Silver Lining

Yesterday was the funeral for my paternal grandfather, Logan. Those of you following along will remember that his wife, Carmen passed away just two months ago. Now they are together again.

With the last funeral, I was unable to attend. My parents came down to California and was able to celebrate Grandma's life. With this latest death my folks were unable to attend and so I flew down to be with my aunts and help in any way I could to get the funeral ready.

This was my first time attending and participating in an Episcopal service. My uncle Nathan is an amazing concert organist and so he played the voluntary and recessional - which was a very moving experience. The whole service is scripted and the audience can read along and has parts, too. The Reverend Zelda did a really lovely job and is a very classy lady.

The best part of the bad situation was that I got to be with members of my family that I don't get to see very often.

Realized

I have finally come to grips with the fact that I like Anime. Always have. This past week I watched Howl's Moving Castle which I really enjoyed. The story was great and creative and the animation was beautiful. And, seriously, a real piece of crack smoking genius. Prior to this I'd enjoyed Spirited Away...who doesn't love a radish spirit? But this love of Anime goes way back. To the very early days of Nickelodeon. When they showed The Little Prince and The Mysterious Cities of Gold. I never minded the fact that the mouths moved and no words were coming out. I always loved the emotion conveyed by Anime characters. When they were mad - boy howdy, were they MAD.

But mostly I loved that when someone in a dress ran or twirled, their skirt looked just perfect. Flowing and billowing just like it should.

Having lived to tell the tale...

Two more papers to write and one final exam. And then it's Spring Break BABY! But of course that means I've got an ear infection. What else could it mean? Good news is I've started my meds and should be fully recovered by next week. I've been watching Harry Potter 4 nonstop for the last week. I think I have an addiction.

Time to get ready for the last day of class - YEE-HAW!

Oh, and Happy Birthday to Ken Craig! And Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Cramping hands

So - it's the last week of the quarter, which means I've got write all those papers and responses I've been putting off. My list of twelve papers to write is now down to just six and will be down to four by the end of the night. I still have four plays to read as well. But I'm sure sick of typing. I may need to take a Thin Mint Cookie Ice Cream break.

Snow Day

So, yeah. Spring is allegedly 10 days away and yet, yes...we have three inches of snow here in Portland. It snowed through the night and pretty hard all morning. I was supposed to have a meeting on campus at 10am but the traffic was crap - and a snow day must be honored - so I cancelled the meeting, sent my assignment to my professor and begged out of class this afternoon. Thursday is my normal "day off" from CampFire, so I've been getting a lot done. And in my pajamas no less! HOO-RAY!

Sitting in the back...

So, apparently I'm one of the kids who sits in the back of class. I kind of like it - as I can still surf the internet and check e-mail while still looking like I'm interested and taking notes, when really..I'm playing mahjohnng.

School continues to go well - but on a Friday morning it is hard to be focused. Especially since I'm starting to think about all the other things I need to do or could be doing outside of sitting in class.

It's very hard to believe that it's been a week since so much of our extended family was here with us. Time, she sure do fly.

Luxury

The Dosha Spa is my new favorite place on Earth. Yesterday I got a massage with my Spa Buddy. But this wasn't just a "get on the table, get rubbed, get out" kind of deal. We walked in - the door was opened for us by a staff member - and checked in. We then were offered tea or water and were then escorted upstairs. The Spa Host welcomed us and walked us around, helping us orient ourselves to the glorious surroundings.

We each got a lovely changing room, with a fluffy robe and spa shoes to wear during our stay. In the changing room is also a shower with lovely Aveda products to enjoy (as well as hair products and tools, but I'm getting ahead of myself). Once in our robes we sat and visited for a few minutes - very soothing and relaxing. Then we met our massage therapists - Stephanie was lovely. Nice soothing voice and amazing power in her hands. After selecting a scent for the face rest (jasmine) we were into the rubbing. I had no idea I hurt so bad. YIKES. I'm going to need to visit Stephanie much more often. Pity.

After the massage was over, I enjoyed the shower and hair products and an amazing hair dryer. I also enjoyed the fact that I could turn up the soothing music in my dressing room so that I could hear it whilst I showered. I need that feature in more aspects of my life.

Once redressed and relaxed, the Spa Host got us more water and took us back downstairs. I have to say I was very sad to leave. Good thing my Spa Buddy and I will be back in six weeks. It's always nice to have something to look forward to.