Things I've learned while traveling

Depression: 3
Anxiety: 6

The session:

1. The first thing to go is apparently blogging. Whoops. :(
2. The metro stops are really quick and if you don't get on in the first five seconds you will get left, or have the door close on you're hand.
3. The food is crazy awesome, crazy expensive, but totally worth it.
4. I don't know how I ever sat in a classroom all day as now a one hour session is pushing it. Note to self: reform k-12 education in my spare time.
5. Despite carrying a full pill case with a list of prescriptions, just in case, customs doesn't care.
6. Even when I'm out of the office, I'm still working full time on projects I need to do for the office.
7. I'll gladly live out of a suitcase until I know someone will be entering my room and then I make it seem like I'm an adult with all of my clothes put away.
8. I'm definitely one of the younger, more "creative" people in my field
9. I get cranky if I go too long without food.
10. I get ridiculously excited when I have the opportunity to shop at H&M!
11. There will be pictures to follow!

Heck yes it's ok!

Depression: 2

Anxiety: 2

The session:
I've had a really good past couple of days! Woo! I've gotten a lot of crucial work done and things have actually gone pretty well in my personal life. Huh. :)

It's ok
...that I'm slightly nervous at how well my life is going. Makes me suspicious.
...that my tattoo is slightly (read: much) larger than I originally planned, but I love it!

...that my parents don't like it. I love it and that's what matters.
...that it's not done and I'm still posting pictures of it. I had a 4 hour session last night and have a 3 hour session in two weeks. More photos to follow.
...that I'm a little obsessed with it currently.
...that I'm leaving the country for a week in 3 days and the only thing I have prepared is my presentation content. I'll pack on Saturday.
...I scheduled my flights a day early so I wouldn't have to travel at the crack of dawn and then be presentable and thinking at a conference.
...I looked up restaurants in the city where I'm traveling so I make sure I get good, local food to eat!
...that, now that I think about it, I'm entirely, 100% sure where my passport is. *Note to self - find passport*

via

Bonus Post: Harry Potter Link-Up

I was reading my daily blogs and found a Harry Potter link-up?! YES! Thanks, Ashley, for hosting, and thanks, Ricci, for posting about it! Since HP is one of my favorite things (and I'm a huge nerd), I definitely had to participate, and thus you all get a bonus post :) I've known about HP for more than half my life, and wouldn't have it any other way, even if I did have to spend years waiting for books 4 and up. I pulled all nighters each time a new book came out, and my parents didn't mind.

1. Favorite book:
Deathly Hallows, albeit bitter sweetly. I was blown away at how it all wrapped up and  so sad what it was all ending. Will always be one of my favorite books ever.

2. Favorite movie:
Prisoner of Azkaban.  Loved that they were in real clothes, and there is something about Harry reuniting with and then saving Sirius that makes me tear up every time.

3. Which of the films, if any, made you irritated that they didn't stay true to the book?
4 and up. I had to take a step back and look at them as separate entities and not as replicas of the books. I was very upset at the lack of Kreacher's role, especially.

4. Who was your least favorite female character and why?
Umbridge. Despicable, not to mention I'm in education and she represents everything that's wrong with it.

5. Who was your favorite male character and why?
Fred and George. I sobbed when he died and have somewhat convinced my husband that if we have twin boys we get to name them Fred and George. Much needed joyous attitudes and goodness.

6. Which house would you like to be in? Which house would you realistically be in?
I would like to be in Ravenclaw, but Pottermore tells me I'd be Hufflepuff. I'm really ok with both. I love to learn, but I do value relationships and loyalty above all else.

7. Which subject would be your favorite?
Transfiguration, hands down. I love the theory behind it as well as the awoke magic you can do. I like a good challenge, but also having that end result. And let's be honest, all the best spells and magic comes from transfiguration.

I'm so excited!

Depression: 3
Anxiety: 3

The session:

I'm so anticipatory that It's blocking out the anxiety! What am I anticipating? My tattoo that I have been planning for over 6 months and that I'm finally getting on Wednesday! Woo! In honor of that, today I'm blogging the top ten tattoos I would get (really, only the top 3 are realistic. OK, maybe top 4):

10. A tree.

9. 26.2 just straight out.

8. A half sleeve, content TBD

7. A sparrow.

6. "Love" on my wrist or upper forearm. (TWLOHA, anyone?)

5. An OKC Thunder lightening bolt.

4. Harry Potter. I so would. Torn between a lightning bolt and the deathly hallows. Idea! I combine the OKC lightening bolt with the Harry Potter lightening bolt and just get it.

3. My wedding date and vow renewal date (TBD) on my left ring finger.

2. A terrapin (check!). As a tribute to the University of Maryland (go terps!) I have a small terrapin on the inside of my left hipbone.

1. Phoenix wings on my foot (feet).  I'm getting my left one done tomorrow as a reminder that new things can be born from ashes, as well as to keep running. It is a reward for completing my first half marathon; I get my right foot done as a reward for doing a full marathon.

Have I mentioned I'm a little on the "creative" side? :) Fortunately my work is accommodating.

Monday!

Depression: 3
Anxiety: 4

The session:
Why yes, that is an exclamation point at the the end of my post title. Shocking, eh? I know, I was concerned at first too, but no, it is not mania.

However, after having a fairly crappy/indifferent/pouty weekend, I'm having a relatively good Monday and I'm trying to keep it that way!

This helps:

My kitten, Boo, in a chevron print "halter" dress.

You're welcome for this little bit of adorableness.