Favorite Moments of Last Week

I know... I go radio silent (unintentionally) for most of May and then I pop up with 2 posts in one day. 

But I wanted to tell you my favorite moments from this past week:

1. My friend, Heidi's, response to my outfits during this week:

"Look at you, you little diva..."

I guess this deserves an explanation... I've recently tried to become more trendy... and maybe a bit more feminine in my style. Maybe I'm just trying to have a style. But all that matters is that Heidi loves it...

Oh yeah... it may help that I'm wearing heels at work.

2. Getting asked out by the boy who dumped me three months ago and be able to say no.

It's true. It happened. I don't have words to describe it except that I've spent the last week laughing about it. 

As Heather has said before—these things don't happen in real life.

3. Haircut.

No need to say anything else.

4. Frozen hot chocolate with two of my favorite friends.

What better way to break up the week than to get some frozen hot chocolate. Sure it was cold. Sure I gained like a pound from it. But still... so worth it.

5. Signing up for my first 5K.

July 14th. It's happening. So excited.

6. I hesitate to mention this one... but I'll go ahead. 

I'm getting published on a business' blog. 

I wrote a blog post about marketing that's going to be published on Wednesday.

However, to protect the innocent (others) and the not-so innocent (me), I've come up with a pen name. 
I'm not saying what it is because I've been doing a blog under the pen name and I want to keep these identities separate. My disclaimer is that I don't write anything incriminating. In fact, it's more real writing than a "blog" to update friends and family about my happenings. If you want to know what the name is, I'm fine with telling, I just don't want to be linked up to it on a google search.
But I'm really excited for the opportunity to be published and to show off my writing chops. 

Big things are coming. I can feel it. 

Maybe I'll be productive this summer, after all.

May Showers...

So... maybe I missed out on most of my friends' weddings because I was on leave in Spain for 18 months. 

Well, apparently this is the year when my post-mission friends are getting married. 

Please don't ask me how I feel about that fact.

I've decided to stop fretting about dating and marriage and simply enjoy the humor that comes with this time in my life.

Once again, Lindsey delivered with an exceptional party! And I took pictures:

Dessert.... 

(I made the one with the flower... it was a reference to My Big Fat Greek Wedding. 

I'm pretty sure I'm the only one that was giddy about it.)

Our reason for the party... well, her and her fiance. 

Absolutely the MOST amazing drink ever. So good.

Cafe Rio salads for dinner? Yes, please.

Actually, can I say that whenever it is that I happen to get married, this is a perfect way for a party for me. Small. Dinner. Etc. 

Pretty much—this is how I like any party that has to involve me.

Though not all of the guests, these are definitely my good friends that I've had. 

And don't worry, after the party there was a discussion on who's getting married next.

I won by default. 

I'm not putting much stock in it.

Julie loves Anthony

Back before DC, my friends, Julie and Anthony, asked me to take their engagement photos. I was honored and slightly nervous to be asked to take care of such an important part of their engagement. 

On a Saturday, we got together and I played photographer. 

I learned that I have a long way to go and I'm definitely NOT making a career of photography. 

Here are some of the pictures (hopefully they don't mind me posting them on my blog...):

I love how she's looking at him in this picture...

I love these two. I love how perfect they are together. I keep hoping that I find some love like that. One day.

For now, I'm trying to see the humorous side of my dating dramas.

Virginia is for Lovers.... or Singles

So, after traversing the wilds of downtown, Thursday was a day for shopping. Becky and I took her youngest daughter out and showed her the outlets and tried to teach her how to shop like a big girl.

Maybe I spent a lot of money. Maybe I bought some REALLY cute clothes. Yeah, it was a successful shopping trip.

I rented a car and drove an hour and a half to Charlottesville. And it was a beautiful drive. First off, it was green and gorgeous. Secondly, Sirius XM radio provided a great soundtrack. Third? I had an Impala. It was huge.

In Charlottesville, we went up to Monticello:

This may be my new motto: Try all things...

So pretty. Flowers bloom. Lots of green. And that little boy running around.

My sister-in-law and I went on the tour of the house. We had the most AMAZING tour guide. Tweed jacket, knitted sweater vest, long thin hands that he clasped in front of him as he enthusiastically and reverently spoke of Thomas Jefferson. I even snapped a picture because one day, he's going to appear as a character in a novel:

The kid may not have been so interested in the tour. But he sure got to see a lot.

After Monticello, we got some Thai food and then the kid and Emily went home to rest.

Eric and I went and toured UVA.

He even indulged me and took me into the library (where he certainly had never set foot). We both agreed that it was totally ghetto.

That night, I taught the kid two new stories that I made up. One I might even adapt and make into a real book or an ebook app (my friend Curtis is trying to get me into the new technology world). My only apology is that Emily has to answer questions like "Are you the mama big rig?" He missed the part about the little boy big rig listening to his mama big rig...

After the kid went to bed, we busted out the fondue pot and had some delicious fondue (maybe I'm kind of wishing for my birthday to have a fondue party.)

Saturday, I headed back up to Becky's. It was raining but we decided to brave downtown once again with the whole family for one little jaunt. 

I got to see a real Monet painting in the National Gallery of Art. My heart fluttered a little and made me excited for the day that I head to Paris. But for the moment, it was a dream come true to see a painting by an artist I have admired since I was 15. 

After we went to the Museum of American History. It was a short little trip but I did get to see this:

Yet another moment of giddiness. 

And lest you think that I spent 4 days NOT working, I spent a good portion of every day answering emails or making phone calls to music companies in New York. Apparently the best way for me to get away from work is to be in an international area. 

And so I didn't feel too guilty snapping a picture of this ad that was in the museum:

I maybe only felt slightly bad about being that "somebody".

So Sunday found me and Becky attending the singles ward. I'm considering moving east if only for some change and to maybe meet some people with more of my goals. So Becky thought that giving me a taste of the singles world in DC might help convince me.

Well... the ward was interesting.

There was maybe 30 people there. And it was fast and testimony meeting. The testimonies ranged from the ridiculous to the cheesy. Becky stuck with me until her ward started. I went home, changed, got some food, and then headed back to the church to pick up Becky so that she could drive me to the airport.

And then I returned back to my world. 

There's still the possibility of moving east. I may have to wait a year... build up my resume with some social media and marketing items, and then maybe... maybe it will be time.

Eastward Bound

Has it really been a month?

It has.

My apologies.

The beginning of May is busy with my finals approaching, 

(finished last night, still waiting to hear what grade I got for the semester)

there was bridal showers, engagements, and weddings,

and some exciting news.

But you really want to hear about my trip to D.C., right?

I arrived on Tuesday and was picked up by my friend, Becky at Dulles. I got to meet their kids. The three kids were pretty wary of me (yep. I'm intimidating even to children... just kidding I think I was more nervous around them...).

Wednesday was my chance to head downtown by myself.

Remember when I was London and people stopped me to ask me directions?

Yeah, don't worry. It happened in D.C. as well. I'm pretty confident now that I could basically live anywhere and I would blend right in.

First stop?

Library of Congress

Yes, that's right. I signed up for a Library of Congress card that I can use for two years. I was so giddy! 

This quote was on the wall outside of the Jefferson building and I loved it. 

After finishing up at the Library, I decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and walked the National Mall, passing Congress.

And then I discovered the U.S. Botanical Gardens. They were in full bloom (almost made up for the fact that I missed the cherry blossoms... *sigh*)

After that, I continued on...

Stopped and found a way to take a picture of myself.... 

Hello, Obamas...

Five years ago, I walked this same area... I can't believe it.

Well, this post got long so I'll continue my adventures in another post.