Because Weather Talk is so stimulating

Today Chicago is windy and sunny and about 40 degrees, and sloppy. I wished this. I told everyone at work that I hoped I'd have to muck through gigantic puddles all weekend. It makes me almost as happy as the 50 degree weekend while I was gone for Christmas weekend, which melted about three feet of snow to nothing. Glorious.

I've realized something about myself though, on this introspective Saturday morning, and I'm catalog-ing (sp? yikes.) it under "Growing Up and Changing--It's for Reals:"

I do hate the winter, but I'm doing it this year. Not only doing winter, but walking in it everyday, bundling up against it as my routine. Carrying tissues to take the ice chunks out of my eyelashes when I get to my building. Tucking khakis into black snow boots and wearing hats and scarves with clashing prints.
I credit this to being here 5 winters, yes, and coming around, but I think it fits more into Growing Up and Changing. Because blogging is a perfect forum for airing personal revelations, I can state that this 40 degree morning in Chicago is showing me that I'm more ready for this adulthood than I thought. Even if it means I end up the kind of adult that tucks khakis into snow boots.
This makes me very excited for marriage :)

Love you love you long time

I've gotten engaged since my last post! Very exciting. I also can't believe I've been too busy (or maybe too boring) to write a bit since then.

Stages of engagement, so far:

It breaks: forth, the engagement "yes;" the news, to family and friends; the inhibition, as I tell and hug anyone and everyone

The realization: that I still need to go to work like normal people (WHA??); that I really should talk about it less; that I need to throw...a wedding...

The grunt work: more like hemming and hawing, when I start to regret not planning this since I was five. I turn into a stressball.

Decisions: one thing works out, then two things, then one huge thing, then four purple-colored taffeta things...and I'm SO EXCITED. I cannot wait for the wedding, and the marraige. It's taking forever to get here.

on my mind

hot chocolate, because Bethany said she'd make some

how I'm going to Christmas up this weekend as much as possible

how I must see Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2

my poor freezing turtle, and how he won't wear his sweater

the impossible-to-find balance of avoiding office or over-priced coffee by making my own and being able to walk/ride the train with it

how B needs her computer back. Guess that's the end of this one. I was just warming up. What a downer.

I was just in Michigan

I went to Michigan this weekend, and I saw all my family on my Mom's side. My parents were even there. It was so special--that hasn't happened in three years. For a few hours, all 29 of us stood in the same room and held hands to pray before the Sunday meal. Grandma cried, overwhelmed with the blessing, and I teared up, and I bet one or two of my aunts felt a little emotional too. It was such a fulfilling meal. There was meat and cheese and vegetables and soup and bread and chips and nuts and candy and cake, and there was great conversation, connection, hilarity, joy, and complete harmony.

In addition to the beauty and blessing of family, I was immersed in the gorgeousness of fall. Again. I know that I've already gone over fall, how I'm actually loving it this year, but Michigan made me feel like I'm practically missing it here in Chicago. There are so many leaves and colors! I couldn't get enough. It was freezing; it even snowed for about 20 minutes, but I wanted to walk in it and photograph it and jump in it. Perfect. This fall is turning out perfectly.

Season settling

Fall started a few weeks ago, I know, I was there. There were a couple of days, though, that were confusing; slightly, slightly breathing these (empty) promises of more sun, more warmish afternoons to wrap up the spent summer. It is officially over now, and it's certain the chilly breezes are staying.

Most of the time, fall just feels like I'm bracing myself for the forever that is winter. This year, I've really started to appreciate it, seeing more positives where I didn't think to look for them before.

Negative; Positive instead!
Cold wind; Crisp air
Wearing sleeves; Cute Coats
Football; Football naps and snacks
Walking in the freezing; Being serious about Chicago
End of beach weather; Varying my activities
Music seems more depressing; Books become more intriguing
End of fruit seasons; Cooking feels like a good idea ( as does tea, coffee, hot
chocolate, oatmeal, soup)

I think much of this change in perspective (which is truly significant for me) comes from dating a Michigan man. Not sure how, or why--some mix of good memories and happy horizons, old times and new experiences. This may be one of the first years I've realized that settling in (for the winter) will be good and not intolerable.

Self discovery hour has been very fulfilling! Time for a football nap.

The New Job

So, I started my job! It is waking very early, putting on high shoes, walking, riding, waaaaalking, and ascending. From there I'm not really sure yet. Then walking, then riding, then walking. It feels really good to get home and sit on a couch after all the motion.

I get so hungry without a candy bowl at arm's length. Guess I have to bring lunch now, or something.

Bed at nine thirty? Sounds delicious.

I have a job, this is news!

I have accepted a position as an Associate Financial Representative at Northwestern Mutual downtown. It's basically an assistant to two financial services reps helping them manage their clients and work load, and I'm very excited! I will now take the train from my house, walk through downtown in high heels, and ascend to the 46th floor of a fancy fancy tower (I swear you can't feel the elevator move AT ALL), and walk out onto a marble floor below a giant window with an incredible view. Whaaaaat?

So I'll tell you how it goes!