Just Life...

Busyness has resumed. I have been joking (and grudingly) telling my friends that I must check my calendar before I can schedule some social time with them, so finally I dedicated most of yesterday to just being social. I started out with a doctor's appointment, utilizing my great health prevention focus. But after that I was treated to a late brunch with my best Portland pal, as a belated birthday gift. I had always had this great idea of being a "lady who lunched," so we both dressed cute, ordered breakfast food, and drank bloody marys before noon. The restaurant brought us a free dessert before leaving as they overheard the belated wishes given via my friend.

I was able to combine several trips together during the day as both my appointment and brunch were located downtown. Then as I spent the rest of the afternoon with my good high school pal, his wife, and the baby who live just east of Portland, I was able to drop off that bag of donations to the organization on the outskirts of the city. I felt good knowing my items would be given directly to individuals and knowing that I didn't really have to drive out of my way to get the donation there. Plus it was just extra incentive to go see the baby (who is incredibly sweet and in that stage with lots of little rolls)!

However with class all day today and a meeting afterwards, three full days of practicum instead of the usual two, and an equally busy weekend, I'm doing a lot of time behind the wheel of my car and I'm feeling that my time is pretty much mapped out. Welcome back to the "real world," although I keep asking myself why it's even necessary to be a part of it. But until it's actually feasible for me not to be a part of the rat race, then I must conform to some of its aspects I suppose while still trying to be mindful of living with a lighter step.

The move this weekend went well. I am incredibly grateful for my brother, his wife, my father, and my mom for all of their hard work in tranisitioning me between places. Mom finished the packing and cleaned most the apartment, while the four of us hauled items to the truck and cars and then into the new place. Everything ended up fitting up the stairs (although barely!) that I had thought would fit and my leather chair even was given a spot in the living room. The first night was HOT but I survived with the help of two fans supplied by my family. By noon on day two I had finished unpacking and was situated in the space.

And so far it's been great. It's always a transition getting to know someone new, but so far the new house mate and I seem to be getting along fairly well. It helps that we have our own spaces, but we have also had some good chats, meals, and cups of coffee together as well. We have some things in common: both have been teachers, both love travel and good food, both are somewhat liberal and eccletic, but we're different enough to really inspire each other as well. On day one she had purchased a drying rack and she's already taught me a million new things about life as well. And I (and my bed) have even been adopted by one of the cats as well. So hopefully here's to a good and productive (albeit busy) year!

The following are pictures of the space:
So you can see I still have a "sitting room" and a sleeping room. I feel like it's a pretty good deal. I spent Sunday reading for class and sipping tea on the back porch with the cats by my feet. The back porch was utilized yesterday morning as well as we drank our morning perks while watching the rain come down and chatting. The drastic change in weather has been interesting, but has really ripened up the few tomatoes on the vines. Now all I really need to do in terms of housing adjustments is figure out the bus system to campus (as the MAX line is currently under construction) and hook up the internet router so I can have consistent wireless access.

HOPE EVERYONE HAS BEEN HAVING A WONDERFUL WEEK THUS FAR!