New Girl's decision

This week, New Girl gave her two weeks notice. If you've been reading 'me' for awhile, you'll remember when I met her, when she was in fact "the new girl". She's not only far from 'new' anymore, she's leaving! My initial remarks to hearing this (although I've known it was coming) were blatantly honest and not even remotely kind, although my intention wasn't to be hurtful.

NG: I am so excited to move back to Boston and have friends again!
Me: You could've had friends here, but you didn't try.

My reaction couldn't be more true. Going home to watch tv every night hardly increases your chances of making friends with the horde of co-workers who already love you and want to hang out.

NG: I'm so nervous. This is a big risk.
Me: Yep. I'd be nervous too if I was you.

Also a true statement. She's taking a big risk leaving such an amazing company after just under a year to go live near a boyfriend who won't commit to her and with whom she constantly experiences conflict.

But I know I shouldn't have been so honest. And I get it. I get her decision. I did the same thing when I was a freshman in college. I didn't give it a chance. I didn't make friends. I only missed the friends I left at home (which, mind you, was only an hour away). I counted down the hours until I could drive home for the weekend and see my boyfriend with whom my relationship was very short-lived. Looking back though, I don't regret leaving. I was much happier transferring to a college in the city that I loved and living with the greatest group of girls anyone could ever hope to live with. To be honest, I probably never should've chosen my first school in the first place. But I always would've wondered. And I still wonder. What if I had gotten involved and made friends there? It's a great school and it could've been a great school for me. My best friend went there. We could've made some great memories together, but I left her.

But sometimes we make emotional decisions. And really it all turns out ok. Maybe different than we expected. Maybe it just takes longer to get where we're going. Maybe we even have consequences to pay. But it can all turn out ok. (especially if Jesus has the reins)

And that's what I should've told her.

The Queen

Joining that women's political group last summer was totally worth the $25! Not only did I get a fabulous chicken salad sandwich at a luncheon the day I joined, but last week an email came in offering tickets to Queen Elizabeth's arrival ceremony for the first few respondents, and you better believe I was one of them. The only problem was that I didn't have anyone to go with. This meant I would have to make friends.

So Monday morning at 7:20am, as I stepped off at the Federal Triangle metro stop, I quickly identified a group of five that were headed to the Southeast Gate of the White House as well. Twenty minutes later, I was being included in some of their photographs as we stood in line waiting for the gates to open. Going early was an excellent idea, because we were among the first 40 people in line with thousands filing in behind us only an hour later. I had worried I might be hidden in a crowd at the ceremony, unable to see a thing, but I got a spot right at the fence and wasn't ten feet away from the Queen and the President as they walked by the Air Force band during the ceremony. It was an awesome experience, but had I been stuck in the back, I doubt it would've been worth the four hours I spent standing.

Unfortunately, I have an ordinary digital camera that took some really crappy pictures including every single picture of the Queen with the sun glaring off of her white skirt suit. The man next to me who promised to email his close-ups hasn't done it so far, but I'm still crossing my fingers. My new friends, however, also have a fancy digital and sent me the link to their shots. Here are a few of my favorites:

Confirming name and ticket number.

South Lawn view.

Press, of course.

Tuba reflections.

My view was closer :)

After the ceremony, I spotted my Senator from Nebraska, introduced myself and chatted for a little while.

The day was gorgeous and the ceremony was . . . fit for a queen.

on taking what was made for someone else

I love the handicapped stall. Maybe it's because it's so spacious that it almost feels like home. Maybe it's because the seat cover dispenser is right next to the stall - so convenient. Or maybe it's because it's the very last stall in a row of stalls making it much easier to stay discreet. Much harder for someone to see my feet.

Whatever the reason, I almost always choose that stall. And today was no exception.

As I sat there taking care of business, I heard the bathroom door open. Not unusual. Fortunately I wasn't doing anything embarrassing or feet liftable. Suddenly there was a tug at my stall door. As if there weren't at least five other stalls available!

Once the woman realized the stall was occupied, she let out a loud sigh, "SHOOT!"

I couldn't believe it! I understand if someone else likes the handicapped stall, but is it that big of a deal?

Soon I was flushing and ready to face this impatient and very particular stallmate.

But once I opened the door, a wave of guilt came over me. There she sat, waiting in a wheelchair! What if it had been an emergency and I, perfectly capable of using any other stall, had selfishly taken the only stall she could use?! I guess I'll think twice before using that stall again!

the living room can now be described as cozy

For the past ten months, I have loved my apartment but hated the lack of color, ugly furniture (none of which is mine), and dorm-room feel. I couldn't do anything about the couches. I didn't want to invest in decorating a temporary place. And I didn't think we could paint the walls.

This week, I found out different. We are allowed to paint as long as the color is light and doesn't require more than two coats of paint.

So yesterday, my bedroommate EB and I decided to paint the living room. And within six hours of that decision, the living room was painted with two coats of a beautiful taupe/beige color. Covering those ugly white walls that were smudged and scuffed and boring was an exhilarating experience. EB and I kept pausing in the middle of our work just to bask in the beauty of it. We left the base boards and door and window frames white, which is the perfect accent. Ever since finishing, we've been spending every moment in that room, breathing in the fresh paint smell and deciding what to hang on the walls.














The living room can now be described as cozy. And all because of a little paint.















(I know, I know - your toaster is bigger than my television.)















(Forgive the messy entryway! See the box? We finally got a vacuum cleaner!)

I'll take "entire-room" pictures when we actually hang things up.

The Restaurant

So the restaurant I picked was amazing. The three of us ate so much food that we all wanted to puke when it was over. I literally left my pants unbuttoned under my long shirt after visiting the restroom. I wanted to think back and remember the deliciousness I'd just consumed during the last hour, but each time I even thought about food, I felt ill. Still, it was great!

We each ordered a cocktail. Mine was a Flaming Hurricane and came out with an actual flame on top. They brought us complimentary bread with two spreads. One was a jalapeno white bean spread. The other was more solid and also had some jalapeno in it. So unique and so good! The girls ordered gumbo, which I tasted (a few times) and wow!, very good. For the main course, I ordered Chilean sea bass that was specially crisped and baked on top of garlic mashed potatoes and sitting in a plate of jalapeno-infused black beans and greens and topped with salsa and guac. Upon finishing the entire plate, I decided dessert was going to make me sick, but how could I pass it up? So I ordered the bananas foster and it was the best bananas foster I've ever had! It didn't taste like rum at all, but was fantastic! I, again, cleaned my plate.

So, if you're ever in Philly, check out Crescent City. You won't regret it.

when separated, there's always email

New Girl and I split up at the big dinner last night to meet more people. We exchanged the following emails:

NG: I think the boy next to me loves me.

Me: Can you see me? Where are you sitting?

NG: I'm looking but I can't find you.
NG: So there's a dessert spoon but no dessert fork. What do you think that means?

Me: Good observation. Hmm. Did you eat your first plate? Interesting.

NG: A fig and a beet I think. The creme fresh was delish. I'm thinking the dessert will be chocolate mouse.

Me: Good guess. You're probably right. I'm cool with that. I wondered what I just ate. It was unique for sure.

NG: Wasn't the creme fresh perfect! Just like a light yogurt! Maybe it'll be creme brulee?

Me: Now that would be yummy!

NG: OMG! You love _____ ! (the speaker)

Me: Well he's right.

Me: I found you. Does the priest love you???

NG: I laughed out loud on that one. No, it's the bald guy.

Me: New Girl! He's married! Stop flirting with the bald guy!

NG: What? It's over? No dessert??!

Philadelphia

I've left the hotel only once to have dinner at a nearby pub, but in a few hours, the three of us will escape the world of policy wonks to have dinner on South Street. I've been given a very important task this afternoon; much more amusing than listening to speakers or emailing folks back at the office. The task is to pick a restaurant. My pleasure! So I've chosen South Street, of course - famous for its eclectic shops and diversity. And we'll be eating gourmet Southern cuisine. The menu looks delicious!

At the moment, I'm hanging out in New Girl's room. It's not fair that she got a chaise lounge and I didn't, so she's letting me hang out in here while she takes a nap . . pantless of course. The second we get back to our rooms, her pants are off in a flash. She likes to sit around in her underwear. And she calls me weird. I suppose you can do whatever you want in your own room. Don't let me stop you. And it's true that when I'm alone, it's usually not just my pants that come off. I always like to take advantage of my room's amenities (which is why I was so upset about no chaise lounge). I use the robe, the hair dryer, and the TV even when I'm not watching it, simply because I can choose the channel. I eat every single Hershey's kiss they leave on my pillow, and I use the provided toiletries too, although I never take them home with me. If my room is especially nice, I even take a picture . . but that should come as no surprise. I've taken a picture here . . . and then kicked myself when I realized my battery was dying, and I just wasted my last photo on a couple of beds!

If it wasn't pouring outside, I'd be sightseeing right now. It's much more fun than working. And besides, it's Friday. We're leaving early and heading home tonight. I'm enjoying the food and change of surroundings so much that I'm a little disappointed. Home may be home, but I don't have a television in my room, and I can't order room service, leave my towels on the floor or walk around without any clothes on.

Maybe Don Johnson would've been cooler

I guess you could say I met two famous people last night. The first is not so well-known, but his office is right next door to someone very well-known, so I'm gonna go ahead and call him famous. He was extremely nice, and I am so excited to be working with him on a project that takes something I love (that is usually mostly bad) and incorporates a whole lot of good into it. He is anything but nuts. He is light amongst a heck of a lot of darkness.

The second person I met was bad skin, lips loudly parting Edward J@mes Olmos. I, of course, told him I'd watched Miami Vice as a child with Dad. He made some comment about how long ago that was, and then he was stolen away by someone else. He was on the dinner agenda, and I was looking forward to hearing him speak . . until he started speaking. I found myself wondering if someone hadn't challenged him to see how many offensive and irrelevant things he could say in a half hour. Or dared him to embarass the very people that asked him to speak in front of hundreds of stakeholders. I've never felt so uncomfortable. I think the general consensus on his "speech" was . . . WTF???!!!!

Although it was painful hearing him speak, at least I got to sit there in my black dress that I got loads of compliments on. Unfortunately there was no picture taking to be done. Because "Work L___" can't be touristy and star-struck because she is working. Sad.

Now "Work L___" is in Philadelphia for three days in a hotel that is (as my co-worker Bourbon calls it) "pretty money". I can see the river from my 17th story room and right outside the front door is City Hall. I wish I had time to sightsee while I'm here. I really like this city with all its unique neighborhoods, and although I've seen quite a bit of it before, I know there's so much more to discover.

Setting myself up for disappointment

I’m going with the black tie part of “black tie optional”. But I’m afraid I’ll be out of place. To be more specific, I’m afraid I’ll be the only one with jersey knit sticking to every curve of my body! I have packed on a little more insulation since the last time I wore the dress. It would be one thing if I simply had to wear the dress to the dinner. But I have to put it on at work during business hours and catch a cab on the street corner. Like my colleague says, “You just have to put on your game face and be ‘Work L____’.

I have a few hopes and dreams for tonight. I’ll be seated at a table with P. D!ddy’s right hand man and I have oh so much I want to talk to him about (not even P. D!ddy and the fact that their offices are adjacent). On top of that, an actor from an 80s show Dad and I used to watch together – he’ll be there. Seeing him would be nice. Even nicer would be shaking his hand, telling him how much I loved M@rty Castillo and thanking him for his work with inner-city kids (I hear he likes to be known more for being an activist than an actor).

So basically I’ve set tonight up to be just an ordinary dinner where nothing extraordinary happens simply because I hope it will.

Midnight craving

It's 12:30 in the morning, and I WANT SOME ICE CREAM. The problem is that once my roomie TM comes home, junk food is out of the question. TM is a med student who keeps to herself, a sweetheart but frequently won't respond when you try talking to her (read: awkward), and a total health nut. All of this equals: I just can't bring myself to eat sweets around her. Not only does the uncomfortable silence and the fact that she's munching on veggies make me feel guilty, she closes the door to the kitchen (off her room) as soon as she comes home making you feel as though its off limits!

Update: I snuck a few bites while she went to the bathroom. Craving satisfied!

How to be the boss of me

I volunteered to baby-sit for one of my firm's VPs tonight. New Girl, a past baby-sitter of theirs, was a bit jealous that I was about to spend the evening with the two little girls. And I planned to do just what she feared . . make them like me better, of course (heheh). The 4- and 1-year old girls were just as adorable as she'd said they were, and I was confident that the night would go well. VP and wife mentioned that New Girl hadn't been able to get 4-year-old to bed before 10 p.m. when she baby-sat, so I also decided that not only would I be more fun, I would get that little girl in bed by her bedtime!! Just watch!

Two hours later, after watching only one episode of "Diego", putting the 1-year-old to bed and making a beaded necklace and bracelet, I began to prepare 4-year-old for our next activity - going to bed. I let her know that we'd have time to read just two books and encouraged her to begin thinking about which books she wanted to read. Ten minutes prior to bedtime, I led her up the stairs anticipating the challenge that lie before me.

She made no objection to the two book limit, and I was feeling pretty good about how things were going. After finishing the second Dr. Suess story I turned to explain that bedtime had indeed come. And that's when it happened.

She offered to brush my hair.

Now there are plenty of offers I could've easily turned down. Playing house. Making another bracelet. Reading another story. But I never turn down the opportunity to have my hair brushed.

And actually, she didn't just offer; she told me she was going to do it. And far be it for me to stop her. I immediately pulled the elastic out of my hair, held the mirror as instructed and let her brush away. About five seconds into the brushing and I was in a completely different state.

Oh, now you need to [pretend to] cut my hair? Go right ahead.

Oh and of course you can [pretend to] wash it. And dry it.

You need to brush again? By all means.

The girl owned me. I tried to tell her that we only had time for "one more thing", but she sweetly explained that "Honey, we're not done yet." And I simply answered, "Ok".

It's a miracle that she was laying down, head on pillow only ten minutes after 9pm. (Bedtime was 8:30-9.) I still beat New Girl's time by 50 minutes!

Feel the Love

Family rocks.

The two on the left are my cousins. My sister is to my right. This is a picture of us full from ham, cheesy potato casserole, Grandma's famous baked beans, a Jello dish, deviled eggs, bread . . . and also angel food cake and Grandma's special German chocolate cake with ice cream and hot fudge. Oh yeah.

This is also a picture of us oh so happy to be together. Cousins reunited. You can almost feel the love just looking at us.

This is a picture of why I love home.

Wednesday Night

Very strange that an entire paragraph of my last post has gone missing! Yet the whole thing still reads normal. Weird. So we actually did more during Shae's visit, but the shopping and eating - those are the most important parts anyway.

All the excitement about going home was building and building until I realized that the temperatures would be even colder than those forecasted here. Forty degrees!? It's because I put away my sweaters, that's why. I was hesitant to do it and now that I have, my dream of open-toed shoes and skirts has been snatched away from me. I'm tempted to defy reality and pack my flip flops anyway.

My week is creeping by at a snail's pace, but it's certainly not been boring. Monday evening, BSG and I took advantage of all 80 degrees outside by grabbing a bite at Clyde's on the Walk and eating it on her rooftop in the middle of the city. We then watched the local news, which by the way I am never doing again. This place is dangerous. If I don't get taken out by a terrorist taxi cab driver, I'll either get mugged or worse by a Salvadoran gang member or hit by a bus while crossing the street. On my walk home from the metro that night I was positive the man behind me was following me, and I jogged the two blocks in heels. There's no place like home, there's no place like home . . (Nebraska, that is).

Last night, my old roommate KC had fourth row tickets to the Capitals hockey game. More fun than watching the game was flirting with hot guy in the row behind me. It's not often I see someone attractive in this city, and I like to take advantage of each and every opportunity to get to know someone new. Thanks to KC for shouting "He's not for you" loud enough for him to hear . . because for a moment there I thought random boy at the hockey game might have been my next boyfriend.

Tonight I am writing on this blog because I want to avoid working for as.long.as.possible since I escaped my desk today for all of five minutes, and I NEED A BREAK. If I don't write again before the weekend, know that there will be many pictures to come!

Another Visitor!

Counting down hours to an event (namely “going home”) that is several days away can really wear on a person . . . which is why a visit from my good friend, Shae, last weekend was just what I needed to break up the anticipation. In Baltimore for business, she extended her stay through the weekend so she could come down and spend time with me. My bedroommate was in Boston, so the other bed in my room was available just for her, and after picking her up on Thursday night, we were able to lay there until way past my bedtime just gabbing about life. It was “one more thing” after “one more thing” until finally dozing off. I still worked on Friday, but she came in to the office to meet my co-workers, and we all headed to Papa R@zzi (probably one of my most frequently visited restaurants) and ordered Pollo e Spinaci pizza and gnocchi with mozzarella.

The unfortunate part of having a non-basketball liking friend visit on the weekend of the Final Four is that you’ll clearly feel bad if you force that friend to watch the games. So we had a compromise of sorts: shopping during the Georgetown game in Georgetown (painful), but later meeting up with my UCLA girls for that game. We ended the night with two pieces of cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory. I highly recommend Banana Cream! . . the only thing it needed was mayybe a drizzle of chocolate, because I’m convinced that anything would taste a little bit better with a smidge (or a cup) of chocolate.

So Shae’s trip flew by, just like all of my favorite moments in life that involve people I love, shopping, and eating good food. And there are more of those great moments to come as I travel home to Omaha on Friday. I can’t wait!

Sister's Visit

"I like that girl. The one who called me 'homeslice'."

Sister met my favorite co-workers when she came into work with me last Friday. She had flown in the night before, just as the temperatures began to significantly drop and rain started to fall. I had taken her to the underground restaurant, The Tombs in Georgetown, because who wouldn't be famished after flying halfway across the country? She set up shop with her computer and a book in my office (ok, my cube) and was able to see what a Friday morning is like for me.

"Ohmygosh, Brangelina's adopting another kid?!"
"Aren't you supposed to be working?"

She was able to meet New Girl who immediately embraced her and called her Little P____, Em (from San Diego) who referred to her as 'homeslice', and a few other work friends. As soon as lunchtime rolled around, I cut out early to spend the rest of the afternoon with her. I took her to my favorite lunch spot, Best Sandwich Place (EVER), because we'd only eaten a doughnut and a slice of pizza that morning in addition to our breakfast bowl of cereal.

She's not a big museum person, but the rain was coming down pretty hard along with some serious wind (which is anytime the wind blows here), so I suggested we check out the Spy Museum in Chinatown. I'd never been. At the museum, I was reminded that I too could not be classified as a museum person. I'm good for about an hour, hour and a half, and then my brain threatens to begin oozing out my ear because it's FULL and can only take in a certain amount of information in one day. It's unfortunate that my stomach doesn't seem to have the same problem.

After scurrying through about the entire second half of the museum (which is a very cool museum), we hurried home for a change of clothes. Friday evenings at the Kennedy Center, there is always a free performance. And thank goodness the performance is free, because the parking is $15! That night, a school of traditional Irish dance was performing, so we watched ages 5-45 perform many dances in their many costumes. So exhausted from the long day, we picked up some Peruvian rotisserie chicken and began the BBC 6-hour version of "Pride and Prejudice".

After I took her to my favorite bagel place Saturday morning, we shopped for hours in Georgetown, stopping for ice cream at Thomas Sweet, and drove around Old Town Alexandria, too lazy to find a parking spot and walk and shop some more. We needed a good meal in our stomachs, and somehow despite our parents' boring palettes, we both enjoy seafood. Legal Sea Foods served us amazing crab cakes, clam chowder, rainbow trout, scallops, and shrimp and we were almost too stuffed to have the Girl Scout Samoa ice cream I had sitting in my fridge . . almost.

After church on Sunday, we hit up the flea market on Capitol Hill, went tanning, and split the largest ice cream sundae I have ever had with BSG at Gifford's. Gifford's = most amazing ice cream place ever. And BSG's idea to share the massive five-scoop sundae with a puff pastry, milk chocolate sauce, almonds and whipped cream was her most genius idea ever.

It was Sister's last night in D.C., and as stuffed as we were from all that ice cream, we had to head over to Cousin J & K's house for dinner. As you can imagine, we were a bit (or rather extremely) concerned about how we would eat dinner for the rest of the week, let alone in two short hours. But we managed to get down a beef kabob (in my case, two) and mexican rice. To our dismay, they announced "We have ice cream for dessert!" And rather than first saying "Oh no, we just had ice cream, thank you", I instead asked "Is it Haagen-Dazs, your favorite?" He replied that unfortunately no, it wasn't. And Sister offered up the fact that she had never tried it. And so I place all blame on her for the following. J jumped out of his chair, grabbed his keys, and said, "You've never had it? Then I'm going to get some right now." We sat there dumbfounded. MORE ICE CREAM? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? No sooner had we processed that thought, J was back from the store with two very large Haagen-Dazs ice cream bars. And the P____ girls finished every last bite.

The End.

Dear Internet Friends

It is only because I am a good employee and a good sister that I have not blogged in over a week. I won't blog at work, and I won't blog when company is in town. And all the other time has been spent counting down the clock til company arrived. I've been dying to blog about my sister's canceled flight and the fine dining at Bebo that helped me cope with her absence. Even moreso, her rescheduled trip for this past weekend, which went splendidly. I have so many pictures to post and so much food to talk about . . because that's what happens when you visit me. I take you to eat delicious food. Not even necessarily expensive (especially if you're in college), but delicious just the same. And now, instead of heading to bed I keep making this post many more sentences than the three I intended. And I'm starting to get hungry again . . because in order to punish myself for my overindulgence this weekend, I've limited myself to cereal for breakfast AND lunch, which is complete torcher by the way. My caloric intake has been so low today that I barely have enough energy in my fingers to type this. Tomorrow I'll have cereal AND toast so I can write a nice long post. Good night.

**Update: See up above - where I misspelled TORTURE? What is wrong with me? My dad was wondering that very thing and sent me an email about it. After all, spelling is the one thing in life that I do perfectly. I knew I was tired last night, but WHOA. Dad also pointed out that I misspelled my own.mother's.name on the last piece of mail I sent. I did realize it right after it happened. I guess that's what happens when other things are on your mind. Of course I couldn't just change it up above all nonchalantly. I had to say something. All the pride in me had to point out that "I KNOW HOW TO SPELL. Really I do!" At least "torcher" is a word. It means "one who gives light with torch". That explains why Dad said "Yikes! Call the fire department!"

Visitor!

My sister is coming for a visit tomorrow. I've been calling her every day this week to remind her, because you know, I wouldn't want her to miss her flight or anything. I have big plans for our weekend . . eating and shopping and eating and shopping. I'm so glad she doesn't like history, because I'm just not in the mood to be that kind of tour guide . . the one wearing tennies and walking miles throughout the District trying to recommend which museums or monuments to see. I think it's all great, I do, but not now . . not when it's 40 degrees outside and not when I haven't really been shopping for two months! I've been saving up for such a time as this.

(Besides, she has been here before and done the tourist thing.)

Crazy Daydreaming

Lately I've been living in Hypothetical Land. A case of homesickness came on strong recently, and I've been obsessing over the future and all the 'what ifs'. Even though I know I have choices, I still feel out of control (which makes sense because I gave God control of my life). I chose to come here, but it was totally God's idea, believe me, and it was a great one and proof that He made me and He knows exactly what is best for me. I take things day by day, and He just keeps paving the way and providing whatever I need. So why am I so focused lately on where I'll be in a year or five years (especially when I'm totally happy right now)? I don't know. But honestly I'm glad I'm not in control, because I have no clue what the right decisions would be. Sure I have things I want and ideas about what I'd like life to be like someday, but He knows way better than I. Phew.

Back on the slopes

After tearing my ACL (and then some) skiing five years ago, I wasn't sure I'd ever ski again. I wanted to, of course, but I'd since torn it a second time and never fully recovered. When given the opportunity to try again this weekend, I just had to go. Mom reluctantly mailed my ski coat and ski pants, and I promised to wear my brace and do my physical therapy exercises all week pre-trip. I rounded up two friends from home who live close by and off we went to Whitetail, Pennsylvania.

Strapping on the knee brace felt good and secure. To make myself feel even better, I met up with a group of beginner skiers to take a lesson. Most.boring.hour.of.my.life. Before the lesson had ended, I was already on a lift and ready for my first run of the day, breathing deeply and praying the whole way.

I'd love to say that I looked like a pro and handled myself with confidence but nothing could be further from the truth. I was freaking out. I mean, I knew you used your knees to ski, but holy crap, I didn't remember how much! I'm sure that hearing me speak became a blur of:

"My knee . . . blah, blah . . . knee hurts . . . . blah, blah . . . knees . . . scared . . still weak . . blah, blah . . my knee . . . knees . . . blah, blah. . "

You get the point.

But after a short while, I loosened up and my form drastically improved. I love being on the slopes and wish it could become another hobby of mine, but when my knee is aching the entire time, I'm seeing people carried off on stretchers, and I'm having flashbacks of the Keystone Ski Clinic, it just doesn't seem like the most brilliant idea. One false move and I could, for the third time, be in need of a new ACL. And that thought really limits how much fun a person can have.

I did have a blast with my friends, and I hope to ski again sometime, but sadly I'll never make it to the moguls or even the intermediate slopes with this knee. Good thing green is my favorite color.

Week o' Fun

"I'm so excited. Omg, I'm gonna cry, I'm so excited." New Girl is passionate about her alma mater, Boston University. She's been a college grad for only 9 months, but they have been 9 months of reminiscing and desperately wishing the real world hadn't come so soon. She asked me to join in the festivities Monday night as BU faced BC in "The Beanpot" hockey tournament and all BU alumni gathered round the big screens to watch. I'm always up for something different, so I tagged along. I'd have been stupid to turn down free all-you-can-eat buffalo wings or the opportunity to be surrounded by contagious school spirit at a sporting event. It ended up being a good time, and I walked away with a full stomach, a free souvenir glass, and a new favorite sports bar in Chinatown. Check out their pizza:

Tuesday night, I watched my favorite baby in D.C. - Walker. He's starting to say more and more words - mainly "Buh-bye" and "Bawl". And he's so active, now running around the house getting into everything, that after an hour I was more ready to go to bed than he was. Click here to watch him play with the phone/fill his pants after I had just changed him.

Valentine's Day was set to be "the most romantic night of my life" or so the Evite said. After getting stuck in the snow three times in a one hour period, I finally ended up in Georgetown for a fondue party with my girlfriends. Honestly, I think fondue sounds a lot cooler than it is, but the dessert was quite tasty, and like every other V-Day I've had, I wasn't hating my life as a single. How could I be when I was dunking angel food cake and brownie bites in a pot of chocolate and peanut butter?

Last night, I laid low. I never have much energy to speak of on Friday nights. I've already put forth the effort of dressing myself and applying make-up once that day and the thought of doing it again doesn't excite me. I like starting with a fresh palette when getting ready, and I feel anything but fresh at the end of a work day. So instead of going out in public, I opted to cozy up on the couch at the Georgetown house and watch "Last of the Mohicans" and "Steel Magnolias" - two great movies that I'd never seen before. FYI: Edy's Slow Churned Yogurt is delicious, and the vanilla flavored bowl that I had was only 100 calories per half cup. Let's be real, no one is ever going to eat just a half cup, but the number sounds real nice.

Update: I did a little research on Edy's Slow Churned Vanilla Ice Cream v. Yogurt and the calories are the same, but the saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium are slightly lower in yogurt, while the sugar and carbs are slightly higher. Interesting, no?

another fav

It should come as no surprise to anyone that I'm adding this site to my favorites.

(BTW, I've been to his #4 favorite and I wholeheartedly agree . . best steak ever!)

blessings

We gathered tonight for a cabaret-style dinner: wine and amazing food and chocolate souffle and singing waiters. Six co-workers that still like each other on the weekends. It's nice. We toasted to camaraderie . . and promotions. New Girl and I will bid farewell to the ____ floor on Monday and move our things upstairs a floor. More responsibility and more money. Two very fantastic things. And both of us in the same department. The concern (voiced by co-workers) over our ever being parted has been assuaged. And I'm glad. Because she brings laughter to my day. I roll my eyes and smile simultaneously. The girl I once wished to the other side of the office is now my best friend in the District. She's one reason in many that I love my job and I love my new home. One proof of many that God is the orchestrator of my life.

Sick-o

I can now say from experience . . food poisoning sucks. Not that it ever sounded pleasant. Rather than celebrate our promotions with a gourmet dinner as planned, New Girl and I parted ways last night - she to the restaurant, despite my absence, and I to my bathroom to rid my poor stomach of the taquito salad I had eaten for lunch. I'm still not 100% after a full day of sleeping, watching "Kindergarten Cop", sucking on ice cubes and sipping Gatorade, reading 100 pages of Emma, and finally nursing half a bowl of chicken and rice soup, but I'm clearly feeling much better. Tomorrow is Friday and New Girl and I have plans to attend my church's Newcomer Potluck. Considering my recent unluckiness when it comes to food, I'm less than excited. Like Dad always says, "It's called a potluck, because you're lucky if you find the pot that you brought". Right now, there isn't much that sounds appealing to me, including a stranger's green bean casserole, but I am looking forward to the fellowship.

at the bike racks

You call me Mom, and you don't mean it in an endearing way. You're two seconds away from hurting me and putting me in my place. If we were younger, you'd chase me through the house until I found refuge behind a locked door, breathing heavily and knowing I'd narrowly escaped your wrath. Later, I'd come out and we'd play Matchbox cars in the basement and pretend that I never upset you. We'd create a city with stores and parking lots. Or we'd use your blanket - the one with the bright colored map full of winding roads. No need to invite friends over; we had each other. We liked each other. We agreed that riding bikes was fun. Saturday morning cartoons were easy to wake up for. Whole grain cereals tasted better with sugar on top. And snow trails in the backyard were the best part about winter. We were playmates as long as you didn't misbehave or do something stupid. Then I became Big Sister. Or as you call me, Mom.

It's because I read you books when you sat in your swing. It's because I knew you when you couldn't pronounce "ketchup" and "ice cream" (which by the way are two very important words). It's because I remember when you still wet the bed every night. And, let's be honest, it's because I can't keep my comments to myself.

One day at the bike racks in elementary school, the biggest kid in my class haughtily mocked your bike riding hobby, and I can still recall the rate at which my blood pressure rose. I dug my nails deep into both of his arms breaking skin and making him bleed and put my love for you behind a powerful kick to his shin. (Which left a bruise by the way.)

And that's how I still feel about you. I hate when people hurt you. I want you to ride your bike, do what makes you happy. And if you do it with a helmet on, I won't have to be Mom. But no matter what, I'll be at the bike racks loving you.

I rocked the box

Last weekend, I spent every waking moment with my Bible study girl friends.

Friday night was dinner at a Mexican cafe, followed by late night bowling on the nearby Army base.

Saturday was Disney Day, beginning at 11am and lasting through the afternoon. Cars, Lady and the Tramp, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, all watched in our pajamas. And plenty of snacks, of course. That night, Bruin Girl got a few of us tickets to the Kennedy Center . . seated in the President's box! Champagne bottles with the Presidential seal. Red, white, and blue M&Ms specially boxed with the seal as well. And the best part?? That feeling I felt when I sat there, like a queen on her throne - there, in the very place many Presidents have sat before . . the toilet. The girls and I finished the night with yet another movie, The Guardian, and burgers and fries from Five Guys - yum!!

Sunday, after church, we began another Disney Day. Cinderella, Oliver & Company, Rescuers Down Under. We grabbed sandwiches from our favorite sandwich place and just laid low. Feeling incredibly lazy, we headed to the pool and swam laps for awhile only to come back and watch yet another movie.

Pretty much a weekend of perfection.














In Georgetown, taking a movie break and walking the dog that The President gave my friend.

Thief!

MISSING!:

an ENTIRE load of laundry!

including:

t-shirts
[expensive] jeans
underwear

Please call XXX-XXX-XXXX if you have seen my clothing.

Thank you!


That's the note I left hanging in the 8th floor laundry room. So I sit here waiting and praying that whoever stole my laundry will be kind enough to return it! Who does that?!

West Coast slang?

“You ate your biscuit because he was getting stale,” Em said. Em is a new co-worker and friend from Southern California. And I reference her home state, because it seems to be the birthplace of her random West Coast vocabulary.

She’s taught me several slang words already, including the use of the word “biscuit” in reference to any guy you’re involved with. If you’re admiring him from afar, you’re “checking out the ingredients”. If he’s a great boyfriend, he’s “golden brown”. If he’s done something to upset you, he’s a “wet biscuit” and “Nobody wants a wet biscuit”. And let’s be honest, sometimes the “batter tastes better than the biscuit”. (And I promise, no sexual innuendos here - yikes.:)

So as you all know, this biscuit I've gone out with just didn’t have the right ingredients. I need to wait for a fresh biscuit with the finest ingredients. I need a biscuit that is golden brown.

coach

“I have some very exciting news to share with you,” she said over the phone. “God is so good.”

Fear gripped my heart. She was leaving me. That’s what it was. My teacher, my mentor, my friend. Not just my co-worker. My encourager, my challenger, and the one who believed in me. She was brilliant. With people, with strategies, with tactics – just brilliant.

“I’ve been given a position in a different division of the company . . where I can train those coming into the company, where I can invest in them.” And that’s what she does. She invests in people and cares about people. She appreciates their value. She sees them. So it’s perfect. Less stressful, too. And tailored to the person that she is.

“I’m not leaving you,” she said. “My door will still be open.” My throat was tight, and the tears wanted to come. “Stop being so selfish. Stop being so scared,” I told myself. But what would I do without the one who gets me? Who sees my strengths and weaknesses. Who hates that I don’t micro-manage, but likes me anyway. Who trusts me with things and builds my confidence. What would I do?

I will find out.

One thing I know. God will take care of me just as he is taking care of her. My company is already great, but with her in this new position, it will only get better.

Ok, I know I missed National De-lurking Week, but so what?

There are loads of you that read my blog consistently, but you never post anything. You must have something to say. At least say hello. Come out and post something. It can be anonymous; I don't care. Just leave a comment! Please! :)

636

As the elevator reached the sixth floor, I stepped off and flipped up my turtleneck to cover my nose and mouth. I didn't care if she said she wasn't contagious, I wasn't taking any chances by breathing freely in her apartment. The poor thing had been sick enough to warrant a trip to the ER and no way did I want to catch that virus. But she needed her laptop, so there I was.

New Girl and I have developed a pretty close friendship. Constantly visiting each other's desks at work. Daily eating lunch together. Spending time together outside of work. The level of comfort allows us to frequently (as in every other sentence) tease each other and be blatantly honest when the truth needs to be told. When sharing a hotel room in New York last month, New Girl had no problem making herself at home in my presence by sleeping pantless. "When you come out of the bathroom, I'm not gonna have any pants on. Just so you're not surprised." This would explain how the following occurred:

I firmly knocked at 636 and waited for New Girl to walk from the bed in her studio apartment to the front door at which I stood. "It's meee," I announced. I heard movement and bare footsteps and then, what was that? It sounded like someone was putting on pants. Yes, first one leg, then the other. (Nice solid doors, huh?)

"What are you putting on pants for????" I asked through the door. "You always take them off when I'm around."

No comment.

The door slowly opened and there stood a 60-year old man . . just smiling, expecting the very look that he found on my face. He looked almost satisfied, knowing that I was humiliated and he had absolutely nothing to be embarrassed of. He was merely answering the knock at his front door.

"Ohmygosh! I could've sworn my friend lived on the sixth floor!"

"It's a big floor. She probably does."

"No . . this is her apartment."

"I'm sorry, but I live here."

Immediately I turned, walked back to the elevators, and found New Girl in the same place she's always been . . 736.

Congratulations!

Once, my youth leader and 'big sister'; often my personal advisor and voice of reason; always my close friend. I've known her for eleven years as all of these things, and now I will know her as a mother. Congratulations to my wonderful friend and her great husband! After an awful day and a half of labor, Chloe Anne finally made her way out to meet the world. I can't wait to meet her myself. Isn't she adorable?

Like coming home

"It typically takes about seven to eight months of church-hopping to find a church you're happy with". The pastor was right. I've been here eight months and although I've liked things about each church I've visited, none have felt like home. Like a place to settle, to plug in, to embrace the people around me as my church family. Sunday, I found that place.

I had already decided to consistently attend a mega-church about 20 minutes away. It reminded me the most of home . . yet not completely. I was comfortable getting lost amongst the hundreds of people in each service. I knew most of the songs they sang, and loved learning the new ones. The messages were good . . often wimpy, but good . . like drinking milk - delicious milk, when I was craving steak or at least some chicken, something to chew on. Every person I'd met there so far loved God . . as long as He didn't ask them to give up too much, as long as He didn't interfere with how they lived their life. I'm not saying that every member of that church felt that way, because I'm completely certain that's not the case - only my experience. I could've made an effort to meet more people and get involved, but something was holding me back.

Then, I heard about another church. Solid pastor. Challenging messages. I learned it met right next door to my apartment. "Please let this be it," I prayed. I listened to the sermons online and my hope that this would be home only grew. I met a friendly face at the door, filled out a nametag, and walked into an auditorium filled with music played not as a performance, but an invitation to the Lord. I didn't have to shake any hands or make any small talk to sense that the people in the room knew Him and wanted to know Him more. And I knew this was it. The search was over. This was where I belonged.

writing

Sometimes I just want to write. Not crappy writing. Good writing. Writing about memories. Going deep, digging it all up, and serving it real. Unedited.

Always I wish I was a better writer. I want a teacher to make me write again and grade me on it. Bring on the red marks. Challenge me.

It's always at work that I want to write. I feel the creativity surging through my veins. It feels bottled up. But I have work to do. And if I decided to write a paragraph, it would turn into ten. Then I go home at night . . and food sounds good. Exercise is important. Running errands must be done. And before I know it, I'm in bed again at the end of the day, and the urgency to write has subsided like hunger pangs that eventually go away.

2006 Survey

1. What did you do in 2006 that you’d never done before?
The better question is: What did I do in 2006 that I HAD done before. My life totally changed. I’d never lived out of state, and I lived in San Diego temporarily and Washington D.C. permanently. I flew 11 times. I visited 26 states, twelve that I’d never been to before. Much of this was due to my cross-country trip.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make any last year, although I wanted to find a better job and I certainly did that. I will set goals this year, too. I want (no I NEED) to get in shape for BF's wedding in June. I'd like to create a budget, save, be smart financially, and worthy of God entrusting me with more. I need to set goals for work, become more organized, etc. And most importantly, I want to know the Lord more intimately than ever before (this year I certainly did nothing to make that happen).

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? yes, two friends had boys

4. Did anyone close to you die? no

5. What countries did you visit? mexico

6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
more money-ha! no seriously, it’s expensive to live out here. I’d also like to make more friends who are like-minded. I love my girl friends here, but at times we are not quite on the same page.

7. What dates from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? There are so many things I will remember about 2006. It was one of the best years of my life in many respects. Specific dates? My birthday was great. Fourth of July was fun.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? My job.

9. What was your biggest failure? Some compromises regarding moral convictions; being a hypocrite more times than I'd like to remember

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? no, I don’t remember ever being sick

11. What was the best thing you bought? my digital camera, furniture, my Citizen jeans (new fave pair)

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Rochester for taking care of me/looking out for me

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Some of my Bible study friends who don’t seem to want to practice what they say they believe. Sometimes my own behavior left me appalled as well.

14. Where did most of your money go? moving and starting new in D.C.; plane tickets

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? my new job, all my trips

16. What song will always remind you of 2006? sexy back

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier
b) thinner or fatter? a little fatter
c) richer or poorer? I feel poorer now that I live out here

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? exercising! and spending time with the Lord

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? drinking for sure and hanging out with boys that I clearly had no future with

20. How did you spend Christmas? with my family

21. Did you fall in love in 2006? no i did not

22. How many one-night stands? ew, zero

23. What was your favorite TV program? greys anatomy

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? no

25. What was the best book you read? drawing near by john bevere

26. What was your greatest musical discovery? hmm, I like Corinne bailey rae

27. What did you want and get? My job

28. What did you want and not get? a higher salary

29. What was your favorite film of this year? not sure; I liked the Break-up

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
i turned 25 and went to an upscale restaurant, ate and drank wine to my heart’s content with 4 of my friends, one of which picked up the entire tab!

31.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
pursuing the Lord more, definitely

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006? i call my style "contemporary classic" :) . . this year my tastes continued to get more expensive

33. What kept you sane? my co-workers who are great to work with; new friends; getting to see BF so much

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? no one in particular

35. What political issue stirred you the most? i don't want to get into it

36. Who did you miss? family and friends at home

37. Who was the best new person you met?
BF's boyfriend turned fiance and his family

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006. I now know why drinking and nonChristian boys (not even necessarily at the same time) are a bad idea. I now know that those things certainly don't satisfy. I always knew those things, but now I (unfortunately) know from personal experience.

New Year's Day!

I returned to D.C. yesterday (New Year's Eve). Reluctantly. I had such a great time at home for 8 days. Yet it wasn't long enough. Well . . long enough to make me not want to return to work tomorrow.

Wishing I was spending New Year's Eve with friends in Omaha, I headed out with 13 girls to try to have $35 worth of fun (as that was the cost of my ticket). I didn't have a drop of alcohol, but instead watched every one of the girls get drunk. I was so happy with my decision to ring in the New Year without vodka and cranberry - (in fact, I am so sick of the bar scene that I don't care if I ever have a drink again). The crazy thing is that not drinking doesn't keep the boys away at all. In fact, they seem to be quite fascinated by it. For instance, last night I met a cute boy who decided to spend the entire night with me and quit drinking at 11:00 upon learning that I was going drink-free. We had a blast dancing . . proving everyone in the bar wrong as we 'loosened up' while staying completely sober.

Today I began the New Year with a workout, a full day of watching bowl games and the movie "Step Up" with my friends, and an entire Burrito Ultimo from Baja Fresh (the "entire" part was a mistake).

Tomorrow it's back to work after nearly two weeks off. I'm anxious-nervous about starting 2007. I'll write more later.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Christmas

Christmas. Because God became flesh. The Creator of the universe became a human! How insane is that?! When I really dwell on what that means, I'm so overwhelmed by it. How can a story like that become familiar?? Probably because we forget that Jesus is God! . . not just a good man . . not even just the most influential man that ever lived. More than that. That little baby was the Father coming down to show us who He is. To reveal His character. To be personal and not far off and unapproachable. To show us love in a language we can understand. And then to die for us and take all of our sins upon Himself when He was the perfect one and we rejected Him. Our Creator and the one who loved us enough to become flesh like us and to serve us and give His life for us. That is Jesus. That is Christmas.


"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it."
John 1:1-5

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us."
John 1:14

"No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known."
John 1:18

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father [God]except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."
Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?"
John 14:6-9

Last minute

Do you ever feel bad for last-minute-ing someone on your Christmas list? You feel like you should've had some spectacular idea for this person or you would be a better sister, friend, daughter, etc. if you had purchased their gift sooner than 72 hours before Christmas! Maybe it's because I love putting extra thought into what I get someone. I hate resorting to "This is nice. This will do." I've had to do that with a few people this year. It certainly hasn't saved me any money, and it's caused a lot of stress. Because my gifts somehow don't feel good enough. My mother brought to my attention my gift-giving issues. That I overspend and can't ever give one gift. It's true. I can't give just one gift to anyone. It kills me. It doesn't matter how expensive it was. One thing is not enough. And I think I realized what it is. If I give at least two gifts, the recipient is sure to like at least one gift which hopefully helps me to maintain my reputation as a good gift-giver.

Christmas shopping in Alexandria

What else I've been up to

Ok, I've mentally checked out at work . . days ago. Fortunately, my boss told us mid-day that we could work from home today and tomorrow. This means I won't be back in the office until next year. AWEsome.

Life update: Other than my trip to NYC last weekend, my life has been packed.

I'm so close to being done with Christmas shopping I can taste it! Hopefully a trip to Georgetown tomorrow will be the end to my five straight days of overspending on people. Dad, this year you're banking. Sorry Mom.

**On a side note: I've been trying to leave comments on all of your blogs, but it won't let me (unless you have Haloscan)! Not even anonymously. So know that I'm still reading . . and dying to comment.

I'll leave you with a picture . . of food, of course. New Girl's small Christmas party last week:

What I Saw

New York was what I expected . . except that I expected to like it more. I expected it to be overwhelming and dirty and full of trendy people. And it was all of those things. I liked what it was for the experience of it. But I didn't like what it was enough to want the experience over and over again. Don't get me wrong - I want to go back - more than once. But I think I wanted to be able to picture myself there - living there - even though I never would. And I couldn't do that. I can do that in a lot of places, but not there. New Girl said that your favorite city is always the one you've spent the most time in, which for me would now be D.C. And she's right I suppose. I do like other cities I've visited, but I compare places to D.C. now, because I like it here. I know it the best I suppose, though I don't know it that well yet.

You can't escape New York really. It's not easy at least. It surrounds you and yells at you "More, more, more" . . in about a hundred different languages. D.C. is pretty diverse, but New York is Diverse, capital D. It's cool, don't get me wrong. I just didn't expect to notice. I don't even think twice about it in D.C.

Designer coats and boots and trendy everything. I loved that. "You know what I'm enjoying?", I said to New Girl. "Seeing what everyone is wearing". "I knew you were going to say that" she said. It was true. I was enjoying it . . but if I had to see it everyday, I'd always be wanting more . . and nicer . . and more expensive. I'd always be wanting to live in Upper West, to take a cab everywhere and not the subway, to only eat at the hidden little ethnic places because I wanted to and not because it was cheaper.

The plan to take the bus on Friday night was changed last minute, but good I suppose, because I felt less rushed. We arrived by 11:30am on Saturday morning. The 29th floor at a hotel in Upper East. We could see the water from our window. First stop - Dylan's Candybar, the most fun candy place I've ever visited. On to Rockefeller Center with the massive Christmas tree, Trump Tower, Radio City Music Hall, FAO Schwartz, NBC Studios, etc. Then it was shopping in Times Square - not a lot, just a little. The sidewalks were so crowded that we couldn't take full steps. I literally walked on my tiptoes. Walked right past Tim McGraw and his daughter actually! They were adorable . . all bundled up and holding hands.















































We showered up and headed to Greenwich Village. There, I tasted Ethiopian for the first time in the tiniest little place. It was "bring your own beverage", too, so we grabbed a bottle of wine. Great food. Across the street, we had tickets to a comedy club - nice intimate setting. One comedian out of six isn't bad - ha! Truly, three of them were awful - as in graphic and perverted - this went beyond shock factor, people. I loved Sherrod Small, though. (He's been on VH1 and Chris Rock, etc.) Afterward, we met up with New Girl's friends at a hipster bar that played underground music; the band was pretty good.



















Sunday morning, bright and early. I asked to skip Serendipity for ice skating in Central Park, and I'm glad I did. Ate at Mickey Mantle's across from the Park. We took the subway to Battery Park, walked down Wall Street, saw what was up of the 9/11 Memorial, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island from a distance. Our last destination was . . my first Broadway show! We saw "The Wedding Singer" at my request, because it ends in two weeks. It was so cute and funny. Seats in the second row. I love Laura Benanti! I'll definitely see another show someday.

























































And that was it. We got back to D.C. at 11:30pm on Sunday. Quite a trip for a day and a half, huh? And I know, I know - I need to see more. I want to see more. It was a lot of fun. There is so much to explore! But I'm glad to be back in D.C. for now. I love the nice, clean Metro (subway) and the cute neighborhoods and the highway that quickly leads you away from the city . . if you so desire . . and sometimes I do.

Will I Heart NYC?

Plans are being finalized for NYC. I’m excited and oh, so broke. Where the heck is my bonus?? Can’t complain about a free place to stay, though. New Girl’s mom is letting us use her Marriott points. Our itinerary has been laid out and don’t ask how we’re going to fit it all in. We have tickets to a comedy club and a Broadway show as well as dinner plans and much, much more. My week has already been booked, and I have two dates to blog about!

Walker sits . . and Walker walks!!

and here are some cute pics of my cousin's adorable home . . .

low key

That basically sums up my weekend.

Last night, New Girl and I began our Christmas shopping with purchases for our Angel Tree kids. Then, we picked up Listrani's pizza and watched "Nacho Libre" at my apartment. . Only we didn't finish it, because it was so random and weird. But after it was over, we began quoting it to one another . . which is so hilarious. The movie is funny after you watch it. Just like Napoleon Dynamite. And whadayaknow . . same creator. So now I want to watch the movie again . . sort of.

This morning, I had a Christmas brunch with my Bible study friends. I love those girls! They are so much fun! I've mentioned KC, Kentucky Girl, and Bruin Girl before, but there are four more girls in Bible study. We had chocolate chip pancakes, bacon, fruit salad, and banana walnut muffins. Our gift exchange was fun, too - it was the 'number gift exchange' where you have the opportunity to choose from the pile of gifts or steal someone else's. Only one person chose to steal a gift from someone, so Bruin Girl said we had to go through again because it would be much more fun with gift-stealing. I was against it because I loved the gift I had (an Express ring). . but fortunately I still came away with a good gift (chocolate and a Barnes & Noble gift certificate). I gave the new Justin Timberlake CD and some chocolate truffles, which happened to be quite popular . . because who doesn't want to bring sexy back?

I went with Bruin Girl and her roommates to pick out a Christmas tree for her house. And once I got there, the smell of fresh fir trees was too much and I just had to get a real tree for our apartment. I came home with a baby tree, a table topper. So cute.

I baby-sat Baby Walker tonight. He's walking now . . and as adorable as ever. As usual, the time flew by too fast and it was soon time for bed. I was incredibly blessed by the gift that Cousin J and K gave me for watching him/Christmas.

Tomorrow will be my last uneventful day for a week . . I have three Christmas parties, a birthday party, a date, and a trip to New York City coming up!

I don't believe in Santa

What has happened to Christmas music? I’m a pretty open person when it comes to different types of music and I love spicing up the Christmas tunes, as well. Christmas rock, Christmas pop, Christmas hip-hop, and of course some Christmas Country. But Santa sings? What is enjoyable about listening to “Santa” (who by the way sounds like he’s been popping the gym candy) sing about wanting to be a popstar? NOTHING. Nothing at all. I found this fantastic site called Pandora where you can tailor the station to play only music that you enjoy. And when it comes to my Christmas station, anything that “Santa sings” is getting a big thumbs-down from me.

Bake-Off

As if I needed another excuse to make pumpkin cookies, we had a Holiday Cookie Bake-Off at work yesterday. Now we don’t half-a$$ anything over here, so even when it comes to having a little fun, we do it right. The coordinators of the competition explained the rules (there were seven), chose a “panel of experts” to judge the cookies, and laid out the judging criteria. Name and cookie creativity were strongly encouraged. And over 20% of our office participated! My favorites were probably the “Gingerbread Clients” which were huge gingerbread men with our clients’ logos done in frosting! I also liked the “Holiday Burgers”, although I suggested the baker be disqualified since no actual baking was involved. They are actually vanilla wafers with a thin mint in the middle and (I think) layers of frosting. I enjoyed watching people cautiously try my cookies (appearances can be deceiving), really like my cookies and then tell the person next to them.

looking forward

New Girl walks in this morning and I hear: “Ok, let me see what you’re wearing, because I know you put in extra effort today.”

She’s referring to the Wisconsin reunion tonight, which means The Lobbyist will be there. And she’s wrong, I didn’t spend more time getting ready today . . I decided and tried on my outfit last night. I’m wearing my black wool pencil skirt with knee-high boots and a black and white striped button-down under an orange cashmere sweater. I also pulled out my new long light blue wool coat, because Brrrrr, it’s cold outside!! I won’t lie, I am looking forward to happy hour tonight at Morton’s with everyone . . and having something to look forward to sure makes the day fly by.

Also helping to make the day enjoyable was the discovery of large boxes of Godiva chocolate in the cafeteria. Milk chocolate assortments, a biscuit collection, a box of truffles, tray upon tray of chocolate decadence! I’ve already more than made up for yesterday’s lack of calorie intake.

back up in the country

Oh the fun that last night was!

Nearly a year and no country dancing?! I missed it so much. I even demonstrated a dance for my friends in Wisconsin . . haha. Yes, I am a dork. But you know that everyone was wishing they could country line dance. They wanted to move their hips like that. Ooh, and that kick ball step I did . . their faces were green with envy.

Last night, Uncle A called me up and told me he was headed to the annual Kickers Christmas party. And I was able to tell him that finally I was going country dancing again. I had heard of this country bar and even made friends here that had been and wanted to go again. Somehow, it took six months to make it happen.

KC (my old roommate), her guy friend, and Kentucky Girl (who went to college in KY and is country through and through) headed out last night for some serious country dancing. Kentucky Girl exclaimed "I haven't seen this many rednecks since I moved here. This is SO refreshing!" (Around here, you need a reprieve from the popped collars and oxfords.) I did karaoke to "Piece of my Heart" and attempted to get behind some pros and learn new line dances. They did a few that I already knew, too.

KC suddenly got tired and wanted to leave after only an hour! Reluctantly, Kentucky Girl and I headed out the door with her. I saw a group of six clean-cut guys pile out of a car and in about .7 seconds, the following things ran through my head: clean-cut, probably not all dangerous, coming to a country bar, not with any girls yet, can grab a cab if plan goes bad.

"Hey, do you guys want to give us a ride home tonight?"

"YEEAAHH!!"

"You're not going to drink too much are you?"

"Noooo, we're definitely taking it easy tonight."

Kentucky Girl and I turn to KC, "Bye! See you later!" (Keep in mind, she was still with her guy friend and not going home all alone.)

The gang of FBI guys were very nice and respectful and lots of fun. None of them got out of hand or had a lot to drink. I taught one (very cute) guy how to two-step and a couple of them came out on the dance floor with us to *try* to line dance.

We had such a blast and were safely driven home at the end of the night. Kentucky Girl and I have plans to make this a weekly (if not more frequent) occurrence.

a very unjuicy post

My one chance to have a night at home relaxing (or actually cleaning my room) this week was ruined when New Girl convinced me to go to the dinner our department was hosting. If I went, it meant I’d have to host a table. It also meant I’d get to see a bunch of people I met in Milwaukee (for the conference) last month . . plus I’d get to meet more people. To network or not to network . . that was the question.

“Iiiii don’t think I wanna go”, I said not very convincingly.

“L, you might as well just give in now, because you know I’m going to convince you to go,” she said.

I ended up having a fabulous time. I did meet new people and see familiar faces, not to mention have a delicious Chinese dinner (and I’m not even a Chinese fan). The best dish looked absolutely disgusting. It was an actual whole fish (tail and all) with sauce all over it. The outside was crunchy with the most delicious, tender white meat on the inside. It was so strange, though, breaking off a piece of the fish to put on your plate! After dinner, four of us (from my department) took off our “work hats” and put on our “friend hats” and told stories about work. My (probably future) boss even told me her first thoughts upon interviewing me.

So The Lobbyist gave me a ride home from work last night. And it was good. Sometimes he acts all “I’m cool and can still act young and fun and not 35”, which I don’t like, but last night he was totally himself, and we had a nice talk on the ride home. So far everything he says leads me to believe he’s solid in his walk with God, so . . . good! we can be friends. Don't know if it will ever be more than that, but I just love getting to know other people who have a passion for the Lord!

I'm completely stressed and upset right now about reasons I can't write about since I know way too many people who read this blog (Dangit, this blog would be much juicier and real if it was more private). I'm going for a run.