So now that you are clearly intrigued enough to keep reading, I'll give you the low down of what's to follow. Basically I had stopped writing for a while because I felt as though I had nothing exciting to write about, and then suddenly I had so many things to write about and not enough time in which to write about them. Think about any countdown you've ever read, listened to, or watched only I don't have the time or the sponsors to throw in the cliff hanging, time eating commercial breaks. Enjoy!
Number 10: The rain
The infamous Washington rain has finally made its debut. I was beginning to think it was all big ruse these Washingtonians(?), Washingtonites (?) Washington state residents (!) were using to keep everyone else away. Mother nature proved her point, however, when I woke up Saturday morning around 7:30 expecting that it was still around 5 based upon the light coming in my room. The majority of the weekend was a bit dark and gloomy. While this may sound depressing, I assure you this weather promotes a great napping climate: soothing pitter patter of rain drops, cool comforting breeze, and little to no sun. I have yet to fully assess how this will affect my productivity in other arenas.
Number 9: Home Decor
I decided my apartment was still a little bare. I had adequate furniture but something was still missing. So I went through an in depth search of my photographic records of the people I love and surrounded myself. This was the perfect house warming touch. From my comfy spot on the couch I can see a smiling friend or family member in any direction I look. Now if only I could find a way to make them wave like the ones in Harry Potter. Hmm.
Number 8: Technology Upgrade
I bought my very own television. It's pretty and it's all mine. nuff said. You'll just have to oogle the picture below. Better yet, you could come visit and see it in person while sitting on my big comfy couch. (additionally you can see some of my decorating in this picture)
Number 7: The Champs Have Returned
Softball wrapped up nicely. We only lost one game the whole season, and not to make any claims, but I wasn't present at that game. :) Overall it was a blast and I plan on playing again next year. I'll probably have to hit the cages a little over the summer though, because hitting slow pitch really isn't my thing apparently.
Number 6: Well there are a few sports I've never played...
One of those being football! That isn't to say I've never wanted to (insert really long, drawn out, over dramatic, 7th grade girl argues with daddy segment here) but now I'm older and don't really need Daddy's permission... Actually I've discovered that there is a women's professional football league in the United States and they have a team based out of Seattle. I went to one of the training camps, had a great time (although lacing up my soccer cleats triggered my brain to look for things to kick), and am now continuing to follow their work out schedule. There is another training camp coming up in November, and I've been told, "if you continue to show up, you've got a spot on the team." There is a great deal of motivation to give this a shot on my end: new sport, new way to get in shape, new friends, the chance to say "I'm a professional athlete," I get to hit somebody... We'll just have to see how it goes!! If you want to see more about this you can check out the team here: http://www.theseattlemajestics.com/
Number 5: Rotation
I'm about 1 month into my new 3 month rotation, and so far things are monumentally better! My lead is straight out of an old western movie: his name is walt, he's got a booming voice, and he wears plaid shirts! I know you may not consider those to be defining western characteristics, but this is my opinion. :) I like what I'm working on here. I have enough work to keep me busy and it's not 12 of the same things that I need to copy and paste. My mentor, Jack, actually acts like a mentor. He talks to me, helps me find things, and has invited me to join his Wednesday lunch club. My lead, we'll call him Western Walt, actually values my opinion: he asks me for it on a regular basis, genuinely considers what I've said, and then trusts me. This is leaps beyond where I was before! At the end of this three months, in December, I'll get to say where I want to be and the Powers That Be (PTB) will decide where I'm needed most. On the down-low, however, I've heard that PTB have begun placing people where they want to be in an effort to increase retention; it's a novel idea, really.
Number 4: PAAAARTY!!!
So I had a house warming party. It was quite successful. I had about 10-12 of my closest friends (here) over to my place on a Sunday for adult beverages, mexican food, and conversation. I spent the entire week leading up to said party freaking out, cleaning every inch of my apartment, and hoping they still liked me after they saw where I lived. Good news: I'm still friends with everyone who stopped by. Bad news: I over estimated the number adult beverages required, so I'm left to power through them on my own (unless you come visit and help). Lets be fair, I don't enjoy an adult beverage (as much) without company, so its a slow process.
Number 3: People Love Me (and they pick up on my subtle visit me hints)
Over the Columbus Day Weekend, a couple weeks after my house warming party, meaning my house was still clean, I had a few visitors stop by to make my weekend. First CC and Jessie came by on Thursday to see my place and grab dinner at one of my favorite pizza places The Toadhouse. It was really great to see friendly faces from the far far away land of Chicago. We had some delicious pizza and sampled some great beers; the tangerine one was exactly what I would imagine fruitloops and beer would taste like and it wasn't a bad thing. :)
The next day was a half day for me at work and I was off to pick up Christopher from the airport. We stayed over on the Seattle side of the sound and went on the Underworld Tour in Pioneer Square. The tour was a blast, however, depending who you are if (when) you come visit I may take you on the Underground tour instead. I like to describe the rest of the weekend with my brother as a Throwback Weekend. We were following suit with the Broncos, I guess. We slept in, sat around in our PJs alot, ate mac 'n' cheese, went to a movie, and I lost a game of Monopoly (some things never change). This was probably one of my favorite weekends in a long time, I love throw backs!
Number 2: I have rejoined the post 1945 world
I bought a microwave. This was a pretty hard one to rank in the list of ten, but it has over a year since I've had a microwave at my disposal! Christopher, I'm sorry this didn't happen a few weeks earlier. I guess its a good thing we polished off the pizza and mac'n'cheese. So since its been so long, the first thing I did to celebrate was pop a bag of popcorn. As it turns out I was actually recreating the use of the first intentional use of a microwave oven. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microwave_oven) I'm such a scientist.
Now what you've all been waiting for:
Number 1: I met the boy of my dreams :)
He answers most of the time when I call. He likes everything I make for dinner. He greets me with excitement when I get home from work. He likes to cuddle, and he kisses my nose. He's a kitten!
His name is Brecks and he has been described (not by me) as a "cuteness blackhole." WARNING: Don't stare into his eyes, you may fall into a comatose state and be unable to continue your daily activities.
So I hope you feel that you got your money's worth at the sale today, and I hope to hear from you soon! Plan a trip out to see me! We can pop popcorn, sit on the couch with brecks, and watch some excellent TV. Maybe we'll go to dinner at the Toad House and warm up leftovers later, who knows. I miss all of you and I love you too!
