Do the Darndest Daily

Dear Blog, This post is a contemplation on dreaming... and how it's useless. Today I turned on my computer at work and stared into the inbox of truth- No one is, or should be holding my hand anymore. I'm earning my own living without being on a financial plateau and I use phrases like, "Shouldn't we co-term with that vendor?" or "Optimally this would be addressed with a Purchase Order, please speak to so-and-so." This may not sound like much to some, but for a visual arts major once scared of numbers and with no finance background, nor much "Professional" history, I feel like I've climbed a mountain, and learned a lot. Serial numbers attached to hardware suddenly reveal meaning, contract numbers finally convey significance instead of mystifying and intimidating me. I feel like the rock star of multi-task and organization, and let me tell you, the spotlight is warm. As I sift through stacks of paperwork, answer the phone, fill forms

Dear Blog, I know it's been far too long, yet again, since I've posted. As of yesterday I am finally and completely settled into my apartment. Joe and I went to Ikea this weekend (my very first ikea experience) where I bought a desk and a dresser so I no longer have to live out of plastic bins and go over bank statements sitting on the floor. Success! I'm like a real person again! A real live grown up...sigh. Well, I've got frames on the walls and everything in it's proper place, so despite the (most likely indiscernible) dollop of sarcastic excitement in my last statement let me say that I truly am thrilled to finally have a dresser and desk. With these, the rest of my room finally came into an organized, completed state which gives me comfort and peace of mind. And now, ever in line with doing the darndest, let me share with you my morning's adventure: When I sat down on the 89 bus at 7:30 this morning, I didn’t realize I would be the recipient of dra

Dear Blog, I'm sorry it's been so long since I've written. Life has been moving so fast for me here. When I can finally slow down I'm going to sleep for a whole day.  A lot is happening lately… so much I can hardly wrap my mind around it all. I’ve been thrilled with my new job and especially, the feeling of being a part of something truly special. I’ve also been overwhelmed by the move to my new apartment (which is coming together quite nicely), though there is still SO much to be done. Photos to come... Thanks to Joe’s help, my room is now painted light lavender that warms up with the sunlight in the morning, and my things are starting to find their place in my new bedroom (one bigger than I've ever had before! Additionally, the windows look out into cityscapes instead of neighboring windows!) It’s been an exciting time, but I’ve also been tired and missing my family, and struggling to find my niche here as there’s so little time to get settled. Friend finding,

Dear Blog, Week two of Boston living has come to a close this Sunday evening and so begins a third. My first week of work flew past me at rocket speed. I don't think my brain has worked this hard since first semester of my senior year in college, but you know what? I love it. It's hard to explain exactly what I do... So far, there is a great need for purchasing, which is a process I am very involved in. I fill out the forms that push invoices forward to be paid and I fill out the forms that request bigger purchases to be made. All these must be filled out with the proper codes and vendors and requestors etc. etc. and it all gets very convoluted and confusing. Nothing is intuitive but I feel that, even though it's been one short week, I've learned a lot and am starting to get the hang of at least some  of the processes. The people I work with are so supportive and fun, and help me without making me feel incompetent when I get caught up on something. I have my very own

Photo of Maggie by the new Nanny, Micah Dear Blog, It's day two in Boston. Thanks to Joe the move went very smoothly. I couldn't have done it without him. Now, getting used to the faster current of the city, that's up to me. I have to say that it's been a rough first day. Over the last week/weekend with general stress levels higher than the norm, I've felt a little heavier of heart. Staying in constant movement to get things packed to go, there was just no time to stop for a moment of release. Yesterday I worked from 9 to 6 cleaning and cramming my things into Joe's apartment where I'll be staying until something of my own comes through. It's in the works. I also inadvertently inhibited Joe and his roommates from showering for 24 hours by re-caulking the bathroom without fully reading the directions. I'm sorry guys... at least it's a super clean bathroom now? Anyway by the end of the day I was as drained as you can be. Plus I'm unstoppa

Dear Blog, Once again it's time to look back at the past year and reflect on how much has changed. On just how much this move to Maine has changed my life for the better. My room is packed and I'm feeling a little lonely today, perhaps because my safe haven room is now in pieces. I woke in a bad mood this morning because 1) I couldn't sleep last night. I just couldn't turn my thoughts off and finally had to write them all down (stupid errand things like: fix the car door, should I drive to Boston this weekend, spackle the walls, sell my night stand, blah blah blah...) and read for a half hour before falling asleep at 3 a.m. 2) My room is a hot, foreign, non-inviting zone right now. 3) Last night my computer crashed. So! To solve this problem I made an appointment this morning at the Apple store and shipped out into the bright, hot summer day. While I was parking at the mall a pleasant scent wafted in through my open window and surprised me... Here, in the middle of

Dear Blog, I recently attended the Yarmouth Clam Festival which was a blast to do with friends! Joe and I won a stuffed animal from the darts booth by yelling "POP" when we missed a balloon. The guy behind the counter counted it every time, but probably because he talked us into a ten dollar game in the first place. I love you Joe :) Unfortunately we didn't go on any carnival rides since it was a cash only affair and we forgot to account for that. Though, we had an absolute blast walking around the art and crafts booths with friends Sarah, April, Heather and their charming significant others. During our walk through the rows of glass art, lobster drawings, Maine posters and wool hats we stumbled upon some unique and elegant pieces. This lady's work was one of my faves!   http://freshdesignsjewelry.com/ Beautiful and relatively inexpensive, original and whimsical, I love her work and highly recommend it ladies! She handcrafts these little treasures herself. Anoth

Dear Blog, I am a whirlwind of emotions lately. On Thursday I had an interview at the MFA that went very well, and I'm looking forward to meeting them again this upcoming week. Funny though. I'm an art major and the only opportunity available to me at the MFA may be in the IT department. Do I mind? Not at all, I'd be over the moon grateful to get anything in that wonderful institution. Fingers crossed. This is the story of countless others through the states now trying to find work, by any means. Oh if only we could get employed! I find it ridiculous that wanting a job with a good salary and benefits feels more like being "hopeful" than anything else. Is it just me, or does the idea of landing a good job feel like having a 4.0 GPA and being told, "you'll be lucky if you land your safety school?" Needless to say, I was psyched to have this interview. Before I went in and sat on the cool leather couch of the HR offices, filled with the sounds of pap

Dear Blog, Much of today has been spent walking around Boothbay Harbor with Joe, and it's been so relaxing. The sky is overcast, the water of the harbor shining like a smooth plate of silver while a mist encroaching on the shopfronts settles on the benches, awnings, and the cheeks of the tourists. Foghorns sound every now and again and the party of boats at the docks barely sway. Maine pace, to begin with, is already slow and easy but the pace of Boothbay Harbor on a day like today is at a crawl. With a clear mind and a quiet heart it's a perfect time to reflect on where I've been and where I want to be going with my life. Yes, it's going to be one of those  posts today. For anyone who doesn't know, music plays a very important role in my life. I remember being a little girl watching my dad play his guitar. At first, my interest was geared more toward the instrument itself than the music that derived from it. Once alone I'd go up to the venerable Yamaha and r

Dear Blog, Let's call this Double dip day. Because there's nothing better than going in for that extra little bit of guacamole with a half bitten chip or leftover pasta sauce with a half eaten bread slice or ketchup with that extra long fry you wanted to savor bit by bit. Go for it. Everyone's got cooties anyway. So today I found out today that Kip, father of the child that I nanny, is in a BB MAK music video!! Additionally (and this I already knew) he played creepy bag-head man in the movie The Strangers! Well since I have no interest in horror films...sorry Kip, let me address the boy band topic... Not only did I absolutely SWOON for BB Mak as a young girl, but I was lucky enough to meet them! I'll never forget the moment they walked into the room at the House of Blues in Chicago. They were tall, the tallest men in the room. Golden tan and glowing, their perfectly spiked and frosted tips crowning their angelic boyish faces beaming down at the crowd of pimply, metal

Dear Blog, I've decided to start addressing you so since all of my journal entries have always begun, "Dear Journal." This new opening line seemed more appropriate. Today is another beautiful day on the east coast, though becoming slightly overcast. The best way I found to combat any sneaking gray day blues is with a hot cup of Sweet Rose tea with a small spoonful of honey in it. It's my lunch break since the little lady I watch is down for her afternoon nap, so I'm organizing my thoughts and plans for the upcoming weeks. (Must add that I just made the most delicious salad with cucumber, carrots, turkey, mixed greens, and asiago peppercorn dressing...eeee!!) Next weekend I have a concert to perform with friends Sammie and Max. We form a band, still nameless, and play a variety of music, pop to folk, mostly acoustic and easy listening. By the way if you want to check out my youtube, here's the link!  Youtube ! That being said, band practice needs to happen

Hello all! In addition to the welcome note I wrote today I wanted to provide a true posting. First, let me introduce myself since I so rudely signed off without actually saying a thing about who I am or what I do. I'm Emily. I'm living on the eastern coast of the US and working for another three weeks as a full-time nanny, though what I want to be when I grow up is yet to be determined. I consider myself a writer, an artist, a singer-songwriter, a book collector, a sadly sometimes flaky friend, a cuddler, a sugar addict, a procrastinator and an all-time professional enthusiast about life in general. I am native to the northern suburbs of Chicago, but my family roots reach all over the globe and I feel lucky to be nestled within the arms of such wonderful, crazy, interesting family and friends who spread to all parts of the nation. But enough. I want to tell you about today. I flew into Boston from Chicago yesterday afternoon (a two-hour flight) followed by a two-hour bus f