Autumn, and daydreams...

So its been over a month since I updated... but I really had to force myself even to do it now.
Sometime I just have too much going on in my head and I can't even make sense of it, and the idea of trying to get it out so that others can try to make sense of it is overwhelming! This would be one of those times.

Various things in my head right now:
China
Autumn
Work
Anniversaries

So where do I start? It's not with China, that's for sure. I can't even begin... I loved it there so much, and I would love to return. I'm already dreaming about going back... but already the memories are becoming distant, and sureal; as if in some museum and covered with glass. This weekend we are having a brief "reunion" for those that went on the trip, and I'm hoping that will get ride of some of the fog. Until I actually write about my trip, I will give you these two pictures...

Sean (head of the bar staff on our boat) and I dressed as emperor and emperess... He was my China crush.

Dave and I on the deck of the boat on the Yangzhe River...

As for autumn, well that is just a feeling more then an actual thought chain. I adore Autumn!! It is my absolute favorite time of year. Pumpkin carving and hay rides. Halloween and warm apple cider. I'm definitely happy to be living it right now... the crisp nights and vivid colors... it does wonders for my mood and my overall outlook. How can I be bitter-sweet about life when the world just looks gorgeous?

Then there is work. It's really not so bad... but I'm just tired of doing something that is rather mindless and boring a lot of the time. I crave the days when I'm so busy that I don't have time to stop and think about how boring and meaningless my job can seem. I mean, its a job, and its fine. Someone has to do it... and there are time when I realize how important it is that they have someone to do the things I do. But that someone doesn't have to be me! I need to start looking for something better, but the problem is: I don't know where to look! I need to go back to grad school... but most of them require things for entry, which I can't offer (a language requirement, a GPA just beyond my reach in undergrad, or a super essay which I don't currently have the time to write). I know that I just need to decide where my focus lies, and go for it... but sometimes that is easier said then done. Most of the time I really don't know what I want, but I know that this is not it. I have been daydreaming a lot lately... of a great job with decent pay, that needs me for 3-4 days a week... even if they are long days. That would be so ideal. I miss being outside during the day. I miss being able to be on top of laundry and cleaning and errands. I don't want to waste my weekends on such things! My daydream for the past few weeks has been of an eccentric professor of IR or foreign policy or the like, or even better of Asian Studies/Chinese, who needs a research assistant. That is my dream. That is what I want to do. He can do the practical application... and if he wants a general sounding board, or someone to co-write a paper with him, I am all about that... but I want my hands in the research. But that is really just a daydream.

As for anniversaries... well Trav and mine is next week, on the 13th. It will be 4 years for us. I'm a bit excited because it is his turn to plan this year, and he has been shooting off some nice ideas. He already told me he has the day off of work, and that he should come into the city so that we can do lunch. I'm very excited about that. :-) I'm expecting he will probably cook us a night dinner or something along those lines, but we will have to wait and see. This year we decided to just tell each other what we need right now... it sounds so practical, and the gifts aren't the most exciting (work shirts for me, a new feather pillow and colgne for him). But it really works for what we are trying to do. Saving is top priority, and so getting each other a bunch of stuff that is cute, but unnecessary just seems stupid. So this works.

Other exciting news... this weekend Rochelle and I are going wedding dress shopping (for her not me). Her and Pat are getting married next year, and I'm honored to be one of the bridesmaids. It's very exciting, and watching her plan is giving me something to look forward to.

Well, that is enough for now. I have so much more floating around my head... but I should get back to work. I do have boring things to do you know... ;-)

Zai jian!!!