I’m an introvert, so I don’t get out and socialize much. My energy level isn’t high either. It’s definitely not equal to the usual demands of the day. After tending to my family’s needs, I expectedly don’t have any leftover to spare the rest of the world. So, besides paying my taxes, I don’t reallyContinue reading “The Good Karen”
Author Archives: ivythissmalllife
Animal Rescuer (and Avenger)
This was the first thing to come to mind. I waste a lot of time on various social media crying over animal rescues in all the tenses – animals that have been rescued, that are currently being rescued, or that still need rescuing. I always wish that I could be helping out and then heapingContinue reading “Animal Rescuer (and Avenger)”
Are Elections Effective?
Yes, I do vote in political elections, and when I truly believe in a candidate, I even participate in campaigns. Let’s get that out of the way. I’m voting in the upcoming national and local elections (May 12), and I’m actively endorsing my favorite candidates as well. Even though I’m soured by the last presidentialContinue reading “Are Elections Effective?”
Early Bird Syndrome
I’m the lone morning person in a family of night owls. This makes mornings both lonely and precious. I kind of want to share the fresh new day with a loved one, but at the same time, I’m the mother of very demanding kids, so mornings are time for myself. About 15 minutes anyway. IContinue reading “Early Bird Syndrome”
Risk-averse, Regret-prone
Let’s start by saying that I’m a well of regret. When I was so much younger and believed that the world was my oyster, I told my mom that I wasn’t going to waste my time on regret. I thought that the poor choice was worth the wisdom gained and that the bad experience addedContinue reading “Risk-averse, Regret-prone”
A Teacher’s Regret
I have a lot of guilt about a student I had almost twenty years ago. I was teaching Spanish at an international school, and one of my students was a Swiss boy whom we’ll call Friedrich (not his actual name) henceforth. Upon meeting him, I immediately clocked him as trouble. I noticed that he hadContinue reading “A Teacher’s Regret”
Natterings of a Nervous Nellie
I’ve always been a worrywart. I know it’s a sin, and I’m making a conscious effort to fight the impulse. I, however, am a mother. When I was pregnant with my first child, I had a moment of panic. I was watching a lot of true crime documentaries, plus the news, and I was suddenlyContinue reading “Natterings of a Nervous Nellie”
A Break from Stress
Two of my children are on the autism spectrum. They’re both sensory seekers (and avoiders simultaneously) so they both do things that have neurotypicals going, “What the -! Why?” One of them is a very smart eloper, so there’s that too. Suffice it to say that each day presents some very hairy challenges for me.Continue reading “A Break from Stress”
Snap out of the SocMed Trance
I use social media in all the unhealthy ways. I waste time just idly scrolling. I mildly stalk people. It’s usually just a one-time thing, like “Will I find that friend I made in camp back in 1989 here?” and if I do, I snoop all I can before I remember that I actually haveContinue reading “Snap out of the SocMed Trance”
Fishing for Friends
It was actually two strangers: a 70 something-year-old man from Chile and a 14-year-old local (Santander) boy. I was there for the summer, enrolled at the Universidad de Cantabria to further my acquaintance with the Spanish language and culture. The year was 2004, a lifetime ago. I was 27 years old, about to start aContinue reading “Fishing for Friends”
This Small Life 