June 4, 2006 was my first day working as a Discovery Guide at the children’s museum. I worked there for several years. I left in order to finish my last semester and summer sessions to get my college degree. I crammed classes into those sessions that wouldn’t have been possible with a job. It was single-handedly the biggest mistake of my life. I threw my life away for someone else’s dream.
Working there fulfilled the career goal I set at about age 21 to help children, and it was the only thing I ever did that fulfilled that and wasn’t sad. It was joyous. Thousands of kids from the community could come in and learn on their own terms. I facilitated all of that, and if only I could have a dollar for all of the “aha moments” I saw in their faces.
Four months later, I found out i was pregnant, and two and a half years after that, I started going through a divorce from Anna’s father. The museum and the people there (and also Anna’s daycare at the time) were such a wonderful support system. I never brought Anna to work while I was on the clock, but I brought her there on my off times to play, because I had a free membership. She was obsessed with that place! When I was about 8 months pregnant, the head of the cleaning ladies there told me, “Whatever you hate the smell of when you’re pregnant, the baby will love .” I said, “I hate the smell of this museum!” And lo and behold she was correct.
I went through my phone and added whatever pics I could find from there. Some are during busman’s holidays with Anna when I was not working, and some are from different October's, when we were all required to wear costumes for two weeks preceding Halloween.
Anna in front of a “carry a kid”
Pillar on the outside- it’s a spoof on the “caryatids” in Ancient Greece.
This meme reminded me of field trip days. It really was like this n
Me dressed as a chicken for Halloween.
Me as an ice cream sundae for Halloween.
Anna with my coworker, dressed as Snow White for Halloween.
Anna in one of the changing exhibits that I really don’t remember the details of.
Anna in the eco station.
Anna with a doll.
My baby shower in May, 2007.
Me and Anna in the two and under play exhibit called “totspot”.
Anna doing a special Christmas activity. I don’t know why she looks perturbed at the presenter!
