its just like 1999!

Let's see...

• I love my job
• I'm working downtown
• I've just moved into a new place and it feels a bit like corporate housing (mostly b/c both roomies are gone)
• My boyfriend is in Japan for New Years
• Its raining cats and dogs
• I'm looking forward to more changes in the upcoming year

Actually, its a bit like 2002 as well - except I was looking forward to the New Year because I'd just broken up with my boyfriend and was happy to be myself again :-) And, well, I was in Seattle at the time, which gives a whole new meaning to RAIN. (Think Noah's Ark.)

But there's one big difference between 1999, and even 2002 - I'm happy. In 1999, I was miserable because I'd just moved to SF, didn't know anyone, thought NY was the only place to live, and had to work out next to nasty, Diet Coke-guzzling dot-com developers at 24 Hour Fitness. Now, I have great friends, a boyfriend that actually makes me happy, not angsty, a robust social life (yes, Robusteam - I said that for you!), a beautiful new apartment, and a job that I love.

Plus, I'm just happier with myself in general.

In the past 3 days, I've realized what a terrific year its been. Finally, I think I'm shedding some of the old baggage and clutter that I've held onto - and we're talking emotional, friend-wise, and material-wise. Of course, its had its ups and downs - and being stressed out for FOUR STRAIGHT MONTHS due to bschool apps and GMATs was not the most fun I've ever had. But that's stress I can handle. Besides, it'll be worth it when I get into Harvard.

I guess I should finish my app first ;-)

P.S. Its so nice to actually live in a place where the shower doors both open, the bath mat doesn't get stuck under the door, the heater actually warms you up, the house doesn't smell like pot at 8 am, and there are no homeless people camped on your doorstep. Did I tell you that I love my new place?

"you know, today's a crappy day to move."

Thanks to the 19 people who made that comment today. Me included.

After almost 4.5 years at 20th and Lincoln, I've finally moved out and into the original ESL household in Potrero Hill. I don't know what took me so long... I LOVE my new place.

Of course, I had to choose the day that it literally poured rain nonstop to move my buttload of stuff. It wasn't just my bedroom furniture (which is far more vast than it sounds, considering the size of my former room), but also two couches, an entertainment center, pots and pans and dishes galore, artwork, a dining room table set and I don't know what else. When you live somewhere, you tend to accumulate a lot of crap. And even though I got rid of A LOT of crap, it was still a chore.

And before you ask, yes, I'm leaving this summer. I'm moving because it was an exercise in downsizing. Yes, I know how much it sucks to move.

As expected, the day was an adventure. The movers I had originally engaged via Craigslist never confirmed, and when I called, did not have me on the schedule. I hung up in a huff and canceled the order, getting a last minute moving company and A's consternation. The girl who was living in my new room emailed me last night about using my movers. "Only if you want to front $150 depending on how long it takes," I replied not-so-sweetly. She declined, decided I'm a bitch (which I am), and got her shit out of the way in time.

We ordered pizza, and it arrived 1.5 hours later. Already in a mood, I called them up and complained, resulting in a 1/2 off discount. A was again skeptical of my attitude - oh ye of little faith. He will soon learn that I am the queen of getting things comped. Just ask Karen. She's taking lessons from me.

And of course, the movers didn't speak English. At all. Luckily, this is SF so they all spoke Chinese. "Are you from China?" they asked me. "No, I was born in Taiwan," I replied. They looked at me with a little bit of pity, then very nicely said, "Its ok, we're all Chinese people."

Moving went relatively smoothly until we actually got to Potrero. I live on a one-way street on a hill, and we couldn't park the van outside of the house. So we ended up having to move in the rain uphill 1/2 a block. The couch didn't fit, and I forgot my dresser.

But all in all, I'd have to say that it was probably one of the smoother moves I've done. For once, I wasn't packing up until the movers came, as I've been packing all week. I even had time to kill! I got rid of my punching bag and my elliptical for cashish. And even though the place is a mess, I'm so glad I'm here. My room is 1/2 the size of my old one, and I like it!

OK, rambling from tiredness. Sleepy now...

sitting down for a moment

Sigh. This is one of the first times I've had to sit down in the last few weeks. Crazy! Between work, Project training, bschool apps, and moving, I've been a stressball. I CANNOT wait until Jan 15th, when the last of my bschool apps are due, and I'll be all settled into the new house in Potrero. Even better, work should be calmer after the 20th when HiPer and Process both are done launching.

Of course, this is sort of a lie, since I've got losing weight, GREs , and the SIPA and Wagner School apps still due in early Feb, not to mention the PMP certification in April. But really, it can't be worse. As I explained to A when he asked me if I was always this stressed out, I do get stressed out like this a couple of times a year, but all of it has just been compressed into one extended period.

On a separate tangent, I am in the midst of some *major* PMS. I honestly have never had it this bad before... I'm randomly bursting into tears, even though there's nothing to be upset about, and have probably consumed about 10,000 calories in the last 3 days. Let's see... burger/fries/orings on Friday, pizza/wings/biscuit/ranch sauce yesterday, and then a big-ass burrito today. Yuck.

I usually craving a spot of chocolate and am bloated around this time, but a couple of weeks ago I got food poisoning and started puking up my bc. Of course, that meant that I have to wait for my next cycle to start taking the pill again, so I think the on/off thing is making my system funny. Poor A. He gets to see stressball Serena and PMS Serena all at the same time.

*Burp.* Back to bschool apps. At least I'm ahead of schedule with packing...

*gnash teeth*

I hate moving. So much! But this is a good exercise in downsizing... I've thrown away more of my life than I thought was possible. This is a good thing. I don't know if I would have been able to handle it if I was actually moving across the country right now.

In other news, I have completely neglected my bschool apps, and have dropped Sloan from the list. Grrr. I'll be working on them tonight, post dish-packing.

tweak tweak - let's go!