Ah to be young again... just for a night

OMGosh! OMGosh! OMGosh! Giddy. Do you remember that feeling? You know, the "OMG-the-boy-I've-been-doodling-about-in-my-spanish binder (ok, not just spanish)-just-left-a-note-in-my-locker-and-he-likes-me!!!" giddy feeling you got in high school? If you don't know it, what the heck did you day dream about when you were sitting in class?! I'm pretty sure that was ONE of the parts (if not the only part) of high school that any of us would want to recreate. At least that's my opinion* Anyway, last night I had the priveledge of going to see Boyz II Men in concert and that is just where they took me. Back. Waaaay back.

I'm not sure how else to describe last night other than epic; I get giddy just thinking about it. I got lost in their songs, their moves (yep, they still got 'em), and their larger-than-life, iconic voices... And so did everyone else in that building. At times, the concert was pretty much a sing-along and nobody cared if their the person next to them was singing too loud, off pitch, or bumping into them as they swayed back and forth to the timeless songs coming off that stage.. And that was because we were in the presence of Boyz II Men. It was all so surreal. If someone would've told me when I went to see Boyz II Men that I was going to feel like a teenager again, I would've laughed at them and said something like "Whatever, I don't get silly over celebs." And I don't. NORMALLY. But last night was different... Maybe I was off my game or something, but they got me. They had me swooning, screaming and giggling like I was 15 again. And I loved it. I feel like I should be embarassed, but I'm not. lol. I had a ball.

It's like they always say, "if you got it, you got it." And BoyzIIMen, yeah, they got it....

*Sans High School Athletics and the lack of adult responsibility

Visions of John Legend danced in my head

Today is one of those days that as an adolescent, you wouldn't be able to sleep the night before. We have a game tonight at home and it's our first league game of the season! We're 0-3 right now but I'm hoping we turn the corner tonight. And if season league opener isn't exciting enough... I will be going to the John Legend concert after the game!!!!!!!!

For those of you who don't know about John Legend or my love for him, you obviously don't know me well. If you have spent any amount of time traveling with me, it's inevitable that you have heard this man's voice playing through my stereo. His voice is smooth and at the risk of sounding over dramatic, a part of me melts when his genius hits my ears and then resounds through my soul. I remember hearing "Ordinary People" for the first time on the radio and I thought to myself, "who sings this and when was it made? How have I not heard this song before??" I had mistaken his oldschool sound and soulful voice for song from the real R&B era, when people use to actually sing to real music... but I knew that it must've been a new song because I had never heard it. When I found out that he was a young semi-new artist and this was in fact a single from his NEW cd, I was hooked! I HAD to get this man's cd and when I did, I wasn't disappointed. As a matter of fact, John Legend has not let me down yet. I have loved EVERY cd he's come out with and am like a child the night before Christmas everytime he drops another album.

Unfortunately I have missed him in concert almost everytime he's come to my area (I saw him in concert with Common in Baltimore...amazing). And I thought I was going to miss him again because I had a game tonight. I didn't think anyone would want to go a little late and go after the game so I chalked it up as another missed oportunity. BUT I was wrong (thank the Lord)... I have a friend who loves John Legend almost as much as I do and bought a few tickets for the concert. He asked if I wanted to join him and I told him I had a game so if I came it would be late and I didn't want to make anyone late to the show. Sad. BUT because he shares the same affinity for John Legend that I do (he says J.Legend is his man crush... lol), he decided he would wait for me so I could go too!! How awesome is he?! Very.

So JC, this blog is for you and it's dedicated to you and your awesome opening-act-sacrificing-self!!! Thank you :)

More Fall and Fun

I was gonna post about my weekend and put a few pics from the different excursions I joined in and some how or another I came across these cutie pie pics and couldn't help put them up. I know I'm not related to J & A's Lil D... but I sure do dote on him like I am! I love going by their place after work just to see this little smile looking up at me as I walk up the stairs and come around the corner. It melts my heart! I can't imagine having to say no to this little man. Thank goodness I don't have to! :) Here are some pics of my weekend (but mostly of Dawson):

Tiny D in his Halloween costume... What a handsome little cowboy! Saddle up!

Playing with Tiny D... The cuteness factor is way ridiculous here.

I asked A if I could take the little guy out and do a photo shoot with him... he didn't disappoint, of course. He's a natural!!

I went to Great Falls with some friends from GCC. It was absolutely beautiful on Saturday! And of course we got to partake in my favorite: 3F's Fun, Food (picnic) and Fellowship

Here's a shot of the crew after our hike!

Needless to say I had a great and relaxing weekend as well as enjoyed God's beautiful creation with some of my favorite people!! I start my early days the week after this one...So this was a much needed time of rest for me. Now it's time to get down to business :)

Fantastic Fridays - Rest for the Weary

After coming back from Nebraska on Tuesday and staying up way too late on the subsequent nights doing one futile thing or another (scrabble, mancala, hanging out), I am thankful Friday is here. I wasn't sure if I was going to make it through the week. Yesterday I felt like I was in need of a wheelchair as I was trying to pull myself out of bed. I think I've done it. Summer is ending (tear, followed by a sigh of relief) and I have officially worn myself out with all the bbq's, parties, running around, hanging out and traveling I've packed into it (I do have a job remember...so add that into the mix). I feel like I've been hit by a Mac truck and need some time to recuperate from all the fun I've had!

As an adult it's not as easy to enjoy the summer like we did as youngsters. No longer are the summers filled with endless hours at the pool with Dave A., going to different sports camps, family vacations, games of capture the flag and kick the can, late nights that run into the morning and are follwed by sleeping in until the next responsibility which was often lunch, or enjoying whatever fun may come up in the span of a wonderful summer's day! Some how these adolescent summers have vanished and the word summer has taken on new meaning. Summer is now a time of intricate planning and running on fumes in order to squeeze as much fun into the fleeting season as possible. It can be an exasperating task, balancing adulthood and summer. There is only so much time in the day. When 9.5 of those hours are spent in an office, 3-7 are spent sleeping, and then 2 hours commuting, I have to become a planner. And in my opinion, as far as adulthood summers go, mine was perfectly packed with just the right ammount of fun trips, cookouts, visits with people I love, hearty laughs, pool time, games, happy hours, sunsets, golf and hanging out. Sure there were late nights when my mind would race with the daunting reality that my alarm clock knows no season, could care less that it's summer time and will be louder than ever in a few hours. The insensitive little thing sounds at the same time the next morning as it did in the winter mornings and have no apologies about it. And I've just about had it! My summer is coming to an end and I have to say I'm not broken hearted.

I will miss the long summer days but I think God made summer in VA just long enough for me! It's Friday and I am taking a weekend off. I'm not planning anything other than cheering Amy on at the Reston Triathlon and just chillaxin' all weekend (disclaimer, sometimes chillaxin' includes golf so don't go calling me a liar when I write about shooting under 90 this weekend). And that's why this Friday is so fantastic... because I have nothing to rush home, quickly change and get ready for. AMEN to that! I will be on my couch or someone's couch watching a movie and listening for the storm we're supposed to get! FANTASTIC!!

MY shot heard 'round the world.... or at least Lincoln, NE

"Albatross:
Three-under-par (-3); also called a double eagle. These are extremely rare, and occur on par-fives with a strong drive and a holed approach shot. Holes-in-one on par-four holes (generally short ones) are also albatrosses. The most famous albatross was made by Gene Sarazen in 1935, which propelled him into a tie for first at The Masters Tournament. He won the playoff the next day. The sportswriters of the day termed it "the shot heard 'round the world". Between 1970 and 2003, 84 such shots (an average of less than three per year) were recorded on the PGA Tour.[4]" ........

Uncle John took us to play a round of 9 holes out in the good ol' CornHusker state. It was a site to see. 8 people averaging from beginner to novice in ability trying to navigate through 9 holes of golf AND keep pace as to not make the course pro (that'd be Uncle John) look bad. If you've ever played you can imagine how much of a clustershmuck we were. I, for one, was not helping make our group look any more experienced for the greater part of our day... Except for one shinning moment......

It was hole 6 and I hit an okay tee shot. Distance was good but the shot was a little to the left (as were ALL my stinkin shots that day). So I grabbed my hybrid and listened to a few words of advice from Uncle John and took a whack at it. Good contact!! That's all I cared about! I hit it well and it went where I was aiming (he should think about becoming a golf pro ;)..... A plus in my book no matter what happens after that. I see the ball take one bounce and land on the green. EVEN BETTER! I hit the green! SWEET! I was 160 yards out and saw that it was rolling slowly so I started talking to Uncle John about the shot. Meanwhile, David was attentively watching my ball continue to roll, as I had thought it stopped. All of the sudden I hear David say "I think it went in the hole." I immediately looked up on the green and couldn't see my ball anywhere. No WAY!!! Maybe it just rolled off the green, there's NO WAY that just went in the hole.. right? David and Amy drove up to the green and then walked past the cup with no expression. Darn. I guess it rolled off the green....WRONG!!! That little ball went right to its' home and made my whole golfing experience in Lincoln, NE unforgettable!!!!!! A 2 on a par 5!!!!! I guess what they say is true... Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good!!

I'm a disappointment to the blogging world

So remember a month or two ago when I concocted a way to start blogging more regularly, called "Fantastic Fridays?" Well, it worked. Kind of. But yes, last Friday I disappointed all of you (all 7 of you who loyally read when I finally sit down and write). Okay, so maybe disappointed is a bit too strong of a word and maybe no one even noticed. But I will say that I was getting into the Fantastic Fridays and my efforts to be a more frequent blogger. And I like to think that my readers (again, all 7 of you) enjoy being kept up to date as to the goings-on of this 29 year old chick, who in my opinion has been given a pretty fantastic life! :) So in attempt to reconcile any broken relationship through my neglect of this past "Fantastic Friday" post, I will update you on my trip to the Dominican (which p.s.- that is why I didn't blog so you can't be too upset about it... I had no internet!) and post some pictures!

Most of you know that I went to the Dominican from July 4-9th this past week. The trip started early early morning, way earlier than I ever dream about getting up but we wanted to get there and hit the beach as early as possible! Once we finally rallied and got to the airport, we were like little kids waiting for Christmas! We finally got through all the hustle and bustle of security checks and were ready to fly. I'm realizing if I give you a play by play of our trip, this could be a considerably long post so I'm changing directions. Fast forward. We arrived in Santo Domingo, took a shuttle/van (?) to the resort and were on the beach as soon as we were checked in (check-in process was complete chaos, but we survived).

The beach was awesome and the resort was better than I expected. I got a little nervous right before we left because I read a few bad reviews. But I was pleasantly surprised with the resort as a whole! PTL! The average day for us went something like this: Wake up regime, whatever that was for each person (work out, read, journal, shower, roll over and out of bed), and then we'd head to breakfast. Then we'd hit the pools or the beach for a few solid hours (volleyball, kayaks, vendors, pictures, reading, ipods, and of course catching some rays). Next it was lunch time. Then we'd go back out into the scorching sun to try and see if we could get as dark as the natives. Some would nap in their room, some (megan) would nap outside, but altogether it was just more time to relax and hang out together. Depending on the day, we'd head back to our rooms to rest and get ready for dinner. After dinner there would be a show and then we would head to the "DiscoTeca," for a few drinks, socializing and a lot of dancing! I learned how to Meringue!!

All in all, it was a FANTASTIC trip and there has already been chatter about next year's trip as to what it may hold. Jamaica? Cruise somewhere exotic? Who knows... But I am in whatever the trip may be! We had such a great time and really were able to just relax as most of us were completely disconnected from our lives back here at home. I got to spend quality time with some great people that are very dear to me, and if we had been back here, our every day schedules would have most likely interrupted or cut short the time that we were able to share!

Here are some more pics from our trip to the Dominican... I'll post of few of the funny stories from the week when I get a chance!


The girls on the 4th of July ready for dinner!

Snack bar and drinks... 1st day.

Group shot after dinner

One of the many good laughs we had...

Last day. Adios Amigos!!!

Want not, waste not.... Five Guys Classic

Especially when it comes to food. But last night I should've surrendered to the French Fries hailing from Idaho at Five Guys. You see, Dad was in town and called earlier that day to see if I wanted to go to dinner. I told him that I for sure would meet up with him but was going to work out before we met. So I ran for 15 mins and then swam for about the same. Not really a tough work out but I figured I'd get something light for dinner and then call it a night. WELL, when Dad and I met up I asked him where he wanted to go and gave him a few options. He didn't want to go anywhere "fancy" so I gave him some alternative options and we ended up on our way to Five Guys! We decided to share a regular fries, in hopes that would give our arteries a break and attempt to keep me in some kind of swim suit shape being that I'm headed to the Dominican Republic tomorrow! But alas, I think the fry guy took a fancy to me or he was just trying to get rid of all the fries at the end of the night b/c he literally filled our bag to the brim with french fries. He winked at me and said, "They from Idaho," with a thick spanish accent and a smile on his face (like that makes it okay to eat them all or something). Now I'm sure he was thinking he was doing me a favor and giving me a little extra indulgence to top off my night. But what he didn't realize was he was really stirring up conflict.

As I opened the bag and saw the ungodly amount of french fries that were in this bag, I thought to myself "if we eat all these fries, 1. we are liable to keel over right here in this establishment, 2. we are pigs, 3. we are gross, 4. I'll have to work out tonight (again). " So it was settled. There was no way we could or should finish these fries, so we'll just throw the ones we don't finish away. LOL. Yeah. Right. So as we're eating and talking, we keep pouring more fries out. I seriously felt as though I was going to pop I was so full. But Dad kept pulling more fries out of the greasy bag and putting them on the napkin. By this point, I'm getting disgusted with the fact that we have eaten almost all the fries that were generously dumped in the bag. I said to Dad, "We really should not eat all these fries. It's so bad for us." And this is what he says to me, in classic Dad response, "But I don't want to waste the vinegar." As he is literally putting the french fry pieces into the little serving cup of vinegar. I couldn't argue, so I helped him finish.

Well, back to the treadmill.

Fantastic Fridays - is there a calm AFTER the storm?

1. Car accident - check

2. Bridal showers - check

3. Bachelorette party - check

4. Campbell Wedding - check

5. Family departs - check

6. Sheila (from Wisconsin) comes to DC - check

7. Dad in town - check

8. Dad out of town - check

9. Appointment for car estimate - check

10. FRIDAY - C-H-E-C-K!!!!

That is why today is fantastic. I feel like I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off for the last 10 days! I actually will be on the go again tomorrow because one of my roommates from Annapolis (kelly) is moving and they're throwing her a going away party. But as for tonight... I am relaxing. I'm not making any plans unless I feel like it and I may just sit at home, watch a movie and do laundry. I never thought that would be an ideal Friday night for me, but this Friday night, it is. I've had a blast the past two weeks with everything going on and people coming in and out of town. But this girl needs a second to breathe. I need a calm AFTER the storm... does that happen? Here's to hoping it does.

Pics from the past two weeks (I'll get some up of my car when I get a chance to download them)




One of a couple Bridal showers


Rehearsal Dinner - Kickball game (Swanson clan w/ a couple Scotts)


KICKBALL!!!!!! (we crushed them, by the way.)


Wedding preparations


Cuzzins!


The aftermath!!


United game with Sheila (old friend from AIA camp)


Romping around DC


....doing the tourist thing


And b/c she's from Green Bay, she wanted Seafood :)

Here and there and back again...

Just real quick... I know I don't update this thing nearly as much as my siblings (sorry) but I'll try to start being better (really). So here's the scoop real quick on where I've been in the past month.

I went to Cocoa Beach FL the first week of May for work. Was there for a little over a week. CAme back to NOVA for a couple days and was off to the Outer Banks for a fun Memorial Day weekend (and then some) trip with 38 of my closest friends.... well a couple of my close friends, the rest are now new friends! Came back for no longer than 9 hours and then hopped on a plane to the wonderful state of California and landed in L.A. for work (rough life, I know). So I will be back on the 1st and will try and update pics of my trips. It's been a whirlwind of a time but it's been good to get away and travel some!

Well, gotta get back to work (in L.A.)... love you all!

Katie

Soulja Boy

This is the new dance craze these days. I love the boy in the front and the girl in the middle! I'm sure it was an interesting conversation when these kids got home from BALLET class. I can see it now: Mom, "So what did you learn in class today, son?" Little Boy, "The Soulja Boy!!!!"...... And this is the Soulja Boy. Watch and enjoy!!!

Summer time!

Okay, so I don't look nearly as cute as little Ainsley (my niece) in a little two piece swim suit so I'll spare you guys the scariness of it and just write a little about my trip to the pool. This pool that we (Carrie, Sarah and Mom) went to was awesome! It has a huge slide, and by huge I mean, they should be charging us water park admission fees huge, and it has a one meter diving board (so fun)! Where were these type pools when I was growing up. I mean don't get me wrong, I lived at the pool (just ask Charlotte) when I was little and if it had a slide like this one I probably would've never seen mom and dad, even for meals. lol. But anyway, we all decided to take a venture down the slide (yes, even mom). I felt like a kid again. Running up the stairs to wait in line for my turn to rip down that slide! Sweet! I learned quickly that crossing my arms would prove to be appropriate as the first time I splashed into the pool I would not have been considered "G-rated" if you catch my drift! So I situated myself under water and was ready to hurry up and wait in the line at the top of the stairs! What fun... I remember going to Cameron Run Waterpark a few times a summer and the memories we created there were endless. Anyways, this was just a quick blog in remembrance of being a kid during the summer time. Cheers to all of you who can act like you're a kid again and hit the pools daily during the summer. Think of me, while you're out catching some rays and I'm sitting here in my kind of pinkish cubicle. Who decides on pink for a cubicle?!

More than a FREE MEAL!

A fun day. Yesterday (sunday) was such a good day. Not for one particular reason or another but it was just one of those days that when I get older and try and remember the good old days, I will think of this day fondly. It started off going to my church and they just happened to sing all of my favorite songs (well maybe not all but that's only b/c I have a million favorites). And the msg our pastor spoke on was diversity, another one of my favorite topics whether it's a spiritual conver (as mom would say- short for conversation) or just diversity in general. I think diversity is a way that a church can show God's love and power without even saying a word. When you see people of all different ethnicities and backgrounds worshipping together, it shows that Christ can bring different PEOPLE groups together through Himself that love and care for one another! Okay that was a tangent but it just was a great sermon and I love being a part of that church for many reasons, that being one of them. As if the worship/sermon didn't put me on cloud 9 already, as we walked out the doors there was cake celebrating some church members graduation for everyone!!!!!!!! Just another reason I love my church! lol.

Then I had a basketball game. Those of you who know me know that if I could I would play pickup all day everyday. I hurt my knee a little while ago and the doc said I shouldn't play anymore.. yesterday, my knee proved the doc right but b/c the team we were playing was not so stellar, I was still able to play and have a really good time! I love just being out there... I don't think I stopped smiling the whole time I was out there (other than when my knee would catch, not fun).

After that I went to pick up some stuff from mom and dad's which proved to be a little bit of a project. Luckily AJ was there to help dad with some of the lifting and such. :) And of course you can't go over to Mom and Dad's without them inviting you to stay for dinner... so we did. But Carrie and Sarah were also invited (two of my friends), and they can't invite one daughter and not the other. So they called amy up and told her to come too... which she then invited 3 of her friends! so it turned out to be quite the bbq!!! Us girls (minus Carrie, she helped Dad and AJ outstie with the grill... mainly they just sat around, talked and had a couple cold ones) helped mom inside preparing some side dishes and the meat to put on the grill. I'm trying to make myself more marketable by learning how to cook ;) lol.

When we finally sat down to eat outside (it was beautiful out), it was just relaxing and fun. Dad was in rare form and mom followed suit. My friends were saying how funny mom and dad are and I just kept thinking, "yeah, they really are. When did they become comedians?" By the end of the night we had all of mom's Nebraska paraphernalia on the table (I'm still not really sure why, but it was funny) and we had successfully discovered what everyone's favorite icecream, m&m color (why do people have favorite m&m's they all taste the same!), and random childhood stories. Oh and I can't forget to mention mom telling David to "holla!" randomly in the middle of dinner. I think I almost wet my pants.

When I finally got home, I was exhausted! I think I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. I must've fallen asleep with a smile on my face b/c yesterday was a good day. There were ups and downs throughout the whole day but the tough parts are what make you enjoy the good parts so much more! I love my family and my friends. I wouldn't want to do life without them and I know that sometimes I take them for granted but days like yesterday make me realize my life is better b/c they are a part of it! I wish we could all live close together but I guess we just have to take advantage of the times we do have together and the many different ways God's given us to stay close! :) Food, Fun and Fellowship.... I guess I should add two more F's- Family and Friends (but maybe that goes with Fellowship. It sounds better with just 3F's!) Well, lunch break is ending... Guess I gotta get back to work. Thanks mom and dad, not just for the meal, but for the memories as well!

Road trip SOUTH! :)

This past weekend I traveled down yonder for a bridal shower in Charlotte... Since I was going down that way I wanted to make the drive worth it so I made sure that I got to see Janetta, one of my best good friends from college, Danielle, one of my teammates from Oakton, Julie (cousin) and of course, the Watkins clan (my sister, Julie and her fam). The plan, which if you know me you know that I make plans but never have a problem altering them, was to leave after work on Friday night or leave in the morning on Saturday (it's always good to have options) and then depending on which day I left, see Janetta and go to the shower and then go to the Watkins in SC (just south of Charlotte). Well, I decided Thursday night that I wanted to get there Friday so I could hang with Janetta a little longer. I guess I need to work on my communication skills a little better b/c while en route I got a call from Janetta and Julie asking what time I was leaving that night and what my ETA (military for estimated time of arrival) would be. I told both of them when they called that "I'm on my way now," and they were both surprised (wierd). lol. I forget that everyone I know does not live inside my head and when I change my plans I should probably let them know especially if it involves them. But luckily they are both very flexible and were excited I was coming early.
So I spent the day driving and then hanging out with Janetta and her family and even got to go to her fathers awards ceremony where he was pronouced Mr. Shaw University for the year as well as President of the SGA for next year... Go ahead Mr. Heggins! Janetta and I did what we do best and just chilled the whole time I was there. We went to Dave & Busters to partake in some adult beverages in celebration of her passing all of her tests and obtaining her Masters from ODU!
On Saturday I headed to South Charlotte and got to see my old friend Tosha Jamison (from Western Carolina) at her bridal shower. It was so much fun to see her and a whole bunch of other people that I haven't seen in years. It was so crazy to see how much has changed with people but still stayed the same. Tosha's getting married in June so I plan to be down there again for that! It's gonna be a heck of a celebration!
I got to the Watkin's home on Saturday night and was happy to get to sit and talk with Jules and Monte for a while before we all went to sleep. They told me stories of the kids that made me laugh and realize how different my life is than theirs. I just can't believe the little amount of sleep that they have to function off of. I need my 8.5 hours if I am going to be anything close to functional... makes me wonder if I will make a good mother lol. (speaking of, it's bring your kids to work day here where I work and this kid keeps riding by my cubicle on one of the big mail carts like it's a scooter... where the heck is his mother?) We went to Sonny's for lunch, which happens to be one of my favorite places to go and I was in Heaven because we don't have Sonny's up here. We took the kids to the park, took a walk, sat outside with cousin Julie and just chit chatted about what's been up. All in all a great trip to the Watkins mansion, I mean house!
So on Monday I headed home but not before I went to lunch with Dani and got to see her cute preggie (yep, it'll be her and George's second) self! We laughed and cried, mostly b/c I was PMSing but it was great to see her and a good way to start my trip home!
It was a lot of driving in one weekend but it was totally worth it.... I hate driving, mostly b/c I'm always worried about getting a ticket but if there's a good reason to drive I'll do it! Oh and I'll be happy to report--- I arrived home from my trip ticketless!!!!! Praise be to God! :) See miracles do happen every day. I haven't gotten a chance to download pics from this weekend but when I do I'll put them up with this blog! PS- Roadtrips are much more fun when you have someone driving with you.... HOPEFULLY IN JUNE I CAN FIND SOMEONE TO RIDE WITH ME.... Any takers????