Update

Due to overwhelming demand (ahem, Claire's curiosity, but maybe the rest of the world shares her intrigue as well?... wishful thinking haha) I am going to take this time to fill in some gaps.

Since graduating in May, I've spent all of my days back in Rochester/Marion, MA. People warned me that moving home is a difficult step, one that takes patience from both parties. Aside from my time at Simmons and in London, I've always lived at home. I imagined moving back would be a piece of cake. Patience? No problem! I've got patience coming out of my ears! Oh, contrare... I have loved the opportunity to see my family again. After all, we've always been close; my parents know nearly every minute detail of my life... nearly ;-) However, at school I forgot about my mom's intense worrying and my stepdad's dictatoresque reign over the house. I recognize that it is all out of love, but my patience has worn thin. (Apparently it no longer flows out of my ears like it once did.) Neadless to say, living in Rochester again has been a learning experience.

When not at home, it is safe to say I am working at the Kinsale Inn. As long as you've visited a restaurant in your lifetime, you know what my job entails. Basket of bread? Right away. Dirty martini? No problem. Smile? Always. If it weren't for the people I work with and customers I see daily, serving tables and tending bar would become painfully monotonous. The people truly make it worthwhile, especially this summer. New faces are now friends to share drinks with, lean on, laugh with, you name it. One face in particular has meant so much more.

Earlier this year, I decided to train for a half marathon. I've completed a few races this summer, the most recent being the Mattapoisett Road Race on the 4th of July. It is my longest race to date, 5 miles, and if all goes according to plan it will not be my last. The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation is sponsoring a half marathon in Vegas on December 6th and I would love to run for a cause close to my heart. This race is my goal! Gulp. Thirteen point one miles. Sure. I have ten weeks to train... let the running begin, er continue! Just keep running. Keep reminding myself of the amazing freedom that comes with each step as the music pumps in my ears and the sense of accomplishment I feel when cooling down. I can do it! Check back for updates.

Otherwise, my summer has been fairly uneventful. Little excursions here, a beach day there (if the weather would only improve). I've also been looking for jobs like the hundreds of thousands of recent graduates. So far, no cigar. If I'm being completely honest, however, I have not put my best effort forward. This will change, especially now that the dog days of summer are nearly behind us and my life ambitions are slowly coming into focus, although still a bit hazy at times.

Well there's the Reader's Digest, skim-the-surface, shallow look at my life over the past couple of months. I am leaving Thursday for San Francisco with my dad and crew to visit family. I'm sure I will have some tales, or at the very least a brief anecdote, for you from the west coast.