Snapshots: October 2008

new home

The movers came around 3pm. It took them 1 hour and 15 mins to move all my stuff. Although I didn't need to do much besides packing and cleaning, I still feel pretty beat.

Since I had a really bad experience last time I moved, I prepared early this time. In general it hasn't been too much a hassle to me. Occasionally the feeling of being helpless came back to haunt me, which would lead me to some resentment and bitterness. But I was able to fight it.

Now the living room is totally invaded by my stuff. I have a lot of work to do before the place can look decent enough again.

This apartment has a stunning view. Also, it is probably the most furnitured apartment I have ever lived. I bought two throw pillows for the couch, with which I believe I will spend a lot of quality time. So now it is super comfortable to lie down in it. And my roommate and I both love food, a lot.

It will be good.

the beautiful view outside our living room window

the comfy throw pillows I bought for the couch

one of the many home-improvement projects: the shelf I bought to expand the usable space in the bathroom. It took me 40 mins to assemble it and realize that I had to re-do it all over because I started out wrong.

bff!

Rui is coming to AA today to visit me. I have made my plan to feed her well. Maybe I will add a little bit shopping, catching a movie, playing some wii, etc.

Can't wait to see her again. Counting down now...

oy

This has been how I feel about my life.

I know I have been blessed with a lot of things or people who love me sincerely. The problem is that there is something missing in my life. I thought I didn't need that, but I was wrong. I want a sense of accomplishment.

I guess this is nothing new. Maybe 90% of people struggle with the same issue.

I haven't been very productive at work. In the past I called myself lazy. But the truth is that I could be a very good worker. And I was, when I was motivated.

I don't know what God's plan for me is. I am waiting here very impatiently.

a busy week

It has been a busy week for me. Besides my regular work hours, every single night of the week was occupied.

There were a few highlights.

--- On Monday night, we had an awesome, 5-hour long lifegroup.

--- Trudi was in Michigan to visit her mom. So I drove to her house to see her on Thursday night. I was forced to watch a little bit hockey. Then we played Pacman in her basement. I was very impressed by her game skills.

--- Eric came back to AA and bought me lunch on Friday. He has been doing pretty well. It was good to catch up with him.

--- I bought a North Face down jacket at Woodbury, and I love it.

--- Today my husband and I tried different casual Chinese dishes in Flushing. We were both happy with what we had. Also, they cost less than $5/each.

unexpected trip

I came back from St. Louis to Ann Arbor around 11pm last night.

It was a totally unexpected 4-day trip due to the randomness of my professor. I didn't know I was going until 11am the same day I was driving there. I had to drop everything and hurry to rent car, book hotel rooms and go home and pack. And then I had to drive 8+ hours to St. Louis. I had to miss going to the football game with my friends. I had to sneak into the room to listen to the talks because we didn't register.

Fortunately there was some good outcome from this trip. I got to chat with some people who work in our area. I was getting a clearer idea of the labs around NY area. I was even able to have a conversation with a professor from SUNY. My colleague and I visited the famous arch which is really impressive. I got to have some good food for free. The weather in St. Louis was gorgeous.

One of influences of this trip is that I bought a couple of dressy shirts this weekend. I am not sure if it's good or bad.