... we get to the airport. The flight is canceled. We get to Atlanta. We're ignored and it's the Battle of the Bands in our hotel. Don't ask. We get to Salt Lake. There is no luggage. We get to Park City. The restaurant is closed. We get our nails done. They smudge when the lady tells us they are dry.
So far, this trip blows.
Well, not really. Boo and I have already gone to SLC together. But we're headed out again. Snow and cold! Yahoo! Well, for me. She hates snow and cold. We'll be sure to get a few new adventures to add. Aly would hate it if we got bogged down in saddness. Onward and onward.
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)
Five Quirks
My apologies. This should have been part of the last blog.
1) I hate being distracted during a movie or while reading a book. For me movies/books are vehicles of escapism. 'Nough said!
2) Ben used to say I had a nightly ritual. Although I won't go into details, I would classify it as a quirk.
3) I use sound to express my emotions. For instance, when I am cold I will squeal. When I am excited I will squeak. When I want to provoke my mom or anyone else I turn around and while jumping up and down spank my butt.
4) I love giving people nicknames. For example, people in my home branch are known as Leprechaun Prince, Opera Lady, Marijuana Man, Micro Chip, Peach Fuzz, Leader, etc.
5) My brother and I used to create our own words and attach meanings to them. This, I have read, is a sign of genius. Glad someone recognizes it. Banggot, Luttenbay were common phrases in our childhood home. We also like to substitute letters in words, i.e. ZuZu becomes simply Boo. Mary becomes Bear. Babe becomes sabes. Follow? Good.
Four Jobs I've Had:
1) Executive Assistant for The George Washington University Museum Studies Program (present)
2) Environmental/Historic Preservation Specialist for FEMA Region IV
3) Historic Sites Interpreter The Gwinnett History Museum (Georgia)
4) TA for Dr Hawkins and Professor Andrus at BYU
SEVEN Places I've Lived: (because seven is a lucky number)
1) Rome, Georgia
2) Ogden, Utah
3) Berea, Kentucky
4) Provo, Utah
5) SLC, Utah
6) Lilburn, Georgia
7) WASHINGTON, DC!!!
Seven Movies I'd Watch Again:
1) Goonies!! ( I love the 80's!)
2) The Ten Commandments ( I love Charelton Heston's bare chest. "Moses, Moses")
3) A Room With a View (All I can say is, "Where is my George Emerson?")
4) Its A Wonderful Life (The Kidd's family favorite movie)
5) GWTW
6) My Big Fat Greek Wedding
7) A Field of Dreams ( I love Ray Liota as Shoeless Joe Jackson)
Seven TV Shoes I love to Watch: (Although I don't own a TV, if I did, it would be)
1) CSI- Las Vegas
2) CNN I can't get enough of Mike Galanos
3) Law and Order
4) Cold Case
5) American Idol
6) Discovery Channel's I Detective
7) SNL
Seven of my Favorite Foods:
1) Peaches, naturally
2) Nuts I love pecans, walnuts, peanuts, almonds, etc. They make everything taste better.
3) Multi Grain Wheat Thins (As Steph, Rae and Gwen can attest I have been addicted for a year now)
4) This sounds so juvenile but I love pizza!
5) My grandma's homemade applebutter (She just sent me a jar)
6) Brewster's Turtle Ice Cream
7) Milk Chocolate anything!
Four Places I'd rather be right now:
1) In Atlanta, GA hanging out with my brother
2) In Tampa, FL laying out with my Mom away from the nudist colony
3) The Isle of Crete (My dad claims he has never been anywhere more beautiful than Crete)
4) In the arms of a man who was worthy of my love and who returned it
5) With my dad in Berea, KY eating Papaleno's pizza
6) Vatican City
7) This summer when this semester is behind me and all my papers are finished!
Boo and I have now been together one year! January 16, 2005 I picked up a freezing girl from Atlanta at the metro, took her to church with me and that was the beginning of a beautiful friendship! So, last night we celebrated in a traditional manner--dinner and a movie.
The movie wan't as typical. We went to the new Joseph Smith movie at the Visitors Center. (Her choice but I'm not sorry that I went.) Dinner was at the Old Ebbit Grill. It's officially my new favorite. I ate there with Jamie a couple of weeks ago but it was better w/ Boo! I had crabcakes. She had salad. We decided that Gwen and Rae need to eat there with us next.
So, y'all. I'd say to wish us Happy Anniversay but just think happy thoughts. We'll hear them and we're appreciative!
Long live RAGS!!
So, it's gotten annoying to accept posts here. Both Boo and I have strong opinions and don't really mind that others don't agree. For my comfort I've decided to turn off the comments function. :) Less drama, more fun time for me!
This weekend was filled with doggie-drama and no formal fun. Sunday was the best day becuase everyone came over last night and watched football and chatted. I finally beat Perry at Scrabble!! Thanks to BB for blocking his 44 point "Quiz"! And the Redskins and Steelers both won! Can't beat that even with a stick.
Shortly after posting my "Down With Men" blog, I received several comments about my "manifesto". That evening (Friday, December 30, 2005) Steph, Gwen, Rae and I decided to have dinner at Rosa Mexicana in Chinatown. While driving to our destination, we naturally focused our conversation on my decision to declare 2006 a date-free year.
During this exchange, I mentioned to Steph recent discoveries I had made using my zodiac reference book she gave me for Christmas.
As a Mormon, I should probably explain we are not encouraged to consult our horoscopes. Old Testament prophets, i.e. Isaiah have counseled God's followerers not to seek after "peeping wizards" or "rely on the arm of flesh." Yet, I continue to enjoy reading the daily predictions/counsel for Cancers (my astrological sign) despite the prophets' warnings. I have also been guilty of reading the horoscopes relative to my love interests, hoping to gain greater understanding of daily events in their lives. Obviously, I have had little success. :)
While thoroughly reading my new astrological guide, I learned the best matches for a female Cancer, born in 1978 (horse), are a male, Capricorn, tiger or a male, Capricorn, dog. This means, in order to secure the perfect match, I should only seek men who were born between 12/22-1/19 in 1970 or1974. Thus, my perfect match will be either 36 or 32 yrs old.
For all those wondering if I'm schizo, especially after reading my last post, please allow me to explain. Although craziness is an adjective often ascribed to members of the Elliott family, I am quite normal. "Perhaps," you deliberate, "she's posting this blog hoping a man fitting either description will come forward." No, sorry to disappoint. I am simply keeping a promise I made to Steph, Gwen and Rae while traveling to Chinatown last Friday evening for great mexican food.
Of all the celebrations I love only the Fourth of July beats the New Year! Last night Boo and I spent in Alexandria celebrating with Gwen, Rae, Rob, Nick and Amy. It was a great night! But first, to the beginning of the day!
The Ben's, Nick, Nicole, Rob and the posse headed for the Caps game. It was an awesome game with much action by my beautiful Halpie. We won 4-3 in a shootout. I can't wait till the Av's game in Philly on the 14th!!! Yahoo for hockey!
After that we ran around in small groups for a bit and then dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. Gwen and Rob must be recognized for the numb butts that they acquired during the 60 min wait on the floor for a table. Yikes! After that it was off to the water front for an amazing fireworks show. Well, amazing may be overshooting it a bit but there were fireworks.
It was a great start to 2006! Year of the Dog, here we come!
As a Mormon my entire life I've been encouraged to make and keep goals. While serving as a "missionary guide" on Temple Square I was strongly admonished to make individual weekly and monthly goals. In addition my companion, whoever the lucky gal was at the time, and I were to make and keep companionship goals.
So much has changed since my mission. Now my goal setting is limited to New Year's and academic semesters. Although my goals seem consistent from year to year, this year I have established a motto for the year. 2006 will be known as the year of "Down With Men." Sound familiar? All my girlfriends ask, "Isn't that the name of a movie?" or "Have you seen that movie, Down With Love?" My answers are always the same. "No," is my response to the first inquiry, and "Yes," is my answer to the second.
You may be wondering why I have chosen this motto for the new year instead of another. Well, after much serious reflection and several personal experiences I have decided its time to take a break emotionally, mentally and physically from men.
One thing I have noticed about myself, is how nuts I become when I'm interested in a man. Suddenly every woman is out to win his affections, he is attracted to every woman he meets and he lies about everything. These thoughts of paranoia transform me into an "emotional trainwreck." The metamorphosis is even more terrifing if the object of my affection is a Mormon. This means the stakes are higher and if failure ensues the hurt greater.
Considering my 2005 dating experiences, in addition to previous disasters, I say Down With Men!
Leslie, my counterpart in the American Studies Program, was chiding me about my decision yesterday. "Amber," she said, "you are the most boy-crazy woman I know. I bet you will have a new boyfriend in a week." I love Leslie to death and truly value her opinions but for anyone who knows me, this is simply not true.
Case in point. For Christmas my brother gave me two magnets. One depicts a girl passing gas. Yes, I have to admit, I have a slight problem with gas but that's beside the point. The other magnet shows the same girl kicking a guy in the balls. The boy is screaming in pain.
Four years ago my own mother, who's motto has always been Down With Men, bought me a postcard from the Rhett Butler store in Charleston for Christmas. She could have chosen any scene from Gone With the Wind, i.e. Scarlett at the BBQ, Scarlett and her father looking at Tara, Scarlett in the red gown, Rhett carrying Scarlett up the staircase, but which one did my mother choose? The postcard of Scarlett slapping Rhett across the face. So, for those who really know me, 2006's motto Down With Men is not surprising. In fact, given past and present circumstances, its long overdue.
It is interesting to relate since declaring my motto one ghost from my past has reemerged. Scott, my San Fran water polo champ and former West Point cadet, sent me an email just before Christmas. Prior to this attempt at communication, I have not heard from Scott since May. In response to his email, I, diplomatically, told him to buzz off.
Three days later, I receive another email from Scott. In this email Scott claims he wants to renew our friendship and make a goal to see one another again. (We met while Scott was in DC for the Presidential Inaguration.)
I am not sure what I should do about Scott. Songs from Primary keep popping in my head, namely "Jesus said love everyone, treat them kindly too. When you're heart is filled with love. Others will love you." Then the Down With Men side says, "The guy's a liar. Plus, he's younger, not LDS and has nothing in common with you. You can never be 'just friends' with a man. They always have one objective."
I have offered men second chances in the past, which I have always regretted. They always prove unworthy of any kindness I extend. In fact, the worse I treat a man the better he treats me. I honestly don't understand this behavior and what's more important, I am incapable of playing that game. I value honesty above all else in a relationship. I could never be something or someone I am not. To pretend disinterest in a man, to secure his, is ridiculous. So, I shout Down With Men.
But the Sunday School voice persists and the dilemna continues. For now, I will leave it. He's in Brazil, I'm in DC and 2006 is the year of ME! Whatever anxiety he suffers in anticipation for my answer is not my concern. He made his bed.
Heartless, you criticize. Selfish, you chide. How can anyone, especially a Mormon feel good about devoting a year to themselves. Easy. Men do it every second of every day. :)
Who can believe it! Not our readers, of course. All 2 of you that still read us. lol. Boo and I have a goal for the next year to post once a week. Ok. Well, I have that goal and I'm dragging Boo into it. We're headed out for some crazy New Year's adventures so expect to see something soon! Yahoo!!!
Boo and I love it there! We went shopping today and then to see Pride and Prejudice. Boo can blog her own thoughts on it (as if she actually blogs) but I thought it wasn't nearly as bad as last time.
Then we walked back to Benihana for dinner. I had sushi, finally! I miss being able to eat it as frequently as I'd like. Mostly because I think sushi should be a social event and lately it's been solitary. Anyway, sushi for dinner followed by STUPIDLY big ice cream cones at T. Sweet. Then a walk back to Dupont. It was a great night! The picture here is one of an amazing exhibit that was showing in one of the windows. This can't begin to capture intricate design and execution of this painting. It's one of the reasons that I love Georgetown. All the odd people and art. And now I must bowl. Nick and Rae await.
Boo and I haven't updated this in forever. Forgive us. Please. We want you. We need you. Oh, baby. Oh, baby.
Yesterday we Ate. Not just eating, you see. We Ate. I made Pumpkin Cheesecake. Turkey. Boo's Yams. It was all amazing. And then the power went out so we all talked in front of the fire for a while. It wasn't an eventful day but it was comfortable. Everybody helped with dishes and cleaning. We had funny conversations about what to eat and what we had eaten. Thanks to Aly and Amber I know more things about pumpkin than I ever have.
And that was our Thanksgiving. We all loved it. No pretense, no boys (sorry, Dad. You don't count). Just the girls, good food and good conversation. Not a great adventure but a great day.
So, I'm sitting here in this little coffee shop tonight studying and suddenly there are teenagers. They come in droves, you know. Tonight I seem to have encountered the intellectual teenage crowd. They are all attempting to speak HS Sophomore level French to each other. I can't help but wonder if I did this at that age. I know that we went to coffee shops and pretended to be sophisticated. We spent hours sipping hot chocolate (or lattes for my friends) discussion our HS views of the universe. It was truly astounding that people didn't just shoot us out of sheer annoyance. I'm pondering the necessity of these few. Perhaps they are expendable. :) That counts as an adventure, right?
I'm so excited! Alex scored two goals and I aquired my first official "I love Alex! #8" t-shirt. Fun night for all. Boyd filled in for Sarina with Rae and we had a blast! Turns our Karl's roomie Scott is a bunch of fun! I love Gwen for getting us these tickets! There were some tense moments at the very end of the game but all in all we did well. I read a prediction that we wouldn't win more than 25 games this season. I don't agree. I think we're young and I don't expect to have a killer season but I think we'll be solid. Looks like, in our insanity, Gwen and I will be going with Amber to another game on Friday! I wish they had cheap seats for football! Ok. That is the end of my exclamation extravaganza!!! GO CAPS!!!!
So, I made this little quiz. lol. Everyone try it! It should be fun. :)
http://www.quizyourfriends.com/yourquiz.php?quizname=051003094858-504400
Boo is so much the more responsible person in this relationship!! lol. I decided to blow off another night that I should have been cleaning my room and go to ANOTHER hockey game w/ Gwen. It turned out very well. :) We were standing in line and two guys approaced us, asking if we were looking for tickets. We hesistated and then one of them said, "We just have extra tickets that we didn't want to waste and you are welcome to them." We decided, "Why not?". Turns out the tickets were for center ice, club level! So good! And, much to Gwens delight, Forsberg dressed for the Flyers. Great game. We ended up going all the way into sudden death shoot out and then lost to the Flyers 7-6. Hot, hot game! I can't wait until you are all as addicted as I'm getting. Home opener Wednesday night here we come!!!
Last night Boo and I attended a great bridal shower for our friend Amanda! There were about 20 people in our favorite restaurant (www.cilantrobistro.com) and it was a good time. After dinner Amanda opened her lingere right there at the table, much to the delight of the 5 of so business men at the bar behind us. They kept leering at her so poor Amanda didn't hold things up as high. I think the hit of the night was Harvey's "Position of the Day" book. lol. I haven't seen Amanda that red in a long time! Photos to come!!
Recent Comments