Handling Nerves After Child Birth

All my life I believed I am good at handling my nervousness until I did my driving exam recently at the age of 30. (Yes, I was late to realise that I need to drive as it was not necessary for me before migrating to Australia as I could easily catch a public transport anytime of the day in Manila.) However, the loudness of my heartbeat during the test feels defeaning. My blood is pumping so fast. I can't control it as good and smooth as I controlled my nerves during exams, oral presentations, and job interviews in my life before being a mother. I tried singing softly to myself to control it but it did not work as I expected. The

After 3 attempts at it with silly mistakes I have never done while I do regular driving practice, I am thinking giving birth might have an effect on how I handle my nerves now like how child birth affected my memory -- I have no scientific basis for this though just a gut feel. Having realised this, I have to take double efforts to conquer my nerves and put my memory and reaction back to what they were before.

But, in the meantime, I will not stop until I get that licence as I know I can safely drive without the nerves. It's good learning from my instructor the other day that I can actually talk during the exam as long as I don't engage him and the testing officer in a regular conversation. Hopefully talking works next time. We'll see.

How about you? How do you cope with nerves? I might learn a few things from you.

Cut it short, please!

Since I came to Sydney then moved to Geelong, I have not had a haircut until a week ago. It was the first time I had not had a haircut for longer than a year. If my mom had not told me that I look more mature, I would not have had my hair cut. But, I have actually been thinking weeks before if I should really have it cut.

First, I am apprehensive of the style of cut they do here especially the less expensive ones, those that charge less than $20. A friend, trying to spend less, got a haircut for $10 on the "specials" day. It was too bad that she had it re-done after a few days and spent $10 more. Second, I don't know any decent, "reasonable" salon in Geelong. I know, I should have asked my former colleagues at my previous work, they were having a haircut at least once in 2 months so probably they can refer me to their hairdressers. But, the shy side of me did not bother to ask since I have not seen them for a couple of months now. I felt too awkward to ask where I could have my haircut. So, I planned to have it cut in Sydney in early August where my husband's relatives go. But, we ran out of time. There were more important things to do and it was difficult to fit all of them in just 1.5 days. Darn! I was left with no choice but just leave my hair long.

When I forwarded my son's photos to my mom, she phoned to tell me my son is so cute and that my hair so long that it makes me so mature. She actually discussed about my hair longer than she discussed about my son. Imagine that? So, I felt the urgency; I don't want people to tell me that I already looked "losyang" after having a baby. I went to a salon in town to have it cut. When the girl asked what I want, I said, "Cut it SHORT and layered, please." She asked, "Are you sure? It's already long." I answered back, "Yes, cut it short, please."

For whatever reason, styling your hair, cutting it short gives a certain level of satisfaction. I can't blame girls who just broke up with their significant other resort to doing something with their hair. It's that sense of sudden satisfaction that warms the heart.