Birds on Wires

Hello world,

Life is as busy and hectic as always. Finals are just around the corner, and then I have a busy summer planed. Dirk and I are leaving SF at the end of May, but I’ll continue to be in the city 5+ days a week for work and summer school. Somehow, I know it’ll all work itself out.

I’m taking more then one class this summer which will keep me fairly busy, and it’ll keep people out of my hair. One is an upper division behavioral science course, the other, a language course. If the latter proves to be interesting enough, I might bite the bullet and try to study abroad for a semester. Life is going to get serious pretty soon, and before I have any big commitments (ie: husband, house payment, baby) I want to be able to do something that is entirely selfish. We’ll see…

Another word on the traveling front: I’m taking off a week in late October to go to New Orleans. It might end up being a group trip, but most of my friends have a lot going on so more than likely, I’ll probably end up exploring for a week–solo. But, if anyone wants to join me, get in touch with me and we might be able to make something happen.

Back to work,
E

Because there will inevitably be a round two. . .
The Good Mood Food Blog
Vegan Yumy Yum
Cal King
Dietriffic
Pinch my Salt
Glutenfree

-E

Dirk and I are moving out in May. We’re going to go bunk up in Los Altos, where my family owns a house, and doesn’t care if a stinky dog moves in. I don’t want to tempt the rental situation here anymore-it would be my luck if our landlord came over to fix something (yeah, right) and found Dirk at the house. All of the house mates would be screwed, not just Scott and I.  I can’t do that.

I’ll move back to SF at the end of summer (when school starts), but this is certainly going to be an interesting experience.  The commute will be the least fun I’ll have with it–good thing I only work four days a week.  I’ll be around my family a lot more, around Scott a lot less and I’ll be forced to come into my own in a way that hasn’t been possible these past few years.

It’ll be a little bit different, but I welcome the experience.  Bring on the personal growth.
-E

-Sleeping in on Saturdays.

-Having a job I like love.

-French Bulldogs.

-Order in Thai food.

-Stationary.

-Warm weather.

-The color “purple”.

-Wine and cheese nights.

-Good friends.

-Laughter.

-When Scott lets me pluck his gray hairs.

-The sound of paws on the kitchen floor.

-The smell of coffee.

-Having well hydrated skin.

-Prank phone calls.

-Lists.

What things make you happiest in life?

Hello friends,

It’s been a while.  I can’t believe it’s February already.  I can’t believe it’s two-thousand-flippin’-nine.  Where do our days go?  At the end of the month, my year-long internship ends.  Another 12 months of my life, gone.  It seems like just yestetday I was meeting these people, and now the experience is 3 weeks shy of being over.  Thinking about it makes me feel part exhausted, part nostalgic, part triumphant and a little sad.  I’m glad I’ve had the experience of working with all of my fellow interns, as well as with Dana and Sara.  It’s been swell, guys.

I’m a firm believer that when one door shuts, another opens.  This time, however, I’ll be making the door that opens for me.  What am I going to do with all my new found time?

1.)Writing some pretty damn good papers.  I’m taking the last English class I’ll ever have to take in my college career.  EVER.  Wow, it feels good to say that.

2.) Keeping house.

3.) Polishing up my massage style.  This is where YOU come in.  Yes, YOU.

I have a bit of a dilemma.  Since I’ve been working in clinical massage, I feel like my massage style has completely changed.  It’s become a bit. . .robotic.  I want to experiment on some different massage styles and incorporate them into my clinical work.  Only problem is, I can’t exactly turn patients into guinea pigs.  But my friends, on the other hand, are perfect guinea pig candidates.  Interested?

Here’s the deal: if I know you in RL (and you didn’t just stumble on my blog by accident) then you’re eligible for 1 (one) free full body massage with yours truly.  If you want another after, you’ll have to pay me (or bargain with me).  Sheets cost money, laundry costs money, oil costs money, and the work (while rewarding) is physically exhausting.  Regardless of how ergonomically correct as I try to be, the kind of work I do isn’t sustainable for long periods of time.

So, I’m thinking $50 for a full body.  I hate running on a clock; the full body massages that I like to give generally take between 1 1/2 to 2 hours.  They are done when they are COMPLETE, not when an egg timer goes off.  $50 for a two hour massage from someone who is certified, is unheard of (and remember, you get the first one for free).  But, if the $50 bucks is a little steep, I will happily guinea pig-ify you for: food (think sushi or Peruvian), an evening of dog sitting (not overnight), helping me clean the things I can’t reach in my house, a massage trade (I don’t care if you think you suck, it’s the thought that counts), or if you can think of something else-run it by me and I’ll see if we can work it out.   You get a massage, I get experience, we’re both happy.

How to get a hold of me: my phone number is on my FACEBOOK account, if we’re “friends”, you have access to it.  Call or txt me.

If you’re not Facebook savvy, here’s an e-mail I can be reached at: erikastotle@gmail.com

Run, guinea pigs, run.

-E

Hey kiddies,

Sunday marked the end of our detox; overall, it was a great experience and Scott and I are going try and continue trend of healthy eating. I realized that I posted a bad link to the detox info in an earlier blog (I blame the early detox jitters). If you want to see the right one click here.

Happy trails,
E

Through my internship with HEY, I’ve gained a wonderful mentor and friend named Gail.  Originally, our relationship was formed with the objective of having Gail take me under her wing and introducing me to HEY’s board meeting procedures.  Fortunately for me, our relationship has extended beyond that awkward formal setting and we’ve become closer in our personal lives.  During our time together I do most of the talking, but Gail listens and is always ready with heartfelt and experienced advice.

Recently, Gail and I had dinner together and we discussed the possibility that life is less black and white than most chalk it up to be.  For the most part, we believe, that life is lived in varying shades of gray. Coming to this resolution has offered me a little bit of comfort in this past week.  I’m especially guilty of getting caught up in “all of nothing” thinking; Gail offered me a valuable reality check.

Our whole conversation started with a story of Gail telling me of a documentary she had helped collaborate on, about Hurricane Katrina.  Gail works for HUD, and in 2005, was assigned work in New Orleans directly related to Katrina and Rita.  Without giving too much else away, I’m just going to post the link to the documentary and hope that you’ll be interested enough to watch it.  It’s a beautiful story of an 82 year old man who stayed in New Orleans after Katrina to rebuild his home with his own two hands.  If you stick it out until the end, you might be blessed with the epiphany that we all live, walk and breathe in a world that is a most beautiful shade of gray.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/katrina/

Enjoy.  And if I’m breaking any copyright laws, or putting myself in a position to be sued by posting this, someone please let me know.

-E

It’s seems like haven’t posted forever. The detox is underway and going well. I’ve lost more weight than I expected to, so I’m warping the menu plan a bit to prevent any further weight loss.

School also started this week, so far, I haven’t got into any of the classes that I need to graduate (namely: organic chemistry), but not to fret my darlings, I have the gift of persistence and I have a few favors that I haven’t called in yet.

I’m also really into this new blog and if you have time, check it out: http://www.revolutionofrealwomen.blogspot.com/

Be back soon,
E