After work Friday evening, I got in a good workout (finally!) and then headed north to babysit the kids I was a nanny for this summer. I was so excited to see them!
I was even more excited when the little girl informed me that she had received "The Parent Trap" for her birthday and asked if we could watch it.
BEST MOVIE EVER.
I sincerely hope that I can one day tell someone, "I have class, and you don't."
Anyway, around 8:45, the kids said, "We're really tired."
"Okay! Let's bring all of the pillows and blankets down here and camp out!" I suggested brightly. "We can make a fort!"
"Um, can't we just go to bed?" the sleepy, little girl asked.
I was secretly totally bummed.
When I finally got home that night, I saw that I had received my cousin's beautiful wedding invitation in the mail. I love receiving wedding invitations.
Saturday, I worked at the salon from 9-4.
It was not a good day as I was yelled at by a very angry mother-of-the-bride. I won't get into specifics as I don't think it is professional to speak about the incident outside of work, but I'll just say that receptionists of all kinds often end up as scapegoats for any problem a client may have even though that problem often has nothing to do with the front desk person at all.
I was very stressed out and frazzled after the incident, and I had an awful day because of it. I knew I shouldn't let it bother me, but to be honest, I just felt really knocked off my game for the remainder of the day.
After I got off work, I drove back up north to babysit the same family for a second night in a row.
Gosh, was I ever happy to see my bed when I got home last night.
This morning, I slept in until 9:40AM. It was wonderful.
Remember how I was getting spider bites back in the middle of October? Well, those bites have not stopped, and I wasn't exactly being very proactive about the problem. Annoyed, my dad dropped off a spider-killing spray and instructed me to get on the problem ASAP.
My parents are probably tired of seeing my arms look like this.
Anyway. I moved almost everything up on my bed this morning and sprayed my exposed brick wall. Then, I sprayed along all of the baseboards and windows.
Afterwards, I vacuumed and dusted.
That is when I found FIVE (!!!!) spider webs. I practically had a village in here! Gross, gross, gross!
I plan to spend the rest of the day decorating my now (hopefully) spider-free and clean bedroom for Christmas, painting my nails, and reading blogs.
I desperately want a Starbucks' Peppermint Mocha, but I am feeling too lazy to leave my apartment for the duration of this day.
It may have been a tiring and busy weekend, but I now have enough money saved for this!
Nordstrom is going to think I am another kind of "working girl" when I hand my cash over for this beauty.
Earlier this week, I was having a lot of stomach cramps. They were relatively minor though, and I didn't think much of them.
Yesterday morning, I woke up with a very uncomfortable feeling stomach. I was not nauseous. I felt just like my entire abdomen ached.
I attributed it to all of the appetizers I had eaten the night before in addition to a few glasses of our bipartisan wine and left for work thinking my stomachache would eventually subside.
As the day progressed though, my stomachache grew worse and worse.
I took a few Tums. A coworker gave me Ibuprofen.
Nothing was working, and my aches were growing worse by the minute.
I kept imagining something in my stomach on the verge of explosion. Would I die in my cubicle? Should I delete the history from all of my personal electronic devices now?
As if you wouldn't want to do the same!
Around 1:30, I was helping a coworker with a project when my pain became almost unbearable. I wanted to throw up or pass out. It felt like someone was stabbing me in the abdomen repeatedly (It felt just as violent as that image sounds!).
I told her how sick I was feeling, and she kindly encouraged me to go home.
Except I felt so silly leaving work for stomach pains. Something is just so embarrassing about leaving work sick!
Around 2:30 though, I knew I couldn't deal with the pain any longer.
My boss was in a meeting so I sent him a brief email saying that I was feeling unwell and would make up my missed hours today and Friday.
Thank God for flextime! And nice coworkers!
My fifteen minute drive home felt like hours. I couldn't even listen to music. I felt so so miserable.
Once home, I collapsed into bed, not even bothering to change out of my work clothes.
And then I did something smart and practical.
Cried.
Oh, and pondered once again if this was the end for me.
Eventually I was able to fall asleep, and I woke up feeling significantly better. My stomach was still feeling achey but the cramps were dull rather than sharp.
My mom thinks I may have had a ruptured ovarian cyst. She herself had one several years ago, and the symptoms were almost exactly the same as my own. I've done further research, and other women's experiences sound remarkably similar to mine.
Whatever the cause, I am very happy to be feeling better today and will certainly be making a doctor's appointment to have everything checked out.
Oh, and I am really glad I didn't die at work, home, or anywhere else for that matter.
And I think this "What's on my mind" Wednesday may become a weekly tradition.
Although I'm fairly awful at sticking to weekly posts so it's unlikely.
Here is what's on my mind this Wednesday, November 7, 2012.
1. I wrote this pre-wrote this post Monday night so the winner of the election is still unknown. Considering how close the polls have been, I am predicting a mess reminiscent of the 2004 election. I guess by the time you're reading this, we'll know either way!
2. I have purchased two fantastic Kate Spade items over the past month. The first, my "brushstroke" clutch, found its way to me through my KS angel- Fais. Fais is one of my friends through Blogger and after she posted a photo of her own "brushstroke" clutch, I commented how I had to have one. Fais informed that the clutch was sold out online, but she went to work the next day on a mission. Fais, who works for Kate Spade, managed to track one down for me across the country! She put it on hold in my name, and the clutch arrived at my humble Cincinnati abode within a week. It was spectacular. THANK YOU, Faison!
After my disastrous Thursday night at the concert and my poor iPhone's fall on the sidewalk, my case was pretty banged up. I ended up purchasing this turquoise silicone case. I am obsessed with the slot in the back for holding various cards (license, credit cards, etc), and I adore the tiny spade on the side of the case. Amazing purchase.
3. I have been drinking a cup of Celestial Sleeptime Tea every night before bed. I cannot get over the adorable bear in his pajamas on the box, and I honestly believe I've been sleeping better.
4. I am having a difficult time budgeting my evenings. I have so much I want to do once I get off work (exercise, eat dinner, write blog posts, read blog posts, hang out with Rachel and Ben, read, write!), and I never fit it all in. I have been doing almost no reading, and it's making me feel awful! I don't think I've read a book in over a month.
5. Daylight Savings Time is awesome but weird. I love the light in the mornings, but I always forget how strange it feels to see the night sky at 6PM.
6. I love having a "little sister." We've only been paired for about six weeks now, but it's already been an incredible and rewarding experience for me. I have such a blast hanging out with my little sister, and I can't wait to get to know her even better!
7. I wish our amazing clawfoot tub got hotter water. I am dying to take a bubble bath!
Maybe it's only me, but I think presidential elections serve as periodic reminders of just how quickly time flies by and how much change can occur over a single presidential term.
During our last presidential election, I was living in Chicago. I was a freshman at DePaul University and terribly homesick. My golden retriever, Nikki, had just recently passed away, and I was still hurting from her sudden loss. I was losing touch with my high school friends. We didn't click so much anymore, and I didn't know if it was okay to let go and embrace the new friends I had made in Chicago. I didn't have a clear idea of what I wanted to do and was struggling to find the right major. I was dating Ben and felt sure I had found my soulmate. I was a staunch Republican who wore a tshirt that read "McCainiac" proudly.
Seriously. I did.
I wore it in public.
The VERY first photo I took on my Macbook. Circa September 2008.
Now, only four years later, I am back in my hometown of Cincinnati. I am living with Rachel, a girl who went from being a casual friend in high school to one of my absolute dearest and closest friends I'll ever have. I have a new dog- my goldendoodle, Ellie. I have graduated with my B.A. in English and have a career in medical writing. I love my job and coworkers and feel as though my life is on the right path. I am working on a novel I am proud and excited about. I am single, but as a hopeless romantic, I believe my "One" is out there somewhere ("One"- please stop hiding and come out soon...going to weddings alone is growing increasingly traumatic). I consider myself an Independent. My ballot will be have both Democrats and Republicans on it.
Circa 2012. Confident and mature woman.
All of that change happened over a mere four years.
Sort of mind-boggling, isn't it?
One thing that hasn't changed? I still use the same Ikea pillows.
Yep. For real.
Happy Election Day, bloggers! I hope everyone has short voting lines and makes well-informed and educated selections! Ben, Rachel, and I will be enjoying patriotic cocktails and these leftover Election cookies that my little sister, Ben, and I baked last night.
I was at home Saturday evening when my mom said, "Come upstairs. I have a surprise for you."
Surprise?
Obviously I was intrigued.
"I saw on your blog that you wanted a diamond necklace." My mom rummaged through her jewelry drawer as my breathing sped up and my heart beat faster. "Now that you're officially an adult, I think it's time you had this."
And then my sweet, sweet mom gave me a beautiful solitaire diamond necklace.
It was the necklace my dad had given her many Christmases ago. He had bought her a gorgeous jewelry box she had been lusting after, and when she opened the top, he had a diamond necklace waiting inside.
"This is a very special necklace, and I want you to have it," she smiled, handing it to me.
Bloggers, this is easily one of the most wonderful and sentimental gifts I have ever received.
So, bloggers. I want to tell you about the Walk the Moon concert I went to last night. ALONE.
But in order to fully understand what happened at the concert, I have to share with you an excerpt from my love life.
For the most part, I have always been very general and vague when writing about my romantic adventures on this blog.
Today, I am getting real with you all.
I hope you're ready for this.
Yesterday, I was convinced that I would not be going to the concert alone. I had made my decision and was okay with it.
Then, Walk the Moon's "Anna Sun" came on my iPhone, and I knew- I had to go. I was not going to miss my favorite band just because I was afraid of looking and feeling awkward! Sure, there would be uncomfortable moments, but truly, it would be worth it.
Alright. Ready or not, here is where my horrendous love life comes into the story.
Last autumn, I had a brief fling with a guy I was totally crazy about. This guy was (okay, he still is) charming, handsome, driven, and so much fun to be around. We always had so much to talk about and would often text from morning until night. Our chemistry was amazing, and I was very attracted to him.
Let me just go all Carrie Bradshaw here, and let's call this guy "Mr. Big."
Mr. Big happens to be the one who introduced me to Walk the Moon. During our very first time hanging out, he pulled up their "Anna Sun" video on his phone. I can still remember sitting at a little, round table in the corner of that coffee shop and thinking, I love this band! When he picked me up one night to go to a play, he made sure to turn the song on the second I got into his car. I'll be completely honest- whenever I hear "Anna Sun," the first person I think of is Mr. Big.
Right as our whirlwind romance was nearing an official relationship, Mr. Big abruptly ended things.
I was shocked and incredibly hurt.
But like all great chick-lit heroines must (because that's exactly how I view myself), I recovered.
We really didn't talk much for the next six months. We had a few awkward run-ins, but never said more than quick pleasantries.
Last May, he came to my campus house for a BBQ my roommates were hosting for their business program. We caught up some and agreed to get coffee soon. He ended up cancelling on me a few days before we were supposed to go out. I wasn't really surprised but still a little disappointed. I was mostly upset with myself as I knew deep down I had been hoping for more. I had been secretly wishing that maybe Mr. Big had changed his mind and was ready for a relationship. Maybe he wanted to be with me again.
We went another few months without speaking.
Then, about one month ago, our paths crossed once again. I was with Rachel at an alumni tailgating event for her business program before one of the UC football games. Mr. Big and I talked. The chemistry felt as real as ever, and I felt those pangs of longing once more.
"Pangs of longing"? Oh, lord. Moving on.
After the alumni event, things finally seemed to be good between us. I am not suggesting a budding relationship was on the horizon, but things were definitely not as cold as they had been before.
So! Now that you are all caught up, let's get back to yesterday and the concert.
I didn't want to run into Mr. Big ALONE at the concert as I was convinced I'd look like a huge creep so I sent him a quick text to see if he was going. Naturally, he said he would be there, and he even told me I could hang out with him and his group of friends so I wouldn't be all alone.
Very nice!
Rachel and Melvin dropped me off at the concert venue around 7:30. I was in great spirits. I was going to see my favorite band AND not be alone!
I ordered a gin and tonic and made some friends while waiting for Mr. Big to arrive. I was really having a fun time.
About half an hour later, I found Mr. Big and his group. After a quick "hello," Mr. Big essentially ignored me.
I ended up chatting with his incredibly kind best friend the entire time while watching Mr. Big talk with just about every girl except me.
I sort of wanted to cry. Okay. I really wanted to cry. And once I realized that I might actually break down, I quietly left the group.
"Are you okay?" the bouncer asked, as I made my way out the door of the concert venue.
"Yeah! Totally." I somehow managed to reply with a fake smile, the cold, November air feeling like such a relief as I emerged into the night.
That's right. I LEFT BEFORE THE BAND EVEN PERFORMED.
I got out my phone to call Rachel. Hearing her familiar voice made me want to cry even more.
"I am so sorry, Jenna. I'll be there right away!" she exclaimed.
Of course, as I went to put my iPhone away, I totally dropped it on the concrete sidewalk. And now it is minorly cracked. Because this is just how that night was destined to go.
Rachel came to retrieve me within fifteen minutes, and I had never been so happy to see her in my life.
As sad as I was last night, I am mostly angry today. Obviously I am mad at myself for missing the concert, but there are much bigger issues I need to address.
I don't know why I let myself fall for Mr. Big each and every time or why I still get so worked up over him. Things never fall together when the two of us are involved, and I'm not sure why I fool myself into thinking otherwise.
Whew. That may have been THE longest blog post I've ever written. Hopefully you're all still reading although I wouldn't blame you if you closed this window ages ago.
So anyway.
I guess now we all know what happens when you attend concerts alone...!
