Does Anyone, I Mean ANYone, Know What's Going On?

So I guess I'm closing on my house on Friday... I haven't heard otherwise, but I also haven't had a confirmation on that date either. This whole process has been ridiculous. I've been asked to provide so many financial documents and verification of those documents (helloooo! you're holding the documents in hand. Isn't that proof enough?) that I actually feel a little naked and somewhat violated. I also have asked a couple of times about a couple of things, and haven't been able to get answers....which is irritating. I mean, I get that people are busy and I'm not the only person buying a house right now, but come on! How hard is it to return a phone call? Especially when I'm asking you to confirm that you got something you asked me to send you??!! Grrr!

A Spot of Sunshine

One graduate school credit..... $395

Dissertation paper and printing..... $40

Microfilming fee..... $65

Finally getting your diploma... Priceless

Yes, I finally got it! If I wasn't essentially broke and out of the office this week, it would already be framed and hung with care on the wall. Oh well. It's here. It's tangible proof that I am indeed finished with graduate school and that I really do have credentials!

Not So Required Reading

I finished (finally) The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle (Murakami), which was the first book I selected from Mental Floss's 25 Influential Books list.

So I'll start off by saying this is a Japanese book, translated into English (obviously). From what I understand, the translation is supposed to be very good. It's about a guy, Toru, who has a number of things go wrong- cat runs away, quits his job, marital issues, etc. He meets a bunch of... shall we say quirky?...characters who do and say some really strange things.

At first, I liked the style of writing and the storyline- simple, a little eccentric and unexpected. Toru is kind of an everyday guy, doing everyday things...I mean, he's cooking spaghetti and shopping for groceries and looking for the runaway cat. Pretty straightforward, right? No. Not really. The story quickly got weirder and weirder, but I liked a few of the characters and wanted to see where the story was going, so I hung in there. The female characters were more dynamic than the male characters, but they could also be quite weak and often sexually-motivated... I'm not sure that's exactly the way I want to describe them, but it'll have to do for now. The men were basically devoid of emotion, except for one guy, Cinnamon, and he was mute!

By the end of the book... all 604 pages of it... I was thinking, "What the %$*&!!! Who picked this book?! Why is it 'influential'?!" The best way I can describe it is like a surrealist painting, but in book format. At first glance, or in this case read, you think you know what's going on... then upon closer inspection, you realize you really don't.

I kept thinking that the book was loaded with dream sequences, because the plot made about as much sense as one of those crazy dreams, the kind where you're walking along talking to someone one minute and it's someone else the next minute and instead of carrying a loaf of bread you're carrying a cat. But as far as I can tell, these aren't dream sequences.

Seriously. Who picked this book and why is it "influential"?

And does anyone really know what's going on? I've read a number of reviews and comments and "analyses" of this book online... everyone seems to have more questions than answers. I also know that Murakami has some die-hard fans out there that say this work is brilliant, that all of his stuff is brilliant and that if you don't "get it", you're basically an idiot. I beg to differ! I don't think I'm an idiot!

Ahem. After more thought, I've further revised MY version of this list (i.e., I nixed more books). I'd like to read books that make me think, or impact me in some way, but "had an innovative and unique marketing strategy," in my humble opinion, isn't really a good enough reason for me to consider them worthy of a "most influential books of the past 25 years" list. But then again, maybe I'm just an idiot.

Freaky Friday

This is going to be very quick... it seems as though today is going to be one of those "interesting" days.

I finally finished one of the books I've been reading forever, Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, which was on my list. I will write more about that in an upcoming post, as well as unveil my further revised "Influential Books" list.

I've had a bit of housing drama this week. I'm hoping everything works out, but it looks like my closing date will most likely be pushed back a few days. It's not the end of the world, I know, but I really didn't want to push anything back. I mean, come on already! I want to live in my own house!! The most frustrating part is that this is out of my control and there isn't anything I can do to speed up the process. I just have to wait for the pieces to fall into place...and in the meantime, obsessively monitor those pieces so I at least know what's going on! Ugh!

Keep Learning, Part 2

The other documentary I watched recently was Arctic Tale. It's along the same lines as March of the Penguins, which I loved, but details the lives of a walrus and polar bear. Now, I love March of the Penguins, so I found myself (probably unfairly) comparing the two films. First of all, Queen Latifah, who narrates, has nothing on Morgan Freeman, but she was still easy to listen to and tried to insert humor in various places. Second, the music in some parts was a little too... folksy? I don't know if that's exactly the right word to describe it. Needless to say, it was a little irritating and distracting for me... though in some parts, the music was great! In one spot, you're meeting the whole herd of walruses and "We Are Family" is playing, which was funny and totally appropriate.

I will say one thing, this film definitely has a high cuteness factor going for it. I mean, come on, what's cuter than two baby polar bears romping around in the snow? Even the baby walrus was cute. What amazed me, and what I didn't know, was how familial walruses are. A baby walrus is looked after by a mother and another family member (Queen Latifah kept saying "auntie") for 3 years! The mother actually holds her baby in her flippery arms, which was very cute and very human-like and completely unexpected. There was this adorable scene where they baby and mother engage in some walrus-y kissing-type behavior... but really they're using their whiskers to memorize each other's faces. Interesting!

I'll admit, though, I couldn't help but think of Adam Sandler in 50 First Dates. In the movie, his character is interested in learning more about walruses because we don't know very much about them, which is true. So this footage was actually pretty amazing and took a long time to get.

Now, there were sad parts in the film, but I'm not going to spoil everything, don't worry. One of the saddest parts was when the polar bear and walrus herd couldn't find food because of the unusually warm temperatures, which meant that the ice didn't freeze. Obviously, the film, put out by National Geographic, is trying to educate people, especially children, about the environmental crisis we're facing, but the film really doesn't ever get preachy or anything.

I'd say, if you liked March of the Penguins, you'll like this film. If you haven't seen it yet, check it out!

Keep Learning

All right, I admit I didn't watch a documentary in May... not unless I can count all the hours of HGTV I watched! Technically those shows are documenting stories of people looking for houses and whatnot. I think it should count... besides, I did a LOT of house-hunting in May.

Anyway, in the last couple of days I've watched 2 pretty awesome documentaries. I really didn't plan it that way, but when I got my new Netflix, it turned out to be a documentary. So, maybe I didn't watch one in May, but I suppose this makes up for it.

First, Paper Clips. This film is about a group of kids and teachers at a Whitwell Middle School in rural Tennessee. The teachers wanted students to learn about about diversity and tolerance, so they decided to do a unit on the Holocaust. The students had an idea to collect paper clips so that they could envision what 6 million actually looked like. What started out as one unit turned into a 4+ year project that was known around the world.

This story was inspiring and truly touched my heart. These kids and teachers took learning to another level. People from around the world sent letters filled with stories and paper clips in remembrance of people that had perished during the Holocaust, survivors came to the school to tell their stories and to see what the children had done. Their stories made me cry. Many people in this little rural town challenged themselves to examine their own beliefs and biases about people who were "different" and they spoke about how this project had changed them for the better.

What really struck me, as it always does when I hear survivors' stories, is that soon these people will no longer be around. People who were alive when all of this happened will not be here on this earth to tell their stories. That scares me. What scares me even more, and angers me, is that there are still people out there that deny the Holocaust ever happened.

Yet, I'm heartened by the fact that these children have collected, catalogued, and preserved numerous stories, that they have listened to and been touched by survivors' stories. Many of the children in the documentary said that they were changed by their experiences and want to pass on the stories they heard so that others will learn about and never forget what happened. To me that is absurd! How can someone deny that this has happened? Look at the photos, listen to the interviews, read a book! It happened! Hatred like that is still happening!

There are organizations out there dedicated to preserving these stories, preserving history for future generations. For more information, check out Holocaust Survivors. Also check out the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. They have a great page entitled, Life After the Holocaust.

Inspection Day, Part 2

Well, overall things look pretty good with the house! There are some minor things that will need fixing (a leaky faucet) or maintenance (clean out the window wells), but there were only a few things that we're asking the seller to attend to by closing. The priciest is probably the blown seal in the patio door window, so I hope they agree to fix that.

The inspector was this tall, buff guy with the whitest teeth I've seen! The basement has a really low ceiling, so he had to crouch down quite a bit. He was really friendly and explained things to me. He was pretty impressed with the condition of the house, especially since it's so old. It was pretty interesting and I learned a lot. For instance, here's a fun fact for you.... 2 of my 3 toilets are from 1965 and they're in nearly perfect condition (the 3rd toilet is 1995, I think). When you think about it, that's a lot of usage!

I was sitting in the kitchen while the inspector was crawling around in the attic and I looked around and thought, "This is such a cute home." It's still hard to believe it will actually be mine soon...

Now I just need to get through the appraisal!

Inspection Day!

Today is my home inspection. I've been looking forward to it because it feels like movement of some sort, another step in the right direction. And I'm curious- I get to learn more about this beautiful, old home. But as usual, I'm nervous about it.

I know, I know, inspections always turn up something. And yes, I know that if it's something really big I can negotiate with the seller or walk away. But still. I'm nervous.

Blame It On the Rain

Remember that Milli Vanilli song? Yikes, what a scandal that was.

Anyway, the weather here has been cold, rainy, and overcast for days. It's June! What's up with that?! My hands are freezing right now! It's a dreary kind of day and it seems to be going very slowly at the moment.

I don't really have anything too exciting to report. Work has been a bit slow, but I've got enough to keep me occupied most days. And soon I will have summer orientation presentations and I'll be out of town for some training. I've been studying for my licensing exam (or trying to) a little each day, which has been slow and a little frustrating. I haven't been doing well on the practice exam questions, which I know is normal when you first start studying but still. It doesn't feel good after spending all that time and money in school!

Other than that, I just feel like I've been waiting and wondering about my new house. It seems like the month is going by very slowly. Maybe once the inspection is done this week, it will feel like things are moving along? I hope so.

The First of Many Firsts

I just dropped off my earnest money at my Realtor's office. Writing that check made things feel a little more real to me today. It was the first of many, many checks I'll be writing to pay for this house. But it felt pretty good.

Everyone has been so excited for me. Thank you for all the wonderful comments, emails, and phone calls! My coworkers have been so supportive through this whole process and have been offering congratulations left and right. Honestly, I think a part of that is a sense of relief that I'm here to stay and won't be going elsewhere anytime soon. :-) My Director literally said something to the effect yesterday. Another coworker pointed out that I will be able to really celebrate Independence Day this year, in my very own home. How appropriate! And K-Dog bought me lunch today, to celebrate my not being homeless anymore. My family, as usual, has been endlessly supportive and is also very excited. I'm pretty sure my mom cried when I told her my offer was accepted. She also is happy I won't be going anywhere anytime soon.

Now I know that technically the house isn't mine until I have all the papers signed and keys in hand, but I definitely think of it as MY house already. I've been thinking about furniture and new bedding and paint colors. And my puppies! Soon my puppies will be home with me, in their new backyard. And, I'll be able to knock a couple of things off my list!!

Accepted!

I have an accepted offer! Hooray! They counter-offered this morning and I accepted!

Now I need to get through inspection and make sure financing goes through.

I feel nauseous. Happy, but nauseous.

3rd Time's the Charm?

I put a bid on house #3 yesterday. I'm supposed to hear something today...I really hope that whatever I hear is GOOD news. The house I'm bidding on has been on the market for quite some time. Initially, it was listed at a higher price and wasn't getting much activity. About 6 months ago, the price was reduced and the house has apparently had 3 accepted offers, which subsequently fell apart. I'm hoping all of this works in my favor!

I'll keep you posted...

Dear Diary,

Do you ever just stop and wonder about your life?

Sometimes I just stop and almost laugh because I'm not sure this is what I envisioned my life to be. In some ways, that's a good great thing, yet in other ways, I wonder how things ended up the way they are.

I was so excited to finish my dissertation and get this job and get my "real life" started. But I'm still in limbo. I'm waiting to get settled. Waiting, waiting, waiting.

I might've found a house... again... and all of a sudden I got really nervous about it. All these thoughts started running through my head:

"Holy crap, this is a lot of money."
"Do you really want all this responsibility?"
"What the heck are you going to fill this house with?"
"Is this the right neighborhood for me?"

I'm trying to figure out if I'm nervous because I just haven't had much luck with this house thing and I just don't want to get my hopes up. But I'm also trying to make a realistic, informed decision. I just feel like there's this nebulous blob of anxiety hovering over me.

"All at once
The world can overwhelm me
There's almost nothing that you could tell me
That could ease my mind.
Which way will you run?
When it's always all around you
And the feeling lost and found you again
A feeling that we have no control."
-All At Once, Jack Johnson

XOXO,
Heidi

Confession

I've been a little addicted to reality TV lately. Besides the HGTV shows, I mean.

For the very first time, I watched American Idol this season. Even though I only watched the last 4 or 5 episodes, I was totally into it. If there are any hard-core Idol fans reading this, I know, it's nothing for me to watch the end of one season (I've already been told as much). But the talent sucked me in! I even voted! My favorite was Danny and not just because he was a Wisconsin boy, but because he really could sing. After him, my favorite was Kris (the eventual winner) and yes, I voted for him too... twice in one night. I just couldn't bear Adam winning!

I'd like to say that was my first time voting on a reality TV show, but as I was thinking about it, I realized I voted for Food Network's The Next Food Network Star one season. I can't wait for the new season to start! I love that show. Food and competition?? Perfect! There's always one person that gets under my skin and drives me nuts.

But my most shameful secret... is my addiction to the show Tori & Dean. You know, Tori Spelling of Beverly Hills 90210 fame. There was a mini-marathon on this weekend and I watched it for hours. I did manage to do laundry and clean my purse and whatnot, but I get sucked into that show so quickly! Back in the day, I got sucked into the first season when they had a mini-marathon!

What is it about these darn shows?!

All right, so now it's your turn. I want to hear about your reality show addictions. I know you have them. I know I'm not the only one out here. Spill it.

More Adventures in House-Hunting

Ah yes, it's time for another installment of those wacky adventures and crazy mishaps I find myself in as I search for my new home.

Today I went out during my lunch hour with my Realtor to look at 3 houses that were recently listed. I should point out that these homes did not have any interior pictures (always a big concern for me!), one stated that it needed "TLC", one indicated that the owner was retired and ready to move into a condo, and I don't even remember what the other said. I forced myself to take a chance on these homes, since they were all nicely priced and in AWESOME neighborhoods.

As we drove to home #1, I noticed the cute neighborhood, mature trees, and great curb appeal. Hmm, maybe this house will be great after all! And then... we opened the door to a time capsule. A smelly time capsule. I'm not kidding. There was wallpaper everywhere, doilies, slightly creepy framed art prints of children holding kittens, flowery knick-knacks all over, and I think there may have been a plastic carpet runner or two. Did I mention the doilies? I have a sneaking suspicion about why there were no photos of the inside. The home wasn't so bad, but would need a lot of work (wallpaper removal and painting) and some big updates (kitchen). The yard had lots of landscaping,which was pretty, but made the yard seem very small. The coolest thing I saw, seriously, was the newspaper hung on a bulletin board in the basement dated December 7, 1941.

It was here that my Realtor had a slight mishap involving a laundry chute and a bra. It could've been much worse, don't get me wrong, he did manage to get the door closed before the little old lady's underwear came flying out. I was still laughing 20 minutes later.

House #2 was being sold to settle an estate... this was the "TLC" home. Boy, did it need it. I could easily sink $20,000 into the home for updates and probably still not be finished. The layout was odd too. Have I told you I'm developing a fear of basements? I've been in a LOT of creepy basements lately and I have started to hate going down to check them out. The doors always seem to stick, the light switches rarely work, and I usually manage to walk into cobwebs and spiderwebs. This one wasn't too bad, but it was dark, musty, and full of cobwebs, so I spent as little time there as I could. Blech, I still feel like I'm covered in cobwebs.

We literally spent 3-4 minutes in House #3. The people were still there (urgh) and scurried to the garage to hang out while we walked through. I feel bad that we only spent a few minutes because I bet it took a lot of effort for that little old woman to get out to the garage in the first place!

I guess I'll keep looking...

Rejected

I didn't get the house. I found out this morning at about 8:30. At least I didn't lose sleep over it last night- I was out cold by 9:30!

I'm supposed to go look again at one of the other houses from last weekend. It's a nice home, been on the market for a while, good neighborhood... but honestly... I'm kind of tired of all this.

Competition

Another offer is on the table. They meet this evening to discuss and decide what they're going to do, so I won't know anything until then.

Still Waiting...

I got an email this morning from my Realtor saying they were going to counter-offer, but he hadn't yet received the counter. So, I'm still waiting.

At least they didn't pull the house off the market. I choose to see this as progress.

No News...

It's 20 after 10 and I haven't heard anything yet. I'm tired and think I'm ready for bed. Tomorrow is a new day and hopefully brings a counter-offer.

Thanks for all the good luck wishes, support, and interest!!

The Waiting Game

Well, I wrote an offer this morning on House #2 (see previous post). They need to accept or reject it today, though they can counteroffer tomorrow or after... obviously I'm hoping they just accept it.

I'd like to say that I have a very busy day to keep my mind occupied, but I don't. So I'll be anxiously awaiting word.