5:30am airport post

I'm at the airport, and for the first time in a while I'm headed somewhere for more than a weekend! Today I leave for Toronto to spend Christmas with Jeff's family (he's already there), and then just after Christmas we'll be headed to Eugene until Jan 1st. Vacation!!! And not just vacation, but two whole weeks with my husband. Soooo excited!!!

Yesterday I was a little bit less enthusiastic about leaving, as things were not going quite as planned. Nothing like what Jeff went through on his way to Toronto, but I was stressed. I realized as I started packing that I didn't have a suitcase with me large enough for a two-week trip into wintery cold weather (the big suitcases are in Seattle, I just have a carry-on size), and after panicking briefly, I was able to borrow a bag from my friend Denise. Problem solved.

Also yesterday I was working hard at getting some work done on postdoc applications before leaving, and after a random series of events my computer froze, crashed, needed several re-starts, and then made all my work from the past week disappear (despite it having been diligently saved). I came very close to a melt-down, but fortunately I was not alone-- I was working alongside two friends here, Jeff J. and Denise, and while Denise kept me grounded, Jeff J. magically made all my work come back. It wasn't looking good at first, and it didn't happen instantly but my work was resurrected.

This was yet another moment where I found myself feeling so lucky for the amazing people I have found here. And I've been lucky at every stage of my life to be surrounded by incredible people who have become lifelong friends. So not to sound too sappy, but thanks to all of my dear friends, old and new, and happy holidays :)