dig back into The iLillium Chronicles - it's one of my favorite mostly undone ones - and it's also one that I've done the least work on.
I've got a full outline - climaxes per chapter (or so) timing and all that jazz. I've got most of my characters laid out. I've even got the first paragraph or two written - it's just digging into the rest of it. I'm still debating whether I should do it shorthand (on the PC) or longhand - I honestly think that long hand would be more likely to get it done faster, as I would be able to take the book with me anywhere - and maybe every weekend I could type up what I've written. *shakes head* It's always a matter of consistency - and heaven knows, I can't wait til C has a job and is out of my hair for a little while when I'm at home.

I'm going to share my 'synopsis' so to speak - just to give ya'll a taste of my brain, as well as the little bit of Chapter One I've written. :)

The iLillim Chronicles
This novel is about a woman discovering the roots of a secret sect of magicians called the iLillim as well as her own family heritage.

Chapter One
As I look back over the events of the past few months, I realize that true to the spirit of the god who got me in this mess, my only offering was a burnt one.

Really, it all started late one Monday afternoon. I was preparing my usual mid-afternoon snack - a fresh bag of Jiffy Pop. It had been a long and busy day, full of irate researchers who couldn’t seem to stand having this slip of a girl watching them like a hawk as they perused the Rare Book section of the Morgan Library. Normally, the researchers who visited us were quite used to Uther Anderson, the curators, iron hand on anything that went on in his library. Regretfully, it was time for the yearly influx of new teachers and researchers at the University, and thus the stacks were suddenly filled with hordes of young, brash, rude, researchers and teachers of antiquity.

Happy, happy!

So - our anniversary was last night - we went out to a ADORABLE little local restaurant (thanks Bellisa!) called Paulettes. They sat us in the back, right in front of a little courtyard area, and it was soo nice. We were appropiately smoochy and lovey the whole time, and we figured out what would be a cool 1st (well, I figured it out) for us - and something that would last. I'm going to get a nice journal and on each anniversary (starting with this one) we will write where we think that we will be by the next year, and then once next year gets here, we will write where we actually are - AND write where we think we will be next year. Over the years, it's going to become a lovely memory of our marriage and how it's grown and changed and how we've grown and changed - so in general, MOST exciting.

Work is still slow - I am honestly going to start going bonkers - I really don't have ANY responsibilites other than looking over peoples' shoulder, and I want to move much faster than that. *le sigh* At least the days go by really fast.

Getting a little paranoid about the apartment - we went there on Saturday to pick up the mail, and there was only one piece of mail there, and the guy who is currently living there seemed very confused by the fact that we were going to be moving in in less than a week. *sigh* I swear, if this place isn't ready by Friday (including clean carpets and a spotlessly clean space) I'm going to be a very grumpy girl - this hotel isn't bloody cheap. And! My first paycheck was sent to Indy (GAH!!!!!!) so - we really don't want to have to stay there any longer than needed.

Okay. I'm done for now - off to eavesdrop.

 

Certification Comments

General: I know tons and tons of doulas who are not certified and this makes them no worse a doula, and I know some who are certified and in my opinion could be better doulas.

ALACE:
It was formerly Informed Homebirth and is the only program that was created by a midwife and promotes education and support based on a midwifery model of care.
I really loved it, particularly the philosophy and approach to the work, as well as the practical knowledge that is apart of the training, bringing women’s healthcare back into the hands of women.
The training I received was geared towards supporting women in hospitals and how to navigate the often antagonistic
if not hostile attitude of attending doctors and/or nurses.

CAPPA:
I have been hearing from current doulas about how they feel that CAPPA is not as well organized as it should be. I also found out that quite a few experienced doulas withdrew from CAPPA.

DONA:
As far as recognition goes the Hositals in Maryland readily recognize DONA. I know doulas certified through the other agencies who work in the area and people like myself who read the material but did not take any classes and also work but it is harder with out those little letters.
DONA too has it's ups and down, but I love the fact that they are in cohoots with Lamaze now .... PLUS their certification process to me seems more 'challenging',

GBI:
GBI (Global Birth Institute) here in Canada. I will be applying to their 10 month Diploma in Perinatal Services. This
is THE ONLY organization in the world that you can receive a diploma for these services.

ICEA:
I also really appreciate the mentorship and international model that is apart of ICEA’s program
From what I have researched, ICEA looks to be the one that works you the hardest, and this is good.

Doin it Doula

Aiighht....where to start, where to start?

Well.......there are (as always) multiple paths that I could take. I could go the apprentice route, or I could go the certification route. Because of who I am, and the timing around when and how I want to get this done, I'm going to go the certification route. That, of course, presents an entirely different set of options, as there are NINE different certification organizations, each with - a slightly different focus, a slighty different course list, a slighty different style. They are:
Childbirth International (CBI)
Doulas of North America (DONA)
Birthworks
International Childbirth Educations Association (ICEA)
Association of Labor Assistants & Childbirth Educators (ALACE)
Birthing from Within
Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA)
Childbirth Education Foundation (CEF)
Global Birth Institute (GBI).

I sent out an email to the midwifery groups that I'm on to get some opinions about the different groups and so forth - I'll be listing them here as well. I think that I would be interested in either CAPPA, ICEA or ALACE the most not sure why not DONA - considering they are most likely the best known certification org in the states - or at least the biggest. But really, right now I'm not sure of ANYTHING.

One thing that I did do was go to all of their websites and grab their reading lists, compile them, list what orgs suggested them (as most had a long reading list and allowed you to chose 5-10 books from it) and found out how much they would cost.  There are close to 150 books on the list, and it rings up to about 2500.00 - not to bad for damn near a full doula library - one that can easily be expanded to a midwives library.

I'm going to gather some more input from various sources, and - once I figure out who I want to go with - start.

ASL & Spanish: Signing, Speaking & Signifying!

Spanish: This one is actually going to be pretty simple I think, as both C & I want to learn Spanish. So - we are (once we get our computer back) going to get some computer courses, and learn independantly, and try to speak mostly (80%) Spanish at home - that way, we will always have someone to practice with. We need to figure out which software we want - there are so many options!
Rosetta Stone
Berlitz
Learn Spanish Like Crazy!
Complete Immersion

ASL: I'm going to need to find a class for that, as I'm not comfy with the idea of learning it online - I figure that there has to be a load of cultural issues, as well as body language that I would need to learn and which isn't going to be accessible online. So - I've been looking online, and it seems that the main places that have ASL classes are churches - and as I am not a church-going woman, I wouldn't be really comfy with taking advantage of their resources. So - that search is still continuing.

 

 

Life Path

First of all - I had a GREAT time with the Memphis Mafia last night - I'd forgotten how fun it is to sit around with a bunch of intelligent crazy woman and bounce from topic to topic with no worries - I had a GREAT time gals - can't wait to meet up with ya'll again!! 

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In other news - I've been thinking about my long term plans again - largely because I think that my job is going to be close to a cakewalk for me - so I'm going to have to figure out what else I'm going to do to fill my time until I get promoted to something tougher. Anyhew - there are a couple of major things that I want to do/become, and I figure - hell, I've got no kids, got a nice new higher income - this is the time to start putting those things into effect. So - those things (not in order of importance are:

1. Learn Spanish


2. Learn ASL


3. Become a doula


4. Write (finish) a novel

So - the reasonings? The first three really are for each other - I want to be a midwife (that's my long term professional goal in life) and knowing Spanish as well as ASL will better help me serve a wider clientle. I'm going to start out as a doula because that way, I will (hopefully) be able to schedule my work/attendance to times outside of the 9-5, and I know that being a doula and assisting at births will either solidify my desire to be a midwife, or force me to decide that maybe midwifery isn't for me (I doubt it, but hey - it might happen!).

As for the novel - *sigh* that kinda follows on with the other things - I've got to be able to make a living (because I think that the midwifery will turn into a labor of love, and I know that - *sigh* midwifery certainly ain't the money maker that the OB/GYN profession is. Also - I think that writing is something that I can do well - before I left Indy, I collated all of the various story concepts/intial ideas that I've come up with over just the last five years - and I have at LEAST 4 series, and 5 or 6 standalone book concepts - some are half done, some aren't even started, some are barely concieved - but dangit, I think that they are ALL good.

So - I'm going to start a new chapter (does anyone else see my chapter breakdown, or is it set up by date?) that I can collect my thoughts on how I'm going to manage this process, as well as a catch-all for the information that I'm going to gather in figuring out how to do this best.

*sigh* Let's see if I can stick to this!

Backsliding

So....I'm running out of clothes. Not because the weather is too warm. Not because the clothing doesn't fit the new dress code (though it is a little out of sync).  Not because I didn't pack enough...no - because I'm getting fatter again. Again. And I know exactly why.  *sigh* My eating is seriously out of control - seriously. And it's not really the quantities - cuz I've learned how to control those, but - it's the utter CRAP that I eat. I mean, seriously - it's like JUNK food. Ugh.
I'm going to go and look for a fitness center and get a personal trainer. I figure that I will go at least three times a week, and maybe see the trainer once a week - that way I'll have someone (NOT C.) kicking my ass, making me guilty, and basically shoving me down the path that I really want to be on.

So. Yeah. I am going to have to buy some new clothes. I'm considering getting ugly stuff. *sigh* I need to get some shoes fixed too.

*sigh*

One Year later......(Memphis Mafia help!)

(well....almost)

So - Our wedding anniversary is going to be Monday. Wow. It sure as HELL doesn't feel like it's been long enough to be a year, but at the same time, it feels like it's been much longer than a year.
So - what do I think of marriage so far? It's - a blessing. It's a wonderful experience for two people who love each other and are compatible and who are willing (and comfortable) with each other (and themselves!) to go through - this promising that my life and your life are now Our Life - and while there are certainly places where the two of us may not be walking along the SAME path - our paths are close enough that we can still always hold hands.
I look at C some days and am still shocked & amazed that this man is my husband. Husband. HUSBAND. I suppose we'll no longer be newly wed once we get over that fact - but I don't want that to happen, because everytime I remember again that he's my husband - it reminds me (with a happy little thrill) that I'm going to be sharing my life with him. Of course, I also look at him other days and wonder (still) what I've gotten myself into, and whether we will become one of those couples who seem to embody all of the negative stereotypes about marriage - and then we sit down, and talk, and suddenly it's all clear again - as long as we both stay close (emotionally, mentally, physically) and work towards solving anything that might come between that closeness - we will make it through (and by through I mean till one of us dies).

I honestly think that I'm happier at the end of this year than I was at the start of it - our marriage is no longer a scary change of status, but instead a mostly natural way of being. And now - at the start of this second year of our marriage - we've stepped into a whole new life - TOGETHER. We've moved, I've got a new job, we've grown into each other (though I still sleep like there's only one person in the bed) and - it's just - nice.

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So - with all that said - I need HELP!!!! Memphis Mafia - I'm looking for a nice, romantic restaurant (price no object) with lots of mushy, gooshy, sexy ambience that we can go to for our Anniversary dinner. Mind you, the man is a Chef, so it's always - interesting going to a new pricy place with him. I've looked online, and see so-so reviews for La Tourelle, Paulette's and Erik Jensen (or whatever that guys palce is named). However, all of the reviews are over a year old - and I KNOW that a lot can change in a year. I don't wanna go to Melting Pot - any other ideas???

Howdy Ya'll.......

I'm here - all in one piece!

The move actually went really well - there were only two minor 'Ooops!' 1 - the movers missed two boxes & a vacuum cleaner in the closet, and 2 - my beloved husband left one of my bags IN the dang hotel room in Indy. Thankfully, my coworkers (ex-coworkers) DO still love me, and one of them sent her husband to pick it up and overnight it to me. *sigh* The kitties (drugged out of their brains) made it just fine, and our hotel room is actually rather nice.

Work itself - seems cool so far. Of course, I'm going through the horrid initial learning curve, but the people here seem to be rather laid back, and I think that I will be able to learn quickly and to share any additional info I have with them with no problem.

Also, can I say that my new laptop ROCKS? I mean - it's a tiny dell, but this sucker is hot hot hot. I want one of my very own. :)

Okay - had to put in a quick update, but back to work - must be the industrious busy bee, ya know?