Starting the countdown

I have a little over a month before I get on a plane for Shanghai.

Last night, while enjoying summer tapas with Chloe, I couldn't help but wonder what's coming next. We were talking about the future, about what our future summers will be and what we want to do with our lives (though seemingly heavy dinner talk, this is pretty typical of Chloe and myself.)

Last weekend I went home to hang out with my wonderful parents and ever-supportive friends. I've always found that my best mirrors are my friends and family, because when I'm with them I can see myself not as I am, but as was and how I could be. I went home because I was tired: my work week had consisted of heavy projects and long hours and emotionally I just was, as Chloe so accurately put it, coming apart. So, I jumped on a plane and headed back to my refuge, filled (as always) with parental love and home cooked food. I saw both Kate and Zoe for lunch that weekend. The best part about coming home to two of my closest friends is that no matter how hard I try, I can't hide what's going on with me. I sat next t0 these two girls who know me inside and out, and I could no longer ignore the mess I'd let myself turn into. I needed the reality check.

The beauty of still being in California is that I can unashamedly go home for weekends. There will be so many years in the future where this is either not possible or no longer acceptable, so I figure I'll enjoy the years of running home to my family while I still can.

I also joined a more intensive gym class. I swear, this breakup weight is going down. I will no longer be haunted by the four pound ring sitting gently at my hips, reminding me of the late Saturday nights with my two breakup companions: cookie dough and Trader Joe's raspberry sorbet. I admit this is a common occurrence in my post breakup routine: relax and eat, let my body heal itself, and then get angry. Angry not at the person, no, but angry that I can physically see someone's damage on me. This anger forces me to kick my butt into high burn mode, often in the form of a kickboxing class or a new training routine. It's a vicious cycle, but it works.

These past months in Burbank have been incredible to say the least. Working a full time job has given me a new appreciation for the lovely and previously overlooked luxury of summer. I've spent countless summer hours at different camps, thriving in the fresh air and enjoying some time away from the rest of the world. The change of pace has been great, and I can't say how much this job has meant to me. In more ways than one, this job saved me this summer. I've got a few more weeks to savor this slice of life, but I'm really excited to pack up my Mini and drive back home.

... But now back to real life. I have about a month to get myself together before I get on a plane, and my Mandarin is sadly become a bit rusty ( 9 hour days plus workouts don't leave much energy for the ever-wonderful Chinese character memorization.) This next month is just going to have to be whip-into-shape time...here we go