sleeping on it

How true these words are. I've spent many up-in-the-middle-of-the-night hours lately worrying about cars and money and jobs and school. Three am has often found me sitting at my desk, working and re-working budgets, reviewing syllabi's, calculating down and monthly payments for a new car, making lists of lists that need to be made. See, things have been a bit chaotic and I've not been able to organize, categorize, and easily reference everything that's been going on. I thrive on multi-tasking and having a lot to do, but only when I can neatly compartmentalize everything. Lately that skill has been eluding me.

It's not helping that things are changing so quickly. In the past five days I've bought a new car, switched over to a BlackBerry (and if you think that isn't a big move...try it), received a promotion, lost an education grant, colored and cut my hair, freaked out over money and had unpleasant and unwelcome encounter from a boy from my past.

It's not all bad. But it's not all good, either. That's just the way life goes. You roll with whatever comes your way and work your tail off to make everything work. That's not a new concept for me.

And all those sleepless nights? Well, everything is better in the morning. Maybe not okay, but definitely more manageable and less panic-inducing.

And somedays that's all we can hope for.

The post of randomness:

• First, I must say I really liked Letters to Juliet. A total chick flick and a bit trite at times, but I will buy it when it's released on DVD and watch it over and over. Remember my post about noticing the little details in movies (sets, props, etc.)? No different here. I'm in love with Sophie's green leather make-up bag and the dress she wore in the end scene. Of course I now want to move to Verona and be one of Juliet's secretaries.


• Apparently I had a "find love in Europe" weekend, because I also watched My Life in Ruins. Loved it; absolutely funny and charming. And I absolutely adore Nia Vardalos' wardrobe. Oh my, those dresses!


• I'm reading Angelology and must admit I'm a little disappointed. I had such high hopes for this novel but it's not living up to my expectations.


• Booked a room at the Coronado Island Marriott Resort and Spa for my birthday weekend. I simply cannot wait to visit with friends, tour the USS Midway, visit SeaWorld, enjoy a champagne brunch on San Diego Harbor, and ultimately lie on the beach and enjoy the sun.

I think that's enough randomness for today.

i will fall in love in Rome

Take the quiz here.

Oh, and Nik...that sounds fantastic to me!

Letters to Juliet

(And other things Italian.)

It's no secret that one of my heart's desires is to travel to Italy. Extensively. Possibly even live there. I devour books set in that old world country (The Last Promise is a favorite). I watch the movies (Only You, Under the Tuscan Sun, etc.). I've even gone so far as to daydream about studying abroad next summer in Florence. And don't get me started on Angels and Demons, the Vatican (check out 1928's amazing Vatican Library collection) and the Catholic church.

That being said, of course I will be seeing Letters to Juliet this weekend. I'm actually planning a full day: visiting FOUND and Domestic Bliss (which, incidentally, has a line of bedding that I covet above all other bedding- Bella Notte...huh...that's Italian, right?), a salad at Costa Vida, and seeing the movie.

The research junkie in me discovered that there is such an organization as The Juliet Club and they do indeed respond to letters sent to Juliet in Verona. How incredibly cool would that be? I mapped it out and Verona is only three hours from Florence...it will definitely be on my list if I end up studying abroad next summer.

And there's even a book on Amazon that touches upon Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers, The Juliet Club, and the city of Verona. I'll let you know how it is. :)

There you have it, my oddly obsessive ode to a movie I've not yet seen. Odd.

Shift

Sometimes in life you need a little shift. Sometimes life sees fit to shift for you. Both are true in my life at this point.

1. Losing weight. I started the HCG diet in April and, despite some cheating and a lot of stress, I've managed to lose 15 pounds. It feels good; empowering. I'm taking control of a problem that has always been there (and probably always will be) and simply dealing with it head-on. The program is incredibly hard and restrictive, but I'm seeing results and that's what matters.
2. Library school. I'm not quite sure just where to start with this one. Being a librarian was my path; I was sure of it. But now my faith in that decision is wavering. I've withdrawn from volunteering at the library (long story short, I was wasting my time, not learning anything, and dreading each day I went) and am questioning if I want to pursue a library degree any longer. Simply put, I'm trying to decide what I want to be when I grow up. And I haven't a clue. So much of what I want (to be a wife, a mother, live in the country, take care of my family) seems to depend on other people.
3. Friends and family. This one is tough. I have several amazing friends whom I treasure and adore. However, they are all married except for two. Of those two, one has recently relocated to LA and the other will be relocating to San Diego the end of the month. And that leaves me here, on my own, in a world full of married people. That's hard. I need to "broaden my horizons" but I've been in this groove for so long I'm not sure how to do that and still keep my sanity.

Not entirely Earth-shaking shifts, I understand. But in my world, they are pretty big...and I'm learning to deal with them.