New Albums

Just a note to point you over to the right-hand side of the page, where there are now links to all of my Sri Lanka and Turkey albums from my May-June 2012 trip. Enjoy!

(Actual update coming soon.)

32 and Counting

Time for an update! Last week I turned thirty-two and for the first time I can really recall, I’m happy not to have done anything too big for the occasion. I did go out for dinner with some work friends, which was just right: a drink, good conversation, camaraderie.

Anyway, an update! I’m all moved into my apartment, missing only one critical piece of furniture (a dining table), which isn’t hampering me too much yet. Moving in was a bit stressful but with the help of many good people it all went off without a hitch. My apartment building, the Woodner, has been pretty good so far. The AC can’t quite keep up with the 100+ degree days and 3,000+ residents trying to keep cool, and my AC in particular started leaking water, but the pool here is nice and people are very friendly.

Work is going well also. It’s taking time for my information to be processed so that I’m “officially” in the system, so I can’t do all the training yet, but a co-worker is teaching me what he can and it’s great getting to see all the familiar faces at the NSOF (NOAA Satellite Operations Facility). Thus far I’m learning to put together acquisition packages for small software license or support packages, plus devising my own way of tracking expiration dates and processing status. In the next few months I’ll become a purchase card holder and be able to make small purchases for my division; plus, I’ll take over from my co-worker doing the larger acquisition paperwork as well.

For the most part, I am feeling very positive! My fear that I’d feel anchored down hasn’t manifested itself very often, and when it does I can usually remind myself that I can always move on if I decide that’s best. I’m enjoying learning my new neighborhood. This weekend included visiting farmer’s markets, swing dancing with friends and playing softball with my old intramural team.

Sometimes, however, I freak out. For instance, on moving day. As more and more boxes appeared in my living room my heart really sank. So. Much. Stuff. Too much, really! Why do I need eight stemless wineglasses? And how about the several sets of flannel sheets?! And more, and more, and more things piled up. It’s something new, this not wanting to have so much stuff. Don’t get me wrong, I like my things. It’s just that after living out of a backpack for over a year, it’s really hard for me to fathom why I would need all this crap!

Today, I bought some picture hangers on the way home from work, excited to finally adorn my walls. But after hanging just one thing – not even a picture but a small planter bulb – my heart sank to my toes and I had to stop. For some reason, hanging pictures has been the activity to make me feel like this is It. This is where I am, and will be, for the foreseeable future.

And it’s not a nice feeling today, whereas for the last two weeks it’s been fine.

It will pass, I know, because it’s still true that I can move on whenever I’d like. My general plan is to give things at least a year and see how I feel then. This will allow me to save, learn my job better, explore the area and research other opportunities. In a year, perhaps I’ll apply again for Peace Corps, or maybe DoDDS. Both will most likely take another year to get a placement, and so I will have given at least a year and a half to two years of good service to my current position before moving on, if I even decide that soon.

Oddly enough, one of the homiest things I’ve bought has given me the most pleasure: a new shower curtain, white with colorful leaves on it. Even now I smile to see it.

So, I continue to settle in and remind myself (with some help from my friends) that I don’t have to have everything figured out right this second. Meanwhile, I also continue to recover from my last trip and the heartache that resulted (also with help from some wonderful lady friends), and am trying to decide how best to move on from that. One thing I’ve taken from it is that I don’t want to be alone any more: I want to find someone to share my thoughts and experiences with! So I’m keeping my eyes open for dating opportunities.

The Earth spins once more around the sun and another year passes. My 32nd year finds me looking forward with curiosity, excitement, and apprehension.

And don’t worry: the pictures will get hung eventually!