Less than 100 days until I ship off. Right now, the biggest concerns in order are:
1. Getting all my stuff sifted and winnowed down to a Vegas Pile, a Still-Wearing-it-this-Summer Pile, an Urban Servants Pile and a very small one called the Peace Corps Pile
2. Getting FY03 closed out and FY04 launched without losing my mind.
3. How much it will cost to pay for the ruined carpet in our apartment.
4. Convincing Cousin Amy that we should see Thunder from Down Under and not a cheesy magic show in Vegas.
5. Writing my new Peace Corps resume, getting Debra established as my Power of Attorney, renewing my driver's liscence, getting 6 months of my drugs and convincing my father I'm not throwing my life away.
I told General Mills last week and the response has been positive to the whole, "extended leave of absence" game plan. I've never been a big bridge burner.
Until next time,
Seanne Nicole Bridget Hanke
Heading to Vegas on Thursday morning - and trying not to think about the huge To-Do lists.
The sifting and winnowing has been going well and after a monumental trip to Goodwill this past weekend, Ms. Waterman and I donated 2 cars full of stuff.
Tonight Sadie discovered that if she stood on a box (infact the box my rolling duffel bag came in) and jumped a little, she could reach the high counter, grab the Dough-Boy cookie jar, and access a pot of treats. Luckily Jen arrived home within 10 minutes of this adventure - stopping the carnage before Brandi and the beagle had eaten themselves into comas.
Tomorrow: take a 1/2 day to tan, pedicure, get a new chain for my necklace (while practicing swing-dancing moves on the reluctant beagle, the chain got caught then snapped by the beagle's paw - or was it her nose?), organize financial records & POA for Debra, pack, & ready all Vegas acoutrements ('Chick Literature', back issues of Cosmopolitan, rediculous shoes and sunglasses, and earplugs to block out the snoring of my roommates).
Updates when I return.
Seanne Nicole Bridget Hanke
Generally, I plan on showing some restraint as to the sheer number of entries I'll make in a month (and I believe it's pure fantasy to think my internet access will be this great in Moldova), but I met someone who really touched me today. I had the opportunity to speak with Fay, a total stranger at the time, whose perspective and experience and Mensch-ness really hit home. We had one of those meandering and beautiful conversations which veered between decrying the lack of zaftig supermodels, to misleading advertising slogans ("Some assembly required" was the specific falsehood discussed), to Jewish theology (check out www.AISH.com), and to the geopolitical issues facing Europe. Totally fascinating.
Other point of note - Fay informed me that my newest "find" (the Irish band Idlewild - opening act for Pearl Jam - caught both in the box seats at the Excel Center on 6/16/03 w/the Yoplait group) wasn't so new -- that "Idlewild" had actually been the name of a major airport in NYC - before being renamed JFK.
Seriously excited to see my girls (the Mommy & the Lawyer),
Seanne Nicole Bridget Hanke
Vegas was grand and brought to you by :
The number 11, Le Cirque, E7, 70 degree pools, crispy bacon, tigers (no, lions!), Johnny and friends & Tiffany's.