Had very fantastic dinner/drinks date with a much younger (early 20s) man tonight. OK, so it's my friend R, who I refer to as my gay boyfriend. He's a sweetie! We went to a cute little pub and talked for a few hours about all our life stuff. Our lives and histories are very different, and we haven't known each other that long, yet he's like an old friend I've had these kinds of conversations with for years and years. It's great! I have to say that it blows my mind that he remembers pretty much anything I tell him, even from months ago. On our next date, he wants me to go "clubbin" with him, and, you know, I might just do it. It's been a while since I've been in that scene, and I think it could be good, entertaining fun.

I'm feeling kind of sick after eating the pub food, though, so now am huddled up under a blanket on the couch with a scarf on. Blech. Happy Friday.

Life is so interesting right now, although not that interesting to write about, I'm afraid.

I keep experiencing small acts of manifestation. I think about something little I want to happen, and, within a short period of time, it happens. Like, I think, "I hope I run into so and so, because I want to talk with him about X." Then, the next day, I happen to bump into him. Or, after an encounter with a person I find difficult because our communication styles are so different, I thought, "Geez, I wish I could work with someone else on this." Next day, I received an email from her apologizing for our tension, and telling me that she's moving to another position, so now I'll be working with someone else. Uh...yay, I guess. But did that really happen? Then, I was wishing for something good for a friend of mine, and it happened. So weird. So fun!

Life just feels full and productive, although exhausting. This week, I had something going on every night, and I'm a bit sleep deprived. But, I also feel totally energized in my sleepy state. I went to tutoring on Tuesday thinking that I may not continue volunteering weekly because of my busyness, but then I had great sessions with both of my students. I felt like we connected, made good use of the time, and, with one of them, it seems we've turned a corner in terms of creating a stronger tutor-tutee relationship. That made me very happy. After that, I decided there's no way I could possibly quit. It was a blast! My class is enjoyable; the instructor is a very engaging lecturer, and I've learned a lot in just the first two sessions. I had a pile of stuff to do when I returned home from my long holiday break and, slowly but surely, I'm making progress. It feels good to just be getting things done. It feels fantastic to be in a good space. January is speeding by.

Oh, and how awesome is it that everyone in that plane crash in NY survived?!?! I gotta tell ya that I never bother reading the safety cards before take off, and I keep my MP3 player on and look bored when the flight attendants talk about exit strategies and air masks, because I've always figured if we go down, our number is up. Sayonara. But now...I better brush up on the do's and don'ts of crash survival. I feel like the timing of this, although terrifying for the passengers, is perfect in a way. People really need to see that something good can come from catastrophe right now.

I'm liking a lot of music at the moment. I'm still obsessed with the Grand Archives (the song Sleepdriving = amazing & beautiful) and Evil Urges by My Morning Jacket. Peter, Bjorn and John (PB&J!) have a new album coming out, and the first song Nothing to Worry About is great. I can't wait. Heart those guys, even if, and maybe even more so because, they are known for throwing mattresses at each other in hotel rooms and stuff. I'm into Noah and the Whale, as well as the songs Now You're Gone by the Secret Machines and Lion's Mouth by Arthur & Yu. Loving it all. I'm also listening to the new Snow Patrol, Kings of Leon, and Carrie Akre a lot while walking in to work in the mornings.

Books I've read recently, or am reading, that I recommend:

Happiness Sold Separately by Lolly Winston (Great writing, tough subject matter, ending a bit implausible, and husband Ted really started to bug me with his inability to make a decision and take action. But, still a good read. The story and characters felt very real.)

The Condition by Jennifer Haigh (Excellent, excellent, excellent.)

Time of My Life by Allison Winn Scotch (Fun read. I like the idea of someone getting to live her "If I could go back and do it all over again..." fantasy.)

This Charming Man by Marian Keyes (Chick lit. Her books are hit or miss with me. Some I really like and others I end up thinking "eh." This one started off slow and tough for me to get into, but about a quarter in the story caught me. It was interesting to explore, through fiction, the different aspects of abusive relationships and the women who get into and stay in them. Yet, the plot takes some interesting turns that lead to good laughs too.)

I just started reading a Byron Katie book on The Work. There's been a lot of synchronicity around me getting to the point of reading this, but I'm skeptical about The Work. It's a fascinating read so far. We'll see if I become a fan.

In an email from a potential online suitor, he says, "You seem like an attractive and dynamic woman who I have a bit in common with." That's right! Just call me attractive and dynamic! I'm sold. :)