i typed a whole message and then accidentally deleted it.

I HATE it when that happens. I'll try and recap...

So clearly this weekend was the best thing to ever happen to Atlanta. It was so good for my soul to be with you guys for a little bit. It reminded me who I was and why I love Atlanta so much. It did, however, make being in Cincinnati again pretty rough. I'm still adjusting back to work lifestyle, even though I was in Atlanta for less than 24 hours. Its amazing to me how easy it was to fit right back in down there. It seemed like I never left...

The theme of this summer has been "independence" for me. I'm in control of everything and I am making all my own decisions, which has been great. Sometimes, though, independence and loneliness are the same. Thats kind of how I feel right now. Sure, I feel in total control all the time. But if your control doesn't impact anyone other than yourself, what good is it? I guess I'm struggling a little to find value in how I'm living. Its weird not to be needed by anyone.

Anyways, enough of the emo thoughts. Don't worry, I'm not planning on jumping off a bridge or anything...yet (jk). Work-wise, today was very productive. I am in the beginning stages of developing a lab experiment to show off my "technical skill" and the initial phase of it is going really well. I also ate at Skyline Chili for the first time, and I am not sure how I feel about it. Everyone in Cincinnati loves it, and since they are all weird I was automatically skeptical. When I went in for lunch today I found my skepticism was well-justified. Its basically like a waffle house (kinda dirty with a weird mix of people) but all the serve is chili and hot dogs. Your dream come true, Molly. The chili has no beans but is kind of sweet, which was really strange to me. They say that the secret ingredients are cinnamon and chocolate. I can't really describe how it taste, but since I will eat almost anything I ate all of my "3-way" (chili with noodes and cheese). However, when I got out into the parking lot I started feeling really weird. Kinda like after you eat at the Varsity, you know? I don't think I will be going back any time soon....

Mom being up here has been good but stressful. I have actually learned a lot about myself by hanging out with her, which has been really interesting. I try to leave work early in the afternoon so that we have time to grab dinner together and then do a little sighseeing. Last night after dinner we went to this pretty cool park and then ate mango frozen yogurt, which was delicious. Tonight we went suit shopping, but people in the stores kept trying to sell me swimsuits instead of business suits. I guess its the wrong time of year to be looking for business formal....

Plans fell through for Chicago this weekend, which makes my delimma about whether to go or not solved. Except for now I have no idea what I am going to do for this 3 day weekend. Anybody want to come visit? Most of the interns here are going home, so this might be another "independent" weekend for me. Maybe I will try going to the movies by myself...or not. Thats sounds moderately terrifying to me at the moment.

Alright, I think that was everything I typed earlier. Hopefully this doesn't delete itself when I try to publish...

Love you guys, miss you guys....

Shlell

PS: I am working hard to get the pics from this weekend on Picasa. My personal computer isn't connecting to the wireless in my apartment, so I am having to use my work computer which I don't want to load pictures. I'll post the link as soon as I can though.