In response to being asked what it is that I've been up to...

"Finished the big commission, so now I can get back to work. :D"
"...I just read that (over)."
"Oh, my life."

The semester is finally over.
I've had about a week to relax.
I even took the weekend in Florida to see my mother!

But still, somehow, I feel like I'm still going at full-speed. Why hasn't my brain settled into Summer? It isn't necessarily a bad thing, since productivity is important, but I'm a little overwhelmed!

I do it to myself, of course.

Regardless, it's been so much fun in a crazed sort of way.

Somehow, the food in Sarasota is always so good. ♥ 

Food here is pretty hit-or-miss, but it's rare to come across flat-out BAD food in SRQ and great food is a pretty common thing! I do miss that...

Look how cute this is! Even the logo is adorable, isn't it?

Met with an old friend! ♥ We caught From Up On Poppy Hill. I never thought a Miyazaki film could leave a weird taste in my mouth, but what do you know...

You're moving so so so far away! I'm so happy for you, but I'm going to miss hanging out during visits a lot!

Really truly, good luck in London. 

Oh! Mother's Day was on Sunday, here!

I spent it with my mother, which was a really nice surprise! The trip to Florida was really impromptu, so I'm so happy it was able to take place. My mother's doing better than she's seemed in ages! It's really great to see.

Mother's Day lunch...

...led to dessert.

I really haven't been doing well on my diet and want to get back to it... So mom, why are you pushing sweets on me? Hahahaha.

Oh, also!

Chocolate cake! ♥

When I arrived at her house, it was just waiting there.

It was sooo good. Of all of the times she's made this cake, this was definitely one of the best...

Thank you so much. ♥

On Sunday, we spent the morning looking at old photo albums.

It was super nostalgic, and led to reconnecting with some old friends!
I can't think of a better way to have spent the day.

Everything that was once so neatly organised in this place has become so fragmented.

You know, I'm pretty OK with this. I've left it behind too, right?

Even though I normally hop at the opportunity to get out of this town for any amount of time, and even though I had the option of extending my stay in Florida, I think it was fulfilling enough a weekend that I'm satisfied with leaving after only three full days.

Why is this? I'm not entirely sure enough that I can put my finger on it, but...

I want to restructure things more positively.

I still want to bulldoze my path, and that's good! It's a constant since I've arrived and I'm actually pretty relieved that I haven't lost that in me.

I think I've finally managed to shed the tics from my skin and I want to keep going onwards.
If I have to be here to do that, that's OK.

I don't need to keep looking back through the car seat windows.

At least it's always a nice place to visit, huh? Of all places I could have to go back to, this one is really rather nice. In a weird way, I adore it.

Still, in spite of this fun weekend, I've still been working, still have more to do, still have more that I WANT to do.

More importantly, I have things that I need to do.

In anticipating and keeping up with these things, I really can't seem to fool myself into thinking that I've caught a break.