28 Wed 07

Still empty on titles.

Yesterday my old boss (Bruce) and his boss (Col Cetola) visited NOAA! I was so excited to see someone from home. We had a little miscommunication and I wasn't for sure if I'd get to have lunch with them or not. They were in meetings all morning, well after searching around for them I just headed to the cafeteria and they were there. Bruce updated me on all the AFWA happenings. There are a lot of changes going on there. After lunch I went back to my desk and felt oddly sad. It just hit me like a ton of bricks. I realized how much I missed my old job and people there and all my family and friends back home. I guess I really didn't expect that to happen. I got through it and everything was fine.

Other than that, nothing else is really new. The weather has been great here and people think the cherry blossoms will bloom a little early. I'll be heading down there Sat or Sun to check it out. Oh yes, I took my car to get the oil changed today and took the metro to work. The dealer was next to the Wheaton station and the escalator there is the longest one in the western hemisphere! I know I know...its the small things in life.


Days till I go home: 13 days!!!


PS Here is a pic from Feb when we visited NC to see Kris, Lyn and Paige

March 25th

I am getting very bad at thinking of title names. So I guess when I can't think of one I'll put the date in. So this weekend was semi productive. Saturday was a waste of a day. I did NOTHING. It was rainy and gloomy and just a boring day. Oh, I watched KU lose so there went my bracket. Today was a lot better. I busted out 9 miles!!! Longest so far! I always think a ton of stuff when I"m running and it's just a good thing. I went to my favorite trail again. There was a lot of people on it, but the further you get into DC you kind of get rid of the casual walkers and bikers. I was thinking that I'm probably in the best shape of my life right now. I am getting ready for the half in a little more than a month. I never in my life have dreamed I could run a half and now I'm actually training for one. I think the reason the running is going so good, is well, I don't have much else to do. It's become good therapy out here. I was also excited to see some green on the shrubs and some flowers blooming! I am excited for spring. Ever since I've gotten here its been the same...dead grass, dead leaves, bare trees...a lot of blah. But now, everything will be totally different.

The friends back home had a rip roaring good time last night. I am so excited to go home. I'm happy they haven't forgotten me and still drunk dial me. :) I still feel apart of the group. This week should hopefully go fast. Then next week I will be in Philly. I am going there for a computer class. It should make the week go fast but sitting in a computer class each day for a full work day doesn't sound fun! I am a little nervous about driving there but it should go ok. Then I"m back here for a couple days, then home!

I think next Saturday I might go downtown because the festival starts. One weekend they have fireworks and everything!

Happy Friday

Today was a good day, sometimes those are rare and this week I had been missing home. But today was a good ending to the week. It was nice out and that always helps. Work was actually fun. At lunch I went with the guys down the hall and we went to the billiards place. I had a good ol cheeseburger and fries and then we played some pool. Of course I was hesitant being the only girl and being really bad. To my surprise I was actually better than 2 of the 3 guys and held my own. I was rather proud of myself. I hope they go do it again sometime soon, its a great way to start a weekend.

I went back to work and found out that my old boss from AFWA is coming to NOAA on Tuesday! This just really makes me excited, I would love to see someone from Nebraska and this is good timing. My other old boss (my bosses boss) is coming here also. He would give me a hard time about moving here. He kept saying I'd hate it because he wanted me to stay at AFWA. They won't be here long, only one day. But just a lunch in the NOAA cafeteria would be great.

This weekend looks to be rainy tomorrow and a little nicer Sunday. I don't think I am going to do much. Spring is starting to show up everywhere and I"m guessing in 2 weeks things will be in full bloom. I will have to make it down to the famed Cherry Blossom Festival.


Days till I go home: 18 days!

March 20th

I'm too lazy to think of a title today, nothing too exciting going on. Today was sort of a blah day. I was productive at work and that was good. But I was missing home. It kind of all started around noon when I went to warm up my food in a microwave at work. There was already a cup of water in there and no one was around to claim it. The microwaves are a hot item at lunch time, so I just took it out and sat it aside. Two mins later some lady comes to get it and I told her I hope she didn't mind I moved her water. Well she shot me the look of death and I was like, well obviously you minded. Wow, what gives? I ate my lunch and the whole time thought of how much I missed working at AFWA. I got back to my desk to find that my old boss from AFWA had called my cell phone to see how I was doing, that was the first time he's done that. It was the right time also. It was nice, it's nice to know you are missed. I miss the folks at AFWA as well. They are a great bunch of people who are sincerely nice.

That kind of led me into missing home and my friends and all that fun stuff. I have decided I need to keep busy. I know I'm trying really really hard but I need more interaction with people other than at work. I have been doing things alone but not with friends or anything. So I think this spring/summer I will play softball and hopefully meet some people through that. There's also the thought of getting a part time job just so I have things to occupy my time. I've also decided maybe from the time I've seen my mom and family to the time I will be going home is a little too long. It is taking foreverrrrrrr for my trip home to get here! It reminds me of the countdown to Florida last year. Today I scheduled my hair apt for when I go home, now that makes me excited just thinking about it!

So funny thing last night, I went to spinning class and wore my Nebraska shirt. It turns out that my instructor grew up in Omaha! It's such a good feeling when I find one of my own out here in DC. Now I can at least talk football or something with her.



Ok countdown to go home....21 days!


PS. I welcome any visitors!

St. Patrick's Day 8k

Today I ran the St. Pat's 8k in DC. I got up at 7am to get ready and catch the metro, I was kind of nervous to be on the metro that early on a Sunday. But to my surprise there were 4 others in my part of the train that were going to the race. I got to Freedom Plaza where everything was centralized and got my packet and all that good stuff. The worst part was being there 45 mins early. It was cold. It was 28 degrees and a breeze and that breeze wasn't nice. I just stood around outside trying to warm up because there was really no where inside to stand. Finally it was race time. The race was really cool. I still have that awe struck feeling when I'm in DC and running around everything. The start line had us heading right toward the Capital, then toward Union Station, eventually crossing by the east end of the Mall where I could see the Washington monument and Lincoln memorial all lined up. I finished the 8k (about 5 miles) in 53:38 and was very very happy about that. After race I hung around and got the free food and watched some Irish dancers, then headed back. If anyone cares, the results are here http://www.runwashington.com/results/searchable.html and then the route is on this page, http://www.runwashington.com/other/stpat02course.html. The rest of the afternoon was followed by my favorite post race pancakes (waffles when I had a waffle maker) and then my post race nap. Next race: well not really sure, I think at the end of April, if not that then the Lincoln half!

Not so fast

Earlier this week I was bragging it up about how nice it was outside, 70's and 80's and I was just loving it! Well I got a huge kick in the butt tonight. It was raining, then sleeting and now it's snowing. I know, I love snow but you know what...if it's not going to snow a foot then go away. Right now at this time of year I'm ready for spring stuff. I was wearing flip flops last Friday and grilling out on Saturday night. Won't be doing that tomorrow. It also limits what I can do around DC. I'm excited to drive places and see things, but it's not fun in 30 to 40 degree weather.

By Sunday the temperature will be a balmy 45, and probably 30 something at 9am...race time. Great. But its ok, I've been running in the cold all winter. I'm excited for the race. There are 5,000 people doing this thing! I know I shouldn't get last this time. :)

Ok let the countdown begin....

Days till I go home: 24!!!

Oh baseball

Today was the Huskers home opener back in Lincoln. I decided to listen to it on the internet but before it started I called my mom just to chat quick. Well she was on her way to the game!!! She took my grandparents cause my grandpa loves baseball. I didn't think it would bother me much, but it kind of did. Going to baseball games was one of my favorite things to do it Lincoln. I think I spent the past 3-4 seasons sitting on that 3rd base berm. I sat through 30 degree weather, I sat through 90 degree weather. I stood in line for hours waiting to get into regional games. I missed the winning game that sent them to the CWS, David was there, holding his phone up for me to hear. I also remember sitting at AFWA listening to the CWS game with David. I had one headphone in one ear, he had one in the other. I give credit to husker baseball for making David and I good friends. At one point he didn't have a car in Lincoln so I would always pick him up and go to the games....oh memories.

Today is Melissa's bday, happy bday! She is 26...ouch. Anyway, it reminds me of when we were all turning 21. All my friends from high school turned 21 in the months of march and april. Then I had to go the whole summer being underage while they were 21. It wasn't too bad, except Old Settlers time and the alumni dance. That wasn't fun. But I could mostly still get into the same things they did. It didn't pay off being the youngest then. But now it will, I'm the last to his all the milestones...the dreaded ones. :)

Anyway, its awesome out today! I run outside tonight and I think I am going to wear shorts....break out the great whites! But then for the weekend it's supposed to get colder and right on Saturday. How special...that is the day of my race and the coldest day out of the next seven. Fun.

In a month I"ll be back in good ol Nebraska!

Daylight SAVING time

I can't believe its that time again, I mean, I know its 3 weeks early but thats ok with me. I find it weird this year. I have been listening to radio and read some newspaper articles about how its daylight SAVING not savingS time. So weird that people would actually write about that...who cares. I guess its like the same with Silver Spring, its singular, not plural. Here I am writing about this stuff. Ok.

So today my bad mood was gone and I think the weather had 75% to do with that. It is 65 outside and lovely! I ventured down to my favorite trail, capital crescent (CCT from now on). I just really like that trail and haven't got bored with it yet. I say this every time but there are places where you hear nothing and that is a rarity here. My run was kick ass! I did 8 miles! That is the longest run ever. I have decided I am running the Lincoln half marathon on May 6th. A half marathon is 13 miles, so I have 5 to go. However, I have heard if you can run 10 miles, you can do 13. Also, a lot of training programs have me training only up to 10 miles. The half is 2 months away and I'm pretty excited all ready. Hopefully I don't burn out before the race.

Since I moved from Lincoln I have really missed Nikki's grill. Tigh and I used that thing like no tomorrow last summer. Well today I discovered that Alex has a little propane one. Its portable and pretty small but perfect for me!! And since it's still nice, I'm grilling out tonight! I just need to go to my favorite market down the block and get some chicken. So exciting!


Also, I'd like to give a shout out to my boy Jimmy, it's his birthday, Happy Birthday buddy! (and ya'll just got a taste of ghetto Shelley)

I don't even know if he reads this....oh well.

One of those moods

Today has been less than ideal and honestly, nothing really bad has happened. I'm just on a rampage or something. Its pretty much a time when no one can say anything right to me and everything annoys me. So I hid in my cube all day and ate lunch alone. I've attempted to talk to my mom a couple times today in which I just get cranky for no reason. There is nothing that can explain this mood...it just happens. But it will go away.

When I got home I went for a 4 mile run. I mapped out a new route (loop) around my place. Well half way through I missed the turn I wanted to take and instead ended up running along the Rockville pike. The pike is not something that is fun. It is like N 27th st, its a love hate relationship really. Here I am running on the sidewalk right next to the stupid road with cars flying by me at 45mph. I ran my butt off trying to get that part done. Next time I will have to look at google maps a little better. And of course the day that people are bugging me the most, I run along one of the more crowded streets. Oh well.

I am not sure what I'll do tonight. I think buy some magazines and be lazy. Tomorrow is gonna be nice out! I think I'll hit up my favorite trail. Then maybe downtown...maybe my cranky mood will leave by then.

Have a happy happy day! :D

Just another day

So I feel I have been lacking in my blogs lately, but nothing is really going on. I've pretty much settled into a routine and haven't done many exciting things. Tonight was running club and as always, I liked it. I do need to buy a cheapo watch so I can time my laps. Never thought I'd be doing that. Its been cold this week and I don't like it at all. Its supposed to snow tomorrow!! But this weekend should be the upper 50's and I think I am going to go downtown. I have only been to one Smithsonian museum and I think it's time to hit up another one, plus they are all free. I'm not sure which one it is, but one has a podcast to go with it, so I'll just download that to the iPod and follow along.

In somewhat exciting news, my friend Steph will be visiting her boyfriend who lives in Virginia Beach next week. She is thinking about coming here! Fun!! My 8K is also on the 18th and I am very excited about that. The Cherry Blossoms start at the end of the month which is a big national touristy thing, so that will be something also. Oh and the caves in Virginia, I guess I have things I want to do.


5 weeks till I go home! weeeeeeeee!

Ahh....March

So its March now, which means spring is on its way. Not for the folks at home, but here its been nice. Yesterday and today it was 60 degrees, I can't complain. I am very impatient for it to get nice out. I'm ready to ditch the winter coat and break out the flip flops! But that could be a month or so away.

Today I ventured outside, I figured I should take advantage of the weather. I really didn't want to run, not sure why. I think I've just been bored with it this week. I sometimes goes through that. So I decide to just go for a walk today. I found a trail that the roomie had been talking about for awhile. It was a nice trail, not the best, but it will do. It had a lot of litter around it and it was pretty noisy, it pretty much followed the beltway and even 1/4th mile away from it, you can hear it. The Capital Crescent trail is still my favorite so far. I also wanted to find this new trail because I am in need of a running route this spring/summer. Last summer I had a good route down back at home. So I'm looking for the same here. Once it gets lighter in the mornings and nicer I'll start running then. That means going to work later and coming home later but I plan to start taking the bus so I won't personally deal with traffic or finding parking then.

Other plans this weekend include going to my cousins for lunch tomorrow. Him and his wife had their baby and my great uncle (his dad) is in town to see them. That will be nice to spend some time with family and such.

On a side note, I couldn't help but remember girls state basketball in 1998. Home got dumped on this weekend by a major blizzard and the high school girls made it to state. Well many years ago (man i'm getting up there) when I was junior, the girls made it to state. I think it was Friday morning and mom woke me up and said if we wanted to go, we better go now. We picked up Christina (I think, it was her or Brooke, but I think it was Christina) and headed to Lincoln. I remember going to the final game(we lost), it was at Devaney and driving to Eckstein's in a raging blizzard. That was Saturday...I think by Sunday Christina and I were getting pretty bored with each other so we talked my mom into driving us to Sheri's sisters where her and Brooke ( i think) were staying. That was so much fun....well still talk about that night, doing stupid dares and weird high school crap. Oh the memories. Then finally on Monday we got back to North Bend...us North Benders all followed each other on the way home. It was a good time. Then the next year we went back to state and won it all.


Thats all for now