'Fessin' Up Friday

Ok, so I got thinking about this story when I was writing a tag on Facebook...it is, in my opinion, the worst thing that I EVER DID.

It was fifth grade. My best friend and I went to our schools' Halloween carnival, and a certain girl that we did not like was trailing along with us. My best friend loaned her a pair of stylish boots to wear there.

Well, at the carnival we bought raffle tickets to a Cake Walk. I was so sad to not win a cake...I must have played four times. Well, the girl we did not like won - twice.

My best friend and I were so mad that we confronted her out front of the school as we all were exiting and we....

...smashed her cakes.

It gets better: we then told her to take off the shoes she had borrowed (and worn there!) and give them back. That poor girl walked about a mile home barefoot and with two smashed cakes.

I still feel horrible, 20 years later.

Ok. Phew. I feel better. Any of you out there have a similar story?

Happy Friday, all!! Have a great weekend :)

Thankful Thursday

It is SO time that I did a Thankful post - Shark Bait has a great list today, so I am going to give it a try too. I'm working on my attitude of gratitude!

Here are a few things that come to my mind:

• Cell phones - what did we do before them? Seriously. What a blessing. My phone bill would be huge with long-distance charges! Text messaging is so convenient, too.
• Public transportation - I have gone 2 years and 11 months without a car! That has meant walking a lot more, taking buses, and riding the subway here in DC. It is awesome, because I confess that I have some road rage issues. I take it all personally...
• Good shoes - Like I said, I walk a lot. Vasque hiking boots have helped my walks here lately! In Uganda, kids either had flip flops or nothing at all. Here, we have everything.
• A warm bed to sleep in - have you ever visited a refugee camp? I have. We have it so good. Clean sheets, warm blankets, and comfortable mattresses...
• Contact lenses - because peripheral vision is good to have too. I can play tennis!
• Coffee - good to the last drop. SO good. Helps to wake me up, among other things.
• Literacy - so this is being grateful for teachers. The fact that I could go to school and learn without getting acid thrown at me on the way there is a blessing.
• A great church community - I attend a fantastic church here in DC that helps me get connected, be involved, and active in learning more about God. It is awesome.
• My sweet boyfriend, Matt. He is awesome too. :)
• My job - I am SO thankful to have a place to work at, look forward to going everyday, and have some awesome co-workers to be entertained by all day long.
• Airplanes - so I can live here but still visit there. Next trip home is Valentines' Weekend!
• Bargain sales - so I can afford to dress decently and still pay off debts.
• Good knees - so I can run and exercise. I know a lot of folks can't because of bad ones...
• Mercy and grace - not getting what a should, and getting what I don't deserve is amazing.
• Family - I have a large immediate family that I miss very much. They all have big hair.
• Friends - I am SO THANKFUL for friends. Co-workers, my many housemates, life-long friends like Veronica and Bryn, college friends, and blogger friends too...
• Snow Days - so that teachers can get a break, I can sleep in, and it looks perty :)
• Cultures - brings variety to life in so many ways - for example, I am so thankful for the variety of food cuisine that it brings into our lives! :) Chinese! Thai! Indian! Italian! Mexican! Middle Eastern! Yum yum yum.
• Sunrises, sunset, stars, and mountains - because they remind us of our creator.
• Tax software - because I can actually do them correctly and swiftly!
• LOVE - because it is just, well, awesome. Butterflies and happy sighs. Mmmm.
• Washing machines - because doing laundry by hand would take me six hours a day. Women are able to have a life outside the home because of modern conveniences...
• Computers and the Internet - makes life so much more interesting! And FUN!
• Facebook - so I can keep up with my dear Australian friend that I met in China, and my family that lives on the other side of the continent, and share photos and other randoms...
• NGO's and Non-profits/Charities - because they remind us WHY we should be thankful, and are willing to work hard to bring about change, and improve lives.
• Breakfast cereal - convenience and a great way to get vitamins. Love my Multi-Grain Cheerios...and Go Lean Crunch, and Muesli...
• Trader Joe's - for inexpensive, fun, culturally various foods
• Postal Service - So I can send things all over the world, and receive them too.
• HOT SHOWERS - I have had some memorable cold ones in China, Thailand, Uganda - we have it SO good here...we really take it for granted. Try a cold one...you will see!
• Modern plumbing - as much as I was a fan of squaties in China and troughs in Africa, we are so blessed to have a clean, hygienic system for sewage. Seriously... we have it so good.
• Blogs - glimpses into the lives of everyday people helps to put our own lives into better perspective. And they can be oh-so-entertaining, too...
• Coffee shops - where you can get Wi-Fi and a hot drink, with some peace & quiet? Oh love it. These are great places to go and write, and I am so thankful for them everywhere...
• Health Insurance - not all Americans are insured. I am so thankful that my employer covers this, and that if disaster strikes, that I am covered. So blessed.
• National Parks - I am so thankful that a portion of our tax dollars go towards maintaining places like this in America where families can make memories and enjoy the outdoors! They are also a fantastic place to work in the summertime when a college student...I worked at both Glacier National Park as well as Yellowstone.
• Prayer - I am thankful that we can talk to God and that it is a dialogue. Much needed...
• A College Education - I am thankful for my college experience in the academic sense but also the memories associated with going away for it. So worth the student loans...I think...
• Grocery Stores - we seriously have it SO GOOD in terms of instant access to food from all over the WORLD. In China and Uganda I was so limited in terms of what was available.
• Clean Water - this is an area of thankfulness and gratitude that I sooo took for granted until I lived in and visited third-world countries. Hello! We have water, out of a tap, that is monitored and safe that we can drink and even get heated, instantly? Incredible.
• Government - It may not operate the way that we would all like but I am thankful for a system that is functional, non-corrupt, and protects its' citizens. We have rights, people. This is not how it is all over the world. There are some countries that struggle by with none (Somalia for instance). I am thankful for how hard that they work for us all.
• Holidays - because we all need a day off to celebrate from time to time. And have dessert! I sure love those three-day weekends...great for trips HOME.
• Libraries - I am thankful for access to good books, for free. Again, this is not available everywhere in the world. Some children have no access to books, whatsoever.
• Thrift Stores - because you can find a bargain, and if you check pockets, some cash too :)
• Medical Care - I am thankful for clean hospitals that have high standards of cleanliness and care. One experience abroad when I had a serious sinus infection and had to go to a hospital was unforgettable...and I will be forever thankful for our medical system here, though is far from perfect. We are blessed to have something at all, though.
• Babies - I am so thankful for those little feet and cheeks...and the reminder that all of us were a baby once, and all of us have mothers. I am thankful for mine!
• Public servants - for firefighters, police officers, garbage pickup people, etc. Again, lots of memories of living abroad are reminding me how much I love our clean streets and even those trucks that drive around salting after an ice storm. We're so taken care of...
• CHOCOLATE - I have gone about 3 weeks without so much of an ounce of it. I am waiting until Valentine's Day so as to build up the anticipation a bit. It is some good stuff - but also it is important that we know how it goes from the cacao bean to bar. Slave labor is often used to process the bean. Look for a "Fair Trade" logo the next time that you buy one. That insures that you are getting the best, most high-quality chocolate - and also paying a fair wage to those that made that sweet treat possible for you to enjoy.
  

WHEW!! What a list! What are you thankful for today?

C Ya

Well Tib did a fun post on her assigned letter of "O" so I asked her to assign me a letter, and I got "C".

I'm supposed to write 10 things I love that start with a C. Here it goes...

1. Chocolate. 'Nuf said. Fairly traded organic is my favorite...

2. Coffee. I love me a cup of coffee first thing in the morning, with the works. And a couple hours later. It always tastes better when enjoying a cup with a friend. Best I have ever had, hands down, was Saints Coffee Ethiopian Sidamo. Incredible!

3. Coldstone Creamery. Like it, love it, gotta have it! I don't go there often for good reasons, but when I do, I go all out.

4. Cross-country road trips. I drove with a friend moving from Washington State to New York City in August of 2001. Drove through Yellowstone Park, found where Wall Drug was, and learned how to drive a stick-shift. When we arrived, I got a good glimpse of the Twin Towers, days before they fell. I'd love to do another road trip while these gas prices are so low....

5. Cash. (see blog post below).

6. Children. Because I don't have any of my own yet. ;)

7. Cultures. I have been to Japan, China, Thailand, England, Uganda, Canada, Mexico, and the United States. I'd like to add more of Europe, South America, the Middle East....I love to travel!

8. Christmas. It is the most wonderful time of the year. And the most chaotic. Love it, and the reason for the season...

9. Celebrations. I love celebrating anything and everything. Especially if it involves cake.

10. China. (The country) It is one of the most incredible places that I have ever been. From the insanely huge city of Beijing to the little villages along a mountainside - it is stunning place and I love all things China. Had me some Chinese food yesterday to celebrate the Lunar New Year!

For MORE FUN, here are 10 things that I DON'T like that start with a "C".

1. Credit Cards. See blog post below.

2. Cheesecake. I know, I know!! I just don't like the stuff...to rich, funny aftertaste thing.

3. Cigarettes. Ew, nasty.

4. Chapped Lips. I never go anywhere with lip balm. Ever. Worst fear!

5. Cheaters. They never win.

6. Change. I'm adventurous, but I hate change. Like when people move away, starting a new job, going to a new school, new routines, etc. I just like it the way that it was...

7. Conflict. I will do anything to avoid it. I hate when it is going on all around me and I am helpless to do anything about it. Or when I cause it. Why can't we all just get a long...

8. Chess and Checkers. Because my brothers were always so much better than me.

9. Cottage Cheese. It is texture thing...

10. Cold. I hate being cold, catching a cold, feeling cold, cold showers, and cold feet.

Who wants to play along? I'll send you a fun letter...

Heavy

It is snowing outside. Our first big snow here in DC, and it is the heavy kind. I feel mixed emotions about it today.

Yesterday was heavy too. The sheer numbers of job losses being reported on CNN made my heart break. How many families were affected? Do they have the resources needed to weather this storm in their lives?

As an 18-year-old and new on the college campus, I was bombarded by credit card companies wanting me to sign up with them and open an account. Hey, I would get a free t-shirt out of the deal! Too bad that the card that came in the mail a few short weeks later did not come with a how-to guide for the First Time Credit Card Holder. Instead of learning to build any kind of a savings account, my fancy credit card became my emergency fund.

Want to know what you are passionate about? It can be whatever makes you mad, sad, or glad. I am passionate about financial peace. Because when I don't have it, I feel all of the above.

I know my situation is not an isolated one. Students today are graduating with serious student loan debt and in addition, some nasty credit card balances. In some cases, financial strain has led to people taking their own life - because it seems like their time of crisis will not pass. This is what led my dear friend Hana to commit suicide. She had borrowed from all her friends and was unable to pay anyone back. I assume that she felt her friendships were over too. My lesson learned there was to never give out a loan to a friend again - simply give them what you can, with no expectation for repayment. An emphasis on the "what you can" part. If you don't have it, you can't give.

I strongly desire to live a generous life, free from any sense of entitlement; a simple life where experiences have greater value than things. That can be hard today - one second you feel content with what you have, and then a trip to the mall messes that all up.

I am almost 30, and I have finally developed the habit of savings. It has been a long, hard road - a painful journey at times, but the discipline of it has given me a new hope: a credit card free life.

So far, I've gone 42 days without one.

And, I am doing OK. And let me tell you - the day I become debt-free entirely there will be a celebration. Until then, I am grateful for the many lessons I have learned in the area of finances this past decade...

To all of you out there struggling right now to make ends meet: it WILL be ok.

This too, shall pass. Just breathe.

Goodbye Money, Goodbye Lauren...

Yep. Overachiever. That is me - my taxes are done. I was bored, so I just did 'em.
Out of the thousands taken out of my check this year, I get...drumroll...about $400 back. Boo. Oh well - I will take it. Hey it's better than nothing so my attitude is gratitude :) In this economy, anything is something, right? I am feeling pretty blessed, honestly. Money or no money. I have a great life.
Our last night all together in the Edison house meant a pizza ordered, a movie put on ("The God's Must Be Crazy II) and just hanging out...while Lauren packed. Sad sad sad. She's been in the house for over three years. A change in the administration meant a change in her job, so she is moving back to CA today. Now I am the oldest girl...and been there the longest too...
I helped put her closet into suitcases and dust. It felt so wrong, helping her to leave...
I let housemate Jen attack my hair with the straightener. It looks....whispy. Makes me want to do hair flips.
So, taking a vote: Get a short 'do or straighten it out for my Valentines' visit to WA in 3 weeks? :)

Happy Monday, all. And Lauren: I will miss you more than you'll know. Sniff.

Death by Dessert

Here in DC, the people that you live with are often the best community that you can have. It is outside of work, and in our case, outside of church even because we all attend different churches. We are all like sisters. I have had SO much fun living in the Edison house (named after our street) these past almost 3 years with these ladies. (Five of us in the pic are current housies. The others are former or honorary) I am standing next to Lauren, who is moving back to California on Monday. Well, we had a pretty amazing evening yesterday.
Lauren's sister had some connections for a fancy shmancy dessert out at a classy hotel in Georgetown. Because of the success of inauguration week - we got the hookup. It was an obscenely out of control sugar feast.


This was *quite* the spread. But with 7 ladies - there would not be a problem digging in.
I ordered a pot of Roobios tea - it was heavenly.
I could not believe that the place sold a pot of tea called "Monkey Picked Oolong". When we asked about it, the waiter said that monkeys go up to the top of the trees and pick the tea leaves that machinery and people cannot reach. It was $19 a pot.
What an experience.
Just when we thought we were done....we got treated to a round of very expensive champagne, on the house.
Perhaps it was us ladies sitting in the corner of the place, with wide open windows, that was attracting business to the establishment that prompted the gesture.
Or, perhaps, they could see that we were a tight group of friends that really deserved a special night out.
Us girls have a hard time saying goodbye. I will write more on Lauren before she leaves us here this weekend, and introduce you soon to the newest Edison Girl.

In the meantime, have a great weekend, all!

Why My Housemates Should Read My Blog

Last night we all went out to celebrate Lauren, the longest tenured lady in the Edison House, as she is moving back home to CA this weekend. I took about 100 photos of our night out at the Irish pub, a posh restaurant, and tour of a Presidential Suite at a fancy hotel in Georgetown. Before I get to writing that post though...here is a little illustration of why my housemates should read my blog sometime.

Hee. I'm so mean.

Stay tuned...I have some explainin' to do.

The Presidential Inauguration Ceremony

I am so glad that you all talked me into going. It was so so so worth it!
My dear friend Sarah stayed over last night so that we could leave early this morning for a five mile walk to the National Mall.
We found ourselves at home among the crowd of friends from all over the US near the Washington Monument. I snapped a few photos, and just really people watched. Listened.
It was COLD out. We arrived about two hours before the ceremony started and watched the preshow activities on the Jumbotrons. It felt amazing to be in the very middle of the crowd of 1.5 million people. We were all there to witness history.
An incredible crowd - lively and wonderful, respectful and excited.
We listened to the inauguration speech in silence, with the occasional shout out.
Sarah and I walked the five miles back to Arlington, stopping at a Wendy's to warm up and I had some hot tea. Sarah played with her food...
And, I noticed an important date stamped on her receipt. The day that I will never forget.

God has already blessed America.

Have a great day, all.

We Are One Inaugural Concert

I. Saw. U2.

Ohhhh. How do I write about this.
The day started out at 5am. I walked from my house to the Lincoln Memorial and got in line with about 5,000 other crazy people willing to endure the cold for a good spot at a historic concert. By 9:15 I was lined up with two good friends, in our spots where we would stand for the next 7 hours.
It was cold cold cold. But, I was with a few hundred thousand people. Some of them were hanging in trees, some sitting on top of a row of Port-a-potties. Some were on stage, like Sheryl Crow, Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Usher...
And yes, even Steve Carell. From The Office. And, he was serious. Also reading were Denzel Washington, Rosario Dawson, Tom Hanks, Samuel L. Jackson, MLK Jr's son, Laura Linney, Marissa Tomei, and others.
Springsteen kicked it off, Garth Brooks kept us jumping, and James Taylor got us all reflective.
I was amazed by how many people attended and what kinds of things were entertaining for the five hours we waited for the show to start. Like people climbing trees. We would hoot and holler when they made it :)
Sarah and I stayed warm via about five layers and an emergency blanket. We did not sip an ounce of any liquid so as to keep our fantastic place up front, all day. Though it does not look like it, we had some of the best spots behind the VIP section.
People went crazy when President Elect Obama came to the podium to speak, the crowd went nuts. I felt very honored to be there, witnessing history.
After the concert, we walked the two miles back to Virginia and reflected. It had been a very long day, but a deeply memorable one. I felt hopeful that things are going to turn around for America. I was still starstruck...I'd seen Bono! Tom Hanks! Tiger Woods!
I crawled into bed at 9pm last night. Sore all over from standing in the cold all day, but grateful that I was able to experience the opening ceremonies. Because, it is just a shadow of the things to come on tomorrow.

I will be there all day at the Inauguration, and will have my camera again. Stay tuned! And in the meantime, all the concert photos are on my Flickr page.

Happy Monday, and Martin Luther King, Jr Day. God bless!

Fun Inauguration Facts

I hope I don't get pneumonia...

• Weather's greatest impact on inauguration day came in 1841 when William Henry Harrison decided to brave the elements and deliver the longest inauguration speech ever, an oration lasting an hour, 40 minutes.It was a cloudy, cold and blustery day, and Harrison, who wore neither hat nor overcoat, rode a horse to and from the Capitol ceremony. He subsequently caught a cold that developed into pneumonia. A month later, Harrison died.


• The warmest January 20th inauguration day came in 1981 when Ronald Reagan was sworn into office under mostly cloudy skies. The temperature at noon on this inauguration day was 55 degrees.


• The shortest inauguration speech was delivered by George Washington at his second inauguration on March 4, 1793. The speech totaled 135 words.


• In 1909, William H. Taft was sworn into office on a day nearly 10 inches of snow fell, a record for an inauguration day. The snow and wind actually began the day before, with strong winds toppling trees and telephone poles. Trains were stalled and city streets clogged. All activity was brought to a standstill. Sanitation workers shoveled sand and snow through half the night. It took 6,000 men and 500 wagons to clear 58,000 tons of snow and slush from the parade route.


• At noon on January 20th the president-elect becomes President.


• Thomas Jefferson was the first president to complete his inauguration with a parade. Since Jefferson's second inauguration on March 4, 1805, it has become tradition for the president to parade down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House.


• The record snowfall for the date (January 20) in Washington, D.C., was 3.8 inches set back in 1975.


• In 1853, President Franklin Pierce was sworn into office on a cold and snowy day. Pierce awoke to heavy snow in the morning which continued until about a half an hour prior to the ceremony. Skies looked to be brightening by noon. However, shortly after Pierce took his oath of office snow began again. The heavy snow dispersed much of the crowd and ruined plans for the parade.Abigail Fillmore, First Lady to the outgoing President Millard Fillmore, caught a cold as she sat on the cold, wet, exposed platform during Franklin's swearing-in ceremony. The cold developed into pneumonia and she died at the end of the month.


• The first inauguration to be held on January 20th - Franklin D. Roosevelt's second in 1937 - was also a record-setting day. Some 200,000 visitors came to Washington for the event, though several thousand never got farther than Union Station.


• The coldest inauguration came in 1985 when Ronald Reagan was greeted by extreme cold and wind. The morning low was 4 degrees below zero with the temperature reaching only 7 degrees by noon. The daytime high reached 17 degrees, but wind chill temperatures in the afternoon were 10-20 degrees below zero. The swearing-in ceremony had to be held indoors and the parade was canceled.


• President-elect Barack Obama will arrive on a private charter train from Philadelphia's 30th Street Station to Washington's Union Station on January 17, three days before he takes the oath of office. The 135-mile trip will be the same taken by Abraham Lincoln before his inauguration.


• I most likely will be doing jumping jacks throughout the entire ceremony. :)

(some fun facts from weather.com)

A Sense of Adventure

I was looking at an old journal last night, remembering my time in China when I was teaching first and second grade at a private school in Beijing. For Chinese New Year, I was given a month off. I started out my vacation by backpacking across parts of southern China with two friends. It was the craziest, most fun, incredible experience. As I reflect on it now, I wonder just where I got the guts to set out on such an adventure.
Five years ago today my two traveling companions and I set out on a three-day hike, the famous Tiger Leaping Gorge from ZhongDian to Qiqutou. I had to find some pictures on Google, as I only have a couple photos that survived that trip, not digital.
I remember that we hiked a lot. We would eat snacks throughout the day and then we got to experience the hospitality of the locals at night as we would get a hot meal with staying at a guest house along the way. Funny thing was that the map that we brought with us was so outdated, that we ended up staying at guest houses that had not operated in a very long time. It was really bizarre - one of the little dwellings that us three girls stayed in had no electricity, no plumbing, we had to "go" outside in a field, but it had the warmest, cleanest beds, swept-clean wood floors, and a stunning view out of little window panes in the modest lodgings.
I remember at the end of the hike we came to the Yangtze River and had to take a ferry across, but the only one available was an animal ferry. So, we crossed with boat full of donkeys. Next, we took a bus into town so as to get to the airport as we were off to go to Thailand next. I sat next to a dead animal and a very old man, and the bus drove over roads through the mountains so crazily that everyone got car sick. The locals were shocked to see foreigners on the bus. I spent the bus ride staring out the window thinking about all that I had just seen and experienced: mountains, rice terraces, shepherds, striking views, amazing meals, lots of laughs with my traveling companions. And...looking forward to warmer weather!

We were just a few 24-year-old girls with a sense of adventure and had no idea at the time how important that year of our life in China was. And how crazy we were setting out hiking with an old map in a country that changes to fast.

I hope that I can keep up that same spirit of adventure this weekend. Many of my friends are afraid of the large crowds that arriving for Inauguration, and the harsh cold that has set in. I, however, know that I would regret not seeing U2 for free and NOT attending when I am a few miles away from it all. Thanks for talking me into it, all!

I will be wearing hiking boots, five layers, and carry a few snacks, and this time: have a good camera to capture the history for you all to see as well. I will try to post pictures on Sunday night or Monday morning of the Opening Ceremonies concert!

Have a great weekend, all. I hope you do something adventurous :)

An Open Letter

Dear DC Tourists;

Hi. Welcome to one of the most important cities in the world. Here is how you can enjoy the city and mix in with those of us that actually live here year round.

Regarding the Metro system: Please stand to the RIGHT on the escalator, so that those of us in a hurry can pass you. Please stand to the side of the doors of the train so we may enter and exit the train - if you stand in front of them you give away that you are a tourist. Funny as it sounds, there is no talking on the metro in the mornings. While we are all packed in there like cattle (thanks to the few extra thousand of you here this weekend...) we silently read our papers, books, sleep, and listen to our iPods quietly. Hold on to those handrails. Don't "metro-surf". You will look like an idiot when the train jerks and you fall over. Also: this ain't New York City. There is no eating or drinking on our metro, because it is carpeted. Put away the sushi. There is a $100 fine if you are caught, foo. Don't get all pissed off when you miss a train or it is exceptionally crowded. Another train will arrive in minutes.

Use the crosswalks and go when it says walk. There are diplomats in this city that have immunity for all traffic violations so they can and will hit you if you are in their way. Also, people around here love to run red lights. Look both ways before crossing even when it does say walk.

It is SERIOUSLY cold here right now. Wear major layers - no foofy clothes just so you look good. Leave the fur at home, this is a city of activists and flour-bag-tossin' peeps: you will be a target. So - wear the gloves, hats, scarves, and thermals. Put on some sweet shades and lip gloss and you can still look hot.

Don't wear foofy cute shoes. From one side of the National Mall to the other and back is several miles. Things Look Closer Than They Appear. Wear good walking shoes!

Don't take photos of the Secret Service.

You will see people of every culture and religious background from all over the world here. Do not gawk at them. They most likely live here anyway. Also, there are a lot of homeless in this city - all of them have names and are just trying to get by. Please be respectful of them as well.

DO frequent the street vendors all over the city. This is their city and it is their livelihood.

Yes, that is a lot of port-a-potties on the National Mall. There are a lot of y'all.

Show your appreciation for those in military service. A simple head-nod or thank you will do. They need and deserve to hear it.

Yes, you need tickets to go into the Washington Monument. Everything else is open to the public and most likely free of charge. It is free because of DC tax dollars. Show your appreciation by being respectful when you have to go through security for the tenth time in a day.

Please be quiet and respectful at the Memorials. There are often Veterans there that need the silence to process their grief and remember. This includes Arlington Cemetery - hallowed grounds.

You have to be a customer of an establishment to use their restrooms. No exceptions.

If you have not visited the Library of Congress yet, you should. Also, the Air & Space Museum, Museum of the American Indian right next door, and Natural History Museums.

I hope that you enjoy our city! No one is from here but we call it home. Enjoy your stay, be safe, and please be respectful.
:)

For My DC Peeps...

I am getting pretty excited about this upcoming weekend! Since I am staying here in DC during the Inauguration craziness, I am going to dive in all the way :)

I realize that for safety's sake, I need to know walking routes, and lists of prohibited items and such, and thought I would put it all in one place.

SO! I plan on attending church Saturday night so as to free up Sunday to head down EARLY to the Lincoln Memorial for the FREE concert:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) is pleased to announce the producers and initial talent lineup for WE ARE ONE: THE OBAMA INAUGURAL CELEBRATION AT THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL, the Opening Celebration for the 56th Presidential Inaugural, to be presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday, January 18 (7:00-9:00 p.m. ET/PT). The event will be free and open to the public, kicking off the most open and accessible Inauguration in history.

Musical performers scheduled for the event include Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, John Mellencamp, Usher Raymond IV, Shakira, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, will.i.am, and Stevie Wonder. Among those reading historical passages will be Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah and Denzel Washington. (Woohoo! BONO!! :)

We Are One: Opening Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial

Time: Doors open 8:00 AM

Event Begins: 2:30 PM --> It airs at night, but is filming early!

Location: The Lincoln Memorial, between Constitution Avenue NW and Independence Avenue SW on 23rd Street

This event is free and open to the public

Public gates open at 8:00 AM at the following locations:

Public Entry A: Constitution Avenue at 19th Street
Public Entry B: Constitution Avenue at Virginia Avenue
Public Entry C: 17th Street at North Elm Walk
Public Entry D: 17th Street at South Elm Walk
Public Entry E: Independence Avenue at the DC War Memorial
The Reflecting pool area, JFK Hockey Fields and Constitution Gardens are open to the public and space will be available on a first come, first served basis.

Restricted Items for the Lincoln Memorial grounds for the Inaugural Opening Ceremonies:

Firearms
Ammunition
Explosives
Weapons of any kind
Aerosols
Supports for signs
Packages
Coolers
Thermal or Glass containers
Backpacks
Bags and signs exceeding the size restrictions of 6" X4"X8"
Laser Pointers
Animals other than helper/guide dogs
Structures
Bicycles
Any other items determined to be a potential safety hazard

On Tuesday I will first attend the swearing in ceremony (from the verrrry far back! I'll watch via a jumbotron :) then the parade. Here is the info:

Parade Route Entry Points: The following 13 public entry points will open at 7:00 a.m. on January 20, 2009 and will remain open until the parade route can no longer accommodate additional people.

- 2nd Street NW and C Street NW
- 3rd Street NW and C Street NW
- Indiana Avenue NW between 6th St NW and 7th St NW
- 7th Street NW and D Street NW
- 10th Street NW and E Street NW
- 12th Street NW and E Street NW
- E Street NW just east of 13th Street NW
- 13th Street NW just North of E Street NW
- 14th Street NW just North of E Street NW
- 12th Street NW between Constitution Avenue. and Pennsylvania Avenue
- 10th Street NW between Constitution Avenue. and Pennsylvania Avenue
- 7th Street NW between Constitution Avenue. and Pennsylvania Avenue
- Constitution Avenue between 6th Street NW and 7th Street NW

WHEW.
Walking shoes: check. (I am NOT taking the Metro. I'm walking there & back!)
Camera charged: check.
Five layers of clothes picked out: check, check...
Patience: working on it :)
Excited: YES.

SO DC folks! I hope to see you Saturday night at Eb's, Sunday at the concert, day of service on Monday, and Tuesday on the National Mall all day. We can huddle close to stay warm with the million + folks expected.

Thanks blogosphere for talking me into staying :)

Obedience Tests...

Thanks for your helpful comments yesterday, all.

I am the most indecisive person on the planet - and you all really helped me out of a decision disaster! After work yesterday I went for a good 40 minute run. About halfway into it I'd prayed it all over and felt the right decision was going to be the hard one: being obedient and sticking to my budget.

Then I got all your comments and it really confirmed my convictions. Funny how some situations where you have to make a choice like that can really mess you up. And hurt so much. I really just hurt! But, I really appreciated all of your help.

I am a sucker for a good deal, but my finances are an area that I can be more disciplined in. I feel like this was a good "test" for Matt and I as we work out this long distance relationship thing...and ponder/plan our future...

Since many of you do not live in the DC area, I am going to be representing you all at the 2009 Presidential Inauguration. I am bringing my camera, and yes, will call a certain boy from there. ;) (Or as my mom suggested that I call him, my hunkahunkaburninlove. Nice...)

Oh and please pray that I do not get trampled by the crowds of people. And beat this sadness that I feel over all this. I feel really, really far away.

This was a hard one. Ouch. Ah, lessons in life...and a little (big) thing called love.

Thanks again, blogosphere! Happy Tuesday to you.

WWYD? (HELP!)

You bloggers are going to want to kick me in my rear. Warning!

SO. One of my co-workers, who happened to attend the same college that I did in Washington State, found a SWEET deal on a flight to Seattle over Inauguration Weekend (Jan 17th - Jan 20th). You see, lots of flights are coming into DC next week - millions of people are expected to come see the historic ceremony and all the other festivities that will be taking place. Flights that are leaving out of DC are not so full.

So, we found out that our office is, after all, closing on January 20th due to road closures all around. That means: cha-ching - a four-day weekend.

Then, she tells me she found this ticket for $200. (They are usually around $350). I WANT A TICKET TOO! I am totally and completely torn over this - my desire to go home, yet also be here for all of the festivities. If I go home, I will see Matt and my family, and be out $200. If I stay here I could get trampled by a million people and wish I had decided to go home. Heck, the plane could crash. What if....what if...what if....is what is going through my head.

The irony here? I spent an hour this morning working on my strict budget. This is not a part of it. It would be a part of my savings. It would mean missing history. But, I a missing someone else too really, really bad. Now, keep in mind: I am already scheduled to go home over the three-day Valentines Weekend. I am trying to pay off debts. We are in a Great Recession. What is the right thing to do here? Take advantage of a fantastic deal and four days at home or...stay here and save my pennies and just...ache for home?

What Would You Do? Oh I am praying. Decisions absolutely debilitate me.

Please tell me what you think. Your opinion is needed and helpful!

Gratefully,
Ruhiyyih

Ru's Running Report

I've meant to give a running update for sometime now. I think I will reserve the weekend for getting a post up about it, since I most likely will get a good run in then. :)

On December 14th I ran 12 miles - my house in Arlington to Bethesda, MD along the wonderfully quiet Capital Crescent Trail. Then, I metro'd home from there - sitting too long in wet clothes. I came down with Bronchitis the next week, badly.

I was so sick that I took off the rest of the month from running. That was the longest that I had gone without busting out my running gear. I was doing only one load of laundry a week instead of two - it felt so weird! Also, I got more tired. I just felt off. A little down, even. I missed it. I missed the feeling at the end of the run, and in the middle when you are drawing strength from your core and your stored energy - digging deep. I knew the only way that I could really get back to feeling 100% was to rest entirely. It was hard to not go out running!

January arrived and I could not pack my running gear on my trip home due to high fees for luggage - so to make it with just a carry on, I had to leave behind the extra layers, running shoes, fuel belt, and double-layered socks. Boo!

So, yesterday I set out on my first run in nearly a month. First one of the new year! I was...nervous. Did I have to "start over"? Would I make it further than a block since it had been so long?

I started out on a trail near my house. The first five minutes were rough. I had to get used to huffing and puffing again, and I could feel my muscles waking up. After 10 minutes I started to feel good - I had to slow myself down to keep a slow, easy pace. Many athletes get injured due to a poor warm-up or pushing themselves too hard following a long absence. Oh I missed running. It was awesome. I only went 3 miles but I was at my former pace (about 11:45 min. mile) and stretched really good afterwards.

I will rest up today and head out again on another short run tomorrow, but do some speed work to mix it up. So, that means that I will run about 5 min at a slow, even pace, then about 10 at a much faster (9 min mile) pace and then cool down. Quick but challenging, and it will help me ease back into my routine.

I am in need of a good challenge for 2009. I am already scoping out marathons, and leaning towards doing the Marine Corps one here in DC as I love the city so much. I am open to suggestions though!

Anyone interesting in getting into running? My suggestion is to keep it simple and basic in the beginning. When I first started out running, I did so by going one minute, then walking one. Keep doing that for 15 to 20 minutes, three times a week. You will feel SO amazing! I also love reading on Runners World website for suggestions

Happy Trails :)

Drumroll Please...

I tallied the votes...

I am GOING.

I will put on my walking shoes, walk 5 miles from my house to the National Mall, and take a million photos.

Thanks for helping me to decide! OH, and the office came to their senses and decided to close up for the historic day. :) That helps! SO, stay tuned for the post of all posts on Jan 20th - evening!

Thanks to you all for voting (literally) and have a great weekend!

Help Me Decide

Inauguration Day. It will be here so soon - January 20th! It is a HUGE event - all hotels in a 150 mile radius are SOLD OUT. We are renting out our basement even. It's crazy! It's...history.

My dilemma - I am supposed to work that day (VA has to work, DC has it off. BOO)

- The metro will be horrifically crowded.

- The roads will be severely restricted. (Can't drive anywhere).

- I live five miles away from the National Mall (where the ceremonies take place)

- I am not sure if it would be safe to attend, or feasible to get to work...

Help! What should I do? Should I go to the swearing in ceremony (and walk there)and be among the crowds, or should I just try to get to work (maybe bike there? 10 or so miles) and watch it on the TV there safely, and pray I can make it back home?

If I go, I'll feel bad about using a personal day to miss work but have great photos.
If I don't go, I will feel bad about missing history...
If I stay home for safety reasons I will feel like a wuss...
If I take advantage of the four-day weekend and go somewhere sunny, I will spend money I don't have and get a sunburn.

Thoughts? Help me out here, blogosphere...

Happy Friday!