Karma
You all may remember my moment of uncharacteristic bravery with a gorgeous cafe-goer some months back. If you don't feel like clicking the link to revisit the past, I'll sum up in short order:
Before I left the Seattle's Best Annex of Borders one late fall evening, I took the time to tell a fellow patron that he was beautiful and that I just wanted him to know that. The important part of that incident for me was not this excellent-looking creature, but me, feeling that I had the right to say something to him about it. I didn't want his number; I didn't need him to say anything. I simply needed to tell him. I rode the high for a week afterward.
Tonight, after a low-key, very adult-feeling happy hour with C and A at Pazo, I came home and quickly assessed that I had no dinner fixings. The tapas at the restaurant would not be enough to hold me over for the whole of the night, so I realized I'd have to call on my old friend the One World Cafe.
About 10 minutes after placing my carryout order (tuna sand on multigrain bread w/wasabi mayo and a small hot chocolate), I walked up the block to retrieve it. While waiting at the counter for the cashier to acknowledge me (he was on the phone) another young man appeared behind the counter. Based on his apron and the style of his pants, he seemed to be kitchen staff--perhaps a line chef. In any case, I thought for a moment, after he said "excuse me," that he wanted to help me, so I started to tell him my order, but he very tactfully stopped me and said:
"I'm sorry, I just wanted to tell you you're beautiful. He'll still be the one to help you [indicating the counter man who was still on the phone], but I just wanted to tell you that."
I thanked him, truly taken aback, but pleasantly so. I immediately thought about the fact that I didn't have on any lipstick and my hair had run the day's paces and looked like it had been through the ringer. Well. Maybe not that bad, but certainly not freshly coiffed. And still he said that to me.
There have been a handful of times in my life when a man's comments about my face or body have made me feel like garbage, though I knew he perceived his attentions to be positive.
And there have been a handful of times when a man's attentions have felt like a deposit into, not a withdrawal from, my spirit. This was one of those times.
I'm reminded of Bjork's song All is full of love. Things come back to you, always, eventually.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
All's Well That Ends Well
The form I needed arrived! Thank God. Taxes are all done and can be e-filed tomorrow (updated form that cannot be processed till Feb 1). Again, hats off to my best friend-cum-accountant, Sarah.
Tonight, after work I am meeting up with an ex-coworker and a current coworker for happy hour here. In keeping with my new quest to be less capricious with my cash, I'm going to exercise restraint. I've looked at the menu, and it's entirely possible to get out of there spending less than 20 dollars, which for a place of that caliber, is probably only the case during happy hour!
I'm in full planning mode now. Starting to think about painting my new place. What about a bedroom that has creamy coffee coloured walls, with one chocolate brown accent? If I manage to swing a second bedroom, I'm thinking a nice warm pumpkin colour for that (not orange. pumpkin. there's a difference).
The form I needed arrived! Thank God. Taxes are all done and can be e-filed tomorrow (updated form that cannot be processed till Feb 1). Again, hats off to my best friend-cum-accountant, Sarah.
Tonight, after work I am meeting up with an ex-coworker and a current coworker for happy hour here. In keeping with my new quest to be less capricious with my cash, I'm going to exercise restraint. I've looked at the menu, and it's entirely possible to get out of there spending less than 20 dollars, which for a place of that caliber, is probably only the case during happy hour!
I'm in full planning mode now. Starting to think about painting my new place. What about a bedroom that has creamy coffee coloured walls, with one chocolate brown accent? If I manage to swing a second bedroom, I'm thinking a nice warm pumpkin colour for that (not orange. pumpkin. there's a difference).
Monday, January 30, 2006
Death & Taxes
My accountant, Sarah, started helping me with my taxes this weekend--and because my university does nothing with any expedience, I still don't have my 1098-T form, which will help determine my refund (Education Tax Credit). It's stressful, I tell you! I just want to go ahead and file and be done with it, because my application for aid for the Fall of 2006 semester is utterly contingent on my tax return info...
Oddly enough, the great state of Maryland may be giving me money this year. Usually I owe them some minor ducats (somewhere in the range of 4-30 dollars).
In other news, I did make some headway with my program on another front. I confirmed with the department co-chair this morning that the instructor of my choice can serve as my thesis advisor (the dept. co-chair swears he wrote me to this end before, but acknowledged that the e-mail may have been misrouted). And with his approval, I can take an "extra" course in tandem with my Thesis & Publication class to meet the 2-class minimum requirement to get financial aid. All of my required courses will have been taken (and must be) before I enroll in the thesis process, but I'll have to pay for that class out of pocket unless I take another course as well. The government won't lend you money unless you're at part-time status.
In any case, things are looking up.
My accountant, Sarah, started helping me with my taxes this weekend--and because my university does nothing with any expedience, I still don't have my 1098-T form, which will help determine my refund (Education Tax Credit). It's stressful, I tell you! I just want to go ahead and file and be done with it, because my application for aid for the Fall of 2006 semester is utterly contingent on my tax return info...
Oddly enough, the great state of Maryland may be giving me money this year. Usually I owe them some minor ducats (somewhere in the range of 4-30 dollars).
In other news, I did make some headway with my program on another front. I confirmed with the department co-chair this morning that the instructor of my choice can serve as my thesis advisor (the dept. co-chair swears he wrote me to this end before, but acknowledged that the e-mail may have been misrouted). And with his approval, I can take an "extra" course in tandem with my Thesis & Publication class to meet the 2-class minimum requirement to get financial aid. All of my required courses will have been taken (and must be) before I enroll in the thesis process, but I'll have to pay for that class out of pocket unless I take another course as well. The government won't lend you money unless you're at part-time status.
In any case, things are looking up.
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Vintage Coffee
Still a major poetic trope in my life. So much more than a beverage, the hinge of my conversations, the olfactory quest, the perfect accompaniment to jazz, to tragedy, to happiness, to work, to rest. It goes with everything--the metaphor of my landscape. I could write an ode to the way it rushes up to meet the cream--the way, together, they make a tumultuous cloud of violent swirling before they give in to each other.
After a delightful Sunday in which Sarah and I met a mutual friend at Fazzini's in the suburbs, we made our way down to Caribou coffee in that place in between city and suburbs, and I sipped a truly mediocre cuppa. A shadow of what java should be.
And I realized that all a mediocre cup of joe does is make me long more deeply. In some ways, even a bad coffee experience is still all right. There's always the hope of the perfect cup...
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Easy Peasy
I loved seeing Devika prior to my class tonight and look forward to many more meetings through early May! My train commute, thanks to my mix, was the appropriate combination of introspective and arty. The 3:30 is an express, so we made it to DC in about 45 minutes. Train travel still connotes such tortured, beautiful longing for me.
This poetry workshop is going to be enjoyable; I can feel it. I had an immediate sense that the exchanges will be beneficial and governed by a kind of poetic simpatico. This was also the case last night in my "The Short Story: Past and Present" class. Maybe I'm just used to the way things work now, but in both cases I felt like a duck in water. I have my bearings.
And if all that weren't enough, My instructor was able to give me a lift home tonight because a prior commitment of hers wasn't in effect this evening. That beat waiting around for the 10:45 train and not getting back to Baltimore till midnight!
Oh, and I made an appointment to look at three apartments next Friday! Progress.
I loved seeing Devika prior to my class tonight and look forward to many more meetings through early May! My train commute, thanks to my mix, was the appropriate combination of introspective and arty. The 3:30 is an express, so we made it to DC in about 45 minutes. Train travel still connotes such tortured, beautiful longing for me.
This poetry workshop is going to be enjoyable; I can feel it. I had an immediate sense that the exchanges will be beneficial and governed by a kind of poetic simpatico. This was also the case last night in my "The Short Story: Past and Present" class. Maybe I'm just used to the way things work now, but in both cases I felt like a duck in water. I have my bearings.
And if all that weren't enough, My instructor was able to give me a lift home tonight because a prior commitment of hers wasn't in effect this evening. That beat waiting around for the 10:45 train and not getting back to Baltimore till midnight!
Oh, and I made an appointment to look at three apartments next Friday! Progress.
Blue Train
Today, for the first time, I will trek down to Washington, DC for the poetry workshop class I'm taking (putting myself through the hassle for the sake of finishing this M.A. in good time) this semester. In honour of the occasion, I've made myself a CD compilation. If you'd like to add The "Blue Train Mix" to your Itunes playlist, the songs are as follows:
Blue Train (Coltrane)
Light Enough to Travel (The Be Good Tanyas)
Sweetest Decline (Beth Orton)
Fill Me In (Craig David)
#41 (Dave Matthews Band)
I Thought About You (Ella Fitzgerald)
Couldn't Hear Me (Eric Roberson)
Luxurious (Gwen Stefani)
Plane (Jason Mraz)
Paris Train (Beth Orton)
Change Clothes (Jay-Z)
Let's Get Lifted Again (John Legend)
Jet Lag (Joss Stone)
Hejira (Joni Mitchell)
Mona Lisa (Nat King Cole)
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
What Would Audrey Do?Well I'm in a pickle. I have some outstanding debt and my own financial folly is the cause. I've called up the company with whom I'm in the deepest and set up an aggressive payment plan. I have to live on a budget for the foreseeable future, but what am I to do about my highfalutin sensibilities? Good-bye iPod dream. So long digital camera wish. Sayonara eating out. Adieu taxi cabs...
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Thunder
That settles it. This is the best January ever. There is a thunderstorm underway as I type. I'm taking pleasure in lots of little things lately and it's extremely liberating. I am truly happy about this weather.
I think I may have eaten too much tonight. After working out for about a half hour I came home and heated up leftovers, but I also had to make another meal for lunch/dinner tomorrow and after said meal was done, I had a little taste of that too. And I finished off the mango sorbet. I wouldn't say it was piggish. Not quite.
Am Feeling less overwhelmed. I made a list, which always helps.
Is it wrong that I'm over my current tube of toothpaste and plan to switch it out for the new Colgate Vanilla Mint that I bought? I'm not out of the current tube (several brushings' worth to go), but I'm over it. I love the taste of the vanilla mint. It makes me jazzed about brushing my teeth. Like love to do it if I can use that stuff...
Okay. I'll save the rest of the lacklustre Crest for an emergency. I won't throw it out. Thanks. You really helped me make a good decision there, blogging world.
All right. Time for bed.
That settles it. This is the best January ever. There is a thunderstorm underway as I type. I'm taking pleasure in lots of little things lately and it's extremely liberating. I am truly happy about this weather.
I think I may have eaten too much tonight. After working out for about a half hour I came home and heated up leftovers, but I also had to make another meal for lunch/dinner tomorrow and after said meal was done, I had a little taste of that too. And I finished off the mango sorbet. I wouldn't say it was piggish. Not quite.
Am Feeling less overwhelmed. I made a list, which always helps.
Is it wrong that I'm over my current tube of toothpaste and plan to switch it out for the new Colgate Vanilla Mint that I bought? I'm not out of the current tube (several brushings' worth to go), but I'm over it. I love the taste of the vanilla mint. It makes me jazzed about brushing my teeth. Like love to do it if I can use that stuff...
Okay. I'll save the rest of the lacklustre Crest for an emergency. I won't throw it out. Thanks. You really helped me make a good decision there, blogging world.
All right. Time for bed.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Learning to Be Content In All Situations: The Gift of Singleness
Don't worry. This isn't going to be one of those posts. I'll begin by telling you, dear reader, that I have more often than not seen my single status, not as a cause celebre, but a curse. A hairshirt. I, as someone who is supposed to be trusting God for everything, have often felt that he was holding out of me in this area. It has been a sore spot between us in the past. Maybe it will be again. I don't know. But I do know this. The Almighty does not do clenched fists. Pride cometh before a fall. You don't step to him with an attitude, etc. He's a loving father, but he's not about to let the likes of me punk him.
What I mean is that I've often felt in my heart, deep down where it really counts, that God owed me for my less than idyllic childhood. I wanted him to pay me back for everything that I lost or missed out on. Not trusting him to do it in his time, but in effect saying, "Fix it or I won't bow my heart before you."
Let's take this out of the realm of the divine for a minute.
Have you ever had anyone approach you from this place of arrogance? What was your reaction? When someone talks to me like I owe her something, especialy when I don't, my gut response is "um, just who do you think you're dealing with here?"
God is not a human being, but he's relational, and the laws of relationships are at work when you talk to him. Frankly, I know his patience is inexhaustible because I alone am exasperating.
In any case, I've been bellyaching for a long time about everything in general, but specifically about the fact that I'm [insert age here] and still without a date, let alone a boyfriend or husband. Then after kvetching, kicking, and screaming, I internally throw up my hands and say, in effect, "fine, I'll take care of this myself!"
My efforts haven't yielded anything to write home about. ever. I usually give up, affect a "zen" posture and say "che sera sera," but I've never really meant it until now.
My brief foray into online dating (online perusing, more like)sealed the deal. Everyone is so freaking desperate and most of them don't have anything to offer. So I asked myself "is this what you want?" The answer is no. I examined the road ahead and it was just miles and miles and miles of the same bleak terrain. Pointless e-mails. Men I couldn't even bring myself to pretend to want to meet for coffee, let alone dinner. I wasn't hitting my target audience. Even EHarmony.com told me that their service could not match me. Not that they couldn't match me at this time. They just couldn't match me. No further explanation.
One night, suffering from a bout of insomnia, I was reading the archives on an old acquaintance's blog. And he said that he came to a place of organic acceptance regarding his lack of a mate and found peace in that. It's not that he didn't want to meet and marry the right woman, he just stopped striving.
Let me tell you something. You can't stop striving until you're tired of striving. Even giving up has got to be an authentic place you come to after you've worn yourself out.
So I pondered these things in my heart and realized that I've been spinning. Doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result, which I've heard is the definition of insanity.
My prayers changed to:
God, help me to be grateful for where I am right now, for how things are right now. God, thank you that I am single. Thank you that this is what you are doing in my life, now what do you want me to do? Thank you, Father, that you were faithful to reveal in time that all of the men I've wanted in the past were not your perfect will for me. I know you have a plan for me that is perfect, and whether it includes marriage or not, I know that it is good because you are good.
And then I laid this burden down. And the gigantic chip on my shoulder.
Don't worry. This isn't going to be one of those posts. I'll begin by telling you, dear reader, that I have more often than not seen my single status, not as a cause celebre, but a curse. A hairshirt. I, as someone who is supposed to be trusting God for everything, have often felt that he was holding out of me in this area. It has been a sore spot between us in the past. Maybe it will be again. I don't know. But I do know this. The Almighty does not do clenched fists. Pride cometh before a fall. You don't step to him with an attitude, etc. He's a loving father, but he's not about to let the likes of me punk him.
What I mean is that I've often felt in my heart, deep down where it really counts, that God owed me for my less than idyllic childhood. I wanted him to pay me back for everything that I lost or missed out on. Not trusting him to do it in his time, but in effect saying, "Fix it or I won't bow my heart before you."
Let's take this out of the realm of the divine for a minute.
Have you ever had anyone approach you from this place of arrogance? What was your reaction? When someone talks to me like I owe her something, especialy when I don't, my gut response is "um, just who do you think you're dealing with here?"
God is not a human being, but he's relational, and the laws of relationships are at work when you talk to him. Frankly, I know his patience is inexhaustible because I alone am exasperating.
In any case, I've been bellyaching for a long time about everything in general, but specifically about the fact that I'm [insert age here] and still without a date, let alone a boyfriend or husband. Then after kvetching, kicking, and screaming, I internally throw up my hands and say, in effect, "fine, I'll take care of this myself!"
My efforts haven't yielded anything to write home about. ever. I usually give up, affect a "zen" posture and say "che sera sera," but I've never really meant it until now.
My brief foray into online dating (online perusing, more like)sealed the deal. Everyone is so freaking desperate and most of them don't have anything to offer. So I asked myself "is this what you want?" The answer is no. I examined the road ahead and it was just miles and miles and miles of the same bleak terrain. Pointless e-mails. Men I couldn't even bring myself to pretend to want to meet for coffee, let alone dinner. I wasn't hitting my target audience. Even EHarmony.com told me that their service could not match me. Not that they couldn't match me at this time. They just couldn't match me. No further explanation.
One night, suffering from a bout of insomnia, I was reading the archives on an old acquaintance's blog. And he said that he came to a place of organic acceptance regarding his lack of a mate and found peace in that. It's not that he didn't want to meet and marry the right woman, he just stopped striving.
Let me tell you something. You can't stop striving until you're tired of striving. Even giving up has got to be an authentic place you come to after you've worn yourself out.
So I pondered these things in my heart and realized that I've been spinning. Doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result, which I've heard is the definition of insanity.
My prayers changed to:
God, help me to be grateful for where I am right now, for how things are right now. God, thank you that I am single. Thank you that this is what you are doing in my life, now what do you want me to do? Thank you, Father, that you were faithful to reveal in time that all of the men I've wanted in the past were not your perfect will for me. I know you have a plan for me that is perfect, and whether it includes marriage or not, I know that it is good because you are good.
And then I laid this burden down. And the gigantic chip on my shoulder.
Friday, January 20, 2006
I made it to the office, for just over half the day. I was home by about 1:15. I just started to feel exhausted and in danger of overdoing it, so I gathered up my things, pleased to have made it through the bulk of the day. It was so good to see my coworkers again, two of them in particular. And I got some good work done.
Once back on my couch, I flipped through the latest O magazine and watched the daytime schedule of syndicated shows I came to count on to buoy me through the worst of my flu or whatever it was. I fell asleep somewhere in the middle of the first Drew Carey and was out until the end of the second one. I dreamed I was walking with my father on an errand to pick up pizza for everyone back at our vacation house. But he was so overcome with hunger on the way back that he just tore into the box and began wolfing down the contents. Watching him, I realized how starving I was. This caused me to wake up and go to the fridge to grab a yogurt I purchased from Whole Foods earlier this afternoon. I continue to be intrigued by how the body will find a way to tell you what it needs--how resourceful it is.
I haven't had time to comment on my very emotionally productive time with Victoria last Saturday night. It was validating where the relational angst of the last year is concerned. Details aren't important and wouldn't serve my goal of discretion, but I can say this. It's good when someone knows just where you're coming from and can support you without compromising her own position on things. Thank you, God, for noble friends.
Once back on my couch, I flipped through the latest O magazine and watched the daytime schedule of syndicated shows I came to count on to buoy me through the worst of my flu or whatever it was. I fell asleep somewhere in the middle of the first Drew Carey and was out until the end of the second one. I dreamed I was walking with my father on an errand to pick up pizza for everyone back at our vacation house. But he was so overcome with hunger on the way back that he just tore into the box and began wolfing down the contents. Watching him, I realized how starving I was. This caused me to wake up and go to the fridge to grab a yogurt I purchased from Whole Foods earlier this afternoon. I continue to be intrigued by how the body will find a way to tell you what it needs--how resourceful it is.
I haven't had time to comment on my very emotionally productive time with Victoria last Saturday night. It was validating where the relational angst of the last year is concerned. Details aren't important and wouldn't serve my goal of discretion, but I can say this. It's good when someone knows just where you're coming from and can support you without compromising her own position on things. Thank you, God, for noble friends.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Cabin Fever
I may finally be coming out on the other side of this...thing that had me in its tenterhooks. Obviously I won't be going into many details, but I will say that the overarching theme of this illness was the way it crippled my will. I didn't have the usual haze, the jaundiced lens that superimposes itself over the world when I'm sick. I just couldn't seem to make anything happen much. If I wanted to watch a "Judging Amy" rerun on the TNT network at 12, I had to start actively thinking about getting out of bed at 9, so that by 11:45 I'd be situated on the couch with the remote in hand. Or I'd be thirsty for hours before I'd finally manage to get a glass of water.
In any case, I think I've turned a corner b/c I just got back from what was supposed to be a quick errand, but that turned into about a half hour walk and I felt so invigorated! Now I'm going to have some mango sorbet.
I'm trying this food thing again.
I may finally be coming out on the other side of this...thing that had me in its tenterhooks. Obviously I won't be going into many details, but I will say that the overarching theme of this illness was the way it crippled my will. I didn't have the usual haze, the jaundiced lens that superimposes itself over the world when I'm sick. I just couldn't seem to make anything happen much. If I wanted to watch a "Judging Amy" rerun on the TNT network at 12, I had to start actively thinking about getting out of bed at 9, so that by 11:45 I'd be situated on the couch with the remote in hand. Or I'd be thirsty for hours before I'd finally manage to get a glass of water.
In any case, I think I've turned a corner b/c I just got back from what was supposed to be a quick errand, but that turned into about a half hour walk and I felt so invigorated! Now I'm going to have some mango sorbet.
I'm trying this food thing again.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Back Home
I'd been at Sarah's from Sunday night until just about an hour ago. We planned for me to come over that night since we both had MLK's Birthday off work. Of course, we couldn't have planned that that night I would come down with a surprisingly tenacious stomach bug (surprising b/c I'm often able to shake a bug of any sort in 24 hours or less). Being at Sarah's place did give me someone to take care of me, which is no small thing. For most of today and all day yesterday I sat in her comfy chair with the heating pad attached to me, on "high" virtually non-stop, while she went off to work. The food I've eaten is negligle (Saltines, chicken soup, the usual suspects)but I have tried to hydrate.
At one point this morning, I walked to Sarah's neighborhood Safeway and bought about 30 dollars' worth of medicine and medicinal supplies. I thought I detected the beginnings of a sore throat--which for those who know me, know it is my own personal kiss of death. Not much will get me to a doctor, but I start mobilizing when my ability to swallow is compromised. I couldn't tell if there was yet another illness lurking, if my current one was morphing into something else, or if it was just ambient pain. I took some DayQuil, which seems to have tamed the beast for now. But if it persists, I will so be going to one of those fast-food type clinics for some antibiotics.
Anyway, I'm back home now, and while I am still decidely under the weather, I am what I would call a high-functioning invalid. I may try going in to work tomorrow for half a day. It's still too early to tell.
I'd been at Sarah's from Sunday night until just about an hour ago. We planned for me to come over that night since we both had MLK's Birthday off work. Of course, we couldn't have planned that that night I would come down with a surprisingly tenacious stomach bug (surprising b/c I'm often able to shake a bug of any sort in 24 hours or less). Being at Sarah's place did give me someone to take care of me, which is no small thing. For most of today and all day yesterday I sat in her comfy chair with the heating pad attached to me, on "high" virtually non-stop, while she went off to work. The food I've eaten is negligle (Saltines, chicken soup, the usual suspects)but I have tried to hydrate.
At one point this morning, I walked to Sarah's neighborhood Safeway and bought about 30 dollars' worth of medicine and medicinal supplies. I thought I detected the beginnings of a sore throat--which for those who know me, know it is my own personal kiss of death. Not much will get me to a doctor, but I start mobilizing when my ability to swallow is compromised. I couldn't tell if there was yet another illness lurking, if my current one was morphing into something else, or if it was just ambient pain. I took some DayQuil, which seems to have tamed the beast for now. But if it persists, I will so be going to one of those fast-food type clinics for some antibiotics.
Anyway, I'm back home now, and while I am still decidely under the weather, I am what I would call a high-functioning invalid. I may try going in to work tomorrow for half a day. It's still too early to tell.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Top 5 Reasons I Know I'm Starting to Recover from The Stomach Bug
5. Stomach cramps fewer and farther between
4. The mere thought of eating, at some point in the future, not nearly as disgusting as it was 24 hours ago
3. It occurred to me to resume my reading of Steve Martin's Shopgirl
2. I put on lipstick (after bathing, washing my face, and moisterizing) and tried to do my hair
1. I had the strength to blog
5. Stomach cramps fewer and farther between
4. The mere thought of eating, at some point in the future, not nearly as disgusting as it was 24 hours ago
3. It occurred to me to resume my reading of Steve Martin's Shopgirl
2. I put on lipstick (after bathing, washing my face, and moisterizing) and tried to do my hair
1. I had the strength to blog
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Remember the day I unintentionally stiffed a cabbie?
Well, as I prayed would happen, today I encountered that driver again. After a wonderful breakfast of scrambled eggs, capers, lemon infused cream cheese, smoked salmon, and multi-grain toast, I walked to the cab station at the hotel that's just up the block and got into a taxi. Inside of 10 seconds I recognized the driver and made up my mind that I would pay not only this days's fare and a tip, but that I would give him what I owed him for last time.
I just wasn't sure what I should say to him, so I barrelled forward and asked him if he remembered driving me to work one morning in early October. After giving him some of the details, he did remember, and told me that he knew it had been an accident. I assured him that it had been and told him that I prayed I would get the opportunity to make it right.
I gladly gave him what was rightfully his when he dropped me off at the hair salon. What a gift to be able to make something right. What a gift that he had thought the best of me even when my mistake had been at his expense.
Tremendous!
Well, as I prayed would happen, today I encountered that driver again. After a wonderful breakfast of scrambled eggs, capers, lemon infused cream cheese, smoked salmon, and multi-grain toast, I walked to the cab station at the hotel that's just up the block and got into a taxi. Inside of 10 seconds I recognized the driver and made up my mind that I would pay not only this days's fare and a tip, but that I would give him what I owed him for last time.
I just wasn't sure what I should say to him, so I barrelled forward and asked him if he remembered driving me to work one morning in early October. After giving him some of the details, he did remember, and told me that he knew it had been an accident. I assured him that it had been and told him that I prayed I would get the opportunity to make it right.
I gladly gave him what was rightfully his when he dropped me off at the hair salon. What a gift to be able to make something right. What a gift that he had thought the best of me even when my mistake had been at his expense.
Tremendous!
Friday, January 13, 2006
A Foggy Day in Charm City
Cold Humidity. So gorgeous. Clouds that stop just short of touching the pavement. I've just had a scrumptuous breakfast (veggie fritatta, sausage, and oatmel w/ decaf coffee & whole milk)--I'm always so ravenous in the morning, and I think that lifting yesterday amped up my appetite even more. I'm still nursing the coffee and I'm starting to think about tidying up my cubicle.
After all the goings on here at the office over the last several weeks I am relieved that my manager will be on vacation all of next week. So glad in fact, that I almost wish Monday were not a paid holiday, because I want the full benefit of 5 solid days without that vibe around here. But I comfort myself in the following way: said manager will not return until Wednesday of next week, so after all is said and done, we'll have more than a week of peace.
Tonight, after work, we're all heading over to a local place for happy hour in honour of our fallen comrade (coworker who was railroaded into quitting, essentially), and then I will go to the gym. Tomorrow morning, off to the salon! And then I see my good friend V. It's all about little ports in the storm.
Cold Humidity. So gorgeous. Clouds that stop just short of touching the pavement. I've just had a scrumptuous breakfast (veggie fritatta, sausage, and oatmel w/ decaf coffee & whole milk)--I'm always so ravenous in the morning, and I think that lifting yesterday amped up my appetite even more. I'm still nursing the coffee and I'm starting to think about tidying up my cubicle.
After all the goings on here at the office over the last several weeks I am relieved that my manager will be on vacation all of next week. So glad in fact, that I almost wish Monday were not a paid holiday, because I want the full benefit of 5 solid days without that vibe around here. But I comfort myself in the following way: said manager will not return until Wednesday of next week, so after all is said and done, we'll have more than a week of peace.
Tonight, after work, we're all heading over to a local place for happy hour in honour of our fallen comrade (coworker who was railroaded into quitting, essentially), and then I will go to the gym. Tomorrow morning, off to the salon! And then I see my good friend V. It's all about little ports in the storm.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
S. N. A. F. U.
So, our company switched to a different payroll system, which means we were issued live checks this pay period (today); direct deposit was not available (for this check only) for those who participate in that system. What this meant for me was taking half a personal day so that I could go and deposit my check into the bank. Except the date on the check is tomorrow's date so my bank wouldn't touch it.
I thought, initially, about just cashing it at the company's bank, but felt so defeated by the date barrier that I assumed no institution would process this check until tomorrow. I went home, ate lunch, and went to the gym.
And then, a surge of empowerment. I walked to a neighborhood branch of the company's bank and got their paper turned into cash (for a five dollar service charge, but it was worth it to me at that point). Tonight while I'm out to dinner with Sarah I'll put the money into an ATM. It should be available immediately since it's going in as cash. Rest assured I will be calling the good people at my banking institution tomorrow and making sure that's the case.
On the way back from the bank I stopped in at Carma's Cafe (a coworker just mentioned it to me the other day) and got a delicious skim, decaf latte. While there I bumped into my poetry workshop instructor from fall 2004 (whose class I will have again on the dc campus starting week after next); she didn't recognize me. Because I "usually wear a hat," she said. I think she was registering the weightloss differential and didn't want to run the risk of offending me...or, she knew something was different, but couldn't quite put her finger on it.
In any case, the snafu is back to just "s. n." (situation normal).
So, our company switched to a different payroll system, which means we were issued live checks this pay period (today); direct deposit was not available (for this check only) for those who participate in that system. What this meant for me was taking half a personal day so that I could go and deposit my check into the bank. Except the date on the check is tomorrow's date so my bank wouldn't touch it.
I thought, initially, about just cashing it at the company's bank, but felt so defeated by the date barrier that I assumed no institution would process this check until tomorrow. I went home, ate lunch, and went to the gym.
And then, a surge of empowerment. I walked to a neighborhood branch of the company's bank and got their paper turned into cash (for a five dollar service charge, but it was worth it to me at that point). Tonight while I'm out to dinner with Sarah I'll put the money into an ATM. It should be available immediately since it's going in as cash. Rest assured I will be calling the good people at my banking institution tomorrow and making sure that's the case.
On the way back from the bank I stopped in at Carma's Cafe (a coworker just mentioned it to me the other day) and got a delicious skim, decaf latte. While there I bumped into my poetry workshop instructor from fall 2004 (whose class I will have again on the dc campus starting week after next); she didn't recognize me. Because I "usually wear a hat," she said. I think she was registering the weightloss differential and didn't want to run the risk of offending me...or, she knew something was different, but couldn't quite put her finger on it.
In any case, the snafu is back to just "s. n." (situation normal).
More of these things. Yes, I am bored, why do you ask?
| You Are an Officelady! |
 It all seemed so blissful at first. Wear cute little suits, meet friends with matching suits, get a small salary. Well, you're going to be making copies for the rest of your life, and a good raise is not in your future. And forget about marrying out of this glass cieling! What? So you can make coffee at home and wash your husband's underwear? Gross! |
| Slow and Steady |
 Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It'd really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment. They expect you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then usually decide against it. |
For the record, I hate the colour lime green...
| Your Power Color Is Lime Green |
 At Your Highest: You are adventurous, witty, and a visionary. At Your Lowest: You feel misunderstood, like you don't fit in. In Love: You have a tough exterior, but can be very dedicated. How You're Attractive: Your self-awareness and confidence lights up a room. Your Eternal Question: "What else do I need in my life?" |
| You Are Likely a First Born |
 At your darkest moments, you feel guilty. At work and school, you do best when you're researching. When you love someone, you tend to agree with them often. In friendship, you are considerate and compromising. Your ideal careers are: business, research, counseling, promotion, and speaking. You will leave your mark on the world with discoveries, new information, and teaching people to dream. |
Dramatic Conclusion
My now ex-coworker ended up storming out (and rightfully so)on Tuesday afternoon, three full work days before her official end of service. I had just been commenting, not that long ago, to friends that I had grown to love everyone with whom I work so much, the Upper Eschelon aside, that I was content to stay put for the foreseeable future.
The downturn began slightly before Christmas. All sorts of decisions were being made at the top that eroded our collective morale, and then with all of the sidebar dramas between individual persons and management, well...
You know, I was trying to not be negative so I never voiced this, but when I started to feel that happy, I also started to feel that it was undoubtedly to be short-lived (though I hoped it would not be), because part of what makes a period in time magical (yes, it did feel magical)is the ephemeral nature of the conditions that come together to create it.
So, where does this leave me? Mobilizing, getting my ducks in a row.
My now ex-coworker ended up storming out (and rightfully so)on Tuesday afternoon, three full work days before her official end of service. I had just been commenting, not that long ago, to friends that I had grown to love everyone with whom I work so much, the Upper Eschelon aside, that I was content to stay put for the foreseeable future.
The downturn began slightly before Christmas. All sorts of decisions were being made at the top that eroded our collective morale, and then with all of the sidebar dramas between individual persons and management, well...
You know, I was trying to not be negative so I never voiced this, but when I started to feel that happy, I also started to feel that it was undoubtedly to be short-lived (though I hoped it would not be), because part of what makes a period in time magical (yes, it did feel magical)is the ephemeral nature of the conditions that come together to create it.
So, where does this leave me? Mobilizing, getting my ducks in a row.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
So I saw the guy with whom I split a cab a few weeks back. Yesterday evening I was standing at the bus stop near my job waiting for the 4:45 when I happened to look up and see him, across the street, walking with a couple of other guys. They were clearly leaving the nearby construction site for the day. I'm glad to know that he got the job he went on and on about. He also seemed to have had a few already. That would be consistent.
The progressive dinner was okay. I entered the festivities at the third house (that of my neighbor) for the dessert portion. I had a tablespoon of banana pudding. That's it! I ended up talking at length with a bio-physicist Ph.D. candidate. He was one of these ask a lot of questions types. In a good way. He was apparently of the school of thought that "interested is interesting."
One of my coworkers resigned yesterday and I can't say that I'm surprised. There are pockets of low morale on our team, and I don't think she will be the last one to leave.
The progressive dinner was okay. I entered the festivities at the third house (that of my neighbor) for the dessert portion. I had a tablespoon of banana pudding. That's it! I ended up talking at length with a bio-physicist Ph.D. candidate. He was one of these ask a lot of questions types. In a good way. He was apparently of the school of thought that "interested is interesting."
One of my coworkers resigned yesterday and I can't say that I'm surprised. There are pockets of low morale on our team, and I don't think she will be the last one to leave.
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Sarah and I went to Pei Wei on York Road for a very late lunch/early dinner and I had a soba-miso noodle bowl that was absolutely delicious. Ginger, Shitake mushrooms, Spinach, and Chicken in a generous bed of soba noodles. At that moment I felt like it was the best thing I had ever eaten. And so healthy! I didn't get to work out today, which was a disappointment, but on the whole I've eaten pretty light, so perhaps it will all balance out.
In an effort to be more social, I'm attending part of a Graduate Christian Fellowship progressive dinner at a neighbor's house at 7 p.m. tonight. I'm still stuffed from the soba, so I hope it's okay that I don't want to have anything to eat.
I really feel like I'm supposed to go. It's good for me to make these small strides.
Yesterday I got two pair of pants and three sweaters from Old Navy. So now I know I should never buy jeans there, at least not until I'm closer to my goal weight, but maybe not even then. Even with their larger sizes (and I have to give them credit for offering sizes for women who would be considered plus sizes), it's clear that they have no expectation that a woman might have hips! Even when I'm smaller hips will be my curse. I've always wanted one of those androgynous bodies like Gwyneth Paltrow's (she, herself, seems very feminine, but her body is, in many ways, like a boy's), but that is not my lot in life.
I've always wished I had a lithe, elegant shape. I'm five feet tall, so of course my legs are short. Dresses and skirts are not my friends, unless they are A-lines, but even then, a pair of jeans or trousers are best.
In an effort to be more social, I'm attending part of a Graduate Christian Fellowship progressive dinner at a neighbor's house at 7 p.m. tonight. I'm still stuffed from the soba, so I hope it's okay that I don't want to have anything to eat.
I really feel like I'm supposed to go. It's good for me to make these small strides.
Yesterday I got two pair of pants and three sweaters from Old Navy. So now I know I should never buy jeans there, at least not until I'm closer to my goal weight, but maybe not even then. Even with their larger sizes (and I have to give them credit for offering sizes for women who would be considered plus sizes), it's clear that they have no expectation that a woman might have hips! Even when I'm smaller hips will be my curse. I've always wanted one of those androgynous bodies like Gwyneth Paltrow's (she, herself, seems very feminine, but her body is, in many ways, like a boy's), but that is not my lot in life.
I've always wished I had a lithe, elegant shape. I'm five feet tall, so of course my legs are short. Dresses and skirts are not my friends, unless they are A-lines, but even then, a pair of jeans or trousers are best.
Friday, January 06, 2006
Discretion is the better part of valor
I've been giving considerable thought to the notion of discretion off and on for several years now. For as conscientious and careful as I can be about many things, I'm not often very discreet, much to my chagrin. The spirit of discretion is about more than simply not telling other folks' business, it's about guarding one's mouth against saying or sharing anything that is not edifying or necessary. Indeed to reach the point at which one is not only not saying these things, but not thinking them.
I haven't attempted to calculate how many times in a given day I say things, make disclosures, or comment in mean-spirited ways about things that cannot help but to eventually poison my own character, and reflect badly upon me, but I know that they are legion. And it's been easy to slip into unthoughtful speech because I have confused it with "telling it like it is," or just sharing information among my friends, or whatever.
The Bible cautions repeatedly (mostly in the book of Proverbs) against being a babbling fool, giving full vent to one's anger, and being a dolt, in general.
I am willing myself to be more discreet as a matter of course, more principled in my dealings, both professional and personal. Up to this point (the mere handful of days I've been purposing to be more careful about my speech), I have found it to be remarkably liberating.
As I begin my freelance business my character will be even more important and will directly affect the success or failure of that business. Here's the thing: Most often people don't regret holding their tongues at that pivotal moment. I'm not speaking of a refusal to speak up for what's right. I'm thinking more about not always letting your left hand know what your right hand is doing, not being a gossip, or one who parlays the weaknesses of others in conversation for personal, social cachet.
It's important for me to audit my character on a regular basis because all kinds of malevolence can sneak in undetected. One of the dreams I have for myself is that I would be considered to be a woman of great honour and dignity. And I only want to be considered that if I am that.
I've been giving considerable thought to the notion of discretion off and on for several years now. For as conscientious and careful as I can be about many things, I'm not often very discreet, much to my chagrin. The spirit of discretion is about more than simply not telling other folks' business, it's about guarding one's mouth against saying or sharing anything that is not edifying or necessary. Indeed to reach the point at which one is not only not saying these things, but not thinking them.
I haven't attempted to calculate how many times in a given day I say things, make disclosures, or comment in mean-spirited ways about things that cannot help but to eventually poison my own character, and reflect badly upon me, but I know that they are legion. And it's been easy to slip into unthoughtful speech because I have confused it with "telling it like it is," or just sharing information among my friends, or whatever.
The Bible cautions repeatedly (mostly in the book of Proverbs) against being a babbling fool, giving full vent to one's anger, and being a dolt, in general.
I am willing myself to be more discreet as a matter of course, more principled in my dealings, both professional and personal. Up to this point (the mere handful of days I've been purposing to be more careful about my speech), I have found it to be remarkably liberating.
As I begin my freelance business my character will be even more important and will directly affect the success or failure of that business. Here's the thing: Most often people don't regret holding their tongues at that pivotal moment. I'm not speaking of a refusal to speak up for what's right. I'm thinking more about not always letting your left hand know what your right hand is doing, not being a gossip, or one who parlays the weaknesses of others in conversation for personal, social cachet.
It's important for me to audit my character on a regular basis because all kinds of malevolence can sneak in undetected. One of the dreams I have for myself is that I would be considered to be a woman of great honour and dignity. And I only want to be considered that if I am that.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
I still haven't really started Persuasion. When I get home from the gym I pretty much want to eat dinner then putter about until bedtime. I'll hit my stride at some point, I guess. It was wise to raincheck some evening plans I'd made for this week in order to reclaim some lost ground in my life. I'll try again tonight with the book.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Operation The last 45 Pounds: Day 2
I have been holding at about 160 (165 post holiday weight at present)for the last few months. My gym attendance has been completely sporadic and while I by no means regressed to my old eating habits, I have been allowing myself all kinds of luxuries of late. A year ago on March 4th I told myself that I would be at my goal weight within one year. I may just get close to that. Today was my second day in a row of gym attendance and it is my objective to get there everyday and do a half hour, at least, on a cardio machine of my choice. Not that long ago, it seems, I was doing nearly an hour on the elliptical several times a week, but it started to wear on me, so I think I need to take it down a notch or two and shoot for consistency over marathon sessions.
I'm also going back to the eating pattern that was working for me. Several small meals and snacks during the day, taking some of the fat I'd allowed to sneak back into my diet, out, and of course pushing the fruits and vegetables and the water.
It's been nice to get all the support I've gotten on the weight I've lost so far, but I want to take it to the end. I won't be satisfied until I do.
I have been holding at about 160 (165 post holiday weight at present)for the last few months. My gym attendance has been completely sporadic and while I by no means regressed to my old eating habits, I have been allowing myself all kinds of luxuries of late. A year ago on March 4th I told myself that I would be at my goal weight within one year. I may just get close to that. Today was my second day in a row of gym attendance and it is my objective to get there everyday and do a half hour, at least, on a cardio machine of my choice. Not that long ago, it seems, I was doing nearly an hour on the elliptical several times a week, but it started to wear on me, so I think I need to take it down a notch or two and shoot for consistency over marathon sessions.
I'm also going back to the eating pattern that was working for me. Several small meals and snacks during the day, taking some of the fat I'd allowed to sneak back into my diet, out, and of course pushing the fruits and vegetables and the water.
It's been nice to get all the support I've gotten on the weight I've lost so far, but I want to take it to the end. I won't be satisfied until I do.
Town Motto
So, you know the line from the song about New York Sinatra made famous.
"...If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere..."
I was talking to a woman at the bus stop this morning, and as our conversation progressed I asked her if she is from Baltimore originally. Long story short, the answer is no, but she's been here most of her life. So she asked me about my point of origin, which got me to talking about how much I love this town. That seemed to please her, and then she dropped the best line.
"As my daddy used to say, If you can't make it in Baltimore, you can't make it anywhere."
There it is, in a nutshell.
So, you know the line from the song about New York Sinatra made famous.
"...If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere..."
I was talking to a woman at the bus stop this morning, and as our conversation progressed I asked her if she is from Baltimore originally. Long story short, the answer is no, but she's been here most of her life. So she asked me about my point of origin, which got me to talking about how much I love this town. That seemed to please her, and then she dropped the best line.
"As my daddy used to say, If you can't make it in Baltimore, you can't make it anywhere."
There it is, in a nutshell.
Complete and Utter Brain Lapse
Even though I am on hiatus from classes for a few weeks I'd made the decision to keep my normal Wednesday schedule at work. That is to say arriving at the office by 7 and leaving by 4. I woke up at 5 as I normally would on a class day so that I would be ready to catch the 6 o'clock bus. I should have left my house at 5:50 as I have done for months now, but for some reason I got the bus's arrival time mixed up with when I was supposed to leave my apartment, so at 5:56 I was still lolleygagging about, congratulating myself on pulling it all together perfectly before I needed to depart. Then it dawned on me what time it was.
I knew my chances of making the #61 were not great, but I had to try anyway. I got downstairs just in time to see it barrelling down my street. So back inside with me to catch up on blogs and do some more posting of my own.
I don't know what is up with me and the bus lately. We're just not meshing well.
The good news? My outfit of a dusty rose turtleneck sweater, tan & pink striped blazer, medium blue jeans, and granny boots (accessories include my silver watch and pink lady bug earrings)looks stellar.
Even though I am on hiatus from classes for a few weeks I'd made the decision to keep my normal Wednesday schedule at work. That is to say arriving at the office by 7 and leaving by 4. I woke up at 5 as I normally would on a class day so that I would be ready to catch the 6 o'clock bus. I should have left my house at 5:50 as I have done for months now, but for some reason I got the bus's arrival time mixed up with when I was supposed to leave my apartment, so at 5:56 I was still lolleygagging about, congratulating myself on pulling it all together perfectly before I needed to depart. Then it dawned on me what time it was.
I knew my chances of making the #61 were not great, but I had to try anyway. I got downstairs just in time to see it barrelling down my street. So back inside with me to catch up on blogs and do some more posting of my own.
I don't know what is up with me and the bus lately. We're just not meshing well.
The good news? My outfit of a dusty rose turtleneck sweater, tan & pink striped blazer, medium blue jeans, and granny boots (accessories include my silver watch and pink lady bug earrings)looks stellar.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Enough Already!
| Your Love Element Is Wood |
 In love, you tend to gently dominate and guide your partner. For you, love is all about sharing goals and future plans. You attract others with creativity and vision. Your flirting style is defined by your honesty and assertiveness. Growth and improvement are the cornerstones of your love life. You may focus on goals too much in relationships, but you never come out of them with a loss. You connect best with: Water Avoid: Metal You and another Wood element: will be doomed to a stormy relationship |
I don't think anyone has ever taken my blog the wrong way...
| Your Blogging Type is Logical and Principled |
 You like to voice your well thought out opinions on your blog. And if someone doesn't [like] what you write, you really don't care! Serious and blunt, sometimes people take your blog the wrong way. But you're a true and loyal friend to those who truly get you. |
And another...
| You Are a Classic Martini |
 You area sophisticated drinker, who knows that simple quality is over-rated. You're a knowledgeable drunk, but sometimes you're a know-it-all when you're blasted. You should never: Drink and gossip. You tend to forget who's standing right behind you! Your ideal party: Has a real bartender. But no one mixes a better drink than you. Your drinking soulmates: those with a Chocolate Martini personality Your drinking rivals: those with a Margarita Martini personality |
On the Docket This Evening...
1. The Gym
2. Laundry
3. Persuasion
For dinner (after the gym), I'm thinking of making steak, zucchini,and whole wheat cous cous with sweet potato bisque to start. The soup may be too much. Maybe I'll bring that in tomorrow to eat with my lunch.
I checked out the new Feng Shui coffeehouse near my job. It's called Bluehouse. It's also an organic home furnishings and accessories store. The motto? Home. Coffee. Life. Good for you, Baltimore (it's a local company), starting to take yourself too seriously. The first sign that you're a bonafide metropolis.
Unrelated. I'm in the mood to go to church this Sunday. I've been neglecting my spiritual care and feeding.
1. The Gym
2. Laundry
3. Persuasion
For dinner (after the gym), I'm thinking of making steak, zucchini,and whole wheat cous cous with sweet potato bisque to start. The soup may be too much. Maybe I'll bring that in tomorrow to eat with my lunch.
I checked out the new Feng Shui coffeehouse near my job. It's called Bluehouse. It's also an organic home furnishings and accessories store. The motto? Home. Coffee. Life. Good for you, Baltimore (it's a local company), starting to take yourself too seriously. The first sign that you're a bonafide metropolis.
Unrelated. I'm in the mood to go to church this Sunday. I've been neglecting my spiritual care and feeding.
Monday, January 02, 2006
Holiday Wrap Up!
Sarah and I got the idea to do gift cards this year in lieu of going out and buying each other various and sundry items, we thought we'd give each other buying power at our favourite stores, and then go shopping together in the days immediately after Christmas. I reasoned that it would be like getting the same gift twice (or more!).
Thanks to my best friend's generosity I got the dark wood salad bowl
and the woven basket hamper I'd been coveting from Pier 1, amongst many other goodies. I have yet to make use of the Whole Foods card she gave me, but you, dear reader, know that I'll burn through that this week, in all likelihood.
Christmas day was split between my mom's house (early morning guilt trip...hello! way to start things off badly, mom!) and then moseying on down to Richmond to spend a couple of days with Sarah's parents, who set me up with a lovely gift card to Old Navy (it's not chump change!). Can't wait to use that one... I've never been able to shop there before so I'm looking forward to giving my wardrobe a bit more of a jump start.
Once back in the Baltimore area I continued my vacation at Sarah's apartment. We shopped some on Thursday and Friday, and on Saturday we tidied up her place and brought out her classy new dishes from Crate & Barrel for use and packed up her old ones to be given away.
New Year's Eve night we went to see "The Family Stone," which was somewhat disappointing, but not horrible. We capped off 2005, a difficult but productive year by watching Disc 5 of Oprah's 20-year Anniversary 6 DVD collection. Sarah bought it for herself in Richmond. Before all was said and done, we'd watched every disc in its entirety and cried through most of them. All these touching, life-changing moments. I hardly ever catch Oprah's show anymore, but that woman puts her money where her mouth is. She is a very generous philanthropist. Generosity (of resources and spirit) is the characteristic that I prize most in anyone, and it's easy to see that she has it in spades. Just watching her good deeds made me want to step up and be a better person, do more with what I've got, etc.
Now I'm back at my little apartment getting reacquainted with my things, gearing up to go back to work (and back to the gym), and putting away all my new wares. So far 2006 has been perfect. Good things are in store!
Sarah and I got the idea to do gift cards this year in lieu of going out and buying each other various and sundry items, we thought we'd give each other buying power at our favourite stores, and then go shopping together in the days immediately after Christmas. I reasoned that it would be like getting the same gift twice (or more!).
Thanks to my best friend's generosity I got the dark wood salad bowl
and the woven basket hamper I'd been coveting from Pier 1, amongst many other goodies. I have yet to make use of the Whole Foods card she gave me, but you, dear reader, know that I'll burn through that this week, in all likelihood.
Christmas day was split between my mom's house (early morning guilt trip...hello! way to start things off badly, mom!) and then moseying on down to Richmond to spend a couple of days with Sarah's parents, who set me up with a lovely gift card to Old Navy (it's not chump change!). Can't wait to use that one... I've never been able to shop there before so I'm looking forward to giving my wardrobe a bit more of a jump start.
Once back in the Baltimore area I continued my vacation at Sarah's apartment. We shopped some on Thursday and Friday, and on Saturday we tidied up her place and brought out her classy new dishes from Crate & Barrel for use and packed up her old ones to be given away.
New Year's Eve night we went to see "The Family Stone," which was somewhat disappointing, but not horrible. We capped off 2005, a difficult but productive year by watching Disc 5 of Oprah's 20-year Anniversary 6 DVD collection. Sarah bought it for herself in Richmond. Before all was said and done, we'd watched every disc in its entirety and cried through most of them. All these touching, life-changing moments. I hardly ever catch Oprah's show anymore, but that woman puts her money where her mouth is. She is a very generous philanthropist. Generosity (of resources and spirit) is the characteristic that I prize most in anyone, and it's easy to see that she has it in spades. Just watching her good deeds made me want to step up and be a better person, do more with what I've got, etc.
Now I'm back at my little apartment getting reacquainted with my things, gearing up to go back to work (and back to the gym), and putting away all my new wares. So far 2006 has been perfect. Good things are in store!
