Went to see '96 Minutes' today - I'd seen so little about it that I wasn't even sure what the plot would be, but they filmed part of it at my job so I decided to see it anyway. I was very pleasantly surprised, as the film was very good and OU was all over the beginning of the film! Lupton, Hearst, the quad, and the library were in so many scenes - I was internally squeeing all over the place. They even mentioned us (and our former events coordinator) in the credits. :)

Check it out and get a glimpse of our beautiful campus.

"Every stress leaves an indelible scar, and the organism pays for its survival after a stressful situation by becoming a little older." -Hans Selye

If the above quote is true, I think I've aged about 5 years in the last 8 months or so. Buying a home, being separated from people I've lived with for over 10 years, big changes at work, I could go on and on. I'm not a huge fan of change; I like routine and stability - for me it's a big deal to go out to lunch on the weekend, lol. I'm incredibly predictable and it drives me nuts when things go crazy. Currently I feel like I'm living in Crazytown, Population: 1.

What do you guys do to deal with stress?

Work is insanely stressful, but the holidays are approaching!

Yule tree with the most gaps in it ever? Check, but at least it has a pretty red bow on top of it. :)

All the gifts wrapped that have come in? Check.

Watched all my favorite holiday movies/specials? Hm, I’ll have to get to work on this one. My all time favorites are Mickey’s Christmas Carol, Home for the Holidays (with Holly Hunter and Robert Downey Jr.), and A Christmas Story, which I watch pretty much all day on December 25, lol.

What are your favorite movies/tv specials/carols for this time of year?

Final walk-through for the new condo was tonight and tomorrow is closing. It doesn't feel like home yet...I think my books will have to be scattered everywhere for that, but I think I'm making the right decision.

Roomies are split in their reactions: the girls are sad I'll be gone, but excited to have a new place for sleepovers, Roomie is sad I'm going, but happy for me, but her hubby is barely speaking to me, much less looking at me. It's upsetting, especially since I've lived with them and been friends with them for so long (11 years!), but I can't change his opinion of my decisions.

Time to take a deep breath and spread my wings a bit wider.

The never ending search for my first place is finally getting to the inspection stage.  I hope the place is in as pristine condition as it appears.  I spoke with Ron the finance guy and talked hard numbers yesterday - the guy was rattling off numbers like there was no tomorrow, lol, but I was able to keep up.  As much as I would love to do the 15 yr mortgage (at 3.5% interest! such an amazing deal), I wouldn't be able to save as aggressively as I do now, so I think I've decided on the 30 year, and I'll just prepay on the loan once I've replenished my savings from the down payment.

My birthday present from E came yesterday - hello new awesome camera - so I'll be taking lots of pictures before/after the inspection.  Someday I'll have to learn how to put pictures on LJ, lol. 

Wish me luck guys!

Sometimes things suck...like when I had to terminate the contract on the condo I wanted on my birthday, or when humbuggirl can't access her LJ at all!  :)

Other days, things are pretty good...like when a very awesome friend sent me chocolates for my birthday or when the dogs want to snuggle just because.

It's like a great big see-saw, you know?  If I can break even between good and sucky, I'll consider myself a very lucky girl.

As my day passes, I see little snippets of things I'd like to tell someone, or things I'd like to get ideas from others about, and I think to myself, "I should blog about that."  Then I spend the next few hours thinking to myself, why should anyone want to read that?  Do the little musings in my head really deserve to take up moments of someone else's day?  Would they be bothered?  Would I want my sister or nieces or random strangers to read that?  Would I want to expose myself in that way...which, let's face it, sometimes your thoughts will expose you way more than walking naked through Times Square ever could. 

And then I don't write about it...and it's like this in all mediums - journals, blogs, tweets, etc.  Does anyone else have this quirk, or is it just me? 

When I came to Atlanta, one of the first people I met was Miss Cle.  She was my Nana's age, a bit bossy and the best gossip I've ever known - she was all-seeing, I swear - but she was also the most grateful person I've ever met.  She had troubles, like everyone, but she was just so happy to be here, alive and kicking as she said. 

When she passed several years ago, we planted a flowering cherry tree in her honor and I pass it as I walk to my office every day.  It's in bloom right now, and soon the delicate pink petals will carry on the wind like snowflakes.  When I first heard about the earthquake in Japan, and later while watching the devastating aftermath, I couldn't stop thinking about that tree and Cle and life and gratitude.  I'm so happy to be here, to be alive (and kicking lol), even when things aren't going how I wish they would or when the world seems so utterly fucked up.

So right now, in this moment, I'm grateful for the chilly breeze and the hot sun on my neck; for the Buddha and the butterflies on my windowsill, and the postcard I got this morning that says "Love Your Life."  To the person who sent it, my answer is yes, I do.  Thank you for reminding me.

Happiness is reality minus expectations...minus Kate, as in taking away...not freaking yourself out by adding all kinds of crap on top of it.

Ugh - will I ever learn that lesson?