Monday, August 21, 2006

Supermom Goes Back to School - Part 1

Note: I don't care to read really long posts. This is a really long post. I am sorry for that. But today has been a very exciting day for me, and I am writing all of this down, more for myself than you. If you, like me, don't like reading long posts, you may want to skip this one. There wasn't much I could leave out. So I am going to post this in two parts.

Supermom here, reporting from the computer lab on campus, bringing an end to my first full day of college after thirteen years away.

Normally I would be posting from home, but Hubby called and informed me our computer got a nasty virus and everything - that's right...E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G had to be deleted from it. That means 9 months worth of pictures - gone.

Backup now. If you haven't done it to your computer, stop reading and do it now.

But on to happier things.

I began my day at 6:30 this morning, groggy, but excited. Hubby stepped up and gave me room to shower, dress and even put on makeup, keeping me apprised of the time. Which actually proved to be a bit annoying. But one must give credit where credit is due. I wasn't late.

All the kids stood at the door as I pulled out of the driveway in Hubby's little green Tracer, waving and blowing kisses. Baby stood there, too, her little mouth in a downward wail, mouthing the words, "Mama".

And these were the doors I walked through to my first class at 8:00 a.m. - Introduction to Psychology.

Luckily, I had found my classroom last week, so I didn't have to roam the halls like a freshman. Once there, I see the door is locked and there are students waiting.

They are all very young. I am, in fact, the mother of the group. Perhaps, even the grandmother.

We all stand quietly. I try to make eye contact, but everyone is obviously feeling nervous. A middle aged woman passes by, looking for a particular class. She passes us twice, with no one making the effort to help.

I can't stand it.

"Do you need some help?" I offer, in true motherly fashion. She looks relieved. I point her in the right direction and she heads off, while I return to the fragile silence there in the hall.

A handsome policeman comes to our rescue with keys in hand. He unlocks the door for us and we all choose a desk.

Me, being the over-eager suck-up I am, sit right on the front row. Everyone else? Against the wall.

The policeman sets his keys down on the folding table at the front of the class and says, "Okay, open up your textbooks to page 5."

Huh? A policeman is teaching us psychology? And then the bigger question... can I really concentrate on the subject with such a dashing young man teaching it?

He then breaks into laughter. "Just kidding. Your instructor is running a little late."

Whew.

After he leaves, more silence. Then the three young, freshman boys in the back begin a conversation. I know they are freshman, because they are so...freshman. They are apparently friends. One of them takes a phone call from another mutual friend and informs one of the young men next to him that said friend advised him not to copy from them. That got a hearty laugh.

About five minutes after eight, a young blonde rushes in. She is tall and thin, with a tank top, cargo pants and flipflops. She is very pretty, and very happy the instructor hasn't yet arrived. She breathes a sigh of relief and plops down in the desk next to mine. She looks over and smiles.

As someone who loves to talk, especially to adults, I take this cue, because I am, at this point, starving for interaction. I mean, it's been all of half an hour since I really talked to anyone.

"Are you a freshman?" I ask. As it turns out, she is. Her name is Amy. She went to college four years ago right out of high school, but "didn't care about it then". We chat a bit and I find out she has a three-year-old daughter she is raising alone and works as a cocktail waitress at the casino.

The instructor arrives out of breath, coffee cup in hand. He is a small man, with good hair and lots of laugh lines.

A good sign.

He is practically vibrating with energy, and probably a bit too much caffeine.

Another good sign.

I decide I like him right away.

You know, I had this idea I might be distracted by thoughts of home, worrying about the kids, worrying about Hubby. But strangely enough, I wasn't. I was completely enthralled with this little man and his stories. I suddenly became very interested in Psychology and wanted to know more. Why do we do the things we do? How can I better understand people around me?

And only one, teeny, tiny, fleeting thought of home, that was quickly chased away by Dr. Dan's story of his cat, Bob, who threw up at 2:30 this morning.

The hour and a half flew by. Before I knew it, we were being dismissed.

Amy and I made a few rounds around campus, picking up various papers and parking permits. She asked me what I did. "Well, I'm a stay-at-home mom," I replied. "I wish I could be," she said wistfully. I looked into her hazel eyes, my heart sending up a silent plea for her, and said, "Maybe someday you will be."

She had to go to work and we parted ways.

I went on to the bookstore to buy books, where the nice, young man who helped me told me I had very pretty eyes. I throw that little tidbit in because...well, wouldn't you?

After buying books, cute pens and binders, I decided to head home for a little bit. And boy, what a welcome I received. Baby was the first, running as fast as she could to greet me, arms open wide. I picked her up as her little arms clasped around my neck. She held on tight, snuggling her head into my neck and softly patting my back.

And I thought, "This is why it is good for mommies to leave. How else could I experience the sweetness and joy of the reunion?"

Things at home were good, but not too good. Hubby was exhausted from working three back to back shifts over the weekend, averaging about four hours of sleep per night. I had an hour and a half before meeting a friend for lunch, so I offered to take the kids to do the grocery shopping and he could take a nap.

Ain't I a good, little wifey?

So, I packed them up in the minivan and we headed to the grocery store. On the way, the overcast day produced some sprinkles. Upon Brother's advisment, I take the umbrella into the store with us.

Thank God.

When we come out, the floodgates have opened and I have to make my way to the van with a grocery cart full of groceries and three children. Luckily we got a close parking space. Brother opens up the van door and quickly climbs in. Sister wants to splash in puddles and I have to get her in before Baby. I grab her arm and practically throw in her in while trying to balance this umbrella that is trying to carry me away like Mary Poppins leaving the young, English children. Since Baby spent the entire shopping trip trying to stand up and climb out of the seat in the cart, I figured she might stand up and reach out to me then, which would have been helpful since I was virtually single-handed.

But, no.

At that point in time she was perfectly content to sit, frozen like a statue, watching me try to keep us and all the bags of food dry.

Ever picked up a toddler with one hand? I'm here to tell you, it can be done. Especially when you are afraid your umbrella might act as a lightning rod.

I saved Hubby from a very exciting adventure. Take note, Sweetie. Next time, I won't be so nice.

After soggily delivering the children and groceries, I kissed them good-bye again and got back into the driver's seat of the Tracer. It was odd, going from the family vehicle, filled with car seats, and books on tape and nursery rhymes playing on the cassette player, to the little economy car, where the radio played Van Halan's "Hot For Teacher" and there are no toys rolling around on the floor. It was almost like going back and forth between alternate universes.

12:30 p.m.- Lunch with a friend, which actually turned into lunch with yet another friend, who happened to be there, too. I had French Onion soup, a turkey sandwich and an iced coffee.

And I didn't have to say, "Please sit down and be quiet" or "This is not a playground" once. Not even once.

I did mention I needed a bookbag, so we went shopping.

Just like that.

In the middle of the day.

With no children.

And at one point, I even wondered aloud, "What the heck am I doing?!"

29 comments:

MamaTeeThree said...

Hey, I'm taking Intro to Psych this semester, too! I start next week, but my class is online, so I don't have to actually go anywhere. Easier on the hubby, but I have to figure out how to do my work at my computer with the monkeys all over me.

soulreavers said...

YAY for you. Sounds like school is going to be fun...AND you get to see how life is sometimes lived by the other side of life.

Andreia Huff said...

Woo-HOO! I am so proud of you! I remember the first post I read of yours was about your husband deciding you should go.

But listen as a proud owner of a degree in psychology...dont get too hooked unless you want to go to grad school!

Isnt it awesome to have your kids greet you that way? I seriously love it after having never had it before!

Congratulations! and Hugs!

Anonymous said...

I knew it! I knew it! I KNEW you'd have a fantastic post up, and you didn't disappoint! Glad it was a good day--

yerdoingitwrong said...

Right on. I'm so happy for you!!!

Shawna said...

I loved your college post so much, I just had to read your whole page of posts. Great reading! I especially related to having to put the baby things away. That's so hard! I guess I will have to live vicariously through you for right now on the college thing. Have fun!

Valarie said...

that sounds like a mostly wonderful day. I hope the rest of the term follows suit.

Bttrfly1976 said...

I am glad you had such a good day! How exciting that must be for you, and probably unlike most who go off to college, probably a bit of a break. Thanks for letting us know how the big day went!

jesprincess said...

Exciting isn't it!!! Can't wait for the next post.

Melzie said...

Supermom this post brought tears to my eyes. Prayers for the SAHM wanabe also, maybe someday like you said. I living vicariously thru you maybe you'll inspire ME to go back to school (next year maybe when my baby is in full day Kinder.) :) xoxo melzie PS HURRY WITH PART 2!

Shayne said...

It's Sociology 110 for me this semester. I read your blog almost every day (no kidding I am that big of a geek) and I must tell you that I owe you a big thank you. You make me laugh, and that's a precious gift.

Way to go Supermom! You keep on keepin' on!

Heth said...

You are a superstar. A superstar with pretty eyes.

Sounds like a great first day.

Mama of 2 said...

Oh course you have pretty eyes...and why shouldn't you share that tidbit with all of us. I know I would have.
Sounds like so far you had a good day. And you even helped out the other parental unit. In my book you get a gold star. You go girl. Looking forward to hearing how the rest of your day went.

And sorry to hear about the computer virus at home.

Mama of 2 said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Chilihead2 said...

You know what? I hate long posts too. And I usually don't read them. But this one? Had me smiling the whole time! Loved it. You go, girl. You rock.

LiteratureLover said...

"I went on to the bookstore to buy books, where the nice, young man who helped me told me I had very pretty eyes. I throw that little tidbit in because...well, wouldn't you?"

You CRACK me up!! Man, a few hours away from the kids and you already have someone flirting with you. Seriously though, I am so glad that you had an awesome day. If anyone deserves it, it's you!

Musings of a Housewife said...

I love this! As someone else who doesn't usually care to read long posts (but has a horrible habit of writing them despite consciously attempting not to every time) I have to tell you that I read every word. Thanks for sharing. Can't wait to read part II. And congratulations!!! Oh, by the way, loved those new shoes. Are you ever gonna post your own pix from your nite out? Or did they get deleted with your hard drive?? :-(

Goslyn said...

Wow! Good for you! I am so excited that your first day at school was a big success.

I hope the rest of the semester is just as much fun. Way to go!

but Momma said...

It's totally disorienting to be away from the kids, isn't it?

Glad you had a great first day!

Diana said...

Wow. That sounds so wonderfully exciting!
Soon ( i hope) it will be me!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great first day! I'm back in school too and have really enjoyed it. It is an odd transition, but a good one. Hope the rest of your week is as great as your Monday!

jjofar said...

i am always thankful for your love of your hubby and children. you never take staying home for granted and are just so real about everything. you know you have a precious gift and i am so glad you are branching out of the routine. kuddos to hubby for his support. i am going to be praying for Amy specifically.

MaNiC MoMMy™ said...

Hi, just found your blog from Five for Mom... looking forward to checking out some of your posts!

Jessica said...

Yeah for you! I am so excited for you! It sounds to me like you'll be a good influence on your new friend too!

Michelle- This One's for the Girls said...

What? He told you you had pretty eyes and you weren't even wearing THE SHOES??

Oh my, Supermom Goes to College is going to some fun reading... I can tell already.

Anonymous said...

Sounds totally awesome! Good luck!

Unknown said...

You go! I was so there about three years ago, and I am thisclose to being done!

the womom said...

I just found your blog. I love the name! Congratulations on going back to school.
xoxo

Anonymous said...

This was excellent! And you didn't make it seem long at all - not one bit.