The Return

Wow. It has been MONTHS since I've been back to write something. Life was hectic, hectic and more hectic. When I had a free moment, I knew I needed to return but other things began to take precendent, like sleeping.

I finished up my year in Baltimore. I presented my thesis and graduated from graduate school. I returned to Asheville for my final season with the ballet. Now I embark on a new adventure in Hartford. Yes, Hartford, Connecticut. This is not the furthest North I have ever been, but it is now officially the furthest North I have ever lived. Truthfully, I like the city. It reminds me a great deal of Dallas, minus the cowboys. The city is fairly peaceful, not the bustling city that New York or even Baltimore are. And while there are things to do in the city (restaraunts, etc) the city really does shut down at night, like Dallas. Hell, its the Investment Capital of the US (if not the world).

My new job is one I hope to keep for the next few years and while I've found a roommate (cost of living is ridiculous here) who is very nice and I can't wait to live together, finding where we were going to live has been an adventure. Its funny. I under qualified for many apartments while I was looking for a one bedroom apartment. I understand that with my salary and the cost of monthly payments. What I don't understand is how am I overqualifying for the same complex now that I have a roommate in order to afford to live there!!!! Its CRAZY!!!

Anyway, I ramble. I am prepared to make this promise/vow. I shall return here as much as possible in order to convey my thoughts, feelings, ideas and whatever else may be running around in my head. It may be one of the only ways to keep me sane...

Saying Goodbye

I've kind of cried my eyes out this evening. I got a phone call from my mom as I was making dinner. She had sent me a few online messages that let me know something was up. As I answered the phone, she was trying to act casual, but I could hear her stuffy nose, which was a clue that she had a cold but that something was bothering her. I asked what happened and she started to cry.

She had to put our dog, Batik, down. Batik was almost 15 years old and a beautiful dalmation. She was always a "happy" dog and we always called her the "luckiest dog in the world" because we rescued her from a no-kill shelter where she had been taken to protect her from being beaten.

She had a good long and healthy life. I got to see her one last time this past Christmas and while I knew she was towards the end of her life, I definitely didn't think it would be as soon as this. She was going blind and definitely lost her hearing. Her hips were giving her trouble and apparently according to the vet, her vertabrae was beginning to colapse.

Apparently, she was fine this morning, but later today she had a stroke and my mom couldn't leave her like that. Of course, my dad was not in town, like we all had been taking bets on, so she called a family friend to help move Tik to the car. Batik was calm and went peacefully.

I loved her very much and I'll miss her tremendously. )-;

RIP Batik Redmond