Travels to Gary

Today my travels took me to Gary, Indiana again to see my aunt and great aunt.  Boy, did I dread this visit.  My last visit was pretty painful and more than a little traumatizing so I was not looking forward to going through that again -- especially when I didn't have my husband to come home to.  I had hoped that my car was broken and needed to go into the shop.  I got my oil change yesterday and think I am the only person out there that wished for major damage (my emission light has been on the fritz).  Unfortunately, all was okay.  I even contemplated lying about car trouble - how would she know?  So, after thinking all these horrible thoughts,  I decided to call my cousin to try to get out of the visit (maybe my ailing aunt forgot that I was coming?) but no dice.  She was really excited about my visit.  I'm not a horrible person so, of course, I pushed all thoughts of not going out of my head.  But that doesn't mean I was excited about driving a 5-hour round trip for a 2 hour visit to a house that just feels like death.

But you know what?  I did it.  I didn't want to and even though I felt like I had done enough good deeds for the week, I went.  I didn't go for me (it would have been much easier to stay home and just pretend that these things don't exist), but I went for my aunt.  And, frankly, I'm rather proud of myself for that.  It's not fun being an adult sometimes.  It's not fun to go to a home where the people are aging and sick and dying, but that's what we do for loved ones.  We choke down the condensed tomato soup and grilled cheese with Kraft singles while looking at a gangrene-decomposing foot because, as adults, we give of ourselves to those that we love because it makes them feel better.

And I'm not trying to say I'm an angel about the whole thing because I'm not.  I feel very proud of myself.  I feel like a good person and I'm happy to relish in that. That makes me someone who is not a martyr -- it's just not my style.  And I am blogging about this to brag in a way.  I mean, goshdarnit it was hard, and I did it anyway!  Part of this is probably a reaction to my upbringing and being told that I was selfish and didn't care about anyone but myself (but, of course, I did - my stepmother just didn't want to see it).  This is my proof that I'm not selfish, that I am a good person and that I, frankly, deserve to be happy.

At any rate, the visit was surprisingly pleasant.  I showed the aunts my honeymoon photos, which they enjoyed.  It turned out to be my great aunt's birthday today.  Good thing I brought potted plants for both of my aunts! Sometimes the stars align nicely (thanks, MiL for always encouraging me to bring flowers always).  We chit-chatted about general, random things and watched Wife Swap.  Towards the end of the 2.5 hours, my aunts' eyes were starting to get droopy, so I took the hint and mentioned needing to get home before dark.  I really felt like they were happy that I came.  I'm happy that I went -- both for them and for me.  It was nice to see my Aunt Judy looking better.  She actually got all dolled up for my visit (so cute!) with a new wig (her hair is very thin), makeup and jewelry! It made me feel very special and I told her so.  I hope that the next time when Erik comes with me that they are in such good spirits.  We shall see.

Good Deed (Bonus Goal)

So, I'm sure you are wondering why if the post heading is "Good Deed" do I have a photo of a bottle of wine... well, I'll explain!

So, here in Illinois, it is super cold and snowy.  Not a lot of snow but spitting snow.  I think at one point it was 2º with the wind chill.  At any rate, I woke up this morning to no heat.  This doesn't have to do with the main part of the post, but I felt like sharing that waking up to your apt. being 56º is no joke!  The cold sets up the rest of the story.

Because it was so chilly, I really didn't want to go to my yoga class tonight.  I really enjoy the Hatha Yoga class with Linda.  We talk after class (and tonight she even implemented a hint I gave her about getting people into Pigeon! ) and she has been doing a great series for hip opening (which, let's face it, everyone could benefit from it).  Anyway, something told me (or someone -- Colleen) that I should go tonight even though I didn't feel it.  

Well, I'm so glad I did.  On my way to  class, I saw this dog that looked like Erik's dog growing up, Max.  I'll be honest; I kept driving.  I mean, for one, it was cold outside and secondly, there were plenty of other people that could help the dog that weren't on their way to something that has a definite start time.  I was about 30 seconds away from where I saw the dog when I just couldn't go any further.  I pulled a U-turn (probably illegally) and went back.  The poor pup was creating quite the traffic jam but no one was getting out of their cars!  Well, I parked my car on the side of the road and jumped out to run to get him.  Two other good samaritans joined me and twenty minutes of falling avoidance and traipsing through peoples' yards later, we caught the doggy!

Fortunately, he had a tag -- his name was Bart -- and one of my fellow rescuers called his owner since I stupidly left my cell phone in my car (on the seat even).  All I was thinking was find the dog, deal with it later.  Apparently, he had been missing awhile and he certainly smelled pretty funky.  I was also happy that one of the other rescuers had a car equipped for doggies since she had one too.  She lived right next to the owners so she took him home.  

He was so happy when he realized that we weren't trying to corner him to hurt him.  He kept wanting to jump in my lap.  He was such a sweet dog.  I'm not that big of a dog person (in fact, I usually really dislike dogs) but I'm a compassionate person that hates to see anyone or anything afraid/in pain/whatever.  After we knew he was going to be okay, one of the rescuers said that his name was Dale and asked our names.  We answered (me and this other woman Michele) and then were like, "Go Team!"  It was funny.  We didn't know each others' names or anything but still we did this together.  It was pretty cool.

So, I'm happy I stopped (and was 10 minutes late to yoga) so that I could help this poor pup.  I've "lost" my kitty Pericles twice and both times it was the worst feeling in the world.  I hope that Bart is getting all cleaned up and just loved on because the little guy certainly deserves it!

Okay... so I still haven't explain the wine bottle photo.  After getting home after yoga (and after dinner), I went to our local wine shop, Wine at the Pines to treat myself to a glass of wine and good conversation with the owners (and friends).  I was telling the owner Jess about my story and my wine preference for the night and both coalesced into the wine of the night!  Look at the label -- it's a doggy!  And the dog on the label looks exactly like the dog I saved!  How perfect, right?  Anyway, that's how the wine label comes in.  I felt like it was a good replacement since I didn't take a snapshot of the dog rescue itself.

Goal Redux

So.... when I was to have the next year and 1/2 "off" while waiting to start my "real job", I came up with some lofty goals for this next year.  Here's where they stand:

1. Teach a yoga class:  So.... This is more likely than not NOT going to happen.  For one, if I were to teach, it would have to be right now.  And, that's not going to happen this semester.  It could have happened but for the shitstorm that was my personal life up until last week.  At this point, I'm just going to try to catch up in my classes and knock my last semester out of the park (and enjoy the easy schedule while I can).  At any rate, I have been going to yoga pretty regularly and am enjoying the benefits of a regular practice.  And right now, that's good enough for me! 

 

2. Learn a new language:  This one may still happen.  I have the opportunity (maybe - the firm is working stuff out of their end) to work in Brazil.  I had thought Spanish would be my language but it may in fact be Portuguese... Anyway, more on that when I have more info.

3. Actually read 10 non-law books.  This one is still totally doable.  There's lots of 2010 left.  That being said, I've completed 2 books on tape (CD) so far this year. :)

4. Finish all my lingering scrapbook projects (6): Totally keeping this goal!  I have not made much head way on this since I last posted but it's only the middle of February...  And I finally got some wedding photos from my bros...

5. Learn how to play a song on the guitar: Also still doable.

6. Reconnect with at least one good friend a month: I have done this!  Granted, it's only been 1 month, but that's a start.  My good friend R. and me have been playing phone tag since December.  Hopefully, February will be our month.

 

7. Tell my loved ones how much I love and appreciate them whenever I have the chance: Not doing such a great job on this one.  Really, I've been so stressed that I've needed them to tell me that they love and care about me.  Hopefully, now that that's over it'll be easier for me to accomplish this goal.

8. Master my favorite Grandma dishes: Maybe this will be a good bar studying stress relief project?  Not sure this is going to make the cut.

9. Get in the best shape of my life:  Now, this one I've made progress on!  I have worked out 40 days of the last 47 days.  Using Plus 3 Network, I've raised $14.23 for charity!  It's been fun to log my workouts, and I've gotten E as well as my other friends to join too.  It makes it possible to have work out buddies all over the country.  Unfortunately, my body does not react to working out quite the same way as it used to.  I see some body changes but not as many changes as you would think for working out the majority of the last month and 1/2.

10. Try snowboarding: This may have to wait until next winter.  For one, I'm not quite willing to spend what I need to spend to at least try the sport.  Second, the winter is almost done and my window of opportunity is closing fast.

As a "bonus" goal, I've started trying to do little (or big) things for others on a regular basis.  These could be as involved as sending a care package to a friend who was getting ready to have surgery to as spontaneous as helping a wheelchair-bound fellow law student get through the snow and slush to the law building.  It's the little things like that that really make me feel as though I am adding something to the world.  For example, I made 2 people's days with not that much effort on my part.  Something as small as making silly hand motions to a car in a parking lot (to see if they were going for the same spot) can really turn around some one's day.  In that case,the woman in the other car, actually rolled down her window to let me know how nice that was and then proceeded to warn me about the parking restrictions for the lot.  How nice!  I also try to smile big at people I see around the law school.  This also seems silly and like it wouldn't do much, but you'd be surprised to see how others react.  It's pretty much always positive and I like to think it made them feel happier for a brief moment because they were acknowledged by another human being (law school can be so isolating).  It also feels pretty good to spread around the good feelings I have since things have brightened up.

Adventures in Tanning

So, as part of my returning to the land of the living, I have been catching up on the little things - like getting a haircut and seeing the dermatologist.  Yes, I did the superficial appointments first.  Next stop, taxes and my "women's appointment."

Anyway, at my dermatologist appointment, my dr. said that I need to go tanning!  What?!?  I have both psoriasis and eczema—both of which weren't diagnosed until I was 22.  (Wow, my high school/ college experience would have been much better had I had that information and been able to actually do something to treat it!  Body issues, what?)  At any rate, I've been having a breakout mostly because I live in the snowy tundra that is Illinois and because I've started swimming and that's always been a recipe for disaster.  So, at my appointment she told me that I had to start going tanning -- because my insurance wouldn't cover the "light therapy" that they do in the office!  So, I've been prescribed going tanning 3 times a week for 10 minutes a pop!!  I really regret not getting her to write the prescription out because I would totally post it on this blog.  Aw, the memories....

Anyway, I've been twice now.  The last time I had been tanning was high school before prom.  I lived in Maine and was a bluish white color from the 9 months of winter.  Yeah, hotness!  I look at my prom photos and am surprised that I had been tanning... I look very very pasty regardless.  One can only wonder how I would have looked otherwise.  Tanning has become quite the industry.  I signed up for a "membership" where I have unlimited tans (oh my!) for the bargain price of $19.88.  One of my students recommended the place and so my registration fee ($25!) was waived.  My derm. did give me some great advice: Bring my own Clorox wipes.

So, today I went at 4:45pm.  Apparently, this is the time to go get your "tan on."  I had to wait in a line of 8 people just to sign in.  And then, wait another 15-20 minutes to get a bed.  And this place boasts of its "32 beds"!  The crazy thing is that there were lots of guys there (they go tanning and not just on the Jersey Shore!?!).  In fact, the guy in front of me in line bumped into his (ex)girlfriend's mother and told her about how he went to the gym, now he was gettin' his tan, then he would get dinner then work -- Just his normal schedule.  And these guys were not that cute (granted, they were like high schoolers and therefore out of my cute-range).

The women who work at the tanning salon just can't seem to grasp that I'm not there to get tan -- granted, it's odd.  They keep trying to upsell me on the amount of time spent in the lightbed.  Really, 15 minutes is quite enough (especially because I may or may not have burnt my a** today!).  There were lots of women there that were orange and I don't want to turn that color.  I guess the upside is that I'll have a base tan (however subtle it may be) for the Caymans!

The jury's out on whether this will resolve my skin maladies.  Also, in case you were wondering, I used the Clorox wipes today and there wasn't any dirt on them-THANK GOD.  I had expected it to look like how it does when I clean around my apt (yuck) but fortunately it appears as though this salon does clean up after the clients. :)

6 Months Later Seems Like an Excellent Time to Post Wedding Photos

Yesterday, E and I "celebrated" 6 months of marriage.  And by "celebrate" I mean that I waited at home while he went to a co-worker's going away party, then we opened a very nice bottle of wine, watched Dexter, and then TNG.  So, basically a normal night minus the "very nice" part in regards to the wine.  Side note: Our good friends C&T got us into Dexter -- it looks like a promising show -- kind of like a Criminal Minds meets CSI Miami.  In fact, we discussed how cool it would be if they did a crossover show between Criminal Minds and Dexter.  We envisioned it going something like this:

"Wow, Dexter thanks for helping us solve this crime... wait a second, you're a sociopath.  But you kill good guys, so we're cool."

Anyway, on to the meat of the post: Wedding photos!  These are some highlights from the Big Day (I'll post themed posts later -- as in, "Getting Ready" or "Ceremony" later):

 

 

And the Sun Shines Again

What a difference a week makes!  Seriously.  As crazy as it sounds, my whole life did a complete 180º turn around from where it was before last week.  Things were just horrible.  Too horrible to really spell out here.  Yes, the last post did not even encompass all that was going on.  Too private to mention here but those of you who went through it with me (THANK YOU) can attest to it.
 
So, what happened last week? 
 
[Redacted] got resolved without much expense.  We are still waiting to see what the final bill is but it is going to be about 10% of what it would have been without the quick resolution.  Thank you to the awesome friends/ family that helped me through it.

My aunt is out of long term care and is home.  It turns out that she did not suffer several strokes like we initially thought, but it looks as though she was suffering from post traumatic stress due to the abuse she suffered at the hands of her daughter and son-in-law.  I'm visiting her on the 27th and am looking forward to it.  She sounded in good spirits (with some slurring of speech) on the phone last night.

Erik got the job at Harvard! It's for a postdoctoral position and lasts for two years.  We are super excited about him moving to Cambridge.  This has been a real dream come true for him.  I mean 1) it's Hah-vahd and 2) he's working with a real badass of a professor.  It also seems like a perfect fit in terms of working environment and study.  I'm just so proud of him; I can't stand it!

AND My firm decided to do a lottery and allow a few people to start ON TIME!!!!  That means that I will be moving to NYC in OCTOBER THIS YEAR (instead of October 2011)!!  Notice above how I mentioned that Erik was moving to Cambridge.  That was me foreshadowing... Subtle, huh?  Anyway, needless to say, I am not so sure I'll be able to accomplish my 10 Goals in 2010, but I'll write more on that later.

As for now, I'm going to bask in the awesomeness that is my life.  I'm hoping that this surge of good news lasts for awhile.  I know that it won't but it's times like the past week that make the five weeks prior bearable.  Now that things have settled down, I've started doing mundane things like seeing my dermatologist and actually being around the law school.  I cannot describe how many people have said to me "Wow, Meaghan, it's like I haven't seen you all semester."  My response? "That's because I've been avoiding the law school."  At any rate, I'm happy to be back to the "land of the living," as I like to call it.


Expect many more posts soon.  So much to write about now that I'm not hating my life! :D