#smitteninthemitten

[jaquaya]

Race to the bottom number 420. #bulliet #smitteninthemitten (at Zeke's Rock And Roll BBQ)

[annellemarie]

"What are you doing these days?"

I was super blessed to have a job lined up before I graduated from college. The endless stream of "whats next?" type questions weren't too frustrating. I was actually really excited about my job and had fun explaining it to the teachers, friends, parents, random people, and everyone else who asks those questions as a conversation starter. Can't blame them... what else are you supposed to ask a graduating college student?

Now I'm less prepared for those questions. And they come from everywhere. Can't blame them... what else are you supposed to ask someone who just unexpectedly quit their job? (hint: read on for suggestions)

I'll tell you all right here and right now: I quit my job because I missed all my favorite people too much and decided I like Michigan air better than desert air and airplane air. (I guess its all about the air, really.)

So anyway, I packed my suitcase, dropped off everything that I couldn't squish into it at the goodwill in Midland Texas, and flew home. Phil picked me up with flowers and a front seat full of dark chocolate. If I had any doubts about this being the right life choice, that settled it. Flowers and chocolates from a hot guy?! on a school night?! What was I thinking, hanging out in the desert? I wonder how many chocolate Wednesday opportunities I missed...

I digress. Back to what I'm currently doing with my life.

I spend a lot of time looking for/applying for jobs online, as well as online car shopping. This means my amount of distracted time on the internet has drastically increased since moving home. I like to think of it as being a more well-informed citizen. Ask me about any current events from the past two weeks, and prepare to be impressed with my yahoo/washingtonpost/buzzfeed knowledge on the subject. However, please don't mention anything before the last two weeks... or be prepared to hear my list of excuses about how I lived under a rock. 

I spend a lot of time cooking! Sometimes when mom gets home from work I like to have dinner ready for her (aww!). And I'll bring Phil a new plate of baked goods almost every time I see him (aww!). 

I work out! And since it takes up 20 minutes 3x a week, (yeah yeah yeah, 5 or 7 or 10 is better. but 3 is good.) that adds up to an entire hour every week! Which is 0.6% of my time. So thats legit.

I sleep. my new favorite thing, because its always dark and chilly around the mitten these days.

I think up responses to "what are you doing these days?". So far I have: 

What is your mom doing these days?!

I can't really explain it exactly...

What does it look like I'm doing? Being awesome. Duh.

Wouldn't you like to know!

I wish I could tell you, but it's not exactly public knowledge yet... *proceeds to answer a phone call, probably from someone very important, about something very vague.*

Think up alternatives to "what are you doing these days?". So far I have:

What are you hearing these days?

What are you smelling these days?

What are you feeling these days?

I think that about sums up my life right now. I'm not gonna lie, its pretty fab. And if you're looking to hire a chemical engineer with an impressive knowledge of current events, please contact me. 

[themittenstate]

The view from atop the dune at Laketown Beach, Holland. #smitteninthemitten