Blended Lifestyle
One thing most people think of my schedule is that I have a very well-balanced work and personal life. Unfortunately, this isn't true. When I think of balance, I think of a controlled environment, even as obstacles get in the way. This is definitely not the case with me.
Last week I realized that the week I'm in now would be one of the busiest I've ever had. On the schedule is a list of duties: work, research, Guardian Ad Litem classes after work (making my days last 13 hours long, but only two days a week -- phew!), observing courtroom sessions to prepare to be a Guardian, taking one daughter to a specialist in the middle of my day (driving across town to pick her up, and back again toward the physician's office), attending a concert mid-week, getting in three tennis games, and I wish I could remember the rest. But quite frankly, with all this going on, my memory is failing. Thank goodness for reminders on my cell phone!
Instead of balance, I consider life to be a blend of personal time and work, dynamic and yet chaotic. Pleasantly chaotic. Except for maybe this week, but I got this handled. With two weeks left for my first submission of the abstract for my case report, I'm getting a little nervous that perhaps I may not be ready to submit, being that my preference is to turn things in at least a week in advance. This will be my biggest challenge and will have to wait for the weekend.
Right now, I'm off to the courthouse to observe a permanency hearing for a child who was taken from her parents due to poor choices by them. As I wait, however, my textbook of writing case reports is in one hand, while with the other I write down my questions about the process of being a Guardian. Blended lifestyle, with a growing responsibility to the community, surrounded by wonderful friends, family and co-workers, I will survive.