two left hips

I went salsa dancing for the first time this week. Even after I warned the friend who suggested it that I can in no way dance, and probably shouldn't even pretend to know how, I went anyway and proved myself correct. But I had a lot of fun trying! I may even go back for seconds. I learned two important lessons:
1) I have hips (who knew?)
2) I have a problem moving them properly (when clothed, anyway, and to the rhythm of salsa music...)
I technically already knew #2, but next time, we'll see if I improve with an extra drink beforehand.

happy estrogen day!

If you're interested in the origins of Easter, follow the link. An amusing excerpt follows:

"To go even further we can see the connection between Easter and Fertility, as we know the name for the female reproductive system came from the Goddess of Fertility. Eastre = Estrous cycle and Estrogen, the female hormone.
In the past groves of Oak trees were planted so that some could be carved to be giant phallic symbols, and celebrated on this occasion. The common greeting was to hold up the middle finger towards another person. We now consider this offensive, but it traces back to a simpler time, when fertility rituals were common and accepted."

So... in celebration, go flick someone off today. When they get upset with you, explain that you're just getting in touch with your roots. And if they don't like it, you can celebrate this day of fertility in a different, more personal way, and hop into bed with them. Surely a less offensive gesture.

the fountain of youth

...incase you wanted in on the secret. According to a (spritely, cheerful, very sweet) elderly patient here, the three keys to staying young are, in order of importance:
1. Jesus
2. Chiropractic
3. Organic food and beauty products.

I'll give it to her, she's 78 and has great skin. I need to ask Jesus which moisturizer he recommends...

HOT-lanta?

It is April, and it has been showering like crazy. And all this rain is now bringing a pretty intense cold front my way. Tomorrow, it won't get warmer than the 40s, and temps may actually drop to freezing. Not good news, since I don't have but one long-sleeved shirt with me. I didn't even bring my fall jacket here, thinking I'd be melting in Atlanta heat the minute I stepped into town. I had to buy a blanket today in preparation, since I'm lacking appropriate bedding as well. I may have to roll up to work tomorrow wrapped in said blanket. I wish someone would have told me to expect a freeze in these parts. This weather be crazy confusing.

Things are still pretty slow here... it's been far too long since I've had a late night out or broken a wine glass on my face. In somewhat related news, I’m feeling a bit uncreative, which is why I haven’t been inspired to post much recently (not that there's a whole lot to report). I should make it a point to pick out at least one funny thing about every day, and make more frequent mini-posts. Because there’s always SOMEthing funny going on. Especially when I work for an 81-year-old chiropractor who's been at it for almost 60 years, and whose list of favorite things includes telling awesome jokes. I'll leave you with one he told last night:

An armed bank robber was fleeing the scene when he passed an onlooker. "Did you see me rob this bank?" the thief asked. "Yes," the man replied. BANG! The robber shot the witness on the spot. He went to the next man, standing close by. "Did you see me rob this bank?" the thief asked him. "No," the man replied. Then, pointing to the woman standing beside him, he added, "but my wife did."

slow and sleepy

Today, like yesterday, has been gray and drizzly. I usually love days like this, especially when it's the weekend. It's a good excuse to stay in your underwear and drink tea and read in bed all day long.

But today was my second day of work, and I am exhausted. I'm getting used to the flow of the office (at the chiropractic clinic I work at), and still learning how everything is working. I wanted to nap this afternoon, but decided my time would be better spent re-connecting with the world and going out in it. So I sit in a cozy corner at my new favorite cafe in downtown Decatur, people-watching, enjoying the crowd and the coffee, and looking up Albert Camus quotes. I've collected some of my favorites for you. So kick back with a pot o' tea, put on some Sigur Ros or Iron and Wine, and enjoy your afternoon.

- Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better.
- Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.
- In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.
- Men must live and create. Live to the point of tears.
- Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal.
- To be happy we must not be too concerned with others.
- Truth, like light, blinds. Falsehood, on the contrary, is a beautiful twilight that enhances every object.
- You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.
- Blessed are the hearts that can bend; they shall never be broken.
- But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads?

springtime and the livin' is easy

This month has truly been a vacation. There was a time last weekend in Austin, amidst my mid-afternoon porch-sitting and wine-drinking, where I actually thought to myself, 'I'm having so much fun, I'm pretty much jealous of my own life right now.' It was about 2pm, and it's when I knew I was drunk.

I spent another few days in Houston visiting with family, playing the part of personal chiropractor for my parents, and then I played and totally won at car tetris: I packed up my lil '96 Camry to the brim and rolled my way to Hot-lanta. Which, thankfully, is not hot yet. I made it here during the few weeks of spring, before the humidity descends and I begin traveling everywhere in a bathing suit. The first 8 hours of the drive, I thought to myself that I could make a career of driving across the country. (The last four hours, after I'd exhausted the new music on my ipod and was squinting to see the lines on the road, I reconsidered.)

Once at my destination, I made about six trips up to the third-floor apartment (54 steps in all), with my bike, one of two of my enormous suitcases, and various other personal effects. I took great care in manually locking the passenger side door of my car, since lately it's been acting all busted with the automatic lock. Then this morning, when I went to my car to run by Target for a shower liner so I could bathe myself, I wiped the grime from my face, jaw dropping, to realize I'D LEFT THE GODDAMN REAR DOOR OPEN. Meaning: ipod! suitcase! car stereo! bike rack! shit, TOYOTA! all exposed to the residents of the complex, begging someone to steal it all. Luckily, it was all still there. I want to believe that this is because I am a good person, and not because I am really, really fucking lucky. Maybe both?

So anyway, the weather here is amazing (70 degrees, sun shining), and there are little tree buds blooming like crazy everywhere in green, pink, and white. Today I am enjoying this glorious weather during my last two days of vacation. I am errand-running at places like Ikea, Whole Foods, and the kitchen supply store in downtown Decatur. And I am super excited about settling in and living in a(nother) new city for a bit. Weee!

the golden weekend

Yesterday, I spent approximately 8 hours playing Peggle. I took a nap. I changed out of my pajama pants only to go to the liquor store. I had a dinner of waffles, bacon, oranges, and whiskey, then went to two parties.

Today, after an extraordinary Tex-Mex breakfast, what remains on the schedule is more napping, more Peggle, and afterwards, ice cream. It's very likely I may explode from vacation ecstasy.

I gotta go. The pj's are waiting.

best hosts ever

I'm in Austin now, finally able to fulfill my promise to myself for daily breakfast tacos, and I'm enjoying the town despite the gray, drizzly briskness. I'm staying with my friends Geoff and Griffon, and their adorable 3 1/2-year-old, Millie.

There is Peggle here - an xbox game I was previously ignorant to, which is the best, most time-sucking game ever. There is a constant stream of whiskey. And there are play parties between dad and daughter, involving dinosaurs with personal space issues, animal couples who go to therapy, and sugar-cookie afficionado kitties with rival blogs.

I never want to leave this place.

only temporary

I knew I was not a fan of the 'burbs, but ... ugh.

There are Hummers! And strip malls! So many churches, and Republicans! Plus, way more concrete than just a year ago.

I love Texas, and I grew up in this place, but it still gives me the shakes.

in transit

After the final four days with virtually no sleep, I was forced to say my goodbyes to Quebec City. The details were a blur, but I know that many friends (and new family) were bid farewell (for now), many festivities were shared, and a few tears were let go in the process.

It had been awhile since I was face-to-face with a town like Davenport. I'd just arrived in the midwest Thursday, was awake here for all of two hours, when I said to myself, "Fuck this noise. I'm going to Chicago." So the weekend was spent with more friends, until I had to face my responsibilities and return to Iowa. It really hasn't been all bad. There are friends here also, more goodbyes to bid soon, as well as the closing ceremonies to what has been a three-year blur. I graduate in just 14 hours, after which I'll have a "Doctor" before my name. Crazy. Yesterday I hugged my mom for the first time in over a year. And this weekend, I make the two-day drive back to Texas, where I have not been since early 2008. My car hasn't seen the state since 2005, as evidenced by my long-expired inspection sticker which I *hope* no state troopers will give me shit for until I can update.

Everyone around me is in the "so what are your plans?" mode. I am, too. It's interesting to find out what my fellow graduates are up to next, where they'll practice, how far our class is spreading. And even though I only have it figured out through June, I am perfectly alright with that. And I consider that no small feat. Just a year ago, not knowing what I was going to do two months down the road drove me crazy with worry. I am now embracing the process. It can be incredibly fun to not have any effing clue where you'll end up. And in the meantime, while I'm figuring it out, I consider myself overwhelmingly lucky to have had the experiences I've had.

So goes the week of closure to one era of my life. Here's to three (bland, albeit worthwhile) years in Iowa, three (amazing, incredible) months in Quebec, and the rest of my life in who-the-hell-knows-where. (Which way's the wind?)

last week in paradise

I sadly have only 8 more days left in Quebec, after which I'll spend a week back in Iowa, and then a month in Texas. I am now in the midst of the 'lasts.' My last full week of work. My last Thursday outing at Jos Dion. My last dinner with the Corriveaus. My last chance to practice French with people in my immediate surroundings. My last opportunity to walk through the most snow I've ever seen in one place. Just a few things I'm going to miss:

- Mr. T dubbed in French.

- small children speaking another language.

- Sunday evening dinners with my French family.

- the bakeries. holy chouette will I miss the bakeries.

- SNOW. (seeing it, tasting it, throwing it, trudging through it, driving in it...)

- Michele, saying things like:
... "I thought you said sex for breakfast!?"
... (While analysing films at work, after my comment on liking the easy cases) "I like my x-rays how I like my men."
... (After I tried to ask if she'd consulted the local weekly newspaper bout the goings-on for the weekend, by referring to simply "the Book") "Umm... the phone book? The Bible? Harry Potter?"
... (Every other day, after losing hers) "Can I borrow your sunglasses/gloves/keys?"

- walking to Le Pape Georges every Sunday night to see friends, music, and friends playing music.

- the view from my balcony.





Things I will love to have again, once I return to the tee-ex:

- the ability to go outside in a t-shirt.

- circulation in my fingers and toes. (you think I'm kidding.)


- mon pere, telling me to relax or take it in stride or use good judgment.
- ma chatte, waking me up by trying to eat my hair. (who knew a day would come when I'd want that back?)- breakfast tacos. oh my sweet lord, breakfast tacos. (no picture because I didn't wanna get my taste buds' panties in a twist.)

A huge part of me doesn't want to leave. I've had the time of my life here. I've learned a lot, both professionally and personally. I learned another language (sort of). I lived with someone for the first time in years, and it was with one of my best friends. I've made friends who I know I'll stay in touch with forever. And honestly, I would be happy to stay here for another, longer, chunk of my life. It's too bad that that's just not in the stars right now.

Still, with all that, it's good to know that as much as I've enjoyed my time here, and as much as I don't want to go, I'll soon have some irreplaceable favorites to return to.

Although I don't think it'll make saying goodbye any easier.

things quebec has taught me

I make friends easier than I previously thought.

When I lack control over too many things in my life, I tend to get grumpy and resent people in my immediate environment.

John Hiatt can be incredibly sexy.

I may be a bit of a masochist.

Something as simple as having the ability to drive myself to work can turn my whole world around.

Snow is one of my favorite things. It's one of the only substances that is beautiful both on a micro and macro scale. And it's fucking fun!

Waterproof shoes aren't really waterproof.

it's too early for that kind of talk

The chiropractic software program my boss (Mitch, or Michel) uses in his clinic allows for a doctor log-in and an assistant one. He for some reason chose 'assmichel' for the assistant name. I'm pretty sure he didn't realize what that sounded like until Michele pointed it out to him. Since then, he's said things like, 'put my ass up there' when he wants us to log in. The guy can be funny when he wants to be.

It was barely 8am, and one of the first sentences my boss said to me was, 'I want you to open an ass right here.'