Alfredo with Angel Hair

I am eating lunch and still fighting yesterday's migrane.
Happy September.
That's what one of our participants said when they got off the van today, and indeed I hope it will be.
My roommate is getting married in 39 days.
I am going to wash my car tomorrow.
I am wearing a sweater. I love fall weather.

Nauseated vs nauseous

I got sick last night so I didn't post. I don't believe I will ever eat at Applebees again. 2 strike rule. Maybe just dessert.....
Today I am doing a survey. My job is pretty cool. I'm loving it.
I love Fridays. Especially when it doesn't really feel like I have worked this week, that's how fun my job is.

School Day

I was over at the DC site today for more training. Yesterday I had to write my first incident report. Tomorrow is back at my program. Lots of variety. The internet has only just started to work, now that I'm in bed of course. Typical.

Migrane

No idea what that's all about. It surely kills any productivity though when all you can do is lie still in the dark.

Fail

I missed a day. Sad times. There goes that goal. I will continue on though. I'm starting to like seeing what I've done - online journaling sort of. 

Today I went over to St. Coletta's new site for orientation. Good times. Now I am tired and thinking about taking a nap before FHE. 

2 nights 2 movies

(500) Days of Summer
Time Traveler's Wife
Dim Sum.
Pizza.
Driving.
Sears.
Shoes.
That's what we've done.

Genius

Today I had one of those moments - the moments where I think "I can't handle my life right now." I turned to Jennie and I said "do you know anyone else this happens to?" She couldn't think of anyone. Welcome to my life. Tragic hilarity. 

Mending

I am watching the daily show and doing Nancy's mending.
I have to go get my TB test read and then may be going to work.
I am picking up the little sister in less than 5 hours.

Little Saigon

There's this cool little shopping centre around the corner from us called the Eden Center and its full of Vietnamese restaurants and stores. We went there for lunch today. Delicious.
Nancy is running around doing wedding stuff and I am listing things for sale on Craigslist.
We might go to the temple later.
The Nen gets here tomorrow. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Book Club

That's where I am going tonight and I love it.
The pool is apparently closed on Tuesdays. I found out today when I went down there for a swim.
I've read 2 conference talks today, found out about the first time home buyers tax credit, and researched the historical high and low temps for Oct 10th.
Jennie will be here in less than 2 days. I am so excited.
My little TB test is starting to get red.

I almost didn't make it

but then i went to work anyway. I was so tired this morning, it verged on ridiculous. I went to work and did some online training but they need the TB clearnance so I had to leave after the training. Not all bad though as I managed to have lunch with Patrick and Nick, good times. Unexpected and mightily enjoyable. Then I went and got poked for TB. Now I am going to use our pool. It's hot out there. H-O-T.

Richmond

I'm a fan.
Impromptu road trip- check
Historic renenactment- check
President's grave- check
Home cooked meal at the Witt's - priceless.

Saturday

Highly productive despite extreme tiredness.
Lots of car washing, eating, napping by the pool, guitar hero, and general weekend stuff.

F-R-I-D-A-Y!

It's Friday. Need I say more?

Ironic that I still love Friday more than other days even though all my days are essentially Saturdays. Everyone loves a good Saturday after all.

I've lots of ideas floating around. 

First and foremost; today may or may not be the last day of unemployment. Because of said condition's imminent end I am going to the temple. That'll be three family names to send home. 

I cleaned my room until 2am this morning. And still had trouble getting to sleep. It may be time to call in the heavy artillery: mint tea.

I managed to drive in and out of DC last night without getting lost. Impressive, no? 

Jennie will be here in 6 days.  

The temple calls. Today's name is from 1854. 

Dr Pepper + 2 hours

Third times a charm for the drug screening. Work laughed when I called for another form.

The check engine light has gone off. 

It smells like Scotland out there today. 

My head doesn't hurt.

Still not sleeping.

I need TB stuff pronto. That's today's next project.

Today's loud music was Coldplay. 

Don't wake me, I plan on sleeping in

While today is Wednesday, that is also the name of my car. And the check engine light is on. 

I have to get a drug screen and chest x-ray for the new job.

My head hurts.

Jack has gone home.

I'm back to not sleeping. 

The list is longer but the point is; I can do one of these things at a time, but I don't know if I can do all of them at once. 

Fabulous. Just fabulous. 

My Brain

Took advantage of me while I was asleep and defenseless. And I dreamed... 

Today

Swimming

Laundry

Cleaning

Reading

Breathing

A little just Laura time is what I am indulging in today. 

Food Coma

Call 911. Post-fast food coma. Roast Pork, roast potatoes and onions with carrots. Followed by cookies and then my new roommate came home with homemade pound cake. There's been lots of food and brain chewing going on. 

If you can't hold on, if you can't hold on....hold on

I like to listen to music loudly in the car. And sing. This morning it felt good. It was really loud.

DC

When we rolled in at 3am last night, I felt like I had come home. I may officially be in love with DC.

Home

We are back from New York. Oh the adventures. I got sunburned. We ate Dim Sum (and Dim Sum More) and Pizza.  We stayed in Harlem. Good Times were had by all. I am starting a Facebook fast. 10 minutes a day. 

New York New York

Jack is here. We are planning a trip. Let the shenanigans begin.

Fight or Flight

I have a well developed fight or flight reflex and recently its been mostly disposed to flight. 

Life is both a major and a minor key

I got a job.

Send -> Recently Used

Gone.
The redial too.

Food Coma

Today I rewarded myself. 

Fish and Chips with a can of fizzy Ribena.

I've found a chipper and it was good.

Maybe I can live in this place. 

Soon

At least that's what I hear. 

Ouch

That hurts.

It is what it is

Does it count as two posts if I do them back to back? I could have posted this all in one I guess, but they are two different topics so I'm absolutely justifying it in my head. 

It's June and I am going to report my progress on one of this years goals. We're half way through the year so I think that's a good time to reflect. Time to be accountable. Jenny, you should call me and hold me accountable for the rest (those would be the ones I am not doing so well on)

Goal: read 26 new books this year (because I turned 26 this year)

Books I have read: Female Chauvinist Pigs

Galileo's Daughter

To Kill A Mockingbird

Wuthering Heights

The Great Divorce

Jane Eyre

The Russian Debutante's Handbook

The Good Earth

Everyone Worth Knowing

A Lesson Before Dying

Fall On Your Knees

Rebecca

Great Expectations

Gift From the Sea

The Diving Bell & The Butterfly

There are some of these that I am pretty ashamed to admit I hadn't ever read before. I do have an English degree after all. Like Jane Eyre? Seriously? Who makes it through 3 years of English classes and doesn't read that? Me apparently. 

Still, 15 books and we are half way through June, not bad progress on that goal. Not bad at all.  

Going for Gold

If I manage two more posts in June I will have beaten my personal record for posts in a calendar month. I can do that.  I should be in bed right now but I've made it to the extreme tired phase and in said state willing to write something. It rained like Scotland today only it was warm at the same time so that is definitely different. It reminded me of one time that we were walking through town to get home after a late movie - a bunch of kids from the ward - and we got caught in this terrific rainstorm. I remember giving away my coat and sweater to people who had worn less clothing than me. I ended up unsuccessfully shielding myself from the downpour with the scarf I was wearing. We tried to hide in store fronts, under trees and pretty much under any overhang but were largely unsuccessful on account of the uncanny ability of scottish rain to come at you from every direction at once. We made it back to my house soaked to the bone, laughing and happy.  I don't think I have ever been wetter in my life. There's joy in every journey I guess, even the ones that involve being soaked to the bone. 

Women

A little shout out to the wonderful women in my life. Today at the grocery store as I wandered aimlessly I decided to fulfill a craving for a random dish I love. I proceeded to call one of my many wonderful girlfriends and got instructions. I am going to eat bamboo! I love it. I know so many talented and wonderful women and they are all willing to help a sista' out. I am blessed.

Pathetic

Sometimes I cry when things make me really happy. 

Here's an example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EYAUazLI9k

I cried my little eyes out. It's random and occasionally confusing. 

Small Things

A wide variety of small things make me happy.
Sunshine
Spring breezes
Wearing skirts
Not wearing a jacket to work
Cab rides
Sunglasses
Flats
Heels
Yellow
Facebook Chat
Sunday Mornings
Skype
Mandarin Oranges from Wendys (they're chilled)
Lip balm
Libraries
Planners
and more....

Hip Hip Hoorah!

Today I am grateful for the invention of the I-Pod, for my sisters/brother-in-law/Mum for giving me one for Christmas (even if it does result in embarrassing moments of public singing and dancing) and for the chance to wander around in the sunshine.
I got to work about an hour late on account of missing my own bus and then having the 2nd bus whiz past without stopping. When I got here there were things to be hand delivered so I headed over to the Capitol complex with I-pod firmly entrenched in my ears and letters grasped in my hand. The weather is gorgeous here today and there were tourists everywhere. It is fun to wander the halls and navigate the buildings like you know what you're doing. For the first time today I used the tunnels between the buildings! While it robbed me of precious moments in the sun it saved me having to go through security at every building.
There's a feeling of well being that comes from walking with purpose in the springtime sunshine while good music is played.

Avoidance

I've been avoiding my blog lately. That's the truth of it. I haven't really felt like writing anything. That happens sometimes.
Last night I volunteered at a National Moot Court competition, it was about 3 blocks from where I am working. That's what makes D.C. so cool- stuff like that just around the corner. I am still in love with that aspect of this place.
Spring feels like it is really working on getting here. There are buds on some trees and blossoms on others.
I am thinking about becoming a teacher.

Waiting

Is something I am not very good at. Not at all actually. Today I am waiting. Waiting for several things. Waiting to find the perfect job. Waiting to get the perfect job. Waiting to talk. Waiting to write (I guess I am now technically doing that one) Waiting for our plans to start. Waiting to achieve that goal. Just waiting in general. Still the waiting makes the doing all the sweeter. Sometimes. But man I really hate the waiting.

Thankful

The other day we had some friends of my roommate over for Sunday dinner. They are such an awesome family and every time I get to spend time with them I am amazed at the sweet spirit that they carry with them and at their love for everyone. Anyway, as they were getting ready to leave, the father of this family asked us how our parents and our families were doing. As I was telling him about how my crazy yet lovable relations are faring I was struck again with how lucky I am. Not only am I blessed to have a family that I love, but I have the ability to keep in touch with them on a regular basis. I've often thought how hard it must have been for people who left their families in the past. Many people left their homes, their families and their country and they were never going back. I can't imagine never seeing my family again. Never hearing them on the phone, only getting occasional letters. I have a webcam in my laptop and this gives me the chance to actually see them, even if I can't physically be there. I have been home at least once every two years since I moved here. How lucky am I?
I was struck by this again today as a good friend gave me great counsel on the internet. How lucky am I? I have great friends who are close enough to the spirit to give me great counsel, and even when they are hundreds of miles away, I have the tools to access their wisdom.

Snow Day!

There is great potential that we will all be headed home early! I am so excited, especially since I got in two hours late. Of course it will take me a while to get home but I really don't care because the joy of leaving early will be enough to sustain me through anything. It has snowed anywhere from 6 to 12 inches, depending on where in the DC metro area you measure . This is enough to bring all things to a halt, or get them to slow down considerably at the very least. We were snow bound in the car park this morning and it took me just under two hours to get to work when we finally did leave. It's quite the adventure but I do not relish the ride home. I took pictures this weekend specially so that I would have something to put up here but I do not have them with me. Thus this will be another boring text only blog.

If this is what thinking gets you...

...then I want none of it. Ok, so maybe I want a little of it.
I have been thinking a lot lately about WHAT I WANT TO BE WHEN I GROW UP. (That is in caps because it's a big and often worrisome topic, not because I am yelling)
I have some dream jobs. Here is a list, in no particular order of preference.
Professor
Midwife
Financial/Debt Coach
Something on Capitol Hill
Aid Worker in Africa
Flight Attendant
Something that makes me feel good - doing stuff for other people
Getting people into school - people who don't have the tools to do it themselves
Almost anything in a developing country - teaching english, working in an orphanage etc.
Peace Corps (they won't take me, I'm not a citizen)
Working for the Olympics
Other things I can't think of right now.

So, I have been thinking lately - why am I pursing an office job (admittedly I have been looking at stuff on Capitol Hill, which fits into one of my dream jobs) when none of my dream jobs is really even close to that?

Hilarious Horrible Tragic

I have had the most trying couple of days recently. Let us begin at the beginning.
My car has had a few challenges with its battery lately. It all began one day when I was late to work so I drove my car into Arlington and rode the Metro from there to work. When I returned to my car that night, I had accidentally left the lights on (not that anyone ever does that on purpose I presume) and the car was dead. Right before I found this out I stepped in an ice cold puddle, so my feet were wet and freezing. It was a Balticly cold evening. I called my long-suffering marvelous roommates and someone was dispatched with immediacy to come to my rescue. I am so blessed in so many ways by my roommates. So, with the car jumped (thanks to the foresight of my little sister, it being she who insisted some jumper cables be housed in my car) we were back on our way again. Thus began the long decline of my car battery. I only drive my car on the weekends and some occasional evenings, so when it recently got very very cold, and the car was sitting all week the battery would die. I attribute this to the constant drain on the battery from my car alarm light flashing. Then last week the check engine light came on. I was immediately panicked as my check engine light has being the harbinger of major doom in the past. With no strange noises coming from the car, no smells and no lack of performance (other than the occasional dead battery) I was soon convinced that the light was on because the car had hit a mileage that required it.
So begins the trauma of our present week. On Monday I had plans to go to FHE. I went out to my car and it was dead. Dead, but with a little clicking. I went back inside and my roommate offered to let me use her car or to drive me there, but I had been cutting it close and would no longer be able to make my deadline. We chatted for a little while and then I decided to take her car and use it to jump mine. I went outside and proceeded to do this. Of course this was no mean feat. My car was parked inbetween two other cars so I ended up having to push it out of its parking spot in order to get the other car close enough to do the jump. I hope someone was watching and getting a laugh out of this. It must have been really funny to watch me pusing my little Jetta around. Anyway. I get the car jumped and hop out of Wednesday (my car) to turn the other car off. When i disconnect the jumper cables I go to put them in my car only to realise that it has locked itself. The keys are in it. It is running. It is locked. What is to be done? Well, I calmly return my roommates car to its spot then run inside to get the phone number for a locksmith. My roommate has AAA so she calls them to come and unlock it for us - what a blessing. We head outside to meet the AAA guy and...... the car is gone! I've been towed. This my friends, is more than I can handle and I proceed to laugh. Consider the hilarity of the situation. I must not have been meant to follow through on my plans for that night. So, the car has been towed. I determine that the best plan of action (after determining that the car has been towed and not stolen) is to call the towing company management in the morning and complain perchance earning myself a repreive from the $125 fee to retrieve my car. No such luck. The towing company are steadfast in their determination to have my money in exchange for my car. We go to the towing company (my purse and various other important items - passport, keys etc. are in the car) and when I get my wallet out I realise that I don't have my credit card - it is the pocket of my coat, safely nestled in the closet. So then we have to drive back to the apartment and collect it. Then we collect the car (which needs to be jumped AGAIN) and I finally break down and take it to a mechanic. By this point it is late in the afternoon and the mechanic doesn't have time to look at it. The next day when he calls me he says that the reason the engine light is on is because the gas cap is missing. He also tells me that I need a new battery. Neither of these is cheap - mostly because he spent so long figuring it out (there apparently isn't a warning light for a missing gas cap - does this strike you as INSANE!?! so the check engine light comes on. I didn't discover the missing gas cap for myself because I ony drive the car maybe twice a week so I bought gas a good three weeks ago and still don't need to fill up) that the labour charges are as much as the parts. All in all I just want to blow my car up. I need a job. A real job. More on that later today.

And Here We Go

This blog has been requested at least once by at least one person so I am acquiescing and hopefully I will be more successful at this one than we were at the last one. I may occasionally still use the other one, but I can't guarantee that. We shall see. The purpose of this particular blog would be to document what I get up to in the marvelous city of Washington D.C. and its environs. Here goes nothing.