Long Time No See

It's been way too long since my last post. I've been caught up in a whirlwind of life, that is quickly slowly down finally. Instead of writing out my thoughts in this forum, I've bugged the crap out of my friends - they are the best for putting up with me! But I started this blog as a creative outlet for myself and I should use it.

I never wanted to get too personal on this blog, but books are not on my mind right now. I saw this quote on a friend's away message and thought it was pretty fitting of my state of mind right now:

Our ages are awkward. We dont really fit in anywhere. We arent in school, we arent really professionals yet, we arent supposed to be randomly hooking up, but we arent supposed to be married.

I'm in a funk right now and this quote really applies. I need a new job, yet I ponder if I should go back to school. But what is most tugging at me right now is boys. Yes, I said it...boys. Since my last relationship I've been pretty closed off. Lately lots of things have been happening in my so-called "love life" (ha i laugh even saying that). And without even knowing, I opened myself up. I opened myself up to something I never expected to progress, and only did so because I thought I had every reason to - would never if I was unsure or had any doubts of it being reciprocated - only to be sidelined and find out, actually, maybe you shouldn't have been so sure.

"I see you lean in, you're bound to fall, and I dont wanna be that mistake" - classic Kenny Chesney!

Anyways I'm not asking for advice or trying to give any either. Because clearly I am a little clueless when it comes to matters of the heart. Just needed a place for a little expression, thank you for listening to me dear friends :)

Books Bring People Together

Books bring people together. That is how this little story begins  almost 2 years ago....But today is a sad day. Today is the day that a co-worker, turned great friend and "partner-in-crime" leaves DC for good. I met this person about 2 years ago when he started working at our office. I remember sitting in our office kitchen, finishing up my lunch and reading "This Side of Paradise." I can't recall the exact conversation, but my now-friend-at-the-time-stranger walked into the kitchen and started inquiring about what I was reading, telling me he really liked Fitzgerald too. I do distinctly recall thinking, "New guy, I'm trying to read, shhh." Little did I know that 2 years later, I would have made a great friend and had so many crazy memories to recall.

Things not to forget:

1. moving

2. kennedy bus

3. losing people in alleys

4. heart-to-hearts over martinis

5. grand plans of writing a screenplay

6. labor day party and toilet puking

7. roommates (HA)

8. texas cut-outs

9. sketchiness

10. pre-date wine drinking

11. clarendon house

12. shot gunnin' beers

13. frisbees

The list could go on and on...Last night we toasted our good friend for the last time and just moments ago we had our last work lunch with him. But he is on to bigger and better places and things, and I wish him all the best! 

CU on the OL my friend, CU!

Ass in the Sand

I got my toes in the water, ass in the sand
Not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand
Life is good today. Life is good today.

The past month of this summer has been crazy. Lots of highs and lows, ups and downs. But everything seems to be coming to a close, just as the summer is quickly drawing to an end. This past week I got to put all this behind me and escape to the Outer Banks with my best friend and some other great people. For an entire week, I did nothing but eat, drink and lay on the beach. I threw in a little boogie boarding and paddleboarding action, but overall, I was a vision of laziness. And I loved it!

I also finished 2 books at the beach and was told I was a fast reader, why thank you! The first was Thanks for the Memories by Cecelia Ahearn. She is the same young, Irish author who wrote P.S. I Love You, and my personal favorite, If You Could See Me Now. Thanks for the Memories was a fun, light beach read, but wasn't my favorite of her books. The premise is a little far-fetched and somewhat cheesy, in the end, but like all her books, they contain a magical, hopeful quality that only leaves you feeling happy.

The other book, which I finished in 2 days, was Emily Giffin's Love the One You're With. There was a reason I finished this book in 2 days....I couldn't put it down! It was a little slow at first for me, but as in her other book (Something Borrowed), she sucks you into the plight of the main character and you feel like you are part of the story. You begin to relate to the main character as you question what you would do given their situation. Another light beach read, this novel was much more satsifying in the end than Thanks for the Memories.

Now, for the first time in a while, I am not currently reading anything. What should I read next? If only I was still laying on the beach reading it, anything would do.

Commencement

OK, I realize this blog has seriously suffered since the weather became warmer. The past few weeks have also thrown some obstacles my way, but what better way to cope than to get caught up in a great book! Our book club is reading Commencement for our next meeting, and so far I'm a fan. The book, by J. Courtney Sullivan follows the lives of four girls who met and become best friends in college. The book takes place 4-5 years after college with flashbacks of their wilder days. It explores the complexities and many uncertainties we all face transitioning into the "real world." They each struggle with the different things that life throws at us- sometimes life changing things that determine our future course. In doing so, as a reader, you begin to think about your on life choices, how they brought you where you are, where they might take you in the future, and how true friendships can last through the worst of it all. I had a little trouble at first remembering who each character was, as each chapter is told from the voice of a different girl. But after a bit, it becomes easier to follow and I found myself even relating to a certain character and being reminded of other friends in the others. 

I'm a little over halfway through this book and I'm already longing for a reunion with my old college roommates and friends from back home :)  

The Ugly Truth

I just came back from an advance screening of The Ugly Truth with Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler. I am in love with Gerard Butler and have never been to a screening so I was very excited. The movie was great, funnier than expected and I'd definitely recommend it. After the first few jokes I quickly realized there was not way this was a PG-13 movie, but I was cracking up the entire time.

After a great evening at the movies I got home to a nice surprise letter from my mom. I hadn't been feeling that great, and my mom sent me a card, in hopes that it would brighten up my day, and it did! The card has a Chinese proverb that says, "If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a month, get married. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help others." My mom signed the card by saying "I think the Chinese are pretty smart people."

I'd have to agree :)

She's Got Electric Boots a Mohair Suit

This past weekend was my undoing, and one of the best I've had in a while! Friday night I spent the entire night either on a boat drinking, or on a bus drinking. All I'll say is that it got a little intense. Unfortunately I was a bit more hungover than I would have liked to see the Elton John/Billy Joel concert I have been waiting for since I got the tickets back in February! Despite a little rain before hand, the night turned out beautiful and I had the privilege of listening to these two piano men serenade me for more than 3 hours. I have to say it was one of the best concerts I've been to. There was nothing over the top (except when Elton John's piano "broke"), but these guys don't need anything else. They can sit there, not say a word to the crowd and just play and their songs and music speak for themselves.

Despite all the fun I had this weekend, I was left feeling dizzy (literally for a few days). I thought it may just be exhaustion, but went to the doctor to find out that it was something a little more than that. Nothing unmanageable, but just one more thing I have to deal with. So this weekend is the first weekend in a while that I don't have any major plans, and I'm so happy about it. I plan on spending LOTS of time laying out at the pool and finally finishing Eat, Pray, Love...reading three books at once is fun, but it is taking me all summer to finish this thing!

Rocky Morning

All week I've been looking forward to this weekend. I have a lot of fun things jam packed into this tiny little 2-day weekend, but I've been so excited. Unfortunately, my morning didn't go as planned...nothing terrible happened, just minor technical malfunctions (such as my hairdryer dying) and other things left me in a rotton mood. But it's Friday and I have so much to look forward to, I need to pull myself out of this funk. Then I remembered a passage I read in Eat, Pray, Love just last night that reminded me I need to move past this crappy morning and not let it affect the rest of my day. Of course, what she is talking about is a litte deeper than my less than pleasant morning minor disruptions, but the point is that if you left something that is unhappy, or less than desirable affect you, it will not only disrupt your life, but the lives of those around you in unforeseen ways.

"As I focus on diligent joy, I also keep remembering a simple idea my friend Darcey told me once—that all the sorrow and trouble of this world is caused by unhappy people. Not only in the big global Hitler-'n'-Stalin picture, but also on the smallest personal level. Even in my own life, I can see exactly where my episodes of unhappiness have brought suffering or distress or (at the very least) inconvenience to those around me. The search for contementent is, therefore, not merely a self-preserving and self-benefting act, but also a generous gift to the world. Clearing out all your misery gets you out of the way. You cease being an obstacle, not only to yourself but to anyone else. Only then are you free to serve and enjoy other people."

Have a wonderful weekend!