Only Taking Classes

I am a fairly private person and will not disclose much unless I can tell that the person asking is genuinely interested. When we lived in VA, someone asked me what I did all day because I didn't have a job yet. First of all, I was surprised because not too long before the inquirer was perceived to have been in a similar situation. At that time, I was taking care of a very active 3-month old, looking for a job, and putting a lot of effort into seriously investigating the possibility of going to med school. (As if taking care of Binx wasn't keeping me busy enough. My hat is off to those who stay at home.) But, because I am reluctant to disclose details of my every waking hour, that person probably thought I sat around eating Bon Bons all day with the baby.

Yeah, I definitely did NOT do that.

Most men around here work and go to school full time. Kenz works full time and I go to school and invest my time in other activities that will help me get into medical school. We are fortunate that Kenz's job provides us with a comfortable life on a budget and allows me to focus on my classes, studying for the MCAT, volunteering at my local Red Cross chapter, interpreting at the local hospital, and physician shadowing. Because I do not readily disclose how much time and effort these activities take, I feel sometimes that I am judged wrongly by being compared to those men in the neighborhood who work and go to school.

Here's an example: This past weekend, a neighbor asked what I do. I answered vaguely, "I go to school and am involved in a few other things." I could almost smell the disdain on her breath when she responded, "Oh, you only go to classes? You don't work?"

No. I don't work right now at a job that pays me money.
Would I like to? Of course.
Will I work as soon as I finish classes? I am already working on that.

Needless to say, I closed up and the conversation pretty much ended there. I recognize that I am at fault for the misconception, but am I realistically going to open up a detailed list of my daily activities during small talk at a BBQ? No. I'll err on spreading misconception to those who don't care to understand rather than be the guy at the BBQ who won't stop telling you their life story.

So - the following rant is for my own feeling of vindication - that neighbor can just find out later that I am on campus 7 hours a day studying. I am a certified CPR and First Aid Instructor, and a qualified medical interpreter for IHC. I am a volunteer director for an outreach program that I created, presented, and implemented. I have recruited, interviewed, and hired 7 interns, whom I manage and lead along with roughly 10 other volunteers. And, I happily and actively participate in parenting my child.

I am not only taking classes. Nor do I sit around and eat Bon Bons with Binx. Although, both Binx and I could probably enjoy that routine for about an hour. We would even invite Kenz.