Welcome to my Estate

It seems hard to believe, but it's almost been a month since I last posted! I can't let November go by without at least one post. But the truth is, there hasn't been much to say. Life goes on, work's been well, and all in all, I've been pretty happy and doing okay. You can't ask for much more than that.

So, on this day in which we give thanks, I'm thankful that I have nothing to complain about. :)

I wish the same for all of you, regardless of whether you celebrate Thanksgiving where you are!

Project Runway.

Is anyone else watching this season?

( In case you are . . .  )

I don't get it.

I had my first gray hair scare this past weekend. I was washing my hands in the airport bathroom when I looked in the mirror and saw this strand. It was silver and stuck out like a sore thumb amidst the rest of my black hair. For about ten seconds, I freaked. Was this the beginning of my end? Was this what turning 30 did to a person? I was, in no way, equipped to handle gray hair. I was about to go digging for it, to extract it like one would a nasty weed, until I remembered where I was, and that probably the other women using the bathroom wouldn't appreciate me leaning over the bathroom counter while I yanked out hair. Opting instead to rearrange it until the silver strand disappeared, I forgot about the matter until a few hours later when I was at my sister's. There, I tasked my mother with finding and removing the offensive strand. She never did find it, which means it was probably just the glint off the bathroom light, and that was that.

In a way, I feel like my 30th birthday has been sort of like that experience. Everyone's been saying, "It's the big 3-0!" like some grand event is supposed to take place - be it my body spontaneously falling apart, being suddenly blessed with infinite wisdom that only comes with maturity and age, or both. But for my own part, it's been like any other birthday: just another year older and an excuse to have all the attention centered on yourself for one day. And, honestly, that's how I like it. :)

It's been a nice one. I was at work for most of it, obviously, but I got so many emails, Facebook messages, e-cards, and phone calls, it's a wonder I got any work done at all. My co-workers also helped celebrate by going out to lunch with me, and even my judge remembered the day. That was a major but pleasant surprise. I also got my flu shot today, and I like to pretend that was my employer's gift to me.

But the bestest present is still to come. happychemist arrives tomorrow and I can't wait!!! It's nice having a birthday that backs into a long weekend and even nicer to have friends who'll make the trek to visit me. :D

My oldest friend is someone I've known since I was 3 years old. We grew up playing together practically every day since she lived just a short walk away and also often stayed with her aunt, who lived next door to me (until we moved away when I was in high school).

We don't see each other often anymore as she now lives in IL and our schedules don't always mesh when she's visiting her family. But, my family still frequently celebrates Thanksgiving with hers (a tradition we started when we lived next door to her aunt) and, last year, she was home for the holidays so I got to see her then.

Given that we've known each other since we were 3, I think it's a feat that we've stayed friends for as long as we have. Obviously, we are not the same people we were way back when, so we can't be the friends that we once were to each other, but I can say with certainty that we're still there for each other. In fact, when she married she asked me to be one of her bridesmaids, I was kind of surprised, but then her mother explained: Of all her friends, she knew that I'd always be there for her. It's true and I feel the same about her. We've been there for each other since we were 3, so why would we stop now? :)

Seriously, one of the best book reviews EVER. It makes me want to read the book if only to point and laugh, but hey, that's one more reader the book never would have had otherwise.

http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/index.php/weblog/comments/the-playbot-sheikhs-virgin-stable-girl-by-sharon-kendrick/

A word of warning: You might want to read this while other people aren't around so they won't think you're a crazy hyena. And I promise you, YOU WILL WANT TO READ THIS! ;)

Watch the Purple Pixie Glitter Star Pants Fairy in action! (Though he's wearing his traditional, probably better known Peter Pan outfit for this.)

http://wearetheweb.org/

[Click on "The Video," on the left. It may take a while to load.]

I love that the video also features Tron Guy. Thank goodness for the Internet, indeed. :)

I meant to post this, oh, two weeks ago when I returned from my vacation/business trip to San Antonio, but then I got lazy. Isn't that the story of my life? But I want to post about my trip because I had a wonderful time - both parts of it - so here goes:

The first thing I noticed about San Antonio was, no surprises here, the heat. It was kind of hard to miss as I was immediately enveloped in its suffocating warmth when I stepped off the plane and into the jet bridge. The second thing I noticed was the pride the people had both in this country and its armed forces. No real surprise there either, given that it boasts four military bases and is home to one of the largest populations of active/retired servicemen, but still it was nice to see. The pride, that is, not the heat. ;)

I flew down Friday morning so that I could make full use of my 3 free days to explore, and I didn't waste any time getting started on my adventure. In fact, I only took time to check-in, set down my bags, dig out my camera and hat, slather on copious amounts of suntan lotion, and grab a map before I was off!

( Friday )

( Saturday )

( Sunday )

( Work Week )

So, in conclusion, I have decided that San Antonio is a gorgeous place, filled with history, and lots to see and do. I didn't meet any cowboys or airmen, but there's always the next trip. ;) In seriousness, I'd definitely like to go back - just not in August!

If interested, click on the photo below for my entire Flickr set:

To often we (and I include myself, obviously) tend towards ranting while overlooking the good things that are worthy of praise. It's understandable. When bad things happen, we want to complain and have our tempers soothed. But the peril of that is I start looking at the world with a glass half empty. Meanwhile, something nice happened to me last week. It was an act of charity, really, and served to remind that there is still kindness and goodness in this world. What a happy thought!

I went to Au Bon Pain last Wednesday after work because I wanted to get a piece of bread for dinner. When I got to the check out counter and started rifling through my bag, I discovered to my horror that my wallet wasn't on me. (I switch bags - to a smaller one - when I go to Curves, and had forgotten to switch my wallet back the night before.) I was so embarrassed and had handed the bag of bread back to the manager when she returned it to my hand and said, "It's alright. Come back tomorrow." Really?! She nodded her head and sent me on my way.

I was impressed and amazed. And determined to do the right thing. Unfortunately, I kept forgetting! ABP's not on my normal path to the Metro and I'd always remember just as I was mid-way home. Well, a week later, this evening, I remembered and went back to pay my $2.82. I think the manager was surprised to see me there. She had such a smile on her face. I'm sure, she probably thought that after a week, I was a goner. She may not have ever expected me to return when she handed me the bag. But I did, and I'd like to think that in doing so I gave her some renewed faith in this world as well. :)

I hope something nice happens to all of you this week. It really put a spring in my step when I got my bread-in-advance last week!

Have you ever seen a lone shoe sitting in the middle of the road, lounging on the side walk, or suspended from a traffic light pole (yes, I really have seen one there before) and wondered: how did it get there? And what happened to its pair?

Or maybe it's just me. ;)

Talk about having some very willing friends. :)

( I took this twice, as I thought I could answer two ways for some things, but still ended up with the same result. You know what that means. Must be true. ;P )

Your style personality is: Modular Living

Your space is quite minimalist. Your living spaces are simple and unadorned. Every space is rational and reduced to your fundamental needs. There is no need for excess.

Find out your interior style.

I'm still in DC.

YARGH.

Care to play? I know you want to play. :P

Just fill in the blank and delight us with your creative answers!

the_marchioness is wishing _______________________.

My friend and I went to the free Sunday morning yoga class at Lululemon, and had a fantastic work-out. Each weekly class is taught by a different area instructor/studio, which is kind of nice as you get to try out a lot of various styles. This week's class was taught by the same instructor with whom I had that unexpected individual session last year. She was as awesome today as she was then, even though I had a store-full of other yogis practicing with me.

After class, since we were already at the mall, I ran a few errands. Since I knew what I needed to get, it was in and out. I love that kind of shopping.

We followed our morning exercise with pho for lunch. Cheap and delish, can a person ask for anything more? Apparently the answer is yes, because we drove to Cupcakes Actually for dessert. MMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmm. . . The Italian Stallion is to die for. I bought an extra one to give to my office mate tomorrow and my fingers are itching, but I will be good and resist.

Meanwhile, I really need to go take a shower. In addition to sweating up a storm at yoga this morning, I also now smell like pho. You always know when you're going to have good pho if you can smell it from the parking lot. On the other hand, if the smell is overwhelming outside you can imagine what it must be like inside.

After that, I think I'll kick back and read a book or watch a movie . . . at some point, I'll have to do the dishes. But isn't it nice to have that as my only chore to worry about for the day?

I loved all the comments shared in this post. (Perhaps my favorite post yet.) We got really creative in those replies, didn't we?

And since June is almost upon us, it seemed a particularly fitting time to revisit the Hand Book. *grin*

Memorial Day Weekend. Ah, bliss. Certainly, it was a weekend to remember and honor those who have served. But personally, it was a weekend of rejuvenation. Things have been difficult at work lately, and I've been putting in some extra personal time too so, even sacrificing my regular day off on Friday, it was nice to still have today for a holiday.

My parents were here for most of the weekend. I wasn't entirely thrilled with them visiting since I just saw them a few weekends ago when my brother was down, and I'll be seeing them again in a few weekends when we visit my sister, but it turned out to be a good thing after all. They pampered and spoiled me thoroughly. :)

On Saturday, we went shopping. And I do mean shopping! I can't feel too guilty about all the money spent as I haven't shopped for myself in a while. I got some cute stuff for the summer, including the best (and most comfortable!) pair of jeans evar. They're actually denim capris, not jeans, so you can bet your bottoms I'll be wearing them all summer long. To me, that makes them worth every penny splurged. Considering the other bragains I landed over the weekend, I figure I must have evened out somewhere. And if I didn't, and I spent more than I should have, well, I'm just supporting the economy, right? ;)

Other than shopping, we also visited Annapolis, Maryland (pictures) on Sunday. Not only the capital of Maryland, but also home of the United States Naval Academy, you can imagine how it was the place to be on Memorial Day weekend. Both tourists and residents were out in droves, enjoying the long weekend and its accompanying fine weather. It's really quite the picturesque place, right on the water. They keep the capital neat and tidy, so you can't help but feel comfortable and right at home. The promise of seeing men in uniform also doesn't hurt; heh. (You guys know how much I enjoy the sight of men in dress whites - Fleet Week!) In actuality, though, I only saw a handful of men in uniform wandering the streets of Annapolis; graduation was on Friday, so the campus itself was pretty empty. Guess I'll just have to go back! ;P

Five years ago today, I crossed a stage and was handed the most expensive piece of paper of my life.

Has it really been five years already?!

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I don't know how I felt about that.

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This is a song that has completely captured my attention this evening. It's called Hua Tian Cuo / Mistake in the Flower Field, by Wang Lee Hom. I love the way he's blended two completely different styles of music - traditional Chinese opera and modern Western sounds, like R&B - and made it work. It's unexpected, but fresh! I especially love the incorporation of the erhu into the song; it is my favorite traditional Chinese instrument. :)

(In case it doesn't embed properly: A direct link.)

My hair is long. It's driving me bonkers. And it needs to be cut. Like this weekend.

I just called the salon and the woman I usually see no longer works there. In fact, they don't even think she's working as a hair stylist anymore. Wah? Wha? Wah!

I need my hair cut! Now where will I go? I hate searching for hair stylists, especially when I visit them as infrequently as I do. I thought I'd finally found one who suited my purposes: she was cheap, she did what I wanted, and my hair always came out fine. But now she's gone! :(