What Are You Writing About Russy?
Image by The Master Shake Signal via Flickr
What kind of title is ‘Courses, Kids and Chemo’ Russy? How are those words possibly related? Well, aren’t you the inquisitive one today. I’m glad you asked. 
Three years ago I took a course in writing which proved most helpful for my blogging career. One of the exercises I did to prove that I could indeed write about anything was the 5-minute drill. In that time I was to write as fast as I could around three seemingly unrelated words. The words were already preselected for us in the course, so I didn’t have the advantage of pre-thinking my material (as I did with today’s topic – sssshhhh… don’t tell my writing instructor)
It’s amazing what you can create when you just let your mind go. To be honest, I actually wrote faster when I didn’t already know the three words. Thinking tends to get in the way of creativity and it is so tempting to edit as you write. That’s what kills efficient productivity.
Taking Courses for Fast-Track Career Changes
Fast forward to today and I’m still taking courses. I’m utilizing and applying the best of what I’ve learned. Everything is cumulative. I now know the purpose for everything I’ve taken up in the past, even if they seemed like a lark back then.
My most recent course was the A-List Blogging Bootcamp where I got to study with three of the top bloggers in the world. Although the classes were spread out over ten days and about 25 hours, there was so much information packed into those sessions that I will literally be digesting and assimilating the information for several more months to come. Most of my classmates – about 130 of them – are all saying the same thing, “We’re swamped!”
Fortunately, all the webinars were recorded and the materials are nicely documented. Plus the class will still be able to connect through a live forum where we can learn from and assist each other.
As you can see, I’m a great proponent of continuing education. At age 55 and in the midst of a career change, blogging made the most sense to me because writing and teaching are two things I love to do. Done correctly, as my three mentors taught in the A-List Blogging Bootcamp, I will be able to satisfy my higher needs to make a valuable contribution to society while taking care of my financial needs. You gotta Love That Feeling.
WARNING: Kids and Vacations Don’t Mix
All that course activity was only one of the reasons I didn’t blog as frequently as I usually like. Right at the end of the course, my first official family vacation began… you know, the long road trip with kids in the back seat, motels, beaches, sun, sand, not to mention a great family reunion/BBQ.
To clarify, Maggie and I married last year. Of course, we went on our honeymoon ALONE... you already suspected that, right? That’s why this year’s vacation was our first as a family and quite possibly our… well, read on.
What’s really exciting is that Maggie and I are already planning next year’s vacation. Because Maggie has experienced culture change, she’s more ready and willing to do foreign travel. I, on the other hand, am more comfortable staying in my native North America. I justify my position by trying to convince Maggie that I’ve barely scratched the surface of seeing all the great things there are to see and do in our own neck of the woods.
And the BEST part of next year’s trip, regardless of where we go… we’re going to do it without the kids! Oh my, you gotta Love That Feeling!
Don’t worry, we’re still planning to do a bunch of little day trips with the girls. They will get to pick the places and activities that they enjoy and Maggie and I will do our best to accommodate their every wish.
However, when it comes to our actual vacation, Maggie and I learned from this year’s experience that it was far more stressful than relaxing to have the whole gang together. Since the ultimate purpose of a vacation is to relax and unwind, we already decided to do our next holiday without the kids.
My gut tells me this subject may be open to some serious controversy. Let me know what YOU think about family vacations.
Chemo Round Two – The Success Continues
Finally, no sooner did I get back from vacation, I started round two of my chemo treatments. The first round was extremely successful in shrinking my lymph nodes – they are already about half the size before treatment. I’m looking forward to complete recovery by this Christmas. You know what I’m going to say next, right? All together now, “You gotta Love That Feeling.”
I’ve been gone every morning this week, altering my precious writing/working routine. I’m definitely a creature of habit, so when my carefully calculated schedule is knocked out of joint even a smidgen, things get mighty uncomfortable both for myself and my unfortunate cohabitants.
When chemo is finally over, I still have a couple of uncomfortable days to get through this weekend as my body detoxes from the treatments. What’s a couple of days of feeling oozy and weak if it restores my dashing, youthful good looks, right?
Not only that, by then, Labor Day will be over and it’s Back To School! Hip-hip, Hooray! Right, parents?
How to Love That Feeling… No Matter What
Image by millzero.com via Flickr
So to tie up all my seemingly unrelated topics for today, “Courses, Kids and Chemo”… it doesn’t matter what is going on in your life right now.
Yes, I’m studying long and hard hours, always advancing myself through continuing education. But the fulfilling career change is more than worth it.
Speaking of continuing education, Maggie and I learned that for us, there has to be a better way to enjoy a relaxing vacation. Unlike the Grunwald’s in the National Lampoon movie, ‘Vacation’ where the dad tells the kids, “You’re gonna have fun whether you like it or not”, Maggie and I have opted for other choices. We asked ourselves, “How could we make next year’s vacation plans more enjoyable and less stressful for everyone?” We came up with some promising alternatives. We’re already excited!
As for the chemo part, so many people have sent their prayers and well wishes for which I truly am grateful. All those good vibes must be working because the lymph nodes are shrinking noticeably.
Yup, no matter WHAT is going on in your life right now, YOU always have the power to choose how you will look at it. There are two sides to every story. Focus on the one that makes you feel good. You’re gonna Love That Feeling!
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Oh Russ and Maggie, it’s not selfish for parents to need down time without the kiddos in tow. You NEED some couple time to keep the family together.
Also, friends tell me that until the kids are around 11 or 12, they don’t really remember vacations all that well, so don’t waste big bucks taking them to foreign places. It’s too hard and too much. Wait until they are older for the epic family trips.
We loved our trip to Yellowstone with Katy but she was 13 at the time — and she had fun on a cruise in Hawaii with grandparents and other family along. (The ship stuff for kids kept her happy while mom and dad had time to relax…and she was happy to do the tours in ports, but happier to be back on the ship, LOL)
Do some weekend trips with the girls or day trips, but keep some time for you both. Time goes by so fast, don’t let it get away without making the days meaningful. (and with NO real time off…well….all that good feeling goes out the window)
I just did a quick check with the girls at dinner time tonight after writing this post. Suvin (age 12) literally leaped for joy when she heard she didn’t have to holiday with Mommy and Russy again next year.
Ambrosia (age 6) still wants more details and reassurance about where she is going to stay and how long we’re going to be away, etc. However, she did agree that walking for miles along the beach that day with Mommy and Russy WAS pretty boring. And that long drive from Toronto to New England and back WAS pretty boring. Now that she has thought about it, a lot of that trip WAS pretty boring from her perspective.
Maggie and I are not hurt or feel unappreciated at all. In fact, we already KNEW from the girl’s reactions during the trip that they weren’t always happy campers. It just wouldn’t be fair to drag them through that experience again.
We’ve made it clear to both girls that when it comes to choosing their activities, they will have full input. For Suvin, it’s important to her that she does something with her friends. She told us that she doesn’t need to go anyplace in particular. She would be happy having a gang over for a sleepover and/or pool party… or hang out with them at their homes.
We’ll guide Ambrosia through her options as well. Obviously, her choices are much more limited at this young age. I know the right thing will come along at the right time.
Thanks Judy for validating the point: Parents NEED some couple time to keep the family together. Yes, the family that plays (and prays) together, stays together. But remember, each age has an appropriate way to interact with each other. Just as it isn’t fair to expect a parent to sit around the kiddie pool all day long, it would be equally inappropriate for those parents to bring their child to an adult comedy night club.
I’ll reiterate – holidays are meant for relaxation and renewing of the mind, body and spirit. With careful planning and execution, every family member can win. Healthy families spend quality time together AND leave space for each other to explore broader relationships outside the tight-knit family circle. Those are the families that stay together and truly appreciate each other.
You gotta Love That Feeling!