Subculture? What subculture?

"I enjoyed learning about your subculture."

What? What subculture? Sitting in a tiny classroom, having just had my writing-butt handed to me through a class critique on my admittedly cheesy essay on choosing a preschool on the Main Line, I was unable to say anything but thanks as the twenty-something next to me handed my her thoughts scrawled on a copy of my paper.

I was confused. Since when was I part of a subculture? And what subculture is that? I believe she was referring to motherhood. I'm not sure if she knew I was a stay-at-home, because that would probably put me in a sub-subculture, I suppose. But either way, since when has being a mom become a subculture? I suppose since I have been immersed in it for seven very odd years, and most of my friends are parents at one stage or another, I consider it to be more normal life.

Was it just that I was older? Was it that I was trying to go back to school -- again -- after yet another hiatus to have another rugrat? Was it that obvious that I felt like I didn't belong in that class?

Whatever she meant, it hit a nerve. I've never been a big fan of definitions as they are so limiting. But it also made me wonder who I am anymore.

Yes, I am a mom. I'm also a wife, I have an odd sense of humor, am a fan of eighties alternative music, and am an ex-editor of trade magazines as well as an amateur writer -- hence the blogging. While I love being a mom and a wife, I'm so much more than that and I've decided that I'm going to have fun trying to figure out what some of that more actually is. I'm turning 38 this year and I figure perhaps it's time to discover what I want to be when I grow up. Chocolatier and balloon artist have crossed my mind...

So, in order to get my butt in gear -- and since this is Ash Wednesday -- sort of like New Year's for Catholics where we can use the 40 days of Lent to jump-start us into making ourselves better -- I'm declaring that I will use this space to chronicle year 38, relax and have fun, and maybe even discover my particular subculture. If anyone besides my wonderful husband is reading this, I hope you enjoy the ride!