Day: 44
High Temp: 91F
Job Status: Unemployed
Jobs Applied To: 6 (still no interviews... wtf?)
And so, I was home this weekend to attend my 10 year high school reunion. There were many highlights of the weekend, most of which revolve around the friends I have actually managed to keep for these many years since we graduated. I was thrilled to have a chance to see them all, and really enjoyed catching up. I have to say, that while we all had a really good time with each other, the scene at the reunion was intensely weird. For anyone who has gone to one of these you know what I mean, for those who haven't, it is just about as bad as you are imagining.
The shock literally never wears off, no matter how many glasses of wine you consume. Every time you look around you are stunned by the sight of yet another person you had forgotten existed. The most unfair truth about the reunion is that everyone, whether whispered to their friends, or silently to themselves, is categorizing everyone else they see. There are two categories: better than in high school, or worse. There was a lot of better, which was nice to see. And I have to say that the women seem to be faring better than the men... sorry fellas.
My reunion group was made up of Jenny and Steve (Jenny and Steve actually met in high school. Jenny was in my class, and Steve was 2 years ahead of us- we all met through theatre), Jenna and Ben (Jenna was in my class, and we also became friends through theatre. Ben is her fabulous husband who is not only a lot of fun, but is also a brilliant doctor.), Mollie and Gavin (I cannot exactly recall how Mollie and I became friends, but the match is so perfect. She is everything I hope people think I am, hillarious, ireverent and very smart. This weekend was my first time meeting Gavin, who is a very sweet east coast boy. Gavin and Mollie were married earlier this summer), and Kendra and Tom (Kendra and I had many classes together, and Kendra, like Mollie, is amazingly smart and so funny. This was my first time meeting her fella, Tom, who was very nice, and very brave for agreeing to attend even though no wedding vows dictated he must.) and Rissi, who pretty much was my date, as we were both solo for the evening.
The above group met up before hand to grab some drinks at the illustrious Eureka Wine Bar, where we of course ran into a few alums who had the same idea as us... the Wine Bar, is actually owned by an alum's parents, so that was no huge suprise. We had decided that a pre-reunion glass of wine would be a good idea, and this was a brilliant plan, which I would highly recommend to anyone making plans for their own reunion. After a few drinks, and feeling very social, we loaded up, and headed to a country club just down the road for the reunion. We stayed there until we were unceremoniously kicked out, and proceeded to go to (oh god) JP's in Eureka. This place is the epitome of Eureka, and not at all how I wanted to end my night. So, after sitting there for, oh, 10 minutes, Rissi and I bid adieu to our old HS buddies, and made our escape down the highway to Denny's, where we proceeded to feast upon grand slam breakfasts and do some real catching up.
After our midnight meal, I drove home feeling really happy that I had come home for the reunion. As I said, it was intensly surreal, but ultimately totally worth it!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Am I ready for this?
Day: 39
High Temp: 65F (apparently we do get a little fall after all! at least for today)
Job Status: Market Research Rookie (a.k.a. unemployed)
Saturday is my 10 year high school reunion. Am I ready for this? Most of the people I wanted to keep in touch with I have. Actually, there is a fairly large group of us that still talk regularly and see each other every Christmas. That said, it looks like most of them are attending, so it will be nice to see them sometime other than Christmas when every one is crazy trying to meet family obligations.
One excellent thing that will come of the reunion is my chance to see Rissi, an old friend that I haven't seen in person since our freshman year of college. Rissi and I both ended up at DePaul in the same dorm room, and we spend a lot of time together freshman year. However, as the end of the year approached, Rissi made the huge decision to leave college to pursue her music career. She is gorgeous, has a brilliant voice, and has done really well for herself. And I constantly marvel at the ballsy way she threw caution to the wind and went after (and attained) her dreams. Anyhow, the plan is for us to get together for a drink before the reunion so we can really catch up. I can't wait! Oh, and if you don't know Rissi, you should definitely check her out on iTunes or here.
I am kind of nervous though, about the reunion. Tom isn't coming with me, which means I am flying solo for the night. That's a pretty rare occurrence, and not really preferable to me, especially when concerning my reunion. Besides, you all know how adorable and charming Tom is. It would be nice to show him off a bit!
But what about you all? Anyone had a high school reunion yet? Did you go? How was it? While I am sure the new top from Anthropologie will help bolster my excitement for the big reunion, your reunion stories would definitely help too.
High Temp: 65F (apparently we do get a little fall after all! at least for today)
Job Status: Market Research Rookie (a.k.a. unemployed)
Saturday is my 10 year high school reunion. Am I ready for this? Most of the people I wanted to keep in touch with I have. Actually, there is a fairly large group of us that still talk regularly and see each other every Christmas. That said, it looks like most of them are attending, so it will be nice to see them sometime other than Christmas when every one is crazy trying to meet family obligations.
One excellent thing that will come of the reunion is my chance to see Rissi, an old friend that I haven't seen in person since our freshman year of college. Rissi and I both ended up at DePaul in the same dorm room, and we spend a lot of time together freshman year. However, as the end of the year approached, Rissi made the huge decision to leave college to pursue her music career. She is gorgeous, has a brilliant voice, and has done really well for herself. And I constantly marvel at the ballsy way she threw caution to the wind and went after (and attained) her dreams. Anyhow, the plan is for us to get together for a drink before the reunion so we can really catch up. I can't wait! Oh, and if you don't know Rissi, you should definitely check her out on iTunes or here.
I am kind of nervous though, about the reunion. Tom isn't coming with me, which means I am flying solo for the night. That's a pretty rare occurrence, and not really preferable to me, especially when concerning my reunion. Besides, you all know how adorable and charming Tom is. It would be nice to show him off a bit!
But what about you all? Anyone had a high school reunion yet? Did you go? How was it? While I am sure the new top from Anthropologie will help bolster my excitement for the big reunion, your reunion stories would definitely help too.
Monday, September 21, 2009
What is really going on?
Day: 37
High Temp: 95F feels like 101F (seriously, it is the first day of fall for pete's sake!)
Job Status: Unemployed, participating in market research study tomorrow
Jobs Applied To: 4
Okay, so this is the blog I have been trying to avoid writing. But, in doing so, it has slowed down my ablity to blog about anything else. Trust me, I have dozens of hillarious blogs floating about my mind, like the how horrible it is to drive in Austin, or the many mispronounced Spanish words in a state so close to Mexico, or the crazy antics of the now almost-completely-potty-trained Homer and so forth, but I gotta get this off my chest before any of those will come out. So here goes.
This is the hardest thing I have ever done. EVER. Being here, in Austin, is so hard. It is mentally and emotionally draining, and every day really does seem like an eternity. There are a few reasons it has been so hard.
1. The only friends or family within a thousand miles, are Tom and Homer. I love those two guys more than anything, but it puts a lot of pressure on a relationship when it is the only one you have. And, the other truth is that Homer and Tom would be just as fun and entertaining anywhere else on earth. It's not something special to Texas. Also, Tom has a lot of work to do, even when he is home, and Homer sleeps most of the day, and also doesnt speak English, so that's hard.
2. Another aspect that makes this hard is my lack of job. True, I am doing some freelance work for TimeLine, which is keeping me sane, and I did book my first market research study for tomorrow ($125 cash!), but I can't think of a time ever that I have had this much free time on my hands. Not to mention the lack (or at least drip) of cash flow coming in. For about the past 3 years I have been saving up for a down payment on a house/condo. At this point in my Austin adventure, about 1/2 of that nest egg is gone. Between moving expenses, rental cars and deposits, not to mention our first and second months of living expenses, it went really fast. Things have started to level out, but it's depressing to see my savings go towards, what in the end seems like nothing. I have about 3 more months of living expense in the bank, if I continue to budget carefully, but that doesnt include tickets to Tahoe for Thanksgiving, or any unforseen expenses.
3. And finally, the variable that is most up in the air, but that is also making me probably the most miserable, is our apartment. Tom and I live at The State House, which is an other wise nicely kept, clean and safe complex. However, there are two problems. One is that we can hear our neighbor's music (or more specifically the bass line of his music) whenver he listens to it. And he listens to it ALL THE TIME. And sometimes with his patio door open, which makes it even easier to hear. I know this isnt the apartment managment's problem or fault. I mean, it's an apartment, you are bound to hear some noise from your neighbors. Curiously, we hear NOTHING from the neighbors on the other side. We have talked to the music lover and the apartment managers, and we have sent notes, and finally last night, we called security on him. I mean, you know we can hear your lame top 40 music, it's midnight on Sunday night, turn that crap off.
And then there is the pool. On the weekends, it is basically a non-stop frat party, and at least twice a week, each week we have been here, we have been awaken by people splashing and screaming in the middle of the night. I feel like such an idiot. I mean, how did I not know that living by the pool would be such a pain in the ass? Well, I have spent my entire adult life in Chicago, where mega apartment complexes are rare at best, and pools in apartments are even more rare. I didn't know people would be playing beerpong in the pool, and that the closing time is just arbitrary as there is no one to enforce it. This, I feel is totally the management's problem, but they are doing little to regulate or enforce the pool rules.
Okay, so that is the shit I am dealing with. I am doing my best to cope, but breakdowns are frequent, and I fear it will only get harder before it gets easier. I know, it will still take months to meet people. Getting a job will help. I have been networking the best I can, given I know no one, and I am applying to every job that is posted that fits my abilities and experience. And of course, getting a job will also ease the financial pressure. How am I supposed to make friends (or keep friends) if I can't afford to go out for a beer every once in a while?
And, on the apartment front, we have registered formal complaints, and are in the slow process of working through this with the complex manager. Not sure we will ever come to a resolution that makes Tom and I happy, but best case scenario, we will be able to convince them to move us to a unit that is not poolside, and then we will only have to contend with loud neighbors, if there happen to be any. In the mean time, I am experimenting with lunesta to help me fall, and stay asleep (works like a charm so far.. but the samples are dwindling and I have no medical insurance!) and we are employing a white noise machine and earplugs with regularity. Worst case scenario, we have to stay here, and we can move out to a house that doesnt have a public pool or shared walls next summer. I just have to get through the next 11 months...
I am trying to keep my sense of humor about it, but it is a pretty depressing place to be right now. I am focused on not blaming Tom, and not taking it out on him. It's not his fauly, and I think I am doing a really good job of not directing my frustrations at him. But, if you are feeling sorry for me by now, you shouldn't. Feel bad for Tom, who has to deal with my breakdowns and is really doing a saintly job. Just send me your positive thoughts, and any tips on how to block out unwanted sound.
Okay, so it's all out there now. Very cathartic. Let the healing process begin.
High Temp: 95F feels like 101F (seriously, it is the first day of fall for pete's sake!)
Job Status: Unemployed, participating in market research study tomorrow
Jobs Applied To: 4
Okay, so this is the blog I have been trying to avoid writing. But, in doing so, it has slowed down my ablity to blog about anything else. Trust me, I have dozens of hillarious blogs floating about my mind, like the how horrible it is to drive in Austin, or the many mispronounced Spanish words in a state so close to Mexico, or the crazy antics of the now almost-completely-potty-trained Homer and so forth, but I gotta get this off my chest before any of those will come out. So here goes.
This is the hardest thing I have ever done. EVER. Being here, in Austin, is so hard. It is mentally and emotionally draining, and every day really does seem like an eternity. There are a few reasons it has been so hard.
1. The only friends or family within a thousand miles, are Tom and Homer. I love those two guys more than anything, but it puts a lot of pressure on a relationship when it is the only one you have. And, the other truth is that Homer and Tom would be just as fun and entertaining anywhere else on earth. It's not something special to Texas. Also, Tom has a lot of work to do, even when he is home, and Homer sleeps most of the day, and also doesnt speak English, so that's hard.
2. Another aspect that makes this hard is my lack of job. True, I am doing some freelance work for TimeLine, which is keeping me sane, and I did book my first market research study for tomorrow ($125 cash!), but I can't think of a time ever that I have had this much free time on my hands. Not to mention the lack (or at least drip) of cash flow coming in. For about the past 3 years I have been saving up for a down payment on a house/condo. At this point in my Austin adventure, about 1/2 of that nest egg is gone. Between moving expenses, rental cars and deposits, not to mention our first and second months of living expenses, it went really fast. Things have started to level out, but it's depressing to see my savings go towards, what in the end seems like nothing. I have about 3 more months of living expense in the bank, if I continue to budget carefully, but that doesnt include tickets to Tahoe for Thanksgiving, or any unforseen expenses.
3. And finally, the variable that is most up in the air, but that is also making me probably the most miserable, is our apartment. Tom and I live at The State House, which is an other wise nicely kept, clean and safe complex. However, there are two problems. One is that we can hear our neighbor's music (or more specifically the bass line of his music) whenver he listens to it. And he listens to it ALL THE TIME. And sometimes with his patio door open, which makes it even easier to hear. I know this isnt the apartment managment's problem or fault. I mean, it's an apartment, you are bound to hear some noise from your neighbors. Curiously, we hear NOTHING from the neighbors on the other side. We have talked to the music lover and the apartment managers, and we have sent notes, and finally last night, we called security on him. I mean, you know we can hear your lame top 40 music, it's midnight on Sunday night, turn that crap off.
And then there is the pool. On the weekends, it is basically a non-stop frat party, and at least twice a week, each week we have been here, we have been awaken by people splashing and screaming in the middle of the night. I feel like such an idiot. I mean, how did I not know that living by the pool would be such a pain in the ass? Well, I have spent my entire adult life in Chicago, where mega apartment complexes are rare at best, and pools in apartments are even more rare. I didn't know people would be playing beerpong in the pool, and that the closing time is just arbitrary as there is no one to enforce it. This, I feel is totally the management's problem, but they are doing little to regulate or enforce the pool rules.
Okay, so that is the shit I am dealing with. I am doing my best to cope, but breakdowns are frequent, and I fear it will only get harder before it gets easier. I know, it will still take months to meet people. Getting a job will help. I have been networking the best I can, given I know no one, and I am applying to every job that is posted that fits my abilities and experience. And of course, getting a job will also ease the financial pressure. How am I supposed to make friends (or keep friends) if I can't afford to go out for a beer every once in a while?
And, on the apartment front, we have registered formal complaints, and are in the slow process of working through this with the complex manager. Not sure we will ever come to a resolution that makes Tom and I happy, but best case scenario, we will be able to convince them to move us to a unit that is not poolside, and then we will only have to contend with loud neighbors, if there happen to be any. In the mean time, I am experimenting with lunesta to help me fall, and stay asleep (works like a charm so far.. but the samples are dwindling and I have no medical insurance!) and we are employing a white noise machine and earplugs with regularity. Worst case scenario, we have to stay here, and we can move out to a house that doesnt have a public pool or shared walls next summer. I just have to get through the next 11 months...
I am trying to keep my sense of humor about it, but it is a pretty depressing place to be right now. I am focused on not blaming Tom, and not taking it out on him. It's not his fauly, and I think I am doing a really good job of not directing my frustrations at him. But, if you are feeling sorry for me by now, you shouldn't. Feel bad for Tom, who has to deal with my breakdowns and is really doing a saintly job. Just send me your positive thoughts, and any tips on how to block out unwanted sound.
Okay, so it's all out there now. Very cathartic. Let the healing process begin.
Friday, September 18, 2009
When do you become a Texan?
Day: 34
High Temp: 86F
Job Status: Unemployed
Jobs Applied to: 4
We have officially surpassed the month anniversary of our arrival in Texas. To tell you the truth, I cant believe it has been that long. We have had Homer for 3 weeks now, and are starting slowly to accept the annoying quirks of living in a huge apartment community. Having reached this milestone, I began to wonder when, if ever, I would feel like I had become a Texan.
As I mentioned in an earlier blog, Texans make a huge deal about the pride feel for their state. I am definitely not there yet. I mean, I still think it's a very nice state, but honestly, I've seen better. So, are you not really a Texan until you feel that sense of pride? Until you are happy to boast on vacations and family gatherings about how you are from Texas? I actually find it kind of embarrassing.
My cute Mazda, Elly, has Texas license plates. Does that make me a Texas? They are bright and bold, and have the shape of the state and the lone star prominently displayed. Texas plates... does that make me a Texan? We are thinking about getting one of the ubiquitous Longhorn decals that everyone has on the back of thier car. Will that make us Texans?
Technically, I know I am a Texan, as my address tells me so. But as "fall" creeps closer here in the great state of Texas, and the high temps continue to reach the mid 80's or higher, I am just not sure I can ever really feel at home here. I walked out the door the other morning around 10am to take Homer for his morning walk, and thought it felt much more like the beginning of summer, than the onset of fall. The leaves aren't really changing, and I am not sure they ever will. And even though it has definitely been cooling down, there is certainly no crisp, distinct chill in the air. I am not sure I can ever feel truly at home in a place that doesn't have seasons.
It is also worth mentioning that since returning to Texas from my visit to St. Louis last week, I have been feeling really homesick. The odd thing is, I am not sure if I am missing St. Louis or Chicago. I had the most depressed feeling as my parents drove me to the airport, and I tried to accept the fact that flying "home" meant flying to Austin, and not Chicago. The only comfort there was that I was flying back to Tom, and truth be told, he is really the main factor in my definition of home.
So, Texan or not, it is here that I will try to make my home, at least for the next 3 years. Hopefully, at some point, it will feel like where I belong.
High Temp: 86F
Job Status: Unemployed
Jobs Applied to: 4
We have officially surpassed the month anniversary of our arrival in Texas. To tell you the truth, I cant believe it has been that long. We have had Homer for 3 weeks now, and are starting slowly to accept the annoying quirks of living in a huge apartment community. Having reached this milestone, I began to wonder when, if ever, I would feel like I had become a Texan.
As I mentioned in an earlier blog, Texans make a huge deal about the pride feel for their state. I am definitely not there yet. I mean, I still think it's a very nice state, but honestly, I've seen better. So, are you not really a Texan until you feel that sense of pride? Until you are happy to boast on vacations and family gatherings about how you are from Texas? I actually find it kind of embarrassing.
My cute Mazda, Elly, has Texas license plates. Does that make me a Texas? They are bright and bold, and have the shape of the state and the lone star prominently displayed. Texas plates... does that make me a Texan? We are thinking about getting one of the ubiquitous Longhorn decals that everyone has on the back of thier car. Will that make us Texans?
Technically, I know I am a Texan, as my address tells me so. But as "fall" creeps closer here in the great state of Texas, and the high temps continue to reach the mid 80's or higher, I am just not sure I can ever really feel at home here. I walked out the door the other morning around 10am to take Homer for his morning walk, and thought it felt much more like the beginning of summer, than the onset of fall. The leaves aren't really changing, and I am not sure they ever will. And even though it has definitely been cooling down, there is certainly no crisp, distinct chill in the air. I am not sure I can ever feel truly at home in a place that doesn't have seasons.
It is also worth mentioning that since returning to Texas from my visit to St. Louis last week, I have been feeling really homesick. The odd thing is, I am not sure if I am missing St. Louis or Chicago. I had the most depressed feeling as my parents drove me to the airport, and I tried to accept the fact that flying "home" meant flying to Austin, and not Chicago. The only comfort there was that I was flying back to Tom, and truth be told, he is really the main factor in my definition of home.
So, Texan or not, it is here that I will try to make my home, at least for the next 3 years. Hopefully, at some point, it will feel like where I belong.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Day: 30
High Temp: 78F!!!
Job Status: Unemployed
I returned to Austin on Saturday night, after spending a week in St. Louis to mourn the passing, and celebrate the life of my grandmother. She has been battling cancer for many years now, with good results, however, when we got news that the cancer had spread to her liver in the past year, she began to prepare for the inevitable end of her fight. She was ready to go, and was at peace with what was to come. For my part, I am happy to say that Tom and I had a chance to see her twice this summer, once over the 4th of July weekend, and once in mid-August when we were in the midst of our move to Austin. We knew the end was near when we saw her a few weeks ago, and are both very happy to have had a chance to say goodbye while she was still feeling good.
Nothing is real about my life in Austin yet, so to say returning here was getting back to normal is just not true. I dont yet have a job, and spend my days while Tom is at school and work looking for and applying to jobs, and playing with my puppy. Being in St. Louis was so nice, as I had family around, and had a chance to catch up with friends I hadn't seen in a while. It was nice to be there for my mom, and help her sort out some of the legal papers too (my mom and I are the executors on my grandmother's estate).
Getting back here isrough. There isn't too much to focus on, except when the puppy had last gone out for a potty break. Being back in Austin made me realize that I am not quickly settling in here, and that while I really do like this city, there is still a long time ahead of me before Austin will feel like home. Indeed, it was really sad to realize that flying home from St. Louis meant flying to Austin, not Chicago.
But, there are two more jobs posted today that I want to apply for, so I will focus on that for today, and a little bit of work I have promised TimeLine still needs to be done too. And I promise to update the blog more often now that I am back in Austin. After all, what else is there to do?
High Temp: 78F!!!
Job Status: Unemployed
I returned to Austin on Saturday night, after spending a week in St. Louis to mourn the passing, and celebrate the life of my grandmother. She has been battling cancer for many years now, with good results, however, when we got news that the cancer had spread to her liver in the past year, she began to prepare for the inevitable end of her fight. She was ready to go, and was at peace with what was to come. For my part, I am happy to say that Tom and I had a chance to see her twice this summer, once over the 4th of July weekend, and once in mid-August when we were in the midst of our move to Austin. We knew the end was near when we saw her a few weeks ago, and are both very happy to have had a chance to say goodbye while she was still feeling good.
Nothing is real about my life in Austin yet, so to say returning here was getting back to normal is just not true. I dont yet have a job, and spend my days while Tom is at school and work looking for and applying to jobs, and playing with my puppy. Being in St. Louis was so nice, as I had family around, and had a chance to catch up with friends I hadn't seen in a while. It was nice to be there for my mom, and help her sort out some of the legal papers too (my mom and I are the executors on my grandmother's estate).
Getting back here isrough. There isn't too much to focus on, except when the puppy had last gone out for a potty break. Being back in Austin made me realize that I am not quickly settling in here, and that while I really do like this city, there is still a long time ahead of me before Austin will feel like home. Indeed, it was really sad to realize that flying home from St. Louis meant flying to Austin, not Chicago.
But, there are two more jobs posted today that I want to apply for, so I will focus on that for today, and a little bit of work I have promised TimeLine still needs to be done too. And I promise to update the blog more often now that I am back in Austin. After all, what else is there to do?
Monday, September 7, 2009
Hiatus
I just wanted to let everyone that my grandmother passed away on Saturday night, and I have been in St. Louis for the past few days helping with arrangements and preparing for the funeral. Give this turn of events, I wont likely have regular access to the internet, and won't be able to update you all about the mundane goings on in Austin, TX.
For those in town, the visitation will be held at Schrader's funeral home on Manchester Road on Tuesday from 4pm - 8pm. She will be buried the following day at Jefferson Barracks Nat. Cemetery. If you need more information, feel free to contact me or my parents.
For those in town, the visitation will be held at Schrader's funeral home on Manchester Road on Tuesday from 4pm - 8pm. She will be buried the following day at Jefferson Barracks Nat. Cemetery. If you need more information, feel free to contact me or my parents.
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