I'm very excited about this

beck

Eatonville

So instead of going to Busboys this week (we tried) with my new group of international visitors, we went to Eatonville. It's a restaurant owned by the same Andy Shallal. Eatonville is named after the city in Florida and in honor of Zora Neale Hurston (Their Eyes were Watching God). She was a colleague of Langston Hughes and they did some work together before experiencing a falling out.  Andy Shallal built Eatonville right across the street from Busboys as an effort to bring Hurston and Hughes back together again. In case you're wondering, the mac and cheese there is fantastic.

While at Eatonville, one of the interpreters shared with me the little known fact about the current Poet Laureate at the Library of Congress. His name is Philip Levine. He lived and taught in Fresno. Can you believe it? Neither could I. I had to look it up.  http://www.loc.gov/poetry/more_levine.html. Apparently he has really great things to say about Fresno.

beck

Send Her My Love

This awesome girl came to visit me for a week.  Good food and good times. Seriously, I haven't eaten out so much or laughed so much in DC in...who knows how long.  I miss her already.

There's just one more thing of note this week. I splurged at Target and bought a CD of...Journey's Greatest Hits. This is kind of a big deal. I'm kind of in love with Classic Rock. It's a really big deal for me to admit to that. My brother Steve-o practically shoved Classic Rock down my throat every day of our high school lives. He's only a year older than me, but that one year of age gave him way too much power over the stereo. After many years, I've been able to embrace Classic Rock in all it's glory. I have a lovely array of cassette tapes to listen to in the Flying D. However, when I feel like it's time for some radio dialing, I tune into the Classic Rock station. The FD loves it. It's rather fitting music for a pickup truck if you ask me.

beck

P.S. Here's just a little taste of the goodness.

First Loss

I lost my wallet today. I'm not sure when I lost it because I didn't even open my purse today.  I've never lost my wallet before--ever. I've heard of people having purses stolen out of their cars and items swiped from dances or large events.  It's never happened to me. I've never lost something so valuable. Until today.

I had a few things in there I'll need to replace. My license, temple recommend, medical insurance cards, AAA card, about $8 cash.  Funny though, and I can't help but feel it was inspired, that I took out my debit cards last night. I currently have three checking accounts and I had each of those debit cards in my wallet for the last few weeks. Last night I took them out because I plan to use cash for my spending throughout the weekend.

It could have been a lot worse. I feel blessed in my misfortune.

beck

P.S. My mom drilled it into my brain that I should never leave valuables in my car. I've made a few exceptions by putting them out of sight in the trunk.  For the most part though, I'm just too afraid to risk having to replace things.

The End of the Singing Season

I finished up my holiday concerts this weekend with two performances for our National Philharmonic Singers group. We performed with the Washington Symphonic Brass Quintet last night and this afternoon.

It was nice to be able to sing in a chamber group at Christmas time so that I could sing something other than The Messiah. It's just nice to have some variety. One of my favorite parts of the concert was when the quintet performed "Go Tell it on the Mountain." It was so lively and inspiring that I had to make a huge effort to sit still.  My other favorite part was when we did a sing-along of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." One of our directors leads the sing-along. She has half the audience stand up on the odd days and the other half stand up on the even days.  It's hilarious to watch!

I was reminded last night at our concert's after-party that I'm not very good at socializing in a non-LDS setting.  I feel like when I'm not drinking alcohol like everyone else seems to be, that I'm creating a social barrier. It's weird though because I know I'm not the only one who doesn't drink and it's not always because of religion that people abstain. I tried to explain to my new friend in the group that it feels like I'm watching a spectator sport by watching people drink. He didn't really understand and said something about not judging me for abstaining. Would it be weird to set a goal to be less awkward around people in social settings? I feel like it's a game I've been losing. Hanging out with a two and four-year-old several nights a week isn't earning me any points either.

Just in case you thought I forgot, here are pictures from my parents' visit. I managed to stay out of every photo...muahahaha!

New York Public Library

Rockefeller Center

Cartier on 5th Ave

5th Ave snowflake :)

beck

Sleepy Post

I dropped my 'rents off at the Dulles airport this morning.  Somehow going to bed at midnight and waking up at 4:45 am this morning was the most sleep I got in one night while they were here.  We set up a rigorous weekend schedule, including a day trip to New York. Seriously, my parents and I ran around like we were all kids--except that they're over twice my age. So I'm exhausted.

But some really good things came out of this weekend. I shall list them here and possibly post pictures later in the week.

1. Ate at my favorite French restaurant in DC, La Bergerie. Found out from the owner that they're opening a new restaurant with a younger, green, organic vibe
2. Saw Memphis the Musical on Broadway. Saw Adam Pascal live. Such a great show.
3. We were blessed to stay at my friend's apartment in NYC since she was out of town. Saved $300 plus on a hotel for the night. So grateful.
4. Sang the Messiah with the National Philharmonic Chorale. I knew it so much better this time around.
5. Sang an original composition by Perla Antoniak in our ward's Sacrament Christmas program.
6. Ate at Morton's the Steakhouse. Loved the brussel sprouts. I think brussel sprouts are having a comeback right now. I see them on menus everywhere.
7. Finished another book. Only six more to go for my goal of 50 books this year. Woot!
8. Ate a hot dog from a street vendor in NYC. Delicious.

C'es tout.

beck

Five for All Forever!!!

G, the boy I babysit, has a little blankie-bear named Bebe.  Bebe just celebrated his fifth birthday. G insists that unlike the rest of us mere mortals, Bebe will stay five forever.  I wish I could stay 25 forever.  Time is slipping through my fingers all the time.

There have been a few instances lately where I've read someone's bucket list or heard someone tell something they've always wanted to do and I've thought "Shwew, I've done that." I have enough items on my to-do lists; I don't need inspiration from others to add on to my own.  By the way, I think most peoples' lifelong dreams have to do with Europe, landmarks or art.

I've still got a lot of living to do. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I'm working, babysitting, singing...and reading. I read FOUR books in this last week. Two of which I read yesterday. Yes, it's true. And so every time I call my mom the first thing she says is "Stop reading!" Then she says "Find a husband." My two greatest challenges.

Now, for your viewing pleasure, some of the decent photos from my brother's wedding two weeks ago.

beck