|
SubscriptionsSites I Read
|
|
|
|
| I think this weekend is blog worthy. At least something I can look back years from now to remember what I'm thinking/experiencing. This is what went on from my perspective. Whatever I write here may not be reflective of the whole truth or what Geny experienced.
Delivery
Geny was in labor for about 19 hours. I was definitely tired and uncomfortable, but it was easy to stay motivated when I thought about how I was probably having a 5-star experience compared to what Geny was experiencing. Initially, I thought I could pass the time by reading a book, and I brought some DVDs to pass the time since I knew we'd have a long day ahead of us. We did, at one point, attempt to watch a DVD (Planet B-Boy - Geny's selection), but didn't get very far. Most of the day was a waiting game - waiting her Geny's cervix to get dilated. She tried to get a little dilated before taking the epidural, but it just wasn't happening. The contractions seemed unbearable, and I could see the genuine suffering in Geny's face for every contraction, which made me feel so helpless since I couldn't do anything about it. So after much merciless fist clenching and eyebrow frowning, we decided it was best to take the epidural. In the end, the dilation issues continued, and Geny developed a fever, which complicated things for mom and baby. It was suggested, and I think wisely so, to get the baby out via c-section, so that's what we did. Thanks goodness we have like the best OBGYN ever.
During the delivery, Geny had the "shakes" and couldn't stop shivering. I tried my best to stay calm as I held down one of Geny's arms. I tried to talk to her to keep her calm, but she seemed to be in another universe. And then the doctor said, "The baby's out," and we heard the cries of our son for the first time. And I didn't think I was going to cry, especially since I was focusing so hard on Geny at the time. But as soon as I heard those words, I felt some welling up in my eyes to know that I was officially a dad. (I don't think a tear dropped, though - my eyes just got watery  ). Man, what a surreal moment.
Life at the hospital
We were at the hospital for four days. I must say, being there that long gave me a case of cabin fever. The room is pretty small, and the amenities are minimal; they are limited to those of, well, a hospital. Still, there was no other place in the world I would have rather been than with my wife and son, recovering together as a family.
It was interesting to have so many different nurses during our stay there. We had a whole set of nurses during the labor process and a whole other set for recovery. Each one is so different. Seriously, one nurse would suggest what we should do for recovery, then the next nurse would tell us something different. This just taught me that there is no one correct way to raise a newborn. Oh, and for some reason, we kept getting mostly Korean nurses who would speak Korean to us. We signed in with English as our preference, but somewhere in the mix, it got changed to Korean. Some of them spoke English, but sometimes they would just speak hangul. When they were going over important stuff and asked me if I understood, I just flat out said, "No, I do not understand what you're saying. I do not speak Korean well." I didn't even want to try and pretend I understood, especially when they're telling me health stuff about Geny and Brandon.
Taking care of Brandon has been definitely surreal. Initially, I almost felt like I was caring for a friend's kid or a nephew or something - like the idea of fatherhood didn't hit me yet. It's crazy to think that he's my son. It's crazy that I'm a dad. Crazy in a good way, of course.
Anyway, I'm out of the hospital now. I seriously feel like I came out of the Twilight Zone or I was in some weird, parallel universe. Occasionally, I would have to run down to the car to grab something. I even went across the street from the hospital one time to grab lunch with my dad-in-law. And even on the drive home, it just reminded me that the world still goes on, and I had a sense of reality check. The world hasn't changed, but my life has profoundly changed.
All in all, I'm so thankful that my son is healthy. I am struggling the most with diaper changing. I'm not grossed out at all, but I know I just need to learn to do it faster cuz Brandon cries most of the time when I change him.
I'm also so proud of Geny. She's really been a true warrior through this whole process. She has been such a good mom even though she is struggling to recover from surgery. There were moments when I was like, "oh crap, this is going to be hard," but geny rose to the occassion every single time.
Anyway, I'm a dad. It's tiringly awesome.
| | |
| Terminator 2: Judgment Day
I recently rented this movie on Netflix, and I've been watching bits and pieces of it here and there the past few days. And I came to a realization that it is one of my favorite movies of all time. It is probably in my top 3 favorite movies of all time for overall value. I'm not exactly sure what the other two movies in my top 3 are, but I know that T2 is in there somewhere. I mean, they don't make movies like this anymore. Seriously, I can't exactly remember when I walked out of a theater feeling the satisfcation I felt when I watched T2 for the first time. Just the development of the story and the different paths the plot takes. It's rad. I really love this movie.
Data Driven Pain in the Booty
So I don't know about any of you other teachers out there, but my school - check that - my principal is all about data data data. It's seriously a pain in the ass. We look at data, use it to analyze student progress and achievement, then we make adjustments in teaching. Then we use tests that aren't even aligned with the CSTs (state tests) and use that flawed data to make decisions as if they were aligned with CSTs. And we have to answer dumb ass "reflection" questions on why we did or didn't achieve our goals, as if we can pin point it to anything specific and clear when most of it is due to years and years of socioeconomic factors that happen outside of our classrooms. What makes it more of a pain in the buttocks is that I have to prepare and facilitate "working session" and lead time to "reflect" on data and come up with solutions, as if I have answers or believe in the accuracy of the data. SCREW DATA! YOU HEAR ME?!
| | |
| The Happening
So I watched M. Night Shayamalalalalalan film, The Happening, last night, and it was so NOT happening. I must admit, it drew me in to begin with, but damn, how unsatisfying. I guess I was kinda expecting it to suck cuz the ratings for it were low. and I don't think I saw M Night in the movie. He usually makes a cameo in his movies, but I either missed him or he wasn't in this one. Anyone know if he was?
Four Day Weekend
I'm on the last day of my four day weekend. Which means three day work week, and then another weekend. Can't wait til saturday.
| | |
| Fierce Ice Cream Scooper
So the first ice cream scooper we had, I broke. I snapped it in half cuz the ice cream was so hard but I still tried to scoop it. And today, I did another meathead maneuver. I was scooping ice cream, but the ice cream was pretty hard. So I was near the bottom of the container, and I was determined to scoop the ice cream. I scooped so hard that I ripped right through the bottom of the container. *sigh*
Dead TV Night
Right now, Tuesday is my dead TV night, meaning there are no shows that record. Here's my TV break down for the week:
Sunday: Amazing Race
Monday: Heroes
Tuesday: dead night
Wednesday: Ultimate Fighter & The Island (Real World/Road Rules Challenge)
Thursday: Survivor
Friday and Saturday I guess are technically dead days, too, but since it's the weekend, there's usually something going on anyway.
| | |
| Tough School Year
Man, this year is totally pushing me to my limits. I can manage the whole teaching new curriculum part, but all of the added chair stuff and extra meetings I gotta go to compound EVERYTHING and really pushes me to the limits. It is nice, however, having some of the same kids from last year since I kinda have relationships with them, which I think really helps in management stuff. I think what I'm missing the most this year is my peer comraderie since I don't really see my co-workers as much this year. *sigh* I'm hoping I'm still adjusting to the whole learning curve of my new responsibilities.
World Series
Man, I was really sad when the Dodgers lost, and now, the World Series is gonna be pretty boring. I think MLB is probably sad about all the money they missed out on from a potential LA/Boston World series. Oh, man, that would have been awesome.
Preparing to be a dad
So we got a coupla months left. I know I should be "living it up" and making the most of the time I have now since life changes when you get a kid, but I must say, I can't wait to greet my shorty into this world. I'm sure in 3 months or so, I'll be saying things like, "I wish I did more of this or that when I could've," but I can't wait to have my son around here. I think I have to hold back on hugging kids too close (like, other's kids) and I have to remember they're not my kids and I gotta have boundaries and all... But with my kid, he's gonna be MY kid, so I can totally hug him and hold him and kiss him and stuff...
I must admit, though, the idea of being a dad is a bit daunting. I think most people go through this and just don't wanna mess things up and wanna be good role models. Still, I'm totally looking forward to the challenge. Some things I'm looking forward to doing with my son:
- play catch (with anything - football, baseball, frisbee)
- teach him how to shoot a basketball
- teach him how to dribble with both hands
- teach him how to see/predict passing lanes in basketball
- talk about the books he has to read in school
Other miscellaneous stuff
- I miss playing ball so much. I haven't played in so long, but I think next week will be my return.
- That student who I wrote about in my last entry with the ignorant writing actually turned out to be a nice student. He's dumb as a rock, though, and is failing, but he means well.
- "Heroes" is pissing me off. I feel like the writers are lazy or trying too hard. This past week, I paid special attention to what they were saying, and dude, the lines were so cheesy and the actors were trying so hard to make them meaningful, but I didn't fall for it. The show is getting out of hand and losing its appeal to me.
- "Survivor" is still fun to watch. I'm so glad GC got voted off. He embodies a persona that I cannot stand. And I hope they blind-side Ace just cuz it's fun to see big shots get blind sided when they least expect it. And I think it's so funny/sad how the asian guy tries to get all friendly with the "hot" girls... And the landscape looks amazing... Eden indeed.
| | |
|
|
