Remembering 9-11

10 years. Amazing. It seems so long ago, and yet also like it was just yesterday. I was 24. Living at home. Looking for work. Trying to figure out my life. My sister's best friend was living in NYC. She tried calling him all day. She finally heard his voice, and she cried. My mom's good friend was also in NYC. She worked not far from the World Trade Center. She was safe, thank God. My good friend's sister worked near the Pentagon, but again, she was safe. I was lucky that the people in my life were spared the grief and horror of that day. But that doesn't lessen my grief -- it didn't lessen the tears I shed then and the tears I shed today. Ten years have come and gone. We've had wars, and death, and tragedy, and hope, and grace, and love. But without the countless broken hearts from that day, we wouldn't have been able to open them up to new beginnings and the chance for something better.

Battery Park, NYC: The Sphere from the World Trade Center

I've Got Some Learnin' to Do

I have taken the plunge. Almost ten years ago, I started my Master's degree in English, and finally, after way too many false starts, decided to finish what I started. It has been nerve-wracking and anxiety-inducing, but I'm trying my hardest to push through those feelings, and just do the one thing I know I really want to do.

I've managed to pass my first class already (with an A+ no less), and now I am on to my next one.  This one is a little more intense. It's a survey on 20th century American literature, and that means, a lot of reading, a lot of writing, and a lot of analyzing.  All things I am good at and actually enjoy, but just a little apprehensive about my abilities.  Nevertheless, I just keep telling myself, "All you can do is the best you can do." And that seems to be helping.

And as I finished up my first writing assignment for the class, I started thinking about my fun, little blog here. I realized I had been neglecting it for awhile.  The classes I've been taking have put a damper on my free time, but I thought why not take a few moments to let everyone know what's been going on with me, and while I'm at it also showcase some school (and work) supplies that are fun and chic. I figured, when the stress of work and school starts to get to you, you can at least enjoy looking at and using some of the whimsical and delightful tool of your trade.

Shit Eraser, Paper Goods, $4; Lily Pulitzer Highlighters, See Jane Work, $10

Galison File Folders, See Jane Work, $8; Storybook Landscape Page Flags, Girl of All Work, $4.95

And something to put it all in...

Kailo-Chic Laptop Satchel, eBags, $63.74