I still can't add...

I had a meeting with my co-intern during lunch today to plan the next 6-8 weeks, which is the summer semester.

I feel like someone stuck a hot poker in my brain. I thought I had grasped the amount of hours I'd be working this summer. Apparently, I fell short in my calculations (not surprising).

Two classes, group counseling and individual counseling internship hours (where I'm the counselor), seminars, webinars, reading, progress notes, and certification in trauma. All of this equals a bazillion hours. In 6-8 weeks.

To put it all down on paper, and to see how much "me" time (close to none) I'll actually have from 6/7 - 7/23 is kind of making me physically ill.

I'm training for a half marathon, and don't want to give that up. My weekend long runs won't be a problem, but during the week is where I'll have issues. That said, I'm seriously thinking about quitting the Y for the summer and signing up with the 24-hour fitness place close to home. Since I'm not doing any sprint triathlons, I've no need for a pool at the moment. Unless I feel the need to drown myself, at which point I'll just find the nearest drainage ditch. I kid.

I'll need to come up with a dawn-to-dusk schedule this weekend so that I can make sure I don't over-extend myself and stick to my training. And try to put some "me" time in there. I'm determined to still have a social life.

Ahhhh

Fantastic weekend. Celebrated my birthday Thurs-Mon with friends and family. Had some much-needed downtime, uptime, and in-between time.

This is my last week before I start my 8-week summer internship. I am supposed to put in 300 hours - 120 hours of direct counseling, and 180 hours of advisor meetings, charting, seminars, extracurricular education, reading and webinars. This breaks down to 37.5 hours per week. Hmm. So, I think I'll get at least 7 hours of counseling done in a week, and can probably do the 22 hours per week of non-counseling items. Breaking it down to 2 hours M-F and then 10 hours Sa/Su. It's only for 8 weeks, it can be done. Whatever I don't get done will get picked up in the Fall.

So, where does this leave me in terms of a social life?

Right where I want to be - I'll sleep when I'm dead.

Tonight I'll be at the Red Lion. Tomorrow at Schlafly. Thursday is Llywelyns, Friday is a concert, and Saturday the botanical garden and Sasha's. Sunday is recovery, but am open to whatever comes my way.

Not over the hill yet....

So far, my birthday has been alright. Didn't get much sleep last night (had wicked dreams about a book I'm reading), but my eyes are still open (so far, so good).

Sushi is on the agenda for lunch - nom nom!

Heading to the FBC Prom tonight to take some pics and ride to various outposts for reveling. I'm very open to it being a late, late night. A couple friends will be joining me, and we will be starting out the evening tailgating with some Hoegaarden and a nice bottle of vino by Turtle Park.

Tomorrow is our department picnic, after which I'll be meeting up with someone for a glass of sangria (or two - we'll see where the night takes us). Saturday is the real celebration - SITC with my gal pals, followed by my birthday party (yes, I'm 8) at Happy Joe's with my good friends and family, concluding with a long evening of imbibing somewhere outdoors (Hacienda, BB Hill, Sashas....the options are endless).

Sunday is recovery...nothing but that. Monday? Two very interesting invitations were just sent my way, not sure which one to choose....choices are very good to have! ;-)

All in all, a very good weekend is on the horizon. Thanks to everyone who has sent their birthday wishes - made my day!!

New Music

Music man KM sent me a CD from this band, Nouvelle Vague, which does punk, post-punk and New Wave covers with a bossa-nova flair. It's fantastic.

Here is a taste - they cover Love Will Tear us Apart:

Bully for him

I'm not a fan of bull fighting.

And I don't feel any pity for what happened to the matador in this video. In my opinion, he got the better of the deal because he gets to live.

Skids

I have enjoyed many a striptease in my life - fortunately nothing like this:

Lost Finale

I wasn't hoping for answers to all of the questions.

I wasn't looking for certain characters to appear, miraculously alive.

I wasn't expecting a neat, little wrap-up of an entire 6 years.

What I got was just fine with me.

I liked the way they reunited couples. It was sweet, sentimental, and mystical. I appreciated how Hurley was portrayed - I always was hoping they'd let him come through at the end.

It was about friendship, love, choices, regret, sadness, and finding your way back, to which most people can relate.

It was satisfying.

I didn't think I'd cry, and held out until the very end when Vincent the dog lies next to Jack as he's dying. I completely lost it at that point - I'm a sucker for sweet dogs. So here I sit, at work, with red & teary eyes. Worth it.

So, to sum it up, this is close to how I feel about Lost: