Easter and other things

We got to go home this past weekend. To our real home.

It was full of family and friend time. Just how I like it. I enjoyed the time spent with my Nanny and Eric's Papa Tom. I think the longer I am away the more I miss the older people and the little kids in our lives. Side note- Katie made Eric and I each and Easter card that said "I love Patti. I will for ever" and "I love Eric. I will for ever" HOW sweet is she?! Seriously.

My alma mater has been having a pretty sweet week...two teams in the Final Four! Watching those games was dramatic and heart-wrenching...and I am excited to be heading to ATL this weekend to watch the Men's team play...and hopefully get to run into T.I. or Big Boi??

Also, while in town, I defended my dissertation SUCCESSFULLY! That was pretty sweet. I celebrated with a lunch at Check's with B & Rae (friend bologna and mac&cheese YUM).

While I LOVE going home, it can be exhausting running and tryin to fit in every minute with the people I love. It leaves me wanting to snuggle Eric and Lou on the couch for about 4 days.

Until next time. -patti

HOME

I am going home today. I haven't been home in 11 weeks...and that feels CRAZY. I woke up this morning and remembered that today is the day. I was instantly awake. Annnnnnnd, now it will be really hard to get work done today. I feel like E.T.

Recovery

I am human again. I have been in zombie mode for the past 3 days with "strep throat." So, says the Walgreens nurse practitioner. I think I had the Plague. Between moving from the couch to the bed and watching endless episodes of Pretty Little Liars, it was a very productive time. But, I am out of the house today and feeling great. I think I have bottled up my energy by being cooped up.

 

UMMM BIG STEP

I sent a complete draft of my dissertation to my chair AND other readers. That is CRAZY. I could defend in a month or two...and BE DONE (except for finishing internship).

It feels like this...


On another note, my friend LB had two sweet little babies this week and I can NOT wait to get to see them. I am coming home for Easter and they are definitely going to be held! I also miss my nieces like CRAZY.

Some recent revelations

I am a horrible blogger and will regret my laziness later when I want to remember how this year went. BUT I do have some thoughts.

1. Being away from home especially stinks when you are sad. I would have never thought I would be sad that I couldn't go to funerals, but when someone passes and you want to be there, it really sucks being away.
2. It also sucks to notice that my nieces are getting bigger. I used to see them so much that I wouldn't notice their hair getting longer or them looking older. Ava is a real kid now, not a baby :(
3. I am not sad all the time. It sounds like I might be by the #1 & #2, but I do have to say this time with just me, Eric, and Lou has some perks. I am more in love with Eric. He is my best friend. I noticed this more when almost all my other friends are 4 hours away.
4. I have some new friends. All of us being new to the city (or having been away for a while) bonds us pretty quick. They are hilarious. Seriously. I am lucky to spend the year with such crazy women.
5. Dogs are great snuggle buddies. the end.
6. While I am worried about finding a job when I get back, and whether I will have a place to live. I am so content that no matter what happens, I get to move back home. I might be working the corner (let's hope not), but either way I can go see my Nanny or my nieces at the drop of a hat. :)

6 more months


P.S. We went to Colorado. It was wicked gnarly.

Happy

Look for happiness under your own roof.


I watched a documentary recently called "Happy" on Netflix. It was awesome and has me thinking about life stuff. My dissertation research and the mindfulness group I lead at the VA has also led me down this path of researching what leads to happiness...So far, I am learning that if you think being cool, looking good, and having tons of money will make you happy you are only partially correct. If you are dirt poor, money will make you happier, but from middle class to rich, they find not much change based on the $$ alone. SO, if its not the benjamins that = happiness, and I can't botox my way to being happy forever, and let's be real, I am not the coolest cat on the block....then WHAT am I doing in my life to enstill happiness in the LONG term.

I am reading a book about it, right now, but some things I am starting.
1. Trying to add in some physical acitivity of any kind whenever possible, for at least 5 minutes per day.
2. Looking into volunteering (maybe at the Stray Dog Society).
3. Trying to be appreciative of what I do have, especially Eric & Lou, my extended family, health, etc etc etc.

I'll try to update on this at some point.

According to current research, in the determination of a person’s level of happiness, genetics accounts for about 50 percent; life circumstances, such as age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, income, health, occupation, and religious affiliation, account for about 10 to 20 percent; and the remainder is a product of how a person thinks and acts.
Rubin, Gretchen (2009-12-16). The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun (pp. 5-6). Harper Perennial. Kindle Edition. <<The book I am reading right now

HAPPY NEW YEAR

With 2012 ending and a new year upon us, I have been contemplating and reminiscing ( I don't know how to spell that). I can remember thinking last year that 2012 would be THE year. I would finish classes, interview, hopefully match, and start internship. Not to mention get married and MOVE to the internship. While all of these things did happen, lots more happened that I can't begin to cover. These were both good and bad, but none the less, they are a part of my 2012. I think I am becoming a grown up ( or it could also be the all the mindfulness stuff I'm learning about), but I really want to throw my planning brain out and start to go with whatever comes. There cannot be pleasure or happiness without pain and struggle, and no one plans for pain. SO, what will 2013 hold? I DON'T KNOW! I hope it holds some new experiences and lots of quality time with the people I love (and Lou)! I'll catch yall on the flip side!
-Patti