I find myself in the enviable position of being in Cambridge (England, not Maryland!), unemployed but fully funded, with all three children in school all day. I have -- gasp -- time to myself!
What shall I do?
At first, my newfound freedom left me feeling a bit guilty. With fewer commitments and a smaller house, less is actually required of me here than in Maryland. But I am quite unaccustomed to not being in demand. The first day that I had the opportunity to wander the quaint City Centre streets and shops, I was ill at ease. I kept mentally checking that I had no outstanding responsibilities. Children safe and cared for? Check. Cell phone at the ready? Check. Not supposed to be somewhere else? Check. Food available for the next meal? Check. Household not falling apart from neglect? Check. Well then, what shall I do?
It's been a fun, easy question to answer. I've been exploring the neighborhoods, checking out the old buildings and the winding streets. I'm browsing in tiny, crowded stores, slowly and without fear. I've been to a free lunchtime concert featuring British violinist Jennifer Pike. I'm practicing riding my bike. I'm people watching. I'm nursing cappuccino while composing blog posts. I'm sampling new foods. I'm researching opportunities for weekend family activities. I'm reading British writers (this month Ian McEwan and Charles Dickens). I'm applying to do some volunteer work at the schools. And of course laundry management is always on my mind -- I have to be vigilant about the weather and drying clothes outside! One thing I'm not really doing is exercising, but any given day brings a few miles of walking or biking, so I'm not stressing about that.
So lest you think I might be bored with no baby at home to keep me busy, I'm here to tell you that this sabbatical year is going great. So glad that Mike could work out this opportunity for me to change my routines and find new and stimulating experiences to inspire me when I get back to my old job. A great guy he is for sacrificing some time in Maryland for me to hang out in this old English city for a while. Got to make the best of it.
What shall I do?
At first, my newfound freedom left me feeling a bit guilty. With fewer commitments and a smaller house, less is actually required of me here than in Maryland. But I am quite unaccustomed to not being in demand. The first day that I had the opportunity to wander the quaint City Centre streets and shops, I was ill at ease. I kept mentally checking that I had no outstanding responsibilities. Children safe and cared for? Check. Cell phone at the ready? Check. Not supposed to be somewhere else? Check. Food available for the next meal? Check. Household not falling apart from neglect? Check. Well then, what shall I do?
It's been a fun, easy question to answer. I've been exploring the neighborhoods, checking out the old buildings and the winding streets. I'm browsing in tiny, crowded stores, slowly and without fear. I've been to a free lunchtime concert featuring British violinist Jennifer Pike. I'm practicing riding my bike. I'm people watching. I'm nursing cappuccino while composing blog posts. I'm sampling new foods. I'm researching opportunities for weekend family activities. I'm reading British writers (this month Ian McEwan and Charles Dickens). I'm applying to do some volunteer work at the schools. And of course laundry management is always on my mind -- I have to be vigilant about the weather and drying clothes outside! One thing I'm not really doing is exercising, but any given day brings a few miles of walking or biking, so I'm not stressing about that.
So lest you think I might be bored with no baby at home to keep me busy, I'm here to tell you that this sabbatical year is going great. So glad that Mike could work out this opportunity for me to change my routines and find new and stimulating experiences to inspire me when I get back to my old job. A great guy he is for sacrificing some time in Maryland for me to hang out in this old English city for a while. Got to make the best of it.
What shall I do next?
2 comments:
Hi, Kim! Sorry you missed our discussion of "Atonement." Fascinating book, don't you think? I was in Cleveland last week visiting my parents, and I read the entire book on the flight back to CA -- opened it as I sat down, read the last page as we touched down @ SFO. Total immersion.
Regarding free time: my two have been in "full-day" school for several years now, and I still find myself reflexively checking the time: am I forgetting something? supposed to be somewhere else now? I suppose that stops when they're in college...
Hi Kim! I'm glad you're having a wonderful time and getting some genuine "you" time. Think of it as a sabbatical for not only Mike but you as well. My advice to both you and Lisa is to do something different that you wouldn't normally do that enriches your life and may even point you in a new direction. After all, that's what sabbaticals are for -- rejuvenating, redirecting and reorganizing.
Also, on a food note, if I were you, I'd go out for high tea every chance I got. :)
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