Erica

As beautiful as it looks.  But louder, because of Passions Nightclub on the first floor.  I read seven books over nine days of vacation.  I flew twice (you know me and flying).  I almost parasailed, but you know, it kind of scares me.  (What is it about falling while attached to a rope-sort-of-thing that seems terrifying -- parasailing, bungee jumping -- but falling attached to nothing is exhilarating?)  I ate at Pepe's Tacos almost every night and took a glass bottom boat ride to the arch (the water!  the fish!  the sky!).  I'm not much browner, but I've made peace with my body.  Now it's good to be home.

Thanks, Cabo.

Thereabouts:

1. I’ve watched all three seasons of Friday Night Lights in the past four days. It’s one of the best TV shows I’ve ever seen. Amazing writing, interesting storylines, fabulous acting. And Taylor Kitsch, my newest celebrity crush (Canadian! Beefy! Brooding!). Now all I want to do is marry a smalltown football coach and have babies. But that’s sort of always been my dream, sans the football.

2. My sister and her husband have been in California since Memorial Day weekend. I haven’t been able to spend as much time as I would have liked with them (thank you, selfish Starbucks workers and your decisions to move), but we made the most of what we had – camping, family BBQ, downtown shopping. Tomorrow, I’m driving them to Sacramento for the flight back to Indiana, with a short stop for skydiving on the way, and I’m really looking forward to it. What I have missed about this trip is that Abbey and I never got a chance to spend real time alone, sister to sister. Not that I have much going on to talk about; I just miss being close to her so much.

3. In August, my brother is moving to Durham to attend law school at the University of North Carolina, which is ranked thirtieth in the nation. Words cannot describe how proud I am of him.

4. Mexico in five days. At this point, we could be headed to Siberia, I wouldn’t care. All that matters is that, for eight days, I will be completely unreachable to anything work-related. Because work is my life and mu curse. And my blessing, I suppose, because at least it’s a job. Still, I cannot wait to get away.

And that’s that.

It is not the fault of the Passort Counter Lady that you are unable to fill out your daughter's application correctly.  If the application says black or blue ink only, you will have to fill it out again.  If you sign in a space you are not allowed to sign without Passport Counter Lady's witness, you will have to fill it out again.  Yes, of course you don't want to have to come back and see Passport Counter Lady again, but there are people behind you, figure it out.  And, when you are unable to complete your responsibilities correctly, do not try to weasel back in line in front of people who have their shit together.  Finally, when Passport Counter Lady is actually very nice and helpful, please keep your idiotic comments to yourself. 

Thank you,
The Lady You Cut in Front Of

Oy.

Using the quiet-computer-lab in the library makes me realize how loudly I type.

Mom, Aunt, and I are going to Cabo San Lucas in six weeks. 

I've never been to Mexico, out of the country save to Canada. 

I will love the sunshine but kind of wish I was going to Canada, too, because someday I want to roam Old Quebec City and find my favorite glassblower shop again.

Sister and Sister's Hubby are coming home for two weeks at the end of May.

My wrists hurt like a mofo.

My brother emailed me back, with whole paragraphs, and opened up about his apparent addictions.  Wow.

This is your friendly neighborhood update.  Ciao.

The drive was glorious.  I could almost imagine myself riding through Irish hills (as I imagine them).  Grass so green it was almost yellow.  Poppies so bountiful the hills looked watercolored.  As Jodi said, A sky so big you remember that the world you live in is not flat.

Besides the sad reason for our trip and the stiff knees at home, it was wonderful to spend eight hours in a car with those three ladies.  I love them.  All in all, it was a day to celebrate life, creation, and beauty; a day I needed very much and will appreciate for some time to come.

P.S.  I was physically angered to find out that John Krasinski has a girlfriend.  WTF, Emily Blunt?!

• My sister has come home, with her husband,
• My brother has come and gone from home,
• There's been Christmas fun, and Boxing Day drama,
• I've bought a vehicle,
• My store hit its target for one week,
• I haven't cleaned house,
• My tendonitis (wrists) has flared up, forcing me to bowl left-handed,
• I've been making my way backward through seasons of The Office,
• Among other things.

P.S. No John Krasinski on my doorstep for Christmas.  I suppose there's always next year ....

• God's enduring grace, unfailing love, and utter lack of dependence;
• Parents who would do anything because they love me;
• Customers who are patient and kind, despite tough times;
• Sunshine, rain, and nostalgia for snow;
• Starbucks -- the company, all its people, and my store;
• Doing things I've only ever talked about;
• Growth -- in my definition of success, my confidence, and my understanding of self;
• Forgetting the date of what would have been six years;
• The kittens who give me love, entertainment, and frustration every day;
• And being at a place in life where I don't have anything I need to say to anyone.  Except, "thank you."

*****

In other news, I'm listening to two girls at the table next to me bitch about their inattentive boyfriends.   It's taking a lot of me not to advise them, "Only accept what makes you feel valued.  Cut your losses, and move on."  Ah, youth.

I don't know why Dane Cook.  I like his comedy, though I haven't really listened to or seen anything since last year.  And I think he's cute, though no cuter than John Krasinksi.  He means little to my daily life in wakening; where did he come from in dreams?

In other heart news, I heart Colin Firth more than ever, even if he is married with two children.  And James, in Children of a Lesser God, is one of my favorite male characters -- real, passionate, devoted, human.  

*falls over*

That's as political as I'm going to get.  I hate politics.  I have realized that I am an overwhelming pacifist and an ardent isolationist.  In any case, elections bring out the worst in people.  It's time to get over ourselves and move forward.  

As in, I've been beat up this week.  Monday, my store was dirty and disappointing.  Tuesday, a customer caused me to lose my composure and cry.  Not in front of him, and he was justified in his ire, but did he really need to rail on me that way?  No.  Did he really need to call back and rail on me again?  No.  Should I have politely rung off sooner?  Probably.  I'm looking forward to moving to a store that wants and needs me.  My current store likes me, but I'm not the best thing for them anymore.

This morning, Autumn called and invited me to brunch with Tess and her.  We had a lovely sitdown at Yosemite Falls Cafe.  I was a little suspicious of why (Autumn only takes me to meals if she has some sort of news), but they just wanted to do something nice for me after Tuesday was so awful.  I have to say, it's been a while since I've had someone notice I'm struggling and do something to try and make it better.  Feels good.

Supposed to go to training for a reading program tonight.  I want to do it, I do.  I'm passionate about literacy.  But I'm tired today.  I need to do laundry, vacuum, change litterboxes, and wash dishes.  I want to go for a walk.  I don't feel like going tonight.  Big surprise.  You know what I really want to do today?  Buy a new purse.  I am what's wrong with America.  Anyway.

And with that, I should go.  I don't feel like going; I feel like writing, but there's nothing else to write about.  Um, my car door handle broke.  I have a dentist appointment and haircut next week.  For Christmas, I want to get my sister a fake cat that purrs.  Peppermint whipped cream with dark chocolate curls is delicious.  I need to return some library books.

Stories and pictures from New Orleans: Home is where your heart is

I go back to work today.  Not thrilled but not unhappy either.  I'm ready to have this week over-with and to be situated at the new store.  The limbo isn't fun. 

Why does Mozilla think all of my contractions require spell check?

I missing church this morning.  Got involved in a crossword at home and left too late to make the 9a service so came to Starbucks to internet before the 11a service.  Got too into blogging and didn't realize it was time to go until a few minutes ago.  It's right down the street, and I wouldn't be too late, but I hate being late at all for things and prefer not to go if I'm going to have to walk in apologetically, make my way through the dark, and sit in the back.  Not that anyone would care.  Still, I have my Bible with me so I'll read after this.

New Orleans, as you can read, was awesome.  I'd like to go back someday, to have a leisured chance to explore the city, experience the music, and delve into the food.  First things first -- East Coast tour next spring.  Actually, if life works the way I foresee (which is never does, but there's no harm in seeing potential in the possible future) ... like adjusting and improving the new store, making it through the holidays and having time to connect with my family, moving into a new apartment, volunteering at church, trying to start Residency (intensive Bible classes through church), applying for graduate school, two week vacation in the spring.

And maybe, JUST maybe, meeting someone.  I realized this weekend that all these little crushes I've developed over the course of the past year have been molding in me the desire for a person God is creating for me.  From each guy, I can pull out the things that made my heart beat a little faster -- welcoming smile in Josh the Regular; love of God and  spontaneous zest for life in Josh from Anderson; confidence and entrepreneurial spirit in Jason; literary interests and devotion to his fiancee in Keith; interest in me in Brian.  It may not be much, but to me, it gave value to feeling like ridiculous fifteen year old time and time again.  Still waiting for the One with the whole package.  Hopefully, he's out there.  But if not, that's okay, too.  I am void of dreams but filled with hope, just as I feel God asks of me.  Selah.

Do you think it would be a bit much to name a child "Carondelet?"