Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you. - Maori Proverb

Hair: A Photo-Chronology...plus an update!

It has been a LONG time, dear readers. I've been so busy since I started my doctoral program. It is amazing how much I have learned this semester and how happy I am here. I love my doctoral program! Honestly, how many graduate students can say that they "love" their program? I feel pretty darn lucky that's for sure. It is hard work, but I think I finally know where I belong and what I will be doing with my life. Teaching others is so fulfilling to me. I can't wait to get my degree and start my career as a professor.

I was browsing through some of my old entries. Wow, I can't believe how strong I was, especially when I was undergoing treatment. I know this sounds vain, but it is incredible how short my hair was! It's been such a long time, I guess I sortve forgot.

I compiled a mini photo-chronology to show you the changes I've undergone. I love my curly, red hair!! I will never again take it for granted!!

Starting Chemo: The First Buzz Cut, November 2009




















Nothin' there to show! December 2009



















Post-radiation growth. I still didn't have eyebrows or eyelashes. April 2010




















Gettin' longer, but comes back weird and straight at first. Was worried it would stay that way! June 2010




















I had a haircut a couple weeks earlier. Also,I was a rabbit for Halloween that year if you hadn't noticed! October 2010




















Coming along nicely, with CURLS! January 2011




















Lookin' good! May 2011





















Too awesome. July 2011




















Soft ringlets and a royal blue scarf. <3 November 2011

Home, Home on the Range...

Dear Bloggity Blog,

Man, has it been a long time. I am writing to you from my living room in Texas! The trip from Idaho to Texas was long and difficult and I am so happy it is over. I managed the drive by listening to books on tape and lots and lots of energy drinks. When we finally arrived, it felt like we walked into a sauna. We were definitely not accustomed to the heat. Our friend who lives in Fort Worth came by to help us move our furniture in. I am grateful for his help because we were exhausted from the trip and totally dehydrated from the 100+ degree evening weather.

It has taken us a few weeks to get all of our things arranged and for me to get some basic driving routes memorized. I start classes, meetings and teaching only in a couple short weeks. I am nervous but excited for this new chapter to begin. :) Wish me luck!

DONE

What a crappy last day, but at least it is over! I had to walk around today, trying to get people to sign up for Old Navy credit cards. That's it. Nothing else. I wasnt even permitted to fold. Luckily, the store's traffic died down quite a bit so I became unneeded. They let me go home early! I am just so glad that I didn't have to stay. DONE FOREVERRRRRRRRR YESSSSS

Now I can focus on all the darned packing I've got to do!

Queer-dar malfunction

You know, after being in a long-term committed relationship you kind of forget what it like when someone asks you for a date/hits on you. I go to the dog park almost every day and I'm often friendly with the other dog-parents. A couple of weeks ago, I exchanged numbers with another dog-park goer after she invited me to dinner with her and her friends. I was visiting family when she texted me, asking if I wanted to go out that night. Today, we saw each other again at the dog park and, naturally, we started talking again. Her 9 year old basset hound is not doing well (suspected chronic illness) and so I like to ask how things are going with him. Somehow we got to talking about how people resemble their dogs, both physically and personality-wise. I laughed saying, "Well, I don't know what Oliver says about me!" She smiled right at me and says, "Well, he's a big flirt!" I suddenly realized how ignorant I had been. She's been hitting on me! I just brushed it off and made some sort of joke about how her dog always begs for scratches.
Man, is my queer-dar rusty..

Counting down

63 days until graduate school orientation
17 days until moving day
6 days until my horrible retail job is over

Curse this horrid job

All of the rude customers.
The mind-numbing folding.
All of the trips back and forth to the sales floor,
Sweat-inducing labor and toil.
Asking, "Would you like to sign up for an Old Navy Card today and save 10% on your purchase today?"
Those goddamned plastic hangers...


I want to quit my job.