October = Pumpkins, Halloween, Snow!?

One of these things is NOT like the other. Yes we got some snow here in the nation's capital this weekend and all I have to say is WTF weather?! What happened to the brisk Fall weather with the smell of leaves in the air and speckled tree lines of crimson, copper and marigold...it got replaced by snowflakes, rain boots, and teeth chattering air temperatures, THAT'S WHAT! I literally was in my house in sweats, my quarter zip, socks, and I even broke out the winter blanket.I for sure was going to let the weather be my excuse to stay in on my favorite Holiday, a Facebook friend's status so awesomely summed up my thoughts on the evening:

Halloween Weekend Forecast: overnight low of 32 with 100 percent chance of snow/rain...good luck sluts.

....and yet there were still girls dressed in tiny costumes shivering to death with their nipples ready to cut glass. You are brave girls,  it took all of me to dawn my tutu and bathing suit and walk the five blocks to my friends' party (I worse sweatpants underneath) I was not prepared to suffer for my costume.However I wasn't going to let the weather keep me from being young and fun either.

I love when people get creative with their costumes I can appreciate some sluttasticness when you are more than just a sexy nurse,cop,milk maid, nurse, flight attendant, teacher, nurse..well you get my point. I often find myself judging people and their intelligence level on their costumes.

Slutty nurse = C- student from an unaccredited community college
Leelo from the 5th element = Rhode scholar (actual costume I saw).
Waldo = 3rd string football player at a division 3 school
Oscar the Grouch with trash can and full paint = Mensa candidate.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not hating on the fact that you can run around in a fishnets, panties, and tassels or that you are lazy, if I had a sick body I would wear next to nothing too just give it a little pizzaz would you. Be more than your body and use that brain!

I really don't know how I will top my costume next year, the simple fact that I almost killed my friend's dog because he ate my Nicki Minaj chicken necklace (sorry Chester) put this Halloween over the top.

I realized that in two days I turn 27! And the funnest year of my life will start (I hope) but at the very least I wont be a bystander any longer! I THROW down the binoculars and stop watching and jump on the go train. I'm excited! I am adding anther thing to my  list I WILL attend all of my kickball games from here on out, no excuses!

           HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 

You Never Realize What You Have Until It's Gone

First I want to say that no one has died (I realize the title of this post is a bit ambiguous)! All of this talk and excitement that has been generated due to my  approaching (very fast approaching) 27th birthday has really allowed me to think about my life and who I am as a person. I think for the very first time I am comfortable in my own skin and even though I question my position in life I have few regrets. I've learned to feel beautiful in my {plus-sized} jeans but more importantly to be proud of the voice that I have learned to use. I bet you are wondering where this sudden rush of joy and strong fierce attitude has come from? It is simple: it came from a realization of exactly how lucky I am due to my experiences. Let me try and make some sense!

Background 

I spent the last two years working for an AmeriCorps program called City Year. I worked full-time in schools tutoring kids. City Year is a program that is all over the country and it uses service to make a positive change. My job was hard. The kids were rough, the hours were long, and the pay....well let's just say non-existent. However the things that I gained from my time with City Year are numerous and have infinite value. I can't put a price tag on my experiences. I have to say that I made some of the best friends of my entire life in this program. Working every day in tough settings with the same people day to day really does something to a person. I love my team mates more than words can say. The kids (as bad as they were) changed me in ways that were more than physical. Yes I dropped 2 pants sizes due to running up and down flights of stairs in heavy ass timbs and pants made of some material that did not allow for circulation of air but those were all physical. The biggest changes were all inward. My experiences in the school and with my team helped me become a much more dynamic person.  I fell in love for the first time, that may not sound like a big deal but falling in love wasn't something I thought I would do EVER. I figured I would be destined to live a life of spinsterhood playing the role of bridesmaid and making a home with my dogs. But my students allowed me to open my heart and feel for the first time and even though that "relationship"did not end well I do not regret any of the decisions I made in it. I will take the lessons learned from him and it and move on to the next one. The thing that is important here is that it HAPPENED, I allowed myself to go there and I was happy.

the 09-10 X team at the White House

Pool fun with the 10-11 Xers

Why Stop at Five!

                                                           

    The FIVE
These are all books that I have put off. Hopefully there will be many more to add to these. If I know myself there definitely will be. As always you are invited to read a long if these are books you too have put off.






I have found myself getting very excited about the arrival of my birthday and I have to say that even if I complete none of my list it has already made me excited about turning 27. I have been thinking about what books I wanted tackle over the next year and it was sort of overwhelming. I realized that there are so many amazing books that I want to read that I haven't; along with books that I have read long ago and want to experience again as an adult. The conclusion that I came to is this is my ship and I am captaining it so I can do what I want. I decided that I am going to commit to five books but if I feel compelled to read more I will and if not that is okay too. I also realized that several of the books have a similar message which is one of transformation through a journey. I am not sure what the next year will bring me but I think at the very least it will force me to be present in the everyday. EPIC WIN! Check out a few of the books I want to read and let me know what you think.