Five Year Plan

Posted on March 12, 2010 by Nora

It’s funny how much things can change.

Five years ago (well, five years ago and four months, more or less), I graduated with my B.A. in International Studies. It was one of those “special,” degree programs where I got to choose my area of study, take the classes that interested me, and learned my little heart. (Seriously, I was a dork in college. I mean, a fun dork, but still… each class had it’s own notebook and highlighter. My planner was color coded. One of my best guy friends made fun of me for years because I was so organized and color coordinated.)

I finished college in three and a half years because little Miss Ambitious Me stayed during the summers to work random jobs, enjoy the town and take classes. Some days I think it was a great decision to finish early, others I wish I had stayed the last semester.

Turning in my final exam in my rural sociology class, an eye-opening, intriguing class, my professor asked my plans post-graduation. They were to: work for Bank of America as a teller, get them to pay for my grad school, save up for a house, and take it from there. I wanted to move to D.C. to work for non-profits or as a lobbyist. (You wouldn’t know it from my blog but I love politcal science, history, and making a difference.)

{via}

None of that ever happened. I didn’t want to work at a bank, so when my dad said that his new business needed an administrative assistant, I took the job. Salary, benefits and my dad as my boss? Sign me up. Within six months I created my own position, pitched it to my dad and his business partner and landed myself the role of Event Coordinator. Two years later, Event Manager. Now I manage to many different things to even put it on a business card (Event, Marketing, Contract Management, Client Relations, Teacher sometimes, and the girl who makes the coffee seems a bit excessive).

When I graduated I was dating a loyal, quiet, country boy. We had grand plans to get engaged and get married but hit a speed bump when he decided he didn’t want to move away from his small town and I wasn’t going to give up what little city life I had.

When I graduated I was going to live at home and save, save, save. After six months of working for my dad, I thought it best if I moved out on my own. So I did, for the past four years, anyway. I apartment hopped mostly because my roommates changed due to marriages, babies and fiances. I’m back at home again and so thrilled for the opportunity to save up money for my very own place. I’ve started perusing the houses and townhomes for sale, all with a yard of course so that Jack can play fetch. (And maybe I’ll get a second dog because Lord knows I’ve wanted one for awhile now!)

If you had asked me five years ago what I’d be doing today, I wouldn’t have said that I’d be a blogger, living in St. Louis, finishing my masters, a book fiend, single, working for the family business with the likely intent to take it over or training for a 10 mile race. I also wouldn’t have guessed that I would be happy with everything I just described, but I am. It feels like home, like me, like what I’m supposed to be doing. Even if there are days where I have my doubts, I know I’m on the right path.

I’ve also decided that my next five year plan is to have no plan. It just seems better that way.

Are you a believer in the five-year plan?

The Things we Forget

Posted on January 6, 2010 by Nora

When I first read this post from Just a Titch, I immediately wanted to write a post just like this. (And truthfully most of her posts move me and inspire me because she’s a gifted and talented writer. You’d never guess she was “new” to blogging.)

So I started thinking about what in the heck happened in the last decade and honestly there were a few years where I kind of blanked.

And just as quickly as I had no idea what to write about, a flood of random memories came rushing back to me…

Like how in the year 2000 I had my first real boyfriend and we made out for hours and hours on end. Which also makes me miss making out. It’s very underrated if you ask me.

Or how in 2001 I managed to have an emergency appendectomy and miss my senior spring break and instead spent it laid up on the couch with pain meds and chick flicks. Or about the time I nearly got into a fight at my high school Prom (not instigated by me), I graduated high school and three months later started college 120 miles away from my parents. I considered leaving school and joining the army. I battled with body image and weight loss thanks to the break-up with the high school boyfriend. This was also the first year I had a beer, I kissed a guy named Cricket, and did 13 shots of Captain Morgan.

In 2002, I danced on a bar. Yes, I was that girl. And yes, I blame the shots. I also quickly realized that working in a restaurant was not a good part-time job for a college kid, or at least this particular restaurant and left six months later. I also learned the art of tailgating at football games, mastered the art of dating, the joys of studying in our fabulous campus library and fell in love with my independence.

2003 was a bit of a blur. I gave up drinking for Lent and quickly became known as Nurse Nora because the very first day of Lent one of my dormmates slipped and sprained her ankle at a party while drinking so to the hospital we went. That same night my roommate came home at 2 am and passed out in the hallway, half-naked. It was a long 40 days but totally worth it. I met my college boyfriend, a sweet, quiet country boy who showed me nothing but kindness for almost two years.

Darling and I took my Gram to England for her 80th birthday in May 2004.I turned 21 and managed 14 shots in one night. I adopted Jack, the best dog and cannine love of my life. Six months later I graduated from college, early and with honors, prepared to start my life as an adult. I moved back to StL ready for the grand adventure. College boyfriend and I broke up but it was one of those “good,” break-ups.

March 2005 I started working at the company I’m with now. (I can’t believe it’s been almost five years.) I didn’t want to admit that I was an adult and stayed out until 1 am even on the weekdays yet was thrilled to have a regular paycheck. I dated an Australian. I randomly met and dated another country boy. I moved out of my parents house and rented my own apartment. I had sinus surgery.This was the year I became responsible. It was also the year of the worst New Year’s Eve ever which is a shame because I loved that outfit but it was poisoned by the evening’s events.

I spent the first half of 2006 in a fog, figuring out who I was, learning how to be truly independent, finding my inner strength. I dabbled in online dating and amassed a ton of batshit crazy stories. (Ask me about it sometime, I promise they are pretty darn incredible.) I was a Maid of Honor for the first time. I went to the gym six days a week. I flew to Florida to visit my best childhood friend that I hadn’t seen in 13 years.

2007 was a slew of bridesmaid dresses, champagne, of learning how to live with a boy who isn’t family or your boyfriend, had my tonsils removed, flew to St. Thomas to be in my Florida best friend’s wedding and went on even more crazy dates. I found out that I have about 25 different food allergies and my eating habits changed drastically. My brother graduated high school and I couldn’t have been more proud. Somewhere in there I started grad school.

2008 was the year I realized that no matter who or what else is in my life, I live for me. I got healthier: hired a personal trainer, learned how to eat healthfully despite the allergies and really fell in love with myself. A few months later, I met Irish. It was a whirlwind few months, we went to Canada, fell in love and I had to learn how to be a couple again. I took two semesters off from grad school to enjoy my life, was a bridesmaid for two of my very best friends and reveled in sheer joy 99.9% of the time.

2009: Love. Vegas. School. Moving. Family. Heartache. Adjustment. Growth. Introspection. Running. Independence. Loving myself again. Inner peace.

I wouldn’t trade the events of the last ten years for anything. I hope I can say that in the next ten.

128

Posted on August 20, 2009 by Nora

I tell myself it’s only 128 miles away. A 90 minute drive; max of two hours if there is a lot of traffic on the four-lane highway- one hour if it’s an emergency.

I comfort myself, and hopefully him, by sharing little tidbits about the college town as I remember it. Which bars are fun, which are bars are a haven of douchebags, the best grocery stores, bank locations, how to get the best discounts on internet, cable and other money-saving tips that every college kid loves to hear.

I remind myself that he’s almost 21, not a freshman by any means, simply transfering to a new school to follow his heart’s dream which is of course what I want for him.

I occupy myself on the drive down by singing loudly to music, checking out passing license plates, catching up on phoen calls and letting out my road range where applicable. (Side Note: speeding up behind me when I’m already going over the speed limit is unnecessary. Furthermore, no need to swerve back in forth in the lane behind me.)

I am a flurry of activity when we arrive at his new apartment 128 miles away. Unloading, unpacking, moving, hauling, assembling, cleaning, dusting, soaking, de-greasing. (Since when do landlords leave houses messy for the next tenant? Uncool.) My parents are flurries of activities too.

I sneak hugs in when he lets me and hold back the tears as best I can.

I arrange the presents I got for him on his bed: a stuffed animal that we both had growing up; a Moleskin Journalist’s notepad and of course a letter with some emergency cash. I do this when he’s not looking.

Post Wal-Mart trip (there is only one Target in this town 128 miles away from us, and it’s on the opposite side of town from where he lives), I busy myself with de-greasing the blinds that are right next to the stove cursing the girls who lived there before him for not being very good at domestic diva-ness.

He hugs me from behind, tears streaming down his handsome, grown-up, almost 21-ear old face, thanking me for the gifts in choked tones. I drop my greasy rag from the darn blins and hug him back. Tears pour from my face. I promise him I’m always here for him, no matter where he lives. He promises me he’ll be okay. I promise him that yes, he will be okay. He’ll be more than okay. He tells me he loves me.

We hear our parents coming and quickly divert the tears and our faces.

My dad is the first to leave (we had three separate cars. It takes a lot to move a college kid, you know). He’s never been good, and why should he be?, at his kids moving out of his house.

I am clinging onto the minutes here, in this great apartment, with this great brother, with Darling doing the exact same thing. We’ve done everything there is to do for the time being.

We leave with our lists of things to remember for next time we visit which is thankfully in two weeks, to celebrate his 21st birthday.

I stand on the sidewalk, hugging, wishing him nothing but success as he starts a new career path and new life, remembering all the big sister moments I’m so proud to be a part of, knowing that our relationship has become closer and stronger in the last year, reassuring myself that the miles won’t change that. I’m a ball of snot again (allergies, I’m blaming it on allergies) and force myself to walk to the car. He’s crying again because he’s really a lot like me.

I call Irish and tell him we must move 128 miles away for the next three years. Being the solid rock that he is, he tells me it’s no problem. He tells me that my brother will be okay. He reminds me of the trip we are taking in two weeks.

Another 128 miles and I’m back home.

My parents and I treat ourselves to Mexican & Margaritas. My brother texts each one of us here and there. We finish a pitcher of margaritas.

My brother called me this morning for help with some college campus stuff. I realize that his experience pursuing a Journalism degree is not going to change our brother/sister relationship. In fact, I think we’ll become best friends as a result. I still miss him like crazy, but it will pass. Plus, it’s only 128 miles away.

A Recipe: Moving Soup

Posted on July 8, 2009 by Nora

Ingredents you will need:

* Four rooms, full of over two years of furniture, household appliances, the necessities needed to live and of course the obligatory junk that accumulates
* One incredibly patient, supportive and surprisingly strong (in all aspects of the word) boyfriend. Acceptable substitute: best friends who bring wine to help during the moving process.
* One 4-door Honda Accord. Full tank of gas desired but not required.
* Three flights of stairs in an old apartment, but charming, apartment building
* 83- the average temperature preferred during moving days
* Two movers, aged approximately 21, and one very large truck
* Ten or more boxes. Acceptable Substitute: Five or six boxes that you unpack each trip you make to the new residence.
* One flight of stairs at your new residence
* One and a half rooms, some basement space and the cupboards at your boyfriend’s place to cram all your belongings
* Four trash bags full of junk tossed to the curb
* Three trips to the curb with things you decide not to move

To Make Moving Soup:

Combine one strong boyfriend, one Honda Accord, various boxes plus other large furniture, as well as three flights of apartment stairs. Repeat until Honda Accord is full: every nook, cranny, floorboard, trunk and the area near your feet must be jampacked. Deliver the contents to the New Residence. Repeat three more times, unfortunately without the aide of your strong boyfriend.

After four Honda Accord carloads have been deposited at Your New Place of Residence (aka Chez Parents), wait patiently at empty, internetless apartment for the Two 21-year old movers and their laaarrrge truck. Proceed to clean baseboards, window sills, dust all corners, vacuum, mop, Clorox all surfaces, scrub and repeat until the movers arrive.

Worry about competence of movers as they proclaim they are tired, sore, and, um, move your futon down all three flights of stairs but then cannot get it out the front door. Cue return of futon to empty apartment, making sure to include one broken light bulb in the hallway, large dents and scratches on the walls as part of the failed futon side dish that accompanies Moving Soup.

Once large truck is full with the large “pieces,” of furniture you own and apartment is (mostly) empty, proceed to Your New Residence with the Movers following you in their laaarrrge truck as they failed to get directions from Point A to Point B.

Instruct movers on location and placement of all pieces of furniture within Your New Residence. Once movers are watered, tipped and paid, begin to navigate the minefield that is your bedroom, hallway, and adjacent rooms full of boxes, artwork and random stuff. Take it one room at a time, slowly mixing the contents of the boxes until they create one beautiful New Residence.

Chef’s Note: The last step, navigating the minefield that is the boxes, bags and mounds of stuff you own may take several days. Or weeks, depending on your schedule. Be sure to allow plenty of time for this step so as to not feel overwhelmed. Promise to your dear eaters readers that you will post pictures as soon as the New Residence is picture-worthy. Rejoice in the fact that you only have six or seven bruises, stronger arms, legs and butt muscles as a result of this move.

June 2009 Recap

Posted on July 6, 2009 by Nora

Current Book(s):
The Miracle at St. Anna by James McBride
(I just finished Julie & Julia by Julie Powell so that I can see the movie when it comes out.)

Current Music:
Dave Mattews Band: Big Whiskey & the Groogrux King
Maroon 5
Twilight Soundtrack

Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure:
Eddy’s Slow Churned Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Current Colors:
Bright green
Brown
(not to wear, for decorative purposes only)

Current Obsessions:
Unpacking at my parent’s house
Felicity via Netflix. Currently on Season Three.

Current Drink:
Dr. Pepper Cherry
Water

Current Songs:
You & Me, Dave Matthews Band

Current Movie:
Anything mindless and girlie

Current TV Show:
True Blood
Clean House (I am addicted to the darn show)

Current Wish-List:
More vacation time
Being able to work from home more often

Current Needs:
SLEEP (Which is a recurring theme each time I do these recaps)
To sit down and send cards to friends and family

Current Triumph(s):
I’ve made it to the halfway mark in my summer class!

Current Bane(s) of my Existence:
Unpacking.
Getting someone to take apart my futon & move it for me since the movers had no success with that

Current Goal(s):
Be completely settled at the ‘rents by August 1st
Plan a fall vacation with Irish
Schedule some much needed Nora-time

Current Indulgence:
Cheese.

Current Blessing:
Too many to count but here are a few: the temperature is not in the 100s. Work is busy which makes the day fly by. Jack is totally adorable when he plays with his stuffed animal toys (they even go with us on walks).

Current Slang or Saying:
Oh really?

Current (Fav) Outfit:
My Anne Taylor Loft jeans, pretty much any top, paired with appropriate heels or flip-flops

Current Excitement:
New Orleans work trip/peppered with some fun starts this Friday
Halfway done with my grad class
Figuring out next grad school steps
Saving money since I’m no longer living in an apartment

Current Mood:
Happily fatigued

Bullets on a Wednesday

Posted on June 24, 2009 by Nora

* License Plate Renewals. So, not sure what it’s like in other states but Missouri doesn’t make it easy. Not only do we need to have the State Inspection completed, we also need to have our emissions tested (which I’m online with for cars that are older and not up to par), two years of personal property tax receipts (yeah, we pay taxes on our freakin car), insurance proof and then the State of MO paperwork they send you. The silver lining to the stupid stormcloud that is license plate renewal, which fortunately only comes around every two years is that they ran out of June license plates so they gave me July plates. Woohoo for an extra month of license plate validity! (It’s all in the small things!)

* 365 days. Irish and I made it to the one-year mark. In celebration we each took the day off. Despite the fact that we spent some time running personal errands (like licenese plate renewal, purchasing a new refrigerator and dropping off clothes at Goodwill) we had a leisurely brunch at our favorite breakfast place, watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer (movie, not TV show), read, took a nap, and indulged in some delicious Mexican food, ice cream sundaes and saw The Proposal. Irish surprsied me with a a sweet card that brought me to tears and some really great earrings and the very same kind of flowers he brought to me on our first date. All in all, a very good day.

* Moving on up. So next week is the big move back into the parents house. I still have a lot of boxes to pack and I know it will be a pain but it’s definitely going to be easier for me. Currently I have stuff strewn about in three different places, I don’t have a sense of “home,” and I’m kind of tired of living out of suitcases. While I’ll still fauxhabitate with Irish being at my parents will allow me to feel grounded in one spot, get my “nest egg,” into good shape and oddly enough, allow me to relax at the same time. I’m a little nervous about giving up MY space and MY freedom but I think it will all work out.

* The Studies. After the move and after next week’s midterm, I’ll be making an appointment with my advisor to discuss my options. At this point I’ll either forge on and finish my MBA (I only have four classes to go) or switch tracks and get started on an MA in International Affairs. This is of course pending the financial aspect of it all which has yet to be determined. I feel good about my decisions and my changes so far; everyone (including my fabulous blogger friends, thank you all very much) have been incredibly supportive and positive. I’m excited to see what’s next!

* New Orleans. Two weeks from Friday I’ll be on my way south for a week, mainly for work but additional I plan to check out the Ghost Tour, the Book Tour, historical sites, cafes, bookstores, delicious food and I’ll probably wander around Bourbon Street again just for the experience. There’s a good chance EP and her boy will meet up with me and Irish for a day or so which means I don’t have to wait another year for a blogger meet-up!

So I’ve shared what I think you guys want to hear about but is there something I’m missing? Any questions you want to ask? Anything is fair game, so ask away. Leave a comment and I’ll post the answers!

Monday GiST

Posted on June 15, 2009 by Nora

I’m just as guilty as anyone else I’ve whining, bitching and moaning on a Monday.

Call it a Case of the Mondays.

Call it a quarterlife crisis.

Whatever it is, I realize I need to overcome the Monday Blues, especially on a rainy day which makes it 100 times harder to get out of bed so while the world is all doom and gloom, I’ll try to sparkle and smile today.

Things that will help me stay positive:

1. Wearing my new black patent leather peep-toe shoes I found at Marshalls which is the first time I’ve ever found anything at that store, which I suppose is a “win,” in itself.

2. A cup of green tea brewing next to me. I’m trying to caffeinate without soda this week.

3. The insane amount of spring cleaning Irish and I accomplished over the weekend at his place, complete with a donation pile, new shelves to house books, and repurposing a coffee table to open his living room.

4. Chorizo dip. We made our own yesterday in the mini crockpot (a gift from Irish) using ingredients from a local Mexican Market. It tasted almost like the queso fundido from our favorite Mexican restaurant.

5. Two days until the Dave Matthews Band concert.

6. Having a personal day approved for June 23 so that Irish and I can be together on our one-year anniversary.

7. “The Hangover.” Seriously, go see it. I laughed the whole time.

8. Making plans with Darling to see “My Life in Ruins,” this Saturday.

9. Heading out on a walk with Jack and Irish to Starbucks to purchase my newest addition: Non-Coffee Double Chocolately Chip Cream drink.

10. Duds n’ Suds = the name of the new laundromat that Irish and I found. They serve beer, have a big screen TV and a large sitting area. Double bonus: next to the Mexican Market, a Mexican restaurant as well as Subway. It’s a tad pricier than the other places but the dryers really work, it’s clean and offers more than any other place we’ve been to.

11. Impromptu trips for ice cream. Great way to end a weekend.

12. Falling alseep to the sound of Jack snoring and “Sister Act,” on TV. I can be such a child sometimes.

13. Coming up with a workable plan for moving out of my apartment in the next few weeks.

The Story of Jack & His Dog Bed

Posted on June 3, 2009 by Nora

A few months into my relationship with Irish, he suggested we (I) get Jack a dog bed.

I was nervous as to how Jack would take to the bed considering I had spoiled him as a pup: comfy blankets and towels in his crates; sleeping next to me on my bed starting at age two until, well about a year ago.

Knowing Jack’s propensity to tear apart things that are fluffy I thought surely I’d come home one day to see a massacred dog bed in my living room.

Maybe it’s because I took Jack with me to PetSmart to choose his own bed.
Or maybe it’s because I coaxed him into the first night with a few treats.
But ever since I brought that bed home about nine months ago, Jack and the bed have been rather inseparable.

Sure, during the day Jack will jump on the couch and the bed but fortunately lint rollers and vacuuming take care of the dog-hair-disaster that he leaves behind.

But at night? He gets all unsettled if his bed’s not in the same room as us. Or if he can’t find it. Or get to it.

Last night, after schlepping my Vegas suitcase, my “regular,” suitcase, school work and all of Jack’s necessities to Irish’s place, we left the dog bed (accidentally) on top of one of Irish’s chairs. Suddenly we noticed that Jack wasn’t in the room and instead looked like a Dog King, lying in a bed atop a very comfortable reading chair:

jack on bed in chair

When I clean, I move the dog bed which receives a look of disapproval from Jack, not to mention he follows the bed from room to room, making sure a) I’m not throwing it away and b) that we aren’t leaving on a road trip.

If we do go on a “road trip,” either to my parents’ or Irish’s house, Jack stays close to his bed:

jack in car

May 2009 Recap

Posted on May 29, 2009 by Nora

Want a real post with some substance written by me? I’m guest posting for Lys today on My Roads Not Taken. Hope you enjoy the post and Lys’ new home!

Current Book(s):
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Dark Lover, by J.R. Ward (it’s my plane book for Vegas. Haven’t started it yet!)

Current Music:
The Killers
The CD that SleepyJane made for me
Paul Simon
The Supremes
(yeah, my music is all over the place. I’m aware)

Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure:
Frozen Junior Mints

Current Colors:
Black, blue, white

Current Obsessions:
Making weekly meal plans
Going to sleep at a normal time (I’ve been in bed by 10:30 every night for the last week)
Finding time to relax

Current Drink:
Rich Chocolate Slim Fast
Water

Current Songs:
Funny the Way It Is, Dave Matthews Band

Current Movie:
I’m craving a Sex & The City Movie night so we’ll go with that

Current TV Show:
True Blood (new season starts June 14th)
Rescue Me
Moonlight (sadly we are on the last disc)

Current Fave Photo:
At the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure StL last year (with Darling). I hope to do it again in June. I may even run it instead of walk.

DSCN3499

Current Wish-List:
More hours in the day
Melt away five pounds magically (hahaha, yeah right)
A few new clothes for summer for both fun & work

Current Needs:
Go Grocery Shopping
Dye my hair again before Vegas (wow, this is a fascinating list.)
To print the millions of pictures I’ve taken in the last year for framing, scrapbooking, sending to friends

Current Triumph(s):
I’ve cut back on unnecessary spending
Learning to go with the flow more

Current Bane(s) of my Existence:
Graduate school. Starts on Monday. I love it once I’m there but the homework is going to stink.
Figuring out when I will have the time to move out of my apartment

Current Goal(s):
Make a weekly schedule for myself which outlines school time/work time/gym time
Four days a week at the gym
Healthier grocery shopping

Current Indulgence:
Ted Drewe’s ice cream, please

Current Blessing:
That after Vegas my social life kind of dies down. I kind of need a break.
As usual my awesome friends, family, dog

Current Slang or Saying:
Oh really?

Current (Fav) Outfit:
White “boyfriend cut,” pants from the Gap and my silk black top from Banana Republic

Current Excitement:
VEGAS.
Returning from Vegas and relaxing for a bit.
Coming up with a few fun presents to give Irish on our one year
Jack is almost five!
Moving home = save up lots of $$ = happy Nora

Current Mood:
Overwhelmed.

And with my current mood mentioned, please be aware that I may be a tad more absent from blogging as I dive into my final five graduate school courses headfirst. No, no, not at all once. I have three nine-week semesters between now and then end of 2009. I’m taking two classes each for the next two semesters and then my final class October-December. If I’m not working, sleeping, eating, attempting to be a good girlfriend, friend, sister, daughter, dog-mother I’ll have my head stuffed in books and notes for awhile.

Discoveries

Posted on May 26, 2009 by Nora

This past weekend I discovered….

… that I’ve grown up a lot more than I realized. This also means I’ve grown apart/away from some of my friends in ways I never imagined.

… that I don’t have a very high tolerance for ignorance.

… how amazing it can be to laugh over memories from my past, especially those I had forgotten about.

… that Jack is a cuddle-whore and will cuddle with anyone who lets him.

… that my parents are there for me, even if it’s a Saturday night at 10:30 pm when I’m having a mini-meltdown from hosting out of town friends all weekend.

… that bee stings really freakin’ hurt!

… that Irish will always be there for me. To take care of the bee sting. To walk Jack. To tell me it will all be okay when I realize that my life is quickly changing.

… that StL has a lot more to offer than I thought, especially when I heard my out-of-town friends marvel at all there is to do here.

… that I have a very unusual love for penguins. I think I’ve been to the penguin exhibit at the zoo at least 15 times. No joke.

… that receiving a stuffed animal still makes me smile more than I thought it would. (Irish bought me a mini stuffed penguin at the zoo. His name is Petey, in case you were wondering.)

… that a glass of wine really can cure everything. At least temporarily.

… that Greek food is positively amazing.

… that you can’t beat original jewelry for less than $5 a piece.

… that I can be a darn good hostess. Within the span of one weekend my friends tried & enjoyed toasted ravioli, provel cheese, Ted Drewe’s and Amighetti’s sandwiches as well as my mom’s homecooking (all thinks unique to StL). We went to the Arch, the zoo, the museum, checked out the New Cathedral, the Landing, went to a winery, a Greek Festival, a local brewery & bbq festival, rolled down a hill (since FL is flat they wanted to roll down a hill), saw a live band, crashed a retirement party (not my idea!),told stories about my city, and showed them a few local bars. I was up before 8 am each day so needless to say it wasn’t a relaxing weekend but the girls wanted to see the city and so they did.

… that even though there were moments when I was stressed over the weekend when all was said and done, I missed my childhood friend within moments of dropping her off at the airport.

… that I move at a much slower pace than I once did. Blame it on age, my work schedule, the fact that I’m in a relationship, whatever you want. But it’s true. I need more downtime than I used to.

… that even while I was enjoying a break from the internet/twitter/blogs/email, I missed my blog friends.

… that I’m more nervous about going to Vegas than I thought.

… that even if given the opportunity I’m not sure I’d move away from StL. I have made a home for myself here. I really do kind of love it.

… that I am a lot stronger (mentally, emotionally, even physically) than I thought I possible when I need to be.