Fast like "Pink Bullets"

Oh dear God, yes. It’s the first day of spring. John and I have already been down to the beach a couple times—given we were bundled up and toting blankets, but it was still fantastic. It will only be a matter of time before we’re relaxing in swimming suits and freezing our asses off in the water. Other than the sudden brush of spring excitement, things in St. Joseph have been slow and steady.

I finally made a trip back home last weekend. I got to rub Christine’s pregnant belly and introduce myself to my soon-to-be nephew. He just keeps growing and growing in there. There is still no word yet on the sex of Brad and Lyndsay’s baby, but rumor has it that if it’s a boy, he will be named James. And to answer the question that inevitably follows this news: John and I have absolutely no plans to reproduce any time soon.

We’re starting to make our plans for our next big vacation (which will be sometime next year). He wants Spain, and I want France. Yesterday, I proposed Egypt as a compromise, and we’re both intrigued by the idea. We also made the deal that if I can lose 71 pounds, he’ll take me back to Scotland (bonus vacation) to hike in the highlands. So far, I’ve knocked off 14. It’s progress, but I’m not shopping for hiking boots yet.

I’m just amazed at how much faster time passes after college and marriage. Every day is flying by so fast. I feel like I really need pull back on the reigns and slow things down. But reproducing brothers and soon-to-be retiring parents keep pushing the fast forward button. I hate to risk jinxing it…but can life really keep being this good? I hope so.

The time has come.

For yeeeeears Mr. Quentin Tarantino has been working on a little movie titled "Inglourious Basterds." First, I did spell the title correctly. Second, the teaser has finally been released, and it looks magnificent.

Destroy Nazis and enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pel3GE97evA

Valentine's Day weekend.

To prove I wasn't exaggerating in my previous post, yesterday was "Ice Sculpting" day in Saint Joseph. Dozens of artists set up shop in the middle of downtown and were each given a giant ice block. By the end of the afternoon, every street corner in downtown Saint Joseph sported an ice sculpture depicting anything from a dragon to an otter. John and I got icecream and watched the madness from The Chocolate Cafe.

Valentine's Day was wonderful. We had a beautiful candle-lit dinner of Chinese takeout--complete with fortune cookies and a carton of blueberries. After the food intake, we went to see Friday the 13th, but the stupid show was sold out. Instead, we hit up The International (which was fabulous) and saw Friday the 13th (which was fabulous) the next day. We polished off the night with a bottle of wedding Champagne and a viewing of Duck Soup--our first Marx brothers experience. It left a good impression.

On a side note, my current reading material couldn't possibly be more varied. My [very slow] ongoing Ulysses project is still underway, with World War Z (zombie novel) and Howl (poetry collection of Allen Ginsberg) making significant appearances. The last two Twilight novels are calling my name, but I'm trying to save them for the week John goes to Colorado. I'll need something to keep me busy on the train ride home.

I also made the mistake of investigating the planetarium in Chicago. Now I can barely contain my excitement to go. John promised to take me in April. He's going to take me to the aquarium too. I'm feeling good about it.

A Fairytale Town

I walked to work with an umbrella today. It was the first rain of the season. It is perfect lay-on-the-couch-with-a-good-book-and-giant-comforter weather, and I wish I could do just that. Instead, I'm sitting through work with very little to do because my company insists on underestimating my abilities. The teasing of spring is holding up my spirits though, because I remember what summer is like in Saint Joseph.

Every town has the "bad" parts of town, and St. Joe isn't an exception. But in the summer, the downtown area is transformed into something of a fairytale place. Every corner has a sailboat statue that doubles as a sandbox for kiddies. The stores move their goods outside so folks can shop in the sun, and the roads are all made of brick. Every weekend, artists bring their work to sell in hoards along the bluff overlooking the lake. On Saturdays, the local farmer's markets bring in fresh produce and the 1,000 fudge shops in town renew their delicious supply. It's never too hot to eat lunch outside because of the perfect breeze that comes off the water, and John and I get to sit by the beach and read and swim for hours.

Quaint. I suppose that's the word.

Staying put.

The morning started off with a bit of disappointment. John had applied for an international rotation with his company, but he didn't get it. I suppose we can try again next year. Plus, this means we'll get to spend the summer reading on the beach, and, best of all, I will get to see my first and second nieces/nephews born. Brett and Brad are both spawning these days, so there will be some new loin fruit crawling around in no time.

I've been reading like a crazy woman this new year. I've already finished Crime and Punishment (amazingly disturbing), The Good Body (woman power), and Three Men in a Boat (quite funny). My current project is Twilight, which I've powered through 260 pages in two days. I'll make short work of it. Then comes Howl, The Fight, and War and Peace. I wunna git real brainy.

I've been promoted at work--if you can call more responsibility for the same pay a promotion. I went from Proofing to Scheduling and Tracking, which apparently is the next step towards technical writer. Dear God, I don't want to be a technical writer. Then again, I don't want to be in Scheduling and Tracking either. Acceptable jobs: Queen of the World, Puppy Play With-er, Bookstore Owner, Publisher, Editor, Word Maker-Upper, Jedi, Yoga Instructor, Movie Critic, Cake Taster, Tea Sampler. Tell me if you know of any openings in these departments.

Tis the Season

It's that time of year again...the time of year to make absolutely delicious cookies. John picked some chocolate malt cookie sandwiches from a Martha Stuart cookbook--a recipe completely above my baking skill level, but that ended up tasting rather good.
We had some unexpected visitors yesterday. Brad and Lyndsay were on their way up to Bath,

Michigan when the oh-so-terrible weather caused them to stop off the road right at our apartment! After playing a little poker, eating half a dozen cookies, pizza, and burgers, they decided to spend the night. The weather was just pissing everyone off. Three degrees....and that's when John's car decides to not start. So I was stranded at the grocery store for about two hours while we tried to figure out how to jump a car in 30-mile-per-hour wind. Blech. John was sweet coming to my rescue though. My hero. Swoon.

We are now taking my car to Aurora tomorrow to go to his grandma's house for a couple days. Thankfully, I talked him into getting a hotel room instead of sleeping on the floor with his 40 other relatives. (I am not exaggerating the number.) But he's a good sport with my 50,000 family members, so I can't complain. He has one of those great red-headed grandma's who you can tell raised hell her entire life. Fabulous. She flies planes, hates Democrats and Mexicans, and swears more than Walter from the Big Lebowski. Basically, she's the female version of Kerry's father...but with hair.

Other exciting news, though not holiday related, John and I have officially filled out the global placement application form for him at Whirlool. This means that, if selected, we could end up in Istanbul, Hong Kong, Slavokia, Melbourne, Milan, anywhere! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Hong Kong, but I'll take anything. It's only a six-month placement, so we'll be back in no time. Keep your fingers crossed though, and I'll promise to buy you a present if we go. I've always wanted to live outside the country, and I thought that was something I'd given up for good. I also thought I'd never get the opportunity to return to school, but I found out this last week that my company offers reimbursement for college classes! I'm already looking into Masters programs. Hopefully I can find something online because the closest campus is an hour from here. I'll do what I have to though, I suppose. So many things changing. Changing. Changing. Exciting, yes?

I suppose that's the update.

Falling Behind

Last month, another NaNoWriMo session passed. I didn't write a single creative word over the 30-day span. 2,300 words per day is daunting task and more than some professionals churn out in a work week. No matter what I say, however, I can't deny that it stung just a little to see an old acquaintance finish with no problems at all. Hopefully, I can take that bitterness and turn it into production!
A new year is just around the corner, and I am exactly the kind of sap who makes New Years resolutions. For 2009, my resolutions are as follows:

1. Write a minimum of 200 creative words per day.
2. Read a minimum of 25 books in the year.
3. Maintain a healthier lifestyle.

Now, I know number 3 appears on every delightfully chunky person's list, but this isn't necessarily a weight loss goal. Visiting the gym four times a week and not keeping M&Ms at my desk shouldn't kill me...I hope.