The last few days have been busy but I'm not sure how much I've really achieved. Hmmm.
I have here beside me a very comprehensive To Do list, partly to remember all the little things I have to do, and also for the satisfaction of crossing stuff off the list. I'm one of those people. There's the usual range of odd tasks from "tax" (which I haven't done since 2009 for the simple reason that I haven't earnt much money since then) and "Maya pajamas" (to ask my mum to find and send a specific brand of comfy pjs from home), to "download that thing from that site". I know what I mean but I can't remember how to say it any clearer than that.
And the reason I haven't been as productive as I would have liked is that it's difficult to get stuff done with a toddler in the house and clinging to my leg much of the day. "C'mon Mummy", she says, dragging me off to draw/play/read stories/dance/brush teeth and fifty other things. And of course I go, not that there's a choice in the matter but anyway I feel guilty for being home and not spending quality time with Maya. And then there's all the normal stuff of keeping her fed and amused and not falling out a window. By the time she goes down for a nap, I'm ready for one too but that's the best time to actually get stuff done.
The second lot of stuff on the list relates to work. I'm starting to apply for jobs back home for next year. Or starting to think about applying, which is just as important. If the baby game doesn't work out as planned; I like to have options. I can't decide whether to be excited about going back to full time work (and having conversations with people 33 years older than my present company), or to dread the loss of my current 'kept woman' lifestyle (and all those one-sided conversations I have with myself).
That's one half of the work stuff. The other is getting my writing back on track. I'm sorting out some travel writing work (unpaid) and also trying to set up some freelance work. It's funny just how much work goes into finding work. And how much of yourself (time, energy, emotions, desires) you pour into the process. It's exhausting.
Finally, I'm starting back at uni - and the term begins next week. I've been slowly plodding away on my masters since 2009 but this is the last year I have to make some real leeway on it. This trimester, I'm doing two subjects and then I'm thinking of finishing off with a thesis. Which of course will be an interesting and most satisfying achievement. But may also be the means by which I completely lose my marbles.
If it sounds like a challenge, I'm usually on board. A life un-lived and all that. Country-hopping from Vietnam to Chile with a baby and no Spanish illustrates my take on that quite suitably.
And that is where I am this week. Over the weekend, I'm drawing up another, longer list. Az is away for work from Sunday and it's going to be looooong. Maya will be roaming the house all week calling out "Daddy, where you?" and climbing up my leg and fifty other things.
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