Monday, September 14, 2009

Alison - week 2 check in and goal setting

My two weeks holiday has flown by and I am back checking in with my goals for the next week. I now have 12 weeks until I return to work (SOB!) and have just received my work-load for my return (which has doubled) and I can already feel the stress in my shoulders, my head is pounding and a knot forming in my stomach. This group and its support will take on an even greater significance in the next few months as I go through this transition period.

Right then.... goals for the week..

  • 3 posts regarding my trip to France (which was fantastic).
  • Sign up for this travel writing workshop. I know that I will never be able to give up my full time job to pursue this ambition but it would be fun to develop this on the side.
  • Purchase and read a digital photography magazine as I am getting a digital SLR for my birthday this month (birthday money and additional money from my savings).
  • Meeting with a friend/work colleague to work on a professional article which has already been accepted in a peer reviewed journal (based on some previous work that we have done).
  • Writing an abstract (with same person) for a conference in October 2010 in San Antonio, TX. Am having a total undecided moment about this application as the twins will be 18 months then and unsure about leaving them (so unlike my "old" self that would travel alone with no issues). My hubbie would be looking after them and has been on a business trip to Geneva since they have been born and no-one seemed to think that odd but have mentioned my opportunity and have had that "bad mother" look from a few people so totally unsure on what to do - HELP!
  • Catch up on google reader which is about to explode after holiday trip away from the computer.
  • Pick up a copy of the book which I have 2 chapters in (launched on Friday) and show to any-one who will look (ha ha - I am joking at this part).

REWARD:- uni friends are visiting at the week-end so quality girl-friend time (couple of meals out whilst hubbie baby-sits. Possibly with a few glasses of sparkly stuff).

Sorry if I have gone a little off topic but I am trying to give you some background as to where I am!

This was initially posted in Locker Room - have now deleted from there (sorry) and reposted here....

7 comments:

  1. Good Luck with the goals! How long is the conference in TX?
    Whatever you decide to do, don't feel guilty!!..:)
    Re: the book- I want to look! I want to look! (not joking..:D)

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  2. Enjoy the sparkly stuff!! :) It sounds like the perfect reward for the 2 chs you just published. Awesome!

    Love your other goals. Can't wait to read about your travels in France.

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  3. OMG!!! I might be being a tiny bit selfish here, but if you come to that conference, I will sooo go to SA!! It's only like 1.5 hours away from Austin. :) :) :)

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  4. Ooh, sparkly stuff...can't go wrong with sparkles!

    You should definitely go to the conference. You know you're not a bad mother! If you let that misperception creep in now, you'll never shake it. Nip it in the bud!

    The travel writing class sounds fantastic. I'm really looking forward to reading about how it goes for you!

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  5. Hey! The travel writing class sounds amazing. And the digital SLR even more!!! I've been after one of those babies for aaaages! At the moment I keep my photography up with my old film SLR. Looking forward to seeing your travelling pictures and reading your travelling posts.
    About the Conference, GO, GO, GO! Of course you are not a bad mother. Don't let anyone tell you that. If you don't start balancing your career and motherhood now, it will never happen. Your kids will be soooo proud of having you as a mum (when they can express it, of course...)

    Good luck!

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  6. Adding another vote for you to go to the conference. If leaving your twins is not ideal, would it be possible for your husband and twins to travel along with you and stay at a hotel nearby? That way you could participate in the conference and still have them there with you. Also, if you do want to go on your own, it definitely does not make you a bad mother.

    Good luck with all of your goals.

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  7. I agree with the go-to-the-conference thing - and please dont make the decision on the guilt/bad mother vibes - it sounds like you have a super supportive family with both your parents and your husband's parents willing to help with childcare too. I have several friends who dont have that and who say when they travel for work they wished they did as it would alleviate the guilt.

    One last note: i know I do not have children and cannot exactly understand what this is all like, but did want to give my two cents.

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