What could be a more ajumma morning than crawling on all fours wiping puddles of water on the floor?

I slept at 5:30 this morning cramming for the articles I needed to submit on deadline. At 7:30am, Second-born was kissing me on the lips and when I opened my eyes he was smiling, a very charming smile. Sleepiness gone, I woke up and prepared breakfast for the 3 boys (hubby, Firstborn and Second-born). I took a bath while hubby was having breakfast and started feeding the young ones when he left. Firstborn accidentally spilled his water and promptly refilled his cup. Second-born got his brother’s cup and intentionally spilled the water. He refilled it and right in front of me spilled it again. Three puddles of water mixed with bread crumbs, cereals and sticky rice on the floor. Went down on all floors and wiped it all. And I managed to apply foundation in time for Firstborn’s school bus.

In spite of the foundation, a gloss of lipstick, a quick application of mascara and a blush on the cheeks (yes, I try to do that every morning not wanting to go down to the lobby without anything on my face), I came to emphatize with this Facebook status which made the rounds last week among my FB friends:

“A real woman always keeps her house clean and organized, the laundry basket is always empty. She’s always well-dressed, hair done. She never swears, behaves gracefully in all situations and all circumstances. She has more than enough patience to take care of her family, always has a smile on her lips, and a kind word for everyone. Post this as your status if you, too,have just realized that you might be a man”.

Don’t you just love that?

When you become a mommy in Korea, you don’t expect any helper around unless you’re financially blessed. Lucky are those who live with their in-laws (in terms of having free baby-sitters). But in so far as looking into the lives of ordinary Korean moms (whose circle I am happily friends with), these “ajummas” have to contend with their resourcefulness so they could get things done.  And so… baby slings, carriers and/or Korean blanket carriers become every ajumma’s best friend.

They work wonders in terms of working around the house is concerned. You can vacuum the floor, cook, wash the dishes… all these and more while soothing your baby or putting your baby to sleep. I have only used the above sling twice or thrice (only when I was left with no other choice) while doing household work as I prefer to do things while my baby is sleeping in the crib – other times Baby Dynamo entertains himself in the play mat or the high chair. But I have seen my friends moving around the house with grace even with baby bundles on their chest or on their backs. The independence and self-reliance are amazing, actually.

On one of those rare times I used my baby sling to work around the house, Baby Dynamo had to cry for milk. I just can’t stop working when I suddenly felt like a genius – I allowed Baby Dynamo to feed from me while I was moving around the house. He slept in the sling while feeding from me.  Then it was time to pick up Little Dynamo from the playroom. No way I had to disturb my baby to change my clothes… didn’t have the heart to. Bingo! I remember the knit poncho I bought from Baguio.

So, the baby sling made Baby Dynamo cling snugly to me and the knit poncho covered me decently -and in style -while I went down to pick up my Little Dynamo. Who would have known my sleeping baby was still feeding on me while I was walking around? Clever, huh! Who can beat a woman and a mother’s resourcefulness?

Oh, yeah. I was a true-blue ajumma this morning.

Little Dynamo slept for close to fourteen hours, waking up at 9 in the morning. That means, riding the school bus was no longer an option. He was sleeping so well, I bet he was really tired from all the playing yesterday. I didn’t have the heart to wake him up.

He leisurely had his breakfast and bubble bath. I, on the other hand, was already in my gym clothes. I was so ready and eager earlier in the morning. My morning was planned out. Right after my Little Dynamo is secured on the school bus, I was going to immediately head off to the gym. That, of course, was not what happened.

After putting on his school uniform, we both went out to hail a cab going to Kinder Schule. I, on my gym clothes and unwashed face (gym is just on the second floor of our building). The new music teacher eagerly introduced herself to me and gave me a most pleasant feedback. My son loves singing and playing the drums. He is always excited during music class and he follows his songsaengnim very well. I was listening to all these happily while at the same time wishing to get out of the building the soonest that I can.

My “ME” time, at last! I was so happy stretching my muscles. These days gym is limited to twice a week, only when Little Dynamo is in school. Mondays are out as the gym is close. And there goes the halmoni who always love to chat whenever she sees me. I love talking to people. I love being with people. But there are times I love to be left alone. My gym time is one of those times. Argghhhhh!