i want to remember the places that we left; lost to the mists of time

I was mentioning the other day that people must think I'm obsessed with my husband or something, because I have about nine photos of the two of us pinned and framed in various places on my desk at work.  To that, my husband cheekily replied, "Of course they should think so! I'm your husband!"  But in all seriousness, I originally brought this many photos to my last job for a very specific reason.  I needed to bring happiness to my workplace with me so that when I was feeling stressed or down, I could look at my photos and remember many of the things I'm thankful for and the memories I've had.

I am, admittedly, a total sap -- but I think it's important to stay positive by any means available.  I am now in a position which I enjoy much more, but it helps from time to time to remind myself why I do what I do, who I am doing it for, and what goals I have.  It's not just about my romantic relationship, but it also involves other memories, like my time studying in Europe or my college graduation.  It brings a little bit of me to a place that would otherwise make us look like an army of work drones in suits.  That's why we do it, isn't it?

"Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are,

the things you never want to lose."  - The Wonder Years

payday

This past Friday was pay day.  I don't think anyone will disagree that pay day is a great day for several reasons, which I will, of course, outline here.  Pay day is wonderful because it is on a Friday.  Fridays give me the sense that hope, relaxation, and fun are yet to come.  Where I work, we have "Jeans Fridays," which I also look forward to every week, all week.  Now that I've explained that, you can fully understand what an exciting life I have.  Even at my last job, which was probably my least favorite ever, I liked Fridays. Who doesn't?

So, imagine my wonderful Friday starting off splendidly in the first place, at my desk, perusing e-mails, hot cup of tea in hand, when I suddenly realize that it's PAY DAY!  Hooray!  We can have our Friday Panera date, and although this may not seem fun, I even start to look forward to making our budget.  I like having a budget because it makes me feel in control and it also helps to save money.

Get EXCITED about Payday! We even had Wal-Mart donate these candy bars to us!

"There will be a rain dance Friday night, weather permitting." -George Carlin



it's a spicy meatball

Saturday, October 16, 2010

I spent Saturday learning how to make my aunt's famous meatballs and sauce.  I just wanted to be able to say: "It's a spicy meat-a-ball."  No, really, I thought the whole experience would be fun and useful, and it was.  But, I do admit that I used the phrase several times--maybe too many times.

We made about three times more than a person would normal make, and even though the whole process took a few hours, it was worth it.  The hearty meatballs had just the right amount of spice and the sauce was so thick and chunky that it didn't even drip through a slotted spoon.  I'm glad I learned how to make them, though, because I think carrying on traditions is important.  This recipe was my aunt's mother-in-law's, so it will be great to continue it through the generations of our family.

"I don't have to look up my family tree, because I know that I'm the sap."  -Fred Allen

Cat Party

I'm beginning to think I've become one of those crazy cat moms who never has children of her own, but constantly rambles to her co-workers about what each feline has been up to lately.  For example: "Oh, Mitsy got into the pantry again yesterday while I was gone--she ripped apart my oatmeal packets! Can you believe what a mischievous girl she's been?"  This crazy cat mom wears cat earrings, pins, has a cat calendar, a cat sweater, and photos of her cats in frames year after year, kind of like school pictures.

Okay, so I'm not that bad, but I'm getting somewhat close.  What starts as making fun of a certain type of person turns into wanting to actually act this way.  It's quite a phenomenon with me.  On another note, I have noticed that cats have some intuition when it comes to emotional matters.  Oreo is thirteen years old, and she really has been there for me during times when I felt completely alone.  As an over-emotional teenager, I would retreat to my room, away from my "villainous" parents, and Oreo would be there to cuddle and comfort.  Penelope is only about four months old, but she is finally getting to point where she seems to enjoy spending a little quality time with us.  But, that usually lasts about five to ten minutes and then she is back to being an insane cat-terror, ripping across the kitchen floor as if she were being chased by blood-sucking aliens.

I love coming home to my girls. 

They are great friends--to each other, and to me.

"I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior." - Hippolyte Taine

sleepytime

I don't think anyone can argue: there's nothing like sleepytime. And I'm not just talking about when it's time to go to bed, either.  All day at work, I kept picturing exactly what kind of day it was.  Today was a day to curl up on the couch in pajamas and a blanket (or maybe if you have a Snuggie?) and relax. Okay, I was joking about the Snuggie... sort of.  With my new hours, I was able to find time to clean, watch a little television, and snuggle up with my kitten.

Someone at work today said that, for some reason, they were in the mood for hot tea today.  I am in the mood for hot tea all the time.  I had quite a taste for tea in my teenage years, and it helped that my sweet mother packed my favorite kind in my lunch daily--Orange and Spice, and Everything Nice.  This phase was followed by me spending a few sleep deprived years in college, doped up on Starbucks double shots and home-brewed coffee in order to finish my assignments.  It also didn't help that I worked at Starbucks for a short while.  I think it was when I studied abroad in England that I regained my appreciation for a good cup of tea, both loose leaf and boxed.  One stereotype about the English is absolutely true: they love their tea, and thanks to them, so do I!

So, relax tonight and treat yourself to something that will warm your heart.

"Each cup of tea represents an imaginary voyage."  -Catherine Douzel

pretending

I visited my husband's university today on our way apple picking, because although it was somewhat of a holiday, he did have a class at noon.  I love just hanging out on campus: in the computer lab, on the stone walls, on the grass, and under the shadows of trees and buildings.  It's a great feeling to not only reminisce, but to be in a setting which is similar to my alma mater.  It's also fun to pretend I'm a college student because I still look the same age as everybody else on campus.  It makes me feel like a fraud, or a spy, or at least very sneaky...but in a good way.

This time of year reminds me of the fall semesters in the past when I would get up and get a latte in the campus cafe and spend some time admiring the blue sky, the cool, crisp air, and the colorful leaves before class.  The browns, oranges, reds and yellows are the best when ready for crunching under my feet. I'm not sure why, but that is one of my favorite things in the world.  Time goes by quickly, but it's nice every so often to go back and make believe.

"Much may be done in those little shreds and patches of time which every day produces, and which most men throw away."  -Charles Caleb Colton

Three days: Three things

How do I choose just three things that I loved about this weekend after attending the New York Comic Con for the first time? Well, I will do my best to not go on too many tangents about ALL the things I enjoyed.

Friday, October 8:
Bravery

When I saw Captain America strut into the front entrance of the Jacob Javits Center with full confidence, I had to smile.  First off, it is evident from the photo below that this Captain America doesn't look exactly like he is portrayed in the comics.  But, who does, besides the miniscule percentage of the celebrity population who play these characters in movies (and have personal trainers)?  This is just a small example of the hundreds and thousands of people, each dressed up like his or her favorite character or super hero.  If this man can get out of bed and put on spandex head-to-toe for thousands to see, then there are certainly many brave things I can do every day.

Saturday, October 9:
Hugs


Everybody needs a hug sometimes.  Whether or not one decides to acknowledge that desire does not change the truth that once someone graces you with that gesture, it can make a world of a difference.  A hug shows that someone cares about you, that you're not alone, and that you're loved.  I always tell my husband I could hug him for hours if time and our busy lives allowed.  There is a certain relaxation, and letting go of burdens that comes with the whole process.  So, today, I got the hug of a lifetime, from none other than Chewbacca.  Be jealous.

Sunday, October 10 (10/10/10!):
Buying local, doing what you love


Part 1: Buying local
Okay, so I cheated a little by mentioning two things I like in the title for today.  Upon arrival at the Beacon train station today, a friend brought me into the downtown area to prove what a great secret it was.  And, he was absolutely right.  I lived about a half hour away from this place for four years and didn't know it existed.  With art galleries and cute coffee shops along with a local burger restaurant, I was in heaven.  Within five minutes, I had decided that this should be my new home.  It feels good to contribute to small businesses, and to feel part of a community.  I got a taste (quite literally) of that today in the burger restaurant, while admiring the local art decorating the walls.

Part 2: Doing what you love
My husband met a guy named Ben Bishop last year at the comic con who wrote, illustrated, and published his own graphic novel.  Max purchased it as a gift for me and I read it immediately, although I have always been wary of the genre.  I read the book very quickly, and by the first or second chapter, I was already crying.  Needless to say, I absolutely loved the book.  I also appreciated seeing a person pursuing what they love, even if he had to work a different job in order to stay afloat.  That kind of thing is inspiring, and it was finally great to meet him this year.

You should check out his work.  You will like it.

Max in the burger restaurant sporting his Nathan the Caveman shirt.

"I will not play at tug o' war
I'd rather play at hug o' war,
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs...."
~Shel Silverstein