Surprise in the Mail

I got home from work on Monday, and it was a looooooooong Monday. Before I headed up to my apartment I stopped by my mailbox in the lobby and picked up my mail. I had received my credit card statement (boo) and and my rent statement (double boo). However, before I collapsed on the floor with an ultimate case of the Mondays, I also saw a manila package. Not expecting anything, I saw the address was from one of my college neighbors at Elon. So excited, I ripped open the package before my elevator ride was through and saw it was a belated house warming gift ... a level. A wonderfully appropriate, and sweet gift.

So a level, really? you think. I moved next door to E my junior year of college, after spending a semester with her best friend and roommate. So basically, she had to be friends with me. One of my first memories of E was her walking into my room, sitting on my bed being utterly horrified. What was wrong you ask? Well I had hung all my pictures myself, and I can't draw a straight line with a ruler. I had also put my desk together my self and it was sitting at a slight slant. Lovable, OCD E decided then in there if our friendship was going to work, she would never hang out in that hot mess of a bedroom again. Straight line only please, hence the level.

Thanks for the great surprise, it will definitely go to good use!

Macungie, Pennsylvania and Georgetown

My Saturday travels brought me to two entirely differently places in the U.S. I mean entirely different!

Saturday morning Zach, Riley and I drove up to Macungie, PA for a "cousin" reunion on my Dad's side. While I only have six first cousins on my dad's side, my Dad is part of vast cousin network, spanning generations and once-, twice- three times-removed status. These cousins were always around whenever we went to visit my grandparents, but my father always addressed them as "Cuz", so I never really got a good grasp on every ones' names (Thanks Dad). This really got me in trouble when I tried to introduce Zach to everyone. Introducing them as Cuz wasn't really an option.

My Aunt and Uncle hosted everyone at their great home, and it was wonderful to see everyone. Just a real good atmosphere. Living in Macungie will just never be an option for me though. Great people, but when the biggest attraction in a town in the Macungie Iron Pigs, its just not going to cut it for me.

The three of us traveled back to Arlington, collapsing on the couch for a late dinner. Just before it was time to call it a night, I got a call from my cousin's husband George. He was out in Georgetown with buddies and wanted Zach and I to join him. Now it takes a lot to motivate me to leave my comfortable couch late night to go out to a place like Georgetown (just a little too fratty for me), but we are huge fans of George, so we got ourselves on the metro and headed out there. Heading from rural Pennsylvania to preppy Georgetown is quite a cultural shock, but good people are good people. We caught up, danced around, a had a few drinks, and George even managed to stay awake the whole time!! (He has the tendency to fall asleep at bars) All in all it was a great family filled Saturday.

Old Ebbitt Grill

Last night was the first night I was out past 10 o'clock on a "school night" in ... let's just say I can't remember. So what was the special occasion that had me break my lame girl bedtime? Late Night Oysters!

No this isn't a new hot spot, or code word for rager, but simply a late-night happy hour of half-priced raw bar at one of my favorite D.C. establishments Old Ebbitt Grille. My friend Kate is nearing her departure from D.C. to gradschoool, and going to one of these late night oyster hours was on her D.C. bucket list. That is how Kate, Sam, and I ended up at Old Ebbitt past midnight on a school night.

Over a gorgeous, and delicious plate of oysters, clams and shrimp we celebrate new beginnings. (I would like to thank my old roommate's father for forcing me to try an oyster for the first time. They really are great!) All three of us have been in D.C. for 4 four years now, and we laughed about how far we have come. Four years ago we would have no problem being out that late, and probably would have had a lot more cocktails in us at the time as well. It was Miller Lites and nachos, then Blue Moons and oysters.



Living in this area you sometimes get in a routine, and don't take advantage of all the interesting things the city has to offer. It was great to share good company, good food, and did D.C. doesn't look half bad when you walking through it at night. Thanks for the excuse to get out Kate!

Somewhere I Can't Spell, Pennsylvania

This weekend I went up to visit some friends from college for an annual 4th of July celebration (yes, we were a little delayed this year). Our friend who hosts us every year had purchased a house last year, so he took us all to see it. His place is a little outside of Philly in a town I can not spell. Coutchahonken? Maybe? I'll just throw it out there.

Seeing his house gave me extreme home ownership envy. It was a three story row home that him and his girlfriend had done some excellent work on. They laid hardwood floors, painted the walls, made kick ass closets ... this list could go on for awhile.

Although I love D.C. with all my heart, the amount that I have to pay in rent is ridiculous. Sending away that amount of money to rent every month with nothing in return is nothing short of depressing. I know it is a lot of work to own a home, and a lot of money, butI would love to have my own place, and have that amazing feeling that I am not going to have to move in a couple months, or go through the soul sucking apartment search once again.

But for now I must just be happy for my friends who are fortunate enough to make that next big step in their lives. I will try to contain my jealousy to a minimum :)

H and 18th

Today's random Friday shout out goes to the man standing next to me this morning at the corner of 18th and H. As we were waiting for the lovely white man walking symbol to give us the okay to cross the street the man was playing with his phone. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I see that his phone is dropping to the street, directly in front of a storm drain. Immediately I though - this is not going to be good. But oh no, this man hit the street in an instant, reaching out his arm, and catching his cell phone seconds before it had the chance to slide into the drain. Kudos to you sir. We all know with my hand/eye coordination and lightening fast reflexes, this would have been a much sadder story if I had been the phone to drop my phone.

Happy Friday Everyone!

Working on my fitness

Today started week two of my new fitness plan. I'm a pretty active person, my morning workouts only consist of cardio. Wanting to mix it up, Zach showed me a 15 minute weight workout that I could do 3 days a week tone my self a bit. 15 minutes seems easy enough to me! Well we started this on July 5th, a day off, so I had plenty of time to recover. Its amazing how easily that 15 minutes kicked my butt! Then came the hard part, putting it all together before work. I made it through the first week, and successfully did my 30 minute run with weights this morning (although I probably didn't stop sweating till I got o work). Hopefully I can keep this up and grow some muscles by the end of summer!

"Feel the Rain on Your Skin"

This weekend I was a real contributing member to society. I was very productive and stimulated my mind. Oh wait, just kidding, the was a series long The Hills Marathon on TV and I enjoyed every minute of it There was so quality couch time watching the old school seasons (L.C. and Whitney were actually on it!). While The Hills might be a completely fake show, where nothing actually happens, there has been lots of quality moments watching the show and discussing it with my friends. I hate to admit it, but my senior spring break location was inspired by Laguna Beach/The Hills. "Cabo, Cabo, Cabo" The final episode is this week, and it will be on my DVR. Goodbye the Hills! I will miss your fake drama so.

Its Hot - Every Where!

So its seems like the entire East Coast of the United States has been hit with a horrible heatwave. As I was doing my morning workout yesterday the trusty weatherman was showing 85 degrees. NO, that was not the expected temperature, that was the current temperature at 6:30 IN THE MORNING! Ugh! What is a girl to do in 100 degree plus temperatures ... Invite friends over for cold, refreshing wine.

Okay, so it was just a coincidence about the hot temperatures, but Kate and Sam came over last night to see my not so new place, and catch up with some dinner and wine. (I felt bad making them trek over from D.C., so I had to at least feed them). We had a great time catching up. It seems like each time we get together someone is going through a new exciting journey. It was a perfect way to forget about the horrible heat outside!

Belated Happy Fourth!

I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July this past weekend. Hopefully it was filled with good people, good food, and a your favorite libation of choice! Here are a few pics from Gravely Point, next to Ronald Regan National Airport, where Zach, Riley and I caught the fireworks.