Where do the days go?!

I swear September is going to be over before I even know it. I've been so dang busy that the days just keep flying by. I've been really bad with keeping my blog up. Here are some pictures from this weekend. I will try to post some text later, but these will work for now!

Platte river on a crisp morning with steam coming off the water

Platte

Platte

Me and my awesome foam helmet!

Nikki and I (yes we look like sisters)

Cool helmet!

Jamie and I

The whole gang

Going in for the tackle

The band!

First touchdown

Jamie and I

Jamie's picture of Nikki through the binoculars, she's in the pink!

My artsy picture

The wonderful student section after a touchdown!

Jason Peter on the left!

Zach Weigert and my cousin

Will Shields and my cousin

Coneally and Jason Peters and my cousin

1st day at the ISWS

Today was my first day at the water survey and things went very good. The day went quick and I think I'm going to like it. I got there at 8 and it all started, I had a run over of what I would be working on. Then at 9 I started processing papers. Around 10:30 that was done and then I sat at my desk until noon. Had lunch and after that did more stuff. I work from 8-430 and still get an hour lunch! Which rocks. I actually work with some young people. One girl just started 2 weeks ago. The other girl likes country music and runs. The guy....he's a tad..ok a lot nerdy. I've said my profession is extremely nerdy and every workplace hasn't failed me yet.

Other than that I went garage sale-ing on Saturday. I found a comfy couch for $40 and a shelf! I felt I did pretty good. Then I watched the Huskers get their a$$es kicked. That was not so much fun. I've been running around the neighborhood and its pretty nice. There are some really big houses about a mile from me. One thing that greated me back in full glory was my allergies! Holy cow!! I was sneezing like crazy today. One of the coworkers said ragweed is really bad right now. My allergies in MD were never really that bad.

Anyway, overall the first day wasn't shabby and probably one of the less stressful first days!

I made it to Champaign IL!

I have arrived in Champaign, IL! The drive went well, it was 11 hours on the dot. I didn't really get too bored, I entertained myself through the trip by taking pics. Start at the bottom of the photos and go up for the correct order if you wish. I stayed at a hotel last night. This morning I got up and went to my apartment. I was nervous about what it would look like, but its not that bad. Its clean and nice. My only fear is loud neighbors, so far so good, I hope it stays like this. I have yet to unload my car, no desire at all. I found the post office, changed my address. I also found a golds gym. Only $20 to sign up and $25 a month of U of IL staff!! Heck yes!

As for the city/town. Its nice. Its small but being a college town it has the major shops I like. It's flat and has straight roads and I just drove around today getting it kind of figured out. I like being able to go somewhere and not continually need a map. I made one trip to target already. Got some bar stools. Tomorrow I'll try to find a couch. I get cable and real internet at 11am, I might be "borrowing" it from a neighbor. But hey, if they are stupid enough to leave it open, thats their deal. Anyway, saturday from 9am until 11pm you can find me planted on the floor in front of my 13" tv watching football all day along, finally!

Welcome to....ehhhh.....Illinois, well it was dark and it didn't take well.

Midwestern sunset

My travel companion

Indy

Welcome to Indiana!

Columbus OH

Welcome to Ohio!

Neat bridge

Welcome to Pennsylvania!

Welcome to West Virginia!

A gap I went through

Western MD is pretty

Leaving DC

My time in DC has come to an end. It's pretty crazy how fast time goes by. It seems just like yesterday Tigh and Nikki were dropping me off. So tomorrow morning I hit the road for Champaign. I'm excited. It's very weird that I'm excited to move. I'm not really leaving anything behind in DC. It was very hard leaving home. Leaving family, friends, good coworkers and familiar places. Today at lunch we had a pizza party thing for me. I was totally unemotional which is odd for me. I was trying not to burst into tears at my AFWA going away lunch. In the afternoon I went with the lunch crew and had a beer. I will miss them, they were fun to talk with and hang out with. And I hate trying to find a new rhythm and routine in a new place. But I know what to do to make it feel familiar. So I will just start with that. I think I'm going to focus on my running again, its getting rather bad. And I haven't weighed myself in about 2 weeks and don't plan on it until I get there. These weddings were unfriendly to me.

Anyway, DC has been good but it will be good to be in a more familiar region. I should probably think of a new name for my blog...hmmm...any suggestions? Who knows when I'll get internet again but I hope soon!!!

Melissa and Heath's wedding

I concluded my "wedding season" with Melissa and Heath's wedding. Most of you know, I was pretty nervous for this one. It was no secret to my friends (including Melissa) that Heath and I didn't really talk too much, let alone like each other. But I guess 4 years later him and I both have grown up, both apologized and then had a pretty good weekend! Friday I got there around 10am and helped them decorate the hall. Then rehearsal that night was at the Ewing golf course, which was very nice and peaceful and in the middle of nowhere. That night we hit up the bar in Ewing and yea, ok that group knows how to party. It was a late night.

Saturday got up and did the hair thing. I managed to get in a little of the game here and there. Then at 3:30pm it was show time! Melissa looked beautiful in her dress and everything went great! I didn't even drop the grooms ring, since it was my duty to hold it. I managed to get through the reception with my speech, there were even a few laughs. Then after that the party went bar hoping. Nothing like climbing into the back of a truck and going from bar to bar. It was a good time and Sunday I was over tired and cranky and headed back on a plane to DC. Anyway, here are some pics!

The bride

The church

At rehearsal

After rehearsal...I knew I was in for a long drinking weekend after this

Getting ready!

Me and my new friend Pam

Oh small towns

Mr. and Mrs. Barlow

Walking down the isle

Me and Pam

April and I

Me and Melissa

No clue!

Jennifer, sister of the bride

Melissa peeing outside with the help of her bridesmaids...this is what happens when you wear a huge dress. Sorry Melissa. :)

My week back in NE

I'm back in DC...for a short time. We'll get to that later. I had a great time while back home! I'll do my typical format for my trips, so much happened I'll prob forget some stuff.

Friday: Flew into Omaha, mom and I hit up the mall after I got there. We got back to NB and then went to eat at the Rawhide.

Saturday: Got up early and went for a very enjoyable run around NB. I just love running there, its so quiet and peaceful and the weather was great. I left for Lincoln around 9am and met up with Heather's group at 10ish. Nikki and I then did our personal attendant duties and the wedding was fun! See pictures in other post.

Sunday: SUPERDAY sunday! A bunch of us went to Super Target and the movie Superbad so we just named it SuperDay!

Monday: Tigh, Ann, and I went on a 35 mile bike ride, yup you heard me...no joke. It was a great time. We started off at my old apt and rode to about 14th and almost Pine Lake. We then went back and went to downtown Lincoln, then around campus, then to east campus, then to 48th and near Vine, then to 10th and Charleston and back to sw 27th and west van dorn to where it all started. It was good, I wasn't even too sore the next day. So I need a bike when I move to Champaign!

Tuesday: I went to eat with the ol AFWA gang in Omaha.

Wednesday: Sat at home in NB and did nothing, it was well needed after driving all over. I'm on a mission to help my dad hire a pharmacist so I posted ads online. Also ate with the grandparents that night.

Thursday: I spent the day in lincoln at the dentist and getting my hair done. To my surprise I had an improved dental review!!

Friday/Sat/Sun: Melissa's wedding...see other entry.

I am back in DC but only for two more days, I'm about packed up and ready to head to Champaign Il. I'm really excited. There isn't much I"ll miss from DC. No really good friends or family and familiar things. Of course I'm pretty nervous about the new job and getting settled in. But it helps not being homesick from the place you left. I've already loaded some things up in my car and i'm thinking I should have enough room for everything, I hope.

Heather and Jeff's wedding

Here are a few photos from the wedding on the 1st!

The group and Tigh's parents

The Mall from the air!

And again

Nikki doing our personal attendant duties

Me, Ann, and Nikki