Well, darlin', it's over.
I have completed my internship. It is crazy to think that just a little under 4 months ago I was moving in to my little apartment in Bethesda, going to church on that first sunday by myself - not even really remember what my roomates looked like and having to act like I did when I saw them at church (yikes), struggling with finding my groove in D.C. life and trying to make friends.
I feel like I accomplished many goals over my summer.
I feel like I bonded with my roomate, Kita. I feel like I made friends with people in the ward (DC2nd you are all FANTASTIC!). I broke out of my comfort shell, even if it didnt seem like it at times. I participated in two Iron Chef competitions. I explored the unknown parts of the city. I ignored places with hype - I had one day where I went and toured around the monuments. My days were filled with work and normal activities, things that people in my ward did, things that people that live in the district actually do. I enjoyed Pub Trivia. I nudged M more than a few times and asked him to do game nights. I drove to work near the end without much panic = I conqured Rockville/Wisconsin/495 :-)
On the internship front, I met amazing people. My co-workers are truly great people who I have come to love and admire. They taught me so much not only regarding the office I worked in in particular but things I could apply to the Career Development Center, Management Society and more. Im really grateful to them.
Im really not sure what else I can say. My time in Washington has come to an end. I have just finished my first week of senior year.
Its time to head back to this blog over here. I hope youll follow me, I am on to more adventures and wouldn't want you to miss them.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Its called KETCHUP!
Here it goes!
Iron Chef: Saffron was on Sunday (the 22nd) at David's place. To be addressed later in the post, I thought I was homeless in Virginia and had to make an emergency trip down to pack all of my things in my house so my roomate would not have to do it on her own. I left Saturday early and came back Sunday.. early. Right before church actually. I called Kita when I was about thirty minutes away to see if she would wait for me and drive to church - I had a feeling that post-church I would not feel up to driving home (and I was right). I had given up all hope on being able to cook for Iron Chef when I ran in to David after Munch N' Mingle. He pulled out a small glass vile and a jar of Saffron... sketch for sure but hey! I got myself some Saffron!! I had a recipe I had planned on doing, and Kita had the needed almonds. I went home and made Saffon Cantuccini found HERE. I melted some Dark Chocolate chips that J had and after plating drizzled the chocolate on top of the pile of cantuccini. It was fantastic! I won third place out of probably 15 entries. 5 votes for Cantuccini. 6 votes for Saffron Braided Bread with Honey and 7 votes for Meatball Tangine - it was CLOSE!
Next month is Fennel, hosted by Marie & Hugh. I just may be coming up to DC that weekend. I dont think these folks realize how much I love the idea of Iron Chef.
******
Homeless. Sort of.
Katie and I received calls from our Landlord and his wife on thursday (the 19th) that some business deal they had was bringing a family to BV and they would need us out of the place by August 31st. That is thirteen days. Thir-Teen. All while I am out of town. Needless to say the search for housing was stressful. I was not sure what they really expected me to do with so little time before school starting and not having any leads and did I mention - most housing is full. I called. I e-mailed. I texted. I begged. I found one place that had an opening but would not be ready to move in to until Sept 11th. Not acceptable. I couldnt find anywhere to stay for those two weeks (slight correction: my Bishop offered his home, he is Fantastic but I did not want to do that to them, even if they offered - it would be just great to find a place to move in to and then stay at). I called one of the off-campus housing listings and got a woman who was in one of my classes last semester. Her husband is a professor at the school, and she has children about my age. Sweet lady. After chatting I asked if she remembered me, she did, and we became more friendly - then! (drumroll) she said... you should call my daughter, shes looking for a roomate. Her daughter happens to live with my old RS president (who is getting murried, yup - murried in Oct.) I call and it just happens to be perfect. Great price. Great location. Keeps me in my old ward. All around - PERFECT.
I move in Saturday. :-)
*****
I really want to make this Lemon-Blueberry pull apart bread. Think Monkey Bread with a sweet but tangy kick :)
*****
Cooking with Gina.
Im going to start a cooking blog. Not kidding. Look for it. Ive got a sweet title (and no, its not Cooking with Gina)
Iron Chef: Saffron was on Sunday (the 22nd) at David's place. To be addressed later in the post, I thought I was homeless in Virginia and had to make an emergency trip down to pack all of my things in my house so my roomate would not have to do it on her own. I left Saturday early and came back Sunday.. early. Right before church actually. I called Kita when I was about thirty minutes away to see if she would wait for me and drive to church - I had a feeling that post-church I would not feel up to driving home (and I was right). I had given up all hope on being able to cook for Iron Chef when I ran in to David after Munch N' Mingle. He pulled out a small glass vile and a jar of Saffron... sketch for sure but hey! I got myself some Saffron!! I had a recipe I had planned on doing, and Kita had the needed almonds. I went home and made Saffon Cantuccini found HERE. I melted some Dark Chocolate chips that J had and after plating drizzled the chocolate on top of the pile of cantuccini. It was fantastic! I won third place out of probably 15 entries. 5 votes for Cantuccini. 6 votes for Saffron Braided Bread with Honey and 7 votes for Meatball Tangine - it was CLOSE!
Next month is Fennel, hosted by Marie & Hugh. I just may be coming up to DC that weekend. I dont think these folks realize how much I love the idea of Iron Chef.
******
Homeless. Sort of.
Katie and I received calls from our Landlord and his wife on thursday (the 19th) that some business deal they had was bringing a family to BV and they would need us out of the place by August 31st. That is thirteen days. Thir-Teen. All while I am out of town. Needless to say the search for housing was stressful. I was not sure what they really expected me to do with so little time before school starting and not having any leads and did I mention - most housing is full. I called. I e-mailed. I texted. I begged. I found one place that had an opening but would not be ready to move in to until Sept 11th. Not acceptable. I couldnt find anywhere to stay for those two weeks (slight correction: my Bishop offered his home, he is Fantastic but I did not want to do that to them, even if they offered - it would be just great to find a place to move in to and then stay at). I called one of the off-campus housing listings and got a woman who was in one of my classes last semester. Her husband is a professor at the school, and she has children about my age. Sweet lady. After chatting I asked if she remembered me, she did, and we became more friendly - then! (drumroll) she said... you should call my daughter, shes looking for a roomate. Her daughter happens to live with my old RS president (who is getting murried, yup - murried in Oct.) I call and it just happens to be perfect. Great price. Great location. Keeps me in my old ward. All around - PERFECT.
I move in Saturday. :-)
*****
I really want to make this Lemon-Blueberry pull apart bread. Think Monkey Bread with a sweet but tangy kick :)
*****
Cooking with Gina.
Im going to start a cooking blog. Not kidding. Look for it. Ive got a sweet title (and no, its not Cooking with Gina)
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Updates... in a post to come :-)
*Third Place - Iron Chef Saffron
*Im Homeless. I may not be Homeless. Im officially, Not Homeless!! (<--thought process)
*I really want to make this Lemon-Blueberry pull apart bread. Think Monkey Bread with a sweet but tangy kick :)
*Starting a cooking blog...? Talk about Generation Y
*My Final Week in Washington (incl. New Interns)
*Im Homeless. I may not be Homeless. Im officially, Not Homeless!! (<--thought process)
*I really want to make this Lemon-Blueberry pull apart bread. Think Monkey Bread with a sweet but tangy kick :)
*Starting a cooking blog...? Talk about Generation Y
*My Final Week in Washington (incl. New Interns)
Monday, August 23, 2010
Music Monday
Kita wrote a post on Official and Unofficial State Songs talking about the current state songs and what they really should be. I thought I loved New York, I knew that I disliked it sometimes (especially the city) but the Unofficial aka what they think should be the 21st Century State Song of New York not only made me miss New York, It reminded me of my love for the City. The video was shot on September 7th, 2001 - Just 4 days before the attack on the WTC. You see the towers behind him in the video. At that point I even got emotional. I was close, too close for comfort, to that event. My mom was in the city on that day. I am told I said things and did things that I dont remember, a little PTSD I suppose when you think your mom could be apart of the thousands affected by the attack. I love that city, I love that state - This is the perfect video for Music Monday.
Found a lot of trouble out on Avenue B
But I tried to keep the overhead low
Farewell to the city and the love of my life
At least we left before we had to goAnd love won't play any games with you
Anymore if you want 'em to
So we better shake this old thing out the door
I'll always be thinkin' of you
I'll always love you though New York
I'll always love you though New York, New York, New York
For Music Monday, I give you;
Ryan Adams - New York, New York
Found a lot of trouble out on Avenue B
But I tried to keep the overhead low
Farewell to the city and the love of my life
At least we left before we had to goAnd love won't play any games with you
Anymore if you want 'em to
So we better shake this old thing out the door
I'll always be thinkin' of you
I'll always love you though New York
I'll always love you though New York, New York, New York
For Music Monday, I give you;
Ryan Adams - New York, New York
Monday, August 16, 2010
Music Monday
Pretty sure I have missed one or two of these due to being away from the office and my blog and on vacation.. and doing other fun things. I have been on a kick with a few different bands lately, where I could just listen to all of their songs, over and over. Train is one of them so for your entertainment....
Shes on Fire - Train
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Music Monday
Youtube is being lame and wont let me put the video in, but its fabulous and brings back middle school memories. Enjoy.
Music Monday
Music Monday
Monday, July 26, 2010
According to Facebook...
(fyi; I got off work early on Thursday and the office was closed Friday for Pioneer Day... Love working for The Church)
Gina D. Haywood
Update: Burned my foot on my straightener Saturday (ouch), Made my way through American History Museum and saw Julia Child's kitchen, Pioneer Day BBQ, Pulled Pork & Watermelon on Sunday... before power went out, played Perudo by candlelight, came home to a 90+ room... went to the Georgetown Inn with Becky and lived it up in the AC... Screen on the Green tonight & power coming back (crossing fingers).
This is how my weekend went down.
Saturday started fine. I went to the store to buy food for a Sunday dinner, washed my car, and made plans for the rest of the day. I went home, showered, plugged in my straightener... stepped on it (YOWZA!) and it was far from fun. I stepped inside it... if that helps you figure out why it hurts. I have this fun looking blister on the top of my foot. It was purple/gray yesterday but has now grown with... stuff ha. Pretty sure the thing is okay though (even though JH tried to freak me out and tell me I needed to go to the hospital).
I stuck my foot in the bathroom sink (water wasn't cold enough), stuck it in the kitchen sink (still not cold enough), filled a bowl with ice and water and sighed with relief. I tried to finish getting ready/text A to tell him "I'm a mess... Ive burned my foot... Ill... be late" all while hobbling around with one foot in a bowl of ice water. Oh fun. I finally got my junk together and got out of the house. Picked A up and we drove down in to Georgetown to park at my office (free parking in D.C. ... you bet I'll use it). We walked down to Foggy Bottom and metro'd down to the Museum of American History.
We saw pioneer exhibits, a model of a ship used to fight a battle on the Hudson (woot!... for the Hudson part... not the fact it was a battle ship), C3PO, Dumbo, Checked out some (sweet) vintage cars, and ready for it.... Julia Child's Kitchen! I was excited, and it made me pretty giddy to say the least. If he wasn't aware I was a cooking nerd....welp, he is now. We then took the train to our friends Pioneer Day BBQ. We ate our fill and decided to head over to Falls Church to pick up some weights (yup) and then head back to his place. Where I then chatted it up with his roommate who is a total twin for one of my favorite people ever, Elder Bowcut.
That was Saturday.
Sunday.
Started the pulled pork (which I am eating right now) before church. I normally do it with Dr. Pepper but did not have it this time. I also did not put the rub on until I was putting it in the crock pot but I love the flavor of it. I cut up an onion, put half in the bottom of the crock pot. Seasoned the pork with Salt, Pepper, Paprika, Chili Powder & stuck it in the crock pot. Topped it with the other half of the onion & about 2 cups of water... more Chili Powder & Red Pepper Flake (Spicy!). I let it cook while we were at church. We got home and about an hour later... power went out. We were still able to finish cooking & eat but it was dark & hot.
We decided at about 8p.m. to head over to the parkside boys apartment. We played Perudo, Smelled amazing spices (That's NASA for ya) and drank peach juice till the wee hours of the morn... or 10p.m. When we got home, Kita & my room was Insane! We're talking furnace hot. She had a free night at Georgetown Inn and they had a room. I LOVE HOTELS! The bed, was perfect. The AC was Freezing! The shower was amazing. It was wonderful. Our room also had a view of The Kennedy Center.
I went to work... Hung out after waiting for Kita to come to the office where we ate a dinner of left over pulled pork, changed & caught a cab for Screen on the Green. I think I would have loved the SG except... the smokers... the boozy french girls behind us who basically shoved me on to Kita & M's blanket... and the fickle boy who I really just wanted to hang out with. We made it to FB metro and while Kita & Mag turned around M & I bolted (literally) the other direction and laughed the whole way to the office.
I'm not sure they found it as funny as we did.
We made it home where it was dark, nay, pitch black, but cool enough to sleep. This morning I packed like a camping trip because Ill be at the office all day so I drove in (which I think I love) and now... its time to start my day.
I think that's enough of an update to hold you over.
Gina D. Haywood
Update: Burned my foot on my straightener Saturday (ouch), Made my way through American History Museum and saw Julia Child's kitchen, Pioneer Day BBQ, Pulled Pork & Watermelon on Sunday... before power went out, played Perudo by candlelight, came home to a 90+ room... went to the Georgetown Inn with Becky and lived it up in the AC... Screen on the Green tonight & power coming back (crossing fingers).
This is how my weekend went down.
Saturday started fine. I went to the store to buy food for a Sunday dinner, washed my car, and made plans for the rest of the day. I went home, showered, plugged in my straightener... stepped on it (YOWZA!) and it was far from fun. I stepped inside it... if that helps you figure out why it hurts. I have this fun looking blister on the top of my foot. It was purple/gray yesterday but has now grown with... stuff ha. Pretty sure the thing is okay though (even though JH tried to freak me out and tell me I needed to go to the hospital).
I stuck my foot in the bathroom sink (water wasn't cold enough), stuck it in the kitchen sink (still not cold enough), filled a bowl with ice and water and sighed with relief. I tried to finish getting ready/text A to tell him "I'm a mess... Ive burned my foot... Ill... be late" all while hobbling around with one foot in a bowl of ice water. Oh fun. I finally got my junk together and got out of the house. Picked A up and we drove down in to Georgetown to park at my office (free parking in D.C. ... you bet I'll use it). We walked down to Foggy Bottom and metro'd down to the Museum of American History.
We saw pioneer exhibits, a model of a ship used to fight a battle on the Hudson (woot!... for the Hudson part... not the fact it was a battle ship), C3PO, Dumbo, Checked out some (sweet) vintage cars, and ready for it.... Julia Child's Kitchen! I was excited, and it made me pretty giddy to say the least. If he wasn't aware I was a cooking nerd....welp, he is now. We then took the train to our friends Pioneer Day BBQ. We ate our fill and decided to head over to Falls Church to pick up some weights (yup) and then head back to his place. Where I then chatted it up with his roommate who is a total twin for one of my favorite people ever, Elder Bowcut.
That was Saturday.
Sunday.
Started the pulled pork (which I am eating right now) before church. I normally do it with Dr. Pepper but did not have it this time. I also did not put the rub on until I was putting it in the crock pot but I love the flavor of it. I cut up an onion, put half in the bottom of the crock pot. Seasoned the pork with Salt, Pepper, Paprika, Chili Powder & stuck it in the crock pot. Topped it with the other half of the onion & about 2 cups of water... more Chili Powder & Red Pepper Flake (Spicy!). I let it cook while we were at church. We got home and about an hour later... power went out. We were still able to finish cooking & eat but it was dark & hot.
We decided at about 8p.m. to head over to the parkside boys apartment. We played Perudo, Smelled amazing spices (That's NASA for ya) and drank peach juice till the wee hours of the morn... or 10p.m. When we got home, Kita & my room was Insane! We're talking furnace hot. She had a free night at Georgetown Inn and they had a room. I LOVE HOTELS! The bed, was perfect. The AC was Freezing! The shower was amazing. It was wonderful. Our room also had a view of The Kennedy Center.
I went to work... Hung out after waiting for Kita to come to the office where we ate a dinner of left over pulled pork, changed & caught a cab for Screen on the Green. I think I would have loved the SG except... the smokers... the boozy french girls behind us who basically shoved me on to Kita & M's blanket... and the fickle boy who I really just wanted to hang out with. We made it to FB metro and while Kita & Mag turned around M & I bolted (literally) the other direction and laughed the whole way to the office.
I'm not sure they found it as funny as we did.
We made it home where it was dark, nay, pitch black, but cool enough to sleep. This morning I packed like a camping trip because Ill be at the office all day so I drove in (which I think I love) and now... its time to start my day.
I think that's enough of an update to hold you over.
Music Monday
This weekend was crazy!!! Updates.... later. For now, here is a song that has been stuck in my head all weekend.
Fireflight - Unbreakable
"Sometimes its hard to just keep going, but faith is moving without knowing. Can I trust what I cant see to reach my destiny? I want to take control but I know better"
Monday, July 19, 2010
Music Monday - "Let's Party on the White House lawn"
Dislike: First lines about his gf and her bf being out of town
Love: The beat, the mention of D.C., The return of Enrique.
Baby, I like it.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Well, Gina....
"I'm Jealous. I wish I could be the one taking you on a date.... I mean, the member of the opposite sex who gets to spend time with you, one on one"
What?!
What?!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Thoughts for the Day
1) Leftovers are Amazing
I love when I have leftovers to bring in to work. Down at school I am often eating lunch at the cafeteria, or at the cafe mostly, so my leftovers go bad. Not here, folks! Cooking for one is a great thing when you work in DC! (I'm sure other places too, but I can only speak from experience) So far I have had leftover Baked Ziti (recipe to be posted soon), Love Pie (another recipe I will share), and today its Crockpot Chicken (for lack of a better name) and couscous. Combine the last bit with the lentils I bought at Trader Joe's yesterday and I am going to be a happy girl come lunch time.
2) Pioneer Day
I guess when you work for Mormons... its a bigger deal than it is if you are just LDS. We get June 23rd off of work. Yes. Seriously. The office is closed. What does that mean? That means I will be using that day to see all of the things that I have been wanting to do but DC has been too packed with tourists for me to actually do them. (That's a lame excuse and partial lie. Ive also slept in on almost every Saturday, but its also fairly crazy with tourists in the city on weekends)
3) Favorite Things
You know how some things just make you smile, inherently? A lot of mine are food. That's silly, but true. Strawberry Milk. Salt & Pepper UTZ Chips. Nutella. Goldfish. Then there are other things like: Running through sprinklers on a hot day, Finding little treasures like a hole in the wall bookstore & a place with great fresh bread, Using reusable shopping bags, Having roommates who cook just as much as I do, Babies (you knew that was coming), The hope that The Gospel brings to people, knowing my dad would drop everything and come to my aid at a moments notice, How my big brothers are like my own personal mafia warding off any who may attempt to do me harm and yes, even how they still call me Kid, Pillow talk with my roommate as we drift off to sleep, Listening to the Hispanic radio station in Maryland, Thinking about Beach Week and the 6 days I get to spend camping, tanning, touring and playing with my sister and my niece in our favorite destination (Rhode Island).... wow... there are many more to this list. But you get the point. I love finding reasons to smile, too many people look so grumpy on the Metro, Id rather smile.
4) My love of Cooking
The general smell of food cooking. I love it. I think it comes from growing up in a home where my mother was always cooking *until she started nursing school, at which point I took over*. My grandmas house always smelled like good food. Mostly it was chicken cutlets (with 4c, always and never anything else, bread crumbs), macaroni & cheese, corn and hot dogs - because that's all we kids would ever eat (and grandma makes the best chicken). My sisters house always smells like food too. This woman should have her own cooking magazine, because she is stellar. She taught me how to make my own pasta sauce (along with grandma) and that jarred sauce should only be used in dire situations. She taught me the beauty & art of cooking in general. How nothing needs to be measured, only tasted. How you can throw what you have in a pot and come out with what you think is the greatest meal you've ever made. It truly is an art form the way we Haywood women cook. The way all women cook, I think. I love the smell of truly homemade meals & watching people enjoy something I have created.
I love when I have leftovers to bring in to work. Down at school I am often eating lunch at the cafeteria, or at the cafe mostly, so my leftovers go bad. Not here, folks! Cooking for one is a great thing when you work in DC! (I'm sure other places too, but I can only speak from experience) So far I have had leftover Baked Ziti (recipe to be posted soon), Love Pie (another recipe I will share), and today its Crockpot Chicken (for lack of a better name) and couscous. Combine the last bit with the lentils I bought at Trader Joe's yesterday and I am going to be a happy girl come lunch time.
2) Pioneer Day
I guess when you work for Mormons... its a bigger deal than it is if you are just LDS. We get June 23rd off of work. Yes. Seriously. The office is closed. What does that mean? That means I will be using that day to see all of the things that I have been wanting to do but DC has been too packed with tourists for me to actually do them. (That's a lame excuse and partial lie. Ive also slept in on almost every Saturday, but its also fairly crazy with tourists in the city on weekends)
3) Favorite Things
You know how some things just make you smile, inherently? A lot of mine are food. That's silly, but true. Strawberry Milk. Salt & Pepper UTZ Chips. Nutella. Goldfish. Then there are other things like: Running through sprinklers on a hot day, Finding little treasures like a hole in the wall bookstore & a place with great fresh bread, Using reusable shopping bags, Having roommates who cook just as much as I do, Babies (you knew that was coming), The hope that The Gospel brings to people, knowing my dad would drop everything and come to my aid at a moments notice, How my big brothers are like my own personal mafia warding off any who may attempt to do me harm and yes, even how they still call me Kid, Pillow talk with my roommate as we drift off to sleep, Listening to the Hispanic radio station in Maryland, Thinking about Beach Week and the 6 days I get to spend camping, tanning, touring and playing with my sister and my niece in our favorite destination (Rhode Island).... wow... there are many more to this list. But you get the point. I love finding reasons to smile, too many people look so grumpy on the Metro, Id rather smile.
4) My love of Cooking
The general smell of food cooking. I love it. I think it comes from growing up in a home where my mother was always cooking *until she started nursing school, at which point I took over*. My grandmas house always smelled like good food. Mostly it was chicken cutlets (with 4c, always and never anything else, bread crumbs), macaroni & cheese, corn and hot dogs - because that's all we kids would ever eat (and grandma makes the best chicken). My sisters house always smells like food too. This woman should have her own cooking magazine, because she is stellar. She taught me how to make my own pasta sauce (along with grandma) and that jarred sauce should only be used in dire situations. She taught me the beauty & art of cooking in general. How nothing needs to be measured, only tasted. How you can throw what you have in a pot and come out with what you think is the greatest meal you've ever made. It truly is an art form the way we Haywood women cook. The way all women cook, I think. I love the smell of truly homemade meals & watching people enjoy something I have created.
If not for the kindness of strangers...
Red Lines: Delayed
Oh, Metro Delays. While riding to work today we were being held at each station for 5 minutes as we got closer to the city so I decided to walk to work from Farragut North (which should have been simple). We walk out of the Metro and there is a guy playing, easily, the most beautiful (yes, beautiful) version of "Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon. Different harmonies and melodies than the band uses and if I had any cash at all on me I would have given him some. It was great. Then... I got lost. I walked all over the city, back and forth, up and down... finally deciding to ask a GWU student for help. He pointed me in the right direction and then at one point... I turned the wrong way. I realized it quickly and as I am turning around I see him running towards me trying to put me on the right path again. How sweet. You don't find that often here but this kid was looking out for me. It felt nice. I made it to work, 1 hour late, but smiling because someone was nice enough to help me out.
Some other fun characters I have met on my travels:
1) The guy on the Metro Wednesday Afternoon. The train was packed. I had just gotten off another destination Grosvenor train because there was no AC and boarded another. A seat opened up after 2 stops next to a friendly looking guy. Really, he looked like Noer :). After a minute I felt some water hit me, not sure where it was coming from since I was on a train, I begin to look around. The guy next to me gives me a nod and points up to the ceiling, where the water is slowly dripping from, and then gestures towards the laminated folder keeping his leg dry. We both chuckled over how silly it was to have rain falling on you while on a train and before I got off, we exchanged smiles. We had a great conversation without any words at all.
2) The guy at the bar at Pub Trivia. You may have been more interested in the ball game and that's why you moved closer to our group, Ill pretend its because you wanted to know how on earth we were having so much fun without any beer on the table. Come next week. I'll bring you a Book of Mormon.
Oh, Metro Delays. While riding to work today we were being held at each station for 5 minutes as we got closer to the city so I decided to walk to work from Farragut North (which should have been simple). We walk out of the Metro and there is a guy playing, easily, the most beautiful (yes, beautiful) version of "Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon. Different harmonies and melodies than the band uses and if I had any cash at all on me I would have given him some. It was great. Then... I got lost. I walked all over the city, back and forth, up and down... finally deciding to ask a GWU student for help. He pointed me in the right direction and then at one point... I turned the wrong way. I realized it quickly and as I am turning around I see him running towards me trying to put me on the right path again. How sweet. You don't find that often here but this kid was looking out for me. It felt nice. I made it to work, 1 hour late, but smiling because someone was nice enough to help me out.
Some other fun characters I have met on my travels:
1) The guy on the Metro Wednesday Afternoon. The train was packed. I had just gotten off another destination Grosvenor train because there was no AC and boarded another. A seat opened up after 2 stops next to a friendly looking guy. Really, he looked like Noer :). After a minute I felt some water hit me, not sure where it was coming from since I was on a train, I begin to look around. The guy next to me gives me a nod and points up to the ceiling, where the water is slowly dripping from, and then gestures towards the laminated folder keeping his leg dry. We both chuckled over how silly it was to have rain falling on you while on a train and before I got off, we exchanged smiles. We had a great conversation without any words at all.
2) The guy at the bar at Pub Trivia. You may have been more interested in the ball game and that's why you moved closer to our group, Ill pretend its because you wanted to know how on earth we were having so much fun without any beer on the table. Come next week. I'll bring you a Book of Mormon.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Music Monday
It was between THIS video (Thank you Mal G. for posting it on facebook) or Matt and Kim's Daylight. Today is a very Monday feeling day (you know how Monday can be) and this song keeps it from feeling that way. Enjoy.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Recap.
Dinner... did not turn out as planned... but it was good :)
I tried to make the Blueberry Cake the night before and.. it broke coming out of the mold. Like straight up, busted - my roomates and I enjoyed it though
The fridge was set to 7, 7 being the coldest, so the veggies for the salad were frozen.
BUT the ziti was fun to make, and the dinner/night was wonderful. We caught up over garlic knots and laughed and played a board game - it was good to catch up with good friends.
Tonights plan - Scrabble, Cookies & Biscuits before bedtime.
I tried to make the Blueberry Cake the night before and.. it broke coming out of the mold. Like straight up, busted - my roomates and I enjoyed it though
The fridge was set to 7, 7 being the coldest, so the veggies for the salad were frozen.
BUT the ziti was fun to make, and the dinner/night was wonderful. We caught up over garlic knots and laughed and played a board game - it was good to catch up with good friends.
Tonights plan - Scrabble, Cookies & Biscuits before bedtime.
Friday, July 9, 2010
The Ondricek's
Nathan and Megan OndricekMegan and I had worked at Joyful together for a year and a half when her and Nate were about to get married. J and I made the trip up and it was so worth it. I only started getting to know Nate because he was in a class of mine but he was quirky, smart, charming - perfect for Megan.
Before school got out they invited me over for dinner. Megan made an amazing Split Pea Soup with Ham, and a Salad. For desert I made strawberry shortcakes, and we almost started a fire... then we watched Emperors New Groove - It was a night!
Megan and Nate are up in DC this summer and living about 30 minutes southwest of me. Its been far too long since we have seen each other and so tomorrow we are doing dinner again! Im so excited because I get to cook for them this time and Nate will have to take the Metro for the first time, what an experience. I wanted to post somewhere what I have planned for dinner but didnt want to ruin the surprise so I chose my blog :-)
The Menu
Tossed Salad with Cukes, Tomatoes, and Peppers
Baked Ziti
with Italian Sausage, Homemade Roasted Red Peppers and Fresh Mozz
Blueberry Cake
with a Lemon Glaze
Im SO excited!!
P.S. For Iron Chef I think Becky and I are making a cake so I wanted to get a nice looking cake plate/stand, and I really wanted a ceramic baking dish, so I tripped over to Home Goods. I found a really nice cake stand for $14.99 and a teal square baking dish for $9.99... but I wanted to see what better deal I could find. I went to the sale aisle and found instead a triangular cake plate (Think Equilateral version of a Ouji Board guide) that would fit our cake for $2.00 and a navy square baking dish with a metal rack for $7.99!! I love steals like that :-)
Dear Tourists of Washington, D.C.
If you don't start listening to the announcements/picking up on the patterns that we D.C. Commuters know, love and live by - I am going to write, nay, paint a lovely poster for you so that you may realize what you are doing wrong and why we dont sympathize with you when your arm gets stuck in the Metro door.
Tips from a fully frustrated commuter:
1) When you hear the announcement that the doors are closing, or see the blinking red lights in the door way this is not, I repeat is not, the time to play daredevil and try and make the train. Chances are, there is one right behind the one you are trying to get on. If not, well get to the platform earlier next time but please, do not delay us because you have to make this train. You don't. When the door closes on your purse, your backpack, the tent that you are carrying in said backpack, (or funnier yet) your arm - We dont have much sympathy. Why? Because most likely, it is rush hour that you are doing this during so we are already in a crunch to get to our paying jobs and now the door will (hopefully for you) re open and try and close again. This is a delay. If you continue to stand in the door, it will close on you again... I just may laugh. Then I get to hear a lecture from the conductor on proper Metro door etiqitte, which doesnt make me any more thrilled that you actually made it.
2) When standing on the platform waiting for the train you probably hear an announcement that suggests (read: demands) that you allow passengers to exit the train before you enter the train. This is a safety thing, seriously. When the train stops notice that commuters part to the sides of the doors leaving you and your 8 kids & a stroller standing directly in front of the doors... and people trying to exit. When you push your kids onward this upsets/causes a hold up at the entrance of the train. When you all link arms and try to enter, you make us all upset. Move to the sides and get enter the train like the rest of us do.
3) When your card does not work to allow you in to the metro, Do not stand there and try to force your all day pass in especially during rush hour. We're just trying to get home, sometimes our cards dont work either, it happens - just step to the side or find a less crowded gate but dont hold the rest of us up.
4) Grosvenor has a silent 's'.
5) On the escalator the rule is "Stand Right, Walk Left", standing in the middle may result in a slight shove and/or language. Disclaimer: I have not shoved someone nor used language I would not use at work, but have been the witness to this ocassion many times, the general feeling on the end of the receiver is confusing because they dont know the rule. There is a pattern in all things, just look for it.
That is all I have for now. I called J to rant about this after work and he could not stop laughing. He said " I got your text, I think it said that you dislike tourists on the Metro... Do you remember that was us at one point? " Yes, dear, that was us at one point. However we stood on the right side, realized rush hour was not the time to be at the Metro but rather eating good things like METRO (Silver Diner), Cosi, and Panda Buffet, and "metro surfed" on empty cars rather ones full of people. We were the fun kind of tourists. When I see people like us running around exploring, I smile.
**I sound terribly bitter and angry. Im not. Its all in good fun, until because of your chain link family entering the Metro it is my arm/purse that gets caught ...There may be a problem.
Tips from a fully frustrated commuter:
1) When you hear the announcement that the doors are closing, or see the blinking red lights in the door way this is not, I repeat is not, the time to play daredevil and try and make the train. Chances are, there is one right behind the one you are trying to get on. If not, well get to the platform earlier next time but please, do not delay us because you have to make this train. You don't. When the door closes on your purse, your backpack, the tent that you are carrying in said backpack, (or funnier yet) your arm - We dont have much sympathy. Why? Because most likely, it is rush hour that you are doing this during so we are already in a crunch to get to our paying jobs and now the door will (hopefully for you) re open and try and close again. This is a delay. If you continue to stand in the door, it will close on you again... I just may laugh. Then I get to hear a lecture from the conductor on proper Metro door etiqitte, which doesnt make me any more thrilled that you actually made it.
2) When standing on the platform waiting for the train you probably hear an announcement that suggests (read: demands) that you allow passengers to exit the train before you enter the train. This is a safety thing, seriously. When the train stops notice that commuters part to the sides of the doors leaving you and your 8 kids & a stroller standing directly in front of the doors... and people trying to exit. When you push your kids onward this upsets/causes a hold up at the entrance of the train. When you all link arms and try to enter, you make us all upset. Move to the sides and get enter the train like the rest of us do.
3) When your card does not work to allow you in to the metro, Do not stand there and try to force your all day pass in especially during rush hour. We're just trying to get home, sometimes our cards dont work either, it happens - just step to the side or find a less crowded gate but dont hold the rest of us up.
4) Grosvenor has a silent 's'.
5) On the escalator the rule is "Stand Right, Walk Left", standing in the middle may result in a slight shove and/or language. Disclaimer: I have not shoved someone nor used language I would not use at work, but have been the witness to this ocassion many times, the general feeling on the end of the receiver is confusing because they dont know the rule. There is a pattern in all things, just look for it.
That is all I have for now. I called J to rant about this after work and he could not stop laughing. He said " I got your text, I think it said that you dislike tourists on the Metro... Do you remember that was us at one point? " Yes, dear, that was us at one point. However we stood on the right side, realized rush hour was not the time to be at the Metro but rather eating good things like METRO (Silver Diner), Cosi, and Panda Buffet, and "metro surfed" on empty cars rather ones full of people. We were the fun kind of tourists. When I see people like us running around exploring, I smile.
**I sound terribly bitter and angry. Im not. Its all in good fun, until because of your chain link family entering the Metro it is my arm/purse that gets caught ...There may be a problem.
Time to Budget
As the summer comes to an end, I am realizing just how little money I have left - and how much more I want to do/want to buy. Concert Tickets is the main thing. Ive decided that its better late than never to start a budget. Im hoping to get at least 2 concerts in out of the few that I want to go to (Maroon 5, DMB, Paramore, Kings of Leon, and Fountains of Wayne).
Did I mention I am planning on going to Italy right after graduation...? Yikes. I am the definition of a poor, college student.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Music Monday
I listen to Music, pretty much all of the time. On Sunday its MoTab and this Cello station I have on Pandora. Other days are filled with Florence and the Machine, Carbon Leaf, Justin Bieber (yes), Maroon 5, Kings of Leon, and others. I've decided to do Music Monday - Each Monday I'll share some songs with you that I've recently discovered.
So here we are, the very first Music Monday.
Say You Don't Want It by One Night Only
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Inspiration Boards
Since we do our invitations (and most any other type of card, gift tag, menu cards, thank you notes, etc.) in house I make more than a few trips to PaperSource. It is a store made for people like me. I like to go in after work and play around with all of the colors they have. I love seeing colors work together, I like coordinating colors, I like putting colors together you think would never work, I like accents... Its a shame I don't have the confidence to do it with my wardrobe (I stick to a limited palate of colors when it comes to clothes and shoes).
This little "hobby" of mine makes me want to try my hand at event planning or you know... the dream is to be a wedding planner... :)
One day while looking at ideas for decor for a dinner my co-worker stumbled upon this little website, and its become a favorite of mine. My favorite part? Well, there are many but i LOVE the inspiration boards. Ive made up a few of my own but here are some from their site. {Inspiration Boards are compiled by those who run SnippetandInk & are photos from other sites/sources}
{Ivy & Brick - Ivy Green, Brick}
{Pretty, Pretty Picnic - Oak Leaf, Raspberry, Marigold}
{Poppy & Mint - Mint Blue Green, Poppy Red}
{Baby It's Cold Outside - Snow White, Silver Ice, Royal Blue}
{Sleek Orange & Gray - Cement Gray, Orange Peel}
Let's talk wedding colors. Not that a wedding is really on my mind, nor is there a reason for one to be, but what else do you just throw colors together for? What colors do you like together?
My recent favorites? Burnt Orange & Blue.
(Can't decide if I like the royal blue or the lighter blue better)
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