I'll Go Next

I'm Kay. I've been blogging since grad school and my ramblings can currently be found at Have You Been Outside Lately?

In terms of vital statistics...

I am 30 years old, have lived in 6 states and have had at least a dozen addresses since finishing my masters degree in environmental policy in 2005. Originally from the Motor City, I moved to the Mile High City over the summer and think it's a fantastic place. I love reading, running, swimming, hiking, quilting, cooking and, of course, blogging; although I never seem to have enough hours in the day to truly engage in all of my hobbies on a regular basis.

Despite being born and raised in the Catholic Church, I spent several years attending Baptist services while in high school (they had a better youth group), Congregational services while in grad school (I was sick of the Catholic Church contunually asking for my money and telling me how to vote) and some Presbyterian services after that (I liked listening to their choir, what can I say?). In the end, I went back to Catholicism because I found comfort in it when I was living far away from my family. Even though we weren't in the same pew together on Sundays, it often felt like we were and that's still (among other things) what takes me back week after week.

Almost a year and a half ago, I married my perfect match (also a lifelong Catholic, although he had a Catholic School education, so he is far more versed on the theology than I am). We have an almost seven week old son who is the most adorable kid in the world (yes, I'm probably a bit biased...I'm sure your kids are all super cute, too =). I must admit, it's a good thing he's so cute because he sure screams a lot...all night long...never sleeps...might end up being an only child if he keeps this up, but I digress...

I'm currently on maternity leave from a job that I love, but am slightly dreading returning to because it means leaving my baby at day care for eight whole hours a day (what seems like an eternity!). And, I'm still a little curious about how exactly I'm going to function at work when I'm only getting 3-4 hours of sleep in any given 24 hour period. Again, digression...

This, I suppose, brings me to my views on feminism. I consider myself an advocate for women. I think we deserve all the same rights and opportunities as men and we should have voices and opinions that are considered and respected in all realms of dialog -- from our own homes to the world stage if that is our choice. I love and admire all of my girlfriends for all the wonderful things they have done with their lives (they are doctors, missionaries, youth pastors, zoologists, teachers, photographers, scientists, counselors, engineers, etc), but I was often shocked when my friends would give up their careers to (YIKES) become a stay-at-home Mom (?!).

"What about how hard you've worked to get that job?," I would ask. "What about all those years of college and grad scool and post-doc? Do you really think that reading Dr. Seuss and changing diapers is going to challenge your mind and satisfy your life's ambitions?"

Sigh. I just didn't get it.

Now, I think I am getting it, although it's turning me a bit topsy-turvy in the sense that what I thought feminism and equal rights and liberation were really all about have suddenly become all mixed up with my newfound appreciation for what the female body is capable of in bringing new life into this world and sustaining and nurturing it through infancy and beyond. Being a Mom is challenging and satsfying and beautiful and rewarding, too. Just in a slightly different way than education and careers. It's all been very confusing (and probably hormonal, too), but quite enlightening at the same time (by the way, I'm truly sorry if I ever insulted any of you working-girls-turned-Mommies with my former disbelief at your decisions to stay home - again, I get it now...I think).

Anyway, I'm excited about delving more into my changing view of being a woman and I thank you for allowing me to be part of this book club adventure with all of you wonderful ladies. I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you.

Oh, and I ordered my book today.