Tuesday 26 June 2012

Career woman. One step forward, two steps back?


The other night I watched Working Girl on TV, the 1988 movie about a secretary who uses the absence of her female boss to put forward her own ideas and in the process realise her own career aspirations. 





This movie came with all the dazzling glitz and glamour of 1988. Big hair, big shoulder pads and make up that would be the envy of a circus clown.

It was a wonderful reminder to me that as a woman, I can do anything. I loved my career. I believe I was great at what I did. I did it with integrity and passion. It didn’t matter that I was a woman. I did the best job that any PERSON could do.

Then I came across this book at the library.





I’m sorry, but can someone please explain to me, why does a woman need a book on computing skills that a man doesn’t need to learn as well? Don’t men need to use computers in the workplace too?

I thought we had come so far in terms of breaking through the glass ceiling of women in corporate roles, but stumbling across this book made my blood boil!

Then, on second glance, perhaps the choice of hair accessory, the popular 80’s scrunchie, is a giveaway to the age of this book. Perhaps the library are the one’s who need to update their books!


Thursday 21 June 2012

Two pink lines...




Two pink lines.

They mean so much.

In my case they spelt out ten weeks of constant nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite and an overwhelming sense of feeling sorry for myself.

Yes, I am pregnant!

It was with palpable excitement in early April that I lay in bed and watched the look of pure joy on my husbands face as I told him of our great news.

To be completely and utterly honest, until now, that was the ONLY time I have been excited during these last three months.

Being sick sure does know how to impede a party.

It hit me hard. I found myself buried under a sea of blankets as I tried not to move, lest the little that I managed to eat during dinner found its way out again.

I couldn’t write posts for my blog. I couldn’t enjoy anyone else’s. My son suffered, as I couldn’t give him the best of me.

I was so tired. Like a bear hibernating for the winter, I wanted to close my eyes and wake up smiling, already in my second trimester.

I kept telling myself to be grateful. Miscarriage is such a common occurrence that I should count my lucky stars all was going well. Feeling sick was a good sign, surely?

Hello in there!


Again, like my first pregnancy, almost overnight, nausea and exhaustion were replaced with nursery decorating ideas and a desire to spring clean. Names are now circulating through the recesses of my head and I’m starting to enjoy my swollen belly as it ceases hiding its secret within.

Due on the 27th December, my fingers are crossed that we’ll have a bigger family and be home in time for Christmas.

What a precious gift!


Tuesday 19 June 2012

My day out with a gorgeous male (and it wasn't my husband!)


Glorious Melbourne sunshine!


One of my last posts had me reflecting on a past life that I often miss. You know that single life where you can do anything, go anywhere, whenever you like?

Well last week I took a trip with my son to Melbourne, my old stomping ground. I caught up with my lovely sister and her two little boys, and was able to catch up with friends I haven’t seen in years. It was brilliant.

One of the highlights of my trip left me smiling ear to ear for days afterwards.

As a day out, I took my son Max into town on the train. We strolled through Bourke Street, had a hot chocolate and a baby chino at Koko Black (with accompanying chocolate teddy on a stick), spent forty glorious minutes wandering the Myer toy department, caught up with a lovely old friend who had yet to meet Max, and then whilst my little angel slept in the pram I wandered the banks of the Yarra in the glorious Melbourne sunshine.

It was such a beautiful day. 

With my favourite little person.

In my life before kids I would have been stuck at work that day. Perhaps I might have dressed up that evening only to wander from bar to bar with my friends, trying to find “Mr. Right”, wishing I were at home in my track pants with a glass of wine and a good movie.

How my life has changed. And I am so much happier for it!


Wednesday 6 June 2012

The first goodbye.



The tears are pricking behind my eyes, threatening to roll their salty drops down my face.

I slowly, thoroughly pack my sons belongings into a canvas bag.

For months now I’ve been sharing my desires of solitude, of some time to myself.

My time is here. Now I’m not sure I want it.

What will he do when he realises I am leaving him? Will he cry? Will I?

What if he’s upset and I’m not there to console him, to draw him into my loving embrace, the place he knows where everything will be OK?

I don’t want to cry.

Will it be obvious, that tears are teetering on the edge of my lashes, when I place his bag into the cubbyhole, full of his belongings all labeled with his name?

Will he sense my hesitation and cling ever more tightly around my neck?

So many questions, so many emotions, but so many great things can come from this.

Day care. The first day. The first time I have been away from him.

Sure, it’s only for three hours, but guaranteed, it will be the longest three hours of my life, and I will be staring at the clock until it’s time for me to pick him up.




Did YOU cry?

Tuesday 5 June 2012

I miss my old life.



My gorgeous little family and I have just spent over a week on holidays in the Noosa sun. It was such a pity the glorious sun was shrouded by heavy black clouds determined to lash their fat raindrops upon us.

It was an unbeatable location. A wonderful two bedroom apartment directly in front of the beach, a short walk to the natural wonders of the National Park and a leisurely stroll past fine restaurants offering cuisines from around the world.

It’s such a shame we didn’t get to experience it all.

The rain bound us to our apartment for too many hours and with a sixteen-month old son, five books, seven matchbox cars and a Bananas in Pyjamas DVD, we were climbing the walls from day two.

On a rare solitary walk during a break in the rain, I got to thinking about life before kids. How would my husband and I have passed a rain soaked holiday on our own? We would have lazed about on the couch watching movies, relaxed in bed reading the latest book, and let’s face it, we would have lain in bed doing more exciting things than just reading.

But with a toddler wanting to be entertained from morning till night, it’s impossible to do those things that two or three years ago we would have gladly welcomed.

I would not give up this current chapter of my life for anything, but I have to say, I do really miss my old life sometimes. The ability to go and do whatever you please, whenever you please was really not appreciated enough in my days before Max. 

Now I covet those rare opportunities when a demanding toddler isn’t dictating what I do for most of my waking hours.

For now, I keep telling myself that it’s OK to miss my old life. Do you?