tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79122250198603806272023-11-16T06:13:25.403-05:00amandaventures.leaping and cameras and cupcakes and sometimes pants.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09406032070901442204noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912225019860380627.post-576728469150569802012-08-21T23:27:00.001-04:002012-08-21T23:29:13.838-04:00Shark Week, Fridge Queries, and 'RoidWeek<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Shark Week 2012</b> was seriously disappointing this year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I know it's about ratings and extreme footage, but it used to be about learning too. And true conservation. Not this generic "oh hey we care about the environment" spiel thrown in at the end of an episode. I'm also bummed about how many cameras have been fed to the sharks over the last 25 years. Shark Week needs to step it up. Accept the challenge, Discovery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Even though Shark Week was a bummer, I still cannot wait to get in the water and go diving with those amazing creatures. Maybe South Africa 2014??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">So, now that I'm living back with my two BFF's and nearly unpacked, I decided to bring back <a href="http://fridgequeries.tumblr.com/" target="_blank"><b>Fridge Queries</b></a>! Just check it out, you won't be disappointed. Like I was with Shark Week. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Last week also happened to be <b><a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/polaroidweek2012/" target="_blank">'roidweek 2012</a></b>. If you know me even a little bit, you know I'm a big believer in film. I had a bunch of first run Color Shade PX70 from the <a href="http://the-impossible-project.com/" target="_blank">Impossible Project</a> that I wanted to experiment with. The images didn't turn out like any instant photos I'd seen before, and that's what's cool about it right? I love pushing the limits of film to see what happens. Even the awesome folks over at Impossible Project thought these were unique, and are sending me more packs of expired film to play with and report back the results!</span></div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09406032070901442204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912225019860380627.post-76991715825588989492012-06-21T18:26:00.001-04:002012-07-31T17:54:13.618-04:00COUNTDOWN: SHARK WEEK 2012<script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript">
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<div id="countbox"></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09406032070901442204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912225019860380627.post-27733596150862580682012-02-10T18:02:00.000-05:002012-02-10T18:02:28.785-05:00Top Ten Reasons Why Emily Schwarting Should Let Me Get A Bunny<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>1. They're adorable</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I mean seriously, who doesn't love a cute little bunny face?
People who are dead inside. That's who.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>2. Lively</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Bunnies like to play and are active. They promote a healthy
lifestyle that will most definitely rub off on us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Same kind of bathroom situation as our lovely kittens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Bodyguard. Bunny ain’t gonna let anyone mess with us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">We can hold it and squeeze it and love it forever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>6. Did I mention adorable?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>7. Entertainment</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Bunny vs. Kitten wars (it’s the hottest new reality show in the
making).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Did you know we can make a maze for bunny and it will finish it in
awesome record time? Because bunny is SMART.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>9. Cuteness<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>10. Popularity</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Everyone loves bunnies, which means everyone will love US. Duh.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09406032070901442204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912225019860380627.post-62148829438964841602012-01-07T12:23:00.001-05:002012-01-07T12:24:01.379-05:00Gnomeknaping: Or How I Extort Delicious Treats From My Friends<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUcu4E93SN6JoJh34mwmG_b_8yl70Komq_B30I0n3yBSCTHo5pZqBLHQ5PqnxGjVTk-0tVR_pcKZ71_FT3xcNMo7TQoMII-K6v4abjVORt5AZ7hT_l-8zfdvo_z-y3AOYMCEumywSWspG/s1600/000_0042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUcu4E93SN6JoJh34mwmG_b_8yl70Komq_B30I0n3yBSCTHo5pZqBLHQ5PqnxGjVTk-0tVR_pcKZ71_FT3xcNMo7TQoMII-K6v4abjVORt5AZ7hT_l-8zfdvo_z-y3AOYMCEumywSWspG/s200/000_0042.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguI6CGLOfmW-SXOgK81zu4rdkzgSmZDruRqL-KEKjlXTUOPVNZT-e6NZosLu9r4b-8ZwENbXQAfGli9q08hO7-SE52KAVgok1bpDFvancgkEkAKIvDJ3NtNI6NAIUkq7xizfGshQoJyETZ/s1600/000_0039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguI6CGLOfmW-SXOgK81zu4rdkzgSmZDruRqL-KEKjlXTUOPVNZT-e6NZosLu9r4b-8ZwENbXQAfGli9q08hO7-SE52KAVgok1bpDFvancgkEkAKIvDJ3NtNI6NAIUkq7xizfGshQoJyETZ/s200/000_0039.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Back before Travelocity ripped off my idea for gnome travel (you're welcome, Travelocity. I'll take royalties in the form of free airfare for life), I decided it would be brilliant to borrow (steal) our friends garden gnome and take it with me to Alaska. Gnomey was my carry-on luggage, and spent a glorious four months exploring the Alaskan wild, living in tents and gardens, and starring in many photographs. It turned out that while I was galavanting around Alaska, the people of Benbrook were up in arms about the great gnome theft. It was the mystery of the summer- who took the gnome? What kind of crazy person would do such a thing? I returned Gnomey safe and sound, complete with a photo album of his adventures. And subsequently was added to the list of Benbrook's Most Notorious Gnomeknappers. Thanks <a href="http://amandaventures.blogspot.com/2010/11/mnn-mom-news-network.html"><span class="s1">MNN</span></a>.<br />
<br />That same winter, I took Gnomey on a stay-cation, touring the DFW area including Christmas displays and NYE parties. Funnily enough, Gnomey's owners didn't suspect me in the least. Again, he was safely returned complete with photos documenting his adventure. Later on, Gnomey and his family started giving me gnome gifts, including, but not limited to: Gnome pajama pants and a book on the magic of gnomes. Not long after this, Gnomey died a horrible death at the hands of a gnomeknapping amateur. Oh the horror! This was not the end of gnome shenanigans, however due to the lack of gnomes to knap, I laid low for a while. Over the next several years, Gnomey's family began acquiring gnomes as gifts ( I may have caused them to become the "gnome family" of Benbrook)- enter, Amanda.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">During my trip to Texas for the 2011 holiday season, I decided it had been far too long since I had committed any gnome crimes. There were four gnomes that I knew of, living on the perimeter of the garden. All easily accessible and easy to quickly escape with. One night, before the gnome family would realize I was back in town, I recruited my two faithful accomplices (J&K) and we went for it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">All four gnomes were swiftly obtained, mouths taped shut, and tied up with rope. We proceeded to take them around Benbrook for ransom photos. Once back at home, we drafted a notice of gnomeknapping and taped it to their front door (ding-dong-ditch style). Since the gnome family did not have my phone number, I sent the photo of the tied up gnomes and we waited for contact. The exchange took place at our secret undisclosed location, and was quite hilarious. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Gnomesknapped: 4</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Ransom: One dozen delicious cookies, and a candy cane</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Success: Yes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">And that, is how you extort delicious treats from your friends.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_gR36JTh-KS8zlKVtrAZiQdTnB7Aonx-CodydDisP_vPE4MoZITsbaYjsK6XUCGLEG-Dq-f4Wu9j_fz2St8o2m3VIfVXrv8bdxH7Cz346WYYlxb_cPu0WmhL4zuqSUTSSKPvZP3wPCbI/s1600/397796_687515538214_202303187_33835943_2110292638_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_gR36JTh-KS8zlKVtrAZiQdTnB7Aonx-CodydDisP_vPE4MoZITsbaYjsK6XUCGLEG-Dq-f4Wu9j_fz2St8o2m3VIfVXrv8bdxH7Cz346WYYlxb_cPu0WmhL4zuqSUTSSKPvZP3wPCbI/s400/397796_687515538214_202303187_33835943_2110292638_n.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUcu4E93SN6JoJh34mwmG_b_8yl70Komq_B30I0n3yBSCTHo5pZqBLHQ5PqnxGjVTk-0tVR_pcKZ71_FT3xcNMo7TQoMII-K6v4abjVORt5AZ7hT_l-8zfdvo_z-y3AOYMCEumywSWspG/s1600/000_0042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguI6CGLOfmW-SXOgK81zu4rdkzgSmZDruRqL-KEKjlXTUOPVNZT-e6NZosLu9r4b-8ZwENbXQAfGli9q08hO7-SE52KAVgok1bpDFvancgkEkAKIvDJ3NtNI6NAIUkq7xizfGshQoJyETZ/s1600/000_0039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09406032070901442204noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912225019860380627.post-38198815697996281252011-11-27T18:44:00.001-05:002011-11-27T19:15:13.205-05:00Things I Was Doing Instead of Updating This Blog<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">So over the past few months I’ve been a MAJOR Slacker
(salute) and have completely ignored this fantastic (if I do say so myself)
blog. However, I do have a good excuse.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Well maybe not, but I have been crossing things off my DC
Bucket List! And here’s an update:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Hiked <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Goat_Trail" target="_blank">Billy Goat A</a> (and a few of the other
trails in Great Falls) and survived. Also, had a blast. I love scrambling rocks
and hopping around like a billy goat, and even enjoyed the traverse. Side note:
more recently at work I’ve designed up some safety signs the aforementioned
trail.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Went on a bit of a photo walk along the National
Mall and was able to get some decent shots! I could spend hours contemplating
life there. I could (read: have) also spend hours yelling in the direction of
Congress for being stupid.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I had planned on actually going up IN the
Washington Monument and knocking that off my list, but a little earthquake in
August knocked the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/31/rappellers-inspect-monument-photos_n_1033719.html" target="_blank">Monument</a> around instead, so now it’s closed indefinitely.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">In October I made a trip home for one of my long
time best friends wedding, which was fabulous. Also got to make my Texas State
Fair pilgrimage that included the mandatory corny dog and deep fried
deliciousness.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">One of my amazing friends out here hired me to
take her engagement photos. We spent the day in DC taking shots all over the
city, had lunch at the Old Ebbitt Grill, saw the <a href="http://hirshhorn.si.edu/exhibitions/view.asp?key=21&subkey=511" target="_blank">Warhol ‘Shadows’</a> exhibit at
the Hirshhorn, and ended the day seeing Dawes at the Black Cat. Definitely one
of the most fun days of the fall.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">In early November my work people went biking
along the Canal and we stayed in one of the <a href="http://www.canaltrust.org/quarters/index.php" target="_blank">historic lockhouses</a>, which was
pretty great. Definitely should have been biking that thing all summer, it was
super fun.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">And now, some photos:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9savPFnM1o9Bqw0Xp84SJO3QmUjLQLJGZ0lq8lPkEW2BbqMepeCGPs6-2I3v6aX0Ba5p4_VznTRko7FdJgsUkEBf2uQ32kNoajIDn6sOfBTGJaFsOEXhvIgRqtSyY65K1BTrR6oZyaHK/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9savPFnM1o9Bqw0Xp84SJO3QmUjLQLJGZ0lq8lPkEW2BbqMepeCGPs6-2I3v6aX0Ba5p4_VznTRko7FdJgsUkEBf2uQ32kNoajIDn6sOfBTGJaFsOEXhvIgRqtSyY65K1BTrR6oZyaHK/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscNBH0cFnBzXHuHXA7mYtZlqzoBn0BjFyv9ysx0wwQPHbpgtYV2HsIHYdAdGOOpOYutRRvMRnx2RqUrm8jqo9GJOheIVX0MLRqzPv2FKwWmyHAMnoH2-HOBy5uoj2egs0lPG13Tx4s3St/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscNBH0cFnBzXHuHXA7mYtZlqzoBn0BjFyv9ysx0wwQPHbpgtYV2HsIHYdAdGOOpOYutRRvMRnx2RqUrm8jqo9GJOheIVX0MLRqzPv2FKwWmyHAMnoH2-HOBy5uoj2egs0lPG13Tx4s3St/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09406032070901442204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912225019860380627.post-140193220316381192011-07-12T22:37:00.000-04:002011-07-12T22:37:57.248-04:00COUNTDOWN: SHARK WEEK 2011<script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript">
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<div id="countbox"></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09406032070901442204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912225019860380627.post-10328792517416879752011-04-25T20:13:00.000-04:002011-04-25T20:13:55.898-04:00Mondays with The Man<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">They're taking over...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9RKDs8a-O9lvrXLVVM1ax5qjDcLxOxBLW0qBA53Vm-plToz-z2sBhgjWWOTizq-nyKrahPGVUqB61Rjeu_gGG3TUYrc2GVixDTNCWDhKxaAIe3lsLcBVUk61BYxpDH3gpo9w_ted_lF8/s1600/MWTM.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9RKDs8a-O9lvrXLVVM1ax5qjDcLxOxBLW0qBA53Vm-plToz-z2sBhgjWWOTizq-nyKrahPGVUqB61Rjeu_gGG3TUYrc2GVixDTNCWDhKxaAIe3lsLcBVUk61BYxpDH3gpo9w_ted_lF8/s400/MWTM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">it's madness i tell you- madness!</span></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09406032070901442204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912225019860380627.post-19380605535435137332011-04-18T17:45:00.001-04:002011-04-18T19:09:42.708-04:00Mondays with The Man<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">My mom finally shared that big machine with me!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">(new (old) sewing machine birthday present finally arrived)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jOiES3ivcsGH_ak7PRe8bw-NJgW36Y1oluoMrJkTAK4mBicDGCcZGF8Bs7lgtdhIpil9YXthHQc3CKnLKL6qJwpmwUq1TKGG9_Vu84e4q7uF9J_8ZvIWDcSC0hq-4UMQE4fyDDCaXt-8/s1600/MWTM+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jOiES3ivcsGH_ak7PRe8bw-NJgW36Y1oluoMrJkTAK4mBicDGCcZGF8Bs7lgtdhIpil9YXthHQc3CKnLKL6qJwpmwUq1TKGG9_Vu84e4q7uF9J_8ZvIWDcSC0hq-4UMQE4fyDDCaXt-8/s320/MWTM+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgab_UhQNCVgbfeVqdHI7-R7CoXFBsAK9k6oQfp1MqdZnPYI1WbpoSRGP6ip_KG6SlByQDYuG4SyFyroJ-hhukDHIcNhEqThAR4UEO3gWDHfOe9cdxyzFa1fEVR2Xhr2eoJcmVYe0S5acIL/s1600/MWTM+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgab_UhQNCVgbfeVqdHI7-R7CoXFBsAK9k6oQfp1MqdZnPYI1WbpoSRGP6ip_KG6SlByQDYuG4SyFyroJ-hhukDHIcNhEqThAR4UEO3gWDHfOe9cdxyzFa1fEVR2Xhr2eoJcmVYe0S5acIL/s320/MWTM+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09406032070901442204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912225019860380627.post-32821804986799827002011-04-15T10:23:00.000-04:002011-04-15T10:23:00.262-04:00Cherry Blossom Festival 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWezXQxXG34c6k2UGySCveN7JEyKbSkhWvQ4dUns9W3z4ywRhyNrcnvaDUaxa-MIO6vLcNWLbEC3FR67XXsTuqnKKjFOvK6lSW9H5OrxnQzFRLVkc598SGZJnpXGfyeqyREa3gjxwz0SZ5/s1600/DC+1+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWezXQxXG34c6k2UGySCveN7JEyKbSkhWvQ4dUns9W3z4ywRhyNrcnvaDUaxa-MIO6vLcNWLbEC3FR67XXsTuqnKKjFOvK6lSW9H5OrxnQzFRLVkc598SGZJnpXGfyeqyREa3gjxwz0SZ5/s320/DC+1+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0NSAa_UfQcYdtpLHF-xTpkErUrXV9JgM5CuhdJkFPQolCCKq_NeHjGSezGtWSL7XHwAHeg3azO37xEXYhq2zGHOIdPXMmitGQ3tfOw9CD3zFY_Vxr2R3p-gnlZRLpp2PhEJjcURtVXNq/s1600/DC+3+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0NSAa_UfQcYdtpLHF-xTpkErUrXV9JgM5CuhdJkFPQolCCKq_NeHjGSezGtWSL7XHwAHeg3azO37xEXYhq2zGHOIdPXMmitGQ3tfOw9CD3zFY_Vxr2R3p-gnlZRLpp2PhEJjcURtVXNq/s320/DC+3+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyGqSUqXhg3sHBRCnTgv-MDUaVbIC2_UoeAAT1xInpNzpSMaU0gU9pFSIfU-wx5ULVYFjxGYa2NAw3dkQR1TW6z6qHUXH7cZFHqff682luouDCJpYgu9cIVE7L24A-pyZ3MAamBCcAiCu/s1600/DC+4+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyGqSUqXhg3sHBRCnTgv-MDUaVbIC2_UoeAAT1xInpNzpSMaU0gU9pFSIfU-wx5ULVYFjxGYa2NAw3dkQR1TW6z6qHUXH7cZFHqff682luouDCJpYgu9cIVE7L24A-pyZ3MAamBCcAiCu/s320/DC+4+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSXei_OBTvwtq1hmwGV5wgyE2Pj5pmr2rf0u4NJIUziS76gW9tZ7Xx2VU3GnVDCC7JEwikfLWmeTw9tTLCiLTJj5-5-_Qv-WlaDkqXyhHfqbNqkATQP9tToMRg3z5cW_CVEBNO9mfnJWO/s1600/DC+5+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSXei_OBTvwtq1hmwGV5wgyE2Pj5pmr2rf0u4NJIUziS76gW9tZ7Xx2VU3GnVDCC7JEwikfLWmeTw9tTLCiLTJj5-5-_Qv-WlaDkqXyhHfqbNqkATQP9tToMRg3z5cW_CVEBNO9mfnJWO/s320/DC+5+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGCBOUNsr9pk1xa4qFUQoD16cQ11vk3fI8MYlH2xsTOtL_zRar0eUc1WI3WQxTG3E4JsGT9No7cNWWwyBiHjutjHnTHT9ETzKmPF1fcGSI-eOL32YfXF7GqMhOG2bqPdy2sTzpKM4QJz1/s1600/DC+6+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGCBOUNsr9pk1xa4qFUQoD16cQ11vk3fI8MYlH2xsTOtL_zRar0eUc1WI3WQxTG3E4JsGT9No7cNWWwyBiHjutjHnTHT9ETzKmPF1fcGSI-eOL32YfXF7GqMhOG2bqPdy2sTzpKM4QJz1/s320/DC+6+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09406032070901442204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912225019860380627.post-48176039732480511522011-04-07T10:00:00.000-04:002011-04-07T10:00:01.445-04:00Old Town Alexandria<style type="text/css">
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<div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Old Town is one of the most gorgeous neighborhoods in the DC area. Hometown of George Washington and General Robert E. Lee, it's filled with historic buildings, trendy shops, good food, and the waterfront. These are photos snapped with my iphone from several different recent visits.</span><br />
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</div></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09406032070901442204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912225019860380627.post-765929815527786132011-04-04T09:23:00.000-04:002011-04-04T09:23:00.200-04:00Mondays with The Man<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunqlt7V-t6OlcTvHK7Yy9Z2lJiGYe8qmJkrlovofOdjttgeJK8R2rKZC_wOckzdhXxCLyciRqt8jPREQ66VvnRVu0J8GLrXCfdQCOXpTFYNCxCceFpNbrtjDMK_q6_TJNv0A4m5lH9cnZ/s1600/DC+2+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunqlt7V-t6OlcTvHK7Yy9Z2lJiGYe8qmJkrlovofOdjttgeJK8R2rKZC_wOckzdhXxCLyciRqt8jPREQ66VvnRVu0J8GLrXCfdQCOXpTFYNCxCceFpNbrtjDMK_q6_TJNv0A4m5lH9cnZ/s400/DC+2+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherry Blossom Festival</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09406032070901442204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912225019860380627.post-58848795398825101682011-03-29T09:00:00.002-04:002011-03-29T22:16:42.136-04:00The District: A Mini-Bucket List<style type="text/css">
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<div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I first fell in love with the DC area when I was eleven. My parents brought me in the spring of sixth grade to attend my Godfather's wedding. We made a full-on vacation out of it and did all the normal touristy things. I immensely enjoyed visiting the monuments; reading the inscriptions on the wall of the Jefferson, getting chills looking over the tidal basin as the last of the cherry blossoms hung to the trees, and staring up at the stately Lincoln. The eerie, silent power of the Holocaust museum and war memorials, that made recent classroom history lessons sink in. That feeling of wonderment and power standing on the floor of the House of Representatives knowing that THIS EXACT place is where some of our country's biggest (best and worst) decisions are made. Even then, I was in awe of how history, art, power, and culture all came together in this one tiny space. I knew that I needed more time in this place. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Over the years I have made many trips back, learning more with each visit- about the District and myself. Now, I am a mere sixty-minutes away and have the good fortune of spending much of my free time here. Since my time here is only guaranteed until August, I've decided to make a mini-bucket list for the District, and explore as much as I can during these next few months. Hopefully the coming year will find me with a job and an address within the District, but for now, this will do. I plan to write about each of these items as I cross them off my list (and do some posts about recent completions), so follow along! And if you have suggestions of "must-do" items, please send them on!</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>In no particular order:</i></span></div><div class="p1"><br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Nationals Game</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Arlington National Cemetery</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Monticello</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Harper's Ferry</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Carousel at Glen Echo Park</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Washington Monument</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Library of Congress</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Walk around OldTown Alexandria</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">National Archives</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Newseum</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">National Museum of African Art</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Fourth of July Fireworks</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Bike the C&O Canal</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Food Trucks</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cherry Blossom Festival</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Hike Billy Goat A</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">National Arboretum</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">National Zoo</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Breakfast at the Eastern Market</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Politics & Prose</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">National Cathedral</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Freer Gallery of Art</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Hirshhorn </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Corcoran</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Einstein Memorial</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Monument Photo Walk</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Ben's Chili Bowl</span></li>
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</div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09406032070901442204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912225019860380627.post-58284675194220342342011-03-28T17:08:00.000-04:002011-03-28T17:08:55.279-04:00Mondays with The Man<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">A Day with the National Park Service.</span><br />
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</span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09406032070901442204noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912225019860380627.post-80446216239346738912011-01-29T16:11:00.000-05:002011-01-29T16:11:47.287-05:00THUNDERSNOW.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Tuesday evening Weathermen across the region started the big freakout about the impending doom of SNOW. Me, being the Weatherman skeptic that I am, shrugged off the warnings and planned for a normal work-filled Wednesday and Thursday.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">What occurred during the next 48 hrs will forever make me question my hatred and disregard for Weathermen and Weatherwomen everywhere.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>THUNDERSNOW</b>.</span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">also known as a winter thunderstorm or a thunder snowstorm, is a rare thunderstorm with snow falling as the primary precipitation instead of rain. thanks <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunder_snow">wikipedia</a>.</span></i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">SLEET. and then SNOW. and then more SNOW. and it began to accumulate. and accumulate some more.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Now this may be just a drop in the hat for you experienced SNOW folk, but for me it was EPIC. I also had no idea how to deal with it, so I opted for the ever so brave: hide-inside-and-don’t-leave-for-anything approach. (Did I mention it was 70 degrees in my hometown this week?) Two days of No-Pants Work Party (aka Telework), a snow walk with disappointing polaroids (but other cool photos), digging my car out of a 2’ high snow fort, and a SNOWMAN! Craziest week of the year (so far), and we may be in for a repeat performance on Tuesday! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I will definitely be paying attention Weathermen- don’t let me down.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtgWyi8cJmIZq-Rs2M1H6Lq7m31G_AlDVFrq-SY48bLzJlpFJRG7qAw9DsCarP1SKS3vr7AZL4hOhrtrxwihvkA3injKhCyRwZwmrFbinQes3aZmnuLAYXcE22hTIGv9r2rO-j5UK2x6F/s1600/photo+3+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtgWyi8cJmIZq-Rs2M1H6Lq7m31G_AlDVFrq-SY48bLzJlpFJRG7qAw9DsCarP1SKS3vr7AZL4hOhrtrxwihvkA3injKhCyRwZwmrFbinQes3aZmnuLAYXcE22hTIGv9r2rO-j5UK2x6F/s320/photo+3+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">snow brush inside car. 2' pile along the back.</td></tr>
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</span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09406032070901442204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912225019860380627.post-35355494531423306572011-01-17T22:46:00.002-05:002011-01-17T22:46:58.175-05:00Mondays with The Man<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmuZpvfuNaMCTZDpdPXjC2tIQ3T7SWZt-hTSqEym3UjWKx7gZyjB5mlg6eyvDFGTlSQMxLLw_mBmhnNfJ-843roCHpMHWs7M_7D361pIjjaHSL72GzhwHDPsuitu1T3P8rDLgu2LflilG/s1600/tlbg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmuZpvfuNaMCTZDpdPXjC2tIQ3T7SWZt-hTSqEym3UjWKx7gZyjB5mlg6eyvDFGTlSQMxLLw_mBmhnNfJ-843roCHpMHWs7M_7D361pIjjaHSL72GzhwHDPsuitu1T3P8rDLgu2LflilG/s400/tlbg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09406032070901442204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912225019860380627.post-21196440908775711752010-12-21T19:43:00.001-05:002010-12-21T19:44:24.377-05:00Parade<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Sunday I was accidentally in a parade. Again. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As in, THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are no words to explain the absurdity and pure happenstance. Too bad I left the confetti in my other jacket.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHAT IS MY LIFE?!</span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09406032070901442204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912225019860380627.post-80512691579725496012010-12-13T09:23:00.001-05:002010-12-13T09:23:00.514-05:00Mondays with The Man - Holiday Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOIzeqJpBBw6Do9sLy-DUB-ao6ejeP3Zi_EdqADTJGmR_E_ePaV3IQQNZJRgkhuQZotjD50um5npszQa8yBrQXWmBzIo9ViTcwTSpGuHuoDTdAOV3PdadOHUvD6wC5lnnrF9q9qWy_Cn4/s1600/christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOIzeqJpBBw6Do9sLy-DUB-ao6ejeP3Zi_EdqADTJGmR_E_ePaV3IQQNZJRgkhuQZotjD50um5npszQa8yBrQXWmBzIo9ViTcwTSpGuHuoDTdAOV3PdadOHUvD6wC5lnnrF9q9qWy_Cn4/s400/christmas.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09406032070901442204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912225019860380627.post-62528361732654944532010-12-07T09:00:00.000-05:002010-12-07T09:00:09.984-05:00In Which I Hop a Last Minute Flight to Texas<div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Twas the day before Thanksgiving and all through the office, </span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Not a federal employee was stirring, not even a mouse;</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The doors were all shut, lights turned off with care,</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">In hopes that they would not have to be there;</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I was all nestled in my cubicle working hard,</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Visions of home dancing in my head, I had to get back, it shouldn't be that hard;</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Flights were expensive, I was wrong,</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">and the drive was too long;</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Suddenly my friend arose such a clatter,</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">and used frequent flyer miles to bring me home for some laughter;</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I sprang free from my office and went straight for the airport,</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Flew three hours home, which doesn't seem that short;</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I arrived on the doorstep at ten-thirty on the dot,</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Rang the bell and surprised my parents, they were quite shocked!;</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Twas a good trip home,</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">One for the books;</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Glad to see my family and friends,</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Happy Holidays to all and to all a goodnight!</span></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09406032070901442204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912225019860380627.post-60009770139856938402010-12-06T09:00:00.000-05:002010-12-06T09:00:15.798-05:00Mondays with The Man<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90bfKZE61thlgISHsRZT7arN66TsCs56WBFZVvEhC2tsHmpq2kgIkfXSfKHco7n53TXDZFwQtDWvifBhyphenhyphen9IEb2HDniBpfEPAqIjoKlS-VsmHi6n8LdtqhYtloOcx1mfDwvPbgtkNLDLCQ/s1600/Banana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90bfKZE61thlgISHsRZT7arN66TsCs56WBFZVvEhC2tsHmpq2kgIkfXSfKHco7n53TXDZFwQtDWvifBhyphenhyphen9IEb2HDniBpfEPAqIjoKlS-VsmHi6n8LdtqhYtloOcx1mfDwvPbgtkNLDLCQ/s400/Banana.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09406032070901442204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912225019860380627.post-8977842134975762062010-11-22T23:39:00.001-05:002010-11-22T23:40:43.953-05:00Mondays with The Man<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYuxEXzKr93n1UJ9WlpsYuPGBOiWqhIW3uRedFX3N6NaBSQrvDAk3UMyI02qlt7cLTYlmMmlBUxF8wdwbSi-ObD6nTLa4EIDCl8ooPlTamPHNPmz-y40cV9-Lt34WDbr7IVcL1W2epmcu/s1600/theman+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYuxEXzKr93n1UJ9WlpsYuPGBOiWqhIW3uRedFX3N6NaBSQrvDAk3UMyI02qlt7cLTYlmMmlBUxF8wdwbSi-ObD6nTLa4EIDCl8ooPlTamPHNPmz-y40cV9-Lt34WDbr7IVcL1W2epmcu/s400/theman+13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09406032070901442204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912225019860380627.post-58641229122929149312010-11-16T20:34:00.000-05:002010-11-16T20:34:15.723-05:00Official Response from The MNN<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The following is an email received this weekend from a founding MNN member in response to my last <a href="http://amandaventures.blogspot.com/2010/11/mnn-mom-news-network.html">post</a>:</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amanda,</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Loved your blog! </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You, however, are only seeing this from your side of the fence, which is natural. For a moment, stand in my shoes.</span></i></span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">I have been in preschool PTA, </span>Westpark<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> PTA, ALA PTA, Western Hills </span>PTSA<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">, and a fan of countless soccer games, cross country meets, religious ed. classes at church, car pools, church choir driver, raised LOTS of money for all kinds of projects, bought cookies, candy bars, popcorn, candles, greeting cards, all to support kids stuff; for 23 years. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> </span><br />
AHHH<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">! I need a break! I think I will move out of state! Nobody knows me there! No one will ask me to chair a committee or organize a fund raiser! I can go to church and sing in the pew and not make a banner or head a ministry! I can putz around in my yard, walk my dog, play loud music whenever I want, and not cook for the family and their friends!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">So, what happens? </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">My good friend tells me her daughter can't wait for me to get to Maryland so she can come visit me! I say, but </span></span><u style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I</u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> will be several hours away. My good friend says that her daughter tells </span></span><u style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">her</u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> that she can be in 5 states within an hour! </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">What to do?</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">The lesson here is that the apron strings are very long and very strong! We all need family and friends. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Yes, Amanda, you can visit us. I hear you are going to visit Tom and Julie? Guess you need to be in the kitchen of one of the Mom Squad for a while. It's OK to admit you still need mothering. We all do, just not in large doses, and not ALL the time.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Love,</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Mama K</span></span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, to walk a mile in the shoes of a MNN member- EXHAUSTING! Even the MNN needs a break now and again.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks for raising the neighborhood!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">“Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">shoes</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">shoes</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">.” - Jack Handy</span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09406032070901442204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912225019860380627.post-84274508249311110432010-11-10T08:00:00.000-05:002010-11-10T08:00:13.610-05:00The MNN (Mom News Network)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you ever felt like you had more than one mom watching over you? Has the entire town you grew up in ever known all your business, maybe even before you did? Have you ever been pulled over by the police on the main road and before you can get home to tell your parents they already know? If you said yes to any of these then you may have been a target of the MNN.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The MNN is an elusive organization of mothers who have banned together to watch over everyone’s children. When you were a kid this meant someone kept a watchful eye over you and your friends playing in the street. It was the babysitting co-op where the moms babysat neighborhood kids in exchange for coupons they could use to get a babysitter in the future. Did you get grounded at recess? Don’t worry about breaking the news to your parents- THEY ALREADY KNOW, but they will pretend they don’t to see if you say anything first. As we got older it was the same old thing, just bigger issues. Make-out with the cute guy behind the gym (and no one was around)? The MNN knows. Run that stop sign in Westpark? The MNN knows. Fighting with the best friend? THE MNN KNOWS.*</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been trying to escape the MNN for as long as I can remember. I now live 1,400 miles away and have successfully escaped. Well, I thought I had escaped. One of the founding members of the MNN is moving to the very state where I currently reside and I GUARANTEE that my being twenty-six-years-old will make no difference to the MNN powers that be. Well it was a nice MNN-free six months.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Disclaimer: The MNN isn’t ALL bad. It’s nice to have mom #2 to run to when you’re fighting with your own. Or to pick you up from soccer when you need a ride. Or to teach you how to use the fancy knives. Or to give you a job when you really need one. Or to help take care of you when you’re sick. Sometimes I don’t think I’d be the person I am today without such a fantastic MNN. But officially, I’m annoyed.</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09406032070901442204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912225019860380627.post-12284943044548102342010-11-08T10:00:00.001-05:002010-11-08T10:00:03.852-05:00Mondays with The Man<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Teeny Little Business Guy goes to Gettysburg.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgz7KRzUbeJm6PIPaMGWgYuRLX1d9wEc4JNcgSvilfjhmjTdeNl9f7d3Mq1QixnA8tTiqq_4BfMGq8hG1578CfQ0X-3YUuxf5MaNYhz9Jr-Zb_4DCb-dVG7-KAORU0AXiyHs-tVeNOCqC/s1600/TLBG+Gettysburg+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgz7KRzUbeJm6PIPaMGWgYuRLX1d9wEc4JNcgSvilfjhmjTdeNl9f7d3Mq1QixnA8tTiqq_4BfMGq8hG1578CfQ0X-3YUuxf5MaNYhz9Jr-Zb_4DCb-dVG7-KAORU0AXiyHs-tVeNOCqC/s320/TLBG+Gettysburg+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCFx26DGC2a6AtJlyzobj7sWfD2TcpsfdpcjvxC8XYgJvYHDs35kauZNmpLZw7sdyN9JSxXOscyyUBwUAYP-ukf4IAcxTgw8puDDBbz13wiBb32XYa3__MEmkxQLcN34z8EmhYJO_yVQO/s1600/TLBG+Gettysburg+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCFx26DGC2a6AtJlyzobj7sWfD2TcpsfdpcjvxC8XYgJvYHDs35kauZNmpLZw7sdyN9JSxXOscyyUBwUAYP-ukf4IAcxTgw8puDDBbz13wiBb32XYa3__MEmkxQLcN34z8EmhYJO_yVQO/s320/TLBG+Gettysburg+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsiqHic2u2_3zQChl_ykl9S7bMps7MRQ6KBv0Y9K6jdbeR-zV7FOj8PpSsmwMzVqR7ddp9rQpk7azZGHAi2Gi9ATfIO6m6Gy60NpqhYne-g74l3PgpYI8Z9e5Q6_qmHIxkNCTXftQpd-AA/s1600/TLBG+Gettysburg+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsiqHic2u2_3zQChl_ykl9S7bMps7MRQ6KBv0Y9K6jdbeR-zV7FOj8PpSsmwMzVqR7ddp9rQpk7azZGHAi2Gi9ATfIO6m6Gy60NpqhYne-g74l3PgpYI8Z9e5Q6_qmHIxkNCTXftQpd-AA/s320/TLBG+Gettysburg+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09406032070901442204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912225019860380627.post-33639393558685766622010-11-03T18:52:00.000-04:002010-11-03T18:52:24.300-04:00untitled<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the lights race by</span><br />
<div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">blur</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">darkness</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">nothing</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you smile shyly</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">read your paper</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">pretend not to notice</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">focus focus focus</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i see that glance</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">corner of your eye</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">quick to the paper</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">pretend not to notice</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i stay plugged in</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">read my book</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">pretend not to notice</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">watch the lights race by</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">blur</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">darkness</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">nothing</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">repeat</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1sQLdFrN-nuE8QHZYOwySZd2VafuqaIePpxhcJ1kmMnfmrkYlpbOxKjqiGxtpsIchhXEYaukN7K4OoT5y34tBxOS-zF8P2UjeFcCZ8kc94p4eqpn12YKqsTl-pU35qM1awW_xx1d3W4gm/s1600/metro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1sQLdFrN-nuE8QHZYOwySZd2VafuqaIePpxhcJ1kmMnfmrkYlpbOxKjqiGxtpsIchhXEYaukN7K4OoT5y34tBxOS-zF8P2UjeFcCZ8kc94p4eqpn12YKqsTl-pU35qM1awW_xx1d3W4gm/s200/metro.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09406032070901442204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912225019860380627.post-41073737564412900052010-11-01T21:25:00.000-04:002010-11-01T21:25:48.297-04:00WHERE HAVE I BEEN?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Right over here, hiding (and busy!) in western Maryland, still not great at the whole blog routine thing. Moving on. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">September began with signing up to coach soccer at the YMCA. Not a new venture for me overall, but this time I was coaching a U6 team, meaning they were mostly 5-year-olds.</span><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kiddos stuck in the net, countless untied shoes, teaching them how to do headers (they loved it!), refusing to play “sharks-and-minnows” because it’s “too scary”, pretending to be airplanes during a game, the best high-fives ever and the cutest little tug on the corner of my shirt with a little one whispering “Coach Amanda, I scored a goal”. Coaching this age is one of my favorites. We may only be learning the very basics and have no idea what defense is or even which goal we are supposed to score in, but these kids were awesome and it was a privilege to be their coach for the last eight weeks.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other happenings from September/October:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Weekends in DC/NOVA</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">90’s throwback concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion, featuring <i>Third Eye Blind, Billy Idol, The Presidents, Lit </i>and<i> Fuel</i></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Survived some major hectic work things</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pub crawl on H-Street</span></li>
<li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.jukeboxtheghost.com/">Jukebox the Ghost</a></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> concert at the Black Cat</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Explored new areas of the Canal</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Baked yummy treats for work</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My first visitor from Texas!</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bought my first couch (unfortunately it arrived AFTER Jenn visited)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spent many hours studying for the GRE and working on grad school apps (WHY WONT YOU JUST TAKE MY LSAT SCORES?! Standardized tests are evil.)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Death cough+strep throat+ear infection=no fun for Halloween</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has been an exciting albeit tough two months and now the leaves have turned the best shades of warm autumn colors and are beginning their fall into the long days of winter. The air was chilly today, but the sun was shining, the air crisp and although I was stuck at home sick, it was a great first of November.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodhp6qXuD8kMu7ddeWAFCyqBzze-gZlc-6w2BoMWBP0gqT6RrypV3sEn6ChP25GT8P16ndQog9EDS8QVPpTI12rjTP6cqYGL371DXk4I2GIsW6oKecyKj4eQpxdLyDr8N4hE5REl4R3Yy/s1600/fall+canal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodhp6qXuD8kMu7ddeWAFCyqBzze-gZlc-6w2BoMWBP0gqT6RrypV3sEn6ChP25GT8P16ndQog9EDS8QVPpTI12rjTP6cqYGL371DXk4I2GIsW6oKecyKj4eQpxdLyDr8N4hE5REl4R3Yy/s400/fall+canal.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fall Leaves on the Billy Goat Trail</i></td></tr>
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</span></div></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09406032070901442204noreply@blogger.com1