winter break.

I can’t even begin to explain how happy I am to have the next 2-ish weeks off from work.  I plan on staying as far away from my job as possible until January 4th.  Apparently, I’m also planning on seeing as many people as possible.  And drinking as much eggnog as possible.  And get back into the running thing (I’m almost down to 12 weeks before the half).  I am so flipping excited to get started on this holiday/winter break madness.

I’m excited to see my family, but not so excited to spend 24 hours in the middle-of-nowhere, West Virginia (where my grandma lives).  When I say “middle of nowhere” – I truly mean it.  There is ONE road that leads to her house.  And it doesn’t cross any other roads for several dozen miles.  Aside from that, the family should be a good time.  We’ll actually play some Wii this time (unlike my visit over Labor day, when the Wii sat on the couch the entire time – lame). And I just realized – this is the first Christmas I’ll be spending with both my parents since 2007.  Weird, huh?  Well, my dad was in Iraq in 2008 and I went to Jessica’s house last year.  Who knew it could be so hard for three people to celebrate a holiday together…

Then I’m coming back to NYC for friend time (kinda like last year, minus the standing in Times Square for 9 hours).  Nothing is set in stone, but the current line-up may include Peter, Emily, Melissa and Linh (and of course, Adam and Ryan).  I am very excited about seeing my B’s and Peter.

FINALLY – I might have some down time to myself.  Apparently, I don’t believe in down time because I rarely have it.  I think I’ll allow myself a full 36 hours to get my life in order before work again.

Bring. It. On.

3 countdowns

Countdown #1: 64 days

While I was at work yesterday, I made the biggest little mistake of my life.  I agreed to attend a Britney Spears concert at Madison Square Garden.  Patrick told Adam about it – so Adam passed the news onto me.  The gchat conversation went something like this:

Adam: i haven’t heard back from patrick
about britney tix
they just went on sale

me: yeah, i don’t think i want to go
i don’t want to support her hot mess-ness

Adam: oh gosh, i’m gonna get britney tix i guess

me: you’re kidding me

Adam: patrick wants them

me: i will never forgive myself if i see britney spears

Adam: you know you want to
it would be fun, with patrick and i

me: i don’t really want to
DAMMIT ADAM

Adam: monday night
aug 24
8pm

me: dammit, adam
don’t do this to me
i’m going to hate you.
much much more than i already do

Adam: i’m not forcing you

me: yes you are

me: hmm… okay, fine. i’ll go.

Adam: our seats are gonna suck, but whatever

me: dammit, adam - don’t make me change my mind

Adam: no, don’t
im gonna purchase

Adam: you, me, patrick

me: i hate my life.

I am not a fan of hers.  Sure, I have 20 B. Spears songs on my ipod – but who doesn’t?  They’re so freaking catchy.  But seriously.  I’m mad that 50 (or however many) of MY HARD EARNED DOLLARS are going into her ridiculous pocket.   That is why I hate my life.

But I would die of happiness if she sang performed Lucky.  I legitimately love that song.  Unfortunately, the liklihood of that happening is very small – since she’s come out with so many “good” hits since Lucky’s debut in 2000.

Countdown #2: 28 days

It started out as a solo Devacation (Deva + vacation).  As soon as I told Peter what I was up to, it became a Deva and Peter vacation.  A few days later, we were booking a 6 day cruise around the Western Caribbean.  PS: We’re not dating. Will it be awkward?  Maybe.  At times.  Will it be fun?  Of course.  I’m really looking forward to this trip.

Countdown #3: 10 days

My parents are coming to visit!  I feel like its been forever since I’ve last seen them (since January, I think).  It should be a good time and they’re bringing up more of my stuff from Virginia.

they’re real people too

Over the past few months, I’ve been learning a lot about my parents.  Actually, they’ve been opening up to me more.  No overshares (thank GOD), but enough for me to realize: my parents are real people. 

Obviously, I already know that my parents are real people in the literal sense, but recently I’ve been viewing them outside their roles as Dad and Mama - the “indestructible” beings who only spend their time thinking about their children (and whatever else parents do).

I’ll start with my father.  He’s great.  He’s been there for me since my parents divorced and has always tried to make the best life for me.  I am forever (and ever) grateful for everything he’s done.  My dad is also probably the most charismatic person I know and he loves socializing.  Like me, my dad has this ridiculous inability to stay in one job for longer than 2 years (he isn’t fired – he just quits in search of higher pay and more responsibility).  For the past 6 years (at least), he’s been in nearly every government agency with his position.  He’s been to Iraq (not in the military, but with the government) and wants to go back.  Despite the fact that he’s married and has a daughter, he continues to strive for his personal life goals – that don’t always involve my mom mand I.  It’s interesting to watch him work to reach those goals, because I learn more about his motives, his confidence, how he copes with failure/not getting what he wants, and all kinds of other humanizing qualities.  

My stepmom is another interesting person.  She married my dad when I was in 5th grade, and our relationship from that point got off to an extremely rocky start.  Actually, that rocky relationship lasted through most, if not all, of high school.   It was pretty miserable.  It’s much better now. Anyway, about her personally – people love her.  She has a great personality, she’s caring, considerate and really enjoys spending time with friends.  When I think of her in comparison to my father, they obviously have a lot in common – but at the same time, they diverge on a few major things… the biggest (in my opinion) being mobility.  Remember that bit about my dad not being able to sit still?  Well, my stepmom is a settler.  She’s worked in the same job (with promotions, of course) for 25 years.  Before meeting my father, she lived in Roanoke and had a pretty stable life.  Since marrying my father, we’ve moved 3 times (in the past 6 years) and my dad almost constantly talks about moving again (this time, out of Virginia).  Recently, I can easily see how the talk about moving really affects her.   Obviously, she would have to change jobs – something she’s not exactly willing to do.  And have I mentioned her social life?  All her really close friends from Roanoke are slowly losing contact with her.  The relationships are changing (why? I’m not sure…).  These are people I thought would be family friends for the rest of their lives.  Sadly, that’s not the case.  So – my stepmom is kinda alone now.  When I was talking to her a few days ago, I could hear the sadness in her voice – it was heartbreaking.  At that point, I didn’t see her as my stepmom, but as an individual who experiences and has to deal with all the ridiculousness that life throws at you.

my dad

My dad’s birthday is coming up, and every year (right around now) we have the same conversation:

me: Hey – so what do you want for your birthday?

Dad: A boat. No, I want a yacht.

me: Okay.

Dad: Haha - Yeah, I want a really nice yacht so I can go fishing whenever I want.

me: (silence)

Dad: Yeah, don’t buy me anything, Dev.

This year, it was slightly different:

me: Hey – so what do you want for your birthday?

Dad: A yacht.

me: You haven’t bought one yet?!

Dad: Nope, but I still want one.

me: Okay. I’ll get you one. Can I have your Xbox 360?

(my mom picks up the phone)

Mom: No, you can’t have his Xbox – but it’s not like he’s playing it… You know what he really wants? A nintendo Wii…

me: Oh my gosh! I want one of those too!

Dad: Yeah, Dev – they’re nice, right?

me: They are so cool! You can keep the Xbox if you buy me a Wii. Or a macbook.

Mom: You and your father are so needy – you always want something! Goodness. Here’s what you should get your father: the Bourne Supremacy DVD. But make sure you don’t buy it on Blu-Ray… Your father keeps “accidentally” buying Blu-Ray disks even though we don’t have the player for it.

My parents are funny sometimes. First of all, it’s weird that my Dad bought himself an Xbox 360 that he never plays – then he won’t give it to me/my mom won’t let me have it. That doesn’t make any sense to me. Second, why does he want a Wii? He’s such a weirdo.

I can definitely see where I get my personality from. I blame my father for all of my oddities.

I hope we spend his birthday playing the car racer game on Xbox (It will be better than watching Virginia Tech destroy UVA in football). That would be fun.

true life: i work now

My work life has officially begun. I signed my offer letter to work and now all is right in the world.

So, my first day was rather uneventful. No big lavish parties – just a lot of meetings. Three meetings, to be exact. In a way, I jumped right into things. In the same way, I didn’t really jump into things.

Of course, I was given a quick tour of the office and was introduced to my new fellow employee buds. Then, after all the meetings were done, I sat. And sat some more. And began introducing myself to the 2008 Fellows by reading their profiles online (while sitting).

And then I continued to sit…

Then it was time to go. Good times.

BUT – OH MY GOSH. I left out the coolest part of my day:

My parents sent me flowers :) It was completely unexpected and it made me so happy! My parents are awesome.