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March 17, 2009

My other life...

I made a vow to my husband that once we adopted, I would curb my workaholic tendencies. I never talk about my career on my blog, but I decided to give you a peek at my other life. I work as an instructional designer assisting faculty who are creating online courses at Grand Valley State University. Basically that means that I get to play and research new technology, consult with faculty from a variety of disciplines, as well as design and teach faculty development workshops that focus on technology integration.



It can be an extremely rewarding job and it can be a very overwhelming job. This week was one of those overwhelming weeks. Every March, our department puts together a Technology Symposium (usually the 3rd Wednesday of the month) highlighting faculty who are doing unique things with technology integration. My colleagues and I literally spend weeks working on this event. That means anything from printing off name tags, signage, publicity, handling the layout of the event with conference services, drumming up presenters and participants..etc. In other words, it’s a TON OF WORK and I always wake up in a cold sweat worrying whether anyone is going to show up at our event.



I’m happy to say that this year’s event was a success. It was well attended (the University President and Provost actually came this year) and most faculty walked away feeling a little inspired to try some new ways to integrate technology into their teaching and learning.



While I was on family leave last year with Josie’s heart surgery and recovery, I had bittersweet feelings about returning to work. It was kinda fun to not be in the working world. I got to focus on my family. I had dinner on the table when Chris got home from work. The laundry was always caught up and the house was a little less cluttered. But I was also starting to miss my professional life and using my professional brain. I kept thinking about all the years of graduate school and how long it had taken me to pay off all my undergraduate and graduate student loans and the reward of finally having a decent paycheck.

Once July rolled around, I was worried about how I’d balance everything once I had to return to full-time work status. It’s been ok. I’ve worked very hard at leaving work AT WORK. For the most part, I’ve been successful at separating my two lives. My house is definitely messier than I’d like. I’m always behind on laundry and it’s not uncommon to be eating dinner much later than I’d like. I guess it’s always going to be a juggling act trying to balance motherhood with a full-time career.

8 comments:

Shanna said...

You are doing a great job Kim!! I don't know how you can be super-mom and super-career woman all at the same time.....AND still keep "super" in front of both.
A big kudos to you my friend!!

Mike and Barb said...

Hmm, I have a messy house, I'm not caught up on laundry, and many evenings we eat dinner late.
And I don't work nearly as much as you do!
So - I think you're doing FABULOUS!
Barb

Tammy said...

Congratulations on pulling off the big event...and having a career and being a mom. I've done both before, too. I know it's not easy.

Angela said...

You know my opinion, you can have it all! But don't expect to do it all up to your own high standards. It is a push/pull between everything in our lives, but I think everything in our life benefits from seeing our ability to tackle it all.

Kay Bratt said...

Kim,

You really do a great job at juggling. From all of your posts, I would almost believe you are a sahm--- which is a compliment! (I am going to quit grumbling so much about the work factor...)

Susan said...

I personally think you deserve an award! You ARE superwoman, and as far as I can tell you handle it with such grace. Every time you post a new craft I say to myself HOW DOES SHE DO IT ALL???? The crafts I've posted on my blog were before Maiya, and now that I'm trying to juggle work and motherhood, crafting is the last thing I can add to the mix now. And yes, my house is a mess, the laundry is half done, and dinnertime is not what it used to be. Congrat's on a job(s) well done!

xxoo-
Susan

Buffi Young said...

What a COOL JOB you have!!! And important too! I think it is crucial that technology is integrated in teaching and the classroom!! it makes it more interactive and fun!! Sophie LOVES it when technology is used in her class!! You do a GREAT thing!!! Thanks for sharing!! As far as the house not being as neat as you want it...Honestly...do any of us EVER get it that way?!? I've been home for 11 years and I cannot keep it up. I could before kids...but since then...I just can't! One thing my grandmother always says..."Awe...it'll be there tomorrow!!" Which is so true...if we could just get it to where it didn't bother us so much!!! Thanks so much for sharing a little bit of your life with us! I LOVE IT!!! have a great week!
Blessings,
Buffi

Blessed Mom of Four AND More said...

Wow! What an interesting job....I would love to stay home with my girls, too, but I wonder how long it would be before I really missed teaching.

My house is certainly much messier than it used to be, and, with 5 kids, the laundry is always overwhelming....

But, thank you, Jesus for a house to get messy, clothes to wear, and food to eat, which makes my kitchen a mess, too!

Blessings,
Robbie