Men throughout the world are brothers in the haven of Thy wings
I haven't posted in quite some time. I blame life moving along way too quickly! I've been non-stop busy for over a month, and even sleep as become a scarce commodity. I have to say that I am at least enjoying all of the work I've been doing (well, except my job, but that's a given, since it's not what I want to do with my life!). So, to wrap up my incredibly LONG vacation narrative from AUGUST, we went to the Castle in the Clouds which is this gorgeous early 20th century mansion on top of a mountain. It's absolutely beautiful, and of course I could have LIVED in the library. The man had FIRST EDITION copies of Dickens. Lots of them. Such wonderful, well read, and dashing men no longer exist. I can only go visit their mountaintop homes! It was really lovely, and a great way to end our little family trip. That really was the best time I had all summer, since until then it had been a pretty shitty year. If you know me, you know exactly what I mean. And it's been like this for the last few years, so now that things are quiet, they've really been much, much better.
School had been good. I love all of the reading so far, except Julian of Norwich. Talk about long-winded. Her hazelnut thing was very nice, but there was just WAY too much in that text. I'm also LOVING the project I'm doing for my honors contract. I remembered how much I enjoyed Sir Philip Sidney when I first studied him three years ago, but now that I've returned to him, I remember how completely I love him. His work is the stuff of legend, and no praise is really good enough for it. He influenced SHAKES, people. Shakes. And he never even lived long enough to see any of his plays. Amazing. I've also recently read Erasmus. He's a snarky bastard and I think we could be very good friends, if he were still among the living.
Halloween is also in two days. Now begins my favorite time of year. I was worried that it was coming so soon, because it will be my first without my beloved grandpa. I thought it would be hard, but so far I'm just really happy and glad that we're approaching that time of the season. I've always felt that, even though I've lost a lot of people that I loved very much, the holidays are great because I can remember all of the good times we had together, and just bask in the general glow of the season. It is, after all, the time of good will toward men. I'm also looking forward to taking the twins trick or treating, and spending the babies' first Christmas with them by my side. That's really going to be something special.
On the whole, I feel more myself than I have in a long time. I've learned some hard and unfortunate lessons, but I honestly feel like they only have to do with things and people that don't matter to me. I have to say, it's pretty liberating. It's like Tricia told me a couple of months ago now "You have to take care of yourself and focus on the people who really love you." I can't agree more. And that's something else I've learned. You WILL know who the people who really love and care for you are, and their generosity and just good, heartfelt friendship is really amazing. For the most part, I've been pleasantly surprised with all of the love and care I have gotten over the course of this year, even from people who I wouldn't have expected it from. That's pretty cool. I feel content again. It's a constant now. I'm good. And that's a very good thing indeed!
Oh! Oh! And TSO FINALLY released their new album!!!! It's called "Nightcastle" and the story is really fantastic. And Erasmus is in it. And there are references to all kinds of great things! However, since it is brand spanking new, I don't want to publish any spoilers here! *coughSamhasn'theardityetcough* Subtle, right? ;)
I'm also going to New York City again very soon with my art class. My mom is coming, and so is Sam's. I think it's going to be a great trip! We're going to bundle up and take the city, one art related or chocolately, disneyriffic location at a time!!!!
School had been good. I love all of the reading so far, except Julian of Norwich. Talk about long-winded. Her hazelnut thing was very nice, but there was just WAY too much in that text. I'm also LOVING the project I'm doing for my honors contract. I remembered how much I enjoyed Sir Philip Sidney when I first studied him three years ago, but now that I've returned to him, I remember how completely I love him. His work is the stuff of legend, and no praise is really good enough for it. He influenced SHAKES, people. Shakes. And he never even lived long enough to see any of his plays. Amazing. I've also recently read Erasmus. He's a snarky bastard and I think we could be very good friends, if he were still among the living.
Halloween is also in two days. Now begins my favorite time of year. I was worried that it was coming so soon, because it will be my first without my beloved grandpa. I thought it would be hard, but so far I'm just really happy and glad that we're approaching that time of the season. I've always felt that, even though I've lost a lot of people that I loved very much, the holidays are great because I can remember all of the good times we had together, and just bask in the general glow of the season. It is, after all, the time of good will toward men. I'm also looking forward to taking the twins trick or treating, and spending the babies' first Christmas with them by my side. That's really going to be something special.
On the whole, I feel more myself than I have in a long time. I've learned some hard and unfortunate lessons, but I honestly feel like they only have to do with things and people that don't matter to me. I have to say, it's pretty liberating. It's like Tricia told me a couple of months ago now "You have to take care of yourself and focus on the people who really love you." I can't agree more. And that's something else I've learned. You WILL know who the people who really love and care for you are, and their generosity and just good, heartfelt friendship is really amazing. For the most part, I've been pleasantly surprised with all of the love and care I have gotten over the course of this year, even from people who I wouldn't have expected it from. That's pretty cool. I feel content again. It's a constant now. I'm good. And that's a very good thing indeed!
Oh! Oh! And TSO FINALLY released their new album!!!! It's called "Nightcastle" and the story is really fantastic. And Erasmus is in it. And there are references to all kinds of great things! However, since it is brand spanking new, I don't want to publish any spoilers here! *coughSamhasn'theardityetcough* Subtle, right? ;)
I'm also going to New York City again very soon with my art class. My mom is coming, and so is Sam's. I think it's going to be a great trip! We're going to bundle up and take the city, one art related or chocolately, disneyriffic location at a time!!!!