Looks like I get to keep my job..

Thank goodness!

I also spoke to my Uncle David about securing a loan for the rest of the rent I owe ($750). Mom was frustrated that I didn't ask for another $900 in order to pay back my godmother for the loan I got from HER. I understand and appreciate consolidating, but I'm not at all the type to ask for more than I immediately NEED, and since I'm paying it all back anyway, sending it off to two separate people or just one isn't really the battle I'm going to pick.

To my Mom it's a personal thing--she doesn't like that I got a loan from my godmother at all, and she feels that as Kathleen's close friend, it's her responsibility to get her money back first. Which I totally get, and in an ideal world, I agree. But it seems sort of weird to repay one loan with another. I don't know. Maybe I just didn't feel comfortable asking for almost $2000 from an uncle I'm not even that close to. But he was more than willing to help (Thank God), and we're on our way.

And actually, $750 is the number right now--I have another month to come up with whatever I can give my landlady before the lease is up, and I could be down to $500 by then! (Wishful thinking...) We'll see.

Today is a full day--thankfully I don't have class tonight, and can concentrate on doing work and going to bed early. WHEW.

Hope you're all well and caught up with whatever you're up to!

-A.

Whew.

Things have been much better since spilling the truth to Mom, but I'm still nervous about my meeting with Lonnie tomorrow--wish me luck!

In other news, I went to NYC yesterday for a class and walked through 15 galleries, thirteen of which were filled with shitty art. (UGH.) I really like New York (too bad John doesn't--too busy for him), and I wish I could have spent the day doing what I wanted rather than hiking through Chelsea in the chill.

I spent the first half of the day giving tours at the MICA Open House, which was fun, but TIRING, and now John and I are about to have dinner. Sorry to dash!

Hope you're all well!

-A.

Feeling much better. :) And, Why I Love Brian, Part 23

I was right on the PMS front--it just magnified the fears/stresses/emotions, just way more severely than I was used to. I motivated and had a morning walk in the sunshine and immediately felt much better. :)

Lauren and I also had a nice long phone conversation and got to catch up, which is always great :D I love laughing with Lauren.

I grabbed coffee with Mike Waz as well and heard about his wedding plans thus far, which makes me even more excited for when I get to make mine. :P

Just wanted to update that I'm mostly back to normal before my Skype date with John! :D Yay!

Love you all,

A.

P.S. And to lighten the mood further:

Brian: If Katy Perry doesn't jump out of my cake tomorrow, I'm gonna be seriously miffed.

An Actual Report.

My last entry was more of a rant, so here's a real update of how my time at John's was:

-Hung out with Brian and finally got to Pete and Elda's, a yummy (and POPULAR) pizza place near the beach.

-Hung out with Marie at the West Side Tavern and sang KARAOKE: 'Since U Been Gone' and 'Somebody to Love'. I rocked it out.

-Visited St. Rose, where John went to high school, with Brian, Dave, and another former classmate, Alicia; then we met up with Sharon (who went to St. Rose) and her boyfriend Pat, and grabbed dinner at a diner nearby and went to Sharon's for Pictionary, Finish Lines, and Disney Trivia. Aw, yeah.

The bottom line is, I'm really, really happy. I've never felt this great about being with another person. I just get really scared of things sometimes--tears-and-panicky-scared: jobs, money, "The Real World"--but I feel so much more secure knowing John is going to be there, right with me. Whew. Thank you, God.

In other news, school has started again! I had my first two classes today, one (a portrait class) which I dropped due to expenses (a skull and paper are expensive!), but I replaced it with a Professional Development course that fits in the same slot and fulfills the same studio requirement, but is only 2.5 hours per week. YES. I'm also taking Life Styles with Dan Krall, who is awesome. I took Narrative Illustration with him sophomore year and I can easily isolate that time as the period I grew the most. He was encouraging and helpful, and tough, and I'm looking forward to working my butt off again for him. :P

More soon,

Love,

A.

WOOOOOO!!!!!!

I got Anna! John got Larry! We were both cast! I'm so EXCITED!!!!!

The girl I expected to get Alice didn't, which was surprising, but what are you gonna do. The girl they did cast, Kristin, wasn't bad, just needs toning down (and she's taller than me, which is unusual casting). But our Dan, Harrison, got it! :D

The show is running November 13 and 14. I'm so thrilled! Wish us luck!

In other news, John met my mom and godparents this weekend--it went awesomely well, and it's just been an amazing week. I'll update ASAP with more detail, but I have homework to do!

Love, love, love!

-A.

P.S. Did you guys see Gossip Girl tonight?! Blair and Chuck=perfection.

I know this will come as a bit of a shock, but...

I took the 'leap' I indicated to in the last post, and I decided to give dating John a try.

I realized that I need to stop being afraid and stop predicting and trying to control how and what everything will be. I listened to my gut for awhile, and then I listened to my head, and neither worked--the only thing I hadn't done was TRY. So here I go! This isn't a changed mind, but a changed attitude. It's working out pretty well so far, and I'm happy. Nervous, but pleased.

I don't want to beat the horse dead, or start over-thinking, so I'm going to let today be the day I tire out the subject of my thoughts and decisions--I'll start fresh tomorrow. I'm optimistic.

:)

Thank you all for your support and help! More soon.

Love,

-A.

P.S. Is it bad that we've already started plotting how to tell his ex? :P

Last year in Game 5, I was certain:

"That Fleury is a God among men.

That Malone is a warrior.

That Sykora is a psychic.

That Gonchar is a beast.

That Hossa is a magnet.

That Talbot is a catalyst.

That Malkin is Fort Knox.

That Therrien is a cuddlebear. :P

That the Pens are kicking ass and taking names."

This year, the Penguins are without Hossa (abandoned us for the Red Wings >:( ), Malone (traded D:), and Therrien (replaced as coach), and unfortunately, most of those other players listed didn't really do much tonight.

BUT, The first and last lines still apply (FLOWER POWER), and we can now add these:

That Scuderi is a brick wall.

That TK is a winner of hearts.

That Staal saves the day.

That Bylsma knew something we didn't. (Sid played so little tonight, it was like he was saving him for Game 7!)

Now it's Pens in 7. Let's make it Pens WIN 7!

Love you all,

-A.

P.S. Why I Love Bess:

Me: Why are all of the Red Wings gingers?
Bess: CUZ THEY SUCK.

(after Fleury's puck rescue off-the-post)
Me: DID YOU SEE FLEURY'S ADORABLE SHEEPISH SMILE?
Bess: FLOWER FLOWER FLOWER! I am taping the game and will be rewinding to watch that fifty times...ala Gossip Girl style. (We rewind and rewatch the romantic parts of GG. :D)

(after TK's amazing goal--to preface, we have a joke about TK, who dated a high school friend of mine and she dumped him. We joke that if he does well in a game, she'll get back together with him. Our chant whenever he gets the puck is "DO IT FOR BRITTNEY!" To the point:)
Me: BRITTNEY WILL BE WAITING IN THE LOCKER ROOM, READY TO RECONCILE.
Bess: *puts it up as her status*
Brittney: Do you think you could tell Bess Ruzich to take down her status? I don't need any more rumors starting.
Me: WHOOPS.

:D

The Ounce of Relief.

My luggage arrived sometime in the last two hours. THANK THE LORD.

I really appreciate all your support! I've been pretty much freaking out for the last thirty hours or so, and the words of encouragement mean everything. I love you guys!

I'm SUPPOSED to go on this mandatory tour of the monuments at 3 this afternoon, but I'm so tired (I barely slept last night) that I'd rather just sit at home and unpack and relax for a little while. It's not like they're taking roll on the tour or anything. My personal wellbeing is more important to me at this point then the monuments I will undoubtedly see over my FOUR MONTHS in the city.

I'm still feeling overwhelmed, but I'm THRILLED that my luggage is here, which I'm sure will make a marked difference day-to-day.

There's a bookstore open 'til midnight around here, with free wireless, which will lend itself better to the Eastern Time Zone! Emily, I'd love to talk Sunday. Would morning or evening be better?

Alright, I should take my luggage home and unpack. I love you guys dearly, and I really miss you. I can't wait until March so I can see some of you! (Or at least Em--Drea, any news on a trip?)

Muah!

-A.