Post-Christmas haze

Oh Mylanta! Where have I been?? I hope everyone has had a calm and relaxing Christmas and on their way to a rockin’ new year! I’m headed off to the lake in T-minus 12 hours!

So…the end of the semester went out with a bang…a good bang, that is! All three of my exams—1,2,3—beginning at 8 am on Monday 19 December went great. Definitely much better than I had originally thought. What a pleasant early Christmas gift!

I was homeward bound very soon after…which is always an awesome feeling. Side note: I love driving. Not really sure why, but I do. The drive to and from Point is always very…relaxing. I love passing by Amish farms, sometimes seeing carriages on the road or on certain days, all the laundry hanging outside, no matter the weather conditions. And there is something to be said about turning the radio up and singing at the top of my lungs (and wildly off-key, I might add!). There is always something medicinal about it. I always feel refreshed after a good jam session in the car. I love it!

On the way home I made the routine stop in Rudolph for cheese. It would almost be sacrilege not to. Horror of all horrors, there was no cheese spaghetti, as I call it. (It’s really string cheese). Such a sad day indeed. I was able to come away with fresh, squeaky cheese curds though, so not all was lost J

Since I stepped out of the car, I’ve been on the go ever since. The longest I’ve been able to just…sit, is now as I’m typing. Every day has been filled with something—visiting friends, decorating our bare Christmas tree, playing the role of Susie Homemaker, sleepovers, intense games of cribbage and International. It’s been never-ending. Many of you know and would probably agree that usually I’m quite the hermit with zip of a social life. I’m enjoying this break from the norm, flitting this way and that, masquerading as a social butterfly.

Christmas at the Fitzel-O’Brien homestead was much like most get-togethers at our house—filled with good food, good wine, and lots of laughs. The wine may have had a role in this, but even without it, we are all such goofs, it’s not really needed for us to have good time. There are, on average, 3-4 conversations going at the same time across the room, through the kitchen and all through the house. It’s a wonder my head is still attached!

However, the highlight of this Christmas break, I think, was being able to go back to Little Sisters of the Poor, the nursing home I’ve spent so much time at, first as a visitor of my Anna Banana, then as a volunteer, and finally as an aide while in high school. It felt kind of like a time-warp walking back in the Home. I recognized and remembered so many faces and was surprised by how many still recognized me. There were many double takes before the recognition set in and when it did, I worried I might cause a heart attack or two. Luckily there weren’t any. It almost felt as though I’d never even left. There definitely have been some changes, but the routine was still very much the same, at least at supper time J

Oh…there was another highlight! One of the best surprises came in the form of a Christmas card from one of my grade school teachers. I hadn’t seen her in almost five years, when she came to my high school graduation! I couldn’t believe it had been that long. We were able to make a breakfast date and spent four and half hours catching up. It was great!

Receiving her card was such humbling moment. It made me feel a little guilty for how badly I’ve kept in touch with many of you over the years. But it was also a stark reminder that even in the absence of regular contact or when we may find ourselves feeling very much alone, there are still many thoughts and well wishes sent in every direction. There are always ‘what if’s’ or ‘I wonder’s.’ Now, whenever I wonder about someone I haven’t seen or talked to in a while, I’m certain that they are probably sharing the same thoughts.

Thank you, Mrs. Maruska, for making me see the other side of my ‘I wonder.’ :)

My name is Liz and I've been clean for nearly two weeks.

And it hasn't been as horrible as I thought it would be. I'm a little antsy, mostly because I'm curious to know if the aforementioned friend has had her baby yet. I imagine she has...and words can't describe how excited I am for her!

It will get better with time...as most things do.

I've more time to devote to productive activities...such as making lists, checking them twice, celebrating a post-Thanksgiving/pre-finals night of frivolity...oh yes, and how could I forget studying for those dreaded finals. What kind of college student would I or anyone be without one part studying sprinkled with a little fun and procrastination? Not a normal one, that's for sure! Don't worry, folks, I was focused enough to get in some good study time for my finals! And I'm positive the three of them all went well!

So yes, the celebration of post-Thanksgiving and pre-finals was just what the doctor ordered to lighten the load and to just...be a kid again. In recent years (meaning since college life began) I am ironically rediscovering the joy in the simplicity not acting my age...under proper circumstances of course. I've begun gravitating to memories of my childhood, almost clinging to them in a way that I can't quite explain. Maybe it is my subconscious trying to tell me something! It's probably not ready for the world of post-graduation yet...and I suppose I'm not so sure myself.

Again, only time will tell.

But yes, the little celebration was great! It began with painting pottery, eating wonderful food, playing the most awesome dance-off game, and then of course, some time spent downtown. Since this night also happened to be my birthday, it was only natural to take advantage of the some of the birthday specials. I made it home to my own bed and still remember everything that happened :)

The next day was back to the grindstone until yesterday when I stepped out of the car. And man oh man does it feel good to be home! It will be good to catch up with family, old friends, write letters, apply for jobs...The list is ridiculously long, but I've already been able to check a few things of since yesterday.

This is short entry, but there is much to do. I hope everyone has a relaxing and nice Christmas holiday. There will definitely be more to come!

Bis dann!

It's done!.....Now what....?

I did it. It's done! D-week has come and gone. No more Facebook...at least not in the foreseeable future.

So far, so good. We'll see how things are in the morning. Will there be an uncontrollable itch in the fingertips? An overwhelming need to know what some of the friends I haven't talked to in a while are up to? Or if one friend has had her baby yet? She's so close!

We shall have to see.

Habits are hard to break. It's so very easy if there are ten minutes between classes to quick check my social life, just to be reassured that it still exists. It does; I checked :) Even without the need to network socially via Facebook or Skype or what have you.

I remember being very resistant to texting when it first become popular. I wanted nothing to do with it. I was appalled by it and how much farther personal connections were stretched. Why can't I just talk to someone over the phone or face to face???

One could argue, to an extent, that is exactly what I'm doing now, and I am. Writing this entry, the mass email I sent everyone to inform them of my plan. My hope is not to stretch those connections, but rather, sustain them in a similar way that Facebook did, and hopefully more regularly! Every now and then I would get a message from someone asking if I was still alive since I hadn't given a status update in a long time. Consider this blog an extended version of the status update :)

While I still prefer talking face to face or over the telephone, I see the genius--well maybe not the genius--but the usefulness of texting. It does provide ease in communication when you are not in a position to talk face to face or over the phone with someone. However it can be just as tiresome having a conversation through texting. It takes longer, for one, and words or tone of voice can be easily misconstrued.

And yet...I continue to use it. Why? Quite simply, it's convenient. With many aspects of life, I'm all about convenience. A one-stop shop to the grocery store (although it's usually two because I inevitably forget something), etc. The same applies for the opposite as well. Some things are just better done the long or the old-fashioned way...like writing letters and sending them through snail mail. I love writing letters. I'm horrible at doing so regularly, but I enjoy it. There is a personal flare that can be lost in email. I can't amuse myself by providing horribly drawn diagrams of something I'm trying to explain or little doodles illustrating inside jokes. It's much more fun to write hand-written letters, and even more fun to receive them...at least I think so.

I can't remember where I heard it...it might have been on NPR the other morning, but with the increased use of the Internet, other technologies, and poor economic conditions, there has been a decline in posted mail with businesses and everyday consumers, and ultimately revenue. As a result, there are proposals for changes within the postal system related to budget cuts, office closings, and losses of up to 35,000 jobs in order to reduce costs to maintain profitability.

I definitely understand the need for this to happen, but I do think it's unfortunate also. It's also interesting to think about (and I'm stretching this here, just because I'm one of those nuts who geek out about history) the symbol of the postal system in America and its progress in our history from its beginnings in 1775 with the Running Pony logo up until now with the head of an eagle stamped on mail trucks and envelopes.

We've come a long way since. It makes me wonder where we're headed now.

A life without Facebook is....

a life that, for me, is going to feel great I think! I haven't completely extirpated it yet, but in the next week, especially as finals make their way around the corner, it will be. Wish me luck! It’s my pre- New Year’s resolution.

As the description says above, this is going to be my alternative way to keep in touch with friends and family. It’s also going to be an exercise in restraint :) in addition to giving my rusty writing skills some practice.

This may end up reading much like a journal. My apologies, in advance, if it does. I’ll try to keep it from ending up like that as much as I’m able to…And I will try to keep this up as regularly as I can. Some of you are acutely aware of how horrible I am at keeping up with email. I try…really I do. Yell at me if I don’t!

Oh, I nearly forgot! For those of you who followed briefly while I was overseas, this was previously titled :Where my shoes have been. Still an apt title, but since I'm turning over a new leaf, I thought an updated title would be a good way to start. It comes from a song of the same name. The band is the Crash Test Dummies. Great 90s band. If you haven't listened to them, check 'em out!

Lastly, feel free to write/comment as well. I would love to know how all you are doing :)