Self Diagnosis.

Don't get me wrong. I love my life. In fact, I'm so blessed that I can't believe I'm writing this post, but I have to. Something has just seemed "off" these past few months. It's as if I'm wishing away my life and feeling that Monday-Thursday are horrible, no-good, very bad days. I've diagnosed myself. Quarter Life Crisis. I saw the following on another site and it hit me me like a brick...I'm not feeling sorry for myself, I'm going through a stage in life that will (hopefully) pass soon.

Some of the symptoms of a Quarter Life Crisis:
(I've colored the ones that pertain to me in purple and I've made peanut gallery comments in green for your enjoyment)

• feeling “not good enough” because one can’t find a job that is at one’s academic/intellectual level - I have my Masters.
• frustration with the working world, and finding a suitable job or career - and I commute 100 miles every single day. Oh, and did I mention that I get up at 5am every morning.
• confusion of identity
• insecurity regarding the near future - this goes back to the whole "job" thing...and the fact that I'm a nomad who lives out of her car.
• insecurity concerning long-term plans, life goals - I know where I want to be...it's just a matter of getting there.
• insecurity regarding present accomplishments re-evaluation of close interpersonal relationships
• lack of friendships or romantic relationships, sexual frustration, and involuntary celibacy disappointment with one’s job - my sexual life is perfectly fine, thank you very much. However, I wish my friends were closer and/or I wish I could live in the same town I work in so that I could make new friends.
• tendency to hold stronger opinions - I've always done this...nothing new there.
• boredom with social interactions - kind of, my life is so very boring Monday through Thursday.
• financially-rooted stress (overwhelming college loans, unanticipated high cost of living, etc.) loneliness, depression and suicide
• desire to have children
• a sense that everyone is, somehow, doing better than you - I know, I know...the grass is always greener on the other side...but it still has to be mowed.
• frustration with societal ills

So there you have it. My quarter-life crisis. I'm just hoping I can get over this before my mid-life crisis....

Bleeding Purple

PURPLE...GOLD....


Last Saturday was the beginning of the purple haze that consumes my life in the Fall. To be honest, when I was a student at ECU, I went to a few games, but by no means did I ever go to all home games except one. My obsession with the Pirates is new-found. I believe my obsession began when I found Chris (again). Another honest part of this - I'm still not obsessed with football - I'm obsessed with how excited and pumped up Chris is about football season. His excitement is contagious and I now find myself talking about the upcoming game on the Monday before and I find myself planning my purple and/or gold outfit that I'll be rocking at the next game. So if you don't want to become obsessed with the "pirate life," stay far away from Chris. I swear to you, he lives and breathes Pirate football. Looking up YouTube videos of "Purple Haze" and highlights of games is like porn to him. Thankfully, last weekend, we pulled through with a win against ASU, but boy was it close. Too close. Because you see, my dear sweet boyfriend get very upset if we lose. And by very upset, I mean he wants to leave the stadium immediately, not talk to a soul and go home and sulk. That does not make for a happy Emily. I'm the kind where I'm bummed we didn't win, but I still want to go out and have a good time....it's not like the world's over, right?

This weekend we go up against some more Mountain Men...except these are tougher. On Saturday we play WVU on their turf. I'm hoping my Pirates have been figuring out what went wrong last Saturday during the 2nd half because I really don't want to have a grumpy man on my hands....This weekend we'll be watching the game in Raleigh (that's the plan as of this posting) and I hope to see some more purple and gold out and about. Gooooooo Pirates!!!!

We are the Pirates of ECU, HEY!!!!!!

up for a challenge?

September is here!!! For all of you wondering, my birthday was wonderful. In fact, I was rather spoiled. The weekend in Hatteras didn't go as planned - but it turned out better than ever. We were supposed to fish in a tourny, but unfortunately, Danny ruined the chances of me catching a sail for my birthday...maybe that will be a belated birthday present. Friday morning Bobby, Chris and I went out on the boat for a little adventure, but adventure was short lived due to some rough water, dark clouds and the Coast Guard - so we decided to bring the boat out of the water. But hey, at least I got an hour on the water. That afternoon we enjoyed some simple sandwiches and then "practiced tailgating" outside in the sun. It was glorious. That was followed up by a scrumptious dinner at Dinky's - somewhere I had never been.
Bobby had decided that we were going to celebrate my birthday all weekend, so he made me brunch the next day - French toast. It was awesome. And the mimosa that was presented to me was even better. At this point, Chris insisted that I open my first (yes, there were MORE than one) present. YAY!!! New Jack Rogers!!!!! Just what a needed - Chris is good at catching hints. Our friend Staci had come Friday night after work, and all day Saturday we played Bocce ball and corn hole outside. I caught some rays and a nice buzz. That night - we had dinner at Breakwater. Now I'm torn between which I like better, Breakwater or Dinky's.

Anywho - my other presents were my own set of Tervis Tumblers (Chris claims EVERYONE needs their own set) and my last gift - was the start to our "New Years/Bowl Game" fund. Basically - we're going to start saving up so that come December/January we can do something really fun to celebrate Chris' birthday, New Years and (hopefully) a bowl game. My birthday celebration came to end Monday with some delicious kabobs Chris threw on the grill. Thanks to everyone who made my 26th birthday one to remember. I even got candles in half a watermelon.

Moving on...Now I can look forward to football season. It's officially game week and I'm sooooo excited for Saturday. Chris and I have our outfits picked out and it's going to be a purple-kind of Saturday!!!!! Gooooooo Pirates!!!!!

I have a challenge for myself (and for all of you who want to join): http://www.twohundredsitups.com/test.html
Tomorrow morning I'm going to do the test...and then hopefully my September 30th, I will be able to successfully complete 200 sit ups. You up for the challenge?!?!