I’m really sick of politics. I’ve had it up to here with pundits. I’m sick of the campaigning, I’m sick of the arguing, I’m sick of it all.

I’ve made my choice, and this is the last I will say about it.

Sigh. I’m worried about things.

I’m worried about the economy, and my job security. I’m worried that I won’t be able to buy a house when I’m 30 (my goal). I’m worried about the political situation – no matter who wins, things are still going to be hard. I’m worried that people are actually taking the whole Barack Obama is an Arab thing the way they are. Sure, he’s not, but so what if he was? It makes me sick to my stomach that people are gloming on to hateful stereotypes. I thought we were better than that as a country. I’m worried about my family, and how they are dealing with things. I’m worried about little Savannah, who might have to have surgery. I’m worried about little things too. Like the fact that I just had a piece of chocolate, and in 20 minutes my blood sugar will drop, and I won’t be able to concentrate. I’m also worried that I haven’t been feeling very creative lately, and I haven’t been able to get as much done as I’d like to – or that I should. I’m worried that I won’t achieve all my goals because I simply don’t have the energy.

Blessing counting helps.

I’m grateful for the fact that I have a family that likes me – even though we don’t agree on politics, or much of anything else. I’m thrilled about bright blue breezy California days, and the sun shining through the leaves of the bottlebrush tree. I’m grateful that I’m less than five minutes away from gigantic Eucalyptus trees that I can sit under; when the wind blows through the papery leaves (and it always does), it’s like the trees are whispering. And there is that signature smell – I always come away from the Eucalyptus trees feeling cleaner, physically and mentally. I’m grateful for the therapy of putting pencil or pen to paper, and letting go. I’m ridiculously happy to have people to cook for – when I lived alone, that was the hardest thing for me, not having anyone to cook for. I’m grateful for cuddly cats and devoted dogs, who think that the best way to spend an afternoon is curled up next to me while I work. I’m grateful for bowls of udon soup shared with a witty friend – hot broth and slippery, slidey, chewy noodles with a side of funny. That’s my kind of meal. I’m excited that my basil and tarragon plants, Herbert and Hoover, are thriving, and that someday I might be able to make pesto from my own garden planter. I’m grateful for the persimmons I managed to steal away from the birds that ALWAYS GET TO THEM FIRST, BUT NOT THIS YEAR, BWAHAHAHA. I’m also particularly happy about my evil laugh skills.

I’m still worried, but I’m also feeling blessed. I’m human. Duh.

I dreamed that I went halfway across the country to see my sister, who met me in the middle of a busy highway, and then insisted on backing into oncoming traffic. To avoid getting hit, she drove off the road. Fast. And then she decided that we should take the more natural way home, and off-road it back to California. In a Toyoto Echo. At 75 miles an hour.

I woke up literally gasping for air after she drove us into a river, and the water closed over us.

My sister is actually a pretty good driver. In real life, anyway.

Possibly my favorite music artist (why does that sound so awkard? musician, rockstar, one-man-band, troubadoor?) is a man named Ray LaMontagne. His new CD Gossip in the Grain was released today. I bought it at midnight last night.

This video is not from his latest CD, but it’s one of my favorite Ray songs.

I was accused of not posting anything really personal on this blog. In truth, I’m kind of a “keep my own counsel” type of person (which is hilarious considering how much I talk – and can only mean that I talk really about nothing of importance). Regardless, the accusation was one that I decided to defend myself against by telling you all about my trip to Provo, Utah.

I went to Provo last week for work, and I drove with my grandmother, and my sister Chere came down from Idaho to meet us on the last few days of the trip. I went to school in Provo (BYU) and it’s familiar stomping ground for me. My sister also lived there, so we had to visit all of our favorite places. We stuffed ourselves silly at all of our favorite Provo restaurants (a shout out to Carrabas, Sam Hawk, and Four Season Hot Pot & Dumpling). They were as good as we remembered and so cheap compared to New York. On Saturday, we went to the distribution center and Deseret Book. Finally, before hitting the road, we drove up Provo Canyon to see the fall colors and to Squaw Peak to see the view of Provo. It was gorgeous!

How do you like that squinty picture of me? It was bright and so sunny, and the sky was blue, blue, blue. I managed to get quite a few pictures of Grama – who hates being photographed, and flat out refused to pose. Fortunately for posterity, I am very sneaky. The woman is 77 and totally brilliant and amazing. We had such a fun time wit Chere! She is coming to California in January, and I am excited. I don’t know how much time I’ll get to spend with her, since I’ll be in New York, but hopefully we get in some time together.

On our way home, we stopped in Saint George, and I took some pictures of the temple right as the sun was setting. It’s such a pretty temple! I love the beehive pillars.

Note: I did not meet up with any of my friends, for which I feel horrible. In my defense, I was with family when I wasn’t at work, and if I didn’t say hi or call, it’s not personal, it’s… timing. I’m SORRY! VERY, VERY SORRY!

Note #2: In case you didn’t know, I am of the LDS faith, also know as the Mormons. To find out more about my faith, visit the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint website.