Post-Weekend Expressionism. The Good Deliriousness.

My apartment is a disaster.

Throat. Is. On. Fi-YAH.

So much reading to do.

Aaand there's a sizable blister on my right foot caused by, what my dear friend Becky W., refers to as "inappropriate shoes choices."

Gawsh. But did I have a good weekend!

Aside from the fact that I'm pretending 6am tomorrow morning actually won't happen (aren't we due for an Apocalypse? - that'd be nice if the 4 Horsemen at least did a practice run long enough to let me sleep another hour), I just decided I'd check in and let you all know that I'm brimming with a happy disposition. For many reasons. Reasons too whimsical, complicated, and/or boring to the average reader and I'll spare you from reading here. But lunch dates to dramatically philosophize the details over fancy sandwiches with festive toothpicks... those are always appropriate and welcome.

I love people so much! How wonderful to be constantly surprised that even the most gifted, talented, endowed, blessedly attractive, or fortunately financially secured folks put their underpants on JUST the same as anyone else. (Even if they're not from the Target sale rack like mine are.)

I can't get enough of this song. Just because, I think you all should take 3:39min to close your eyes and sway to the amazing voices of these girls.

"Marvelous Things"

"Morning light will burst bright!

And keep us here... safely."

I dedicate this to the marvelous people who remind me every day that humanity, at the heart, is not wicked or violent. But rather, it's simple, hilarious, spontaneous, challenging, uplifting, awkward, full of surprises, full of hugs, and delicious. I'm lucky to be in the company of so many who not only display daily the essence of a good-hearted world, but I see myself growing into a a place of silver-lined perspectives.

In other words, my friends keep the good karma rolling. You should feel lucky, too. :)

**

2011 Insisted We "Chill Out" a Little While Longer.

I know what you're thinking:

"A 2nd post by Celia published in a reasonable amount of time? What gives?"

THIS, my friends:

And, no, THIS is not normal. Most threats of impending, snowy doom strike fear in the hearts of many South Carolinians; and by the time schools and government offices are delayed/cancelled and the city emergency service vehicles are brought out, the "doom" ends up being a dusting of chilly, powdery fluff - and if it actually sticks, it melts to a mushy pile of slop by noon and is gone by the next day.

NOT SO, this time! I've literally been trapped in my apartment because my car is buried under about 4" of snow and what did have a chance to melt only refroze overnight (with temps only topping out at 36 this afternoon - ugh!). The first day of spring semester classes was cancelled yesterday, and the muck and yuck across the area is still pretty frightful this morning.... and here I am, Snow Day #2, soaking up the chance to work on things in my PJs with a hot cup of coffee and a snuggly pup on my lap.

And all the while, I feel guilty about thoroughly enjoying the delay in restarting the school year. I'm just not ready to dive in head-first. Though I used my snow day effectively and actually got as much done as I could under the circumstances, I'm terrified of the fact that I'll be paying for it dearly once the sun does come out and there are no more excuses. The guilt and fear are enough to keep me trudging forward as best as I can; and at this point, I'll take any motivators I can get.

The much needed quiet and solitude of the last 24hrs has given me a chance to assess what I've learned in 2010 and what 2011 needs to be more about. Again, I don't "resolute" - rather, I embrace opportunities for fresh starts and give it a-go. It takes an average of 3 weeks to develop a new habit and stick to it; I'd much prefer doing one or two things at a time with 100% effort than try a collection of "good ideas" and half-ass it. Last I checked, we have until our last day on God's green earth to try and be a better person.

I've got a big semester coming up. Lots of grad assistant projects, full-time graduate course load, internship research and final end-of-the-semester proposal, researching and applying for summer opportunities, hopefully running at least 2 5K's, teaching group fitness classes and seeking further certifications, keeping up with lots of photo projects, participating in outside outreach and community projects, and helping John prepare for the "real world" as he completes his final semester of law school.

But you know what? It's all good. :)

In the end, the impromptu break has left me feeling eager and ancy to actually get started versus anxious and discombobulated. I reached a new understanding of my limitations last semester, and I'm content working within what makes me happy (and functional) and around the people who make life a little bit easier.

To whatever forces were working in the last 48hrs... thank you.

2 to the 0 to the Double 1-1. This New Year Has Certainly Begun. WORD.

I recently posted a Facebook status to the effect of:

"First dilemma of 2011: Use what's left of Christmas moolah to buy much needed groceries or much discounted hipster boots? Coffee and pickles is an appropriate diet, yes?"

To which I got multiple responses in favor of boots. So much for eating healthier in 2011. In the end, the groceries won out; but it wasn't that I was scared of starving to death. In reality, I'd probably die from killing myself if I had to eat another bag of popcorn or spoonful of peanut butter that was leftover from God knows when...

The point of the story is that, indeed, I am back after being gone for nearly three weeks and taking a few much needed days to prepare myself for the spring semester. (Sorry for NO posting over the break... my ambitions were in perpetual hibernation, and I felt it necessary to let them stay nestled in the caves of my well-being.) I'm taking full advantage of settling in and gearing up for the pain of Monday morning (literally - I've been woefully negligent of my fitness training the last few weeks and I've been assigned a 7am Monday shift... OIY). I'm pretty thrilled I survived my first semester of grad school. If there's one thing I learned it is that I, the great and powerful Oz, actually can bite off more than I can chew. I pushed my own limits more than normal and not in a good way; I feel pretty fortunate I came out as successfully as I did. I passed two fitness certifications, came away with a whopping 4.0, and met some of the goals I developed with my grad assistantship (aka, being good enough to stick around for another semester to continue). Sure enough, my first day completely off with no obligations - I slept 12 hours straight. I haven't done that since 1986.

Still, I'm a little scarred from my overall overwhelming experience that was last semester... and the anxiety of starting it all over again in a few days SCARES THE DOO-DOO OUT OF ME. I'm not ready for the stress ahead, partially because I can't afford to self-medicate with my beloved Pinot Nior after blowing so much moolah on Christmas gifts AND starting off 2011 in the hole with nearly $300 in textbooks to buy. BLUUGH.

Anywho, here's where I normally begin the spout-off of my highly anticipated New Years Resolutions (*spolier = I don't believe in them). I've decided to save that for later post, and instead thought I'd give you a mini-sampling of my Holiday Hooplah 2010 (with pictures!). Surprisingly, I had a really festive, wonderful Christmas break. It's the first time in a long time I've been "in the spirit" and everybody else seemed to be, too. I also scored some awesome loot (and I thought I was a pretty saaa-weet! gift-giver myself), which, let's face it - is totally part of the "holidaze."

My break kicked off with a visit to the NC coast with my ol' pal, Tracy. She recently moved up that way after marrying her Marine and getting stationed at Camp Lejeune. Knowing the rough semester I had (she a recent grad-grad herself) invited me to stay at their beach-front hizzy to decompress. With the Mister away at training, it was a ladies week of deeeestressin'.

A week of lots of good eating, foreign films, lazy mornings woken up to waves lapping on the beach versus a screeching alarm, dolphin sitings, online Christmas shopping in my jammies (which I didn't really consider getting out of until 2pm or so), and general catching up on life and girl talk... oh, it was lovely. And the wine... I forgot to mention the wine...

Part deux found me with moving along to John's folks' place, and that brought back memories of the happy holiday family chaos of my golden youth. There, nothing totally eventful happened - and it's JUST the way I like it. There was a lot of family catch-up and festive gatherings (and more food and lots more booze), and I'm really lucky to have had my "other" family invite me to be a part of it all.

John and I at the Christmas Eve dinner. :)

My gift from him? A stinkin' sweet 50mm lens I've been lusting after for months! Had a really splendid time playing with it, and now I can't wait to really put it to use.

And dig this!:

It snowed! In South Carolina! I know this is where my inner tree-hugger should be screaming something about climate change - but I was actually so excited and it fell so beautifully, I didn't care. It came the day after Christmas, which was a perfect excuse to sit around and eat (and driiiink...) and watch movies and play games with no thought of the stuff I should be doing.

And after that, I spent the last week with my crazy family for the New Year. No sparkly dresses, no champagne at midnight, and no drunken renditions of Auld Lange... whatever. Super low-key with my honey-poo and lil sister, a bottle of white zinfandel, and watching the ball drop with Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest while Ke$ha announces her new year's resolution is to (and I legitimately quote), "Not be a douchebag." Here, here.

And that's... really it. To be honest, it's now all kind of a blur as I sit here surrounded by dirty laundry and a fresh batch of to-do lists. I'm hoping the next few days move reeeeeally sloooowly to give me a chance to run ahead.

Stick around. 2011 is sure to have some "postable" moments. :)