Another Day To Appreciate Your Life

Oh hello long lost blog… I guess I suck at keeping this thing up to date.  Well hmm where should I start?....

Well, I move out of my mom’s place this Friday… which I am highly excited for.  I’m also somewhat anxious, though… I’m nervous about being alone most of the time.  I truly enjoy surrounding myself with others.  Even if there is a movie I’m trying to watch, I feel comfortable knowing there is someone nearby making some kind of noise.  Maybe this comes from living in extremely noisy households for the past 5 years? I’m not sure. This is why I wanted a cat… but maybe I’ll just have to convince Derek to stay over more often ;) I’m also going to miss Shyla and Zeva like no other.  These two Pit Bulls are my absolute favorite to fall asleep with, and to wake up to.  They take up ALL of the room on my bed, and I’m usually confined to a small corner all cramped up.. but it is worth it to see them sleeping so peacefully, so I hardly ever move them (unless I’m in a bad mood haha).

I found out some great news concerning a family friend…. The Ruff’s have been my dad and step-mom’s friends since forever (and by forever I mean when they got married, which was like 7 or 8 years ago).  Tobin actually went to the AF Academy with Cenia (step-mom), so they have been friends for a very long time.  Anyway, when Tobin and Kim had baby Lexie, she was born with many problems, disabling her to grow and function like a normal baby.  She has had two kidney transplants, she may never be able to drive a car due to her eyesight, and she was on dialysis for a very long time (I remember babysitting her and having to feed her through syringes that would enter her stomach through tubes, because she could not consume real food).  It is a very sad, yet happy story for Lexie.  Sad because she will never be “normal”, and extremely happy because she is still with us.  She is our little miracle child, I love her dearly.

Kim has now published a book in the honor of her daughter, Lexie, called, “Brave Just Like Me”.  The book is only available in paperback for right now (Hard cover comes out April 5^th, I believe) and you can purchase it on Amazon.com for $10.00.  The book is beautiful, the illustrations and words really hit home, and if you know of any child going through anything like Lexie is, this will definitely make them feel not as alone.  I am SO proud of Kim, Tobin, Lexie, AND Madison for all of their hard work, sleepless nights, and countless trips to the hospitals…. I don’t even know half of what they go through, so I can only imagine the strength it must take…

Saturday was a pretty great day actually… Laura and I went to Gold’s and SWAM! I was very nervous because I haven’t actually swam laps in a long time, but I think I did pretty well.  It was a kick-butt work out, I’ll tell you that much.  The hot tub afterwards was very soothing though ;)  After the gym, we found myself a new comforter for my new place, went to my place and unpacked just a few things, then we hit up Bluemont Vineyards.  It was so nice to get up there and split a bottle of wine and simply relax.  It was sort of funny that we went there wearing our gym clothes and tennis shoes while everyone else looked pretty dressy. Ooops. Afterwards I went to my dad’s for some dessert and hang out with the Ruff’s and my siblings, it was a pretty nice time :) When I left my dad’s I went home to shower, get ready, then I met back up with Laura at Clyde’s for a few drinks and to people watch all of the older men and women get drunk.  It was pretty hilarious actually to watch all these 50 year old cougars and men get SO incredibly drunk they are grinding on each other and getting sick in the bathroom… it was definitely entertaining.

Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest, right? Well then, mission accomplished!  I literally slept the ENTIRE day.  I woke up a few times and looked at my phone, had a few texts and missed calls here and there, and then I would crash again.  It was so nice.  I think this was my body’s way of telling me I needed the rest.  I love listening to my body.  It was kind of lonely though, not going to lie.  I enjoy waking up to someone NEXT to me, not alone :(

I'm Not Irish, Kiss Me Anyway!

Shamrockfest 2011 was a success!

Actually, the entire day was a success (Except for the very end, but I won’t go into details of that escapade).

We (Derek and I), began our day with a workout at his community gym, then got ready and Laura came over! Headed over to the metro to RFK only to find out that they were doing some sort of maintenance on the train, so we literally took the metro for two stops, then got off and took a shuttle bus to another stop, then got back on the metro.  I’m still trying to figure out WHY they would schedule this sort of maintenance on day where they KNOW there are going to be thousands of drunken idiots looking to cause trouble.  Anyway, once we got off the metro we were walking to the stadium parking lot (Where the event is held), and I hear, “KIKI!”, I look to my right where I see this adorable blonde curly-haired bundle of energy running towards me.. it’s KELLY! I look past her and I see JACK! … It was so awesome to run into them there. I knew they were going, I just hadn’t brought my cell phone to the event so I knew I wasn’t going to be able to locate them… so randomly bumping into them was such a nice surprise :)

Once we got through the gates, we went straight over to the “NAT-Mobile” to see Derek’s friend, Ray, who works for some event/promotion company.  Afterwards, we went to the VIP area and got our beers! Well, more like we got our beers, chugged, got back in line, got a beer, chugged… repeat 5x.  Actually, Laura and Derek are more of champs than I am… which is totally okay, I’m definitely content knowing I can’t chug that well, do any beer bongs or shotguns… not my thing. I think I consumed 5 or 6 beers the entire day and I was definitely past the point of tipsy. It was a great time.

So I mentioned above that I ran into Kelly and Jack… well, we also ran into Laura Fender and Robby Bassler (THIS was awesome since I hadn’t seen them in forever… like.. since high school kind of forever), Suzie Bataineh (Who happens to be Derek’s old co-worker and my old boss’s wife… kind of confusing, I know) who showed me pictures of Layla (her daughter), who is SERIOUSLY such a freaking cutie.  We also ran into Derek’s friends (I forget their names), I went out with them to a bar awhile ago.. pretty cool people.  I used to work at Lansdowne Resort as a waitress, and I ran into one of my old co-workers from there, that was pretty random.  Laura also ran into some of her friends that I don’t know.  Last night I found out that Anthony, Omar, Joanna, and Adriana  were there also and didn’t even let me know (rude). It would have been fun to see them.  Again, it was a really fun time… I thoroughly enjoy taking pictures with random people and conjuring up topics to discuss with them… I’m all about making new friends and really just having a good time! I just wish that I could remember what I was talking about to half of those people…. :/ haha.

Heads up: When they say “Turkey Leg”, I really don’t think they mean turkey.  I swear that thing was ham… saturated with salt.

T-Minus 2 weeks and 4 days until I move out into my new place.  I think I’m going over there today after work to sign a lease agreement and get my keys. I’m getting very anxious.

Here is my “random” thought for today.. which actually isn’t too random since I think many girls my age begin to wonder about this… My friend Caroline just got engaged to her long time boyfriend, Zach, which is absolutely amazing.  I am truly so excited for them.  I know firsthand that it has not been smooth sailing for these two, and that there have been trying times in their relationship that have pushed both of them to the brink.  However, they have always loved each other… they always find their way back to each other… I think that says something. 

I have another friend who is engaged as well and getting married this September to a man she met while going to school down in Florida.  They are a beautiful couple, and while I don’t know them AS a couple (I know her more, and have met him only a few times), I know that Sarah is in love… sometimes you just “know”, you know? Anyway, I got their “Save-the-date” in the mail over the weekend, and I really think I’m going to go to their wedding down in FL. In September.  I love the fact that someone thought about me and actually wants me to witness their marriage.  It’s a very special thing in my mind… I am really honored.

Back to my thought… Aren’t they afraid? Honestly, that is my concern.  I mean, maybe they are so sure of themselves that it doesn’t cross their mind… or I could just be worrying too much (which is usually the case).  I am nowhere near the point of being engaged to anyone, and even I’m worried about the day that it MIGHT happen.  Will I be ready? Will I be sure? Am I ready to make a commitment and spend the rest of my life with this person?

Actually, I think I’m more afraid of the relationship failing than I am of actually making the commitment.  Ever since my parents divorced I’ve always known that it was something I never wanted to go through, or more importantly, put my (potential) children through.  I want to be absolutely 100% positive.  Then again, isn’t that kind of impossible? People change, they grow, they take different paths…. What I want for my life right now at the ripe age of 23 may not be the same as what I want for myself and future when I’m 27 or 33 or 40… is it fair of me to marry someone based on our morals, goals, and personalities NOW when I know in a few years they MIGHT be different? But also… is it fair of him to ask the same of me when he may change as well?

… I know what you’re probably thinking.. “She is over-thinking this way too much”, which is probably true.  I don’t care though… this is a huge decision, in my eyes anyway, and I want to make sure that I do it right, and do it ONCE. 

Thinking back to what I said previously… maybe my friends are just “sure”?  If they are, I really envy them… I really hope that when my time comes (IF it ever does), that I am just as sure as they are.

Congratulations Caroline Wells and Zach Boyd… and congratulations Sarah Black and Kris Wagner… I am SO happy for all of you <3

A Venting Session

So I’ve written a list of things that I am grateful for… and I thought since today I am just in one of “those” moods, I would compile a list of things that I do NOT particularly like.  Here are the things that bother me/I hate:

1.       Dishonesty.

2.       “white lies”… Really? Just grow some balls and spit it out… stop trying to cover it up.

3.       Bullying (This is fresh on my mind after watching Dateline last night)… Obviously you’re insecure if you bully people around… and it’s very unattractive.

4.       People who think they “know it all”. Get off your high horse and drop back down to reality.

5.       People who NEVER pick up their phone. What the HELL is the reason of having one then?! So it looks pretty deep inside your purse where nobody can see it and you can’t hear it ring? Grrr!

6.       Cold weather.

7.       Two-faced people. Well really, who actually LIKES two-faced people?

8.       Mustard – gross.

9.       Stubborn people and people who cannot accept change.  This is a huge one… “The only constant in life is that nothing stays the same”… so suck it up and MOVE ON!

10.   Jersey Shore…. Ugh. I’ve never seen a single episode but it bothers me that there is SO MUCH hype about it. Why?!

11.   Justin Bieber… again, what is the hype about? He’s like a 10 year old boy…

12.   Girls who are so narcissistic and need all the attention from every single guy at the bar, even if he is in a relationship.  I hate girls who always talk about themselves and their “assets”, and think they are the hottest thing ever.  I’m not saying they AREN’T attractive (physically, that is), but because of your self-centered attitude, they become so UGLY I can’t even stand it…

13.   People who think smoking and drinking are the only ways to have fun. Get a life.

14.   Animal haters. You’ll get yours.

15.   People who always have to have a “plan”… sometimes I want to wake up and just do and go wherever the day takes me, no plan necessary. Live it up, geeze.

16.   Negative people… which is ironic since this whole post is negative … :/

17.   Cheaters.

18.   Ex girlfriends of my boyfriends.. I don’t know what it is, I just don’t like them.  Which actually sucks because I hate when my ex boyfriends new girlfriends don’t like me… hello, we broke up? Obviously we don’t like each other.

19.   Homewreckers

20.   Bright lights.

21.   When computers are slow… ugghhh..

22.   Drivers who slow down when it’s a green light… Green means GO, guys!

23.   Bad customer service when you’re at the “customer service” counter.

24.   People who talk really loud… oh, AND people who talk too quietly.

25.   Too much sarcasm.

26.   Racism from ALL angles!

I think 26 is good for now… even though there are plenty more on my list.  I think the negativity needs to stop now.

I think the gym will put me in a good mood today : ) Stairmaster, here I come!

Things Are Looking UP

My title explains it all. 

Today, I was actually BUSY at work.  Who would have thought?  Since the beginning of the year we have been SO slow, with hardly any loans coming in… Well, today I worked on several, and I have at least 5 more on the way tomorrow.  I LOVE being busy at work.  The worst thing is to sit at a desk for 8 hours staring at a computer screen… -_- talk about mind numbing.

I had to travel to Baltimore yesterday for a meeting at our corporate office… I hate that commute.  Literally, you could go 90mph the entire time and it would STILL take 1.5 hours to get there.  So anyway, me and Derek met up after work and we got some margaritas at Uncle Julio’s…. oh yes, and a shot of tequila each… random Wednesday drinking is so much fun <3

After drinks and hanging out with D, I went back to Ashburn to see Caroline and Zach who got in town yesterday.  It was so nice to go over to her parents house (even though it’s not their old house which we will always love), and just chill out, kick our feet up, and watch Survivor (or any other TV for that matter).  I got to meet her new kittens (Bielsky and Zuma), who are absolutely adorable.. and of course we can’t forget Kaos, and Caroline’s Parent’s new(er) pup, Leo.  Zach’s mom, and Caroline’s brother, Connor, were also there… it felt like “old times”.  It was much, much needed…at least on my end, anyway.

Today when I get off work Caroline and I are going to Michaels and to Best Buy for me to look at some new laptops.  I can’t believe my old laptop died on me… thank goodness I was able to salvage my pictures (which are probably the most important things I own)… but now I can’t just depend on my ipad… I really need a note/net book or laptop that I can d/l music on, upload pics, etc.  Hopefully I can find one for a reasonable price.

There are so many exciting things coming up that I’m so pumped for!

Let’s see, well.. let’s face it, I look forward to every single weekend even more now because that means I get to spend that entire time with my favorite man.  Next weekend is Shamrockfest, and again… let’s face it, who doesn’t like St. Patrick’s Day festivities? I’m so excited to wear all green and act like a fool at RFK while listening to great music, drinking beer, and eating all day long.  YES!

Another great thing I have to look forward to is April 1^st – “Kristen becomes an ‘adult’ “ day… well this is how my mom sees it, anyway.  I see it as the “It’s about damn time I did this” day, AKA.. I’m moving out of my parents house and into a condo with a roommate.  It’s a condo right here in Ashburn so I’m still very close to work and family (and now even Caroline!)... it’s actually a very perfect setup, and I’m super excited about my roommate, she’s such a sweet woman and I have a great feeling we’re going to get along fine. 

There’s even more… On April 9^th I have to look forward to my anneanne and uncle coming to visit! I haven’t seen my anneanne since we went to Turkey together (that was only 4 months ago but still… it seems like forever ago), and I really haven’t seen my Uncle Akin since…. Hmm… I can’t even remember.. maybe Christmas 2 or 3 years ago? I’m very anxious to take them out to DC during the Cherry Blossom Festival, and just show them around the nicer areas NOVA/DC have to offer that they have yet to see.

Another great thing that is currently going on is that Caitlyn has finally started school…. And that’s a relief since she hasn’t been to school since like… November? I think. Anyway, she is making new (and better) friends, so I’m very excited for her to get back on the right track.  She has come a long way, and I think everyone should really give her the credit she deserves.  She still has a little attitude that I’m trying to adjust… it’ll just take time ;) Other than that, she’s a wonderful girl, I know she will be just fine.

I’ve noticed this blog has been great for jotting down random things that are going on/how I feel.. I’m so happy I finally was able to create one, and STICK with it .

The temperatures have been increasingly getting warmer. I LOVE THIS. I’m so ready for Spring and Summer I could cry… seriously... I think I've already done it.

Hmm you know what Spring/Summer means? A new hairdo - duh! I’m still contemplating whether I should go darker, or lighter… and then I remember, I probably won’t have any money to get my hair done once I move out.  Bummer.  See, there’s always a catch.