Childbirth Notes:
‘Twas an interesting time around this weekend. Thursday and Friday we thought my sister was in labor. I have a lot to learn, since it turned out to be false. It goes to show that you really just never know for sure with labor and birth…(she is a primip…) her contractions were every 5 minutes, regularly, for an hour….then they became irregular, tapered off, and we are back to a quiet uterus by Monday. (See above photo of me being “doula” with hand on sis’s back while her hubby has a hand on her tummy…GREAT example of how a doula complements a dad’s efforts to be the labor coach).
Today (Monday), I got an email from a couple who was in the last childbirth education series of classes that I taught. I am so surprised and pleased that they took the time to email be a brief birth story, and send me photos of their new family (twins!). They were pleased with the birth experience, which makes me so happy…
Momma Notes:
With all this time off of work and school during these few weeks before hell breaks loose (I start my 2nd job at the Women’s Resource Center on campus, begin taking 12 grueling units in hard sciences and one women’s studies research class which requires a 20 page paper), I have had time to provide my 4 year old son with a wild time about town. We took him to see mini horses on a friend’s farm. Son and I visited my grandma at her home in Silicon Valley area for a few days. My dad and his girlfriend took us to Dim Sum (see nasty photo of fried/steamed chicken foot above) where son got to sit by the lobster tank, which was very fun for his kid-self. He made sure that everyone who was listening knew that he is vegetarian, a person who eats NO meat, and that he would not be eating any of the seafood placed on our table. Even though I have been a vegetarian for 9 years, I always eat a bit of meat when it is a dish I have never tried. So yeah, I ate a bite of chicken feet. Yep, it was gross. Like all meat is to me after so long of being veg. I still feel a bit nauseous thinkin’ on it.
You will also note a photo above of son at gramma’s. My grandma has a tradition with her grandkids that has carried on to her great-grandkids: going to McDonalds for most meals (a huge treat for kids with health-nut parents). So I had a weird moment during breakfast at McDonald’s this morning….my 4 year old son was playing a game on my 3g iPhone, and my 85 year old gramma was deep in thought as she texted various people on her iPhone 4. All the while I looked on, thinking “Damn, why do I always find myself in groups of people who are ALL on their f—-ing smart phones when this is supposed to be a social event…even when I am with a 4 year old and 85 year old…WTF.” …I guess that is what I get when I am in Mountain View (the HQ for Apple/Google/Yahoo/FB/etc).
Spirit Notes:
When I first laid eyes on her she was arriving late to the dinner party, entering in the middle of the host/president’s pre-dinner speech. She was laughing and distraught because she had gone to the wrong home and rang the doorbell, and finally a white lady had come to the door and haughtily asked her what she wanted, and did she know anyone in the neighborhood (an upper-middle class area). The doctor was embarrassed and incredulous that her presence in the neighborhood had been questioned. She fussed so in front of the dinner party group because even in 2012, even with her being an accomplished professional and amazing person, her presence in the new neighborhood was problematic to one resident, because she is black.
I am most grateful for the moments I spend listening this person whom I have longed to meet, ever since Partner told me about her, and how she contributed to the college’s humanitarian trip to Haiti this Spring past. She is an MD out of Oakland CA, completed ministerial training at Seminary after 30 years of her work as an MD, and after talking with her, I also think it safe to assume she is a vehement feminist. She is a lifelong advocate of social justice and a follower of God. You have to meet her- she is amazing. One of those people who bless you when you speak with them. Someone who you sense God in. When she is not seeing patients in the US, she is giving talks which are combination sermons/health education to folks in various parts of Africa, in Haiti, and other places. She is powerful and she has the ovaries to speak a truest-of-truths that may offend those who hear it because it challenging even as it blesses.
This was at a dinner party that myself and Partner went to. Hosted by the president of the college where I went/ partner goes to. I had home cooked Haitian food, compliments of President’s wife and daughters. I had amazing conversations with the various party guests, are who are very loving people, who are educated and humble and committed to lifting others up. Thanks be to god for a wonderful weekend. ❤
this is me in philly. first travel to east coast. Had CNM interview at school of choice. unplanned layover in philly turned fun
blood/milk/tears/brain/heart 