It's cold....

The weather has been so crazy here lately. It either rains or is really cloudy and cool. I mean, yesterday it was 55 degrees out for most of the day and cloudy. What the heck is going on?

I shouldn’t complain so much…so stop. Work has been slow; that is why I’m writing my blog on a word document at work. To pass the time and express the inner voice of my soul.

Last week, I went to see the movie “Knocked Up” and it really made me think about stuff, my life, etc. The movie was really funny though, and I loved Seth Rogen! He was cute and reminded me of Brian, in both good and bad ways. I feel like Brian is kind of irresponsible in many ways, and although I am very responsible most of the time, that just doesn’t cut it all the time. But Brian is very nice and never says an unkind word, and the main character is pretty much like that. I really want to have a family and everything, and I worry that I don’t have a good partner for that, who will contribute equally to the responsibility of raising a child or even two. I guess eventually, he will grow up, but he is already thirty, so…that is the reality of our situation. In conclusion, for me, the movie went way deeper than it was supposed to and it hit really close to home.

I’ve also been thinking a lot about my own health lately and picked up this book that my brother bought about a year ago called You are what You Eat by Dr. Gillian McKeith. It is really good because it tells you about different foods and how they will help you solve certain target issues, like bowel problems, skincare, etc. Although, it is very hard to accomplish all the things she recommends, because no one is perfect. In a single day, I can’t eat all the veggies and proteins and fruits that I am supposed to, and never can I ingest all the vitamins and minerals that I need to be healthy. But at least I can try. Another thing—good quality, healthy food is really expensive. Unhealthy food seems to always be cheaper. Plus, I am no gourmand, so cooking healthy food is not always simple either.

This weekend was okay. On Saturday, we didn’t do too much during the day because it rained. However, on Saturday night, we drove to New Haven, Connecticut, to see a free concert in a park in the middle of the city. The concert was a compilation of music from Spike Lee’s films, which were scored by Terrence Blanchard, Brian’s favorite trumpet player. Spike Lee was even there to introduce the show! Terrence, his quintet, and a small orchestra played the music from Inside Man, Malcolm X, When the Levees Broke ( a documentary about Hurricane Katrina), and other movies. It was really good and Terrence was amazing. Thankfully, it didn’t really rain or anything, but it was pretty cool outside. Prior to the concert, we stopped at Panera bread (yum) for dinner and Dick’s sporting goods to get new chairs for the concert and the beach next week (yay) as well as a new lantern. By the way, New Haven seemed like a nice place; there were a few rough spots, but for the most part, it was pretty and Yale University is there as well. We went into a cigar bar before the concert and met a nice couple from the area. It was the first time in a long time I’ve been into a bar where people were allowed to smoke. It wasn’t the best for me.

We were supposed to go to the aquarium in Boston on Sunday, but I was really irritated because the Riverside T-station, which we always use, is being repaired every weekend until the end of the summer. We could have taken a bus there, but I didn’t really want to, so we left and went to like the worst miniature golf course ever, but it was still fun. The course had all this gross water around that had tadpoles and algae in it and broken boards were all over the place. Brian didn’t have too much respect for the place and urinated by one of the holes. Yeah, I know…nice. Then we had a big lunch/dinner/lunner thing at Fireflys, this barbeque restaurant (not as good as KY barbeque; I love Mark’s feed store). A few hours later, I walked to Dairy Queen (it’s not very far at all) and got a chocolate cone with butterscotch. It was great.

Top Chef’s third season started last night. Of course, the local yokel from Mississippi was sent home first. He spoke with a really bad accent and talked about whiskey and he probably was smoking. Jerk. It makes me so indignant because they picked some southern trashy person with an awful accent to represent that state. I know plenty of intelligent folks in Mississippi and I mean it! This guy really misrepresented the state. The same thing happens to Kentucky all the time. We’re just the dumb, slow people who say y’all a lot, drink too much sweetened ice tea, and are obviously racist and ignorant. I’m really tired of that image.

I can’t wait for the beach next weekend; I just hope it is sunny and I that I don’t get a sunburn.

Thunder, thunder on the mountain...

I'm trying to mellow out by reading my book, "Love in the Time of Cholera," and listening to some mellow tunes by the likes of Sting, My Morning Jacket, and U2. I've also been thinking about my time in the desert and how nice it really was. Today, my parents are in New Mexico and I want to be there.

The aforementioned book is magical and thoroughly romantic, as well as funny. It is about the undying love of a man, Florentino Ariza, for a woman, Fermina Daza, in Columbia over a period of fifty years. The book really has that quality of escapism, which I absolutely love. I highly recommend it.

There's a raincloud in the desert sky...

I guess today would be as good as any to talk about my trip to beautiful Arizona. I left Boston Logan airport at two in the afternoon on May 23rd. Flying out of Logan wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, especially since I rode there via the Logan Express bus from Framingham. The security lines were long and alas, many people still didn't get the whole "liquid restriction" issue and had their expensive hand creams, lotions, and other cosmetics thrown in the garbage. Get a clue, people. If you're going to fly, read up on airport security issues. In fact, one of the security folks asked if they could use my quart-sized plastic bag with cosmetics in it as an example to the other passengers. I felt responsible!

After a very short layover in Hotlanta (thankfully, the guy with TB wasn't flying that day, otherwise, we would really have been in the "hot zone"), I flew to Phoenix. I arrived about twenty minutes early and Abby was waiting for me in the baggage area. Very sweet of her. We drove to Scottsdale and saw the valley of Phoenix at twilight. I had no idea all these beautiful mountains surrounded the area. As Arizona is on Pacific time during daylight savings time (they actually don't observe daylight savings, so they are on Mountain time in the other months of the year), I was pretty tired by the time I arrived in Arizona. So, we just ate some chicken and some great guacamole that Abby made. Abby works in a health food store, and she has a penchant for the best quality foods, which I have no obection to either. On Thursday, we got ready to drive up to the Grand Canyon (it's four hours north of Phoenix), but were delayed a little bit by her roommates, who were packing. However, that was fine and we got on the road at about one. The ride to the canyon was great; we were steadily climbing in elevation and heading up through the mountains. We stopped for a picnic lunch south of Flagstaff and proceeded on our way. I have to say that there is almost nothing on the way to the Grand Canyon. At least from between Flagstaff or Williams and the canyon. We took a very lonely road up to the National Park on the East side (this is the lesser road taken) and once we got to the park, we still had to drive twenty-five miles to the Grand Canyon Village, where our hotel was located. Our first sight of the canyon was great! We took two cars there and we immediately stopped and got out of the cars, and took several pictures. We checked into our hotel, the Yavapai west lodge, and then tried to catch the sunset over the canyon. It was getting dark, but it was still beautiful. No words or pictures can really describe the experience of the Grand Canyon; one just really has to go!

We had kind of an expensive dinner at the lodge afterwards and then went to bed. Abby's roommates, Tsahai and Richard, got up early to watch the sunrise, but Abs and I were much too tired. I kind of regret this because I heard later that it was absolutely amazing. However, we did start our day kind of early, we had breakfast again at the lodge, and then went on our merry way around the canyon. We walked a "Trail of time" which I didn't really understand other than that there were these markers going back in time many, many millions of year ago. We ended up walking to the larger part of the Grand Canyon village, where the El Tovar hotel is located as well as the Bright Angel Lodge. There was also a trail heading down to the canyon where people and mules can navigate. There is a famous mule trail ride that occurs everyday here; that really would have been fun, but the recommendation is that you book this journey one year in advance (wow!). I was wearing a v-neck t-shirt and got a little sunburned on my neck. I wore ample sunscreen on my face and arms, so otherwise I was fine.

Abby and I left the canyon between 2 and 3 and headed to the beautiful town of Sedona, which is south of Flagstaff. Again, it was kind of lonely road on the way there, but we did go through a beautiful area called Snowbowl, AZ, where there are several ski resorts, I believe. The drive from Flagstaff to Sedona was so gorgeous and almost didn't seem like Arizona, more like Colorado. It made me realize how diverse the landscape of the state really is. Sedona is the home of these beautiful red rock formations. Several western movies have been filmed here. We found a nice Mexican restaurant called the Oaxaca (apparently, it's a cheese as well) and ate on the second floor, which had open air seating. We walked around the town a little bit and took some more pictures. On our way back to Phoenix (or Phoenie, inside joke), we drove three miles out of the way to see the only Mcdonald's with turquoise arches. Apparently, the golden arches would have clashed with the scenery. Haha.

On Saturday, Abby and I drove to Old Town Scottsdale and walked around the area, which had lots of cute shops and restaurants. We ate at this Mexican/Cuban fusion restaurant, which was great. We had gelato for dessert at this great place, too. I had pistachio and Abby had mint chocolate chip. To me, gelato is way better than regular ice cream. It's less airy and less fattening, too. Of course, we went to a mall in Scottsdale, too. I bought some makeup at Sephora and Abby got some cool green flip-flops at J.Crew. Since Abby had to work overnight doing inventory at Wild Oats (where she is the supervisor and top conoisseur of the cheese counter), we got a pizza for dinner. While Abby was at work, I watched "Forrest Gump" (love that movie and Alan Silvestri's music; he also composed for "Back to the Future") and then went to sleep. I had a hard time sleeping because Abby wasn't back by 4 am from work and I was worried about her. The inventory took longer than she expected and she didn't get home until 11 am. We were supposed to go to a Diamondbacks game but that didn't really work out, however, this was fine. We were both really, really tired. I took a short walk around the neighborhood (because it was so hot, it was not that easy to be outside for a long time) and then Abby and I got ready to go out again. We drove down to this exclusive hotel/resort called the Biltmore and surveyed the area. Every U.S. president has stayed here since Herbert Hoover. Pres. Bush has stayed there thrice; our tax dollars are working hard for him. They had an amazing pool, complete with a movie screen, and I really wanted to go swimming! The hotel also had a life-sized chess board (and checkers) and a croquet set. We drove to downtown Phoenix and then to Tempe for dinner, where we ate at a Greek restaurant called "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and then we had more gelato!! My flight left at 11:45 pm, so Abby dropped me off at the airport and I was on my way back to Boston. Abby was a great host and I want to thank her so much for everything!

I really began to appreciate the western United States on my trip. Arizona is amazing and it seems like a great place to live.

I didn't arrive back in Boston until noon on Memorial Day and I hadn't gotten much sleep at all, so I was very cranky when I got back home. Sorry, Brian! That night, we had a small cookout at Gretchen and Andy's. I brought them a magnet and some grapefruits from the tree in Abby's backyard.

Work has been fine since I've been back in Massachusetts. On Thursday, I got a good review for my first month and a half, so that made me feel somewhat accomplished.

Wednesday night, we went to the Red Sox game and I made a sign in Japanese for Daisuke Matsuzaka, the new pitcher this year. We weren't on TV and the Sox didn't end up winning, but it was still really fun. It's very hard to get tickets to Fenway Park, because it's the smallest baseball stadium in the MLB, so when you do get tickets (any tickets), it's really great.

The weekend has been alright. On Friday, I went to Trader Joe's and bought some yummy food, including more gelato (this time, tiramisu). BTW, does anyone know of a good gelato place in the Boston suburbs? Obviously, there are some in Boston, including in the North End, but I don't really know of any in the Metrowest area. I also bought one of their grocery bags, which is really cute and of course, environmentally friendly. Lately, I have been thinking a lot about caring more for the environment and for myself. It seems that there is a correlation in Arizona between their beautiful environment and their appreciation of it and of salubrious living. I feel like out here on the East Coast, we are not as conscious of it (plus, it is so congested here), and in the midwest, it is even worse. I don't even have a recycling option here in Marlborough, and that makes me feel guilty a lot.

Anyway, yesterday I worked in the morning and then Brian and I went to Target in the afternoon and Keith and Sarah's for a lovely grilled cod dinner. I was and am always impressed by their combined efforts in the kitchen. Today has been somewhat of a lazy day. Although, I have been to the gym for the first time since I got back to Mass. Right now, I'm watching a marathon of Top Chef season one. Tonight, we are going to Framingham for Chinese food. Yay!

Bored at work blog...

It seems like the weather always affects my moods, so I better not move to Seattle.

“Gilmore Girls” ended on Tuesday night and I am sad. The fall schedule looks bleak, although there is another show that was created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, so that is one bright spot. I’ve been watching “Shear Genius” lately, which I really like. I loved the episode where they had to recreate a hairstyle for a certain era in history—the styles were from the Medieval era, the Elizabethan era, the Victorian era, the 1920’s, 1940’s, 1960’s, and 1980’s punk. Tyson, who styled a woman’s hair for the Elizabethan era, won the challenge. They even dressed in costumes to compliment their hairstyles. On the show last night, Tyson and Tabitha were eliminated. This surprised me, because their relationship with each other (basically, just Tabitha hates Tyson) was the most dramatic element on the show. They were both extremely talented, too. But they were eliminated when they worked together as a pair for the bridal party challenge. Daisy and Anthony won (I really like both of them) and created the coolest up-do for the bride. I like the other two hairstylists left, as well; they are Dr. Boogie (great name) and Ben (the tattooed, pierced guy with a kind heart). Personally, I hope that Daisy wins, because she seems cool and her hairstyles are the best.

Also, “Big Love” is returning this summer (although I don’t have HBO) and Top Chef will also run its’ third season. I wonder when “Project Runway” will start. I cannot wait!

On Tuesday, I was able to achieve some sort of miracle. I finally got online to buy Red Sox tickets, after it seemed virtually impossible. They are pretty terrible, because we don’t even have seats, but I think it will be fun. It’s in this general seating area somewhere around 1st base. The Sox are playing the Cleveland Indians for the game, which is May 30th, so hopefully, we will win. This pitcher for the Indians went to my high school; he is a big jerk and he has a losing record this year, so hopefully he won’t be pitching. Well, he was a jerk in high school. I actually saw him three years ago when his college team (Vanderbilt) played Ole Miss in baseball. He was at the restaurant where I worked and he and his parents were cordial. It’s kind of embarrassing when you have to serve people you know. I’m glad I don’t have that kind of job now.

Anyway, I bought the tickets because Brian’s thirtieth birthday is on Saturday. He wasn’t as happy about the event as I thought. It’s hard to please him, it seems. But his emotions are more laid back than mine, so I should think about that. We’re going to the Steely Dan concert tomorrow night, which should be fun, although it’s going to be raining the whole time we are driving to Connecticut and the temperature will be about fifty degrees. Yay.

This weekend will be busy with the concert and then my choir concert and church thing.

My dad lost his job again. This is what, like the twelfth time. I worry about him and I don’t know what’s going to happen to him. He is fifty-five and basically has no retirement savings. He can’t keep doing this to himself. I hope that I won’t be like him at all.

The cat is still sleeping on my pillow at night, which means I have half a pillow most of the time. However, she is a darling to me.

Tell me why, I don't like Mondays...

This is the mother's day cake I made for Gretchen yesterday! Yes, it is very blue. We went to their house for dinner last night and she had the most beautiful garden. I want to have a yard so badly.

I bought some great clothes at Old Navy-- two pairs of cropped pants, a swimsuit, two short-sleeved shirt, a button-down shirt for work, a green flowy shirt, and I got two polos for Brian. It was a success.

A good week...and some weird dreams

Well, I am finally feeling better from my back and "other" problems. I went back to the doctor for a check-up on Monday and she told me to eat more fiber. Yay. But the cereal I bought (Fiber One) is even better than Kashi because it has 14 grams of fiber and only sixty calories per serving. I swear, sometimes, I sound like an old person who needs fiber! That is scary.

Choir was fine on Monday, although we (and myself included) need more practice on all of the songs. They are difficult though, but I feel like we don't do enough sectional rehearsals in the beginning just to get our notes correct and that is what is hindering us now. I miss being in the Ballard choir because, well, I think we were amazing. Our concert is on May 20th in the afternoon. I am singing with Sarah's church choir in the morning, so that will definitely be a very musical weekend. Plus the Steely Dan concert is Friday night.

On Tuesday, I went to the gym (my average is still about twice a week) and watched "Gilmore Girls." Oh, I am so sad that it is ending next week but it's about time. Although I feel like I kind of grew up with Rory even though I didn't watch the show the entire way through its' run. I have to thank the show though for something. When Ryan and I broke up in the fall of 2004, I really started watching the show on the Family channel in syndication. To be honest, the show was comforting to me because it makes you feel good, at least to me. During this time of my life, I was so depressed about everything and I didn't really have anyone to talk to about my breakup with Ryan and my feelings about hopelessness and leaving school without a planned future. It was so difficult. I read something once that said people are most depressed in the morning right when they awaken. This was true for me. I remember waking up at the Theta house and getting in the shower and crying most every day. I'm so happy now that I got through those three months alright and that I successfully completed school. I didn't want to do anything; I just wanted to quit Ole Miss and come home. And coming home, being far away from Ryan and all the other issues, was what finally cured me. I know I just went into a long harangue about that whole episode, but that is what I will relate to most with the show.

On Wednesday, I got off work early and Brian and I went to see "Spider-Man 3." It was a little long and silly when Tobey started dancing, but otherwise, it was pretty good and I really liked the story. I wonder if there will be a fourth movie.

I've had some very strange dreams lately. In the first dream, I slept for four months, between May and September. I missed all the lovely summer weather and I woke up when the leaves were turning colors and people were wearing coats. Maybe this dream is telling me that I am missing out on something. In the second dream, I went to visit my friend Kelly in New York (he's moving there in August) and he lived with my ex-fiance and his wife. And we all got along!

I'm pretty tired now from the week. I'm doing laundry now and watching "Finding Nemo." Adorable movie; actually, I own it. Tomorrow, I have to work and then I'm going to Old Navy to get a new swimsuit and some summer clothes for work and for my trip to Arizona. I love to shop!

The Sun Shines Bright on My Old Kentucky Home...

Well, this week has been one of ups and downs for me. Last Sunday was very fulfilling, as my friend Mary and I went to a U2charist in Framingham. Being a huge fan of U2 and an Episcopalian, well, sometimes, this service was quite perfect for me. And for any U2 fan! U2's music is often very spiritual and could ambigiously be about God and religion. I believe that their earlier music was very religious, but I'm not positive about some of their later stuff, especially the whole Zoo TV/Popmart Era in the 1990's. So, Rev. Paige Blair from York, Maine, and some of her congregation go to different Episcopal churches and hold these U2charists, complete with U2 music and a message about what we as individuals can do to change the world. The service left me absolutely elated, and I believe it had the same effect on Mary. Here is a list of the songs that were played during the service:

Beautiful Day
Pride (In the Name of Love)
MLK
One
40 (Psalm 40)
When Love Comes to Town
Sunday Bloody Sunday
One Step Closer
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Window in the Skies (by the way, this is my new favorite song)
Peace on Earth
Walk On

All I have to say is that it was a wonderful service and I would be delighted to go to another U2charist!

On Monday, my back was still hurting at work, so I decided to call the medical office where I go for "other" appointments to actually acquire a primary care physician. I went to an appointment, however, not with my official doctor, that afternoon. She really couldn't find anything wrong with me and I had to get some x-rays, which was somewhat unpleasant because the woman was aggressive and pushed me around on the table. They did discover some digestive problems (I won't get into it) and I was told to get some meds myself. However, they didn't give me a prescription. I went home and got sick bascially Monday and Tuesday night. On Thursday, I decided I needed some kind of pain killer prescription, so I went back to another doctor at the same office and was successful in getting Naproxin. Although I have been feeling well for most of the weekend, I woke up this morning with a back pain again. It stills hurts now.

During the middle of all of this, Brian and I went to dinner at the Wildwood Steakhouse for our two-year anniversary. We had an excellent dinner, but I feel things are weird between us. Maybe we're just too comfortable with each other. Also, Brian's thirtieth birthday is in two weeks and I really don't know what I can get him. Perhaps I can get him Red Sox tickets, but those seem impossible to get these days. However, I did get Paw Sox tickets (the Red Sox's AAA affiliate) for a July game when they play Louisville!

Anyway, I love my Brian but I often feel like he is not serious about me, which is a problem I've been faced with in the past.

On Tuesday, I got my very cool Razor phone. Well, now I'm hip, only a year too late. I have two great ringtones-- U2's "Where the Streets Have no Name" and the Outfield's "Your Love."

Yesterday was Derby Day and I was quite nostalgic for home. This was the year to be at the Derby because Queen Elizabeth II was present! Of course, both of my brothers were there because they have connections and all that. Eliot even won $1750 on one race (although it wasn't the Derby itself). One misconception I find that people have about the Derby is that they think there is just the one race the entire day, but there are actually about ten races. The Derby just has the biggest purse to win. I made two bets yesterday for $5 apiece on Curlin and Scat Daddy to Win and Place respectively but Street Sense won. Curlin ended up being third and Scat Daddy was like eighteenth. Anyway, Brian and I were over at Keith and Sarah's house, where we watched the race on their big screen projector. I made eggplant parm and derby pie; it was a lovely meal.

I miss my home so much when I see the Derby. Next year (if I am still here), then I am going to take a few days off and go home for Derby week. Mom is going to attempt to get tickets to the Oaks, which is the day before the Derby and features the race for the fillies.

Summer is almost here and the weather has been nice. It's going to be very warm next week, too. So, I have two weeks until my Arizona trip, for which I am so excited. We made reservations for a campsite at Cape Cod in June and then I will be home in August for a few days.

If I could be sweet...I know I've been a real bad girl...

I have to do my complaining first. The weather has just been bad, seriously. My lower back has been hurting me since Tuesday, which means that it is difficult to sit in my chair at work and sometimes in the car and also hard to get out of bed or the car. I have also been a little bored lately and definitely getting on Brian's nerves. And I have been the victim of too much television-- Reality TV, the Virginia Tech shootings (which I am very sorry for the victims and their families and friends, but I never want to see that Cho guy's face ever again), etc. There is too much hate and evil in this world. Oh, and it is just great (I'm being sarcastic here) to see a movie trailer that promises "nine people will die, and you get to watch" the same week as that horrible tragedy in Virginia.

There are just times of the year when I get a little sad and that is happening now. I mostly blame the weather. It is almost May and still 45 degrees outside. I also miss my family a lot, too.

My job is still going well and I am enjoying working at my branch. I've walked to work several times, which is great, but it has been limited because it has rained a lot here. One very cool thing is that I sometimes stop at Starbucks for a drink (and their mango empanadas are excellent) on the way to work. I've also become quite addicted to Dunkin Donuts iced coffee with cream and splenda.

I've asked off for some vacation time in the summer. Because I started in April, I have fifteen days off. Next year, I will get twenty. In June, I'm taking a day off so that Brian and I can go camping in Cape Cod again and in July, I'm taking a day off so that Paul can come visit. I'm going home for a few days in August, too. I'm still really excited for my Arizona trip next month; I talked to Abby last night and we're planning a few things, like a day trip to the Grand canyon.
I may not be able to go home for Christmas, which is sad for me, but I'll go home for Thanksgiving instead if that is the case.

Brian's brother and his girlfriend are moving here in July or August so that Geralyn can go to Pharmacy school in Worcester. Sometimes, I'm not so sure what I feel about that. I do like Geralyn though.

Rainy days and Mondays always get me down...

It's been a little while since I last updated my journal. The last two weeks have been nice and kind of fun, too. March 29th was my last day at Banknorth and it wasn't so bad. The manager actually bought me a little cake, which I didn't eat. Too much cake lately with the decorating class anyway. The next day, I set out for Horsham, PA, to see Paul. I left at 11:30 in the am, and basically drove through the busiest part of the Eastern Seaboard (Boston to Philly via New York City). I caught a lot of traffic in New York and New Jersey, and the drive took me about seven hours. However, it was kind of neat to drive through Connecticut because I have never been there (and I thought about Gilmore Girls the whole time) and New York, where I crossed over the George Washington Bridge and saw the beautiful skyline of Manhattan. It is very cool to know that I live so close to New York, even though I haven't really been there since November 2005. Hopefully, Brian and I will be able to go this summer or in the fall. Anyway, when I got to Paul's, we went out to this seafood restaurant and then to see the movie "Reign over me," with Adam Sandler. It wasn't bad, just a little different than I expected and very sad. On Saturday, we went to the town where Paul teaches and saw his school and walked around the cute little town. It is right on the Delaware River and we also walked over the bridge to New Jersey. That afternoon, we went home, relaxed and watched most of "Marie Antoinette." I watched the rest of it later and I will say that it an exquisitely beautiful movie (for scenery, costumes, and the lovely desserts that shown, really), but it is a little short on content and a little slow as well. That night, we ate at this wonderful Italian restaurant where I had eggplant rolatine and it was so good. I ate far too much that night. We went to a bar afterwards and had a few drinks. On Sunday, we had brunch at a diner and then I left because I didn't want to get stuck in too much traffic. It was still crazy going home, but it took about an hour less. A couple of interesting things I learned on my trip: you cannot pump your own gas in New Jersey, you only pay a toll one way on the GW bridge, and there are some large towns in Connecticut. Oh, and the New Jersey Turnpike is purgatory!

By the way, Paul is a middle school social studies teacher and he is trying to convince me to take the teaching tests in Massachusetts so that I can become a history teacher. I would really like to become a teacher (I think), but have to be sure I'm going to live somewhere for a while before taking the tests. Also, I will eventually have to get my master's degree, which would be fine, because I want to go back to grad school someday, but probably not next fall.

I started my new job on April 2nd, and even from the first day I knew that it was nice. There were only four of us in the training class and they bought us lunch on the first day. I feel more like a valued individual here than at my previous bank. We had our training, which was the same as most other banks, but it seemed better. Plus, I already know the system they use, so that makes it more simple. I also met some really nice people, including another member service representative who is also new to the job. Her name is Sally and she works at another branch. She already invited Brian and me to one of kid's birthday party, so that is cool.

During the week, I went to my last cake class and made some very colorful cupcakes (I didn't take a picture), but I do have a picture of the Easter cake I made two weeks ago. It was delicious, until the cake molded because I forgot that I put whipping cream in the filling and forgot to refrigerate it. The picture was taken before this occurred.

This past weekend was fun. Brian and I ate at the beloved and fattening Friendly's, where I love the chicken strips and the reese's pieces sundaes. On Saturday, I went to the gym, and then we went to Spencer for Keith's thirtieth birthday. Brian's thirtieth is in a month. We stayed over at their house because on Easter Sunday, we participated in their church service. Brian got paid to play the trumpet, and I sang in the choir. After church, we tried to get lunch at Qdoba or Moe's (there isn't one very close to Marlborough, so I never go), but they were both closed because of Easter. Instead, we ate sushi. It reminded me of eating Chinese on Christmas. However, I'm glad a lot of places are closed. That afternoon, I decorated more cupcakes with the grass tip and made some very colorful treats. We took them over to Gretchen and Andy's (Brian's parents) and had a lovely ham dinner and an exciting game of Party! pictionary.

On Monday, I went to do more training at the St. Mary's main office and then went to choir. Tuesday, I went to the branch and went to the gym. The people at the branch seem nice. Several of them are foreign, which is cool. One is from Portugal, one is from Brazil, I'm not sure where the head teller is from, and the manager is from Ecuador. He is really nice and his wife is due to give birth next week. He really seems to care about his branch "team." We have instant messenger at work (only internally) and that is really different, but nice.

So, I have to work the next three Saturdays, but I have the two off in a row that I need in May, so that is fine.

I am so sick of the cold, rainy weather. I just want it to be warm so I can walk outside. And I can't wait to go to the beach!!
I guess April showers do bring May flowers, but they also bring sad feelings. Well, I'm happy, though; I just want sunshine on my shoulders.

Frozen Lemon Custard is my new favorite flavor...

The rest of the week has been fine. It's been awkward still at work but I really don't talk about leaving and no one really talks about it with me. The head teller has made some stupid comments about it, but you know what, she's kind of a loser. And as much as this sounds mean, I don't want my life to be like hers. High school was like the pinnacle point of her life, she talks about it all the time, and frankly, it annoys me very much. I graduated six years ago from high school and I barely even talk about it. I really don't want to sound bitchy, but again, I'm happy that I only have four days left at Banknorth.

It's been a little lonely here in Marlborough. Well, I just really miss my family and friends in Louisville, although sometimes, I don't even know how true some of my friends are there. I miss having at least one good friend here to talk to about stuff with. I can always can Abby and that is great, but she is across the country, and that makes things difficult.

So, this weekend, Brian and I didn't do too much. I worked from 8:30 until 6:30 on Friday and we had some great barbeque for lunch. Then, I came home, Brian and I ate leftovers, and I went to bed early because I had to work the next day. Saturday, I worked, went to the grocery store, and came home. Although it wasn't really that warm, Brian and I went to take a walk by a reservoir a few miles from our apartment. When the days get a little warmer, we'll go into the city and do some fun stuff there. I made risotto for the first time for dinner (and it turned out great; I can't wait to make more), and Brian made some steaks (which were okay, a little overdone, we haven't quite perfected that yet). Other than that, it was kind of boring. I rolled coins from our coin jar ($36!) and we watched SNL with Peyton Manning.

Today, I really wanted to go out for breakfast but we didn't end up going anywhere. I did watch "The Way We Were" with Barbra Streisand (great song, okay film), and went to the gym. I was on the elliptical for forty minutes, did the rowing machine for just two minutes, and walked for ten. I weighed myself, but we won't go there. I don't really think of myself as fat; yes, I guess I could lose some weight, but I don't really eat a lot of junk and at least I do exercise a few times a week. Plus, I drink a lot of water, I don't consume very much alcohol, and I don't smoke cigarettes.

I haven't been to the mall in over a month, so Brian and I went to a mall in Natick, which is absolutely a monstrosity. It is being renovated, they are building a bunch of new stores, etc. and it is just crazy. We drove around twice trying to find the entrance. We went into Crate and Barrel and Williams Sonoma and I pined for all the great kitchenware, especially the Kitchen Aid mixing bowl in sage green for $299. Yikes. I won't be getting that for awhile. Although I am getting an extra $2000 on my taxes because an education credit from last semester. But that will be going towards new glasses, a new computer battery, paying back loans, and possibly a passport, well, just because someday I may need it.

Of course, we went into Sephora (there are two at that mall!), and I bought Frozen lemon custard shower gel. It is very light and summery. I also bought a few car air fresheners and a Brazillian passion fruit candle (a small one) at Yankee candle. Because of a $10 gift card I received at work the other day, I only spent $15 at the mall; I was very, very good. There were some cute shirts at Banana Republic, but nothing really looked good on me (or was a little too expensive), so I decided not to buy anything.

Tonight, we're having dinner with my future in-laws. Well, I'm not exactly sure of that yet.

Happy Birthday to my stepfather, Walt! My mom took him to see Wynonna Judd and the Louisville symphony last night and they had a great time...

Oh, can't you see what love has done, what it's doing to me...

It's been a relaxing day, even though I worked from 8:30 until 3:30. Last night was a very fun cake class, even though my cake was very "crumb-y" and it almost fell off the revolving cake stand (oops!). But in the end, as you can see from the pictures from my last journal entry, it turned out very well. And roses are very fun to make. Next week, I plan on making another chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream frosting and strawberry filling.

Anyway, I gave my almost two-week notice to the manager on Monday. She was a little shocked and kind of questioned me, but I really didn't want to say anything, for fear that they would fire me immediately. However, that didn't happen and so my last day is next Thursday. The head teller wanted to know where I was going and reluctantly, I told her. They need me for the next two weeks anyway. After I leave, basically the assistant manager and the head teller will have to work every single Saturday because the manager refuses to work any Saturdays at all. And she is the one who proclaimed that this is retail, therefore we work Saturdays. Apparently, she spends time with her elderly mother all day Saturday (the manager is in her fifties). I'm so glad that I will be out of there in merely a week.

It hasn't gotten warm here yet. But I'm very positive that spring will come soon. And love seems to be blossoming more every day in the Koning-Honaker household. Brian has always accepted me for being myself, this very strange girl who is both vain and un-self-confident at once, who loves all kind of music, who cannot decide what political party she belongs to, and can be very mean and amazingly sweet all in one day. He is so loving, kind, and calm, and I hope that someday I will share his name and have his child. Honestly, I can't tell you when that day will come, but I've got to be patient for now. I rushed into getting married once, and look what happened to that situation. Besides, living with Brian is making me a very happy, elated woman.

He looks a little funny in this picture, but I'm drunk in love with him. Oh, sappy-ness.

A Great Cake!

I'm very happy with the cake I made tonight.

I start my new job on April 2nd!

Next weekend, I'm going to visit Paul in Horsham, PA.

Also, I purchased my ticket for Phoenix today. Yay!

Some librarians are very, very rude, especially the ones at the Marlborough Public Library.

Bonne Nuit, world.

There's nothing like a snowy St. Patrick's Day, with a gorgeous new hair color and free flowers...

I can't even tell you how happy I am to have a new job! Even if it is still a bank job, hence, not the "dream job," it is still a better job, I am sure, than the old one. Pretty much since I got the full-time job at BankNorth, I have not liked it very much. No, it hasn't been terrible or anything, but we are very understaffed (and will be more so with the subtraction of moi), and the staff that are there, besides the headteller and Dottie, who works are Saturdays, are not great to work with. My manager will not learn how to work a teller drawer (apparently it is beneath her), will not work on Saturdays, and is general, snobby. She also has no previous banking experience. The assistant manager is a nice guy, but he is pretty irresponsible and basically doesn't want to work part of the time. I'm pretty sure he wants to quit, too.

Anyway, I've been looking for a new job for a while, and finally, I have one with St. Mary's Credit Union in Marlborough. They are a small bank and only have five branches. I will be working at a branch that is a quarter mile away from me; hence, I will be walking to work most of the time. And there is a Starbucks on the way!! Yay, so I can spend money on coffee and not on gas for my car. Plus, I will get paid more (about a 7% raise) and have three weeks of vacay per year.

Well, anyway, so I'm very euphoric about all that. I'm not sure what will happen when I turn in my resignation letter on Monday. I'm giving BankNorth my two weeks notice, but honestly, they may not let me stay because I am going to a competing bank. However, if this happens, I will just try to start at St. Mary's earlier and possibly go to Pennsylvania to visit Paul next weekend or the week after that. I was going to visit him Easter weekend and take two days off, but I can't really do that once I start a new job. But I know I will get to visit him sometime soon.

Another trip is being planned as well. Abby moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, and I am going to visit her over the Memorial Day Holiday. I've never been to the Southwest and I live to travel, and I really am so excited about seeing Abby. I've been looking up some things to do and there are several museums, lots of shopping, and great Mexican food. Plus, the scenery! Desert sky, dream beneath the desert sky...Now I just need to venture to the Joshua Tree National Park in California.

Well, after a lovely week in weather and a seventy-degree Wednesday, we had a huge snowstorm yesterday. I'm not sure how much snow we got here, but it was over half-a-foot. I worked until 6:30 yesterday and it was a little bad on the roads getting home, but not terrible. Then, Brian and I went to dinner at a place called Lombardo's, which is right across the street. It was a lovely, yummy dinner complete with riesling, bread and cheese, portobello mushrooms, red snapper for me and salmon for Brian, and some delicious risotto. We watched the snow fall on the lovely night of a thousand stars.

Today, I didn't have to work (yay), and I went to get my hair colored and cut. Now I have brown hair again. I stopped at a flower shop on the way home, which is owned by a lady I know who comes into the bank, and bought two gerber daisies and she gave me some tulips and daffodils, gratis. I also bought a cute catfood dish at a pet store for Morgie.

Anyway, today is St. Patrick's Day, and we had two invitations tonight, which is a rarity. The first was to dinner in Boston, which would be really fun on St. Patty's day, but I think we're going out to Spencer to spend time with Keith and Sarah.

It has been a good week.

Bad sneakers and the pina colada, my friends

I love Steely Dan! So, a few thoughts from today. And it has been a much better day than yesterday.

-- I may have a new job by next week (keeping fingers crossed), in which I would get paid more and get more vacation time (and believe me, I'm all about time off of work)

-- Hopefully, this won't interrupt my trip to Pennsylvania to see Paul next month

-- Memorial Day weekend, I am going to Scottsdale, Arizona, to see my other best friend, Abby!!! I've never been there and I am so excited about traveling out west and seeing Abs. Go West, young woman [sic[!- Frederick Jackson Turner

--I love my cake decorating class; it is adorably fun and wonderful. The cake doesn't look that great, but well, I'm an ingenue at this type of thing.

Now I must go to bed. Oyasumi Nasai.

Another winter's day in Paris and Rome, and I want to go home, let me go home...

My trip home was really, really wonderful and in fact, I never wanted to come back to Mass., save for Brian's love and my furry friend, Morgan (umm, my cat if you don't know already). Actually, the trip didn't start off so hot considering I got to the Providence airport at 5:30 am and my flight left at 6; I was very late and frightened that I would miss my flight, but I made it on time. The problem was that it snowed on Thursday night (the 22nd) and on Friday, we had to leave at 4 am, and we woke up at 3:40. Long story short, Brian couldn't get out of the parking lot he parked in because of the steep hill, and so we had to take my car, which I almost didn't get out of either. It was scary. Anyway, we flew out on time, I had an hour layover in Cleveland and arrived ten minutes early in Louisville. I cried when the plane landed; I was happy to be home. Mom picked me up at the airport and we went to Eliot's house, where we got ready for Jennifer's bridesmaid luncheon. I didn't look so hot, but mom looked nice and we headed over to 211 Clover Lane. It was a nice lunch hosted by my cousin Hunter, her mother Jeana, and her grandmother and my favorite great aunt, Jane Hope. I had salad, shrimp and grits, and a lovely chocolate mousse. After lunch, mom and I went to Grandad's house, I had an eye exam at Walmart, and then I went home and dyed my hair because it looked horrendous. Then, Mom and I went shopping at Oxmoor, where we attempted to find some cool panty hose for her for the wedding the next day. When that didn't pan out (she wanted fishnets, I said no), we went to Buca di Beppo and met Walt, Graham, Kenny, my stepsister Mel and her husband Mike, Yvette's (my other stepsister) kids Clayton and Stirling, and Katherine and Eric. I love the Buca, and they changed the Pope room to reflect Pope Benedict the whatever number. It was cool! The food is semi-semi, but the ambiance is excellent for large groups. Mom brought a lovely home-made red velvet cake (a southern girl's favorite) and Stirling (our six-year gigolo-in-training) met some high school girls who wanted a picture with him. After dinner, I went out to Kat and Eric's to see their little Mabel and she is such a cutie.

Saturday, I picked up my friend Nora for brunch at Lynn's Paradise Cafe, a quirky Louisville restaurant that is renowned for egg-cellent breakfasts (that is hokey!), ugly lamp contests, and fabulous southern cuisine. Nora was dating Brian's friend, Matt, who actually dated Kyla and introduced me to Brian two years ago. However, they broke up amicably about two weeks ago. They lived together for the past eleven months, and are now moving to separate places. Gosh, I don't want that to happen to Brian and me. Anyway, he's moody and I understand the reasons for their separation and she really just wants to be single right now, I think. Nora's a great person to talk to and we have a lot in common anyway. Random note: she likes William Faulkner a lot.

After brunch, we drove over to Off Broadway shoes and World Market. I drove her home and went to Target to buy a few cool shirts on sale. I rested a little bit at home and then drove to Christ Church Methodist about a half hour before Jennifer's wedding, so that I could see her in her lovely dress. Jennifer's twin sister, Melissa, was the matron of honor and is also five months pregnant, but she is small, so it didn't show much. Anyway, the wedding party looked splendid and the wedding itself was great, fine, you know. It was raining, which is apparently a sign of good luck for a wedding. The reception was at the Seelbach (very expensive), and the band was great. The food was so-so, but the cake was fabulous-looking.

Sunday, I went over to Stephanie's house to see her son, Hayden, before we went to lunch at Buckhead's in Indiana with Lindsey and Linda, two other people I worked with at Stockyards. It was great to see them, but the service was horrible. However, we got our food for free because of the screw-ups. Steph is pregant, too, and her baby is due nine days before Melissa's. There seem to be a lot of pregnancies right now; Sarah Rutkiwicz (Keith's wife; he plays Friday night gigs with Brian) is also preggers (oooh, I hate that word). She's not due until October, though.

It has become an annual tradition that my family participate in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters bowling tournament. We've done this for the past four years. It's quite fun; we raise money for charity and get two games of bowling, shoes, and pizza for free. That was also, coincidentally on Sunday afternoon. It was great and I got to meet Eliot's new little brother, Trey, who is really cute and very talkative. And I scored 128 on my second game; bowling is like my new favorite pastime. I kept thinking about "The Big Lebowski" and the Jesus (character played by John Torturro) the whole time.
The rest of the trip was fun. I went to my friend Natalie's house to watch the oscars and see her wedding pictures. Then, I made an appearance at Celeste's and watched the rest of the show with her and Phil. Kyla and Brian also stopped by to say hello. On Monday, Grandad and I met Mom and Walt at my favorite bakery, Plehn's and said our goodbyes before Grandad took me to the airport for my 11:20 flight; needless to say, this time, I was quite punctual. I had a lovely layover at the newly remodeled Detroit airport (which has a cool light show between the concourses and a futuristic tram in the Northwest terminal). I got into Providence at 3:30 and Brian surprised me by parking and meeting me at baggage. We went home and then went to Acapulco's, where we got some much needed Mexican food. I was happy to see my love and my cat. Brian said something about engagement rings being expensive; I don't know what that means. I decided to skip choir because I was tired.

Work has pretty much been bad this week. Well, not terrible, but, I just want to leave!! So, I'm waiting on this credit union for an answer and I am so qualified for this position. My boss Marie is such a b, she knows nothing about banking, she's a shitty manager in general, and the list goes on and on and on. I can say other things about the other people I work with, save for Dottie, but I won't mention them here.

I only went to the gym twice last week, but that is alright. I know I talk about food alot, but I feel like I should be a critic sometimes.

Friday night, Brian and I went to Sakura in Worcester with Keith and the newly-pregnant Sarah; she didn't eat a lot of fish. We had a good, but quite expensive sushi dinner. We went home, fell alsleep very early and I had to get up to work (of course) on Saturday. Work was okay and I like gossiping with Dottie about the ultimate doom of the bank. Dottie only works Saturdays and the manager doesn't work any Saturdays because it is beneath her, so she has never met Dottie. Therefore, Dottie doesn't like the manager. I had choir rehearsal afterwards because we have a concert next week. After choir, I came home and relaxed with Bri for a bit and then we went to Autozone and the grocery, where Brian and I bought $177 worth of groceries (including a $30 Brita water purifier). Everything is more expensive here, I swear.
I invited Brian's parents over for brunch today and prepared four foods for the occasion-- pineapple casserole, fruit salad, interesting Martha Stewart muffins, and the familiar favorite, spinach quiche. I think it was a successful meal and we always have fun with Brian's parents. We ate and played Hearts until Brian lost with a score of 100. The game is about having a low score, not a high one.
The only other mentionable thing that happened today is that I got an oil change and the freaking door handle on the driver's side of my car is broken, so I have to crawl over from the passenger's side. I mean, it's not that big of a deal, but I need to get it fixed this week and it will be a busy one.

Wish me luck on getting a new job-- very, very, very soon!

I also want to tell the world that I love my Brian so much, everyday. He is great, and even if we don't get married anytime soon, and maybe that is best if we wait, I don't care. He is a wonderful man and friend to me. That's all.

I'm going home!

This has been a good and exciting week. I wish that I could motivate myself to write in my blog more often, but it doesn't always work out that way. Valentine's Day was really nice, aside from the weather. Brian and I have started this tradition of not going out on Valentine's Day. And besides, the roads were pretty bad from the ice and snow, so unless we walked to one of the restaurants on our street, we really couldn't have gone anywhere. Brian got me a large vase full of flowers-- stargazer lilies, roses, tulips, etc. It is still very beautiful and incredibly fragrant. He also bought me a card and a box of chocolates. We had a fabulous gourmet dinner, which I already posted the menu for last week. The chocolate ganache (courtesy of the Martha Stewart website; yes, I'm actually a fan of hers) was excellent, as were my potatoes, the green beans, and the steak. Brian did a good job cooking the filet mignons. Valentine's Day even came yesterday when I received the most wonderful iced sugar cookies from my very sweet mother. Thanks Mom! Anyway, on the 15th, I just basically worked early, went to the gym, did laundry, and fell asleep during yet another movie. I also cleaned the apartment in preparation for our weekend guests, Kelly from Ole Miss and Anthony Cekay, who went to U of L with Brian and now goes to school in CUNY in Manhattan.

I came home early on Friday to meet everyone, and Brian went into Boston to pick up Kelly and Cekay (who came in on the $15 Fengwah? bus), but the traffic was so bad that they didn't get here until 8 pm. We then went to this pub down the street and had a pretty good dinner and beer. We were all pretty tired and Kelly and I went to sleep early while Brian and Cekay jammed a little on the trumpet and saxophone, respectively. Saturday, I had to work (of course), and then I came home for an hour and drove to the T station to go to the city to meet Kelly. Brian had brought both he and Cekay back to the city for music stuff. Kelly auditioned for a master's program at the Boston Conservatory. We met at Hynes at 2:00 and walked to the Prudential mall, where I visited Sephora and bought some lovely "Philosophy"cal treats for my friend Nora, who sent me the box full of goodies. We walked a lot that day, to the Common and then to Fanueil Hall and Quincy Market. We had a lot of dessert that day, too-- Ben and Jerry's, gelato, and then creme brulee cheesecake at Bertucci's later. Oh, we were devilish. I also bought some wicked cool Northface gloves at City sports. We took the T to Cambridge to see Harvard and then we had dinner. Then we went back to the apartment and watched "Little Miss Sunshine," which is one of the best movies I've seen lately.

Sunday, we ate breakfast at the Main Street Cafe and I had delicious blueberry pancakes. We took Kelly to Logan airport (a scary experience) and then stopped at Target on the way back to Marlborough. Monday, I went to the gym and then went to Shrewsbury to see Gouri about helping me with my Mass. taxes. I've already done the Federal and state of Kentucky taxes and I can't wait to get my refunds (they're really not that big but it's something). Then I went to Trader Joe's, because it is right by Gouri's house. I love that place; I bought frozen blueberries, chocolate covered bananas, chai tea latte mix, dinner stuff, etc. It is the best store. Anyway, I went to choir, per usual. I sat next to a lady who said that I sounded like I had been singing for a while and that she liked singing next to me, which was a nice compliment.

Tuesday night, I went to visit my friend Mary from Northeastern and we went to eat at this restaurant in Billerica called Naked Fish, which was amazing. I had coconut encrusted Haddock and Mary had grilled chicken and we both had yummy veggies like plantains and sweet potatoes. Then we hung out at her apartment, talked about school and life, and then ate some wonderful King Cake. King Cake is a traditional cake (rather like a cinnamon bread with yellow, green, and purple colored icing) made on Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras, the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of lent. Mary even put in a little plastic baby Jesus! It's kind of a different tradition, but I like it. I miss Cajun food and celebrations.

Not much of note happened yesterday, other than that Brian and I made chicken parmesan together. Oh, I did have an interview with St. Mary's Credit Union again. Hopefully, I will get this other job. There are just a lot of problems at Banknorth, period.

Tomorrow I will fly home for the weekend. We have to leave Marlborough at 4 am to get to the Providence, RI, airport on time for my 6 am flight. I am going to a bridesmaid's luncheon at noon, then an eye appointment at 3:30, and finally, dinner at Buca di Beppo wtih lots of people at 7. And more for the rest of the weekend later. I'll come back on Monday afternoon.

Tonight, I have to pack and then we may go see a movie. Possibly "Breach" or something.

I was dreaming of the past, and my heart was beating fast...

Happy Valentine's Day, John Lennon.

Today has been a bit of a spontaneously good day. This morning, I went to Starbucks to get my favorite chai tea latte with a shot of espresso (they call it a dirty chai; I'm a dirty girl). Haha. Anyway, I also bought a John Lennon album while I was there. It's like a greatest hits album and there is this really wonderful song called "Jealous Guy," which is kind of like an apology to Yoko or something. A very sweet song. I went to work and Lisa and I worked together alone for most of the day. Our manager brought us pizza at like 2:15 in the afternoon and that was okay. Greasy, Papa Gino's, but whatever. After work, I went to the grocery store to buy filets for tomorrow night. Here is the lowdown on menu for Valentine's Day:

Caesar Salad
Crescent rolls from a can
Angus Beef filets
Green Bean Casserole
Mashed Red skin potatoes
Angel Food Cake (in mini bundt shapes) with a chocolate ganache, whipped cream, and strawberries

And of course, red wine. I bought Brian a shirt from Land's End last week, and he's getting a card, but that's really about it. I'm not expecting much from him; sorry, but he's not one for good surprises-- I got Britney Spears' perfume for Christmas. Okay. But that doesn't mean that I don't love him.

Anyway, we're expecting this huge snowstorm tonight and both of us had to park in a covered garage across the street. I hope that it is not too bad. Tomorrow, I'm supposed to go to this training class in Worcester and honestly, I do not want to go.

Ugh, we had stir fried shrimp and veggies for dinner and homemade chocolate fondue and angel food cake bites for dessert. It was great, but now I am so full.

Not too much else is happening now. I went to the mall with Gouri last week and bought a light grey suit and a really cool dress to wear to my cousin Jennifer's wedding. I'm reading "The Year of Pleasures," which I haven't really gotten into yet. My mother has now officially sent me dishtowel for every holiday except St. Patrick's Day (you just wait, I know I'll get one).

My friend, Kelly Burns from Ole Miss, is coming to Boston this weekend and he is staying with us in Marlborough. He is auditioning at the Boston Conservatory (he is a fabulous tenor) so we will spend the day on Saturday in the city. I haven't been into Boston in two months. That may sound weird, but I feel very isolated from the city. It's like another world away from here.

Yay for Swedes!

Brian and I had a fun weekend, well, about as fun as I've had in a while. We stayed at home on Friday night and he cooked spaghetti for dinner. We were planning on going to see a movie, but it snowed, so we decided not to see "Pan's Labyrinth."

***I have to interrupt here because I just saw a preview for "Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Patterson, which is my favorite childhood book. The movie looks terrible, except that I really like Zooey Deschanel, who plays the teacher.***

Okay, back to reality. Anyway, I finally had a Saturday off at work and I woke up (still a little early) and watched Gilmore Girls Season 5 episodes, on DVD. And of course, I ate my kashi; I really love their cereal and pretty much all of their food. I went to the gym to walk on the treadmill for fifty minutes. I've been reading this book, "American Psycho," as of late, and frankly, even though I like some of it, much of the material is offensive and disgusting. It is very misogynistic and very graphically violent. The book, which was made into a movie in 2000 with Christian Bale, is about a yuppie Wall Street broker, who also happens to be serial killer. Very scary. Almost scarier than the actual crimes is the society he lives in, this uppercrust New York pre-Rudy Giuliani, which is very shallow and devoid of any kind of emotion. I'm almost done with the book and am looking forward to a more euphoric novel for my next project.

Saturday night, Brian and I went to Gretchen and Andy's house for dinner, where we had crab enchiladas and played an old board game called Outwageous, which is like Trivial Pursuit, but different. Then we went to Brian's friend Chris's house in Worcester for a small birthday party. The party was fun; Sarah and Keith were there, too. I watched SNL with Drew Barrymore and fell asleep for a minute. Brian also played trumpet upstairs in the studio with Chris and company.

Sunday, I got up kind of early, watched more Gilmore Girls and went to the gym to walk. My friend Gouri and I were supposed to go to the mall, but she works at H&R Block on the weekends and got tied up at work, so instead we are going tomorrow night. So, Brian suggested that we go to Stoughton to the huge IKEA store, which is like the coolest Swedish superstore for the home. Stoughton is like an hour southeast of Marlborough, and I've never been there in the past. The place was crazy! There were people directing traffic and a parking garage and everything. We didn't really buy too much--just some things for the kitchen and bathroom, and cinnamon rolls and lingonberry preserves from the Swedish foodmart. It was really a fun time, but the next time I go will probably be on a weekday. We got a little lost on the way back, and we ate leftovers for dinner and watched part of the Superbowl. Go Colts!

Yesterday, I worked; Mondays go by fast, which is wonderful. Except that we had this dumb meeting. I guess I'm glad that I stayed at BankNorth, but really, I need to find another job that makes me happy at some point. I miss working with Gouri, too. And I feel like I will never be trained for my new position.

I went to choir in Stow last night. It wasn't a bad rehearsal, but our concert is in five weeks and I hope we are ready! By the way, I love being an alto!

I only worked for four hours today, for comp time because I am working on Saturday. It wasn't bad at all and I went to the grocery store afterwards and bought food, Valentine's cards, etc. Then I came home and relaxed, read for a long time, and watched some TV.

Oh, I forgot to mention that I got a surprise gift from my friend Nora, who is Matt Lawson's girlfriend. I was awaiting my philosophy purchase and thought that was it, but then I got this package, which contains a book, a journal, notecards, bubble bath, tea, a bath towel, and chocolates. She is really sweet to send this to me. Anyway, I wish I had a friend like her here, because she is great to talk with and we have a lot in common.

Baby, it's really cold outside...

First, I will start off by saying that I love the skincare line, Philosophy. They make wonderful products like the one in the picture, which is a 3-in-1 shampoo, bath gel, and bubble bath. I just ordered this flavor, Red Velvet cake, today; in the past, I've gotten Cinnamon Buns, Pumpkin Pie, and Lavender Pound Cake, as well as their wonderful face wash-- purity. Honestly, I wish I could try every kind.
Well, enough about skincare. Yesterday, I worked at another branch of the bank in a town called Westborough, which is about fifteen minutes from my apartment. The people who work there are nice and it is much more organized than my branch. My friend Gouri will be working at that branch starting next week full time and I will miss her. I left work at 5, picked up my dry cleaning (which was a whopping $30 for six pieces), and then came home. Brian and I went to Keith and Sarah's house in Spencer for dinner and fun. I made this oreo dessert (in a box) for them and we had take out from this pizza/sandwich place. They just got the Wii nintendo game system and it is really fun. I'm not very good at playing video games myself, but it was fun to try.
Since it was freezing yesterday (the high temperature was 15 degrees) and we like to stay up late, Brian and I spent the night in their guest room. We also had to leave early in the morning because I had to work today at the bank. Haha, next week I don't have to! Yay! We stopped at the ubiquitous Dunkin donuts for breakfast sandwiches and coffee and then I went to work until 12:30. Brian picked me up after I went to the grocery store (which is next door to the bank and I go there every day) for fruit, etc.
Today has not been full of activity. I watched TV for a little while, Brian and I played this computer game called Dreamfall-The longest journey, and I went to the library to pick up some videos, including the Gilmore Girls seasons 5 & 6. Right now, I'm watching "Real Women Have Curves" with the excellent America Ferrera.
I finished "The Devil Wears Prada" on Wednesday and started "American Psycho" Thursday but haven't gotten into it much. However, it looks great.
Brian, wake up soon, so that we can eat!!

Adjusting to life here in the Mass...

Well, I think that I am just going to stay at BankNorth. This is being bolstered by the fact that I like my co-workers, I don't want to keep switching jobs, I don't have to totally re-train, and the glorious fact that I will receive almost $500 in incentive money next Friday. I can't believe it-- I want to buy a light grey suit with the money and maybe some new perfume or makeup or something that I wouldn't normally buy for myself. Anyway, so much for talking about shopping but I simply love to shop! I really want to go to IKEA--there is one in Stoughton, which is like an hour away and it looks like fun.

This is the first week in six months that I will be working forty hours again, and to be honest, I don't mind a bit. Yes, I like a vacation once in a while, but I like to have a set schedule. You could say that I'm a pretty structured person; I try to be a little more relaxed but it doesn't seem to happen. Like I yelled at Brian for not cleaning today; it was a bitchy thing to do. So, anyway, I am happy with working, but am sometimes bored at work when there is nothing to do. I am often on the internet, looking at newspaper websites, imdb, or whatever.

Last night I went to yoga at the gym; I haven't done that in six months either. It was a little hard, but I think I will get back in the swing of things. My arms are a little sore today, but I still love the yoga. I hope to go at least once a week; yoga is offered Tuesday and Thursday nights and Sunday mornings.

Well, I'm pretty sure that I am going to take a cake decorating class at this high school that offers a lot of night/adult ed. classes. It starts in March and lasts for five weeks. This is something I really want to do, so I'm going to register this week.

My new favorite show is on right now-- "Top Chef." I love it because I really like food, and the drama, of course. The finale is next week and I have no idea who I want to win.

Well, the picture is of my sweet little cat, Morgan. She is a little doll who loves to eat crab, play on the bed when I am trying to make it, and she loves playing with her toy mouse and cuddling with her owners. Oh, I am not turning into a cat person, I promise.

They do the walk, they do the walk of life...

There are new revelations in the job field and I feel happy today. So yeah, I obviously didn't get the Fidelity job (although now that I'm reading "The Devil Wears Prada," the "thankless" job appears more like that of Miranda Priestly's lackey and the boss did look kind of like Stanley Tucci), but now I have been offered the Bank North job and I have yet another interview with the Credit Union (although for a different position) on Thursday. It is exciting and a little nerve racking. With the BankNorth job, I already know the people I will be working with and the teller system (it's a teller/customer service position); it is also a larger bank and I could have more opportunity to advance within the bank. However, the smaller credit union is more like Stock Yards bank, I would get paid a little more, and I still know the systems on the customer service side. Well, I won't make any decisions until I find out about the St. Mary's job. Oh, and both jobs are only two miles from my house, so I will save money on gas regardless. Yes! I am helping the environment (sort of ).
The Stow choir is fine. I've been to three rehearsals so far and I am now a glorified alto. I really enjoy singing in my lower range. To be honest, even in my last few semesters of choir, I was struggling with the higher notes. Also, I'm meeting some new people, but I'm not sure about potential friends yet. You could say I'm kind of reserved when it comes to making new friends sometimes.

Listening to Bruce Springsteen...

Yeah, I don't really listen to him very much, but Gretchen (Brian's mom) is really into him, especially since he started writing this music about 9/11. It's pretty good, but so far what I've heard sounds like the E-Street band circa 1983 or 85/"Glory Days." He reminds me (and many others I'm sure) of Bob Dylan because his singing voice is not so great (although better than Dylan's) but he is a good lyricist. Actually, I like some of the songs Bob Dylan sang himself rather than songs others have performed, like "Mr. Tambourine." To me, his version is more genuine, honest, and is a good song to play when you want to go to sleep.

Alright, I have digressed. I'm not going back to school this semester. I just found out on Thursday, which is the day I was determined to find out the answer anyway. So, now I'm really trying to find a full-time job. I had the interview at Fidelity on Wednesday, which I haven't heard about yet. I have an interview at St. Mary's Credit Union in Marlborough tomorrow. Also, there is a full-time position open at my branch now, which I will take, but I would honestly probably rather work somewhere else. I also am hoping to get interviewed for another position at Fidelity, this time a customer service position.

To bide the time and also to get involved with extracurricular activities, I joined a community choir last night in Stow, Massachusetts, which is about twenty minutes from here. There was a small fee to join, and they have three concerts a year, with the first one in March. We are singing a Bach piece, "Komm, Jesu, komm," and "Missa Dei Filii" by Jan Zelenka. It's pretty neat and I really missed being in a choir. There are a lot of old people in the choir, which is normal, and one girl about my age, but I'm not sure what I think of her yet. I also am going to join a gym again and went with a free pass to Gold's Gym in Marlborough. I was going to attend the yoga class tonight, but my stomach feels bad. I'm also reading books for recreation again, and pondering whether to try Faulkner's "Absalom, Absalom," or "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

Not too much happened this past weekend, except that I ate out both nights--on Friday with Brian at this Mexican place called Acapulco's and on Saturday with my friend from work, Gouri, who is from India. I really wanted to eat Indian food and we went to this place in Shrewsbury called the Bollywood Grill. It was so good! We had chicken tikka for an appetizer, this really good spicy shrimp, a spinach dish called palak paneer, rice, and bread for dinner. I know that we have some diversity in Louisville, but not nearly as much as we have here in suburban Boston, so I find that really cool. Gouri is a very nice person and she has a lovely family, too. She has the cutest daughter, Aishi, who is two years old.

On Sunday night, we went over to Brian's parent's house for dinner. This is kind of becoming a weekly tradition. We had a nice dinner and then played the game of Life, which I either have never played or just haven't played in years and years.

This week, I'm just working the normal twenty-two hours or so. Tomorrow, we are going to this nice restaurant in Worcester, courtesy of Brian's nice gift certificate to me for Christmas. I also will go to the gym and to my interview. And hopefully, I will keep looking and will get called back about some other possibilities.

The cat tried to get in the shower today, while it was running. Silly Morgan.

It's a Beautiful Day in the neighborhood...

Yesterday, I went back to the bank after the holiday. It can be so boring there sometimes, but I like working with Andy and Lisa. Lisa is the branch supervisor (actually, head teller) and she is funny. After work, I came home, cleaned up a little bit, and Brian brought home Boston Market. Hmmm, I love that place. We watched "The Two Towers," as part of our LOTR marathon. Although, I fell asleep at 9:30, per usual. I told Brian that we have to watch "Indiana Jones" next. I can't believe they're making a fourth installment of that series. Harrison Ford is like sixty-four!
Because I do not know about my tuition waiver for school (which starts on Monday, by the way), I am looking for a full-time job. I interviewed today at a Fidelity Investments Branch in Worcester, which is about twenty minutes from where I live. I don't know if I got the job, because there are a lot of other candidates and I'm not sure if my experience is up to par with the other interviewees. However, the manager of the branch did inform me that two other people who he hired recently were from other banks. And I saw another girl at the interview who wasn't even wearing a suit. For shame... I would apply for a full-time position with the BankNorth, but I'm not sure I can switch positions unless I'm at one for six months; I've only worked for them for three months, so I don't think changing positions is option right now. Well, anyway, I am still looking around also want to apply for a assistant position at a museum in Newton.
So now I am at home with the day off and it is nice. It is a very sunny day here and I am watching old episodes of "Sex and the City." Also, the laundry is going and the cat is sitting here, basking in the sun and waiting to be petted. And maybe tomorrow, I will find out what I am doing this year.

A New Year and a new love of Vermont...

Today is New Year's Day and I cannot help thinking about that U2 song of the same name. I want to recap the time just before Christmas and then I will move on to the present. On December 23rd, Brian and I drove down to Louisville for Christmas. We drove from 7:30 am until 10:30 pm. I didn't sleep the night before (except for like an hour) and I had to drive the first shift. However, we made it without any problems (there were more to come later on in the trip). That night, we stayed at Jason's house. On Sunday, I went over to visit my grandfather, had lunch with my brother at Baja, and then shopped a little before getting ready for the Christmas Eve party at my Aunt Diane's. It's always a fun and lively affair, but I never end up talking to everyone. I went over and visited with Brian and Jason later that evening and we watched "Maximum Overdrive," a very silly Stephen King movie. On Christmas Day, we opened presents at Grandad's. I got some wonderful gifts, as did everyone else. Then, Brian and I drove over to Patty's for brunch. However, I had a problem with my car on the way there. The rear brake cylinder blew and all of the brake fluid leaked out of the car; I had the cylinder replaced and new shoe horns put on the next day, but I was still upset about the whole incident. Fords are just not the best cars. On Christmas night, we all had a wonderful home-cooked meal made by my mom at Eliot's house. Eliot, Graham, Sarah, Mom, Walt, Mel, Mike, Yvonne, Danny and their kids were there, too. We watched old home movies that my grandfather taped a long time ago of the three kids. They made me nostalgic, especially for my grandma. It was a wonderful treat for the holiday.
On Tuesday, Brian and I went downtown with my mom to have lunch with Graham and Eliot. I got a haircut that day and later that night, I ate at Qdoba with Marianne, Katherine, Eric, William, and Molly and then we saw "The Holiday" at Stonybrook. Hooray for cute, sappy movies! And of course, I love seeing my old friends. On Tuesday night, I didn't get enough sleep (of course; this is totally a terrible problem which I hope ends in 2007), and I definitely had a full day on Wednesday. Seriously, I had four social dates with old friends-- morning coffee with Emmy, lunch at Havana Rumba with Jeff, dinner with my Stock Yards girls, Lindsey, Steph, and Natalie, and drinks with Phil, Kyla, Brian, Celeste, etc. So, it was certainly crazy. I feel bad when I can't spend more time with my friends, but since I was in KY for just a few days, I had to use my time wisely.
We drove back to Massachusetts on Thursday, listening to Dire Straits, the Alan Parsons Project, and other bands on the way back. Leaving my home made me realize how much I have missed Louisville and everyone there. Honestly, it is just not the same here. I still do not know a lot of people and the life that I am missing there makes me so sad. I thought I wanted graduate school and a big city so much, and it turns out, I guess I was happier at home.
On Friday and Saturday I worked and Brian went back to his gigs at Perennials in Sturbridge. We got little Morgan (the cat) back from Brian's parents; I missed her more than anything else here in Mass. Yesterday, we drove to Manchester, Vermont, for New Year's Eve to an historic inn called the Wilburton. It was beautiful amidst the snow and mountains of Vermont. Although it did remind me a bit of "The Shining." However, no hedge animals came alive the entire time. Brian played in a ten-piece band for a New Year's party. His compensation was a night's stay at the inn, dinner, breakfast, and drinks, and $200. And I got to come along, so I was happy. I have been sick lately though and my throat has constantly felt bad. I hung out with one of the backup singer's girlfriends, danced a little, and took a short nap before midnight. The band played until one and then Brian and I hung out with some people until 3:30. The next day, we ate a fabulous breakfast, shopped in town at outlets, and then went to the Yankee Candle Village in Deerfield, Mass. before heading home. And we had a fabulous New Year. I hope that 2007 is a prosperous year that brings peace and our men home from the Middle East. Personally, I hope that I can figure out what I want to do with my life, gain self-confidence and be satisfied with my personal relationships with people. And I do hope that I can be an adult...

The Long and Winding Road

It is 7 am on a Sunday; I know I should be asleep in a warm bed next, but I wide awake doing the usual. It's really hard for me to sleep in at all, and I didn't even go to bed until 1 last night. I don't understand this concept. Brian has been asleep since 8:30 (!) last night; I just don't know how he can sleep so long. During my short five-week stint at Starbucks (and I am so glad that I never have to go back), there were times when I would have to be at work at 6:30 am and I could never sleep those nights. I mean, really, could not sleep. I would toss and turn and have to go into the other room and watch TV and I would never find myself tired. The scariest part is that I thought I would end up like Christian Bale's character in "The Machinist," who hasn't slept in a year.
I hate the fact that I still haven't met any people here (except at school, which I will probably drop out of next semester; more to come later). I want to like living here, but it is difficult because my social life (except with Brian) is non-existent. I try to think about my sister-in-law, Sarah, moving around a lot and when she came to Kentucky last year. She seemed to make friends through my brother very easily, plus she is very involved with tennis, so she met a few people through the sport. I miss her and I wish that I was as outgoing and as positive as her all the time.
My hair is constantly making me upset; I had a trim last week at Supercuts (because I don't really know of any places to go around here) and then dyed it darker myself. The blondish/reddish thing was not looking so great anymore. So I am trying this semi-permanent color every four weeks or so from now on until my hair is normal again. This problem reoccurs all the time.
About school: I feel like I am not fully committed to my program in Public History at school, I dread the commute on Mondays and Tuesdays, I feel inferior to my classmates, and I really don't want to take out loans anymore. Even though I have a half-tuition scholarship, it is still too much to pay. I've met some nice people, but they either live in Boston or just too far in general. Mary is the nicest person I met in the program; she went to Brown and lives in Carver. She is getting married in November. She's a lovely person and we have gone to the Isabella Stewart-Gardner museum and have gone out for dinner, etc. There are a few other nice people as well, but if my heart isn't in school, then I can't continue because of them. Also, I have to take this foreign language proficiency exam in Japanese, and I have no possible chance of passing it, at least not this semester.
I'm thinking about getting a job at Fidelity as a customer service representative or working with 401K's, IRA's, etc. I actually really enjoy that kind of thing. I'm going to start sending out resumes after Thanksgiving. I have a bank job as a part-time teller already and I'm making the same rate I made at my former job at Stock yards bank, but I will need to get a full time position, obviously.
Have you ever felt that you don't fit in somewhere? I think I've felt that everyday. Not just here, everywhere. I feel quite isolated at times and misunderstood.

Every journal entry is like a pity party, yet I'm the only one invited.

I miss home, family, friends in Kentucky. And elsewhere.

Looking forwards... and backwards

I know that today is September 11th, everyone does. Last night, Brian's mom and I watched "60 Minutes" about the children who lost a parent five years ago today. It was really heartbreaking. Other than that, I am thinking about it, but I don't really want to talk about that horrible day right now. I really hope that doesn't sound selfish.

Today is also the day of my first class at Northeastern-- Theory and Methodology of history. Last Tuesday, we had a meeting with the other graduate students and professors and then a barbeque afterwards. I enjoyed meeting the other students, including Mary from Carver, Leslie from Kentucky (!), etc. I cannot believer there is another student from Kentucky in my program; she went to Georgetown College and has been out of school for over a year, just like me. For my two classes, I have twenty books to read (well, maybe there will just be passages from a few); I wish that the teachers would publish the syllabus so that I can order some of the books I need to read later online. They are so expensive at the bookstore.

I got the job at Starbucks; I thought they were hiring several people, but apparently, out of so many interviews, they only chose me, oh and another girl later on in the week. I worked three training shifts last week and there is actually a lot to learn, especially on how to make the hot drinks and drink calling, etc. Even though the job is okay and doesn't pay too badly, I am still trying to find jobs at banks in Metrowest Boston. Or another part-time job, such as an administrative assistant. I applied to a few jobs yesterday for Digital Credit Union; I don't know if I will get a call from them or what. I also applied for a teller position at Bank of America, now my bank, and I was deemed to not be a teller on the assessment. There wasn't any math or actually teller stuff, just questions like how well you did in school (very) and what kind of job you want, etc. Damn, if they are that picky, then they will never get anyone. So, we shall see about the other jobs.

On Friday, Brian's mom and I went to eat at Boston Market, a very good place. I love the butternut squash and spinach!! On Saturday, Brian and I went to the L.L. Bean store and I bought a pair of black snowboots for the winter; they are quite cute. I could have spent a long time in the store, but Brian isn't much of a shopper. Then, we went to the mall in Burlington, which had Sephora and some other cool stores. We drove through Lexington and saw the two houses he lived in when he was growing up in the area. We ate at a Mexican restaurant for dinner and then went to Keith and Sarah's house to watch TV. We stayed in their guest bedroom overnight; it was a nice sleep for me because the bed here is a hard foam mattress and quite uncomfortable. Yesterday morning, we drove home and at Friendly's for brunch and just did whatever yesterday. I watched "American History X" and took a walk. Crazy movie. I'm trying to take a walk everyday; it would be nice to lose weight but it's so hard. Besides, I haven't had much of an appetite most of the time anyway. The weekend was an exception.

So, I have to leave at two to go into school. It will take about 1.5 hours to get there. Ugh. Well, we are going to look for apartments soon, and closer to the city.

So let it rain, rain on me...

Well, now we have Hurricane Ernesto, but I shouldn't complain, because we haven't had too much rain in Mass. since I've been here. Last night, we went to a party at Brian's friends' house-- Keith and Sarah. They are very nice people and Brian plays a Friday night gig with Keith at Perennials restaurant in Sturbridge. Speaking of which, we went to Old Sturbridge Village (a living history village set in the 1830's) on Friday as part of my birthday gift. It was nice and kind of resurges me to want to study Public History. Although, I am and have been quite worried about everything. I'm going into Boston on Tuesday to 1) meet with the professor who I will be doing research for this semester-- Ilham Khuri-Makdisi, 2) going to a meeting with my fellow grad students and a barbeque, 3) get my student ID made, 4) fill out an I-9 form and have my loan deferrment paper signed, etc., etc. I don't even know when I will leave Bolton. I'm thinking about now driving to the end of the Green line on the subway and taking that to Northeastern, since it is on the Green line. Or I could drive to the red line again, whatever.

I got a job at Macy's on Wednesday working in either accessories or Coach purses. However, it doesn't pay very well, except on Sundays, when I get time and a half pay. I do have an interview today at Starbucks, and I would get paid more, but the hours aren't as regular. Choices.

Happy Birthday to me!!

Yes, I feel like I have been quite anti-social lately and I feel rather bad about it. It is not that I am trying to ignore anyone either. It's been kind of strange living up here in Massachusetts away from the world I know. I don't know many people here, mostly because I haven't started school and I do not have a job yet. I applied to Borders books and cafe last night; they are actually hiring at the Salomon Pond location.

So, today is in fact my birthday and I am a very old twenty-four. My goodness! No, I'm really not old at all. Tonight, Brian and I are going to a restaurant in Worchester called The Sole Proprietor, it should be very good; The Sole is a seafood place. Brian is at work now; he got a job teaching instrumental music to 5th and 6th graders in Tewksbury, Mass. I am happy for him, and now, I hope to get a job myself! I haven't really been trying though because I didn't know what my school schedule was going to be until yesterday. In exchange for my tuition waiver, I have to work for a teacher for ten hours a week either doing research or being a teaching assistant. I am working with Dr. Ilham Khuri-Makdisi, who specializes in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean history. I will be her research assistant and she said that the hours would be flexible, which is great for me, considering that I have to commute more than an hour to school anyway. I only have to go in two days a week- Monday and Tuesday, which is not bad. We have a graduate school meeting on September 5th at 3:30 and I'm meeting Ilham at 2:30 so that is good.

I've really enjoyed my time here in New England and I've really enjoyed meeting Brian's family. His parents are really nice; it's a little awkward living here, but I believe that we will be in a new place by October 1st, and preferably somewhere closer to the city.

I hope to go camping sometime again sometime this next month. As some of you know, we went to Cape Cod a few weeks ago and we went canoeing up in Maine. And it was so much fun! I really want to go to Vermont or New Hampshire to the mountains. It is really beautiful here.

I still miss Kentucky and my friends (from everywhere) though...

They've got a name for the winners in the world, I want a name when I lose...

Well, it's been a while. That should honestly be the first sentence of every blog I ever write. I'm just not a very consistent, organized person. Anyway, the best news-- tomorrow is my very last day at Stock Yards bank! Hip hip hooray. Hmmm, I wonder if anything interesting will happen.

The bad news-- I am again in an argument with my father, Brian hasn't gotten a teaching job yet in Mass., and some people don't want me to go to grad school. Yes, I am taking out loans (some, not all), but it's my life. That Bon Jovi song. Regardless, it is my debt and it will be paid eventually.

So next Wednesday, Brian is flying down here from Mass. and then we are driving back up there with a carload of stuff. We're stopping in Niagara Falls on Thursday night and then going to Bolton (yes, Bolton not Boston) on Friday. I get to finally meet his parents!! Yay for the ex-hippies. I am so excited. And I get to see my long-lost cousins in Nashua, New Hampshire. They sound very nice.

I went to the Def Leppard/Journey concert Saturday night. It rocked, except for the fact that there were sniper shootings on I-65 in Indiana, which we had to travel. We missed the shootings by about an hour or so though. I feel very badly for the family of the man who was killed.

I will try to write in this often when I go up to Mass. so that I can update the one or two people who read my journal. Thanks Katherine, for commenting on the last entry!

In the perfunctory news of the day, I am really getting into "Project Runway." They had to create outfits inspired by dogs last night! Uly and the pug won! Yes!