Gone Country

Alright so it wasn't quite the hit that EMO Halloween 2008 was, but going country definitely had its perks too. I mean I did get an excuse to buy a Bumpit, and I mean what girl doesn't want more volume? ;)

Plus I got to wear my cowboy boots..yup already had a pair. I ain't no joke. (To be honest, I purchased them for a Cowgirl costume I did a few years back in Arizona..what can I say, my creativity is pretty shot these days).

Either way, it was fun to be dressed up (ya I said it...it's fun to dress up...though Halloween is still on my Dislike Holiday list) and to party it up with friends. Country, 80s and Hippies, all enjoying the love together!

No real theme here, we as roommates just made did with what we had..though I did purchase that sweet vest for the costume. Craziest part..the vest was at Target in their accessory aisle, not Halloween...so people actually wear it around on days that aren't Halloween?! Sometimes I don't get my generation.

Matilda & The Prince

Once upon a time there was a silly girl, we'll call her Matilda, who had a large, unstoppable, high school type crush on a boy..no a MAN named..Prince Charming (*names have been changed to protect the innocent*).
Every time she saw this man, her knees went weak and though they had a few brief encounters, there was nothing, really, to bring them together. He was shy and gorgeous..and she, well an intimidating beauty that could not find the words to catch his attention.

After months of glances at parties, coincidental run ins and just absolute agony. The answer came in the form of a Home Electronic. A Microwave..or was it? ;)

Prince Charming needed to sell this microwave and well...Matilda, she needed an excuse to talk to Prince Charming. She responded to his ad and showed a little interest in the microwave. Emails, texts and an eventual meeting ensued.

No she never really needed a microwave, but he didn't need to know that. She showed up absolutely radiant and they were alone. Just the two of them. The microwave was discussed but other topics trickled in and before she could realize it, it was time to go.

Matilda kept her wallet in check and even with his rugged jaw and heart stopping smile, she did not buy the unneeded microwave.

She did however, lay the foundation for future interactions. They were acquainted, he knew her name and they could share at least one talking point (yes microwaves are not the best topic, but they are a start).And today...well today Matilda's effort paid off. Prince Charming, in all his manly handsomeness, watched her enter the room and when their eyes met...he smiled and said hello. She nearly fainted from the realization of it all- he acknowledged her, they had exchanged a greeting, the faked interest in a home electronic had paid off.

He had said hello.

And they lived happily ever after...

Day in the City

A couple of weeks ago Kim (my roommate) and I decided that we needed a little DC time and so I convinced her to follow me on a Book trek across the city, inspired by Delta's Sky Magazine. Yup, I actually did one of the adventures they listed- and you know what? It was awesome.
We started at the Library of Congress which is quite a majestic building. You don't actually get into the "library" with the books, but you do get to wander through the corridors and stare at books through glass windows. Such is life. If you work on the Hill or have connections, then you do in fact get to use the library, but I am but a lowly commoner and do not enjoy such luxuries.

Definitely a must see is of course one of the original Gutenberg Bibles. It is pretty incredible to realize that the first book published on the printing press was the Bible. My how times have changed.

Isn't this place gorgeous? (Still inside the Library of Congress)

Enjoying the view.

The street behind the Library, I just loved the Fall colors. Such a beautiful time of year.

This is kitty corner to the Library of Congress and another museum free to the public (I love this town!).

Shakespeare Library.

Totally random. As we were walking into the Shakespeare library, we were passed by grown men running full speed in Red DRESSES!! It was hilarious. You can kind of see them in this shot, but I was just so startled that I couldn't get a good enough shot at the time. Apparently it must have been some sort of race because there were quite a few people running, but it just made me laugh..I mean only in DC.

This is just one of the engravings outside the Shakespeare Library, all different scenes from his plays. This is from Midsummer Night's Dream- there is a tender spot in my heart for this play, that donkey just cracks me up ;).

The stage inside the Shakespeare Library. I haven't been to see a play here yet but I definitely intend to now that I've been there. I love live theater and don't get enough of it in my life at the moment.

We ended the day in one of DC's most popular independent bookstores, Kramerbooks & Afterwords. I love bookstores, there is just something comforting about being surrounded by the printed word. Definitely a comfy, homey feeling. The day was topped off with a slice of Goober pie in the cafe attached to Kramerbooks, Afterwords-which is in fact the first bookstore cafe in the country. It was delicious, an absolute slice of heaven...peanut butter and chocolate in perfect harmony.

It was such a great and relaxing day. Kim and I joked that it was the perfect "date", it really was; so glad I could at least share it with a great friend like Kim.

First time for everything

I love U2. I mean I really, really enjoy them- as was proven/stated in my 2 previous posts. There are a lot of other things/people/ ideas/ etc. that I love. I think it's important to be passionate about life...even if it's interpreted as being "dramatic"... Either way, life is meant to be enjoyed not just endured (Thank you President Hinckley) and so with that said, I love it when I meet people who have evident passions...because I think it is so contagious. Trying new things is definitely a goal of mine...I'm usually up for most things (eating an entire box of Krispy Kreme doughnuts, running 26.2 miles?) so when I'm given the opportunity to do/try something completely new...well as the following pictures convey..I think I'm usually game.

Ya I paid $20 bucks and watched the Mayweather vs. Marquez fight in a crowded Sports Club with Boxing enthusiasts...learned so much about the sport and thoroughly enjoyed myself- some might say it's my latin blood or just the fact that I have 4 brothers..either way, a good fight is right up my alley.

On the softer side of life..an Ingrid Michaelson concert at the 9:30 Club in DC was so incredibly awesome. Loved it!! Merrilyn turned me onto her and then cousin Lauren and so on and so forth. She is even better live. Such a great show, I'd see her again anytime.

Enjoying Ingrid with a couple of my favorite ladies in DC.

Ubah's wedding. Oh my hilariously complex colleague! We had a blast these last 9 months at work together...we were hired the same day. She an Indian Muslim..and I, well a Mormon..we had some great, great chats. Her wedding was a first for me. I'd never been to either an Indian wedding nor a Muslim wedding.

This is where they sat for their ceremony and for most of the night it seemed. It was very different than what I expected, but such a cool experience.

Isn't she gorgeous?! I love her dress!

Another first...no, not dancing with a white boy. I have actually done that a few times ;). This would be us getting our groove on to Chuck Brown in downtown DC , ya listen to this. You know it. Dan (pictured here) loves Chuck Brown and invited a bunch of us down to appreciate the Orginator of "go-go"Funk.

Another first would be me getting my groove on in public (well I have done that before) and getting hit on by a man half my size and twice my age..he just couldn't resist the hip action I had going on. Haha. It was too funny.

So to all of you readers out there, please, invite me along the next time you're doing something you love solo...life's too short not to share what we love.

U2 Groupie

2 U2 shows in a single week. Does life get any better? I guess there are blessings to being a single lady ;).

MJ & KA didn't get to go to see U2 in DC and so they decided a while back that we should head down to Charlottesville and catch them there- I couldn't pass that up. So Thursday afternoon, a mere 48 hours after seeing them tear up FedExField, we headed South for another rendezvous with the King of Ireland.
It was a much smaller stadium and so we had great seats, front row of the top section, just to the right of the stage. It was perfect. (Aren't these girls just adorable?!)

Our attempt at making a "U2" symbol with our hands..so clever.

Our view of the stage.

The man himself.

Rockin' and Rollin'.

We were on our feet for most of the show, dancing, screaming and just having the best time. It was the first U2 show for the girls, and they were not disappointed. It was phenomenal.

The Edge working over his guitar. He even sang a bit of a solo this tour and melted my heart...

When he sang "One" my heart nearly lept out of my chest...and when they finished the night off with "Moment of Surrender" I couldn't stop smiling. They are seriously amazing live. It was my 5th U2 show and it just never gets old.

Thanks for thinking to go KA, it was such a great night of U2, laughter and just good, good times. Can't wait for Paris.

Weekend with Jenny

Wife, mother of 2 and busy as all get out with life. That is Jenny. But guess who made the time to come and spend a weekend with her ridiculous single friend and see U2 together for the 3rd time? Yup, Jenny again. She is the greatest friend a girl can have. She always makes me feel important and is a constant source of encouragement. So a Jenny weekend was just what the doctor ordered.

She lived in DC as a kid and stressed that she did not need to be entertained and that she just wanted to hang out and enjoy our time together. And that is exactly what we did. Movies, laughing, talking, eating, walking the neighborhood or the Memorials at night, and just being together. It was such a kickback, relaxing, girls weekend- topped off with U2 in DC. Icing on the cake.
Sporting our memorabilia from the last tour where we saw U2 in St. Louis (poor Eric had Dental School finals and you can't just let a U2 ticket go to waste. So of course I jumped on a plane from Phoenix and 36 hours later was coming home from a whirlwind trip with Jenny) and gearing up for FedExField.

I love this lady. Friend since Freshman year at BYU, nearly a decade ago...where does the time go?

We had to get our energy up with a quick sugar fix before the show. Baskin Robbins answered the call.

Sunsetting atop FedExField.

It was freezing (we didn't realize it was an outside venue..haha) and so a U2 sweatshirt became a necessity.

Keeping warm and counting down until the Greatest Band in the World made their entrance.

U2 360 Stage. It was a space theme. Awesome.

Bono!! I was screaming like a little girl. I cannot get enough of this man...as the next post will prove ;).

Thanks for coming Jenny, you can come anytime, even if Bono isn't with you!

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!