Thursday, October 11, 2007

It's been quite a heavy week for me work wise hence the lack of posts.

Ever since my vacation, I've been thinking about my grueling work commute. Three to four hours (sometimes five hours!) every day is sapping my energy. The hubby and I get home late, the kids stay up later than usual since they wait up for us then have a hard time waking up in the morning for school. I am seriously considering making a major change.

So I've no time to post or write something when I get home cause mostly I'm rushing to get the kids to bed so they won't have to stay up so late. Lately, I get to spend a little morning time with them as I've been giving them their baths in the morning before school but that's basically it.

Change is inevitable and I've never been afraid of it. However, I know that whatever happens will involve not just me but my entire family and how we live right now. So I know I have to be careful before I decide to take a step.

Half of me is saying, Stop, think about it a hundred times and the other half is daring myself to go for it.

Too many decisions to make and I'm not giving myself enough time to think about it. Someone I love always said not to make decisions when your emotions are too strong and I totally agree.

I'm too conflicted right now so I will probably let my thoughts simmer for a while.

Tomorrow is a holiday so I have a long weekend to distract myself from negative thoughts. No specific plans except to spend tomorrow afternoon at my favorite place (the bookstore!) with the kids and probably take a look at fabrics for my sister's wedding with my mom. Hopefully after this weekend, I'll be in a more positive frame of mind. The hubby thinks everything's boring when I'm not in a happy mood.

Quick! Distract me! Any good books you've read lately? Tell me.

17 comments:

houseband00 said...

Your husband's on the money there regarding not to let your emotions get in the way of your decision. Although sometimes it's that that spark of instinct that is usually the right one.

I wish I could help you in the reading department, though. All I've been reading lately are design specification books. Although, I have some stuff lined up if and when I finally find the time to read again:

1. The Known World by Edward P. Jones

2. Kafka On The Shore by Haruki Murakami

and, 3. Kiss Me Like A Stranger by Gene Wilder

Here's to the long weekend! Cheers! =)

Pacha said...

Oh Menchie. I'm sorry things are difficult and you find yourself in conflict and confused. This limbo stage before a decision is taken is the worst. You should however get instant relief once the decision has been made. Good Luck. Sounds like a chilling happy weekend ahead of you which should be comforting. It is good advice to wait the emotions out. Although I find its hard to want to make changes if emotions aren't probing you into action.

However, its rather exciting too (you probably don't see it like that right now). Sounds like you may be on the brink of a new beginning. The long hours commuting sound hellish and unfair for you.

Anyway, you don't want to hear me go on and on about stuff I know nothing about.

Books. I am ploughing my way through a book I don't like but because I'm stubborn I HAVE TO FINISH IT. I really enjoyed Orange prize winner Adichie 'Half of a Yellow Sun'. Which reminds me that they are announcing Nobel prize winner for literature later on today...wonder who it will be this year?

Enjoy the bookshop and all the best in your decision making...

Menchie said...

HB,

What makes you think it was my hubby who said that? LOL! Joke!

I usually make decisions very quickly even with limited data (it's my personal dynamic). Though most of those were made with a clear head. So yeah, am gonna sit tight in the meantime.

Thanks for the book tips. I will be at the bookstore as usual with the kids this weekend and it would be nice to browse around for new books.

Pacha,
I am actually excited at the prospect of changing something. Either I am that bored or really bothered with the current state. Believe me, being on the road for two hours in the morning and three at night is hellish indeed. i don't expect any major change to happen in the next two months but we will see what next year will bring. Sometimes, just the realization that something MUST change is enough of a step.

Your book sounds like a tough one if you have to force yourself to finish it. That's happened to me once or twice. I hope you have a good weekend too. you know, sometimes I wish we could sit and have coffee sometime and just chat. :D

Anonymous said...

Hi Menchie,

How about some more snaps of the kids when you are the book store?

Lighten your mood with this.Came across this joke in Reader's Digest long back:

There was once a magician who entertained the people on a ship. The ship's captain took him along to where ever the journey was. The ship thus teemed with travellers.

The captain had a pet parrot. Each time the travellers in the ship changed, but the parrot got to witness the magician's tricks all the time. As days went by, the Parrot learned the idea behind the tricks by looking at the magician's performance. It got so bored that it started narrating to the audience the trick that the magician made and the audience laughed their best.

Naturally, the Magician was irritated by this. The Parrot and the Magician soon became enemies.

One fine day, the ship hit a storm and a ship wreck followed. The only survivors of the ship were the Parrot and the Magician. They both managed to get hold of a floating wooden pole and sat on it.

On one end was the Parrot and at the other, the Magician. Being the best of enemies, they didn't speak to each other. This continued for 4 to 5 days.

On the 6th day, the Parrot finally broke the silence and said to the Magician: "Okay, I give up. How did you make the ship Vanish?"

Have a nice long weekend Menchie. A couple of hugs for the cute Faith.

Voracious Blog Reader

Point Dexter said...

Wow! What a strain!

I don't know much about books, but I do know something about cooking.

Look for some new recipes. Cooking is always so therapeutic for me. I usually don't eat a lot of it either. I'll give it to my roommate or neighbors. Ha.

Keshi said...

**Three to four hours (sometimes five hours!) every day is sapping my energy

that much time??

change is imp but its the hardest step to take..I know. Anyways all the best Menchie! Do what ur heart says...that way u'll never regret it.


Hv a good READING wknd then ;-)

Keshi.

houseband00 said...

Haha! Totally my bad, Menchie. I thought I read "better half" instead of "half of me." =)

Mamapumpkin said...

Oh, I can totally relate....

I hopped over from TNP, BTW.

5 years ago, I made a totally impulsive decision to quit my job (which was starting to eat at me) and I hadn't even told my hubby yet! I just did it! Then told him as a matter of factly over dinner. On hindsight, I really should've given it more thought....more time....to let the emotions ride over. *smile*

Don't get to read much but the last good book I read was The Kite Runner.

Stace said...

I have just one piece of advice:

No job is worth heartache and hassle. Work to live, do not live to work.

And read "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver.

Menchie said...

VBR,
Thanks for the joke! :D

We had fun at the bookstore yesterday and i have a couple of pics -- will post them soon!

Nicole,
Wish I was your neighbor! LOL!

Keshi,
Thankfully, the weekend is turning out really ok. Have to work a bit though which is a bummer. How's your weekend coming along?

HB,
HA HA! No, it really was the hubby who said that. :D

Big pumpkin,
hey there! thanks for dropping by!

I have that book already but haven't gotten around to reading it yet. My friend told me the second one -- A Thousand Splendid Suns is a really good one too!

Stace,
You are so right. Which is why I am seriously thinking about it -- so much of my time during the week is lost due to the commute.

kj said...

the travel seems toooooo far, mench. it really does. i think if you let the possibilities find you, they will.....

:)

Romeo Morningwood said...

WTH! 3 or 4 hours of commuting is beyond my comprehension...seriously is that out of the ordinary in your neck of the woods or do lots of people travel that much?

I ended up exchanging a lot of extras for extra face-time with my young Son. I'm so glad that I did it for a few years because they grow up so fast.

Only you can know what's right for Your Family...If you wear yourself out the decision will be made for you.

Big Hug.

Menchie said...

kj,
i am sure there are other possibilities. the question is whether i willing at this point to explore.

HE! Nice to see you again! I would say that kind of commute is not that uncommon where I live because traffic is super bad. 2-3 hours is kinda normal unless you live really really close to where you work. Of course there are trade offs -- it's more expensive to live in the financial district -- you pay a lot for an itty bitty space like a studio.

Sigh. Too many things to think about. It won't be that easy to relocate because I have to think about childcare and the kids school. The alternative is to have a job that's closer to home.

Keshi said...

my wknd was great..a relaxing one :) tnxx Menchie!

Keshi.

Marie said...

Good luck in whatever you decide to do, Menchie.

I've nominated you for a blogger award. Check my blog for details.

SabineM said...

I just finished THE ISLAND (it is on my blog on the right hand side 2nd book)...I REALLY Liked the book!
And have you read A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS (same author as Kite RUNNER)?
THE RED TENT? THE LIFE OF PIE? To name a few of my favorite books...
Best of luck with your life decisions, it is NEVER EASY! But it will ALL WORK OUT!

Menchie said...

keshi,
that good to hear. :D

marie,
thanks...for the kind words and the blog award! :D

sabinem,
will check out the ISLAND. I have Kite Runner but haven't read it yet. Do i have to read it before I read Thousand Splendid Suns?