Wherever you go

Typing this on a Sunday morning after being awake for two hours now. It's nice to finally just get a breather since work's been kicking my butt the past few weeks. Can't believe it's almost fall already, time definitely goes by fast, yet at some point, it seems to be really slow at the same time.

I had a good summer overall, my family from Norway visited the U.S. It was nice to see them again after five years, and I'm making it a point of not letting that long of a gap happen again. It was nice just spending time with them, taking them sightseeing, walking around the city, and just staying at home, doing whatever we please. During their stay, we went to Florida as well to visit my aunt and uncle. Went to see some military museums, and hit the beach. I was seriously surprised I got sunburned, I didn't think it applies to me haha

The family left but my grandma ended up staying with me for almost a month. She was supposed to stay in FL but preferred my place more so that was that. Then two weeks in, my cousin ended up coming here to the area to move. We've been sharing my place for about a month now, and though it works, we definitely need a bigger place. Been looking for places, but won't really get to move for another month or two. With that happening, I'm pretty much staying put in DC for a few more years at least.

I'm working on some things to make my living here better with that in mind. I actually like the area but sometimes I forget, when I get bogged down with stuff and thinking a move will make things better. But then, I realize that what I'm trying to change are external factors when I need to look within and really work on myself. Like what's said, wherever you go, there you are so I can move to a place that I think will make me happy, but I still will be carrying the same thoughts.

Decisions

My time in DC will be over this summer if things go according to planned. Initially my plan was to stick it out one more year which will be December once my lease is up, but now I'm looking into leaving come August.
My boss is already aware of it, though she wanted me to hell the section head which I did but of course, he wants to talk to me more about it.

I'm kinda excited about the move, but alas when I overthink it, all the reasons that I shouldn't move creeps up. Professionally, it might not be the smartest decision since I'm actually gonna leave work and pursue my studies full-time, eventhough it'll still be in the same field. It's not too bad going to school full time but part of me still wants to just do it full-time (and only work maybe part-time or not even) to see what it's like. Maybe it's just what I'm doing now but I seriously feel I like need some time off since I dread even going in to work these days.

I think my trip to Greece really did a number on me, I met all these folks who've travelled all over the world, some who kinda lives a nomadic life moving from one country to another. It kinda made me think how eventhough I make 2x or 3x what they're making, they seem content. The money's nice but I feel like I just want more from life now. It just felt that some things aren't working any longer so I'm working on changing that.

I'm reevaluating my life and working on finding out what my motivations were in doing/not doing certain things, looking back at the mistakes I made and what I can do to prevent it from happening again. I'm turning 28 this year and after reading about this seven year cycles we all go through. Part of me is freaking out like "You need to get your shit straight!" since I feel like I've missed out on certain things, internalizing so much that I shut myself from the outside world.

Anyways, I need to get to bed. This is one thing I can probably work on is to sleep early since when I sleep now, I'd have to get up in 4 1/2-5 hours so definitely not looking forward to it.

See the world

I'm back "home" now after taking a trip to Greece that's been put off for too long. I made an online friend through mIRC back in 2003 when I first got my computer, and we've managed to stay in contact after all this time. It was spring break from school, and I felt the need to get away from anything familiar. Initially, my intent was to go to Puerto Rico so I can see my pet boxer who's been gone for two years now. But alas, that didn't work out and opted for Greece which was my backup, so to speak.

It was a nice trip, albeit a bit too short it feels like. Getting there felt like an eternity though since between layovers, it took roughly 20 hours to get to Crete on Saturday, when I left the US on a Friday. I instantly recognized my friend, we shook hands and made our way to his car where we both gave each other a hug, the real greeting we deserved. I got to see different parts of the island, had Greek food, saw a carnaval, met couchsurfers, etc. The food was amazing, even the local cheese was to die for that I wanted to bring some back so bad but of course, it wasn't allowed. I definitely would want to go back during the summer since it was still cold out, and having the beach/water close to you was in vain since you can't really swim in it.

During my trip, I just explored the city mainly and learned more about its history, after having heard about it four years ago when I took History of Western Civilization. I walked the grounds of Knossos, went around the Venetian walls and fortress, seen things linked to El Greco, Nikos Kazantzakis, etc. My friend ended up taking me to Chania and Rethymno as well so I think I did decent for only having stayed seven days, big thanks to my friend.

I actually saved a job I found in that part of Greece but didn't get to apply for it since I got confused where the posting was, finding it AFTER the fact, of course. It'll be real nice (at least I think) to live in Europe where it's relatively easy to just hop on the plane and go to a different country, even for a weekend. A few people I've met have been travelling for a while, and it made me a bit jealous, I'll admit. I've always wanted to bum around Europe for a few months, and see/experience different things. It bummed me out but at the same time, I'm excited about making it happen and I've promised myself that I'll work towards that goal when I return to the U.S. I'm gonna make it a point of travelling more from now on, though that months of backpacking around Europe might wait a little bit, perhaps I'll even go to school/work there, baby steps...

Kicking my ass

Wowwww, this new schedule is kicking my ass a little bit. Mon-Thurs, I'm pretty much work-school-home-sleep repeat. Four weeks in to school, and it's actually nice to be back. The Sign Language class is getting more interesting now that I know to do basic signs: introducing myself, describing people well more like what they're wearing, some actions, etc. We were supposed to have exams last week but got pushed back to this week coz of the snow. DC's definitely been hit hard this past two winters than what I can remember since moving here. So with these cancellations, it gave me more time to study except I really didn't. I waited til the day of to try to cram as much as I can haha.. I really thought it'll be different now, except it's not. I did the same thing back in elementary school, loooord.

Aside from that, things have been mixed to be honest. I'm torn as to what my next move will be. I feel that my time in DC is ending, and I'm ready for a change. It's been good living here, but at times, I just hate it so much for a mix of reasons. They always say there's a deeper reason why you feel the way you feel about things and I'm still trying to determine what they are. Work-wise, it's good for the most part but at times, when politics gets mixed in, I just wanna bolt out of the door. It irks me when people try to pull ranks and stuff, like seriously, what kind of person does that!? Or if not that, say one thing then turn around and make a 180 flip and make me (department) look bad in the process. My boss is telling me to try to stick out another year so that's that, will see how the next few months pan out. I'm applying to jobs all over and might make the leap wherever I get hired first. I've said on my profile that I'd be interested to move overseas even, or in another part of the country. Cali would be nice though, i think. I'm ready for sunny year around hehe

Definitely could use a vacay so looking into my options next month. With being in school and all, I can take off one week at the most. I have two places in mind right now: one is where I'll see someone I've missed these past few years, or other is I'll get to meet someone who I've known for 8 years online. Need to decide though before it gets too close to the date and plane ticket prices go up. It'll be nice either way, just a change of environment and be around something familiar.

That's it mainly, just taking it slow this weekend after getting drunk two weeks ago that I threw up in a cab ride. Guess like they say, there's always a first :-o Am glad the taxi driver was nice about it from what I remember. I think I was chatty and friendly to her during the ride so maybe that helped. That's from my tiny recollection of how the evening went.

Back to basics

Well, after using multiple URL's for my blog, I decided to go back to my original one. Of course, I was bubbling with stuff to write about and now it's coming up blank.

It's 10 PM as I'm writing this and have one more hour to go that I stay up since I'm on 'stand-by.' They wanted us to be on call at work in case something happens IT-wise in our offices in the East Coast. It's been an interesting year having gotten this government job I'm currently in. I'm not sure what I was hoping to experience when I become one but I guess you kinda get over it once you become one.

2010 was kinda a blur overall, even in my personal life. It felt like I coasted through it I'll admit that when it's drawing close to an end, I wrote down things I'd want to change for the upcoming year. I didn't take classes, didn't do volunteer work, amongst other things. So far, I'm making progress with the 1st month of 2011 coming to a close. I'm signed up for two classes, Chemistry and Sign Language. Been going to the gym more as well, partly coz I have to now since I got a personal trainer, something I definitely didn't think I would do but I guess never say never. We did some checks today and I'm actually making progress, though not as much as I could be. Changing my eating habits is taking a little getting used to, since now I have to eat protein more than anything.

I'm soo sleepy, 24 more minutes to go (T_T)