Sleeping to Dream.....or Not

It's nearly 1am and I'm still not asleep. Why? I didn't get home til 2:30am last night, didn't fall asleep til 4am, went to work today. Why am I not tired?

Put the computer down and close your eyes......

Traveling Thoughts

...great, i'm at the airport in plenty of time...what, my flight's delayed for 40 minutes?! there's no way i''ll make my connection at DFW....how on earth can i run through 2 terminals, hop a bus and get to the satellite terminal in 20 minutes?....whew, hope airline employee is correct about all flights from DFW being delayed cause i'm on the last flight of the night....ooh, travel vouchers....so tempting....

on the plane
of course i have the window and the two other people in my row are already seated.....doesn't she know not to wear a gallon of perfume when you're traveling in confined spaces?....at least she's not a talker.....yay, the beverage cart is coming and i can finally get a dr pepper.....of course i want the whole can.....wait, this doesn't taste right.....am i over my dr pepper infatuation?.... drinking straight from the can doesn't make it better.....uh oh....flights offer a lot of time for reflection......cue up flaming lips, do you realize....we're floating in space....the plane rolls to the right to make a turn.....life is complex...life is real....do you realize that everyone you know, someday, will die.....why didn't i use the bathroom before i got on the plane.....why did i drink the whole can of dr pepper........uh oh turbulance....

in dallas.
don't have to go out to the tiny plane terminal anymore. ..... flight delayed 40 minutes....overbooked.....more vouchers....so tempting.....what's 12 hours less....why do the newly 21-year-olds drink more beer when they smelled of alkie before boarding ....what, they never want to visit the big apple? are they stupid.....

in fort smith
yay for the whole family....what the heck is going on with my brother's hair?......yay they brought the dog....dad refers to a gingerbread flavored dessert as 'santa vomit'.....yep, back to family humor. ....this is why i come home.....

Time to Hit the Road....

Merry Christmas!!

I'm off to Poteau in a few hours...
Catch ya next week.

Bathroom Break? You Won't be Disappointed

This evening I remembered another thing to look forward to as I travel home this week - America's Best Restroom! Yes indeed, it can be found at the airport nearest my hometown. in Ft. Smith, AR.

The city built a new airport a few years ago, unbeknownst to me when I traveled home one summer. We touched down, screeched past the airport that I knew, and I was really confused. I walked down the stairs off the plane and into some strange building that I'd never seen before. My mom hadn't bothered to tell me that they built a entire new airport! I'd say 50% of their budget went into the restrooms...not that I'm complaining, since I hate public restrooms.

Other fun things I'm looking forward to (besides family, my dog, and friends): cherry vanilla Dr. Pepper at Sonic, ribs at KP's gas station, and hours of fun at the Walmart Supercenter.

So on My List

Thank you, Monster-in-Law, for reminding me. Wasn't so hard to watch with the MV.....

What's your secret?

JR came down to DC this past weekend; 3rd time's the charm. On Saturday we walked through the city and stumbled upon the Post Secret exhibit in Georgetown. I'd seen an email circulating about it, but didn't really realize where it was - the old Staples in Gtown (memories of school days gone by!). We passed by and my lil' heart jumped with excitement.

People fascinate me. I have to believe that all these secrets are true. I don't doubt that. Some are heartbreaking, some are angering, some are sexy, from all sorts of world citizens. I'm tempted to mail in one of my own - I've got some doozies in there somewhere, I'm sure. We all have things that we never share. Is that a bad thing? Or are we supposed to find someone to share all with? It's funny to think about our relationships - each person we know only gets a piece of us; rarely the whole. There are some pieces that we share with everyone, other sections that we rarely show, and a small slice of things that no one will ever know. How much can you keep from a best friend/spouse/relative?

The exhibit is in DC til January 8, then heads to Philadelphia. I'd suggest you take a visit and relfect upon your own secrets.

Still at it....

3:30am - still awake. Amazing. Blessed sleep, where are you?

Pulling an All-Nighter

Yes, it's finals time; no, I'm not in college anymore, but I'm going to be up aaaaallll night tonight. Why? Cause I stupidly fell asleep at 6pm and woke up at midnight!!

It wasn't supposed to happen this way! Please, sleep, come back! I don't want to be an insomniac!
It was that late lunch with an hour of conversation that happened during the optimal Sunday nap timeslot. Afterwards I meant to sleep for just 45 minutes before heading to a Christmas party, but NO! SIX HOURS LATER I'm scared. I don't like being up at 4am when no one else is. Doesn't anyone love me enough to have called in the middle and woken me up? Sunday evening is optimal time for phone calls. J was supposed to call me back today - nope. Mom? Dad? Brother? Nope..... They left me off in dreamland, to suffer this wide-eyed night alone.

Netflix will have to keep me company - I got 3 fresh ones.

Ack!

It's 22 degrees outside, though it feels like 16, according to weather.com. Waay too cold for anyone in their right mind to enjoy winter. I did see a new fashion statement today, someone who just can't face the fact that winter is for pants. This guy (or girl, I couldn't really tell) had on cargo shorts over some leggings. Really - put them away in the drawer til April or so.

It's been a really weird 24 hours. I'm ready for the day to be over. Well, the weirdness won't be over til about 7pm tomorrow night. I'm waiting, hoping it'll get here quickly. Friday promises to be a good day for many reasons; here's hoping that all those promises hold true.

And remind me to always be the hunted, never the hunter.

In happier news, I think I'm going to Germany next year for World Cup!! My friend is dead set on going, and I'd be more than happy to tag along. I was in Spain during the last one, and I really hoped that I'd be able to get to see it in person someday. The European energy is just crazy, there's something really magic about the whole competition. There's some crazy lottery for tickets, so if we get those - we're off! Details will be figured out later.

That Word's Not Even in My Vocabulary

Got an email from Josh today, one of the high school best friends, wondering when I'll be in town for the break. We'll probably get together with M, like always. The old trio. Except M has a husband now. That's gonna be weird..... I can't even say the word 'husband' outloud in a normal manner!

Christmas Cheer!

I spent the weekend in a flurry of holiday activities, much to my delight. See, I'm worried that this Christmas really isn't going to feel like Christmas. That's what happens when my family stays in OK, versus traveling to see the rest of the family in Arizona. We never did much around our house to invite holiday cheer, since we'd be gone for the week around Christmas. But now that 66% of the kids are out of the house, my mom wants to start the OK gathering. I hope the whole Christmas mood doesn't just fly over OK without making a stop, like most airplanes do.

Hence trying to do lots of Christmas stuff all month long, and this weekend was a success. I caught Narnia on Friday after some Chinatown dinner with friends. My friend Bill (who I've know since elementary school and after many years apart now lives here in DC) sings in an a capella choir that did a concert at the quaint chapel on Georgetown campus on Saturday night, so I went back to the Hilltop for a little music. I ended up running into several people that I haven't seen in ages - that's what happens at Mormon gatherings. Nice to catch up with people. Found out that a girl I knew who moved to Hawaii a few years ago just got engaged - through instant messanger despite never meeting the guy in person! Wild. I'm afraid that's what it's going to come down for me though.

Sunday was the Christmas program at church, and it was fantastic as always! There's just something about Christmas music that really brings it all together. Sunday night was even MORE music, at the 2nd annual Deal Place wassail gathering. Food, friends, and group singing. Good times all around.

Carpe Diem

I found out today (in a text message from my mother, randomly. I think it was the first time she's used that feature!) that a family friend died yesterday of a heart attack. Although I wasn't that close to this man, I always looked forward to seeing him when I go home. He's always quick to check my left hand for a ring! I called my mom to find out details, and she said that she'd been thinking about him last week and had intended to write him a letter and to invite him to a Christmas party. She never got around to it. Earlier in the week another friend of my parents passed away of cancer. She'd been in the hospital for a few days, and my mom had wanted to visit her one evening and didn't go. Two days later she died.

Just another example of the all the unknowns that are manifest in this life. Don't have any regrets - go for what you want, let your friends and family know how much they mean to you, and if you come across a cute guy/girl, don't waste any time getting to know them. Nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Don't Assume

It makes an ass of you and me. Well, mostly you. And it's the bane of my existance. Just don't do it! (I'm saying that to the 4 people who have, in the last 5 days, asked me about "my boyfriend," each of them alluding to a different guy. Apparently now all I have to do to have a bf is sit by someone. Stop!!!)

An Apple A Day

Keeps the doctor away, except when it's covered in crap (attributed to C). Thanks mom! I've been eating one a day!

Yay for Snow Days!

Working from home is so delightful.

'Tis the Season....to Party

Last Saturday was the party day - 2 in one night. I went quickly to the church Christmas dinner, then ran home to change into my fun new fabulous dress for the work party, which was held at the National Building Museum. Very well done, whoever planned it.

Thankfully I was able to find my crew in the sea of 1200 people. Even though I cleaned up well (or so I thought), I was still able to bust a move to Hollaback Girl on stage in front of several hundred people.....

Tess of the d'Urbervilles

For a moment—­only for a moment—­when they were in the turning of the drive, between the tall rhododendrons and conifers, before the lodge became visible, he inclined his face towards her as if—­but, no: he thought better of it, and let her go.

Thus the thing began. Had she perceived this meeting’s import she might have asked why she was doomed to be seen and coveted that day by the wrong man, and not by some other man, the right and desired one in all respects—­as nearly as humanity can supply the right and desired; yet to him who amongst her acquaintance might have approximated to this kind, she was but a transient impression, half forgotten.

In the ill-judged execution of the well-judged plan of things the call seldom produces the comer, the man to love rarely coincides with the hour for loving. Nature does not often say “See!” to her poor creature at a time when seeing can lead to happy doing; or reply “Here!” to a body’s cry of “Where?” till the hide-and-seek has become an irksome, outworn game.
-----Thomas Hardy

100 Things to Know about Women

A couple of my male coworkers included me on a little email discussion and wanted to know how many of these I agree with. I'd have to say a lot are right on. The ones that I'm particulary enthusiastic about:

99. Most women will not have sex for the first time with a guy unless their legs are shaved. If your date shows up and you spot stubble, she’s trying to keep herself in line.
91. She still has all the love letters and cards from her past boyfriends.
88. If I give you my number on Friday, Tuesday and Wednesday are your best bets to score a date. Monday is too desperate, Thursday is too late.
67. Kiss her before two dates have gone by or you’ll be “friended.”
64. An online dating service’s survey found that a woman’s ideal man has brown hair and blue eyes.
36. At one point or another, I’ve gone through your things looking for any evidence from past relationships. I’m talking photographs, postcards, mementos, address books, diaries. If you don’t like it, get rid of this stuff before letting me in your apartment. It’s not about trust; it’s about curiosity, and it drives us crazy till it’s been satiated.
31. Got a new girl coming over? Your (tidy) bathroom should include clean linen, a box of Puffs Plus, and several full rolls of TP.
30. Don’t caress our faces while we’re kissing, unless you really, really, really like us.
6. Rub a sheet of medium-grade sandpaper across your face. That’s your five o’clock shadow when you kiss her.

Morning!

Just woke up and I feel like I have a million things to do. Go for a jog; stop at A's to tell her goodbye. She's leaving tonight for Africa for an entire month! Flying into South Africa, flying out of Ethiopia. Yikes! Run to Georgetown, find some jewelry and a makeup for tonight's events. Thank goodness I found a dress and shoes yesterday. I hope the whole ensemble comes together! Also have to hit the grocery to take food to party #1 this evening. Gotta be there in 7 hours. Ready, set, go!

Thank Goodness....

...for Looong Jackets!

The Day is Over

Thank goodness. Today sucked. It's been a tough week. I can't really complain though; in the grand scheme of things I've lucked out. My worst days would probably seem really, really good to some people. I'm usually super happy and chill and not too much bothers me. I got steamrolled today though for some reason - the forces are against me.

Work was alright, until I volunteered to stay late to help on a rush mailing project. I was supposed to meet N at the mall for some dress shopping around 7:15 (meaning I needed to leave at 6), but I figured I could stick around for awhile and help out. Good to show I'm a team player in a pinch, right? So I waited for a bit, and waited some more. Sadly things were still rolling off the printer at 7 and I had to leave. I really don't like waiting for the bus when it's dark and cold; luckily a bus came shortly after I went outside, cause it had just started raining. We're rolling along, then BAM! Cops EVERYWHERE ahead. The entire road was blocked - helicopters and searchlights cut through the air. My bus driver managed to cut his way over a couple lanes so that we could take a detour, but we were still delayed. I get to the metro - 9 minutes til the next train. It seriously felt like it stopped for loooong minutes at each station. Ugh. The mall was going to close at 930. My frustration reached a peak and I called N to tell her to forget it. Then I decided that 45 minutes of shopping is better than nothing, since the event is in 48 hours. I finally got there at 840 and ran straight to the dress section of Macy's. Lots of things to choose from, plus I have a 20% off coupon. Eck - think again. I browsed and eventually grabbed 3 things to try on. I have to find something! N and J browed for more while I tried stuff on, but I only found one thing that might work. If I'm going to spend $200 on a dress (even if mom's buying), I want to LOVE it, not just settle.

If you ever want to put yourself in a depressing mood, try and find a dress for a special event. I forgot how terrible it is. Sure, I was way pysched before, especially with my mom's offer. I looked online, had some ideas, and was really excited to get to it. So many great options out there - a chance to look fabulous for an evening. Much easier said than done. Even with my gym time and buying smaller pants, I swear you still have to get dresses 2 sizes up. And dressing room lighting isn't flattering in the least. We ran though a couple more stores, including Nordy which had very little to choose from. Really disappointing selection.

Sigh. Back to it tomorrow. I know my mom wanted to cheer me up with a shopping spree, but I can see myself getting frustrated and not even wanting to go. Where's my personal shopper when I need her?

For Music Aficionados

First up, need new music? Check out Pandora.

Second up, how many bands you can find referenced in this picture? Apparently it's been floating around the net for a bit - there are 75. A bigger version is here.

Brighter Endings

Today had lots of highs and lows. I had a terrible time sleeping last night. tears and all. I went back and forth between teary-eyed and smiling for a good part of the work day. I woke up somewhat early to get to tutoring on time, only to find that the hot water decided not to make an appearance today! I don't do cold showers; not even for a sponge bath. An extra stroke of deo works just fine. I didn't notice any strange looks from coworkers.

Tutoring went well, despite a lack of new material to go over. The kid I work with - W - is pretty cool. Our first couple meetings were a little stiff and down to business, but we talked quite a bit today about other things going on in our lives. He thinks it's crazy that I want to visit Mexico (where he's from) because it's so dangerous. I told him I'd take burly men to protect me.

Work was a little hectic once I finally got there. I like working under deadlines though; way more efficient. Just give me a project a few hours before it's due, and voila! I had two of those today and managed to squeeze it all in just before 5pm.

Highlight of the morning though was an email from my mom. This weekend is my work holiday party, a formal all-out classy kind of evening. I was just going to wear an old dress from the back of my closet, since the hassle of finding one (dress search in high school was always such the ordeal) and paying for one isn't something I really want to deal with at the moment. My mom thinks otherwise. She said if I wear an old prom dress, it's going to look like an old prom dress. And if I wear an old bridesmaid dress, it's going to look like a bridesmaid dress. Since I'm the sophisticated DC girl (at least my mom thinks so), I deserve to go shopping and to send the bill to her! What a great mom. Let the search begin. 3 days left....

The new LOST episode tonight was quite a hit as well. Good all around - no complaints from me!

Searching...

If you find someone you're great with, don't let him go.

VS

If you love him let him go.

Which one of these statments is correct? I think I have to let go right now, I don't have a choice. It's not feasible to be just friends. All or nuthin.' That's the risk we take. What a game love is. I think I'm nearing retirement.

The official break-up was in August. Shouldn't I be over this by now? And James Blunt isn't helping.....

You Want Me?

I guess I've had my resume posted on the Gtown alumni job search site - had totally forgotten about it. Don't even know how current it is! But tonight upon checking my email, I had a message from someone who's looking to fill a position, and he singled me out and personally sent me the description and application. Crazy!!

I seriously didn't believe those types of things worked. Do recruiters actually wade through tons of online postings to locate potential candidates? No!

Granted, I'm very happy where I am now. The summer transition to the new job went very well. I work with GREAT people, and we do good work. I'm not looking to change. But when I'm totally broke (pasta and PBJ, anyone?), a potential $9000 raise sounds rather lovely.

Which One's Cuter?

Two named Romeo, both adorable in their own right, both share an affection for me. I think this shall be the state of my romantic life for awhile. Watch out guys, you've got some tough competition.

The Danger of Target

We all know; it sucks you in. And I got sucked in majorly last night. I was bored out of my mind, so I called B and intended to have a little friendly competition at Target. Of the who-can-buy-the-coolest-thing-for-a-dollar sorts of competition. As soon as I walked in I was greeted by the dollar bins, full of delightful holiday bargains. Grab a basket, throw in some cookie cutters, greeting cards, candles, lip balm, playing cards, they said. I listened and obeyed. $53 later I left, feeling torn, yet satisfied. I really did need some of those things (Vitamins and Christmas presents), but I'm trying to tell myself not to go back for a long, long while.....

More Things to Hate about Winter

Ack! The threat of cold sores. Hopefully none of you saw me last May when I had the worst breakout EVER. Even the doc said so. I'll refrain from posting a picture. I've been feeling the tingling on my lips lately and am keeping the Abreva close. *Fingers crossed*

And my skin is drier than ever. Seems to have happened over night - forehead, chin, and especially right under my eyes. It looks awful. Even the super concentrated moisturizing cream that I put on 14 times yesterday hasn't done a thing.......

Yay for Holidays

My rather ambitious plans for this loooong weekend while I'm house-sitting:

A bit of GMAT studying
Magazine-reading in the LoveSac (this house is full of all the guilty pleasure magazines like People and US Weekly - yippee!)
Gym (can't fall behind on the Holiday competition)
Laundry
A little holiday shopping?

Movies
Pride and Prejudice (the new one)
Pride and Prejudice (the A&E one - I haven't seen either version) - got halfway though the P&P marathon
Phantom of the Opera
Blue
Walk the Line
Rent
Meet the Fockers (I accidently DVR'd the Spanish HBO version - way more entertaining)

Happy Turkey Day!

I cooked today with B, a small little feast at my home for the week in the 'burbs. We made a turkey breast, stuffing (my favorite part - and not the StoveTop junk), au gratin pototoes, green beans, rolls and blueberry pie and ice cream for dessert. Yum! It was kinda weird not doing a big thing as in past years, but it was also nice to take it easy, with no worries of entertaining several guests. Not much else to say...we were bums.....

Super Duper Weekend

Saturday was such a lazy day. I love sleeping in til 11:30. Don't tell my dad - he still thinks I'm a lazy bum. I did some grocery shopping in the AM (forgot my wallet and realized it after the clerk rang up all my stuff! - thanks B), made homemade pizza for lunch, then got some HP4 matinee action. I realize Harry's growing up and all, but it was dark! Seemingly much more so than the last movie. I really need to reread book 4 - it's hard to be 2 books ahead and keep all the details straight of what happened when and to whom.

Why does Scattergories render my brian totally useless? It's like I'm trying to play in a foreign language with the vocabulary of an 8-year-old. The category was Things That are Cold, and the letter was S. NO ONE thought of Snow. Duh! Instead we tried to pass off Sidewalks and Seals. I don't even think I wrote an answer down for that one. Really, does anyone else have this problem?

I was Ms. Suzy Homemaker on Sunday. I made a big pot of chili, plus some darn tasty chocolate chip oatmeal cookies (the recipe called them Cowboy cookies - is that a real name?). Whenever I think about marriage (in the way future) and the whole cooking responsibility, I've always kind of dreaded it, but I'm realizing that I actually don't mind cooking at all. I just need to have the time and someone to clean up my mess :-)

Slumber Party!

I didn't actually slumber, but I went to C-Nap's birthday slumber party on Friday night for a good girls' night of fashion magazines, sappy movies and lots of food. Even though she got married this past summer, it's nice to see that C can still hang out with the single girls. I didn't spend the night, but I had my fair share of chocolate covered pretzels and marshmallows, brownies, pizza, and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. I don't have girls' nights very often - it was nice to have some female bonding!

Quotable Quotes

B makes the list again! He was being super nice on Saturday by massaging my ankle, since I stepped in a hole and rolled it, and it was already hurting from running on Friday.

Me: Why are you so nice to me?
B: Because you're sexy and I hope you'll kiss me later.

That makes me laugh.......

Just an Update

It's been a busy week, despite a near zero productivity rate at work. For some reason we're all in a motivation-lacking funk. I don't feel so bad about it though, since the previous two weeks included working at home nearly every night and through the weekends.

Monday night I went to a church thing where we assembled 72-hour survival kits. Well, assemble isn't exactly the right word. It was more like putting a bottle of water and an ER Bar in a plastic bag. Apparently these things taste like lemon cardboard, but they'll keep you alive! It's even good for five whole years. It's a good start though; something I've been meaning to do for awhile. I have a goal to buy a little something extra for such a kit every time I go to the store. Never know whats going to happen. Two years ago when the remnants of a hurricane hit DC, our power was out for 4 days (even though every building around mine had power!), and I realized how ill-prepared I am for things that like. It was scary to try and get down 5 flights of stairs once the emergency lights burned out. Flash lights are great things to have!

Tuesday was pretty chill, including a dinner out in Chinatown. My weird breathing problem hit me hard that day, so I went to bed a little early. It's kinda scary how it's fine when I wake up, and a few hours later it can be hard to inhale deeply. The doctor should be calling any day about test results....I really just wanna figure this out. It's been 7 weeks!

Wednesday night was the 3rd annual Soup, Salad and Scarves event at church (two church activities in a week is pretty intense for me).
*Quick side note - Jenny was a Friend of Mine by the Killers just came on. I love the line "She said she loved me, but she had somewhere to go." I just wanna sing that out loudly and all angsty-like sometimes. Yeah, Brandon Flowers....*
We had a lovely dinner of, what else, soup and salad, with a great variety of things to choose from. I think I nearly sampled them all. Then came the super fun part - learning to knit or crochet a scarf. Some of these girls were amazing! Where'd they learn how to do that? A few people were making really cool stuff. I got frustrated after starting my little row over three times, and the quitter in me won.

That brings us to today, the day the world turned cold. My winter commute really is going to be awful. Anyone wanna loan me a car for 4 months? My mom flew to Mexico today with her sisters and my grandparents. Oh, anything for warmer weather.....

Silly Tests

Just for the record, I am well below average in every category but one!

Personality Disorder Test Results Paranoid |||||| 30% Schizoid |||||| 26% Schizotypal |||||| 22% Antisocial |||||| 22% Borderline || 10% Histrionic |||||| 26% Narcissistic |||||||||||||| 58% Avoidant |||||| 26% Dependent |||||| 22% Obsessive-Compulsive |||||| 22%

Take Free Personality Disorder Test
personality tests by similarminds.com

Nueva Musica

I had no idea AOL streamed newly released CDs - is this a new thing? Maybe I'm just out of the loop since I don't use AOL for anything. However, the new Madonna and Ministry of Sound are both excellent choices for getting yourself into the I-miss-Europe-and-need-to-go-back-ASAP-or-at-least-have-a-dance-party-in-my-office mood.

Sadly, the Ministry of Sound 2006 version on Itunes isn't complete. You'd be better off to buy the hard copy.

Ah, the World of Internet Dating

Last Saturday night was my Facebook.com date that had been in the works for about a month (If you don't know all the great things that Facebook can do, read this article). My friends (and parents) thought I was a little daring to do such a thing, but what can I say? I like meeting people in random ways, and the Internet's just one of them. I have almost no qualms about it, especially since Google can tell you almost anything you need to know about someone.

We'll call him D. D emailed me awhile ago and asked if I like basketball. That's it. I wrote back and said yes, why do you ask? Turns out he lives in NYC and is a huge Spurs fan. He purchased tickets (floor seats!!) to the Wizards/Spurs matchup and wondered if I'd like to go with him. Why me, I have no idea. We emailed a couple times a week until last week, when we had a couple short phone conversations. We met up at a restaurant in Chinatown for dinner, and things ran smoothly from there. No awkward pauses, thank goodness. I dread those.

The game was great, and I saw Ms. Desperate Housewife Eva Longoria there, cheering for her man in the front center seat. It was nice to be so close to the action. I really do enjoy sports events. D walked me home after the game, which was very nice of him, considering the recent neighborhood happens.

On the subject of chick flicks....

Quote of the day from B (I really want to see the new Pride and Prejudice, but I'll be asking my roommates):

Not only are we (the men) subjected to some long-winded, angst-ridden melodrama (i.e., two + hours of women fretting, "he loves me, he loves me not." - without a single special effect), but then comes the inevitable comparisons: "why aren't you more like Mr. Darcy?" Don't forget the ridicule should any of our friends see us going to such a film. It's psychological castration. And women wonder why so many men drink heavily.

Love at Home

Who wouldn't want to go home when you have friends like this?

Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
I can't wait to see you! I am so excited girl! I can't believe it has been a year since I have seen your beautiful face.

I'm going home this Christmas for the first time since 2002. I emailed a few HS friends to tell them I'd be around, and I got some love in return. Warm and fuzzy all around. Can't wait to see everyone!

I also just got email from Banana Republic about their latest fall markdowns. I've got some BR reward cards burning up my pocket, and I need new pants since the working out began. Hmm....georgetown shopping after today's doctor appt? Anyone, anyone?

Just breathe

To update on my bizarre breathing condition that led me to the ER in early October, I finally had my follow up appointment with a doctor yesterday. I don't have a primary doc here, so I just scheduled with whomever was available. That turned out to be a resident. Joys of a teaching hospital.

Asian name - I expected a short guy with a thick accent who'd be a little bit awkward with patients. What'd I get? A young, hot resident that should be on one of those medical TV shows. Oh yeah.... time to become a hypochondriac (c'mon, you know I wouldn't really do that).

I'm going back to pulmonary tomorrow for more tests. The one breathing test I did yesterday I completely sucked at. The one where you blow into a tube and the indicator goes up. On a scale of 0 to 900, I only got it up to 300, and I tried 3 times! Hopefully they can figure something out - I just wanna breathe normally!

Estoy voluntaria

A few weeks ago I went to church in Virginia, just to scope out a different singles' scene. I really, really liked it, especially since it seems smaller than the current congregation that I attend (it's gotten huge and out of control, in case you haven't read my previous complaints).

Anyway, in Relief Society we had a really great lesson on service. As a single person, I have a lot of time to give - I don't have a family to rush home to every night to take care of. I was really inspired to do something about this. I'd been thinking of volunteering for quite awhile, I just never made any moves to do so. Why not do a little something to contribute to the world? Turns out the very next day I ran across an email on a list-serv from a tutoring coordinator at a charter school here in DC. He needed tutors for students, mostly Latino, that are learning English. Perfect!!! I even think this is more inspired because it's at a school in Columbia Heights that I have driven past every single week and always wondered what it was.

I emailed the coordinator right away and made arrangements to start that week with orientation. The next week I was supposed to meet my student (it's one-on-one tutoring), but I was sick and had to cancel. The third week I showed up, and my student did not. Bummer!

But finally, today! I showed up on time and my student came shortly after. He's from Mexico and I think it's his first year in the English program. They paired with me a beginning student since I speak Spanish, which is a nice refresher for me. I think my language skills have declined a bit, but at least I can still converse with a teenager!

Saturday in the Shenandoahs

B and I drove out to Shenandoah National Park yesterday to marvel and appreciate the fall leaves. Even though he was mad at me on Friday night/Saturday morning, I still convinced him to go. It was well worth the trip.


Shenendoah 3

Shenandoah 2

Shenandoah 1 

True Love

This last week has been a rather heavy one. I've lately been in the mind-set that love is excruiating, painful, and aching -- isn't it? I suppose not entirely - love is supposed to bring happiness, at least that's what they say. And I know that it does. But for some reason this past week I decided that love equals heartache, and I don't want (or can't handle) any of that right now. I'm too afraid of the bad to take the risk for the good.

Why am I this way? Here are a few factors (however ridiculous they may be):
I rented season four of Felicity on DVD (don't laugh). I loved that show when I was in college, and I was abroad during the last season. Despite a friend's willingness to tape all the episodes I would miss, I never got fully caught up and have never had closure. Now I'll finally know who wins - Ben or Noel?! Season 4 starts with the end of summer. Ben and Felicity have been together, though Ben spent the summer away and Felicity spent all her time with Noel. Needless to say, there's lots of drama between the 3 of them that's tough to watch. I think watching back-to-back episodes (vs waiting a week between) really allows you to see and remember each painful moment that Ben and Felicity have to work though. Just when you think things are good and they can move on, something else happens that pushes them apart again. Why can't things just work out?

Factor #2: One thing I always liked about shows on the WB was their excellent music placement - perfect for the moment, and often lesser-known musicians - just what I like. The music from Felicity is no exception. On one episode, during a gut-wrenching Ben-Felicity situation, the song they used added such intensity to the scene that I had to find it. Blue Parade - Sarah Slean. It's been on repeat over the last week. Which brings us to the final factor.

Factor #3: B brought me a book he thought I'd like - True Love by Robert Fulghum (he doesn't sound familiar? How about All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten?), stories of love told to and by the author. I've been reading it on the metro during my commute, while listening to Ms. Slean. Music is amazing. It can really heighten emotions and intensify the impact of the subject matter. I found myself near tears on the metro while reading of love and heartbreak, and listening to Sarah sing about it. Agh!

The good news: I think I'm getting past this funk. I'm nearly done watching Felicity, I'm done with the book, and I found a new band so I can put Sarah on the back burner for awhile. Whew. True love - bring it on.

Quick Rant

I (sometimes) deeply dislike group dinners. Especially when you're at an expensive place to begin with, out-of-towners don't realize there's a 10% tax in DC, plus a 17% tip, you're paying for the birthday guest's dinner, and then there's the whole Mormon cheap factor. Sigh.

At least I got to try alligator (which I don't recommend. It's fishy).

He's a Toddler

How cute is Tai Shan? Apparently he's walking now. I'll have to go see him next month, if I can fight my way through the massive crowds.

Martes

I really do meet cool people at bus stops. Yet another one today! She just started working at the building next to mine and has only been in DC for a week. It wasn't one of those awkward conversations where you hope the person gets off at the next stop. We chatted all through our 20-minute bus ride, plus a couple stops on the Metro. Yay for more bus friends. I certainly won't mind commuting with her.

Tonight I feel like I'm back in college. I have a paper due at work tomorrow, but of course I still hate writing. So what'd I do? Put it off til tonight. And what'd I do when I got home from work? Watched a movie, took a little nap, and figured out how to get music from my iPod onto my new computer. Sigh. Some things never change.

Back to writing.....I'm going to bed in 15 minutes no matter how far I am.

The Problem Never Goes Away.....

I called my brother last night to catch up on his happenings in his first year of college. Obviously the topic turned to dating, and he was quick to point out that all the attractive girls he's met are so stuck so up that he can't stand it, and he wants to kick them in the face (or something close to that). Sometimes I feel that same way about the guys around here.

My brother lamented the fact that he'll go into class, sit down by a girl and try to make conversation. It's his first year, he's trying to be outgoing and meet people. No harm in that, right? Well, since he's at BYU, every girl thinks he wants to marry them so they're quick to close the conversation and proceed to ignore him for the rest of the semester.

Same exact thing here in DC....I attend a huge ward where half the population is in and out every 3 months. Hard to keep up, but I attempt to meet people and make friendly conversation. Well, I did. I think I've given up. I think my roommates have too. You can meet someone, talk for a few minutes, have good conversation, then be totally ignored the next week and in weeks to come. Every guy thinks you wanna marry them, so they can't talk to you anymore, obviously. What happened to normal conversation?! Get over yourself, I'm not looking for a husband.....

Felicidades a la Familia Real de España

Congrats to Felipe and Letizia on the birth of their daughter, Leonor. The government's going to change the Constitution so that she can reign!

Oh, and Happy Halloween, by the way.

My Mom's a Genius!

An electric blanket, she said! Why didn't I think of that before?! It's the solution to my cold winter problems. I got one yesterday (thanks B), and I was toasty all night. I can turn it on before I get into bed and have warm sheets awaiting. Mmm....

The whole concept of electrical wires running through thin cotton kinda freaks me out, but I've been assured that I won't die in a tragic fire. At least I hope not.....

Cold and Miserable

I'll warn you now - this is a complaint post. I'll be back to my chipper self soon though, don't you worry.

My ankle hurts, which means I can't run. My streak will disappear. I have a sinus/head stuffiness thing going on. I have a weird pain in my arm where I had my IV a couple weeks ago. It is raining. It is 43 degrees outside. It feels like 38 degrees. Where did fall go?! Last week I was still wearing flip flops and light sweaters. Today I had to bring out the heavy coat, scarf, and gloves. I'm looking for my hat to wear tomorrow. My house is hard to heat, so it's always cold. I realized that this new commute is outdoors 75% of the time, including waiting for a bus and two outdoor metro stations. It's gonna be a cold one folks, and I'm not excited in the least.

To top it off, I wanna be in bed, curled up with Netflix goodness, but one's not due in the mail til tomorrow.

Just like The OC

I hung out with Death Cab for Cutie on Sunday night. Aren't you jealous? Thanks Heidi!


(Not me, but good pic of Jason and Chris).

Maps and Travels

I love maps. I could look at them all day. If I go with you to a bookstore and we wander off and lose each other, you can almost always find me again in the travel section.

Here's where I've conquered in the US (I'm counting a few airport only stops too):



create your own personalized map of the USA.

I've made such a small dent in the rest of the world that I'll do a Europe only map:


create your personalized map of Europe.

Next stops, Costa Rica, China, Chile, Argentina. So many places to go, so little time (and money)!

Songs of the Moment

I'm hooked on a few, as usual. Ask me again in a week, and I'll have a totally different list:

• Some Trust - The Fray (reminds me that I should get back on the piano soon)
• Reach for Me - Kirsty Hawkshaw - Solasso Remix (hot dance track)
• This Time Around - Helen Stellar (the first good thing in Elizabethtown)
• Don't I Hold You - Wheat (the second and final good thing in Elizabethtown)

Busy Busy

It's been kind of a crazy week. Not at work so much, just personal life getting busy again. I like it that way. It's late, and I need some sleep, but I'll share a few random thoughts.

First up, quote of the day:

No matter how flatlined my libido is Halloween always gets me turned on. --- J

What am I going to be for Halloween? It's so not my holiday - dressing up is always a chore that I leave for the last minute, then I can never find anything fun/cool/different to wear so I do something lame. I'd rather be at home handing out candy to the cute trick or treaters or wondering around Georgetown laughing at the craziness. I have several social engagements that weekend that I should probably make an appearance at, but I don't have a costume so I'll just have to cancel. Sigh.

So yes, the holidays are fast approaching. I need to go home for Christmas this year, since I haven't since 2002. My brother is finally back from El Salvador and will be coming home from his college break, so it'll be a nice family togetherness thing. Plus my mom told me today that she just bought Christmas dishes. No excuses now! However, Crate sent me a lovely card this week saying they'd love to have me back during the busy holidays. I think I'm gonna do it - extra money is nice, plus I know everyone and pretty much everything about the store after 2 years of experience. If Crate will give me Christmas weekend off, I'll do it. I'll make the trek across town on cold Saturday mornings to slave away with crazy, needy customers. Then maybe I can pay for all this travel I have to do, including my best friend's wedding. Another one bites the dust....

I watched a bizarre Czech movie tonight. It was kinda fun to see a few random Czech words that I know pop up in coversation - dobry den/dobrou noc, pivo, dobra voda, pomoc. What a cool language, but quite impossible to learn for leisure. The movie's about a couple that hides a man who escaped from a concentration camp, with a few twists. Not quite what I expected, but rather good. I've always been drawn to movies/books about the Holocaust. I don't know why it fascinates me so much. I think it's because the stories are real. Real people, real circumstances, personal tales. I like knowing what goes on with individual lives.

A Perfect Saturday

Today didn't start out exactly as I planned, but it's turned into a wonderful day. Every weekend should be like this. New goal is to make every Saturday great by getting out. It certainly helped that the sun actually made an appearance - the first time in days. Perfect 76 degrees outside. Who could ask for anything more? I hope to have a couple more days like that before it gets too cold.

N and I took off from home around 11:15 for brunch on U St. On the way we stopped to discover a new coffee shop on 9th (yay for free wireless), which could be a fun place to hang out on weekends. However, Mocha Hut on U is taking the cake right now. Cute place, GREAT food, fun people watching, and more free wirless. It took me about 10 minutes to decide what to order, cause it all looked so good. I finally settled on the Blue Plate special - home fries, eggs, bacon, toast, served with tomatoes and arugala. Yum. N had a fantastic frittata, which I will have to order next time. It was simply divine.

We continued our walk down U, meandering through cute boutiques (amazing shoes, though they cost a good % of my rent) and found a cool vintage store just full of all sorts of random things, including an awesome black vinyl bench, cool barstools and Smurf glasses! Oh childhood.....

Walked down to Dupont, where I discovered a consignment shop that I should've known about a long time ago. Fantastic finds. I tried on a pair of 4-inch black Prada pumps. No way I'd ever be able to walk, so I had to put them back on the shelf. Next stop, tabletop, where I picked up a new bag. I've needed one for awhile, since the one I've had for 789 years is finally falling apart. I also added a 2006 calendar to the mix, for the insatiable traveler. That's me, no doubt.

Finally we walked to Georgetown to meet up with T and K for a bit more shopping. Find of the day - cute pink skirt at Club Monaco. I've only been in that store once before, but I'm glad I stopped in today!

I'm now safely at home, where I can't spend any more $$.....

A crude map of today's adventures:

More News of the Weird

Whaddya know? Another strange story from my hometown newspaper.

A Wister man is facing felony charges after he tortured his girlfriend while trying to make her make animal sounds. Wister Police Officer Clay Caudell stated in court documents that on Sept. 4 he was called to Eastern Oklahoma Medical Center regarding an assault. Caudell said upon his arrival he spoke with the victim who told him that a man named Adam Morris had assaulted her with a pair of channel locks attached to her right ear.

Caudell said Morris was allegedly, "trying to make her quack like a duck."The officer stated that Morris and Jones were or had recently been dating. He said that Morris allegedly attempted to tie Jones up before hitting her in the ribs during the incident. Caudell said that Morris was later arrested at his residence.

He was charged on Oct. 4 with one felony count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in LeFlore County District Court. If convicted, Morris could face a prison term of up to 10 years or one year in the county jail.

The Midwestern Look?

While coming home from work on the Metro yesterday, a woman leaned over and asked if she could bother me for a minute. Sure, I said. Then she asked me if I would proofread a resume. Proofread a resume?! Does anyone else get these sorts of questions on public transit?

I talked to my mom later about how all sorts of people approach me. I get asked for directions ALL the time. Cars pull over to ask directions from me. People walking on the street. People in the metro (see my previous Mustapha post). I think they must sense my innate sense of direction and knowledge of the city, but my mom says I have a nice approachable Midwestern look about me. Hmmm.....

At Least There Was a Cute Med Student

Last week sometime I developed this weird breathing problem. I think I had it when I was younger, allergy related or something. I don't recall ever doing anything about it though, and it eventually went away. Well, it's back. I felt kinda sick all around Thursday night, so I went to bed early and took half a day off work last Friday. I felt alright that night and decided to go to a friend's birthday party. Not a wild party by any means, more like sit on the couch and eat pizza.

So I'm chilling on the couch and suddenly I start to feel really bad. Before I could say, "let's go home," someone says, "Wow, you look really pale." Then I realized my entire body tingled - like when your foot falls asleep, except it was my legs, arms, chest, neck, and face. My breathing wasn't normal either. Weird!! I decided to play it safe, and I ended up going to the Gtown Hospital ER since I was only 4 blocks away. While I sat in the waiting room, my facial muscles got tight and I couldn't move my mouth properly. Nothing like this has ever happened to me!

I got a lovely IV (my arm's still bruised) that made my blood squirt everywhere, a chest X-ray, and an EKG. All normal. Oxygen 100%. Hello? You can't tell me anything?! I called to make a follow up appointment with a doc, but they can't get me in for a month. A whole month! What am I supposed to do til then? I feel okay now - breathing is sometimes normal and sometimes not. I'm still going to the gym (I can't lose my momentum!), but I'm taking it sorta easy.

Don't worry - I'm not going to die. And I met a cute med student. Of course - Gtown has some hotties. Now to get my other Gtown med friends to track him down for me......

Autumn Tactics

One of my favorite songs just came on Music One and it reminds me that winter's coming - something I dread. I hate the cold.

Deep river runs its course
To the warm horizon
Shadows of falling leaves
October moon and rusty skies
Everchanging feelings
The seeds of autumn in my mind
Hiding summer's age no more
No more leaves in summer sky
Turning dark on empty carlots
When summer was my only friend
Sail back this way again
Winter's one breath away
It's turning cold...

- Autumn Tactics, Chicane

Weirdos on the Metro

Seriously, they all came out of their holes today. I guess since it was a holiday (and I still had to work - boo) everyone was out and about. Started out at my metro stop, waiting 12 minutes for the train. I sat down, reading the paper, headphones on - clearly I don't want to be bothered - and the woman next to me starts talking all loud. There's no one else around, so of course she's talking to me. I remove one side of the 'phones and listen to her babble on about how she forgot to take the curlers out of her hair. Kinda funny. I watched her fix her mane once we were on board.

Next up, woman on the escalator at Ft. Totten. She has a ruffle dress on. Top long ruffle is turquoise, next one in the middle yellow, finally a red one at the bottom that stops at her knees. Underneath, some cropped black leggings and sneakers, complete with one red sock and one turquoise sock. Fancy...

Finally, on the train to SS and on walks the Hunchback. I wanted to remind her that Halloween is still a few weeks away. A long black cape with hood covered her gigantic backpack. Short reddish hair with a long rat's tail braid in the middle. Black fingernails, horror novel in hand, and she was set to spook some people. It was funny watching people watch her.

Tomorrow the regular commuters should be back on - whew.

Losers for Lost

First season of Lost - check. I watched it all in approximately 10 days. It's that good. Time to watch the first 3 episodes of season two, and I'm all caught up. I can fully participate in the theoretical discussions at work. Woo hoo!

Work It

I've been hitting the gym daily with the Diesel click for a couple of months now. I used to HATE running, but I decided to try it out. Every day I run a bit more....and the other day - 4.5 miles like nothing. Where did that come from?! This is coming from the girl who used to run 1 lap around the football field and call it good. The treadmill and I are becoming fast friends.
Thanks to the Blazing Gunman for the photos. 

Random Photos - Just Because!

New computer = new fun. One must realize that my old computer is from 1999. Yes, that's right. Six whole years ago. It can't run any of today's essential programs like Itunes, Picasa, and Google Earth. Now that I can play with all these fun toys, here are some photos.
 
 

 
 

Bermuda

Somewhere in Delaware, driving back from the beach 

Chris, me, Jason - Mexico 

Jesse, Julie (my cousin), Ralph the dog, me 

My not-so-little dog, Honey 

Me, Justin (lead singer of Ingram Hill), and Sam 

New Years in Paris 

New Years in Paris