Tomorrow's the "Big Day"

So I know I promised some recipes and updates on what I have done so far in DC, but you aren't going to get those tonight.. Tomorrow is more important than last week.

Tomorrow I start work. Tomorrow I have a big girl job. And I'm a grown up. When did this happen?

I have been thinking of July 19, 2010 since last fall some time, and now it is here - I can hardly believe it. Although I have REALLY enjoyed the last seven months of fun, I know it is time to enter the real world. I am honestly ready for a little bit of structure in my life. All this traveling, eating and practicing yoga can wear a person down. (Not really, just trying to make myself and all of my working friends feel better.)

I am having trouble articulating exactly how I feel. The whole idea of graduating, moving and beginning a career is surreal. Knowing I am a chemical engineer and possess the talents to work for such an amazing company is bizarre as well. To have a job at all in this economy is great, and it is a real blessing to be joining a group as knowledgeable and accomplished as this one.

Maybe I should mention a little of my last few days, as it may explain why I'm having trouble communicating. I have been in the city for a week and a half now with not much to do. I have decided to delay my apartment search until the end of August, so no apartment hunting. One of Tim's friends helped me come up with the best way to spend my time - in a yoga studio! I signed up for a month unlimited at a nearby studio and have been eight times since Monday. Some of the classes were more of meditation and deep stretching; one was a fuse between pilates and yoga; a couple were intense, similar to power yoga; and my favorite was Punk Rock Yoga. Wow. I have never "glistened", as my grandmother would say, so much in my entire life! And that's saying something coming from a Mississippi girl.

All in all, the classes have been a great way to calm me down, relax me, and entertain me over the last week. But most of all, this new work out schedule has really changed my eating habits, something I did not expect. I have spoken with people who have craved certain foods when beginning a strict work out regime, but mine has not been exactly rigorous. Nonetheless, over the last two days I have only wanted vegetables and fruit, especially those with lots of water, such as tomatoes, avocados, cucumbers, and pineapples. I tried to eat some spinach and artichoke dip but found it too rich; the girls I was eating with said it wasn't. (It didn't even have cheese.) I ordered a salad with chicken today and could only force down a few bites of the chicken while scarfing down all of the veggies. I was in line behind someone buying a candy bar at CVS and looked at it with a slight disgust. What's going on?! Those of you who know me well, know that I do not pass up most foods, especially sweet treats. And here I am, acting like a food snob who doesn't want any of your spinach dip, thank you! Oh, goodness. Further, I have also noticed how much better of a mood I am in: singing, smiling at strangers. Hah - after my punk rock yoga class, I was nearly walking on air I had so many endorphins pumping through my veins. I could get used to this!

But, now comes the real world. I'm getting up at 5:30, so I can leave by 6:30. Class doesn't start until 8:00, but I want to allow time for getting lost, stuck in traffic, etc. I'll bring my book in case I get there an hour early, hah! Realizing that I haven't been on a strict schedule since classes last fall, I may not even be able to get ready in a hour, and not leave until 6:45 (which would be pushing it).

I want to apologize if tonight's blog seems a bit jumbled; this at least should serve as a quick perspective of my pre-work emotions! :-)

Road Trip to ... Home!

Two weeks and twelve hundred miles since my last post..

I left the Mississippi Gulf Coast as planned on Monday and drove to my first stop, Starkville. While there Chelsea and I did what she and I have done together since freshman year - not much. We shopped around Starkville (we spend less money now then we did back then...); talked about random topics, such as face lotion, hair rollers, make up, clothes, sales - all very important stuff; and played on the internet. This is probably the most extended amount of time she and I have been able to spend together since, gee, junior year? It was AMAZING, but now I miss her too much. Thanks, Alex, for putting up with me for those few days! The McIntosh's are great hosts.

bye, Che!

I got to see more of my favorites: Father John Bohn (my priest), Dr. Donna Reese (my mentor), the Marzalek's (my scholarship group's leaders), Dr. McCarley (head of Honors College), Mrs. Sheila (scholarship group's WonderWoman). By some great luck, I was actually in town for Mrs. Sheila's retirement reception; what will the Distinguished Scholars do now?

And for the icing on the cake: Fran cooked an amazing homemade pizza for us to share! Ms. Fran is St. Joseph's Campus Minister and an exceptional woman. For those of you who don't know my eating habits, especially now that I am back in America, I am a bit obsessed with granola at the moment. Fran makes her own 100% natural and organic granola that is, OH! so good. (I brought eight bags to DC with me!) I can never get enough of our long, late-night chats. Fransky, you better start checking out plane ticket prices to come see me!

Although I could stay in Starkville forever, my journey had to continue. Next stop, to see my Laura in Birmingham! This Bham trip was way to short for my liking. I arrived Thursday evening, we had a pedicure, dinner and yogurt, and BAM! I was leaving the next day. Usually Laura and I try to have a cooking show when we get together, but there was no time for grocery shopping and cooking. That just means she will have to come and visit VERY soon.

Birmingham to Huntsville was a very quick drive, and I was very happy to see Faeh and Bryan. Every time I visit their home, it gets cuter and cuter. They have been married for a year and a half now - wow! We shared a great meal out and a few better meals in! They are both great cooks and always like to experiment. During the Friday, Saturday and Sunday I was there, Faeh and I did yoga, rode horses, took a walk, went to the grocery three times, mass once, cooked and laughed WAY too much. Thanks, Faeh for the black eyed pea cakes.. Sorry I made us delay our Fourth feast so long. :-)

i made them do it. look at their sweet yard and house, though. :)

With a belly full of great food, the drive to Chattanooga was a cinch. Here I got to see the latest newly-weds. Their townhouse looked great! Anna even has a room for her art studio. While Matt was hard at work studying for the Bar, Anna showed me around her new town. I think it is a perfect fit for the two of them. For a city in the South, it seems to have just the right blend of art and style to give Anna a great place to show (and sell) her work. The downtown area has a number of great shops and restaurants, at least enough to keep us busy for a while.

Although I could have stayed with the Jacksons (and been their child) for much longer, I was beginning to get the itch. It was time to go to DC!

I have been in the city and staying with my uncle Tim for a week now. I have a lot to tell you about, especially the meal I prepared tonight, so expect some good recipes next post!