Alright, Already!

I have been commanded to blog. I know I haven’t written much this summer, but I still struggle with the internal battle of deciding what aspects of my life are important enough to bore people with. I’ve had big events happen lately, but I don’t quite feel ready to address them.

I guess a few big professional events have taken place lately that I am happy to share. I am in the process of finishing my first commissioned painting. I had hoped to have it done sooner, but I forgot that the creative process and a deadline do not mix well. I feel good about what’s on the canvas as of now. And my patron has been very understanding of the process. (Thank you!!) I know it will all come together. It takes time and patience. Also, you know, there’s the whole “real world” job. That sometimes gets in the way of the painting. (If only I didn’t have to pay rent and…you know…eat to survive.)

But the “real world” job has had its benefits as well. I recently compiled information binders to give to each of our incoming patient families. I made it look very pretty with pictures and bright colors and a fun (but readable) font (and packed a hella lot of information into it, too). When I presented it to the head of our department, he was very pleased and suggested I work with our media team to make our website look like the binder. Well, that’s proven to be easier said than done. Apparently there’s a joint commission for marketing that regulates what goes on all UIHC departmental sites. I completely understand that the hospital doesn’t want all kinds of crap being thrown up onto the web, but they leave no room for individuality and take way too long to make any changes. Dr. Gantz keeps encouraging it, but I feel like my hands are somewhat tied in this whole process. It’s such a positive reinforcement to know that he thinks the work I’ve done is exceptional and that he trusts me to see it through. I just wish the rest of the hospital would trust me, too.

All of this professional stuff has caused my personal life to be a little less exciting than usual. I don’t know…good things have happened and bad things have happened and I guess I’m just trying to roll with the punches. I hate being confused and I don’t like being lied to, so I guess I’ll have to make some choices eventually. But I refuse to be coerced or pressured into anything. That’s all I have to say about that…

My HMB buds are getting geared up for the Hawkeye game at Soldier Field in a few weeks. That should be fun. My old neighbor is moving back to San Diego and has invited me to visit this winter. She’s a surfer and has offered to take me out to catch the waves. I’ve never been to the west coast, so I think that would be a good adventure for me. Plus I love to travel and never seem to get out of Iowa anymore. Let me out!

I’m not as down as I was a few weeks ago, but I still feel as if I’m in a bit of a funk. This is a tough time of year—the summer’s winding down, it’s miserably hot outside (I don’t do well with heat), and students are invading my world again. It’s time for Iowa City to get its game face on, which mean I should also get my game face on. Gosh, this is my 6th year in Iowa City. I can’t believe all that’s happened since I arrived in August 2001, bright eyed and eager to be a grownup. Now I dread the moments when I have to be a grownup. Responsibility and maturity? …EWWWW! I'll pass.

Peace and Love