Work is the best form of birth control for me.........

Lots of people ask me what I do.  Or what my day at work looks like.   Well not a lot of people.  I think when people hear I am a therapist/studied psychology, they don't really want to hear about what I do because they don't want to talk to me for fear of me analyzing them right then and there.  Unless you are my sister who blatantly asked me what was wrong with her.  How do you politely tell your sister she has issues??!!  And it is really hard to explain what my work day looks like as it changes.  I do not have the therapist type of job where I have my clients and all I do is prepare for therapy, do therapy and then do my notes on therapy.  That sounds boring (compared to what I have been doing).  

I am a therapist.  And a direct support professional.  And a supervisor.  And an Administrator on Call. And sometimes I feel like one of the individuals.  I help out where ever and whenever I can and I am pretty sure I have exceeded what my job description was.  I don't even know what that was.  And I have enjoyed all the different roles I have played.  Being a therapist is fun because I get to really learn the individuals and their histories and can smile when a minuscule breakthrough happens.  I loved being a direct support professional as I got to work with staff and get to know them and understand all their duties and what they face everyday they are at work.  I loved being a supervisor because I feel like staff were like 'oh shit, she has the phone' and then they would figure out things on their own because I would not make an executive decision for the life of me.  Working as supervisor, I either felt like I was putting on my batman belt with my phone, the supervisor phone and the radio or I felt like a drug dealer with that many ways to get a hold of me. I loved being an Administrator on Call as, even though it could get pretty stressful and hectic at times, some of the things I was notified about made me laugh and have a 'what the fuck' moment.  Actually, those moments happen a lot when at work.  

For the purpose of this blog and to keep all this HIPPA/HIPAA related, all the individuals will be named Joe.  That way they keep their identity and nobody is none the wiser as to whom I am talking about.  Unless you work there then you will know exactly who I am talking about.  But for you other people who don't have the privilege of working where I do, you will have no clue but will hopefully enjoy my stories nonetheless.  

I do not know how long it was after I started that I got asked to go with Joe to supper with his father so that way we didn't have to hold a staff to go.  I was happy to be asked but if you know me, I think the worst out of everything that happens.  For example, and I am going to jump trains here for a second, the very first time I went to meet some of the individuals, Joe was looking at me and after being told what some of his precursors were, I had no clue what they actually looked like, so whenever he looked at me, I thought to myself 'oh I am going to get punched.  Don't show fear.  Look calm.  Try to duck or dodge if I see a fist coming towards me'.  Oh that first experience was an eye opener.  Nothing did happen that first time and actually nothing has ever happened to me while with the individuals.  Except for getting kicked.  I was kicked once.  But it really wasn't that bad.  But now back to the other train- going to supper with Joe.  Joe has certain stipulations as to his liquids and meals.  Stipulations that sometimes he has an issue with and sometimes he doesn't.  Really hit or miss.  In my mead, he was going to have issues.  In my head, this is EXACTLY how the night was going to go:

• we were going to get to the restaurant and Joe wouldn't be able to have anything to drink.  So then he would get pissed.  And when his food would come, he would be pissed that certain things had to happen first.  And when he got pissed he grabs a knife from the table and starts stabbing people.  And the cops are called.  And I get deported.  

This is how the night actually went:

• we went to the restaurant.  Joe was civil regarding his liquids and his meal.  And redirected well when he wasn't able to have what he wanted.  

So yeah, I totally tend to think the absolute worst.  And at supper all I ordered was toast.  Which I didn't eat.  Because I was too afraid to vomit everywhere due to being so nervous and stressed out about the whole situation.  But nobody got stabbed.  I didn't get deported.  So it was basically a wonderful evening all in all.  

There was another memory that when I was with the individuals in the morning trying to get them up and motivated to get ready for their day.  Some of them are more motivated than others.  One morning Joe didn't feel like getting up and was sitting in his bed all grumpy like.  Somebody mentioned that it was going to be a sunny day and I looked at Joe and started singing 'sunshine, lollipops and rainbows, everything that is wonderful is what it is like when we are together!'  Joe looked at me like I was crazy but a big grin broke out on his face and he slowly started climbing out of bed.  The staff looked at me and asked me what I was on.  But it worked - it got Joe out of bed. People are work quickly realized that I am a morning person.  The first night I helped out as supervisor for 3rd shift, I got in at 2am and was chipper and happy.  Again, I think staff thought I was on something.  

Some days it feels like we are herding cats.  And I say that in the most loving and caring sense.  And this is also why work is the best form of birth control.  Some morning, trying to get everyone up and happy and out the door for work seems like an act of God.  I feel emotionally and physically tired by the time they are all gone.  I would totally be one of those mothers who has a drink once her children leave for school.  Between getting them up, helping with breakfast, meds, prompting some more than others to get out of bed, all the endless questions and conversation and the whirlwind of making sure they have everything for the day, it is tiring.  And I commend staff every day for dealing with that.  I do it at work.  Not at home.  Hopefully never at home.  Again, work is a good form of birth control. 

I will definitely miss hanging with the individuals and having conversations with them as most of the time, there was laughter in those conversations.  And lots of fist bumps and smiles.  And sometimes it was very hard to not just give one a hug if they were having a rough day.   I do not know how exactly to put in words all my experiences while I here, all the stories and conversations I had with some of the individuals that will always stick out in my mind but it was an experience unlike any other and maybe an experience I will not receive anywhere else.  The fact that Joe told me that I am the best female therapist he has ever had, or the fact that the psychiatrist offered to marry me if he wasn't married already, or the fact that some staff have been offering their offspring for me to marry to stay at my job makes me realize that people do appreciate all the help I have been providing.  It is kind of sad though that I realize/feel this way when I am leaving.  

I thank everybody for all the memories, laughter and experience I have received while working there. They welcomed my craziness with open arms and had to explain my craziness to new people as to 'oh she is canadian'.  There were many, many, 'what the fuck' moments but they were usually followed up by laughter to alleviate the stress and tension that followed.  Work will definitely be quieter without me there, that I am pretty sure.  But I will miss everybody there, from the individuals to the staff to my fellow office coworkers.  

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!!!

Well my plan of seeing Nebraska is not really happening very swell.  It seems like my weekends are filled with working (which kind of sucks), helping a coworker study (which is friggin awesome) or me being lazy (which is both friggin awesome and sucks).  I really, really, really need to start seeing more of Nebraska just in case my visa doesn't get renewed.  Which, at this hour on this day, is not happening.  Just a brief update on that - I have an appointment to meet with an immigration attorney on Wednesday to figure out options so maybe after then I will know where my life is headed come August.  Maybe.  Possibly.  Or who am I kidding- even if I get that information I will still have no clue where my life is heading.  

Anywho, I decided to do something that wasn't working or laziness and hit the Omaha Zoo.  I have heard a lot about the zoo and read that it was voted the best in the world.  Yep.  THE BEST.  So I was uber stoked and excited about it and figured it would be a fantabulous day and a wonderful escape. The day came, I woke up insanely early to get to the zoo right when it opened to miss the crowds.  Clearly everyone else in the state of Nebraska thought to do the same idea as when I got there, there were line ups waiting to get into the zoo.  It was mayhem!  I got my trusty map and off I went.  

Overall- the zoo kind of sucked and was a disappointment.  I figured with it being the best zoo in the world, it would have blown my if-I-had-worn-any-socks off.  But it didn't.  I was underwhelmed and disappointed.  Now, don't get me wrong, for Nebraska, it was a decent zoo and I can see the attraction.  But to be the world's best - yeah, I don't know about that.  And maybe also since there was construction and not all the animals were out, that didn't help matters with my overwhelming of the zoo.  

What I think would be awesome is a zoo with no birds.  No winged creatures whatsoever.  And Ma, I totally blame you for that phobia.  Going through the Asia/Africa biodome, I was constantly looking up and checking to see.  And if people in front of me stopped and pointed to something above us, I basically stopped and cowered.  The biodome was pretty awesome though - the greenery and animals (other than the winged beasts) were beautiful.  Being able to see the monkeys just chilling on their trees.  The bats doing their thing.  And the stingrays with gorgeous flowers.  I actually found myself looking at the trees and flowers and rivers and waterfalls over the animals.  It was just gorgeous.  I actually plomped myself down on a bench (or if it wasn't a bench I made it a bench) and read for a bit while in there.  It was hot, yes, but just being in that place with the gorgeous greens and colors was a happy place. 

From there on I went walking.  And walking.  And more walking.  I went to the area that should have/will have the elephants and giraffes and whatnot.  But there was nothing there.  Nothing.  So I just kept walking and found myself in the Sense Garden.  It made me think back to the outdoor rose garden in DC.  Now I am not a gardener, nor do I ever want to be one.  I have no desire to plant flowers or food or anything like that but I will gladly spend time in someone's masterpiece.  This garden was so serene and comfy.  There were nooks and crannies to sit and have some stillness and quietness in.  And ceramic animals kicking around.  It was awesome. I came up to the pond/fountain part which had ceramic flamingos.  And a duck was sitting on the edge.  And at first I thought to myself 'why would they have a ceramic duck sitting there with the flamingos?' Yeah.  Not a fake duck.  It was a real duck.  

The sea lions were awesome.  They were in all their glory, swimming about, barking to each other.  And there as a baby sea lion.  Who was very grumpy whenever its mom left.  Man would it make noise.  But it was so cute.  They were the most active of animals at the zoo so I stuck around for quite a bit watching them.  And the big sea lion, the male I am assuming was so funny to watch.  The way he waddled and swam.  Any animals in water is a friend of mine.  They were just so cute!!!

I am a zoo lover. Most people know that.  I am also a huge aquarium lover.  Maybe more so than a zoo lover as a) it is indoors and b) there is water everywhere.  And I a am a water lover (one of the very many reasons why I loved living in DC).  So when I found it time to hit the aquarium, I was happy.  There was a lot of people but I managed to not let the crowds bug me and just be there.  The penguins were awesome.  

I sat there for over 30 minutes just watching them.  They all have such funny behaviors and personality.  And I think that if a penguin trainer ever wanted to teach a penguin how to dance, they would have quite a show on their hands.  Think of it, the penguins are just doing their thing and suddenly THEY BREAK OUT INTO A FLASH MOB!!! How awesome would that be!!!! Very awesome.  Extremely awesome.  Awesome beyond all words awesome.  I think it needs to be done.  But these penguins did not do that.  They were standing around.  Some were laying.  One had the best idea of laying on the pile of snow.  And lots were zipping in and out of the water, annoying the other penguins.  Man I loved the penguins.  

Then going through the tunnel was quite an experience as I never been through that before.  It was surreal.  Being able to see all the fish and manta rays and sharks swim all around you, being surrounded by all that water, again, I sat down and did some reading as even though there were a crapton of people, it was so relaxing.  I heard the aquarium in Georgia is awesome and now I definitely want to go.  The aquarium was my favorite part of the zoo.  By far.  

Overall the zoo was good.  I liked the National Zoo in DC a lot better and the Vancouver Aquarium way better but for Nebraska, this will suffice.  I do not know if it is a zoo I would go to every weekend as I was sad about the lack of animals I saw but it would be good exercise as you do a lot of walking and back tracking and whatnot but it was not what I was expecting.  But it was a zoo so of course I had to go and check it out.  

 

Welcome to Hastings: population 25093 with a mentality of population 500

It has been a little bit over a month since I have moved here and every once in a while I toodle out and see what this town has to offer so come along with me for a ride and let me tell you some aspects of this town.

I have lived in cities and towns of all populations.  My hometown was only around (and under) 5,000.   From there I moved to Red Deer, which has a population of 98,585.  After Red Deer, it was off to Calgary, which housed a total of 1,149,552 people.  My first stint in the United States was Washington DC, having a total of 658,893 people.  So, as you can see, I have lived and experienced places of all populations.  Both have its pros and cons but I will say that I am a small town, country gal at heart.  And as 'big' as Hastings is, it has a small town mentality.  

I was quite excited when I saw this - I thought to myself 'oh my goodness, a real life, small town type of place, a general store!!! How cool is that??!!'   Yeah.  Not a general store.  At all.  It is a chain type of place.  Not a small town, locally owned place.  Not a general store in the sense of Little House in the Prairie or Corner Gas.  I was highly disappointed when I figured this out.  However, LOOK AT THE GAS PRICES!!!!  And remember, that is in US Gallons.  So much, much, much cheaper than Canadian gas.  It only costed me $20 to fill my car.  Authentic general store or not, I will gladly enjoy the gas prices. And apparently it has really good pizza, which I have yet to discover.  Oohhh on the topic of food, I have learned that chinese food here is different than chinese food up in Canada.  Not in the sense of the taste as that was the same, just in how they present it to you.  For example, I went there and got some beef and broccoli, general tzo's chicken and chicken fried rice.  I get home. all happy with my chinese food (which came about from our leadership meeting and somebody mentioned the influence that pizza commercials have on us and I started wondering why there are no commercials for chinese food and thus my hankering for chinese food was born) and went to open up the general tzo's chicken and noticed rice in the container and just thought that they put some of the chicken fried rice in the container.  That is fine.  So then I open up the beef and broccoli and notice rice in that one.  Again, just thinking that they split up the rice into the two containers.  I open the third (my math skills astounded me as if I thought they split up the rice, what was up with the third container) and notice a lot of rice.  I mean a lot.  Like a full order of rice.  So I look at all my food and notice an abundance of rice.  Lesson here - no point in ordering rice when it comes with every dish.  

Continuing on with the food theme, what the hell?!!  I never would have thought of this combination.  Peanut butter and pickles?  Absolutely.  Peanut butter, banana, honey and bacon?  Oooohhh drool with deliciousness.  But chili and cinnamon buns?  Really?  Apparently this is  a local favorite; something that people have right in kindergarten and is normal for them.  Kind of like moose meat and me.  Or peanut butter and pickles and me.  I should try this combination, I really should, but I just can't fathom the taste buds and the combination of the two.  But, to be immersed in the civilization of living in Hastings I should just do it.  And I shall.  One day soon in the immediate future.  And once I do, I will definitely update you all on what it is like and if I shall spread the word of chili and cinnamon buns.  

This place was sooooooo cool!!!! It is part of the Regional Center which is where Bridges used to be based before they moved into the houses.  Driving around the Center is so weird and cool and scary - definitely an old horror movie scene feel to it.  One day, when it is dark and creepy and eerie and foggy, I am going to head back out and take pictures.  Because I like to see if I can actually have a heart attack from hearing a twig snap or something like that.  I don't know how to explain the feel of this place - even going there in daylight my imagination starts going wild and I imagine seeing shadows in the windows and then screaming my lungs out.  This building is abandoned like most others.  There are some buildings still used but for most of the buildings, they are not used.  Which is scary and awesome.  Because, I mean, this building is deserted and not used.  The road to drive into this building is no longer a road.  And the parking lot is indistinguishable.  That is how old and not used these buildings are.  So, I ask you, if this building is not used and is basically a sitting duck for horror movie scenes, WHAT THE HECK IS IN THE WINDOW???!!! Here is a closer look for you.  

And now my eyes are playing tricks on me as I think I see a face to the right of the hanging thing.  And now I think I won't sleep.  Great.  But seriously, what is that thing doing there if the building is not in use?  And what will I do if I go back and suddenly the thing is gone?  Oohh so many scary things can happen on this property and since I don't have any self preservation, I want to go back at night.  And not sleep for a week.  But think of the pictures I could get at night.  I kind of wish that Bridges was still based out of this center as that would be wickedly awesome but it sucked for the individuals as it was such an institutional feeling (and correctional as well) so it was not a good place for them.  Thankfully I can head to the Center and experience it anyways.   One day I will have a full blown panic attack which will lead to a heart attack from scaring myself.  But I just can't help it.  This stuff is so cool.  

Today I got out of my house (and my kick ass new chair) and decided to go spend some time at the local coffee shop and get some reading done.  It was awesome.  I got a seat by the front window so I could people watch and read and just enjoy life at that moment.  I am trying to get back into reading; I used to be such an avid reader and miss it.  However, I am struggling as most of my books are on my kindle and I am psychologically stunted to read books on my kindle.  I like the feel of a book.  I like the accomplishment of turning a physical page.  Holding a book feels way better than holding a kindle.  I am struggling.  But if a person moves around as much as I do, having boxes and boxes of books sucks and having a kindle with a lot of books on it is very handy.  I don't know what it is though that stops me from enjoying a book on the kindle.  I am going to try to make this visit to the coffee shop a weekly thing.  Take a couple of hours on the weekend and just to chill and escape in a book.  It sounds wonderful.  That coffee shop is definitely going to be a hangout for me.  It isn't Lincoln or the WWII memorial but it is perfect for living here.  

All in all, I am really enjoying my time here.  Most people have the same initial reaction when I tell them I am from Canada; they say 'why did you decide to move to Hastings??!!!' in a very incredulous voice.  I actually don't mind it here.  Sure it doesn't have the funness of DC or a big city mentality (Walmart is probably the most popular known name maybe here.  Or Herbergers.  Which I have never heard of).  The town is a relaxing one.  I think I heard sirens for the first time a couple of nights ago. The pace is slow (but not so slow that it creates road rage) and it makes me slow down in my life and try to enjoy the moment.  And talking to people, Nebraska ha a lot to offer for sights so Hastings will be a good venturing point.  A lot different than DC.  A lot different than Calgary but it is a good different.  But then again, I have always had a small town mentality and not so much for a night lifer or hullaballoo type of gal.  Give me a rocking chair, some tea and my cross stitch and I am in heaven.  Oohh I need a rocking chair.  That is not the chair I got but now I really want one for my porch.  Sipping lemonade on the porch in the summer.  Very southern.  Although I am not really Southern.  More Midwestern.  But I mean I am Canadian, I do not think conforming to a specific stereotype will work for me.  Wow that was a lot of rambling.  

Anywho, I hope you enjoyed your glimpse into Hastings.  I like it here.  Maybe I have finally found my stopping place.  Who knows.  

Love you and miss you all!!!!  

Here I Am in Nebraska, Seeking my Field of Dreams!!!!!

It has been a long time since I have updated y'all on where I am, what I am doing and all that wonderful jazz so this may be a long posting to get you caught up.

Long story short - I AM IN NEBRASKA!!!!  As a friend put it, 5 years ago, if somebody asked me where I would see myself in 5 years, would I ever think Nebraska??!! Heck no!!!  Nebraska was never on my mind.  Maybe Georgia.  But probably not since Georgia is hot.  I also did not even know where Nebraska was.  I thought it was East of Ohio.  Turns out I really don't know my geography (Riya, still need your help in this).  But alas I am here in Nebraska.  So take a seat and let me tell you the tale of how I got here.  

I came by car.  No trains.  No planes.  Just a car.  A kick ass new car in fact.  A decision I am still thinking is quasi irrational, illogical and down right crazy but at the moment it happened, I figured it was the only way I could logically and financially get down here.  Still wondering about that whole idea.  Although I am in love with my new car (sorry old car).  The trip started at home and got a little delayed due to the snow storm that came through.  Which caused a little panic and worry with my Mother.  I honestly did not know how she was going to handle my journey down but I think she handled it admirably.  All in all it was a long trip - 3 days worth of driving and worrying about how fast I was going and what would happen if I got pulled over and if they would even let me into the country again.  

The first day I made it to the bottom of Saskatchewan where I spent the night at my Aunt Felicia's and Pius' place.  They were kind enough to let me crash there for the night before heading into the States and man do they ever have a nice house and are very hospitable for the people who venture their way.  I have a feeling they will be a common pit stop whenever I come home.  The next day, it was time to venture into the States.  Before I got to the border, I was having a little bit of anxiety.  Okay, a lot of anxiety.  I called Amie in a moment of panic, wondering what would happen if they didn't let me through and what my phone call would be to my aunt if I had to head back to their place to finalize all the stuff.  Just bad thoughts all around.  I got to Portal, North Dakota and found my way to the border crossing.  I tried to not look panicky or stressed or worried.  And I think it worked.  However, and this is my luck, I think the border agent I got either was new and did not know what they were doing or hated their job and loved passing their misery on to others as I am pretty sure he did not do his job correctly and I am now paying for it.  

This is how the conversation at the border crossing went:  "what brings you to the States?"  "I got a job here in Nebraska as a therapist" (passed him my passport and Visa) "Do you have an I-94?" (I panic) "No I don't." (I actually totally forgot what this was and how I got it so maybe this would explain my current potential predicament) "That is okay, I don't think you need it" (maybe that would explain my current potential predicament) "I have a copy of my job offer if you want to see that" "No, that is okay" "I also am bringing my car into the states and realize you need to fill out a form or two to allow me to do that" " I will take these documents and just have a seat and I will call you up when we are done".  I go sit down, panicking about not having an I-94 and what would happen if I needed it and didn't have it.  The minutes ticked by so slowly I thought all the bad things that could happen.  He finally asked me to come back up to the counter.  "Fill out this form regarding your car" (the form is not user friendly and was confusing to fill out).  He stamped it, provided me a "released" notification and said I was done. That simple.  Nobody searched my car.  I didn't have to claim anything.  And they only provided me one form that they filled out regarding my vehicle (which is giving me enormous grief at the present moment trying to register my vehicle).  But I did not question his methods, probably a mistake in hindsight with some issues I have now, and made my merry way into the States.  

The drive, very boring.  Fields upon fields of nothing really.  Especially in the winter.  Probably in the summer it would be a lot nicer drive.  Some valleys but for the most part, very flat.  There was a some nifty little lakes that I had passed that would be gorgeous in the summer, especially me being a lover of water.  And, just an fyi, taking pictures with a camera while driving in a different country - quite a skill.  I wish I could have taken my time and actually stopped and take pictures but I was in a slight time crunch so I had to do the fly-by camera taking nonsense.  I was so excited to see the Missouri River and would cross it when I got to Pierre, South Dakota, but since I left Pierre around 5:30am, it was dark and thus I did not see the Missouri River.  Probably the ONLY form of landscape that would have been really cool to see and I missed it.  

One thing I was very excited about, but was short lived once I experienced it, was to be able to have pictures of the Welcome to North Dakota, Welcome to South Dakota, Welcome to Nebraska signs.  I got the Welcome to North Dakota.  I got the Welcome to Nebraska.  THERE WAS NO WELCOME TO SOUTH DAKOTA.  Now if people were geographically challenged, like me, and thankfully if people are somewhat observant when driving, sometimes like me, the only way I knew I was in South Dakota was that the roads changed slightly and there were a crap ton of signs regarding vehicles and whatnot for the road.  But no Welcome to South Dakota sign.  I was very let down.   

I also learned that driving in the States with no GPS/Google Maps and just the print off of the trip can be very unnerving.  Especially since the road signs in the States can be slightly confusing.  How can one be heading East on Route 54 and also South on Route 281??!!  The good thing with that signage system is that as long as I saw the number in any of the signs, I knew I was going the right way.  Unless if the sign said West or North.  Then it was not good.  Thankfully I had my music.  Because when I found myself in Deliverance country, I had the music to make me fit right in.  3 days of road tripping tunes, car dancing and singing at the top of my lungs.  It was wonderful really.  

So that is kind of the story of how I got to where I am.  I could go on about what this place is like and all that jazz, but I will save that for a different posting.  I finally decided to see if I could change the name of my old blog to reflect the new status in my life.  So please note that.  I am not sure if, if you are signed up for the automatic notifications, if it will switch over to the new blog or not.  It is my old blog (you can still see my Washington posts) but with a new name and new url address.  However, I will update you guys on what work is like and what it is like living in Hastings.  

Love and miss you all!!!! 

Take Me Out To The Ball Game Cause I Got Me A Fiddle!!!

So back in February, my birthday gift from Kalyn was to go up to Boston to see the city and catch a Red Sox game.  But now that I am moving back to Alberta before the trip could happen, we decided to catch a game anyways and knock something off my list to do.  As luck would have it, the Red Sox were playing on Kalyn's birthday up in Baltimore and so we made it a birthday date night and went up to Baltimore to see the Harbour and catch the game. We got a little rained on but for the most part, it was a fantabulous trip and I am so glad Kalyn allowed me to accompany her on her birthday.  Getting older sucks, I know, but Kalyn took it with the grace and ease as she takes everything else.  Until next year.  When the big year hits.  I am for surely coming back for that birthday.  And take you to a ball game in Fenway.   

The Harbour is gorgeous.  Not as big as I thought, even though I really have nothing to compare it to so I don't know what I was expecting now that I think about it.  There were a lot of boats (fancy that hey at a harbour??!!) and the boardwalk around the Harbour to the Aquarium.  A boat that apparently shoots off cannons (I really don't know what it is about cannons and me but seriously, they need to start giving some sort of warning when those things go off.  Especially if one isn't ready for it.  Like I seem to never be ready for it.  I don't know if it is reasonable that I walk around everywhere, all the time, expecting a cannon to go off).  There was the neatest Barnes and Nobles there that looked absolutely massive and would have been wonderful to go chill in but then we would have missed some of the game.  And I would have bought some books.  Both not good. 

While down at the Harbour, there was a Ripley's Believe it Or Not and we decided to check it out.  It is pretty nifty, the things that we in there.  The world's tallest man (when he moved, to stand up, beside me, I freaked - was not expecting that), the world's fattest woman (I think that was what she was but I didn't go up to read the sign as I was afraid she was going to move as well), the world's skinniest man, crowns from the royal family, swords, the oddest looking chair that supposably people sat in during a trial and if they were found guilty, they would be executed right there (Kalyn and I pulled a catafluque moment trying to figure out how a person sat in the chair and also how they would be executed in the chair), a porcelain pillow (which would not be good for me since I freeze my pillows in the summer), Hogwarts made out of matchsticks (massively huge - the patience needed for that would have been incredible) and many other wonderfully interesting things.  We could have spent way more time in there but we were pushing it as was but I suggest people go check one out as the things Ripley found on his travels was amazing, some gross, some wildly fantastic and some that makes you go 'huh?!' 

We made our way to the game and Camden Yards is quite beautiful.  There is so much stuff to see while inside it - so many shops, restaurants, vendors, stuff like that.  We made our way to our seats, which were 24, 24!!!, rows behind home plate.  They were kick ass!!!!  And as luck would have it, we were sitting beside other Sox fans so we were not alone.  I was worried about getting beat up as I have heard horror stories from girls at school who are from the Baltimore area, but apparently baseball fans aren't as ruthless or rough as hockey fans.  But they do get drunk, fast, before the game.  We ran into many a drunk people.  From Boston.  With irish accents.  It was awesome!!!  Now, usually for me, one of my favorite parts of going to see live sports is the National Anthem, and I was slightly disappointed as they performed the anthem with a mandolin and no singing.  I felt gyped on the experience.  And there was no PLAY BALL!!!  I was hoping to get that movie experience as well.  Oh well.  We settled into our seats to watch the first inning.  And then it got rained out.  At first tiny rain and we were fine with it.  But then it started coming down in buckets and heaps and like plopping drops.  So the ump called the inning and we made our way into the covered area.  

To watch Bugs Bunny play some baseball on tv (if you can't watch the real thing, Bugs Bunny is the closet second).  It didn't seem to take too long that the rain subsided and the game was back on.  So we settled into our seats to watch the second inning.  And the rain hit again.  At first they were still playing in it even though it was coming down pretty good and Kalyn and I were determined to not let the rain 'dampen' our spirits (hehehe so punny) but then the ump called it again.  So off we went inside again.  Where we got some ice cream.  And stood.  And stood.  And stood.  Discussed the benefits of having a closed roof dome for games like this.  Cripes almighty I was starting to get worried that they would call the game as a whole and my baseball experience was truncated down to 2 innings.  

Finally the rain let up and the game was back on.  But not quite yet as they had to get the field back in working condition and I have all the admiration for the people that do it as we got to sit and watch the field hands get everything back to good condition.  2 hours later (game started at 7:05), at 9:05, the 3rd inning started.  And the rain had left and the game went on without a hitch. I did get some of my movie experience - watching the third base coach do the signs to the guy on second base, see a guy go sliding into base, the meeting on the mound and the pitcher doing the walk off, and the constant view of guys looking like they were touching themselves.  One thing I will say about Camden Yards though is that if you have a fear of birds, like me (thanks Ma for that), and a fear of mascots, like me, it is not the place for you.  That damn bird.  I think I almost broke Kalyn's hand from gripping it so tight when he was passing by us.  I had nowhere to escape and had to sit there and be tortured and have a heart attack. And miss some of the game from keeping my eyes closed. See - nothing ever comes good from having a mascot around.  The end of the game was so nerve wracking - Boston was up 1-0 (which I totally didn't get a picture of the home plate touching because I was cheering too much) and Baltimore was up to bat.  Everytime they swung I think my heart stopped just a little, good lord.  I get way too invested into sports.  They struck him out and game was done.  So good.  Such a wonderful experience and actually I enjoyed watching the game itself.  I would totally go see another ball game.  

I felt bad for Kalyn as since I didn't really know anything about baseball, I was asking her a plethora of questions.  I think I remembered the bulk of them, which are below and in no particular order:  

• who do I need to know on the Red Sox?
• what happens if there are too many players on the field? do they get a penalty of some sort?
• why do the fields get mowed the way they do?
• why is the pitcher on a mound higher than the hitter?
• why are the bullpens away from the team dugouts?
• how does an ump become an ump for the major leagues?
• how often do bases get stealed?
• what is better to cheer for - the offensive (batting) or the defensive (playing in the field)?
• if a person isn't hitting very good, would they put in a pinch hitter or let him play if he is doing really good catching the ball?

• where is the second baseman (I know he usually isn't right at second base but in this case he was really far away and shortstop was covering the second base)?
• why are people booing?
• why does the catcher call what ball the pitcher should pitch?
• what would happen if the pitcher doesn't pitch what the catcher wants the pitcher to pitch?
• how much does it have to rain in order for the game to be called?
• what are those circles for? (apparently the base coaches and the on-deck hitters were supposed to stay in their designated areas - they did not)
• why are there so many pitcher changes at the end of the game?

• why is Jonny Gomes called crazy?
• what is the difference between the American League and the National League and how do the two work with the World Series?
• was there an 'original six' thing like in hockey?
• can you have a pinch runner if the hitter is robust?
• what is around the bat when they are on-deck?
• what do the players talk about when they are on base (hitter and baseman)? (I imagined it went something like "yo dude, your sister last night....."
• why does it say KKK on the board? (first thought was something about the Klu Klux Klan, but that would make absolutely no sense at a baseball game)
• when doing the YMCA, do you do the C for you or for people watching you do the YMCA? 
• do players prefer to play in natural light or the artificial lights?

And these were some statements, observations or conversations Kalyn and I had during the game:

• "wow, Uehara has been on deck for a very long time" (on the scoreboard it said on the bottom RHPD - Uehara.  Apparently that was not the next hitter but the next pitcher coming in)
• "you mean we went through all the players that fast for the batting order?" (no, not the case - only the players actually playing the game get to bat)
• "good job on catching the ball - you just earned $5000"
• "oohh  not good on dropping the ball - you do not earn your $5000"
• "if I was a base coach, this is what I would say 'when the ball is hit, run really fast.  If it is caught, run faster back here'"
• "well that 7th inning stretch was a little underwhelming" (a)  when they played Take Me Out To The Ball Game, people didn't start singing until the end; b) when they played Thank God I'm A Country Boy, that is when everybody got into it.  I don't know if that is a Baltimore thing, a Maryland thing or what.  It surprised me though; and c) apparently the 7th inning stretch at Fenway is much better.  Apparently everything at Fenway is much better.)
• "where was the PLAY BALL!!!" (I wanted to hear the baseball version of Lets Get Ready to Rumble)

• "is the ball coming our way??" "no" (everytime, EVERYTIME, the ball was a foul ball.  But it really wasn't a foul ball.  But I thought it was.  And there was no netting above us so I was constantly on the lookout for foul balls. I learned that I suck at understanding which way the ball was being hit)
• "I wonder what the game would be like if everyone had designated circles they could stand in and could not leave their circle to catch a ball"
• "I should take a slow motion picture of the signs the third base coach is doing and sell it to other teams" "There is no point as they watch the game tapes.  But I like your thinking"
• "I am sporting some cleavage.  We may get on the jumbotron" "No we won't as we are rooting for the away team"
• "don't do that" (for EVERYTHING that was sports related - couldn't dance to Seven Nation Army, couldn't clap to car wash, couldn't yell charge, NOTHING as apparently it was all against Red Sox and for the Orioles.  Cheering for the away team kind of sucks)
• "throw it!! throw it!!!" "we don't want him to throw it because then we will be out" "oh, right, their jerseys look too much alike in color"

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!!!