There's nothing quite like dressing up for Halloween. This year was the first year in my four years since graduation and working at a grown-up job that I haven't dressed up.
October flew by. With two trips to South Carolina, Bryan's trip to New Orleans, my trip to Vietnam and NSU's homecoming, I don't think I've had much time to breathe let alone relax. November is more my month, I think.
November's trips are all local: this weekend, we're in town for the student comedy show. Next weekend, we perform in OKC and teach the following day. The following weekend, we see Colin & Brad in Tulsa (happy birthday, Bryan). The weekend after is Thanksgiving in Florida - wooooooooooo! And then it's over.
December will be my favorite month since half of it is paid holiday from the university. Thank the sweet lord. I could use a break more than any of those losers in the Kit Kat commercials. December 15 is the last day of finals, and I plan to hit the road to South Carolina soon after to celebrate Christmas with my inlaws. I love Christmas and I especially love Christmas with the Buckleys.
And then it's my wedding anniversary. 3 years. I think third year is a car. Right? Riiiiiiiiiiiiiight.
Let's get there. Tomorrow is the start of the good part of 2011.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
And so it goes...
This hasn't been the easiest last two months for me - or for Bryan.
I think I'm finally ready to say it out loud, to write it for real, to put it on my blog.
My mother in law has cancer.
There. I said it. It's back for the second time, and this time, it's the last time. It's metasticized which means it has spread to her liver, her lungs and her spine. She's on too many drugs to count with more appointments that anyone should have and she's in more pain than I'd like even my enemies to experience. I hate it.
I have a lot more to say about this, and I probably will. But not yet. I'm still trying to sort out my thoughts in my head, and my blog is the next place for my thoughts. It always has been, and I think it always will be. For better or for worse, I'm a writer and I'm a performer. I need to write for things to be real, and I need to share in order for it to be real. Real.
I suppose this is all real even if I don't write about it in a public place, but to me, when I reread this post, I will know that it plagued my mind so much that I had to let it out. It is somewhat freeing to dump my thoughts on this blog.
The subtitle of this blog that I wrote on a lonely day in Philadelphia more than two years ago is: The splatter of my own musings and curiosities in blog form. Splatter couldn't be more accurate.
What's been on my mind lately, in splatter form:
How long will I have to spend with my mother in law? A month? A year? Next Christmas? Two years?
Marriage is a crazy thing: a commitment to a completely different human being who is also so much the same. What's wild is that marriage means something different to each crazy pair willing to promise forever to each other.
I need to get out of Oklahoma. I think I've thought this since the moment we moved here, and I tried liking it, and I'm at the point of tolerance, but I just don't like the people, the culture, the town, the place. I'm an East Coast girl, and I have found that to more true now that any other point in my life.
I hope Bryan gets that job at Furman. Oh, did I tell you Furman is hiring exactly the kind of economist Bryan is? And that Furman is 25 minutes from where Bryan's parents live? I'm trying not to get too excited, but I am. I know that probably 100+ applicants will try for the job, but really, Bryan's the perfect guy for it. If you know someone at Furman in the Economics department, GET IT TOUCH WITH ME!
I saw a lot of friends at Ben & Adrienne's wedding this weekend (which was beautiful and made me cry twice), and it was great to be around old friends. History, shared memories, inside jokes, I mean, I love it. I miss it.
Also, Bryan and I got to enjoy our weekend getaway complete with a performance at a coffeeshop that was both tragic (I can't stop thinking about death) and silly (our escape), sleeping on a twin bed with Bryan, making Mom's secret recipe for spaghetti with her supervision, enjoying Disney movies in the basement, hearing stories about Bryan as a child, shopping with Brooke (at a REAL mall) and cleaning a house that wasn't mine. Definitely the best visit to the upstate we've had since hearing the news almost exactly two months ago.
I'm feeling guilty that we're still spending Thanksgiving with my family this year. I try to justify that it's okay because the Buckleys haven't asked us - and they'll have other family coming down. To be honest, I miss my family, and as much of an insensitive bastard as this makes me, I want a weekend family trip without tears and talks of death.
Things are quite crazy right now for me. I'm swamped with work as the application deadline is next Tuesday, my boss is out of town and I'm handling lots more than I normally do, the improv kids have a show next weekend, and I'm still recovering from the little sleep and the sad thoughts of this past weekend.
But I have a good picture to share. Bryan and I had a romantic evening at our dear friends' wedding enjoying wine, dancing and thinking about the day we decided to join lives in our sweet and crazy marriage..
I think I'm finally ready to say it out loud, to write it for real, to put it on my blog.
My mother in law has cancer.
There. I said it. It's back for the second time, and this time, it's the last time. It's metasticized which means it has spread to her liver, her lungs and her spine. She's on too many drugs to count with more appointments that anyone should have and she's in more pain than I'd like even my enemies to experience. I hate it.
I have a lot more to say about this, and I probably will. But not yet. I'm still trying to sort out my thoughts in my head, and my blog is the next place for my thoughts. It always has been, and I think it always will be. For better or for worse, I'm a writer and I'm a performer. I need to write for things to be real, and I need to share in order for it to be real. Real.
I suppose this is all real even if I don't write about it in a public place, but to me, when I reread this post, I will know that it plagued my mind so much that I had to let it out. It is somewhat freeing to dump my thoughts on this blog.
The subtitle of this blog that I wrote on a lonely day in Philadelphia more than two years ago is: The splatter of my own musings and curiosities in blog form. Splatter couldn't be more accurate.
What's been on my mind lately, in splatter form:
How long will I have to spend with my mother in law? A month? A year? Next Christmas? Two years?
Marriage is a crazy thing: a commitment to a completely different human being who is also so much the same. What's wild is that marriage means something different to each crazy pair willing to promise forever to each other.
I need to get out of Oklahoma. I think I've thought this since the moment we moved here, and I tried liking it, and I'm at the point of tolerance, but I just don't like the people, the culture, the town, the place. I'm an East Coast girl, and I have found that to more true now that any other point in my life.
I hope Bryan gets that job at Furman. Oh, did I tell you Furman is hiring exactly the kind of economist Bryan is? And that Furman is 25 minutes from where Bryan's parents live? I'm trying not to get too excited, but I am. I know that probably 100+ applicants will try for the job, but really, Bryan's the perfect guy for it. If you know someone at Furman in the Economics department, GET IT TOUCH WITH ME!
I saw a lot of friends at Ben & Adrienne's wedding this weekend (which was beautiful and made me cry twice), and it was great to be around old friends. History, shared memories, inside jokes, I mean, I love it. I miss it.
Also, Bryan and I got to enjoy our weekend getaway complete with a performance at a coffeeshop that was both tragic (I can't stop thinking about death) and silly (our escape), sleeping on a twin bed with Bryan, making Mom's secret recipe for spaghetti with her supervision, enjoying Disney movies in the basement, hearing stories about Bryan as a child, shopping with Brooke (at a REAL mall) and cleaning a house that wasn't mine. Definitely the best visit to the upstate we've had since hearing the news almost exactly two months ago.
I'm feeling guilty that we're still spending Thanksgiving with my family this year. I try to justify that it's okay because the Buckleys haven't asked us - and they'll have other family coming down. To be honest, I miss my family, and as much of an insensitive bastard as this makes me, I want a weekend family trip without tears and talks of death.
Things are quite crazy right now for me. I'm swamped with work as the application deadline is next Tuesday, my boss is out of town and I'm handling lots more than I normally do, the improv kids have a show next weekend, and I'm still recovering from the little sleep and the sad thoughts of this past weekend.
But I have a good picture to share. Bryan and I had a romantic evening at our dear friends' wedding enjoying wine, dancing and thinking about the day we decided to join lives in our sweet and crazy marriage..
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Comedy Love
There are few other couples that I love more than Ben & Adrienne. Both are hilarious by themselves, but put them together, and you've got a comedy power couple.
I met Adrienne through our English courses, and I met Ben through Mock Turtle Soup. They were both pursuing other people when the idea of them together popped into heads. Ben asked me if Adrienne was seeing anyone, I checked. She wasn't. She wanted to. Ben wanted her. And from that conversation in the UC Chickfila, the rest was history. They had a lovely dating relationship, and I'm so excited for them to be married.
I would bet my marriage on their marriage. They're the cutest, most hilarious and the wedding I'm looking forward to more than any other. Check us out over the years:
The Rapscallion, Clemson, April 2008
Downtown Clemson, June 2008
Frankie's Fun Park, Greenville, September 2008
North Carolina after DSI Shows, November 2008
I met Adrienne through our English courses, and I met Ben through Mock Turtle Soup. They were both pursuing other people when the idea of them together popped into heads. Ben asked me if Adrienne was seeing anyone, I checked. She wasn't. She wanted to. Ben wanted her. And from that conversation in the UC Chickfila, the rest was history. They had a lovely dating relationship, and I'm so excited for them to be married.
I would bet my marriage on their marriage. They're the cutest, most hilarious and the wedding I'm looking forward to more than any other. Check us out over the years:
The Rapscallion, Clemson, April 2008
Downtown Clemson, June 2008Frankie's Fun Park, Greenville, September 2008North Carolina after DSI Shows, November 2008
Clemson Graduation, May 2011
------------------------------------------
I can't wait until I can post pictures of them in wedding attire. You know me and Bryan love to dress up, so we'll look great, but we can't possibly look as great as the Bride and Groom! Here's to my favorite other comedy couple and to a fabulous wedding! I can't wait, Ben and Adrienne!
Monday, October 17, 2011
Busy Me
Look at me, I can be crafty!
I took this old dresser that I bought for $10:
And made it BEAUTIFUL with a coat of primer and two coats of pretty blue and new handles. Viola! A dresser I actually want in my house!
I'm pretty pleased with my ability to make over furniture. It's amazing what a few coats of paint and new handles can do.
I took this old dresser that I bought for $10:
And made it BEAUTIFUL with a coat of primer and two coats of pretty blue and new handles. Viola! A dresser I actually want in my house!
I'm pretty pleased with my ability to make over furniture. It's amazing what a few coats of paint and new handles can do.
A Happy Weekend
This weekend was lovely.
Friday night I hosted the comedy show for the Banditos versus the Pokemonterage. It was quite a success, and the team was hilarious.
On Saturday, we spent the whole day in bed. Slept in late, took naps and did absolutely nothing, we even picked up KFC to eat back at the house. Oh, and I watched Beetle Juice for the first time.
On Sunday, we cleaned the house (for the first time in two months) for the show viewing party. I made some chili, apple pie and chocolate chip cookies (for the kids, man!). Afterwards, Bryan and I enjoyed rewatching Community and whatever else we wanted to.
Today, I ate lunch alone since Bryan's busy with his class and applying to jobs (c'mon c'mon! get me outta here!), and I made myself something delicious AND healthy. I am just craving vegatables like woa, and I might as well "indulge" myself.
Imma be keeping my figure, y'all. Okay, see, I'm doing better! Smiles and tomato soup!
Friday night I hosted the comedy show for the Banditos versus the Pokemonterage. It was quite a success, and the team was hilarious.
On Saturday, we spent the whole day in bed. Slept in late, took naps and did absolutely nothing, we even picked up KFC to eat back at the house. Oh, and I watched Beetle Juice for the first time.
On Sunday, we cleaned the house (for the first time in two months) for the show viewing party. I made some chili, apple pie and chocolate chip cookies (for the kids, man!). Afterwards, Bryan and I enjoyed rewatching Community and whatever else we wanted to.
Today, I ate lunch alone since Bryan's busy with his class and applying to jobs (c'mon c'mon! get me outta here!), and I made myself something delicious AND healthy. I am just craving vegatables like woa, and I might as well "indulge" myself.
Imma be keeping my figure, y'all. Okay, see, I'm doing better! Smiles and tomato soup!
Friday, October 14, 2011
Balance
Okay, that was pretty sad. Apologies, readers.
Here's a ridiculously happy picutre of me.
Taken last weekend after one delicious glass of Greenville red wine as my husband said something hilarious. And/or squeezed me inappropriately. In front of all my comedy frieds.
I am holding on to my two favorites: Bryan and comedy.
Here's a ridiculously happy picutre of me.
Taken last weekend after one delicious glass of Greenville red wine as my husband said something hilarious. And/or squeezed me inappropriately. In front of all my comedy frieds.
I am holding on to my two favorites: Bryan and comedy.
Lady Gaga in the Morning
I dreamt that Bryan died, and I had to drive with his family to Kentucky to bury him. It was the worst dream I'd ever had. For what seemed like an eternity, I lay in a field of flowers that people had sent for his death. I woke up and he was still next to me and started crying.
I had to make chicken dumplings before work today, and I was chopping onions when the onions overcame my face and I started crying. The onion tears turned to real tears. I was crying.
I'm not sure what's happening, but it seems like I need a good cry.
Instead, tonight I'm hosting the comedy improv shows. Oh boy.
I had to make chicken dumplings before work today, and I was chopping onions when the onions overcame my face and I started crying. The onion tears turned to real tears. I was crying.
I'm not sure what's happening, but it seems like I need a good cry.
Instead, tonight I'm hosting the comedy improv shows. Oh boy.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Shove It
People who hate greeting card companies can shove it.
This past weekend, I saw two women dealing with death find joy, real geniune happiness, admiring this year's Hallmark Christmas ornaments. In that moment, both forgot the grief, terror and death which hovers over their lives. In that moment, I cried.
And that's all I want to say about that.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez
Time is flying by faster than I'd like. Last week was a hurricane of work, improv and no sleep. Today has already been a messy, busy day of work.
This past weekend we flew to South Carolina to perform with a bunch of alumni and the current cast of Mock Turtle Soup. It was more fun (and much longer) than I thought it would be. It was weird to be performing in Lee Hall again, but it was great to see the people that I first improvised with.
It was also great to see Bryan's family. We weren't home much, but when we were, it was comforting. I truly wish we were closer to family, especially in times like now. There were some tearful moments and I imagine it won't be the last weekend of its kind.
We return to South Carolina for the wedding of two dear and hilarious friends in a week and a half - and we'll spend four days at home with Bryan's family. We're lucky to be able to make these trips, and I'd have to say if we weren't living in Oklahoma, we wouldn't be able to afford it.
Maybe there is something valuable living in Oklahoma. We are definitely here until May, and we'll see what opportunities Bryan finds this fall in his job search. I wish Furman or UCF was hiring a microeconomist with great research and excellent teaching. Cross your fingers!
If not, maybe we can save all our money for weekend trips elsewhere. It sure was nice being back in Clemson. I missed that place.
One day, we'll be back to the East Coast. One day...
This past weekend we flew to South Carolina to perform with a bunch of alumni and the current cast of Mock Turtle Soup. It was more fun (and much longer) than I thought it would be. It was weird to be performing in Lee Hall again, but it was great to see the people that I first improvised with.
It was also great to see Bryan's family. We weren't home much, but when we were, it was comforting. I truly wish we were closer to family, especially in times like now. There were some tearful moments and I imagine it won't be the last weekend of its kind.
We return to South Carolina for the wedding of two dear and hilarious friends in a week and a half - and we'll spend four days at home with Bryan's family. We're lucky to be able to make these trips, and I'd have to say if we weren't living in Oklahoma, we wouldn't be able to afford it.
Maybe there is something valuable living in Oklahoma. We are definitely here until May, and we'll see what opportunities Bryan finds this fall in his job search. I wish Furman or UCF was hiring a microeconomist with great research and excellent teaching. Cross your fingers!
If not, maybe we can save all our money for weekend trips elsewhere. It sure was nice being back in Clemson. I missed that place.
One day, we'll be back to the East Coast. One day...
Monday, October 3, 2011
I'm baaaaaaaaaaaack.
I had a great time in Vietnam.
I tried new foods that were very different.
I tried new foods that reminded me of home.
I recruited students.
Students loved NSU.
I saw beautiful people.
I saw beautiful sights.
I brought great news back to my boss and to the university president. The President calls me NSU's gem. I'll take that and a Dr. Pepper please.
I tried new foods that were very different.
I tried new foods that reminded me of home.
I recruited students.
Students loved NSU.
I saw beautiful people.
I saw beautiful sights.
I brought great news back to my boss and to the university president. The President calls me NSU's gem. I'll take that and a Dr. Pepper please.
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