I have totally used that title before, especially because I know I have answered # 1 before…

1. What’s something you may do this month?

I MAY be able to de-stress a little. This final quarter at work has been both stressful and in hand; i.e. I knew what I was teaching, I enjoyed teaching it, and days felt organized. But the draw to the summer is real and tangible so the desire to…not do anything is also bringing me down. Like, I just need to not have things hanging over me for a little while. I don’t even mean a vacation but just…less going on.

2.Hola! Hodgepodge Day lands just after Cinco de Mayo… how do you feel about Mexican food? What’s your favorite dish? Do you make it at home or is it a strictly dine out option?

I am a huge Mexican food fan. Once a week I’ll make beef taco salads and I make my own guacamole. In fact, the family lately has said I ought to open my own restaurant just for guac! I doubt there’s a market for just a side item but the point is: mine is very good. We do go out for it sometimes; if I want a bowl we go to El Jalisco and if we want steak street tacos, a place named Maria Maria, which is way too expensive but so good.

3. When the children of today grow up what do you think they’ll say about this time period? What do you most hope they remember?

Hmm, interesting question. I don’t really know if they’ll see all the same issues we as adults do. I hope they’ll remember that some people did try to stand up to all the insanity – the dichotomy of ideas surrounding covid, Trump, etc. Mine in particular, I hope, will remember the good times and experiences we tried to give them. It’s tough to say since I think when I look back at when I was growing up, there was so much out there that was good: the shared culture, the movies, music. Now, we don’t have that as much, you know? Everyone’s algorithm is their own and sometimes no one is watching/listening to the same things.

4.What advice would you give a new mother?

Focus on what you can do and not worry about what you might not be doing, or what other moms are doing. It can be irritating to compare yourself. Trust your gut on things too.

5. What’s a phrase your mother often said to you? If you’re a mom do you say it to your own children?

Life isn’t fair. I heard that a million times growing up, mostly because I would often complain about stuff not being fair. I say it to mine as well because you know, it just isn’t. For all these folks out here trying to fight for equity and equality, well, I’m sorry but that’s just not how the world works, unfortunately.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Ah the end of a semester. Whether it’s college or high school, I feel the same… thing that is both tangible and in – . It’s a harried sort of ::primal scream:: and also a crushing desire to let go and just…be. I know that seems a little vague but if you’ve ever taught you may know what I mean. I’m pretty on top of things though; two of my three final exams are done and have been approved by admin. I have plans for the summer reading assignments once they return in fall. I have a better grip on my overall curriculums too, so long as they don’t switch up what we’re teaching!

In the perimenopause realm, things seem to be better now that I talked to my husband about it. I feel like before, anything I said I was feeling or experiences was assumed to be me “blaming” this thing instead of dealing with it. So anyway, I am more aware of what I can and can’t do to mitigate issues and I feel more…alive. I know that’s nuts to say. I was talking to a coworker about her being mad at her child about something and while it wasn’t good that she got angry, it actually made her feel something for once and man, that one hit me. This age for women really throws you for a loop; some days you don’t give a good goddamn about anything and it is surprising.