My Life as A Radical Whore/Madonna

I got 2 papers back this week - an ‘A’ and a ‘B-’.  I have to rewrite the ‘B-’.  Being in school is like fighting a gigantic mystical dragon that will never die, no matter how many times you chop its head off or whatever.  Just when I think I’m done, I get dragged back in.  I guess I should be grateful…

On Wednesday I started Research Methods, which is the first math-related class I’ve taken since high school.  I have many math demons, but I’ve been doing a pretty good job of keeping them at bay.  And this seems like it will be a pretty decent class, and that the instructor will talk as slowly as I need him to.  By the end of the class, I understood each of the topics we’d discussed.  I even volunteered some answers (though once I had to retract my volunteer attempt, because I couldn’t figure out what I meant to say when trying to define ’statistical significance.’  It was only mildly embarrassing).  So far, though, I’m feeling optimistic.

And it’s only one class!  So I’ve had time to do things.  I’ve been watching movies and talking to my friends, and seeing my friends, which has been so great.  And the weather is slowly becoming agreeable (though my allergies are kicking in), so things have been good.  Last night, we had nice dinner, went for a walk, watched 4 episodes of Six Feet Under - I love that show so much!  I didn’t feel rushed or anxious or guilty - it was so good.  Hopefully I can get up early tomorrow and do some housework.  It’s nice to have a little extra time.

Anyway, I need to scrounge up some more food.  Later,

Atena Oyadi

It’s been a good weekend. We just got back from Natalie’s goodbye party - I’ll miss her, not that I got to see her that often, but it’s always nice to know that a person will eventually be around if you wait long enough. But have fun in Mexico and beyond Natalie, darlin’! We’ll see you around the bend…

Church was nice - Ian told a story to the kids, and it was so awesomely cute! The teen youth group facilitated an excellent service - it’s too bad more people didn’t come to church this morning. I was very proud of the whole group, ’cause they did a great job.

I ate three bowls of meaty spaghetti and took a nice, long nap. I also had a tasty protein smoothie.

That’s all I have to say now. I’m tired and hungry and not so much for thinking. My hair stinks. If you want to hang out with me, let’s not go to a bar, okay? Okay.

Atena McSmoky

On impulse, I bought some children’s books today at the nice used bookstore on my street. I don’t know if the book store has a name, but it’s at the intersection of Greenview and Jarvis. The lady who runs it is nice, we chatted a bit about books, maternity clothes and theatrical story time.

So I got four books - two were chosen mostly because the illustrations were good. I had to urinate, and cannot read and need to pee at the same time. But really, you seldom encounter bad children’s books with really good illustrations. I’m sure it happens, but it hasn’t happened to me. I’ve investigated them more thoroughly since I got home, and as I suspected, it’s all good.

So, I’m going out for overpriced midwestern urban hippie food. I have a gift certificate. Not that I wouldn’t spend money at the Heartland, but it’s better if you don’t have to. I got the gift certificate because they failed to provide me with the cornbread I ordered with my takeout meal, which I didn’t find out until I got to work. NO CORNBREAD! HEADS WILL ROLL! No, but seriously - the cornbread wasn’t even the issue. Or, I guess it was, not because it’s expensive or anything (which it probably is for cornbread) - I was most irritated because for one thing, I wasn’t even going to order it, and then the waitress specifically asked me if I wanted some kind of bread - so it was her idea. Then, there was practically no one in the place, so it’s not like they were super busy, and since it was the last thing I ordered, I was thinking about eating that cornbread during my entire walk to work. The pregnancy may or may not play into the equation. But I was very diplomatic when I called to complain. So yeah - gift certificate, for my pain and suffering.

Anyway, ’nuff ’bout cornbread n’ shit. My belly itches.

Have a kickass Friday night!

Atena Oyadi

Hey.  So, I’m at my nanny job, but the dad’s here (for reasons that I am as of yet unaware of), and he’s got the baby, so I get to futz around on the computer and blog and hang out with the family’s pit bull, who seems to want some attention, so whatever.

I’m getting hungry.  Again.

Another day in the life of the pregnant Atena - I forgot to take my prenatal vitamins today (and possibly yesterday - I can’t remember), and I got so tired.  I’m usually very good about taking them, but not today, and around 10:30 am, I was exhausted.  Luckily, I found a multivitamin stash in the medicine cabinet of my employers, because I was seriously falling asleep, which isn’t good when you’ve got an Action Baby crawling around, looking for things to play with (aka smash, eat, obliterate, stain, fall-off-of, etc.).  There’s no middle ground with the pregnant body (at least, not with my pregnant body), it’s either you take your vitamins, or you go to sleep.

Every seat in America is far too low to the ground.  And too soft, and the back is too far back.  Argh.  I’m sure this will seem less important when I’m no longer front-heavy with a tendancy to lose circulation in my legs, but for now, sitting down has become a pain in the butt.  Yes, literally.

But mostly, it’s not a drag - I love being pregnant.  I look awesome.  My belly is awesome, and sometimes you can see Fetus’ alien swirling movements on the surface.  Sometimes it’s like I have a planet rising out of my abdomen.  Most of the time I think of it as my enormous third breast, with my now-outie bellybutton as my huge third nipple.  The internal baby motion can be a bit disturbing at times, but ultimately pretty cool.  (So far) I have been blessed with a good skin, minimal pukage pregnancy, and for that I am grateful.

Anyway, that hunger I mentioned earlier has become more insistent.  I’ll be back later - I’ll try to think of something besides being pregnant to talk about (though I make no promises).

Atena McBabymaker

When dealing in babies (as I have been these days), one tends to get excited about such seemingly mundane things.  Who knew that going to the library and to Subway for a sandwich would be so momentous?  Anyone who’s ever tried to go out with a small child in tow knows what I’m talking about.  My advice - make a list of things to bring, and start planning early.  It’s so easy to leave your keys.  So easy.

Currently, my hair is being chewed by an 11-month-old.  I’m letting him, because it keeps him away from the key board.  I’m slightly annoyed, because he cut his nap short by an hour.  I’d be less annoyed if I hadn’t been trying to sleep, too.  Alas, such is life.  Thwarted plans and regular blessings with baby’s abundant saliva.  At least I’ve got motor coordination, and I’m like, 5 or 6 times bigger than him.  So I’ve still got the upper hand.

Anyway, I’ll be back when I’m not under infant surveillance.  Until then…

Atena

Grad school has stopped kicking my ass, for the most part. I’m happy to have some breathing room.

I’m not sure why I was inspired to blog finally.

“Does your ultrathin get wet and sticky?” That’s what I just heard on the television behind me - some commercial for “feminine products” most likely - I didn’t turn around to see. I’m sure they poured some blue liquid onto a pad. Oh - here’s another one talking about “intimate problems.” God - it makes me ill…

As I was saying, I’m not sure why I’ve finally decided to share my thoughts in this way. But I’ll give it a shot for a while, see how it goes.

I’m not saying anything interesting now, though, because I’m fighting the food coma. Ian made steak for dinner, and I ate too many fries. And a smoothie. And some grilled onions. And Broccoli - big chunks of broccoli. And I’ll be hungry again in no less than 2 hours. I suppose this is as easy as it will ever get to feed my young. Kind of like multitasking - 2 stomachs with one large meal.

I have to go. See ya.

Atena Oyadi