I think I’m a Certifiable Jet-setter October 30, 2009

This past weekend was the first one in a while (two weekends) that I actually spent at home.  And it was a glorious feeling.  It was wonderful to  just. do. nothing.  I did tons of laundry, went through a bunch of stuff and got rid of things I don’t really need to be holding on to, and even rearranged my bookshelf.  I realize this last one sounds particularly nerdy, but I’m so excited about it.  A) I have waaay too many book because I just love to read (even though its been a while since I have for pleasure), and B) have always organized my books on a book shelf by height.  But recently, I kept seeing in magazines and on home improvement blogs with books organized by COLOR.  So I rearranged my books to a fun, haphazard new way by color.  And every time I walk by my bookshelf now, I smile cause I just love it.  Anyway, onto the catching up:

The weekend of October 9-11, I was in New Orleans because my best friend from college, LindsayBlair Griffith got MARRIED!  Oh my gosh, she’s such a big girl now.  Anyway, it was great seeing her, her whole family (whom I love dearly), and especially catching up with my good college friend, Maura, whom I’m awful with keeping in touch with.  It was great just talking to her and remember great college memories.  Anyway, it was such an honor to be a bridesmaid for Lindsay, and be a part of her big day (and getting all done up was awesome- hello, fake eyelashes!  You are my new best friend!  Sorry, M!).  Here’s a pic (from my phone) of our beautiful bouquets (for the record, I love these as wedding colors): 

Aren't they beautiful?

Also, here’s picture of Lindsay’s cake:

Sooo delicious!

 I absolutely loved the detailing on the side (my camera on my phone doesn’t do it justice) and how the cake tasted, of course!  Apparently there were three different flavors among the four layers, but I only had the vanilla cake with strawberry filling.  It was soooo good.   Lastly, my date for the evening:

The Wonderful MaryParker!

I LOVE Mary Parker.  She’s a close family friend of Lindsay’s (Linds always babysat for her, and works at her parents’ jewelry store in the French Quarter).  MP insisted at the beginning of the wedding that she wouldn’t be dancing later in the evening.  But, oh, did I get her dancing!  She was so cute in the limo, mimicking how me and other bridesmaids were dancing in our seats.  She was sooo cute on the dancefloor just twisting about, and followed me everywhere.  I love that girl to death!  She made the cutest flower girl/junior bridesmaid.

Ok, so after my completely exhausting weekend to NOLA, the following weekend was Mandy’s fall break from intense nursing school, so I had booked a flight out to see her.  It was fun being back in Kansas, at what is pretty much my second childhood home.   I love just being there, and hanging out.  It was wonderful to hang out with my Aunt Jill.  I love her so much.  The great thing was, my dad had been out there for work that week, and changed his flight to stay an extra day.  So I got to see my daddy! ! YAY!  I miss that kid so much.  But I’m so proud of him because he’s QUIT SMOKING!! WOO HOO!  My biggest, longest prayer I have wanted my entire life has come true.  Thank. Goodness.  Anyway, that Friday night, we had a father-daughter dinner, with me and my dad, and Mandy and her dad.  We went to this awesome place called Yard House which had Strongbow on tap (EEE!!! My favorite!) and AMAZING classic rock playing.  We were all saying the songs within seconds of it coming on, and my dad even challenged albums on which said songs were on.  And I totally got a few right.  Go me!  It was just so much fun.  And, I’m not going to lie, comedy-wise, I was on fire.  I nearly made my dad cry from laughter TWICE!! That, my friends, is a victory in my books.  After dinner, Mandy and I decided to go suprise her brother, Alex, at work.  I think he nearly peed his pants when I snuck up on him in his store.  We went to his apartment afterwards so I could see this beauty:

DENALI!

He is the most beautiful dog.  And he doesn’t run, he jaunts.  Its the cutest thing ever.  Saturday we ran some errands, and then that night, we went to see Where the Wild Things Are.  It was sooo cute.  And my favorite part was when M, mimicking the main character Max, starting howling.  In the theater.  At a quiet part.  It was awesome.  Oh! I almost forgot.  I surprised M when I got off the plan with a cake I baked her from scratch, and some Georgetown Cupcakes in case the cake didn’t turn out as planned.  I wanted to decorate it really fun, so I used this as inspiration.  The final product: 

Orange Stethoscope!

I’m pretty sure M’s socks were knocked off.  So that trip was wonderful for my soul.  But seriously, having this past weekend to just stay home and clean was good for my soul, as well.  I’m looking for the same sort of weekend starting tonight.  I’m also really excited to start Christmas shopping (well, I’ve already started some) and Christmas projects.  And can I just say that I LOVE fall, and thought it would never come?  I love the brisk weather, and craving apple cider, and hot chocolate, and scarves and warm coats.  Mmm.  Oh!  Wednesday the boys and I carved pumpkins, and here’s mine:

A definite improvement on my awful pumpkin carving skills last year.

Hope you all are enjoying fall!

Holy Moly, Kids… September 28, 2009

…I have the BEST boyfriend.  For reals.  First off, let me preface this story.  The bf and I aren’t big on huge gestures and celebrating week anniversaries, etc.  But when he surprises me…he does it WELL.  Maybe this is because I’m not used to it all the time, so it makes it that much better, and that much more appreciated.  And, in addition, I’m completely oblivious to stuff going on around me, clearly.

So two Fridays ago, September 18, was the day before the boys’ housewarming party.  And the bf was really excited because one of his greatest friends from college, Mike, was flying in with his girlfriend, Becky.  Also, that day at work, he mentioned that Mark, another good friend, decided to come up to.  Which, at the time i replied with, “That’s great!  Its funny because I was thinking he might surprise you and just show up this weekend.”  Oh, the irony.  So anyway, after work and some errand-running (i.e. shopping) I show up at the boys’ place and hang with all of them for a bit.  We finally decide to go out on the town to a bar I’ve never been to.  Once we’re there, it was fun hanging out in a new location and all.  So finally, Steve mentions that he has to go to the airport to get Mark.  I kept offering to go with him, but he kept saying he was fine.  A few minutes after he left, the gang decided to go to the Clarendon Ballroom.

We went to the rooftop bar, which I’ve never been to before, and that was fun.  However…I don’t always do well with crowds and it was mighty crowded.  Plus,  I wasn’t drinking and started getting so tired.  For the record- going on out on a Friday is always a challenge for me because I’m completely exhausted by the end of the work week.  Especially if I don’t get a nap in (yes, I’m an old lady!), like this particular evening.  So I start talking to Rob, saying I’m getting sleepy.  And he starts suggesting things for me to drink: alcohol, Red Bull (yuck!), coke, etc.  So I start texting the bf, asking if he’s still at the airport.  Response: yes.  Dang, what is taking him so long?  So I text back saying that I’m over the Ballroom, hoping that once he gets there, we all just go back to the boys’ place.  While we’re all standing in the circle, I feel a tap on my shoulder.  I turn around, and a familiar voice starts asking me a question, “Do you know if this place….” and the rest is drowned out by my realization that it is MANDY, MY BEST FRIEND IN THE WORLD, and my confusion as to why she was standing there in front of me in Clarendon, when she’s supposed to be in Lansing, Kansas!!!  So I hug her, and then just start bawling because I’m so excited she’s there, and still thoroughly confused.  “Wait…Mark’s…not coming?”

I’m so nerdy that seriously, one of my first questions for her was, “Did you finish your homework?”, knowing full well she always has tons to do.  And the bf was standing off to the side, and when I looked at him after my cryfest, just goes, “Surprise!”.  SERIOUSLY. Best. Boyfriend. Ever.  And the really, really ironic part is that I just bought a plane ticket to go see Mandy on her Fall Break (which she knew of).  Yay!  Twice in the span of a month!  Anyway, after I composed myself (and it seriously took about ten minutes), I wasn’t tired anymore!

Saturday the whole gang went to go play volleyball on the District and it was tons of fun.  I’m quite rusty in my volleyball skill-ness.  Afterwards, about half of us went to Rob’s apt to go to the rooftop pool.  So much fun!  Then we trekked to Five Guys since we were all hungry.  After that, Mandy and I went to rest before the party.  Because we are old ladies.  Then the party! It was tons of fun.  M & I made our famed black bean dip, and had some Strongbow (YUM!).  There was tons of dancing, laughing, and fun all around.  A bunch of Webbies (Webb Institute is where the boys went to college) that I had never met before showed up, so that was fun to see.  M & I didn’t leave til like, 3 AM.  Which is crazy!  I normally cannot stay that late at a party.

Sunday, M & I ventured to Dupont Circle for brunch, complete with Mimosas.  Yum!  Then we kinda walked around a bit.  After that, we attempted to go to Georgetown, were foiled and just went back to my apt.  After a rest, we went to dinner with the boys to a place near their house, Tap & Vine.  I really liked it very chill.

Sadly, I had to part with Mandy EARLY Monday morning, but like I said, I’ll be seeing her in a few weeks.  The following week at work, after M left, I was in the best mood.  Seriously.  That girl just raises my spirits like no one else.  And it has a lasting effect.

This past weekend was fun, as well.  I finally went to the King Street Blues restaurant in Old Town and loved it.  Drank a little too much sweet ice tea.  Saturday, me, the bf, Matt, Rob and Sarah went to the Georgetown homecoming tailgating.  It was a little rainy, but was manageable.  Annnnddd…we skipped the homecoming game.  HAHA.  The rest of the weekend was full of football and laziness.  Perfection!  Now…juts trying to get through the next few weeks.  Can’t wait for LindsayBlair’s wedding in New Orleans!

Look! An update within two months! September 17, 2009

So I had a great weekend this past weekend.  First of all, Friday night was actually pretty low key for me, even though the gang went out to McFadden’s since the BF won a free happy hour there.  I wasn’t really in the mood to drink tons, so it was just fun to hang with my friends and dance and watch other people be silly.  Plus, I had to wake up early to go to…

THE WALK FOR PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease)!!!!  YAY!  In case you don’t know, PKD is a huge deal in our family since my Aunt Jill, Mandy’s mom was diagnosed with it, and Mandy & her brother, Alex have a 50% of getting it.  Anyway, I raised a whopping $700!  That’s $200 MORE than I planned!  I’m so grateful to everyone who donated…it was so kind and generous of them all.  I have some EXCELLENT friends! (And family members)

After that…I went to the boys place to watch the Penn State/Syracuse game.  We all passed out and napped afterwards.  Then the bf and I went to dinner to Ted’s Montana Grill.  Um, hi, if you have never been, GO.  And have a Bison Burger.  The meat is sooo tender and juicy (TWSS!!) and delicious.

Sunday, I decided to have a ‘me’ day.  I have been wanting to go to Eastern Market ever since I moved to DC.  I finally made it, trying to get birthday present ideas for Mandy and my awesome mom.  And I loved it!  It was great meandering around, looking at all the treasures.  I really wanted to buy some fresh veggies and fruits, but was kind of overwhelmed and couldn’t think of a recipe off the top of my head.  I’ll definitely go back soon.  After about an hour, I was done.  But I wasn’t done being in DC, so I decided to go to Dupont Circle and meander there.  I was looking for a bookstore that M and I had been to before, but to my horror, they CLOSED it!  BOO!  Alas, I found some other ones.  In fact, I was walking down the street, saw a widow with books, and thought, “Yay!  A bookstore! I’ll go in”.  Um…it took about 2 seconds upon entering to realize that it was a gay bookstore.  Which is fine with me, hello, I was in Dupont.  But I just didn’t see it coming!  Hahaha.  And I didn’t want to look like a spaz so I was all, “ok, just browse for a few minutes, then leave”.   So that was a pretty exciting part of the day.

I called Matt to ask his opinion about something, and he reveled that he was at 51st state.  Not one to pass up Strongbow on tap, I decided to go meet up with him.  Um, it was 3 PM and he was HAMMERED.  Um, a certain event occurred that he was upset about and was taking it out in beer.  I took him home shortly after, and then went back to my apt to do a boatload of laundry.   So it was a successful weekend- the perfect mix of laziness and productivity.

Last night was the September Girls’ Night Out.  I haven’t mentioned this before, but once a month, a group of four ladies and myself get together for some girl time.  We’re an older group that my core group of friends (i.e., The Boys..they’re all a year younger), and we’re all in relationships.  So…its definitely a different dynamic than my normal posse.  And I absolutely love it.  We always talk about our jobs, our relationships, and anything else in between.  Its just great to have a core group of amazing women in my life who lift me up.  I came away last night in the best mood.  We decided to do a Girls’ Night In at one of the participants house, and each bring a food.  I made raspberry-filled lemon cupcakes, and they were really good, if I do say so myself!  I like trying new recipes.   Its always a good time with those ladies.

Now…I’m getting into the swing of school.  So far, I’ve kept up my promise of keeping up with my readings!  I even did mine for my Thursday night class on TUESDAY.  I’m pretty much awesome.  This weekend is a volleyball game Rob is putting together, and then the boys’ housewarming party.  And then recuperiating. 

Favorite album to mention this post: Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here.

I discovered this in high school, and immediately became a favorite.  In fact, the song “Wish You Were Here” is my favorite song.  I love that the whole album only has like, what, 5 songs?  Its awesome.  They just don’t make music like that anymore (hello, I’ve turned into my father).

Ooops! September 9, 2009

Forgot to mention something important:

I’m participating the Walk for PKD this weekend in DC.  If you are so inclined, please donate on my page: www.pkdcure.org/ceciliariester.

I have more details listed there, but its for an amazing and personal cause.  Thank you in advanced!

Don’t Be Mad, Blog… September 9, 2009

…it’s not like that…I know I haven’t called in a while.  Or written.  I’m not breaking up with you.  You are always on my mind, I promise!

To say that July was a crazy month, is an understatement.  Work. Was. CrazyBusy.  I had to prepare for three surveys, two of which I’d be going on.  We lost the Awesome Jeff to the government (he’s now my customer…so weird!) so our group, which should have 5 people, now has 3.  That being said, much of my days at work were jam packed.   My survey at the end of July was to Newport News, VA (where I always go…ugh…).

August was just as crazy.  Mainly because…I WENT TO SAN DIEGO FOR TWO WEEKS!  Wooo!  It was for work, but still!  I finally made it to California!  And let me say…the weather there was glorious.  It was such a nice break from the swamp that is DC.  It was breezy, mid 70s…my perfect temperature.  But it did get me in trouble: since I spent a weekend out there, Saturday morning I decided to spend some time by the pool.  Some time = 4 hours.  Without sunblock.  Yeah…the back of my legs looked like lobsters.  It was awful.  Anyway, I ate great food while I was out there, even being adventurous with lobster ravioli (I haven’t touched lobster in about 20 years…until recently) and a SHARK TACO.  It was great.

Things are crazy at work because, well, to make a long story short, some of our overall group had to move to a small company.  And I, of course, am in that group.  We all still have our same jobs, support the same people, but it was just honestly the worst timing ever.  Me on travel for two weeks in SD, coming back for a week long meeting at our facilities, having to move cubicles (I JUST moved.  Dang it!), it was just a lot to deal with in a month.  Now is the first time I feel like I can breath and don’t have 5 million things on my to-do list.  But still..this whole move has been…challenging.  At first, I didn’t think I had any questions about it.  But now, I have soooo many.  Oh well.  It’ll work out.

Now…I’m ready for fall.  I’ve had a fun summer, taking multiple trips to multiple places.  Haven’t really had a good, long vacation, but I’m ok with that.  My classes started last week, and I was reminded of how much I like school.  I realize I’m such a dork, but still.  I really miss the Septembers of my youth: going school supply shopping, the promise of a new beginnings, and just wanting to learn.  Yes, me = nerd.  I’m excited for my classes, and have VOWED to be better about keeping up with readings this time.

Oh, and just to recap Labor Day weekend, it was awesome.  Went to Cleveland to visit Jon and Liz (who often come to DC for parties, so it was our turn to reciprocate).  We went boating, jet skied, played tons of corn hole and ladder golf, and ate tons of amazing food.  And the best part…I didn’t get sunburned! YAY!  Just added some color to my sad little tan.  

And since I haven’t done it in a while, in response to M’s post, another favorite album: The Beatle’s White Album. 

Its hard for me to just pick one Beatles album, because I love them all.  I just love the randomness of the White Album.  I feel like each song is a story on here.  Well, I guess many of them are.  But you have (two of my top Beatles songs) While My Guitar Gently Weeps and Blackbird, and then the Piggies song.  For real?  I just think its sort of comical, the random songs on here.  But I could honestly listen to this album on repeat for forever.  I love it.

Catching Up July 7, 2009

So Pittsburgh weekend ‘09 = epic success!  And…if you’ve stumbled across pictures that have me tagged in them on Facebook…this is a judge-free zone, please.  Its crazy how Iron City + Firefly (this AMAZING sweet tea vodka.  Genius!) + your favorite people will make you act after tailgating.  That’s all I’m going to say.  Plus, my boyfriend is mean with a camera and will take the most unflattering pictures of anyone, tag you in them on facebook, and then will yell when you try to untag yourself.  One picture that didn’t end up on facebook is this:

The Girls in Pittsburgh!

From left to right: Sarah (coworker), Nicole F. (coworker), me, Nicole D (roomie), Kristin (roomie).  We had so much fun just being outside (hello, I’m on the road to being TAN now!!).  So since it was a celebration of Matt being back in town after THREE long months in Seattle (what, you couldn’t get further away?!), I had a few tricks up my sleeve.  I found, through the awesome world of blogs, an amazing cake-baking blog, and saw a post with this cake.  Needless to say, it was inspiration because Matt loves anything Pirate-themed (and it was the theme of the weekend- Pittsburgh Pirates!), so I decided to recreate it.  I was quite nervous, but was proud with the result:

My Pirate Cake!

So I learned how to use fondant.  And sadly, Michael’s didn’t have black, so I used the other Pitt color, yellow (gold).  But fondant wasn’t the disaster I thought it was going to be.  And the cake actually tasted really good.  I made the entire cake and buttercream frosting (prep before placing fondant on a cake) from scratch.  I was so proud of myself!  And, as an added bonsu, because I’m crazy and an overachiever sometimes, I made cupcakes.  I decided to use yellow cake, to decorate them to make it look like a treasure map.  The result:

HA! Worse for wear cupcakes

Ok, in my defense, I used pre-packaged icing.  And I didn’t realize how big the tip would be (there’s a joke there somewhere…), so they didn’t turn out exactly as how I pictured them in my head.  Anyway, the red ones are supposed to be the path to the treasure, shown at the bottom of the middle of the carrier.  The cupcake to the right of it is supposed to be extra ‘coins’.  HAHA!  And then I also did a compass.  Those are the black cupcakes.  Oh, there’s also an anchor thrown in there.  Anyway, this is a picture of them after the trek from DC to Pittsburgh (I’m surprised they survived the trip as well as they did).  So that was my surprise for Matty.

The week back at work from Pittsburgh was crazy…and with me, Nicole and Sarah constantly talking about the trip.  Good times!  I’ve decided to join a gym near my office building, but I’m still testing it out with my three free trips.  My first trip was last Wednesday.  I woke up at 5:30 AM somehow, without the assistance of my alarm clock, so I thought it was as good a time as any to get to the gym.  I only ran, but it is such a nice gym.  They provide you with a lot (i.e., hair dryers, big towels, shampoo & conditioner, etc.) and it was just such a great feeling starting the day off right.  However, I did forget my work shoes at my desk, and didn’t have flip flops, so I had to wear my tennis shoes to my desk.  Which made me feel like a bonafide DC woman.  If you ride the metro, you know what I’m talking about.  So I went to the gym this morning, as well.  Once I offically sign up for the gym, I’ll get a free personal training session, which I’m excited about because I want to fashion my work outs for what I want to accomplish.  Mainly, I’m going to be a bridesmaid in October for my best friend from college, Lindsay, wearing this but in a navy blue.  Its gorgeous, and I want to look good and feel comfortable in it.  Plus, I just want to be healthy.  So that’s that.

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July.  Mine was very relaxing.  Friday off of work = BBQ at the Townhouse Kids’ place.  Saturday = watching the fireworks from Matt’s aunt’s condo in Ballston.  The view of the horizon was amazing, even before the main fireworks from DC went off.  My fave pic I took of the fireworks:

4th Fireworks

  And Sunday, I’m embarrassed to say, was a gorgeous day out, but I spent it being lazy.  Oh well.  I think its needed.  Yesterday was our third (my second) company softball game.  Its so much fun, especially because Matt and the bf are on it.  However…in the last inning of the second game (we play double headers)…the bf was running to first base, pulled his hamstring, and fell down.  It was heartbreaking to watch.  However, he’s feeling better today, taking the day off work and just resting.  I don’t think its as serious as everyone thought at first.  Of course, I know he’s worried he won’t be able to play for the rest of the season.  Hopefully he’ll recover soon, though!

Phew.  I really need to update more often.  But sometimes it just seems like such a chore.  Oh well.  This weekend is going to be 80s-tastic!  Going to see the Legwarmers Saturday night, and then Sunday is the Cheap Trick/Poison/DEF LEPPARD concert.  Its going to be totally rad.    I’ll be sure to take many, many pictures.

Got to Admit Its Getting Better… June 25, 2009

…its getting better all the time!

Ok, so…after an emotional rollercoaster past weekend, things are looking up.  My mom came to visit, and was so much fun.  Friday, we went to a funeral service at Arlington National Cemetary, and it was absolutely beautiful.  The man being buried was my mom’s really good friend Andrea’s father.  I didn’t know him, but it was such a beautiful service.  And of course, when Taps was played, I got quite choked up, thinking of everyone I know who has served/is serving in the Military. 

After that we went to my company’s softball game.  Let me preface it with, my mother had two Gin and Tonics at the reception.  So she was feeling good.  And she was a HUGE hit at the game.  Oh my, my friends loved her.  Saturday we cleaned my apartment (damn you, bad weather!  I had visions of walking around Georgetown with her!!) and then went shopping.  Not too shabby.  Sunday morning, we went to Mass at the National Basilica, and it is beautiful.  I can’t believe I hadn’t been there yet.  There’s all these seperate alters dedicated to Mary, and the crypt is ginormous.  I loved it.  I was really sad when my mom left.  It was wonderful having her here and having her meet all my work friends. 

So this is probably the craziest week ever.  Tuesday marked the first of FIVE consecutive days that I am going to baseball games.  And the best part: I’m seeing my TWO favorite teams, the Red Sox (playing the Nationals) and the Royals (in Pittsburgh, playing the Pirates).  Its going to be great!  The Red Sox have already won the last two games, so I’m hoping they’ll continue the streak tonight!  We’ve had amazing seats so far (we almost got a pop fly last night!  It was insanity!) and its been great being so close to the Red Sox.  And my boy, Varietk, hit a home run last night!  I sadly missed it, as I was getting the bf a soda (not going to say I was pleased), but I’m glad he got one!  And Big Papi hit a homerun, too.  However, I really think the Nationals played very well last night.  I’ve gone to plenty of games where its just been a hopeless cause.  Last night kept me on the edge of my seat.

Tonight is game three (GO SOX!) and then…driving in the caravan to Pittsburgh!  I’m so excited to take my favorite people (who live in the area!  M- you’re my favoritest, but you aren’t here.  Wa wa waaaaa….) and have a mini-vacay.  I’m excited for tailgating, and cheering on my Royals.  We’ll be playing corn hole, and ladder golf.  And just having an all around great time.  I’m soooo excited for it.  And I have a few tricks up my sleeve, that I’ll post about when I get back.

Ok, enough procrastinating on this.  In response to M’s entry about her favorite albums, I’m just going to post one at the end of my posts.  Because I just don’t think I can narrow it down for one single post.  So, today’s album is: No Doubt’s ‘Tragic Kingdom’. 

Yes, I’m sure seeing them two Sundays ago has something to do with this, but this album just makes me smile.  I’m instantly transported back to 6th grade.  And pretty much all of middle school.  And, as awful as middle school was, and I’d never re-do it, there were some great memories that came out of it.  Mainly, ice skating in Eppelheim, and since it was so empty, me and my friends were able to play this entire CD while we were there.  This album just makes me think of a simplier time- where I was enjoying living abroad and making friends, and figuring out who I was. Such a great album.  Especially when heard live.

Lastly, on a more serious note, my heart goes out to my roommate N.  She just lost her grandfather, and I’m sure its a difficult time.  Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers, as well as the rest of her family.  She was good to me when I lost my grandfather in September, so I can only hope to be half as good as her.  I’m here for you, roomie!

Crap. June 22, 2009

A personal time machine would be so clutch right now.

I feel like I’ve screwed everything up. 

How did I get here?

Best. Weekend. Ever. June 18, 2009

I hope all three of you who read this have had a great couple of weeks!  I know I did.  I sometimes forget how much I love Boston.  However, being there for the first time in six years rekindled my love for it.  I love it like how I love Washington DC: because it isn’t an overwhelming city.   It was fun driving around (the few  times we did) and recognizing different places from childhood and freshmen year at college.

To make it brief (since I’ve been dragging my feet updating lately), it was awesome.  roaming around MIT feeling like a smartie, meeting the bf’s entire family (which was acutally awesome…I like them so much!) and, the pinnacle of the trip:  GOING TO FREAKING FENWAY PARK!  See, I lived in MA as a kid, about 45 minutes outside of Boston.  And while I was completely into Ballet, I was also a huge tomboy and loved baseball.  We’re talking I knew stats and stuff.  Sadly, I never went to Fenway as a kid, or when I attended Boston University my freshman year of college.  So I was like a kid in a candy store at Fenway: I took it all in,  looking over it all, calling my dad to brag, and took about a million pictures, however the only one with me in it is:

Please pay no attention to the crazy hair…I decided to be low-maintenance hair-wise the entire weekend.  I barely used a hair dryer.  Or products.  Thus the ‘fro.  Even though the Red Sox lost that day, I still had so much fun at the game. 

Coming back to work after an awesome weekend was mighty hard.  Luckily I stayed busy.  On the Tuesday following the Boston weekend, the bf got his tonsils taken out.  So I spent much of last week just being with him after I got off work- making mashed potatotes, harping on him to take his meds, etc.  It sucks when someone’s in pain and you feel helpless. 

This past weekend was fun as well.  Friday night I went to the Georgetown Waterfront with some coworker friends.  However, since Fridays are always hard for me to go out on, I didn’t last long.  Saturday was our company picnic, so I went there.  It was fun to see Baby Carpenter (Daniel) and take some pics with him.  Here’s the little cutie:

What a cutie!  (I realize you can’t really see his face, but trust me on this)  And his hair is the best part because its super long on top, giving him this natural mohawk.  Its pretty much awesome.  That night, I saw The Hangover with the bf.  Pretty funny.  Pretty typical ‘boy’ humor.  But all in all, it was good.  Sunday I did a good cleaning of my room, as it was awful for nearly a week.  And that night…I saw PARAMORE AND NO DOUBT IN CONCERT!!!!  I have loved No Doubt for about 13 years now.  They were soooo amazing love.  I loved their set, their look, but most of all, their sound.  It was great seeing a band I’ve followed for years live finally.  I of course, forgot my camera, and the pics I took on my iPhone didn’t turn out.  But it rocked my world.  

Tuesday night I was able to see Year One for free thanks to my kickball league.  However…not gonna lie, I wasn’t really impressed.  Michael Cera was the only funny part of the movie (love him!).  I was glad I got to see it for free.  Other than that, not much else is going on.  My mom comes in tonight for a weekend visit, and I’m so excited!  It’ll just be the two of us traipsing around DC.  Too bad the weather isn’t going to be great.  Oh well, we’ll make the most of it.

Finally, I keep wanting to respond to this post of M’s.  I have been thinking it over ever since she first blogged about it.  I think it would be really hard for me to narrow down a few favorite albums.  But I am thinking of them!  I want to post about them soon.  Or maybe I’ll just make multiple entries about various ones.  We’ll see!

Good Day, Sunshine! June 3, 2009

Ok, trying to do a quick recap on the past, present, and near future things going on with me.  Let’s get to it: 

Past- First off, went to my parents’ house in Huntsville, Alabama for Memorial Day weekend…and brought the bf, whom they hadn’t yet met.  It went really well!  My grandmother (Oma) even flew out from Colorado Springs to spend time with us.  It was so great to just be home and do nothing (because there’s limited things to do in Hunstville).  And the best part?  Meeting the dog my parents rescued, Sugar.  I took a few pictures of her, so I’ll put a few up on here when I get the chance.  The big thing we all did together (sans Oma) was going to the shooting range.  My dad had wanted to take me to the shooting range for a while.  We planned to go when I was home for Christmas, but it didn’t really work out.  So that was the one activity I planned to do while home.  Everything else was just really relaxed and great, even though it rained about 85% of the time we were well.  And I got sick. But it was just nice to be home and do. nothing.  Need more weekends like that. 

Last week at work was sort of turbulent.  I won’t get into details, but the week started off quite shaky.  However, by the end of the week, Corporate resolved some things by listening to us, and it was just such a great feeling.  I think there’s still much progress to be made, but I think we’re headed down the right path.

Last night was the second night in a row that I’ve had weird dreams involving my family.  Two nights ago, I had this dream my bff/cousin M was engaged and getting fitted for a dress.  She didn’t know I was nearby and was talking to someone who was asking her the details of the wedding.  The other person asked if I was going to be the maid of honor, and M said (rather harshly I might add), “No”.  And…I know it was just a dream, but I totally woke up all sad.    And last night, I had a dream that all us R cousins were together with our Oma, discussing another family member and their situation.  Anyway, it was all just really weird.  Wonder what I’m going to dream about tonight!

Present- I’m just trying to settle into the new apartment.  There’s still a bunch of stuff I need to get done in my own room, let alone the rest of the apt.  But its nice finally being done with the move.  I like having two roommates, even though we three are rarely ever there together. 

What a great start to the morning!  First off, I rode the bus and metro into work.  I wasn’t lazy and just drove in!  Go me.   And, as I’m sitting here, enjoying a few minutes of personal time on the Internets, I’m eating some yogurt with strawberries and blackberries that I brought from home. Go me, again.  I didn’t go to the corner place to get a huge coffee and bagel.  I’ve come to the conclusion that blackberries are my favorite fruit.  I used to pick them in August in Germany and make home-made pies from them.  YUM! 

Near Future – Boston this weekend. YES!  Its been 6 long years since I’ve been back, and I can’t wait.  Oh, and did I mention I’m meeting the bf’s ENTIRE family?  Ought to be interesting.  I ought to have many stories upon my return.  And I think we’re going to try to go to a Red Sox game.  I’m not even kidding, I will be so stinkin’ excited if that actually happens.  Its going to be a great weekend!