It just keeps coming out

P's response to why he can't stop crying and calm himself.

Moving on

I have a few minutes until my exit interview and I am feeling a bit unsettled. I really would have preferred to do this over the phone, but the VP decides he wants to do it in person. I keep telling myself- do not burn bridges, do not burn bridges, over and over again. I think I have said everything that I needed to say over the last 4 years with this company. Agh, why is this so stressful? I hope I don't start crying-because that would be so professional.

Reunion

So we went up to go to my 15 year high school reunion last weekend. Normally, I wouldn't go to these sort of things, but it was at one of my favorite friends house (Leslie's) so I couldn't refuse. For some reason I was really nervous about going. High School was not the easiest time in my life. I guess coming of age is hard for everyone one, but just thinking of those times reminded me of my faults and insecurities. I went to a small, all-girls school where the students were so talented and brilliant, I felt like a fraud. Maybe I am just embarrassed of that time. There were so many things I wish I did and acted differently. I guess that is part of the growing up process.
Anyway, we left the boys at my folks home and TJ and I headed to the reunion. Armed with multiple glasses of wine, I was ready to face my past. It was actually amazing to see everyone that came. The funny thing is everyone still looked the same and beautiful! I had such a great time talking to people who I hadn't seen in 15 years and some who I didn't talk too much to in high school. Maybe it was my wine induced haze, but I thought everyone was so joyous and genuinely enjoyed each others company. To see that everyone had grown-up and matured so fantastically, it made me happy that I went.

Placating the Twinado

We survived yet another traveling adventure. The boys were almost pleasant. I think it is the secret weapon of the portable DVD player. It is funny, I used to not like cars with DVD players in the backseat. I thought it was too much of a luxury to use on children. Besides, if the kids were busy zoned out watching a video/DVD, I thought they'd miss out on the experience of the journey.
Thinking back to my childhood when such things weren't available (or my folks refuse to buy them for me), I remember I had to endure long car rides from the bay area up to Tahoe without such entertainment. I would just fight with my brother in the back seat (yes- we made a line down it) and watch the landscape roll by listening to my mom's Kenny Rogers/Alabama/Dolly Parton/Cystal Gale tapes. Come to think of it, I used to hate these road trips and would force myself to stay up late the night before so I could nap most of the ride. Maybe I thought that if I had to suffer as a child during road/ plane trips that it was only fair that my children should too- toughen them up! Then I learned that the DVD players were not so much for the children, but for the parents and people around them. This is especially true in a more public place like an airplane. Now we have no more tantrums and minimized emotional outbursts. Amazing. We might actually consider a family trip to the Midwest now.