Lists....

It's been five weeks since we received verbal guardianship and are still waiting for the word to plan our travel. It feels like there is so much to do, but I can't seem to get started because I truly don't know where to start. I've been making lists. Lots of lists. Lists of lists to make.

The work list is pretty massive. The school year doesn't end until June 17th and then my work year ends on June 30th. Not know when I will be heading out is causing much anxiety on my end. I have started to create the list for all the things I need (or should) wrap up for the interim principal coming in. Maybe I should figure out who that will be first? No time, must go forward with lists! So far, it's a page long (two columns). The goal was to finish it all by spring break...did I mention that is in two weeks??? Oh, and that I haven't started anything on the list yet? It seems the daily problems at the school site are escalating and not giving me a moment to plan ahead, but it must get done some time.

Next is the list for home readiness. I've decided that now is the perfect time to try to begin and complete major home projects so it's all done when we travel. If Dr. Phil were to ask how this is working for me, the answer wouldn't be pretty. But, we do have so much organizing to do plus getting the house kid safe.

Then we get to the lists of things to have on hand. Haven't really started. Well...I did buy a car seat. That's about it. One of the blessings of being the principal of a school site where we had at least 2-3 pregnancies each year, there are lots of moms with lots of recommendations. Two of my teachers told me this was the car seat to buy, so I did. Free shipping and a sale also helped. Is all this baby stuff so expensive? I was on track to buying a convertible crib until a teacher told me I should be looking at a toddler bed. I guess I'm starting over. Then the list began....potty training seat, high chair or booster, diaper genie (do they still call them that?), stroller, etc... Another teacher recommended this book, but I'm finding it not as helpful since Nathaniel is now a toddler. Please share any recommendations you might have!

Exhausted

I guess I shouldn't complain too much since I did get a week away. But, boy did real life hit me hard when I returned! My life is consumed by three major things right now...getting a school up and running despite every challenge possible, trying to work through the ever elusive doctoral process so I can be done, and just that other small thing of trying to start a family by pushing through all the thick red tape of the international adoption process.

We had our official home visit yesterday from our social worker. It was much easier than I imagined. Of course there were lots of questions and then a tour of the home. We had to identify the potential kiddo's room. Our social worker asked how we were feeling about the process so far. So, we did express our frustration with how long everything takes. She confirmed our feelings by letting us know when we send our completed home study (in about a month) to immigration, it will take a minimum of 2-3 months. While we wait for the home study to be typed and checked by the agencies fact checkers (yes, they do check the document against all our paperwork to make sure we haven't told any fibs anywhere), we will complete our at home courses and finish gathering the dossier documents (along with notarizing and sending it off to the Secretary of State's office for the apostille process).

As for my doctoral studies, I am very close to proposing my chapters 1-3. This is a big step since approval means I can conduct my study and get closer to the defense. I met with my chair this morning and received all my "to-do's"....it was a long list! But, I should be proposing in a few weeks. So, I am preparing for high stress now.

Finally, opening the school year has been difficult. I'm still finding it difficult to accept all my fantastic teachers that were laid off. The teacher contract stipulates random permanent teachers get to pick my school. I'm still not fully staffed and support is lacking. I wish lawmakers and all those making judgments on public education would truly understand what it takes to run a school. Getting off my soapbox....

Smiles and Tears

Two videos brought opposite emotions this week. If you didn't catch either, take a few moments...

This video brought a smile and laughter to my day, what a way to start a morning!





Dancing is so beautiful and this one brought tears to my eyes. My family has been touched by breast cancer and this was just amazing....

Buddy Family & 4th of July Aftermath

Today we met our assigned buddy family. Kathy and Graham Master adopted a little girl from India 8 years ago. A prerequisite to the home study process is to meet with our assigned buddy family and ask them any questions we have.
Our visit included information of what to prepare, adjustment periods and support groups. We both felt the visit made everything a bit more real for us. Kathy has lots of cultural groups she belongs to and I was impressed since I am Indian and had no idea! We are looking forward to keeping in touch with them and asking questions along the way.
Now that we've made our buddy family visit, we are officially done with the prerequisite items. We wait for my fingerprints to clear and then our social worker is assigned! We are anxious and wish there was a way to speed up those fingerprints. But, if there is anything we've learned from the process, other people do not work on our time.

So, since we were so excited to have met our buddy family, it was very disappointing when we came home only to have our neighbor tell us at 6:45 pm that the fence between our two homes had caught on fire at 1 this morning. The tree above it is completely burned. Thank goodness it did not catch the roof which was just seconds away. They decided to put it out themselves and tell us 17 hours later. Did I mention that Mark and I were sleeping down the way of the fire. They did not call the fire department or come knock on our door. Instead, they fought hard to put the fire out and had their area completely cleaned when we went to take pictures. Hmmmm, detective Shana is already on it!

I'm back!

Wow, time flies! But, I am back and ready to blog. It has been a very busy few weeks. I finished the semester at UOP and we began our state standardized testing at the school. Also, one of our kindergartners passed away in a drowning accident. He had been at school on a Thursday, went home and drowned in his pool. The next day we had to tell his fellow classmates and our staff. The following week was just as tough with funeral services and continuing to work with the students in his classroom.
On top of this, we've been dealing with the financial struggles of our district and multiple layoffs. I received a pink slip and had it rescinded just this last Thursday. It was many weeks of waiting.
Very emotional last few weeks. Glad to finally have a bit more order.
I have started my first summer session of classes. Statistics for 4.5 hours two nights a week...it's about as intense as you can imagine.
Not much with the adoption...still working on paperwork. Reference forms went out to our list of people we hope will say nothing but nice things about us! :)
Will blog again soon this week...

Tough Week!

I guess I have a hard time dealing with bad things when it could have been prevented. My wallet was stolen from my office on Wednesday. Long story made short....someone went right into my office (with two clerical staff people that are supposed to be right outside) and into my purse and took out my very big wallet. Walked right back out. Saw a surveillance video of two guys using the card, but know they probably got the card from the actual person that took it. My good friend Tiff stayed with me the whole time as I dealt with the shock and she traveled with me to look at the video. Police are passing me to Sheriff and vice versa. Credit cards and my drivers license...home info and all. Been rough this week. Has created some distrust with folks. So, tough week....

Veggie tales....

We have started our veggie garden for the year. We love this time where we can go crazy and plant lots of things!

We've started with tomatoes, jalapenos, squash, strawberries, and cucumbers. We'll be adding more as the month rolls on. Any ideas?

Idol Battle

Besides The Amazing Race, the only reality show Mark and I agree on right now is American Idol. I picked my top three a while ago....I love these guys! Can't wait to watch them tonight!




Mark's pick...

Lights Out!

Our lights are out for one hour to honor Earth Hour. Did you remember to turn your lights off?

My "right now" in numbers.....

21 teacher evaluations I need to complete in two weeks
4 months I have to finish chapters 1-3 of my dissertation to keep on track for Spring 2010 graduation
25 days until my babies at school have to take the big test
0 days I've made it to the gym the last few weeks
3 weeks of working through a home refinance
2 hours I really get to see my husband each day because of our busy schedules

1 document we have received for the adoption dossier....
34 more to go

Oh TiVo, Let Me Count The Ways....

TiVo could be the best invention out there! I could write love poems to this powerful gadget. This week has been difficult, but today was TOUGH! I was able to come home to a comedic 30 Rock, tasty Top Chef and a lovely Ugly Betty....oh, and a supportive husband that took care of dinner and a comforting dessert :)

What's new?

Here are some things keeping me busy these days....

Work, work....oh, and work
Project 365
Bible in a year
UOP - doctoral studies
Trying to find time to workout
Finding time to see my husband between our busy schedules

It's that time

I've been wanting to start a blog for a while, so I thought I would finally give it a go.

In the Indian culture, "masala" is a mixture of spices ground together to make one ingredient. In our life, every day is a mixture of things to create the one life we live....so this blog will be our living record of the "daily masala" that happens.

Starting this was pretty easy. Mark is playing on his iphone and I started the blog. Presto.