Thank God maternity leave is almost here! Just two weeks... and only 9 days of work since next weekend is a long weekend here in Mexico.

Last week I went to the IMSS (social security hospital) for my second-to-last visit. I was a bit worried because I thought they might throw a bunch of requirements at me at the last minute, but they didn't! I know some people who have had to go with a social worker, go to the IMSS dentist, go to parenting classes, etc. But I was careful to ask the doctor last time if I was all set to get my maternity leave papers and she said yes!

It was a different doctor from last time, which was good news on several levels. First, she was not mean to me. Second, she didn't realize the last doctor sent me for labwork. I didn't offer that information nor did I show her the results, and she was none the wiser. (Sometimes this lack of organization thing can work in one's favor!) I didn't show her the results because my cholesterol was high (I later figured out this is pretty nomal during pregnancy, but at the time I was ready for a major scolding) and the pee test had some problem where it said I needed to DO IT AGAIN and I did NOT want to do that. Something about there being too much bacteria in the sample. Well, if you saw the conditions of the restroom where I had to give the sample, that would not be so surprising.

So, I set my final appointment for the Monday of Thanksgiving week — and that's when they will give me my papers authorizing my leave, and that will also set into motion the process whereby I am paid for my leave. As I think I noted, the IMSS (government agency) actually pays me during my leave, which is why I have to go to all these appointments.

Last week, by the way, was Day of the Dead. The IMSS clinic was full of altars, which on the one hand was cool and on the other hand was a little weird. I mean, such a fixation on death at the clinic? Hmmm... anyway, here's the one that was in the pharmacy.