The Perky and the Perky-Not

of living in Seattle...

The Perky: Starbucks on most any corner (sometimes two!)
The Perky-Not: Sonic is 45 minutes away (although this is now a perky, because until this morning I thought there was not a Sonic in Washington)

The Perky: People come to visit the big city, like my college homie Joanne who is coming July 11-18.
The Perky-Not: They don't already live here.

The Perky: I'm not sweating between my thighs 24/7.
The Perky-Not: I'm still frickin' freezing in June. I wore a turtleneck on Father's Day. As Whoopi Goldberg would say, "What the HELL." (To be fair, that was an extreme day. The average temp these days is 60-something, allowing for short sleeves at the high point of the day or a light mid-sleeve, which isn't bad at all. However, the average high right now is supposed to be 72.)

The Perky: Lilith 2010 at the Gorge.
The Perky-Not: My Denton girl-power girls won't be in attendance.

The Perky: Kickball!
The Perky-Not: We suck. But still have good attitudes...well, except me. I am a sore loser. Worse than sore. I'm a sores & boils loser.

Before I go, one question. Based on the title, did you think this was going to be a post about boobs?

If you come to visit...

I found another stop I will have to include in your trip! In Arlington, WA, about an hour outside Seattle, a must-visit is The Kangaroo Farm. The name is deceiving because they actually have a number of animals, including chickens, turtles, deer, peacocks, lemurs, donkeys, miniature horses, ostriches, llamas, and of course--lots of kangaroos! Even better, you don't just see them or walk by them, you can actually touch and interact with many of them. For $8, it was a steal of a deal and a very fun afternoon! (And yes, I hobbled around on my crutches...we'd been planning this for weeks and I was NOT going to miss out!)

The Welcome Wagon...this peacock greeted us at the front entrance.

This peacock loved to show off--he did this throughout the tour.

The roos love to be loved!

The roos also love to be fed!

Looks sweet, doesn't he? Don't be fooled. We weren't allowed to
touch him...apparently, he bites.

Why, hello...

My first try to feed the llama, I got skeered!

Kissing or feeding the llama?

Jesse bonds with the llama

I know what this looks like, but believe me, it will be a long time before
anything but a baby kangaroo is in this blanket!!

Ankle woes

On Thursday, I took the bus to my appointment. I had basically two options: take the #5 to downtown and transfer to the #8 to my destination or just take the #5 to downtown and walk the 10 or so blocks to my destination. I pondered the decision, and decided to take both buses.

As I stepped off the #8 onto the rocky patch of sidewalk the driver stopped at, I rolled my ankle. Ouch. I sat there on the ground while the driver asked if he could call someone for me. I said I had a phone and could call myself. I called Jesse and told him to come get me. Then I decided maybe this was like the times I've thought I hurt my ankle but after a few minutes, I'm okay. So I told Jesse I'd call him back in 10 minutes. I hobbled 2 blocks to my destination and took off my shoe & sock. After seeing that my ankle was the size of a softball, I called Jesse and told him to come get me.

Exhibit A

Two hours, a health clinic, and three x-rays later, I had myself a sprained ankle and a new mode of transportation, crutches.

I live on the second floor, and my building is like many in Seattle in that there's about ten steps just to get to the first floor. So I hopped and leaned on Jesse for a flight and a half of stairs (too scared for him to carry me). Since it's my right ankle and I can't drive, I settled into my place for awhile.

That was Thursday. The Women's College World Series on ESPN kept me company, even though my UW girls were eliminated on Saturday. :( On Sunday, I finally got out of the apartment for dinner at Dad Watson's with Jesse and our friends, John & Kiara.

We ended the evening with a trip to the grocery store...no way was I going to hobble around for groceries so I tried out one of those magnificent buggies they provide:

And the healing continues...

What's in a word...

Anyone who knows me halfway well knows that I like everything in its place. Clutter and crap annoy me to no end.

So, I've been living in my apartment for two months. For the first 2 weeks, when I thought it was a temporary arrangement, I literally had all of my boxes stacked against a wall of the bedroom and only the essentials unpacked. ANNOYING.

When Leah offered to let me stay permanently, I jumped for joy. And then I unpacked everything in 2.3 seconds. The problem? I moved from a one bedroom all to myself, to a 2 bedroom that was already fully furnished. So...not enough space. After utilizing every nook & cranny to the best of my ability, and taking a couple of runs to Goodwill to get rid of a few things from my already sparse collection of possessions (try moving a billion times and see how much stuff you have left), I was left with just my school stuff and desk supplies stacked in a corner.

Two months later, I have had ENOUGH of the school crap in the corner.

I decided to get a desk. Then I decided I didn't have enough space for a desk. Then I decided a bookshelf would do, a tall one. I also had a Pier One gift card begging to be used.

Armed with my iPhone and Jesse, I set out to Pier One. I searched "Pier 1" and drove to the closest one ("Bell Street Pier 1"), which was supposedly right next to the Art Institute, where I worked for a brief stint. However, not so brief that I would have missed a Pier One right next door.

When we arrived at "Bell Street Pier 1," we found...nothing. An old building down by the water that was most definitely NOT Pier One. Jesse called the phone number listed, and a woman with a thick accent who apparently didn't speak much English answered. She'd never heard of Pier 1; however, we could park in the garage she works at for only a billion dollars per hour.

I drove about two more blocks when it hit me. The iPhone had literally taken me to Pier 1. As in a fishing pier. There are 66 piers along the Seattle downtown waterfront and that's exactly where we were, at Pier 1.

Note to self and others who live in a city with any type of water coast: It is critical to list the word "Imports" when searching for Pier 1 Imports.

M is for...

the month of May.

and Mama.

In May, I experience lots of reminders of Mama. My birthday is in May, and I am reminded how much Mama had to do with that. Not just because she was my Mama and all mothers are responsible for the birth of their children, but because my Mama was a kidney transplant survivor, and in the 70s that made me a bit of a miracle child.

Also in May is Mother's Day. Ah, Mother's Day. When everyone else can't hang out or do anything because they are all celebrating with their mothers. For 11 years, I was able to transfer Mother's Day into Grandma's Day because my grandma was very much a second mother to me. Now, I've had two Mother's Days without Grandma too. They kind of suck now. I've tried to celebrate Jesse's mom, but it's just not the same.

And another also in May...Mama's birthday. Today she would've been 59 years young. I still can't believe she's been dead for 12.5 years. Or that she died at the age of 46. Or that I was only 19. Or that very few of my friends have ever met her because she's been gone so long. Or that I can only vaguely remember much about her. I mean, I remember things but they seem like a million years ago, like they're part of another lifetime. She'll have been gone half my life in only 6 more years...well, that's wierd too.

So, here's to you Mama. You put the M in May. And no matter how many years you are gone, you are fondly loved, missed, and remembered everyday, not just these days in May.

32 and Fabulous!

With Cinco de Mayo comes Cinco de Pegs! I had a fun-filled birthday weekend, including:

Free tickets to the Seattle Sounders (pro soccer) game! I took my friend Kiara along!

Unfortunately, we lost 4-0 to the LA Galaxy...

Pizza & game night at my place, complete with Twister!

With roommate Leah at the UW softball game
Although I lived with Leah for 8 months last year, I feel like I really only started to get to know her since I moved back 6 weeks ago...and guess what? Leah is the awesome-est--and not just because she let me move back in! :)

Did I mention the UW softball gals are #1 in the country?! Yeah, they are. I watched them win the National Championship on TV last year. They are fantastic. They won today in extra inning play--it was super exciting, and especially nice on a most lovely Seattle day (65 and sunny, thank you very much).

No photos, but Jesse and I celebrated his wonderful mom, Maggie, today as well. Joe fired up the brand new grill and satisfied our taste buds with fantastic Indian grilled chicken. We will go to the Beat Walk where you can band hop to your heart's content next weekend for Maggie's Mother's Day gift.

On Friday afternoon, I turned in the form required to officially name my doctoral committee. WOOT! All four faculty members are absolutely outstanding and I feel very honored to work with them through the rest of my doctoral journey.

Did I also mention that at some point this weekend I officially became our summer kickball team's captain? We are signed up and ready to KICK YOUR GRASS! (That would be our team name.)

So yes, to answer your question: I'm 32...and FABULOUS!

Doing things...

The Cheesecake Factory on Giant Software Company's dime...white chocolate raspberry truffle, mmm. And then I went back the next night on my own dime for another slice.

My midterm for Qualitative Methods...a critique of a qualitative study. Rough draft complete. Due Wednesday.

Our first kickball win last Sunday (and hopefully our second in just a few hours). I pitched. Roommate Leah is our captain and wanted to name The Gentle Giant the offensive MVP and me the defensive MVP. The ref told her she could only name one, and I told her it had to be The Gentle Giant...the guy kicked THREE in the park home runs. Also, I can name myself MVP on my blog.

Hanging out with 8th grade BFF, Gina. Running in the rain in my ballet flats back to her apartment after lunch. Playing Nintendo, just like 8th grade. Wheezing because of her two (very fluffy) cats.

Attending Bat Boy: The Musical at the UW with Roommate Leah and Co. Started off good, ended very twisted.

American Idol in full swing. Hottie of All Hotties Casey James almost went home last week, and I almost peed my pants of anxiety. Thankfully, he's still there. Along with Almost Hottie of All Hotties Lee DeWyze. I tell you what, if I was single, Lee & me...well, there'd be something to blog about Lee & me.

Running down the 44 bus and watching it drive off as I pant behind it. Again. And again. Damn it.

Seattle Au Natural

Two years of togetherness...

Jesse & I celebrated our two year anniversary yesterday, and Jesse surprised me with a lovely dinner at a little French bistro in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood, Thomas St. Bistro. It was on par with the last place Jesse took me, Table 219 (also in Capitol Hill). Reminiscent of my days in French-influenced West Africa and the little time I have spent in France, the meal came with a fixed price that included four courses (soup, salad, entree, dessert). The owner was multi-talented, as he greeted and served customers while also cooking all of the food. I'm still unsure how exactly he did that. He offered the hospitality I would expect of an authentic French dining experience, and also had employed two young guitarists to play jazz as part of a fantastic ambience. I did the unthinkable and actually took pictures which you can now enjoy...

Thank you to my handsome guy!

First course: Creamy vegetarian basil soup

Sweet Jesse makes for a happy Pegs!
(Kari, you can see the top I chose to wear...it's matched with dark jeans and bronze heels.)

Thomas St. Bistro
(The restaurant filled up quickly while we were there, but this is when we were only the second couple in the place.)

Third course: Poulet Dijon Pasta for me (pictured here) and Smoked Salmon Pasta for Jesse

It's nice that after two years together, you don't have to worry so much about how ridiculous you look trying to eat pasta.

Fourth course: Cheesecake with strawberries drizzled on top

Our table setting

"Ooh, my man is so dreamy."

Here's to a very unconventional two years!

*Note: We will celebrate part II of our anniversary when I treat Jesse to the movie "Date Night" this weekend...Steve Carrell and Tina Fey should be a lovely couple to double date with!

What I've been up to, since clearly it isn't blogging...

Studying. I've been reading and reading, which is the typical beginning of the quarter sitch. Soon, it will transition into a little reading, but mostly writing as papers come due. Lucky for me, I like both.

Kickball. Our team had its second game yesterday, on a beautiful and sunny Sunday. I actually got hot in my one long-sleeve layer--yay for Spring! Sadly, we lost...and I am NOT a good loser. Somehow, I got nominated to pitch which was pretty fun. And I really like my teammates. I knew exactly one, my roommate who coordinated the team, so it's been great to meet new peeps.

Committee-making. I was able to meet with two faculty members who are both very interested in my topic, and able/willing to be on my committee! Yay! Three down, one to go.

Friends time. I've been able to spend time with some near 'n' dear ones...although my grad student budget may not be able to sustain this, unless I can find lots of free stuff to do. Roommate Leah has my social calendar planned through June, including Bat Boy: The Musical at the UW, the Seattle Symphony, and a Seattle Mariners game.

Exercising. Most days at the IMA, but I've branched out too...anyone done Zumba? I tried it on Saturday and it was a WORKOUT...think salsa meets hip hop meets aerobics. Really fun, really tiring. I was sweating like a...fill-in-the-blank, Mrs. Darling (you always have the best similes). However, while I've done really well with exercising, I've done very poorly at eating well. After Zumba, I had a Deluxe Huevos Rancheros brunch. Pretty sure those didn't quite balance out.

Jesse time. Have I mentioned how nice it is to actually see my boyfriend, and not rely on phone and video chats? Well, it is. And either he's gotten funnier, or I've gotten more...easy-to-make-laugher. Either way, I'll take it. Tomorrow is a special day for us...two year anniversary! And let me tell you, it's been an unconventional two years! Jesse is surprising me with dinner somewhere...don't know where yet, but I've told him I NEED to dress appropriately, so I'll need at least a hint. Although, Jesse enjoys bringing out my gullible side so he may find it hilarious to tell me it's a fancy place and take me to Taco Bell...or tell me it's a casual dive, and then I end up severely under-dressed and unable to get in to the fancy place he actually planned.

All you have to do is...

I met with Most Supportive Advisor Ever, Jim, late last week. Jim inspires me. You see, he just turned 40 and is already an Associate Dean of the Graduate School at the UW. This is truly impressive. He's one of the most energetic people I've ever been around, the kind where just watching them or reading their FB page makes you tired. Nonetheless, I always feel encouraged and motivated by our meetings. I left with this Here's How It's Going to Go (HHIGTG) List:

1. Form dissertation committee by the middle of this quarter (about 5 weeks from now).
2. Meet with the committee by the end of the quarter to have an open conversation about dissertation topic and provide my working paper.
3. Talk about writing portion of General Exam, which will likely be very similar to the first three chapters of the dissertation.
4. Go write my tail off for the second half of the summer.
5. During Autumn quarter (last quarter of coursework, unless something goes awry), defend General Exam written portion (oral portion of GE). The committee will take this opportunity to tell me the good/needs improvement areas, and (hopefully) pass me through. At that point, I am considered "ABD" (all but dissertation, or All But Dead in academic circles).
6. Starting in January, enroll in dissertation credits and DO the study! Jim thinks graduating by summer is a distinct possibility.

Other Here's How It's Going To Go Lists:
HHIGTG: Courses
*Currently in 2 for the Spring.
*1 in the Summer.
*2 in the Autumn.

HHIGTG: Professional Development
*Advising Handbook project--in progress with the COE Dean of Student Services
*Hopefully find a position on campus to fund the remainder of this degree
*Exploring a College Bound mentor program, working with college-bound juniors and seniors
*Exploring student organizations on campus, such as the Associated Students of the College of Education (ASCE) meeting I went to yesterday.

Could my life BE any different than it was a month ago?

New move, new blog!

So, you noticed. It looks different, eh? I decided with a new location, I should have a new blog (look).

I've been in Seattle for one week tomorrow. I have already established a sort of routine, mostly because I feel like it would be far too easy to lounge around in my pj's all day which leads (in my case) to lack of productivity and eventual depressed blah-ness.

The typical day right now involves:

using Seattle's Metro system
(the #7 transfer to the #48)

working out at the IMA (UW's fantastic exercise facility)


studying on/around campus
(usually in Suzzallo Library's reading room)

and class on Monday nights and Wednesday mornings
(in Miller Hall)

Oh yes, and I play adult co-ed kickball on Sundays. Woot!
Underdog Kickball League - Ballard Boys & Girls Club

Photos from here and here.

Emma's first steps!

Emma took her first single step on her birthday, March 17th, but she hadn't done it again until yesterday when I stood her up and she took TWO steps towards Amy...then she took two again, then three and finally I recorded it! I'm a proud Auntie Pegs!



Josh is out of town on business and when he got the news, he told us to knock her over if she tried it again until he got home!

Peace out, Denton!

On Thursday, I was supposed to have dinner with Fabulous Friend Sara. She picked me up and whisked me off to Chili's where we planned to pig out on The Best Appetizer Ever (AKA Skillet Queso). When I arrived, Uyen was there. I was so excited she happened to be there and I could see her once more before leaving...then realized she was there for ME! Sara had invited some of the girls to get together for one last hurrah. Only a few were able to make it due to Spring Break, but I was so excited!

Back (l-r): Uyen & Candise
Front (l-r): Me, Sara, Anna

They were so thoughtful. They gave me a cookie jar for my going away gift because I told them the story of how when I lived with Grandma, she would protect me from my own lack of self-control regarding cookies (Girl Scout cookies, in particular) by hiding the cookies and leaving me just ONE cookie in the jar each morning. So, they gave me a cookie jar and when I opened it, there was just ONE cookie inside. :)

Uyen let me keep the wieners one more time before I left.

Back (l-r): Uyen & Pegs
Front (l-r): Tony & Bella

The movers were supposed to show up between 10:30 - 11:00 am on Saturday. I did most everything I needed to on Friday, so I set my alarm for 9:00 am, thinking that was plenty of time to get ready for them.

Guess who showed up at 9:15 am?

Guess who answered the door barely decent with crazy hair like Medusa?

The good news is they were also finished an hour earlier, so I was on the road to Brownwood for my Texas Tour earlier.

And now? Now it's Sunday, and I am taking in the Brownwood Sleep 'n' Eat for all it's worth this last time. Eating homemade tacos. Eating Better than Sex cake (I did not name it). Sleeping 12 hours. Eating French toast. Taking a 90 minute nap. Eating more Better than Sex cake. Seriously, that's all I've done since I got here.

And that's fine by me.

Random...but mostly A Bike Tale

3 days left at work.
10 days left in Texas.

I arrive in Seattle at 10:45 am, and Jesse already has planned a lunch date for us in West Seattle. I like him.

Work is BORING. It's Spring Break, and ain't nobody here 'cept me, Abbie, and Rosy. Rosy has never seen Mary Poppins (Holy Lost Childhood, Batman!) so I'm bringing it for us to watch this week. Chim-chiminey.

I have been consuming so much Chick-Fil-A since they don't have them in Seattle that I fear I may turn into one of those cows on the billboards. "Eat Mor Chikin."

I just had Mr. Chopsticks for the last time (until I move back to Denton in approximately one year...oh wait, I don't plan to do that). Sesame Chicken, my favorite. It was the special today, so I also got a veggie spring roll for free. I like to think it was their parting gift to me.

The carpet has been cleaned. The guys said that the enzymes used to clean the pet stains will make the apartment quite rank as the enzymes set in and do their work. They were correct. My apartment is filled with the scent of dog urine.

I took a 10 mile bike ride at a nearby state park on Sunday. I went by myself, and latched on to a group of 3 who arrived at the same time. We were going along and I finally asked how long this trail was.
Friendly Guy: "12 miles."
Me: Ahem. You mean 12 miles round trip, right?
FG: "12 miles. One way."
Me: "Okay then, I will not be completing the trail."
FG: "You came out here by yourself?"
Me: "Yes, I did."
FG: "Really? You could fall and break your leg and no one would know."
Me: "Well, as long as you guys go further than I do, you will see me on your way back in."
FG: "I suppose that's true."
Me: "You see, I have no patience for not doing stuff alone. I lived in Africa and I wasn't supposed to do stuff alone. But I did. And I was fine."
FG: "Oh okay." (Hello? Where is the usual "OMG--you lived in AFRICA? That's so cool. What did you do there?)

Some time later...
Me: "So, my bike seat isn't very cushy. I'm starting to feel it."
A Little Too Friendly Guy: "Oh yeah, I had that problem. I got this really nice seat. See?" ALTFG stands on his pedals. Indeed, it looks like a very cushy bike seat. "Now I don't have prostate problems like I used to."
A ten second pause while I think to myself, "Holy Crap. Did this guy I do not know really just say that."
Me: "Ahem. Yeah, yeah. I'm sure that seat has helped. So, I think I'll turn around now."

For putting up with ALTFG and completing a 10 mile bike ride, I rewarded myself with a lime slush at Sonic, which they also do not have in Seattle.

Updated Moving List

So, two weeks from the day of the move. Where am I on my to-do list?

Done:
Mover set up--check
Car shipper set up--check
One-way flight purchased--check
Tour o' Texas set up--check
Registered for Spring quarter at the UW (including the Qual Methods course I needed but didn't know if I'd get!)--check
ADDED since previous list:
Have Stanley Steemer work their magic (set up)--check
Babe's Chicken Dinner House with the girls--check
Shut off cable/internet and electricity (set up)--check
More detailed plans for Tour o' Texas, including coffee with 2 good friends and dinner with friends from high school--check

Still to be done:
Change address
Pack 2 suitcases to go with me on Tour and in Seattle until my stuff arrives
ADDED:
Keep my sanity through the next 2 weeks of work
Go to like 1,000 lunch dates next week
Make/get Emma's birthday gift

So. I added four things to the DONE side...but I also added three things to the TO BE DONE side. Boo. Still, I'm getting there.

Pictures from the last visit to see Emma:

I mean, REALLY. How cute can you be?

Mels was dog-sitting a Great Dane & beagle during my visit. You know my love of dogs...I had to go play. So here I am with India, the Great Dane. This picture cracks me up. She was really gentle overall, but snapped her head back once and scared the crap out of me...as you can plainly see.

A fishy story

So yesterday, I'm sitting at my desk at work. Sam, the Betta fish I was given at our Christmas exchange at work, swims next to my desktop monitor. I was typing away, when my peripheral vision (which the eye doctor told me 2 weeks ago is working perfectly, and it's a good thing as you're about to see) saw something blue/green. I looked, and Sam was flopping around on my desk!! A suicide attempt, I presume.

I hollered at Stacy to come rescue him. Until that moment, I wouldn't have told you that I was afraid to pick up a tiny Betta fish. Apparently, I am. So Stacy came in, picked him up, and tossed him back in the bowl. He's not terribly active, but still alive this morning.

This takes me back to a very "fishy story" from my college days. I lived in a dorm where I had a roommate and two suite-mates that shared one bathroom. I became quite close to one of my suite-mates, until she stole my man. Then things became just plain awkward. We were hardly talking, but she asked me to watch her Betta fish while she went home for Easter weekend.

I have to explain the relationship between Suite-Mate and Bob the Betta. She'd had him for three years, and treated him like most people treat a dog or cat...as a beloved member of the family. She would stare into his bowl and coo at him..."Oh Bob, you're such a good boy, aren't you Bob?"

Seriously.

So, here I am...watching the beloved fish of my barely friend Suite-Mate. My friend, Amy, came to visit me that weekend. We returned from an afternoon of shopping...and found Bob floating upside down in the bowl.

OMG.

She's going to think I killed her fish because she stole my man.

OMG.

Even worse, when Suite-Mate was supposed to return from home that evening, I would be driving Amy to the Little Rock airport (a total 2.5 hour round trip), so I wouldn't even be HOME when she got back.

The Ultimate Dilemma: Do I leave a note with Bob still floating in the bowl? Do I leave a note with Bob already flushed down the toilet? Do I drop out of college and just never set foot on campus again?

Amy was rolling on the floor with laughter at my predicament. We decided that due to Suite-Mate's unusual (read: CRAZY) relationship with Bob, I should not flush him. You know, just in case she wanted to flush him herself. Or have a funeral and bury him behind the dorm.

So, I left a note with Bob floating in the bowl. Suite-Mate found him when she got home, and was PISSED. Everything I thought would happen did:
1. She cried.
B. She thought I did it on purpose.
D. She buried him behind the dorm.

Yes, a fishy story, indeed.

In perspective...

So y'all know how once in awhile, I have a blog pity-party? Well the following people and their brave stories have shut me up (at least, for today).

Brock Hart--barely one year old and fighting leukemia.

Layla Grace--two years old and dying of stage 4 Neuroblastoma.

Brad and Chloe Sullivan--wife and mother, Sara, died in September. She had breast cancer but was mysteriously killed by some other monster, a seizure/brain hemorrhage. Sara gave birth to Chloe three short weeks before she died, so Brad is left as a single father to his little one.

Rood & Valentina, Haitian orphans--according to the Feb. 26 entry by Kate, little children who watched their families die in the January earthquake.

The first three are Christians (I don't know about the last), and seem unshakable in their faith despite the tragedy. That fascinates me. I wonder about God a lot. Is He out there? Really? Why do Christians have such confidence that their human minds have wrapped around God's plan for life? Me, I think hmm. If he's God, and I'm me...how can I EVER know what is true?

Sometimes I really wish I could have the confidence the three families above seem to have in God.

(Note: I know that by posting the last 2 paragraphs, some might feel the strong need to comment LOUDLY in response. You don't have to. These are just my musings. I'm not expecting THE answer. I'd much rather you take the time to peruse the links above and share in the life stories of these people).

Getting ready...

A month from today, I will be headed from Brownwood to Kerrville on my Tour o' Texas before heading to Seattle. I actually feel slightly (only slightly) unfamiliar with the moving process, as it's been almost a year since I've moved and that's a record for me. I'm also not used to having so much time to get ready, seeing as how I have moved much more spur of the moment in the past.

I have my handy list of stuff to do before leaving...and have been able to check off the following:
Mover set up--check
Car shipper set up--check
One-way flight purchased--check
Tour o' Texas set up--check
Registered for Spring quarter at the UW (including the Qual Methods course I needed but didn't know if I'd get!)--check

Still to be done:
Change address
Have Stanley Steemer work their magic
Babe's Chicken Dinner House with the girls
Pack 2 suitcases to go with me on Tour and in Seattle until my stuff arrives
Shut off cable/internet and electricity

While it's nice in a way to not have to rush this process, I'm also the type A who likes to just "get 'er done" and all this waiting around is driving me a little bananas.

Newsie bits

Newsie bit #1:
I have found my favorite on American Idol, and we're not even out of Hollywood Week yet. His name is Andrew Garcia and he is FANTASTIC. Here's a clip of his remake of Paula Abdul's "Straight Up" on acoustic guitar:




Another good one to check out is Crystal Bowersox singing "Natural Woman"...you can You Tube it easily.

Newsie bit #2:
On February 11-12, 2010, Dallas-Fort Worth broke the all-time record for most snow in a 24-hour period in the DFW area with 12.5 measured inches (previously 12.1 in 1964). I celebrated by sneaking out my co-worker's office window out onto the Business building balcony that doesn't have a door (why, is a mystery to me).

Newsie bit #3:
For the first time in a long time, I have found the motivation needed to lose the 10-15 pounds I've gained back that needs to go bye bye. I love me some Weight Watchers. Last Saturday, I saw a number on the scale that frightened me (NO, I will not be sharing it here), and decided something must be done. So I spent the past week eating my allotted WW points, not cheating at all, and working out at my apartment's little facility 6 out of 7 days. The result? 3.5 pounds down!


Newsie bit #4:
I have renamed myself The Human Boomerang! That's right, I am moving BACK to Seattle, from whence I came almost a year ago. I've been working with my faculty advisor for about 9 months now, and have gotten to a place with my dissertation topic that I feel excited about and ready to pursue through completion! I need four courses, and will then write the dissertation. I gave UNT seven weeks' notice, so my last day will be March 19th and I will get to Seattle in time for Spring quarter classes.

I feel VERY peaceful and confident about this decision, which is more than I can say for my last few decisions to move. I have thought this out carefully for many months, and have waited until my research was something I could be sure of. I passed the "prospective candidacy" milestone a few weeks ago, which was the go-ahead sign I needed to move forward.
(Note: Jesse is excited about this, not only for me but for us. He kept asking if I had a flight yet...and yes, I do.)