Blooming

Lessons of Love, Economics & How To Humor It All‏

Hello All! This is Matt. Ruhiyyih is taking a blogging break and asked me if I wouldn't mind writing a guest post for her, and you – her faithful readers. She's my best friend, and I can be a little adventurous, so I was delighted to take the challenge. Fair warning: Get on your reading glasses, and get a cup of coffee – I write like I talk.

Do you know how when you meet new people, you get asked all kinds of things about yourself? Like the old stand-by, “What do you do?”. And on hearing about a certain special lady: “Oh, are you engaged?”, and so on. And when you meet these new people, and answer these questions, it's like explaining it for the first time, but all over again. (And again, and again.....)

So, I had the opportunity to do this today. Also it's also fun to tell the story that Ruhiyyih and I have, partly because I'm a big fan of hers, and because it's not one you hear everyday.

So here's my take on our history, leading up to there being an “us”:

We met just over 10 years ago in college at a college church group (SALT Co. for those of you who don't know it). She was 19 and I was 23 at the time. She was a new Christian, and I had just graduated the year before and was working for the college pastor.

One of the first things that either of has a record of (Ruhiyyih keeps a journal) is we sat by each other on the bus on the way to the Fall Retreat, and I taught her some worship songs.

We went on 2 mission trips that year together. The first was to Truth or Consequences, NM. I have pictures of us together with other team members. The other trip was a multi-team trip the Bay Area in CA.

I also have a picture of just she and I in disco clothes at the SALT Disco party from Winter Retreat 1999. I was floored when I found them (“No.Way.”) because I hadn't looked at my college photo books in years. Pretty cool.

Then she went to work at Yellowstone that summer, and I moved to Santa Cruz, CA. Back in 1999, I had an email account, but it wasn't near as ubiquitous as it is now, so we lost touch.

Random event: Through a miscommunication with a friend, I ended up ride-less at SeaTac airport New Years Eve, 2002. While in baggage claim, I hear my name called out, turn around to see ....Ruhiyyih?

“What are you doing here?”

“We're picking up Drake (college pastor).... What are you doing here?”

Yadda, yadda, yadda, I have New Years Eve with Ru at her sisters place in Renton. I fly back to CA New Years Day and not long after this, Ruhiyyih goes to China.

Fast forward to this last summer: I get connected to a friend from the SALT college days on Facebook that Ruhiyyih is already Facebook friends with and we get re-connected.

The rest is history, as the expression goes. It's been an amazing 10 months so far, and I feel it's just the beginning.

So, we both get asked all the time “When are you getting married?”, “Are you engaged yet?”, “When are you going to pop the question?”.... or more directly friends may say “Just marry the girl already!”.

Yes, yes, we get it – I get it. And I would love nothing on Earth more.

However, this leads us to the lesson in economics. Ru and I were talking and laughing about this earlier today, and I'll try to break it down for you here:


Current Economic Conditions + ($10/hr Temp Job x less than full-time hours) – bills – flight tickets – cost of ring's = Not Engaged Yet


It's a rough calculation, but you get the idea....

So now there is an “us”. Ruhiyyih is my best friend. She's the only person I talk to every day. Unfortunately reality is upon “us” and even a basic engagement and wedding takes $. Growing up isn't always fun. : (

But, there are so many 'buts' that come out of this (and hopefully they don't make your butt itch ;) Tib). The distance has had it's blessings, even though sometimes it is hard. We have made use of every available communication technology available to man – email, texting, Skyping, phone calls. It has forced us to talk, and boy can we talk. For hours, and hours. I think 5 hours or so in several phone calls one Saturday.

Even the waiting for a job & the heartache that it is has had good benefits: I now really desire what God has for me more than anything else. If God opens the door for a job, I want it; if He doesn't, I don't want it. That's awesome!

Wanting to move forward, buy a ring, get engaged and get on with life and not being able to yet is difficult, and painful sometimes. Just being apart and feeling like it is wrong is painful. But we both believe that God has a plan for us. And so we can humor our circumstances now, in spite of it all. In the meantime, we are enjoying what we do have in each other, making the most of our situation, and it's been an adventure.

Please Pray

My office let 7 people go yesterday - a reduction in force due to the current economic circumstances. It is heartbreaking.

We are a non-profit trade association that is a dues-based organization in the human resources industry. We are all about jobs. And right now, the industry is struggling.

I still have a job but feel that I shouldn't. It is not fair.

Please pray for my co-workers and friends. This is so painful. Also prayer for transitions as we all take on new roles and responsibilities.

I'm taking a blogging break for awhile - I will be back soon.

Until then,
Ruhiyyih

50 Days

Cherry Blossoms, April 2006.
The countdown to 30 is ON.

I need some ideas on how to make it memorable. I'm turning 30 on Mother's Day this year! Do any of you have some suggestions on some goals I should set? Challenges I should take up? Last minute crazies to get out of my system?
I will be going with my best friend Bryn on a first-ever cruise to the Caribbean over Memorial Day Weekend, so that will be AWESOME.

Where has time gone?

I babysat 3 kids under the age of 4 on Saturday. I'm still twitching....

I'm keeping an eye on the Cherry Blossoms...they should be making a debut next weekend, and my camera will hopefully capture some of the pink glory. It is finally warming up a bit around here and daylight has once again been a part of my evenings, which has made it possible to go on a bi-weekly longer run. The Chicago Marathon is always on my mind, my advantage this year is knowing months in advance that I will be running it :)

Have a great Monday all - any ideas you have of ways to make the Big Birthday this year memorable are most appreciated!

Spring

Happy First Day of Spring, all!!

Ohh goodness, I love this time of year. Here in the DC area, everything starts blooming - with the famous Cherry Blossoms being the shining star of the event. Peak Cherry Blossom season is March 28 - April 12 or so. Perfect for when Matt is here over Easter weekend!

Spring is all things new. It is fresh starts, new life, new hope. And lots of gorgeous color, all around.

This will be my fourth spring in DC. 2006 was when I had just arrived here and I took about 50 pictures of one cherry blossom tree alone. 2007 I braved the chilly early morning temps to have a fun picnic with my housemates during the Cherry Blossom Festival. In 2008 I took my new camera all over DC, and surprisingly found the most beautiful blossoms right at the base of the capital building.

This year, I will take my camera out again, but have some much-anticipated company. ;)

We don't want to get our hopes up too much, but a strong potential job lead has surfaced for Matt. Would y'all say a little prayer for this opportunity? We should know more by next week - I will keep all of you posted, as always :) While it feels like a suspense movie right now, I am grateful that no matter what - it will have a good ending.

All things new.

A warm welcome to Spring. I am looking forward to the change in my wardrobe!

Happy Friday, all. ;)

Waiting and Wondering

While on a long run on Monday, this was my stream of thought, as best as I can remember:

Wow the Potomac is low. This is an awesome run! (Mt. Vernon Trail, across from DC)

Darn President of Sudan. Kicking out the aid workers in Darfur is not the solution. I wish I could go, run there, now. Hold babies and give hope. Why do certain justice issues fire me up and others just straight out annoy me? I want to do it all. What can I do, just me? One person?

This economy. Where Matt gets a job will change everything. When he does will too. What can I do with all of this waiting, besides fight the urge to do wedding planning? We aren't even engaged yet...we can't be. No job = not a good time. Thank goodness for the temp work. Trying to have an attitude of gratitude, here. Any nuggets of hope would be helpful at this point...

The economy can't take away hope!

Whew...mile 3...up a hill here...past the airport...I am loving this. I feel awesome.

Matt will be here in for the Easter holiday...will it be spring by then?

I am really really grateful that I have a job, no mortgage, and a debt payoff plan in place. Yikes. Though, I think having a mortgage would be nice. It'd mean I would have a house. I don't. I rent a room in a large house with four other ladies...and it is a blessing. Someday....

I am turning 30 in less than two months. 30. I feel really....energetic...for 30. Oh yeah - I don't have any kids! Kids....hmmm. Babies...so cute..soo.... (- thought stream came to screeching halt -)

I'd like to do something really adventurous when I turn 30. hmmm. Need ideas.

Oh Africa, I miss you. I'd do anything to play with those kids by the vocational center in Gulu again. I wonder what little Ronald is up to about now.

If we are going to have another Great Depression, I need to get a head start on learning how to sew, do home canning, grow my own veggies, and clip coupons more...

Mile 7. I am still feeling strong. Gorgeous sky. Thank you, God.

Could I get away with a two-piece swimsuit for the cruise in May? Could/should/would?

I remember the hello and goodbyes with Matt so vividly. Labor Day Weekend - first hello in years. Oh the goodbyes...how many more, Lord? At least they're memorable.

This is the first year of my adult life that I have not worried about my weight. Is it the caring more how I feel and less about how I look that made the difference? Or is it just that I am actually committed to exercise now, not just sporadic phases here and there?

Mile 8. I can bail here and metro the rest of the way home....or... Yep. Rain. Metro it is. Home sweet home and shower sweet shower in 20.

Thanks, Lord. Good talk.
Amen.

A St. Patty's Skype Date

Ahh the chronicles of a long-distance relationship! Here is how to make it through a holiday together when you are 2665 miles apart.

It was St. Patrick's Day - As I am not a fan of Guinness, I had to come up with an inspired drink of my own. I decided to make a great Irish coffee. Start with a strong brewed roast(I went decaf because it was 9pm). Put a scoop of brown sugar in the bottom of the mug. Add the coffee.
Next, grab a little 50ml bottle of Irish Liqueur. If you dump the whole thing in, it is about 1.5 oz...so use at least 16 oz of coffee. (I can't believe I poured the whole thing in...I don't drink!)
Put a heavy layer of cream on top - you will sip the coffee through the layer. I went whipped - an American version :)
Taste it. MMMM!! You're ready for your date! Call up your favorite Irish-American via Skype next...
Wait for him to get off the phone with one his many, many friends...
And say a little toast, "to us". Pair it with some Irish soda bread, and it's a Skype date. Just a little something to keep things fun when you live on the opposite sides of a huge country. Definitely memorable!

Happy Wednesday, all.

Lá ’le Pádraig! (Happy St. Patrick's Day!)

I think this will be the first year that I really go all out for the holiday. Matt being an Irish-American, and my ancestry including some Welsh and-other-random-European-contributions; I thought well, I'm going to have some fun with this one! Not many folks really know the story of St. Patrick. Pretty amazing life, indeed!

It is also fun to celebrate because of the culture. Matt and I are going to do a cyber-date tonight via Skype video calling. I'm excited! We will make Irish coffees and have a toast from 2,264 miles away. (Awwwww). I will also pull out some of the Irish soda bread that I made for fun as well. He can crack open a Guinness (ewww) and I will just enjoy my coffee, thankyouverymuch :)

My office is having a green-food dish contest. Too bad most of the entries are desserts. What a dumb thing to give up for Lent. Doh!

Any of you out there have Irish heritage or plans to celebrate at all today?

Life in DC

Here is a recipe for tired feet:
Day one: American History Museum, White House, Vietnam Memorial, WWII Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Tidal Basin & Jefferson Memorial.
Day two: Air & Space Museum, the Sculpture Garden, Natural History Museum, Museum of the American Indian (and have some lunch there. Nom nom nom...), Capitol Building, Library of Congress, Ebenezers Coffeehouse, National Portrait Gallery, Iwo Jima, and still do some shopping and dinner :0) = FUN TIMES!




We had an awesome time - talking, walking, laughing, drinking coffee, laughing some more, walking a lot more, watching Oprah, eating, metro-ing, and just having a blast.

I love having visitors here - because you get a chance to see the city through their eyes. It is a fresh perspective, and it really makes me love living here, all over again.

And, when you have a friend that you can laugh with until there are tears all over your face, that is a great thing too :)

Safe travels to you Kathy - she is onward to Ireland on her around the world adventure!

Happy Monday, all :)

I Love This Guy

I just wish that he was not on the other side of the computer screen, on the other side of the continent. :(

25 days until my Matty comes to visit. In the meantime, I am SO grateful for Skype!

Had a great weekend with Kathy - photos up tomorrow :)

A Guest From Down Under!

I am so excited! My first guest from Australia is visiting. I met Kathy when we were both working at a private school in China. I have not seen her in five years, but we have stayed in touch all this time. Thanks to email, Facebook, this blog, etc. She is on a sabbatical for a few months and traveling the world. So happy that she can make a stop here in DC!

So - I have tomorrow off! We are going to be doing the DC tourist thing for the next three days, so I am going to take photos like I have never been here before. Then I will put up some blog posts on some of my favorite things about this amazing city.

We hope to visit many museums and monuments and memorials. It is still cold here so we will bundle up and tour all around. I love being a tourist here, because even after three years of living here I have not seen it all yet.

Four weeks until I get to see my Matty, too. Skype has been so awesome. It is fun to "see" him via the computer! Even better in person though...I can't wait.

Also, a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to one of my favorite co-workers, Katie, today. She is fundraising to go to Tanzania this summer with a volunteer group if anyone has a heart for that part of the world. Her blog is http://katievgoestoafrica.blogspot.com

Happy Thursday, all!

Rescue for Rapha

Many of you know how much I love Uganda - a trip there last summer was life-changing. I've been a supporter of Children's HopeChest for about a year now, and this solid organization is trying to help with an urgent need in the Rapha community where a primary school is at risk of failing. Cycles of illiteracy are serious issues across Africa, but there is hope for this small village because of a new sponsorship program recently put in place there by HopeChest. You see, in these schools is where many local orphans can get a meal in addition to education. According to CEO and President of Children's HopeChest (and author of "Fields of the Fatherless" among others), Tom Davis, 357 children in the Rapha community are out of food and at-risk for losing their school placements (due to inability to pay school fees).

I loved what Tom had to say about the importance of education there:
"How important is education? It keeps the older girls out of prostitution and sexual slavery. It prevents boys from becoming child soldiers and criminals. Without the school, the kids would find themselves working in the fields as child laborers, selling whatever they can find in the market, and exposing themselves to even worse exploitation."

"Ask an African child--which do you need more education or food? They always pick education. "If we have food and no education, we know we're dead anyway." I take for granted my own children's education here in the U.S. In Africa, it is about life and death for kids, and right now 357 kids are staring at a desperate future. If the Rapha school folds, 357 children will face the "orphan future" of drugs, alcohol, prostitution, slavery, crime, and suicide. We can stop all of that at Rapha today and set them up for a bright future."

Click here to donate to Rescue for Rapha! In the notes section, designate any amount of a gift for Rapha. They have $8000 more to raise, and I can testify that a little can go a long way.

My paycheck this week had a little extra in it because of the Economic Stimulus Bill - the federal withholding had been lowered. As it was unexpected, I decided to stimulate another economy instead :) Just an idea on how to find more ways to GIVE. Generosity often does so much for the giver as well as the recipient. It was just a small gift, but I know that it helps feed and educate an orphan!

Children's HopeChest does frequent trips with small groups to Africa and Russia. I am seriously considering a trip with them next year some time. Definitely praying about that one! Escaping this bubble of comfort that we live in gives me a dose of reality that I need to be reminded of often. Folks, we have it SO GOOD. So good.
Thanks for reading, y'all. Happy Wednesday to you!

Counting my blessings,
Ruhiyyih

Ru's Running Update

I saved my pennies, built up some extra courage, and decided to return to my roots...
I am officially registered for the 2009 Chicago Marathon! I was born near here, lived in the area until I was four years old. Time to return and run my rear off! ;)
This will be my second marathon. My debut one was strangely the 2008 ING NYC Marathon, which I gained entry only because of a winning lottery number that gave me a prized slot. I say "strangely" also because to start out doing the #1 marathon in the world is quite amazing - hard to top!
I picked the Chicago one for the course, the date (it is Columbus Day weekend - so I will have the Monday off of work already), the location, and I will have some company. A dear running friend of mine, Ellen, will join me for the race!

My goal is to do at least one marathon a year. It will keep me on top of my running game. Through the winter I still ran at least twice a week, but not long distances. Later this spring, I will reintroduce the "long run" which I happen to love. The trick to a long run day is to do it in the beginning of the day, stay hydrated and fueled correctly (electrolyte balanced) and to treat yourself at the end in some way. Like a good meal and a nap! Good music or fun company helps too. Ellen and I will do some long runs together this summer - there are a lot of trails in the area I'd love to run, but not alone.

Maybe next year I will run the Marine Corps one. This year, it fell on a weekend that my company has our annual conference, so this time I will be running the marathon before that. Yay!

I may not be able to run fast, but I can run far - that is my motto :)

I will keep you posted on my journey, and there may be days that I will need your extra support. Thanks all! ;)

Happy Trails!

Soda Bread & Skype

Inspired by all things Irish this month, I set out yesterday to try to make an authentic Irish soda bread.
I mean, you really can't mess up bread if you don't have to use any yeast, right? The recipe called for four cups of white flour, a teaspoon of both salt and baking soda, and 14oz of buttermilk. The baking soda reacts with the buttermilk, causing a similar effect as yeast would.
I only had three cups of flour, so I used all I had and adapted the rest of the recipe. It went great until I realized that I did not save any flour to dust my kneading surface with...oops. Oh well! I mixed up best I could, put the loaf in a cake pan, put another pan over it while it baked at 425 for 30 min, then 10 min more without the pan as a lid.
I was shocked that it actually turned out! It tastes like a buttermilk biscuit, but chewier.
It was so awesome that when I was finished I could show off my prized bread to Matt via an online video chat! It was our first time using Skype - a video camera on his laptop and one on mine, and corresponding built-in microphones made it all happen.
I LOVE technology. The only problem was that I could not reach through the screen and give my very own Irish guy a squeeze. Still, it was wonderful getting to "see" Matty yesterday. I think this just may be a new daily ritual...we usually talk from 9 to 10pm every night anyway! :)

Happy Tuesday all. I'll be posting again this afternoon with some fun stuff! ;)

Fresh Air

I finally got outside. My soul has been refreshed!

On Saturday I laced up my running shoes and set out on an epic run - I call it "epic" because it was a memorable one that I was terrified to begin. The last long run I'd done was in December. I wanted to see if I had it in me. So I ran from my house to my office - 12 miles. It.was.awesome. I listened to the new U2 album the whole way, playing over and over. The weather was amazing, and when I ended my run in Old Town, there was a St. Patrick's Day parade in full swing!
I'd stashed a change of clothes and lunch at my office on Friday, so I enjoyed the parade while all refreshed and fed. It was a great afternoon! I was surprised that I was only a little stiff after the long run and a bit tired, but nothing major. I rested well the rest of the day :)

Sunday morning I set out on a hiking trip that took me out of the Beltway for the day. Getting out of the DC area is hard for a person that has no car - so it was so great to catch a ride with a group of friends hiking in nearby Catoctin Mountain.
It was strenuous a times going uphill and we did two great hikes that included a nice scramble up Wolf Rock. That is where we had some lunch and snooze.
We did not go very far into the national park because there were some nearby closures due to a certain security risk for a certain high level US official that has a certain camp retreat area in this vicinity...that was there this weekend too!
It was an adventure :)

And now it is Monday and I feel sore all over :)

But, I feel like I got refreshed in my spirit. I sure needed that. I have a good friend coming to visit from Australia from Thursday through Sunday of this week so I will be a total tourist this weekend! I'm sure the camera will be busy!

Happy Monday, all :)

Finish Lines

There is something so addictive about crossing a finish line.

Whether it is a 5K, 10K, Half-Marathon or Full - I am addicted. It reminds me of the same feeling I get when I am crossing stuff off of the to-do list that took a lot of time and work to do.

Hmm. I don't really have any to-do lists but if I did then that is what I imagine that I can compare it to!

All this to say that I feel like I am running a few marathons right now. The real thing - yes - most certainly signing up for a full 26.2 miler for this fall (waiting to figure out my schedule and to see what I can afford...they are not cheap!) But also, other running the races in life that require hard work and patience. Does anyone else feel like trying to stick to a budget takes the discipline required to do such a race? Oh and patience, patience, patience. The only way that you can have more of it is by going through situations where you have to wait on the big things. I am learning patience right now - as Matt and I wait to find out where he will be full-time employed, when he can say, "See ya!" to his current temp job, and where the new one will take him...and eventually, us.

Patience, a virtue? Can you ever really "cross a finish line" when it comes to learning patience? Trusting God with the big stuff and leaving results to Him - it can happen, I suppose. I run out of patience so easily, though.

I'll be doing a long run tomorrow - to clear my head, settle unsettled thoughts, put nagging questions to rest for a bit, and oh yes - to get my butt moving. It starts with one step, one block, one trail. And hopefully, ends near some really great FOOD!

As for me...it is looking like another World Marathon Major for me...

...crossing fingers....

The CHICAGO Marathon, baby. (Where I was born!)

Happy Friday, all! Wherever you are on your own journeys, I hope that you will still be able to leap into a toe-tap at your own finish line. Finish STRONG! :)

Learning

Oh this has been a week of interesting things learned here in DC!

On Friday I ran into one of my favorite homeless peeps at Union Station. His name is Tom, and he comes to my church sometimes. Well we were talking about the economy, and one of his friends came up to me and asked for a couple bucks so they would have enough to get a meal at the nearby food court. I strangely had cash that day, so I handed over a few bills. Tom pulled me aside and totally chewed me out! He said, "Rose...don't ever give money to a homeless person. Give them food and items needed instead. That person is going right now to go buy a beer, and you helped." I was staring at Tom incredulously, as he is homeless as well (and I have given him money before too!). It made sense though. In a way, it gave me relief because it was advice on what to do from someone in the same situation. Lesson learned!

Last night I was coming home from Bible Study and rounded the corner of my neighborhood, and there was a fire truck in front of my house. I freaked out, ran top speed all the way there. Firemen were coming down the stairs and explaining our carbon monoxide detector to a housemate. I saw my housemates were alive and well, so I calmed down. Turns out that even the detectors that you plug in a wall have a battery! (Who knew? For when the power goes out). It had been going off, so the girls called the gas company, which sent the "precautionary" people. We got busted for having too much stuff stacked all around our gas unit in the basement too. Boo. The firemen also tracked mud and snow in the house and left the door open, letting the heat out. I really should not complain. I learned that those detectors have batteries that need occasional changing...

Then, the Metro this morning was delayed. Once I did manage to get on a train, I found a sweet spot near the door where I could not get too smashed up. I had to laugh when I saw the riders complaining about the crowding. "This is nothing!" I thought. Real crowding is when you are smashed so much inside the subway car that your feet dangle. (Thanks, Beijing!) :)

It was 9 degrees out when I set out to walk to the Metro. The forecast for Saturday is 64. Holler!

Happy Wednesday, all! I hope you learn something today...in a humorous fashion.

Free Vacation

photo by my Mama :)

On the Metro this morning, I watched as a sleepy, snow-covered Arlington Cemetery sped past. I realized how much I craved to be outside. Somewhere quiet, in nature, far away from where I started the hike, perhaps.

I closed my eyes for a little bit and imagined the little bridge I used to sit and eat my lunch at in Glacier Park when I worked there. Then I thought about one of my favorite hikes in Yellowstone Park - near all this thermal activity. Next, I was admiring the view of Heaven's Peak from the Highline Trail in Glacier again. The next image was of a hike in Paradise near Mt. Rainer. The mountain was still snow covered as always, but it was springtime near the trail. I look down at my boots - they were covered in dirt.

The Metro flew past the Pentagon, Crystal City, Reagan Airport. I closed my eyes again.

The next thing I imagined was me sitting on my favorite beach on Oahu, Lanikai. I remember once sitting along the shore with my sister. I dumped out a water bottle and filled it with sand, and took it back home with me after my school semester there ended. I was back again - after almost 9 years.

I heard the call for King Street Station. I rubbed my eyes, grabbed my backpack that holds my purse and running gear - but it looked like it could have been ready for a long hike.

I felt refreshed. That little vacation in my mind was free, too. I do ache for the real thing - and praying for a little opportunity this summer to make it a reality, somehow, economy and God-willing. :)

Happy Tuesday, all. Where would you rather be today?

Cravings?

I was reading Runners' World online today, to get some extra motivation for the running. This weather does not help too much! (But I like it :)

There was a link to this blog. It is all about junk food!

I lost all cravings that I'd been feeling all day! It was a miracle.

Strangely, all I want now is some salad. And fruit.

Just...no bacon or any kind of pork. Ever.

And - I have that running motivation back all of a sudden... :)

SNOW! SNOW! SNOW!

Here is the view from my front porch just a few minutes ago :)
I love snow! Even if I have to spend the next two hours walking through it and riding a cramped Metro to get to work. I will still get there. Any hey - we get a two hour delay thanks to the Office of Personnel Management's decision to cut us a break this mornin' :)
I am pretty excited about this stuff, even if it is March...

It was a great weekend. I attended an art exhibit on Friday night of art done by former child soldiers of Northern Uganda. Amazing stuff.

Since I had so many changes of plans for the rest of the weekend, I just really relaxed. I read, slept in (some), went on a run, watched movies. Kicked it.

Sunday was a bit more productive, but I still appreciated the downtime and the time spent with housemates. I needed this unscheduled weekend. Sometimes all the canceled plans can be a good thing.

Now, if only work could get canceled today... :)

Happy Monday, all!