back

:: big clap of thunder last night, then the sound of driving rain
:: no school, no fieldwork
:: leftover french toast with sliced bananas
:: 2 for 1 skim pumpkin lattes
:: returns and gift cards
:: $5 ralph lauren pillows for when my in-laws visit
:: spaghetti with prosciutto and peas
:: football season begins

Fergawha?

I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm listening to Fergie. I don't know her new song (Fergalicious? Brilliant). I think I'll scroll down and listen to my man, DMX. Haven't heard his rage in awhile. Ruff, ruff!

I'm in Panera (surprise, surprise). I don't really have much to do. All of my letters are done and my final classes are today, tomorrow, and Thursday. Friday I'm going downtown to Chicago's Shakespeare Theatre (www.chicagoshakes.org) and then to the art museum. Saturday: Poppa Perry flies to Midway and we drive the twenty hours home to MA.

I think it just might be the longest trip of my life.

The weather outside is delightful

Despite the warm weather back East, it is still snowing in Chicago. Nine inches of snow. Awesome.

It makes me want to curl up in a big bed with lots of blankets, read a newspaper, sleep, drink hot chocolate, and then go out and shovel.

I am anticipating a new apartment after this job is over, and I've been looking at Ikea (budget) and sprucing it all up with some Pottery Barn or Crate and Barrel. I love it. Love it! I have a feeling this new apartment will be in the Boston area, so if anyone has any ideas for jobs/areas to live, let me know.

I also emailed my Christmas list yesterday. It's full of gore-tex, books, and gift cards. And cashmere. Basically, the things that make life worth living.

School was cancelled today, so I woke up around 8 (had to move my car for the people upstairs, promptly got stuck, and my "Check Engine" light is on), came back in and threw my wet clothes in the dryer, and made some tea. I watched a little of the Today show, talked with Tim while I sat on my porch and watched the snow, read the J.Crew catalog while eating reheated spaghetti, and took my first hot shower in Chicago (my bathroom has been out for weeks). I have a doctor's appointment when I get home for my skin cancer screening and biopsy. I hope that will go well. Right now, I think I'll read more of The Idiot and make a good dinner tonight with chicken, vegetables, rice, etc.

I have the next two days off, so I am super-excited. North-side cafes, here I come.

laaaame

There is an older gentleman in a teal mock-turtleneck, talking about the gizzards of a turkey in graphic detail.

I am back in Panera, back in Chicago.

So far, I have slept for two hours in the Volvo, eaten two bagels, and desperately want these two weeks to be over.

Thanksgiving break was fun but too short. My birthday was typical but relaxing. Thanksgiving was stressful in some ways but the pistachio stuffing made up for all of the drama.

I got to see Tim on Saturday and Sunday, and that was a good time. As always. I had fun playing Clue (no one in my family will play with me) and eating meatballs with his grandfather. Tim gave me The Food I Love by Neil Perry (no relation) for my birthday and I am so excited to drool over the photos for the next ten-plus years. I really wish he was here with me and not in Phila (Tim, not Neil Perry).

I'm sorry this post is lame. I am out of motivation and it's spreading to other areas of my life.

what did i do wrong?

The past few days have been interesting. As in, a stomach bug (maybe food poisoning, who knows), so I was in bed for the past two days. I feel a little better now. I can sit up straight, walk around, and read, which is more than I could do a couple of days ago. I haven't been that sick in awhile. My bagel and cream cheese that I just ate is the first thing I have dared to put in my mouth since Friday night.

So I got up early to go to work today, to get some gas and print out some flyers for the parent seminars. I hopped into the Mom-Mobile and it wouldn't start. I was begging it to start, pleading for it just to revv like it usually does, to be the reliable car that I love. But, alas. Not going to happen. I called Tim, then AAA, then the school to cancel my morning sessions. I called my dad, which was a bad idea and only made me hostile. The AAA guy came and finally jumped the car, which was nice, and then I filled up the car and drove it around for awhile. I'm at Panera hoping that it will start when I go outside.

I am flying home via Providence tomorrow. So excited. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed for a good class today (these are my difficult students), for the car to start, and the plane to take off and land on schedule. That's all.

TMI

I can never trust Chipotle again. I thought it was a healthier alternative to other forms of fast food, but after throwing up until my sides hurt, I can successfully conclude that Chipotle and I will never be amigos ever again.

I hate that feeling right before you get sick, but afterwards you feel a little better. Because you know that the worst is over. At least, that's what I'm hoping.

I am a little afraid of laying down again. So I decided to go on facebook; however, after reliving the train wreck that was high school in the form of pictures, combined with nauseating photos of various couples, I think I might get sick again.

Or maybe it's just the burrito.

Who knows.

When all else fails...

I am in Panera in Chicago. I like this place because it has free wireless internet. The turkey artichoke sandwiches aren't so bad either. I don't know how I feel about eating in a white, middle-class, fast-food restaurant that plays Sade, but whatever. Every Panera is more or less the same, and that's comforting. You can find them in Chicago, Pennsylvania, Michigan, but maybe not Camden (as Mama J found out).

I will be 23 one week from today. I think of everything that happened in the past year--England, thesis, graduating, Gram's fall, meeting Tim, embarking on this work adventure, and I'm struck how unbelievably lucky I am and just how much can actually happen in one year. It's amazing. I hope that 23 brings similar challenges and triumphs.

Thanksgiving is also one week from tomorrow. I will be home! I haven't had Thanksgiving since 2004. I am so excited for my uncle's pistachio stuffing and listening to his Libertarian rants, talking with my grandmother, and having fun with my cousins, aunts, and uncles. I do think it's true--the more you move around, the more you appreciate people who have known you for a long time; people that know your bad sides and your good sides. The people who have watched you grow up and continue to support you. It's very comforting. I am excited just to be home and be stable for awhile.

Chicago is more or less fine. The schools are both good, and at this point, I don't have to teach a lot, but I still have a decent amount of students. 20 is a whole lot better than the 0 I had last week. I'm starting to think of fun stuff for the kids to do, like quizzes and puzzles. It amazes me that I stand in front of a class and they listen to me. They use the skills. Sometimes I feel like I should still be in high school myself. My living situation is really nice. I drive a half hour to work and come home to a warm place to live and a now parkable driveway. Frances, Q's nurse, never lets me leave without a hug and Q and Pam always include me in their book-reading and movie nights. It's nice. I am lucky.

I have been a little sick lately, like I usually do when I am at each assignment. Just drained, sore throat, stomachaches, that sort of thing. I think it's just subconcious stress that I try to repress. I don't want to be angry with people or always complaining, so it usually shows up in poor sleep or eating habits.

This weekend I might go see Hamlet at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre on Navy Pier! Otherwise, I will see Twelfth Night.

I should do some work and go back to school.