Work Update

Today I was driving to register with Randstad. I tried to merge into the next lane and the car SPED up and pushed me out even though I was half way there! I forgot how terribly mean the drivers are here. DO NOT take Chicago drivers for granted. For a big city they are the NICEST you will encounter.

Anyway, I registered with Randstad today and will start a 10 day assignment tomorrow afternoon. It will be four hours tomorrow and Thursday and all of Friday and 40 hours next week. It's something for a while.

It's HOT

It was only 85 today but it must be the humidity to make it feel so hot! I've been in Illinois so long I forgot how hot it could get out here.

I'm Home

I made it back to Philadelphia yesterday. We go in at about 6:00 (EST).

It started out as a pretty stressful trip because I ended up getting a flat tire near South Bend, IN. I was upset because it was a brand new tire. I got it just a week before!

We were very fortunate and found a Super Walmart with a service center. The garage was closed but the guy working there stayed late to help us out. It was very nice of him.

By the time we stopped that night we were all so tired and cranky. It was stressful!

Anyway, we made the rest of the trip without any disasters so that was good.

We unloaded the truck after dinner. We went to a Mexican restaurant that my mom and dad were so glad to show me because I could talk to the servers. They are funny.The food was good but it made me wish I was in Chicago.

Today, my mom and I returned the truck but stopped at the Hess station (that is a gas station out here). There the attendant asked where we were coming from so we told him Chicago and he said "That is a great town! I was there once and I loved it!" I agreed with him and told him and everyone else in the place that it is the best city in the country!

I unpacked all of my boxes and rearranged the furniture in my new bedroom. (I seriously impressed myself with all that I did). I have my sisters' old bedroom and Jamie has my old room. I don't mind because my old room is smaller and has a twin bed. I now have a larger room, 2 closets and a queen bed.

Now that I am unpacked I found my "interviewing" clothes so tomorrow I will go register with Randstad in Wayne. I will register with the Ajilon in King of Prussia (that is a town that is equivalent to Schaumburg for those of you in the Chicago area) on Thursday and on Wednesday I am registering with a place called Bradley-Burns.

I am contemplating registering with more but I think I should register with 3 as a start and register with more in a couple weeks. I don't want to be unfair to the agencies. I'll see how it goes.

So far my parents are not bothering me too much. When they picked me up I remembered why I did not want to come home but I am trying really hard not to take them too seriously. It's hard sometimes.

My dad keeps asking me questions about who my friends are as if he doesn't trust me. Then my mom tried to give my dad one of my beers because "we need to get rid of them" and that made me upset because it is just beer! And you can't have that with a salad just because you need to get rid of it! It's SAM ADAMS! It's the good stuff.

The End is Near

Today, four friends came over to help me load the truck to go home. They were Jenna, Elizabeth, Jay B. and "Captain" Steve. We were fortunate enought to get the job done in less than 2 hours but unfortunate enough to have the move on the HOTTEST day of the year in Chicago. At one point it was over 100 degrees. It does not get that hot in Chicago.

Jon offered to help me pack the truck when I mentioned I was packing it up today. I din't want to ask him but he offered so I planned on him being there. Well, he decided to go camping instead. I have some thoughts on the guy but I won't post them. I think he thinks I still want him but I don't.

I had LOTS of gator-aid to offer and Kate and I have a water cooler so cold water was right on hand too.

After moving, Elizabeth and Steve went home and I joined Jenna and Jay in going to a nearby sports bar (The Stadium) to watch the White Sox play the Cubs. Jenna is a Sox fan and Jay is bs fanundeniably a Cubs fan. I had fun watching and seeing them interact. I did not realize I knew as much about the players on the Cubs as I did. (I used to live on the North Side of Chicago and that is Cubs territory in case you were wondering. Not that that has anything to do with my knowing the Cubs.)

I left at the start of the 8th innning and bought a pad lock for the truck then I went home and attempted to rest but it did not happen.

Eventually, I ended up at the Reef. It had a great time there too. I hated it, but I started to cry when I thought of leaving people. I got to see Andre and Derrick and I have not seen them in a very long time. Rich, Steve and Jay sang "Mo Town Philly" for me and it was fabulous! I am going to miss those 3 guys. They are good friends.

Carol came out to the Reef and it was good to see her again. She was going to give me a tape of some country videos she recorded but we forgot to make that exchange. Oh well. It was a very nice thought. We did a couple Tequila Rose shots because it was a good memory. Her friend, Bev, also came out and that made me happy because I cannot remember the last time I saw her.
She was one of the first people I met while doing karaoke. She doesn't sing but likes to come out to hear singers. I sang "Papa Don't Preach" for her because she always requested that one. She's a Madonna fan.

I sang "My Baby Loves Me" for Bert. I don't really like singing that song but Bert loves it and always asks me to sing it for him. I'll sing it for him. I sang "My give a Damn's busted" too. I don't think that is a good one for my voice type but Elizabeth wanted to hear it as did some others and it is a fun song so I did it.

Remember my green drink? Well, I officially named it tonight. I wanted to call it "Green Goddess". But then I thought that might deter males from ordering it. So then I took advice from others who suggested I make it a beachy name because it. was created at the Sponge Reef so I named it "Lektrik Lei" because it sounded cool and a lei is tropical and I figured what guy would not want to order a lei.

Captain Steve wanted me to call it "Blonde Bimbo" but I just laughed at him. He's a funny guy. He always makes me laugh for some reason. He's not really a captain. Kate just made up the name one day and that is what we have called him ever since.

On New Year's, Rich had Steve "watch out" for me because he could not be where the rest of us were going. Anyway, at the bar that night some guy was hitting on me and would not leave me alone so Steve came to my rescue and we ended up telling the guy some elaborate story about going to a Menonite school in Iowa and that is how we knew eachother. My name was Dana that night. Ever since then he and I always refer to the times we grew up together as Menonites in Iowa. I think we became siblings or cousins or both. Neither one of us is entirely sure.

I am really going to miss everyone that I go to meet at the Reef. I had some really great times with them.

I cried when we said goodbye. I did not like doing it. I am hoping my move to Philly is temporary.

Margaritas and Country Music

Last night I spent the evening with Carol. It was fun. First we walked to Portillo's for dinner then we went back to her place and watched CMT and drank margaritas. I gave Carol a bottle of margarita mix and a bottle of Cuervo 1800 for her birthday so she wanted to be sure I got to enjoy it before I left.

We had so much fun. We watched the 40 greatest men of country music, listened to Rascal Flatts, drank margaritas and laughed.

Then for some reason we were talking about her phone and programming numbers into it. I thought Carol memorized everyone's number because her phone did not allow for stored numbers. No. She just could not figure out how to do it. So, I decided to give it a try and figured it out and spent the last couple hours putting phone numbers into her phone. She is so funny!

She said she'll find more numbers to store and bring them to me on Friday night so I can put them into her phone for her.

I told her that she is going to remember me everytime she looks up a phone number in her phone. Funny.

Last night as we were watching CMT, I decided that I want to be a country singer. I don't know where that came from and I know I will not pursue it but I just thought I would tell you that I want to be a country singer and see what you say. :o)

Saturday Night

On Saturday night I went to the "Reef" and asked a bunch of people to make sure they were there so I could have an "unofficial" goodbye party with them. It turned out to be a ton of fun!

Fortunately the bar was not really crowded and the people who were there were people I knew so it made for a good "last" night. (Last is in quotes because it turns out I can go out again on Friday since I am not leaving until about 4 this Saturday).

I drank this drink that Cathy made for me once and I have been drinking only that ever since. It is made with UV Blue Raspberry Vodka, pineapple juice and orange juice. It turns out to be a really bright green colored drink. It's lime green and looks like it could be radioactive but it is so good! I go to other bars and try to get it but no one carries UV Blue so I try to substitute it with other flavored vodkas but it is just not the same. Shue is funny about it because I told him how to make them and he has been making them for me ever since. I walked up to the bar on Saturday and he put his hand right on the UV Blue and said "I know what you want".

When I get to Philly I am going to have to find a karaoke bar that stocks UV Blue and if they don't have it I am going to make them get it because every bar needs it. I'm not even a big drinker. I usually have one or two a week which is not a lot seeing that I go to about 4 karaoke bars a week.

I took so many pictures so as soon as I have them in digital format I will post some of them here.

One of the "Wize Guys", Jerry, from Excueses randomly showed up and joined us. He was laughing at me because he is used to seeing "Shy Tracie" and I was and am not that Tracie at the Reef. I think that is because I am more comfortable at the Reef and I just know the people better. I have so much fun when I am there.

I think that night I was also in a good mood so I did not mind being more silly than usual. I walked like an Egyptian with Jay Sponge, I sang silly songs and Amy made me a tacky hat covered with shells, sponges and a rubber lobster and a shark. It was my Sponge Reef Hat. At one point I decided to sing "I'm a Slave 4 U" with the encouragement from Elizabeth and Lynn. I sang the song with the hat on too! When I sat down Jenna commented that she was wondering who that girl was up there. I don't usually sing songs like that one, I was just having fun.

Church

I am getting worried about finding a church back in Pennsylvania. I know it's silly but it is such a big thing to look for!

I went onto Willow Creek's web site and found a listing of churches in the area where I am moving that we members of the Willow Creek Association. I called some of them today and just started crying because I love my church so much it is hard to look for another one that will be as great. I know there is one out there though.

One thing that concerns me is going to one near my high school because I don't want to end up going to church with people I went to High School with. Isn't that rediculous??? I never had to worry about seeing people from high school while in Chicago but moving back to Philly makes me realize it could be a possibility. I suppose it would not be the end of the world if it happened though. Who knows! I am looking for one that has a ministry for 20 somethings like AXIS at Willow but aften churches make those their college ministries. That is something I want to avoid.

We'll see. I'll find something.

My Song

Bobo just sent me a file with audio/video from last night. It was so dark I could not see myself (not that that is a bad thing) but it sounded really good. I impressed myself! I can honestly say I did well and say it with confidence.

Thanks Bobo!

Late Night at Denny's

Jenna came out to McKenna's after her volleyball game and we ended up going to Denny's. While there these guys roughly our age came in and they were really drunk. As we ended our meal and prepared to leave one of them came over and sat next to me and asked us if he looked like Bruce Willis. He did a little bit. So then he started talking like he was Bruce Willis and he just got annoying and then he started swearing up a storm. I was able to handle it until he started using the "C" word while referring to Demi Moore and shouting profanity loud enough for the entire restaurant to hear. At this point Jenna and I let him know he was going to far. So then his friends tried to start a conversation with us. We tried our best to be friendly but let them know they were annoying us at the same time. We wanted to leave but did not leave until we saw them leave the parking lot. Crazy stuff.

Jenna has an interview with a staffing agency in Schaumburg this afternoon. I connected her with the agency earlier this week out of pure coincidence while I was here at my current temp job. Some lady called, I mentioned I was temping, she asked if I wanted full time work, I told her I was moving, she said she works in staffing and asked if I knew anyone looking for work, I told her about Jenna. I think I will call her later to see how it went.

I hope something works out for her soon. Jenna is so great. I hate to see her out of work.

Good News

I actually won that competition last night! I could not believe it. I was shocked. Before the guy said who got first place everyone at my table started chanting my name and I begged them to stop because I did not want to look stupid or be more disappointed if I did win but I did and a look of complete amazement came over my face and the guy just laughed at me. It was surreal.

In addition to the prize money I won a night's stay at the Holiday Inn where the contest was held but since I am moving next week, Diane offered to buy it from me so she did and I ended up with about $100 more than I had originally.

I told the guy running the show how grateful I was because I don't have a job and I need new brakes and they cost exactly what I won. He seemed happy to hear that. I am happy because my car is getting new brakes now. Crazy.

Stream of Consciousness

I went to church last night for the first time since I made my decision to move back ot Philadelphia. (I made my decision a week ago today.) I decided that I love Willow Creek (not that I did not know that before) but that there is something else out there for me. I don't know what yet. Still, I am hoping that my going home is a temporary solution and that I will be able to come back by this time next year. I realize this is what I am thinking now and that I may find that I actually enjoy myself when I get home (there's a concept) and might not want to come back.

I'm feeling that I need to be away from my family to be myself because I feel that I need to guard myself too much when I am home. Does that make sense? Right now I go to Philadelphia and visit and comfort myself by knowing that it is only a visit and that I am going to be back in Chicago soon. Maybe, if I get a place of my own back in Philly I will have the same feeling of freedom instead of the feeling of being trapped.

I'm nervous. Can you tell?

There was a guest speaker last night and he was really good. He spoke about God molding pots out of clay and what it means to be the clay. It's not easy. Your life gets turned around. You get hurt. But, he makes you beautiful because he is the potter and knows what he is doing. I think that is what I am going through right now. It's a time where God is working extra hard to mold me into something and it is difficult. It hurts.

I got the CD of the service afterward because the message was so good.

I saw one of the girls I used to lead in Student Impact. She seems to be doing well. She has a new boyfriend now and he was with her. That girl always has a boyfriend but at least this one goes to church and is active at that. She says that none of the kids from our house group last year are going to house group anymore. They are all attending Axis instead.

I'm not too suprised to hear that because I know those kids were wanting something more than the Impact Curriculum was providing and we, the leaders, were told not to study other stuff with them. The way I saw it, if the kids want something deeper give it to them! It's too bad the governing leadership of Impact did not feel that way. I'm sure they had their reasons. Still, Willow's mission is to take irreligious people and help them become fully devoted Christ Followers and if curriculum provided did not allow for spiritual growth for kids who sought more, was Impact meeting Willow's mission? I can't help but wonder if I had continued to volunteer as a leader if things in that house group would have been different but then I think realistically and come to the conclussion that it probably would not have. My hands would have been tied.

I want to do something with High School kids at the next church I go to.

Last Friday, I told a friend that I was leaving and he asked if my church was okay with that and if I had to get permission to leave. I assured him (again) that Willow Creek is not a cult that obsesses with the whereabouts of its members. It's just a church that happens to be significantly larger than most.

I went to the Sponge Reef to sing after church because I wanted to practice some songs and gage audience response to know what I should sing in the contest. The Reef is a good place to do that because people don't usually pay attention to the singers there but if you stand out they let you know. I decided that I will sing "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" because EVERYONE there was paying attention and cheering. Good indicator that I have a good song. Plus, when I sat down, this girl, Holly, told me that was the best song she's heard me do and that I should do that one in the contest.

The guy doing the contest called me to remind me about it so I asked him what the criteria was and he told me 1) How well I know the song 2) Performance 3) Audience participation.

I know "Independence Day" and "Broken Wing" so well I could sing them backward on my head but "It's All Coming Back" has such emotion it is hard not to get into the song and the crowd always responds positively so I think that will be the best bet.

In between church and the Reef I stopped by Jenna's place to give her some shampoo because I was packing and found that I had an inordinate amount of shampoo, conditioner and mousse. I wish I could explain why but I don't have a good enough reason except that it was on sale and I had to stock up. I have this sick tendency to by hair products when they are on sale. Do you remember at Greenville when I had that huge box of shampoo? It was like that except this was all Pantene products, not Suave or White Rain, and more than just shampoo and conditioner.

I had several products that help keep hair straight and smooth. This is one that confuses even me because I have the straightest hair anyone could want, so why would I want it to be sleeker? I used it once and it just made my hair flatter than flat. I gave all of that stuff to Jenna because she complains about her hair. She got shampoo, conditioner, 2-in-1, mousse and deep conditioner from the "Sleek and Smooth" line from Pantene. Yes, I had all of that stuff. See, I'm crazy!

I originally titled this post "Thoughts" but then I remembered a conversation I had last Friday about Herman Melville and his writing style. I saw that I am pretty much writing about anything that comes into my head so I fugured "Stream of Consciousness" is a more appropriate title.

It reminds me of a sketch on the Kids in the Hall. (Imagine!) In it, Kevin McDonald plays an famous author who just published his first book after years of writer's block. In the book he unintentionally writes about struggling though the writer's block. "The night was dark like...like.. uh... like... think! It was dark like what?... Gotta keep writing through the block." It was funny. Almost as funny as when Scott Thompson played a character who wrote horror novels. The first was "Boo!" followed by the ever so scary "There's a Spider on Your Back!". My favorite was when cars where driving off the road when the drivers were listening to the audio version of the books. Good stuff.

Goodbyes

I was wondering today if I am making the right decision and I came to the conclusion I was because it is what needs to be done. Trista is moving to Bangladesh and I do not know when I can see her again. Did you know tickets to Bangladesh cost $1500 - 3,000? I do not have that kind of money. I also know that if I did not decide to go home now I would be planning on going home this fall. It just seems like the right thing to do because of circumstances as they are... no job...no home...sister moving...missing family...constant beeding...MS getting worse...no insurance.

I keep telling myself that life is never permanent. There is always a chance I could come back. I am really hoping that will be 6 months or so from now because I am really going to miss all the people I have come to love out here. Goodbyes are getting really hard but I am trying to fit in as many as possible this week. Tonight I am going out with Bobo, Wednesday I am going to go out to Willow and hopefully meet up with Jo, Thursday is my contest and all of the Excueses people are coming out to support me, Friday I will be saying goodbye to the Thornwood people, Saturday Jenna is planning a going away party out at the Reef and next Tuesday I am hoping to get together with Nicole. I think my parents are coming next Thursday and we will pack up the truck and leave as soon as it is completed.

Who knows, maybe I will get back home and make new friends out there and not want to come back. It does make me sad to think that way though.

Movie

So, Jenna and I went to see "Crash" this afternoon. It was very well done. I highly recommend it.

At Greenville they showed a documentary called "The Color of Fear" where people talked very openly about racial prejudices. After the film there was a college wide discussion via open mic. "Crash" is another film I think colleges should use to open up free discussion of how people may be feeling.

It made me very sad to see so much hate because it has never occured to me that people should not be liked or trusted based on ethnic backgrounds. But, it was good to help understand how people might feel the way they do, although I do not feel it is in anyway justified. Most of the hate I saw was based on an individual who was unwilling to take responsibilty for their problems and found it easier to blame someone else because history or economics says they should be blamed and that it cannot be their own fault.

Crash

Jenna and I are going to see "Crash" this afternoon. Hopefully Elizabeth can join us too.

I'll let you know how it is.

Surprise Contest

Excueses will not have karaoke for the summer so I decided to go to a restaurant in the Holiday Inn called McKenna's. Turns out a bunch of people from Excueses were there too. The Wize Guys (two of them at least), Bert, DJ and this other guy named Bob and his girlfriend.

Well after I got there I found out that they were having a contest and last night was the last night to qualify for next week's finals. So, since the finals are just next week and I will still be her then I entered and qualified! I'll try for the grand prize of $100 next week. It's not much for a contest but I can use the money (if I win) for new brakes on my car. I want them fixed before I go home. No. I need them to be fixed before I go home.

I talked to Jamie last night and I told her about the apartment I found in the Andora section of Philadelphia. She thought it sounded like a good option too. We already started making plans for what we will do with the place.

I'm getting excited to go home but it is really hard saying goodbye to everyone I have come to love out here.

Sleeping on the Floor

I slept on the living room floor the past two nights because the air conditioner is not hooked up in my room yet and I am not able to do it myself for obvious reasons.

I have not slept on the floor since I would sleep in Val and Lola's room at Greenville. Those were good times.

My back has been feeling better sicne I slept on the floor too.

With a Little Help from a Friend

Last night I had a good talk with Carol.

I commented that this is going to be my last summer in Chicago and she made me realize that it is foolish to stick around working temp jobs for the summer when what I really want to do is move back home since I miss my family.

I can't remember how the entire conversation went but I told her that Reba McIntire's new song "Sister" made me realize that I needed ot go home. Especially since Trista is moving to Bangladesh and I do not know when I will see her again.

The fact that I am having trouble moving my arm had Carol telling me that I really need to go somewhere with stability so I can get a job to have insurance and get the treatment I need.

We also discussed American Idol and she commented "Are you sure you can handle what Simon might say to you?" Plus she added that that is only if I even get in to see the judges since they pick only certain people from the crowd. She's right. I will probably be able to handle Simon because I will take him as an opportunity to learn and improve. I did study voice and that is what voice instructors do. But, I am so self conscious about my weight. I know I am a size 10 (okay, sometimes 12) and that I have lost a lot of weight and that I am smaller than the average woman (size 14) but in entertainment I would be all over the media as the fat white girl. I know I will not be able to handle that. And, that is even if I get called back... or even see the judges in the first place. It's too much of a long shot to plan my life around it.

Plus, I know that I want to go back to Philadelphia and now is just the logical time to do it. If I get a job I am not going to go, and am I going to want to move back with mom and dad when I am 30? I'm 26 now so I might as well go now and get on my feet while I can (and it's still socially acceptable).

Apology

I was reading through this blog and it sounds like I am doing a lot of complaining. I'm trying not to. I am just going through a transitional period and am trying to talk it out.

Those who know me well know that I am generally a pretty positive person.

Friends with Good Intentions

I am really trying to figure out what I should do on Monday. I have an interview with another employment agency on Monday.

I came in contact with this one because a woman I know from Excueses (Patti) has a sister-in-law who is an agent there.

I talked with the agency this morning decided that I would go in for the interview on Monday. I was honest with them and told them that I just want temporary work this summer because I found out about the American Idol auditions in Chicago this summer and do not want to miss a once in a lifetime opportunity. I explained that it would not be fair to start a job and then take 3-5 days off to audition and then potentially miss an additional 10 weeks to 6 months for the competition. She agreed.

As the day is progressing I am having more and more difficulty writing and typing. When I go in on Monday I will need to fill out forms and take tests on Word and Excel to see how proficient I am. I will also need to do a typing test.

I suppose it would say more about me if I went to the interview despite not being able to effectively move my right arm and hand.

A Break

I think I am goign to be forced to take a temporary break from the job search.

On Saturday morning I woke up with my right arm "asleep" but it never cleared up. My hands have been tingly for 8 years (wow! it's been 8 years) and I did need to learn to write and type all over again. But, now the sensation is in my arm and going into my right leg. It's weird. My left hand still feels like it has for the last 8 years but now my right arm from my shoulder to my fingertips feel about 50 times more tingly (the "pins and needles"). I can barely pick anything up or hold it... and I thought I dropped things a lot before. It's hard to hold a pen and it takes lots of concentration to type because I am lacking to coordination to hit the correct key. Last night I was trying to watch TV and I had trouble changing the channels.

This is stuff I take for granted when I am feeling well.

I talked to my sister last night. I have not talked to her in a while. We decided that if I do move home we can get an apartment together. I guess that would be okay. She is a sister and not a regular friend. I did live with her for 17 years. (I had to do some math... I was almost 2 when she was born and left for college when I was 19... but should I count the summers I came home from school?) I already know that she likes to take my clothes and makeup. But I also know whe does not like to pay for anything so I will probably be buying all the cleaning supplies and groceries... but we are adults now so she might chip in now. Sisters.

I looked at some apartments in Philly while I was online today. I found agreat one in a great area. It's a two floor place that is a great price. What I liked best was that both bedrooms are the EXACT measurements and layouts. I cannot wait to tell her.

She was not too excited when I told her about Amercian Idol. She just said "you are going to do that?" I wish that someone in my family could be happy for me on occassion. They wonder why I chose to move away. And then I wonder why I feel I should move back because they miss me. But then I do miss them too. I hate the idea of someone getting sick and me not being there.

I wish there was some sort of middle ground.

So you know...

Last night I went to a karaoke competition with some friends and I placed! The semifinals will be in July. Three of the four of us who sang placed. There will be semi-finals on July 20th. The winner gets $500.

It's Official

I just talked to Breah and Heather and I will be moving in on June 19th if not sooner.

I got a call for a temp to hire position at Baccardi (yes, the rum people). But I said I would have to pass because it is not a position that would encourage growth within the company. I was told that when I go into to interview to NOT say I want to grow in the company because that is not what they want.

I just feel that I might go home to Philadelphia this fall but not if I have a full time permanent job and I don't want my reason to stay to be for a dead end job. If it was a position that they intended to grow or prepare that person for higher level positions I would consider it. I'm too loyal and I know I would stay where I was hurting myself. Look at how long I stayed with a company that did not pay me.

So many questions.

Did you know hockey teams travel with their own dentists?

Decisions

I think I made a decision.

I am going to move in with those girls. They have a great place and it is in a good location. Well, their lease is up in September and they do not know what their plans are after that, which is good because neither do I.

There will be auditions for American Idol in Chicaog this summer so at the urge of several "fans" I would like to audition. It's a good opportunity for a good experience if nothing else.

I also will focus on temporary work instead of a permanent job because I think I am going to move back home in September... sort of. I will move to Ocean City, NJ where my parents have a place. That will work out well because then I can be closer to home but still have my own life and until I get on my feet and find work and a place of my own, I can pay my parents rent and pay the utilities (which I am sure they will appreciate). I have not "officially" suggested this to them yet but I did say it in passing and my dad seemed to like the idea. I don't know if he knew I was serious or not.

This is my plan as of today. Being a woman, it is subject to change.