A Tale of Tails

I finished "The Thirteenth Tale" by Diane Setterfield last week. It was a wonderful book. It had a great twist too. It was one of those books that you pick up and start to read, not really knowing what to expect and then you realize you've been reading for over an hour and your lunch break is over, but you really don't want to have to put in your bookmark and close this wonderful world which you've stepped into. I couldn't get through it fast enough, but was sooo utterly sad when it ended. The ending was wonderful, I just didn't want it to end. I fell head over heels with all the characters and had a rough time turning that last page and saying goodbye to them. Truly a remarkable read.

Well, I haven't been to class much. Partly because I've been staying later at work. It's kinda crazy moving up in the world, especially when you realize that you actually do have more responsibilities and that people expect more out of you. I can't just shrug my shoulders and say "I don't know" as much anymore. Because I'm one below the manager, I'm expected to know or expected to find out whatever it is, quickly. I can't pass stuff on as much. Whereas before, if I was called or emailed and asked something of which I really didn't know, they would just say, "That's fine I'll call/email John or Jason". Now it's, "Call me back when you find out". I have no fallback. My manager better be here for at least another two years, just to give me that cushion. Totally freaks me out when he's out of the office too. He was out on jury duty for about two days a few weeks ago, that was pretty bad for me. But I survived. Just gotta take it one day at a time and figure it out.

Now, me moving to another apartment is on the horizon. Went apartment hunting all weekend. I finally had to talk to my drunken manager yesterday and let her know, so that when the apartment I put in for calls her and asks about me, she won't totally freak out. It's all a bit scary. I'm trying to stay calm and part of me is really hoping we get this apartment we applied for yesterday. Another part of me is just freaking out and hoping it doesn't even come to that! How sad. I am definitely excited to move, but am sad to leave my neighbors and the world I've created for myself over the past 3 years. I'm going to miss this world. I know change is inevitable, I just get really scared when it's this much change at once. That's a lot to take. Gradual change is better, but I suppose in some ways drastic change doesn't have to be so drastic...right? Just a lot to take in and mull over in my mind. I really shouldn't be thinking this hard about it, but I really can't help it.

On another, less freaked out, more fun note...went to a dinner party at my friend's house on Saturday night. She decided to get all festive for St. Patrick's Day and invited a few of us over and cooked all day. She made corn beef, cabbage, potatoes, peas, macaroni casserole, salad, and even dessert! It was all so scrumptious. And everything (except the corn beef of course) was vegetarian. So, I had plenty to eat and loved it. So yummy!

Split Ends

So, I didn't end up reading Mayflower. I read about 50 pages and realized I wasn't really into it. I picked up "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario instead. I finished it a few weeks ago and I have to say I loved it. It's this true story about one kid who wanted to be reunited with his mother so badly that he took all these risks just to be with her. Supposedly, a lot of women in places such as Guatemala leave their children with relatives to make a trek to the US, so they can send home money for food, clothing and school for their kids. Most women say they'll be back in just a year or two, but usually they don't end up going back and just send money every month. The kids left behind feel they have been abandoned by their mother and some of them, even as young as 7, try to make this incredibly terrifying trek out to be with their mothers. It was a great read, and really really made me realize how great I have it. Born and raised here by two wonderful parents, who weren't dirt poor and I had/have lots of opportunities, unlike many, many people in other countries. I can't even fathom how I would've turned out. Totally lost on me.

Now back to fiction...

Last week I finished, "The Patron Saint of Liars" by Ann Patchett. My boyfriend's parents gave this book to me for Xmas. I have to say that I truly enjoyed it. Very quick read and so well written. The ending was really cool.

But what I'm most excited about, is I'm now reading "The Thirteenth Tale" by Diane Setterfield. Starts off strong and I'm thoroughly enjoying it, with only 50 pages under my belt.

I had a birthday a week ago. Was a decent birthday, as birthdays go. 28 & counting. Hollywood Video gives one free rental on your birthday. I didn't even know that and got one, so that was cool. And 2 weekends ago, I was in Tahoe. I snowboarded 2 days in a row. It was wonderful. I haven't been snowboarding in 7 years, but I didn't do half as badly as I was expecting I would, so that was awesome. Also, got to see my Dad this time. And he got to meet my boyfriend. Stepmom wasn't around, I couldn't have planned that one better! No, I like her, it's just that I was glad that my Dad and boyfriend got to meet one another, without her around. It was just nicer for me. Plus I got to hang out with my Dad without her, and I needed some Dad time. That's about it.

So, while I was in Tahoe, Grr stayed with Grandma. On the 3rd night, I called my Mom to say hi. She says she has to tell me something and starts with, "I have a fern..." I immediately start laughing and tell her that I'm sorry, since I should have warned her of Grr's plant obsession. She came home to find her fern lying on it's side. She thinks that her cat, has climbed up and knocked it over. She starts scolding Ralphy, "Naughty cat! Knocking over my plants..." and I can just see Grr sitting there looking all innocent. A little while later my Mom starts hearing a cat throwing up. She runs in just in time to see Grr throw up some leaves. I had to instruct my Mom to make sure this fern is now in a safe place, far away from Grr, either outside or in a closet somewhere.

My hair is getting long, as I've been growing it out, looks good. It just sucks, my hair is so curly that no matter what I put in it and wash & condition it with, I still have dry ends. My newest favorite thing is to pick at my split ends. I shouldn't do it, but it's fun. I need to get my hair trimmed before this turns into a strange habit. I already have my strange habits, I don't need anymore.

I went to a wedding on Saturday night. There were 8 of us at the table. How come I always have to be at the table with the most annoying guest? Seriously. Those people you come in contact with and you think, "How the hell has this person gotten this far in life without being killed yet?". She was great! Her boyfriend couldn't get away from her fast enough, left us high & dry with her at our table by herself for most of the evening. It was just bad. I had trouble containing my annoyance. I made sure I didn't ask any questions. My boyfriend almost started egging her on, as he was enjoying how dumb this person was, I kicked him under the table to signal him to stop. Thankfully he listened, or it would have been a horrible time for all, seeing as I could've said a lot of things that I was specifically holding back.

Well, I've jotted down my fill. Until next time!