I just registered for the first course in working towards my PhD. The mixture of excitement over returning to academics and the challenges it brings and trepidation about the same after being in "the real world" for this many years is mind-boggling. I don't mind the coursework (though it's been awhile since I've had to write a structured paper) but the dissertation already has my blood pressure on the rise.
One of the nicer things about living in this area is the proliferation of crepe mertle trees that line the streets. Light pink, bright fuschia, white, they all are gorgeous and in bloom most of the summer, and walking beneath them reveals heavenly aromas. As a kid, I used to pick the unopened buds and when you squeezed them, the flower would pop out. Magic. It was thrilling to share this with the kidlet and find she had the same level of awe and entertainment by such a simple process.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Friggin' Huge!
I know I've been a bad blogger (shakes finger at self). I'll try to be better about regular postings from here on. Things seem to move at warp speed sometimes, and yet simultaneously at a snail's pace at the same time. Weird.
I just had my first encounter with the native "water bugs" since I moved here. In my office, in an empty drawer of a filing cabinet. I do NOT do bugs. And I sure as hell do NOT do giant roaches, even if they aren't really "roaches" (so people tell me, because they are related to the humidity and water here, and come from the pipes and AC systems, etc., and are not an indicator that you're living in filth). Whatever. They are still 1-3 inch long roach looking bugs, so if anyone needs or wants anything out of the top drawer of that cabinet that houses old stuff from the person who worked here before me, they can get it themselves, thank you very much. And Ms. Maladjusted will be bringing her Raid arsenal tomorrow morning, count on that.
We've had the most incredible storms here lately, though are lucky to be wholly dodging the "big one". Hurricanes are an event on the east coast. It's an exciting season and it's like watching a movie when they start to form, everyone worrying about where they'll end up, what size, what strength. Upon imminent landfalls of the past, people in the area were well known for their "hurricane parties". After all, you've stocked up on batteries, water and nonperishable food and have to huddle inside for the next 24 hours, you might as well enjoy it. This usually meant inviting over friends or family to ride out the storm with you and a cooler with ice and beer. Nature can be devastating, but it's amazing what you grow accustomed to living in a place. I never did, however, grow accustomed to tornado sirens in the midwest.
The bad part about the storms here is that they are incredibly electrical. Beautiful to watch but creates havok for appliances of all sorts. A couple of weeks ago we lost power for about 8 hours. Bound to happen with all the trees here and power lines above ground, but you make due. Many hands of Uno and a cold hummus, pita and veggies dinner later we were happy and tolerant. Then this weekend's storm sent a power surge through the outlet behind the TV and stereo stuff. Here's a lesson for you. Yeah, we all unplug our computers for electrical storms, but you might want to also unplug your Wii or other computer-like gaming systems. Yep. Fried. Waited months for it, paid an arm and a leg for it and 8 months later it's dead. Fabulous.
But things here are peachy. A lot is still up in the air (someday I'll explain all that has happened over the last 6 months or so, but I've been holding off until there is some sort of permanent resolution; to say it is a trainwreck or soap opera would be an understatement) but it should all be coming down to earth again soon. Life is good. The kidlet is about to start school here (and looking forward to it, brave little soul) and we're revving up.
My sister is, sadly, heading out tomorrow for PA to start grad school. At least it's only two semesters then she gets to return for an internship here, but it will be hard without her. We spent too many years not apprecitating each other the way sisters should and I've enjoyed the time we've had together since I moved back here. Cherish your families, sometimes they are what gets you through life's toughest times.
I just had my first encounter with the native "water bugs" since I moved here. In my office, in an empty drawer of a filing cabinet. I do NOT do bugs. And I sure as hell do NOT do giant roaches, even if they aren't really "roaches" (so people tell me, because they are related to the humidity and water here, and come from the pipes and AC systems, etc., and are not an indicator that you're living in filth). Whatever. They are still 1-3 inch long roach looking bugs, so if anyone needs or wants anything out of the top drawer of that cabinet that houses old stuff from the person who worked here before me, they can get it themselves, thank you very much. And Ms. Maladjusted will be bringing her Raid arsenal tomorrow morning, count on that.
We've had the most incredible storms here lately, though are lucky to be wholly dodging the "big one". Hurricanes are an event on the east coast. It's an exciting season and it's like watching a movie when they start to form, everyone worrying about where they'll end up, what size, what strength. Upon imminent landfalls of the past, people in the area were well known for their "hurricane parties". After all, you've stocked up on batteries, water and nonperishable food and have to huddle inside for the next 24 hours, you might as well enjoy it. This usually meant inviting over friends or family to ride out the storm with you and a cooler with ice and beer. Nature can be devastating, but it's amazing what you grow accustomed to living in a place. I never did, however, grow accustomed to tornado sirens in the midwest.
The bad part about the storms here is that they are incredibly electrical. Beautiful to watch but creates havok for appliances of all sorts. A couple of weeks ago we lost power for about 8 hours. Bound to happen with all the trees here and power lines above ground, but you make due. Many hands of Uno and a cold hummus, pita and veggies dinner later we were happy and tolerant. Then this weekend's storm sent a power surge through the outlet behind the TV and stereo stuff. Here's a lesson for you. Yeah, we all unplug our computers for electrical storms, but you might want to also unplug your Wii or other computer-like gaming systems. Yep. Fried. Waited months for it, paid an arm and a leg for it and 8 months later it's dead. Fabulous.
But things here are peachy. A lot is still up in the air (someday I'll explain all that has happened over the last 6 months or so, but I've been holding off until there is some sort of permanent resolution; to say it is a trainwreck or soap opera would be an understatement) but it should all be coming down to earth again soon. Life is good. The kidlet is about to start school here (and looking forward to it, brave little soul) and we're revving up.
My sister is, sadly, heading out tomorrow for PA to start grad school. At least it's only two semesters then she gets to return for an internship here, but it will be hard without her. We spent too many years not apprecitating each other the way sisters should and I've enjoyed the time we've had together since I moved back here. Cherish your families, sometimes they are what gets you through life's toughest times.
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