i carry your heart with me

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart)
i am never without it(anywhere i go you go,my dear;
and whatever is done by only me is your doing,my darling)

i fear no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)
i want no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;
which grows higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

e.e. cummings

Day By Day

Today was great. Several things happened that lead me to a renewed goal of living day by day.

Long term goals are great, but they are accomplished little by little every day.

I can wake up every morning and decide to keep my commitments, follow my "take more risks" resolution, and be a good person. I can do those things for one day and one day only. Then get up the next day and do it again. One day at a time is not daunting. I kind of always hated the expression, "life is a marathon, not a sprint" but (ugh) I think it might be sinking in.

(the photo is from the Capitol South area - soooo beautiful there)

Genius!

Another DC Day

Scene: Old man with a walker on the sidewalk, seemingly trying to hail a cab

Me: "Are you trying to get a cab? That one stopped but I'm not sure if he knew you wanted in"

He: "I know he saw me. You know what that's called? Discrimination! He saw that I'm disabled and kept on driving. That's illegal!"

Me: "Okay. Um, do you want me to wait with you or try to get you a cab?"

He: "NO! If you're not going to help then just go away!"

Me (backing away quickly): "Alright - well that was my attempt at helping. Have a great day!"

I scurried away toward the metro and when I was almost a block away I heard yelling. I turned around and it appears that someone else stopped to talk to him. I heard, "Leave me alone!". I love this city. 

"I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more of it I have."

- Thomas Jefferson

I Love to Hate You

Do you follow/read blogs of people that drive you absolutely bonkers? I do. There are a few blogs that I read for the sheer annoyance factor. Why on earth would anyone torture themselves like this? I have no answer.

I got to thinking the other day - if I read/follow blogs that annoy me then surely people read mine because they think I'm annoying! Ha! Then I started thinking about what I could possibly be doing on my blog that would be considered annoying and would cause people to love to hate me. I couldn't come up with anything (other than posting WAY too many pictures) but then I came to the realization that from my perspective, I'm totally normal. Heh. So those bloggers that I love to hate must also think they are totally normal! 

I'm going to work on reading their blogs and loving them. By the way, if you're reading this and think I might love to hate your blog just think if I've ever commented on it. If I have - the answer is no, I love you. If I have never commented on it, I probably don't know that you read this blog so please "out" yourself so that I may start L.O.V.I.N.G you!

Why must I always embarrass myself? Meh. Who cares.

Today an older Romanian lady told me,

"You have to start wearing socks on the cold days. If you don't - you'll get a UTI. Don't you want to have children?"

Life Is Complete

Tomorrow night.

It is almost guaranteed to be awful.

I need to figure out how to get a copy to my sister in China.

I am Regina George.

Winter Blues

The past few years in Utah I got a bad case of the Winter Blues aka seasonal depression. Boo.

I hated it!

I would just tolerate life for those winter months and bide my time until spring. 

But not here! Yes, it's freezing. Definitely colder than Utah (the humidity makes the cold cut right through you and all your layers). My toes are chronically frozen.

-but-

I'm happy! I love it here! It's just another reason why I know I'm in the right place.

Yesssssss!

Pulaski, Virginia

We just got back from visiting a friend in Pulaski. Holy small town, Batman! We are already planning to go back in the Spring when it's warmer because this place is a photographers dream! Since it was such a short trip we didn't get much in, other than eating, dance parties, movies and a great trip to Virginia Tech.

Abbey makes yum salsa

Each of the victims of the Virginia Tech massacre have a stone in this memorial

The tears were free flowing for a while

Shadows in a purple wall? Yes, please!

The peace sign pose - always classy

The mascot is a Hokie.....check out wikipedia for clarification

....love this barn.....

....and this girl....

View from Abbey's back porch 

DANCE PARTY!!!

They taught me Rummikub and I kind of love it. I want to play it now.

We saw this on the way out of town. Fantastic!

I hope you had a really great weekend!

Friends & More

Lately, I have had time to work, eat and hang out with my buddies. Notice I didn't say sleep, that is not too high on my priority list.

For someone who likes taking pictures, I haven't taken any of our latest adventures. Last weekend I went and saw Burlesque with my best girls and let me tell you - it was fabulous! Not Oscar worthy, but it was exactly the dancing/beautiful men/sequins/Cher that we all needed.

Then Saturday we went to karaoke. We heard about a bar that had no cover and a good reputation, but it ended up being too crowded and a rowdy (in a bad way) crowd. The decision was made to find a Korean karaoke joint where we could rent a room.

Best decision ever.

We packed about 20 people into a room and sang our guts out for 2 hours. It is an experience that we will definitely be repeating. Often. I participated in singing:

Summer Nights (from Grease)

If You're Wondering If I Want You (Weezer)

Bad Romance

Total Eclipse of the Heart

Baby, Baby (Amy Grant...yes!)

I'm already working on my set list for next time - suggestions are appreciated.

Wednesday, Devon and I went to the Kennedy Center for a performance by the American Ballet Theater in honor of the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of President Kennedy. They did some of the President and First Lady's favorite ballets. It was phenomenal. I was so glad to have Devon there to answer my questions! You'll never guess who is in the American Ballet Theater.....

Cooper Nielsen from Center Stage! His real name is Ethan Steifel and he didn't dance on Wednesday, he was slated to dance on Thursday :( But, guess who DID dance on Wednesday?

Kathleen from Center Stage! Real name is Julie Kent. She was fabulous! She has been a principal with ABT since 1993 - Devon says that's a really long career. You go girl!

Tonight I'm going on a quick road trip with Devon and Kayla and it couldn't have come at a better time. Sometimes you just need to get away for a day or two. Hopefully I'll remember to take off my lens cap and actually do something with my camera.

Have a wonderful weekend!!!!

Nothing so obstinately stands in the way of all sorts of progress as pride of opinion. 

While nothing is so foolish and baseless.

-Author(?)

Bigger is 'Better'

Trenta.

Yep, Starbucks is going XL and is introducing the trenta size (31 oz).

Not all states will get the pleasure of the trenta immediately, but we here in Virginia will.

Here's the problem. I have a weakness for the double chocolate chip frappucino. 

The venti size is 740 calories....and I always get the venti.

That will be my downfall come swimsuit season.

Curse you, Starbucks.

I find the timing interesting, much like this post. Is it because I've been researching healthy eating lately that I seem to think all of America is as well? Possible, definitely possible. Either way, Starbucks totally sold-out. Way to go all Wal*Mart on us. Geez.

What a hipster thing to say. You know I'll be singing a different tune tomorrow when I'm enjoying my 1127 calorie frappucino. 

Oh hello thighs.

Grateful

Today I am grateful for -

amazing, supportive, wonderful, gorgeous, insightful friends

learning things the hard way (ahem, photography!)

patience from learning things the hard way

answers that come in song form

sister in China who make me laugh 

a new day tomorrow to try to do and be better

Can It Stop Already?

Remember Bennifer?

I know you know Brangelina.

Sigh. Why do all celebrity couples need a name mash-up? I was on E! today and they are trying to figure out a name for Justine Bieber and Selena Gomez. Their choices so far -

Gober

Justena

Biebez

Really? Do I need to be the one to point out the fact that they are both still technically fetuses and probably won't make it until next Wednesday as a couple? Do I? But the main issue here is the NAME - why do they all need some weird amalgamation of their names? Is space on the internet so precious that we need to start losing our identities the moment we become a "we"? Have I just asked six questions in a row? The answers are:

1. Yes, really

2. I suppose I could point it out but I'm sure most people are already thinking it. Although, I'm sure all the heartbroken young girls out there are convinced these two are going the distance....

3. I don't

4. Seeing as I'm not a part of the mainstream media, I should probably not question the things they do or don't do. If it matters to them, then let them have the win

5. Rachel - don't be cynical. Maybe this is a way the media helps celebrate their love - and not a way to strip them of their identities. That's just your degree talking.

6. Yep, that was 6 questions. 

Happy, Happy Weekend

Again - I love him SO much.

Sigh.

"Do not wait;


the time will never be 'just right.


Start where you stand,


and work with whatever tools you may have at your command,


and better tools will be found as you go along."


-- George Herbert

Sweet Night

Tonight we had a MUCH needed girls night. We warned our guy friends that they would be ignored without mercy if they tried to contact us. We all needed the typical girls only, sweat pants, junk food, boy stories, etc. 

One of our sweet guy friends got some of the famous Georgetown Cupcakes at work today and realized that we might want them for our girl time.

Oh yes, we wanted them.

Yum.

(this one is my fave)

Hocus Pocus

Here's a secret about me -

I hate magic.

Not magic like how the holiday season is magical or anything Disney, but I'm talking about Criss Angel, David Blaine stuff. Levitation, escaping buried coffins, all that stuff makes me angry. It's because I don't understand it! It doesn't make logical sense to me - therefore, dislike. Stroooooong dislike. I know magic is not real but that's what frustrates me! I should be able to figure it out, I'm a smart cookie! When I can't trust what my eyes are seeing I get really uncomfortable.

Ugh. Luckily, it's easily avoidable.

What's your Queue?

I have been a faithful customer of Netflix for many years now.

We're basically in a relationship.

Many of my dear friends have Netflix as well and we're always texting/emailing, etc about movies we want to recommend to each other.

I wish there was a way to link up with your friends who have Netflix so that you could recommend from within the system.

Are you listening, Netflix decision makers?!?

Also, I think your queue is very telling as to who you really are. Look at mine and you see documentaries, South Park, lots of movies on oppression, Family Guy, movies from my childhood and lots of movies that no one but Dale Boam has ever heard of. That's me.

Last night, there was a guy at my house (who looks like Puck from Glee)(!!!!) who has Netflix. I asked to look at his queue and based on his viewing history, we're about 93% compatible.

Be still my heart. Will PuckleBerry happen in real life? 

Photo 101

I just started a photo class. It is hard!

I have always taken pictures on the auto setting but we're required to make the switch to manual.....

holy cow, it's hard!

I'm excited though, hopefully I'll pick up some good technique and basic knowledge. I'm never going to set up a photography business, I just want to capture my memories in the best possible light.

I hope you had a great weekend!

I moved past the fear.
I took a risk.
It didn't work out.
It'll be easier next time.

Please, please, please, please!!!!

They're both available and the timing is perfect!

I would give up my claim to my boyfriend if it could work out with these two.

Oh, how I love him, but I love the two of them more.

*fingers AND toes crossed*

No Fear

"I think when you move past your fear and you go after your dreams wholeheartedly, you become free. Know what I'm saying? Move past the fear."

- James Todd Smith (aka LL Cool J)

This is SO applicable to me today! How did he know?!? Um, yes, today I am living out my determination to "take risks" in the worst way possible for someone like me. Through the help of a few wonderful friends, I have decided to take a huge risk, move past the fear and see what happens. I am excited and absolutely terrified. But you know what? After doing this once, next time will be easier and then the next will be even easier. Eventually I will learn how to live without fear and embrace spontaneity. Geez, no pressure but it all rests on today. I better go take a nap!

PS - did you know that LL Cool J stands for "Ladies Love Cool James"? I love it!

Little Rebel

When I was in 2nd grade I started spelling my name R-A-C-H-E-L-L-E

Because it has the word HELL in it.

Yeah, I thought I was cool. I wasn't willing to actually swear like some of the kids in my class so this was (in my mind) a good alternate option. I still have some old worksheets with the name Rachelle on them.

I never told my mom!

Microwave Brownies

I think I shall be trying this very soon

"Dwell not upon thy weariness, 

thy strength shall be according to the measure of thy desire."

- Arab proverb

What An Experience

Ok - this must be addressed.

I played this with some friends on Saturday night and a few things happened:

a) I am SORE

b) Even trained dancers look ridiculous playing this game

c) I miss Michael

d) This game pushed me over the edge - I'm buying a Wii. 

Bah! It was SO fun! We have plans to learn an actual dance of his and perform for a church talent show. Seriously, we're ridiculous, but at least we know it.

Baby Names

Over Christmas I was asking my sister about possible names for the new baby (who Meghan refers to as B4)(Baby 4). She said they've tossed around a few ideas but they don't have a definite list as of yet.

When she and her husband were discussing this, they realized that a lot of people give their child the grandparent's name or middle names.

If B4 is a boy and they gave him the grandpa's middle names his name would be:

DERWIN IRVIN.

No joke. My brother-in-law's dad's name is Paul Derwin and my dad is Gary Irvin. Hence, Derwin Irvin.

I don't think you could make up a worse name.

Awesome.

Last Day of 2010

Eastern Market with Sabrina and Kayla

I made the bomb.com cake for a dinner last night.

Recipe found here

I hope we all have a fabulous 2011!