Refreshing is...

walking outside in the rain without an umbrella. The light rain was cool and gentle, and while the weather wasn't especially warm, there was something very simple and rejuvenating about the not-too-far walk to my car after church this morning.

Childhood dreams

While walking down the driveway to collect today's mail, I gazed into the woods on one side. Beautiful leafy greens. Shadows and the occasional ray of sunlight. Adventures waiting to happen.

When we were younger, my siblings, neighbors and I used to explore in the woods. We'd go adventuring for hours ... seeking new places, hidden treasures, nature's secrets. Our greatest goal was to find a way to cross the creek in the woods. What was on the other side?

I used to drift off into fantasy. Surely unicorns and other mythological creatures were sequestered in these woods. Somewhere.

We once found a treehouse (such excitement was unparalleled) and there were numerous attempts to cross the creek over old trees which had fallen over both banks. Once, my best friend fell in, and we sheepishly found our way to the road and walked home, soaking wet.

It's been years since I ventured out there. Fear of snakes and ticks discouraged me. My neighborhood friend moved away. My brother became more interested in computer games, and my sister decided that her interests lay elsewhere as well.

Part of me wants to go exploring in nature ... to find a quiet place ... away from everything ... where I can read ... or write (Stories? I haven't written any for at least 10 years. Poetry? Not much since high school. Music? Haven't felt the inspiration much lately either...) Somehow, the thought of a secret corner where I could simply experience nature sounds incredibly serene and appealing ... Perhaps it's the thought of re-discovering my imagination which is so appealing?

First week after finishing

I have been slacking this week. This is my second pajama day. I like to think that I've earned this break, after the incredibly stressful final 2 weeks of grad school. Maybe I have, maybe not.

My recovery process has included some junk food since I rarely gave into the temptation to buy it for my apartment in GradSchoolTown. It's here and free at casa de mis padres and ... cookies & tortilla chips with salsa & soda can be quite yummy sometimes (though probably not all at once).

Recovery has also included: catching up with guilty favorites (I love the online streaming episodes) such as House, Grey's, Samantha Who?, and The Office (for which I have about 6 episodes left) ... and why did Private Practice not return after the strike? I really liked that the last time I had time to watch ... last fall ....

Oh, and I've read some silly books too. There was this one and that book. Oh, and I can't forget this other one (which I read online, as it's free online, somewhere, but I was too lazy to look for the website address) either.

And ... I've managed to clear/clean/organize about half of the stuff which I brought back from my apartment ... and I spent two hours scrubbing the shower in my siblings & my shared bathroom today. And I went out with my mom yesterday to find her a dress for an upcoming event. Oh, and I went to a music rehearsal and a concert (different groups) ... and my brother and I made my mom dinner this week, as a belated mother's day gift.

So maybe I've been productive ... but ... my efforts at productivity must now focus on GETTING A JOB. I've sent out a few applications, but there are MANY MORE to complete. And I should update my portfolio considering it hasn't been tweaked since my SOPHOMORE year of college. And I've, um, definitely done quite a bit since then. Hmm.

Overheard at a conference*

Young woman: I think I want a steel drum band if I ever get married ... I'll just get a date for Friday night and work my way up to a boyfriend.


*A conference of music teachers; I discovered that I'd written down this quote on a session handout when I was filtering through various material earlier this evening :)

Amusing revelation

My mother was talking the other day about when she used to go out when she was in college. Apparently, when she was in the process of getting dolled up for her evenings out, she'd have music on in the background. Not just any music. Not the popular music of her time ...

She used to listen to the 1812 Overture and Bolero.

Last day of finals

I have score analysis to complete, a powerpoint to create (for a presentation at the last possible final time- this evening), and an essay to write. Oh, and a take-home final that I got an extension for ... and I've passed the extension already ... so I really need to get that done too.

Why is it so difficult for me to just be motivated and kick @$$ and get these little assignments done?! If I had been proactive, I could be out enjoying the last day of sunshine that's predicted for my remaining few days here in GradSchoolTown instead of staring at my computer screen, hoping the work will get done without me.

Must. Stop. Procrastinating. Eh.

Something to ponder

My aunt and uncle, the coolest relatives in my parents' generation (besides my parents, of course), have started a blog. I'm not ready to reveal my blog to people IRL (only BestFriend knows about it) ... but I do think it's fun that I'm no longer the only one who's doing this. :-)