Like magic, time has lurched forward and life has changed completely. No more stress over school, no more finals, no more moving even. Danny and I are settled in our new place; all that remains is to pick up a piece or two of furniture we couldn’t have predicted we would want, make a drop off at Half Price Books, and decide on final positions for some wall hangings. The new place looks great; I will post pictures once it is completely done.
Sunday, after having lunch with Danny’s dad and stepmom before they returned to New Jersey, we went to the Angels with Tails event (sponsored by PAWS) lining the streets of Chicago’s shopping district. After checking in on the cats and kittens at a few stores, we stumbled upon a pair of lively five-month-old brothers. After holding them for less than three minutes, we knew we were going to get both of them.
(l-r) Thomas and Spike
If you’ve met my family’s cat Eddie in Cleveland, I am not exaggerating when I say they both are just as playful and lovable as he is. They still have all the energy of kittens, and the requisite clumsiness. They’re old enough to display their personalities and preferences, though; Spike will chase a laser pointer for hours, but Thomas is only interested in toys with feathers. The names were their given names, and they fit them rather well; Thomas is more cuddly and a little less playful, but he is constantly looking to be pet. Spike looks like a pit-bull. I don’t know how that’s possible. He’s also a bonafide badass; his baby fangs never fell out (and never will, according to the veterinarian), so he has four upper fangs. He loves to play, and is wont to chase Vaci around the room playfully much to the rabbit’s terror. Spike is the only name that could ever work for him.
Yesterday, I started full-time at Morningstar. The job is going fine; I have some responsibilities without having any real pressure, at least yet. The other interns I work near are friendly, and my boss seems to think I’m doing good work so far. The bus ride to and from work is surprisingly short and tolerable; the 135 gets on Lake Shore Drive right after picking me up half a block away from the apartment, and deposits me a block away from work about 15 minutes later. The ride home is similar.
All in all, a pretty good life right now. I can’t wait for the paychecks to start rolling in!