I'm twelve and I don't even care.

Do you remember where you were when *spoiler alert* Sirius died?  I was in my bed, basically devouring that entire book because I was desperate to know (because J.K. Rowling had hinted at a huge death), and when it hit, I had to turn back a couple of pages and re-read because I couldn't believe what had happened.  That morning I had awoken crazy early, something I never did because - shockingly - I'm not a morning person, but I was waiting for the Amazon box with my book in it that would be delivered on my doorstep, and I couldn't wait.  Once it came, I just sat in my room the whole day, without music, and with fruit snacks and Root Beer alongside me, and I just read and read and read.

I didn't discover Harry Potter when all of you did.  I remember that it was becoming really popular, but my mom had this attitude of it being too easy, and too frivolous, and so I sort of adopted that attitude as well.  I finally started reading it because I was babysitting these two boys that lived across the street, and every night they liked to read a chapter as they were going to bed.  I was pretty enchanted from the start, as I think it's pretty clear everyone was, and I was lucky enough to get into it once the first four books in the series had been written.

After that it was the same waiting game: checking her website religiously, hoping for any clues or secrets.  I still remember her hint at a new teacher who was as sweet as a bee.  I remember deciphering the artwork that was released - what were all of the candles?  What did they mean?

And then it happened time, after time.  Waiting for Book Six.  And then the last one.  And I cried because it was ending.  How strange, right?

I'm reminded of all of this because my niece Hannah has begun reading the books.  She's on the fourth one now, and we've been watching the movies.  It's fun to see her imagination start moving with the characters, and it's exciting to relive the introductions of plotlines and revelations alongside her.  It makes me sad, too, that she'll never know the fun of living in that moment when the magic is happening.

I don't understand why I feel so much sorrow in that, but I do.  I wish I could take her back with me, and have her in my room with me so that we can cry together over our favorite character dying too soon.  How wonderful would it be to sit and discuss all of the intricate details together?  And then how fun would it be to move to other novels?  There's such a peace I find in literature, and I sincerely hope that I can always be surrounded by individuals who don't just appreciate, but who crave books in the way that I do.  I need to share that with someone else.

Meanwhile, I love being able to go back and feel like a little kid again when talking about this world that doesn't even exist.  I love that I can bond with her over it.  And I can't wait to introduce my own kids to it someday.

Besides, don't you sort of still wake up some mornings and hope your Hogwarts letter is coming?

the countdown is on.

In 55 hours, That Which Will Consume Me commences.  It will be 18 days of stress and chaos and aching feet and protein bars shoved down my throat in between appointments and lots and lots of jeans piled into my arms.

Pray for me.

The light at the end of the tunnel is filled with a hefty paycheck and 4 days in Lake Powell.

If I survive.

news.

Nordstrom announced a full-line for Manhattan.  Coming to you and Columbus Circle (PERFECT LOCATION) in the year 2018.

Ugh.

It's not soon enough.

I need something NEXT year.

Friendsies, I think I'm gonna have to bail from this state soon.  My bf is having a baby, and I hate the thought of leaving her and future Jennifer the Second, and I would miss this house and its inhabitants oh so much, and the 8 minute door-to-door commute is pretty blissful, and holy cow Tina Christensen is my favorite boss in the world, and what would I do without Amy.

But this state is suffocating me a little.  And I know this is the longest build-up to a move in history, but I need to be held accountable to it, and what creates more accountability than a blog that may or may not have editing/deleting features?

Really though.  DC OR BUST.

{and the only place that would take precedence over the District is the City.  of course.}