2/3/12

getting to the oasis.

Morning.  Drag myself out of bed.  Stumble to the kitchen and take a caffeine tablet.  (Yes, every morning -- it's healthier (and less expensive) than Starbuck's.)  Shower, and all that hygiene stuff.  Eat a yogurt.  Remind myself I only have [#] more days until my husband comes home.  Ugh . . . mundane, routine, ughhh . . .

Really, it's only a short amount of time left until Jon's R&R.  I mean, haven't I done this morning routine thing 197 times already since I saw him last?  A few more shouldn't kill me . . .

I'm trying to figure out how to get through these last few weeks without going crazy, though.  The closer it gets, the more slowly time seems to pass.  I don't have a physical countdown, and I'm keeping busy working full-time . . . I'm even trying to distract myself by getting pierced & tattooed.  But all I can see is the long (but in reality it's quite short) stretch of desert land ahead of me until I reach my oasis.  So, how do I distract myself until I get there?  I have a few ideas . . .

1.  I'm going to make this.

Chili Chicken Soup with Cilantro Dumplings

When I saw this recipe, I'm pretty sure I immediately started drooling.  Okay, maybe not, but my mouth definitely dropped open.

2.  I'm going to read a novel my friend lent me called The Red Tent.  I'm not a big reader, but I told her I'd give this a try. . . so we'll see.

3.  I'm going to get another tattoo.  Ha, not really.

4.  I'm going to get up and go to work every day.

5.  I'm going to get my hair done -- I'm longgg overdue for a hair appointment.  Anyone looking for a new hair stylist?  Mine rocks, her name is Kim Marshall, and she makes me look good every time I go to her!

6.  I'm going to enjoy the company of friends, whether that means catching dinner or coffee with someone I haven't seen in awhile, or kicking back with my best friend and a glass of wine after a long day at work.

7.  I'm going to fill the gaps of time with all those regular life things -- I'm going to sleep, pick up groceries, clean my apartment, etc. . . . pretty good gap-fillers, if you ask me.

That's all I can think of right now.  Each day is passing excruciatingly slowly, but I'm sure Jon's R&R will be here -- and gone -- in the blink of an eye.  I need to learn how to better cherish life in the here and now, even if I'm waiting for something.  Because that thing I'm waiting for -- it will be here, eventually, and I will get to enjoy it then.  In the meantime, I can enjoy the beautiful moments right now, in the present . . . because I don't want to look back and realize I let life pass me by while waiting.