enjoying the day . . .

tuesday is the new saturday
okay, not really. but i am definitely having a lovely time on this day off — the delayed-gratification effect means that it feels just that much sweeter!

(no, i haven’t been to the tailor yet . . . headed there after this post!)

after a leisurely breakfast (aka google reader catchup hour!), i spent 2.5 very satisfying hours scrubbing the bathroom from stem to stern. while the war on mold has not been won — is it ever, in NC? — i think my opponent has at least retreated back behind enemy lines! this was followed by an energizing and pain-free workout while reading the latest real simple, and i just now got back from a delicious and relaxing lunch with jessica.

pretty much perfection, right?

except despite my best intentions (and i swear, i really am trying!) i can’t quite seem to relax. i’m going to admit something: lately, i have been dealing with some mental clutter, otherwise known as rip-roaring, nail-biting, heart-pounding, cortisol-inducing STRESS.

and it’s really starting to get to me.

tihs stress is something i haven’t written about, really, and i guess i still don’t feel like going into specifics. essentially, it is a work/life sort of issue, and it will directly impact the shape of the next several years of our lives. at this point, josh and i are just waiting to hear from the powers-that-be, and i have absolutely no control over the ultimate verdict (yes, this stings a little!).

even as i try to distract myself, it tears me up inside every time i have a free moment. running helps, writing helps, work helps, and uhhh — alcohol really helps — but once these distractions/buzzes wear off, my brain is right back where it started, pacing in tight little angsty thought-circles.

anyway. i suppose i ought to move onto my next cleaning project or podcast. at least i can still enjoy my distractions! and the next few weeks are certainly packed with a lot of adventures to keep the demons at bay. but it feels good to admit that it’s not all hearts and flowers (even as i plan — meticulously, of course — the official launch of my happiness project).

lunch revolution
jessica and i originally planned to meet up at beyu caffé (pronounced like BE YOU, get it?), a cute coffe & sandwich shop in downtown durham. but i was late (oops) and jessica wandered into something even more enticing:

the new lunch counter at revolution)! i LOVED this place when i finally got to try it in january (cara: you need to come back + we can go again!), and it turned out that the elegant setting transformed quite nicely in the springtime sunlight to a comfortable lunchtime spot.

served up counter-style, at the bar!

i don’t know why, but i just can’t resist taking the obligatory menu shot. or, apparently, posting it. maybe because that first perusal of a menu is one of my favorite parts of each dining experience?

my thai shrimp salad was fantastic! i even forgave the hints of cilantro because it was THAT good. the vinaigrette provided a lovely asian-inspired backdrop for arugula, baby greens, radishes, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and wasabi peas (YES: wasabi peas!).

i’m off to run some errands (including the aforementioned tailor), and NOT think about the stressful things above. as singer anna nalick instructed in her major radio hit:

oh, breathe . . .
. . . just breathe.