I was deeply impressed by a previous “입트영” story about keeping a parenting journal. My younger sister suggested that we have a go at writing one, with the final goal of eventually publishing it. And so, I got right on it.
Before starting the journal, the repetitive work of childcare felt exhausting. There were days of great joy, thanks to the remarkable growth of my child. But most days felt like they blurred together.
As I began keeping the diary, my daily life changed bit by bit. I recorded the words my kids exchanged with each other, the things they said to me and their dad, the phrases they muttered to themselves, and even their drawings and writings. Over time, I recorded many memorable anecdotes.
I eventually completed a 100-day streak of writing the diary and successfully published it as a book. I’m truly grateful to my sister for motivating me to take on this project.
have a go at - to make an attempt at; try
go right on - to continue doing something without stopping or to proceed as planned
blur together - to make something difficult to see or remember, or to make the difference between two things less clear
anecdote - a short, often funny story, especially about something someone has done
streak - something that happens or is done over a period of time without a break
나는 이전 '입트영'에서 육아 일기를 쓴다는 이야기에 감명을 받았다. 여동생이 출판을 목표로 일기에 도전해 보자고 제안했다. 그래서 나는 바로 시작했다.
육아일기를 쓰기 전에는 반복되는 육아가 고되고 힘들게 느껴졌다. 아이의 눈에 띄는 성장에 큰 기쁨을 느낀 날도 있었다. 하지만 대부분의 날들은 그날이 그날 같았다.
일기를 쓰기 시작하면서 내 일상이 조금씩 바뀌어 갔다. 아이들이 서로 주고받는 말, 아이가 아빠, 엄마에게 하는 말, 혼자 중얼거리는 말, 그림과 글까지 기록했다. 시간이 지나면서 기억에 남는 일화가 늘어 갔다.
결국 100일간의 일기 쓰기를 마무리하고 성공적으로 책을 출간했다. 이 프로젝트에 도전할 수 있도록 동기를 부여해준 동생에게 정말 고맙다.
- I was deeply impressed by that day’s lecture. / We were deeply impressed by the demonstration.
- We started the project with the final goal of producing a pilot product. / I began investing with the final goal of retiring before I reach 60.
- I’ll get right on it after lunch. / Even if we get right on it, we won’t have enough time.
A: What’s that book?
B: It’s a parenting diary I wrote.
A: Really? You wrote that whole thing yourself?
B: Yes, I kept a parenting journal for a hundred days straight, and turned it into a book.
A: Wow! You’re a published author.
B: It contains how my child grew up, so it’s more precious to me than any other books in the world.
