Candidate Shopping

In the wake of the shopping season, it's only appropriate to be able to shop for one's presidential candidate...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/interactives/candidatequiz/

I wonder how well one could gift wrap a candidate?

My top three Republicans:

1. Ron Paul
2. Mitt Romney
3. John McCain (tied with Romney)

My top three Democrats:

1. Bill Richardson
2. Barack Obama
3. Chris Dodd

Hmm.

Jingle Bells

It was a busy evening last night. I attempted to give blood (for the third time), but was once again turned away for having low iron. Ugh. It's so annoying because it's such an ORDEAL to go there, find street parking, and then sit (for an hour, as was last night's case). It's frustrating to waste 1.5 hours and be told that I can't give. On top of that, they called me again today asking me to come in and donate (!). Umm... just leave me alone!!

Anyways, after being rejected, I came home and ran a bit. I ran/walked for 3.8 miles. At least 2.8 of that was all running. I stopped myself at 55 minutes because I had plans to make dinner. Not shabby, I guess.

Drew, Emily and I had dinner together. I made an chicken, Indian dish and served it with rice, green beans, and bread. We toasted to Drew's last night in the house until April. It will be weird when we return and he's not there.

Drew and I are hitting the road for NC after work tonight. I'm semi-packed. Was doing many last minute things last night and packing took a back seat. None of my Christmas presents are wrapped. Mike and I plan on doing some of that on Saturday. After, of course, we finish last minute shopping.

On the way to NC, we're stopping through Richmond to visit with Mal (and Dave?). Mal is going to make dinner and we're going to have a little surprise pre-birthday party for Drew. His bday is Christmas Eve. After the party, Drew and I will head to Durham for our next stop. It is there that we'll meet his family and move his things from my car to their's. It's going to be a full car, because he's moving all the stuff from his room so that Billy can move in on Jan 1.

So, here I go...

Merry Christmas and Happy 2008!

Some blips

I moved offices last week from sitting at a desk outside Rich's office to a new desk in a completely different building and across the alley from my former bossman. It was a little sad, but I am adjusting. It took all of about 30 minutes to move me. It was a bit humbling that all my things fit in a few boxes (files included). I suppose it was a good thing though. I hate moving stuff.

Two weekends ago, I caught up with my dear best friend from high school, Priya. I rode the train to Philly for the weekend. For Christmas, I bought her a 1000 piece puzzle, so most of our weekend was spent visiting and working on the toy. When we weren't doing that, we were Christmas shopping, watching movies, or just lounging and catching up. It was a wonderful change of scenery, but also magnificently paced for a weekend. I rode the bus back to DC, which was a mere $15! Holla!

Last Saturday, I drove to Richmond and saw Mal and Dave for the evening and into Sunday. It's great having her closer. We did a little shopping ourselves, went to dinner and then hung out with Dave that evening before watching The Devil Wears Prada. Such a cute movie. It brought back memories of when Mal won tickets on the radio and we went for free while she lived in DC too.

When I returned on Sunday evening, I went to eat dinner with Kat and some other folks. Kat made a true German meal (she's lived in Germany) for about eight of us, including Rich and Kathy Gathro, their daughter, and Kat's Leadership mentor. It was delicious and a wonderful evening of laughter and conversation.

I have Leadership Group tonight and then tomorrow night I am free. I'm so torn as to what I should do. I know I need to run, but what afterwards? I also need to give blood. The Red Cross is stalking me for my blood. Almost every day they call.

Plus, tomorrow is the last night Drew will be spending the night in our apartment until April. So, I feel like maybe a fun dinner is in order. Robby has already gone to CA for Christmas, but Emily is still here.

I'm excited about going home on Friday. The Council has given us until the 1st off. Many places in DC actually go by that "holiday" schedule- except for government jobs. A few of my friends have lame schedules, but most of us are golden.

Speaking of "holiday"- I've been doing this little test while out shopping. When the cashier tells me "happy holidays," I respond with my chipper, "Merry Christmas." It really is amazing how people respond. Most respond with a warm "Merry Christmas" in return and even... a twinkle? I definitely have detected twinkling eyes. It's amazing. You guys should all try it before the shopping season has come to an end.

A Challenge Ahead

Maybe it was a temporary moment of insanity, but I signed up to do this in April.

I, along with four of my coworkers, are planning on participating in the event. It will be the first of anything like this I've ever done.

Last night I tested my performance right out of the gate. I ran/walked on the treadmill for 50 minutes and went 3.5 miles. Since I've signed something saying I can complete the 10-mile adventure in under two hours and 10 minutes, I've got a ways to go.

Still, I'm encouraged that I'm not too much under a decent "start" time. Also, I'm not crazily sore since I was moderate in my test last night. I was a complete mess by the end, but didn't push my body beyond what it is capable of comfortably doing.

My friend, Jennifer, is super big into running marathons and races- I'm sure I'll be asking her many questions about training and diet tips to make the most of what I'm eating.

Am I insane????

Powder from Heaven

It's been snowing steadily all day. Dainty and soft, the flakes have beautifully coated the trees, benches, cars, and grass. While the roads and sidewalks are indifferent to the magic, I imagine that the snow may start sticking (or at least freeze) to them later tonight.

And the stockings were hung...

Drew and I hung the Christmas lights tonight!!! We are the first house to decorate on our block.

We extended an offer on the room and it was accepted! Billy will move in on January 1.

A night of good news and fun cheer...

Some Ramblings

I can't believe it's December. Wow.

Looks like my postings fall short of the number for last year. I can't help but recall my long days at the LOC, perusing the internet (at my supervisor's suggestion) to occupy my time and salivating when the mail came for me to sort. Sure don't miss that work load (if you can call it "work")!

On Thursday night I went to a multi-faith dialogue presented by the Buxton Iniatiative. Kat works there and asked me to attend the event. Muslims, Christians and Jews gathered for dinner and to watch a film about a young Christian guy who grew up in WV and went to stay with a Muslim family from Detroit for 30 days. He observed their culture and religious practices. The film was documentary style and done by Morgan Spurlock who did Supersize Me, an informative documentary that looked at the fast food industry (specifically McD's).

The conversations that followed were interesting and I learned quite a bit about Islam. The Buxton Initiative is planning on hosting conversations similar to last week's once a month. I think the idea is to promote more than just "tolerance" for another religion, but to really understand it and what makes the people of faith follow it.

The CCCU had our annual Christmas celebration on Saturday. It was a fun brunch at Joe Theismann's, a restaurant in VA that was apparently opened by the former Redskins quarterback.

After the Christmas brunch, I went to Richmond where I (and other family) assisted in Mal's move to her new apartment in Richmond. She's in a great location and only a block from that boy that she likes so much. ;) Her apartment is cute and I have no doubts that the decor will be fabulous. I'm excited about her being closer and am sure there will be dinner parties and more weekend visits to Richmond in the future.

Last night we met six guys who are each interested in living in Drew's room while he travels in Morocco. Drew will be gone from Jan. 1 - April 1. I thought it would be difficult to find someone who'd only be interested in the place for three months, but we had over 50 responses before we finally took the ad down from Craigslist. Unbelievable.

All the guys we met last night were very nice and there were a few who seem like promising leads. We're also meeting one more person tonight. Once we've met him, we'll make a decision and get an offer to someone. I'll be happy to have this behind us! I hate finding new roomies. It's such a time consuming process.

This week looks a little slower. I've been invited by a friend from church to the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the White House. I'm psyched!

Back to the Grind

We've been without internet at the house for the past few days. Not sure why and am not going to think too hard about it. It's back.

The past three days have been fruitful at work. There was another project I'd been working on the past couple of weeks, but it took a backseat to the website push. Since the return from the holiday break, I've again turned my attention towards it. It's made the last few days seem like a blink.

I was walking home from Leadership Group tonight and saw my neighbor, Randy, putting out his trash can. Began to wonder why he was going that- it's only Tuesday. He has two more days. Do you know that I walked another block, greeted my roommates and made my way upstairs before it clicked that tomorrow is Thursday?

Scary.

We've started a new unit in our Leadership Group (LG as I'll lazily refer to it). We're studying Team Leadership, which is an appropriate follow up to the first unit: Leading Self.

I wasn't sure what to expect from the first unit and was skeptical. As I sat on the couch tonight and listened to the director, I decided that I should be documenting more of my thoughts as we go through the units. Some points that I took from our first unit:

• We're each created with our own leadership skills, whether we recognize those skills in ourselves or not. I learned to recognize some things within myself... some passions and ways that make me tick.
• It's good to surround yourself with peers, a "sounding board" if you will. We talked of leaders in history who often had a small group of friends that helped make things happen. Usually behind every great leader is a peer group that helped drive (encourage) him. Along this same thought, we talked of the importance of Christian peers in the same profession coming together and growing from one another.
• One should take time to mentor the spirit. Leadership also comes from self-reflection. What are you doing that's working? What can you improve upon? Take the time to rejuvinate yourself and get away from everyone.
• Emotional Intelligence- it takes more than skills to get a task done. It takes a relational factor. What drives you? What's your motivation? How can you motivate people around you and stir them towards a common goal? The strongest and most respected leaders are the ones who can motivate others around them and bring them together for a common good.
• We each have spiritual gifts. This is told to us in Scripture. We each took a Spiritual Gifts Test and mine is Service. I'm learning to look for the gifts in others. We naturally fill more fulfilled when we are doing what we're wired to do.

So, anyways. Those are just a few things I learned (and felt like writing). I'm gleaning quite a bit- pieces here and there. Am really looking forward to May when the final puzzle is complete.

We've started talking about our Leadership Project. It's something that we'll begin soon and we started talking and brainstorming about it this evening. More details will come...

I led devotions in our staff meeting on Tuesday morning. Each staff meeting has about 20-30 people in it. Was admittedly a little nervous about it. Leading is completely voluntary, I just never had the nerve to do it. I read Psalm 33. I think it's a good reminder that our God is powerful and holy. And artistic. I mean... He breathed the stars and bottled the deep seas (vs. 6,7). He is a God of action and purpose. Everything is seen by him. Love and hope are his offerings. He is a God of detail.

That means I don't have to be consumed by worry or fret over details (something I have to sometimes remind myself). God's plans stand firm and he watches over everyone. He is big enough to breath the stars, but cares enough about me to watch my daily comings and goings.

Wow.

Better. Thanks.

After a great evening at the Pregnancy Center, productive work days, a great night at my Fellows Group, and encouraging words (from you guys and others)... I'm feeling a bit better now.

Thanks for all the encouragement.

I'm heading to bed soon. Might even make it before midnight! I think I need a good night's sleep too.

I'll be working late tomorrow. We're getting ready to launch a new CCCU website (look for it in two weeks!) and it's requiring many extra hours of content migration. I'm a small part of the team, but plan on staying until pretty late tomorrow to help.

This weekend, my Fellows group has our second retreat. We're staying in DC, but will be at a house most of the weekend. We'll be diving into "Leading Teams" by talking about that and incorporating team building exercises. I've heard whispers of a scavenger hunt around the city.

I'm looking forward to the busy weekend and getting out of the house, but also bonding more with my Fellows group.

Also, am looking forward to Thanksgiving and HOME.

A Case of the "Blahs"

I tried to describe to Kat what I'd been feeling lately.

"I didn't go anywhere or do anything because I didn't want to. Then, I sat at home wishing I was doing something. But not really. I don't know if I'm homesick or tired. I'm depressed. But, not depressed, depressed like clinically. Just... ugh. Bored? That's not the right word either. I don't know what's wrong with me."

"Yeah," she sighed, feeling my pain and understanding it. "Shara and I call that 'the blahs.'"

So, I've got a case of those. And they're being pretty persistent.

I've felt anxious, but I don't know why. I haven't been doing as much stuff lately. Also, haven't hung out with many friends lately (besides the roomies). Maybe that's why. I don't know.

Also, am feeling ready to leave DC.

Still, feel like I'm supposed to be here for now. However, some days I feel it's more of a sticky situation than a choice.

Am I homesick? Love sick? Or just sick of who knows what...?

Robby is debating a job in NYC. Drew has informed me that Morocco is likely his next move and that move is probably in January. Emily seems to be looking to get out of Dodge too.

Seems like we just went through this roomy process. Ugh. The idea of finding new roommates again sucks. It just does. I'm sick of the drama and the instability.

The holidays can't get here fast enough.

Some Serious Thoughts on Marriage

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY? (written by kids):

You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming. -- Alan, age 10

No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with. -- Kristen, age 10

WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?

Twenty-three is the best age b e cause you know the person FOREVER by then. -- Camille, age 10

HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?

You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids. -- Derrick, age 8

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?

Both don't want any more kids. -- Lori, age 8

WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?

Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough. -- Lynnette, age 8

On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date. -- Martin, age 10

WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?

When they're rich.-- Pam, age 7

The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that. - - Curt, age 7

The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do. - - Howard, age 8

IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?

It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.-- Anita, age 9

HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?

There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there? -- Kelvin, age 8

HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?

Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck. -- Ricky, age 10

Some new stuff

I'm kind of embarrassed at my number of postings (or lack of) lately. I've been kind of busy, but not busy enough to use it as an excuse.

I just returned from a weekend in NC. Most of the weekend was spent jumping from here to there, but it was fun. We celebrated Mike's birthday. He's 27! I'm dating an (slightly) older man.

My time at home seemed to pass more quickly than normal. Mike pointed out to me last night that it was the first weekend in a while that I hadn't made a full three-day event. I guess I was getting used to being spoiled by three-day long weekends in NC. The average weekend hours aren't enough!

I enjoyed some quality (be it brief in quantity) time with the family. When I wasn't with my own, it seemed like I was with Mike's. His family all got together on Saturday night for his bday party. We had a delicious meal (apps: salad, broccoli salad, and shrimp bisque; entree: corn, peas, homemade bread, and flank steak; dessert: homemade cake (and icing!) with ice cream) and then Mike opened his presents. He got a lot of decorations for his master bath and some other house items.

On Sunday, his parents, mine, and the two of us all did lunch together for the first time since Mike and I have been dating. It was great! I'd been anticipating the moment for a while and was excited that it finally happened.

I got to spend some more family time in Winston before heading to Mike's in GSO for a bit. We decorated his bath, he changed my car's oil, we played with the chickens, AND chatted (all within a little under two hours) before I hit the road again for DC. I'm looking forward to 40 minute car rides between our homes versus the 5.5 hours. So is he.

In other news: I went to the eye doctor on Friday to be "checked and cleared" for eye surgery in January. I got two thumbs up from them. My eyes are super healthy (thank God) and could handle the laser surgery and implantable lenses. While I was there, I learned some more about the procedure and possible risks, many of which are undetermined since it's a relatively new procedure. However, the risks I did hear made me concerned.

I'm leaning towards waiting on getting my eyes done. Their longest patient outcome is only two years running and I'd like a little longer results than that. Also, I think there are some things that could be improved upon with a couple more years of experience and testing. So, while my decision isn't final, I'm more than 50% sure that I'll wait on this.

Run to see this!

I got the chance to see a sneak preview of Bella, a heart-warming and AMAZING movie that's opening in select cities THIS weekend.

You guys- it's awesome. It's a beautiful story with deep characters. The story challenges the audience to redefine love and consider issues bigger than themselves. There's love, friendship, loss, family and cultural issues that are all boldly, but sensitively addressed.

This is the director's first film and it won at the Toronto Film Festival last year. The director is Hispanic and is following a heart cry to portray Latinos in a positive light and get away from the Hollywood-slapped stereotypical roles.

Similarly, the lead actor had a conversion experience four years ago and decided to only PLAY positive characters (he's Latino also). Before his conversion experience, he played typical "negative" roles and became HUGE in Mexico- a "heart throb" for good reasons. For four years prior to Bella he was out of work and turned down several multi-million dollar contracts because of his refusal to take part in another movie where Latinos are negatively portrayed.

The Executive Producer, Sean Wolfington, spoke at the sneak preview I attended and he's fired up about this movie. Wolfington also produced Braveheart and Passion of the Christ. There are hopes and predictions that Bella will be huge. There are a lot of Christians who are behind the scenes of this movie. However, the movie doesn't have that hokey, low budget or cheesy feel. It's the real deal.

The acting is amazing, story is beautiful, and message is provoking.

You can read a little more about the folks behind the scenes.

GO GO GO see it!!! Support it on its opening weekend!

Broken Computer

My computer is on bedrest, hence my absence.

Tuesday was World Food Day and I attended an event in the Russell Senate building. The event was hosted by the Senate Hunger Caucus and partnered with World Vision and the North American Miller's Association. It was a "luncheon" of sorts. The event highlighted Acting on AIDS and various food movements that are making a difference in global hunger.

At the event, we partook of the Broken Bread Poverty Meal, which is a simple porridge meal that is an example of what is fed to poorer people throughout the world. During the meal (a bowl of porridge and water), we were told sobering, true-life stories of hunger and pain. There were stories of prostitution, declining health due to AIDS (caused by prostitution or unfaithful husbands), and orphans. All situations had a common denominator- they were ultimately caused by hunger. Acting on AIDS also shared that "nutrition levels have been found to be directly correlated to the effectiveness of treatments for chronic diseases such as AIDS."

It was very effective and I walked away with a greater appreciation of what these movements are doing. It was a more than appropriate way to observe World Food Day.

Been a while...

I realize that I haven't posted any updates in a while. This is mostly because I've been busy and partly because I've been lazy in my "down" time.

I have been running solid for about two weeks. If I wasn't in NC, then I was committed to something every night of the week. Between dinner dates, the Pregnancy Center, and Leadership Group, there's been little time in the evenings.

Tonight is the last night that I have an obligation in the evening for a solid week! Yay!

I went to NC last weekend. About 75% of my time was spent with Michael. The other (itty bitty) percentage was spent with friends, family, and my pillow.

Mike took us to my favorite restaurant, Bianca's, on Friday night. I love it because of their fresh, rotating menu. The Italian food is authentic and the atmosphere cozy. Plus, it's one where acoustics don't interfere with conversation.

On Saturday, Mike and I spent the afternoon together. We mostly piddled in the yard and just enjoyed one another's company. That evening, we met Mallory and Dave before joining Mike's family at the fair. His sisters and brother in law were there. It was a fun evening! I've included a few pictures for your viewing delight.

On Sunday afternoon, after church, Mike and I went to lunch with his parents and sister, Jessica. We tried a new (to us) restaurant that was buffet style. The food was fresh and tasty. I enjoyed the company and casual conversation. After parting from them, he and I bought some flowers for his yard. We let the day cool, while passing time inside. Then, we got to work planting them in spots throughout the yard. Delicate touches were added around the mailbox and near the driveway.

"It looks like a girl lives here now," he said with a smile and hand squeeze.

I enjoyed that comment. My hopes are that THIS girl will live there one day...

After our hard work, we had a yummy meal and the evening was done. I'm looking forward to simple Sundays like that.

Life comes at you fast

I've been kind of busy lately. Busy enough that I can't believe tomorrow in Monday again. Not that Mondays are bad, I just wouldn't mind a little more R&R.

Some updates:

• My speeding ticket was reduced. Hallelujah! My lawyer (I still get a kick out of writing that) got my speed reduced to 74 in a 65. That will definitely help with my insurance costs. Also, I'll get fewer points (if any) on my license. That was (and still will be) an expensive lesson learned.
• I've set a date for my important eye exam. I'll be donning my glasses in late October for an eye exam on the 2nd of November. I'll be wearing my glasses at least a week. This exam will determine if I'm qualified for implantable lenses.
• The National Center for Leadership program has begun. We met on Wednesday night for our first dinner and a "meet and greet" session. There are 11 people in our group. We spent about three hours getting to know one another, hearing about the program, and eating a delicious Italian meal! You can look for updates to their website pretty soon...

I worked a bit this weekend. Rich is on a Commission for "Advancing Intercultural Competencies." The Commission addresses justice issues that fall under six categories: Racial Harmony, Gender Equity, Human Sexuality, the Disenfranchised, Pop Culture, World Religions, and Internationalization. There's a lot that's discussed when the Commission meets! It is always very interesting when I get to join him for the meetings. They convene twice a year and once in D.C. It usually requires working on a Saturday.

This year, the meeting was on Friday afternoon until the early evening. After we adjourned "business talk" we went to dinner at a delicious Indian restaurant, Rasika. I'd never been there and it was worth the wait. The food was amazing and the presentations of the dishes were just as impressive.

After dinner, we went to my favorite theatre, the Woolly Mammoth, and saw The Unmentionables. It was a fitting play considering the Commission's passions and themes. The acting was phenomenal and I enjoyed myself.

I made it home shortly after 11 and pretty much went to bed. It was "business as usual" with the Commission on Saturday morning. We finished shortly after noon and went to lunch at one of the yummy German restaurants on the Hill. When I was "free" from CCCU business, I basically went home and crashed for a while.

Today was lived in fast forward too. The National Center for Leadership had a commissioning ceremony for us today at the National Presbyterian Church in D.C. It was a nice ceremony in which we Fellows were called to the front of the congregation and recognized. The congregation prayed for us and then talked with us after the service. I was surprised at how many people I actually know just from the circle I've already been exposed to. It was great to have the congregation's support and blessing.

Between services I also met my mentor, Katlyn. We had the chance to speak for about ten minutes. She seems really nice and I'm excited to learn more about her and from her. She only lives about five blocks from my house too!

After the two services, we had a cookout on the church lawn to celebrate. Previous alumns of the program, mentors, and friends joined us for a yummy feast. It was a great time and opportunity to get to know some folks even better.

Our next meeting (Wednesday) will be the first one for which we have to prepare. We've been assigned some literature to read. I'll be focusing on the first three chapters of Vocation: Discerning Our Callings in Life, by Douglas Schuurman. Also, our group will be leaving for the beach next weekend. We'll be going to Bethany Beach, DE, from Friday until Sunday. I'm anticipating some fun carpooling, honest conversations, and a memorable weekend. Hopefully I'll get some awesome pictures to share!

Coasting

Mike and I went to his company's employee appreciation party at Carowinds on Saturday. I hadn't been to Carowinds since I was in high school. A lot has happened since then and I couldn't help but let my mind drift a bit as I walked through the park. There are many new rides (or new to me), most of them being roller coasters. They were shiny and twisty, smooth and fancy. The seating was even "modern" compared to other coasters. Instead of traditional seats where one climbs aboard and plops into a bucket, the new coasters had seats where your feet dangled or they tilted backwards (much like how the passengers rode) or there was no seating at all. The riders simply stood and were harnessed into position. Overall, great improvements that made the coasters edgier.

Towards the end of the day, Mike and I walked to the back of the park. There was a coaster I recognized- The Hurler! It's old and wooden and the line was non existent compared to the hour-long lines we'd been enduring. Mike and I walked right up and got on board the traditional coaster.

It took off like all others and memories came flooding back. This coaster rocked when I was in high school!

I remembered this moment.

The car clicked up the hill. It jolted as wheels met track and belts pulled at the train.

Click, click, click.

I looked at Mike and he was grinning as I imagined myself doing. The park beyond him was shrinking as we climbed the hill. Someone in front of us was already screaming. We were at the top and gravity was calling.

We sped down and the old tracks let us know their age. It felt like we were running over a bunch of firecrackers. The wooden tracks seemed to buckle underneath us and I realized that maybe there wasn't someone screaming in front of us. Maybe it was the tracks.

We flew faster than the other coasters we'd been riding. I then realized that the speed wasn't making it more enjoyable. The rails fought the metal train and were ferociously winning. There was that scream again. Was I getting a headache? We caught the hills and my stomach was somewhere two seconds back. Awesome!

We raced around the corners and I prayed. All I could think about was whiplash and that maybe I was too old for this. I looked at Mike. His face mirrored my own. It was this odd combination of thrill and hate.

Oh, geez, another turn. This meant another dance with the Whiplash Devil. I looked ahead and could tell that we were a little over halfway done. I definitely had a headache. I must be old now. I should write AARP and inquire about a membership.

Somewhere between the headache realization and the screeching halt, we finished the ride.

"WOW!" I caught my breath and said another quick prayer (of thanks this time). "THAT was an experience."

Mike laughed. The man in front of us turned around and grinned with apparent agreement. He had to be at least thirty. I wondered if he was going to need help off the ride.

We all made jokes about the ride while laughing a little uncomfortably. I wondered if their laughs were laughs of relief too. We had survived.

The Hurler is a fitting name. I wasn't tempted to physically go where it suggests but I sure threw out (up?) any ideas that I could endure that ride again. Maybe it means I am old. Maybe I was just an idiot when I rode it in my younger years. Or finally, the tracks have just changed themselves. They're wooden and aged. They're weathered, but still perform.

I've weathered some things myself. Been on my own roller coaster since then. I'm looking forward to staying on it for as long as I can.

It was good to return to an old stomping ground with my new friend.

I'm Getting Implants

I finally took the plunge and went to the surgeon's office on Tuesday. We talked about the benefits and risks of a procedure that I have wanted for years. After talking about options, I've decided that implants make the most sense... implantable contact lenses that is.

The eye surgeon said that I can't achieve 20/20 vision with LASIK cuz my eyes are beyond perfect repair. However, there's a new procedure where they actually implant a small lens in the eye. The procedure has only been approved a couple of years, but the surgeon I went to has been involved in the FDA study since it first began in 2000. He's well practiced and encourages it for folks who are as blind as I am.

I picked up my new glasses from my regular eye doctor and they are ok. Although the frames are way cute, I'm not thrilled about donning them for any long period of time. However, it is inevitable.


Before I am approved for the laser surgery, I have to wear my glasses for a week. This allows my eyes to return to their normal shape (contact lenses contort the eye's natural shape a bit) and be at their healthiest. I'm not excited about this step. Arrg. I just have to remain focused (no pun intended) on the prize!

Once I've worn them a week, I have to go to their Maryland office and get a comprehensive eye exam. Basically, they're looking closely at my eyes and giving me the final "thumbs up" for the surgery. After they have all my measurements, I can wear my contacts again until the days of the procedures (which I won't get done until early 2008). They won't do both of my eyes at the same time, which is a bit of a relief. I can basically get them done within one week of each other (at the earliest) or wait until I feel like getting the second one done. The eye doctor said that one lady waited a year between getting both of her's done because of her finances. I may do that because the procedure is pretty costly. It's more than LASIK per eye. Although it's quite an investment, I feel like it's something I won't regret. Plus, I've been weighing it for years now.

I'm SO incredibly psyched about this! I'll provide updates (eye exam & surgery dates) as I learn them.

In other news, my traffic court date is today. My lawyer is in Dinwiddie, VA, and going to represent me for my "reckless driving" violation. Keep your fingers crossed that the judge has mercy!

Finally, I'm going to NC tomorrow night for a long weekend. I've taken off Monday from work. It'll be good to get out of DC. I've been feeling a little boxed in and aggravated lately.

I Wish this Weekend was Long too

My weekend is almost gone. I can't believe it. Where did it go?

Last week seemed to crawl by for various reasons. Maybe because it was a literally short week, it had to make up for it figuratively. It seemed to drag, but the weekend is almost gone. Sadness.

There are some changes happening at work. They're changing the structure of the CCCU a bit and this will inevitably play out in the future with my position. Not quite sure what the implications are yet, but I know there will be some. Although Rich and I have talked about it, he seems to think that changes will occur pretty slowly, but that I may have many different roles by spring of next year. Guess we'll see...

We had a cookout yesterday afternoon. About 15 people came over for hotdogs, burgers, and fun sides. Emily did most of the cooking and Robby manned the grill. It was fun having people over. I had to slip out early cuz I attended a bachelorette party for a friend from the CCCU. That party was quite enjoyable too.

I think this week will feel long. Rich will be out of town until Friday. I originally was going to take Friday off and go to NC on Thursday night, but have opted for taking next Monday instead. Mike learned of a last minute work trip to Kansas on Thursday and Friday, so I would have missed him if I'd taken Friday off.

I don't have too much going on this week- just the Pregnancy Center laser-eye surgeon on Tuesday afternoon. I can't wait to talk to them about options and am excited about probably getting it done next year. It's something I've been wanting for a real long time and am finally making it happen.

I think this will be the last week for a while that I'll have plenty of "down" time. The Leadership Program starts next week. Between the Pregnancy Center and Leadership Program, I'll be busy enough.

Wish I had more to report on, but it's been kind of quiet this week...

Mike and My Anniversary Weekend!

Mike came to DC this weekend and we celebrated our one-year "dating" anniversary.

I can't believe it's been a year- time has flown and I still feel like every time I see him that I'm falling more and more in love. I am so blessed and God is awesome! I've included a link with some pictures from the weekend. So, check them out!

Mike arrived late on Friday evening, which pretty much only allowed some socializing with the roomies and some friends before calling it a night.

On Saturday morning, we went with Robby and some of his friends to Jimmy T's, a local diner, for breakfast. After breakfast Mike and I made our way to Arlington Cemetery. Neither of us had been and we spent several hours there. From the pictures, you can only get a glimpse of how HUGE it is. Over 290,000 people are buried in Arlington Cemetery. As we saw the fresh graves, it was a reminder that the number grows weekly.

There are many famous people buried there. We visited the grave of John F. Kennedy. We also saw the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where we watched the changing of the guard ceremony. It's a somber ceremony. The spectators are silent, with respect and awe. The soldiers are flawless in their motions. The only sound is the wind.

After Arlington, Mike and I drove to a Labor Day cookout in Annapolis, M.D. Annapolis is located on the water and it's beautiful. We strolled downtown with some friends where we had Ben and Jerry's, window shopped, and took in the sights and sounds of the harbor.

On Sunday, we went to church and then to the Nationals vs. the Giants game in the Nationals stadium. Robby, Drew, Mike and I went. We also met up with Steve while we were there. It was a quick game that the Nationals closed with a winning hit. It was my kind of game... we sat in the shade, the company was fabulous, and the food delicious. Plus, the game was relatively short and my team won. Nice!

After the game, Mike and I went to dinner at Phillip's Seafood Restaurant. It has a buffet bigger than any I had seen. Our table overlooked the Potomac and the breeze made it comfortable. We ate enough seafood to meet our (or at least mine) quota for quite a while! Mike and I both decided that the crab legs were amazing and the best we'd ever tried. After dessert, we walked along the water's edge and took in the sights of the river bathed in the half moon.

We slept in this morning. My calf muscles ache from all the walking we did this weekend. We enjoyed breakfast together and Mike left late this afternoon. I miss him already, but am reliving the memories of our time together. I think how much I love him and can't imagine what it will be like when we live closer together. If it's amazing now- it's going to be bliss when our time isn't interrupted by six hour drives and weeks apart. We've made something awesome together and God is blessing it.

I can't wait to see where we'll be in another year... and even longer.

Yippie!!

I got accepted into the Leadership Program!!! :) Yay!! Our first meeting starts September 19th and our first retreat is at the end of September. By the time of the retreat, I have to read Vocation: Discerning Our Callings in Life by Douglas Schuurman. It should be a positive first book to read. Maybe by the time the course is complete, I'll know what I want to be when I grow up.

Also, today I went to my eye doctor and got the name of a recommended LASIK surgeon. I'm scheduling an appointment with him soon. The possibility of LASIK sugery is SUPER exciting. My eye doctor seems to think I'm a good candidate, I just have to get the "thumbs up" from the surgeon. He's the one who will have to check out my corneas and make the call. If so, I'll be looking at a surgery date in the winter or spring of next year.

To prepare myself, I bought some new glasses and lenses today. Whoa. I think I'll be making payments on that purchase for a couple months. Thankfully, the guy who works in the shop felt sorry for me and knocked 50% off the cost of my frames. He saved me about $90 in the end... a small cost compared to that of my lenses.

If I get approved for the surgery, I'll have to wear my glasses 24/7 for about 2-4 weeks (depending on what the doc says). So, I bought them in preparation (and hopes!) that they'll come in handy when I decide to do it. Luckily, surgery costs include any post-lenses requirements. In other words, if I still need glasses (and I prob. will with my poor eyes) then the new prescription lenses will be no charge. Good thing too. I'll be paying off these for a while. :)

I'm going to see West Side Story at Wolf Trap tomorrow night. I'm excited since I've only seen the movie. It should be a fun play and I'm looking forward to bonding with some co-workers outside of the office!

Blip

The beginning of the week seemed to creep. I think I was in a little withdrawal from NC.

I'm relieved that today is Friday and I'm looking forward to an open-ended weekend. It'll be nice to be in town without any plans. Those are the weekends that usually wind up being the best kind!

Last Monday I interviewed with hopes of becoming a fellow at the National Center for Leadership. The program would team me up with a mentor in D.C. and a dozen other people my age. I'd be studying leadership skills and teamwork. We'd read about three books, 25-30 articles and study the book of Daniel. The program is nine months and intense. It even has a few weekend retreats.

The application process has been extensive. I had to be nominated and submit an essay-answered application along with some references. I'm at the end though. My interview seemed to go well. It was a round-table interview where I was asked questions by the two Directors, a Board member, and a recent Program Alum. Luckily, I didn't get lost getting there (just driving home). I'm supposed to hear from them any day about my acceptance or not.

Tuesday at the Preg Center was a lot smoother than last week's! Thankfully, I wasn't the only counselor this week. One of my favorite people to counsel with was there. We had two clients and a lot of time to chat between us. It was a good night.

Emily and her former roomy cooked us dinner on Wednesday night! Her ex-roomy came over and they fixed an Italian feast. Plus, her roomy's boyfriend came over so we had even more guests. It was a fun dinner party that lasted into the wee hours.

We're slowly building our household community again. It's taken some time, but we're getting there. Wednesday night was entertaining and a glimpse of many more memories to come!

DC Report

Well, the week has been pretty calm after the hectic weekend.

On Monday night I met up with Kat and some of her friends from church. We went to this summer's last Screen on the Green, where Casablanca was playing. We met out there about an hour before the movie started and had a festive picnic. The weather was nice and actually comfortable despite the blazing heat that was present last week. Since I'd recently seen Casablanca and we were sitting in a location that was less than ideal for seeing AND hearing it, we all left kind of early. The picnic was fun though and I met some great new folks.

Last night I went to the Pregnancy Center for a few hours. There was supposed to be another counselor there with me, but she was a no show. Unfortunately, they had scheduled clients for both of us. So, I wound up seeing everyone who came in (five women) and spent quite a bit of time playing catch-up on paperwork after they all left. It was good though. It made the evening go by quickly. All of them were very patient and gracious as I had explained that I was the only counselor there. There were generally two women in line at any given time. No one left and no one was fussy about waiting. I finished my paperwork shortly before ten o'clock. Thankfully I don't live far and the walk is short!

Tonight I hung out again with Kat. We didn't get any one-on-one time on Monday night and both realized that tonight would be the only evening in a couple weeks where we are both free AND in town. So, we just milled around Union Station. I had some coffee and sushi. We did a little window shopping and caught up with one another.

Kat has applied for the same Leadership Program as I. We're both pretty sure that our odds are favorable. Her interview is Saturday morning. Since I'm going to NC this weekend, I've scheduled mine for Monday night.

Tomorrow night I'm going to the Nats game with JoyAnna. I've enjoyed getting to know her more as the year has developed. I think the Mets are playing the Nats, but I'm not too sure. I'm just looking forward to some hotdogs, cold drinks and fun memories!

On Friday I'm going to NC. I think Mal and I will shop for bridesmaid dresses. She already has almost everything planned. She even has her dress bought. Pretty much the only thing that I don't know much about are the bridesmaid dresses. Those remain to be talked about or seen. So, I think that's on her "to do" list still. That should be a fun shopping experience. When I'm not with Mal and other family, I plan on seeing Mike a little bit too. It's going to be a fast weekend. I can tell already...

The SURPRISE party!

After their engagement, Mallory, Dave and I went back to our house for a SURPRISE party!

This pic was taken right after we walked into the house. Although Dave was in on the secret party, Mallory wasn't. She was completely surprised!
Mallory showing everyone the album that Dave made.

Our roommate, Robby, is on the left side of this pic. You'll recognize Drew (in the middle) and Dave (who went to St. Thomas with us). Our newest roommate, Emily, is sitting in the far left of this pic. The happy couple. Cute pic!At the end of the evening and right before Mallory and Dave left for NC.

Mallory's Engaged!

Mallory got engaged today! I was really honored and excited to play a part in the event. I got her in place to meet Dave and was also able to snap some pictures of the moment.

Dave drove up and surprised her by the Wishing Tree in the Sculpture Garden near the Hirshhorn Museum.

Enjoy...

This picture was taken right before Dave appeared... Mal is giving two thumbs up that her wish would be coming true. Six months ago she made a wish that she and Dave would get engaged this year. Since Mal had an idea that a proposal was coming soon, she figured some thumbs-up were appropriate.

Mallory greeting Dave soon after he appeared. He carried a scrap book with pictures of them. Telling her why he's there...

Dropping to his knee, Dave sang a song that is a favorite of theirs' with the lyrics changed to make it more personal. Apparently, she's liking what he's singing...

Dave is asking THE question... "Mallory Ann Duncan, will you marry me?" Looks like a "YES!" Dave had Mallory sign her soul away.

Just kidding.

He had written THE question to go in their scrap book and left a blank for her to write her answer. She wrote "heck yeah!" and a smiley face.
Once he had her answer, he pulled out the ring. A perfect fit.

Look at the happy couple and check out that bling!!

The Beach

I had a wonderful time with Mike and his family over my long weekend.

I arrived to NC late on Friday night. Mike and I joined his parents and other family on Saturday morning. From there, we rode to Long Beach, NC, which is right near Holden Beach.

We had beautiful weather the whole time we were there. Although it was pretty hot, it helped to dunk in the ocean. We did quite a few activities: fishing, swimming in the ocean and sound (our house was nestled on a thin strip of land that ran between the two), flounder gigging (that was a first for me!), lots of yummy eating, and relaxing.

It was a great chance to get to know Mike's immediate and extended family better. While we were there, we stayed in two houses that were about five houses apart. Each house overlooked the ocean. Every night we gathered as a big group in one of the houses and ate dinner- a tradition that I could really appreciate. During the days, we were free to come and go for breakfast and lunch at whatever hour we preferred.

I went to the ocean everyday and did some form of fishing (whether it was with a pole, net, or gig) in the evening. Good times!!

I got a little sun, saw some shooting stars in the evenings, and had the chance to bond with his family. They're wonderful people and remind me SO much of my own family that it's a little scary.

I've included some pictures for your enjoyment!


Mike wading in a tide pool after being "double dared" by his borther-in-law, Chris. Mike said that he "can't turn down a double-dare." I told him that I was making a note of that for a later time.
Mike surrounded by some of his family. His two cousins are sitting with their backs to the camera. His older sister (Laura) is standing and Chris is on Mike's left.
Mike's younger sister, Jessica, with his little cousin Jara.

I returned on Wednesday evening after flying from Wilmington, NC to Baltimore, MD. I had no problems with any of my flights, thankfully.

Mallory picked me up at the airport and is staying in town until Saturday or Sunday. Last night we went with Robby to Bistro for the first time in a long time. Robby had never been and Mallory and I were craving it.

It's good to be home, but I'm already missing Mike. I'm looking forward to the day when I won't be counting down the days until I see him. I'll be able to hop in my car and meet him for dinner or lunch after a short drive... or spend a Saturday with him that has no hint of a goodbye on the horizon.

A Recap

Well, Emily has moved all of her things to our place. I'm happy to have the search out of the way. Plus, I think she'll be a great addition to our house!

On Monday night I went with her and a couple co-workers to Screen on the Green. It's one of my favorite activities to do in DC during the summer. The city hosts a big screen viewing of a classic flick right on the Mall! They begin the film at dusk, but everyone begins to gather with picnic baskets and frisbees several hours before the feature presentation. Last Monday was the third week's show and I finally caught it. We watched Wait Until Dark. It is a great film!

On Tuesday I went to the Pregnancy Center. I hadn't been in about a month. My last scheduled day was on the day of Papa's funeral. So, needless to say I didn't make that counseling session. It was great to be back at the Center. Tuesday night's session was my FIRST solo session and it went really well. If you'll recall, the last time I went I was being observed. When I arrived at the Center, I received my Certificate of Completion for having finished the necessary training. Yay! I'm official.

Last night I attended the Nationals vs. Reds game. It was my second game of the 2007- 2008 baseball season. Surprisingly, the Nats won by a landslide! I attended the event with some co-workers and some of their friends, one who is a Jeopardy champion! Tom held the record for the most consecutive wins before the infamous Ken Jennings broke it. Not surprisingly, he got all the baseball trivia correct that they asked throughout the game.

There were seven of us and we had awesome seats. They were in the very front section and behind third plate. Best of all, we got hooked up with the tickets, so we only paid $10 for seven of us to get into the park. NICE!

I'm looking forward to a relaxing evening tonight. My friend, JoyAnna, is supposed to come over for a bit. I think we'll have some dinner and watch a movie or something super low key like that.

This weekend and into the middle of next week should be exciting. I'm going on vacation with Mike and his extended family to Long Beach, NC. We're going to be staying in a couple beach houses down there. I'm looking forward to being with my man, getting some sunshine, and maybe catching a fish or two. Good times ahead...

DC News

It's been a busy week. My work week was fast. I attended a conference on grant writing from Monday to Wednesday. It was a lot of information crammed into three days of sessions. I learned quite a bit and am excited about the opportunities to put my new knowledge into practice. Rich said that if it's something I enjoy that we may add it to my responsibilities at the CCCU. I may be able to write grants for them. It would be a great way to increase my salary while padding my resume.

On Tuesday night I went to dinner with some alumni from UNCG. One of my former supervisors (when I worked as a telemarketer for UNCG) emailed me a couple weeks back and mentioned that she'd be in town. She currently works in the fundraising office there and is in a position where she's bringing alumns together in cities across the U.S. Pretty cool idea. So, she wanted to have a dinner and reunite some UNCG alumns in the DC area.

Although the idea of dining with a bunch of strangers wasn't the most appealing and I was worried that it'd be a plug for UNCG all night, I decided to attend.

It wound up being a lot of fun! Ten of us met at an Italian place in Dupont and dined for about three hours! Everyone was happy to be there. We all shared about ourselves, learned about UNCG, and exchanged contact information. I feel that it was a good time had by all.

Thursday night I went to a play called Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind. It was a five man show of 30 plays in 60 minutes. The concept and delivery were cool. When we walked into the theatre, we were handed a brochure that had the name of thirty plays on it that were in numeric order. Across the stage was a clothesline with thirty pieces of paper also numbered from 1-30. We were instructed that the play would be run by the audience. We got to pick which short play should be acted out next. For example, they began with #7 and at the end would yell "CURTAIN!" It was then our role as the audience to scream out another number. Someone on stage would pluck a number off the clothesline that was heard and that would be the next short play performed. The catch was that it all had to be done within one hour. Any play not completed within an hour went unperformed. To ensure that everyone was aware of the time, a giant clock was started at the beginning of the play. Thus, we could see the time ticking away as the night went on. Time ticked, numbers were shouted and plucked from the clothesline, and the plays performed.

It looked like they were going to be able to perform them all. They were on the last number when the alarm sounded on the clock. They stopped and shared that, "we were so close! There were about eight more seconds left in that last play."

So close... and now I'll never know the ending.

It was very cool. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone. Plus, at the end of the night they rolled a dice. Then, they explained that the number would be applied to Friday night's play list. The number was five. So, they were going to cut five of the shows on Thursday's playlist and add five new ones to Friday's list. Another great idea!

Last night I saw the movie No Reservations. It was a really cute romantic comedy. It had a little bit of everything- laughter, sadness, sappiness, etc. If you like romantic comedies, you should see this one. The little girl, Abigal Breslin, is a brilliant actress for her age. I'm always impressed with her.

Today I went to the beach with my friend Kat. She's a newer friend and I'm excited about our developing relationship. She's a really chill chick and she's spontaneous. She's also really interesting and has a great sense of humor. We packed a lunch and went to Breezy Point Beach in Maryland, which is only about 45 minutes from DC. Supposedly. I got us lost on the way there, so it really took like 1.5 hours. I know y'all are really surprised.

I found a lot of sharks teeth on the beach. It seems like everytime I looked down I found another one. I couldn't help but recall memories from my childhood when I'd visit my grandparents in Surfside Beach, SC and we'd spend HOURS looking for teeth and come proudly home with about 10 collectively! Good times.

In addition to searching for teeth, I caught some Zzz's, and read a bit. It was beautiful and relaxing.

For dinner, we went to a local seafood restaurant and gorged on yummy, fresh seafood. We had scallops, crab dip, shrimp, clams, and more crab. Mmmm.... tasty! I'm still full and we ate about six hours ago.

Because of my thick sunscreen application, I'm still as white as Casper, but it was fun.

We decided on a new roommate (finally!). Emily is moving some of her things in tomorrow. She actually lives across the street from us now in a basement apartment of some friends of ours. They mentioned last week that their tenant was moving and looking for a new place. They gave us her contact information and the ball rolled from there. Emily came by and likes the place and us. We like her. The arrangement was made! Pretty small world, eh?

Papa

There've been some busy times lately. The most being the loss of my grandpa, Papa. Last weekend was a flutter of time between when he was here and when he went Home on July 13th. He was a brave man. Full of integrity, truth, and love. He didn't know a stranger and made everyone feel important. When he spoke to you, he made you feel like the most special person in the world. When he opened his mouth, everyone listened. Not because he demanded it, but because you knew that whatever was said was something worth hearing.

"I love my God, my family, and my country," he said many times. And he lived it. There's no doubt. There are some big shoes that lie empty in a quieter house in Fayetteville now. They won't be filled. There's no one who can.

He was a big man. A walking mountain. His hands swallowed other mens' in his own. But they were tender too. They checked my car's oil almost everytime I visited. They wrapped me in hugs. They handed me a daily morning biscuit. They touched my hair. They had my genes.

His voice was deep and loud. One that led troops in WW 2 and Korea. One that said vows 58 years ago to his young sweetheart and the woman who was his soulmate. His voice was loud even at a whisper. In fact, I don't know that he was physically able to really whisper! His voice told stories of war, life, love, jokes, memories, and dreams. His voice echoes even in his absence. It still is heard. Clearly now in my memories. I pray that I don't ever stop hearing it.

He was a good man- big in character and appreciative of life. He was jolly. He was a fighter, even to his last breath. He was brave. He gave even when he knew nothing could be returned. He was respected and for good reasons. He set the bar for those around him. He was a giant. He was my grandfather.

I'm thankful that I knew him and that I could call him Papa.

A little bit of action

I can't believe that it's almost the middle of July. The month is going by quickly.

Last Thursday I had the chance to be observed by one of the Directors at the Pregnancy Center. My observation would determine whether or not I am ready to "go it alone" and counsel on my own.

It was a smooth evening. There was another counselor there and between the two of us we had four appointments on the books. I saw two very different women and was reminded that each client who walks through the door is so unique. I was humbled by their stories and perseverance and find myself changing because of them. There's much to be offered, but also much to learn.

At the end of the evening, I got two thumbs up and "passed" my observation test. The Director gave me several touching compliments and said that I will be receiving a certificate! Nice! So, I've passed the easy stuff (written course, observation hours, etc.)- now comes the real journey. I'm planning on seeing clients two to three nights a month. I feel really good about this and am anxious to see where this path leads. I know that I am on it for reasons bigger than I can understand.

Last weekend was fast and enjoyable. Robby had a friend in town who stayed at our house (in Mal's empty room). Also, Drew and I had a friend who was visiting from out of town. While she didn't stay at our house, we met up a few times throughout the weekend. One night we all went out dancing and played pool with some other folks. On another day, we caught the new Transformers movie. Awesome, by the way. I was swept back to my childhood as the 80's memories washed over me.

On Sunday, I joined some much missed friends from church. We had brunch in Union Station and then I headed home for a relaxing Sunday afternoon and evening.

This week has been a little slower at work. My boss is in Africa and there's only so much busy work I can do without needing a break from the boringness of it.

Tonight Drew and I are going to a play- Dead Man's Cell Phone. It sounds interesting and it's been a while since I did anything culturally engaging. So, I'm looking forward to it. It's playing at a local theatre located right off the bus route that runs in front of our apartment. Yay! We don't have to walk far in the sticky, muggy DC weather.

Soon enough Drew, Robby, and I will begin looking for a new housemate. Mallory has moved her things and the room looks empty and sad. I'm open to living with three guys, so I think we'll interview guys and gals for the room. While living with three guys is a bit scary, if we find another guy similar to the ones I live with now, I'll be okay. Plus, it would force me to make some deeper female friendships here in DC. I'll be wanting to get out of my testosterone filled house and hang out with a sane (read: female) person!

Seattle Adventures

Seattle was WONDERFUL. It was great to get away from the chaos that DC was presenting me before I left. The night before I left, Mallory informed me that she'd be moving to NC and leaving me alone with Drew and Robby. Kind of hard to swallow.

So, needless to say, a vacation from DC was just what I needed! What better way to face reality than run from it? heh.

My flight to Seattle was flawless. I felt like a character in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles as I caught the MACR train from Union Station (DC) to Baltimore on Friday afternoon. From there, I grabbed a shuttle bus to the airport. I sat in the airport for a little over an hour before my nonstop flight to Seattle.

Upon arriving, I met Mike in the airport (who was about 45 minutes behind me on a plane from NC). Mike's friends (Melissa and West), with whom we stayed, picked us up after 12:30 AM (Pacific Time) and took us to their house.

Day One (Saturday) was busy. We awoke and went to a local restaurant for breakfast. The food was delicious and the menu featured a rotating section that had a specific country's theme. June's theme was "Jamaica" and featured dishes cooked with Jamaican spices. Also, the restaurant's decor was changed to fit the menu. There were tropical paintings, signs, and tapestries to enhance the experience. Pretty cool idea.

After breakfast, we packed our overnight gear and fishing snacks and set sail for Bellingham Bay, WA. We had plans to go deep sea fishing the next morning (Sunday) and opted to stay in the beautiful Hotel Bellwether on Saturday night. During the two hour drive to Bellingham Bay, we stopped at Sakuma Bros. Farms and picked FOUR buckets of strawberries! The ripe strawberries were delicious and made a fun "popping" sound as they were plucked off the plant. It's now one of my favorite sounds and ranks up there with snow crunching under my shoes and rain on a tin roof.

After our strawberry adventure, we finished the drive to the Bellwether Hotel. The hotel's view of the bay was gorgeous. We had appetizers and drinks on their outdoor patio as we watched the sun slip lower on the horizon. Since we had to be up early for fishing (read: at the dock by 5:15 AM), we called it an early night. Sunset was close to 10:30 PM.

It arose shortly after 4:45 AM and so did we. We met our fishing guide, Darryl, at the dock for the opening day of King Salmon fishing. The five of us took a twenty minute ride out into the bay and began a six hour morning of fishing. Melissa caught the first and only salmon about 45 minutes into the day. It was over 20 pounds and easily fed ten of us at a later time. The rest of the morning, we caught a few sharks, another kind of fish that was happy to be returned to the water because of his small size, and some sun. Oh, and a seashell.

Our guide felt bad that we only caught one fish that we could actually keep, so he treated us to four crabs once we returned to the dock. Pretty generous guy.

When we got off the boat, we gorged on some fresh hotdogs at the dock and then headed back to Seattle. It was already a full day. After returning to Seattle, West grilled the Salmon on a plank and we had fresh salmon topped with a mango salsa, steamed crab, and a yummy salad that Melissa prepared. Mmm. It was delicious.

That night, we bought jars and necessary ingredients to turn our fresh strawberries into jam. In the course of the next two days, we made over 25 jars of fresh strawberry jam.

Day Three (Monday) was just as busy. We slept in a bit (til about ten) and then went with Melissa and West to the famous Pike's Place Market. It was there that I saw the well-known fish market, tasted some highly suggested donuts (fresh!), saw beautiful artwork, tried "world famous" Mac & Cheese from Beecher's, and delighted in fruits that were the freshest I'd ever tasted (and biggest I'd seen!). It was fabulous!

After the Market, Mike and I parted ways with our hosts and took a bus to the Space Needle. It was one of my requested places to visit. We rode an elevator to the top of the needle and walked around the 520' high deck. From there, we had a clear view of Seattle, Mt. Rainier, and the mountain range that connects the U.S. and Canada. It was breath-taking. City life went on below us, boats and cars went their destined ways, and I even caught a glimpse of the Seattle Ducks! Apparently, those Ducks span from DC to Seattle!

When Mike and I returned from our Space adventure, we had another freshly caught dinner of salmon (tacos) with West, Melissa, and their neighbors.

Day Four (Tuesday) was an adventure too! The four of us loaded back into the car and headed for Mt. Rainier. We spent the day picnicking and hiking close to Paradise, Mt. Rainier. The mountain base had patches of snow that thickened as they continued up the slopes. We hiked on a trail that was over a mile. Some sights included: waterfalls, wild flowers, snow covered meadows, and pine trees that stretched towards the sky. In the visitors center we spied about a dozen climbers through a powerful scope.

That evening, we were all pretty tired, so we stopped by a Vietnamese Restaurant and had pho' (pronounced fuh) for dinner. Mike taught us all how to eat the "make your own" soup. It was tasty and a great way to end the day. From there, we went back to West and Melissa's and relaxed. Our plane left early on Wednesday morning. I was back in DC for the fireworks and excitement of the 4th.