There is a big battle going on on the SV Moms Blog.. It seemed like some well meaning posts asked for more diverse opinions.. and gosh.. the attacks and the personal sniping that is going on. Wow! ....I'm so appalled that I think I'll stop visiting that website and I'm taking it off my links as well.
The crux of the matter is that the SV Moms Blog is just ONE small slice of the SV Moms. It appears to be limited to affluent white women (and may be predominantly Jewish) who live in Palo Alto. Now perhaps there is a token Asian or African American mom thrown in for good measure, I don't know.
I think the other women who voiced their opinions basically pointed this out, and it makes sense since the blog is called "Silicon Valley....." and they are constantly being portrayed in the media as representing the SV moms. I think these folks would genuinely like to see more variety of opinions talked about on this blog.
But I'm surprised at the response from the founders of the blog - it's basically.. '"this is who we are.. if you don't like us, don't read us". Well.. that just goes against their marketing message which leads us to believe that they are the examples of SV moms lifestyles..
The next time I see the article in Palo Alto weekly saying how wonderful their blog is, I'll be sure to write in and tell the editors that these women do NOT represent the majority of moms in Silicon Valley.
Last week was the best vacation I had since I had the munchkin 3 years ago. It was restful, relaxing, and just plain fun. Thanksgiving was low key - roasted chicken, and potatoes.. yummy. DH rented the 2nd season of Weeds - the TV show. It was hilarious and we sat up each night watching 4 episodes at a time. It was a blast, not having to wake up the next morning for a 6 am meeting.
The munchkin was so well-behaved (well, most of the time), but she is just at the stage where she suddenly comes up to me and tells me she loves me. I wish I could record each instance of it, because I wonder if she will still tell me that when she grows up.. I hope so. because I won't love her any less.
Today it's back to work. and it's all still there. nothing changes.. and it promises to be a crappy week.
Lyrics from a Jim Reeves Song.. Reflects accurately what I feel today.... Happy Monday!
When my way groweth drear
Precious Lord, linger near
When my light is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand, precious Lord
Lead me on
Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I am tired, Im weak, I am worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my ha-and, precious Lord
Lead me home
What is it about 3 year old girls? When my daughter turned 3, a 'girl' switch got turned on. Now she only wants to wear dresses, and she wants to be a princess for Halloween. She originally wanted to be a astronaut (yay!), and then a doctor, but last night she wanted to be a fairy princess -- the kind with wings.
We tried to point out to her that 3 out of the 4 girls who were at the costume party over the weekend, had all been princesses of one kind or another.. there were atleast 2 fairy princesses - so that's where she got that idea.
I was never into all these girly things.. I was pretty much a tomboy - didn't care much for jewelry or makeup when I grew up. Now in my late thirties, I'm finally getting into 'accessories'.. but still don't care for caked on makeup.
So I'm having a hard time relating to my girly girl daughter when she wants to be a princess and run around with her little wand and crown. I'm trying to let her be her.. but it's really hard for me..
Hopefully, this is a phase that will soon pass. I can't wait!
Turns out this is not just my problem. Just read Sue Hutchinson's column ( No harm in girls showing princess pride at Halloween) in the San Jose Mercury news - Go to http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion and then scroll down to the columns section to read.
Came back from my travels to Stockholm last week. It was ok. Not as fun as in August - it is getting cold and windy there especially at night.
Stockholm is a wonderful city. I loved wandering around it last time, but this time I spent more time in biz meetings and leading the rest of my colleagues around to the various locations - business dinners, office location etc., because I was the only woman in the bunch and who was not afraid to carry a map.
Got to meet up with some of my friends there which was wonderful.. even though I was so heavily jet-lagged by then. Taking a day flight sucks, because it took 9 hours and just when I got there was the time to fall asleep.. so I slept for about 3 hours and then forced myself to wake up and walk around..
I'm sure I'll be back there soon.. hopefully after winter though.. I don't do snow..especially not in Sweden.
So I've decided that my face cream that I got is not 'heavy' enough for my dry skin. So I need to call the lady again to see if I should be getting a different face cream. I'm not looking forward to this.. but hey! it's my money and my face right? We'll see..
I got a facial on saturday done by a mom of one of the kids at my daughter's daycare. She was great - and honest and didn't try to sell me product like some other day spas in Palo Alto.. I heard interesting stories about how the spas demand that their employees sell $40 worth of product for every $100 of services offered.. Geez!!
My skin was getting dry because I've been using various products on my face, so part of what I wanted out of the facial was a skin regimen to go forward with. I know the main rules ofcourse - moisturize and wear sunblock. But apart from that who the heck knows?
Anyways, the facial itself was very reasonable. The aesthetician put a 'stress relief' masque on and told me it was especially for working moms. I was wondering how soon the effects of that would wear off.. probably an hour later when my daughter complained that her 'tummy was hurtin..". Ah well. still it was nice for that 1.5 hours to get pampered.
I walked out of there $284 lighter..with products and a nice facial.. feeling soooo guilty that I had spent that kind of money on my myself.. I know that's silly.. and my husband was so supportive of me doing this.. But I was also planning to put some highlights in my hair this wednesday whichwould probably be atleast another $100, so I've would have spent about $400 just on my self this week. That's a lot of money...
But I'll look good for my meeting in Sweden..
So, this is the second time I'm schlepping up to Sweden for a trip.. missing my weekend since it takes forever to get to Europe from the west coast.. and I'm expected to go in coach even though the rest of my company (and even my own organization outside the US) is allowed to travel business. Have you sat through 11 hour flights in coach? It's painful, especially when you think of the alternative which is to be home with you family and your three year old.
So for my second trip I decided to risk it and go coach extra.. which really is a fully refundable coach fare but on SAS they give you a better class of service -- more leg room for just that 9 hour trip from Chicago to Stockholm.. It costs $1000 more for my company and was flagged by the system as taking a non cost saving trip.
Guess what? my boss made me feel guilty... even though I'm still flying coach. I will miss my entire weekend and I can bet you there will be more of these trips to Stockholm in the future. The company policy clearly says that if the flight is more than 8 hours, you can fly business, and I bet you those VPs at the top are.. But my boss still isn't happy that I'm not taking the lowest fare possible..
The company can afford to spend a crummy $1K on me for missing my weekend with my family.. because I know I won't be taking a 14 hour trip if it weren't for them sending me.. And I make enough money for them too..
So why do I feel so bad? like I'm somehow indulging myself at the company's expense? I know I'm going to miss my little girl and my hubby the whole time.. I'll find some time to get my daughter some Pippy Long Stocking stuff.. maybe that will help her.. because I know she misses me when I'm gone..
*sigh* I like my job, but it's times like these that make me think.. I need to get a better one.. or atleast one where your boss doesn't think you're out to bankcrupt the company..
Ok. This is a momentous occasion. I decided to join the blog world and write something. Because if I don't, I think I'll explode.
