And the summer is now officially over as far as I'm concerned. I kind of have to say... good riddance. It wasn't all bad and actually a lot of good came out of it, but I'm still ready for it to be over. It helps that I love fall and am happy to have the cooler weather rolling in and the familiar feeling in the pit of my stomach that says, "It's time to learn something new." (Does that ever go away or is it just permanently ingrained in our systems after years of starting school every September?)
Labor Day, as usual, marked the close of summer for me again this year. And also as usual I spent it up in Wisconsin with Sarah and Michael. This year was a little different than most as Sarah is 7 months pregnant. There's something very strange about seeing her pregnant. When she got married it didn't seem so strange. When my friend Barbara had a baby a few months ago that didn't seem so weird. But it's fundamentally strange to see Sarah pregnant. Just seems foreign somehow. And I'm totally excited for her and Michael... it just is odd. Maybe because when I look at Sarah I still think back to the first day we met at UIC. Maybe I'll forever see us as 18 years old, being out on our own for the first time and totally not ready to be thinking about having kids!
At any rate, it was amazingly nice to spend time with both Sarah and Michael and just "be" this weekend. I think this summer has worn on me in part because I've been busy with so many new people in my life. New friends, new co-workers, new interests. Over the course of the weekend it really came clear that Sarah and I have not been keeping up with each other. And I have to say... it was so nice to be with people who have known you for that long, who you can just kick back, recall funny stories, and even sit in silence with and have it be perfectly OK.
At one point this weekend I was sitting in the front of the boat, Bob Marley was wailing on the radio and I opened my eyes and was just awe-struck by the beauty of the water, trees, bright blue sky and puffy white clouds surrounding me. It was just an amazing sense of peace.
With that image in mind, I headed over to a meditation class this evening at a local Buddhist Center. I've been playing with meditation here lately and have really gotten in to the idea of slowing down the mind and grounding yourself in the present. I think it's a little hard to do yourself though, so I thought a class might be good. And I think it was. It was a little strange. Probably a little more based in the buddhist beliefs than I was really prepared for (or even understand), but it was still very peaceful and relaxing. I think it's the type of thing where I can go and get something from it, I just have to know going in that I'm not going to agree with everything that's being said - and I have to know that's ok. Very nice people and a very nice environment.
Other exciting news from the weekend - I bought a couch today! Finally, after months of deliberation, I made a decision and signed on the dotted line. (Yes, mom, it's the one that looks like an awning!) Can't wait for it to get here!
No comments:
Post a Comment