Neglector

I've been committing serious blog neglect lately. I'd apologize but I'm not really sorry. I don't know if I've grown tired of this blog and wish to start new? Or if I'm over blogging? Or if it's just because it's not that interesting to write about how my days consist of pushing snooze too many times, getting ready, running to the bus, working, gchatting, running stressful errands, going to the gym, trying to motivate myself to clean my room, watching Grey's Anatomy (which we get sent via Netflix), making dinner, or doing a myriad of different but not really exciting things. I'm frequently tired because I stay up too late, and by too late I mean 11. And it's been really hot. Too hot. And humid. My hair looks like a lion's mane it's so big.

I'm trying to get in shape for Jess' wedding in September and frequently get frustrated with myself because I didn't start getting in shape last July. I even went so far as to tell Jess it would be much more convenient for me if she got married next summer. That way I would be skinnier, and I'd make the wedding line look better. She told me I was ridiculous and selfish. (I was only joking! Mostly... Besides, that extra year would give me time to find someone good-looking and male to bring as my wedding date... Jess didn't think it was a good idea and is still getting married Labor Day weekend.)

Stole this puppy from Facebook. I think I look like I'm naked. But I assure you I was wearing both a suit and cover up.

Since I live where it's really hot, it's been really convenient to have a friend with a boat. I'm working on my summer tan and future wrinkles and probably skin cancer. Not that I want the wrinkles and the probable skin cancer but I just assume everyone will get it anyway so why not just use your sunscreen try to prevent it if you can but suck it up and jump in the lake. The good news of the last visit to the lake however was that I finally stood up on the wakeboard. And then fell...

Highlight of this week:
Well, I have two highlights.
1.) Lacy came to visit from Arizona. We were roommates at BYU after meeting in Poland. See evidence below:

Warsaw Zone Conference

Roommate picture Fall 2007. Natalie was also in both pictures, but she didn't come visit this weekend, so she doesn't get a post. BUT she has a baby so that won't happen anytime soon...

2.) We went to Zumba on Wednesday night for the first time, loved it, and now we're in the process of teaching a certain roommate (who will remain nameless to protect her identity) to do a body roll. She's going to get it. And she's going to be good at it. And she's going to use it frequently.

And that's about it.

5 second updates

Bought a crockpot, only to return it a week later unopened and having sat in the back of Lisa's Subaru all week.

Ran to the bus stop only to get there and realize I had no wallet, which resulted in me running all the way home, tearing apart my room and finding my wallet in my bag the whole time.

Wearing the same black dress as the co-worker who has her desk right next to mine and reconsidered wardrobe choices since she's a grandma (well, a young grandma).

Saw Inception, dreamed about it all night long and then woke up not remembering a text conversation I had with a friend at 2:30 am.

Almost burned down the house when chicken fajitas were left on the stove when we went to the movie; chicken was dry like wood; house was still in tact.

Bought bridesmaid dress for Jess's wedding.

Took a nap during lunch on the couch behind all the desks right next to the window, it was warm and cozy and the band was playing outside in the plaza.

Don't Do Dumb Things

Have people ever asked you what's the dumbest thing you've ever done and you can't really think of anything because you don't really do dumb things that would make a good story? Guys always do dumb things, "You know, this one time we threw a huge firework in the hole of a port-o-potty outside a house getting work done. It blew all the windows of the house out! It was aaaaaaawesome!" or "Once we put a dry ice bomb on someone's porch but had to run out and warn the dad because he was standing right over it! We were totally busted that time weren't we?" (Knuckle hit and chuckle)*

But the dumbest things I have ever done have mainly been due to the fact that I could have died. And not died because I dived off a cliff, or got shot while goofing around, or doing something just plain idiotic. No, I could have died because I got in the car with a stranger.

"WHAT?? Are you idiotic?" you think

"Yes. Yes I am slightly idiotic sometimes."

The Year: 2004
The Scene: Rome, midnight, Termini Train station, with one really cute short girlfriend

After some misunderstandings with a friend who was supposed to met us, my friend Cheri and I (neither of whom speak any Italian apart from, Ciao! Graci! Gelato! and maybe another Ciao! Though we understand "Principessa!") are stuck at the main transportation hub in Rome at midnight without anyway to get home. I pulled out the hotel card and attempted to ask various bus drivers if their bus went that way with a, "Scusi" and a point to the card that was wildly UNsuccessful. Finally we decided to get in the back of a ridiculously long taxi line. While waiting there a taxi driver came up and told us he'd take us to where we wanted to go for only 30 euro. It sounded pretty decent. What we didn't realize until after we got over to his car was that he wasn't really a taxi driver. And, being the idiots we were, we got in the car.

Obviously we got to the hotel. Still idiotic. I decided to never get in the car with a stranger again (unless a taxi driver of course).

Today I broke that promise to myself.

The Year: 2010 six years after the initial occurrence
The Scene: running across someone's lawn as we saw the bus pull up, stop, load, and drive away again.

As we stood on the side of the road, dejected, a nice black Mercedes with a good looking young-ish guy pulls up and asks us if we're going to the metro. We say yes and get in the car. Chatted about his job (lawyer, also in the reserves); our jobs; what his dad does because he worked a lot with USAID; etc. No problems. We got to work on time. But still, idiotic.

*Both of those examples may have been stolen from elders from my mission. Yes they were real stories. I could probably think of some others if I wanted.

Weird

The weirdest thing happened to me this morning. I needed to fill up my water bottle so I grabbed it an headed to the drinking fountain and decided to take the opportunity to use the loo. I set the water bottle (empty plastic cheap-o water bottle) on the counter right when you walk into the bathroom. I do this all the time. The thought of taking something I'm going to drink out of into the stall with me is gross. So, I maneuver a little around the two ladies who are semi-primping before leaving the restroom and set my water bottle down next to their purses and papers, right in the corner so it wasn't in their way. I use the toilet and when I go to grab my water bottle, it's gone!

Yup, someone took my empty plastic cheap-o water bottle. (And yes I checked the trashcan.)

It was so weird!


And on a side note, I stopped to tell the story to the secretary that sits by the front door to my bureau. She's black. While telling her the story I found myself using a lot of "Mmmm-hmmm"s and "Oh, I know." And when I left I told her, "Now I gotta get me a new water bottle!" said with just the right amount of attitude and lip pursing and head moving. Who am I?


PS. I'm only two three weeks away from my year mark on the East Coast!

Followers

I don't know how I feel about the whole followers thing. I think it's because I have this incessant need to be competitive. I thought if I just kept the followers thing off I wouldn't think about it and wouldn't have any either. Well, today I realized I have a handful of followers and I don't even know how they became followers and now I feel the need to add that little followers widget thingy onto the bottom of my blog. Now it's there. Right there at the bottom. Follow me if you want. I'm not sure how long it'll stay there without me starting to feel self conscious that no one cares what I have to say and take it off so I don't feel stupid. But, there it is. Besides, it would help me see who reads my blog. There are plenty of blogs I read that I have no idea who the people are. Is that weird? I think it's weirder I admitted it. Basically what I'm saying is, I like blogger validation.

Today we are having a going away party for someone. Our bureau has the best parties. I'm so glad.

I got a manicure during lunch. I didn't talk to the lady but I still sort of felt like Elle Woods. Now my nails are a pretty bright red.

Did I mention ever that we do roommate dinners now? The only stipulation is that it should be healthy and have two servings of vegetables. We make enough so we can have it for lunch the next day too. Now all I need to do is find a fork so I can eat that lunch.

White House Garden Tour

Months ago Lisa and I got tickets from lovely Andrea, and went to The White House Garden Tour and I realized that I never posted any pictures from it. The jist of the tour is that you get to go onto The White House grounds and see the pretty flowers and walk around the grounds. It was a perfectly sunny, not hot day; not like the week we've had here this week, it's been miserable.

In front of The White House and Barack's office.

Lisa was really excited about the tennis court/basketball court.

Obama veggie garden.

Matching Toms

When we went on the tour I remember thinking, "I love living in DC!" It was really cool to think that the president lived right there. But the best part was the pretty flowers, none of which I even took pictures of... oops!

Bad blogger

So, I've been back from vacation for a week or so, well, last weekend was practically non-stop so I guess the vacation was over once work started on Tuesday, so I've only been back for three days. Now, I have a problem. I don't have pictures to share today. But, I'll give you the quick rundown in ten bullets before posting with pictures sometime in the near future.

1. Spent three and a half days, four nights at Yosemite National Park. I really love it there. And if it didn't sound quite so cheesy, I'd tell you it was like home.
2. Got a Kindle for my birthday. I love books and somewhat mourn the loss of not having the actual book, but it's so convenient for the gym it's worth it. (I like reading while I work out. When I worked out at the YMCA in Eugene they had these book holder things that were really fantastic. Bally's in DC doesn't have them and my reading quantity has gone down a lot.) 
3. Decided to read the Chronicles of Narnia since a.) I've never read them and b.) my cousin's seven year old daughter just finished reading them all. Finished The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe on the plane and downloaded Prince Caspian a few days ago.
4. Roommates threw me and roommate Katie a joint birthday party Friday evening after returning from California. I will post pictures. We had a photo wall.
5. Went to the DC 4th of July concert dress rehearsal on Saturday night. David Archuleta sang the national anthem. The funniest part however was when we expected to see Gladys Knight and our came some white woman lip-syncing her songs. Guess Gladys needed to make sure she hit up church Sunday morning before jetting off to sing for the country.
6. Sat outside the Lincoln waiting for fireworks on Sunday. We played cards (Golf) and "what-if".
7. Best fireworks I've ever seen. They were RIGHT over us! And the finale seemed to go on forever. I was so glad we were right there to see them!
8. Went to Lake Anna with Shannon, Lisa and Debbie. I could hardly move the next day from holding on so tight to the tubes.
9. Well, I guess I only have nine things really, well, I could have written more about Yosemite, but I'm going to write a post dedicated to that. But, what is next is definitely the most exciting. (drum roll.....) Jess and Michael B announced their engagement in Yosemite! The immediate family knew it was happening, but they chose a date: September 4. It's perfect, right after Cami comes home from her mission, a long weekend, and right before Emma leaves for her mission. Here, I'll leave you with a picture. That can be number ten.
10.