Monday, June 28, 2010

I'm so tired of boxes and bags!

Last night, Jordan and I made another trip over to my parents' house to get some more of my stuff. I think this time I really do have almost all of it, at least the things that were in my room. The place is looking pretty good, but we really can't start decorating and playing designer much until I get the rest of my things put away. At this point, it's mostly clothes, which isn't too bad. I've got a big box of old mail and bank statements and papers from high school that I'm not sure what to do with.

Our two beautiful bookshelves (courtesy of our priest, Father Paul and family) are looking pleasantly full of books, although a couple of the shelves need some slight repair.

Later today I have a promising job interview lined up. I'm beginning to get a little stir crazy just hanging around the apartment all day, plus we'd like to have more money. Wish me luck!

Monday, June 21, 2010

Operation Move-In has commenced!

Well, we're already sort of moved in. And by that I mean, we're living in our new place, but a lot of my stuff is still awaiting either organization or storage at my parents' house, and our living room is still full of half-empty boxes of gifts that we haven't known what to do with yet. Today, Jordan and I stopped by Lowe's and got some dry wall anchors so we can start hanging stuff up and making this place look a little more put-together. Right now, he and his brother have gone to his grandparents' house to get a drill, which we didn't think we'd need since the anchors are labeled "self-drilling", but apparently we do.

I really like our little apartment. It's just the right size, we have a nice view off of our porch, and there's even a fireplace, something rare to find in a downstairs apartment. At first we were really excited about that fireplace, but it's actually turned into a bit of a hassle. Because of where the TV and router plug in, it's most convenient to have the TV in a particular spot - on the opposite side of the room as the fireplace - which basically means that we can either arrange the furniture to highlight the television, or the fireplace. Jordan's parents very generously gave us a couch and matching love seat because they bought new furniture not too long ago, but we haven't yet found a way to arrange them so that the TV and fireplace can be equally enjoyed. Right now, the love seat is blocking the fireplace, which actually kind of works for the room. At the half-joking suggestion of my eldest brother, we may change things around a couple of times a year and have a winter and summer arrangement; in the summer, the fireplace will just stay out of view, and in the winter we'll move things so that we can enjoy its warmth.

In other news, I've resolved to compile a summer reading list to stave off the summer-brain-melt syndrome. I hope I can stick to it this time; it seems every summer vacation I decide I'm going to get so much reading done with my extra free time, but it never happens. The temptation of complete laziness is overwhelming sometimes, but with planning the wedding this last semester, I couldn't focus on school as much as I normally do, and I miss mental activity. I've asked Jordan to suggest some good philosophy reads, and I want to re-read some of my books. So far on the list are Athanasius' "On the Incarnation", maybe Gregory of Nazianzus (all of those heretic-fighters), and a book about the Orthodox church of which I can't remember the name. I'm playing with the idea of going through "The Lord of the Rings" again, but I'm not sure if I'm up to it just yet.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Things I'm Thankful For

Those memories that make you ache somewhere between your heart and your stomach, because they make you happy and sad at the same time. Those long talks that start out unplanned, and span the emotional arc from crying to laughing to calm contentment. Those friends who are worth missing. Those friends who you take for granted because they're too close to miss. Those friends who can be gone for months at a time, and then join you for lunch as if they never left. Those friends who've seen you at your worst, and still want to help you be your best. Those late nights that breed fellowship and choose to forget early mornings. A life that's worth reminiscing about. A life that's worth looking forward to.