One year and counting

One of the first major outings I did when I moved to DC was the NSO's Annual Labor Day concert on the Capital lawn. When I realized it was that time of year again- I couldn't believe that a year in DC had already come and gone. What a year it's been though! Here are some shots of that night, followed by a Top Ten of My Year in DC- yes, be excited..be very excited.

Walking to the Capital as the sun sets. This city is so enchanting, it never gets old to me.

Definitely one of my favorite things about DC, my roommate Kim.

Ya it poured. I'm pretty sure that I have never been more soaked than that night...which is saying a lot since in a previous post I talked about playing in the rain and that I am a Florida girl. But the stroll back to the car was filled with torrential downpour and our little scarf did not suffice...it was still a heckuva time.

Alright, the much anticipated Top Ten of My Year in DC (in no particular order, because who has time to figure that out):
1. Roommates. Julie, Kim, Jami, Camille and Andrea. 5 ladies who have made this year for me. I am forever in their debt.
2. Quitting my job and experiencing 3 dark months of unemployment to be greeted with a job that I Love, Love, Love!
3. Visitors! Manny, Cortney, Shelley, Ashley, Annie, Lexie, Krista, Merrilyn, Amanda, Jenny, Jen, Julie, Kristin, Melissa & family...I love sharing my city with friends :).
4. Concerts. U2 to Chuck Brown to Brad Paisley to Ingrid Michaelson to little up and comers. Live music makes my heart happy.
5. EMO Halloween 2008. Dressing up with my roommates as a seemingly depressed girl band is just about as fun as it gets.
6. Free Events. Watching "Pretty in Pink" on an outside screen, listening to the NSO on the Capital lawn and so much more. This city has so much to give, if I only had more time.
7. Colonial 1st Ward. I am constantly amazed by my Ward (congregation at church for my non Mormon friends)and the incredible people I get to associate with there. I have met and made some wonderful friends who constantly stretch and encourage me to be better, as well as drawing me closer to my Savior.
8. Thursday nights with the Nicelys. Watching "The Office" is merely an excuse to get me over to a childhood friend's house. I have loved reconnecting with Rachel and her husband. It's like having family down the street.
9. Memorial Day Weekend 2009. Staying with friends at a lake house in Maryland was the perfect way to open Summer 2009. Sun, water, food, friends and fun.
10. Parties and more Parties. Elizabeth's wedding with Kim, Michael Jackson Dance Party, and every other little get together in town that allows me to mingle and flirt with DC's finest ;).

What a great year.

Here's hoping the next is just as good!

Happily Ever After

As a young single adult, not all weddings are treated equal. Now this just may be me but it's the truth. When I hear that the girl I babysat is getting married...well I don't exactly jump for joy. Call me bitter/selfish/realistic-whatever. I mean doesn't she know there's a line? ;)

But tell me one of my dear friends is getting married? One who has fought the good fight of single life and has found her Eternal Companion- honey I'd cross mountains to witness it. There is a bond us single ladies share and each of these weddings gives me hope- and who can't use more of that?

On the 11th of September (yes I was in the air-my own tribute to those whose lives were lost 8 years ago- we will not bend to fear) I flew to Salt Lake City to celebrate the wedding of Ms. Melanie Beal, an old roommate in Arizona who convinced me to follow her to DC and to whom I owe so very much.

Jen and I were roommates with Melanie in Arizona and made the trek to Salt Lake to share in Melanie's special day.

Jane (who just got engaged!! Another story that fills my heart with joy) came out from DC too for the big day. Such a good friend.

With the blushing bride. She radiated pure happiness. She deserved every moment of this perfect day.

Mr. and Mrs. Dan Eastman. Who would have thought a chat in the hallway at church would lead to eternity? Dan doesn't even live in DC, he was in town visiting from Ohio. They met in February and were married in September. When you know; you know.

I couldn't stop smiling at Melanie's wedding. She was so happy, I knew how much she had waited and prayed for this day.
It came.
Here's to Happily Ever After, thanks for giving me hope Mrs. Eastman.

Fighting the Man and Saving a little $$

Alright, I just have to share because..well that's what blogs are for and I am just dang proud of myself. I've got to give a shout out to my BFF Tiffany who really pushed me to fight Bank of America, she is my inspiration :).

So.. I was balancing my checkbook yesterday and looking at my account online and they once again charged me the $12.00 Monthly Maintenance Fee...and I just snapped! I mean seriously, why am I paying them to "maintain" my money when they aren't doing anything for me?! I called USAA and asked them about their no fees and told them to sell me on their Banking (I always hear great things about them- thanks Kristen).

Well I called Bank of America and threw the smack down. Told them I was done paying fees and then the girl tells me that if I switch from a "regular checking account" to a "Myaccess checking account" AND have Direct Deposit (which mind you I've had since January) then the fee would be voided.

WHAT THE FREAK? So there is some magical way to not have fees? That no one ever tells you about. And there is absolutely no difference between the two types of accounts one just has the option to void your fees. AH! Then I ask for a Manager, I'm over this. I tell him everything and say that if they don't reimburse me for the months I've paid fees then I'm done with BOA and headed to USAA.

Well... it worked. They reimbursed me for the last 90 days (apparently that's as far back as they go and believe you me, I fought for more) which equals $36 bucks back in my pocket and the fact that I will now no longer be shelling out $12 a month = money saved.

After I got off the phone, I was on a high...it's empowering to fight the Man for what you want and get it! So I called Sprint. Ya I've been with them forever and I'm tired of paying a truckload more than everyone else...

An hour later, I'm paying $10 bucks less a month for a plan that is entitled "Any Mobile" which basically allows me to call everyone with a cell phone as much as I want, plus unlimited texting, pictures, internet, GPS, etc. Incredible.

Oh and did I mention that I got a free phone too? It'll be here in 3 days.

Booyah.

Bring on the Health Care Plan I think I can work that one over too...

American Midwest

In the last month I've been all over the Midwest for work (or at least what I think people consider the Midwest, if not..well these are places in the middle of America). And all I can say is what beautiful country it is! It really felt like Americana to me...the stuff Normal Rockwell paintings are made of. So many times I wanted to snap pictures of people..high school football practice, little girls on a swingset, kids riding their bikes in the street, families sitting on their porches...but I didn't want to freak anyone out, so I settled on other images of life in the Midwest.

Fargo, North Dakota. This lil beauty was right in front of our hotel..and yes people, it is fake :).

Main Street USA aka Fargo, ND.

Roller Coaster in the Mall of America, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Mall of America. Incredible. Tons and tons of stores. It has its own zip code it's so big and how about the fact that they don't have sales tax on clothing in Minnesota?! Bless them!! (Maybe that's why they built the Mall there...)

Baraboo, WI. Birthplace of the Ringley Brothers Circus. The school we visited was on the same street, it was in a building that circus workers use to stay in.

Baraboo, WI.

Still Baraboo...saying that name never gets old! Isn't it just gorgeous?

Wisconsin. Talk about Main Street USA. (And ya everything in the town has the Ringley name on it)

Wisconsin. There were wildflowers everywhere. I literally had to pull over and take pictures. So pretty!

I have a little crush on Wisconsin. I never thought it would be this beautiful. Surprise surprise.

More of Wisconsin, I'm telling you it was enchanting.

Taking Wisconsin in. I was a bit overwhelmed with its beauty ;)

WI.

The entrance of the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Powerful quote.

Michigan.

Lincoln's home. Springfield, Illinois.

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.

Illinois sunsets (ya this is my shot, I posted an earlier shot that I found on the internet, but this is my attempt at photography).

So despite that my brother calls them the "flyover states", I was charmed by Middle America. Definitely a great snapshot of American culture and just gorgeous land; it's easy to see why people live there...I think they must all move in the summer and then when winter hits..they're stuck. :)