Mini Vacation

So I took today off as a mental health day. After basically winding up in tears the last three Fridays, I was motivated to take off partially by fear of going 4-for-4, and partially by necessity. I just plain needed a break. I can't say I haven't been jealous of all my coworkers' vacations, so I decided I'd like a little time, too.

But I forgot that I suck at doing nothing. I could never be a staycation girl. I was almost more stressed sitting at home with nothing to do than if I had to be locked in my office to protect myself from a lunatic parent (as I had to do two weeks ago). The day started with a ticket. I was parked on the street, and on Fridays, there's a sign that says a street sweeper comes between 10AM and 11AM and you can't park on our side of the street during that time. Now, having been home for many, many spring Fridays, I had never once seen a street sweeper. I thought maybe it was an old sign since I had yet to see this damn vehicle. Well, of course the day I take off, I'm there parked on the street, sweeper comes, and I (as well as the car behind me) get ticketed. Damnit. My day off just ate $17 out of my pay. ::sighs::

In other news, I had an AWESOME yoga class last night. The last three weeks, it's been just me showing up, so I've had private lessons. Which is awesome cuz we can just kinda do what we want and not have to worry about less experienced classmates. Not that mind, but I'm definitely in the mood for something that will whip me into wedding-dress shape, and I need something intense. Last night was a series of sun salutations (my arms are screaming, but it hurts so good! Hello, triceps...I've missed you!), then warriors and lots of forward bending with some wheel, bridge and ab work to finish off. Awe-some.

Anyway, I'm currently enjoying a swirled Coolatta from DD (coffee and vanilla, thankyouverymuch), and thinking about the mini-vacation we're going on this weekend. We'll be up on my home island, Long Island, through Monday visiting family and friends. Saturday night's agenda is a Mets game, and Sunday we'll be out at the beach. Whoo hoo!

So, friends, I hope I'll feel a bit rejuvenated after the fun and sun. See you on the other side.

This is What Happiness Looks Like

This past Saturday, my dear friend Angela married her boyfriend of 10 years, and it was a fantastic day. She was probably the giddiest, bubbliest, happiest bride I've ever seen. She was literally bouncing in her seat, and kept lightly slapping Matt's knee as if to say, "I can't believe it!"

This, friends, is what happiness looks like:


Below are some of the better photos I took:

To honor the groom, a hockey player.

Look closer...

That's them on the cake! Matt has a hockey stick, and Ang has a book.

First dance to "I Wanna Grow Old with You," From The Wedding Singer.

This was the first wedding where I wasn't qualified to catch the bouquet. Is it weird that that makes me sad? haha

Tutors, yoga buddies, Chapstick addicts, friends. : ) Good times.
All the best to the new Mr. and Mrs.!

Cheers, Mate!

Today at work we had a farewell tea party for a much-beloved coworker before she embarks upon graduate work at another Ivy League institution. Thankfully, the rain held off, and it was overcast and breezy so we didn't fry to death.

The garden was beautiful behind an historic house on campus, ripe for photography opportunities! There were vintage hats for wearing, cucumber water for sipping, tea sandwiches for eating. Imagine the tourists walking by, looking at us in our fancy getup in a setting that could easily pass for time-accurate if only with the help of a sepia finish. It was awesome. Here are some pictures from the event:

Garden setting.

The noms.

The guest of honor shows off her gloves.

Lovely ladies. : )

Thinking on a Beautiful Friday

Today many thoughts crossed my mind on my trek up to my building. I realized, as I do every day, how incredibly happy I am at Princeton: I feel it is where I am meant to be. I am taken aback by the beauty of the campus every single day. I often wonder how long it takes people there to take it for granted. I work with amazing people who welcomed me like family, and it already feels like I've been there for years. My job is fulfilling, something I had been lacking since tutoring. The people I work with are also incredibly gracious and appreciative. As someone who thrives on (for better or worse) outside reinforcement, it is wonderful to be told I am doing a great job, that I am the perfect addition to the team, that as soon as they finished my interview they all got together and said, "She's it--we don't want anyone else." After leaving a job where employee morale was low and few people felt important and appreciated, it's just refreshing.

I am constantly aware of how lucky I am to have found the job that I have. I had decided, just after I applied for the position back in March, that higher education was where I wanted to be. I know it's rare to find what we want, and to find a job where you feel genuinely valued. I know it was a long road to get here, and I just need all those who helped me to know I will not forget your help, I will not forget that struggle, and I will not take for granted what I have.

I also realized a few things on my way home from yoga last night. One, yoga makes everything in life better. I may not have a ripped bod, but there two asanas in which I always feel strong, balanced, and fearless: Warrior two and Triangle. When I need a boost, I will practice these asanas and instantly feel more centered. And I always, always feel good about myself when I am practicing regularly. Yoga is the only place I can officially turn off the worries of the world and go inside. I can reconnect with myself, and let my body lead and my head follow. By the time savasana comes, I am totally at ease and at peace.

The yoga "studio" I attend is in town, in the old fire house. I love that I can walk there, I love the walk itself, I love that as I'm arriving, the bell atop historic City Hall is chiming as its new hammer clangs against the bell (no longer just a recording). I love that when I walk home, I am ushered by a bagpipe corp practicing behind the community center. I love small town life. My own Stars Hollow at last, walking into town never feels old--there's always a new flower in bloom, or a new side street I haven't yet explored, or someone new to talk to.

I am in a really good place, mentally, after half a year of turmoil and questioning everything. I am engaged to a wonderful man who, though he has his flaws and I have mine, seems to understand me and supports me. I have a great cat who I'm sure I was destined to bring home. I have superb friends. And my family, of course, is super star amazing.

John just got accepted to the graduate program at Stockton. He will be accomplishing a lifelong goal of earning his master's degree. I hope this will instill in him some of the faith I have that he doesn't see in himself.

We have so much to be thankful for, and to be happy about, but I think all the stars really do have to align in order for all those things to also align and for us to be able to see them, to number them on our fingers (and toes if necessary).

That is all. I hope you take a minute to think about all the good things in your life, and then maybe help someone else find them in their life. For now, I am off to spend the evening with good friends in celebration of John's current and impending achievement of grad school.

Dear Pedestrians

Dear Pedestrians,

I am one of you. I understand the need and desire to jaywalk when the crosswalks are far away from where you want to be. I also understand the new law where cars must come to a full stop when you (we) are in the designated crosswalks; however, lady in Burberry shawl on Nassau Street yesterday afternoon, you neglected two very important points while you jaywalked in front of my car, immersed in your cell phone screen without even glancing up at the motorist world...

1. The law is that cars must come to a full stop. This, however, does NOT relieve you of your duties as a conscious being. You can't just dart out whenever you feel like it and think you're almighty. If a car is about two seconds from the crosswalk/your body, let the car pass. That is an impossible stopping distance, and you will lose the lawsuit because you were negligent of your own responsibilities.
2. You were not in a crosswalk, and thus had no business even crossing the street in such an aloof and inconsiderate fashion. I watched you park your fancy BMW SUV, get out and fiddle with the parking meter, take your phone out of your pocket, then stare at something I can only imagine was immensely riveting, WHILE YOU STARTED TO WALK ACROSS THE STREET WITHOUT LOOKING BOTH WAYS. I'm sorry to say that wherever your mother is...she failed. Once you got to the other side of the street, you almost collided with two students waiting to safely jaywalk when cars were at a stop.

Job well done.

A Capella

As if Glee weren't a big enough reminder of how much I miss performing, today I witnessed a random act of A Capella. I am working late tonight, and was taking a dinner break, sitting on the stone patio behind my building, when all of a sudden, from somewhere not too far away, harmonies floated my way. I knew they had to be in one of the archways of the many dormitories that are near my building, but couldn't place where. Then I saw a small crowd gathering, and closed my book to walk over and see what was going on.

It was a small group, maybe 12 people strong, singing what sounded to me like Indian hymns and folk songs. It was beautiful. Here I was, an hour to kill with nothing to do, and right across the courtyard an impromptu concert erupts?

Now, for those who know me (musically), you know I am vry easily affected by music. Just the whole thing of it--the beauty of the architecture with the beauty of the voices, and the excitement of the singers for having attracted such a crowd on this sunny Thursday evening to the excitement of the passerby who happened to stumble upon such a wonderful event--the wholw thing had me choking back tears. In that moment, I missed singing and performing so much it literally hurt.

Singing in my car is not enough. I worry I will forget how to read music, how to find harmonies in songs. I've been inspired to look into vocal groups here and see if they are open for anyone to join, or if they are classes for students only. Watching this group made me think of the days we'd perform in the stairwells of my high school and faculty, on their way out after long stressful days, would gather to listen to a few numbers. Singing is such a huge part of who I am...it makes me enormously sad to have let it get away for so long.

To be continued...

Yay!

For those hiding under a rock, or those who have been waiting for this to blast on the weblog, I will be once again gainfully employed as of Monday!

I have been temping in Princeton for the last three weeks, and my first week there I also had an interview at another office on campus, which led to a second interview, which led to an interview with HR and some testing, which led, finally, to an offer for the position on Tuesday afternoon. And I'm still pinching myself.

I have orientation on Monday morning to go over my ample new hire packet and get set up with parking and an ID and all that stuff. Then I'll have a lunch break, then head to my new office to get situated there. This week will probably be pretty intense and overwhelming, but at least I'm coming in at the end of the semester, and will have the summer, when things should be lighter than usual, to get acclimated before diving in full speed in September.

I feel incredibly lucky, and am a little intimidated of going back to work full time for the first time in 6 months. But it's a good intimidation. Mom is coming up tomorrow for shopping, lunch, and exploration. Pics and more stories to come...

Til next time,
Cheers.