Not "Just A Mom"(原文)

A woman named Emily renewing(v.續期,更新) her driver’s license at the Country Clerk’s office was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

“What I mean is,” explained the recorder, “do you have a job, or are you just a…”

“Of course I have a job,” snapped Emily. “I’m a mother.”

“We don’t list ‘mother’ as an occupation… ‘Housewife’s covers it,” said the recorder emphatically(adv.強調地).

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised(adj.泰然自若的), efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, “Official Interrogator(n.訊問員)” or “Town Registrar(n.登記員).” “What is your occupation?” she probed(v.探測,詢問).

What made me say it, I do not know… The words simply popped out(突然出現,跳出來,蹦出來). “I’m a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.”

The clerk paused, ballpoint pen frozen in midair, and looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly, emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire(n.調查問卷).

“Might I ask,” said the clerk with new interest, “just what you do in your field?”

Coolly, without any trace of fluster(n.慌亂,狼狽) in my voice, I heard myself reply, “I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn’t), in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I’m working for my Masters, (the whole darned family), and already have four credits, (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.”

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk’s voice as she completed the form, stoop up, and personally ushered(v.指引,帶領) me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up(支持,鼓舞) by my glamorous(adj.富有魅力的,迷人的) new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants

主站蜘蛛池模板： 天水市| 宝山区| 乡城县| 无棣县| 桃源县| 随州市| 淳安县| 凤山县| 外汇| 建昌县| 上杭县| 宝兴县| 左权县| 海盐县| 汨罗市| 新田县| 黄梅县| 利津县| 嫩江县| 永清县| 于田县| 理塘县| 夏津县| 平顺县| 盐亭县| 宜黄县| 商洛市| 新密市| 大化| 河南省| 深水埗区| 郁南县| 芜湖市| 阳山县| 宁晋县| 肇东市| 日喀则市| 峨边| 新民市| 和林格尔县| 两当县|