I’ve been stressing so much lately, that I haven’t had much time to write. The stress prompted me to make some pretty desperate decisions. First, I decided that we’re going to move into another apartment. I really like my apartment minus a couple of things that I’ve grown to accept. It’s a very nice, quiet area with everything I need in walking distance, and close enough to my job. There are only 2 problems: it’s really far away from the rest of civilization, and it’s EXTREMELY white. According to a recent report, Milwaukee is the #1 most segregated city in the country. This would explain why there are supposedly only 68 black people who live in my small area. I really don’t believe there’s even that many. I only recall seeing one black guy at the Kohl’s around the corner, a black guy in my apartment complex, and a black child on the bus stop. That’s it. The whiteness of this area wouldn’t bother me so much, but I never did feel totally comfortable dropping my child off at daycare where she was one of two black children in the entire building, and it’s a huge building with a lot of kids. I know the other child goes there because his father works at the plant, meaning he more than likely lives nowhere close. To be honest, I wouldn’t want Karma to go to an all black school either. That doesn’t make much sense to me when she’ll be in the minority in life. At this point, I don’t feel like there would be anything hugely wrong with her being in the minority in school, but not to such an extreme degree. That lack of diversity, along with my initial feelings of Karma being stereotyped, and the lack of cooperation I was getting from Karma’s teacher in helping her read on a more advanced level than the other children, helped me make another desperate decision. I took Karma out of daycare. She honestly didn’t seem to be learning a whole lot that she hasn’t already learned. She always came home with a lot of coloring and artwork, but never anything that made me think the $500/month I was paying was worth her being there for only 3 days a week. I still have to compare with her last daycare, from where she would come home talking about hexagons, brachiosaurus, and “schoolwork” that showed she was learning to write. Curriculum-wise, the new daycare did not impress me. The lack of diversity only made things worse as I observed there was absolutely nothing to celebrate Black History month, but for Presidents Day the children colored pictures of George Washington. I got a kick out of Karma coloring him black. For St. Patrick’s Day, Karma’s class made their-sized leprechauns out of construction paper. They were all white with red hair. I couldn’t pull her out of there fast enough.
Wus up with her being white with red hair?
As far as apartments go, I felt like I could get more for the same price or a little more, or the same for cheaper, and I was right. I found an apartment that’s the same in size, more in amenities, located in a more diverse area, in a less rural area, and closer to work…and it’s cheaper. Since Wisconsin schools have 4-year-old Kindergarten, I’ve been touring schools and meeting with principals in the new school district and so far, I am very impressed in all respects. These principals seem very dedicated to their schools, the district, and their students (who are more diverse). Karma turns 4 in August. I figure if I may be able to keep Karma out of daycare for a while before school starts, and save some money and the hassle of trying to acclimate her to another daycare. I’m Charlie Sheen winning over here!
I was also making myself sick over the prospect of buying a house, which I’ve decided is not for me at the moment. I’ve been cultivating some extra-income generating ideas too. They were keeping me up at night but have since, taken a backseat to preparing to move, deciding on a school, and taking on new projects at work.
