If we were having coffee, I’d start off by saying whew, it’s been another exhausting week. The humidity here has been absolutely insane, which makes for an uncomfortable work environment, what with all the running around I do as a barista (but hey, good practice for Thailand with this humidity, right?). The heat from all the cooking in the kitchen certainly doesn’t help, not mention that the air flow in the gas station itself is absolutely preposterous. So, I’m absolutely spent and am going to try to make this post short and sweet so I can get to bed sooner than later.
If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I’ve been relatively absent in the blogosphere this week. I’ve “liked” a few posts but that’s about it. I did read through a few on my phone earlier today after work, but was too tired to interact with any of them. It’s just been an exhausting week and I’ve had a lot on my mind. Hopefully I’ll be a little more present next week, but you can never tell with this crazy life.
If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I got a new computer this week! I’ve had my previous computer for over four years–since the end of my senior year of high school. It’s been good to me and I never had any major problems with it, but the software is outdated (it is still running Windows 7, which is practically ancient these days…though I guess not as ancient as the Windows 98 I remember playing computer games on as a five year old. 🙂 ). It has also gotten really, really, painfully slow within the last year or so. This new one is a 2 in 1, so it easily converts from a laptop to a tablet. It’s also much smaller, which I wanted for ease of travel with my big adventure coming up. The tablet is also handy because it can easily act as a Kindle (oh woe is me as my love for real, tangible books is too real…but again, practical for traveling). Oh, and please excuse any spelling/grammar errors in the post…I’m still not used to typing on this new gadget of mine.
If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I had the pleasure of meeting up with two of my former residents on Tuesday. I was an R.A. for two years at college and though I don’t keep in touch with most of my residents, I bonded kind of hard core with a few of my ressies during my second year as an R.A. and we still keep in touch. I hadn’t seen them in months and I wanted to meet up before heading off to Thailand. It was soo great to see them…it’s always an adventure with these two.
If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I got pulled over for the first time ever on my drive back from visiting with them. I wasn’t actually paying attention to my speedometer (shh) so when I saw the lights behind me, I just assumed it was because I was speeding. Welp, turns out the police in small town Minnesota have nothing better to do at 11 pm than pull drivers over for having a break light out…as that’s what turned out to be the problem. I mean, hey at least I didn’t get a ticket!
If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I’m leaving for Thailand in 2.5 weeks…and I’m so not prepared. Not mentally. Not physically. Not at all. It’s been causing me a lot of anxiety lately and I just have to keep reminding myself how much this is something I need to do for myself. How I’ve been thirsting for this sort of adventure for ages and how I can’t let this fear stop me now. In a month and a half, I’m going to be teaching English to students in a currently unknown school in a currently unknown town. That’s unbelievably scary. But it’s also exhilarating. And I just have to keep reminding myself of the exhilarating part.
If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I’m halfway through the last season of Gilmore Girls…I’ve spent five years trying to get through this show and I’m determined to finally finish it before I leave the country!
If we were having coffee, I’d be about ready to switch it off to you…and I’d ask you if you have anything to share over coffee?
This post is part of the Weekend Coffee Share link up at Part Time Monster.
It's a Britta Bottle! 
Wow Britta, just 2.5 weeks to go! That time seems to have flown by. Yes humidity acclimatization is a good idea LOL.
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I know, right? Where did this summer (well, summer for those of us in the Northern hemisphere, that is 🙂 ) go? I can’t believe I’m leaving so soon–it’s soo exciting but also soo scary!
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It must be just two weeks by now. Wow. Are you almost ready with what you’re planning to take with you?
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I’m getting there. Still need to go shopping for a few more things, but two weeks is plenty of time to do that, I think.
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That’s good, you’ll be fine. Plus you can pick up most things quite cheaply once you get there if you forget anything diabolical 😉
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Britta! I’ve been away from the blogosphere quite a bit lately too… I’m still here and will get back to it more once summer says goodbye officially I suppose! I’ve spent so much time outside and this holiday weekend is no exception:)
I read your words as I cradle a cup of hot black coffee in hand… Another sunny day here… I can imagine all the preparation you are in the midst of with Thailand almost here! I’m so excited for you and all the memories you will make and all the people you will meet and lives you will touch.
Sending you a big hug and best Sunday wishes !
*Lia
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Well, you best enjoy the fantastic weather while it’s here! Haererdcore blogging is best saved for the winter months when looking outside makes one slightly sad and staying warm and cozy with a warm beverage and the blogosphere is much preferred, am I right? 🙂
Thank you so much for your well wishes, Lia. They mean lot and I’ll definitely need them when I hop on that plane in a handful of weeks and wonder what the hell I”m doing with my life.
I hope you had a fantastic Labor Day weekend!
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Sounds like a fun (and stressful) week! So great that you were able to meet up with old college pals…not so great that you were pulled over. Wow, Thailand’s coming up so soon! I’m already in Europe, getting ready for my teaching job; it’s amazing how fast our post-grad summer has flown by! Enjoy your time in the U.S. while you can!
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It definitely was stressful, but meeting up with my former residents was definitely a highlight. 🙂
Glad you made it safely to Europe. I hope you’re having many adventures of your own at this time!
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What a busy, fun, nerve-wracking time!! Glad that you’re getting in a lot of fun before you head out for Thailand. 🙂
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Yes, yes, and yes! I’m glad, too. I’ll have lots to fill in with this week’s coffee share. I have been visiting old friends and important places like crazy these last couple days (hence, the unbelievably late replies).
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2.5 weeks to go! So excited. Hope you make it through Gilmore Girls 🌞
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Me too! I’m so close to the end, yet I have so many other things I need to do–but I’m determined to make it. 🙂
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The humidity has been terrible this week!! But I suppose it will help prepare you for Thailand! And, I know it won’t help much to say it, but you’re going to be fine in Thailand. It’ll be a terrifying transition, but you will make it! I’m so excited for you. You’re going to learn and grow so much on this adventure. But having the new laptop will definitely be nice. I got my Kindle when I studied abroad and it worked out perfectly. It didn’t stop me from bringing too many books than my suitcase could hold from Europe, so there is still hope for your love of hard copies! I hope this next week is less exhausting for you, Britta!
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Ah, thanks for your support, Amelia! I know I’ll be fine and I know I’m going to learn so much and I know this is going to be a grand adventure, but these nerves and anxiety are like pre-show jitters, you know–they’re not really logical, but you can’t help feeling them.
I’m definitely glad I have the Kindle app on my computer. I’m just worried that I’ll actually spend all of my money on books now since they’re so easily accessible at the click of a button. Sure, e-books are cheaper than hard copies, but that still adds up. I definitely will always prefer hard copies, though.
This week has definitely been off to a fantastic start–I went up to Morris for the first time since graduation and it was perfect, absolutely perfect. We’ll see how the rest of my week goes with work tomorrow, though.
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Teaching in Thailand sounds rad! Congrats on getting to have that adventure…total learning experience and great opportunity for growth. Good luck to you!
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Thank you so much, Joy! It’s going to be quite the adventure and I can’t wait to learn and grow soo much!
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Oh boy! 2.5 weeks!! Whee I’m so excited for you. It seems we’re both off to different parts of the world at about the same time!
I do hope you find out where in Thailand you’re going to be, though! Sounds rather vague as of now, and if I were in your shoes, that would freak me out a bit. But still, so many adventures await you, and I can’t wait to read all your posts from that side of the world! ^_^ Hope these next 2 weeks aren’t too stressful as you get ready to leave. Take care! ❤
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Yes, it’s coming up so quick I can hardly believe it!
During my training course in Chiang Mai, I will have an interview with the leaders of the organization I am going through and they will determine where to place me and with what age group I will be teaching after that. It certainly will be super exciting! It does freak me out a little bit, but I’m just trying to go with the flow!
Thanks for your well wishes, Adi and good luck to you in grad school! We are such world travelers, aren’t we? 🙂
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Øh okay! It’s good that you get to meet with the organization’s leaders first! That sounds reassuring!
Thanks for the well wishes. 🙂
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