Here is the link to my Paris slideshow video from my recent trip. It’s best to view it in high quality and full screen. I had a lot of fun making it and think I’ve found a new obsession.

(mini-update):

My stint in Paris admittedly started out a little rough. I have definitely undergone a metamorphosis throughout this first week. Arriving exhausted, not-so-fresh feeling, and unable to communicate effectively can be overwhelming enough. Add to that a feeling of isolation in the chosen retreat, and it is disheartening to say the least. Succumbing to the culture shock, emotional vulnerability and lack of sleep on that first day I wondered why I had left home in the first place. During the initial two days I missed my children so terribly it physically felt as if there was a hole in my heart. I was riddled with guilt and regret. It was one of the most horrible feelings I had suffered in a long, long time.

Yet, knowing they are doing well I realized I had no choice but to make the best of this opportunity. I have been extraordinarily fortunate that Paris has boasted the best weather conditions one could ask for. I also found a new apartment in the heart of the city and, although I suffered grueling misadventures to make the move, have not regretted it for one moment.

I am learning my way around, my French is improving, and I am becoming more confident in this amazing foreign city. I have done more walking/hiking than I think I ever have. If I don’t come back one toned, buff mother I will be shocked! I have made a few English-speaking friends, one of which is an Australian girl whom I have just spent a very lovely 3 ½ days and am very sad that she is leaving tomorrow. She claims to marvel at my abilities where, as she puts it, I can navigate proficiently and have even begun making jokes with the locals in French.

Considering some of the obstacles I have overcome, I know that I will emerge from this experience a stronger person capable of nearly anything that comes my way (which is bad news for the likes of London, Amsterdam and Prague, to name a few of the other cities I someday hope to conquer).

More details to come. Here are just a few random pictures from the week so far:

Since I am going to be out of town over the next few weeks, I wanted to give an update on my friend’s baby. He is almost 4 weeks old now, but still in the critical heart ward. They were hoping he would have graduated to the NICU a couple of weeks ago, but he has suffered some complications including infection and his lungs collapsing.

(”H” is my friend and “P” is her two year old who came to stay with me a couple weeks ago)

I drove down to see the baby Saturday for the first time and I even got to hold him. It was a day for a lot of firsts, as it was not only the first time I held him, but the first day his father got to hold him! Also, big brother got to get his first look and touch. Since P is only two he doesn’t really understand what’s going on. Up until Saturday, he had only seen his baby brother in pictures. Also, Baby was doing well enough on that day that H was able to change his diaper and give him a sponge bath. Up until now, only the nurses have been able to care for him.

Baby Boy seemed so much tinier than the pictures she had sent me (even though he’s over 8 lbs now). I guess partially because the photos were taken close-up making him look bigger as well as his being very swollen in the beginning. If he hadn’t been hooked up with wires everywhere, you would never know by looking at him that he has been through so much. He was awake most of the time and seemed very alert. I couldn’t stand seeing him lying on the table wearing only a onesie and no socks or blanket! I kept sneakily moving the blanket up over his feet. During his little “bath”, when H was washing him with the wash cloth I went right behind her drying him off and covering him up. He started to cry after she washed his hair, so I placed my hand over his tiny head to keep it warm. Although we could only touch him with gloves on, it had to have helped because he became immediately content. Can you imagine how cold it would be lying in a hospital room naked and wet? Poor little guy.

He did have a couple of disconcerting spells where he seemed to be choking and fighting for air (he’s on oxygen, but he was clearly struggling in some way). After he was turned on his side and suctioned he seemed to do better. He has a lot of junk in his lungs that needs to be expelled. As long as he remains stable, the next steps are for him to learn to breath and eat on his own. He has never done either in his short life. He is on a feeding tube, and has never been fed through his stomach. Although babies are born with the sucking reflex, since his was never stimulated he must even learn to suck.

I can not imagine how hard it is for her to have to leave him there. I feel like I already miss him and obviously I don’t have the new mother longing like she does. If all goes well he may be home in a few weeks, maybe even by the time I get back from my trip. Unfortunately, as the nurse was very careful to convey, you just never know what the future has in store for babies this critical. He has proven to be a fighter though, so I am remaining hopeful and optimistic.

Wouldn’t it figure that this, being the first really beautiful day in over a week and possibly the most beautiful so far this year, I would be too sick to go out and enjoy it? Today was also the day I was really looking forward to because it’s the only one this week I had wide open without prior obligations.

Last night was absolutely horrid. I was unable to sleep at all except for possibly a few minutes here and there due to (pardon the tmi) the droves of relentless post-nasal drip. I believe I took every legal cold-related product on the market (plus a few illegal ones) without benefit. I even made myself a mug of hot green tea at 3 am which did seem to provide enough relief to allow me about 8-10 minutes of sleeping upright before awakening to the myriad of symptoms accompanied by a kink in my side.

I was hoping when I got up this morning that after taking a shower and another fistful of remedial products I would at least improve enough to be able to meet my friend out for coffee and conversation.

Nope. Still feel like shit.

And I can’t even remember how long it’s been since I’ve popped what because I am having to ingest both the maximum doses of ibuprofen and aspirin every few hours. Since I can’t keep track, I just throw back more pills when something starts terribly hurting again. I am kind of thinking those two aren’t even supposed to be taken simultaneously.

Anyway, in case you are wondering: no, this entry really does not serve a purpose other than lamenting on my pathetic condition. And instead of actually writing 1,000 words, I decided to include a picture. As one would expect after a night like I had, it is certainly not very flattering.

This is me at about 7:00 this morning; unfortunately, with little to no improvement since.

What do you think? Should I make it my avatar?

I now strongly advise that you go wash your hands!

I am a woman who, despite motherhood, wants to live life to the fullest. I reside, however, in a community in which the means I have chosen to accomplish this are often criticized. I am here to provide my perspective, to encourage mothers to self-reflect on their needs, and to impugn the critics of my pursuit. I am optimistic that in time, women will reach a balance between caring for others and caring for themselves.

Firstly, the title of this work I imagine is a foreign concept to some. The terms traveling and housewife do not often go hand in hand. By substituting the latter word with one more befitting, the resulting phrase will conjure recognition. Ah, yes, the traveling salesman! Once upon a time, they were a welcome sight providing the rare opportunity to make a purchase without leaving home and offering immediate gratification to boot. During the fifties, people appreciated the service they provided so much that in 1951 alone, they were a $7 billion industry. These days, the majority of us are less than thrilled to find one on our doorstep. Many home-owners even go as far as to affix “no soliciting” labels in plain view to discourage one from ever ringing their bell. Much like a traveling salesman of today, as a traveling housewife I often feel as though I am living in the wrong era. He and I briefly coexist, sharing a tiny dot on the time line–he nearly obsolete, I narrowly preceding the domestic revolution.

In our loss of appreciation for what was once a respectable line of work, I find a glimmer of hope. It proves to me that, albeit slowly, we are capable of molding our community sentiment to fit the needs of the times.

Today traveling salesmen are nearly extinct. Harder to shake, however, has been the other role epitomized in the fifties; the oppressive role of domesticity. As I reproach the popular mindset of a bygone era, I challenge the adoption of a new mindset. One in which a ‘traveling housewife‘ would not be the subject of gossip and condemnation. Firstly, we need to nullify the misconception that in order for a mother to be a good one, she must adopt a selfless affect, always ready to serve others, regardless of her own needs.

Perhaps it would help if we consciously appreciated mothers as the world’s most substantial and influential volunteers; volunteers that are responsible for cultivating in the rising generations the confidence, values, and flexibility needed to govern and contribute to society. These volunteers almost always sign on with the support of a donating collaborator and the conception that they are commencing a partnership. Soon after the baby business takes off, she comes to realize that the job is exhausting, frustrating, under appreciated, and comes with little to no time off. Ever.

Is it our wish that those who bear this invaluable responsibility become so depleted they eventually grow resentful or worse, apathetic? The solution is to allow or, rather support mothers to intermittently take time to indulge her whims and rejuvenate her spirit in order to maintain a healthy sense of well-being. While it may seem that I would purport such a theory for selfish reasons, in essence, it would come to benefit each member in her family. Furthermore, if implemented by the majority, it would perpetuate the betterment of society on the whole.

While each woman has her own preferred method to rejuvenate herself, the pursuit I have chosen in order for me to ‘live life to the fullest’ is exploring some of the amazing places earth has to offer. Experiencing the world beyond the familiar corridors of this nation is paramount to my vitality. Perhaps a fusion of curiosity, intuition and fascination lead to my affinity to travel. Much of it is the novelty of seeing diverse people, places and customs. One thing is absolute: exotic food, enchanting people, and eclectic experiences generate new insights not found in the comfort of conventional surroundings. These elements together are unequivocally the best means to replenish my sense and sensibility.

Do not mistake me, motherhood is often an immensely rewarding job, the benefits from which aren’t measurable in profits or net worth; indeed they are priceless. Some are able to find that cooking, cleaning, and caring for their family is enough to endow their emotional needs. Notwithstanding the rewards and the tremendous love I have for my children, I long for more.

Because I am so passionate about my travels, it would not benefit my family if I were denied these occasional escapes (99% of my time is spent alongside them). My children have no doubt in my love and dedication to them. Devoting time to replenish my soul only enhances my ability to reinforce those elements. Furthermore, by sharing with them my enthusiasm, they are rendered the confidence to use their imaginations and ingenuity to follow what gives them joy.

With a more flexible attitude (one in which a ‘Traveling Housewife’ is not subject to scoffing and criticism) toward the stringent role held to us, I feel, in turn, a change will occur. Once we start taking more time to replenish our emotional well-being, happier mothers will begin to emerge. It is cliché, but true, that a happy mom is fundamental to a happy family. Promoting my position from “housewife” to “traveling housewife” has literally saved my family business.