Stress.

Stress can do funny things to people.  Many people chain smoke, shut down, go crazy, drink a lot of coffee (or alcohol for some), vent for hours, hide.  You name it, people react in totally different ways to stress.  

I'm what you call the 'shut-downer'.  People who know me well enough know that when I'm stressing over something, regardless of whether I know what it is or not, I shut down.  I become this quiet little being.  It's not like I'm trying to be quiet, I just am.  I don't feel like talking, smiling, doing...anything.  No idea why I am like that, but it's a package deal so take it or leave it, right?

This last week has been a stressful one.  Realizing that I now only have 2.5 weeks til I leave and then realizing how much fricken school work I have to do until then just put me over the edge.  It's remarkable how fast things come up.  Like these two 15 page papers that I was supposed to have been working on for quite some time now...yeah they are due in two weeks.  Better get my butt moving on that one...or those two.  Damn.

I feel like stress could be a blessing in disguise though as well.  I mean, all of this stress is really making me do things.  Of course that is after I get over my quiet-don't-talk-at-all-do-nothing phase.  I have been really productive with writing and getting my major presentation in order.  So that's good.  It also has made me really get on things with 'closing relationships', as I called it in my last blog.  I just posted my going away party invites on facebook and it looks like most everyone can make it, which rocks.  It'll be a great way for me to see everyone right before I take off.  A little sun, some beach volleyball, maybe a few beers, the best company and definitely some grilling out.  Could you ask for any more in a going away party?  I think not. (Well maybe having my friends/family from afar to join me, then that would be perfect.)

So for now I say to you, if you are closing a semester (or career) of school, good luck, and congrats on making it through another one (or the whole one, which in that case CONGRATS!).  As for me, I'll be stressing my way through these next two weeks, frantically typing and over-caffeinated at all times.  Peace.

Moving.

So I just got back from a wonderful cup of tea with my future bosses, they are in town for the weekend.  They are wonderful.  (I know I just said wonderful, but that's the only way to describe them...wonderful.)  

We got a lot figured out about moving this May.  Under 4 weeks til I'm LA bound, crazy.  This semester has flown by.  Faster than I thought.  

Closing relationships that I have just made is interesting, well not really closing them but changing them I guess would be the best way to phrase that.  I've made some great friendships and relationships throughout my stay here.  The most important one, Rex.  That will be the hardest relationship to change.  We've had some really great talks about it and I'm totally confident in our relationship to be strong through this, we'll be fine.  And thankfully technology allows us to feel/be a lot closer to each other than ever before.  Thank you web cams!

The Job is flying both of us, Rex and me, out there on May 9.  Rex will stay through the 15th.  He is going to be my partner in crime in finding an apartment, that's first on the agenda.  Thankfully the Job is putting me up until I find my own place, like I said, wonderful.

I am so thankful for this amazing opportunity that I've been given.  I couldn't be working for better people than them.  So helpful, caring, generous.  And they love Rex which is always a huge plus!

Today is a good day.

Parents.

I don't know why but it seems lately that my friends and ones close to me have had some not-happy-faced encounters with their parents.  The situations totally vary but they all seem to end with 'argh! my mom (or dad, or both) are just pissing the f*** out of me!" or something along those lines.  Honestly within the last 24 hours I'd say that at least a handful of my friends have commented on something near that statement.

Why is that?

What is it about our age that makes our parents seem like the need to start controlling us...again?

I mean, we live with them for 18 years...some of us longer than others, they teach us their ways, instill values and morals inside of us hoping that when we venture off into the world that they have taught us well.  Actually some of them don't really want us to venture at all, some would prefer for us to stay home.  And some would like us to leave as well.

I feel like once we get into college and they start to feel that 'loss' and the 'empty nest' syndrome kicks in that they need to come back to that at some point down the road and start to tell us what to do again.  I'm not saying that we don't welcome any advice that they may have for us, that will always be taken, and taken warmly at that.  All I am saying is that parents, when they have children around our age (early to mid 20s), feel the need to start giving a little too much advice...maybe even try to start to 'parent' us again.  Bad idea.  We don't take to that very well.

For all of my friends out there who are dealing with this unfortunate happening, and I am pretty sure every single person has gone through with their own parents, I hope that it passes.  (Friend I am talking to you...and to the person who is sitting next to me right now).  Let us all hope that our parents will learn to understand that we really do know what we are doing and we are not going to go crazy and make (really) bad decisions.  Let them give us advice, let them have at least that much to look forward to, that way they can feel like they are doing their job and doing their job well.  

This is the time in our lives where we should be out exploring new things, trying out different opportunities that cross our paths, meeting new people, experiencing the world.  Don't let anyone tell you differently...this is OUR time.

And ps: Mom this was totally not directed at you...I know you love me for the all-over-the-place daughter I am and I can never thank you enough for that!  Thank youuuuuu!

Dancing!!

The Electric Cowboy never fails to give me extraordinarily fun nights!  My friends and I went to the Cowboy to shake our tails a bit, and boy did we.  I even rode the mechanical bull!  Didn't last too long but it was quite the sight to see.  I should go dancing more, it is always such a great time...especially with the right group of people.  Dancing is one of those things that gives you such a natural high...I think everyone should dance, and do a lot of it.  It was one of our friends birthdays too which always makes for an adventurous night.  All I have to say is that I will definitely be partaking in the Electric Cowboy's fun at least one more time before I leave...too great to not.  I hope you are all great, and enjoying Spring weather!