And I Quote...

"There's no good reason we're not married...except we make horrible decisions."

Direct quote from one of my best friends. Yep, she's probably right.

25x25

I realized something this week, I've been on hiatus. Not only from blogging, but from life, too. January has a way of making me way too introverted for my own good...I go to work, I come home and repeat the same every day, every week. Not the best way to be living. So I decided, its time to make myself accountable to all of you (hi mom and grandma...I'm sure you're the only ones reading this!!!) and post my 25x25. My half-birthday was a week ago, so I now have just under six months to complete the following 25 goals, activities, and self-imposed dares before I turn the big 2-5. Here they are (in no particular order)...

1. Go a whole month without buying any clothes. or shoes. or makeup.
2. Use my passport.
3. Use my new gym pass. Regularly. Like at least twice a week :)
4. Learn to love my church calling :) I have two. Love one, hate one.
5. Finally finish "1776."
6. Run 25 miles...heck, why not bump it up to 26.2 and run a marathon!
7. Go to the Maine Avenue Fish Market...so I can quit driving by and thinking "that looks cool."
8. Find my signature scent...preferably not at the fish market :)
9. Read the BoM. (again...I've read it before, don't worry!)
10. Visit the Hillwood Estate
11. Grow my own herbs. To pay homage to my farmer father.
12. Create a work of art...that's actually good enough to display.
13. Apply to grad school.
14. Go to the Congressional Cemetery.
15. Make 25 new friends.
16. Dance again. Country. Line. Ballroom. Whatever.
17. Take a cooking class.
18. Become a morning person.
19. Eat at the Shake Shack in NYC.
20. Find the best cupcake in DC.
21. Make a budget and stick to it.
22. Go bungee jumping and/or sky diving.
23. See a show at Ford's Theater.
24. Become a better parallel-parker.
25. Get my family to come visit me!!!

Lots of these adventures are going to require friends...any takers?!?

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

The weather outside was truly frightful! DC was hit by the perfect storm the weekend before Christmas. Toilet paper was flying off the shelves at the local grocery stores in preparation for the big storm (seriously...I'm not kidding. No TP, no produce, no eggnog...the shelves were empty). Church was cancelled. Airports were closed (all 3 in the area...poor holiday travelers). 24 inches fell in 24 hours. It was quite the sight!

Storms like this separate friends from true friends. A true friend will help you scrape the 2 feet of snow off your car in leggings...thanks Hope!

Merry Christmas...it's looking like a merry one in DC :)

I Always Want What I Can't Have...

This realization came at the Michael Jackson movie, This Is It. I didn't have tickets to his concert, I had absolutely no intention of ever getting tickets, and I probably never would have watched a video of the concert or footage from the real thing. However, now that he's gone, I would have given practically anything (within reason...) for Michael to have performed just one full concert! He marked his dances in This Is It...and they were still impressive. He only sang a few notes of each song...and I was still in awe. I remembered why I hung his poster in my bedroom when I was five. He's talented beyond belief...

NYC Finally...

 Love, Love, Love NYC...so beautiful!

I know everyone has been dying to see pics from Diana and I's final adventure together (as roommates...we're still friends so there will definitely be more Di-ami Adventures).

Here's the highlights (in no particular order) from the Big Apple...

We went big this time and stayed in a luxury "pod." You can see the toilet right next to our bed...NYC style!

 We went with a classic and saw The Lion King on Broadway...amazing!

Graham joined the party at the Stardust Diner...after he took us on an awesome tour of the NBC Studios. He's our very own Kenneth the Page (if you don't know who that is...watch 30 Rock.)

We took a leisurely stroll through Central Park on Sunday...perfect weather!

This is the married (unknown til after the photo) cop I may or may not have made Diana stalk with me.

We had a lovely weekend in NYC. We did what we wanted, spent way too much money (its NYC...you lose money just breathing the air) , and laughed at each other. It was a nice little send off before Di up and abandoned me in DC :( I'll forgive her for leavin me if she promises we can have a repeat NYC trip next fall!   

I'm a big deal...

Image via utne.com

I've always thought so, but it's been verified by a professional.

Sylvia the Psychic read my palm in NYC and said...

"You're gonna be something special. You're kind of a big deal."

(or something like that...)   

I don't know about you, but I think Sylvia's on to something!

Stay tuned for more details on Diana and I's adventure in NYC!!

Eight Years Ago...

   September 11, 2001

The Pentagon Memorial

I remember exactly where I was when I first heard the news. I'm sure all of you do too. Eight years ago, I remember being glued to the television, crying as I watched the names and faces of all the 9/11 victims flash across the screen. I remember hearing their somewhat everyday, yet amazing stories. Stories of moms and dads, brothers and sisters, friends and neighbors...most of them just living quiet lives and trying to make our world a little better. Eight years ago I never imagined that I would live and work amongst the people and the places that terrorists targeted to spread their hate that day. I never imagined that those moms and dads, and brothers and sisters who witnessed 9/11 with their own eyes would become my friends and neighbors. Eight years later, I hope we all take time to remember that day and all the moms and dads, brothers and sisters, and friends and neighbors who have lost their lives as a result of the events eight years ago. I'm grateful for their sacrifices so that I can continue living my quiet life and keep trying to make our world a little better.