A Mid-Week Day Off

It's official! My last day of work is October 17th and I could not be more excited!! Since my departure date is so soon, I decided to utilize one of my remaining vacation days...to take an exam.

The exam for my theology class was online for only a 24 hr. time frame and we were assured we would need all of the 2 hours allotted to us to take it. I had no idea when I would be able to finish studying and take it being in the office from 8-5 every day. So, my boss let me have the day off.

I allowed myself to sleep in 30 minutes longer than I usually do. (for the exam's sake!) I rolled out of bed, grabbed one of mom's homemade rolls, lathered it in butter, and retreated to the bonus room to cram for the exam. After creating an extensive study guide and selecting one of my siblings to call out the questions to me, I felt ready around lunch time. I took the exam and rather enjoyed the 9 essay questions. As I told my professor today, I don't know if that means I did really poorly or if I am an absolute nerd. He said, "Well, I already know you are an absolute nerd so hopefully that's all it is." One of the questions actually asked me to share the professor's view on a certain verse and also allowed for an alternate view. I was happy to share mine - which is very different from his! Those of you who have been around me lately probably know this professor and I don't exactly see eye-to-eye on the issue of General Revelation: a passionate topic for all History of Ideas students.

After the exam was finished, I had the daunting task of trying to decide if I wanted to work on school or play the rest of the day. My reason trumped my emotions and I sat down with one of my books and told myself I was going to be here until 3:30 when I had scheduled to meet a friend for coffee. I sat for about 5 minutes until my cooped up energy kept harassing me like an Egyptian fly in my face and my mind started wandering to thoughts of being outside enjoying the beautiful weather. "Okay," my rational-self said, "just go outside on the front porch and continue reading." About 3 minutes later my harnessed energy crept back up and every ounce of flab on my body felt heavier and heavier while my muscles felt limper and limper. "Go biking!" screamed every other voice within me. The moment these voices convinced my reason it would be "good for me" to utilize the exercise, I jumped up, threw on a tank top, stuffed my bike in the back of my Camry, and headed to Durant Nature Park.

The trail kicked my butt. It had been raining all week and I guess I underestimated how difficult it would be to bike up and down hills filled with sharp turns, roots, and rocks on damp, slick terrain. There were a few places I had to walk and quite a few times when I should have flown right into the mud before my "conquer the trail" mentality kicked in! By the time I got back, I looked like I got in a fight with the trail...and the trail won. I had mud all over me and every single muscle in my body (including my backside!) was already sore. I stuffed my muddy bike in the back of my poor car and headed back to find a shower before meeting my friend in less than 30 minutes!

I made it to the coffee shop...and I don't think anyone knew I had just used a half a box of "wet ones" to clean off the mud quickly so to retain my punctuality! Jen and I had an awesome time talking for almost 2 hours. (I'll try to add another post of my thoughts on our conversation.) When 5:30 came, I left for my next activity: haircut with Tara!

Tara, the most awesome stylist in the world, cut my hair in a pixie cut 2 months ago. I have never loved a haircut so much in my life!! It has been so easy, fun, freeing, and allows me to be creative with different styling options. The only part of the cut I didn't love was how she cut the hair in front of my ears asymmetrically so the right side was shorter and the left side came down to a point. I thought I might like this and it is definitely really popular now...but I didn't. I ended up just pulling both sides behind my ears. I always knew I had a thing for symmetry but I though I could handle something new. Not. When I sat down in the chair and she started attacking my head again, I asked her what she was thinking.
"Not telling," she said.
I could see it in her eyes: I'm going to make her WHOLE head asymmetrical!!
"Umm, the only think I didn't absolutely love about the last cut was the asymmetrical part. I just couldn't get used to it! I think I have a thing for symmetry."
"I'm so glad you told me," she said! "Some people do and that's fine!"
Whew.... glad I caught that one! I am normally really daring and like her to experiment - but symmetry makes me happy!

While she was shredding my hair, I told her I was not moving to Rome, but it looks like I am moving to Milan!! Her hands dropped, her mouth opened, and her eyes widened as she turned and looked at me in the mirror.
"Milan??? No way!!!!"
I laughed, "yes, I know. That is your Mecca!"
At that point, cutsie Tinker Bell (with bleached, bleached blond asymmetrical pixie hair now) squeeled! "Okay, I said I would come to visit you in Rome but just to be nice and to wishful think. I really WILL come visit you in Milan!!! I'm dead serious. I'll call the owner tomorrow and schedule it for one of my two weeks vacation!"
For the rest of my time, she told me all about the fashion districts and everything she has dreamed of participating in for years on end. She would go to lots of hair, make up and fashion runway shows, pick up fabric from the fabric district for her friend who is an up-and-coming clothing designer, get a way-cool Milan haircut for herself, and pray Beckham comes to play the Milan futbol team while she is there! I think she would be so much fun to explore Milan with - and hopefully she can help me fit in there a little more! Hearing her talk made me realize just what I am getting myself into fashion-wise. I am going to look like a total dork. I knew that ever since I heard the word "Italy" but I have a little more realistic comprehension now!!

I ended the day by meeting my brother at our favorite Korean restaurant and enjoying some kimchi and dolsot bibimbob. Yum!!

So, that is my account of my mid-week day off! It was wonderful! Since I have 3 more vacation days before I leave, I think I am going to take one day per week off just to keep me from going insain! Working 4 day weeks is just what the doctor ordered!