This morning I woke up at 6:30, worked till 9:00, showered, dressed, breakfasted, walked and fed Callie, posted briefly, did the dishes, addressed the last Save the Date, filled out our engagement announcement form, updated our registry, took the train into the city, researched at VanPelt, lunched (expensively) at Cosi, met with my professor, went to Greek, walked to 30th Street while talking to Margaret, caught the express to Bryn Mawr, walked home in the rain, walked Callie, talked to Ashley and Caitlin, and have now collapsed (essentially) in Granddad's chair in the dining room. I AM EXHAUSTED. And even though I haven't done any work on my Vergil presentation since 2 pm, when I look at my day, I don't really feel guilty. Instead, I think,"Holy goodness. Is this REALLY a typical day?" I think it takes actually writing it all down to force myself to see how busy I am. SO, on that note, as I have no desire to write a coherent post, but am in the mood to post, here is a list of my favorite things/people/places (which Preston, who I'm pretty sure is the only person other than myself who reads this blog, probably already knows):
1. Our apartment. I LOVE this apartment. The Residence (the building where we live) was built in the early 19th century (I think), and it has beautiful hard-wood floors, high ceilings, and gigantic windows. I love it. Even though it is swelteringly hot when they turn the heat on.
2. Margaret Marshall. My best friend from college. We actually only became friends in the Spring of our 4th year, and I try not to think about all the missed opportunities I could have had with her while I was at Virginia. I don't think either of us was really ready to be friends until our 4th year anyway (at least I console myself with that thought). She is the most kindred spirit I have ever met, and I hope (and truly believe) that we will be lifelong friends. I adore her. She is the first person I call when I'm sad, when I'm happy, or when I just want to talk to someone I love. She is one of the best people I know, and is a treasured friend.
3. Spring. I HATE WINTER. I know I've posted about this before, but it's really starting to piss me off. Seriously, why does February exist? It's gray, gross, and muddy. Valentine's Day makes about 95% of my friends feel bad about themselves, and it's always the month for midterms. Seriously. What a terrible time of year. Ergo, spring (every year) is all the sweeter! Trees and grass become, seemingly overnight, tinted with fluorescent green growth and fresh dew. Buds gradually grow into luminous flowers. The sky shakes off its gloom, and everyone seems to become drunken with spring sunlight. I LOVE SPRING. Every year it rejuvenates me. Without fail. It's the reason I wanted to get married in May--in May, the world seems full of possibilty, brimming with hope. What more could a person want?
4. A&W Diet Root Beer. I drink at least one can a day. I'm shamelessly addicted. There's nothing more to say on this subject.
5. My laptop. Because even though I've had it for a year and a half, it still looks clean, white, and fresh. After my last laptop prematurely died, I've been very carefully with this one, and I can tell. It's in terrific shape (knock on wood that it will last a few more years!). I love that I can carry my life with me to Penn, to bed, to work, to Starbucks, to Richmond. And that it is filled with things I love (pictures, music, old emails, etc). It's become an old friend.
6. My silver ballerina flats. Being an underwhelming 5'1.5", I really should love heels. But I don't. I love flats, and live for spring, summer, and fall, when they become the focal point of my outfits. My very favorite flats are a silver pair I bought in early 2005, before silver came back into style. At the time, they just seemed frivolous (but since they were $4, who cared?). Serendipitously, however, they are now back in style, and I wear them religiously. They are my only pair of flats that will never give me a blister, and they are wonderfully versatile: they can dress an outfit up, or look casual. I love them.
7. Earrings. I always wear them, and feel naked without them. My favorite pairs are the dangly ones I got from Clementine in Carytown 3 years ago, the smaller danglies that I got from Penelope around the same time, and the pearl studs that Preston gave me last Christmas.
8. My engagement ring. I would be lying if I didn't add this to the list. Aesthetically, it's perfect. The stone and setting are both beautiful. However, I love that it once belonged to Preston's grandmother; I never knew her (his Dad's mom), but I think there's something really wonderful and very touching about wearing something that once belonged to her. A sense of connections to his dad's side of the family that I didn't have before.
9. My plants. They're like my children. I notice if they're looking a little depressed, clean up after them, nourish them, am basically obsessed with them. In the same way that I'm obsessed with Callie. Taking care of something and watching it flourish (be it a person, an animal, or a plant), is remarkably rewarding. That's not to say I've had my share of dying plants. I've killed more plants than I'd care to admit here.
10. On a similar note, fresh flowers. They make everything more beautiful, more fresh, and more fragrant. I've found that it's worth the extra $5 at Trader Joe's to buy some tulips with my weekly groceries (N.B. I didn't say NICE fresh flowers...I know Trader Joe's probably doesn't have the finest botanical selection, but they'll do for me!).
11. Virginia. Especially the Blue Ridge. Even though I'm from Richmond, that's when I really feel home. I think Preston's parents' house in Wintergreen might be one of my favorite places in the world. I seem to shed my tension when I'm in the mountains. I love it there.
12. Getting into a freshly made bed. Few things rival the feeling of crisp, cool sheets against my skin. Especially high thread count sheets.
Mmmm...thinking of bed has made me sleepy...I might have to go to bed soon (although unfortunately, Preston still hasn't put the new sheets on. So that kind of rains on my parade. Ah well). Good night!
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