Riding on the Metro...

My Adorable Nephew Toby

2009-08-28T15:58:00.001-07:00

Isn't he the most beautiful baby ever?

So Much has Happened!

2009-08-24T08:26:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in a long time and I guess it was because I was so busy. My sister got married in May, I was in her wedding which was beautiful. I went to Turkey, my first Muslim country ever. Then I went to Italy and took Ryan with me for his birthday. Here is what Ryan wrote about the trip:

A Little City Called Rome and Something Shiny
A couple of weeks ago, my girlfriend Heather found out she would be headed to Rome, Italy for work. Knowing that my birthday was on the 11th of July, she invited me to come along with her. The plan was that we’d be able to spend time together when she wasn’t working during the day, and also tack on a couple of extra vacation days at the end of her trip.

When I realized the trip was actually going to happen, I knew it was my chance to do something really big. I mean, really BIG!

You see, Rome is Heather’s favorite place in the world. The architecture, the people, the food ... it is all amazing ... While living in Rome as an undergraduate, Heather learned Italian and fell in love with the Eternal City. I figured there would be no better place to surprise her.

Earlier in the week, we had visited Villa Borghese (Rome’s Central Park). We happened upon the most romantic restaurant I have ever encountered. Nestled away in the park, overlooking Rome and the Vatican City from it’s terrace, the Casina Valadier provides the most breathtaking view from your table (and amazing food!) “This will be perfect.” I thought to myself.

Since we were absolutely exhausted from spending the 11th at a Mediterranean beach (I know, tough life, right?), we decided to switch our reservations for the evening of the 12th for the celebratory dinner.

I must have checked my suit jacket one hundred times on the way over to the restaurant that evening, making sure my "gift" was secure.

We arrived at the restaurant just as the sun was setting behind the Roman skyline. Beautiful.

I made extra effort to make Heather think that my reason for ordering champagne once we were seated was to celebrate my birthday. Shortly after toasting my 32nd birthday, I took Heather’s hand into mine. I looked into her beautiful, blue eyes, and began telling her how much she meant to me …

Shortly thereafter, I was on bended knee, ring extended; my heart open.

Yes.

We’re engaged!

We spent the rest of the dinner taking in the view and talking about the rest of our lives together.

After dinner, we walked over to the Spanish Steps. There in the Piazza di Spagna, a horse and carriage awaited us for a tour of Rome under the moonlight.

We tossed coins into the Trevi fountain, vowing to return to our favorite place in the world, which now has a deeper, stronger meaning to both of us.

A New Year... and no Posts Yet.

2009-03-10T17:38:00.000-07:00

I just realized that it has been forever since I wrote anything new. Since October, I haven't really moved too much closer to buying a place of my own, but I have been saving money. Which, for me, is a huge step. The holidays were good, lots of family time. And I'm still very happily dating my boyfriend. So life is pretty sweet. Here are a few things I've been up to in the last two months.

We went down to the Mall with about a million other people to see Barack Obama sworn in on Inaurguration Day. It was an amazing experience. Somehow in Washington, DC (often called the Crime Capital) more than a million people from all over the world were able to gather together and enjoy a united feeling of hope and joy.... And no one was arrested or hurt or anything. Pretty cool.

My boyfriend and I also went on our first vacation together. We found a great deal on flights and hotel in Las Vegas, so we snatched it up. We stayed at the Planet Hollywood Hotel, it was very nice, very chic, very fabulous. Maybe not Bellagio fabulous, but still very good.

We went to some shows, ate a lot of food, played a little blackjack, experienced the weird hooker card street vendors and just enjoyed the cheesiness in general. We also took a day trip up to the Valley of Fire, which had crazy rock formations and beautiful colors.

Growing Up?

2008-10-26T17:52:00.000-07:00

So, I think I have decided on whether I want to rent or buy. I looked over my finances and thought about my pro and con list, and I think buying a place would be a good choice. I won't be able to act on that decision for a bit, since I will need to save up a bit of money for a down payment. But I feel like I have a direction and now I get to work toward my goal.

It feels a little weird though to think of myself as old enough and established enough to even be considering this step in my life. I probably should get over that though, since I am in my thirties now.

Who wants to be a Millionaire?

2008-09-22T16:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I went into the city and watched the ING Direct Cycling Criterium. I didn't know what that was either. Apparently, a criterium, or crit, is a type of bike race held on a short course (usually less than 5 km), often run on closed-off city centre streets. My BF is into cycling, he wanted to go, and it ended up being a really fun day. The weather was awesome, the race was fun to watch and we ended up getting free cute, little orange cow bells. Very cool. I took a quick video of the final two laps, the annoying high picked noise is everyone ringing their cow bells like a bunch of maniacs. Can anyone say, "More cow bell?"

On our way back to Virginia we ended up going past a condo building my BF had been telling me about, The Odyssey in Arlington. He can see it from his office and really thought it looked cool. So we drove around it and then found out they were having an open house. So we thought, why not pretend like we were able to afford the place and go inside. It was crazy! The one unit we went to was 1.2 million dollars.... Yeah, Million! For a two bedroom condo. It was insane. The whole one side of the unit was windows and it overlooked DC. It was so pretty. But my favorite part was the kitchen. The appliances were amazing and the whole layout was so open. If anything the whole experience just made me sad that I'm "poor" and can only afford a condo one sixteenth that price.

We did go to a more affordable unit. It was an efficiency, but the layout was again, really open. It didn't feel like a studio at all. Only problem was it was going for $349k, which I felt was a bit much for a condo. Ok and also out of my price range. But it was really cool! Oh well, I guess I will have to eventually come back to earth and maybe look at things within my budget.

Decisions Decisions

2008-09-11T16:32:00.000-07:00

Going through my finances and looking at apartments, has made me also think about possibly buying a condo. I found out I could afford it, but only after I save for a few months. Now I have to decide, do I want to move right away into an apartment and continually pay rent until maybe years from now when I might have saved enough money to buy a place? OR do I want to stay in my current windowless apartment which is not as close to the city as I would like, but save up a good amount of money so that possibly if the market stays good for buyers I could buy a condo?

Here is my Pros and Cons list:

Apartment
Pros
Get to move now
Won't have to fix things myself
Could have cool amenities
Could change places after a year
Dishwasher
Washer/Dryer
Windows

Cons
Have to pack now
Rent could raise
Could have insects
Could have weird neighbors
Landlord might stink, not actually smell just be horrible

Condo
Pros
Can paint it
Can hang things on the wall
Could redecorate
Could upgrade appliances
Windows
Hopefully Dishwasher
Hopefully Washer/Dryer
Would get a tax break
Feel grown up (not sure if this is pro or con)
Could make some money when I sell it
Good investment?

Cons
Have to Paint it
Might have to do some work
Could lose money when sold
Condo association
Condo fees
Have to fix things when they break

My lists aren't done, so far I'm no closer to a decision. If anyone has any advice, I would greatly appreciate the help. Thanks!

Home is where the heart is.

2008-09-08T16:23:00.000-07:00

Recently I started researching and scrutinizing apartments to find a new home. I'm not moving far, I haven't changed jobs, nothing like that. I just feel like after living in the same apartment building since my last year in college maybe a change would be nice. So I have begun scouring the Internet and itemizing my budget to figure out what I want and what I can afford. Why is that so difficult?

I have some musts... Such as must have windows. Not something that many people think of as an amenity when searching apartments, but after living in a windowless apartment for four years, I need windows! Second and a bit more luxurious, a dishwasher. Ahh, to have a machine to wash my dishes for me. That would be the life. In that line of luxurious amenities, I would also like a washer/dryer in my own apartment... yes, my own clothes washing machine. Something that needs no coins and my neighbor, the roofer, won't put his tar filled clothes into. I don't think that is asking too much.

My search has only started, I haven't seen many places yet. But last weekend, my boyfriend and I went to look at three in the Alexandria area. We started off with what we felt at the end of the weekend, was the best. Which was unfortunate for the later two, it had a lot to live up to. The first place, Riverside, had awesome amenities (not just windows, it also had a fitness center with aerobics room and classes!) and it was super pretty! Which you know is very important when finding an apartment. The only problem with the Riverside was that I haven't decided if I want to pay that much for rent yet. I guess I'll have to figure that out after I see more places.

The second place was cute and the amenities were cool, everything just seemed a little less polished as the Riverside. Plus with the extra fees it felt a bit like I would be nickel and dimed to death. The last place was the worst. The apartments themselves weren't horrible, they were actually cute and very affordable. It was the halls and the outside of the building that gave me a very distinct feeling that I might be bludgeoned to death near my car or raped in the hallway. Also every single hallway had its own distinct mixture of the aromas of old buttered popcorn, curry and gym socks and a few other things that could not be distinguished.

At the end of the weekend, the first of many apartment hunting weekends I'm sure, I feel slightly more unsure of where I might be able to find an affordable, yet non stinky safe apartment with the three things I need.

Ok People!

2008-08-25T16:06:00.000-07:00

I'm sort of getting burnt out on blogging, at least about everyday life. So I think I've decided to mostly leave this blog for when I have trips or am planning trips or doing fabulous things... you know stuff like that ;-) At the moment, I'm working and spending time with my boyfriend. Which by the way is a new development since the beginning of the summer. So... I kind of have nothing else to blog about.

My family went to Bethany Beach a week ago for our summer vacation. It was awesome and relaxing and way too short. But blogging about that would read something like this: Day 1 - Beach, Day 2 - Beach, Day 3 - Beach, and so on.... not extremely riveting. I did get a suggestion to write a food blog about going out to restaurants. So we will see, I'll keep you posted... you know since I have so many readers!

Did you know I was famous?

2008-07-30T13:27:00.000-07:00

Sorry

2008-07-18T20:54:00.001-07:00

I've been a little busy.

Another Trip

2008-06-22T06:32:00.000-07:00

I just got back from another trip to Europe. This time I went to Ljubljana, Slovenia and London, England. Since I had never been to Slovenia before I took a lot of pictures there... also because it was BEAUTIFUL!!
We also drove up to Bled, Slovenia one afternoon. It is a beautiful lake at the bottom of the Alps with a cute little island in the middle. Also there was a castle on the hill, this was the view from it.
I fell in love with Ljubljana, there were cafes all along the river, everyone was super nice and the weather was pretty nice almost everyday.

And here are a few of me in London.

I had a pretty awesome time!

Wrap Up

2008-05-30T05:59:00.000-07:00

I realized a few days ago that May was a very, very busy month for me and I did a mess of stuff. But I forgot to write anything about any of it. So here is my wrap up of May.

My friend and I took the bus up to New York City for a girl weekend. We stayed with my cousin in Brooklyn and had a great time. We shopped on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn. I bought these AWESOME pink shoes at Catbird, I know that doesn't sound cool, but believe me they are the hottest shoes I own. Plus the store was super cute. I also bought a very cute top at Pema.
Then we saw a comedy show and ate at a Thai place that night, so of course I got to wear my new clothes! Our second day in the city we went to the Brooklyn Museum and the Botanical Gardens. They were having their cherry blossom festival, so it was a good day for people watching and the weather was beautiful.

I also went to see a few shows. The new Shakespeare Theater had Anthony and Cleopatra, so I went to that after work on day with my friend. The play was good and we had a good time, but I think the highlight to the evening was just seeing the new theater. It was beautiful.
A friend and I also went to the Flight of the Conchords show.... funniest thing I've seen is a long time. I have such a huge crush on those boys! I don't know if it their nerdiness, their music, their jokes or their accents that I like the best, but I'm such a Brettrosexual and a bit of a Jermaniac. If you have never seen them and have no idea what I'm talking about... Google them! They are HILARIOUS!!
I did a few other things this month, but those were definitely the top three.

Something Cute

2008-05-18T18:50:00.000-07:00

My niece Lucy is adorable, I'm not biased really. She decided to read a bedtime story to her Aunt Katie, it was awesome.

Sorry

2008-04-21T17:02:00.000-07:00

Just in case anyone actually reads this, sorry for the break in between posts. From working a weird schedule at work for a few weeks, enjoying the start of spring and feeling a little stumped with writing, I hadn't really thought of much to say.

Lately though, I've been trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up. My current job is not bad and could be a fine career for me. But I am feeling like when I look back, much later on, I don't want to see endless days spent in a cubicle in front of a computer as the sum of my life. When in college, I thought being a travel writer would be an awesome job. I could see the world, experience other cultures, learn new languages and be outside. I have no idea how to go about pursuing this job and there is no set path. Probably being a writer first would be a good step.

Half of my problem in pursuing my dream is that I'm scared. I have no idea if anything I write would be any good. I was an English Lit major in school, I read books and wrote research papers, I didn't write anything creatively. Creative Writing. That probably would have been a better major choice, hindsight is always clearer.

I think the other half of the problem is that at this point in my life I finally am making enough money to support myself. If I totally switched career paths I would probably have to take a pay cut. Which I guess I could suck up and do, but I have bills and responsibilities... so do I want to?

Oregon Part 2

2008-03-30T07:48:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I did get a bit lazy about typing... although I don't think anyone actually noticed.

My cousin's wedding in Oregon was great fun and a good time for my family to get together. There were some funny things I noticed about the event though. About half the people in attendance seemed to feel that flannels and jeans were proper wedding attire. Didn't bother me, just found it a humorous split in the crowd between "The Flannel/Jeans" and "The Tuxedos." Also, during the exchange of the rings, my cousin (always the comedian) took a swig from a flask handed to him by the best man and then proceeded to pass the flask to the other boys. Silly boys.
The rest of my trip was spent in Eugene, Oregon at my uncle's new place, which was huge and on top of a hill in the woods. It was a great place to have the family hang out, eat a lot, play poker and enjoy the view from the top of the hill.

We also took mom and dad to the coast, since the girls and I had enjoyed going there when we were out West for our road trip. The only problem was that it rained all day. But we were not going to let that stop us from having a good time and taking pictures.

We had a great time, I can't wait to go back!

Now Some Pictures

2008-03-23T13:18:00.000-07:00

The Chinese Garden in Portland

Congrats Cous!

2008-03-20T17:13:00.000-07:00

I returned home Tuesday after being in Oregon for a week. My cousin got married to his longtime girlfriend in Portland and we all partied hard. It was such a West Coast affair, three minute ceremony and hours of dancing. Pretty Nice.

My trip started in Portland. My sister and I had to wait for my other sister's flight to come in. So we had plenty of time to explore Portland. First we had lunch at Kell's Irish Pub, since it wouldn't really be Saint Patty's Day without going to one. We went to the Chinese Garden on a tip from our waiter. What a cool place! Then we drove around a bit and found Pittock Mansion, it was incredibly beautiful. Before we headed back to the airport, we ended the evening at Powell's Bookstore. I even got to go to a book reading by Joshilyn Jackson (The Girl Who Stopped Swimming) she was very cool, I bought her book and I will have to post later about what I think.

Day one in Oregon was pretty packed. Day two was much more laid back. We got into Eugene super late the night before, so we slept in as long as possible. Than we got to hang out with the family, see my uncle's new home and try to stay warm during all the rain.

We headed back to Portland the next day and got to see the place where the wedding would be, McMenamins Edgefield. It was a crazy, cool place. We had the rehearsal dinner and the wedding there. They had a winery, brewery, golf course, distillery, pubs, restaurants, spa and pool hall there. I got myself over to the spa for a pedicure, it was the nicest pedicure I have ever had!!

Not only did my toes look great, but I had a glass of wine and a nice setting to top it off. I'll finish up my trip and post pictures next post, since this is getting a bit long.

Lucky Charms

2008-03-11T18:28:00.000-07:00

Sunday I kicked off my St. Patrick's Day celebrating early by going to The Pogues concert. My girlfriend from work took me for my birthday. It was a sold out concert at the 9:30 Club. It was great. The music was fun, the band rocked, and we just danced and danced... I even met a cute Irish boy! It was a pretty great night.

Thanks Megs!

Good Times

2008-03-09T09:40:00.000-07:00

Another year has past and another birthday. I had a party at my place, so I was a bit stressed out with all the prep work. But I think it really paid off and everyone had fun. Here are a few before shots:

And a few from the shindig:

Congratulations Nikki & Ryan!!!!

2008-03-02T08:13:00.000-08:00

My cousin Nikki and her husband, Ryan, just had their baby girl, Linnea Grace, a few days ago. I can't wait to plan my trip up to Chicago to see her.

They also made a blog for their new family. http://thedanielsingeneva.blogspot.com/

So, this is why I wrote that last one.

2008-02-26T18:44:00.000-08:00

Audio or video devices are allowed as long as you use headphones.

I was too tired last night to really type out much, but I'm getting a little tired of being able to hear other people's music through their head and my own music! Seriously?!?! Is that absolutely necessary?

I realized after I posted this a few days ago that maybe I was too sleepy or tired to notice that I didn't really make any sense. Since technically the people I was upset with actually were following the rules by having their headphones on... So Maybe I should have posted that I think the rule needs to be changes and say something like this:

Audio or video devices are allowed as long as you use headphones and the volume on said devices are at a reasonable level... No one needs to hear the music that is being broadcasted through your head!

Why Can't Some People Follow These?

2008-02-25T18:42:00.000-08:00

Metro rules and manners

Please don't eat, drink, smoke or litter on Metro vehicles or in the stations. Metro Transit Police issue citations or make arrests to enforce the law.

Audio or video devices are allowed as long as you use headphones.

Let passengers get off the bus or train before you board.

Be courteous. Seats next to the doors are reserved for senior citizens and riders with disability. Please give your seat to someone who needs it more than you.

Put trash in trash bins and newspapers in the newspaper recycling bins.

When riding the escalators, stand to the right, walk on the left.

Please give seniors priority when using the elevators.

Something else

2008-02-18T14:21:00.000-08:00

So if my last post wasn't bizarre enough, here is something else to add to the story. For those not familiar with Missed Connections, on Craigslist you can post "ads" for people who you felt you had a connection with, but have no way of contacting them.

Last week when I got back to work, I was still amazed by the events of last Friday, so I was telling my girlfriends and my gay boyfriend all about that guy. Well, my one friend said he thought my situation sounded like something he had read on the Missed Connections. He told me what the ad said and I knew immediately it was for me. I would put the link up, but I just went to go check for it online and apparently Craigslist only holds the ads for up to a week. So here is what it said:

Had a blast chatting, dancing and laughing with you (and your friends) at the Rock-it bar in Alexandria. I should... have taken you up on your offer for a ride but thanks to the two creepy out of towners picking up my bar tab (still perplexed at that one) and the seemingly endless round of Mandarin Orange Vodka and Red Bulls I had a bit more to drink then one possibly should have and I did realize it. I also realized that home ASAP was my best option and a mature decision and I hope you can understand that.

Hopefully we can connect again and next time maybe coffee would be an intelligent option. I know of a great little hole in the wall that is a best kept DC secret and the service isn't that bad either.

That was nice, but I feel like he conveniently forgot to mention his weird offer to go home with me. Maybe he had so many drinks he couldn't figure out that he was the one who asked me that.

Wow! Really?

2008-02-10T16:29:00.000-08:00

My weekend was pretty normal. I ran errands, vegged out, got a few things done around my apartment and even got to hang out with my friends a bit. The weird part of my weekend happened on Friday night.

I went to a karaoke night with a few of my friends... I didn't sing, just enjoyed the entertainment. I arrived before my friends and ended up feeling stupid at the bar for a bit. These two old guys started talking to me and it was weirdly uncomfortable. They were nice old guys... but #1 I don't date old guys and #2 they had been drinking a bit. There was a tall nerdy guy on the other side of me and I started bringing him into the conversation for safety. I kind of have a thing for tall nerdy guys, so I thought that was an added bonus.

After my friends arrived, tall nerdy guy kept hanging out with me and we chatted a bit. We ended up having a few things in common and I started feeling like hanging out with my friends might have more benefits than just having fun with friends.

When I was tired and ready to go home, tall nerdy guy said he would walk me to my car. We got outside and he asked if I wanted to go get a beer or something.... I reminded him that I was driving. To which he replied that we could go get a water at 7-Eleven... I really didn't know what to say to that one. So I offered to take him to the metro, but he said he wasn't ready to end the evening and would go with me where ever I was headed. I was shocked, but simply said "I'm going back to my home alone." I thought this would have been the normal time for a guy to say something like, "well, I'd really like to see you again, can I give you a call sometime?" But instead he said, "OK, well I'm not really ready to end the evening and I'm going to go back inside." I said, "Alright?!?!? (looking at him like I was saying, WHAT?)" and the said "ok, see you around." And he just said ok... didn't ask for my number or for a date or anything. As if because I wasn't going to take him home with me than there was no reason to see me again? I really wanted to say something to him like, "Hope you have a good time trying to find a stupid, drunk slutty girl!"

Seriously!?! What is it with dudes these days? Did he really think I was going to sleep with him after knowing him for like three hours? I know the answer to that one, it is just super annoying and stupid. And the MOST annoying part of the whole thing was that he wasn't even that cute! What an idiot.

Bad Day

2008-02-05T16:16:00.000-08:00

Quite possibly today I was already annoyed from things at work, but I felt like people on the metro were more of a pain in my behind than usual. It all started on my way home from work. I was waiting on the platform... like everyone else. I had even let one green line train (my line) go by because there were way too many people rushing for the door. So I wasn't in any sort of mad rush. I mean, I like to get home, but I have the ability to wait 2 minutes for the next train rather than pushing my way onto an already packed train.

OK, so I'm on the platform in the spot that I always stand in because I know the door will be close when the train pulls up. (that possibly makes me sound crazy, but I just ride the metro too much and I have a routine) I'm standing on the platform as close as I feel is humanly possible without being hit by the train. The train pulls up and the door lands practically right in front of me. I take one step closer to the train, so that now I could touch the train if I put my arm out in front of me. I'm on the side of the door (to be curious to the people who are exiting the train) and some crazy, pushing woman slides in front of me, right in between my body and the train!

I don't know what she thought I was doing standing on a train platform, waiting for my train and stepping closer to my train. But apparently to exhibit my intentions, I should have been kissing the train! Sorry I wasn't obvious enough for you!

What is with all the rude people? Next time, I think I will say something... or I will just stretch my arm out in front of me and clothesline someone..... or I will push them onto the tracks and ask them if that got them close enough to the train!

In Need of a Little Advice

2008-01-29T15:35:00.000-08:00

In the past few weeks I have obtained a slight dilemma, which I can't decide on how to handle. So I'm hoping that the few people who read my blog might be able to help me out. Here it is:

I received a phone call (voicemail) from a person I used to be friends with about five or six years ago when we used to work together. She was a bit crazy when I knew her, but she was one of the only other girls at work and we bonded. We had good times and we had some bad times. Not between us, but rather because of her I was put in some bizarre and possibly dangerous situations. They weren't all really dangerous except for the time I thought I would be a good girl friend and help her move her stuff out of her apartment she shared with her fiancee.... he came home, words were exchanged and the next thing I know I'm explaining to the police why we shouldn't be questioned. If it hadn't been for me not being a raving lunatic, my "friend" would have gone to the police station.

OK, so that was an extreme situation, but you get the point. I got a new job and we drifted apart. I felt bad and ended up hanging out with her one more time a year or so after that. It wasn't horrible but she mentioned something about me getting fat since the last time she had seen me. I don't think I'm a super vain person, but that hurt and I didn't really feel like I should go out of my way to hang out with her.
So now, three or four years later I get a random voicemail from her seeing how I'm doing. I didn't know what to do and hadn't called her back. Then about a week later she called me again. I'm torn. On one hand I feel like she is reaching out and honestly checking in to see how I have been. But on the other hand, she could just be calling me so that I could possibly get her out something and using me.

What should I do??

Still Working

2008-01-27T08:16:00.000-08:00

During the last few weeks I have been getting over a cold, working a different shift without a weekend and went on vacation, so my workout schedule hasn't been all that regular. But I haven't stopped exercising! Just in case anyone really cares.

OK, not to sound like someone who is not me, since I'm not a workout addict, so don't hate me. I actually missed working out during the days that I skipped going to the gym! I know, it is weird. I think I might be turning into someone who enjoys exercise..... I guess anything is possible now.

Bonita Miami

2008-01-21T14:08:00.000-08:00

I'm back home to chilly DC and missing Miami already. We arrived Thursday night and the weather was such a wonderful change. Thursday morning in DC the snow started, so I was a little worried about actually getting to start my weekend getaway. But I escaped the cold and just in time.

Friday it was 80 degrees and we headed to South Beach. We had a great lunch at the Beacon and watched all the beautiful people walking by. Friday night we had dinner at Sushi Samba, a cool place on Lincoln Road, and then did a little salsa dancing at Salsa Mia at Yuca. The people there (not me) even did that awesome Cuban Rueda dance like from that movie Dance With Me. Is that retarded that I just admitted that I've watched that movie? More than once? oh well, guess I'm a nerd. Check out their site, they have video clips of everyone dancing. It is the same club that Giada De Laurentiis went to on her Weekend Getaway show, pretty cool!

Saturday was also a sunny day, not 80 but still nice. The girls and I had a spa day after a luxurious breakfast. Then we ended up doing some shopping and having dinner at a Nicaraguan restaurant in Miami Lakes.

Sunday was a bit rainy and chilly, but my friend and I went to South Beach again to walk around and look at all the hotels. The Art Deco Festival was going on along Ocean Drive, so there were street performers and booths selling crafts. But we just focused on the hotels and buildings. My friend is an architect and had never been to Miami before, so she was very excited about looking at and inside all the hotels. We ended up eating lunch at Wish, which was fabulous, and just generally enjoyed the sites. We ended the day with going back to our friend's place and hanging out with her Colombian family.

It was a great time and a good way to warm up during one of the coldest weeks this winter.

2008 Plans

2008-01-07T13:38:00.000-08:00

The New Year's Parties are over and people are back to work... now the January and February doldrums are ahead of us.

Not for me though! This weekend I bought my tickets for two trips. I'll be heading off to Miami in a few weeks, just for a quick weekend getaway. Then in March I'm going to Oregon. That trip is for my cousin's wedding and mostly will be with family, but I'm really looking forward to it.

Having trips to look forward to really helps cheer me up.

Good Times!

2007-12-27T18:20:00.000-08:00

I hope that everyone had as good a Christmas as me and my family did. I know my niece Lucy enjoyed herself. You should see how much she likes the Chipmunks.

Merry Christmas!!

2007-12-21T17:15:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays to everyone!

Sorry for the slight lag in between posts. I finally finished all my Christmas shopping and have wrapped all the gifts. I even got all of my cards in the mail. So now I'm able to just enjoy my vacation with my family. Aaaaahhhh! That is my sigh or relief, in case that wasn't apparent.

May everyone's holiday be happy, filled with warm memories, tasty food, and may the next year bring you joy.... or for my single girls out there, loads of BOYS!

Getting rid of the Winter Blues

2007-12-09T08:58:00.000-08:00

Ever since the weather has cooled down I've been sort of in a little funk. I guess everyone suffers a bit from that. So instead of sitting around watching too much TV and eating my way through the winter. I decided to try and get out of my apartment and be social, going to as many holiday parties or outings as possible. Also my friend talked me into joining her gym so that we could start working out together.

About a week ago we went to our first class. It was called BLAH, for Butt, Legs, Abs and Hips. I said that it really stood for how you would feel after the class.... which was very accurate. The trainer was intent on making us hurt, which is good for getting me in shape but sucks while you are working out. The last thing you want to hear the instructor say after the first set of an exercise is "you guys don't seem to be in pain, let's do more reps of that one!" YUCK! BLAH!

So here is my super embarrassing moment from the first BLAH class. It was an aerobic class and we used a mat, a weighted bar and a step. Within the first ten minutes of class we were doing some exercises on the step. I guess my legs weren't used to all the stepping or something. Halfway through the one step exercise I totally fell. I didn't just stumble or catch myself before falling. I completely fell on my butt! There were only seven people in the class and everyone was facing my direction, so everyone saw me. It was retarded! I just got up, finished the class, and tried not to feel too stupid. It isn't like I haven't fallen before in public, so I guess I should be used to it. Oh well! I made some friends right away since we all had a laugh about that.

Now I'm working out on a regular basis (it has only been a week or so) and I think I've gotten out of the funk. And hopefully getting into shape.

I Don't Think I Even Have to Say Anything

2007-11-27T11:41:00.000-08:00

The only thing I do need to say is, What is with all the red on the East Coast????

Any good stories?

2007-11-21T09:50:00.000-08:00

Dating in DC can be interesting. I know I have said that before, but after going to lunch with my friend and laughing hysterically, I feel like I need to give some examples. Lately I haven’t had any dating stories to tell, not even funny ones. However, I have had some rather good stories from years past.

But first, let me tell you what my friend said happened to her. She went out with a guy last year or something during the summer. He had been in the Peace Corp in Romania, near Transylvania. They met up for a drink, she wore shorts and he wore long sleeves and pants. She said he was rather pasty, which isn’t bad just part of the story. When they got inside of the bar, he asked if they could go downstairs to the basement (where it was dark). While they chit chatted over drinks, he asked her what her favorite musical instrument was. She said she was sort of thrown by that question but answered it and then returned the question. To which he answered, the pipe organ! He said that he really started to like it while he was in the Peace Corp! She said the thing that really clinched it for her was that when he smiled she noticed that he had very pronounced and sharp canine teeth. Ha Ha! I asked her if during the date she felt the need to pull out a mirror or get some garlic or something.

I have not had any dates with vampires, but I have had some pretty bad dates. When I was a few years younger and believed I was going through a dry spell in my dating life. (Little did I know it only got worse) I met up with a guy from the internet. After this experience, I learned the lesson of talking to the person online for more then two emails and getting more pictures. But I was young and naïve. I told this guy, lets call him Fry (since his name was almost as bad), to meet me in a public place, I at least knew enough there. When he walked up to me I was a bit disappointed, but I felt bad for having those thoughts and told myself not to be so shallow, he is probably nice. So we headed off to the Natural History Museum. We walked around a bit and the conversation was mostly on his end. I don’t really remember everything he said at the time (it was a while ago). I do remember how I felt, which was BORED! After walking around for a bit, he had to go to the bathroom. So I was left in the middle of the museum lobby, by the elephant and wishing I had stayed home to do my laundry. I kept checking my watch and it seemed, at the time, like he had been in there forever. I started to think about how I could escape, just walk right past that elephant and out the door. It was that easy, just leave. You don’t owe this guy anything, he was boring. Just leave… The next thing I knew I was running past all the school children, practically pushing them out of my way like George Costanza and I was out the doors.

It was at that point that I thought what a bad decision that was. How once that poor guy gets out of the bathroom he is going to wonder what on earth happened to his date. How it might scare him away from dating anyone for a little while. But after I was outside, the smell of freedom was intoxicating. Plus, it would have really sucked to have had to explain to Fry why I was walking through the entrance again. So I went home, feeling slightly bad but only for a bit. By the time I made it home and explained why my date was over to my parents. The phone rang. It was Fry. My mom made me talk to him (something about feeling bad for the underdog). I apologized and tried to make the situation sound reasonable. His response was what really erased all regret from my mind. He scolded me! O.K. I know I had just run out on the guy, but I was young, internet dating was very new, potentially dangerous and my apology (I thought) was very well grounded. After he scolded me and tried to make me feel guilty enough to go out with him again or something. I pretty much told him “I don’t know you, I don’t owe you anything and you can’t scold me you aren’t my mother. Bye!”

Now that everyone thinks I’m a cold hearted devil…. No seriously, I do feel bad about how I handled that situation, but I can’t change that now and it only makes for a funny story ten years (or more) later. Please tell me any funny/bad dating stories you might have. They don’t even have to be from DC. I know people have them and we can all bond over our experiences.

Looking back

2007-11-14T13:42:00.000-08:00

Now that I have had sufficient time to recover from my jet lag, I find myself in the post vacation blues. I am still half packed from my trip (completely sad and disgusting I know, but I did have a weekend trip to Chicago in there), peeling from my sunburn, showing people pictures, handing out souvenirs and telling stories. But my trip is over and I'm back to work, sitting at my desk and starting to get pale from the lack of sun and fluorescent lights. Don't cry for me, I know I just got back from vacation while most everyone else was stuck at work or at home.

Looking back on my vacation I realize that I not only had a great time, but I still have a lot of things I need to see in Cape Town. I did not climb up Table Mountain, didn't go to Robbin Island, didn't go to a Township, didn't drive down the Garden Route or go to a big reserve for a better safari experience. So I guess I now have some things on my list for my next visit.

I did, however, get from my vacation in Cape Town loads of memories, new friends and time with an old friend. Which, to me, is better than any walk up a mountain or a prison (no offense, Mr. Mandela). I feel truly blessed to have friends who are willing to take me into their homes and lives for two weeks, feed me, drive me around, and give me a trip I will never forget.

Thanks Sara and Mattias!

Just in case no one believed me....

2007-11-12T16:35:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures from the Great White Shark Project (that was the name of the company we went with to see the sharks).

I tried to take pictures in the cage, but the water was a bit murky. Here is my best shot.

I think I like this last one the best.

Pictures from Africa

2007-11-06T19:08:00.000-08:00

Since I couldn't do anything about pictures until I got home. Here are a few main highlights.

Last Day - Cape Town

2007-11-04T10:39:00.000-08:00

My last day in Cape Town was pretty relaxed, we were still recovering from the sun burn. So stupid to not put on sun block! We shopped around town and I tried to make sure that I bought enough gifts and souvenirs. I know I'll never forget this trip, but I still needed to have tangible reminders.

Friday night we started off the evening with a picnic on the beach in Camps Bay. Some of Sara and Mattias' friends and a bunch of other people got together to enjoy the sunset... only problem was it was too cloudy to see the sun. But we had a good time with food, wine, volleyball and fireworks. The fireworks were someone else's but it seemed to be perfectly planned.

We then headed into town for dinner, I wasn't really hungry at this point but we had plans. We went to a place called Hayko or something like that. It was a very nice Japanese tapas place, I know that sounds silly but that is how it was explained to me. After dinner we went for drinks at Bang Bang and then a few other places. Since it was my last night in Cape Town and another friend of the group's first night we really celebrated. I felt like I had truly one of the best vacations ever and everyone was so nice to me... not just my friends.

Day Eleven - Cape Town

2007-11-02T01:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went out to Langabaan, to a national park up on the West Coast of South Africa. We found a deserted beach and had a picnic. We also laid out (to get tan) but we ended up getting burnt. I look like a tomato!

We had dinner at a cute little place on the beach which had excellent seafood. The restaurant was in a fishing village with all white houses. It was a nice day to just relax and enjoy the weather. Except now I'm wishing I had used more sun block.

Day Ten - Cape Town

2007-10-31T00:52:00.000-07:00

Today I had to get up super, super early (3:45 am)! Because I went on a safari! Cape Town has a limited amount of game reserves really close by, so the place I went wasn't really huge but it was a good first safari ever place to go.

I was picked up at about 4:45 am from the house and arrived at the Aquilla Game Reserve at about 7:45. We were greeted with a "wake up drink" of sparkling white wine, registered and then had breakfast. I met a really nice girl from New Zealand who was on holiday by her self and on the bus with me. We hung out all day together which was nice cause I can handle being alone, but having someone else to talk to is much better. At about 9 o'clock we loaded up in the Land Rovers and started the adventure. We saw buffalo, springboks, zebras, giraffes, elephants, hippo, rhinos, and lions. The game reserve is trying to establish it's animal population, so there weren't loads of some animals. But I didn't care. I was just so happy to have the chance to see everything in a semi-wild environment. Half way through the safari we had a little break to stretch our legs and to have a glass of champagne. It was hilarious standing around next to the zebras and girraffe, sipping champagne and feeling like I was so far removed from my "normal" life.

After the safari we got the chance to pet more cheetahs, so I definitely did that again. I mean, how many times will I get to do that in DC?

We then were fed lunch at the lodge and I ran into the Scottish guys. So we all had lunch together and hung out a bit before we daytrippers had to get back on the bus to go home. When I got home we had a group of kids come to the house for Halloween. There were about 15 of they and they were so cute.

Day Nine - Cape Town

2007-10-30T00:40:00.000-07:00

Tuesday morning we got up early and met up again with Sara's friends, but this time it wasn't for a relaxing lunch. We went to a yoga class, and not just regular yoga, we did Hatha Yoga (the hot one). So we sweated like crazy and I got to feel like I was inflexible and retarded. It was great.

Then we went to lunch at a cute wrap and smoothie place called Buzz. After we went home and cleaned up we went to the Waterfront and walked around. We ended up having a beer and hanging out with two South African guys. It seems like the people here are super friendly.

We then went to a Gladys Knight concert, I know who goes to those!? But Sara's friend got free tickets, so we decided to make it a girls night. The concert was held at the Grand West Casino, I felt like I had stepped into Las Vegas. I was surprised at how fun it was. The dinner we had wasn't so great, but the concert part of the evening was hilarious. Gladys rocked out and she even had her brother, one of the original Pips, come to pump up the crowd. I definitely would never have gone to that concert back in the States, but I was glad that we went.

Day Eight - Cape Town

2007-10-29T00:32:00.000-07:00

Monday we went into town and had lunch with all of Sara's Swedish friends on Long Street. On our way to lunch we got to see the parade for the triumphant Springboks, World Cup Rugby Champions. It was so exciting to be a part of a city's celebration for their sports team. Everyone was screaming and waving flags. People were hanging off of balconies just to get the chance to see the team.

After lunch Sara and I did some shopping and ran some errands. We were sort of tired from our weekend so we didn't do much else. But she did take me to the studio of her friend who makes jewelry, Phillippa Green. I bought so many bracelets! Check her site out, she makes really great stuff.

Day Seven - Cape Town

2007-10-28T00:25:00.000-07:00

Sunday afternoon Sara and I had a "girl's" luncheon to attend. One of Sara's friends was celebrating her birthday and we were invited. It was at the Radisson Hotel on the water. So even though I can go to a Radisson back home, the view from the restaurant wasn't like home at all.

Sunday evening Sara, Mattias and I went out to dinner in Camps Bay (where they live) and ate outside with a view of the beach. They live in an area that is like South Beach but with a calmer and more relaxed atmosphere. I'm really enjoying Cape Town, it is SO beautiful.

After dinner, Mattias ran into an old colleague from Scotland. So we had a drink with three Scottish guys. I enjoyed the accents!

Day Six - Cape Town

2007-10-27T00:13:00.000-07:00

Friday night after cage diving, Sara and I went to a local pub to "celebrate" our shark experience. We had loads of fun hanging out, drinking, and dancing with the people at the bar.

Saturday we tried to recover as best as we could in the morning. We went to a farmer's market in Woodstock which had great food and a few crafts. There was a girl at the market who made beautiful purses, I couldn't afford one that day but I think I'm going to order one when I get home.

Saturday night everyone got together to go to some old brewery turned into a night club for a party. Apparently, South Africans are into themed parties. The one we went to was called "Dirty Dirty" and was a post-Apocalyptic theme. It was very interesting to see people's interpretation of that. One guy was wearing a knit cap, stripped tight tank top, 70s style running shorts and bedroom slippers. Clubs in other countries are fun!

Day Four and Five - Cape Town

2007-10-26T10:47:00.000-07:00

Thursday we didn't do to much during the day, it was great! First we went to lunch in Cape Town and were going to walk around afterwards, but it was so nice outside we decided to go back to Sara's house and lay out by the pool. Then Sara, Mattias and I went to one of their friend's apartments on Long Street and had a braai. Which is a South African barbeque, pretty much the same as back home, but more fun to say. We went home after and got to bed early since the next day we had to get up.

Today I survived Shark Cage Diving!! Sara and I went out to Kleinbaai and swam with the fishes... or rather sharks. I got a bit sea sick, but I didn't let that stop me from getting into the cage and watching the sharks. The water was a bit murky, so I don't think my underwater pictures look so great. But I did take a lot more pictures from the boat and I think those came out ok. I thought that I would be scared, but I actually wasn't. The sharks weren't like in Jaws or anything. They were very graceful and seemed to not even care that we were around. Except for the fact that the crew kept throwing fish parts into the water.

We had heard that the cage diving thing was a bit controversal and that surfers thought it would have sharks associate food with people. But one of the crew, who was a surfer, said that it was actually a good way for people to understand that sharks aren't super aggresive and they are nomadic, so wouldn't be in the same place for long enough to have the food/people association. Which made me feel better, so I could cage dive with my conscience free.

Day Three Cont. - Cape Town

2007-10-24T23:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I got to pet a cheetah!!! Actually more than one cheetah and take a few pictures of some super cute babies. The Cheetah Rescue we went to made you pay to pet them and there were different prices for petting adults and babies. No one was buying the tickets to pet the adults, so I did. It was so weird to be that close to such a big cat. They are incredible!

We also went to more vineyards. These ones were even more beautiful then the ones the day before. The annoying thing was that my camera battery died half way through. Stupid camera! But I at least got pictures with the cheetahs.

funny

2007-10-24T09:35:00.000-07:00

I've noticed something that might be bad. The South African accent is very similar to the Australian accent.... and the boys are just as cute.

Heather is in trouble!!

Day Three - Cape Town

2007-10-24T00:32:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went to Costantia, which is part of the wine lands of South Africa. We did a tasting and took a walk around the vineyards with the dog. It was a bit chilly but beautiful. The wine was super tasty.

While we were having our wine from the tasting we sat outside on a picnic bench. Across the way was a tour group from China having a really good time (I think the wine effected them a bit). They started to video tape us, then one of the ladies from the group came over to say hello and pose with us for a picture. It was funny and strange. Now when those people go home to show people their videos, their friends are going to wonder who the random white people are with the wine.

Day Two - Cape Town

2007-10-23T03:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a bit more relaxed than the first day. Sara and I went grocery shopping and window shopping. There are a lot of cool things that I plan on buying. There are things made with horn, which look really nice. And you can get Springbok skin, not that I like to have dead animal skin laying around, but it was unique and not too expensive.

This morning we took the dog for a walk on the beach and then we stopped by the travel agency to book my tours, i.e. shark diving! We are getting ready for lunch now, and then I think we will head into town. Yesterday was rainy and today isn't too sunny either, but the weather is supposed to get better tomorrow.

Cheers!

Day One - Cape Town

2007-10-22T01:50:00.000-07:00

When I got into town, my friends had a few people over for dinner and the World Cup Rugby match.... South Africa won! So after dinner and the game we all piled into one car(p.s. there were 12 of us) and went down the street to celebrate with everyone else in the city. It was crazy!

My first whole day, we went to Cape Point to see where the two oceans meet. We saw whales, penguins, a baboon, an ostrich and some of those half zebra half donkey things. We went out to lunch at a really nice place by the water and had fabulous seafood.

I have a few pictures already, but I can't figure out yet how to upload pictures from my friend's laptop. But hopefully I will figure that out soon. I love it here!

Yippee!!

2007-10-18T16:59:00.000-07:00

I am PACKED!! Thank goodness. I'm leaving tomorrow and only have a day at work and an extremely long flight between me and my vacation.

Gosh, if I don't start writing about South Africa this blog is not going to get anymore exciting. For the few people who read this, I will try my best to keep posting while I'm gone so that everyone can enjoy my trip.

Bon Voyage (to me)!

Need to Pack!

2007-10-16T17:34:00.000-07:00

I'm such a procrastinator!! Oh well, I will do it tomorrow! haha.

So to talk about something other than my impending trip, I want to know what your (anyone who reads this) trip of a lifetime has been. If you have never had a trip that maybe qualifies to be in that category, then what is your dream trip?

One Week Away!

2007-10-12T19:34:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that by this time next week I'll be over the Atlantic and on my way to my next adventure!

I bought some cute clothes tonight, cause I need to look good, especially on a trip of a lifetime! I've made several lists to remind me of things, like things to pack, things to do before I leave, things I need to buy... I'm sort of a nerd that way. Some people like to pack days ahead of time and then they feel like they are prepared for a trip. I make lists and pack in my head, then I pack the day before and usually add a few things. No matter how many times I have traveled, I always seem to over pack! This time though I'm really going to try and pack light. That may be impossible, but I'm really going to try. My girlfriend said it is pretty casual there, even for going out. So I shouldn't need too many clothes options. The problem is that I have so many clothes I like and that I want to take. They want to see Africa too!

Counting Down

2007-10-08T06:58:00.000-07:00

The purchase has been made, I've been vaccinated, and even bought a new suitcase (since my last trip saw the demise of my suitcase halfway through lugging it through the Underground in London).

October 19th is the day and now I'm getting all the advice from people. "Don't forget insect repellent, you don't want Malaria," "There are a lot of crimes and murder, be careful," "Don't have unprotected sex, HIV is running rampant there," or "Don't drink the water or eat the food!"

OK, I get it. Going to Africa is not the normal travel destination. But I have done some research people and I do plan on being careful...however, I will probably eat the food. I'm probably choosing the safest route to Africa, by going to South Africa, staying with a friend and following her where ever she says we should go.

I live in DC people, a lot of crime and murder happens here too, apparently. I just stay away from places.

Travel Plans

2007-10-02T16:59:00.000-07:00

So I think I'm finally going to take the leap and buy my tickets. I'm going to Cape Town, South Africa!!! In a few weeks!! I'm super excited and want to take millions of pictures of wild animals, dive with sharks and hang out with friends!

Get ready Cape Town, cause here I come!

Another Weird News Story

2007-09-28T02:27:00.000-07:00

Ok, not that I'm promoting dismembering men, but seriously dude? You kind of had this one coming.

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian doctors have reattached a man's nearly severed penis after his first wife, enraged by his comparison of her sex skills with those of his younger second wife, decided to chop it off with a kitchen knife.

The man, a 43-year-old Indonesian worker in southern Johor state, was lying in bed with his 48-year-old wife talking about his newly wed second wife, who is in her 30s, when the incident happened, the New Straits Times newspaper reported.

Despite his shock and pain, the man managed to pull on his trousers and ride his motorcycle to a nearby hospital, where doctors had to put in 11 stitches to reattach the organ.

The man later complained to police, who arrested the woman and plan to charge her with voluntarily causing grievous hurt with a dangerous weapon, which carries the penalty of a three-year jail term and a fine, the newspaper reported.

One More Thing

2007-09-16T17:20:00.000-07:00

I forgot to add one thing to my list of things for guys...... Single! I would really like to find a guy who is available, not dating someone, or married but likes to take his ring off and leave it in the glove compartment, or divorced and only looking for a vacation until they go back to their ex-wife and kid. So yeah, finding an actual single man would be nice.

Am I the only one who seems to be having this problem?

Friday Night

2007-09-16T08:37:00.000-07:00

I had a date after work on Friday. I'm slightly embarrassed to say I met the guy on the Internet, but there you go. He was nice and we shared a glass of wine, some pizza and conversation. It wasn't a horrible date, but I didn't really feel any sparks either. I guess it has been awhile since I've been on a date and I still haven't gotten used to dating again. I will say this, it was nice to meet a guy who seemed nice.

Dating in DC is an interesting experience. My friends and I have noticed that there seem to be a LOT of gay guys in the DC Metropolitan Area. Also, if the guys aren't gay they are very metro and might make you question their gayness or straightness. I have no problems with the gay boys, but I'm a single girl and I would like some dates too, please!

I don't really ask for much (I don't think) in my romantic endeavors, but I do have some guidelines. I would like to find a straight (likes girls), funny (actually makes me laugh, not just himself), straight (has less hair products than me), nice (non-jerk, non-self absorbed, non-a*hole), straight (doesn't shop at stores I can't afford like Burberry), good looking (not people say I might be sort of someone you possibly could think of as slightly cute), and possibly interested in dating me (not just kiss me and then never call). Actually the last one is only half true. I would like a guy just to be interested and don't really need him to call, unless it is to make out again. I think I could really enjoy a "relationship" where we are just friends who occasionally kiss. Because I like kissing and I don't get to enjoy that as much as I would like to. I don't really need all the relationship stuff that goes with the kissing, just kissing (good kissing). Is that wrong? Am I the only one who feels that way?

Wow, you would think after that description I've dated a lot of guys to later discover they preferred the company of boys. But I haven't, I've just dated way too many metro-type guys.

It's a Rich Man's World?

2007-09-11T11:23:00.000-07:00

Have you ever made a decision where you thought afterwards, “Maybe that wasn’t the right choice”?

Recently, I was offered a job which paid a bit more (ok a lot more) than my current employment. The only problem was that the actual job wasn’t really what I was looking for and didn’t seem like something I wanted to do anymore. So I turned them down.

Don’t get me wrong, it is really nice to be offered a big bunch of money. I could do a lot of things with that money…. Pay off debts, go on vacation, buy new shoes, fill up a big vault and go swimming in my money on the weekends…. It wouldn’t be bad.

But money isn’t everything. What about looking to have a career that you feel is fulfilling and worthwhile? What about my dreams and happiness?

Is it too much to ask for someone to pay me to do something I truly enjoy doing?

Relationship Season?

2007-09-08T06:38:00.000-07:00

Maybe this is not a revelation, but I have had a theory or observation about the seasonality of relationships for a while. I know there are probably exceptions to this, but just bear with me.

Throughout my dating life and the relationships of my friends I have noticed the trend of guys breaking up in the spring and usually getting "relationship fever" in the fall. Maybe it is the promise of summer, hot weather and half naked girls on the beach that have guys wanting to be single. Maybe it is the threat of cold winter weather that makes them want to find someone to snuggle with. Maybe I'm completely off. It just seems like it happens way too often in too many relationships and to too many of my friends, for there to not be reason for it.

So I guess now that fall is coming, everybody gets a boy!

IOUS (Insect Of Unusual Size)

2007-09-06T09:42:00.000-07:00

This morning I was getting ready for work and going through my normal routine. 1) Wake Up, 2) Go to Bathroom, 3) Make Coffee, 4) Feed Cats, 5) Take Shower, 6) Get Dressed and Put on Makeup, 7) Grab Coffee (maybe Lunch) and 8) Leave Apartment.

It was around #5 on my list of things I do in the morning that things went horribly wrong. I got into the shower and nearly had a heartattack! Now my apartment isn't in the ghetto, but it is also not in a building that anyone might call upscale or luxury living. I have seen a few bugs in the past six years since I moved into the building, but nothing quite prepared me for what I saw this morning.

In my shower, above the shower head, was a cock roach the size of a small animal! It seriously was bigger than any cock roach I have ever seen, even in the zoos. I should have probably found a jar and tried to make some money off the gross thing, but instead I screamed super loud and ran out of the shower. I then desperately searched for a shoe or something I could use as a weapon against my insect enemy. When I re-entered the bathroom, the beast was starting to move and I was so worried that it might fly towards me, land on my face and start trying to crawl into my brain! I think that was what it wanted to do, but I stopped him with my flip flop. I whacked him so hard that he fell to the floor and left a grotty bug gut mark on my wall that I then had to clean up.

But the day was saved and the cock roach is dead! And all I have to say is that if his family comes to my apartment tonight looking for him, they better leave my brain alone!

Confession #1

2007-08-28T18:59:00.000-07:00

I called in sick to work today...... but I wasn't really all that sick, except of work.

End of Summer Blues

2007-08-26T12:20:00.000-07:00

I have had a very relaxing weekend full of doing nothing in particular. I enjoyed hanging out at the pool all day yesterday, which was great since it was about 100 degrees. And today I have done nothing again. I feel like I should probably do something, but since I can't really think of what that should be I've just been enjoying the weather.

I think savoring the last days of summer is a worthy excuse for doing nothing. So to help everyone else out here is a mix from my DJ friends, the texturedjs. Grab a cold beverage, head out to your porch/balcony/or somewhere outside, maybe even grab an attractive person to join you in some smoochin' and enjoy the summer!

p.s. if that link doesn't work, just go to their blog from my list.

Pure Yoga

2007-08-22T08:44:00.000-07:00

I don't want to sound like I am rubbing my exercise in the last few days in any one's face, but last night I went to a yoga class with my friend, Anne, and it was wonderful. I rarely exercise, so as my friend pointed out "any type of exercise that incorporates laying on the floor for a bit, is cool with me." I did how ever break a sweat and felt very "worked out" afterwards. I also felt like an inflexible goober a bit in the class with all the yoga divas, but I tried not to think about that and to get think more about reaching my "happy place" or whatever you are supposed to think about while you are bent in weird positions and your muscles are twitching.

Also, not to sound like a completely shallow retard, but I have been to a yoga class before and I didn't feel as compelled to continue my yoga experience because the place didn't really give me the right vibe. It was a class set in a warehouse type building and felt more industrial and cold then warm and zen like. But the class Anne took me to last night was much more of what (I'm about to say something stupid) I pictured a yoga place to look like, based on my knowledge of yoga through movies and TV shows. There was a statue of a Buddha type elephant thingy, lots of plants, gauzy curtains and candles. So being apparently very superficial, I plan on going there again and trying to become better at my warrior pose.

Ok, completely off the subject. This morning I was walking to work and about to cross an intersection, when I noticed a crazy woman talking or rather arguing to herself. For some reason this particular intersection beings out weird things because about a month ago I was walking home and walked past a shoe at the same intersection. The weird part about the shoe was that it was a black leather high heeled Manolo Blanik pump which appeared to have just been walked out of. When I passed the shoe I tried to look around to see if I could find the one shoes person who apparently hadn't noticed they were missing a shoe... and not just a shoe but a Manolo! Anyways, back to this morning. So I'm watching the woman who is very upset with her imaginary friend and keeping my eye on her as I pass her on the street, since I was a little worried she might mistake me for her friend. As I reach the opposite curb there is a middle aged man wearing khakis and a blue polo who must have caught his toe or something on the sidewalk because all of a sudden he yells "FFFFFUUU******!" It was super load and after the initial shock of hearing someone drop the F Bomb at 8:00 am extremely loud, really funny. The best part was the lady who was walking in between myself and Mr. F started laughing.

Boys and Ice Cream

2007-08-21T07:47:00.000-07:00

I went hiking with my friend, Hillary, over the weekend in Harpers Ferry. Which, I have to say made me feel good that we were exercising. As we were walking and getting our exercise we chatted about boys, like girls tend to do. We were mainly discussing our frustration over others’ perception of our situation as single women currently not dating anyone, mostly since our other friend referred to us as desperate.

Hillary and I both decided that they were nuts, because we are both far from desperate. I’m perfectly fine with my life and doing my own thing and not dating anyone…. It would be nice, but I don’t NEED it. Which leads me to my new theory on boys, it is really an old theory but with a new analogy.

Boys are like ice cream cones…. I like ice cream, I think ice cream cones are great, I usually enjoy any ice cream cone I have, but I don’t NEED them. I can survive just fine without ever having another ice cream cone again, maybe I wouldn’t have the fun that eating ice cream brings me, but I would be fine. Also, ice cream cones aren’t really good for you (at least not if you are watching your figure), but they sure are tasty!

So to sum up, I enjoy ice cream and I enjoy boys. I probably won’t stop eating ice cream cones anytime soon, just like I probably won’t stop dating boys (especially the “tasty” ones) anytime soon. I know that some boys are just tasty treats that I might regret shortly after being with one, but it doesn’t mean that I probably wouldn’t enjoy a snack. So I’m probably not going to stop sampling the flavors! That doesn’t mean that I don’t have my favorites, the flavor I go to that will always make me happy (for me it is Chocolate Chip Mint). And for boys, I hope that one day I have that one guy “my favorite.” But for the mean time, I’m still looking and now I’m really hungry for an ice cream cone.

Vacation!

2007-08-18T15:48:00.000-07:00

Just in case anyone actually missed me, I've been on vacation in Salvo, North Carolina in the Outer Banks. I had a very nice relaxing week at the beach and laying out. I wish I could move to the beach.... only problem was the discovery of sand in many uncomfortable places, such as the inside of my ears. The price of fun in the sun!

Sawatdee Kaa Kitty!

2007-08-06T16:57:00.000-07:00

I'm still trying to decide whether or not to continue with my posts with the news articles I find amusing. But when I saw this one today, I couldn't help myself.

Thai police plan to shame renegade officers by making them wear pink "Hello Kitty" armbands. "

(Hello) Kitty is a cute icon for young girls. It's not something macho police officers want covering their biceps," Col. Pongpat Chayaphan tells the Associated Press. He says anyone who litters, arrives late or parks illegally will be subject to the unorthodox punishment.

"Simple warnings no longer work. This new twist is expected to make them feel guilt and shame and prevent them from repeating the offense, no matter how minor," Pongpat says.

If the "Hello Kitty" treatment doesn't work, the Bangkok Recorder says repeat offenders will go before a special panel that can impose additional punishments.

I can only imagine what additional punishments an officer can look forward to after the dreaded "Hello Kitty Armband Punishment." Possibly wearing a t-shirt that reads, "I [heart] David Hasselhoff!"

Grade School Mentality

2007-08-03T13:55:00.000-07:00

Recently, in the last few weeks, I've come to the conclusion that boys in general are sort of stupid. I don't mean any offense to the male population, so I'm sorry if my theory is completely unfounded. But seriously, what does a girl have to do to get what she wants?

I like boys, despite my previous statement. I even hope to some day find a boy and get married and maybe even have a family with that boy. But the last few weeks have really not helped the male cause, assuming that the male cause is to at some point find girls that want to be with them. My friend met a boy a few months ago in another state, despite the distance and possible complications from this boy's baggage, she decided to go out with him and they had a good time. Fast forward a month or so and this boy decides to come to town to visit my friend, things go well and all seems fairly good. Now the boy is back home, which apparently my friend is not sad about because in the course of a few months and only two "actual dates" (since visiting from out of town is sort of more than just a date) this boy has moved my friend from the "Nice girl to spend time with and possible girlfriend" category to the "I need to tell girl all my problems and life story Wife" category.

Don't get me wrong this boy is very nice and could have had more potential with my friend, but by freaking her out with too-much, too-soon he basically shot himself in the foot.

Now take my situation, an old "boyfriend" (and I'm using quotes here since we dated for six months but I never found out whether or not we were exclusive) of mine emails me out of the blue after I hadn't heard from him in over two years. He acts as though he is actually checking up on me and wrote his email as though he were trying to reconcile things between us, maybe not for future dates but possibly because he actually cared about me. I was touched by his apparent sincere in his email and wrote him back. We exchanged emails back and forth for a week or so, then he writes to me that he had a call from a high up guy at my work and how it was weird that we were emailing each other. I thought maybe it was just a coincidence, but then I thought maybe it isn't. Maybe he had applied for a job at my work and thought if I found out I would bad mouth him or something. I was a little disappointed, since I felt like if he knew me at all he would have known that I am not the type of person to sabotage another person's career over personal problems, especially over silly dating things.

So I decided to email this guy back, but to not address the work thing and just talk about the other things he had mentioned in his email. That was about two or three weeks ago and I haven't heard from him since.

I only mention this because it sort of annoys me that guys don't feel like they can be honest with us girls. I know there are a lot of crazy needy weird girls out there, so I sort of get trying to protect yourself. But seriously, if you are trying to get an ex or whatever to help you out with a job or something, just say that! Don't act as if you actually felt sorry about how things ended and say silly things about carrying things I have given you around everyday. That is just mean.

And for the boy I made out with the other week, why can't a girl just make out with a cute boy and possibly have the potential for a repeat in the future without the boy thinking you want more?

Figuring Things Out

2007-07-30T18:50:00.000-07:00

ok, so now with my new found technology and a bit of time to post things, I'm wondering which direction I should go with my blog. I hadn't really thought about it before... just in case that wasn't too obvious by my randomness with my posts. I think for now I will let things evolve organically and just talk about my life in the Nation's Capital. I do however think I will start to discuss dating in DC a bit more, since chit chatting with my girlfriends about dating and the man situation in the city is constantly supplying us with more problems and questions about why it is so weird here.

More later on that, right now though I'm going to watch My Boys. Don't think I'm too much of a dork.

RED LETTER DAY!!!!

2007-07-29T12:33:00.000-07:00

For my one or two readers, I'm super excited today. I now have my very own computer with actual Internet access!!!! I'm fully aware that my excitement over a laptop and the Internet is a bit ridiculous and outdated, but I don't care!

So now that I have regularly accessible personal Internet access, I might actually update my blog. Don't get too overly excited!

Just in case....

2007-07-18T08:45:00.000-07:00

I don't think I have more than two readers, but I'm very happy to announce that I have just purchased a computer!!!! I am stepping into the 21st Century. Next thing you know, I'll be flying into the future in my DeLorean.

The Tale of the Dangerous Chopsticks

2007-07-09T15:26:00.000-07:00

Or better yet, How to Date a Psycho.

I found this tidbit of news to be especially amusing because not only do these people not learn their lessons, but it proves a theory I have about men.

A Hong Kong woman who blinded her boyfriend in one eye in a fight six years ago has been jailed for jabbing a chopstick into his other eye, a newspaper reported on Wednesday. Last November, Po Shiu-fong, 58, accused long-time boyfriend Kwok Wai-ming, 49, of having an affair, the South China Morning Post reported. During the row, Po stabbed a plastic chopstick into his left eye, which she had already blinded six years ago when she poked it with her finger. "Po became hysterical when she saw the wound and mopped it with a towel. The pair then went to bed," the paper said. "The next morning they had another argument in which she grabbed a chopstick and stabbed Kwok's right eye," it said. Two days later, he sought medical treatment and filed a police report against Po, whom he had dated since 1993. The paper said he didn't report the attack six years ago, telling the court his silence was "a love sacrifice".

Ok, craziness. Not only has poor Kwok lost 10 to 20 percent of vision in his right eye, but now Po is serving six months in jail. Deservedly so, since she is nuts. But my question is that after the first eye poking incident six years ago, shouldn't Kwok have been thinking "I'm a grown man, why am I letting this woman jab her finger into my eyeball?" I guess he gave her a second chance which was nice of him.

But then the chopstick??!?!! Um, Hello Kwok! Run away from that crazy whore, do yourself a favor and hide your eyeballs. For some strange reason Po has something against you and your eyes. And for Heaven's sake don't go to bed with her! You can't guard your eyeballs from her in your sleep.

Here is my theory with men and dating. I don't mean to generalize, but doesn't it seem like guys date crazy girls who treat them like crap? And even when bodily harm is involved they seem to just forgive and forget that there are non-crazy girls out there?

Feeling Stressed?

2007-07-03T08:08:00.000-07:00

The Spanish have found a creative way to deal with stress. Demolition!!

For two hours, 30 members of the public were allowed to run wild on an entire floor of the hotel. They were encouraged to smash windows, pulverise baths, tear down curtains and raze the reception area. The amateur demolition team was picked from more than 200 applicants by a panel of psychologists. The winners were deemed to be suffering from an unusually high level of anxiety, pressure or nervous tension. They include corporate executives, young people on low salaries, couples preparing for their wedding day and a working mother with young children who said that she desperately needed to "hit something".

Since there aren't any hotels asking me to come over and break stuff, I'm going to relieve my stress the old fashion way.... by going on a mini vacation. I'm heading up to Buffalo tonight to visit all the clan.

Have a Great 4th of July!!!

Communist Chic

2007-06-29T10:14:00.000-07:00

SPIEGEL ONLINE Want to spend a night in East Germany and experience the way things used to be? A new youth hostel has opened in Berlin seeking to offer visitors a taste of life before the Wall fell and a bit of Communist kitsch.

Opened in May by entrepreneurs Daniel Helbig, 35, and Guido Sand, 33, Ostel -- a German mashup of "East" and "Hostel" -- lucratively exploits the trend of "Ostalgie," or nostalgia for the lost days of socialism since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. International interest in daily life in East Germany has surged in recent years with the success of German films abroad about life in the Deutsche Demokratische Republik (DDR) like the comedy "Goodbye Lenin" and the Oscar-winning Stasi snitch drama "The Lives of Others."

If I ever get to Berlin, I think I know where I'm staying! How funny is this place? I want to start my own hotel now with it's own quirky, kitschy theme. Maybe I could start a Nazi hostel, that would go over really well, right? Yeah, I don't think Nazis will ever be kitschy... ok so maybe I won't start up a Nazi hotel, haha that just sounds funny, but maybe I can go for some other type of weird nitch and make a cool hostel/hotel. I'm sure I'll think of something.

In the meantime, I got a laugh from these ex-circus performers turned hotel owners and their interior design and wallpaper choices. Never having been to communist Eastern Germany, I have no idea what people's houses looked like back then but these rooms look semi-cheery with lots of colors. The rooms also remind me a bit of my neighbors house when I was growing up with all the old furniture, but without the crazy wallpaper.

People

2007-06-25T13:53:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had someone say something completely inappropriate or semi-hurtful to your face and your only response is to look at them in shock?

That happened to me this weekend and I had no words, nothing came out of my mouth and I just stood there while the person "insulted" me (it was only an "insult" because they tried to make it sound like a joke, but it wasn't funny). Then I walked away. Of course two hours later I thought of things to say, but it was too late, the moment was over and by that point I was supposed to have forgotten about the comment. And yet, two days later I'm posting something about it. I need to just forget it, move on, and realize that small minded people with nothing else to do will stick their noses into your business or comment on your life to make themselves feel better.

But it still hurt a bit.

Dog owners 'fleeced' in poodle scam

2007-06-19T10:47:00.000-07:00

OK, this one is an old one, but a good one. It made me laugh just as much today as it did when I read it the first time a few months ago.

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Thousands of people have been 'fleeced' into buying neatly coiffured lambs they thought were poodles. Entire flocks of lambs were shipped over from the UK and Australia to Japan by an internet company and marketed as the latest 'must have' accessory. But the scam was only spotted after a leading Japanese actress said her 'poodle' didn't bark and refused to eat dog food.

The discovery prompted hundreds of women to contact the police with similar problems and the authorities believe as many as 2,000 people have been conned. Poodles are famously used by the rich and glamorous on the continent but are extremely rare in Japan, with many people having little idea what they look like.

I'm not really sure how someone can mistake a lamb for a dog. I'm willing to give these poor, conned, Japanese women the benefit of the doubt and believe that since Poodles are rare in Japan, it might be easy to buy a lamb and think you now were one of the rich elite with your cool Poodle. But I'm pretty certain that there are dogs in Japan. So then I have to wonder why no one was the least bit curious as to why their "dog" never barked, or why their "dog" liked to eat grass, or why their "dog" had hooves!

Changes

2007-06-18T10:35:00.000-07:00

A year ago yesterday, I received an email that changed the direction I thought my life was going in. That might sound a bit drastic, but it is true.

Last year, I was in love with my then boyfriend and had reached a point in a relationship I had never been before. First, I had never dated someone for 9 months (don't laugh) and secondly, I started to think about being married to him and it made me happy. This wasn't a one sided relationship either, he said he loved me as well and his actions only helped to support that. He got to know my family. He even spend 24 hours in a hospital waiting room with my family waiting for my sister to have her baby. I was head over heels. A month after that I got an email from him, breaking up with me. It was like The Post It break up, only better worded and more painful.

I tried contacting him after I received the email, I even responded to his email and tried not to sound too pathetic. But nothing happened, I never heard from him again. It didn't help that he lived in a whole other country, so running into him was never going to happen. I wanted so badly to have an explanation for what had happened, better than what he wrote in his email. I had just talked to him the previous weekend for over two hours and things seemed fine. To have someone stop loving you within a week is a little disheartening. I was severely depressed for a while and then only slightly depressed after that. I used to cry on my way home from hanging out with friends and after happy hours. I felt lonely and empty inside. Spending time with my extended family only made things worse, since I am the only single girl over the age of 25, other than my 60 year old aunt.

Now that a year has gone by, I would like to say that I'm super happy, in love with someone new and my life is fabulous. But I can only say that I'm happy and that my life is pretty good, which I guess is close enough to fabulous for now. As for the guy situation, I have only recently felt like dating might be enjoyable. I haven't had a date since last year, if you don't count the one lunch "date" I had back in November, which I don't.

Being single can suck at times, but I think I would still rather be single and happy than married and miserable. And I guess if things had worked out the way I thought they were going to last year, maybe I wouldn't have been happy.

Or maybe I would have.

Chinese boy kills mother in cybercafe row

2007-06-18T10:24:00.000-07:00

Friday 15 June 2007

A teenage boy in southern China, "heavily addicted" to the Internet, killed his mother and severely injured his father with a kitchen knife after he was refused money to go to a cybercafe, state media said on Thursday.

The boy, identified only by his last name, Wang, is from Guangzhou, capital of the Guangdong province. He stabbed his mother to death at home during a heated argument, the Beijing Youth Daily said.

"After his father got home, Wang hacked at him, causing serious injury. Seeing what he had done, Wang went to his room and sat on his bed," the paper said.

This is nuts! I don't even know what else to say about this one.

Happy 35th Anniversary!!

2007-06-17T12:06:00.000-07:00

Since I'm a horrible daughter and totally forgot to post something for Mother's Day, here is a combined Mother's Day/Father's Day/Anniversary post for my parents.

Congratulations of 35 years of marriage, M & D. You guys are awesome parents! Happy Mother's and Father's Day!

Rodent on the Rampage: Squirrel Assaults Three Before Being Killed By Pensioner

2007-06-14T06:27:00.000-07:00

Thu Jun 14, 2007

BERLIN (Reuters) - An aggressive squirrel attacked and injured three people in a German town before a 72-year-old pensioner dispatched the rampaging animal with his crutch.
The squirrel first ran into a house in the southern town of Passau, leapt from behind on a 70-year-old woman, and sank its teeth into her hand, a local police spokesman said on Thursday.
With the squirrel still hanging from her hand, the woman ran onto the street in panic, where she managed to shake it off.

The animal then entered a building site and jumped on a construction worker, injuring him on the hand and arm, before he managed to fight it off with a measuring pole.

"After that, the squirrel went into the 72-year-old man's garden and massively attacked him on the arms, hand and thigh," the spokesman said. "Then he killed it with his crutch."

The spokesman said experts thought the attack may have been linked to the mating season or because the squirrel was ill.

When I read this article this morning I laughed so hard I was crying. I feel bad for the squirrel, obviously, that is a tough way to go. Being beat to death by an old man with a crutch can't be nice. But when you picture an old lady running out of her house, screaming in German, arms flailing about with a squirrel attached to one hand.... I can't help but laugh, really hard. Plus if you go to that attachment you will find that this is not the first incident of squirrel invasions in Germany.

Thai drug dogs sacked for 'sexual harassment'

2007-06-13T11:13:00.000-07:00

June 10, 2007 - 4:40PM

Two Thai street mutts, Mok and Lai, who became ace sniffer dogs at an airport near the notorious Golden Triangle opium-producing region have been fired for urinating on luggage and sexually harassing female passengers.

"He liked to pee on luggage while searching for drugs inside," Mok's former handler, Police Lieutenant Colonel Jakapop Kamhon, said. "He also liked to hold on to women's legs."

"Both were just as good as foreign dogs trained for use in drug missions," he added. "But they were stray dogs, so their manners were worse than those of foreign breeds."
Mok and Lai now work on a farm, herding chickens and pigs, the paper said.

My favorite part is what the handler says, like peeing on luggage was the natural thing to do while sniffing for drugs. Plus the thing about "holding" the woman's leg, hilarious! I don't know why those ladies were so upset, the dogs were only holding onto them. Gosh!

Those poor mutts were fired for being dogs.

What is going on?

2007-06-13T06:29:00.000-07:00

In an attempt to make my blog a little more interesting, I've decided to occasionally talk about things I find interesting, funny or annoying in the news. Since my life is pretty mondane at the moment with just work and sleep going on.

So for my first installment:

WASHINGTON -- A judge who is seeking $54 million from a dry cleaner that lost his pants said he is acting in the interests of all D.C. residents.

Seriously?!?!?! What is this world coming to that some out of work pain in the butt judge can sue a Korean dry cleaners for some ridiculous amount of money? I don't like the dry cleaners any more then the next person, but you don't have to sue them for millions. Plus, these poor people obviously don't have that kind of money, they run a freaking dry cleaning business. If they had 54 million dollars they wouldn't be washing your clothes! I heard on the radio today that the family that owns the dry cleaners might have to go back to Korea because of all the money they have had to pay to lawyers to defend themselves.

This jerk with the pants needs to suck it up and buy a new pair of pants. He actually cried in court, like a little sissy! Over Pants!!! If there was an award for crybaby over actors who try to rip people off, he would win. He actually tried to justify his claim by saying that since he didn't own a car he had to rent a car everyday for 14 months ($15,000) so that he could find another dry cleaner. Really? Do you expect anyone to believe that? You could buy a whole new car for that money and who on earth is so stupid that they would rent a car everyday to find a dry cleaners? It's called Dryel, look into it. Really, if that judge is such an anal freak about his stupid suits he should clean them himself.

Not only does this judge not deserve one cent of the money he is asking for, but I think the court should take the rest of his suits and burn them. Just to show him what it feels like to really lose his stupid pants. And then maybe slap him around a bit if he starts to cry.

No Sleep

2007-06-06T22:25:00.000-07:00

I'm on midnight shift this week at work and I am totally messed up. I can't remember what day it is or what time. I'm listening to Elliott in the Morning on my way home from work and watching nighttime television before I leave home for work. I also feel like I'm completely cut off from civilization, it is sucking a little bit.

The good part is that the phone isn't ringing too much and I've been able to catch up on my movie watching. So really it isn't that bad and I shouldn't complain.

Summer Thunder Storms

2007-06-04T08:40:00.000-07:00

Last week, my girl friends and I went to Baltimore to enjoy a show. It was the "Australian Male Revue" Thunder from Down Under. I know that is shocking and silly. But they were well built, tan men dancing around with their shirts off and bonus-they had accents. Very superficial of me, yes! But look at them!

You try and tell me that isn't something you want to see! Any ways, the evening was full of laughs more than anything else. I think Anne even mentioned that she might be beginning to have less respect for herself, since we were watching boys dance around in pirate outfits.

But it was super funny! And I would gladly see them again.

la Dolce Vita

2007-06-01T11:15:00.000-07:00

For anyone who knows me, my love of Italy and Rome, in particular, is no secret. In fact, I fear my family and friends are sick and tired of me talking about the place. I do try to curb my enthusiasm for the Italian culture, food, and men. But occasionally, I am unable to bite my tongue and must gush about the beauty of Italian architecture or the simple pleasure of grabbing a cup of coffee. Especially when someone I know will be traveling to Rome. I can't help myself, it is truly an obsession, a sickness... I don't know what comes over me until after twenty minutes or so of me babbling on, I'll realize that I need to shut up.

My co-worker has a newly formed theory, which she claims might explain my obsession for Rome. She found it in the Washington Post. I'm not too sure about the theory, but I do feel really good when ever I get into Rome and I have returned to Rome a few times....hmmm maybe there is something to that theory.

Happy Birthday Tor!

2007-05-26T09:23:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to my sister, the horse girl, Torie! Congratulations on the new addition as well!

Happy First Birthday Lucy!!

2007-05-19T08:46:00.000-07:00

You are such a joy!

We love you Cheeks!

Happy Birthday little sis!!!!

2007-05-14T10:23:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Katie!

I can't believe you are so grown up now. I'm so proud of you and love you a bunch! Hope your day is great!

Dirty Mouth?

2007-05-12T13:25:00.000-07:00

Here is a little something to make you laugh. I was sadly by myself when I saw this and laughed out loud. It is that funny!

Coincidence?!?

2007-05-04T13:19:00.000-07:00

In the past month or so I have been reminded by a bit of my childhood on more than one occasion. It is a slightly funny coincidence, but my life is full of those.

Chatting with some cute Australian boys in London at a posh Hyatt piano bar on St. Patrick's Day, as you do. We were wondering why we had ended up there. But all being good sports, we decided to have at least one drink before we moved on to a possibly cheaper place. Then the subject of old songs from the 80's came up. I can't exactly remember why, but it did. One of the Australian boys brought up the theme song to the Greatest American Hero and decided to ask the piano player to play it. The piano player didn't know it, so they compromised on Tiny Dancer which was equally as funny.

Later during the same trip, I was walking through the airport, on my way to pick up my luggage and believe it or not that song was playing over the intercom. It made me smile and wish my trip was starting instead of ending.

Grocery shopping a month ago, I heard that song again. It isn't that rare of a song but I hadn't heard it since I was around ten years old, so three times in a month seemed pretty weird. Then on the way into work this week, my favorite morning talk show had Believe It or Not playing in the background. So I'm thinking it is the theme song for this spring in the soundtrack of my life.

Irish Times

2007-04-30T13:46:00.000-07:00

Saturday, I went to the Celtic Festival near my parent's house in Maryland. It was country, but it was fun. We ate a lot... funnel cakes, turkey legs, meat pies, ice cream, fish and chips and gyros! Because everyone knows that the great Celtic traditions in the highlands began in Greece... yeah right, that is the connection. I didn't eat all of those things, but I did indulge a bit more than I probably should have. But it was a nice day and the food was tasty. Today though, I'm feeling pretty chubby and like I should exercise. My problem is though that I'm lazy and unmotivated, so even though I say I need to do this, I know myself and I know I probably won't. There is one thing though, I probably will never have this problem.

Cheeks!

2007-04-26T07:39:00.000-07:00

As a count down to my neice Lucy's first birthday, here is one of my favorite pictures. She is such a little old French lady in this one! Also, since Anne posted a picture of her, I thought I would declare today National Cheeks Day! And I know that sounds weird, but get your minds out of the gutter!

Growing Up?

2007-04-23T13:50:00.000-07:00

My friend Anne asked that for her birthday this year we forgo the drunken nightlife and strive for a more sophisticated, mature Sunday Brunch atmosphere.

Being good friends, we all decided screw that, we want some laughs. So we proceeded to talk her boyfriend (the Planner) into the Perry's Drag Queen Brunch in Adam's Morgan.

Here is Anne cheesing it up with her singles we provided her. Otherwise she would not have been able to tip the "ladies" and get many pictures.

We had an awesome time and there were many, many laughs to be had. I couldn't even finish most of my delicious food because my stomach hurt too much.

Most of my pictures are a bit too racy, but here are a few I can actually post.

There was a table of elderly ladies who were living it up, Kristen grabbed a "boob" and "Shakira" even made an appearance! It was a party to remember forever.

I don't think Anne will forget it either!

Happy Birthday Anne!!!

2007-04-22T04:51:00.000-07:00

You are a Kindred Spirit and I'm so blessed to call you a friend. I hope this year's celebrations are filled with fun and memories!

Dear Hokies

2007-04-20T04:38:00.000-07:00

The other day I was reading my friend's blog entry about the Virginia Tech tragedy and I felt as though I should write something. But I felt a little silly and as though I would be a fraud for saying something since I wasn't personally effected by the shooting. I don't know any of the victims and any alumni of VT that I might know, I probably haven't spoken to them in a long time.

But then I was watching the news last night. They were showing pictures of the victims, their friends and family were saying a few words about the loved ones lost. I started to get a little teary eyed and thought about when I was in school and how horrible it would have been if that would have happened to me or my friends. Then I realized that I wouldn't be a fraud for saying something, because that could have been anyone and it shouldn't have happened in the first place.

So I guess all I'm saying is that, I'm wearing my orange and maroon today and that my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Blades of Glory

2007-04-19T12:47:00.000-07:00

Last Friday I saw Will Ferrell and that guy from Napoleon Dynamite in spandex! It was hilarious if not the gay version of The Cutting Edge. After I got over the image of two guys figure skating together and Will Ferrell in a gold leotard, it was super funny. Hilly and I were laughing and then getting grossed out. I used to watch a lot of figure skating growing up, had the Dorothy Hamill haircut (I know, stop laughing), I even got to meet Peggy Flemming when I was little (it was super exciting), I even own The Cutting Edge.... I feel like I'm introducing myself at Figure Skating Fans Anonymous or something. Anyways, my point is that I like figure skating, but I like to make fun of it even more. My friend, Shalena, used to love coming over to my parent's house during the Winter Olympics when we were younger because she was not allowed to cheer when someone fell or made a complete fool of themselves during their performance. My parents, on the other hand, encouraged any sort of competitive behavior, even if meant calling ice skaters fat or praying they would do a nose dive into the judges. So to sum up, Blades of Glory was hilarious and completely satisfied my competitive edge.

Happy Birthday Holly!

2007-04-16T05:12:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Butterball! I can't believe you are 25 already. It feels like only yesterday when you were born. I'm so glad you are my sister!

Hobby?

2007-04-12T12:14:00.000-07:00

Danni found this inventive product online. I think everyone should get one. Then we could all do without fur coats and give everyone "High Paws" or whever those weird cartoons are doing. Ok, I don't mean to stereotype, but why do all the really weird things come from Asia? Meeoow!

Yuck!

2007-04-11T06:44:00.000-07:00

What is with dudes who snarf their snot up in public? And if there are any women who do this as well, what is with you? I don’t understand why people need to do this, what is the purpose? If you need a tissue, get a tissue and blow your nose! I have experienced a running nose all winter and I haven’t sucked my snot up with a loud noise once. So please, for the love of all that is holy, please stop snarffing your snot up through your nose to the back of your throat and then swallowing it! That is the only thing I can think of that happens to that snot, which is almost more disgusting than the noise.

I was subjected to a chorus of snotty-nosed snarffing guys on the metro this morning and the agony, I can assure you, was acute. All I could think about was my sweet broken iPod and how much I missed it. I am starting to go through withdrawal. Mark my words, once I have enough money I am totally buying a new one so that I can drown out any disgusting noises from the metro. Sorry I keep complaining, maybe when things get less busy at work I will have fun things to write about and not my boring metro rides.

On the Metro

2007-04-10T13:34:00.000-07:00

Riding on the DC metro is already an experience, trust me!

So the other day I should not have been shocked when I came upon one of the most horrible things my eyes have ever seen. I was walking down the stairs to the Green Line or the Soul Train, as I call it. Waiting on the platform was a little stocky, seemingly professional man with glasses. As I descended the stairs I noticed his tan sweater and then I noticed the horrific part, the electric blue spandex shorts! Seriously? Not only was it bad enough that he was wearing spandex, but his sweater only went to his waist. So he looked like he forgot his pants. And then, as I was standing on the platform praying for my train to get there to end the misery, I happened to notice one more thing.... I couldn't help but notice...really...there were other girls laughing. The shorts had become so accustomed to the wearer, that they migrated into the crevasses of this man to reveal his crack. So I was standing on the metro platform and wondering what would possess a person to leave the privacy of a building, such as a gym or a house, and wander about in public in spandex?