It seems as though a more reasonable expectation for frequency of blog updates is now once a month. I think that's okay, because if I think of something really important to say, I'll do that, either in emails to friends at home or phone conversations with my family. I even write things down in my day-to-day to-do list, although that's been off for a few weeks now, as I've been so busy. But busy is really good; I definitely prefer it to any alternative, a reality which has been the defining feature of my adult life. Perhaps my adolescent life too.
To cover all the bases: Work, school, life. I was promoted in November to AGM at my tea shop, which has been nice. The money is sorted out, more or less, and it is really quite fun being in such a high volume store over the holidays. It's multifaceted, of course; for every really great customer picking out some lovely gift, there's someone demanding, standoffish, and difficult to connect with. But that's the gig. Black Friday has come and gone, and it was spectacularly busy. I like working the full time hours, although now I have a callus from wafting tea, and my legs/back/neck perpetually hurt after each shift, but it's kinda a good hurt, like being good and tired, rather than just being tired. The tired of accomplishment, I guess.
My eyes have the similar sort of tired going on from my classes. My biology class is officially over, as I presented my research topic the day before Thanksgiving. I handed in my final paper on the same topic, epiphytic lichens and bryophytes, the Saturday after Black Friday. Shortly after, I presented my final paper topic for my archives art history class. I've gotten so much out of that class, and feel blessed to have taken it, especially considering I didn't have the forethought / good judgment to make it my initial choice. I've been doing research on photographic documentation of ephemeral and/or site-specific art for weeks now, and my research paper is due during the second half of this week. I am excited to finish it, and to have two full days off in a row (Monday Tuesday) to devote to writing up my notes. After that paper submission, I'll be done for the semester. It's a strange thought, my first semester of graduate school completed. I've already registered for next semester, and I'll be taking a class about psychological perspectives on art, an anthropology course about ethnography of the image, and a history of photography art history course. I'm so excited, although I also know it'll be a ton of work. The good type of overload.
I'm heading back to the East Coast for a week at the end of December, and then again in January for two weeks; my first trip home is for the holiday, a much needed trip to see my folks and sister and friends. I'll head back to Portland for a few days around the new year, then I'll fly back out to Atlanta for corporate training for my gig. I'll be there two full weeks, which will be very strange. It's a trip I've heard about for years now; so many coworkers/friends have gone through it, and now it's my turn. It feels odd.
I've been really luck to have lots to do around the city with friends this past month. A particular highlight was my trip to Pix Patisserie (the one in SE), where I indulged in some of the most delicious macarons and hot chocolate. I've also finally made it out to Hawthorne, where hip Portland is, and spent some time bar-hopping downtown, even ending up at this great little speakeasy with a creperie as a front. I am loving this city, and only hope that I'll find time and friends to do more outdoorsy things once the weather is nice again. Speaking of the weather, while it is now actually raining daily for weeks at a time, I prefer it so so much to the Providence winter blasts and sleety, wet, gray snow. For example, today it was in the mid-fifties. Amazing. Balmy even.
Which hasn't stopped me from decorating with snow-themed Christmas decorations. As I'm so looking forward to going home for the holidays (even though I'm flying out on Christmas Eve, god help me), I think the Christmas spirit has gotten me even more than usual. Here are a few pics from the homestead.
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