Okay, the public flogging can begin now. I haven't posted for 3 weeks, but for good reason. I've been livin it up, summer of fun and all! Noreen and I have been living like socialites, think Paris Hilton without the money, sex tape, bad album, or jail time...OK so we're just unemployed ne'er-do-wells. Either way, it's been a busy and fun 3 weeks.
First off, we got a lot of little things accomplished, cleaning the house, purging unneeded items and clutter, organizing, government/life paperwork stuff. It really feels great to have gotten this done. You know, arranging your physical world so that you can focus and run on all cylinders mentally. It has been like Spring Cleaning, except to a whole new level. We've both gotten new clothes as well, not a whole new wardrobe mind you, loans don't go that far. But enough so that we're not perpetually stuck in late 90's to early 00's fashion for the next few years. Of course, we're gettin er done in anitcipation of neglecting all of this for a very long time with our upcoming extremely busy schedules. So, another clean up may be required in another 10 months or so, we'll see.
But, it hasn't been all mundane Home and Garden TV activities. We have been all over the place! I already posted about our debaucherous sojourn to New York City. We followed that up with a slothful, lazy stay in Pennsylvania at my parents house. We surprised my father for his birthday which was pretty fun. We had some great food and conversation with my parents. Oh yeah, they have a pool and man was it nice to make use of that again! It was particularly enjoyable because it was right in the middle of that heat wave. Even the dogs loved it. Bingo would ship off on a raft and derangedly attempt to bite and drink all of the water in the pool. Maddie either ran around the pool trying to herd everyone, or she'd be in the pool leisurely doing laps. They were a hoot and a great source of entertatinment the whole time. We also toured some local vineyard/wineries in the area. That was fun, and we picked up a couple enjoyable, local bottles.
Then we went to Po-town, Poughkeepsie for you civilians. We got to go on a run with Noreen's Dad and Sister. I thought that was pretty cool because Noreen got to run with her Dad for the first time. See, Noreen has just started jogging(and is doing great with it) and running has been a very important part of Dad's life for a while now, so it was nice that they could share that. Also, we got to see Kelly's sister's new baby(lots of hair and adorable), as well as spend some time with Kelly and Clint. And if that wasn't enough, we met Noreen's Mom's new kitten, Emma. She's freakin calendar cute, and feisty. Then we took care of BS driver's license issues the next day and got on the road back to Boston.
At home, we've been doing the afore-mentioned life-cleanse, as well as singing live karaoke(with a live band, it's pretty rock star-tastic), candle pin bownling, eating out, continuing with the running, hanging out with the dogs, doing pre-school year things, relaxing, reading, going to movies, and such. And, tonight, we go to see the Indigo Girls in concert at the South Shore Music Tent. Saying that Noreen is exctied would be a gross understatement, she's flippin her lid. I've got to say that I'm pretty stoked as well. Now, my fanaticism cannot reach the heighths of a woman who came of age in the late 90's, but I do like their music quite a bit. And, I hear they are just superb and electrifying in concert. Also, this is the last big event before...duh...duh...duuuuuuuh...School starts! We obviously want to have a good time.
Actually, Noreen has orientation at this exact moment, and she continues that as well as some professional development days all next week. I begin the fun whirlwind of registration, community service activities, mini-classes, BBQ's, lectures, and glad-handing socials that is law school orientation next Wednesday. I really don't comprehend the whole social thing. Well, let me rephrase, I get it, I get that you really won't have time to meet people once the maelstrom ensues and that you need to form these connections to start study groups and know your classmates. I should say that it's foreign to me. Obviously, I need to get used to it because these things will continue my entire career to one degree of formality or the other. But, check this out, I have a party being thrown by members of my class on Tues. afternoon, an evening social following our community volunteering day on wed, a mini-social for my class section on thurs afternoon, another evening social on thurs night, a meet-and-greet for older law students who are coming in from the workforce instead of unergrad on fri afternoon, and finally a grand social for the whole law school on fri night. That's a hell of a lot of socializing! I better bring my smile and A game. I'm trying to decide if I should have some annecdotes ready to be on with in every situation or to just wing it. The former sounds a bit smarmy, but I know I'm going to end up answering the same questions over and over, saying the same things about myself over and over. It's enough to send a guy looking for a Xanax prescription, Dad? Just kidding, I'll drink a lot of water and make sure I don't lose my voice. Then after that, both Noreen and I begin classes on the 4th.
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit nervous, but I've covered that here before. I would also be lying if I said I was freaking out. I've almost getting anxious about the fact that I'm not more nervous. Ah, the gift of being over-analytic. Surely, this won't be an easy process, but I feel a couple of things that make me know it will be OK. First and foremost, Noreen and I have a very strong relationship, will this year test that...how can it not? But, we communicate very well, we love eachother deeply, and we work well together at solving problems whether they be BS life machinations or emotional-relationship issues. Next, we're both hard workers and very intelligent, so we'll make it through all the work we'll have. Additionally, we both tend to thrive under pressure, myself especially. Now, this is more pressure than either of us have dealt with before, but the hotter the fire, the stronger the steel.
On a more sad note, Noreen and I have stopped volunteering. I have to, there is no way that I can keep the commitment that those children deserve with my schedule and workload. So, I made my departure this week. Noreen has taken a leave of absence until her schedule settles itself out, and she can be confident in her ability to keep the commitment, having to write a thesis and work full time may be a little consuming. I can't speak directly for Noreen, but I know I'm going to miss it a lot, as I'm sure she will. As documented here, I learned a lot about myself and many other things playing with those children for 2 hours a week. And while it may have been a pain sometimes, really what kind of sacrifice was I making, maybe 3.5 hours with travel time once a week. It's nothing, nothing at all really that means a hell of a lot to those boys and girls, and to me. To see a smiling face peeking out the front window in anticipation of your arrival, to have them teach you a new boardgame or song, to watch a child finally "get it," or learn how to share and be polite under your direction, that's pretty amazing. I have to thank Horizons for Homeless Children and the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence for giving me the gift of that experience. I also want to give some serious applauds to the staff at both organizations who do a grueling job to accomplish some amazing work for not much money. Lastly, if you've been reading this over time or just found it, I encourage you to volunteer for anything. Even if it's just to help a neighbor in a non-formal setting, volunteer. It's very easy in this world of personal cell phones, computer consoles, cars, and television to get engrossed in the self and the individual. But, we are a social animal and their are communities out there, by tapping into those communities, you make the world and yourself better.
Ok, enough of my soap box. I don't really know how often I'll be able to update this, but I'll try. That's why this post has been so long. Have a good one.
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