Travel

Travel
Travel

San Francisco

San Francisco
San Francisco

Laugh With Me

Laugh With Me
Laugh With Me

Virtual Coffee Chat, 0.1

Grab a snowman cookie while you're at it!
Even though it seems like I'm on this blog all the time, I sometimes feel like I'm not completely in tune with y'all, in the sense that I literally can't let you know about everything in my life. I can narrow my life into conceivable moments, into posts that focus on what I wore one day, where I ate, what I did. But I can't tell you about the ten million things running through my brain all at once.
It bothers me that with each highlight I choose to talk about from my life, there are also thousands of things happening in my everyday that I don't get to talk about. If only for my own sake to look back on years later, I'd really like to start doing these "coffee date" posts (aka gibberish).  
 
So, friends, if we were having coffee this morning, I'd tell you that Thursday was one fine day. It started off bright and early with a field trip to the Exploratorium (more on that later!) and ended with a fiery date with my girl Jennifer Lawrence (Catching Fire, that is. It's not often that a sequel is the better movie, but y'all, Catching Fire rocked my socks off). It was the momentary reprieve from school that we all needed, and I think everyone took conscious note of it as we sat on the edge of our seats waiting to see what Katniss would do next (or to see if Finnick would take off his shirt... wait, what?), and eating Ben & Jerry's ice cream with our fingers because we were cheap and made a pit stop to Safeway, but forgot to bring spoons. 

If we were having coffee right now, I'd tell you about what a stress-cluster Friday was. I didn't end up packing a single thing until two hours before I left for the airport. But I eventually managed to fit everything into my suitcase, ran into a couple of friends at the airport which made for a much less painful travel experience. My travel luck inevitably ran out though, as I suffered through hours of delays due to rain in Las Vegas. The desert. Didn't know that was possible, but okay.

If we were having coffee at this moment, I'd tell you that I didn't mind any of that trouble at all once I saw my parents and stepped into my house. I haven't been home since July. It's funny what home can do to you - it can wrap you in its familiar walls, feed you a heaping bowl of your favorite beef noodle soup, and lull you into deep sleeps until noon the next day. Blissful. 

If we were having extra hot, hot chocolate right now, I'd let you know that I somehow stumbled into the Ice Age, Houston edition. It's FREEZING here, more than I can remember Houston being at any other Thanksgiving week. The chilly, rainy weather combined with my daily shortbread and tea has me all kinds of excited for Oxford. Throughout last week and this week, I've been treated to multiple bouts of rain (one of my favorite things on Earth) and I'm a little wracked with guilt. There's this girl in my writing class who has fibromyalgia. She wrote about it for her final essay and it was powerful. She feels literal pain and depression when there's rain. It shocks me that something so ordinary that brings me so much joy can bring someone else physical pain and stress. I still love the rain, but it certainly does shed some perspective.

Speaking of my writing class, if I were having coffee with you, I'd let you know how it's become one of my favorite classes ever. There are only eight students in it, but these are eight students who are passionate about writing and stories. None of the eight students are Creative Writing majors, so it's been really interesting to see how everyone's areas of study influences their writing. We had two distinguished authors come in to talk to us last week, both of whom were incredibly inspiring and motivating. Goodness, and they were so handsome.

Lastly, if we were having coffee right now, I'd tell you how this quarter went by so quickly. I say that all the time - when the seasons change, when a temporal landmark like the holidays hits us, but I've felt this junior year more than ever before. Time decided to hit the Fast Forward x16 button, and didn't think to warn any of us. I'm leaving for the UK soon, and am currently experiencing fears about studying abroad coupled with knowing that it's going to be over in no time. I'm so excited to see how this is going to unravel.

Alas, we'd be running out of time because we'd have also spent forty minutes going over your life updates as well. We'd stand up, give each other one of those amazing, tight squeezes and promise to see each other soon for another cup of joe. And we will. In about two weeks, maybe? 

11 comments

  1. Every one keeps talking about how awesome Catching Fire is.. I can not wait to go see it but I just don't know when it will be possible.. i'm afraid I'm going to have to wait till December! argh

    ReplyDelete
  2. Don't be afraid of study abroad. You will have so much fun! :)
    xo TJ

    http://www.hislittlelady.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ahh I really want to watch Catching Fire!
    It's just come out and I can't wait to watch =)

    { Teffys Perks Blog } X

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love classes that are really small and that have people who are passionate about the same thing in them. Sounds fun! It is weird...as much as I blog, I feel the same...like I only open up to about 10% of what's actually going on.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Seriously, studying abroad was the best time of my life--I was nervous too, but it proved my doubts wrong.

    Also, Catching Fire. Seriously, it was So. Good.

    Lisa | c/oMKE {formerly Making Life's Lemons}

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've never seen Catching Fire! But now I definitely want to.
    xoxo

    www.cakeandcouture.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I took one very small writing class in college--5 students, on writing historical fiction specifically. It was so much fun to realize all the detail that goes into historical fiction...it also convinced me that I would never pursue historical fiction writing because I don't particularly like doing research all the time! :) And what's up with TX being so cold? I'm going there in a month, I want to be warm!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have heard nothing but good reviews for Catching Fire.
    And that's so unfortunate that the girl is in physical pain when it rains. I can't even imagine what that's like.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have heard nothing but good reviews for Catching Fire.
    And that's so unfortunate that the girl is in physical pain when it rains. I can't even imagine what that's like.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Can't wait to see photos from your travels abroad. The girl who has fibromyalgia--that's insane! I never thought about the rain having such a huge impact on those suffering from joint and muscle pain but I guess it makes sense. Older people with arthritis always feel worse when the temperature drops or in extreme weather change.
    atelier zozo

    ReplyDelete

your comments truly make my day! :)
thank you!

xx Caroline