Realization

I take online classes. At work I am on the computer most of the time.  When I do grad assistant work, it's all on the computer.  Therefore, when I get home, the computer is kind of the last thing I want to mess with.  Especially because my laptop is so big that it's really unwieldy to use anywhere but at a table and it's heavier than I want to transport.  Don't get me wrong.  It's a Mac, so it's not THAT unwieldy.  But I bought a 15", when my old one was a 13" (but I didn't realize that it was a 13") so it's a lot bigger and heavier than I was expecting.  And I wasn't exactly sure about sending it back although I really should have investigated because that was basically a goodbye to $2,000.  Although I use it as my primary computer, so it really works out in the end.  

But today, today I am playing with Zach's Chromebook while he's still asleep.  I am stretched out regally on the couch, under my quilt, and have goofed on the computer more this morning than I have in ages.  It's super convenient.  I honestly think I am going to take him up in his offer to buy me one for Valentine's Day and Anniversary.  This, of course, means getting him a couple of replica jerseys as a fair trade.  But that's OK because I am loving the portability of this Chromebook!  Loving it.  And it's not even a Mac product.  But if it were, it would probably be too expensive, so I wouldn't be thinking about getting one.  Though I do want it to be known that I am a Mac snob and I am not sorry.

This is why I don't usually post while I am drinking my coffee.  I wait until I've evened out a bit.  I like to avoid scaring people with a caffeine-rushed paragraphs that probably only makes sense to me.  (smile and nod, readers, smile and nod)

A lot has been going on lately!

I started working again on Monday.  I think I am only going to be doing a few partial days per week, which I think I can totally manage and keep my sanity.  I've also been told that the outlook is good for me getting to continue working after I finish this project.  Not that I've had low self-esteem, but hearing that someone believes in me and likes my work and wants to keep me around when they totally don't have to makes me feel really good.

I started classes this week too.  I am still in the optimistic "I'm not going to screw around this semester; I will keep up on and do all of my readings!  And even take notes on the readings!" phase.  I hope this phase lasts a few weeks at least.  I'd like to feel like I got something out of my classes, which is a feeling I did not experience last semester.  I am taking an in-person archives class, which I think I am going to like.  Which is good because it's being taught by my adviser who teaches the other archives classes that I'll be taking as I finish this degree.

I recently acquired a couple of books that I am really excited about.  I bought Camille by Alexandre Dumas fils because I am going to the ballet based on it in a couple of weeks and because it's the story Moulin Rouge is based on.  Plus it's short, so I have high hopes of finishing.  I also bought Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak, which the more I hear about it, the more I want to read it soon.  And Pevear and Volohonsky translated it, so I am really happy because I loved their Anna K.

My papa is having back surgery on Tuesday.  I am definitely going to be on hand to help with whatever, mainly making sure my grandma gets to and from the hospital safely while he's there.  But I decided on which two books I am bringing, so at least I won't be stressing about that while I'm running around getting everything ready to go.  They are Doctor Zhivago and Thomas Jefferson:  The Art of Power by Jon Meacham.  I'll also have to find time to get my assignments done for school.  But I'll make it work.

ALSO!  Some friends sent me a late Christmas present that included the beautiful hard-backed volume of four Hemingway novels from Barnes and Noble.  You have no idea how much I've eyed this book and seriously considered buying it.  Plus, I think it's interesting that I have been thinking about wanting to do a Hemingway reading project, but decided I couldn't because all of his early novels are at my parents' house, then this shows up.  It's like the reading gods are telling me to go for it.

Anyway, I guess this was basically a "please don't give up on me" post.  I am around.  I want to be around more.  Because I really do feel something from writing this blog and interacting with people, even if I've never actually met you in person.  As corny as it sounds, I feel a stronger connection to some of you than I do to people I know in real life.  I think this is because we have similar interests and are able to talk about things on a pretty deep level, but are also able to be silly and have a good time.