Eternal Valentine

     Yesterday was Valentine's Day, one of my favorite days of the year!  I love the idea of celebrating those who mean the most to us in whatever way(s) we choose to.  Ethan and I went to supper at Cafe Rue Orleans (both of our first times and it was NOM) followed by The Vow at Razorback Malco.  Perfect balance of being eventful, but not overdoing it, ya know?  Ethan is such a gentleman and has never treated me as less than a queen.  I will refrain from going on about his dedication to the Lord, relentless work ethic, Einstein-like intelligence level, and rock-hard abs.  Our relationship is so precious.  Not sure how I got so lucky, but I'm thanking God every day!  I always value my time with Ethan, but that's so very easy to do when he treats me like every day is Valentine's Day.  If your significant relationships aren't generating the utmost care, quality, and happiness every single day of the year, then why is that relationship even in your life?

     Besides Ethan, I also have some pretty great family and friends that I would classify as Valentines as well!  It's mind-boggling to imagine how God has pieced together my life and every individual person in it.  Through those people, he has orchestrated intimate relationships that I, in turn, receive countless benefits from.  How undeserving am I, but God sends me these angelic figures that I'm running side-by-side with in this thing called life.  What an encouraging thought!  AND, to know that on top of all that, I also have Jesus Christ as my ultimate Valentine...? Woah.



We love because He first loved us. -1 John 4:19

    

Welcome Home

     It has been roughly a month since my last blog post-- sorry I'm not sorry. :)  I've been busy!  Mostly with this thing called recruitment.  Bid day was yesterday, and it was fabulous! The Gamma Nu chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma welcomed 134 of the classiest, most intelligent, and GORGEOUS girls to our house!  Welcome home, pretties!

     Now that recruitment is over, I'm ecstatic to finish a wonderful start to my senior year! Classes are in full swing this week.  My schedule is relatively easy, but I planned it that way.  Major yay!  I knew I would be plenty busy with the billions of other things going on this semester, and I couldn't have predicted that one any better.  I can already tell this fall is going to be crazy, but I love that. From functions to football games, ASG to Bumpers Ambassadors, Diamond Dolls to Kappa-- there will never be a dull moment. I know there will be days when I will give anything for one of my infamous 3 hour naps, but I know later in life I'll be so glad I skipped them in order to do college.
     Since I'm just getting in a normal routine again (PTL) I have just begun to realize how much I stinking miss Washington D.C.  I miss the people.  I miss the places.  I miss the capital.  I miss the food.  I don't miss the transportation, but I do miss the interesting stories we would come away with from the metro every day.  I can't help but wonder if God's plan is for me to end up there at some point in my life. 

     Even though part of me misses most of DC, I can whole heartedly say that I'm so glad to be home.

Thank God for my hunting license!

Today was the last day of my DC internship.  It's bittersweet.  I'm ready for Fayetteville life again, but I know I'll miss this experience.  I've seriously had the time of my life, and met some legit people.  Last night, most of our interns went to an SEC tailgate, and I had such a fun time.  What better way to end my time here than to be surrounded by the country's finest?  Disregard the fact that I had to get in on my hunting license because Lauren has my id-- it was a great night!

Katie and me at George!

Let's be honest.  It was a pretty uneventful day at the office.  I worked the front for a while, then made my way to the back for the rest of the day.  Noon came and I went to bible study with Catherine, one of the sweetest people I have ever met.  She is an LC in our office.  She is also an angel.  After work, I went to Holly's house to pick up my id that Lauren had to overnight to DC since it was in her purse when she left town.  Unfortunately, it wasn't there and I guess I'm going to have to charm the TSA guys tomorrow to let me get on the plane.  Maybe they'll appreciate my hunting license as much as the George bouncers did?

Even though after work I had a frustrating evening trying to track down my id, I did manage to purchase a pair of black patent heels.  My last pair was also black patent, but pointy toed.  They were getting too worn-- to the point of the heel stub coming off.  I got my new shoes from Shoe Woo in Union Station.  They had super cute shoes to choose from, and I would have bought more had they had my size... it was one of those instances where I knew God was telling me I only needed one pair.  For that, I am thankful!


The pair I bought today looks a lot like this.
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT8Buawom-c_jGj-sDkjAF2YrJ4hpnLg9SpHSPS5Kfm-5xFWMjE

Weekend Shenanigans

     This weekend was without a doubt my favorite weekend in DC thus far! I was able to spend time doing things I've been wanting to do with some of my favorite people!  William and my agenda was as follows:

---Friday:

Dinner in Chinatown at Clyde's

Get-together at Merrick's apartment

Out and about on U Street

---Saturday:

Eastern Market

Market Lunch

Smithsonian Zoo

Fro yo

Dinner at Ben's Chili Bowl

Out in Georgetown

---Sunday:

Float Trip

Dinner with William's Aunt and Uncle

     Soooo many great things!  I wish I could have had time to blog about each day, but that didn't happen, so I'll have to hit the highlights... Clyde's was super yummy, and we had fun with the interns at Merrick's.  U Street was quite an experience.  William decribed it as a clean Bourbon Street.  Lots of sketchball bars and what not, but we did find a few fun places--- one that included karaoke where we sang "Friends In Low Places" and called the Hogs! 

     Eastern Market has definitely been one of my top experiences of DC.  That is MY kind of place.  It was a flea market, as well as a farmer's market. They had some of the tastiest fruit I've ever put in my mouth, and some of the neatest booths with deals you can't beat with a stick.  I was pretty sad I couldn't bring home any of the colorful flowers, but seeing them sure made me happy.  We had Market Lunch after noon, and it was so delicious.  Lauren, William, and I shared crab cakes and a chicken sandwich complimented by a sweet tea/lemonade mix.  Yum!  I made a few purchases (they were steals for sure!) and headed out with some super cute jewelry.  They had a cupcake truck-- yes, truck-- which I was so amused by!  I love simple things like that!

     After the market, we went to the Zoo, where we saw elephants (I now know the difference between Asian and African elephants), apes, and reptiles, among other things.  Of course, I located a frozen yogurt shop, and we made sure to get some of that goodness!  Later that night we went to Ben's Chili Bowl, and had chili dogs, and chili-cheese fries.  It was so worth it. :)  President Obama has eaten here, so it was neat to see pictures of that.  We tried going meeting up with Lauren and Katie Howe that night, but our Georgetown outing was cut short by a crippling blister.  It was literally crippling-- I could not walk.  So, we taxied it home, but up until that point, I was wearing tan flip wedges.  I did not think you could go wrong with that, but maybe it was a sign that we needed to rest up for...

     Sunday was our intern FLOAT TRIP!  We had a great time on Front Royal, but the river was low, so parts of the ride were bumpy.  I got a significant amount of sun, but hopefully it will be tan just in time for Rush!  For dinner, William and I met up with his Aunt and Uncle who live in the DC area.  It is so nice to visit with Arkansans, especially when southern hospitality is sometimes lacking in Washington.  You would think people have the idea that smiling and being hospitable isn't socially acceptable here.  New flash: it's the best trend ever! :D

    

Flowers from Eastern Market!

http://b5media_b4.s3.amazonaws.com/28/files/2006/10/washington-dc-eastern-market-flowers.JPG

Obama @ Ben's

http://www.sogoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/obama-bens-chili-bowl.jpg

Asian Elephant @ the Zoo!

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR1m1Ql2UPnYvPfILf4AXSrsHSgEOQuD_tUF7sJ2uwdO7Knip3y

Windows Down, Music Up

My feet were a lot more satisfied today, as they were able to make their way into some black pumps for work.  With the help of Band-Aids, last weekends blisters were perfectly fine and my black waist-banded coral dress was complete.  Lauren had her shadow day today, basically following Boozman to every meeting, hearing, conference, etc.  After her full day, she couldn't help but want a nap, saying she wasn't sure how the Senator did that all day every day... just another reason he is a rock star!

Yesterday, I was asked to put together a couple of hearing binders by one of the Legislative Correspondents.  After I finished, he told me about the hearing, which was today, and of course I wasn't going to turn down attending a hearing where JB would be speaking.  That was this morning.  Lauren sat beside me, and I somewhat felt like a parent beaming with pride when Boozman took the mic.  He makes me so proud to be an Arkansan.  In the afternoon, Staci and I gave a tour to a man and his children.  As always, they were so kind, and the children were well-behaved.  I like giving tours with other interns because we always have backup.  If one of us forgets something, the other can tag in, and vice versa.  Like mama says, the more the merrier!

In some free time, I was able to read part of a book I just started, called The Help.  It tells the story of black maids who are working in Jackson, Mississippi for wealthy families, but it reads from the different perspectives of the maids.  The book adequately incorporates southern slang, making it nearly realistic.  I love that.  And so far, I love the book. 

So, here I lie in bed, in my (way too) over sized t-shirt and baggy pajama pants, listening to Adele and the sound of sirens ringing throughout Washington.  I can't help but think about how great my life is right now.  I'm blessed beyond belief, compare, measure.  Here I am, a college student, who is able to pursue any facet of life imaginable.  I'm able to experience life on an open road, and I'm doing it with the windows rolled down and the music turned up.

...please tell me what there is to complain about.
When you're happy like a fool, let it take you over.

When everything is out, you gotta take it in.
Oh, this has gotta be the good life.
This has gotta be the good life.
This could really be a good life, good life.

---One Republic, Good Life

DC Adventures! (7.26.11)

Let me tell you about one of my new favorite snacks from one of my new favorite places... Trader Joe's Corn and Chile Salsa.  Since I have been in DC, I have come to know Trader Joe's quite well, as it is the go-to grocery store in this Wal*Mart-less town.  They don't supply any name brand items, only their own brand, which is somewhat generic, but still extremely good.  They have fresh flowers and Two Buck Chuck-- you know all of the interns love that.  Everything is super fresh and relatively inexpensive.  Can't go wrong!  ...Back to my snack.  You can eat it with wheat thins or throw some on a salad, even a sandwich, or grilled chicken.  I eat mine cold, but I'm sure it is fine at room temperature as well!  There are some pretty good-looking recipes for the salsa online.

Nom, nom, nom.

This morning, a group of Boozman 'terns made the trek across the Hill to the Longworth building for a hearing on the Fair Tax.  We were so pumped to see Mike Huckabee!  He did such a great job.  Huck is always so articulate and you want to hear what he has to say when he speaks.  Today was no different.  We had to go show our support for the fellow Arkansan.  However, I did get a little distracted by a certain Representative from Illinois.  If you know anything about politicians, you know I am talking about Schock,  Aaron Schock.  And for those of you who don't know...

You now know why I may or may not have gazed at him throughout the hearing.  He had to leave early though.  I guess I'll have to give him my number later, because he definitely isn't married, and he definitely is a Republican. What's not to lust love?

Tonight's agenda?  Sushi then McFadden's.  Peace, you all.

DC Adventures! (7.25.11)

I'm trying out new blog templates and what not, so bare with me the next few weeks or so-- my blog will be a changing work in progress!

Music makes me so happy.  It's amazing to me how you can find an absolute perfect song reflecting your mood at any given point in time.  Tonight's favorites:

• Someone Like You by Adele
• Good Life by One Republic
• God Gave Me You by Blake Shelton

I'm one of those people who really intently listens to lyrics, and if I get distracted, I'll usually start the song over.  Some people focus on the rhythm or melodies, and those make the song what it is, too, but I find I like most songs because of the lyrics. 

It was great to be back on the Hill today.  All of Senator Boozman's staff was super comforting and encouraging.  The Senator actually asked Lauren and I to come into his office (this is uncharted territory for interns) so he could speak with us.  He was incredibly caring, and made every effort to ensure we knew if we needed anything, all we have to do is ask.  We chatted about miscellaneous topics, from family to school, all the while JB being most pleasant to talk with.  He reminded us, like dad did, to soak up as much as we could while we are here.  Our national debt problem is history in the making, but something we sometimes overlook because it is simply part of our every day lives.  Boozman is so good about stopping and talking with the interns, something he certainly does not have to do.  We hang out with Senator Pryor's interns every so often.  From what they say, they don't interact with their Senator very much.  Our boss is very personal.  What a wonderful man I work for this summer!

This weekend, I was so excited about wearing my "Safari" wedges that I forgot about potential blisters-- major buzz kill.  This resulted in me wearing flats today, and probably tomorrow.  Sorry, feet.  Maybe we can transition back into heels on Wednesday.

During a slow couple of hours today, I put together plans for this coming weekend.  William is coming to DC, and I want his visit to be perfect... more like a fun getaway, rather than a history class.  While today was slow, I think tomorrow will pick up a bit.  In the morning, I will either be doing a tour with Asa Hutchinson, or attending a Fair Tax hearing by Mike Huckabee.  Either of those will be fantastic I'm sure!  Some of our group went to a happy hour tonight not far from our dorm, but I didn't feel so hot when we got home, so I took a nap. Alas, I am awake and blogging at 3 am. :)

Some pics from our first softball game with the office...

 

How legit-- playing America's game on America's lawn!

I think this was a slap bunt?  Go, Lauren!

Lauren didn't like batting, so we may or may not have switched so I could bat for her... In this particular hit, I got in a pickle, but got out and scored. Of course. ;)



My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
-Psalm 73:26