Two summers ago I met Leslie, a soon-to-be Museum Studies graduate student who was the Executive Assistant for the American Studies Program. I had just completed my first semester in the American Studies Program and was working as the Executive Assistant for the Museum Studies Program. We bonded over ice cream, often alternating between the GW Deli or Cone E. Island Ice Cream. I prefer the latter.
Last week, we decided we should chat over ice cream. Suffering from withdrawal, I also wanted to see the baby. I can't believe sometimes, how much I miss her. We bonded during our walks and I was excited when she recognized my voice and instead of crying, smiled.
In fact, princess Isla was all smiles while we were playing. Leslie says she loves the outdoors and it shows. She kept grabbing grass and putting it in her mouth. We were constantly taking the grass blades from her only to watch her grab another fist-full and repeat the action. I tease Leslie that Isla will be a park ranger or a big-wig environmentalist. I would love that! In the meantime I just wish she would grow some hair. Auntie Jacqueline is holding Isla in this photo.

Although her eyes are closed in this photo, Isla is anything but camera shy. She loves posing for the camera and is a very photogenic baby. I love that her outfit has pink butterflies on it. We have so much in common already.

This is a photo Auntie Jacqueline took of Auntie Amber holding Isla. Auntie Amber didn't like the way she looked in the photo, you will understand one day Isla, so she cropped it, to show the better half. Auntie Amber does like the way her hands look though and is so proud that you look so happy while she's holding you. This was not always the case.

While we were playing in the grass, these Indian guys decided to play a game of cricket. Auntie Amber found this ironic, and your mother can explain why someday, that this should happen while she was with her on GW's campus. Isla, it may sound absolutely romantic to date former professional cricket players from India, and at times it is, but I would recommend dating men who are more academic. Men that wear bow ties and glasses, for instance, and can engage you in intellectually stimulating conversations. Those men are difficult to find, its true, but I am confident you can and will choose wisely. Your mom did. Your parents have one of the coolest relationships I have ever seen.

I was sitting seven rows behind home dugout watching the Nationals play the Rockies. The seats were absolutely incredible. Each time I think I can't be more fortunate the next time I attend a game the seats are better than before. It's wonderful having friends, like Scott, who invite you because they know how excited you will be to go. I posted this photo, despite the horribly obvious neck creases, because my eyes look so weird. I have never seen my eyes this shade before.

Scott recently purchased a new digital camera and as the photos demonstrate it has an incredible zoom. Although I appreciate all the players, and their talent, I especially appreciate Ryan Zimmerman. Scott got this shot of Zimmerman, during a pow-wow on the mound. It's terrific because he is easily identifiable and his ass looks nice as well.

Meet Jim. Jim was the usher for our section and sat directly behind me, when he wasn't busy checking fans' tickets. Because I am a motor-mouth and feel compelled to talk to everyone, I talked to Jim periodically throughout the game. Not only did he take our photos, but agreed to me snapping one of him, and yes, he knows I am blogging about him.

Jim and I became such good friends he asked me to come see him the next time I attended a game. He showed me the section he usually works and told me I should try to sit there next time. I told him I would do my best.

GEORGE! Again a photo taken with Scott's A-MAZING camera. Don't worry Steph, his doesn't hold a candle to yours. The Presidents hung out in our section for most of the game. One of them even sat down next to a fan, which caused major problems for the fans sitting directly behind them. Their heads are so large it was impossible for the fans to see the game.

The highlight of the game was having the cameraman film us dancing and then Screech blowing kisses at me in front of everyone. I couldn't believe it. I blew kisses back and then he pretended that his heart was beating out of his chest. I felt really special until I saw him do it, although less conspicuously, to another girl.

Although we weren't able to stay for the entire game, we did stay until the top of the eighth. By that time, the Nationals were leading 3-0 and as this photo implies the Rockies had surrendered. Worried that we would miss a come-back I checked ESPN the moment I got back from Nick and Lara's reception. Lucky for us, the score did not change, with the Nationals claiming the victory. Jim predicted the win before we left and said I was the team's good luck charm. I am sure this a common line he shares with fans but it made me feel lucky nonetheless.

Playing around with Scott's camera as we zipped through Southwest, I snapped this self-potrait profile photo, which I kind of like because it shows off my jaw-line. The more I look at it though the more I think I have an oddly shaped head or that I look like an old lady. Either way, we had a fantastic time and made it to the reception with fifteen minutes to spare. Although Lara had changed from her wedding dress into her traveling clothes, Nick was still in his tux and everything looked lovely. I saw an old friend who I haven't seen in years, and was able to see Tara and Anne which is always fun. More on that to come.

We went to hear The City Band play in Bonner Park. Above are The Dancers. I use that term loosely.



They yawn exactly the same way.



While this shot is posed, I made them do this to commemorate the moment just before this where they actually were looking at each others rings.

Since I wasn't able to attend Grandma's birthday, Dad made sure my Aunt Evelyn emailed a few pictures to me. I decided to post my favorites. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

In this photo my dad is sporting overalls, something I have NEVER seen him wear before, although he has often talked about it. I love men in overalls. I don't know why I just do. Men in overalls with glasses sends me over the top. LOVE IT!

I'm stuck today. Stuck because my car is dead and in Pocatello but there are children dying in Africa.

I don't mean that in the "yeah, yeah" way it's usually said. I really mean it. My life is blessed beyond compare. I have a car, family, a great job, possessions, the ability to travel--all the things that make me happy. I'm not without anything that I need to thrive.

But my car is stuck and I'm upset because it's expensive and I don't have the money to fix it. I'm annoyed that the mechanics didn't correct everything perfectly the first time. I'm in a horrible mood about needing to work today when all this is going on. I'm pissed that my neighbor was going around looking for the dogs that were barking so he sat on my property to watch my dogs bark.* And I'm annoyed that I'm annoyed, you know?

Do you ever get like that? You feel pissed/upset/annoyed and suddenly you think, "STEPHANIE! You are so BLESSED! SHUT IT!"

Maybe it's just me.

But then I do start to think about all the horrible things in the world (I'll spare you my list) and how I'm not being subjected to any of them. But rather than making me feel good about my life it makes me feel bad about my guilt.

Thank God Reese's Stix are now an approved medication for depression. I know because they help me and I prescribed them to myself.



*HELLO! THEY ARE DOGS, YOU IDIOT! They BARK when someone they don't know is sitting ON MY PROPERTY watching them! DUH! I HATE OLD PEO...THAT PARTICULAR OLD PERSON. *deep breathing* The End.

This afternoon I joined a few sisters from Relief Society for an organ concert at the National Cathedral. Since moving to Washington over two years ago, I have longed to attend a concert and take a tour of the cathedral but did not have the opportunity until today. It was worth the wait. The Gothic architecture was awe inspiring. The extraordinary attention to detail is beyond comprehension for an impatient person like me. To imagine the hours devoted to wood-carving, glass tinting and setting, not to mention the exhaustive struggle of hauling and chiseling the stone to reveal animals, log cabins, and other symbols of American Christianity was simply breath-taking.

Following the concert, I decided to wonder the grounds a bit. The weather was perfect. The sun's rays were bursting through the clouds creating an ideal celestial backdrop. Descending the steps I discovered a courtyard with a beautiful water fountain. I love arches and decided to take advantage of the natural frame they created for the fountain.

Exiting the courtyard I passed through this corridor filled with more arches. It reminded me of a Catholic church I visited in Israel nine years ago this summer. Illuminated by the sun's rays I thought it photo-worthy.Growing up I had a cat named Misty. For those who know my family, you may guess that, like our other pets, we never called Misty by her name. Misty over time evolved to Missy and then finally to Hiss. Misty endured thirteen years of "attention" only to disappear one day from my dad's farm. This stone pillar reminded me of her. If you look closely, you may notice that the birds on either side of the cat are pecking it. Unlike the stone kitty this is a fate Misty narrowly escaped.

One afternoon, Misty followed my mother and I on our evening walk through the neighborhood. While we were walking all these birds starting dive-bombing our feline friend. Until that time, my mom and I had never witnessed birds do something like that. We still talk about it to this day.

They say black is the signature color for Washington and today that statement seemed to ring true. Not only did Kristi and I have black on but Mamma Harbour, Sokpal and what seemed like a majority of the women in the congregation were sporting black. I decided to post this photo so my friends could see the dress I purchased to replace the bridesmaid dress my brother's fiance is trying to force me to wear to the wedding. I think this dress is more elegant and definitely more modest. Unlike the bridesmaid ensemble, I will wear this dress repeatedly.

When I get married I am not having bridesmaids; end of story. Weddings are the biggest pain in the choo-choo train ever. The wedding industry is a machine designed to convince women into spending money on an event that lasts thirty minutes or so only to generate or accumulate more debt then they had prior to the occasion. Eloping is the only way to fight the system, which is exactly what I am going to do. SLC, Nauvoo, Hong Kong (makes no difference) or Bust!!

Ahem... As I was saying, the National Cathedral was beautiful and I felt very fortunate to attend the organ concert on the seventh Sunday after Pentecost, which seems like it could be significant because it involves the number seven and occurred in the seventh month in the two-thousand and seventh year or perhaps I am an idolatrous sign-seeker who needs to repent. Either way, if anyone is interested in taking a tour of the lovely Gothic behemoth I would be happy to join them.

I found this after a phone call from my Dad telling me about it.

A few weeks ago, "M" approached me about being one of the two new poster girls for an advertising campaign the Marketing department is launching for our company. Although the campaign is strictly internal, a poster and video of moi will be seen by designers, engineers, architects, and planners in thirty-five offices around the U.S. It will also be posted on the company's website so those who desire to repeat the experience can simply click on the link and watch me carry a suitcase through a parking lot. Don't ask.
So, in preparation for tomorrow's photo shoot I decided to do a test run on my hair. Ashley and "M" have already decided they will do my makeup so I didn't bother. However, I did volunteer to do my own hair, thinking I might be able to mimic Miss America's "do" in the poster above, which is who I am supposed to resemble tomorrow.

As you can see with bangs and brown eyes I am a far cry from America's poster girl. However, I have faith in photo shop and the Graphics team whose work is truly miraculous. Believe me, it will take nothing shy of a miracle for everything to come together by tomorrow. Wish me luck and Happy Fourth!!!!

Although I officially turned 29 at 8:39pm last night, Sarina started the festivities by throwing a party on Friday. It was very intimate with just me and most of the girls who I love dearly. Steph wasn't able to make it but we talked on the phone during the party.
I hate that Sara, Hannah and Christine are already gone and dread the time I have to say goodbye--AGAIN, to Sarina. Everything was perfect. I didn't get photos of the event but Mamma Harbour did so I will blog about it after I get them from her.

Because the weather was perfect yesterday Rina and I ditched church early to lay out by the pool. We read the July issues of Lucky and Glamour while working on our tans. We didn't lay out long though because Christy and Sundee invited us over for dinner. I will blog about this later too.