Getting Buff - Brady

As I'm sure you can tell from my recent posts, my work/school life as of late has been rockier than I would like. However, I was just encouraged by my friend Kristin (via Facebook) to celebrate getting stronger.

Although right now I'm feeling more inclined to celebrate the weekend, Kristin has a point. I'm sure all of this sadness, worry, and stress has lessons hidden in it somewhere. In fact, I've already seen some good come out of it. My friends, family, and even just acquaintances have really rallied around me when I've asked for help. It's a cliché, but it reminds me that who I am is so, so much more than what job I do or what school I attend. Also, struggling in a program I was 100% sure I would love is making me realize that I just cannot control everything. Oh, and I am definitely appreciating little things more now. When days are particularly stressful, I just look forward to something like a visit to La Porte, an Amtrak ride (clearly), Giordano's Pizza (double clearly), a trip in Amy's new car, Kevin arriving for a few days, or watching Glee with Kelly. Other stuff has changed for me too over the past few months - but what I haven't written is probably too personal for this blog.

On a related note, but separate from my grad school drama, recently at school I've tried to - how should I say this? - be more of a grown-up. This means more handshakes and eye contact, having direct conversations with people who intimidate me a little instead of wimping out and sending email all the time, resisting the urge to wear jeans and a sweater to class like I did as an undergrad, and using free time to get started on future projects rather than wasting time.

(Says the person who is updating her blog when she should be doing some prep work for final projects.) ;)

Happy November! - Kelly

Brady and I just spent a few hours deep cleaning our apartment AND giving it a holiday make over. Now, many of you probably think that Christmas decorations have no business being out before Thanksgiving, but considering this is my favorite time of year, I think that it's okay we cheated and put them out a little early. We have Christmas light on our windows, christmas light on our book shelves, and the mini-Christmas tree that has been a stable in my humble abodes for the past three holiday seasons. I'm pretty pumped about Lucy's first Christmas- I'm definitely going to buy her a some new toys and let her tear into them on Christmas morning... I'm such a mom.

Besides the holiday decorating I don't have a ton to report. After three weekends away (Bloomington, Bloomington, and Charlotte) it will be fantastic to spend some time in the city. I'm going on a date tomorrow night, might be doing dinner with friends Saturday night, and am going to try to squeeze in some yoga and run or two before the weekend is over. It's nice to feel like I'm in a groove here!!

Ooof - Brady

Ooof. It's been another rough week. I'm just having a hard time getting my mind around this 5 year commitment I've made. However, after A LOT of conversations, some not so pleasant, about this topic, some research, some detective work, and some swallowing of pride, I think I'm finally getting on top of this nonsense.

These have, without a doubt, been the hardest three months of my life.

BUT, the happy news is that I have so many fun things going on to keep my mind off the stressful stuff. Kelly and I have a blast in our apartment (recent highlights have been a chili mac and cheese dinner, The Outsiders, a run to doggie day care, a psycho after-bath Lucy, plans for a late-night holiday-themed drive back to La Porte for Thanksgiving, and putting up a Christmas tree probably too early). I get to go to LP to see my parents and Amy all the time, and these stops invariably include drives by Lake Michigan and good dinners, usually out. Kevin's visits are, of course, wonderful too. He brings us tons of groceries (and himself tons of work to do) and finds us cute corner bars around our neighborhood. We've all been trying to live on the cheap end, so we don't go out or eat out that often, but that can be fun. :)

All right, Kelly and I have take-out food and a power clean on the agenda for this evening. My brain is drained from struggling through my (very basic) statistics homework, so thank goodness I'm done with academic stuff for the night!

Things I Love About Amtrak-Brady

- Cheese pizza and veggie burgers. Neither is great, but I appreciate that it's there! Especially when I haven't had a chance to pick up dinner on the way from class to the station.

- Red wine! I get one of their teeny tiny bottles and sit in the observation car.

- The big comfy seats. Plenty of leg room.

- The characters. There are always backpackers and Mennonites. Last night my seatmate was a cynical historian who lives in England.

- The grouchy conductor on the 6:50 from Union Station to Washington D.C. (I get off in Waterlook, IN.) He tells it like it is.

- The fact that you can make dinner reservations. I haven't done it yet but definitely will one of these days.

- Peeking into the private car on the Canadian National Railway train we sit next to in the station.

- That, despite the horror stories I've heard, it has arrived on time almost every time I've taken it.

And...

- Looking for my parents' flashing car lights. They park under the overpass in La Porte to watch my train go by. Yes, it's a little crazy. But it's also super fun.

When Does it Get Easier? - Brady

Blah. After several weeks of feeling good/excited about school I'm back to the old nerves. Well, not THE old nerves. They're not nearly as bad now. But I just haven't been able to completely shake them yet.

Things are really going fine, though, when I look at it objectively. Classes are interesting, people are really nice, and I've gotten to get involved in some interesting research already. I'm normally busy but usually not overwhelmed. Some days I really do feel great about being there. It's really nice sometimes to grab some hot tea (no coffee to try and combat said nerves) and walk to a class on the pretty campus. The trees are gorgeous up there right now. Living with Kelly is really fun, I see Kevin all the time, etc. I really need to stop complaining. A post on Kelly's blog from 10/23 is a good "stop feeling sorry for yourself and just enjoy your life" reminder.

Anyway, in other news, where is Amy??? I know I've been slacking on the blogging, but so has another sister of mine.

Thoughts on Relocating - Kelly

It's funny- the last few months in Charlotte, all I could think about was moving to Chicago. Now that I'm here, I absolutely love it- but I can't stop thinking about Charlotte. I guess what I'm starting to realize it that I am pretty darn happy wherever I am living. Charlotte had a few obvious advantages over Chicago- the teachers I learned so much with, the amazing weather, and all the great outdoor activities so close. But Chicago has quite a few things going for it too- SO many options in terms of what to do ALL the time, a job that I adore, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, and (most importantly) my family close by. I think I need to just stop comparing and recognize how lucky I was to live in a great city, and how lucy I am to be in another NEW great city.

But, I'm really happy to be visiting my OLD great city in a few weeks. :)

The Last Month and a Half - Brady

Well, the grad school nerves have worn off for the most part, so I'm going to try to start posting again. However, I'm super busy so I won't get to it nearly as often as I did this summer when my only obligation was mowing the lawn. :)

The last month and a half has been a roller coaster and has gone so fast. We got moved in, I started school, and we began our commuting life. So far, the life part has been FUN. Kevin is in Chicago a lot, and I'm in Fort Wayne whenever I can get there. We see each other at least 4 days a week, and the rest of the time I get to hang out with Kelly, Amy, or my parents. Being back in Chicago is wonderful, and I'm getting very comfortable in our neighborhood. School is pretty good. I'm a little overwhelmed with the work, and 5 years still seems like an impossibly long time. But the people are great, and I'm getting everything done so far.

Here are some highlights since my last post:

- Red Box movies with Kelly

- Having a "I'm so glad I'm not running the Chicago marathon" party with Kristin and the Schleiters.

- Amtrak! I take it to Fort Wayne on Tuesday nights sometimes. You can get veggie burgers and even some wine if you want! The seats are comfy, and you can hang out in the site-seeing car if you get tired of your spot. I'm toying with the idea of making a dinner reservation in the dining car some night.

- My hilarious parents parking under the overpass in La Porte and waving at me as the Amtrak goes by.

- A fun all-program party Kevin and I attended last night at a professor's house.

- Getting the apartment all set up and live-able (thank you for putting up the curtains, Kevin!)

- Having all the benefits of an awesome dog with none of the responsibility. ;)

- Dinner with ALL of my siblings at Mia Francesca last night.

- The Elbo Room.

- Living right by Giordano's.

Okay, there's more, I'm sure, but I should get to some homework!