But it was really something quite huge

Today, I did this little thing: I checked the little line next to the sentence that read, "I accept the offer of admission and will begin the program in the Fall of 2009." Then I put that little piece of paper in the envelope that I had addressed and sealed it. I put a newly purchased Forever stamp on the upper right hand corner, and then inserted the feather-weight package in the little mail slot at the downtown Post Office.

Fantabulous

Overheard at the playground this weekend by a 5 or 6-ish year old birthday girl, pretty in her pink flowery dress: "I love Spiderman! I'm going to marry Spiderman!" Funny - I once loved Spiderman too.

This weekend: 4th Ukrops 10K with the Girls & Betsy stops by for dinner at The Local. What would I do without them?

Sometimes I have strange premonitions. I know! I don't believe in premonitions either! But, it's true.

This woman's blog may have just changed my life: http://www.dooce.com (thanks for the tip C.S.) I laughed until I cried reading this today! I laughed until my Rectus abdominis hurt!

Speaking of naming muscles, I don't wanna study tonight. Wah.

23 March 2009

I'm waiting for my brain to fill up. Lots to study between now and Thursday. And, yes, that was me that you heard complaining in lab the other night that I'm disappointed that we only have to learn 33 muscles. Ridiculous.

My first attempt at homemade, from-scratch pumpkin bread didn't turn out quite as well as I'd liked, but considering that I tweaked the recipe a bit (only used 2/3's the sugar, used canned pumpkin and forgot to add extra cinnamon), it's pretty good. Thanks, Alton!

I think the 8K helped me break through my 2 mile barrier! And, I think I can already tell a difference after the addition of some upper body strength training. I read once that it really helps make running feel easier and I think it's true. Hm.

Must. Make. Progress. On. Manual. At. Work.

A note about seasons. I'm noticing how some events in Charlottesville are seasonal and I'd not noticed that before this year... like the MJ8K and Wordplay and The Big Read... I remember them all from last year so vividly. Anyway, that's all I'll say about that for now.

Happy Birthday, Pa!

I think my Dad is totally cool. This year he turned 71.

Running, rainy, relaxing Saturday

Baking, chai drinking, clothes washing, car cleaning.

Getting pooped on by the beautiful Amelia Bright Shelton. I feel so honored. :)

Ah, nothing to do (except study) until Monday. Lovely.

Spring "Break"

Well, I am technically on Spring Break. But, it doesn't quite feel the same when you work full time. I have been able to do a few things this week that I can't normally fit in this semester, like Supper Club. I finally remedied the No-wine-in-my-house problem. Excellent!

Yes, I'm going to complain about the 5 hours of my life that were wasted at the dealership service center today. I could metaphorically feel the dollars of unearned salary leaving my wallet as one hour became... five - and all because of poor communication, a little bit my fault, but mostly theirs. Erf. I'm now driving a rental bucket, er, I mean rental car, hopefully only until tomorrow.

Nice 2 mile run. Flat, breezy, good.

Currently reading: Still Alice by Lisa Genova. It almost brought me to tears today.

Thoughts from Shambhala Sun

I periodically pick up this magazine from IY... and often I find something in it that seems to resonate. If you'll indulge me, this is what I've been thinking about for the last few days, an article titled "The place beyond hope and fear" by Margaret Wheatley, Ed.D.:

Hope is not related to accomplishments. It is, quite simply, a dimension of being human. To feel hope, we don't have to accomplish anything. Hope is always right there, in our very being, our human spirits, our fundamental human goodness.

If we know that we are hope, it becomes much easier to stop being blinded or seduced by hopeful prospects. Instead of grasping onto activities that we want so desperately to succeed, we can see clearly and simply what to do. Grounded only in who we are, we discover those actions that feel right, rather than those that might or might not be effective. We may not succeed in changing things, but we choose to act from the clarity that this is right action for us. People who endure and persevere for their cause describe clarity as a force arising within them that compels them to act. They express this by saying, "I couldn't not do it."

...

It isn't outcomes that matter. It's people, our relationships, that give meaning to our struggles. If we free ourselves from hope and fear, from having to succeed, we discover that it becomes easier to love...We realise that we are truly in this together, and that's all that matters.

3 x 3 = 9

Snow day bus adventures + comp time.

Connecting with elder niece on email! Yippee!

Blog updates and new pictures from SMHK.

Patience with ringing/deafness in the ear, day 3.

Snowy March

Happy Birthday, Sarah! One of the first memories I have of my now 17 year old niece is of her falling asleep on my chest when she was an itty-bitty baby.

You know how, with family, you don't mind when your family members invade your personal space and sometimes lean into you and get just a little bit in your way, and it feels so natural, like the other person is a part of you? I like that about family. My cats do that to me too; I guess that means they're family.

Snowy Virginia. Snowy Atlanta. Thunderstormy Charleston.

I should buy stock in Weehah! cards.

Patience with stuffy deafness in my left ear all day.