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THE RESIDENTS

The place where I work has two different buildings and I work in the second building.
The big boss lady works in the first building, so my building is a bit more relaxed and a bit boring too. I quickly spiced up my area upon arrival by decorating for Cinco de Mayo. I figured it was colorful and the building needed a bit of Latin flavor. The majority of the tenants (residents) were very pleasant and welcoming.

The Spanish-speaking residents were thrilled that I had come on board to the office, where they could now have someone who "understands" them. There are not very many Latins in my building but the few that are there are either from Cuba, Puerto Rico or Dominican Republic and we have quickly bonded. The majority of the tenants are from Russia and of course, I don't understand a word they say. There is one very kind Russian man, who just moved in, Leo,who taught me the word "priviet" which is an all-purpose word like hello, how are you. As for the rest of the residents, there are a few from Haiti, Jamaica and only a handful from the U.S.A.

After two weeks, I've started to learn who is who and all about their personalities. I have some serious characters who come downstairs routinely to visit me or to just complain. (Yes, I have to deal with some serious complaints all day everyday.)

I already have my favorites, like Ramon, the late 70-something Cuban man, who volunteers to help with just about everything. He lives with his mom, who is about 98 years old. He is a slender man, with missing teeth and always wears his grayish black beret. He is always smiling and visits me every single morning. He loves to build puzzles and frame them. His latest work was a puzzle of the San Diego zoo, which he was so proud of. It's like dealing with little kids, only 70 years later.
We bonded after I brought him a "colada" (cuban coffee) from the gas station deli down the street. It's not the best of neighborhoods so the residents don't really venture off too far. So when I brought him this colada he was absolutely thrilled. Now, I think I've spoiled him after bringing him a colada four days in a row. I park in the back parking lot and can see him from his balcony. I wave when I arrive from lunch and he shoots down his big missing teeth smile and comes down the elevator like a flash.

2nd WEEK OF WORK

It's been two weeks and I'm still working! Honestly, I don't know I am surviving. I knew I was spoiled but never realized how much. Actually, I knew the spoiled part but I was always appreciative of what I was able to do. Meaning, I could take my daughter to school,take her to gymnastics, play with my son in the mornings, go do my hair at any given moment when the grays were too overwhelming, go grocery shopping when the Emeril-side of me kicked in and so on and so on. But now,that's OVER! I am now working, not really by choice but by necessity - well I guess that's everybody's scenario, right? I mean, I have to do this particular job because we need health insurance and it's a good opportunity.

After two weeks of work, I am completely full of gray hair with a range of four other colors, and almost have a uni-brow - no joke! Whose got time for the beauty salon now? I never go to my daughter's school anymore and am never on time to make it to Starbucks. Oh boy! I know what a little whiner, but hey, that's why I have this venue, so I can vent!

In case, I forgot to share with you what exactly it is I am doing, I am now working in a property management office in an elderly housing building sponsored by HUD.   So, not only did I spend almost seven years as a stay-at-home mom but I came from the music industry, where the sacrifices   I had to make were going to concerts at night or staying up late for new release listening parties. So, you can only imagine the shock I have encountered and the difficulty I am having adjusting. 

I guess the bottom line is, I've never had to work, while I've had kids. The rest of the world does it I know but the rest of the world isn't also dealing with a husband who recently had a kidney transplant and is still recovering from the complications of that operation. Someone who has never stayed home before and has always worked is now playing "Mr. Mom" while trying to take care of the kids, his health and the finances. So it's been pretty rough for him too, to say the least! I think life was much more peaceful when I took care of matters at home and he went out to make a living but for now, it's me.

The first few days were a big adjustment for me, trying to get the scheduling down right since I work almost an hour away in a different county. I had to figure out which one of us would take which kid where. Anyway, after some trial and error I think we've got that figured out. I will never make it in at the time I am suppose to because of the kids school and the distance, so consequently, I have to stay at work an extra half hour, which makes traffic time that much more fun. (Hint: sarcasm)

BACK TO WORK 2009

After six and a half years, my "stay-at-home mom" days are over! Yep, those who know me, don't faint! On Monday, April 13th I start work again! Oh my G-d, what a concept! I don't actually even know what I am going to be doing in this new job, which was of course, "arranged" for me - thank G-d! I mean I have "worked" during this time period but always from the house and with the enormous luxury of being available for my kids at every whim.  Six summers in a row!

Just the thought of not being able to take my daughter to school in the a.m. or to gymnastics class anymore or be there for her right after school is killing us (both.) I know the rest of the world does it but it doesn't take away from the fact that I got very use to being at home and appreciating it every step of the way.

The simple pleasures of being able to drive my daughter to school each day and then come home and play with my two year old in the morning, is amazing. To be able to blog every time my little heart desired. To go to the supermarket, Starbucks and bank in the middle of the day was a great adventure. Oh the spoiled life for me.

But seriously folks, times are tough, so yours truly is putting on the pants and heading out the door Monday morning. Wish me luck - I will need it!

Now will begin a new chapter. One where my husband will have to take over the Mr. Mom role: gymnastics classes, pick ups after school, play dates, etc....and me, well, me, I'll have to get use to "shclepping" in city traffic again and leaving my "bubble." POP!