Okay, so, I am officially back into the swing of classes again. So work (of course), and Organic Chem are taking up my time. Add to that the early stages of apt. hunting (hoping for an April move-in so I have TIME to move) so that Jeff and I can have a place of our own. Add to that the impending med school applications, which will get posted in May and will be due in Oct/Nov. Add again the MCAT prep class and exam that needs taking. Then add the two Physics and one Bio class I still have to take before I can get into med school. And then to all THAT add the planning of the impending wedding. I'm nuts, right?
Oh well. I was pointedly reminded of how lucky I am when I came home tonight to find dinner done and being plated, the wine poured, and the dining room all lit up. A nice, homemade Italian dinner for two. I hope I never take him for granted.
Oh, FYI, the locals should not make plans for the weekends in May that bracket my birthday. It seems that I am being thrown a party. He is very determined.
Jeff looks at GPS, sees crazy cloverleaf: "What the hell?!" Me, amused: "It's a cloverleaf, dear." Jeff, incredulous: "That's not a cloverleaf, that's a clusterf**k!" Me, collapses, crying with laughter.
Am currently helping make test pies, for making/bringing Thursday, to make sure he gets in good with my family. ;-)
As of yesterday, I am no longer the co-owner of property in New Jersey. So I am now divorced, the house is sold, and all my stuff is in storage waiting for me to find a new home. Went home to deal with the closing and the movers and all, less than a week after the divorce was final. Nice to see my family again so soon, got to spend quality time with everybody this trip. Movies with Amy (27 Dresses) and old movies with Mom and Dad (The Rare Breed). Very silly cow movie. Moo! (newest running joke) Amy got really bad flu Saturday night and was miserable until Monday, so some of the plans got dropped. Oh well. Got to help her with a paper, which was nice. I like getting to do big sister helpful things for her sometimes still. Other new running joke:
Mom (to a cranky, sick Amy): Well, if you've got a funny taste in your mouth, go rinse it out with the Clorox. (Amy and I stare at her. Mom blinks.) Mom: I mean the (starts to laugh) the Lysol? (Amy and I start to laugh) Mom (laughing): The Windex? Dammit, I know what I mean, the purple stuff in the bathroom! Amy and I (laughing): The Listerine?
We've decided that Mom subconsciously wanted to posion her sick child, and haven't stopped teasing her. It's fun watching her go embarrassed colors every time we mention it, heehee.
Had to deal with Bill when the movers came, since some of the furniture was in his storage unit, and some stuff still needed packing. He's a mess (no comment), and his falling apart was making me fall apart and pissed me off. Dad took me on Sunday morning to deal with the movers and get the rest of the big stuff put into storage. Dad didn't kill Bill, and managed to be civil, mostly by staying out of the way. I'm very proud of him.
Still not completely stable. It's making me moody and irritable, which is different. I expected depressed and weepy, not the snappish and annoyed that I seem to be getting instead. Almost didn't go to work today, went in late. Just didn't feel like tyring to be normal. Got asked by one of the ladies in the Dean's office how I was doing. She knows some of the details, but she's discreet and just wants me to have someone to talk to about it. Kinda nice to have a mom-type figure up here. Told me she loved me and was worried about me. Nearly fell apart right there. I probably should have stayed home.
Reading and being reclusive until I get my head screwed back on straight.
Well, officially single again. Divorce was final last Wednesday. He came to court, made it impossible to look at him and not burst into tears. Mom and Amy made it their mission to keep me busy for the rest of my visit, so I haven't really processed the change yet. It was nice to have them looking out for me. Mom provided chocolate and REALLY decadent ice cream. Amy and I got to help her friend Courtney make Courtney's boyfriend's valentines, which was fun. And Amy had far too much fun trying to get me drunk and introduce me to all her bar buddies Friday night. It was nice to get to relax for a bit, kind of preparing for when I eventually fall apart. I know I will, once I have time to think about it, so I'm tyring to not give myself the time. Keeping busy and distracted as much as possible. Depressed, and moody, but trying not to dwell. I'll manage. It'll be hard, but eventually I'll manage.
Still packing, Mom came out to help yesterday and we got much done. I'm packing up the office/computer stuff now. Just got home from band practice, where the guys threw me a good bye party! They really liked the book prezzies I got for each of them, I'm so glad. And they're writing a song for me!! Eee!! I feel so special, I've never had a song written for me before! They had an awesome practice, they're really sounding so good. We had a great time. I'm going to miss them, they're such great guys, I feel really lucky to have gotten to know them and watch them grow as a band and as people. Last week of work starts tomorrow. I have so much to do still, but it's starting to feel manageable finally.
You know, it occurs to me that when one plans to stain the wood of the backdoor and the three windows in one's bedroom, that one should make sure to a.) space said staining out so that one is not suffocated by the stain fumes as they pervade the ENTIRE house, and b.) ensure that one has a stain-stink smell free place to sleep during this time.
Clearly, there was a flaw in this plan, when Bill decided to do the staining on Saturday afternoon. The house totally reeks, EVERY window in the house is open as though it was August still, the heat is off to prevent it from going right out the open windows, and we're keeping the door to the computer room shut as our last bastion against nasty smelliness. And then he forgot that the air mattress has a hole in it, which HE put in it when he went to Pennsic in August, and only remembered AFTER it started deflating on us at 1:00 AM last night. Which meant we had to brave the stinky bedroom, take our mattress off the bed frame, maneuver it into the computer room, and throw all the blankets back on it. At least when I finally got back to sleep it didn't smell bad. Sigh.
It was a productive weekend, and now I'm all achey. Body's not used to feats of packing/moving strength anymore, lol. Got much stuff packed and moved, helped with the staining, and told the guys in the band that I'm going. They're planning a party for next week, and Kenny has promised to write a 'Where did Andrea go?' song for me, and has decided it is going to be completely silly. I can't wait. I'm gonna miss the guys, they've gotten so good in the year I've known them. They have orders to record stuff for me and email me the tracks, and let me knwo when they have gigs and stuff so I can come see.
Mom, and possibly the Dude, coming to help pack more on Saturday. Thank goodness. The Queen of Pakcing (Mom) will help me sort out everything I haven't gotten to yet.
Okay, a tentative plan has been achieved...leave the house Friday after work or early Saturday morning, head out to LI to spend time with the family. Leave for Boston from there either late Saturday or early Sunday, depending on how I'm feeling.
Work was short today. Closed at 3:30 so we could all go to the memorial/tribute for my boss, who died in May. Was really nice. Some lovely (and some funny) stories shared, an awesome video presentation, and lots of people from all over the country. Was something he would have liked, I think.
I was Anthony's ride there, so I offered him a ride home since I go right past his apartment. He needed to stop in the Borders next door to the hotel to get his brother's birthday present, so I looked at CDs while we were there. I found two Anuna CDs!! So pleased! Played one on the ride home, so he could hear this arrangement of a Sanctus that I was crazy about. Anthony's my music buddy at work. He's the one I swap CDs and talk music theory with. He predictably loved the song too. I love that we have the same taste in music. If the Boston thing works out, him I'll miss. It's been nice to read things in the paper or hear new music and go bang on his office door and have someone to share it with.
He found one of those little kit things while we were waiting on line, and laughed and showed it to me. It's a fairy catching kit. I laughed and told him that you'd have to save the ones you caught, like in the Pressed Fairy Book. He had no clue what I was talking about, and when I explained it, the look on his face!! SO FUNNY! Like he couldn't decide to be amused or digusted. Was hysterical. He promised to look it up, and I can't wait to hear what he thinks about it.
On the Boston note, they emailed me to say that they got my second reference, so now I'm waiting to see what happens next.
Well, survived the holidays. Waiting for the headache ;eft over from fasting to wear off. Definitely going to bed early tonight, to encourage it to be gone by morning.
The secret is out, my family now knows about my relationship issues and the ensuing chaos. I was not actually there to see the reactions, but almost everyone was concerned, and has been nice about giving me space. Excpet my grandparents of course, but Grandpa was nice and sent me a text message rather than calling me every twenty minutes like I'm sure he wanted to. I called him and sorted the worry out with him, so he and Nana aren't so concerned for me now. They know I'm okay.
It does help that my news was not actually the gossip of the year for the family. One of my aunts got hit by a car...that her husband was driving. In the temple parking lot, after services for Rosh Hashannah. She's fine. Honest. Brusies and a broken wrist, but that's about it. This is going to be fodder for family gatherings for YEARS. It probably wouldn't have been so funny if she had really been hurt badly, but she wasn't, so the whole family has been making jokes. My poor uncle's NEVER gonna live this one down.
On the job front, I know they're gonna check my references sometime this week or next. The HR lady from Boston e-mailed me for another professional reference, and I managed to get her one. Thank goodness for understanding, clergy-type, Smithie moms! Yes, she's the mother of a Smithie (which I only found out last year, after I'd known her for two already). So I sent the info off, and now I'm waiting again. Further updates when and if I hear from her again.
Spent much time with the family this weekend, and I'm feeling less fragile. I still have my moments, but on the whole doing much better. A brand new start is beginning to look fairly attractive. I gotta finish that cover letter.
Discovered that seeing Chicago on Broadway when upset is an EXCELLENT way to start feeling better (quickly followed by fresh cannoli), and no one does perfectly serious threat offers like a sister. No one can get you drunk with such cheerful single-mindedness, either, lol. And nothing tops doing the really hard Saturday crossword puzzle with Pop. In pen.
I had a great weekend.
For anyone who likes British humor, go see Death at a Funeral. OMG, it was SO FUNNY. Alan Tudyk totally steals the movie, and every minute is worth paying the price of theatre admission. We couldn't stop laughing.
Hugs and much love to jagienka, bad_influence, and bingblotfor being the best friends a girl could ask for. Thank you for everything.
I just can't win. I'm all happy and relaxed from seeing Jess and Kori and Sarah, and what happens? On my way to work this morning, I get into a car accident. Yes, I'm FINE, I promise. The girl and her little brother in the other car are FINE, and their car looks better than mine does. My car is kinda battered in front. Hopefully nothing ridiculous is wrong, and it'll get fixed soon. So I have to go through, dealing with cops, a tow truck, the car dealer, an auto shop, and the insurance company all before I can get anywhere near work today. On top of this, my boss FORGOT that I was on vacation, and has apparently been worried sick about me since he DID remember that I was out for medical tests last Thursday, before I supposedly went missing. He felt stupid when I called him this morning, but believe me I felt worse. I need a drink.
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