Sooner, rather than later, I am discovering the European definition of what it means to keep a job, manage a home, remain a valid mum of three, as well as darling wife! In Kenya, and to an extent, South Africa, that was a cool and gentle breeze, what with so many available househelps to choose from, and willing relatives! I remember when I needed to travel for work, I would give my mother-in-law a call, and she would be home in a minute to supervise the kids. In Europe, it is a totally new ball game!
If you don’t know it already, I have been employed for a total of 8 days 
So far, Switzerland has been the ultimate ‘Do-it-yourself’ excercise I ever engaged in. (We are only just beginning to recover) To keep the taxes low (which is a very good thing) we do alot by and for ourselves, and we share many facilities, again, to keep costs down. But that is a story for another day.
As opposed to when I left Kenya, the kids have grown much. There is none in diapers, no one to be spoon-fed or clothed or even bathed. (alot of patience and (wo)man-hours in the name of training have gone into this venture, for which I am very proud of the results!). For this reason, I feel extremely justified to pursue a career to whatever direction and magnitude I feel drawn into. And I am happy to have landed myself somewhere. (Thank you Lord once again) (I say this, every few minutes).
I suppose it is the adjusting part that is a challenge.
It is wonderful to wake up to something different, aside from making breakfast, and packing a break-time snack for everyone. It really is wonderful. It feels surreal, to be all glossed up, so early in the day. (I put on rollers in my hair in 5 minutes and take them off after my shower to give my hair a bouncy look. I am learning.) Whether this regimen will be sustainable in the future, will remain to be seen and perhaps reported. For now I seem to have energy to move a mountain.
TIME is what is a problem.
Seeing as 8 hours are spent in the office, and 6-7 hours asleep, there’s not much left for my other life. I have found myself wanting to fix appointments for the kids, and my husband. For instance, yesterday, after spending the entire day reading through the product manuals in the office, I was extremely exhausted when I got home. After dinner, I dipped myself into a bubble bath, after which I thought, there’s a few minutes where I can squeeze in some activity. And so, still wrapped in my towel, I went where my husband was (let’s call him Denzel, shall we?), and tapped him on the shoulder. Once he got the cue, we settled an important agenda item. Just as well, because by ten in the night, I was fast asleep.
Today, Lau wanting to show and discuss her school schedule for the coming week (we’re a house of forward planners!) I waved her off, telling her that I’ll call her when am ready for her. Then Denzel asks if I will proof-read his ‘very-important’ report. I found myself asking him, “how long will it take?” to which he replied, “it’s only 5 pages long, shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes…” then I went like, “ok, can we do it on Saturday, or Sunday? ” In my mind I am thinking, there’s another appointment.
But all said and done, coping has been much smoother. (Look, I am even blogging after work!)
Denzel has been awesome, from making dinner, shopping, everything. When I think about it, for many women in circumstances such as mine, if one doesn’t have a supportive partner, pursuing a career can be extremely difficult.
