#7

After several very long reading sessions over the last few days, moments ago I finished the final addition to the Harry Potter series. I won't be giving up any information, so don't worry...but let's just say, I'm in awe. What an incredible story, what a brilliant woman who has given it to the world. And this coming from someone who scoffed at the hype for several years before finally giving in and picking up the first book, only to be instantly hooked.

There are so many nuggets of goodness in these books, so many things I would love to spend hours working through and trying to explain, yet I don't want the magic to be taken away in over-analysis. So I let my thoughts just simmer, as I shake my head in incredulity at the depth in these novels. This is certainly on par with other classics like Lord of the Rings- with many of the same adventurous quests.

I found myself both laughing and crying at so many points in this last book. I felt somewhat silly, especially when I realized that Harry was born in 1980, which meant that he's my age! As if he were a real person, I wonder what he's doing now! But it's just another amazing thing about the books- they truly suck you into their world.

I thought I would be heartbroken, coming to the end of the last book, but it ended in a way that I could feel nothing but satisfied, and grateful that J.K. Rowling had the sense to maintain the magic within just 7 books. And I know that I will read all of them several times over, and never grow tired of the story.

Brilliant, just brilliant.

life together

"What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are
joined for life - to strengthen each other in all labor, to rest on each
other in all sorrow, to minister to each other in all pain, to be one with
each other in silent, unspeakable memories at the moment of the last parting."

George Eliot, Adam Bede

I just used this quote for a square on a quilt that we're sending to a friend who is getting married, and I really like it. Especially since George Eliot has probably become one of my favorite authors. It's nice to be reminded of the bigger picture.

I'm currently sitting on our couch, ignoring the work that I am trying to finish before my time's up at my current job, reminding myself that I also need to help Mike with some packing that's got to be done soon, and as usual worrying about the millions of things that still need to fall into place before we feel "settled" again. I've been staying away from my blog lately, because I know this is the only topic I feel like discussing, and I know it's only interesting to me. But here I go again.... I even typed in "New York" on Google images just now, and found this great photo:

This shot reminds me of everything I love about this place...the nightlife, people walking everywhere- even in the streets, the classic yellow taxi, and the energy that is just constant in a place like this.

We are just three weeks away from leaving Wyoming, and it has not sunk in at all.

I want to say that I am not very sad at all to leave Laramie, but I think part of that feeling is the typical psychological pull to separate ourselves from things that we know we'll have to leave behind anyway. In my expert opinion. However, I really don't think I'd want to come back to Laramie- I certainly would not want to settle here. I'm just too much of a city girl.

All in all, I think the move is going to be great, especially once we have a few more details figured out. There's a part of me that feels this pull to be anchored in one spot, and to have the next ten years planned, and to have steady incomes, and to do all of the things that are part of the stereotype. And yet a bigger part of me still really, really enjoys the adventure. I can feel that part being slowly overtaken by the more practical side, so I'll just resist it as long as I can.

26 candles

So, we're having a farewell party at work tomorrow (June 21st, also a very important day as it is the day of my birth) for me and the other 4 (yes, 4) people who are leaving their jobs in the next couple of weeks. And my coworker who provides the goodies for these parties asked if I had any goodie requests. I automatically thought of this cake that she makes, that I remember having when I was younger- it's chocolate cake with some cool whip on top, and bits of toffee on it, and caramel or something on the bottom that makes it absolutely delicious. And apparently better than sex for some people, because apparently it is called better-than-sex cake. I've heard of this cake before, but didn't realize that it was this cake that I love. Although, I'm sure there is more than one cake that has been called better-than-sex cake, because it's a funny name, and maybe people just aren't feeling too satisfied in that department, who knows.

Anyway...I am excited for the better-than-sex cake. And maybe tomorrow night I'll get a sex-on-the-beach cocktail, you know, just to fit the theme. Because it's my birthday. Did I forget to mention that?

Leaving this job is going to be sad. Probably the best boss I have ever had- and I am happy to be able to say that, but sad to be parting ways. I've learned a lot in this job.

But at least tomorrow is my birthday.

call me vanilla

Considering that it snowed in Laramie only a week ago, ew, I was pretty happy to walk out of work today and realize what a beautiful day we're having. Not too hot yet, just perfect.

I also realized that I desperately need some sun. It's already June, and I look as pale as if it were the middle of winter. It's weird, because I used to tan really easily as a kid, but now I'm either white or red, unless I devote a lot of time and attention to being brown. My brother, on the other hand, merely thinks about the sun and suddenly turns two shades dark. I think he's like Puerto Rican or something. Maybe the reason why I want to call him Pablo instead of Scott (hi Pablo!). He got my mom's genes-- genes I used to have, which I have apparently traded in for dad's genes, genes that don't get tan. Kind of a bummer, but as long as I don't start naming dogs after dead French generals, I guess I'll live with it.

I'd like to lay out and work on a tan, but I'm afraid I may cause traffic accidents. Not because I'm laying out and distracting men while they drive, but because the glare off of my white skin might be blinding.

Here's a nerdly image for you: pasty white girl laying on a beach towel, reading Harry Potter.