Seconds

Seconds dates....second dates are harder for me than first dates.  I'm more nervous and in some ways more insecure. Sometimes I finding myself pulling back if the guy comes on too strong or shows too much interest in me.  And my stomach gets all fluttery and weird making it really hard to eat anything. So let's just say second and third dates are a little stressful.   

Luckily, I was only mildly nervous with this second date.  Probably because it's just so easy to be with him.  This second date was sweet.  Dinner at a local restaurant that we both love, great company, good food, lots laughing and lots talking.  It was blissful in my opinion.  :)

And how nice is it that I start my mornings off with a text from him telling me to have a great day or how beautiful I am or telling me how much fun he had on our dates.  Quite blissful.... 

Firsts

So I guess something did come of it.  A first date was had.  And as far as a first date goes, this was good.  It was so easy.  The conversation flowed freely and there was plenty of laughter too. It's kinda crazy that things were so easy.  It's not like the date was anything special, it was just really nice to have someone to talk with on a beautiful day, sitting on a patio, getting to know someone new.  

And I can tell you it's true what they say... when a boy likes you - you don't have guess.  His call came quickly, we went out and he texted me that night saying what a nice time he had.  And yes, date two is around the corner.  I'm not going to lie, this feels a little strange.  I really haven't gone out with anyone in a while much less dated someone.  And that he is free with the compliments and seems genuinely interested...wow...this is a little different.

To be continued....

Now Serving

There is nothing better than catching up with an old friend over drinks and then hitting a movie.  And yes, we saw the Hunger Games and yes, it was good.  Wish I had more to write about today, but I have a zillion things to do, my desk looks like a paper explosion, and I really should have a "Now Serving" sign outside my door. So with that I will talk to everyone tomorrow.

A Funny Thing Happened

A funny thing happen on my way to the.....funeral?....

While attending the visitation for my friend's mother over the weekend, I reconnected with old neighbors that I haven't seen since high school. All four of us lived on different corners of the neighborhood block but really the four of us were split into pairs most of the time.  One pair, wild and crazy and the other pair thoughtful and introspective. (I was not part of the wild and crazy pair, in case you were wondering.)  We really didn't hangout together but that didn't matter after so much time. It was just nice to catch up and share some stories of all of us growing up, and never...never in a million years did I expect to be blindsided by this Italian mother-daughter duo with their mad skills in matchmaking.  I'm not even sure what happened to be honest. lol! The whole thing was a blur. All I remember was: some re-introductions, some hugging and then an introduction to a brother I had never met, more laughing and then some blushing (him not me).  And I left that night intrigued to say the least but all I can really tell you is that I was introduced to a very tall, dark, handsome man.

While 'tall dark and handsome' didn't attend the funeral the next day, his sister and mother did, and more matchmaking continued.  I'm not really sure if anything will come of it but I guess you never know. I hear he is quite taken with me. 

Obversations

College freshmen are like kindergartners.  I swear my students notice everything - to the shoes I'm wearing, to how disgusting my coffee cup is, to the time I'm actually in the office or the frequency of my bathroom breaks.  And like most kindergartners, they have no filter so if they notice something, they will comment. It's like being under a microscope at times.  It's a good thing that I am not bothered by their observations or I might become incredibly insecure!  It kinda cracks me up to be honest.  They are a funny bunch! 

Looking Back

I had a dream last night about my ex.  It was so reminiscent of our time together and our break up that I woke up feeling very unsettled.  I haven't thought about him in years  and years but my dream was so vivid it brought me back there oh so quickly.  

I guess it's not a bad thing to think back on a time in your life when you overcame something incredibly painful, and it's ok to evaluate a relationship that was so important at one time to realize how flawed it really was. 

Things I learned from this relationship: 

• Don't lose yourself in someone's dream.  Keep hold of your own, they are just as important. 
• Communication is key to having a healthy relationship.  If you can't talk to each other and resolve conflict, where does that leave you? 
• Pick someone with similar values and morals.  It will never work if you don't see eye to eye on the important things.
• You should be just as important to the other person as they are to you.  

These are just a few lessons I picked up from my very flawed relationship of the past.  Pretty simple but pretty important stuff don't you think? 

Random thoughts

It's been a busy week in the office.  Lots of students are interviewing for summer jobs so we have been talking about what to do in an interview, questions you should be prepared for, questions you should ask.  And of course, what to wear.  It's been fun working with the guys on this.  Never in my dreams did I expect guys to get worked up on what to wear.  It's kinda cute really. 

One thing I love about my job is watching how much freshmen mature and change over four years.  I think that is one of the things I love most about my job.  Watching students evolve from young, inexperienced and insecure freshmen to mature, thoughtful and driven young adults is very satisfying for sure. 

We also have some very interesting and thought provoking conversations as well.  This week, we have been talking a lot about the Trayvon Martin case.  It's been interesting hearing the student's point of view about this case.  But what is even more interesting is seeing critical thinking skills at work. 

Other random things, I watched the movie, Never Let Me Go over the weekend.  Awesome flick that will have you thinking for sure.  And I read the The Hunger Games too.  I love books and movies that really push our ideals. So definitely check both out. 

Revelation

There is nothing better than having a conversation with a friend and then having a revelation when talking.  My friend and I were talking about my relationships status and life when I said, "There is space in my life for a relationship, just not a hole."  We both looked at each other for a moment and then she said, "Write that down."  Pretty brilliant if I do say so myself.

Pup Pic

Minnie just wanted to say - have a great weekend everyone!

Springtime

I know it's way too early to start planting flowers but this nice weather is making me itch for green grass, blue skies, and pretty flowers!

Age and Wisdom

It is true what they say... the older I get the more comfortable I am in my own skin.
The older I get the less I care about what others think of me.  There is a certain confidence that comes with age.  And I really didn't understand that in my younger days...but I do now. I have always been a confident person but not like I am now.  Maybe my eariler confidence was really fearlessness.  All that anxiety that I felt in my younger years about my looks, or the anxiety of how someone might perceive me or the stress of trying to prove myself to my boss - all gone now. All those external demands of being a certain way was just so exhausting.  It's kinda funny how I used to feel so controlled and now I just don't worry about those things. 

The external forces can't demand me to do the things they once required of me.  I don't feel the need to spend hundreds of dollars a month just to have the perfect blonde hair.  I don't feel the need to spend money on clothes just because that's the perfect thing of the moment. I don't feel the need to have a boyfriend just because society doesn't know what to think of a single 40 year old. Or drive a particular car because I don't want people making judgements about my lifestyle based on the car I drive.  Exhausting, right?  It's not to say I don't care about those things, but now it's more about the intrinsic value.  It's nice to have a sense of calm in life.  I don't know if I could have said that in my younger years.  I'm not sure I could have said I was even happy then.  At times, I was very happy but there was this underlying current that always gave me stress and anxiety.  I can't say that is true today. At this point in my life, I have  a sense of peace and calmness and contentment. And there isn't anything I would trade for that. 

Simple Things

It really is the simple things that make me the happiest, like taking the pups to the dog park.  It's a totally new thing for me and I was a little nervous in the beginning. You just never know what kind of experience you might have with so many people and dogs in one place, but I have to say it's been really great.  (No horror stories yet.)  I do try to go at low traffic times just to avoid any craziness.  I love having the park to myself and the dogs love being able to run all over without having a leash on. It's so fun seeing Arlo chasing the birds and Minnie loves sniffing every tree and barking at the big dogs.  Usually after an hour or so, a few people start to trickle in with their cute little pups.  And so far, everyone has been great.  Interesting people and interesting stories for sure!  I wish I had my camera with me last week. Every dog we met was a white fluffy dog.  Out of 12 dogs we met that day - my dogs were the only non-white pups!  It was the weirdest thing.  I'm so looking forward to many more days at the park. 

Five Things Friday

Seychelles 2009

1. I'm really sad that Flickr is losing it's photo editor, Pinick.  Seriously, it's so easy to use and every photo could use a little tweak here and there.  Or a lot of tweak sometimes. 

2. The college is closing a noon today.  Call it a work perk.  It's the last day of spring break.  The last day of calm.

3. I need to purge my house of items just taking up space.  Things that I have had forever but have not really used.  Makes me sad to think I won't have them anymore but at the same time I would rather live a more simple life.

4. Going to lunch today with the Dean and my boss.  Hopes it's not awkward.  (Can I order a margarita?  We aren't going back to the office after lunch? Would that be wrong?) 

5.  I forgot to plan something for my afternoon off.  Looks like I might be doing my laundry... Or maybe I should go see the Artist...

Playing at the Park

Since I had the last couple days off and since the weather was so beautiful, I decided to hang out at the dog park with the pups.  Arlo and Minne had the place to themselves, and they absolutely loved it! I can not wait until the grass is green and the trees have some leaves again.  This is a brand new park for the Des Moines area and it happens to be very close to my house. The city did an awesome job in taking an old outdated space and turning it into something that so many people will enjoy. There is a separate area for the little dogs and the big dogs have a HUGE area to run and play.  You will find bathrooms and water fountains for both the humans and the pups right in the middle of the park, not far away like in the parking lot.  Not to mention picnic tables, poop bag dispensers and LOTS of space for the pups to run.  It's a great park!  I think you will be seeing a lot of us this summer!

Anticipation

It was a dark and dreary day...

It's also the Friday before spring break.  Pretty sure most students are off to their sunny destinations already.   I plan to take a couple of days off myself.  What will I do?  Anything I want!  I'm pretty sure it will be low-keyed and that's perfectly fine with me. Happy Weekend everyone!