Cupcakes, JFK, Exorcist and Fat Elvis!!!!

My time is dwindling and my list is still so very long as to what I want to see and do while here so sadly, things will have to come off the list and I will just need to deal with that.  As much as I have wanted to be out all the time doing touristy things, the weather, dealing with moving companies, school and the weather (yes I mentioned the weather twice as it has been stupidly hot to be outside) have put a damper on things for me.  

However, one thing that I have wanted to do for quite some time is to go on a walking tour of Georgetown as there is so much history and architecture there to see.  So one day I ventured off that way and I am so glad I did.  The first thing on the list was the Washington Harbour (different than the National Harbour as I have so learned)  and man I could have spent all day there.  It was a gorgeous day so the Potomac as shining and glistening, the food smelled so good along the pier and I had a book with me to cop a squat and just love it.  But a)  it was hot and b) I had more of Georgetown to see.  I hope to get back to the pier though to enjoy it one day in the sun and screw the heat.  This is one of those many instances where I love being around water. 

The next on the list was to see the C&O Canal Towpath, which is what they used back in the day to bring stuff up from Northern Virginia/Maryland down to DC with no vehicles (at least that is what I think it was far).  Up in Great Falls there was reminients of the towpath so it must have been quite extensive.  This one here actually had water still in it so I could get a more visual representation of how it worked and what was involved for it to actually work.  Also, there were benches along the path so again, a kick ass spot for people to sit and people watch, read, whatever.  Georgetown folk have it quite gorgeous in there area, I am very jealous.  I also had the ability to enjoy a Georgetown Cupcake, which is the home of DC Cupcakes on TLC (https://www.georgetowncupcake.com/)  Usually the line up is around the block but thankfully the day I went there wasn't that much of a wait and I needed a little sugar to keep the walk going.  It was delicious!!!  It was on the smaller side of the cupcake spectrum for my liking, but still super fresh and the flavors were so unique.  I can see why it is a hotspot in the Georgetown area.  

Next was the Exorcist stairs.  Now, granted, I have never seen the Exorcist so I have no clue what capacity or context these stairs were used in for that movie, but I will admit, I could see these stairs being a tad creepy at night, especially if one has an imagination like mine.  I was standing at the foot of the stairs and I had to talk myself into climbing up the stairs as my imagination starting telling me that I was going to trip and fall down the stairs, I was going to feel a presence or ghost beside me, see something in one of the windows in the building beside the stairs, a whole bunch of everything really.  Here is a youtube clip of the stairs and the guy is talking about the scene in the movie so if you have ever seen the movie, you know exactly what he is talking about (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0CuofMisMQ).  I have never seen the movie nor will I ever see the movie.  Even trying to find the youtube clip is questionable as to whether or not I am going to have nightmares tonight.  

Another thing to see while in Georgetown is the many different houses JFK and Jackie O lived in while they were there.  I only took pictures of one, which is pretty famous in a way.  I pity whomever lives here though as they must get sick of all the people who stop to take pictures of their house, pose in front of it and whatnot.  It is a very kitchy area though and I would have loved to see the inside of the place but I think that would have been pushing the envelope for the people who live there.  If people do live there - maybe it is a historical building and nobody is there.  

I wish I could post all my pictures of Georgetown for you guys as it was simply amazing - the architecture, the university itself, everything.  As I kept walking, I found myself in Dumbarton Oaks/Rock Creek Park and it was heavenly back there.  So peaceful and quiet and surrounded by nature and water and gorgeousness.  First and foremost, this is the most kick ass tree I found.  Well, not found.  I think a lot of people have found this tree since it really isn't hidden. When I was younger, I always wanted a weeping willow tree as I thought it would be the best tree to curl up under with a book.  I lied.  This tree is the one I want for that.  But instead of curling up under it with a book, I want to climb up it and sit in some branches and read a book.  Hobbit-like.  It is such a kick ass tree.  I wonder how it got like that.  And huge, like freaking huge!!!  

Overall, it was such a cool area to be around.  I am very envious of the folks in that area as they have so many cool places to chill and relax in.  And Georgetown University looks like Hogwarts.  And the cemeteries around there are old and full of character.  But the last thing I want to tell you guys about is what I ate - it is called a Fat Elvis - it is a waffle with bacon, peanut butter, banana and honey, which was one of his most favorite dishes and it was delicious!!!!  I am so happy I got to eat it.  

I am really hoping to get a lot more touristy stuff done these next couple of weeks as my time here in DC is coming to an end and I do not want to regret not seeing certain things, but I think that will have to be the case as there is so much stuff to see and now I really don't have enough time to see it all.  That being said, I will be back in Canada in July so I can't wait to see you all!!!  It will be bittersweet to leave the wonderful people I have met here but will be so nice to be back on Canada soil and around family and friends there.  But I am not going to get into that now or else I will just depress myself.  I miss you all and wish me luck on seeing a lot more things!!!

How Not to Get Deported on Memorial Day

Memorial day is a pretty big hullaballo.  Not as big as the 4th of July, but pretty big nonetheless.  They had a whole weekend of festivities planned but I decided to partake on Monday only and get other things done.  I am not sure if it was a good or bad thing.  All in all, I got to see partial amount of Obama giving his speech at Arlington Cemetery, got to see Gary Sinise, Buzz Aldrin and Miss America and not be deported.  Pretty exciting day all in all.  

The first on my list was to hit Arlington Cemetery as they had what was called 'flags-in', which was the same concept of what we did in November and laying the wreaths on the gravesites; this time, people could place American Flags into the ground at the site and on the day I went, everyone was given a rose to place ontop of the tomb.  So I wanted to go check this out as well as go see all the statues and monuments that are kicking around the cemetery.  So I get to Arlington.  And learn that most of it is sectioned off due to the wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  But I decided to still walk around and see things that I haven't seen.  Like the entire backside.  There is a lot of things on the backside of the Cemetery.  Who knew.  Even though I do not think I was supposed to be back there in some of the restricted areas.  So I am walking around, taking pictures, listening to music, the regular stuff.  I knew something big was happening down at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier but didn't feel like contending with all the crowds and decided to do my own thing.  Maybe not a good idea.  I start wandering down to the area where all the soldiers were standing, very still, in the blazing heat.  I wanted to see what was happening down there.  Both a good and bad idea.  I head on down and start listening to the people speaking and apparently, somebody important was coming through via motorcade, hence all the soldiers.  Cool, I am going to stick around and see who it was.  So let me paint the scene for you - I am standing beside quite an attractive soldier as he was tall and a slight bit of

shade. When the motorcade started pulling up, a 21 cannon, not gun, salute, started.  I was not ready for that and me being me, slightly freaked out.  Now that I think about it, I am glad that the soldier did not have some form of PTSD, although the cannon should have triggered that, as when the first cannon went off, I jumped. High and to the side.  Right into him.  Very muscular man.  My mind almost went a different way, then I remembered where we were.  And slowly jumped off of him.  Away from him, whatever.  I apologized to him and I do not know if it happens a lot to him or he takes his job very seriously but he didn't even bat an eye.  Amazing.  Then I heard the people beside me saying they saw Obama in the car.  Which I missed because I was jumping into a hot soldier (not sure if I missed out or not just yet).  

So after the motorcade went through and I kept wandering.  Not paying attention.  Suddenly I found myself not around people anymore and near the area that Obama was giving his speech.  In an area that was kind of blocked off and looked like civilians, ie me, were not allowed in.  Did that bother me, not at all.  At first.  So I kind of sat down and started listening to him give his speech (such a suave type of fellow he is).  Until I noticed that I was attracting attention, doing absolutely nothing.  But when people started looking at me, and then speaking into walkie talkies, I decided it was time to look way more innocent than I was already looking and get out of that area, having a story in my head about why I was in an area that I was not supposed to be in.  If I could remember the years of French that I took, I would have busted out into that.  Thankfully, nobody came to haul me off anywhere or anything like that.  And, I got to see and hear Obama give a speech in real life.   I did not get a picture as I thought for sure then the walkie talkie men would have thought it was not a camera, but I got the mental picture in my head.  After that I wandered around a little bit more but then every time I saw a soldier look at me, I got a little paranoid and decided it would not be a good day to be deported, so I left Arlington. And hopefully I can return to see all the statues and monuments.  So for all of you, here is a youtube clip of his speech that he gave at Arlington.  Part of which I was able to see and hear live.  

While at Arlington, we got handed a rose that we could place on a gravesite (or tombstone - what is it called??) and, funny and luckily enough, I found a Canadian soldiers tomb.  It was like fate.  But then I started thinking and wondering - how is a Canadian buried there but apparently they could have been a fallen soldier and got buried along with the other soldiers in that battle.  It was a nice place to sit and reflect on while at Arlington.  And I was thankful I was able to find that one gravesite and pay tribute to that specific hero.  

After the Cemetery, I made my way down to the Mall to see the monuments with their wreaths and flowers and to find a spot for the parade.  Which was my type of parade since it had bands, horses and soldiers and no clowns or mascots.  They went through all the wars, every branch of the military was there and tons of marching bands.  I kind of wish they handed out a program or something because when a particular flag or branch of something came up, people got excited about it, and I got excited because I didn't want to look like I knew nothing, which I did.  However, if you like men in uniform, which I do, this was the place to be.  Ohhh so many hot men in uniforms.  I am not sure which branch of the military I enjoy the most - the crisp whites, the suave browns or the dapper blues (I totally just made those up, except the first one as I think people say that).  That is one thing I am going to miss the most I think, the ability to see men in uniform as often as I can while here.  

I ended up my burning, a huge feat for me, and got a lot of kick ass pictures.  Got to experience another American holiday and it was pretty fun.  I didn't see Rolling Thunder or the concert Saturday night, but my experience Monday has left me with enough experience for a lifetime of celebrating Memorial Day.  With that, I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and should celebrate that I did not get deported, questioned or sanctioned for not following the rules.  And thankful I did not need to subject people to a very fake French first language.  

Don't ever confuse a catafalque with a pedestal. It takes some brain power to figure out how one could work with the other.

First off, if you cannot pronounce the word 'catafalque', don't worry.  It it a hard word to pronounce.  Secondly, if you do not know what a catafalque is, I shall tell you momentarily.  Thirdly, I am really beginning to like saying the word 'catafalque'.  It sounds so important and sophisticated.  And french.  Maybe that is why I can actually say the word, now that I know how to pronounce it.  If I am pronouncing it the right way, hopefully I am pronouncing it the right way.  Oh dear, am I pronouncing it the right way??!!  Whatever.  Anywho.   

So, one thing off my list was going on a Capitol tour and it was amazing.  I kind of wish the tour guide gave us enough time in each room to take pictures but sadly that was not the case.  The tour started in what is called the Crypt Room.  It was one of the original rooms built in the Capitol and is held up with 40 pillars.  As I was leaning on one of the pillars, the tour guide told us that those pillars are helping hold up the 9000 pounds of steel and rock that the Capitol is made up of.  And what did I do - I stopped leaning against the pillar.  I realize that I am not strong, nor big, enough to push a pillar to make the 9000 pounds of steel and rock come crashing down, but it was an innate reflex to stop leaning against the pillar.  In the middle of the room was a white compass star which signified the middle of DC.  Not sure if it is still the middle but back when the Capitol was built, it was the middle.  And a fun fact was that under the compass star is where the tomb of George Washington lies but George is not there as he died after the Capitol was done, there was an argument, the Government was going to sue to place George under there but the estate prevailed and he is still buried at Mount Vernon.  Kind of a fun fact.  So after we walked through the center of DC, we made our way to the Rotunda.  This was what I was waiting for.  The Holy Grail of the Capitol.  Sadly it is under construction and you can't see the beautiful floor or the gorgeous ceiling.  But at least we got to go into the room.  

If anybody does not know what the Rotunda is, it is the place that important people's bodies are laid in state so that people can go and pay their respects.  JFK was there.  That is really all that matters.  And some others.  But JFK. But the Rotunda is amazing.  I cannot put into words the beautifulness of the place but I shall try.  If you start at the ceiling, there is a painting called the Apotheosis of Washington, which depicts Washington inbetween Lady Liberty and Victoria and 13 maidens, symbolizing the 13 original colonies.  Kind of like looking at the American version of the Sistine Chapel.  Although, and no offense to the Rotunda, the Sistine Chapel would be far more awesome to see.  But this is kind of like that.  Coming down from that painting, around the dome area is what originally looked like sculpture of the history of USA but it is actually a painting.  I swear it was a sculpture as it looked like some of the figures were sticking out.  

Then as you continue down the walls, there were I think 13 paintings of different historical moments of America as well.  It was just an amazing room.  So many things to look at and see and take pictures of and just stand in wonder of the beauty of it all.  While internally giggling that in the War of 1812, the British (aka Canada) burnt it down and they had to start rebuilding it.  One of the only things Canada has in its history that I can tell Americans about.  But I thought it not a good thing for people to connect that back in the day the British was Canadian and I was a Canadian.  Did not want to get thrown out of the Capitol because my history peeps burnt it down.   

The next room we went into was the old room that representatives used before the two houses were built (or something along that lines).  Basically it is where the laws and states were passed, a very tiny room that housed a lot of people.  I would be very unhappy in that room as a)  it is tiny b)  it would be loud with all the people and c) it would be very hot.  Three things I really dislike.  However, there is a pretty nifty spot in the room called the Whisper Spot.  Apparently since the room is shaped like a dome and stuff like that, the acoustics is wonky.  We all stood in a huddle around a particular spot and our tour guide went to the other side of the room and spoke in a whisper and we heard her as clear as if she was standing right beside us.  Another reason why I would have hated that room - I want to throw my shoes at people in class when they talk so being in that room when I could hear that clear of the people across the room, oohhh there would be showdowns happening.  And not governmental showdowns that probably usually occur.  The architecture in the rooms we went to are amazing.  The tiles, the statues, the roofs.  Simply gorgeous.  Oohh so one of the statues, each state has 2 statues to represent them and they get to pick who they were, was Ingalls.  My first thought - Little House on the Prairie Ingalls - but not the case.  Sadly.  I wished it was cause then I could actually know something about somebody.  

So now here comes the story about the Catafalque.  We get down to the museum part of the Capitol and the helper guy tells us that behind where he is standing is *the* catafalque that is actually used when the body lays in state.  So JFK was on this.  And other people.  We slowly make our way to the other side.  And find this pedestal (the left picture).  Which Kalyn and I first thought it was the catafalque.  We were standing in front of it, honestly trying to figure out how the hell the put a casket on this little table - it must have been a jenga balancing act to make sure the coffin didn't tip over and god help anybody who touched the casket as that would have off-balanced it.  Thankfully, and after probably laughing at us, a helper came by to point us to the real catafalque, which is this thing (the right picture).  That makes much more sense now that we looked at it.  We were laughing pretty hard about it as we must have looked like idiots trying to figure out how that little table could hold a coffin.  Casket.  What is the proper term to use??  

Also, very very exciting news!!!!  Making his very first blog debut is Liam Reilly-Wiseman!!!!  Colleen, the wonderful Mama that she is, went through about 3 days of labour, which I hope she uses against Liam when he is being a pain in the ass for her.  First off, he was huge - 9.4 pounds.  She is very tiny.  Laws of nature were not working in her favor, but she wanted to try natural labor first, sadly, not the case as she had to get a c-section.  Meg was our correspondent at the hospital and kept us in the loop as to what was happening and when the arrival of Liam was going to happen.  In all the texts, I do not think I have ever read the word 'cervix' more in my life than I did these past couple of days.  Between cervix, effaced, membranes and other medical jargon, this birth gave me another reason as to why I do not want children.  Colleen was such a trooper and when we went to visit her, she looked wonderful and such a proud Mama.  I am in awe of this woman and am so glad I could be part of this stage in her life.  So, without further ado, I present to the world Liam Thomas Wiseman.  Such a cutie.  I can't wait for Colleen to bring him to the school so that Toby has a conniption and puts a policy in place that underaged children cannot be on campus.  Or something foolish like that.  We are policy changers people.  We take our job seriously.  

Anywho, my next blog may be about all the goings on about job huntings, where I am going to live and how the husband hunting has been going so I can stay in the country to find a job.  Sadly I do not know about any of these things yet but hopefully soon I will.  Hopefully.  Love and miss you all!!!!  

Do you think it is possible to catch a meteorite (or a comet) in your hand without dying???

So I finally decided to hit the Air and Space Museum and although it was super interesting, I have to go back as there is so many things to look at and read and learn but with the amount of kids running around that place, I could not stand it for very long.  And the fountain at the Sculpture Garden was beckoning since it was a gorgeous day.

Going to a museum with me can be an adventure in and of itself.  One of these days I wish to audiotape the entire going as some of the discussions that I have with the wonderful people who go with me or some of the questions that come to mind when at the museum are some of the most profound, awe-inspiring, first world problem questions that should be on everyone's mind. Seriously.  If people do not think these questions, they are living a sad, sheltered life.  I really do not know how to tell you about the air and space museum as seriously, there are a lot of things there to see.  I really wish my brother was able to see it when they were down as he would have enjoyed it and probably could have explained somethings to me that I would have liked to know more about.  So I shall tell you all about Riya and mine conversations at the museum as that is probably the best part out of everything.  Riya's expression when she saw these missiles:  "now I can see why people were worried about these things".

Okay so this picture is that of a 'hands on' activity that would mimic a supersonic boom, or air tunnel, or something of the nature. Not at all what it really was.  So I pushed the button that was supposed to show whatever the bloody thing was supposed to do.  Oh, what it did was cause me to have a heartattack and almost pop out my hip.  I hit the button and this loud stream of air went through the exhibit but the noise it made was huge, something I and Riya were very unprepared for.  I jumped back, Riya clutched the railing (maybe because I jumped into her) and we both kind of gave a scream.  Once we regained our footing, we turned around and there were children there, just looking at us, like we had grown 2 heads.  This 'hands on' activity is certainly not for the weak hearted.


I also made something a 'hands on' activity, although I think it was not meant for that.  Okay, I do not think it was, I know it was not a hands on activity, but it was still fun to make it so.  In the kids section, they were being taught the different aspects of fight - force, thrust, motion, etc etc.  We got down to this section and I thought it was to show the way that thrust works, so I pushed the table along the path thingy.  That is when Riya kindly pointed out that the table was probably what the workers used to do their demonstration and the table itself was not the demonstration.  All I can say is 1) yes folks, I am a graduate student and 2)  it would have been a lot funnier if I took out a child when I pushed the table to show them how velocity and thrust work together to show what flight is.

As we continued on, we got onto the topic of whether or not a person could catch a meteorite and what would happen in that case.  I was posing the question of catching one in your hand.  Or maybe it was a comet.  Not sure if there is a huge difference between the two but whatever.  I was thinking that the only thing that could happen was it would take a person's hand off but the person would still live.  Riya thinks that you would die if you tried to catch one, probably because it is coming down so fast, you wouldn't actually be able to time it properly to catch it and it would hit your body and kill you that way.  I still don't know and I should google whether or not a person can survive trying to catch a comet or a meteorite.

Another conversation we had was about Mars as apparently people can start buying tickets, one way tickets mind you, up to Mars to live there.  Now, I would like to talk to these people who are buying the tickets as I would think something isn't right in the head.  My theory is that they are sending up all the people who cannot be rehabilitated or are a drain to society.  I mean, honestly, how long can people survive up there?  What do they really know about Mars??  I would say not enough to make it a second Earth.  Then I asked the wonderful question "why Mars?  Wouldn't mercury be the better planet"  Riya, knowing exactly where this was going, got me to explain my theory.  I told her that Mercury was closest to earth than Mars so wouldn't it be more sustainable?  You know the nmemonic that we learned in school 'many very early men jump stumps until nearly play down'.  Well I always mixed up the two M's and I did so again this time around.  Which doesn't make any sense.  If a child was trying to learn, they would think that Many would be Mars because of the Ma's and Men would be Mercury because of the Me's.  Totally not the case.  I wonder how I ever learned them in the first place but then it dawned on me that I didn't really learn it, apparently.  What the hell did we learn in school back in the day???

Anywho, I am pretty sure I will be heading back there, maybe on a day that the sun isn't beckoning me so that I can read more and try to learn more about the solar system and air and space since I am clearly very not smart at any of it.  But a very interesting place indeed.

Colleen never suspected Indian Leg Wrestling would happen at her baby shower.......

First and foremost, I totally forgot to tell you guys all about the CATS!!!!!  If you know me, you know that I love animals, almost all of them, except for birds, not a fan of those.  So Kalyn tells me one day at school that she has to go to the middle of nowhere Maryland to go pick up these cats as a gift for her grandmother and instead of going into the middle of nowhere alone, she wanted company (smart gal that one is).  The roadtrip commences.  We get to the house and she tells me that we go in, if anything feels hinky or that our lives are in danger or the cats are not worth what they are going to be paying for them, we are out.  That is the plan.  I think she told the plan to a wrong person as, if you know me, my imagination can go a little haywire and mountains get made out of anthills.  So we progress inside.  To me, and Kalyn kind of validated this portrayal, the guy could have been hiding underage children in his basement.  He had that sort of old, grandpa creepy vibe to him, kind of like Santa Clause.  And he had a little gayness to him as well.  He was all over strange and peculiar. When he would play with the cats with their toys, all I could picture in my mind was him slapping something against the cages or bed, telling the little children to 'rise and shine'.  

For all I know, this guy was absolutely wonderful and nice and no pedophila tendencies, but this is what you get when you bring two forensic psychology students into a house in the middle of nowhere, especially when one of those students has an over active imagination.  We got out alive, obviously, and nobody or no cats got hurt in the process.  But it was still kind of funny.  And if Kalyn's parents read this blog, we apologize for not telling you our true feelings on the house of the potential pedophile who keeps cats as his cover.  The cats came at a perfect time as I was in need for some kitty therapy - their names were Ollie and Stan and apparently they are settling in just fine at Kalyn's grandma's place.  I kind of miss them though.  A lot.  Man I want a pet again.  

This past weekend, once school was completely all done and nothing was left on our plate, we celebrated Colleen's baby shower!!!!  I still cannot believe that she is going to be giving birth in less than a month (May 15, which I told her she should go into labor during class so we can see the expression on the prof's face) and she looks absolutely fabulous!!!!  She is one of those women who pulls off the pregnancy glow perfectly.  Good foods, good friends and who cannot forget the Indian Leg Wrestling.  At a baby shower.  Apparently that is what you get when you invite the Canadian and the Alaskan to a baby shower.  Before we get to that though, lets discuss how we got there in the first place.  During the shower, Britt had some games in order to give away the trophies at the end.  The first game was to guess, via length of crepe streamers, how big we thought Colleen was around the baby area.  Most people, *cough cough Meg and Steph*, totally overshot Colleen, which is probably not a good thing for a pregnant woman to experience.  

I won that one, which surprised me as I thought I totally overshot her measurement as well.  The next game was Baby Trivia and Nursery Rhymes.  Oohh one thing to know is that during the span of the night, whenever somebody said 'baby', we had to give the person who caught us saying that word an item off of a necklace.  So keep that in mind as this also leads to the Indian Leg Wrestling.  The Baby Trivia was next and surprisingly I won that one as well, which totally shocked me as a) there were a lot of states based questions and b) it is baby stuff.  I don't want babies.  The Nursery Rhymes was too funny as if we did not know the rest of the riddle, we made stuff up.  Like this "rub a dub dub, three men in a tub, and how do you think they measured up" or "Little Jack Horner sat in a corner eating his mincemeat pie".  So, who ever won the most games (the measuring one, the trivia and the nursery rhymes) and who ever won the most charms on their necklace won first place and so on and so forth.  When it came to the charms, that got a little scary.  As soon as somebody said the word 'baby', lots of noise was made and if two people called the person out, they would need to figure out who would get it.  And it got kind of easyish to trick people into saying 'baby', and I do not think that was against the rules. 

However, at the end of the night, there was a little bit of contention between Christina and Meg about who won second and third.  I kindly suggested they sort it out via Indian Leg Wrestling.  No clue why this was the first thing that came to mind and no clue what prompted them to actually listen to me.  Maybe it was because Nina, the Alaskan, endorsed this suggestion.  So, tables were moved and Indian Leg Wrestling has commenced.  But then we had to go to youtube to figure out what we were doing wrong as it was not how I remember my aunts and uncles doing it at reunions and family gathering.  Once youtube told us the answer, then we really got into the Indian Leg Wrestling.  Which was pretty awesome.  And one of the best ways to end a baby shower.  All baby showers should end with Indian Leg Wrestling.  

I look like a Skittle threw up on me!!!!! AND HAPPY EASTER EVERYBODY!!!

Well the school semester is finally over (except for one last exam that I just cannot seem to get the energy to finish and then be finally done this semester but for now, I am going to say that I am done this semester) and that means I have a couple of weeks to enjoy being school-less until the last semester is finally upon me and the last jaunt to the end will seem so very close and within my grasp.

One amazingly fantastic thing that I went and experienced was Holi, which is the festival of colors.  As a background to Holi, courtesy of the wonderful world of wikipedia, Holi originated from Holika, the evil sister of demon king Hiranyakashipu.  King H earned a boon that made him virtually indestructible but the special powers blinded him and he grew arrogant, felt that he was God and demanded everyone worship only him.  Prahlada, King H's son, disagreed and remained devoted to Vishnu.  Holika, Prahlada's evil aunt, tricked him into sitting on a pyre with her but Holika was wearing a cloak that made her immune from the fire; however, the cloak flew to Prahlada and covered him while Holika burned.  

Vishnu appeared and killed King H and the bonfire is a reminder of the symbolic victory of good over evil, of Prahlada over King H, of the fire that burned  Holika and the day after Holika bonfire is celebrated as Holi.  Holi itself has many purposes.  It is the celebration of the beginning of a new season, spring.  It is also identified as a celebration for agriculture, commemorated good spring harvests and the fertile land.  It is also a time to enjoy spring's colors and saying farewell to winter.  During Holi, people are spray colored powered solutions at each other, laugh and celebrate or they can use dry colored powder.  It is a time of laughter, love and fun times.  

It was amazing!!!!!  When we first got there, there were people everywhere, and that did not change.  They were so happy and having fun and you knew that it was going to be a fun time.  The first thing we had to do was to go into the temple and pray to Krishna - it was gorgeous and so very serene, which was contradictory to what was happening outside hahaha.  Then, once we got outside, we went and bought out colors and joined in on the fun. I will tell you this - if you do not like random strangers touching your face, throwing stuff on you and people invading your personal space, Holi is not for you.  

The first time a random stranger, not just any stranger but a random one at that, comes up to rub color on your face, yeah, it may creep you out a little bit, but after the umpteenth time that this happens, and it does not happen for quite some time, you start to miss it.  Just being in that environment is a spirit lifter as mostly everybody is in such a good mood and people were very respectful of each other.  Every hour there was the big color throw which covered the sky in powder and the music was very inspirational and soul hitting. The colors that we could buy were orange, yellow, blue, green and red; however, once we saw that people had purple color, the hunt was on to find it.  I think the people that had the purple thought we were more crazy than Holi-induced crazy when we wanted to get the purple thrown on us.  It was kind of insane how happy we were with the purple.  We did not eat any of the food but it smelled delicious  It was such a fun time and I am so glad I got to experience it.  However, what I did learn was that when doing something like this on a Saturday, I should not push my body at volleyball on Friday night as I could not move much at Holi and felt so very much like a grandmother that I get called sometimes.  By my friends.  Oh so lovingly-like.  One definitely needs to be able to move and dance and get jostled around at Holi.  Overall, wicked fun time and it was something that people should experience at least once in their life. 

I also got the ability to actually see the cherry blossoms this year.  If you recall from last year, we were early to go see the cherry blossoms and never got to see them but this year, I made sure to go check them out.  THEY ARE GORGEOUS!!!!!  I got down to the tidal basin a little early, but clearly not early enough since there were people everywhere still, and started making my way around the tidal basin.  They were in full bloom and smelled wonderful and were just gorgeous.  And it was such a nice day as well so that totally helped (which is also a good thing as, if you know me at all, I dislike heat but since this day did not make me heat grumpy like it normally would have, it may also mean I am starting to adapt to the heat, which will make this summer a lot more enjoyable).  There were people everywhere coming out to see the cherry blossoms and walking the path was kind of difficult at some points and at one spot I imagined that I was going to get jostled and drop my camera into the tidal basin and then I would have had to punch a person, and potentially get deported. Not a fun thought. So I clutched my camera very tightly when close to the water.  I get around to Jefferson and I do not know how to put it into words for you but sitting at the edge, feet dangling and just overlooking the water, the paddleboaters and the Washington Monument (finally unscaffolded and ready too be visited), it was heavenly.  Nothing else mattered that day, the sun was shining, I had my music and I was getting some color (the color being red as per normal) and I was so happy.  It is those moments of bliss and happiness that means so much to me, especially since this semester has been fraught with stress and anxiety up the wazoo.  

I was also very fortunate to have hit the cherry blossoms on the day that I did as there was a celebration at the Jefferson Memorial to celebrate his birthday.  Men in uniforms.  Oh. My. God.  Being in DC is perfect for this.  So very hot.  After the eye candy, kept on moseying along and found a perfect spot to hunker down and start some studying.  Which never happened as it was such a gorgeous day out and I had no motivation to get done any studying.  If it is getting this hot already, it is going to be a warm summer I think.  

With summer coming up and school slowly coming to an end, it means a lot of stuff is going to be happening.  I need to start figuring out for sure and definitely what I am doing with my OPT/visa stuff, get ready for another potential move, start applying for like 10 jobs a day, figure out how to transfer my masters up to Alberta and BC and everywhere else and way more touristy stuff.  If you so my list for touristy stuff, it would be super overwhelming. And I potentially have about 3 months to get everything in that I want to see before I move.  I don't want to move but it is a possibility.  Gah I hate thinking about it all.  This all being said, I hope that you guys will be reading a lot more stuff now that school is done (although I am still at the jail 3 days a week to get in all my hours before May 31).  I also wish I had time to  head home and get some Canadianness but I do not think that will be an option.  Anywho, I miss you all and can't wait to see you again (whenever that will be) and I will keep you updated as to my job huntings, potential movings and if I remain an American quasi citizen for a bit longer.  

A reflection on life as I turned 30

Turning 30 scared the living bejesus outta me.  I kept thinking to myself, and still kind of think to myself, that I really have nothing to show for my years.  I don’t own a house, I don’t have a career, I have no kids and not in a relationship.  What have I been doing with my life if I don’t have any of these things??  Well, it has slowly been dawning upon me that it doesn’t matter that I do not have any of those things.  I have had a life that is rich of experiences and feelings and memories, who cares about the tangible stuff.  I am pretty sure my blog would be uber lengthy if I went through each and everything that I have a memory of so I won’t do that.  I am going to touch upon the things in my past that have contributed to who I am today and the things I am proud of being able to accomplish in my 30 years. 

Volleyball has been my passion for my entire life.  I started back in grade 6 when we had to take it in gym class and then we started meeting after school for it.  But it wasn’t until I switched schools and actually joined an after-school team that I fell in love with the sport.  I guess it was inevitable since both my sisters played it.  In the beginning, something like my first year, I was a hitter.  Maybe my coach realized that I didn’t have that “killer instinct” or that was I was quick enough, but I soon became a setter and that was my position ever since.  It helps playing with the same people for two seasons each year as by the time I hit high school, we were a pretty unstoppable team.  

We won AVA Provincials my senior year and the second time we went to Nationals, we placed second in our pool.  Even to this day I play the sport – as Riya puts it, I am the superstar of the Nerd Squad.  I will keep playing volleyball until the day my knee absolutely quits working on me.  Volleyball gives me something that I am super proud of myself for becoming good at and being acknowledged that it is something I am good at.  It is like on the court, nothing else matters at that moment – I could be having the worst day of my life and I find myself laughing, smiling, cheering.  It gives me a sense of being that I sometimes don’t feel in my regular day life. 

I love music and it is a part of my life, a prominent part of my life.  I had the wonderful opportunity to join the band class back in grade 7 or 8 for one semester as the school had brought this in.  At first I wanted to play the drums, but I am afraid that the teacher knew I would turn into Animal and she was probably very correct in assuming this would happen.  So, instead, I got to rock out on the saxophone Lisa Simpson style (maybe it was a bit too literal of a translation in my tastes).  I did not know anything about reading or playing music before this and I would like to say that I picked it up quite quickly.  There was a whole bunch of us and I ended up getting the “chair” saxophone and during the class assembly, got a solo.  It was very nerve wracking but I loved it.  I do miss playing it now and am unsure if I picked up another saxophone if I would know what to do with it.  Also during this time of my life, I auditioned and got parts in many different plays

when they came into town.  I had no fear back then of being on the stage and acting in front of everybody.  Hell, I even got a singing role in one of the plays (my lines being *clears throat* up and down the seashore there is a tale told far and wide of a fish I caught so great that it fed the mountainside…..for a month).  Nowadays though, you wouldn’t catch me on a stage at all with that many people looking and watching me – talk about a worse nightmare.  I do not know what changed between now and then but I would like to get that aspect of me back, that aspect of not caring who is paying attention to me or how many people are paying attention to me.  I need to find that element of confidence back that seemed to exist in middle school and junior high. 

Back in 2005, after the Lumina finally had enough of a life and Corolla became far too small for me to want to drive, I got my own car.  It was mine.  No co-signer, nothing like that.  Originally I wanted the Hyundai Accent as it was tiny and cheap and I was extremely excited when I got approved for the financing for it.  One day I am at work and the dealership phones me to tell me my car was in.  Hold up – I didn’t tell them what color I wanted, and this was very important to me.  He tells me that the only car they had in stock was red and, no offense to my mother, but I refuse to drive a red car.  So no car for me.  I was extremely bummed.  We went in and test drove the Elantra as it was the next one up on the list.  Got approved for that and in a week or so, I was the proud owner of a brand new car.  Even better, in 2012, I was the proud owner of a paid off car.  It makes me extremely happy that all my hardwork of working in law firms, which I hated, turned into the wonderful feeling of owning a car that I do not have payments on.  

I have had the ability to know and feel what love is – that feeling in the stomach when one knows that no matter what, you are loved and are cared for.  I had that with John and even though it ended, I still feel like it was in the relationship for a short period of time.  Things end, it is the way of nature, and it is how one moves on from the loss that can influence the future.  Being in that relationship for 6 years has taught me a lot about myself and what I want in a relationship – it was taught me to never settle for the sake of being in a relationship, to not lose myself while in the relationship and to always communicate my feelings to that person.  I am who I am, that is not going to change and I will find a guy who appreciates me for me and does not want me to change. 

I have had the wonderful opportunity to meet some fantabulous people who will be with me until the end of time.  Back in grade 7 when I changed schools and felt dreadfully alone, Lindsay was there, feeling the same way.  She was a quiet girl who moved to the town and knew no one.  She was quiet, she was funny, she was smart, she was such a wonderful and perfect friend.  I even remember that I tried to take notes just like hers as I thought they were so cool hahaha.  Even though we are completely across the country from each other, I still have her in my heart and feel like she is just as close to me as she was back in school.  

Then, when my time in Red Deer came about, I got to meet Amie.  At first, I was petrified of this lady because she was quiet yet outspoken, serious yet funny and just all around bat-shit crazy.  However, we were the same bat-shit crazy so we went together like two peas in a pod.  I have had the pleasure of being her maid of honour at her wedding and experience Vegas first hand with her.  She has visited me in Washington and enjoyed every moment of it.  We have always planned on going to New York or Vegas again and I think it will be this year to celebrate our 30^th birthdays.  And then in Calgary, I got to meet Aly.  She is such a

ray of sunshine when everything seemed dull and dim and had the ability to put a smile on my face no matter what was happening in my life.  Without these three people in my life, I could not imagine what my life would be like right now.  They have helped shape and turn me into the person I am today and for that, I have no words to express my gratitude. 

I like to consider myself kind of sophisticated and tried to make this even more so by catching plays and whatnot.  I took my mom to see Phantom of the Opera one year and that was amazing.  I also got to see Riverdance when they were on their final tour.  The music was astounding and it just touched your soul watching them dance.  I also got to see Disney in Concert and Movie Masterpieces at the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.  I have seen Nickelback twice, Johnny Reid twice and Blue Rodeo.  The ballets I have been to are Swan Lake (simply amazing), Cinderella, Sarah McLaughlin and Alice In Wonderland.  Seen Elvis Tribute, Global fest fireworks show and took in some rolley derby events.  Stuff like this makes me extremely happy, content and peaceful.  I am glad for the options I have had to watch these shows and hope there are many more like them in my future. 

Moving to Washington has probably been one of the craziest adventures ever.  I never knew it was going to be possible and the mountains it took to get here were great.  I shall not boggle you down with all those details, but my time here in Washington has been incredible.  Being able to experience the Inauguration first hand, same as the 4^th of July festivities and to sit on the steps of Lincoln where so many actors and actresses have been portrayed in movies.  Living here has been so very surreal and some days I will find myself stopping wherever I am and just think to myself “I cannot believe I am here and experiencing all of this”.  Here in Washington, I have met some wonderfully colorful people who have now joined me in this chapter of my life.  As this was a huge adjustment, I do not think I would have been able to survive on my own if it was not for them. 

Well I hoped you enjoyed my birthday blog.  I really hope that the next 30 years provides just as many memories, emotions and experiences these last 30 have.  I wish you all could have celebrated this milestone with me in person, but you were with me in my hearts, just like always.  Love you all and miss you tons!!