The Superwoman Complex

Over the last couple of months I have been suffering from what I can only describe as mini seizures.  I will lose consciousness for a literal second, almost like my brain misfires.  I would find myself in the kitchens of my restaurants and I would have to steady myself so that I would not fall over.  My biggest fear was that I would be walking downstairs with Blake and I would topple over as a result of one of these misfires.   At first I was very concerned about these "episodes", but I started to notice a pattern. The misfires only happen when I am sleep deprived for multiple days.  "Certain stages of sleep are needed for the regeneration of neurons within the cerebral cortex while other stages of sleep seem to be used for forming new memories and generating new synaptic connections. The effects of sleep deprivation on behavior have been tested with relation to the presence of activity in different sections of the cerebral cortex".( brynmawr.edu,201...

I have never had a good experience flying  for work out of Denver International Airport.  In fact every time I fly out of said airport I want to punch someone.  The first time I flew out of DIA as a Colorado resident I was 7 months pregnant, huge, and it was the middle of summer.  I parked in the main parking lot and noted where my car was (or at least I thought I did).  When I returned I walked for an hour trying to find my car only to sit on a curb huge and crying until a shuttle driver tried to help me.  Luckily at DIA they keep a record of every car in the lot and they were able to look up my car based on the fact that it was a silver Rav4 with California plates. The next time I flew for work was to Dallas.  I check in at the gate and waited through an epically long security line only to find out that the airline had checked me in under my co-workers name.  He is a guy, so clearly not me. I had to go all the way back to the check in counter,...

It is official! I am a doctoral student.  Just received my schedule and lets just say that sleep will elude me for the next 3 years.  It is so important to chase your dreams, even if they seem out of reach.  When I started college in 1996 I didn't think I would ever finish my bachelor's degree.  It took 10 years, I supported an ex husband through undergraduate and law school, worked more than full time, and struggled to get through school.  I had very little support from family, spouse or friends, but I was determined to finish.  I was going to have a bachelors degree. I never dreamed that I would have the gumption to continue with school, but with the support of my current husband, the person I am supposed to be with, I will soon be Dr. Amber Brown.  It will be quite a journey, I am sure, but I am so excited to have the opportunity to complete a dream. I am so proud of all of my friends who have gone back to school while supporting their...

You hear a lot of people using this anthem to St.  Patty's day, but how many know what it means?  There is nothing more comical than the drunk guy in the bar without a lick of Irish blood screaming at the top of his lungs, "Erin Go Bragh". This Irish anthem, loosely translates to "Ireland Forever".  It is used to pledge allegiance to the country of Ireland and Gaelic customs. St. Patrick's Day is known as the drinkers holiday here in America.  A night when college amateurs crowd into any bar with an O' or a Mc' in the name.  My college St. Patrick's Day adventures included pouring into the smallest green tank I could find and heading to downtown Santa Barbara to Dargan's , O'Malley's , or The James Joyce .  We would watch the college guys down Irish Car Bombs and green beer, and then stumble all over the college girls.  Man have the times changed. Saint Patrick's Day ( Irish : Lá Fhéile Pádraig (The Festival of Patrick Day))...

Superwoman complex: A woman's wish to be excellent at all her roles (leader, professional, mother, wife etc.), that very often leads to psychological stress and feeling guilty toward family members or an expectation of being a superwoman that can and should do everything (cbmw.org, 2012). It's 9:30am in Aurora Colorado, my 6 month son and I have been up for 3 hours thus far.  Laundry is in the works, dishes are done,and the  trash is taken out. Daddy is asleep in the bedroom with all three dogs.  I am trying to get Blake, my son, to nap as he is desperately tired.  Such is the life of a stay at home mom, right...? Just one problem, I am not a stay at home mom. I am due to work in 30 minutes, which is not going to happen.  On today's agenda is an audit of a restaurant, followed by certifying 20+ restaurant trainers, and finishing off with a busy night at the restaurant. All in all a good 12 hour work day.  When I get home I will be signin...