Absent

Okay, it has been a hot minute since I have posted and so much has happened! I have been really busy (I know), but in early November I wasn't that busy and didn't post because I just didn't have anything I wanted to write about. Well now I do! First of all, how about those Hokies!? So yeah, I know I said we sucked, and we kind of did. I mean, we really struggled against some teams like Duke?! Not okay. But we beat lame ass Virginia and that's all that matters! Now we're Coastal Champs again and we're headed to the ACC championship. Act like you care!

I moved! Major life upgrade. The place is so ridiculously nice and it's in an awesome location. I am not going to go into great detail because I don't want to give away where I live. I'll end up waking up to some creeper trying on my clothes. All I can say is it feels so good to be moved in and out of the old place!

New job is still going well and the holiday party is this Thursday, which I am really excited about. I haven't gone to a real holiday party in almost four years because we only had lame-o work parties during the day in the government. I have been running a lot and I am running the Hot Chocolate 15k this Saturday. I just got new running shoes at Potomac River Running, and was pleasantly surprised when they rang up at 30% off. I just love when little things like that happen!

Alright, it's off to hang my diploma and other frames!

Ch-ch-changes

It's been exactly one week since I started my new job, and although that's not exactly a long time, I feel like know I made the right decision. I am excited about my first assignment, the potential opportunities, challenges, and whatever else lies ahead. I've also already met some really great people. Everyone is very friendly and super helpful. Most of all, I'm just so thankful for the opportunity especially in this economy. My future's so bright I gotta wear shades. ;) Hahaha, okay sorry.

Work isn't the only thing though. Life is just good and I feel so relieved that this is where I am in my life right now. You see, a year ago I was in a really bad place. I was extremely unhappy, depressed, anxious, unmotivated (except for running and working out), and I just felt stuck. I recognized that things were bad and that I needed to do something about it. All the changes that I needed to make seemed so overwhelming though. You know how scary the unknown can be and the idea of changing to get there seems insurmountable? You have all these ideas in your head of how things could be or will be, but for the most part it's all in your head. I think being stuck in your own head and not knowing is way worse then taking the risk to figure it out. Actually, I know it's way worse.

Well, I can honestly say I've never been happier because of the changes I made over the past year. Without risk, there is no reward. :)

On another note, I am old. Long gone are the days where I can go out three nights in a row. To be fair, I was out late Friday night (another 4am'er), but then Saturday rolled around and I was worthless. And not a hungover worthless, just a 'I am so tired, I just want to lie on the couch and watch TV all night.' My 22-year-old self is laughing my 27-year-old self.

New Beginnings

Welllll, my sister's wedding was amazing, vacation came to an end, and I started my new job! Life is good. Everything went well for Daryn and Jon's wedding; the weather was beautiful, albeit a little windy. They were married at La Grange winery in Haymarket, Virginia (my hometown, holla!) and if you haven't been there I recommend you check it out. The reception was also there and Ted Garber was the musician and he was so much fun! Mike and I had a blast dancing and hanging out. I can't wait to go to another wedding with him at the end of the month!

After being off for almost two weeks I was exhausted this past Sunday. How does that work?! Oh, dinners, hiking, lunches, happy hours, going out until 4am, running, yoga, and everything else under the sun. I started my new job Monday and it's going great so far. It's just orientation right now, but it seems like a great company. I am ready for the weekend though because I feel like I need to catch up on sleep. I haven't slept well the past few nights.

Oh and to top the wedding off, the Hokies won! Woo, homecoming this weekend. I am a little sad I won't be there. It's probably the first homecoming I haven't gone to... maybe ever! Tear!

Whirlwind

Where to even begin?! I had my last day of work last Wednesday and it has been non-stop since then. Last night was actually my first night at home since October 3. I have to admit it was a little sad leaving the building on my last day. I guess because it's the end of another chapter and I worked there for over three years. We also had softball on Wednesday as usual and got pummeled as usual, but it's okay because we have fun and go to Carpool afterward!

The best part of this week and weekend was going down to Blacksburg of course! I went to the game and it was probably the best game I have ever attended. The crowd was awesome, it was a beautiful day, and the team played so well. And it's ALWAYS great to beat Miami.

Thomas and Taylor celebrating

Allison and me celebrating!

I also went hiking with Robby on Thursday, which was really nice and pretty. It was a good hike with quite a few lookouts. I love being outdoors in Virginia, especially in the Fall. People don't utilize hiking and the great outdoors enough! It's easy for most of us to access, and best of all, it's free.

Now I get to continue my time off getting to do whatever I want! I am going to lift today, and maybe run. Other than that I'll be playing it by ear! Happy Columbus Day!

It's the Final Countdown

I have less than two days left at work until 12 glorious days off. I know you're jealy. First of all, I will mention the nightmare from Saturday. It was my birthday, as well as Virginia Tech's! The university opened October 1, 1872 and then 112 years later the real fun began when I was born. I cannot believe I just found out that bit of news on Saturday. Anyhow, neither of those were the nightmare. The nightmare was that game, against Clemson, OMG. I have been a Hokie fan for nine years and I am pretty sure that was the most painful game I ever watched. Just awful. Our defense played pretty well, but that was the only bright spot. Our offense was HORRENDOUS as was the play calling. And the special teams was special, but not in the way you want them to be. I can't say I was that surprised though, judging how we played against our first four cupcakes opponents. Oh well, it's just a game. Hopefully it doesn't dictate the rest of the season. I am heading down to Blacksburg for the Miami game and I cannot wait!

So yep, work tomorrow, and a halfish day on Wednesday and I am done. I signed some of my resignation forms today and it felt so good. Today was just a great day overall. You know, just one of those days where you wake up and think, "life is great, today is going to be an awesome day." Then the guilty verdict was partially overturned for Amanda Knox, which just made me so happy for her. She gets to come home now. Say what you want about her, but she was railroaded by the Italian police and justice system. They botched the case from the beginning and the prosecutor has a very questionable past. It sucks that she had to spend four years of her life in jail and fighting this case, but now she gets a fresh start back home and she's only 24. Isn't that what life is all about?!

And I will leave you with my newest obsession, Lost and Found by Kate Herzig:

Two Weeks Notice

Yes, I did it. Today I put my two weeks in at work. I cannot describe to you how happy it made me. I feel relieved, happy, optimistic, and only a little sad. I'm only sad because I will truly miss some of my coworkers. We have gone through a lot together and they definitely made the days seem a little shorter and a lot more fun. I wish I could create my own company and hire everyone so we would be together forever! They'd probably quit if I was their boss though. Haha. The best part is my last day is October 5 and I don't start my new job until October 17. Woo, vacation staycation!

This Saturday is Daryn's bachelorette party and we're going to some wineries so that should be fun. Also, we play at Marshall. So far I am NOT impressed with the Hokies. I mean sure some players are having some great games individually, but they're not gelling together as a team. Who only hangs 26 points on Arkansas STATE?! If you haven't even heard of that team, well they play in the Sun Belt conference. Yeah.

This is short, but there isn't much else to say. I think I am going to go eat ice cream. Bye.

Manic Monday

It wasn't really a manic Monday, but I like that song. Once again, it was a rough morning getting out of bed, so I did what anyone else would do--I delayed my alarm from 7:15 to 7:30! My commute went surprisingly well and made my triumphant return to the office since I was out at training Wednesday through Friday of last week.

I begin my morning routine of checking my e-mails, rolling my eyes at many of them, and signing into all my accounts. This morning was a little different because I had to tell six of my coworkers a little story, including doing some impressions. So everyone gathered in my cube and I proceeded to tell this epic story, which I can't post here. SORRY! It was like story time in kindergarten minus the rice tub or nap time later. Man, you kindergarteners do not know how good you have it. Although, I have seen some people at work taking naps. That's neither here nor there though because it's on the schedule in kindergarten! Get to work people!

Commute home was special. For some reason it was unusually packed before we even rode the rails into the Commonwealth! This prompted me to be too close for comfort to about 80% of the Northern Virginia population. Not okay. Then, of course, we couldn't get the doors shut at Rosslyn! Maybe it's because we're packed on here like sardines. Train operator is copping a 'tude and said, "Move in people, we need to get these doors shut." To this I said, (out loud) or you could send trains more frequently! Then she said (not to just me, everyone), "alright, get close to your neighbors like you love them and squeeze in because we're going to have to offload this train if we can't get the doors shut!" Again, out loud, I said, "Whatever, we know you're going to offload us anyway." But! By the grace of god, that train finally went forward!! It's the little things in life. I only had one stop to go, so if we were offloading I was just going to walk!

I arrived home and started prepping dinner and then hit the streets for a 5.2 miler. My hip has been bothering me so I haven't been running a lot lately, but it wasn't that hot out so figured I should give it a try. I am happy to report I had a great run! I'll probably be using a walker tomorrow, but whatevs! Then I came home and finished preparing dinner and showered. For dinner, I present to you half cous cous and quinoa topped with BBQ tofu and of course, kale chips on the side!
Everyone talks crap on tofu (kale too for that matter), but if you season or marinate it and bake it right, it's so good. So I don't want to hear it from all you tofu haters!