Why Friday puppies, you ask? Well, it’s a scientific fact that Friday puppies make the week seem a little brighter. Especially when you’re running on three hours of sleep and you have fifteen minutes left of lunch. During which time you need to eat a sandwich, correct seventeen homework quizzes and write a blog post.    Okay, the puppy thing might not be a scientific fact, exactly. But the point is, it’s been a long day. In fact, it’s been a long week. Let’s not even bring science into it. I personally feel that puppies will make everything better. And maybe my determination around this issue is the most important…

What is the balance of life??!!  You are dying to know! Here it is: The balance of life exists as a pendulum.  The falling and the climbing are endlessly exhilarating. Lately however, I’ve been hanging out in at the equilibrium position (see photo). I’m excited about the prospects ahead of me: moving, learning more Spanish, buying adorable new black work boots.  I’m also comfortable with where I am: in a great apartment, moderately comfortable in 2 of the 17 past tense verb conjugations that exist in Spanish, no black work boots (BUT the proud new owner of fabulous black suede weekend boots).  I feel stable and accomplished. I adore the…

I’m moving.  Apartments, I mean.  Not right now or anything, but soon enough.  It is a shift into the adulthood of my early thirties.  I can’t believe it, but for the first time I will be signing a lease and living alone. As I looked back over my decade of living in rented space, I can’t believe how little of it has existed alone.  Boyfriends.  Roommates.  Shared trailer park space.  Inappropriately long stretches of time living with my mother.   Now the time has finally come to try apartment life solo.  I live in a safe city with cheap rent and it’s time to take advantage and start behaving (slightly)…

To define ‘what’s important’ sometimes you need to take a step back and think. Sometimes, instead of thinking, you plan frantic back-to-back weekend trips for three months at a time. I consider myself ‘Exhibit A’ in this example. Where have I been, you ask?   Let me tell you.  In the last 3 months, I have been in: -the South of France-Barcelona-Morocco-Italy-London-Valencia In addition, I have been working 60 hours a week, teaching 3 separate subjects to 110 students.  I’ve written comments and assigned grades for all of them twice.  I’m taking 2 different types of Spanish classes and desperately trying to give my wonderful boyfriend some measure of meaningful…

I think the hardest thing is to be happy right where you are. There is something about the American South that always highlights this concept for me.    Human nature slows south of the Mason Dixon line.  Communities thrive on small beauties, warm normalcy and delivered satisfaction.    I thrive on hurried, fretful decisions, screaming adversity to normalcy and a constant search for deeper meaning. It’s important for me to come South and Slow Down. It’s here that I learn the most important lessons of how to be happy right where you are. I’m writing from Oklahoma City. The business district lays on flat, functional ground. The hotel manager called…