My Happy Bee-day

It was such a good day and I feel so happy.

I decided to postpone the party stuff until this weekend due to Irene last week. 25 flavors of cake are coming soon...

I really felt the love today. Birthdays are a nice reminder of all the friends and loved ones in your life.   I felt the love through a birthday lunch, leaving early from work, taking a nap, eating cookie bars, cupcakes and fro yo, singing in choir, and of course messages from my friends and family. I am a happy bee.

beck

My roommate is so cool

My roommate Melanie threw an awesome party on Saturday. It was a Mustache Bash.

It was loads of fun.  The sensation of wearing a mustache, or perhaps a reaction to the adhesive, made my lip twitch all night long. 

Um, remind me never to grow a mustache. Also, please remind me to not go bug-eyed in every picture I take.

beck

I had a new group come into town this weekend. Don't worry, we went to Busboys and Poets for lunch. It was delicious. Andy, the owner, talked to this group just like he did when my last group went there for lunch. But this time was different. This time was inspiring even for me. This was a group looking at the topic of "social change through the arts." Andy is an artist himself. His insights were deeply connected to the stated interests of the group. I couldn't have planned it better myself.  Actually, I got so distracted by the interactions that I forgot I was supposed to leave to get more coffee to refresh our meeting room.

Today I realized this could be one of my last projects I'll work on for the IVLP.  I'm seriously considering applying for the position opening up at work, which means I won't have to go through the stress of another opening day like today. I would explain the frustrating things that happened today, but it will only sound like complaining.  Complaining is not interesting nor inspiring, so I'd rather not dwell on it.

I went to the Nats game tonight--seats in row H. I could see Ryan Zimmerman's face. Oh so hot. It's probably a good thing that there's space between us.

I'm thinking of having a birthday shindig this weekend. I want it to involve pizza, because pizza is always a favorite food of mine. I would also like it to involve dancing or doing something active. I just haven't found the right fit yet for an activity. For some reason guys are shying away from dancing. Weird. Lastly, since I'm turning 25, I want 25 flavors of birthday cake. Maybe it's too much to ask, or too much to commit to, but I'm seriously considering it.

beck

“there is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. the world will not have it. it is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. it is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. you do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. you have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. keep the channel open. ... no artist is pleased. [there is] no satisfaction whatever at any time. there is only a queer divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others."

martha graham

beck

I've been "working" a lot

By choice, I've been babysitting a lot lately.  I feel like it makes for a long work week, but when I add up the hours, I barely break 50 hours.  I don't know how people could ever work 60 or more hours a week. I'm exhausted.  

There are two things that keep me babysitting: the kids and the money. The kids, G&W, are adorable and energetic. They let me play with them. They love to scare me with crocodile toys.  The pay is good enough that I look forward to the extra spending money.  Funny that I most often see it as spending money rather than money to save.

After a long day at work, and then a long night of babysitting, I wish I had some reason for it all. I wish I had something to look forward to. I want to say: "It will all be worth it when__(fill in the blank)_," or "All that hard work and those exhausting days will have paid off once I __(insert dream job here)__."

There's a position opening up soon in my division, which will be a promotion.  I think I can do the job and it would be nice to earn more. The trouble is I don't think it will help me in figuring out what the "all roads lead to this" kind of job I want. Maybe that kind of job won't exist for me. Either way, it makes it really hard to envision what I should be doing.

This weekend should be fun.  Little Italy in Baltimore, DC Beautification Day, Mustache Party...Have a great weekend!

beck

Bryan's Home!!!

And he's already engaged.  He arrived at the Fresno airport on Wednesday, June 29.  A few weeks later on Thursday, July 21, he proposed to his girlfriend.  It was the opening night of the show he was in, Hello Dolly! They're getting married in November.  He's my younger brother and he's always been much more astute at dating and relationships.

My brother and sister-in-law surprised our family and flew out for Bryan's homecoming. It was the first time we were all together since long before Bryan's mission.  We were able to take some family photos, which I can't post yet.

It's so great that Bryan's home and so great that we were all there for it.

Me and Bryan!!!

Me, my sister and her little boy Luke

Mommy and Luke...just hanging out

My sisters, my cousins, and Serenity. Anginae has been rocking the mermaid mane with me lately. 

Serenity posing with the banner

Showing off the Texas apparel

These are the presents coming with me to Kentucky this weekend.  One for Rachel's Sweet Sixteen and one for my sweet niece Abigail.  

beck