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Though I'm sure you were all worried that I overdid it with the partying - what with the Care Bears and balloons and cake - but that's not the case.

I was out the door of my parents' house within 10 minutes of waking yesterday morning. Sprout was upstairs, so Dad closed the basement door, much to the yowling dismay of the stripey cat. After throwing the rest of my stuff in a suitcase, quickly brushing my teeth and herding the dog into the car, I was on my way.

I arrived safely - and relatively early given my quick departure - and dealt with mail and unpacking. I wrote my thank you notes and dealt with some email. I poked at one of my papers and have some ideas on how I could analyze data with greater rigor. Which would be work, but I think it would be worthwhile.

I took a shower - one with excellent water pressure and my very own soap and shampoo and conditioner and face wash - and felt completely clean for the first time in a week. I had my pick of pajamas and moisturizers. It was delightful.

I slept well last night, continuing to wake and wonder where I was and how it was so blessedly quiet. I rolled out of bed, made coffee of the perfect strength and took Chienne for a walk through a windy morning. The trees are beginning to flower and grass is turning a vibrant green. It's almost impossibly lovely here.

I have just ordered pizza and await its arrival. I feel hopeful and content about life in general - I badly want the pseudo-academic job and hope I get it. I have ideas for how to improve one of the rejected papers and wonder if there will come a day when I don't care about that stuff anymore. Until then, there's snuggling in at home. At least for today.