The Eve of a New Year

I think I will be writing a post about bidding 2008 farewell and welcoming 2009, but I am currently going to go have a snack and decide what on Earth to wear this evening! I plan to attend a party with a group of church folks my age, in hopes of making new friends maybe?!, and then ring in the New Year with the gang from Nebraska. (Only three of them are actually from Nebraska, but the few that I met at the game watches introduced me to all of their friends, and I'm now a "gang-member").

Happy New Year to you all! I don't know about you, but it's with great anticipation that I'm celebrating tonight. Not sure what I'm anticipating exactly, but I have a pretty good feeling about '09.

When the government deserves a bad rap

An error on someone's server yesterday led them to sent out a blank email to hundreds of government employees. Rather than dismiss the email as a technical error, there were many 'reply all' responses that accomplished nothing other than to make those replying look like fools. It was so bad that our agency posted a bulletin titled "Email Storm", recommending that those receiving such emails simply erase them by hitting "SHIFT-DELETE".

Wow.

Here's just ONE example of some email traffic:

From: XXXX Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 10:01 AMSubject: RE:

Please stop these emails also. I would appreciate it. Thank you.

From: XXXX Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 9:49 AMSubject: RE:

I would like for emails to stop also.

From: XX Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 4:23 PMSubject: RE:

Can you please stop these emails...I will really appreciate it.

From: XXXXX Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 4:07 PMSubject: RE:

What is going on with these emails? and why am I getting them?

Happy Christmas!

It's nice to receive gifts you'd feel bad about buying for yourself. I couldn't justify purchasing a fun decor book to look pretty on my coffee table, so thanks to my sister for buying it for me!

I had one of the loveliest Christmases ever, I think. I don't know why it felt that way, but it did - despite the fact that we opened gifts on Christmas Eve (which was actually a great idea) and my grandma spent the week in the hospital (so sad).

The oddest part about my trip to Nebraska was that it didn't feel as much like home. I still love it to pieces and miss my family and friends, but I know it's not where I belong right now.

I belong in my crazy expensive apartment, eating my lazy pb&j three times a week, taking the metro to a job that pushes me out of my comfort zone every day, and investing in friendships I've gained over the past 2 1/2 years.

I can't wait to see what 2009 will bring!

Change

Things will be a bit different this Christmas. We'll open presents on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas morning, since my married siblings are holiday-splitting. We'll postpone the Christmas turkey until Saturday in hopes that Grandma will be home from the hospital. We'll have Christmas Eve service at home rather than church. We'll sit around the fire at Grandma's knowing it will be probably be the last time, since she plans to sell the house my grandpa built in the coming months.

But we'll all be together, enjoying one another and celebrating JESUS. Things change, but He never does.

I am so thankful that God revealed Himself to us through His Son - my Savior, my Lord, my Best Friend, the Healer of my heart, my Provider, my Protector, my Comforter, my Everything.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

They Just Keep Coming

In lieu of putting a little creative thought into my work product, I've written yet another round of haikus!! If you're lucky (or unlucky rather), I'll keep this up all week long, every time I sit down at a computer, because it's like a crazy new addiction. I may never write a regular blog post again!

What’s out of control?
The haiku-writing, but I
Just can’t help myself

I am daydreaming
Of flying home in three hours
Can’t focus on work

Re-decorated
My parents’ living room in
My mind, fun daydream

Keep the deep blue chairs
But lose the outdated couch
That would be Step 1

Home interiors
I’ve always had an interest
Just like my Grandma

Poor Gram is sick now
I can’t wait to give her hugs
And say I love you

Please Midwest Airlines
Be on time for once this year
And give me cookies!

More Haikus!

Done, I'm almost done
Just a few more gifts for kids
My niece and nephew

I just ate my weight
In fresh Tex-Mex tortillas
Still no gym for me

Thinking of Monday
How will I focus at work?
Flying home at night

Too tired to pack now
Christmas shopping wore me out
*Sigh* but here I go

High of 1 back home
Pack your warmest, they all say
Some long underwear

Nebraska, you suck
When it comes to the weather
But I still can't wait

Holiday Haikus

Whoorl inspired me:

More Christmas shopping
Let's be honest, I have not
Gotten much done yet

Overwhelmed I am,
Trying to find that perfect
Gift for so many

The mall at Christmas
Is the one place that I hate
To be, yes it's true

I would much rather
Be baking cookies at home
Or watching movies

Speaking of cookies,
I ate at least five of them
With ice cream last night

I need to do more
Than just go shopping, the gym
Needs to be hit too

Much to do today
And I am wasting my time
Writing these haikus

Carrying On

The part I dread most about traveling: carry-ons. Because mine are never few, and I’m incapable of traveling light. This Christmas it’s about to get worse. Not only do I need my big purse, which gets stuffed in my tote (full of iPod, books and magazines), I carry the MacBook in my computer case . . and now I have the big camera. And a winter coat. So annoying!

Please, tell me . . what do you carry on? Is there some way I could/should lighten my load?!

Christmas Morning

Just when I had gotten used to the idea of spending Christmas morning alone with my parents for the first time ever . . I find out my sister and new brother-in-law will be there after all. The part of me that loves traditions and family and togetherness is very, very excited. But the part of me that thought I might get a “single sympathy” secret extra present or super-stuffed stocking on Christmas morning is not. But the togetherness part of me is much, MUCH bigger. Now if I can only convince the BIL to let her sleep with me on Christmas Eve . .

Christmas Spirit

I went to a girls' cookie exchange last night, a very fun holiday party idea, and my Double Chocolate Peppermint cookies were a big hit. I just have to share the recipe with you.

I'm off to see The Nutcracker at the Kennedy Center! I'm hoping my friend realizes this is not a date! I am merely accompanying him to do something he's been wanting to do all season. It just so happens he bought my ticket, even though I told him not to. I'll be sure to do everything I can to make it clear that we're buddies. Just call a guy "buddy" and he'll know.

Free

Tonight I am thankful for friends that understand. Friends to walk through difficult decisions with. Friends to cry with and pray with. Friends to eat cookie dough with and read Scripture with. To remind each other of God's goodness and promises to those who are surrendered to Him. These friends are some of the sweetness in bittersweet moments, when letting go isn't easy to do, but it must be done . . and by God's grace and strength, it can be.

I am thankful that I know perfect peace because of my Lord, the One who saves me.

"I search for You God of strength
I bow to You in my brokenness

And no other King could have so humbly come
To save my soul and heal my heart

I have nothing more than all You offer me
There is nothing else that’s of worth to me

And I love You Lord
You rescued me
You are all that I want
You’re all that I need

I pray to You God of peace
I rest in You my cares released

I have nothing more than all You offer me
There is nothing else that’s of worth to me

In Your freedom I will live
I offer devotion"

I'm free, and I'm so excited for what's in store.

a night at home!

Tonight, the thing I've been fantasizing about for the past two weeks has become a reality. I'm wearing my favorite sweatshirt while sitting in my favorite chair watching my favorite television show.

the dress

I went with the red pumps. This is the best picture I could get, and I'm feeling like it makes my hips look wider than they are. There is certainly plenty of room to spare around my tummy and hips, and I ran into an older woman wearing the same thing tonight! (Well, older as in six years.) But she said her mother had it, too! I just don't know if I'm ready for a cross-generational dress. I need to cling to my youth and pre-baby body as long as possible. It is a nice conservative, yet fun dress. I'm undecided.

Getting in the Christmas Spirit

Last night, Tim and I went to see the National Christmas Tree at the White House. I wish I could tell you that Tim was my new boyfriend, but it's only the name of my new camera. Yes, I took The Girl's advice and gave it a name. Whether it's named after that fantastic UF quarterback I wish was six years older and available, a fictional, and oh so hot, fullback, or a colleague and great photographer from my last job . . well, I'm not even sure. The name just seemed right.

So off we went, walking many, many blocks in 30 degree temps with no mittens, and all we got were these pictures, because my fingers hurt so bad I wanted to cry. I think I really did whimper right there in front of the tree, as I was fiddling with the different settings, and I finally decided to head home.
(If you click on this picture, you can see one of many little train sets at the forefront and the children singing off in the distance.)Nebraska's tree (every state and territory has one) was covered in dream catcher ornaments. Seriously?! I would've gone with ears of corn and footballs.

Tomorrow night is my old firm's holiday party. I'm so excited to see the New.seum and eat all the yummy food . . and see all my old co-workers, of course! It will also be fun to wear my new dress:
The question is: black peep toes or red pumps?

Kentucky and her Cowboy

I don't normally post pictures of friends that don't read my blog, but I just love this one. This is my friend, Kentucky, and her boyfriend, a guy she picked up at the country bar. She and I love to two-step and line dance, and this boy was a Friday night regular. It's funny, we had seen him a year prior, and she mentioned he was cute, but it wasn't until last Spring that they met and began seeing each other. He's trying out the bearded look, and I think he can really pull it off. During last night's football watch party, he offered to make the burgers - nice and bloody, just how I like it. :)
I was happy to see Tim Tebow lead the Gators to an SEC Championship win last night. Normally I don't root for UF, but they really were the better team this year. As for the Big XII, I think the Sooners deserve to play in the BCS game, as well. I can't wait to watch!

D60

I'm having so much fun with my new camera, the thing I've wanted for so many years and finally decided to purchase. After seeing so many talented photographer's blogs and all the wonderful pictures that can be taken of day-to-day life and special moments, I knew I had to have one someday. It's quite an investment, and I know it will take a long time to actually begin taking pictures I'm pleased with, but I'm excited to get started. I hope that with this camera, I will not necessarily take more pictures (because I'm not sure that's possible), but better ones.

I took the telephoto lens to the Lakers game on Friday, and the pictures aren't amazing, but it was still neat to be able to zoom and capture Kobe mid-air.

I feel as though I should make a disclaimer that any photos I post from now on will not be posted because I think they are amazing. I'm on a big learning curve with this camera, and hopefully over time, I'll improve.

Friday Night

It's 1:20am, and I am baking cookies.

The ladies' church brunch is tomorrow morning, and I'm determined to go. Too often I opt out of events where I could meet more like-minded women and be encouraged and challenged by time together. Instead of always asking myself what I plan to do every weekend, I should be asking the Lord what He thinks. How would He have me prioritize my life? I don't think He'd tell me to skip the brunch and hit the gym. I'm not saying that's never ok to do, I'm . . . you know what I'm saying. It's good to look at the way I'm spending my time and money and ask myself if I'm really investing in eternal things. It can be a tough question to ask.

I hit the downtown holiday market tonight, and it was exactly what I imagined it would be. Pretty lights and tents with handmade goodies, like jewelry and Peruvian scarves and photographs and hand-painted ornaments and toasted almonds. I didn't have much time to wander around, so I hope to go back soon.

KC (my best D.C. friend) and I stopped at little carryout place for delicious sandwiches, mine being thickly-sliced roast beef on a Kaiser roll (and dipped in ketchup). It's places like that, where you can duck in and grab a great bite to eat, that make me love it here so much.

The basketball game was fun, although I can't understand why some people pay $100/ticket. Fortunately I got a half-price deal from a guy whose wife was thinking the same thing I was (Who spends that much??!!) and made him get rid of them. I took my new Nikon D60 along with the zoom lens and got a few mid-air shots of Kobe. I also enjoyed a waffle twist cone at half time. It's nice to have friends who are always up for the same things you are. :)

Anticipating Good Times

It's been a good week, and now I'm ready for the fun weekend ahead! Hopefully I can fit it all in!

• browsing the downtown holiday market
  
• great seats at a Lakers game
• a Christmas party "The Tree Isn't the Only Thing Getting Lit This Christmas" (although I will definitely not be "getting lit", you have to admit, it's funny :)
• a Christmas brunch with the ladies from church
• SEC and Big XII bowl games (Go Gators and Sooners!)
• bowling with friends
• a doubles tennis match
• Handel's Messiah at National Pres

I need to go lay out my purple top for tomorrow's game!

Post-Thanksgiving notes

Hello, hello! I am here, alive and breathing, having not posted for over 10 days. Unbelievable!

I didn't even leave town for the holiday! (I stayed here in D.C. with Cousin J, his wife and kids. His brother (my other cousin-obvi), and his wife and kids flew up from Houston.)

I've been dog/house-sitting for the past week, and I'm about to go organize my room with a $20 bookcase from IKEA. Score!

I just bought a Nikon D60 that I'm in love with. The buyer's remorse only lasted for a few hours.
Then I took some pictures and got over it.

What a pretty Thanksgiving table, no?
Waldo, the turkey, was delicious! More delicious than Hermie II was last year down in Houston. Green beans, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, a salad with dijon/lemon juice dressing (made by me), and garlic mashed potatoes. So basically, I ate the same things you did. And I was really disappointed when no one went back for seconds! Which obviously meant that I couldn't, so instead I just sat there finishing my red wine with only a mostly full, not completely stuffed, tummy. I should've put more on my plate to begin with! We had pumpkin and pecan pies from Dean and DeLuca, but they can't touch Texas pecan pie. As my cousin says "In Texas, that's what they do." I think I need to go back next year.
And we ended the evening with football. Food, family, and football. Does life get better?