An American Girl

It's a Sign...

2009-11-13T06:58:00.000-05:00

Of what, I'm just not quite sure.

On my way to the Metro this morning, I grabbed a copy of the Express.

Because I'm ridiculously addicted to multi-tasking, I tried to scan the headlines as I ran down the escalator.

"Feds Act to Seize Mosquitos."

Huh?

So when I finally reached the platform, I read it again.

"Feds Act to Seize Mosquitos."

"U.S. seeks $500M in assets linked to Iran's government."

Huh?

Is that a typo? Did someone play a prank?

It took me three times and half the article to realize I was really reading about "Feds Act to Seize Mosques."

It's going to be a fun Friday peeps. Not a good sign.

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

2009-11-12T10:04:00.000-05:00

Naw, this post isn't about the classic film, that I saw one time too many growing up with a Dad who has a shameless love of old Westerns.

Although, I could easily devote an entire post to debating the merits of his attire.

I'll spare you the trauma of reading such a post. Instead, let's debate the merits of my attire:

The Good:
I have lost (and more importantly, kept off!) 30 pounds. Yay!! I am so proud of myself. I am not losing weight out of a desire to be fashionably skinny. I am losing weight out of a desire to live without regrets. I realized that I am not going to live forever, but I do want to live as long as possible. And I don't want to find out later in life that I have a cancer or a disease that could have been prevented by maintaining a healthy weight and eating habits. So I'm shaping up, eating healthy, eating wisely, and working out.

The Bad:
I'm not quite to my goal weight yet. I still have more to learn about healthy choices and smarter substitutions. And why, why, why does the universe feel it necessary to make sugary sweets and so-bad-for-you junk food the things you crave? Why don't we ever fantasize about devouring a giant bowl of lettuce or chowing down on celery sticks? And I really do need to become even better (read: more hardcore) in my work-out routines. I also want to kick my pop-drinking habits for once and all. I'm down to one a day, but I need to cut caffeine and that nasty aspartame crap out of my diet for good.

The Ugly:
When you lose 30 pounds, your clothes no longer fit. Yay! But, the bad news is, I hate spending money on clothes that will only fit temporarily. I was all excited last month when I bought a pair of skinny jeans several sizes smaller. Less than a month later, those skinny jeans are unfashionably unflatteringly wayyyy too big on me. I'm thrilled about it, until I realize that I spent money on jeans that were worn for one month. But more than that, I'm annoyed that I no longer own a pair of pants than need to be unbuttoned or unzipped before I pull them off. I hate even worse not looking crisp and sharp and sleek and sexy in any of my clothes. With several trips between now and New Years, holiday shopping, and your standard monthly bills, I just don't have the disposal income to pick up a few items to carry me over until after the holidays and the next size down in weight loss. So I've become awfully creative in dressing myself, but I don't feel as confident in my clothes as I'd like, especially with such a phenomenal weight loss under my belt....which makes me feel ugly. *Sigh*

Yes, yes, I realize, it's a great issue to have: Oh, I lost all this weight and my clothes are too big. But I can't help but wish my weight loss magically came with an all-expenses-paid, no-limit credit card to go on a shopping spree......

**Also, this is my solmen promise: I will not start talking about my weight loss techniques or what I eat every day or whether or not I've worked out on a given day on this blog. No one wants to read that crap, and I don't want to write about it. I promise.**

Non-KtMac Randoms

2009-11-11T10:10:00.001-05:00

For the giggles, check out Learn Something Every Day.

The randoms are killer for those awkward cocktail party moments and for slow work days. Here's a few of my faves:

A Thank You

2009-11-11T08:52:00.000-05:00

I'm working today. Pretty much everyone else in the DC-area is off for Veteran's Day. Most people will be spending this rainy day cozy at home, or taking advantage of the ridiculous deals (seriously?! Less than $400 for a $1200 mattress set?), or just enjoying a random mid-week day off.

But as you go about your day, please, take a moment to remember and say "thank you" to all the veterans who have fought or are fighting to keep us safe and secure.

Thank you.

Update: KtMac Confessions

2009-11-08T21:36:00.001-05:00

Oh peeps, I know we all hate braggarts, and I'm not trying to brag.

But I'm so excited, I have to share with someone! Remember this? Welllllll, turns out my numbers are off slightly.

By New Years' Eve, I'll have flown on 28 flights instead of a mere 26. That's right, I just booked my flight home for Christmas. YAY!!!! I'll be home for the holidays.

No worries, no last minute flights for New Years' Eve....I already got my bus ticket for that trip. ;-)

That's Why

2009-11-07T19:24:00.002-05:00

" I know there's a reason

And I know there's a rhyme..."

Truth is, not a day goes by I don't miss My Love.
But work, and life, and Skype, and distractions usually help keep me focused.
After all, we're way past the half-way point.
He'll be home sooner than when he left.
I'll be there soon.
But in the back of my mind,
Are all the mornings I wake up alone.
And come home to an empty house.
It's bearable.
Because I know just how very much we love each other.
I can deal.
With all the nonsense of long-distance love.
After all the years I thought long-distance love was a joke.
Because now I know the truth.
The right love.
The right man.
Makes it all worthwhile.
Most days.
I can put one foot in front of the other.
Make it through the day somehow.
Cross off another day on the calendar.
And live my life without My Love.
But sometimes.
In just a whisper of a moment.
It all comes flooding in.
And I realize just how very much I miss him.
And that no matter how much I distract myself,
It's still an empty bed.
And time can't move fast enough.
And these are the days.
That are the hardest to bear.
But, even in all the glasses of wine.
And tears.
And empty pillows.
I know, deep down inside.
He'll be home soon.
And then, my world will be right.
And this will all have been worth it.

It's all worth it.

"...We were meant to be together

That's why..."

Sisterly Bragging

2009-11-06T07:22:00.002-05:00

Humor a proud sister for a minute.

I have to brag about my brothers.

For such a big age gap and so many miles between the three of us, we're awfully tight. As much as I might trash-talk my brothers, I love them, and wouldn't trade them in for the world (but they don't always need to know that!).

DMac, the middle one, has a wicked sense of humor and is ridiculously charming. I am in awe of his smoothness when he turns it on. He's also a sophomore at my beloved alma mater, and absolutely LOVES it there. Among many other things, he's the captain of the lacrosse team. Pretty awesome for a lowly sophomore.

Pretty badass, no?

PMac, the baby, is laid-back and easy-going. He's loyal and protective, and the best big little brother a girl could ever hope for. He's a senior in high school. It's been a tough year for him. I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed that he gets accepted into his top-choice school, which, coincidentally, happens to also be my alma mater. Among other things as a busy high school senior, PMac is also a lacrosse player.

Also damn badass.

Where am I going with all this? There's a damn awesome point, I promise!

A few weeks ago, I was confused when DMac announced on Facebook that he was going to the World Cup. I know he's a sophomore in college and all, but no way in hell are my parents about to let him go off to South Africa. So I did the sisterly thing and ignored it.

A week or so later, PMac announces on Facebook he's going to the World Cup with DMac. Now I know something's up, so I text PMac:

My bros are both playing lacrosse for the American team in the FIL World Lacrosse Championships this summer in England!! They will be competing against 30 teams from across the world. HOW FREAKING COOL!!! They're going to be international lax players! Guess all those years I was target practice for them sure paid off....

KtMac Confessions: Flight Plan

2009-11-05T15:08:00.003-05:00

It's a little quiet today at work. It gives me a chance to ponder the great mysteries of life. Like figuring out which health care coverage plan to choose for work. And why Bob thinks having a clone of himself is a great, but not terrifying, thought. It also gave me enough time to do a tally.

Are you sitting down for this?

I told you, I'm hopelessly addicted.

Because I just realized, that at the end of 2009, I will have taken 26 different flights.

Twenty.six.different.flights. in one year.

Amazing.

I love my life!

Simple Pleasures of the Season

2009-11-04T10:51:00.000-05:00

Now that we are in November, I can officially start looking forward to the holiday season. Call me a sucker, a romantic, whatever, but I love the magic of the holiday season.

This year, I am stressed. There's a lot going on in my life this month. I'm excited about all of it, but until things are done, I know I'll be stressing hard. Also, no money means no Christmas presents this year. I have awesome presents planned for my brothers.....which my parents have agreed to consider as presents for themselves as well (more on that in the future). Everyone else, you get my love, affection, and if you're local, my time. Also, since there's nothing I need (only wants if we're completely honest), there's no need to shop for "gifts" for myself.

So, my gift to myself in this upcoming holiday season is to just take the time to enjoy the simple pleasures of the season.

I'm pledging to myself that this holiday season I will:
* Take time to relax & ignore all those "should, would, coulds"
* Drag my chair over to the corner of my window and read under cozy blankets
* Take bubble baths and not feel guilty or pressed for time
* Bake cookies
* Make more of the cinnamon ornaments that make Christmas "Christmas" to me

* Go ice skating

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* Take time to call those I love and let them know I love them
* Enjoy writing Christmas cards to those I love
* Spend time with friends
* Watch those feel-good Christmas movies I love

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* Sing along to Christmas carols, no matter how cheesy
* Brave the crowds and go see the National Christmas tree

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* Keep working out every day, outside as much as possible
* Drink hot chocolate, preferably with whipped cream on top
* Indulge in a Cinnamon Dolce Latte from Starbucks

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* Slow down & spend more time in my pjs
* Get enough sleep for a change
* Decorate my apartment for Christmas
* Make sure my apartment smells like Christmas
* Drink all my tea with honey

Unfortunately, since I do live down South, it's highly unlikely that I'll be able to add things like "play in the snow" or "take a carriage ride." But I can do those things in my mind. And probably enjoy them more since I won't get all wet and cold. Any other suggestions I should add to my list?

Random Reminder

2009-11-04T07:42:00.001-05:00

Spotted as I was trekking to my client's office.

The Key to Happiness

2009-11-03T21:55:00.000-05:00

Pre-Roman wall in Durres, Albania.

Halloweek

2009-11-03T18:23:00.004-05:00

Before I go any further, let me just insert this disclaimer: I am not the biggest fan of Halloween. *Gasp!* I know, I know, everyone I know loves Halloween. But now that we're not kids anymore, I feel silly dressing up and spending ridiculous amounts of time scheming how to get a bunch of candy and tasty drinks.

That said, I did just spend an entire week devoted to celebrating Halloween.

Every year, on the Tuesday before Halloween, DC has a drag queen high heel race. Every year, I have tried to make it to the race, only to fail at the last minute. This year, Tiger and I decided that a last-minute shopping trip, followed by a delicious dinner off the happy hour menu (tangent: those are always the best dinners, aren't they? So yummy, so cheap!), and then, we trekked through the pouring rain to go see DC's drag queens strut their best.

After Mb alerted us to the volunteer opportunity to seize a free attractive day-glo orange t-shirt and front row views, Tiger and I decided to volunteer. We were hoping to get a t-shirt and a good view for minimal work. Instead, we got recruited to keep the finish line clear. But in exchange for yelling at people to "back it up," (hey, it was pouring....I was terrified that drag queens were going to come skidding to a stop on the wet pavement and I would be the one at the bottom of the stop) we got front-row views such as these:

Rockin'.

Just in case you weren't aware: fur is a drag.

Hubcap hats and rubber skirts. Fab.

Then on Thursday, there was the office Halloween party. Aside from the usual cake, coke, candy options, I was lucky enough to win some Halloween window clings. Awesome.

Friday, as I previously explained, was when the infamous Tuff Tiff was coming back to town. After hours of gossip and dinner, we got dressed up and headed uptown to Mb's party.

Any guesses as to who Tuff Tiff was?

How about now?

Taken about 20 seconds after I tried to fly.

Let's just say, Metro is a royal pain in the ass most of the time anyways. Navigating Metro with a set of pretty wings strapped on your back? I definitely did not drink enough. At all.

Grey's suregon, freakin' adorable Christmas tree, beautiful butterfly.

On Halloween, what better way to start celebrating than with a visit to the famous Exorcist steps?

For some strange reason, we chose to walk up....

...instead of down.

And no visit to Georgetown is complete without a stop at Georgetown Cupcake, especially on Halloween.

Mmmm. Red Velvet Love.

Naturally, after all that sugar, Tuff Tiff was wise enough to realize I needed to burn it off, so we walked all.over.the.city. Which is one of my favorite ways to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon....even if I was bitterly disappointed that the line for Ben's Chili Bowl was wrapped around the corner when we finally got there. Ben's is delicious, but not THAT delicious.

Halloween night, we were lazy, opting for gossip and M. Night Shaymalan films, including The Sixth Sense.

I see dead people.

And then last night, I wrapped up Halloweek with watching Coraline. Which, is pure awesome. If you haven't seen it yet, watch it today!

Some doors should never be opened.

Now, onto November and eagerly counting down the days....

Devil's Night

2009-10-30T14:35:00.002-04:00

As most of you know, I grew up in Detroit.

In Detroit, we celebrate Halloween in a strange tradition. On Halloween itself, it's usually completely necessary for kids to head out wearing long underwear, sweatsuits, those puffy snowsuits, and then whatever costume could possible fit over such roly-poly-ness.

Close enough for you to get the idea.

However, that's not how Detroit starts celebrating Halloween. Anyone ever watch Brandon Lee's The Crow?

It Can't Rain All The Time.

Intense, but great movie. It totally demonstrates the Detroit phenomenon known Devil's Night.

The first time I ever knew about Devil's Night was from having the living daylights scared out of my nine-year-old self as I watched The Crow for the first time.

The following year, I was in Children's Hospital recovering from a surgery on Devil's Night. From my hospital room window, I could see thick smoke from multiple fires across the city. Pretty scary for a drugged-out, recovering-from-surgery, ten-year-old. The following year, Detroit began calling Devil's Night Angel's Night instead.

The name might have changed, but unfortunately, the tradition has remained.

Those of you who know me also I know I can't resist making fun of Detroit. But woe be to the non-native fool who tries to make fun of Detroit in front of me.

Thus, as we schemed our plans for this weekend yesterday, I told Tuff Tiff that we had a job to do when we party tonight:

We need to school DC on how to celebrate Devil's Night, Detroit-style.

We will avoid outright arson.

But we will keep things fiery hot.

Because we are smokin' hot.

Come join us!

Giggle for Today

2009-10-29T16:57:00.003-04:00

Found on my banana.....

Ansel Adams

2009-10-29T09:11:00.000-04:00

Anyone who knows me quickly discovers that I love photography. It is my favorite art form.

And, whenever I'm asked what I would do if I could retire off lottery winnings, I would become the next Ansel Adams. No questions about it.

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Something about his work calls to me. I find that my reactions to his photographs are always strongly and surprisingly emotional (in a good way....not the hysterical, pms-ing twit way). Everyone has a few art pieces that invoke that kind of reaction. Mine just happens to be Ansel's work.

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Of course, Ansel Adams is best known for his stunning black and white photographs of the American West.

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But I'm willing to bet most people don't know that Ansel Adams also did quite a bit of work in color. Granted, Ansel was such a perfectionist, that he chose not to print in color, because color processing was not advanced enough during his lifetime to produce the color he felt his photographs could show. Since his death, color processing techniques have improved dramatically, and many of his color photographs have since been printed. Time.com has a photo spread out right now that shows some of Ansel's stunning color photograhs.

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See? Absolutely breathtakingly goregous. And this post is a long-winded way of saying, "I so want this book for Christmas!"

KtMac Confessions: Squirrely Fears

2009-10-27T09:18:00.001-04:00

Shhh....I have a secret to confess....

This time last year, I was utterly terrified of squirrels. (Which, on a side note, is an absolutely strange-looking word.)

Killer squirrel?

I have absolutely no clue where this irrational fear came from. But, I was utterly convinced that my neighborhood squirrels were going to bite me on the ankles, I'd get rabies, and die.

So convinced, that any time I went for a walk in my neighborhood, be it a leisurely stroll, a mad dash, or a run for various errands, I either had on thick socks under heavy jeans or knee-high boots as "defense" against ankle-biting rabid squirrels.

Rational? Absolutely not.

Short-lived fear. Absolutely.

This year, I have no such fear. Random.

Why I Love October

2009-10-26T07:18:00.003-04:00

Come take a Sunday afternoon stroll with me around my neighborhood...

Do You Believe in Fate?

2009-10-25T07:37:00.004-04:00

Whenever I want to post something, but am not quite sure what to say, I go back to old journal entries and steal inspiration. That said, this one still sums me up perfectly, even seven years (oh wow, where does time go?!) later.

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I believe everything happens for a reason. If we're lucky, we eventually find out what that reason is.

Everything happens for a reason; some good, some bad, some known, and some unknown.

I'd like to believe that the choices we make affect what happens. However, those choices aren't just there - they're there for a reason.

I doubt I'll ever know why I'm hearing impaired. But, I know now why I lost my hearing permanently; that's because the cochlear implant offers me both better hearing AND a better way of life. I would not have gotten the cochlear implant had I not lost my hearing.

I also truly believe that our past affects our future. Our past creates who we are and who we are affects our future.

I also believe you need to deal with your past, come to terms with it, let it go, and begin living your life. By letting it go, you aren't letting the past go, but rather, yourself, so you can live your life. The past is always there, but it can only haunt you if you let it do so.

Part of the reason why I have faith is because now I understand that everything happens for a reason. And I accept that not knowing what that reason is does not change that reason or mean that there is no reason. Things don't just happen. It hasn't been easy, learning how to understand and accept fate. But it has allowed me to find peace again and to finally have faith.

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Pictures: All taken by me.
1.) Michigan
2.) Michigan
3.) Maryland
4.) Maryland
5.) Maryland
6.) Tokyo
7.) Dubrovnik

Happy for the Little Things

2009-10-22T20:44:00.003-04:00

Things that make me happy today:
- that My Love is amazing, and people who aren't quite so biased in his favor are recognizing him for it
- that a stop at the Water Tower Place last weekend yielded a fabulous price on a pair of designer jeans in a size much smaller than the last pair of jeans I bought

- that less than a week later, I'm wondering if I should've at least tried on those jeans in a size smaller
- that I'm wearing and loving classic red nail polish

- that even though I forgot both my wallet and my lunch at home today, I still managed to scrounge up a healthy AND filling lunch for less than the $3.52 I had in my pocket
- that some people are genuinely happy to see me every time
- that my writing skills were effusively praised by an unbiased authority figure
- that I can now count on my fingers how many months are left before My Love comes home for good

- that I find myself restless on the days that I haven't worked out or haven't worked out hard enough
- that I feel confident in the direction of my future
- that it is ALMOST, finally, the weekend.

Beautiful

2009-10-22T13:46:00.000-04:00

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Random Stolen Moments

2009-10-20T22:34:00.001-04:00

Cafe in Shokder, Albania.

Travel Tales: Chicago

2009-10-20T10:29:00.002-04:00

There is no place greater than an airport. I mean it.

I love sitting there people-watching. You see all the extremes of human nature. The love in reunions. The excitement of departures on grand adventures. The frustration of the missed connection or the never-ending delay. The irritation with the sugar-fueled hyperactive kids.

I sit there waiting impaitently and try to guess where someone is going and why. A Grandma on her way to spoil the grandkids in Carolina. A businessman on his way to a riviting insurance conference in Nebraska. Lovers off to a romantic liasion in Prague. A spy on his way to DC after a hair-raising adventure in Thailand. The possibilities are endless.

And I just returned from my own little adventure in Chicago. I had a wonderful visit with My Love's parents. My Love was not there. I missed him, but I loved having the chance to finally see his adorable baby pictures and hear all the stories he would normally have kept me from hearing. My Love was simply one of the cutest baby boys ever.

I also loved getting a chance to know My Love's parents better. I discovered that his mom is a great shopping partner, and his dad reminds me of my own when it comes to his fascination with knowing the history of the town he lives in. I heard stories of their own childhoods and got to see where My Love grew up. I ate too much, laughed often, and loved the perfect fall weekend Chicago weather gave us.

I didn't get to take any pictures of my own this weekend. Bummer.

And, the exciting thing is, the next time I'm sitting in an airport, I'll be on my way to see My Love again. Seriously cannot wait!

More Randoms

2009-10-15T13:07:00.000-04:00

* Wow. Apparently you really can wean yourself off sugar. Three chocolate chip cookies later, I found myself in a sugar coma.

* Interesting: I picked up several types of squash at the grocery store the other night in an attempt to make myself feel better about missing Michigan so much right now. The label on the squash says "Michigan." More specifically, the name of a town right next to where I went to college. That did not ease my homesickness.

* Part of my soul shriveled up and died a little inside this week when I realized that I was excited about finding the Holy Grail of reference documents for a work project. And died a little more when I realized it really is the Holy Grail of reference documents.

* I dream of the day when I am not in the office before the sun rises. That day will come. I know it. But I have no idea if I'll be awake then.

* I am running on fumes this week. It is my own fault for burning the candle at both ends. I went to bed early last night in hopes of getting 8 hours of sleep. Great plan until 2 am, where I then woke up every hour on the hour until my alarm went off at 5 am. Grumble.

* When my alarm went off at 5 am, I was in that twilight area of sleep - not quite consicious, not fully asleep - and managed to startle myself, when I shouted out loud, "What the f*&%?! It's only THURSDAY!" Sigh. Damn Thursday.

* Got my flu shot today. Yergh. Just the regular ole' flu shot. I got mono twice in a year and a half. It's only been a year since the last recurrence. Really?! Only a year? I'm not taking any chances.

Anticipation hurts worse than the poke.

* When I was heating up my lunch, I discovered that I forgot to pack a fork. A quick inspection of my work bag yielded a set of chopsticks. (I dunno...) Turns out, it was perfect for my chicken teriakyi. Go figure.

* I need a good massage. Seriously.

Movie Dates

2009-10-15T08:05:00.002-04:00

I was lucky enough to have a couple of movie dates this week.

On Tuesday, my friend Tiger (she'll fully understand this nickname....or should anyways!), shared her free movie pass with me so that we could go see a sneak preview of New York, I Love You. Don't hate - someday I'll share the secret to being cool like me. ;-)

Since I didn't bother reading about the movie beforehand, I had no clue what I was getting into. It's a pretty cool premise - some scenes seemed a little wonky for me, but that may be because I didn't have subtitles to help me "hear." I'm definitely adding it to my Netflix queue to watch again with subtitles. For the rest of you, it comes out to theaters tomorrow - go check it out! I'm not giving away any more movie details other than to say My Love is totally the Abe to my Mitzi.....or, at least, he will be someday!

every moment, another story begins

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Every weekend, My Love and I try to have a movie date. Now, some of you may be thinking, "But they're 6,000 miles apart! How can they have a movie date?!"

Easy.

We both get a copy of the same movie, start it at the same time, and then Skype our way through the movie.

It's vaugely cheesy, but it works. And it gives us something to do together, even if we're not physically together.

Anyways, last weekend's movie date got bumped to last night due to weekend commitments and flakey developing world internet. Based on a recommendation, this week's movie was Dan in Real Life. It was a good movie. But just a little too sad for us to watch last night. We were in the mood for something silly and funny.

It's confusing. It's awkward. It's family.

So, peeps, I turn to you....any silly, funny, romantic, happy movie suggestions for My Love and I to add to our movie watching list?

Words I Need to Remember Today....

2009-10-13T10:47:00.001-04:00

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson