1. I only speak English
2. I am a stay-at-home mom
For whatever reason, the second one brings more than it's fair share of shock and awe as far as I'm concerned. It seems as though every Belgian woman has a profession, and my seeming lack of profession feels like I am confessing that I had a lobotomy and only have 5% of my brain left. It seems to me that having a profession here is just as important as having a name, or 10 fingers, or 2 legs. Every time I am asked to fill out a form (for commune registration, class registration, etc.) under the spot where it has my name is the line reading Profession. When I registered for my French class, I put "homemaker" for my profession and I guess I flunked the profession portion of the form because I proceeded to have a conversation like this:
Them: "What does "homemaker" mean?
Me: "Well, I stay home and take care of my children."
Them: "Oh, oh, ok....but what is your profession?"
Me: "I am a homemaker....I take care of children, cook meals, clean house..." at this point I was feeling extremely lame..
Them: "Ah yes, you cannot work here in Belgium. Ok, what did you do in the United States?"
Me: "Same thing."
Them: "You take care of children there too? incredulous look.
Me: "Yes, that's what I do."
Them: "Ok, what did you do BEFORE you had children?"
And on and on went the conversation until I finally labeled an acceptable profession. It was serious insanity all for the sake of a professional label. So tonight at my french class when we started talking about professions and labeling people with their professions, I knew what I WAS NOT. Before the teacher got to me I sat there and thought, "What is my profession today?" "Doctor? No, I didn't deal with blood today..." "Lawyer? No, I didn't really mediate much with the boys at school..." And then it came to me: Interior decorator! I have been spending most of my free time in search of fine secondhand furniture for our house and dreaming of it at night... I think that's qualification enough. So, when the teacher got to me, I said loud and proud: Interior Decorator! I think I chose well as the teacher seemed impressed enough with my (in her words) "ability to make all interiors beautiful." I played the part all night as we practiced in class..."Quelle est ta profession?" "Je suis decoratrice d-interieurs!" Now, as long as no one from my class starts asking for decorating tips, my professional secret will stay safe and sound.
16 comments:
too funny! i love it. great story.
That's so funny! You honestly could have a new "profession" every class depending on what you had to deal with at home that day:)
How quick and witty you are! Hey, maybe you could add Con Artist to your profession list!! That might really impress them!! Maybe they'd even ask for tips (tee hee) You are too funny!
Oh man you crack me up.... You are truely missed. Especially with Nick gone I know we would usually be seeing eachother this week, but with your new job I'm sure you won't have time
I LOVE it!!! I seriously was chuckling out loud. I can totally picture you sitting in that class happily saying Interior Decorator...BRILLIANT!! Hey,plus... maybe you'll drum up some business! :) A little moonlighting on the side. (So, is that picture your living room?...love the antlers as the legs for the footrest/coffee table thing...hmmm) :)
Great story. One of my professional labels in life has been: pooper scooper. My first job was working in the kennels at a vet clinic. One of my friends pointed out that the title carries over to being motherof toddlers as well. :)
How sad! Please know I think you could handle many professions, and Stay at home mom is tougher than brain surgeons in my book ( after all, the patients are asleep- how hard can that be?)
Also, if that is a picture of your apartment, you ARE an interior decorator.
You CRACK me up, Lisa!
that's awesome.... but you are much more busy, and hussling as a mother than any other profession.
love the story, love the profession, love the picture (I do hope that is your actual home ;) Although, I have to say I'm impressed that you did not get down and out about "failing" your profession...I think I would have cried if someone did not accept that as an answer...it's difficult to explain to others that our profession is stay-at-home mom and that it's OK...why would I have kids if I wanted to leave them everyday for someone else to see all their milestones and get to know them better than I??? I hope someday people will understand...sorry a little tangent as a comment. love your stories and your attitude!
seriously love you! that is awesome. you are very talented in the ID world as it would be. :> and you could have pulled a Constanza and been an "architect" or "marine biologist" :>
i wish we could talk...i surely miss those. hope you are well and way to represent us lame stay at homies. :>
For all of you who asked if the picture was my actual place I say this: IN MY DREAMS. :) I will have to post some pictures of my REAL, totally undecorated place soon!
That is so hilarious!! I agree...."homemakers" are actually in a long list of other professions in my opinon! Nurse, Seamstress, Chef, goes on and on!
I get the same response on my street here in Utah. Somehow we are surrounded by non members and at times I feel like the crazy redneck with too many kids.
Oh my gosh, Lisa. Hilarious! Europe is such a different world!
I (finally) started posting on our family blog again and posted some of my pictures of you and your kids. I hope you don't mind!
We miss you guys! I hope you're doing well and getting settled in to the new place. Did you ever end up going back for that side board? I seriously have dreams about that flea market. Wow, that place is incredible.
PS I love that room that you posted, too. It is just about perfection.
I'd take decorating tips from you anytime!!! Another, among many, vocations you could easily claim is "author." I love reading your blog!
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