I often find myself running around, full of energy, smile on my face, and wondering how it got there. However, sometimes I find myself grumpy and frustrated with no good reason. This makes me wonder why sometimes I feel so elated and sometimes not. When I don’t, there is usually some kind of stress involved- money, medical school applications, friends in trouble, anything. If anything, this week has been a little stressful with the wrapping up of my internship, medical school essays abounding, and being involved in a battle over a security deposit. All of these things were making me rather upset, so much that I was actually losing sleep over them (a rare thing for me). Fortunately, all is well because I have discovered and used three important things to my advantage.

Secret #1: Perspective. It has helped a lot this week. If I can take a step out of my stress vortex and ask myself if something will matter to me in ten years, the answer is most often a resounding no. I can barely keep track of anything that happened one or two years ago, good or bad. With this in mind, I have been able to realize that my oh so stressful problems are temporary and will blow over. This technique has also helped me in my personal relationships. While it is easy to forget about important people because of other obligations, or let problems rest with them unsolved, it is not the best solution. With this in mind, I have realized that I have been slacking on some of my relationships (aka my best friend and my brother) that are going to be important to me in ten years.

Secret #2: Positive amnesia. This one must help me every day I am sure. Anna-Lisa and I were talking about recent problems we had been having, and how she had encountered a person with a permanent chip on their shoulder. She used the “Important in ten years” litmus test to discover that she didn’t need to add drama to her life with this person, but made the interesting observation that some people hold on to negative experiences and outlooks and are always waiting for something bad to happen to them. I realized after this conversation that I have positive amnesia, that is, that I forget most of the bad feelings that I have felt over time. I was recently contacted by a friend who I had severed ties with, or “voted off the island” as Kyle would call it. Despite all of the pain that I felt during the end of our friendship, I look back and remember all of the great things that we experienced and can’t really recall any negative feelings. I am pleased that I got to hear about her life, but still trust my judgement to break those ties so I feel remarkably neutral about the whole situation. It is great.

Secret #3: Friends. This week has been a whirlwind of friends- two happy hours at Brasserie 1010 (thank you Mack and Sarah), Hapa with Lenny and Barrett, Scumdowner with Drew, breakfast with Candice and Jeff, Canasta with Randall, Brock, Kyle and Moats, Shopping with Sarah, Coffee with Karim, Bicycling and Ice cream with Kyle and Teja, roommate dinner, Harry Potter and Pasta with Sarah and Lisa, Coffee with Tifah, lunch with Taylor, Swimming with Anna-Lisa, and finally pedicures with Lauren. Whew! When I make time for my friends it is great, and really gives me a fun perspective on life. Return to secret #1.

Vacation helps too…..on my way to Alaska, then spending some time in Seattle! Don’t write me any serious emails because I will not be dealing with them, muhahahahaa.

Me enjoying Summers past.

Snap.  It is August.  I recently had the horrible realization that I have not been taking full advantage of the summer, and now it is almost over! Ah!

Fear not, I have made a seven step action plan to make sure summer fun is had.

1.  Go on vacation.  Check.  Will be in Alaska and Seattle from August 7-18.  Woo!

2.  See a concert at Red Rocks.  I am thinking Flogging Molly on September 26.  Takers?

3.  Go camping.

4. Go to the mountains.

5.  Get Glacier ice cream!

6. Hang out at Boulder Creek.

7.  Go to the pool.

I think that covers the quintessential things I do in the summer, but if I am forgetting anything or you want to join me, please comment.

Yesterday I did Pearl Street right with Sarah.  We had a delightful happy hour at Brasserie 1010 where we may or may not have overdosed on cheese.  We bought matching shoes at Urban Outfitters, and successfully warded off several creepers with an invisibility charm (aka running away).