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rivkaSo, it's been... three years? Since I posted anything about my life. I'm kind of at a loss to answer the "how have you been?" question, but here's a start:
I quit my job. In fact, I quit all of academia. I got my license and opened a private practice working with children and families, primarily homeschoolers. We are much poorer, as I struggle to get the practice established (it's been just over a year, and there were some unexpected bumps in the road), but I am so much happier I can't even begin to tell you. My work is satisfying and inspiring, I am making a concrete difference in people's lives, and I answer to no one but myself. (And my clients. And the ethics committee of the Maryland Psychological Association. And Michael. And... okay, never mind.)
The children are thriving and healthy and beautiful. They are still homeschooling - now in kindergarten and fourth grade. Colin is reading and Alex won an elementary school-level math bowl. Colin plays soccer. Alex was in a children's production of As You Like It. (She played Duke Senior.) Alex has developed a firm self-identity as a geek. Colin has developed sixteen alter egos in the form of baby animals.
We got a dog last winter. The bestest dog in the world. She's a beagle-basset mix, about seven years old, and we've named her Moxie. I don't know how we ever got by without her.
Last spring I was diagnosed with cancer. Cervical cancer - carcinoma in situ, meaning that it was only in the top layer of the cervix and not invasive - which is the kind you should have if given an option. I had a total hysterectomy and was pronounced cured. Recovery was slower than I expected, but I am now fine. Throughout the entire process, Michael was profoundly supportive and wonderful.
Last fall I turned 40 and we celebrated by going to Disneyworld. I am probably supposed to be too sophisticated for that kind of thing, but it was the most delightful and magical vacation ever.
We are still living in Baltimore. Michael still works in the accounting department of an engineering firm. We still go to SUUSI, and I was just appointed to another three-year term on the SUUSI Board of Directors.
The Orioles are in the American League Championship Series.
I am happy.
I quit my job. In fact, I quit all of academia. I got my license and opened a private practice working with children and families, primarily homeschoolers. We are much poorer, as I struggle to get the practice established (it's been just over a year, and there were some unexpected bumps in the road), but I am so much happier I can't even begin to tell you. My work is satisfying and inspiring, I am making a concrete difference in people's lives, and I answer to no one but myself. (And my clients. And the ethics committee of the Maryland Psychological Association. And Michael. And... okay, never mind.)
The children are thriving and healthy and beautiful. They are still homeschooling - now in kindergarten and fourth grade. Colin is reading and Alex won an elementary school-level math bowl. Colin plays soccer. Alex was in a children's production of As You Like It. (She played Duke Senior.) Alex has developed a firm self-identity as a geek. Colin has developed sixteen alter egos in the form of baby animals.
We got a dog last winter. The bestest dog in the world. She's a beagle-basset mix, about seven years old, and we've named her Moxie. I don't know how we ever got by without her.
Last spring I was diagnosed with cancer. Cervical cancer - carcinoma in situ, meaning that it was only in the top layer of the cervix and not invasive - which is the kind you should have if given an option. I had a total hysterectomy and was pronounced cured. Recovery was slower than I expected, but I am now fine. Throughout the entire process, Michael was profoundly supportive and wonderful.
Last fall I turned 40 and we celebrated by going to Disneyworld. I am probably supposed to be too sophisticated for that kind of thing, but it was the most delightful and magical vacation ever.
We are still living in Baltimore. Michael still works in the accounting department of an engineering firm. We still go to SUUSI, and I was just appointed to another three-year term on the SUUSI Board of Directors.
The Orioles are in the American League Championship Series.
I am happy.
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Date: 2014-10-10 02:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-10 02:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-10 02:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-10 04:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-14 02:30 am (UTC)I have friends/family who will never be here. But vice versa and, well, I like the longer format and html.
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Date: 2014-10-10 02:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-10 03:20 pm (UTC)And there's no such thing as 'too sophisticated to have fun'.
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Date: 2014-10-10 03:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-10 03:37 pm (UTC)I am contemplating a family vacation to Disney World with some seriousness. I am sure I should be too sophisticated and too brand-averse to find the notion at all appealing, but "should" is one of those fun conditional words that refer to things that might not exist.
Disney appears to promise uncomplicated fun. Hotspur's completely enamored of some princesses. We could meet them. Danger Lad! is excited by space and roller coasters and a number of other Disney properties. We could indulge him. I could take pictures of the kids being excited and happy. I am insufficiently brand-averse to fail to find this attractive.
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Date: 2014-10-10 03:47 pm (UTC)You sound wonderfully happy. it's good to jave ypu back.
ps: One is never too old for Disney (days the 37 yr old who just did her first trip to Disneyland)
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Date: 2014-10-10 06:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-10 09:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-10 06:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-10 09:43 pm (UTC)As for Disney, I think WDW is for all ages and levels of sophistication; I enjoy the rides as rides and as exapmples of their logistical and operational excellence. (Seriously, examine the ride queue designs sometime; they put a lot of work into every detail.)
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Date: 2014-10-10 11:31 pm (UTC)Only if you listen to The Wrong Sort of People.
Good to know you're still out there!
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Date: 2014-10-11 12:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-11 12:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-11 01:59 am (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2014-10-11 04:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-11 07:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-11 09:14 pm (UTC)Oh, good.
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Date: 2014-10-12 01:43 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-12 08:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-12 03:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-12 05:33 pm (UTC)I am glad you are happy!
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Date: 2014-10-12 10:30 pm (UTC)And I love Disneyworld, too, schmaltz and all.
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Date: 2014-10-14 04:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-19 10:47 am (UTC)Like other people, I've thought of you on occasion and wished you well! And this year, one of the reasons this year has been my own daughter Alexandra:
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Date: 2014-10-26 04:47 pm (UTC)P.
(Sorry this is belated -- I thought I had commented earlier, but there was some weird LJ glitch where comments didn't go through.)