Moving Again!!

So I will be moving in my my friend Sydney on July 1, 2006. I am pretty excited. We have been friends for a while and get along great. We have looked at several apartments and I think I found the one Saturday. It has two bedrooms and a bath and a half. Most girls agree you need your own area for getting "put together" in the mornings. Huge perks are the 21 foot long balcony, three ceiling fans, and wood floors in the kitchen. The community has a pool, fitness center, and sauna. It's affordable and Max is welcome (Syd's dog). I saw it with my sister because Sydney was gone for the entire holiday weekend, so hopefully I can convince Syd it's perfect for us.

Being on the Lake

Yesterday I was in Chisago, Minnesota at the Johnson Bed and Breakfast. Actually, it's my boyfriend's parents home. They were away for the Memorial Day weekend so we had the house to ourselves. Brent named it the Johnson B & B because I wanted to stay overnight... it's lovely. The house is an old Victorian with loads of charm. It's very comfortable. As we fell asleep on the high four post bed, I really felt like we were on vacation. We treated one another with such kindness the whole time, making sure we had enough sun screen, laughing, eating like kings, and kissing one another. It felt like something out of a romance novel, except for when he was earning man points by changing his oil! ;) It was so hot out. It's rumored to be the hottest holiday weekend in years. We grilled and played in the water. We went on a bike ride. We sat on the swing and talked. I had fun like I were a kid again. When we got back to the cities last night, both of us were exhausted. Now I am glowing a bit red in places but feel like I did something with my weekend, even if today is the holiday itself and I am sitting at work. The trip north made a wonderful, relaxing impression.

Living with Rules

Rules face us all day. Should we always play according to the rules, or should rules become void in certain circumstances? Let me give you a situation and think how you would react: You are sitting in a library researching or simply checking your email. It is clearly posted that cell phone use is prohibited. Your phone starts vibrating and you see that your mom is calling. Do you answer it? Most people would reply no because you can call her back. Well, what if your dad is in ICU and you are eagerly awaiting any status updates? Or, what if your mom never calls you during the day so you naturally assume it must be urgent? Do the circumstances allow you to bend the rules? Some people feel they are above the rules no matter what the case may be, and some are such stickler they feel rules are there for a reason and must never be broken. Most are on the fence and say you can break rules depending on why they need to be broken. I have broken many rules for different reasons whether it was simply rebellion or indifference. Sometimes the rule itself inspires us to break it. The time old example is telling a young child not to touch a breakable and the moment the parents turns away, it comes crashing to the floor. I am like a child more often than not, feeling the need to rebel and do what I want and not what I've been told. But my mature, responsible side causes me to drive within the speed limit, get to work on time, and not yell at the clerk rudely ringing up my purchases because I don't want to deal with the consequences... Rules are there whether unspoken or not.

Wishing for Sunlight

I swear it's been raining for at least three weeks. I did get a game of tennis in with my boyfriend over a week ago, but it started raining after playing for only an hour. It was very painful for me. My co-worker just described the weather as "A little rainy" to a caller and I find it ironic to hear it said so cheerfully when it seems never-ending. There is no such thing as a good hair day when it's raining. Grocery shopping seems more cumbersome. My umbrella is old and ugly. I always feel tired and in need of a nap. The wind stays cold with the dampness of the air. I have to say at this point there better be some serious flowers and green grass for summer. Spring in Minnesota. I posted about the sunshine... now I'm posting about the lack of it. God, if you can hear me, hook us up!!

Do you IM?

I haven't sent an AOL Instant Message in years (since college) and now, I am in the world again. I only have two buddies because I don't remember the friends from college and doubt they still use it. I like it because I can hope my cousin from Mississippi is online.... she never is. And my boyfriend and I send messages. It's fun and lighthearted. Short, casual conversation that does not require a telephone or a true commitment of attention. I love it.

I didn't go...

Couldn't bring myself to attend the memorial service. I cried just thinking about the sorrow in the air. I know I am a coward, but coming head to head with loss is never easy.

Dazed

Life has been hazzy this past week. The death of my friend has shaken me and everything seems to remind me of her. I don't want to be at work and look with disdain at people who don't seem affected. Maybe I am just jealous that they feel closure. There is a memorial service for Stacey this Sunday and I plan on attending. People will be reading poetry, sharing stories, etc... and I am sure there will be tears. I don't usually attend funerals or services because I would rather celebrate life and remember people as they were, but she left us so abruptly I feel I owe it to her to attend. I know she's gone, but I haven't managed to say good-bye yet.