Flag football was definitely my favorite intramural in college. I don't really know why...I've always loved watching football, so I guess I enjoy the chance to play! I joined a Co-Ed team a few weeks ago. This guy who comes into the fitness center has a team that he always plays with and he asked me to join. Our name, which we voted on, is DMV Soldiers...I'm almost positive no one on the team works for the DMV. I'm not even entirely sure if its supposed to stand for the Dept. of Motor Vehicles or not. I don't ask questions. This name was voted on by all of us, so apparently everyone knows something I don't. I forget what I voted for...I think it was something like Highway Soldiers. My choices were limited. I wonder if I can make it through the whole season without understanding my team's obsession with driving and vehicles.
We had our first practice last Saturday. It was on the complete opposite side of DC from where I live, so it took me about 40 minutes to get there. It was called Suitland, MD. It didn't look like Maryland at all to me...it looked a lot more like Macon, GA. Anyway, we were meeting about an hour before we had a scrimmage with another team in our league. This was the first time I was meeting everyone from the team. When I pulled up, I see tons of people, all decked in their long shorts, cleats, armbands, underarmor. I looked down at what I was wearing...running shoes, running shorts, and a t-shirt. Another thing I noticed? I would be single-handedly supplying the cultural diversity. Yep...I was the only white girl. I was so mad at myself for looking like such the stereotypical white girl in my little shorts and running shoes to play flag football. I took the walk of shame from the parking lot to the field, wondering what they were thinking. I picked out Clark from the crowd, my friend from the fitness center, and he introduced me to some people on the team. We started doing some walk-throughs of plays and stuff before our scrimmage. When Clark was putting his cleats on I looked down at my shoes and said, "oh man! I forgot my cleats!" (as if I had intended on bringing them). Maybe if I acted like I forgot them, that would be better than me just showing up in running shoes intentionally.
Our scrimmage was about to start so we were all grabbing belts to put on. The flags we used in college looked a lot different than these. These...were a little more complicated to put on. As I was stepping out on the field I was examining my belt and how in the world someone would be able to pull one of these flags off. It looked like it was fused to the belt. After realizing this was a good thing for me, I left it alone. I was one of three girls out on the field for my team...there were four guys. Things started out slow on offense for us since this was the first time we'd all played together. On defense, they put me at cornerback. I was looking for any chance to prove I wasn't as un-athletic as I had appeared. On the next play, I was the only corner on my side so I was covering two receivers, essentially. When they hiked the ball and I saw their quarterback look my way, I got a rush of excitement...I knew he was throwing my way. He drew his arm back and released the ball towards one of the girls. I broke forward right inbetween the two receivers and took off with the ball. Now...don't get your hopes up for a returned touchdown. There was no way I was outrunning them. I felt like I was running in slow-motion for my little life! Someone that was chasing after me accidentally clipped my heel and sent me flying to the ground. I was kind of glad because it might make me look more hardcore when I popped back up. I stood up and was greeted by my team with high-fives and an "oh shit, baby girl's got hands!"
At halftime, we talked more about offensive plays. Trying to get everyone on the same page. We all brought it in for a chant before we got on the field again. One of the guys said, "soldiers on 3..." Now when I said it, it sounded like "soldiers!!" The rest of my team said it real cool, with the 'soul' part being loud and the 'diers' part real short, sounding like "souljas". Here I am, enunciating the stupid word and screaming it out loud. I embarrass myself.
You can bet your bottom dollar next week I'll be looking the part!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Running in Heels
Wow, so much for updating regularly...
I'm pretty much choosing to skip over the whole "snowpocalypse" or "snowmageddon" if you will. I'm so sick of snow it's not even funny.
So...if you've ever seen "The Holiday" with Cameron Diaz, do you remember the part towards the end when she's running back to the cottage to see Jude Law? She's running how I would be running in athletic shoes, except she's in heels. Or Beyonce...have you ever seen her dance on stage? In her stilettos? It's like she's practically barefoot, it's so fluid. Whenever I put on heels, I always think of these moments...wondering how much time I would have to spend in heels before I could run 10k in them or be able to "drop it like it's hot" in them...
Let's rewind a little to Wednesday...I gave a lecture at NIH on Pain and Injury Prevention with Aging. I was really excited about it! Usually in college, I would get a little nervous before a presentation but for some reason this week I was 100% ready...no nerves. I dressed up, all business-like, in my black pants, grey dress top, AND heels. Now...I can handle heels just fine. It's not like I look like a baby giraffe just learning how to walk- but I've never looked as graceful or sexy in heels as other women. Not to mention it puts me at about 6 feet tall. I can't quite figure it out. So...I had a little time to practice. My lecture was on main campus and I just planned on walking from my house (about a 10-12 minute walk). As I was walking, the scene from "The Holiday" flashed in my head and it sparked my curiosity. Can I run in heels? I started at a slow jog...more like a trot, really. Throwing one leg out there hoping I would land on the narrow heel. Picture this...please. It's still pretty much at the pace of a walk..but with a little hop thrown in. I think, "ok, I'm ready to go a little faster." By the way, I'm in no hurry to get there. So I pick up the pace a little..it still doesn't look like a real jog though. My hands are staying glued to my sides, a few wobbles back and forth after I land on one foot. I progress to a jog...except I'm cheating by landing on the balls of my feet rather than my heels. I probably looked like a 4 year old in her mother's heels. Cameron Diaz kept flashing in my head, so I threw the heel of my foot out there....Erin, you are no Cameron Diaz...you're a baby giraffe in heels. Crash and burn. I didn't fall COMPLETELY to the ground. I made a nice save, but if anyone was watching..I probably provided them with a story for dinner.
So...enough of the running. I was just going to perfect my walk. I decided to give my "runway walk" a go. This I could handle. Runway models always put one foot directly in line with the other foot when they walk. I actually felt pretty confident doing this...until after about 5 steps when I would start to keel over from lack of balance. On the upside, this is doable with a little practice...I just don't know that anyone really walks like that off of a runway. I did get a honk from the Fed-Ex guy though...and he got a "that's not ok" look from me.
I'm almost to the building at this point...my feet already screaming at me. I don't know how women do it! I was tempted to just walk barefoot the rest of the way. Don't worry...I didn't. I sucked it up. But you better believe I walked all the way home with those bad boys in my hand! I'll leave the running to Cameron...but Beyonce, I'm comin' for you next!
I'm pretty much choosing to skip over the whole "snowpocalypse" or "snowmageddon" if you will. I'm so sick of snow it's not even funny.
So...if you've ever seen "The Holiday" with Cameron Diaz, do you remember the part towards the end when she's running back to the cottage to see Jude Law? She's running how I would be running in athletic shoes, except she's in heels. Or Beyonce...have you ever seen her dance on stage? In her stilettos? It's like she's practically barefoot, it's so fluid. Whenever I put on heels, I always think of these moments...wondering how much time I would have to spend in heels before I could run 10k in them or be able to "drop it like it's hot" in them...
Let's rewind a little to Wednesday...I gave a lecture at NIH on Pain and Injury Prevention with Aging. I was really excited about it! Usually in college, I would get a little nervous before a presentation but for some reason this week I was 100% ready...no nerves. I dressed up, all business-like, in my black pants, grey dress top, AND heels. Now...I can handle heels just fine. It's not like I look like a baby giraffe just learning how to walk- but I've never looked as graceful or sexy in heels as other women. Not to mention it puts me at about 6 feet tall. I can't quite figure it out. So...I had a little time to practice. My lecture was on main campus and I just planned on walking from my house (about a 10-12 minute walk). As I was walking, the scene from "The Holiday" flashed in my head and it sparked my curiosity. Can I run in heels? I started at a slow jog...more like a trot, really. Throwing one leg out there hoping I would land on the narrow heel. Picture this...please. It's still pretty much at the pace of a walk..but with a little hop thrown in. I think, "ok, I'm ready to go a little faster." By the way, I'm in no hurry to get there. So I pick up the pace a little..it still doesn't look like a real jog though. My hands are staying glued to my sides, a few wobbles back and forth after I land on one foot. I progress to a jog...except I'm cheating by landing on the balls of my feet rather than my heels. I probably looked like a 4 year old in her mother's heels. Cameron Diaz kept flashing in my head, so I threw the heel of my foot out there....Erin, you are no Cameron Diaz...you're a baby giraffe in heels. Crash and burn. I didn't fall COMPLETELY to the ground. I made a nice save, but if anyone was watching..I probably provided them with a story for dinner.
So...enough of the running. I was just going to perfect my walk. I decided to give my "runway walk" a go. This I could handle. Runway models always put one foot directly in line with the other foot when they walk. I actually felt pretty confident doing this...until after about 5 steps when I would start to keel over from lack of balance. On the upside, this is doable with a little practice...I just don't know that anyone really walks like that off of a runway. I did get a honk from the Fed-Ex guy though...and he got a "that's not ok" look from me.
I'm almost to the building at this point...my feet already screaming at me. I don't know how women do it! I was tempted to just walk barefoot the rest of the way. Don't worry...I didn't. I sucked it up. But you better believe I walked all the way home with those bad boys in my hand! I'll leave the running to Cameron...but Beyonce, I'm comin' for you next!
Monday, January 18, 2010
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Man, you guys! I am not doing well with this...I guess I just haven't been in the "blogging zone" lately. Hmm...what to tell you? A lot has happened since I last blogged...
Well, I think it's safe to say that the honeymoon phase of my move is officially over. Not to say I don't like it here anymore...I love it! It's just that my ridiculous streak of very fortunate events is over with. I know I told a lot of you about the "straight guy" from the gay bar...I'm still debating his sexuality. Since I haven't heard back from him, that automatically makes him gay. Yes, he's gay. The feaux-hawk should have tipped me off right away. Dang it.
I went to take my CSCS exam last weekend (personal training certification). I was taking it in DC at 9am, so I took the metro. I gave myself plenty of time..I knew how the metro could be and I just wanted to have a non-stressful morning. I emerged from the metro around 8:30am and I saw a little Indian woman, no more than 5'2" holding a single sheet of paper looking around at all the buildings. I pulled out my single sheet of paper (our exam information) and said to her, "are you taking an exam?" She looked at me, smiled, and nodded...we had a bond. She and I teamed up to find where in the world we were supposed to take our exams. She was taking a nursing exam from what I understood...she had a thick accent. We walked around the block looking for an entrance to this building. After walking back and forth several times, we established there were two places that might be where we were supposed to go. The main entrance was locked and the other one had a homeless man sleeping in the doorway, sooo....we waited by the locked entrance. She was talking about a mile a minute in her precious little accent. I think it was mainly to calm herself down and rationalize the doors being locked. A few minutes later, a man showed up. He was a black man in his late 50's...wearing some high-watered jeans, dress shoes, a leather jacket, and a sock hat. He came to join us in our stressful adventure. He was taking a medical exam of some kind...some acronym I didn't know. Since he arrived, we decided to try the homeless man's entrance again. We walked back around the corner, and the little Indian lady just walked up and stared at him..she was a little firecracker. She went up and reached right over him to try and open the door...it was locked. The homeless man, who was buried in blankets, peaked out of his little nest and then rolled over. She asked him if it was locked (clearly it was) and he reached up with one hand and pulled on the door, not even looking at her. It was kind of like he was saying "seriously? It's obviously locked...let me freakin' sleep!"
We found an open door to the building next to the one our exam was in..we thought we'd give it a try. Maybe there would be another way in. So here we are...a middle-aged black man, a freakishly tiny Indian woman, and me. I felt like I was on some kind of reality show. So we entered this other building and started to take the elevator to the basement (our exam was supposed to be held in the basement of the other building). We got down there and the walls had weird paintings on them...strange looking people all in bright colors. There were several doors and I kind of felt like I should choose one. Then it hit me...I wasn't in a reality show...i was in Mystery Theater! Wondering which one of them would try to kill me. Probably her.
Anyway, we decided that wasn't the route to go so we came back to the street. The Indian lady tried talking to the homeless man once more. I think he was more scared of her than she was of him. He finally got up and moved to another stoop. I don't blame him. BUT, the door was still locked. We decided to go wait in the warm lobby of the building next door until 9am. While were were there, we collected more characters in this little story. A young, smiley, kind of heavyset black girl and a thin-framed 50 year-old white man with glasses and thinning hair that he was obviously ashamed of (you could tell by the way he combed it). So here we are, all in this lobby...and I thought to myself "where am I right now?" Looking around at this very diverse group of people, it looked like we were waiting for a verdict of some kind...to find out who was indeed the killer.
We each left at different points to see if the door ever unlocked, eventually the skinny white man came back and motioned for us to follow him. The door had finally opened and we all walked off hand-in-hand into the building. Actually, we all got to take our exams extremely peeved and stressed but that's not a good ending, is it?
On a lighter note, but just as amusing...we had some visitors last weekend. I heard the doorbell ring and I was the only one home so I ran down to answer it. I see this random guy looking through the door, looking kind of confused. I opened the door to find this guy and girl, both early 20's standing there. He told me they were friends of Dan's and he told them to come over. I replied saying Dan wasn't here but they were welcome to come in. I introduced myself and they did the same. The guy told me his name was "Mock," and I thought to myself, "hmm...Mock. That's different, but he looks kind of hipster so whatever, it fits." Her name was Anamari. Which made me rationalize his name being Mock even more. I was talking with them and I had referred to him as Mock at least twice. As we talked I came to realize they were from Australia, which was really exciting! After my excitement subsided, I then realized how the name Mark would sound if one was Australian. Craaaaaaaaaaap. Whatever, I was just trying to make him feel more at home...I bet they all call him "Mock."
Well, I think it's safe to say that the honeymoon phase of my move is officially over. Not to say I don't like it here anymore...I love it! It's just that my ridiculous streak of very fortunate events is over with. I know I told a lot of you about the "straight guy" from the gay bar...I'm still debating his sexuality. Since I haven't heard back from him, that automatically makes him gay. Yes, he's gay. The feaux-hawk should have tipped me off right away. Dang it.
I went to take my CSCS exam last weekend (personal training certification). I was taking it in DC at 9am, so I took the metro. I gave myself plenty of time..I knew how the metro could be and I just wanted to have a non-stressful morning. I emerged from the metro around 8:30am and I saw a little Indian woman, no more than 5'2" holding a single sheet of paper looking around at all the buildings. I pulled out my single sheet of paper (our exam information) and said to her, "are you taking an exam?" She looked at me, smiled, and nodded...we had a bond. She and I teamed up to find where in the world we were supposed to take our exams. She was taking a nursing exam from what I understood...she had a thick accent. We walked around the block looking for an entrance to this building. After walking back and forth several times, we established there were two places that might be where we were supposed to go. The main entrance was locked and the other one had a homeless man sleeping in the doorway, sooo....we waited by the locked entrance. She was talking about a mile a minute in her precious little accent. I think it was mainly to calm herself down and rationalize the doors being locked. A few minutes later, a man showed up. He was a black man in his late 50's...wearing some high-watered jeans, dress shoes, a leather jacket, and a sock hat. He came to join us in our stressful adventure. He was taking a medical exam of some kind...some acronym I didn't know. Since he arrived, we decided to try the homeless man's entrance again. We walked back around the corner, and the little Indian lady just walked up and stared at him..she was a little firecracker. She went up and reached right over him to try and open the door...it was locked. The homeless man, who was buried in blankets, peaked out of his little nest and then rolled over. She asked him if it was locked (clearly it was) and he reached up with one hand and pulled on the door, not even looking at her. It was kind of like he was saying "seriously? It's obviously locked...let me freakin' sleep!"
We found an open door to the building next to the one our exam was in..we thought we'd give it a try. Maybe there would be another way in. So here we are...a middle-aged black man, a freakishly tiny Indian woman, and me. I felt like I was on some kind of reality show. So we entered this other building and started to take the elevator to the basement (our exam was supposed to be held in the basement of the other building). We got down there and the walls had weird paintings on them...strange looking people all in bright colors. There were several doors and I kind of felt like I should choose one. Then it hit me...I wasn't in a reality show...i was in Mystery Theater! Wondering which one of them would try to kill me. Probably her.
Anyway, we decided that wasn't the route to go so we came back to the street. The Indian lady tried talking to the homeless man once more. I think he was more scared of her than she was of him. He finally got up and moved to another stoop. I don't blame him. BUT, the door was still locked. We decided to go wait in the warm lobby of the building next door until 9am. While were were there, we collected more characters in this little story. A young, smiley, kind of heavyset black girl and a thin-framed 50 year-old white man with glasses and thinning hair that he was obviously ashamed of (you could tell by the way he combed it). So here we are, all in this lobby...and I thought to myself "where am I right now?" Looking around at this very diverse group of people, it looked like we were waiting for a verdict of some kind...to find out who was indeed the killer.
We each left at different points to see if the door ever unlocked, eventually the skinny white man came back and motioned for us to follow him. The door had finally opened and we all walked off hand-in-hand into the building. Actually, we all got to take our exams extremely peeved and stressed but that's not a good ending, is it?
On a lighter note, but just as amusing...we had some visitors last weekend. I heard the doorbell ring and I was the only one home so I ran down to answer it. I see this random guy looking through the door, looking kind of confused. I opened the door to find this guy and girl, both early 20's standing there. He told me they were friends of Dan's and he told them to come over. I replied saying Dan wasn't here but they were welcome to come in. I introduced myself and they did the same. The guy told me his name was "Mock," and I thought to myself, "hmm...Mock. That's different, but he looks kind of hipster so whatever, it fits." Her name was Anamari. Which made me rationalize his name being Mock even more. I was talking with them and I had referred to him as Mock at least twice. As we talked I came to realize they were from Australia, which was really exciting! After my excitement subsided, I then realized how the name Mark would sound if one was Australian. Craaaaaaaaaaap. Whatever, I was just trying to make him feel more at home...I bet they all call him "Mock."
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Oh, the weather outside is frightful...
...but the fire is so delightful. And since we've no place to go...let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
We got a good bit of snow this past Saturday...it definitely was coming down hard. It still hasn't melted completely! I met a few people for brunch on Saturday morning, so I decided to take the metro since it was downtown. It takes me 15 minutes, give or take a few, to walk from the house to the metro station...I was all prepared in some good shoes, warm coat, scarf, gloves- I was good to go! Or so I thought...I was debating whether to take an umbrella or not. I'm thinking, "I'll be fine, I can just dust off the snow once I get there." Yeah...no. These snowflakes were GY-NORMOUS and melted the second they touched my head. I got to the restaurant with my head sopping wet. The best part? I went to dry off in the restroom looking for paper towels, hand dryer, something. They had a hand dryer, alright...only it's some new, advanced kind where only your hands will fit in it. Could not catch a break! I tried dangling some strands of hair in it, realized how ridiculous I looked, and left after drying 3 strands of hair. But, hey, lesson learned!
I think I've had some bad luck this week- all related to the weather in some way. Not a good sign seeing as it's only the beginning of December! I left the house yesterday morning to go to work...it was about 6:40am. I've seen Home Alone too many times to not be aware of ice on front walkways and stairs. I examined the 5 stairs leading down to the driveway...staring down the ice. I grabbed both rails with each hand, taking one step at a time. First step...I could feel how slick it was. My foot slid around a little bit, but I was fine...I had the rail. Second step...disaster. I started with my left foot to follow my first step....slid right out from underneath me. It barely even touched the ice! Fortunately, I managed a very ungraceful half-save. Somehow, I managed to hit the back of my hand extremely hard against the railing and came about 1 millimeter from banging my shin into the stairs. By that time, I "made it" to the bottom of the stairs and walked it off to my car...thankful that I'm the only one leaving at that hour. I still don't understand HOW I fell...I saw the ice, I was prepared. I'm ready for a rematch...me vs. ice.
THIS morning, another incident while leaving for work. The ice had melted off the stairs (thankfully, because I wasn't ready for my rematch yet). I made it to my car safely, BUT apparently Suze (my car), wasn't liking the cold weather either. Yep...her battery was dead. LUCKILY, my only other roommate that has a car was awake and she gave me a ride to work. When I got home today, she jumped it for me and I rode it around for about 20 minutes. I have a funny feeling Suze is gonna throw another tantrum tomorrow...just a feeling. We'll see what happens! I heard the weatherman calling for rain!
I'm so excited about going home for Christmas! I wish it could be longer than a few days. It's so hard to believe that Christmas is here already! BUT, it's my favorite time of year so I'm happy. Enjoy the rest of your ice-free weeks!
We got a good bit of snow this past Saturday...it definitely was coming down hard. It still hasn't melted completely! I met a few people for brunch on Saturday morning, so I decided to take the metro since it was downtown. It takes me 15 minutes, give or take a few, to walk from the house to the metro station...I was all prepared in some good shoes, warm coat, scarf, gloves- I was good to go! Or so I thought...I was debating whether to take an umbrella or not. I'm thinking, "I'll be fine, I can just dust off the snow once I get there." Yeah...no. These snowflakes were GY-NORMOUS and melted the second they touched my head. I got to the restaurant with my head sopping wet. The best part? I went to dry off in the restroom looking for paper towels, hand dryer, something. They had a hand dryer, alright...only it's some new, advanced kind where only your hands will fit in it. Could not catch a break! I tried dangling some strands of hair in it, realized how ridiculous I looked, and left after drying 3 strands of hair. But, hey, lesson learned!
I think I've had some bad luck this week- all related to the weather in some way. Not a good sign seeing as it's only the beginning of December! I left the house yesterday morning to go to work...it was about 6:40am. I've seen Home Alone too many times to not be aware of ice on front walkways and stairs. I examined the 5 stairs leading down to the driveway...staring down the ice. I grabbed both rails with each hand, taking one step at a time. First step...I could feel how slick it was. My foot slid around a little bit, but I was fine...I had the rail. Second step...disaster. I started with my left foot to follow my first step....slid right out from underneath me. It barely even touched the ice! Fortunately, I managed a very ungraceful half-save. Somehow, I managed to hit the back of my hand extremely hard against the railing and came about 1 millimeter from banging my shin into the stairs. By that time, I "made it" to the bottom of the stairs and walked it off to my car...thankful that I'm the only one leaving at that hour. I still don't understand HOW I fell...I saw the ice, I was prepared. I'm ready for a rematch...me vs. ice.
THIS morning, another incident while leaving for work. The ice had melted off the stairs (thankfully, because I wasn't ready for my rematch yet). I made it to my car safely, BUT apparently Suze (my car), wasn't liking the cold weather either. Yep...her battery was dead. LUCKILY, my only other roommate that has a car was awake and she gave me a ride to work. When I got home today, she jumped it for me and I rode it around for about 20 minutes. I have a funny feeling Suze is gonna throw another tantrum tomorrow...just a feeling. We'll see what happens! I heard the weatherman calling for rain!
I'm so excited about going home for Christmas! I wish it could be longer than a few days. It's so hard to believe that Christmas is here already! BUT, it's my favorite time of year so I'm happy. Enjoy the rest of your ice-free weeks!
Monday, November 16, 2009
R is for Radon
I just made my first student loan payment today. I owe $100 every month until I'm 32...sad....day. Well, with the rate time is flying by now, I'll be 32 in the morning because I swear I was 12 yesterday.
I haven't blogged in almost a month and I don't know whether to update you from where I left off or start with the present. Hmm...I guess since I already told you about my giant shove into adulthood today, I'll go from there...
The weather was incredible here yesterday! It felt like Spring outside...definitely not mid-November. Dara, Sarah, and I decided to walk to the park to do some reading. Apparently, there's a park in our neighborhood that I had no clue about. Something good to know! Anyway, we found some bleachers by a baseball field to sit on (the ground was too wet). Both Dara and Sarah ended up on the phone, wandering in the outfield. So I donned my iPod and started listening to a little Michael Buble in the sunshine. I spent about 20 minutes watching a boy and his dad playing baseball...then another kid and father came to play with them and I spent another 20 minutes trying to figure out if this kid was a girl or a boy. Ultimately deciding it was a girl..because no parent would let their son have a bob haircut. The flat-billed Yankee hat (with the sticker on the bill) and the basketball shorts and shoes were throwing me off.
Saturday night, we had our first house party. It was a great success! Our house is actually great for parties...lots of open space, seating, a deck. We even made one of the rooms into a dance floor with a blacklight! Oh yes, we do it big. In honor of 4 of my housemates doing research (being scientists)...we had a themed party. It was an Element Party. You are probably thinking, "what is that?" I was right there with you, but it wasn't as nerdy as it sounds. Maybe a little, though. Everyone dressed up as a different element from the periodic table. I.........was Radon. I dressed all in black and had a flashing red light as a Radon Detector. We had a few Neons and Californiums, a Manganese, Florine, Potassium, Aluminum, etc. It was a lot of fun!.....don't judge me.
Last weekend, I went on a retreat with some women from the church I've been going to. We went to Ocean City, MD...google it...ah-mazing!. It was very laid back and low key...no schedule. There were 12 of us crammed into a 3-bedroom condo...talk about get-to-know-you time! I shared a bed with 2 girls I just met. One big weekend of bonding! Everyone took turns making a meal for everyone else...Sarah and I made tacos for lunch that Sunday. Can't go wrong with tacos! But other than eating, we watched some movies, walked on the beach, and had some great discussions. I believe I ate my weight in chocolate that weekend...that's what happens when you get too many girls together!
I'm gonna try harder to keep my updates more regular...I did so well at the beginning! That way I can give you more deets (details) about things.
Love and miss you guys!
I haven't blogged in almost a month and I don't know whether to update you from where I left off or start with the present. Hmm...I guess since I already told you about my giant shove into adulthood today, I'll go from there...
The weather was incredible here yesterday! It felt like Spring outside...definitely not mid-November. Dara, Sarah, and I decided to walk to the park to do some reading. Apparently, there's a park in our neighborhood that I had no clue about. Something good to know! Anyway, we found some bleachers by a baseball field to sit on (the ground was too wet). Both Dara and Sarah ended up on the phone, wandering in the outfield. So I donned my iPod and started listening to a little Michael Buble in the sunshine. I spent about 20 minutes watching a boy and his dad playing baseball...then another kid and father came to play with them and I spent another 20 minutes trying to figure out if this kid was a girl or a boy. Ultimately deciding it was a girl..because no parent would let their son have a bob haircut. The flat-billed Yankee hat (with the sticker on the bill) and the basketball shorts and shoes were throwing me off.
Saturday night, we had our first house party. It was a great success! Our house is actually great for parties...lots of open space, seating, a deck. We even made one of the rooms into a dance floor with a blacklight! Oh yes, we do it big. In honor of 4 of my housemates doing research (being scientists)...we had a themed party. It was an Element Party. You are probably thinking, "what is that?" I was right there with you, but it wasn't as nerdy as it sounds. Maybe a little, though. Everyone dressed up as a different element from the periodic table. I.........was Radon. I dressed all in black and had a flashing red light as a Radon Detector. We had a few Neons and Californiums, a Manganese, Florine, Potassium, Aluminum, etc. It was a lot of fun!.....don't judge me.
Last weekend, I went on a retreat with some women from the church I've been going to. We went to Ocean City, MD...google it...ah-mazing!. It was very laid back and low key...no schedule. There were 12 of us crammed into a 3-bedroom condo...talk about get-to-know-you time! I shared a bed with 2 girls I just met. One big weekend of bonding! Everyone took turns making a meal for everyone else...Sarah and I made tacos for lunch that Sunday. Can't go wrong with tacos! But other than eating, we watched some movies, walked on the beach, and had some great discussions. I believe I ate my weight in chocolate that weekend...that's what happens when you get too many girls together!
I'm gonna try harder to keep my updates more regular...I did so well at the beginning! That way I can give you more deets (details) about things.
Love and miss you guys!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Free Cocktails and a New Church
Oh my goodness, how have I let it go this long without an update?? Well, I have lots to tell!
Work is still going very well...I ALMOST got to give a lecture at an NIH Health and Wellness Symposium last week. Unfortunately, due to the cold, nasty weather it got cancelled (yes, it was supposed to be outside). My talk was on "Pain and Injury Prevention with Aging." The symposium got rescheduled to the spring, so I'll be doing it then! Honestly, I was a little relieved when it got cancelled because they sprang it on me at the last minute...but, still pretty excited about the opportunity! Also, I've been talking with this guy that instructs boot camps at NIH and possibly might start teaching those!! All kinds of opportunities popping up!
Kelsie, Bekah, and Lolli came to visit about a week and a half ago...I was so happy to see them! We packed about as much as anyone can in the few days they were here! A few highlights: we went to a fancy sushi restaurant and ended up getting a free round of drinks and edamame, because they forgot to bring our appetizer! Our check went from $100 to $50!!! Um, you can forget my edamame anytime.
We also made a spur of the moment decision to go to New York for a day. It's about 4 hours from DC, so we took advantage of it. We drove to stay with Lolli's relatives in New Jersey on Sunday night, and took a train into Manhattan Monday morning. This is what we did in the 6 hours we were there: arrived at Penn Station, walked to Times Square, ate lunch at the Roxy in Times Square, took a subway to Chinatown, shopped/walked down Canal St. (I got an awesomely fake Burberry scarf for $5), walked halfway across the Brooklyn Bridge, walked to Ground Zero, took a subway up to Chelsea/Meatpacking District, walked around there, then walked back to Madison Square Garden/Penn Station and caught a train back to New Jersey! I was definitely exhausted...but we drove back to DC that same night after we ate dinner with her relatives. It was such an awesome weekend!
My housemate, Sarah, and I found a church a couple Sundays ago. We googled churches in Bethesda, and it came up with The Church of Bethesda...why didn't I think of that name? So the website seemed contemporary enough so we decided to check it out. The service was great, but the really awesome/exciting thing was a dinner we went to Friday night. It was at one of the girl's apartments and there was about 15 people there from ages 22-30...young crowd. I have never had so much fun with a group of people I just met! The dinner started at 6:30pm...Sarah and I didn't leave until 12:30am! It felt like I'd known these people for a long time...I have really needed a good push and motivation to get plugged into a church up here, and God provided! I can't believe how blessed I've been since I moved up here...God just keeps on providing. He can't make it any more clear that He wants me here right now. Amazing!...So, uh, God...don't you think it's about time for a guy? :)
I love fitness center stories!...
-There are these two asian girls that work out at the fitness center, who always come together. I've never seen one without the other. Whenever they workout, they do everything exactly the same! I watch them and think "Stop synchronizing your crunches...this isn't the olympics! We know you guys are good at everything!" They get their little mats, lay them side-by-side, and execute their rou-...I mean, workout perfectly! I swear they run on the treadmill at the same speed, feet striking the belt at the same pace, in sync! And they slow down at the same time! I honestly feel like I'm on Candid Camera. Why are they doing this??...Nonetheless, I'd give 'em a 10 for synchronization....about a 7 for difficulty.
-I was talking to one of the older ladies that comes into the gym (Vivian, if you remember her from an earlier story) the other day. On her way out she told me that she liked my "top knot." Noticing my confused expression, she pointed to my hair and said, "your top knot." My hair was in a completely un-fancy, messy bun (how it usually is when it's up). I now call it my top knot.
Work is still going very well...I ALMOST got to give a lecture at an NIH Health and Wellness Symposium last week. Unfortunately, due to the cold, nasty weather it got cancelled (yes, it was supposed to be outside). My talk was on "Pain and Injury Prevention with Aging." The symposium got rescheduled to the spring, so I'll be doing it then! Honestly, I was a little relieved when it got cancelled because they sprang it on me at the last minute...but, still pretty excited about the opportunity! Also, I've been talking with this guy that instructs boot camps at NIH and possibly might start teaching those!! All kinds of opportunities popping up!
Kelsie, Bekah, and Lolli came to visit about a week and a half ago...I was so happy to see them! We packed about as much as anyone can in the few days they were here! A few highlights: we went to a fancy sushi restaurant and ended up getting a free round of drinks and edamame, because they forgot to bring our appetizer! Our check went from $100 to $50!!! Um, you can forget my edamame anytime.
We also made a spur of the moment decision to go to New York for a day. It's about 4 hours from DC, so we took advantage of it. We drove to stay with Lolli's relatives in New Jersey on Sunday night, and took a train into Manhattan Monday morning. This is what we did in the 6 hours we were there: arrived at Penn Station, walked to Times Square, ate lunch at the Roxy in Times Square, took a subway to Chinatown, shopped/walked down Canal St. (I got an awesomely fake Burberry scarf for $5), walked halfway across the Brooklyn Bridge, walked to Ground Zero, took a subway up to Chelsea/Meatpacking District, walked around there, then walked back to Madison Square Garden/Penn Station and caught a train back to New Jersey! I was definitely exhausted...but we drove back to DC that same night after we ate dinner with her relatives. It was such an awesome weekend!
My housemate, Sarah, and I found a church a couple Sundays ago. We googled churches in Bethesda, and it came up with The Church of Bethesda...why didn't I think of that name? So the website seemed contemporary enough so we decided to check it out. The service was great, but the really awesome/exciting thing was a dinner we went to Friday night. It was at one of the girl's apartments and there was about 15 people there from ages 22-30...young crowd. I have never had so much fun with a group of people I just met! The dinner started at 6:30pm...Sarah and I didn't leave until 12:30am! It felt like I'd known these people for a long time...I have really needed a good push and motivation to get plugged into a church up here, and God provided! I can't believe how blessed I've been since I moved up here...God just keeps on providing. He can't make it any more clear that He wants me here right now. Amazing!...So, uh, God...don't you think it's about time for a guy? :)
I love fitness center stories!...
-There are these two asian girls that work out at the fitness center, who always come together. I've never seen one without the other. Whenever they workout, they do everything exactly the same! I watch them and think "Stop synchronizing your crunches...this isn't the olympics! We know you guys are good at everything!" They get their little mats, lay them side-by-side, and execute their rou-...I mean, workout perfectly! I swear they run on the treadmill at the same speed, feet striking the belt at the same pace, in sync! And they slow down at the same time! I honestly feel like I'm on Candid Camera. Why are they doing this??...Nonetheless, I'd give 'em a 10 for synchronization....about a 7 for difficulty.
-I was talking to one of the older ladies that comes into the gym (Vivian, if you remember her from an earlier story) the other day. On her way out she told me that she liked my "top knot." Noticing my confused expression, she pointed to my hair and said, "your top knot." My hair was in a completely un-fancy, messy bun (how it usually is when it's up). I now call it my top knot.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
I Make It Rain
Just got back from the Nationals/Braves game...the Braves won and kept their winning streak going, hopefully we'll make the playoffs! If I've ever gone to a Braves game with you, it's probably rained it some form or fashion. It never fails...really kind of astonishing. I went with my friend, Andy who is a big baseball fan. I thought we were in the clear when it was the 6th inning, 80 degrees, not a cloud in the sky...all of a sudden the dark, thick mass came rolling in and wouldn't you know it started raining!! REALLY? Even when I'm not in Atlanta. What can I say?...I bring the rain!
Friday was an extremely busy day. Friday is the day I work part-time with Just For Kids in Georgetown...the fact that I have to work seems to escape me pretty easily, though. I never remember I have to go until the morning of. And this Friday?...just the same. EXCEPT, I told one of my co-workers at NIH that I could stay a little later for her. Typically, I get off work at NIH at 3pm and have to be in Georgetown by 4pm...not a huge window. So, when I told her on Thursday that I could stay late for her Friday...it didn't hit me until I was getting dressed for work and had to pack my JFK (Just For Kids, not John F. Kennedy) shirt. Gotta make life interesting right? I spent the whole day trying to pull strings/stressing out...anyway, once I got off work at NIH, I raced to Georgetown (thankfully I didn't have to parallel park that day). Got there exactly at 4:00pm, ran up to find all the babies with their over-sized JFK shirts on, holding their soccer balls. These kids are PRECIOUS! Some of them don't even speak they are so young. We'll do a lot of simple "drills" (for lack of a better term) with them. One is where we have them put their ball on the "volcano" (volcano shaped cone)...p.s. If you haven't noticed I enjoy utilizing all the " " and ( ). I digress...anyway, we have them count 5 steps backward, wait for the whistle, then run and kick their ball towards the goal. Every time, this never fails, there are always two of the same kids that hear the whistle, run and pick up their ball and run to the goal. It is impossible to get upset with them, because it is so doggone ADORABLE! No matter how many times you tell them to use their feet, watch them nod in "comprehension," they still use their hands. Another one of my favorites is an exercise where we have them run in and out of a line of cones...this is kind of like watching Bambi learning to run crossed with a drunk. With their wobbly legs, they start to veer away from the cones toward the right usually. It's rare that they actually weave in and out of the cones...if they've seemed to master their coordination, they just make a beeline toward the other side, avoiding the cones all together. These kids make my week.
Straight from Georgetown, I went over to Margo and Deedy's for dinner. My cousin Amy and her husband PJ were in town, so they came to eat dinner as well. I think the kids lack of coordination rubs off on me, because when I was at Margo's I ran into a huge picture on the wall on the way to the shower. Anyway, dinner was great...I learned a lot about immigration and the dentention centers in the US from PJ. He's getting into social justice and is very actively involved....as a matter of fact, they were in DC for that very reason.
I planned to meet up with my roommates in Dupont Circle (neighborhood where Margo lives) to go out for some drinks. Didn't meet up with them until about 11:30pm at a bar called Madhatters. I've been there a couple times and it's a fun place...they played the new Miley Cyrus song and EVERYONE, including guys, sang along. I was amazed because I hadn't even heard the song yet...but you know what? I have it now...gotta love some Hannah Montana!
Very fun day...5:30am to 1:00am nonstop! Wouldn't have it any other way!!
Random happenings:
-My neighbors have a huge sign in their backyard resting against their fence that says "Jonas Brothers"...written in graffiti. I bet they hijacked it from a Disney Concert.
-A few nights ago there was some kind of strange animal fight in our backyard. When it began, I thought it might be two cats...but once it progressed, I knew it had to be an elephant and Bigfoot.
-Aerobic Annie is a Fitness Center Fugitive! She owes membership dues, but she always seems to elude me. I think I'll call her Evanescent Annie now.
-I went to buy some stoppers to put under the wheels of my bed...every time I sit on my bed it rolls about a foot because the wheels are on a hardwood floor. This man at the hardware store helped me pick out the right size for the bed, I asked him something about the stoppers being big enough, because I tried to buy some before but were too small. He said as long as I don't do anything to make them jump the track they'll be fine, whatever he was implying. After that he realized how that sounded and I could feel the awkwardness set in. I said "thanks" and left.
Friday was an extremely busy day. Friday is the day I work part-time with Just For Kids in Georgetown...the fact that I have to work seems to escape me pretty easily, though. I never remember I have to go until the morning of. And this Friday?...just the same. EXCEPT, I told one of my co-workers at NIH that I could stay a little later for her. Typically, I get off work at NIH at 3pm and have to be in Georgetown by 4pm...not a huge window. So, when I told her on Thursday that I could stay late for her Friday...it didn't hit me until I was getting dressed for work and had to pack my JFK (Just For Kids, not John F. Kennedy) shirt. Gotta make life interesting right? I spent the whole day trying to pull strings/stressing out...anyway, once I got off work at NIH, I raced to Georgetown (thankfully I didn't have to parallel park that day). Got there exactly at 4:00pm, ran up to find all the babies with their over-sized JFK shirts on, holding their soccer balls. These kids are PRECIOUS! Some of them don't even speak they are so young. We'll do a lot of simple "drills" (for lack of a better term) with them. One is where we have them put their ball on the "volcano" (volcano shaped cone)...p.s. If you haven't noticed I enjoy utilizing all the " " and ( ). I digress...anyway, we have them count 5 steps backward, wait for the whistle, then run and kick their ball towards the goal. Every time, this never fails, there are always two of the same kids that hear the whistle, run and pick up their ball and run to the goal. It is impossible to get upset with them, because it is so doggone ADORABLE! No matter how many times you tell them to use their feet, watch them nod in "comprehension," they still use their hands. Another one of my favorites is an exercise where we have them run in and out of a line of cones...this is kind of like watching Bambi learning to run crossed with a drunk. With their wobbly legs, they start to veer away from the cones toward the right usually. It's rare that they actually weave in and out of the cones...if they've seemed to master their coordination, they just make a beeline toward the other side, avoiding the cones all together. These kids make my week.
Straight from Georgetown, I went over to Margo and Deedy's for dinner. My cousin Amy and her husband PJ were in town, so they came to eat dinner as well. I think the kids lack of coordination rubs off on me, because when I was at Margo's I ran into a huge picture on the wall on the way to the shower. Anyway, dinner was great...I learned a lot about immigration and the dentention centers in the US from PJ. He's getting into social justice and is very actively involved....as a matter of fact, they were in DC for that very reason.
I planned to meet up with my roommates in Dupont Circle (neighborhood where Margo lives) to go out for some drinks. Didn't meet up with them until about 11:30pm at a bar called Madhatters. I've been there a couple times and it's a fun place...they played the new Miley Cyrus song and EVERYONE, including guys, sang along. I was amazed because I hadn't even heard the song yet...but you know what? I have it now...gotta love some Hannah Montana!
Very fun day...5:30am to 1:00am nonstop! Wouldn't have it any other way!!
Random happenings:
-My neighbors have a huge sign in their backyard resting against their fence that says "Jonas Brothers"...written in graffiti. I bet they hijacked it from a Disney Concert.
-A few nights ago there was some kind of strange animal fight in our backyard. When it began, I thought it might be two cats...but once it progressed, I knew it had to be an elephant and Bigfoot.
-Aerobic Annie is a Fitness Center Fugitive! She owes membership dues, but she always seems to elude me. I think I'll call her Evanescent Annie now.
-I went to buy some stoppers to put under the wheels of my bed...every time I sit on my bed it rolls about a foot because the wheels are on a hardwood floor. This man at the hardware store helped me pick out the right size for the bed, I asked him something about the stoppers being big enough, because I tried to buy some before but were too small. He said as long as I don't do anything to make them jump the track they'll be fine, whatever he was implying. After that he realized how that sounded and I could feel the awkwardness set in. I said "thanks" and left.
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