Brand New Love

Growing up I never had homemade oatmeal. Not like I was particularly deprived at breakfast as a child. I ate Toaster Strudel, Count Chocula, Pop Tarts, and even Quaker Instant Oatmeal. In fact, a long stretch of my life I had abandoned breakfast altogether. Soon after 9th grade ended, my parents decided to divorce. Gone were the here's a quick toaster strudel, you're running late for car pool. Of course, I was probably capable of feeding myself breakfast by then too. No one was really around to nag me about eating breakfast or even about skipping my first period economics or English class. During college I briefly rediscovered bagels, but usually avoided life before 11 a.m. let alone breakfast. My first job out of college I worked the night shift. I did start eating three meals a day again, but that usually involved something like two lunches and a dinner. Not until I taught English in Japan, did breakfast make a true reappearance in my life. Not really ever a kitchen table affair, I did usually eat it at my desk at work. I still do this.

I still am not eating homemade oatmeal, though I have discovered its modern equivalent: Quick Oats. Yes, boring, but somehow so comforting. Eating a microwaved tupperware bowl of Quick Oats with some cinammon and sugar almost erases six years of paternal neglect. I'm serious. No it's not a big ol' plate of migas or breakfast tacos, but it's my new comfort food.

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I think I actually finished my first assignment ahead of time this weekend. Yes, the first time ever. My entire junior and high school as well as college career was based on finishing it the night before.

Still, we finished our movie with a week to spare. Of course, we still have to edit it, but I'm amazed that there's not much more filming to do.

Today in a moment of clarity, I decided to just get my car fixed. Yes, $1800-2600 for a repaired transmission is mucho dinero, but so is a car payment. Also, none of the cars I wanted were available used and after reading my copy of Wheels 101 from my local credit union I decided to hold off on car buying. I'm not ready for hard sells, people mulling over my credit report, and advanced consumer debt. Still, I do want a new car with sugar on top. I am trying to be frugal (and it sucks). If only I were better at it. Many of my friends are much better at it than I am--bravely driving older cars, rinsing out their ziplock bags, eschewing home computers, visiting their families for their vacations. I have a hard time doing those things.

We did manage to shoot our movie last weekend. Though the hours were long, I had a lot of fun filming things. Sounds like we were lucky. After talking to a classmate of mine last night, it sounds like things don't always go well. She had meticulously planned things out as well... Having all the filming done is also a bit of a relief. Though we still have editing to do, we don't have to coordinate a cast and various props.

I'm felling kinda bummed today. Don't know exactly why. I'm not too inspired by work. Yesterday after a meeting, I came to the realization that I need to start taking my job more seriously. This is why I'm blogging right now.