Where to Draw the Line

In numerous conversations throughout the past few days, boundaries and 'when to draw the line' has been a common theme.  In my recent experience living in liberal America, the lack of community has been shoved into my attention.  It's really sad that although 700 people were just arrested, protesting in NYC against the obvious wrong-doing of Wall Street, those 700 people were not able to come together in community and work together in a more positive way to actually achieve the results they are seeking.  Individuality is such an amazing privilege that we have as US citizens but we also have to step back and begin to see the bigger picture.  Instead of getting so angry with the government, we need to recognize that we allowed this to happen.......greed and selfishness took over and the results were not pretty.

Anyway, that's enough of my rant - there are other moments in life that we need to learn to draw the line, particularly in relationships and those moments where you can stand up for yourself and draw the line, or continue to be walked all over.   Do I sound bitter?  :o)    I am not usually so having a bitter taste once in awhile is probably good for me.

Hopefully the bitter taste won't last long and I'll keep moving along.  I usually do! 

Memorial Day Already?!

Unbelievable.....the fact that it is Memorial Day (and that I had a day off!)   Weekends keep filling up with fun activities and the weather is finally much warmer, welcome summer.   


This past weekend, I had a great friend come visit and it was definitely the start of the summer season here in New England.  My apartment holds heat very well so we made sure to get out as much as we could.  On Saturday, Angela and I trekked a short 45 minutes up to Seabrook, NH to eat at one of the best seafood places, Brown's!!   Just a beachy, not fancy place that knows how to make their lobster right! 


Took it easy the rest of the weekend, enjoying the city and the weather.  My favorite part of Sunday was sitting down at the docks by the harbor, watching people in their boats (and of course listening to the whale watching tours explain their rules to the folks getting ready to head out).   :)


Getting ready for the week here so will write more soon.  Obviously I'm not the  best blog updater but don't worry, I'm still writing!  eventually  ;)

So Far So Good

Well, thus far, my new job is fantastic!  There is always a learning curve and getting used to a new schedule, routine, etc. but I love the people and I love the work.  I can't believe that time is flying so fast.  It is mid-April already, the weeks just keep moving.  I want to make sure that I make the most of my free time here as it is finally spring and I can hang out outside!  


The city really changes character as it gets warmer - people actually smile and are relatively pleasant.  The only thing that seems to have gotten worse is traffic because people want to get to awesome places.   I have visitors coming for the next few weekends so I'll be sure to update you on what we do and where we visit. Thinking about a trip up to NH, maybe Maine as well, and of course, there will be plenty of beach exploring this summer!


Sammie and Nermal are keeping us hopping- they most recently discovered curtains......ugh.   I'll have to send pictures. 


Anyway, gotta get to bed.  Miss you and love you. 

The Transition Begins

I feel like most of the last year of my life has been different transitions.  I have one more big one to go and that will be transitioning my current clients to their new music therapists and the moving into my new full-time position! I am very excited to get started, meet my new co-workers etc. etc. 


In other news, this weekend was wonderful!  Angela and I hosted a game-night on Friday night, complete with munchies and pizza.  About ten people fit into our tiny apartment and were full of laughs, playing Apples to Apples and Catch Phrase.  Mark was scarily good at Catch Phrase  :o)   It was so awesome to look around and see that in my short 6 months here, I'm starting to build community. I think the winter months were hard because people don't want to come out and do as much but the warmer weather should be great for getting involved and getting to know people!


Being 25 is a strange age for transitions.  40 years ago, being 25 would be a whole different stage than what it is now....but I don't think I'm behind or ahead, I wouldn't change any decisions thus far so I think I'm on a good path. Two roads diverged......  :o)


Anyway, off to bed - the start of transition week awaits me in the morning.


miss you and sending love, xoxoxo

Getting Back into the Swing of Things

Obviously I have fallen off the blogging bandwagon - but have no fear, I intend to redeem myself.  As I sat here, spending a ridiculous amount of time checking my e-mail(s), facebook, etc., I realized that there was no reason I couldn't be updating my blog and letting people know what's going on in my life.  I won't go into extreme detail and although I'm not longer living in Jordan, I still have some pretty interesting stories and experiences.  


I will start my filling you in (briefly) on my life in Somerville thus far.  I moved here at the end of September '10 and was lucky enough to find the coolest roommate via craigslist.  No horror stories - if anything, me and the cats have been a horror story for her!  Her name is Angela and she is fantastic, that's all I will say there.   I started working for part-time Roman Music Therapy Services and also contracted part-time for a local hospice agency and balanced the two jobs since November.  Switching my mind between kids and hospice patients each day began to take a bit of a toll mentally and physically on me so I opened my mind to other ideas and opportunities.  It so happened that an opportunity literally fell into my lap and starting April 6, I will be working full-time as a music therapist for another hospice agency.  It was a difficult decision to part with my current positions but this is the most responsible and healthy decision for me at this time.  I can't tell you how excited I am to really put my energy into one position, really work on my therapeutic skills with one population.  


The cats have gotten HUGE since I last posted a picture.  I'll have to take a current picture for you and put it up soon.  They keep me busy and are always getting into some sort of trouble.  Even though they often cause frustration, I wouldn't trade them for anything.  I think it is so important to have something outside yourself that you are responsible for, that you take care of - and they also provide comfort for me.  


I have been slowly getting to know the city of Boston as well as the surrounding towns and neighborhood and let me tell you, there is no shortage of awesome restaurants!!  Keeping my usual pace, I will certainly walk you through Boston via food  :o)


My life in Jordan is still stuck in my head and I think of it often - I also picture my life in South Carolina.  It's funny how we leave a bit of ourselves everywhere we go.  I only hope that I leave good memories for folks and I know that I take wonderful experiences and memories from each place that I have been.   


Will update soon.  

update soon!

I need to update soon!!!!  I promise I will


sending love!