Okay, so I've attempted to reflect via blog about my time here in Iowa over the past 2 years. Truth be told, I don't exactly know how to write about it. Every time I've tried, I've been afraid I might offend someone or my tone sounds too miserable to function. This isn't the case at all, it's not that I dislike Iowa, I'm just still adjusting to the culture change. So many people write about being "small town" and moving to the big city, but what about the opposite? Sure, Stephen Bloom wrote a little article about his time here in Iowa that was published in the Atlantic, and people flipped. When I read it, I thought it was quite funny and I understood (sort of) where he was coming from. I think Iowans forgot that he is not a Christian, he's Jewish (I'm pretty sure Iowa is just as Christian as it is white, which is around 90%) and he's not from the big city of Chicago or Minneapolis, he's from San Francisco, California and it's quite different out on the left side of the country.
So my conflict is how do I communicate adjusting to the culture of the Midwest without offending the people who live here and without it sounding like I moved to po-dunk nowhere to my East and West Coast friends? Do I have to put a big disclaimer on the top of my post warning people that this is the most rural area I've ever lived in so forgive me? I don't know. So maybe my reflection blog will never be written because I'm afraid of the backlash and offending people. Or maybe the Iowa has rubbed off a little on me... I'm afraid of offending people on a blog? Wow.
So here is a quick non-offensive reflection about Iowa. To those people who live in the bigger cities on the West Coast, Fresno is seen as a country hickville, a trashy town or something along those lines. Well Fresno has around a half million people. Here in Iowa, Des Moines is the big city coming in at a massive population of 203,433 and a metro population of 569,633 (thank you Wikipedia). Now that is the biggest city in the state. CRAZY! I've lived in Fresno and New Jersey so please forgive me Iowans when I say that Waterloo/Cedar Falls is a small area. In a lot of ways where I live is kind of like Fresno. Waterloo is about 4-5 hours from any major metropolitan area and Fresno likewise is about 3-4 hours from any major metro area. Waterloo has a reputation of being dangerous and ghetto. South of Shaw, Fresno has the same reputation. Here is what I can't get over. Iowans talk a lot about diversity. I get it, I guess, but then again I don't. When the state as a whole is still over 90% white, it's hard for me to believe this diversity card people are trying to play. Apparently Waterloo has a lot more diversity but when I look, I see a whole lot of vanilla compared to where I am from. There is no beach. This makes me sad. I really, really miss the ocean. No matter how much I adjust to life in Iowa, it will never have a beach. I mean, it's not like I went to the beach every weekend when I wasn't landlocked, but it was nice to know it was there and I could go If that was what my heart desired. It's also really cold here in the Winter. I thought New Jersey was cold, but this place takes the cake. On top of the cold, it's hot too. Not Fresno hot. I miss the dry heat. In Iowa 95 degrees plus humidity is unbearable, I can't breathe in it. I remember NJ being humid, but not this bad. This is more like Washington DC heat with grossly cold winters. I really only want one extreme, not 2. Don't get me wrong though, I like the fact that we have 4 seasons and I like the idea of snow. I also enjoy going back to Fresno in the winter and seeing people bundled up in scarves, hats, and pea coats when the high is like 50 degrees. On top of that, I enjoy the looks people give me when I'm out in that same weather in just jeans and a long sleeve shirt.
Okay, I think that is enough for now. Maybe someday I'll have the guts to produce a better blog about my time here, until then I will leave you with that.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Saturday, June 9, 2012
I am "one of those parents"
We've all heard it or muttered it, "oh, she's one of those moms." I've even done it myself. Lately, I've been making the comment internally about myself. Here's the list of everything Eric and I do. You be the judge. Am I on of those parents?
1. I breast fed. For as long as I possibly could. My curious, active little daughter pretty much self weaned herself and even baffled the pediatrician by her lack of focus. This broke my heart. I wanted to breast feed longer, so I pumped and pumped some more until I couldn't emotionally handle it any more.
2. Co-Sleeping. Trust me, with every ounce inside of me, I long for the nights when Kendall goes down in her crib and wakes up in her crib. Nothing makes me happier. I love my bed. However, at 3am when she's screaming, I am in no state of mind to sooth and rock her back to sleep. So, I do what many of those desperate mothers do, and I go into our guest room and crash there with her. I don't take her into our bd because Eric takes up too much room.
3. Rear-facing car seat. The law says that children must be rear facing until they are a year old and over 20 pounds. Well, Kendall is a year old and over 20 pounds and facing backwards. Why? Well the suggestion is to keep them rear facing until they are 2. Just a suggestion, not law. So we are following the suggestion. Besides, she doesn't know any better and doesn't share the back seat with anyone forward facing so I don't feel all that bad.
4. Cloth Diapers. I love it. I started reluctantly but it was the best choice we could have made. Poopy diaper are no more disgusting in cloth than disposable. Yes, there is extra laundry involved and Kendall has a "diaper butt," but I love it. Besides the diapers today are light years better than what our parents' options were.
5. No TV. Studies show that children should not watch TV until they are at least 2. Even then, there are only certain programs for them. TV programs designed for toddlers, amazing. The over stimulation is not good for their little developing minds at such a young age so people suggest you refrain. This actually isn't bad at all. Since we don't have cable anyway, our TV has moved down into the basement and is hardly ever on. Our living room/family rom or whatever you want to call it, is exactly that. We are a family in there and we live in there. We don't live for Mickey Mouse clubhouse to come on and entertain Kendall or live for whatever else crap comes on TV. We play games with her, engage. and have dance parties. Don't get me wrong, I still love me some TV time. And the minute Kendall has gone to bed, Eric and I are downstairs in the basement checking out Netflix.
So there you have it. I have become one of those breastfeeding, co-sleeping, rear facing, cloth diapering, no TV watching mothers. Is it that bad? I don't think so!
1. I breast fed. For as long as I possibly could. My curious, active little daughter pretty much self weaned herself and even baffled the pediatrician by her lack of focus. This broke my heart. I wanted to breast feed longer, so I pumped and pumped some more until I couldn't emotionally handle it any more.
2. Co-Sleeping. Trust me, with every ounce inside of me, I long for the nights when Kendall goes down in her crib and wakes up in her crib. Nothing makes me happier. I love my bed. However, at 3am when she's screaming, I am in no state of mind to sooth and rock her back to sleep. So, I do what many of those desperate mothers do, and I go into our guest room and crash there with her. I don't take her into our bd because Eric takes up too much room.
3. Rear-facing car seat. The law says that children must be rear facing until they are a year old and over 20 pounds. Well, Kendall is a year old and over 20 pounds and facing backwards. Why? Well the suggestion is to keep them rear facing until they are 2. Just a suggestion, not law. So we are following the suggestion. Besides, she doesn't know any better and doesn't share the back seat with anyone forward facing so I don't feel all that bad.
4. Cloth Diapers. I love it. I started reluctantly but it was the best choice we could have made. Poopy diaper are no more disgusting in cloth than disposable. Yes, there is extra laundry involved and Kendall has a "diaper butt," but I love it. Besides the diapers today are light years better than what our parents' options were.
5. No TV. Studies show that children should not watch TV until they are at least 2. Even then, there are only certain programs for them. TV programs designed for toddlers, amazing. The over stimulation is not good for their little developing minds at such a young age so people suggest you refrain. This actually isn't bad at all. Since we don't have cable anyway, our TV has moved down into the basement and is hardly ever on. Our living room/family rom or whatever you want to call it, is exactly that. We are a family in there and we live in there. We don't live for Mickey Mouse clubhouse to come on and entertain Kendall or live for whatever else crap comes on TV. We play games with her, engage. and have dance parties. Don't get me wrong, I still love me some TV time. And the minute Kendall has gone to bed, Eric and I are downstairs in the basement checking out Netflix.
So there you have it. I have become one of those breastfeeding, co-sleeping, rear facing, cloth diapering, no TV watching mothers. Is it that bad? I don't think so!
Sunday, June 3, 2012
A new kind of outlook...
Some things are just too toxic. I feel like there is so much negativity surrounding me these days, from the cryptic Facebook posts that show up on my newsfeed, the inability of people in my life being able to get along... Or even talk to each other, to the stress of feeling like I NEVER see my husband. I know he feels the negativity too, it's consumed us both.
I mean really, this should be the happiest times of our lives, we're young, we have a beautiful healthy 14 month old, and each other. Yet, all I can think about is how we're stuck in Iowa all summer. Like the city of Cedar Falls is holding us captive or something.
Since nothing is really in my control , I can let the negativity consume me or take the hand that was dealt to me and do my best. That being said, I am choosing to make the most of it. This summer, Eric and I are going to become "doers." I think we're both sick of talking about what we want to do, so why not just do it?
So, here is what I'm going to do this summer in Iowa:
1. Shop local.
As much as I can. By shopping farmer's markets and the river loop public market in Waterloo, we can feed ourselves and support local farmers and work on breaking free from the processed world.
2. Stay off my damn smart phone.
I truly believe these little devices are ruining humanity. I'm sick of seeing people out together, on their phones. This summer I will be checking my email on the computer. Also, I'll only be facebooking from the computer. Do I need to Facebook from my phone? No. I was perfectly fine without it for so many years. Plus, people use it to be negative and I don't need it!
3. No more Starbucks.
It's expensive, I don't need it, and we have better coffee locally. Besides, whenever I do go, I have a bad experience. Not all Starbucks are created equal.
4. Get out of town when it's possible.
Even though we are on lockdown, Eric has a ton of vacation days to use and 2 days a week off. Even though I'm in a June 4 week class, and we can't really leave at all in July, there's still August and plenty of day trip things we can do.
5. Be outside.
As long as the weather is nice, I plan on hanging out in the backyard as much as possible. Some people play on their phones during their free time, I will be outside with Kendall... Weather permitting of course.
6. Ride my bike.
Honestly, hitting the trails with Eric and Kendall in tow is so fun. We get turned around, make wrong turns, and get to enjoy the beauty of the Cedar Valley from the seats of our bikes for a few hours. I'd like to be able to do a family ride several days a week.
7. Go on a morning walk.
Lately Kendall thinks 5:45/6 is a suitable wake up time. Well, it's summer. So when she does, I'm going to feed her some breakfast, strap her in the stroller a d go for a nice morning walk. I mean, the sun is up anyway, might as well be outside!
8. Get my hands dirty.
I don't really know how to garden, but it'd be nice to learn and maybe add some color to our front yard.
9. Blog more.
I know I have like 4 readers, but I can post updates, pictures, my thoughts, whatever on here and a blog a week isn't really too time consuming.
10. Be positive.
There's no point in complaining all the time. It only makes things seem worse. I also need to hold Eric to this too. We used to spend our walks dreaming about the future, making decisions, and just shooting the breeze. These days it's become a daily venting session about jobs, school, you name it. We need to break free from it and just be positive.
So there you have it. 10 things that I'm going to do this summer. Suggestions and words of support and encouragement are appreciated! Also- come visit us! Haha.
I mean really, this should be the happiest times of our lives, we're young, we have a beautiful healthy 14 month old, and each other. Yet, all I can think about is how we're stuck in Iowa all summer. Like the city of Cedar Falls is holding us captive or something.
Since nothing is really in my control , I can let the negativity consume me or take the hand that was dealt to me and do my best. That being said, I am choosing to make the most of it. This summer, Eric and I are going to become "doers." I think we're both sick of talking about what we want to do, so why not just do it?
So, here is what I'm going to do this summer in Iowa:
1. Shop local.
As much as I can. By shopping farmer's markets and the river loop public market in Waterloo, we can feed ourselves and support local farmers and work on breaking free from the processed world.
2. Stay off my damn smart phone.
I truly believe these little devices are ruining humanity. I'm sick of seeing people out together, on their phones. This summer I will be checking my email on the computer. Also, I'll only be facebooking from the computer. Do I need to Facebook from my phone? No. I was perfectly fine without it for so many years. Plus, people use it to be negative and I don't need it!
3. No more Starbucks.
It's expensive, I don't need it, and we have better coffee locally. Besides, whenever I do go, I have a bad experience. Not all Starbucks are created equal.
4. Get out of town when it's possible.
Even though we are on lockdown, Eric has a ton of vacation days to use and 2 days a week off. Even though I'm in a June 4 week class, and we can't really leave at all in July, there's still August and plenty of day trip things we can do.
5. Be outside.
As long as the weather is nice, I plan on hanging out in the backyard as much as possible. Some people play on their phones during their free time, I will be outside with Kendall... Weather permitting of course.
6. Ride my bike.
Honestly, hitting the trails with Eric and Kendall in tow is so fun. We get turned around, make wrong turns, and get to enjoy the beauty of the Cedar Valley from the seats of our bikes for a few hours. I'd like to be able to do a family ride several days a week.
7. Go on a morning walk.
Lately Kendall thinks 5:45/6 is a suitable wake up time. Well, it's summer. So when she does, I'm going to feed her some breakfast, strap her in the stroller a d go for a nice morning walk. I mean, the sun is up anyway, might as well be outside!
8. Get my hands dirty.
I don't really know how to garden, but it'd be nice to learn and maybe add some color to our front yard.
9. Blog more.
I know I have like 4 readers, but I can post updates, pictures, my thoughts, whatever on here and a blog a week isn't really too time consuming.
10. Be positive.
There's no point in complaining all the time. It only makes things seem worse. I also need to hold Eric to this too. We used to spend our walks dreaming about the future, making decisions, and just shooting the breeze. These days it's become a daily venting session about jobs, school, you name it. We need to break free from it and just be positive.
So there you have it. 10 things that I'm going to do this summer. Suggestions and words of support and encouragement are appreciated! Also- come visit us! Haha.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)