Remember when you were a little kid and you would stay up all night talking and whispering into the night, long after mom and dad said "Go to sleep!"? Well our nights in Florida have been sorta like that (however involuntarily, I might add).
Last night the lights were out and I was nearly asleep. Then sis says "Tomorrow can we go swimming?" I reply in the affirmative and begin to nod off again. I am almost asleep when... "You know the pasta you wanted? Can we have that for dinner tomorrow?"
"Of course," I reply and close my eyes once again. I am nodding off when... "When we go to Disneyworld, you know the characters?" Of course, I say. "I am going to face my fears and meet them." Okay, I say, feeling confident this is the end of it.
But it's not. Another five minutes later (did I mention I had to be up at six for work the next morning) there is another question. Then I start on my requests. "Can we please go to sleep?" I politely ask.
A couple minutes pass. "What time will we get to Disneyworld on Staruday?" she asks. "I don't know, in the afternoon, but can we please go to sleep?" I respond.
Another minute or so goes by. "What will we eat at Disneyworld?" I reply "Whatever we feel like, so probably burgers or pizza, but can you please be quiet so we can go to sleep?" I am hopeful the please be quiet part gets across.
But it doesn't. After the next question I respond with "Can you write down what you want to tell me, and then tell me in the morning, so we can go to sleep?"
Having exhausted my variations of asking nicely I finally do fall asleep. Though I suspect more unanswered questions followed.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
The Everglades
So check in day in Orlando. Our flight down went great and my sis seemed really content riding in a cab down sunny, palm tree lined streets en route to our hotel. Of course I ran into twenty people I know, most of them CEOs, walking through the hotel lobby in my scrappy t-shirt and shorts. Oh well!
Upon check in the person at the hotel was explaining the different areas of the resort to us. "And here," she shared, "Is the Everglades Atrium with real alligators and turtles from the Everglades."
"The Everglades is here?" my sis asked. "Yes, just right around the corner," the hotel clerk explained. "The real Everglades, it's here?" sis again said. "Yes," responsed the hotel clerk. And then I jumped into clarify that it's not really the real Everglades but is part of the hotel that has plants and animals from the real Everglades. But it was a cute moment.
Upon check in the person at the hotel was explaining the different areas of the resort to us. "And here," she shared, "Is the Everglades Atrium with real alligators and turtles from the Everglades."
"The Everglades is here?" my sis asked. "Yes, just right around the corner," the hotel clerk explained. "The real Everglades, it's here?" sis again said. "Yes," responsed the hotel clerk. And then I jumped into clarify that it's not really the real Everglades but is part of the hotel that has plants and animals from the real Everglades. But it was a cute moment.
Orlando Trip - Part One
“Isn’t that going to be stressful for you?” my boss asked. That was her response when I told her my 26-year-old sister is joining me on my latest work trip to Orlando, FL this week. After a few days at the conference, during which she will sleep in and relax by the pool, we are going to Disneyworld. And I am looking forward to it. This practice of having a family member join you at a conference is not too far from the norm. Other colleagues of mine are bringing their spouse, girlfriend, and even their children.
So I was offended by my boss’ response. In fact it was just the response I was dreading. But part of why it struck a nerve is it was the lingering question in the back of my mind. My sister, a kind tall, blond-haired, blue-eyed, social gal with a dizzying array of social activities in her city – from swimming to theater to golf – has a developmental disability. She is technically the “r” word, though I hate to use that word, and has ADD. Nevertheless my sister’s excitement is contagious and her now daily morning calls are filled with questions about Disneyworld.
Which brings me back to this innocent question – “Isn’t that going to be stressful for you?” It sends me down the rabbit hole of unsettling questions. Why would it be stressful to have my sister around? If she did not have a disability would that still be someone’s response? Then again plenty of people I know have siblings who are stressful to be around, with or without a disability. Was there an assumption, however unintended, that being with people with disabilities is stressful? Had my boss ever thought that maybe, it’s fun? Or that maybe, it’s all I’ve ever known so there is no other “norm” to which I can compare?
And I come back up out of the rabbit hole wanting more. Every day people balance work, life, and family. You can’t control the family you are given nor does your traditional family necessarily become those you consider to be family. While I appear single and childless in reality I have a sister who commands my attention in the same way a child might at times. Though I don’t shoulder responsibility for her day-to-day care, I often consider her in my plans. So what I want more of is acknowledgement of my family responsibilities, and for them to be accepted and respected.
I wish my boss had said the same thing to me that was said to my colleague who is bringing his girlfriend with to Orlando – “Oh, great! I can’t wait to meet her.”
Because I have met my sister, and she’s fun. So over the next week, I'll blog about our trip, which knowing my sister means there will be funny, and silly, moments.
So I was offended by my boss’ response. In fact it was just the response I was dreading. But part of why it struck a nerve is it was the lingering question in the back of my mind. My sister, a kind tall, blond-haired, blue-eyed, social gal with a dizzying array of social activities in her city – from swimming to theater to golf – has a developmental disability. She is technically the “r” word, though I hate to use that word, and has ADD. Nevertheless my sister’s excitement is contagious and her now daily morning calls are filled with questions about Disneyworld.
Which brings me back to this innocent question – “Isn’t that going to be stressful for you?” It sends me down the rabbit hole of unsettling questions. Why would it be stressful to have my sister around? If she did not have a disability would that still be someone’s response? Then again plenty of people I know have siblings who are stressful to be around, with or without a disability. Was there an assumption, however unintended, that being with people with disabilities is stressful? Had my boss ever thought that maybe, it’s fun? Or that maybe, it’s all I’ve ever known so there is no other “norm” to which I can compare?
And I come back up out of the rabbit hole wanting more. Every day people balance work, life, and family. You can’t control the family you are given nor does your traditional family necessarily become those you consider to be family. While I appear single and childless in reality I have a sister who commands my attention in the same way a child might at times. Though I don’t shoulder responsibility for her day-to-day care, I often consider her in my plans. So what I want more of is acknowledgement of my family responsibilities, and for them to be accepted and respected.
I wish my boss had said the same thing to me that was said to my colleague who is bringing his girlfriend with to Orlando – “Oh, great! I can’t wait to meet her.”
Because I have met my sister, and she’s fun. So over the next week, I'll blog about our trip, which knowing my sister means there will be funny, and silly, moments.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Misery Loves Company
Yesterday I had a funny moment at Target. I ran into a girl I met last weekend and we were exchanging pleasantries. Turns out she does consulting and lots of work travel too. In fact she had me beat. "I'm just in town for 12 hours," she said. "In between Indiana and Orlando."
"Oh, for me it's thankfully 36 hours, between Pennsylvania and San Diego," I replied, understanding when she ended our conversation quickly as she had to get going. I had just been mulling over how I felt it was sad I had to "project manage" this last weekend, making sure I was maximizing efficiency in order to get everything done. These short little bits at home in between work trips allow my "real life" to sort of pile up, though I have moved as much as I can online.
But don't feel too bad for me because the next "stop over" for 24 hours in DC is self-inflicted - I'm taking a day off work & enjoying a girls weekend in Miami!
"Oh, for me it's thankfully 36 hours, between Pennsylvania and San Diego," I replied, understanding when she ended our conversation quickly as she had to get going. I had just been mulling over how I felt it was sad I had to "project manage" this last weekend, making sure I was maximizing efficiency in order to get everything done. These short little bits at home in between work trips allow my "real life" to sort of pile up, though I have moved as much as I can online.
But don't feel too bad for me because the next "stop over" for 24 hours in DC is self-inflicted - I'm taking a day off work & enjoying a girls weekend in Miami!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
The Best Time - Or Not?
As I sat on my fourth flight of the year, feeling a bit tired from my hectic work life and travel schedule, I skimmed an article on happiness. A blurb on the side caught my eye. It said people's happiness decreases throughout their twenties, thirties, and forties until in their mid-fifties it generally improves. In fact retirees were reported to be the happiest. It makes sense; I suppose - freed from the burdens and responsibilities of work, family, and too often balancing family with work, I can see how life would become less stressful.
But man - that made me depressed to think I am only at the beginning of what is going to become more and more stressful years ahead. Then again, life is often what you make of it and how you perceive things as much as it is reality.
On the one hand, right now I am enjoying investing in my own professional growth with really no constraints. The downside is I work lots. Then again I am able to spend fun time with family and friends in DC, around the country, and the world. The downside is I am not really grounded in one community. Since my work is on a national level, but I am beginning to think I would like to focus on one community, that has been sort of nagging at me lately. But then there are so many opportunities when you work in so many communities and with so many cool people... and again the downside - but also the upside - is the frequent travel to these places to meet people and learn.
So as I sit in another hotel I can't decide if this is the best time of my life - traveling, learning, growing, and pretty much just being responsible for myself - or not. Would I rather be grounded in one community, with a less intense job, and more time with family & friends? Maybe I could have a dog, a predictable schedule, and a regular yoga class if that was the case. Would I be content with that? Then again I love exploring new cities, curling up alone in these hotel rooms, rushing to catch a flight, managing my work and life on my tiny laptop, and meeting new people.
I don't know; none of these trade offs has simple answers. I am reminded of something my aunt said once, that the best parts of life are not certain years or months but rather different moments all along the continuum of life. I guess that's where I will wrap up tonight, on a thoughtful moment along its continuum.
But man - that made me depressed to think I am only at the beginning of what is going to become more and more stressful years ahead. Then again, life is often what you make of it and how you perceive things as much as it is reality.
On the one hand, right now I am enjoying investing in my own professional growth with really no constraints. The downside is I work lots. Then again I am able to spend fun time with family and friends in DC, around the country, and the world. The downside is I am not really grounded in one community. Since my work is on a national level, but I am beginning to think I would like to focus on one community, that has been sort of nagging at me lately. But then there are so many opportunities when you work in so many communities and with so many cool people... and again the downside - but also the upside - is the frequent travel to these places to meet people and learn.
So as I sit in another hotel I can't decide if this is the best time of my life - traveling, learning, growing, and pretty much just being responsible for myself - or not. Would I rather be grounded in one community, with a less intense job, and more time with family & friends? Maybe I could have a dog, a predictable schedule, and a regular yoga class if that was the case. Would I be content with that? Then again I love exploring new cities, curling up alone in these hotel rooms, rushing to catch a flight, managing my work and life on my tiny laptop, and meeting new people.
I don't know; none of these trade offs has simple answers. I am reminded of something my aunt said once, that the best parts of life are not certain years or months but rather different moments all along the continuum of life. I guess that's where I will wrap up tonight, on a thoughtful moment along its continuum.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Chicago Style Roast Beef
A couple weeks back I had a layover at O'Hare Airport. Guess where I went? None other than the airport location of the Berghoff Cafe, where I walked up to the sandwich maker and he said "You want a good sandwich, I make you a good sandwich," in that Chicago tone of voice.
I ordered me-self a roast beef sandwich toasted with cheese. He cut the hunks of roast beef off right in front of me and I downed the whole thing quickly, along with the Berghoff's homemade root beer.
When I got back to town I told none other than my friend Ricky, who being from Chicago understands what I mean when I say Chicago style roast beef. Then I found out the best. news. ever. When Ricky's parents came to visit a couple weeks back from Chicago, they brought him a hunk of roast beef. Being a good Chicagoan he turned the roast beef into Italian beef for sandwiches. Then he saved the dripping to turn into gravy for our Turducken this holiday!
Yum. Delicious. I tasted it this morning and it's GREAT.
I ordered me-self a roast beef sandwich toasted with cheese. He cut the hunks of roast beef off right in front of me and I downed the whole thing quickly, along with the Berghoff's homemade root beer.
When I got back to town I told none other than my friend Ricky, who being from Chicago understands what I mean when I say Chicago style roast beef. Then I found out the best. news. ever. When Ricky's parents came to visit a couple weeks back from Chicago, they brought him a hunk of roast beef. Being a good Chicagoan he turned the roast beef into Italian beef for sandwiches. Then he saved the dripping to turn into gravy for our Turducken this holiday!
Yum. Delicious. I tasted it this morning and it's GREAT.
Ready to Rumble!!!
My friend has written the following about the beloved turducken basting in our oven this festive holiday:
In this corner, in the black suit, weighing in at 172 pounds…
The Chow Hound from Chitown,
The Culinary Connoisseur
The Goofy Gourmet…
RICKY!
And in this corner, in the birthday suit, weighing in at 16.14 pounds…
The Fowl Triumvirate,
The Nesting Doll from the City of Dis,
The Savory Cerberus…
The Turduckn!
LET’S GET READY TO RUUUUUUMBLE!!!
In this corner, in the black suit, weighing in at 172 pounds…
The Chow Hound from Chitown,
The Culinary Connoisseur
The Goofy Gourmet…
RICKY!
And in this corner, in the birthday suit, weighing in at 16.14 pounds…
The Fowl Triumvirate,
The Nesting Doll from the City of Dis,
The Savory Cerberus…
The Turduckn!
LET’S GET READY TO RUUUUUUMBLE!!!
Happy Thanksgiving!
It's time to cook our turducken! We are hosting Thanksgiving today in our beautiful old brownstone in Washington. I am enjoying the day with friends. Part of me is a Monica type from Friends in that I really enjoy hosting gatherings of friends. Today is hosting central for me and I love it.
Yesterday, after I stocked up on wine I was walking back up the street when - lo and behold - Mr. Prez, his girls, and his mother-in-law walked out of Martha's Table, a nonprofit near my 'hood! How funny that I ran into them while I was doing my T-Day errands.
So anyway back to Thanksgiving. I cooked cranberry sauce and pie; now we're roasting our turducken - a chicken inside a duck inside a turkey. Yum. Nothing says Thansgiving like a bunch of poultry.
Yesterday, after I stocked up on wine I was walking back up the street when - lo and behold - Mr. Prez, his girls, and his mother-in-law walked out of Martha's Table, a nonprofit near my 'hood! How funny that I ran into them while I was doing my T-Day errands.
So anyway back to Thanksgiving. I cooked cranberry sauce and pie; now we're roasting our turducken - a chicken inside a duck inside a turkey. Yum. Nothing says Thansgiving like a bunch of poultry.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Twenty Something Kid
I emerged from the farmer's market, grinning like a 5 year old kid, with the remains of my morning chocolate gelato smeared all over my face. More evidence of my morning reward was dribbled down the front of my sweater. And I thought to myself, this is the best phase of my life. I have minimal responsibility, a great job that I like, and because of aforementioned minimal responsibility I can do what I want when I want to do it.
This week was filled with my extracurricular activities: volleyball, tennis, dance class. Its like I am indulging in every afterschool past time my parents may have deprived me of. I love it! I am a twenty something kid with a checking account.
This week was filled with my extracurricular activities: volleyball, tennis, dance class. Its like I am indulging in every afterschool past time my parents may have deprived me of. I love it! I am a twenty something kid with a checking account.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Meditation
I went to my first meditation class on Thursday and it was fabulous, like cleaning out the attic except I was cleaning out my brain.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Peace Corps Update
In my effort to join the Peace Corps while still leading a busy life (causing me to procrastinate incredibly on the paperwork), I am still in the midst of the nomination process. A few things have slowed me down, namely the fact that I'm treasuring the moments I am having with friends in DC right now, life is hectic, and work has been busy. But I got what *should* be the last of my medical info over to them last week.
After yoga on Sunday, I went to coffee with a girlfriend who had volunteered to answer any questions I had about Peace Corps as she served in China. My one question for her was: "How do you deconstruct your life here and go somewhere else?" Tonight as I am looking at the application toolkit there are all sorts of checklists. Checklists for making sure you get your medical forms in, your legal stuff taken care, and so on. Where's the checklist for "How do you transplant your life to another continent?" It seems the harder things in life do not come with checklists.
My friend's simple answer was: "You just do."
After yoga on Sunday, I went to coffee with a girlfriend who had volunteered to answer any questions I had about Peace Corps as she served in China. My one question for her was: "How do you deconstruct your life here and go somewhere else?" Tonight as I am looking at the application toolkit there are all sorts of checklists. Checklists for making sure you get your medical forms in, your legal stuff taken care, and so on. Where's the checklist for "How do you transplant your life to another continent?" It seems the harder things in life do not come with checklists.
My friend's simple answer was: "You just do."
Friday, October 1, 2010
The Talk
Last night the most hilarious thing happened, at least in terms of dating relationships. Back in late May, I had a blind date with a guy who amazingly, despite my streak of bad dates, was not crazy and in fact met two out of three of my deal breakers. For some people, serious things like religion or family values are deal breakers. Not me: 1) Must live in DC. (This has actually been surprisingly difficult); 2) Must share my politics; 3) Must like to travel.
Enter Blind Date Boy. We've been dating since our late May connection through mutual friends. He's the first boy I've dated since I've lived in DC who both lives in the District and has a full-time job. He meets my first two deal breakers but is not as much of a traveler as I am. But I've been doing enough travel these days for the both of us so that one's OK right now.
Anyway I've been avoiding "the talk" which I've learned is referred to as the State of the Relationship address, DTR for Define the Relationship, and any myraid of other names. Every time I bring this up with a friend they're like "Wha??? You haven't had the talk?" Um, no.
So the funny thing last night is he brought up the talk as in we haven't had it, we laughed about how we haven't had "the talk," and then we still didn't have the talk. I like hanging out with him, he likes hanging out with me, end of story.
Enter Blind Date Boy. We've been dating since our late May connection through mutual friends. He's the first boy I've dated since I've lived in DC who both lives in the District and has a full-time job. He meets my first two deal breakers but is not as much of a traveler as I am. But I've been doing enough travel these days for the both of us so that one's OK right now.
Anyway I've been avoiding "the talk" which I've learned is referred to as the State of the Relationship address, DTR for Define the Relationship, and any myraid of other names. Every time I bring this up with a friend they're like "Wha??? You haven't had the talk?" Um, no.
So the funny thing last night is he brought up the talk as in we haven't had it, we laughed about how we haven't had "the talk," and then we still didn't have the talk. I like hanging out with him, he likes hanging out with me, end of story.
It's October
So... wow! Time has flown by. I moved about 6 weeks ago & am loving fall in this big, old DC brownstone. I am now exactly 1 block from my favorite bar in my neighborhood and 2 blocks from the grocery store. Life is convenient, what can I say? The best part though is the girls I'm living with. After living alone, its great to have the easygoing, fun company of this bunch.
Work has been *crazy* with travel and just general craziness lately but I am going to try to re-commit to the blog this month as I'm not on travel. Fall is in the air too and that's my favorite season to write about. Stay tuned!
Work has been *crazy* with travel and just general craziness lately but I am going to try to re-commit to the blog this month as I'm not on travel. Fall is in the air too and that's my favorite season to write about. Stay tuned!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Weddings, Big 10 Country Style
I did a terrible thing to my mom the first weekend in August - but it turned out alright in the end. Two of my good college girlfriends were getting married on the same weekend. One was a brunch wedding on Notre Dame's campus; the other an evening wedding in Madison, WI. Being that South Bend and Madison are much closer together than, say, DC and either of those cities, I though - why not go to both weddings? Then I get to be part of both these friends' special days.
So off I went to the morning wedding by myself at Notre Dame. It was a lovely wedding though I did not know anyone except the bride and groom. Personally I thought it was genius of the bride to have a brunch wedding as that's about my favorite meal. The significance of not knowing anyone at the wedding is that I was going to be drinking mimosas by myself. When I called my mom between the wedding and reception I told her just that and I don't think she believed me. Ha! Proved her wrong. I downed a few mimosas while making friends with the bride's grad school friends. After brunch and congratulating the bride & groom, I was on my way with my mom (and sister in tow) to Madison.
Five fairly contentious car ride hours and a couple of outbursts later we arrived in Madison, threw on our outfits for wedding #2 (my mom was my date) and made our way there. We had missed the wedding itself but arrived at the beginning of the reception, in time for the toasts & all. My college girlfriends & I got our groove on, catching up & dancing. Being that we are all Minnesota alums, bride included, we went up to the DJ to make sure he played the Minnesota Rouser. His response? "I am a Wisconsin alum." Negotiation ensued for the next five minutes, with him making excuses - "I don't have the Minnesota Rouser" and "I don't know where to find it" - until he finally came around, provided he could also play the Wisconsin fight song, which we deemed appropriate given the bride is also a graduate of the University of Wisconsin. It was a fabulous moment, one in which I knew I was back in Big 10 country.
And the plus side of dragging my mom on this marathon wedding weekend is it finally ended a debate we'd been having for years about my own fictitious wedding. While I recognize weddings are celebrating marriage, a commitment to one another, love, et cetera at the end of the day I want my own wedding to be a fabulous dance party. I happen to believe good food and an open bar help dance parties be their most fabulous. My mom differed, believing open bars and really drinking in general at weddings was an unnecessary expense.
Well, after three signature cocktails (yes - the bride had a signature cocktail for her wedding) at wedding #2 my mom changed her mind.
So off I went to the morning wedding by myself at Notre Dame. It was a lovely wedding though I did not know anyone except the bride and groom. Personally I thought it was genius of the bride to have a brunch wedding as that's about my favorite meal. The significance of not knowing anyone at the wedding is that I was going to be drinking mimosas by myself. When I called my mom between the wedding and reception I told her just that and I don't think she believed me. Ha! Proved her wrong. I downed a few mimosas while making friends with the bride's grad school friends. After brunch and congratulating the bride & groom, I was on my way with my mom (and sister in tow) to Madison.
Five fairly contentious car ride hours and a couple of outbursts later we arrived in Madison, threw on our outfits for wedding #2 (my mom was my date) and made our way there. We had missed the wedding itself but arrived at the beginning of the reception, in time for the toasts & all. My college girlfriends & I got our groove on, catching up & dancing. Being that we are all Minnesota alums, bride included, we went up to the DJ to make sure he played the Minnesota Rouser. His response? "I am a Wisconsin alum." Negotiation ensued for the next five minutes, with him making excuses - "I don't have the Minnesota Rouser" and "I don't know where to find it" - until he finally came around, provided he could also play the Wisconsin fight song, which we deemed appropriate given the bride is also a graduate of the University of Wisconsin. It was a fabulous moment, one in which I knew I was back in Big 10 country.
And the plus side of dragging my mom on this marathon wedding weekend is it finally ended a debate we'd been having for years about my own fictitious wedding. While I recognize weddings are celebrating marriage, a commitment to one another, love, et cetera at the end of the day I want my own wedding to be a fabulous dance party. I happen to believe good food and an open bar help dance parties be their most fabulous. My mom differed, believing open bars and really drinking in general at weddings was an unnecessary expense.
Well, after three signature cocktails (yes - the bride had a signature cocktail for her wedding) at wedding #2 my mom changed her mind.
Moving Day!
It's moving day! Today I made one of the best decisions of my life: hiring movers. While I sit in my empty bedroom and blog one last time from my single girl apartment two attractive, buff men are loading my belongings into a truck. I am actually getting some me time to enjoy on this day off work for... work.
I am looking forward to living in the new place. It's a beautiful old row house, DC style. Hard wood floors, high ceilings, an elegant staircase, and more. I am living with roommates again, four nice twenty-something girls. It will be a nice change of pace. I am one of those rare people who kind of likes moving. I like cathartic act of packing and cleaning things out, followed by the opportunity to create a new space.
I am looking forward to living in the new place. It's a beautiful old row house, DC style. Hard wood floors, high ceilings, an elegant staircase, and more. I am living with roommates again, four nice twenty-something girls. It will be a nice change of pace. I am one of those rare people who kind of likes moving. I like cathartic act of packing and cleaning things out, followed by the opportunity to create a new space.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Life Lessons: Beer & Business Lunches
Life lesson learned today: Even if you attend a business lunch at a brewery, even if you order a beer with lunch in part because everyone else is, it's still not a good idea to choose the fancy Belgian style beer with over 10% alcohol content.
I'm Moving! Apartment Nostalgia
I'm moving next week! My alter ego girlfriend lives in an awesome group house that I got a spot in. The impetus for the move is twofold: living with cool people and saving money. My hope is the money I save goes to the "dreams" account - funds to pursue some of the aspirations I still have for my twenties.
My apartment rented out really quick, which makes my heart happy. A couple viewed it & fell in love with it. They loved how I had it set up, from my orange wall to the furniture and more. Can't exactly explain why that makes me happy, but it does.
Though I am excited to move, there are some things about living alone I will miss. For example, if/when I eat ice cream for dinner, no one judges me. If I forget to bring my towel into the bathroom, it's no big deal. I can sit in the bath for a while and just relax. And I like lazy weekend mornings (well, and afternoons) where I stay in my pajamas all day. But alas, those times will come again.
P.S. As I write this blog post, one of the Presidential helicopter is flying over my apartment. Just in case you forgot I live in DC.
My apartment rented out really quick, which makes my heart happy. A couple viewed it & fell in love with it. They loved how I had it set up, from my orange wall to the furniture and more. Can't exactly explain why that makes me happy, but it does.
Though I am excited to move, there are some things about living alone I will miss. For example, if/when I eat ice cream for dinner, no one judges me. If I forget to bring my towel into the bathroom, it's no big deal. I can sit in the bath for a while and just relax. And I like lazy weekend mornings (well, and afternoons) where I stay in my pajamas all day. But alas, those times will come again.
P.S. As I write this blog post, one of the Presidential helicopter is flying over my apartment. Just in case you forgot I live in DC.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Home of...
On my latest return trip to DC from New York, upon pulling into the city the bus driver said: "Welcome to Washington, DC, home of the cherry blossoms and the health care reform bill."
Funny.
Funny.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Glee - It's Infectious
Have you watched Glee? It is one of my new favorites. The Americana setting of this Midwestern high school reminds me of my own high school experience. The storylines and characters play on stereotypes which I can relate to from what I remember about high school - the cheerleaders, the jocks, the show choir kids, and so on. And I love the whimsical quirkiness of the show, how characters can burst into song at a moment's notice. My personal favorite is "Don't Stop Believing" because it's about me: "Just a small town girl (check), livin' in a lonely world (check), took the midnight train goin' any where (check)..."
OK I digress. I love the show and enjoy watching it with my roommates who, being musically talented for the most part, are generally apt to burst into song at any moment. However, the mornings after Glee walking to the subway I am surprised no one bursts into song. Wouldn't a rendition of "Oh What a Beautiful Morning" from Oklahoma be a good thing to sing and dance to on the way to the subway? Especially on some of these gorgeous cool mornings? Once on the subway, the poles to hold onto and the subway seats seem to make the perfect stage for song and dance. The sites of Washington would be so well suited for any number of songs: Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA" sung on the National Mall; Les Miserables' "I Dreamed a Dream" sung on the hilly dramatic landscape of Northwest DC (perhaps on one of the bridges over Rock Creek Park); Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA" really anywhere in the capital city; grooving to "Celebrate Good Times" walking & dancing down 14th Street on a Friday night out. It would make life interesting.
But alas, my morning metro rides are filled with drably dressed bureaucrats, muted tones of navy, grey, and black, DC's unofficial uniform. Oh well. My imagination can run wild as I listen to my iPod.
OK I digress. I love the show and enjoy watching it with my roommates who, being musically talented for the most part, are generally apt to burst into song at any moment. However, the mornings after Glee walking to the subway I am surprised no one bursts into song. Wouldn't a rendition of "Oh What a Beautiful Morning" from Oklahoma be a good thing to sing and dance to on the way to the subway? Especially on some of these gorgeous cool mornings? Once on the subway, the poles to hold onto and the subway seats seem to make the perfect stage for song and dance. The sites of Washington would be so well suited for any number of songs: Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA" sung on the National Mall; Les Miserables' "I Dreamed a Dream" sung on the hilly dramatic landscape of Northwest DC (perhaps on one of the bridges over Rock Creek Park); Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA" really anywhere in the capital city; grooving to "Celebrate Good Times" walking & dancing down 14th Street on a Friday night out. It would make life interesting.
But alas, my morning metro rides are filled with drably dressed bureaucrats, muted tones of navy, grey, and black, DC's unofficial uniform. Oh well. My imagination can run wild as I listen to my iPod.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Top 5 Sporting Events
Being this is World Cup season, I was prompted to think of the top 5 sporting events I would go to live. This was really hard for me to think through being that my first love is college sports, then professional. There is just so much to choose from. But, what I came to is (drum roll please!):
1) BCS National Championship Game in a year where the Illini or the Gophers are playing
2) NCAA Men's Basketball championship in a year where the Illini or the Gophers are playing
3) Wimbledon
4) Superbowl, preferably in a year where the Bears make it
5) World Cup championship
What are your top 5 sporting events?
1) BCS National Championship Game in a year where the Illini or the Gophers are playing
2) NCAA Men's Basketball championship in a year where the Illini or the Gophers are playing
3) Wimbledon
4) Superbowl, preferably in a year where the Bears make it
5) World Cup championship
What are your top 5 sporting events?
