Earlier this month, Chelsea wrote an amazing post titled Because Revolutions are SEXY…
If you haven’t read it, go read it now.
(Waiting…)
See? I told you it was amazing.
I’ve been single on Valentine’s Day for a long time. At least, sometimes it feels like a long time when a majority of my friends are no longer single. Then again, this is fairly common in grad school. We chose a different path. Generally, I consider Valentine’s Day to be just another day. I send family and friends Valentine’s Day cards or goodies because that’s just who I am. This year, my mom and I live within a half hour of each other for the first time in roughly three years. When I wasn’t living in the same city as my family, I also wasn’t single. Or at least, I had a date on Valentine’s Day. But I haven’t had a date on this day since 2007. Maybe 2006? Hell, I don’t even remember anymore.
This year, I spent the entire weekend doing things for myself or spending time with my mom.
My mom bought me flowers. Cheesy, but awesome.
Friday night I went to happy hour with a friend in my program. Blood orange margaritas and fish tacos were exactly what I needed after a long week. I had every intention to do some school related work, like any good grad student would do, but I didn’t. I chose to do laundry and clean up the apartment and watch something on Netflix.
I slept in on Saturday. I took a full day off of school work of any kind. I went to the salon for my regular six week cut and color. I spent all evening with my family. We went out for Tex Mex and then watched DVRed episodes of Real Time with Bill Maher and What Not to Wear. I had to pick up a friend from the airport at 10pm, so I hung out until then.
On Sunday, I did some schoolwork (although not enough to enjoy a relaxing Monday night). My mom drove down here and we went to the mall. I hadn’t been to the mall to just browse and hang out in ages. Usually when I go to the mall it’s an in and out on a mission kind of thing. I needed some Mac powder, but I didn’t need the metallic bronze purplish flats I splurged on. And you know what? It’s OK. The best part of the night? We went to see Anthony Bourdain. And yes, he’s just as dreamy in person as he is on the show. It was just downright wonderful to see one of my favorite celebrities in a venue like that. I’m going to save further comment for my month in review post. Sorry!
As you read this, I’m sitting in my little cubicle at the Navy base doing research. When I leave work tonight, I’ll head straight to my personal trainer who will inevitably kick my ass like he always does. Then I’ll catch up on a ton of schoolwork while I watch episodes of Veronica Mars.
My weekend may not exactly be what one would call a revolution. It certainly wasn’t sexy (except for Anthony Bourdain, of course). I am not going to wear a sexy dress or drink champagne or eat anything special or take myself on a “real” date tonight. I had my revolution a few years back when I made the conscious decision to be single, to let go of negative patterns of thinking and behavior and start living my own life. I am going to live this day like it is any other day because, in the scheme of things, it is just that… another day.
This girl isn’t shedding one damn tear over being her own woman today. Or tomorrow. Or the next day. Come March, when I turn 28 and edge ever closer to my 30s, I might shed a tear. But for now, I will continue to be great on my own.
2011 is my year to love myself, remember? I think I’m off to a good start.
Happy Valentine’s Day to me.
And to you.
With lots of love and hugs and candy.
~~~~~
Speaking of love, have you been reading the posts of love for the Pas de Deux series over at Ophelia’s Webb? If not, you totally should. And I’ll be mentioning it again here in a week or so. 😉