#60: You Can Have It All
Just not all at once
Dear Friends,
I apologize for the longer than I realized hiatus away from writing, it’s been a wild ride. I greatly underestimated my personal capacity and have learned that I cannot in fact do it all. I am by no means, the first person to work full time and go to school, but I didn’t think it would be so all consuming. My social life has had to take a hit so I can get things done, but I’m trying to find a balance and I think we’re getting there. As they say, "You can have it all, just not at once”. Fear not though, I have still found moments to have fun and give my brain a break. I’ve been very into the mini print vending machines around DC and watching the sunset from my apartment roof.
I thought I’d share a few things that have sustained me through the last three months:
The Costco size bag of SkinnyPop Popcorn: Love the popcorn, hate the name. I recently got a Costco card and I’ve greatly enjoyed browsing the aisles. I can’t explain it, but the Costco bag seems to have less air in it than the bags I find at the grocery store, so in my mind it’s a better deal. It’s also a much larger bag. Popcorn is one of my favorite snacks. 10/10 recommend.
My Coworkers: I am close friends with three of my coworkers and they have read/edited every paper I’ve turned in so far (they also read my application essay). One of them even sat on the phone with me for close to 30 minutes to brainstorm while I was having a menty b over my very first paper and I was convinced that I didn’t have a single thought in my head. In the end, my degree will be their degree.
These pants from Aerie: I go straight from my office to class and some nights I just don’t want to sit for upwards of three hours wearing my work clothes. I’ve started bringing a change of clothes with me on school days so I can swap outfits before I go to campus. I bought these pants, kind of on a whim, and they’re incredible. I have two colors and am obsessed. They do absolutely nothing for my shape (however, by now we should all know that I reject the notion of “flattering” clothes), but let me feel comfy while looking better than if I was wearing sweatpants. 10/10 recommend.
Riding the bus: Since coming back to society from my accident earlier this year, I’ve been a big driving girl. I absolutely love my car and do want to make the car payments worth it, that said, over the last few months I’ve been trying to get back to my roots as a bus/train riding girl. I’ve loved it. Riding public transportation makes me feel more connected to the city and reminds me that I am just a small part of the world. It doesn’t all revolve around me. It gives me a chance to tune out for a little bit and take a break from thinking. A bonus is that I get to practice walking up and down stairs on the escalators to and from the metro stations.
Trader Joe’s Light String Cheese: I am currently in a string cheese fixation moment and love it. I’ve tried a few brands and nothing is as good as the Trader Joe’s light string cheese. It has the perfect firmness and slight saltiness that the regular version doesn’t have. It’s a great snack. There is nothing more to say about it other than it’s a top tier food right now.
I only have a few more weeks of school left before the holidays and I’ve learned lots of lessons. Namely, you really can’t be sad while listening to Olivia Dean’s version of You Can’t Hurry Love, so please have a little dance around the kitchen with me. And as always, please have a slice for me 🍕.