A Foolish Resolution

Ignorance came to mind after reading this article.

Do I think that a "moral collapse" is to blame for the current state of the economy? If by "moral collapse" you are referring to such things as greed and the Bush Administration, then yes, I'll agree to that statement. But to say that the economic crisis is due, in part, to Obama's support of LGBT Pride month and because he did not make a big formal production of National Prayer Day is simply asinine, in my humble opinion. Our economy is not collapsing because of homosexuals or Jews or atheists.

It is mind boggling to me how such ignorant people obtain seats in a political office. It is my hope that we will one day live in world without such obtuse thinking.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

I noticed over the weekend that I engaged in several conversations with different friends regarding our college days, and it got me thinking a little more about the experience...

College. A significant time in all our lives. It's not just about what we learned in class, but it's the life lessons that we came to know and understand. It's about the acquaintances and classmates we met and the lifelong friends we'll never forget. There were some hard and troubled times but there were also some thrilling adventures. The heartfelt talks with roommates, the many hours of partying, the long nights of studying, and the silly acts we participated in - all form into a large pool of memorable moments. It was a simpler time - our biggest worries involved papers and exams and how we were going to scrounge enough money to go out to the bar. Friends were constantly by your side - you didn't have to look far for a 'partner in crime.' It was a time of growth, development, and preparation; for our next step in life was never too far away.

Below - a collage I made using Picasa, capturing some of my fondest memories from my 4 years at UNI.



And a video (KC this is totally for you)
Background: We were preparing to move out of our apartment and involved in some heavy cleaning. This 'professional' video is of KC trying to move our refrigerator so we could clean behind it. My favorite moment of this video is the face KC makes when she finally gets the refrigerator to move....priceless :) *Warning - to those with sensitive ears - profanity is used!*

My Sister's Keeper - A Definite Weeper

Do you ever notice how a little box appears in the right-hand corner of your TV when a show begins, for example, DLV? (some suggestive dialogue, language, and violence) Well, I think books should come with some sort of rating system.

Today, I finished reading, My Sister's Keeper. As I looked over at the pile of Kleenex I had used to wipe away my many tears as I read the last few pages of the book, I realized that this is exactly the type of book that should really come with some sort of warning...like instead of a prologue, there should be a letter of notification that the book will make you cry your eyes out.

I would rate this book as HWTJ, Heart wrenching, tearjerker.

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed reading this book. It would just be nice to be forewarned as to what can happen as a result of reading this book. *Warning - this book will have side effects that include, but are not limited to crying, sobbing, eye makeup running down your face, swollen and puffy eyes, and awkward stares from those around you.* I was glad to have read the last few chapters in the privacy of my own room, where not even my roommates would have to endure my adverse reaction.

I can only imagine what's in store for me when I see the movie....L, D, Naomi, whomever - this is your warning!

Freedom Fridays

Friday. It's a word that has had different meanings to me throughout my lifetime.

As a child, Fridays brought excitement. It meant a plethora of different things - going out for pizza, being able to stay up a little later, watching the choice movie my sister and I had rented, or having/going to a slumber party with my friends.

In high school, Fridays = game time. At school, we were dressed to the nines - we girls wore dresses and heels and the boys wore ties. Our lockers, thanks to our cheerleaders, were decorated with posters, streamers, and balloons. As the game time approached, a rush of adrenaline always went through me as we ran out to begin our warm-up routine, thanks to the the music, the cheers from the crowd, and the anticipation for the game to begin. As the night of competition came to a close, we would stand around the gym and decide what the rest of the evening would have in store for us - dining at Village Inn, 'scooping the loop,' or partying at one of our fellow teammates' houses. And, by the way, let me just say that our parties were never like the ones they show on the teeny bopper movies like Varsity Blues or 10 Things I Hate About You....

In college a simple acronym can sum up the word Friday - FAC. (Friday after class) Oh I how loved wrapping up my last class of the day and heading down to the Hill to enjoy in all the FAC specials the bars had to offer. Those were the good days, as I look back on them now, a time of simplicity. We college kids all had one common goal we shared as we gathered together in the crowded bar - forget about our studies for the time being and drink!

In my first 2 1/2 years out in the 'real world,' I can say that Fridays brought a sense of relief, as it signaled the end of my work week. I could kick off the weekend with happy hour, or FAW if you will, (Friday after work) or maybe just a quiet night at home watching a movie and knitting (and this has been done on more than one occasion I might add - I will give you a moment to laugh at the jokes that are going through your heads at this time...) Regardless of how I spent my Friday evenings, it meant a couple of days of being cubicle free.

And today, freedom is the word that comes to mind when I think of Fridays, as I work a 4 day work week - Mondays-Thursdays. The possibilities seem to be endless. I can spend my day running all the errands I procrastinated on during the week, I can go out for lunch and go shopping with KC (as she has Fridays off too), I can soak in the sun, with headphones in my ears and a book in my hands, or I can road trip to visit family - so many options. Freedom Fridays are the best.

Yesterday did not disappoint. I spent the morning with my sister, brother-in-law, and niece at Blank Park Zoo. It wasn't as hot as I anticipated it to be and it was fun to walk around and see all the animals. I'm not sure Regan, being 11 months old, got a whole lot out of it, but it was still fun to point out the animals to her and watch her big blue eyes get even bigger. I couldn't help but feel a little guilty, however. By going to the zoo, it was as if I was condoning to have these animals trapped in their makeshift 'natural habitats.' I couldn't help but notice that some of the animals, namely the tiger, giraffes, and the red pandas, seemed to have the saddest expressions on their faces. Do you think they feel like prisoners? ...I digress...I feel like this could be a whole other posting...

After the zoo I had my first experience with Tasty Tacos, and my food was, in fact, tasty.Then in the late afternoon I went to The Proposal with Naomi. It was your typical chick flick - cute but predictable. Then we met up with Rodderick for dinner at the always delicious, or should I say delicioso, Los Cabos.

I love Fridays!

Below is a picture of Regan and me at the zoo. Now before you go commenting about me posting another picture of Regan, LW, let me just say that I think you will appreciate this one. Here, we are in front of the penguin display...and, let me just say, they were nowhere near the caliber of being as massively destructive as we Penguins are! :)

Caught in the Web

I am having a major case of blogger's block tonight...well that and the fact that any topic I did consider blogging about requires too much thinking for my tired mind. So, in an effort to avoid neglecting my blog for the 3rd day in a row, I've decided to share with you a few of my Internet Bookmarks.

1. Wolfgang's Vault - http://concerts.wolfgangsvault.com/
Free streaming of live music from hundreds upon hundreds of artists, ranging from Jimi Hendrix to Ani Difranco to Cursive. The sound quality may not always be the best but if you have a good imagination, you can close your eyes and picture sitting on that grassy knoll watching Janis Joplin perform "Piece of My Heart."

2. Homestar Runner - http://www.homestarrunner.com/
Always good for a laugh, or at least I think so. Some of my favorites include, Strongbad's Kids' Book, Fluffy Puff Commercial, and the Interview.

3. NPR - http://www.npr.org/
The organization that boasts such intriguing news programs as Talk of the Nation and All Things Considered, and an inspiring music page which includes Discover Songs, Studio Sessions, and Interviews & Profiles - some of my favorite pages within the site.

4. Zappos - http://www.zappos.com/
An avid shopper's dream site - hundreds of brands and styles of shoes, clothing, and accessories with the bonus of a free shipping both ways return policy. You can also read up on the helpful hints of shoppers' reviews and testimonials.

So, there is a little peak into my Internet bookshelf, if you will. I am always accepting suggestions to add to my Internet library so feel free to share some of your favorite sites!

Jargon Jabber

I've been working in an office environment for about 3 years now and one of the many observations I have made from my little cubicle over the past few years is the utilization of corporate lingo around the office. Just as Peter hates to hear about TPS Reports, the following words/phrases, which are in no particular order, are like nails on a chalkboard to me:

1. Future forward/going forward
2. Choose your attitude
3. The "Wow" Factor
4. Mood Elevator
5. Opportunity
6. Follow up
7. Focus group
8. Flow charts
9. Be here now
10. Staying engaged
11. At the end of the day
12. Per (as in 'per our conversation' or 'per your email')

Why do businesses coin such annoying phrases? Are they only irritating because they are so overused and abused? Or is it because these words/phrases or so wishy-washy and go around the topic at hand without just being candid and directly saying what needs to be said?

I came across this viewpoint on mbaassociation.org which discusses a BBC article written about a year ago on this very subject. It is quite humorous. I was happy to see one of the phrases I listed, "going forward," was on their list as well. I think my favorite, however, is #2.

Clearly I am not the only one who has sensitive ears when it comes to corporate jargon!

Catching Up

It has been a few days since my last posting and I feel like I owe it to my blog to explain why. I had a nice little weekend planned (didn't make it to Home Depot, not enough time.)

It all started Thursday evening. KC and I had plans to go out for dinner and drinks to celebrate her new job. So we met at Los Cabos for what always proves to be good margaritas and good food. (highly recommend this place if you are in the mood for Mexican.) We weren't quite ready to call it a night after dinner so KC suggested we walk over to Graze to get a martini. We bellied up to the bar and I took the bartender's suggestion of a tropical/pineapple-ish martini that's not on the menu and KC got the one with the blow pop in it - mainly because she just really wanted the blow pop :) I always love spending time with KC - all kinds of topics are discussed from careers to college memories. It was a great way to start my weekend.

Friday did not start out the greatest. I had every intention of getting up early to attend daily mass and get an early start to Cedar Falls to see my sister and Regan. My alarm went off, and as I do every morning, I hit the snooze button...or so I thought. I awoke again, without the help of my alarm, and looked at the time - 10:30. Cool Nic, cool. I was 3 to 3.5 hours too late for church (depending on which church I went to) and I was going to be a lot later than what I had hoped with getting to my sister's. Minus the 'snooze button' incident, it was a great day! Regan had a lot of new tricks to show me - she can stand up all by herself without any assistance and she can clap. We are still working on her saying, "coco," but she'll get there soon! :) I always love spending time with my sis and bro-in-law - hilarity always ensues. I was also able to see R for a bit, which was great, because I hadn't seen her since the SNL party.

Saturday I headed off to Clear Lake with my dad to visit my grandparents and celebrate Father's Day. (Wish you could've come too Mom!) As I was driving into town and saw all the SUV's and trucks pulling their boats, I wished I was going to be boating - it was the perfect day for it! Greekfest was also going on in Mason and I would've loved to have engaged in a little culture with R and V but I had to remember my whole reason for being in CL- and I was happy to be spending time with my grandma and grandpa. My grandma always has plenty of yummy treats for us and I knew I'd be partaking in a delicious meal. Shortly after indulging in a nice size piece of my grandma's homemade rhubarb pie for dessert (which I almost didn't want to cut into because it was picture perfect) I said my good-byes and headed back to the dsm.

Today should be a great way to wrap up a fun-filled weekend. Among other things, I'll be preparing for this evening as 187 hosts a bbq and movie night. Great food, great company, great night.

A Picture Worth a Thousand Words

I love looking through Newsweek's photo galleries. There are so many interesting topics and powerful photos that can really make you think about the topic at hand; beauty advertisements, natural disasters, human struggle, etc. Tonight I came across one entitled, "Artists Embracing Mental Illness." It's definitely worth checking out - I was "wowed. "

It really got me thinking about how powerful art is. Artists never cease to amaze me. I am completely envious of those who can convey a set of feelings or tell a story with the stroke of a paint brush. (or whatever their means of creating is) How a piece of art can speak to you and how it can unveil all sorts of emotions within you is simply fascinating to me. Art has no boundaries, no rules, no restrictions.

It is truly an inspiring form of human expression and should never go unappreciated.

The Dating Game

Don't worry boys and girls, I'm still waiting in the wings, but a few of my friends have become contestants in the game of dating. It has got me thinking about dating in general and why it is even considered to be a game. It goes through my head like this:

Welcome to the Dating Game! I'm your host, Nic. Let's introduce our contestants, shall we?

Contestant # 1 is a daredevil sky diving instructor who has jumped out of hundreds of airplanes but still not able to parachute into love.

And Contestant #2 - a small town girl just looking for love in the big city. She enjoys spending time on the beach making sand castles and is searching for her soul 'moat' *laughter from the crowd as I flash a cheesy grin into the camera*

OK, let's play, The Dating Game! Contestants, write down the correct answers to the following questions.

Question #1: How long do you wait to accept your crush's friendship request on Facebook?

A. 2 hours
B. 1 day
C. A week

Question #2: It's Saturday afternoon and the guy you've been talking to asks you to go out to dinner with him that night. How do you respond?

A. Accept. After all, if you spend one more Saturday night watching reruns of Fresh Prince of Bel Air you will officially go into the Loser Hall of Fame.
B. Decline even though you don't have plans. Hey, you don't want him to think you are too eager.
C. Ignore him completely. How dare he assume you don't have plans on a Saturday night! He can wait until tomorrow.

Question #3: It's been 5 days since you've heard from your crush. You thought things went great on your first date and want to see him again. What do you do?

A. Send him a text asking if he wants to get together this week. I mean, you have nothing to lose at this point.
B. Grab your morning latte at the coffee shop he goes to, hoping you'll just happen to run into him.
C. Nothing. If he was really into you, he would have responded to your text you sent him 3 days ago.

Question #4: You find out the guy you have been dating for 3 weeks has a wedding in his hometown next weekend and you wonder if he's going to ask you to be his date. How will you find out?

A. Just ask him - being upfront and honest is the best way to get your answer.
B. Drop hints to him all week - talk about weddings, road tripping, and tell him how you feel a little guilty for buying this 'hot' dress but not having anywhere to wear it to.
C. Try to forget about it and keep secretly hoping he's going to ask you at any moment.

We'll reveal the answers when we come back from this commercial break!

******************************************************************

Welcome back! Let's see what the correct answers are!

*A message pops up on the TV screen* Please be patient. We are experiencing technical difficulties

Isn't that the way it goes? We never seem to know what the exact protocol is for dating. It turns into this endless mind game, where we constantly try to guess what is going through the other person's head. In the early stages, it is more of a game of tag. You want to show you are interested but need to be cautious - you can't come on too strong or seem too eager. But what exactly is too strong and too eager? We second guess every move we are about to make. We question the silliest things like how long to wait before replying to an email. If we receive a text message we wonder how long we should wait before responding - 5 minutes, 20 minutes, 2 hours?

Then it turns more into a game of strategy. We suddenly become conscious of the little details. "I called him last night so it's his turn to call me tonight." Or, "I need to end the phone conversation tonight - she let me go last time."

And then, providing the game has not ended yet, it becomes a matter of risk. We have to decide if we ready to stop wading our feet in the water and dive into the sea of a committed relationship. How do we begin such a talk? Will we label this 'thing' and call it a relationship?

Why do we participate like we are contestants in a game show or athletes in a sporting event when it comes to dating? Are we crazy for obsessing over absurdities such as the timing of sending/receiving emails, phone calls, etc? Is it foolish to wonder if the smiley face emoticon you ended your text message with was the reason why your crush hasn't texted you back? Or is it all a matter human nature? Is it natural for our minds to respond in such a way?

I wish I could answer these questions. I wish I could end this posting with all kinds of brilliant theories on the subject of dating and elaborate on why we struggle with it so much. I wish I had the answers for all those clueless souls out there (including myself) on the game that is dating. But, alas, I am just as clueless as everyone else. Would a dating handbook answer these questions? Maybe, maybe not. Perhaps we just need to learn from past 'games' and keep our heads up for future ones...

Work Comp Claim in the Works?

At my place of employment, we have what seems like hundreds of flat screen TVs throughout the building. Eventually, they tell us, it will be a means for corporate communications - things that once appeared on email will now appear on these TVs. This has yet to happen. Instead CNN is blasted through the airwaves.

Don't get me wrong, I like to know what's going on in the world and I like to keep up on my current events. But I feel like I am being overexposed. Now it's not like I just sit and watch the muted TVs all day long, but it's hard to escape the hundreds of flat screens that have invaded our building. First thing I see when I get to my floor - a TV - where 99% of the time some depressing headline is being thrown in my face like, "Cuba in Crisis" or "H1N1 Claims 4 More Lives." Then as I approach my cubicle, which is only feet away from that first TV I see, I am once again exposed. "White Supremacist Suspect in Museum Shooting" and "Father Charged in Baby's Death." Not exactly the positive note I want to start my day with.

And it doesn't stop! Lunchtime rolls around and I see this - "4 Dead in Murder Suicide." Ugh, never thought I'd actually wish I could watch Fox News bash Obama's health care reform! Now again, it's not like I sit at lunch and watch the TV, but with 10 different screens staring you in the face, it's hard to not glance up and see a headline. Or, for that matter, have a co-worker bring a headline to your attention and then having it become the topic of conversation.

Do you think I could file a work comp claim for my bruised mental state?!? Don't worry, place of employment, I'm just being facetious. So lawyers don't pick up your phones to call me. But maybe we can discuss the possibility of a channel change.

Or maybe the better solution is for me to make a conscious effort to ignore the TVs. You know, treat it like it's a guy I once dated that I can't stand to look in the face anymore and avoid him at all cost! I think I could be pretty good at that! :)

A Game of Tag

The other day as I was catching up on my 'blog reading', I saw a friend had tagged me in this photo game that she had participated in. I thought it was a neat idea so I decided to join in the fun. The game goes like this - Open the 4th picture folder on your computer, open the 4th picture, post it on your blog, and explain the picture. Then tag 4 people to do the same.

Here is the 4th picture from my 4th folder:



This is me adoring my 2 day old niece Regan. You can't see what her onesie says but it reads, "I love my auntie's xoxo's" :) She's the love of my life!

Since I'm still fairly new to the blogging world and don't have that many blogging friends, the lucky 4 who I am tagging are:

L

LW

JW

BG

*Disclaimer* You don't have to participate, but it's kind of fun to walk down memory lane.

A True 'Dear Journal' Moment

Last night L and I went to the Coldplay concert. I was expecting a great show but had no idea I would actually utter the words, "This is hands down the best concert I've been to yet." (especially after No Doubt.) There is just something about experiencing live music that sends you on this complete and natural high. All kinds of emotions are forcefully injected into your entire being, sending chills down your spine and producing goosebumps on your skin. It's the way that the lyrics somehow pertain to a particular personal life experience. It's the way the chords form into the song of your life. It's how the drums become the beat of your heart. And it's the vibe from the surrounding crowd that forms your soul.

There were several "omg" moments last night; the yellow balloons that dropped from the ceiling during, "Yellow," when the entire band made its way into the crowd for a couple of songs and were just feet away from our seats, and the confetti that fell during, "Viva La Vida." But one of the most intense moments, for me, was during the song, "Fix You."

I had a feeling going into the show that I would probably shed a few tears. Any of you who know me well enough should not be too surprised by this. And I did not disappoint. As the first few notes of the song were revealed, I looked over at L and gave her that look of, yep, this is where I will be brought back to a point of paramount significance in my life.

A rush of emotion came over me as the flashbacks of my past engulfed my soul. I couldn't help but think of all those heart wrenching moments that I once experienced; witnessing the struggle, the frustration, the hopelessness, and the pain. That feeling of failure I felt at the time suddenly came back as if I had never made peace with it.

I tried so hard. I somehow thought I would be able to fix it. After all, doesn't love heal all? It seemed like everyone gave up but I wouldn't. I would continue to put pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding. I would keep putting on the band aids. Eventually all my efforts would make it stop, or so I thought.

When you try your best, but you don't succeed
When you get what you want, but not what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse

And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone, but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

And high up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
But if you never try you'll never know
Just what you're worth

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

Tears stream down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down your face
And I...

Tears stream down on your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down your face
And I...

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

As the song finished, the crowd's screams of excitement and satisfaction snapped me back into reality. It's over. I've come to terms with it. I will always have these brief moments of my past come back to haunt me every now and then...but as I look back at L and she puts her arm around me and tells me she loves me, I realize that it's okay. I have room in my life to be susceptible to this kind of vulnerability every now and again, because I have been blessed with some of the most supportive friends and family a person could ask for. And they 'fix me.'

Local Eats - Big Treat

Today I was once again reminded of how rewarding it can be to not only try something new, but to support local restaurants as opposed to the all too common chain restaurant. Not that you cannot have a wonderful experience at a chain restaurant, but eating locally provides that different flavor your palate is craving and the charming ambiance your free spirit is wanting.

We celebrated a co-worker's birthday today, BBQ style, at Woody's Smoke Shack. This was my first time there and let me tell you, it was amazing! The quaint atmosphere, friendly and fast service, and great company was just the ticket for our weekly lunch outing.

If you're in the mood for some great BBQ, definitely give this place a try!

What's the Buzz About?

Stephen Colbert has taken the Colbert Report to Iraq this week. He kicked off the first show wearing a camouflaged suit (made by Brooks Brothers - had to add that in for L) and with General Ray Odierno shaving his head, by order of President Obama (via a pre-recorded tape.) He poked fun at the soldiers and the war in Iraq. He, himself, even declared the U.S. victorious in the Iraqi war. This has left a bad taste in the mouths of some people.

I am not one of those people. I commend Colbert on making the trip to Iraq. I think taking his show on location in Baghdad was a great means of showing his support for our troops. So he made some jokes about the soldiers. He's a comedian - that's what he does. The soldiers were laughing....And so he shaved his head into the infamous 'Army buzz cut.' Wasn't this just another way he was showing his support and patriotism? As long as the soldiers weren't offended, why should any of us be?

Dealbreakers and Dealmakers

L and I like to play this game where we give each other hypothetical situations with potential dates and ask - dealbreaker? For example, "Hey L, what if your date picked you up in that - dealbreaker?", pointing at a powder blue Volkswagen bug. Or, "What if your date showed up in this?", pointing at the newest J Crew catalog with a picture of a guy wearing a plaid suit. It's just for fun and provides some much needed comic relief for 2 single girls who can easily be frustrated by our situations at times. We decided this would be a great topic for us to co-blog about. To clarify, this is more of an independent co-blogging project. (I know it sounds like an oxymoron but stay with me) We didn't consult each other before writing this - just decided we'd blog on the same topic tonight. I'm excited to see if we have any commonalties!

This really gets me thinking about what are, for me, the real dealbreakers and what are the real dealmakers. I think these are lists that can and will infinitely change - there will be deletions, additions, and modifications...but here's a few to get me started:

Dealbreakers:
*Close-mindedness - I am the type of person who tries to accept people for who they are. If I don't like being around you it's because I don't care for your personality, not because you only believe in showering 3 times a week or because you only wear black clothing, accented with spiked bracelets and heavy black eyeliner. If you can't handle a little diversity in your life, then it'll never work out...I have a wide variety of friends and family and I need someone to be accepting of all types.

*DB Syndrome - Everyone knows one - a disrespectful, egotistical, flat out a-hole. You know, the dude who only cares about 3 things in life - how much a$ he is getting, sports, and how good he looks after shaving off his chest, arm, and leg hair (don't you know this shows off your muscle definition - not to mention that your Ambercrombie powdered pink, popped collared polo never looked better on you) Umm...puke. Sure, I'm all for cheering on a guy who scores, that is if you are an underdog who just landed the hot girl you've been pining after for months...And yes, I like a guy whose hobbies include sports of all kinds - basketball, football, volleyball, soccer, golf, etc....But if you are so ignorant that you can't enjoy some of the other fine things in life - such as scoping out your local bargain book store for some great deals or going to a musical (and no, that does not make you gay) or God forbid you try eating at a local sushi place instead of hitting up Buffalo Wild Wings for their 'killer wings special' - then I'll be leaving you behind. DBS is incurable and henceforth, for me, is a dealbreaker.

*The Material Boy - You've got a souped up Cadillac Escalade in the garage that you obsess over to the point that you do a full out shoe inspection to make sure my shoes don't get your precious floor mats dirty. You refuse to shop retail of any kind - the mindset that if it's not designer, it's not worthy. You only care about the bottom dollar and will not let anyone or anything get in your way of making those hundreds and hundreds of dollar bills. You scoff at anyone who lives anywhere but those creepy cookie-cutter neighborhoods in the suburbs - you know the kind, where every house looks exactly same. You pride yourself in your 6 figure salary, the Armani suit you're wearing, never having to wait in line, and always getting seated in the VIP section. Excuse me while I go jump off a bridge - what a snooze fest. Material possessions will only take you so far in the game of life. I'll always turn the other way if you are this shallow.

Having pointed out a few dealbreakers, what about some dealmakers? First off, being the opposite of the 3 aforementioned items - being open minded, DBS free, and an appreciation for the littler things in life are a start. Here are a few more:

Dealmakers:
*No Lies - Trust is a huge thing in a relationship. Being with someone I know I can trust is a definite must. No tricks, no games, no lies. Being straightforward, accountable, and honest are imperative.

*Stand By Me - Supporting me through good times and bad is a definite plus in my book. I don't always expect sympathy but I do expect empathy. Maybe I am overreacting about Karen neglecting to tell me she is back in town for the weekend - newsflash - I'm a girl and sometimes that's what we do...we get upset over the stupid little things in life. But if you can find a way to say that without actually saying, "you are being stupid," then you are a keeper. When a loved one dies and you are there by my side to wipe away my tears and tell me you are here for me, I won't run away. And when you tell me you are so happy about my promotion that you want to celebrate - I'll happily accept. Those are automatic brownie points.

*Spontaneity/The Challenger - I like mixing things up, trying new things, and I'm always up for anything (well, almost anything) and if you are the same way then it's a match. Waking me up at 6:00 a.m. and telling me to pack a bag because we're going on a road trip - perfection. Trying out the new Thai restaurant that just opened up around the corner - right up my alley. That being said, I also like a challenge. And if you can challenge me, in all kinds of ways, then we are headed in the right direction. Encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone, making me want to be a better person, or even just challenging me to a silly game of Trivial Pursuit - these are all things that won't make me shy away.

Just to be clear - these aren't the only dealbreakers and dealmakers I have but it's a good start. And to be sure, everything that falls between the dealbreakers and dealmakers are negotiable, if I think it's worth negotiating.

Interested in seeing what L had to say? Check it out.

Love Serving Love

Maybe it's the increasingly restless feeling I'm getting as summer draws near...maybe I was inspired from watching several matches of the French Open (which, while we are on the subject, let me just say I'm bummed Federer won - I'm a Rafael Nadal fan)

Either way, I've been thinking about hitting up the tennis courts lately. I am, by no means, a skilled tennis player - in fact, I'm pretty awful. But I still think it's fun to get out there, get your heart rate up, and indulge in a little friendly competition.

I'll have to dig out my old rickety tennis racket next time I go home!

A Must Read

Is there a commonality between teachers and sumo wrestlers? What about real estate agents and the KKK? Do I have your attention yet?

My attention was immediately captured after browsing through the table of contents for the book, Freakonomics, and seeing these chapter titles. I just finished this book today and it was absolutely fascinating. I'm completely envious of the forward thinking the authors, Steven D Levitt and Stephen J Dubner have. My mind would have never gone to such a place as thinking about whether the legalization of abortion is linked to a decline in the rate of crime, had they not pointed me in that direction.

This book, in my humble opinion, is an ingenious piece of literary work. Pointing out such ideas as, people respond to incentives and conventional wisdom can be a powerful force, are for me, not up for debate. I am still on the fence, however, about what to think on some of the theories this book covers. I can't help but wonder, is my hesitation of agreeing due to moral and cynical boundaries?

I encourage you to check this one out at your local library (or even to purchase - it's worth having on your bookshelf) and think carefully about what you think of this book, its ideas, and its theories. Maybe a healthy debate can unfold! I'm looking forward to L finishing this book so we can discuss this at our next pseudo book club meeting :)

When I Wish Upon a Star

I catch myself from time to time saying, "I wish ______." This morning, as I looked out my window and saw the sun shining and went downstairs to find an empty house, I wished that home was only an hour away. How perfect it would be to jump in the car, listen to my "Road Trip" playlist on my Ipod, and head home to see the rents for the day. Maybe play a round of golf with Dad, a trip over to the antique mall with Mom, and grill out before heading back. Sounds pretty ideal to me.

But alas, it is only a wish that I know won't come true. Of course I can find things to keep myself entertained today - maybe a run around Raccoon River Park, sit outside curled up with a book, and being that it's Sunday, I have volleyball to look forward to. That could make for a pretty good day too.

A Year Ago Today

June 5th, 2008 marked the beginning of my adventure to Greece. This trip was an opportunity of a lifetime and ranks as one of the best moments of my life. I kept a journal during my 2 week escapade and in a moment of nostalgia, I decided to read it this morning. Here are a few excerpts and pictures from my trip. *Let me preface by saying, being the novice photographer that I am, combined with my lame journal-writing skills do not do my trip justice*

June 5th, 2008: [upon arriving in Greece] ...The bus ride - surreal. I'm finally here, in Athens, Greece! After the short bus ride, we arrived to a part of downtown Athens. Now the really stressful part - getting a taxi. Normally this isn't a problem but when cab drivers see people with a lot of luggage, they don't want to stop, get out of their cars, and help you. So we had to 'hide' our luggage until we got a cab. I was so nervous we were going to lose our luggage. These cab drivers just throw your suitcases in the trunk with no rhyme or reason and "secure" the whole situation with a rope. I was relieved, needless to say, once we arrived to our destination, with all luggage arriving with us.

June 6th, 2008: R and I went to the Acropolis today, which is something I've been so looking forward to. On the way there, we ran into an older couple from Baltimore, MD. They weren't sure where to go and asked R for help. They were so grateful so they paid for our way in! The Acropolis was absolutely amazing. I couldn't get over the fact that I was standing on the land where civilizations once lived thousands of years ago. The Parthenon, the amphitheater, the Temple of Zeus - it was all so fascinating....

June 7th, 2008: We got up and went to the beach today. I wish we had this kind of scenery in Iowa - sand that sparkles, crystal clear blue water, and a mountainous background to complete the picturesque scene. We claimed our lounge chairs and I began to apply sunscreen (safety first.) All of a sudden, I felt something that I've never experienced before. I didn't know what to think at first, and then realized - omg, this is an earthquake. The ground was shaking, the goods at the snack bar were falling, and everyone was rushing out of the water to get back onto dry land. After about 15 seconds, the earth stood still again. We later learned that we were very close to the center of it and were grateful we were outside when it happened. Our first beach day was cut a little short when our driver, who is a doctor, was called into work to help with all of the injuries caused by the earthquake. As we drove back into the village, we saw all the devastating destruction that was created by the earthquake. It wasn't the best moment of the trip, to say the least...

June 14th, 2008: The alarm went off at 6 this morning and we were forced to crawl out of bed and quickly get ready for our trip to the island. Chris and Dimitri picked us up and off we went to Skiathos. The drive, although entertaining thanks to Dimitri, was unpleasant due to both the tiredness I felt from being out late the night before and the very windy roads we took up the mountains to get to the ferry.

June 15th, 2008: After a quick breakfast, we headed to the beach. We soaked in the sun, walked up and down the beach, played a little volleyball, and of course swam. It was so relaxing to just be laying on the beach, not having a care in the world. Bobby and Dimitri 'helped' me relax by sitting by my side, reading excerpts from the book I was reading. Bobby would read in English and Dimitri would translate in Greek. They had me rolling with laughter. My favorite quote from Dimitri today: "I like you, as a volleyball player. As a woman, I like you very much" [R and I kept a log of all of our favorite quotes from the boys during the trip]

June 16th, 2008: ...We went to a scenic restaurant this evening and sat overlooking all of Skiathos, the water, and the mountains. They ordered a lot of appetizers so that I could try a little bit of everything - stuffed zucchini, fried zucchini, churropitas, souvlaki, and more - absolutely amazing!

June 20th, 2008: ...although I had the best vacation of my life, thus far, it feels good to be home.


The Acropolis- Amphitheater



The Acropolis - Parthenon


The Acropolis


One of the many beaches we went to - I think
this one was in Patras.


With R and Spiros at Rosa Negra


With Bobby and Dimitri - night out in
Skiathos


Relaxing at a cafe in Skiathos on our
last day there


Last night - in Athens

Two of the many takeaways I got from this trip:

1. Carpe Diem - Anytime you have the opportunity to travel, take it. (esp when your hotel expenses are obsolete)
2. Ladies - if you ever want a self-esteem booster - get yourselves to Greece!

I am so grateful I had the opportunity to take this trip. My extreme gratitude goes out to R and V for being the best hostesses and to all of their family and friends for their welcoming hospitality!

I can't wait for my next adventures overseas, whenever that may be!

And the Winner Is...

The Penguins of Mass Destruction! Tonight was a great night for a volleyball game. The sun was out, the temp was warm, and there was a vast improvement in the sand from Sunday night!

Below is the shirt I wear. Thanks to JW and LW for the brilliant idea and L for the awesome design!






PMD - We took it to the V!

Continuing Ed

I am always seeking out opportunities to learn more. Just because I have a piece of paper from the University of Northern Iowa telling me I'm a college grad doesn't mean I'm excused from any further education. Reading often and doing research via the World Wide Web are just two of the ways I try to stay on top of my game.

My latest quest: Becoming more attune with the world, both geographically and factually. Where else would I go to help me with my quest but the always reliable and 'finest news source' around, The Onion.

I've thoroughly enjoyed reading some of the entries from, Our Dumb World - Atlas of Planet Earth from time to time. And I finally made a point to add it to my summer reading list this year. I think Freakonomics will be a fast read, as it is already fascinating to me. I was hoping to read Angels and Demons again before seeing the movie buutttt after just reviewing my ambitious summer list (including Don Quixote, Catch 22, My Sister's Keeper, Who Killed Change?: Solving the Mystery of Leading People Through Change, and Resilience: Reflections on the Burdens and Gifts of Facing Life's Adversities), I think I better stick to the unread and save the re-reads for a cool fall day.

A Tale of a 'B&E', a Breakthrough, and Reflection

I may have just overcome my fear of sleeping with my window open! You may think it is absolutely ludicrous to fear such a thing, but let me explain...

Once upon a time, 8 years ago to be exact, there were a series of burglaries in my home town and unfortunately my house was one of the targets. We concluded that the burglar had been scoping out my neighborhood, as he removed the light bulb from the motion-detecting light from our neighbors' house and he came on a night when my dad was out of town. Long story short, the burglar entered through a window and so casually walked out our back door (leaving it wide open when he left) with my gym bag filled with my volleyball gear and both my mom's purse and my own.

We were very lucky that we had no altercations with the burglar and were not physically hurt during the incident. But, with the risk of sounding melodramatic, the mental anguish has been enough to scar me for 8 years now. Even though I've always slept in an upstairs bedroom, where it would take the ambition of climbing a ladder to get to my window to even attempt to get in, I still have not been able feel safe without knowing my windows are shut and locked.

However, as spring progresses into summer, and the hot and humid nights unfold, it has become harder and harder for me to sleep. I toss and turn, kick off the sheets, and watch as my ceiling fan tirelessly tries to keep the hot, stale air away. But it's just not cutting it anymore. And after hearing a friend say, "You look tired" (a saying I dislike hearing) I decided I was going to try to face my fear. And low and behold, I survived the night without a "B&E" incident, without having L in a sleeping bag on the floor next to my bed, and without any kind of panic attack.

This whole thing made me reflect on the bigger issue of what was taken from me. To think, a person would have the audacity to break into an innocent person's home....Yes, the burglar stole my gym bag (with my favorite shorts and my volleyball shoes in tow.) And yes, he got my purse with all its contents in it. (probably a whopping $5) But in the end, it's just stuff. Stuff can be replaced. What that burglar really stole from me that night was a sense of safety and security. It's almost asinine to think that I could be that afraid of keeping an upstairs window open at night to let the cool breeze wisp through my bedroom window that I would suffer through an uncomfortable, restless, and near sleepless night. All I can say is that is how I have felt the safest, and that has been more important to me than a comfortable good night's sleep. (up to this point)

During my reflection, the even bigger picture came to mind. If I can be this scarred by such a small incident, think about those who have been victimized in more severe cases of crime. I cannot imagine how a victim who's been held up at gunpoint or been assaulted or been raped must feel. How do they face the world day in and day out? Do they ever fully recover from such an incident? At this point I can't help but say a little prayer - a prayer of thanks that I have been fortunate enough not to have such a terrible thing happen to me, a prayer of comfort and healing to those who have been victimized, and a prayer of hope that one day we can live in a world of trust and security.