MMM Sweet Icy Vanilla Goodness

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 from Boston to Portland, Maine. Not too bad travel-wise, but I was pooped by 9 PM when I got home. I've returned to the east coast minus four very stupid, STUPID things: Wisdom teeth. Ironic eh? Who the hell decided, up there in the great cosmos, that wisdom teeth were a good idea? And who was the jackass who decided it was important to remove them from out tender jaws? Never in my life have I experienced such pain. But fear not, people of four wisdoms, not all have such a brutal experience as mine. Being overly sensitive to the pain meds, I kept nothing down for days. My only option, lest I become dehydrated and deflated, ditch the meds. My only tools for battling the excruciating ache were ice, Tylenol and the care of my family and boyfriend. Thank God after a full week I'm almost entirely recovered. 

Today was my first day back to work and let me say, there is nothing so heart-warming or so joyous as the excited squeal from an adorable two-year-old girl who hasn't seen you in over a week. What a reunion we had! I got the most precious hug around the neck which would be my balm for the next few hours while I thought of the family I left back in Chicago and realized just how much I missed having them nearby. Post-work I was still feeling blue and a tad lonely, so I drove to Starbucks for a refreshing iced vanilla latte as a treat for myself. On this hot, hot day with the windows down as I drove home, I couldn't help but say out loud: "Yummy."

Once home, I sat down for a little unwinding at my keyboard and blundered through the first two pages of "Clair de Lune," and managed a little better with my old friend, "Moonlight Sonata." For those of you now realizing I'm a nerd–well shit, let's face it I know you figured that out already–bear with me. I'm a sensitive, passionate person and I spill my heart out through many outlets. Each as important to me as the other (which is perhaps why I can never decide on a vocation). I stood and noticed myself in the mirror, feeling still just as moody as the sonata left me, and realized I looked like one hot mess. And what do I do when I'm feeling down? I dress up! Who knows why. Something about boosting confidence levels I guess. I removed my flip-flops, jeans and sweaty tee, took down my hair and threw on some short shorts, a floaty blouse, a sparkly headband and pair of tall brown wedges. Plus, a splash of perfume to make me feel special :) I packed my bag with my laptop and books and trudged down the broken brick path to the coffee shop where I sit now. Instead of applying for jobs as I should be, I'm writing about my life because I believe at the base of it all, this is what I do. I express myself. Why not make something of it?

I ordered another iced vanilla latte (my little favorite café–The Hilltop–trumping Starbucks with both taste and atmosphere) and sat down and let loose. On my potty break I noticed something wonderful written on the bathroom chalkboard: Write one hundred things that bring you joy, and feel joy flooding to you. Well, I may not have the patience to sit and write 100 things that make me giggle, at least not at the moment, but I can think of one of the greatest things of all– Love, cheesy as it is. I'm lucky to have lots of it in my life. A family who take care of me when I'm at my lowest, friends who text to lend support, and a boyfriend who would come with me all the way to the midwest to put ice bags on my puffy cheeks. Maybe turning a mood around is as easy as a cool drink on a hot day, a little make-over, and taking the time to sit and think of all the ways one's life is blessed.

Thank's Rosemont Market!

Near to closing, the friendly maker of vanilla-latte-miracles began mopping up around my chair while coincidentally, "Moonlight Sonata" began playing over the speakers. I read a little, feeling relaxed as the pages fluttered in the breeze coming from the open doorway while the light and shadow crept across the floor. Comfy as I was I didn't stay much longer, as my stomach started rumbling. Packing up, I said goodbye and headed directly next door to the charming little market where I picked up some salad and veggies, a milk chocolate bar, a baguette and a cheap bottle of wine. If it says "Vanilla oak" on the label (are we sensing a trend?) I want it in my life. The short walk home was breezy and golden. Families were out walking their dogs, children were skitting by on plastic skateboards, construction workers sipped beers and admired the handiwork of the half-demolished abandoned school behind my apartment building, and I could smell the ocean.

My big move to Boston is soon and I should be more prepared by applying to every kind of occupation, and churning out cover letters like it's–no pun intended–my job, but there is another, more satisfying kind of writing that I was compelled to do today. And because of it I can take on the next day with a more positive feeling and state of mind. Live it up today, you all. Do something silly. Pamper yourself a little. If you're in a funk, dress it in tight pants and parade it around town because you're beautiful... and so is the day.

Em