here today, gone tomorrow

to start: i have to dedicate this blog to my mom. even though we tend to bicker quite frequently, she will always be the most important person to me. i mean, i have to credit my winning charm, looks, humor, intelligence... you get the picture (haha)... to her. but more importantly, she's been my role model for as long as i can remember... dating back to when we had matching blue and green sweaters (hers from the limited, mine limited, too.)... carrying on into the present when i often skype to vent and get advice.

so, as most of you know, my mother came to visit this past week. the week went by so quickly... which i knew it would, but it was sad to say goodbye again. i had a really good time (despite what she may think), and it just made me realize how much i miss everyone back home... as if i don't think about it enough already! we mostly just hung around town and my apartment. we went to sofia for one night and that was nice. i should have planned it better or maybe researched a little more, so that we could have had more of a structured itinerary. maybe next time. we did see the new adam sandler movie though, "zohan." it was dumb, but funny... exactly what i expected. there were a LOT of sexual jokes though and no matter how old i get, it's always a little ackward to watch that kind of stuff with your mom...

i have lots and lots of new goodies now (including but not limited to):
*lovely new bamboo sheets
*new iPod
*SLINGBOX!! (yay for TiVoed shows, fox news, and espn game plan!)
*cooling pad for my laptop (very handy indeed)
*new pillow to rest my weary head
*season 3 of Gilmore Girls

and various other items for my house... not to mention the incredible generosity that was bestowed upon me while she was here (such as going out to eat daily). basically, i'm really lucky!

on a different note, school starts monday! i can't believe it's already mid-september. well... let me re-phrase. i can't believe i'm about to start my ACTUAL service. loafing around is all well and good... until you realize you have no friends, no money, and nothing to do. then it gets a tad monotonous. i'm so anxious to see what my schedule is. yes, school is in two days and i have absolutely no clue who or when i'm teaching. apparently that's how things "work" around here.

hmm.. not much else to really say. i will post again soon to report on the first week of school. wish me luck!!

OH, and of course, i will take a moment to pause and remember all those whose lives were lost or affected by 9/11. living in a foreign country really gives me the authority to say that we are so lucky to live in such an amazing place! i wish i could personally thank all the men and women who have helped to make america what it is today