Things that make life worth living

Okay so maybe this isn't a real true substantial blog post, but I don't know what to say. Literally. As a diversion, I've decided to compile some of the little things that have made me happy lately.

-Mom's clam chowder
-Red Raider football!
-The boots Dad bought me to keep my feet warm because I'm too stupid to pack something other than flip flops
-Live music I can sing/dance like an idiot to
-My friends. Especially the ones who sing/dance like an idiot with me. And especially the ones that let me crash at their place with little more than 24 hrs notice!
-My family....immediate and extended. They're way fun.
-Rice krispy treats. (Not the pre-packaged kind.)
-Potatoes. Don't laugh. I'm totally serious. Anything potato and I'm a happy kid.
-Taking the football pot. FINALLY!
-Clean sheets
-Slowly purging my closet of clothes I'm unlikely to wear, yet hang on to for YEARS on end.
-Long socks
-The Notebook. Totally girly cliche but that movie is always good!
-Finally owning Charlie Brown and The Great Pumpkin. Now I need the Christmas special.
-Candles
-My snooze button

Holy bejesus why is the air conditioner on when it's like a two degrees and wet outside!? My happy thought train has just skipped track and is now a massive pile of really cold wreckage. Time to adjust the thermostat and burrow.

G'night, friends.

The stars at night....

The stars at night really ARE big and bright, and they're one of the things that I love about being back in Texas.

I'm officially a resident again! I've received my last paycheck from Colorado, moved all my belingings (despite a noncompliant radiator in the Penske), unpacked (most of) those belongings, registered my vehicle, obtained a drivers licencse and plan to begin work on Tuesday.

It's been an exhausting week, but things have finally begun to fall into place. I complete my errand-running tomorrow and am looking forward to Josh's and my first regular life-in-the-same-place dinner date tomorrow night.

So far I'm still in a bit of a haze. Lots of mornings I wake up wondering if I really made all those decisions or if it's just been a strange dream. Having sister time, seeing family and being closer to Josh have all been really great things. I'm definitely excited to see how the work scenarios are going to unfold!

Barf

I'm picking up my belongings and moving them 650 miles south in eight days. I cast Josh in the role of 'muscular/automotive support' before he really knew what hit him. I still don't think he grasps the scope of his duties in this scenario, which prompted a conversation today about next weekend's schedule. When exactly will we be leaving? How is this whole packing/loading/moving thing going to happen? Where will we park a truck that large outside of my building? Will my car actually clear the tow ramp? Etc. etc. etc. He remained positive and chipper throughout the entire conversation - while I interjected a series of heavy sighs every few words. I was beginning to become seriously concerned about the strain that this scenario is capable of putting on our relationship.

Me: I don't think you understand how much stuff I have...I just see you getting really frustrated with me because of the whole thing.

Josh: I know. But I'm looking forward to it.

Me: (confused silence)

He proceeded to tell me how he's so looking forward to spending an entire day with just me and him in the van together, and how he's sure we'll probably get stressed at some point during the whole ordeal, but he bets it'll be really funny later because everything I do is 'cute'.

There are three parts of me that responded at that point. The first part coughed 'bullshit' under my breath and rolled my eyes at having landed in one of those romantic comedy relationships that I don't think exist on a real level. The second part melted into a puddle of helpless girlishness with heart-shaped cartoon eyes and reverted to my 13 year old self writing 'Stacie Haile' in curly cursive all over the pages of my Trapper Keeper. The third just gave a blank stare, thinking that he's completely out of his effing mind and only I would fine someone that crazy.

I'm not sure which one to go with at this point, but until things go south I'm all about the puddles.

How to properly flatter a stranger

I'm stressed. It's no secret. Read anything I've written/posted on any public networking forum in the past few weeks. Hell, listen to the tone of my voice and it's pretty evident. For an even better demonstration, go ahead and be the bearer of bad news and see how I react toward you (With the possible exception of Amber who has an uncanny knack of delivering it with flair, assumedly because she's so well versed in the art.)

I feel like I have no release valve up here on my own and see myself cracking at the slightest provocation. For example, I practically burst into tears this afternoon when Josh's excuse for ignoring my blatant text appeal for an 'I love you' was simply the fact that he was busy working. Under normal circumstances, such a scenario would not evoke so strong of an emotional response. Today, it absolutely did.

Not long after that I found myself walking in a ghetto industrial area of Denver (If you're familiar, Evans between Monaco and 25. Sadly that's not nearly close to the worst place I've been streetside in the past couple weeks) looking for the body shop where I could retrieve my car when a motorcyclist flew by me yelling 'OWWWW BABY!'

My first reaction was to give him the one finger salute and reply with a solid "F&#* YOU AND THE HORSE (or bike as the case may be) YOU RODE IN ON!"

Seeing as I was completely unarmed I refrained, but was seriously irked. I got the car, gave it some gas and headed home. Finally. On the brighter side of things, the cherry limeade that the accident splashed all over the interior had been completely detailed away.

Anyhow, two lights away from my destination (read: snacks couch and TV) a silver car pulled up next to me with a goofy freckled high school kid holding up a napkin with the words 'Can I have your number?' scratched in barely legible print. He rolled his window down and yelled 'how are you!?' We had a nice little exchange where I thanked him for the compliment and we went our separate ways. And just like that, my day got a whole lot better.

Now if only I knew where the office staff delivered the package containing my replacement cell phone, cause it definitely isn't in this apartment. *sigh*

Public Transit

I'm all about doing your part for the environment, but I will NEVER AGAIN rely on public transportation on a regular basis if I can help it.

The past couple weeks have been excruciating, and the things that I've witnessed on the bus are unbelievable. Really, it's only been the afternoon/weekend bus rides that have frightened me. I guess the weirdos aren't up at 7AM riding around Denver, although my morning commute today starred an underage-looking guy with an open Budweiser. Quite frankly I'm amazed that I don't have hepatitis and haven't been asked to be a police witness for any 'incidents'.



btw...I'm twittering now and I need some friends, so hit me up!

Like I didn't have enough going on already...

I apologize to those of you who may be reading this and feel that they deserve a phone call to learn the following…

I officially quit my job in Denver today and I’m moving to West Texas in July.

There are lots of reasons, but the main three are;
1) I have been offered a business proposition and a full time job that I feel are promising ventures (more on that at a later date)
2) I have fallen for a guy 650 miles away, and I feel that it’s important to see where things are headed in that department...which makes the job opportunities close to Midland particularly convenient!
3) Although I love the lab here, I do not love what I do at the lab here. When I weigh all the options, it isn’t enough to keep me from accepting other offers.

Things have all developed rather quickly! A family friend approached me with a business offer and I have decided that pursuing it would be a positive thing. Additionally, Medical Center Hospital in Odessa was looking to hire someone for their microbiology department. The position interested me because they're initiating their first DNA test for infectious disease and there’s room for advancement within the department. I like micro beause it's one of those sections that’s never short on tests to perform and analyze. I guess I’m mostly looking forward to being cross trained and multi-functional within the lab! Another bonus is that the hours are 6:30 – 3 which affords a good amount of time in the afternoons/evenings to take care of my responsibilities at the business.

Quitting my job at The Children's Hospital was incredibly difficult because this is a position that I hoped I would be happy at and stick with for at least a few years. I love the people here and I will miss them – but after weighing all my options I feel that I’ve made the right decision. It’s definitely the right thing for me, and ultimately I’m replaceable at the lab. I do feel badly about leaving them shorthanded until they find someone else, but I let them know as much in advance as I could.

While I’m excited about the upcoming changes, I’m also incredibly nervous - mostly because I’m a planner and life virtually never happens according to my plans. With everything that’s been going on lately I’m just about at my breaking point. My sanity comes from the fact that I’m taking these steps to make myself happy, but the thought of re-planning everything that I thought I had settled is overwhelming and intimidating. I’m trying to take things day by day. To be fair, I realize that life is generally what you make it. To a large extent these changes have come about due to my own choices. I have gotten some comfort in the midst of all my stress by realizing how naturally things have fallen into place to make these opportunities available. I’m thankful for my time here in CO and I’m excited to see what Texas holds. It’s hysterical – Midland is just about the last place on earth I ever thought I’d choose to be, but I’m genuinely excited!

VEGAS, Baby!

My best friend in all of eternity is getting married in THIRTY days. I'm pretty stoked for impending nuptials, but also for our weekend in Vegas. Unfortunately Steph and the other bridesmaids' weekend started about...9 hours ago. I just received a call detailing the fun I've missed out on so far feel like a total sad loser. DON'T WORRY, I'LL BE THERE SOON!! Stephanie (the accountant, mind you) just called me 'Biznatch' in her Redbull/Vodka induced state. I don't think she's called me that since the 6th grade. We're going to have fun, we girls. It's difficult to anticipate times rowdier than our last trip together, but I'm certain that we're up to the challenge.

I'm off to pack!