Protected: a bit of domesticity

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This weekend

So, one of my childhood friends was diagnosed with cancer this past week. I am reeling a little bit. I went to see her this Friday, and she looks so healthy: lovely hair, skin, fashionable and humorous as always. Next week she starts chemo.

There is really no good explanation for this. I won’t be seeing her for about half a year, probably, due to the treatment process. She was fairly upbeat, considering the situation, and very optimistic. Still, it hung over our heads like a cloud the entire evening. I felt like I was a little quieter than I should have been, but talking about everyday things didn’t seem particularly appropriate. What can I do for her? I wish I could do something.
Today I went to another friend’s priestly vows ceremony. It was a beautiful mass; I don’t think I’ve ever been in a Catholic church that filled with people. The music was pleasant, and the atmosphere in the chapel itself was contemplative. I felt very comfortable there, probably the most comfortable I’ve ever felt at a church service. It was peaceful. Moreover, it was consoling, considering the day before, and I was grateful to have attended.

He has chosen a challenging path and she has many challenges ahead. All I can think to do is to pray for them both.

Making a list, checking it twice

I have been out of commission blog-wise these past few weeks. My Chinese intensive got, well, intensive. Each day of class is equivalent to a week’s worth of material, so you can imagine the potential for panic.

Moreover, I am moving in about two weeks. Which means the usual mania of throwing things out, debating whether to keep useless keepsakes or not (first college tshirt, ratty and unwearable…and yet…should it go out?), and swearing once more never to accumulate quite so much STUFF. I would say that I’ve made a pretty hefty contribution to Goodwill in the past week.

Still, I am still worried about how to safely move tons of books and heavyish kitchen wares, without injuring my back (and Mr. P’s as well). Why must I have so many books?! Blargh.

I noticed also that my stack o’books is beginning to get unmanageably large. The stack o’ books does not consist of “fun” reading; they are books that I should read for my oral exams/prospectus bibliography. How do I manage this? I have been toying with the idea of an excel spreadsheet so I always know where each book is, and can easily alphabetize authors, etc. Or does anyone out there use Endnote to do the same thing?

Chaos, chaos, chaos. I’m a bit frazzled.