goodbye you crazy week.

I have waited 3/4 of my life to see The Shins. It happened, tonight, at Terminal 5 at roughly 9pm. They didn't disappoint. The perfect mix of old/new; pop/acoustic; story-telling;jamming. Berloody great. This reaffirms my long-standing desire to know James Mercer and one day, one day, this shizzle'll be true. For the moment though, I immensely appreciate his lyrics, like ever. And, capping off a big, fat, 'arena spectacular on ice' week like no other.

I'm back in Stony Brook after spending a week in Australia. My grandfather died and I decided to head over for the whirlwind that was. The key things that stood out about home:

- the AIR! crisp, full of eucalypt and autumn rain and sunshine and grass. It fills you right up.
- Cows. Weird, but I haven't seen animals bigger than squirrels for like 4 months now. Just so crazy to see these huge creatures everywhere
- Stars. Boy, we do good stars in the country.
- the view. Woke up to a window-full of gently sloping dewy paddock, with blue gum trees dotted around. The sun was shining through the autumn burn-off smoke, sending 'God's fingers' (or 'aaaahhhs' as we call them in the family- like a perfect chord shining on the promised land-) across the farm.
- space. So few people. Mostly family.
- coffee. I have missed thee. 

Food was abundant, as always. Baths, many pots of tea, sleeping. I spent a lot of time raking through old photo albums compining a photo montage of grandpa's life. Struggled with a dust allergy, aggravated by the sorting of my clothes which i hastily shoved into bags back in December. Chats, wine, wine, wine. Back to the wicked McGowan sense of humour, bluntness, and love of a good story (and anti-communist child singalong).
After 30 hours of transit (Albury>Sydney (running through Sydney airport, seeing my 'final call' announcement for my flight, after my Albury leg was delayed due to ''''''''fog''''''''') > LA > JFK > Jamaica to catch the LIRR > Stony Brook. Long bloody time. I slept almost the whole trip, and then slept another 12 hours last night.

And now begins the final week of class. I have 11 pieces of assessment due before the week is over. Yoiks. Lots of library time, coffee and yoga. As you can tell from my writing I am still scattered, and in need of bed. Until later, mis amigos. xo

OOF

Oof it's 2.45pm already. Sunday afternoon, after sleeping in till 12.30pm. Last night walking to Penn station it was so balmy. I was in a new summer dress, no cardigan needed. Today it's overcast, but doors and windows are open, letting the warm air wander inside this cold old house. I put some pasta on the stove and heard my neighbours playing some BADASS rock and roll in their garage. I'm not sure which house, I'm not sure which neighbours, but this music just summed up this carefree spirit which is hitting this area big time right now. Not very good, considering exams are around the corner. You know that first touch of spring and everyone just goes crazy.

This week I have four assessments due. I'm home all day though, so I think maybe Judith and I will go for a drive when she wakes up. Down to the beach maybe. Plans have been starting to shape up for the summer, probably going to Belize, Honduras, Guatemala at this stage. I might buy a Spanish workbook to practice, before I go. I was speaking with an Argentine last night and I realise that I'm still so far away from where I want to be. It's doable though.

Lots of love to everyone, hope it's not too cold! xo