concrete beach

I love summer!  Officially my pool is open for the summer and I’m at it as much as I can.  Granted it is definitely not the same as a real beach with sand, waves, and breeze but it is my city version.  There are so many normal stresses in life that, for me, during the summer just disappear.  I head out to my concrete beach with a book in hand and lay there, sweat, swim, and soak up the rays.  Everything else just seems to melt away…

yoga/ballet fundamentals

Holy cow!  I’ve started taking up yoga and ballet…both separate classes taught at different places but both kick my butt each week.  Wow…either I was really out of shape (true story) or ,nay there is no or.  Anyway, both of these classes have captured my interest and I have decided to kind of rededicate my summer to participating in these activities.  Actually not even so much just my summer I’m looking forward to just becoming good at both of them.  It’s exciting…I even had to replace my old ballet shoes because when I pulled them out of the box they had holes in them.  Bottom line I’m just having fun relearning what my body will and will not allow me to do…

P.S. It appears that something has paid off because my doctor just told me that I lost 10 pounds and 2 inches. 

migration south

Every year, along with the birds, I migrate south.  Though my pattern may  not be dependant upon the seasons it is no less distinct.  I migrate south, at least once, for friendship and though we may be miles apart for the rest…this once a year trip is always worth it.  By all means…there is some free baseball, good food, and beach time…but it is amazing what one little weekend can maintain. 

This year we did all the usual stuff but added a twist…Camden’s old enough to join and take our attention!    I mean that in the most loving way because being at a Riverdogs game is nothing until you see it through the eyes of a three year old.  Not to mention how well he can spot Charlie from anywhere in the ballpark!  Or to fly a kite and blow bubbles on the beach at sunset…  Always a good time to head back ‘home’ to Charleston, but even better watching a friend grow and experience the joys of motherhood. 

Wait…I can’t talk about Charleston and not talk about the great food!   You all know I love to eat and sometimes like to cook but man when I’m in SC the food just keeps on coming.  Ben is a great cook and he pampers his family (and me) so well; such fantastic healthy food all the time.  Even better is when Johny Shu and Ben team up and ‘man’ the grill…wow!  I’m still tasting that corn…

Stacy’s house

the backyard

Stacy & I

the garden (I killed)

tickle attack

SC flag

blowing bubbles

first big swing

RiverDogs at sunset

the big bridge at night

embassy row

Every spring the DC embassies open their doors to the public for us to tour the buildings, learn about the culture, and, in some cases, taste food or listen to music.  So the day started off good but only ok by the end…we had some good places like the band, coffee, and beautiful sites but there were also long lines, a big crowd, and lots of walking.  I’m glad I enjoyed this but now its crossed off the list and yes, my body (aka knees) gave out long before Bob’s did (so we rejuvenated over frosty beverages at RFD’s). 

60 credits

Yea my last counseling class is done!  I was crazy and took an entire grad class in one week, while working full time!!  My class was a grief and bereavement class…definitely an intense class but very good information.  Though I have to admit that the class was a lot of repeat information but i’m glad it’s over…on to conquer the big test.

melting pot

Has anyone gone to the Melting Pot?  Well if you haven’t it is fantastic…I love fondue!  A friend of mine got a few ladies together for a very fun and interactive ‘ladies night.’  Three important things came out of this evening for me:  1. hanging out with other young professional women in DC.  It is amazing how getting out of the normal circle really shakes up and awakens all the senses.  I had such great conversation about everything and anything besides the office.  Don’t get me wrong I love my friends from the office but it was just a good realization that breaking out of the norm helps all of us have better prospective on life.  2. I love the whole idea of fondue!  Granted I definitely ate way too much in that meal but it was so great (with my newish found taste) to be able to try and dabble in all sorts of ways and means.  This is a must do for all that like to experiment.  I say all this about my love for fondue, but please (anyone) don’t run out and get me a pot as I would probably never make it at home but man is it delicious. 3. Steak…I’ve found a new love in my red meat’s.  Its called…medium!    As most of you know I had jaw surgery in 2002 and up until then was unable to eat lots of different kinds of foods, including most types of good tasting steaks.  Well, that time is over and I have come to absolutely love pinkish red meat.  I know there are all sorts of reasons that I should not have my red meat pink but oh my gosh…the taste in my mouth; its a celebration!  (I think I’m actually starting to drool just talking about this)! 

Moral of the story – shake it up with a fun found fondue evening…

opening day

Once again its baseball season!  It is no surprise that I love time outside and what better way to do that than with season tickets to watch America’s past-time.  Ok, so the Nationals typically don’t do that well in terms of drawing in record breaking crowds, winning games, or having my loyalty as a fan (Go Tigers!) but what they do offer is: walking distance from my house, a chance to be outside, watch a game I enjoy, with good friends.  This season opener was on a Monday in April and the fun thing about it…we all took off work to attend!  It was a lot of fun…not quite the same as playing hookie in school but a more professional/adult type version. 

 

view from our seats

check out the crowd

opening day

surprise…it’s greg

Greg surprised me!!!  Then Megan was in town…so many friends to hang out with!    It was great…sometime this spring I knew Megan was going to be in town for a visit so we definitely planned on gathering and I knew Greg was in town for a wedding so we were trying to squeeze in time to hang also.  However, what I didn’t know is that all along Greg was lying to me!  He told me he wasn’t getting into town until way late when he knew he was getting into DC in the afternoon and coming to find me at work.  I can only imagine the look on my face when I answered the phone, he said he was downstairs, I leap up, and ran out of my office to meet him.  (My office mates later asked if Bov Jovi was giving a private concert downstairs…they laughed at the speed of my run)!    Obviously I snuck out of work early and we just walked and talked…actually we walked all the way up to U Street to his old apartment (amazing to wonder through DC streets above ground).  The rest of the weekend he spent with the wedding crew but it was just nice to have a moment like that to enjoy.

Though my weekend is not over because Megan is now in town also!  I don’t remember exactly what her cause of visit was but it was planned.  We hung out for most of the day on Saturday and then we went out to Silver Spring Stage for a friend’s play and the after party.  Truth be told I don’t remember what we actually did…I just remember having lots of time to actually talk and totally catch up!  (LOL-watch I met someone famous in this time period and I can’t remember because I was too excited to see my friend)! 

Greg & I

silly gilrs showing off a new purchase

Megan & I

we love kitties

the President called…

hanging out in the wee hours of the morn

delia

I have recently (meaning in April…I”m still catching up) figured out I have a secret addiction…I love driving, at night, and listening to Delia on the radio.     There, I’ve said it…I know way cheezy; but very honest.  People are at the happiest moments when they call her…not just about romantic love, but all kinds…how can that not be good.  I realized that her voice, the love songs, and no traffic are so soothing to me…I don’t think; just listen.  My head stops spinning with thoughts and I just enjoy this moment with that person. 

Now, how this converts to my current life in the city, without a car, appears yet to be determined…

the lion king

So…interestingly enough at the end of Mom’s visit I left her in DC to head back to MI for the Final Four.  JK!  I went  back because we got tickets to the Lion King the Musical at the Wharton Center.  However before I get to the play I have to tell you about all the hours I spent in the airport…way too many!  The stars were not aligned that morning and I missed my flight by just moments…moments!  You know when they had just shut the doors and you can still see the plane…that was me.

But really cute is when I finally made it to the other side…Andrea had Luke in my birthday suit!    My present was a solid ‘blue and gold’ fan taking the time to think, find, and buy a ‘green and white’ outfit for Luke to wear during the Final Four.  It was great!

Though I do have to say the real treat was going back to the Wharton Center to see a play.  I remember when Mom and I had season tickets to all the big Broadway shows, would get dressed up, and I think my eyes would sparkle for hours.  The lights, the costumes, the dancers, the flowers, and the music and voices…it was all so amazing as a little one.  Well, this version of the Lion King totally brought me back to those moments!!  Really, I sincerely can’t begin to explain the beauty of this play…the costuming and voices are breath taking.  This is a must see…definitely in one of my top five.  WOW!

home away from home?

go green!

working hard