San Francisco

At the end of November I went to the American Anthropological Association Conference. I was not sure how it would go and thought maybe I was wasting my time, but It was amazing! Not only was I able to see my really great friend Ruth, but I presented my paper and got a very enthusiastic response. People seemed to really like my material. I got a lot of feedback and questions and then 2 speakers after me, I got even more questions. Afterward I met with a Professor from Tulane who was very helpful and insisted that I do my PHD. So I think I am going to. It is too late to apply this year, but I am going to next year.
I have always wanted to, but it seemed out of reach and too long and I feel too old, but I think I can do it. I also went to a section on Mothers and Anthropology (again thank you Ruth) and it was amazing. Women were talking about how they finished their education with children (while having children) and how they balance, home and family, and career. I was also worried about going back to school and getting in debt and being forced to work to pay it off, but the Anthro programs I am looking at are fully funded with a stipend so I am starting to think this is really possible. If Stephen is in school than we can switch off with the little Bear so he is not lonely and maybe this will all work.
As a side note San Fransisco was beautiful almost idyllic. Ruth and I walked to China town, I guess through China town to be more specific (we ended up at an Italian restaurant) and had dinner on Friday. We then stayed up until very late chatting. I also enjoyed the 2 nights uninterrupted sleep. It is amazing how 6 hours of good sleep feels so much better than 8 hours broken up 3 or 4 times. Speaking of which Cole still gets up at least twice a night, any advice?

I think I might write again.

Now that we are happily settled in Atlanta, the election is over, and things seem to be stable I think I will start writing again. I am still tutoring in the evenings, which takes up a lot of time, but Cole and I are no longer registering voters on Wednesdays or passing out fliers so the days don't seem quite so full.
I thought that I would have a lot more time when he started being more independent, but but now I am constantly on the look out for dangerous objects and situations. I have also become obsessed with childhood developmental books. It seems increasingly harder to help him be happy. He reminds me of a video I saw in a biology class of a bear. The bear made a snowball and when it fell apart, so did the bear. That is my little Cole. He is very happy one moment and then the whole world seems to falls apart. I have started working out at the YMCA and he is in the nursery for 40 minutes. This has been our first week and I am about to give up completely. He hates being in there and for hours afterward he just wants to be cuddled and held. I like the extra snuggles, but I wish it were not such an ordeal.
On a happier note, the picture is of us at a pumpkin patch a few days before Halloween. We went with his friend Cecilia and her mom (my friend) Jessica. He had a really great time running and trying to pick up the pumpkins.

Long Month

I haven't been on the site for more than a month. So those of you that posted comments- thank you. It was really good to hear from all of you and I will send personal messages shortly.

The last month and a half have been really busy. We moved to be closer to Stephen's job and my students, and then about 2 weeks later, Stephen got a great job with Emory University. He started this week in the Anthropology Department and loves it, but it looks like we will move again. We only have one car (becuase I refuse to spend money on something that that immediately loses value, continues to cost you money, and is terrible for the environment) so I really want to move into the city were Cole and I can walk places. Down in Fayetteville you have to drive to get anywhere, and I have been pulled over twice in the last month trying to make it to tutoring on time. This month I was also asked to present my thesis at the American Anthropological Association so I have been revising and writing an abstract, and I started a garden for my Mom. Stephen was also called to a leadership position in our church Spanish branch, I had jury duty, and went to play that my sister Ruth wrote about my mom beating her to death so all in all a very full, exhausting month.

Now that things have settled down somewhat I have been going through boxes to get rid of things so that the next move will not be so bad. Also Cole turns one this Sunday so I will post pictures of his birthday dinner next week.

One last Picture for tonight.

Here is one last picture. I promised myself I wouldn't post any pictures of me until I was very thin, but this one isn't too bad.

Oh the other exciting news is that Cole's Una-tooth is in fact two teeth.

OK two more

Here is one of all of us going to Cumberland Island at Christmas

More.

I haven't quite mastered adding all the pictures at once, so here are a few more:

Pictures

Here are a few pictures of Cole since he was Born:














One Month.

So Sick

Last week was terrible. Cole and I came down with the flu. Cole's temperature soared up to 104.5, which really freaked me out. We jumped in the bath with our clothes on and turned the water luke warm. The pediatrician wasn't concerned but I was really worried.
He has made little growling sounds since he was born (Cole Bear) and when he was sick all he would do was lie in my arms and growl. They were deep, sad little growls. I wanted Stephen to record them becuase they were just so sad and cute but he said the little growls broke his heart.
The other news is that Cole got his first tooth yesterday. It is in the bottom and feels like it is in the exact middle of his mouth. He also bit me yesterday so I think we are almost done nursing.

P.S. I think I am going to post a few old pictures of Cole just so I have them saved somewhere 9that and Alexis said she went to my blog just to see Cole).

The Job Hunt

My year of staying home with Cole has turned into, well, my life. I can't seem to feel settled and content so I am applying for grad school and getting a part time job. The job is necessary, the grad school is just something I can't seem to let go.

As far as the job hunt goes I have applied to tutor high school students in the evening. It pays better than retail and fast food but still makes me a little sick to think about. At least I will be able to somewhat set my own hours and be at home during the day with Cole.

The tutoring job application took me about an hour to fill out. After requiring 6 references, a drug test, background check and all of my feelings about the importance of education, it asked if I would be willing to sport their decal on my car for extra money. And of course this free spirit said "how much for my forhead."

Start

Emily: I think I am going to start a blog.

Stephen: Why?

Emily: It might be good to keep a record of what's going on and a place to put pictures of Cole.

Stephen: What are you going to write about?

Emily: Just about what we are doing; it will just be like visiting us.

Stephen: So kind of depressing?

Emily: And slightly crass, yes.

Stephen: What are you going to call it? Nose Mining for Life?