fun like a kid

Sometimes I have a hard time thinking about what to write in my blog. I enjoy reading other people's blogs, but it seems like they all either have more fascinating lives than I do, or the things I think of to write about will likely incriminate or offend someone I am close to, or my friends have kids- and I don't. It seems that the world wants to read about (or at least write about) babies- and I just don't have them right now (which is okay by me).

However, this afternoon I was trolling around on some blogs I read (and read so much more regularly- who loves google reader?!?!), and i found a picture of a friend's child in a large box on Christmas. And as I looked at it I thought, "oh kids- how they love sitting in large boxes, so entertained" and then I laughed to myself because I did just that with a package I got just a week ago.

I had asked for a jewelry armoire for Christmas (which is more or less an un-necessary piece of furniture, but one I wanted anyway AND btw, i filled it), and my mom told me that she'd get me one, but that I should probably just pick it out myself. So, she scoped out the fliers and gave me some tips, and 2 Wednesdays ago I took myself to the mall and bought one (and got it loaded into my car by a woman who had to have played for the wnba). That night Dallas carried it up the 2 flights of stairs to my room and I unpacked it- leaving me with a very large cardboard box in my bedroom. And I did what any other 28 year old would do.... I yelled to my sister to come in and sit in it with me, and Dallas took our picture.

We may not be as cute as a 1 year old (thanks Rachel, for the inspiration), but it was pretty fun.

I carried the box down to the garage within a day or two, and just last night broke it down and put it out for the recycling... it was sad to see it go...

Christmas time is here (and passed)

I have been quite the delinquent blogger. Chalk it up to lack of motivation combined with lack of time. It's not that nothing has been happening in my life, just nothing that I feel the need to spread to the world. I need some more excitement, maybe....

One thing that has been fun though, is the Christmas season and all the fun that comes with it. This year my sister and I put up 3 trees. Now, I realize that that may seem a bit excessive- and it probably is- but it was fun! We wanted to get a live tree, but were having a difficult time deciding where to put it because our house has such wonderful locations. But then in November at my church's rummage sale there were numerous artificial trees brought in for the sale- and I snagged 2 of them- for $5 a piece!!! Couldn't resist. I think our house is looking quite festive these days.... I will be sad to take them all down.

artificial tree #1- theme: Colored Ornaments

artificial tree #2- theme: ornaments from our childhood

the live tree: theme: white and silver
(I couldn't get it to take a very in-focus picture, so the close up is a little better)

Snow!

Well folks, it's snowing. And I don't mean a random flurry. It is snowing like CRAZY out there right now. I love snow! It just makes me feel all warm and cozy inside and feel like it's really winter (even though it is not). I mean, if it's going to be 30 degrees, it might as well be snowing. I HATE the cold- but I LOVE the snow!!

I took a few pictures from my window to show you what it's like. I think it's pretty unusual to get this kind of snow this early. We rarely have snow even in December here, and I don't remember a time that it snowed before Thanksgiving (though I'm sure that there is one). This is in stark contrast to when I lived in State College. My first year there we got snow in October (the poor kids had to trick-or-treat in it) and we really didn't see the grass until mid March. That was rough. It snowed (even if only a flurry) EVERY day there that year. I self-diagnosed myself with Seasonal Affective Disorder. It was depressing to see gray snow and gray skies every day.

But, then I moved back to York and I remembered how little snow we actually get here. I really grew to miss the snowy life that State College had given me. There's just something fun about being in on the couch with a blanket (or fireplace, if you have one, which I do not) looking out the window at a winter wonderland. Like I said before, it makes the cold worthwhile. I still don't really like snow sports or playing in the snow- I just like to look at it... and hope for a snow day from work.

I'm sure this won't last, it's supposed to be sunny again tomorrow, but I will enjoy it while it lasts!

more sports

I feel that I have spent most of the last 2 weeks watching sports. I last mentioned that I was spending my time cheering for the Red Sox. Unfortunately, they didn't make it. BUT- That just means that now I can focus all my baseball energy onto the Phillies. I've never really been a Phillies fan- but I live in PA- and lived in Phila for a brief stint (though it was more during Eagles season), so, I will cheer for them. Besides- though I considered it, there is just something that doesn't sit right with me about cheering for Tampa Bay. I think it's what I mentioned earlier- that for the last 10 years I counted on TB to be worse than the Orioles- and now the Orioles are the worst. Oh well.

So, since last week I've been staying up late to watch these baseball games. It's been really exciting. Last night I was all into the game- but just kind of waiting for them to call it off, and when they did, I hadn't even realized it was after 11:00! I guess it's a good thing they called it when they did- who knows how long I would have been up. And, I am paying for it now.

While I'm mentioning sports- I can hardly neglect Penn State. What a season!! It's been really fun to watch- but I can't help but miss living up there... this would be a fun time in that town. When they're winning it just changes the whole culture up there. Now, we could have a long discussion about what that means about our culture, but I'll let that go. We'll just say for now: Go State!

baseball time!!

As Fox says, "there's only one October," and they are right. I've always been a baseball fan. I wasn't exposed to much sports watching as a child (growing up in a house with just a mom and a sister, our tv time was spent with Nickelodeon, Anne of green gables, and musicals). But, when I was with my dad, or my uncle, we'd sometimes watch baseball. Now, I live in Orioles territory, and I can say that in my high school days I was a pretty well-informed O's fan. I watched as many games as I could, and even in college I would print the season schedule up each March, watch opening day diligently, and go to as many games as I could (which translated into about 1 a year- but still- it was a tradition!).

But when I moved to State College just after college, it became harder to keep up. I no longer lived in a 60 mi radius of Baltimore, and was relegated to watching mostly Pittsburgh sports. I never got into the Pirates, but in my time in SC I became a fan of another time- the Boston Red Sox. Now- I realize that it seems a stretch to go from O's to Sox- but let's be honest- the O's were becoming hard to follow. Each year seemed to bring a new manager and an entirely new roster- and considering I'd never see a game on TV- it became a challenge. But the Sox have a nation-wide fan base and were always on TV. Plus, I was dating a long time Sox fan- and so a new one was born.

I watched most of the aired games during the 2004 season and fell in love with those boys and their story. What a year to be a fan!! I was hooked! And have remained invested in them ever since.

I stayed up late last night to watch the game. More out of pity than anything else. This wasn't the team from 2004- there was no way they could stage a comeback. But last night's game was thrilling! Now- I respect Tampa Bay and if they make it, I can appreciate the incredible run that the team has gone on... but I had always felt that the one thing I could count on in baseball was that "at least the O's weren't in last place- b/c TB was..." So it's hard for me to cheer them to the end.

I barely watched any baseball this whole year- and I haven't made it to a game in 2 years now- but there's just something about October....

TV Update

As I've mentioned before, I like to watch TV. Now, I used to be the kind of person that would just plop down and watch whatever I could find. I'm trying to be better about that. I think that it's important for us to be intentional with our time- all the time. For example, the other night I came home and was doing some stuff in my room. It was quiet. I turned on the tv and was just flipping around (which I have to do literally on the tv b/c the channel up/down button doesn't work on my remote). But then I thought to myself- this is stupid- there isn't anything I want to watch, and I don't need the TV on just for the sake of having it on. So I turned it off. But- that doesn't mean I don't watch TV- I'm just trying not to watch random TV. But I do have my shows. And- now I have DVR- which makes my shows even more enjoyable.
I love having my shows- but I hate having to revolve my life around them. There's nothing that says "i'm a big loser" more than being out with friends for something social and saying "I gotta go- there's a TV show coming on..." So, I just tell my DVR to record the whole series, and there it is- ready for me at any moment. It's grand!!
I've also found- the more that I've been enjoying TV shows- the less that I'm enjoying movies. Sure- movies have their time and place for me- but there are just a few things about television that I've been enjoying even more. For example- most of the shows I watch are an hour- which is only 40 minutes of actual show time- which means they're over more quickly than a movie. and- movies seem to always leave me wanting more. I love the long story arcs that TV can do. Now, granted some of these story arcs get drug out more than they need to (can we say Derek and Meredith), but some of them (like "the pattern" on fringe) just leave you ready for the next installment. I love it.
But sometimes it is time to say goodbye. This year marks the final season for Boston Legal. Which is a great show. That David E Kelly- he writes some funny stuff... But I think that I am ready for it. First of all- to have one less show on my dvr plate- but also, the show has served us well during its tenure- and it's best to go out while you're still doing good stuff- rather than to run slowly into the ground. I look forward to the next 10 episodes to see what happens to ol' Denny Crane, Alan Shore, and co.

Officially Completed

 Yesterday when I arrived home I checked my mail and had a special treat waiting inside my mailbox.... It was my diploma for my masters degree! It arrived! I was so excited! It means that I am ALL DONE with school. I had completed my work a few months ago, but there is always the process of making sure everything gets filed correctly, and processed correctly, so I wasn't going to assume that anything was done until I had the diploma in my hands. And now I do!! Hooray!! So, the picture of my nicely hung diploma is here (thanks Billy- we hung the frames almost a month ago and it's been hanging up there empty next to my Messiah degree since then). Thanks for all your help and encouragement in this process. It feels good to be done!! (sitting below the diplomas are the plethera of birthday cards that I received this year- thanks friends!)

Also- I have finally uploaded a few pictures from my new place. It's pretty much completed to where it's going to be... just a few minor touches here and there. You can look at the album here. Enjoy!!

Whirlwind update

I'm starting to feel like a delinquent blogger. I mean, I have friends who have kids and all this other stuff going on, and they are posting every day!! I guess my life just isn't that exciting. I'm starting to realize that it seems as though my life is mostly work, and my work is not worth writing about most days. But, there are a few things that I could describe none the less.

Last week was my birthday. It was a long busy day at work, but ended with my friend Becky Wainwright coming to town. We walked downtown to an Irish restaurant (through "bike week" festivities here in York), and enjoyed about half of our authentic Irish meals. Then we walked the whole way back with 3 boxes of carry out. But it was fun to have her here and have a little girl time.

Saturday we had another wedding at the church, which is where I spent the better part of my day (after breakfast @ Cracker Barrel- yum!)

When I got home from work my friends had planned a little party for me. We had a good time celebrating my birthday, playing some games, and watching Penn State win! Good times!!

What's on TV?

I think early on in the life of this blog (you know, 4 months ago), I thought I might spend some of my blogging time focusing on TV and how it affects my life. Of course, that was in April or May, when all shows were winding down. But now, shows are firing up again! So far, only one of my returning shows is back: Prison Break. And that show continues to be smart, well written, and captivating. LOVE IT!!

Now, each year I swear that I won't pick up any new shows- but I have already been defeated.... After watching Prison Break the last two weeks, I'd been seeing lots of ads for the new show "Fringe," which is written and produced by J.J. Abrams. Now, anyone who knows me, knows that I am a sucker for anything that that man does. He is a genius. First Felicity (a totally different genre, but still an awesome show), which he followed up with Alias, and then LOST (which it took me til this year to get into- but I've now seen every episode- thanks writers' strike), and now "Fringe."

The premise is an ongoing investigation on "fringe science" which is stuff that is WAY WAY out there that only a few people and scientists even know about. I don't want to say anymore, except to say that if you like suspense, (not scary suspense though- I don't like the scary stuff), then this is definitely a show to give your attention to. It was smart, captivating, and just enough out there to leave me extremely curious to see where the story line will go. The premiere is running again Sunday night, and then the show airs on Tuesdays. I am serious- check it out!!! Plus- it has Joshua Jackson (aka Pacey from Dawson's Creek, which I didn't watch, so to me he is Charlie from the Mighty Duck Movies). Now, I have always loved Joshua Jackson, though have sometimes felt he always plays the same characters. This is a similar character to some things he's done before (arrogant, cocky, overly intellectual language), but he pulls it off. I like it.

Maybe I will give a report on each of my shows as they premiere. So, sit tight, more to come. (Next week: Smallville returns for season 8! and i KNOW you want to hear me talk about that)

Gently entering the waters of politics...

So, I'm not sure what is causing it- whether it's the fact that this is the first year that I'm really paying attention to things, or that now that I am more than 6 years out of college I have a better grasp on what I value as important, or if there is just THAT much more information out there- but I have been paying a lot more attention to political things and media surrounding the upcoming elections than ever before. This is the third presidential election that I am old enough to participate in, and each time I think I'm pretty informed, and then I get to the next one and think "did I even have a CLUE last time?" And then I think- do I even have a clue now?



Now, I am going to try my best here to not write any of my opinions, specifically I will not tell you who you should vote for, because I am certain that this is not the forum in which to do that, but I'm just going to share some of the frustrations that I am experiencing in this journey.



I have been a part of a number of conversations in the last few weeks that have really gotten me a little worked up. One of the things that I try to say when I talk about politics (which I generally don't like to do) is to be clear that I am still working on forming my opinion, and that I think there are a lot of aspects of things that it is okay for people to think differently on. I am growing increasingly frustrated with people who either come to me directly to say, or send me an email that basially says "if you don't think exactly like I do, you are not a real American." I'm no history buff, but I think that our country is based largely on the idea that people of differing opinions and backgrounds have a right to different opinions.



Something else that I am wrestling with is the way that my faith should factor in to all of these decisions. I think it should. I believe that my faith in Christ and God's sovereignty over my life should be a part of all decisions and opinions that I make. And so I am really wrestling with issues that I think God cares deeply about, vs the ones that we as people have made bigger than they need to be. I want to believe in justice for the poor and grace for those around us. I don't see that in a lot of politics, or in the ways that people are talking about politics.

The bottom line is, the waters are murky and the lines are grey. And I'm not sure that either party really has it figured out. I believe that there are strengths and weaknesses on both sides of the lines, and it is through study, thought, and prayer that we might begin to determine which side of the line we should each fall on.

Last night Donald (or Don, aparently) Miller prayed at the Democratic National Convention. I think his words were honest and touching, and, though again, he doesn't have everything figured out either, I kind of liked what he had to say. Here is a (not great version) of the prayer from youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJFOCCZ4bio I think it's cool that there can be Christians who identify with both parties, and that both parties can acknowledge Christians in their parties.

Redecorating and Packing

As I mentioned, I will share a few pictures of the redecorating that I did, with the help of my great friend Billy (shout out!), on my new bathroom. First- a few pictures and a brief description. As you see here, the walls AND ceiling were a peach color (I know, the colors didn't turn out too great in these pics). I do not know why someone would paint the walls and ceiling the same color in a room as small as a bathroom, but it felt as though the peach was coming in at you from all directions. Then, you will want to note the border. now, I am not against borders, but I am not a fan of cherubs, and as you can see, there were a lot of them. Now, I was originally trying to determine exactly what color the walls were, and then my friend pointed out that they exactly matched the naked babies. I don't know if "naked cherub baby" is a paint color, but if it is, we might have been looking at it.

the next photo is a picture of billy painting over the peach with primer. You can see the difference in the white vs. the peach. It should be noted that this photo was taken around 1:00 am on Saturday morning. I've learned that you take what help you can get- no matter what time of day!!

The final photo is the finished product. Unfortunately, the picture didn't turn out too well, but the ceiling is white and the walls are a cream color called "cream in my coffee." I particularly liked the name. In my mind it was to be a little bit more of a tan, but it looks a bagillion times better, so it will do just fine.

I'll have some pictures of the whole place when I move in this weekend. As far as moving progress goes: last night I went to the new place and did a final clean of my room so that it's ready for me this weekend, and I cleaned the baseboards and windows in the downstairs. The ground floor needs to be steam-cleaned (esp. after my Papa johns garlic butter spill last night), and then it is LIVING ready!!! I also started packing last night. I did cds, movies, and books, and filled like 10 boxes. I'm realizing that this is going to take longer than I thought. Plus- with the Olympics on it's hard to concentrate on much else. But the Olympics is another topic for another day....

Remedial Blogger

I was doing so well there for awhile, posting new things as they were happening. But I have been delinquent and have not posted in a month! What few readers I had are probably gone by now. I have not not posted for a lack of things in my life, but for the abundance I have not had time to write or even think about writing. A brief recap of my month since the 11th when I last posted: Laird Reunion, Smith family vacation, back to work with VBS every night that first week (pretty much negating all rest I got on vacation), finding a new townhouse to rent, signing the lease, searching for a 3rd roommate, traveling to Greene Hills camp for IMPACT, traveling to state college for a wedding (and eating and drinking, as is required in state college), cleaning the new house, thinking about packing the apartment. It has been full, but good. Good times with good friends and family- if I have to be crazy busy, I'm glad it's with those that it has been with. Check out my facebook for some updated photos!

Not only have I cleaned at the new house, but I have also redone my bathroom (or, I partially redid it, and watched while Billy did the painting...). My next post will have pictures of said bathroom. I'll not ruin the joyous surprise of the changes that I made.... I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Registry follow up

Dear 13 people who read my blog- Thanks for voting on my little survey. As you may recall, back in April I posted a blog called "Singles Registry." You can find it here. It was around the idea of me registering for my graduate school graduation. Since that time I have graduated, and many have asked, "so, did you register?" I did not. While I certainly appreciate the 12-1 vote that was pro-registry as a single gal, I could not muster the inner strength to do it. I wish that I could have, but I could not. But it wasn't because I think that it is inherently wrong. I still believe that just because someone is unmarried it doesn't want or deserve (I know, I am always hesitant to use the word 'deserve') to have nice things, however, the fear of criticism was greater than the desire for belongings.

I attended a wedding shower this weekend for a dear friend of mine. It was a beautiful and moving day, and I haven't been this excited for someones wedding in some time. How happy my friend is was just radiating from her, and you could feel in the room how loved she is by the women in her life. It was an emotional day, more so than I realized it would be, and I became quite upset with myself when I felt a bit of jealousy creep in as I watched her open her gifts. As I thought about it, it's not even the stuff- I have plenty of stuff and it all works just fine- but I think it is what the "stuff" represents. A fresh start. A new beginning. A new place filled with new things and a lifetime ahead to grow. I think that is what it represents.

And I am well acquainted with this wedding and registry process. I did some remembering and research, and since my graduation from college (just over 6 years ago), I have attended at least 35 weddings for friends, coworkers, and family. They are all joyous celebrations and I love sharing that day with people that I love. But I have bought a lot of gifts for a lot of people. It just starts to feel unbalanced after a while.

But to quote my mother (nearly everyday of my childhood) "Becki, life isn't fair."

So, no, I didn't register. And I still have plenty of things. More than enough. And I was blessed with gifts that still I did not deserve for my graduation. But that doesn't change that I am still a little uneasy with the whole system.

Apartment Living

There are always highs and lows to each situation, but I have realized that it is sometimes difficult to remember the pros of living in an apartment complex. I had a conversation today with someone from work that "moving and living situations are temporary, even if they feel permanent" and that was a helpful reminder to me as even though I likely will not be... .I feel like I might be here forever. I don't want to be in my 50s and still hanging out at the complex pool with my girlfriends (as I encountered this weekend).

I know that there are benefits to living in such a location. It's fairly cheap- especially for the sq footage we have, there's a pool, and I don't ever have to do yardwork or personally fix things when they break. That is about where the pros end.

The cons, sometimes, seem a little more apparent on a day to day basis. There are the ants- which supposedly the complex took care of, but we still have. There was the day that we blew a fuse by 2 of us drying our hair and we had to call the maintenance department to come fix it b/c we can't access the breaker box ourselves. (I'm no electrician, but that is work I am certainly able to do on my own). And then there is the washer/dryer. It's a mini-stackable unit- and it sucks. It holds about 2 days worth of laundry at one time, and I run everything through the dryer twice and then still hang most of my stuff. Last week I went out and bought a second drying rack because one just wasn't cutting in anymore. Here is a photo of what my bedroom looks like on laundry day. Which takes up several hours a week because of the # of loads you have to do.

There are also the neighbors. Now, we have really not gotten to know any of our neighbors. My roommate met one, who rather indignantly accused her of being a college student (which she is not), I think in her mind that living across from a college student would be the greatest tragedy of her life. Next to that lady (and her sister) are a couple who we can't quite figure out. They are either generous foster parents, or they are running a meth lab. The husband is on oxygen and rarely comes out of the apt, but when he does, he is inevitably pulling his oxygen cart behind him while smoking, and yelling at someone in the complex for something (we first encountered him on move in day when we were using one of the excess handicap spots). There are people of all ages and of all ethnicities coming in and out of their apartment at literally all hours of the day and night. It is suspicious. but maybe they are just very hospitable people (who have never spoken to us).

One final (though this is certainly not an exclusive list) downside to the apartment is the smells. If my neighbors are smoking (which they do often), or cooking something spicy (or sauerkraut, which they also do often), it doesn't just smell out in the common area- it wafts right in through my bathroom vent. GROSS!!

Those are just some highlights into life at my [unnamed] apartment complex. What is it like where you live? I hope better....

achievements and disappointments

Today was a day of highs and lows. The low- my gym closed. Not "at the end of the day" closed, but closed- closed. As in, yesterday it was open, today it was not. Now, this is disappointing to me on several levels. The first of which is the fact that I paid for the month of June just a week ago, and that is money that I am not going to get back (really, i'm not. They said). That makes me angry.

But I am also disappointed because I genuinely liked my gym. I have grown emotionally attached to it in the last year and a half that I have been a member. They had good staff, good service, good equipment, GREAT classes with wonderful instructors- I loved it there. When I moved last summer I stayed at my gym- sure it's a 15-20 minute drive and costs more the twice the amount of the gym that is basically on my street, but I just LOVED my gym. I knew the people there and how it worked. I was planning to go last night- I had my yoga mat in my car for my favorite class, but couldn't bring myself to go in the heat (my car told me it was 103), and as it turns out, that would have been my last opportunity.

Adding insult to injury are the facts that I just finished the latest issue of SELF which always gets me more motivated, I've been planning to buy new running shoes this weekend, and it's summer- when I need the gym the most. I'm seriously in mourning. It's sad when a business that you've come to know and love disappears- and even more upsetting when you feel like they've gone out of their way to screw over their patrons and employees. Now, I realize that in the great scheme of life this is not great tragedy, but still, it's upsetting. jerks. To read more about this: http://www.inyork.com/local/ci_9535393

In happier news, I want to take a moment to celebrate my car, Lola the Corolla. She has served me loyally and well for the last 6 1/2 years (don't worry, she's not going anywhere), but today she hit a mileage that I feel is worth celebrating. I felt that it was worth taking a picture of, and yes, I stopped my car on the way to work this morning to take this picture (I am a nerd). Now, hopefully this will not jinx me, but in the years I have owned Lola, she has never failed me or left me stranded, she is a hard worker, and I love her. Sure, there is not a THING automatic about her.. .but she keeps me from being lazy. Lola, thanks for all you do!

GRADUATE!

Well folks, it is official, I am done with graduate school!! I had my graduation ceremony 3 weeks ago, last week I presented my final project, and this morning I put the FINAL product in the mail. It is done!! Last night after I finished all my edits and I emailed it off, I put all my notebooks and notes and books back on the bookshelf- it was a major accomplishment!

It feels good to have completed something that I have worked on for so long... The project itself I have been working on for almost a year, and the degree- I took my first 9 credits 6 years ago this summer! I can't believe it! I also can't believe that I actually finished. I distinctly remember a conversation that I had in my last year of Messiah when some of my friends were talking about getting further degrees and I said "When I graduate from here- I AM DONE. No more school for me!" And then 3 months later Geneva sucked me in. But I have loved the program, the classes, the work, the professors, the classmates, and the things that I have learned. It has truly been a wonderful experience- and now I have a Masters Degree!

The next part is the scary part... trying to put this degree to work! I'm going to be looking for jobs in higher education. The looking part is scary, but I am excited to work in this field. Hopefully there will be updates of that nature sooner than later, but for now, the church will do just fine.

more ants

So, after 3 days of traps everywhere, we seemed to have gotten the ant control at my desk and in the church lobby under control. There were a few entertaining mishaps, including one security guard picking up the traps not knowing what they were and not understanding why her hands were all sticky. (It was because she was covered in poison). But, as if the insect world is out to get me- we now have what appears to be the making of an ant problem in our apartment.

Now, before you accusing me of transporting them home, let me assure you that these are very different types of ants. At the church we have the itty bitty brown ones that you can barely see, while at the apartment we have the big black ones that are about a quarter inch long.

It all started early last week when I was sitting on my couch watching my tv when a big black ant dropped from the heating vent in the ceiling on to the floor right in front of me. It creeped me out a little, but I hoped it was an isolated incident. However, yesterday we found 4 in the kitchen throughout the day. And, I JUST got off the phone with Lindsey, there are 3 more. What am I doing wrong? I am a clean person. I don't leave food out, we vacuum at least once a week, I scrubbed the kitchen floor on Sunday on my hands and knees.... are we too clean? Are they facinated by this environment?

Don't get me wrong- we had mice in the office this winter and I certainly prefer ants to mice. But you know what I prefer even more to ants?... NOTHING. CLEAN. NO BUGS OR CRITTERS.

Is this too much to ask?

Attack of the Ants

So, yesterday I came into work after the long weekend, and as usual on a Monday morning (or in this case, Tuesday) I have to spend the first 10 minutes cleaning off my desk because of all the stuff that gets stacked on it from church people over the weekend. So, I was working on that when I discovered that there were ants EVERYWHERE. I decided to call the custodian to let him know and when I picked up the phone there were 3 chilling on the back side of the receiver that I almost put to my face! Gross!! The more I looked the more I realized that they were all over my desk. We had had a few ants here and there in the last 2 months... but maybe 3 a week. I think yesterday morning I killed 50 over the course of 4 hours.

So, the custodian came in with some poison and we found a whole parade of them in the lobby. They're little parade disappears into the wall on the opposite side of my desk. We can't find where they are coming in to the office, but they are appearing somehow. He put out 5 little traps of poisonous goo that is supposed to attract them and then have them take it back to their next, and all of them were just SWARMED with ants. The one on my desk hadn't attracted too many, but this morning it was covered.

in fact, as i type this, another swarm of like 30 just came cruising out from under my keyboard!!! AHHHHH! I'm under attack!

The most upsetting part of all of this is that I likely have the cleanest desk out of anyone else who works in my office. On Friday before I left for the weekend I dusted it and wiped the whole surface down with a Clorox wipe (I have to do this weekly because my desk is often used for a coffee table to place ones lunch, snacks, and drinks by my coworkers when they are using the copy machine). Then, yesterday, it was kind of sticky from the Clorox wipe and after I had removed the first round of ants I windexed the whole thing. And yet, more bugs arrive by the minute.

I must end this story here because I have to go kill somemore... another parade of 10 or so just entered from under my monitor. HELP!

I took a moment to take a photo of the parade coming up my desk to the poison trap. Since taking it the parade has tripled in size... but this gives you an idea. I circled the ants in yellow (they didn't turn out too clearly)

I would like to punch...

David Archuleta. He infuriates me. I have never watched American Idol before this season, and frankly I judged those who did, but now I think I know why. It brings out anger in me that most other television does not. I haven't watched it super regularly, but I can say in the last few weeks that I have become a fan. So great a fan that I hate those against anyone I root for. First I was a fan of Brooke White, and when she got kicked off I vowed to quit, but I of course got sucked back in. Now I love David Cook. He is the bomb. I think that if we met we would likely be the very best of friends, if not fall deeply in love. That, and I like his voice and his hair. I realize that he is just another stadium rock guy, and the world does not necessarily need another stadium rock guy, but, I still like him more than freaking David Archuleta.
JUST BECAUSE D.A. can wave his voice up and down DOESN'T make him a world class performer. In my opinion, he ruins songs. Like Imagine, or Sweet Caroline, or Think of Me. The list goes on- indefinitely. AND, the fact that the judges went ON AND ON about how WONDERFUL he is and then basically discarded D.C. angers me even more. So much so that I voted. I have NEVER voted for a reality show before, and have kind of considered myself above it, but watching D.A.'s tears as the judges gushed all over him was enough to move me to cast my vote. twice. (it was busy after that).
I hope that D.C. wins the competition tomorrow. But, I know that he probably won't. I also realize that both Davids already have their careers before them no matter who wins. D.A. will be on broadway, or make a standards album, or both. And, I think that the execs at the Disney Channel are FOOLS if they don't snatch him right up. And D.C. will make a stadium rock album, and go on being wonderful, and will probably come to the York Fair, where I will spend $100 to see him.
rant completed.

Smart Television

I realize that I am starting to write a lot about things that I have been watching (compared to reading) which bums me out a little, but, though I'm not reading too much, I'm not watching too much either. Last night I managed to watch Boston Legal from last week, which I had taped (yes, I still tape. No DVR for me- I actually have a 2 VCR system going for those big nights). Anyway, all that said, I made the decision last night that I think Boston Legal might be the smartest show on television right now. Don't get me wrong- there is some other good television happening. A lot of it I'm probably not watching, as I leave room in my schedule for Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy (let's be honest- they are not smart television), but I would argue that the writers of, say LOST, know what they're doing (again- JJ Abrams- I love you).

What makes BL so smart (that's Boston Legal, not Becki Laird)? Well, for starters, it's David E Kelly- who has been known for his quality TV. Last week, for instance, the show moved time slots. The entire opening teaser was the staff of CP&S discussing when their staff meeting was- Tuesdays at 10 or Wednesdays at 10. What other show doesn't hide the fact in their writing that they are a show. It's hilarious. The plot last week was very politically centered- debating over MA voting for Obama or Clinton, kind of displaying how ridiculous the candidates have gotten. I just don't know any other show that is willing to touch this stuff. Especially a drama. I mean, this isn't John Stewart, you know?

Long story short- I recommend taking in an episode- or even getting hooked. It's one downfall (if you can call this a downfall), is that it doesn't have that soap-opera-y drama that keeps you sucked in from one week to the next. I often have to make myself make time to watch it, as I'm not addicted to it like I am to the Housewives, but once I do watch it- it is always worth it. It's smart, hilariously funny (I laugh out loud every week, even as I watch by myself), and touching. The relationship stories (particularly the one of Denny and Alan- BFFs) are just so moving.

Smart television. check it out.

loving

One of the quotes on a recent episode of Felicity that I watched really stuck out to me. Sally was giving Felicity advice on her disastrous relationship with Ben, and how she had done something to him that made him so angry he didn't want to talk to her anymore, and she didn't know how to respond. Sally's advice was this:

"If equal affection cannot be, let the more loving one be me."

It wasn't until recently in my life that I really started to grasp what that meant. My natural reaction when there is not equal love in a relationship that I'm in, be it romantic or not, is not to be more loving, but to either be more spiteful (which is usually a game I am better at winning), or to shy away, let the other person be more loving while I just sit quietly and afraid. However, I am learning, through the wisdom of JJ Abrams (writer of Felicity), and the grace of God, that those are not the most appropriate reactions. The response should not be to spite back to someone to the best of my ability, but to love back.

It is often putting oneself out on a limb to be the one who is more loving. You can get hurt, you can feel lonely, you can feel frustrated that you're not getting back in return what you are giving out. But that is not what loving is. Loving is unconditional- whether you receive it back or not. This, of course, is mirrored in our relationship with Christ. What if he only loved us as much as we loved him back. We'd all be in trouble.

As I look at the broken relationships in my life, I can see that they are a result of me not being the more loving one. I pray that I can better learn how to do that.

My Aunt, and Smells of Spring

I initially titled this "Smells of Spring and my Aunt" but realized that I did not want to write about "smells of my aunt." So, here we find ourselves.

I have a wonderful Aunt who likes to do nice things for me. Sometimes she does them in large quantities.

Today I called her because I heard that her lilacs are in bloom and that is my very favorite smell in the whole world, and so I wanted to see if I could get a few clippings from her lilac bushes to put in a vase in my apartment. She obliged.

When I arrived at her house she already had cut some for me because I was arriving after dark. I allowed her to load them into my trunk. when I got home I realized the sheer volume that she had sent with me, but I couldn't let them go to waste! So, I cut what I could, discarded what I could not, and was left with what you see below. A lovely smelling apartment, and 7 vases of lilacs!

I hope that you are smelling some wonderful smells of spring as well!

my problem is not lack of a man, it's lack of creativity

Last night a new friend who just joined our small group showed up with a new accessory- an engagement ring! It was just over 24 hours since it had happened, and she was still in the whirlwind of it all. It was a true joy to share that moment with her.


However, something happened next that I have never experienced before. My guess is that it is a fairly common phenomenon, but I have just never been in the company for this experience. Apparently, upon hearing that someone is engaged and listening to them tell their story, (My friend's, btw, was probably one of the best engagement stories I've ever heard), all married persons feel strangely compelled to tell their own engagement story. It's almost like a competition. Something like "well, you think that's good... my story might not be as romantic... but it sure is quirky..."


So, there we sat in my small group, 4 married couples, one newly engaged woman, and me. I, not surprisingly, had very little to contribute to the conversation, as I have never been engaged. So I just smiled and listened and ate my ice cream cake. Which is probably the best that I could really do in that situtaion.


But, what my friend Becky pointed out, is NOT my lack of a man, but my lack of creativity. Sure, I'm not engaged, but why should that stop me. I am a creative young woman, what I need is a completely over-the-top, if not truly unbelievable engagement story- who cares if it's true?

She tossed out a few suggestions, but I have not latched on to any yet. So, be on the lookout in the near future for my really good engagement story- be it true or not. It might be- you have no way of knowing. But I'm going to be ready for that social situation the next time it happens. And I will be witty- and I will have the best story.... and I will win.

dear sally,

Despite my somewhat busy lifestyle, I have recently taken to spending my time watching old TV shows on DVD. Since Christmas I am on my third series- Felicity. I watched seasons 1 & 2 many years ago, and have never seen 3 & 4. Thanks to the wonders of generous friends and Blockbuster online, I am taking this series on yet again.

Felicity follows the 4 year college career of a CA woman who follows a boy to college in NYC, and documents her life learning in the classroom, in the dorm, and with boys. Each episode opens with her recording a "letter" on a cassette tape and mailing it off, and ends with Sally (voiced by Janeane Garofalo) reading her letter back. I don't know if I wasn't paying attention the first time, but, even after only 6 episodes, I am impressed by the writing (oh, JJ Abrams- can you even make bad television?) and wisdom that is dished out in every episode. Sure, there are cheesy WB moments designed just for the 18 year old crowd, but as someone who loves college students (it's in my job description), I think that this show did some good things in its time.

I have felt moved and contemplative after nearly every ending, particularly by the closing words of Sally (who is an older friend who shares her life wisdom with young Felicity). It is thought provoking, and I look to share some of these thoughts in upcoming entries. I just wanted to take this opportunity to give a little background and share what might be ahead.

My friend Becky (and maybe the only reader of this blog) is blogging and sharing life through the narrative of food and cooking. I am choosing to use mediocre television. Stay tuned.... ooo- insert cheesy unintentional pun here...

Singles Registry...

WARNING: This is my first blog and it is a little wordy.... I will work on this....

I recently had a conversation regarding my continued attendance and multiple weddings and, more recently, baby showers. Life around me is progressing rapidly, and I am happy to share these celebratory experiences with those I love. I go to the showers, buy the presents, attend the weddings (alone, because I rarely get "and guest" anymore) and for the large part am happy to do it. It is a joyful time to share with my friends. However, as a single woman, such events start to drain on me. I am rounding the corner to 28 (which, by the way, is my "late 20's," a concept I am still getting used to), and feel like my life is more or less on hold. I look back 6 years ago to when I graduated from college, and, for better or for worse, life is not that different. I have some more stuff, a different apartment, and a different job, but nothing permanent. My stuff is all hand-me-downs (which I am thankful for), my apartment is smaller, and my job is less advanced. According to typical standards- I'm not moving very far along in life.

However, it's not all that grim. Life has advanced. I certainly have learned some life lessons along the way, and I am CERTAINLY not the same person- in thought, faith, ideology, even physically (I'll talk more about my running at a later time...). Plus- the most eminent change on the horizon- I am about to graduate with my Masters (a mere 6 years in the works). Graduation is 4 weeks from tomorrow! Life will probably (at least initially) not look different the day after graduation from the day before, but it is still an accomplishment. One if fact, that I think is worth celebrating. Which brings me to this question:

It is an accomplishment. Probably the biggest thing for me to celebrate since I graduated from college. I'd like to have a party. Just to celebrate. Not for any other purpose. I will likely send out invitations that say "NO GIFTS, PLEASE." However, there is a part of me (nudged by a friend), that says- HEY- this is big. I deserve some gifts. After all, I have friends that I've bought gifts for- from wedding showers to weddings to baby showers for the last 6 years- I deserve something!!! Some of my friends think this is great- while others have called it "pompous and arrogant." What do you think? Is it wrong for a 27 year old single woman to go so far as to "register" for her MA graduation? What if I was 35 and getting my PhD? At what point is it acceptable for a single woman to receive wedding-type gifts? When I buy my first house? Or do I just keep using the dishes my mother received at her first wedding 35 years ago for the rest of my single life?

I'm going to try to post a poll... Let me know your opinion.

trying again.

This is the first post in over a year on a blog that is several years old. I have never been successful at keeping up with it, but I will try again. I've decided that maybe my life happenings aren't too exciting, but I have lots of questions, so why not ask them.

I felt inspired to write something (I was not inspired on what to write, however), based on the fact that my blog address was added to the margin of a friend's blog, so that our blogs could be bffs. Maybe I don't have a lot to say that the world is waiting for, but I might. So, I will test the waters. My life isn't completely average, based on comparisons to those around me. I'm (as I recently have been coming to terms with) in my late 20's, single, finishing grad school, and trying to figure out life. Maybe that is what most are doing, but it sometimes seems as though those around me are little more ahead of the curve than I am.

I hope that this is a place to compile thoughts, seek opinions, and have a good laugh. I may not be Julie Powell, but it might work out okay....