The Week in Pictures (well at least a few)

After about three weeks away, this week I was back at the White House all week (with the exception being on Wednesday when I had the honor of going to New Jersey). Usually, after a couple of weeks away, I can't say that much has changed. The building is a couple of hundred years old for Pete's sake. This week's excitement is that we have a new sidewalk to walk on since they are doing construction on the North Lawn. It's supposed to be a temporary walkway but they used concrete and every thing so maybe it's a bit more permanent!

Ok, I guess a new sidewalk isn't exactly thrilling. Let's see.... On Monday, I jumped right into things with two events. The first one was in the Rose Garden where he spoke about campaign finance reform. The highlight for me is that I got to see my friend Dana who I hadn't seen in a while. POTUS was late which meant we got to catch up a little more but it was stinkin' hot out there!!

Then later, it was the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disability Act. Since I've always been a news nerd, I remember when it was signed (I was in junior high!) Don't ask me why I remember it because I have no idea but it was cool to be there for the anniversary. The program before POTUS included a couple of speeches and some music- including Patti Labelle. She was quite emotional when she was singing "Wind Beneath My Wings" and got choked up several times. Don't judge me but that song just makes me giggle because I have so many funny memories of that cheesy song!
POTUS spoke and signed the commemoration. And then shook hands.

Tuesday, I didn't actually see POTUS. He had a morning event that I wasn't there for but in the evening, I was in the motorcade for him to go to a fundraiser in DC. The motorcade was a bit wild, especially for the short distance. Then we waited outside the Mandarin Oriental hotel while he went in and raised a ton of money.

Wednesday, I went to exciting Edison, NJ for his visit there. I know some days of mine are more glamorous than others but Wednesday fit into the other category. We sat outside in an un-air-conditioned tent in the middle of a Burger King parking lot. POTUS had an event in a sub shop across the street that was apparently a double-wide. It was so small that there wasn't room for all of us so just the pool went in and we sat in the tent. The only time I saw him was when he waved to me from his limo. Did I mention it was hot and to top all that off, I had to fly commercially and got delayed by 6 hours in Newark (currently it's my least favorite airport and Continental Airlines is my absolutely least favorite airline!)

Anyway, Thursday, I saw POTUS again at the signing of the Tribal Law and Order Act in the East Room. I'll be honest, I had no interest or even insight into Tribal Law but this was one of those events that was really interesting. The woman who introduced POTUS had a tremendous story about being raped and then her attacker was not prosecuted. She was really, really emotional telling her story and that event kept my attention (admittedly probably more than the actual newsy events of late!)

POTUS talked about his Indian name being Barack BlackEagle.

I love native American headdresses and wish I had that heritage in my family so I could wear them!!

Then on Friday, POTUS went to Detroit, and I stayed in DC. But I did welcome him home and I'm pretty sure when he waved, he said "Have a great weekend!"

This thing called "Work"

As you know my vacation ended and I have yet to figure out how to be able to stay at home forever and never work again. So I had to come back and earn money for things like my mortgage and bills! I spent most of the first day back deleting e-mails. Seriously. I had thousands and thousands of e-mails to go through!

Last week I was in the bureau for most of the week so I don't have many exciting tales to tell. I mainly was working on future stories. On Wednesday, I did come over to the White House to be the producer for a First Lady's event. She was honoring the award winners in a design contest. I think they designed clothing, technology stuff, and interior design, just to name a few. Honestly, I had no idea what they were really talking about. I was focusing on the 3D Viewfinders (like the kind I had as a kid where you put a circle with small negatives into the viewfinder) which were at every person's place at the table. The event itself was void of any real news but it was just fine because it was a way to help me get back into the swing of things in this thing called work.

Playing Catch Up!

So I'm ruining my progress on becoming a better blogger I know. One step forward, two steps back! I just returned to work after a two week staycation. No big plans. No big trip. Just time off from work and a time to unplug. It was awesome. I've decided vacations make me look forward to heaven just a little bit more. From what I gather, there are no "first days back to work after vacation" in heaven!!

I mentioned in the last post that I didn't exactly just relax for the past two weeks. I should have had time to catch you up but part of the joy of vacation was just unplugging. Not even really checking e-mail all that often. Maybe that sounds lame but I LOVED it!!

So now that I'm back into the swing of things, I'll catch you up on the not-so-exciting adventures over the past two weeks.

Right before my staycation started, I was sent to West Virginia for work to attend Sen. Robert Byrd's funeral. I actually enjoyed the research I did right before his funeral, learning all the fascinating things about his long life. The memorial service was outside the state capitol in Charleston and since there was no chartered plane, I had to figure out my own method of transportation. I chose to drive because by the time you deal with delays at the airport, possibilities of lost baggage, etc. I didn't think it was worth it. So I picked up my correspondent and we drove the six hours to WV. As long as I've lived, I've never driven to Charleston via I-64 and OMG, it was so beautiful!! The mountains were so big and green and the scenery was just breath-taking! I know WV is known for their mountains but they really were so beautiful!!

We had to stop a couple of times- once in Lexington, the scene of my bizarre Christmas trip home where I got stuck at the HoJos with a convict's girlfriend and her dog. This stop was extremely uneventful except that I did get a bit teary-eyed when I saw the Wal-Mart where we had spent three LONG hours. :) The next time we stopped, we were literally in the middle of nowhere WV. I pulled in to the gas station and all the eyes from the men sitting around (in overalls and chewing tobacco) immediately stared at me. I guess they could tell I was a "city girl"!! My correspondent had to use the restroom and couldn't find it until she was directed to the "Mama Bears" room. This was a scene that was so far removed from my normal world that it intrigued me. Talk about a slower pace of life!!

The memorial service was the next morning and took place on the steps of the Capitol. It was a beautiful day with nearly perfect weather (from what I recall... it was almost three weeks ago by now!) It was a neat thing for so many people of all walks of life to come and remember the Senator. However, by looking at the program, I knew we were in for a llloooonnngg service considering there were ten politicians slated to speak. And in that list was former President Clinton, who history shows doesn't ever speak from 5-7 minutes. Luckily, we were working out of a nearby building and watching a video feed of the service. Thankfully, most of the politicians kept things fairly tight (Bill didn't but we all expected that) and the service was about 2 hours long. But it was a good two hours. I enjoyed the stories of his life which were remarkable by any standards, regardless of political affiliation. At the end of the service, there was a 21-gun salute and then the recessional was the John Denver hit "Country Roads, Take Me Home". I thought to myself that when else in life would I be at a memorial service with that song being played? So I gathered some of my colleagues and we went out among the crowd for the end of the service. I'll be honest, most of the reason I wanted to be there was to experience the cheesy factor in person. Seriously, a John Denver song as the recessional? I admit I had a bit of a mocking attitude. But what happened next was shocking and unbelievable. As the song started, the entire crowd started singing (most of whom didn't need the words that were provided on the memorial service program.) Then they took his casket up the capitol steps. And as I was taking in this scene, I started to cry! It was actually a beautiful moment. Yes, slightly cheesy but it really was a fitting tribute to this man. I couldn't believe that I had tears until I looked at my colleagues and they did too!! I am likely never to hear this song again and not think of this moment because it really was touching!!

As soon as that song was done, basically my two week staycation began and I couldn't have been happier. Technically I was still working on the six hour drive home but I didn't care!! The next day, I went to my friend Darla's wedding and then immediately came home to my sister and brother-in-law and two nieces who were here to visit. We mainly just played in the pool and hung out. We did spend Independence Day visiting Mount Vernon for a little bit. And we all went up in the Washington Monument on Monday to celebrate America. It was just great spending time with them!!

My sister and brother in law and Cayton left on Tuesday to go visit NYC for a few days. For some reason, they thought Raygan would prevent them from being able to have a good time. Our visit to the Washington Monument confirmed that. At 15 months old, she doesn't quite grasp the concept of waiting in line or walking long distances or just standing still for longer than .3 seconds. So I turned up the notch of being Aunt Beck Beck and kept Raygan for two and a half days while they were in NYC. I'm not sure if it was a sign or what but I broke out in hives just minutes before they left but I indeed survived, if not thrived! :) Ok, that might be an overstatement but Raygan and I did have fun. It was really too hot to actually leave my house for more than five minutes at a time but we managed to have a good time playing inside. She naps like a champ and goes to bed right at 7p so Aunt Beck Beck got to relax and got some decent sleep!! We actually had fun and as soon as they left on Thursday, my house immediately felt extremely empty and quiet.

Then for week #2 of my staycation, my plan was to not have plans for most of the week! I ended up helping out at my church's Vacation Bible School in a no-stress capacity (let's face it- I was there mainly on a social basis!) for three days. Then on Thursday, I went to Roanoke for a few days for a family reunion of sorts. Not my family reunion but the family of one of my best friends from high school. I've been an honorary "O" for a long time- mainly because I Know most of the family tree!! I get invited to a lot of their get-togethers and just have the best time with them. My own family rocks but they don't do reunions so I have to get in on the family fun somewhere. Catherine has a bazillion cousins- all of which are just really cool people. I had so much fun just hanging out with them at Cousins Camp!! It was four days packed full of activities (I participated in two of the days) and it was just plain fun. Good old-fashioned fun. I loved every minute of it!!

Now I'm back to reality. Work. Somehow I guess it's necessary in order to pay my mortgage. I'd say within a couple of days, I'll be completely back in the work mode but until then, I'm already looking forward to my next days off (whenever they will be!!)

6 Month Check-up

I can't believe we are already half way through the year!! I guess it's true that time flies when you get older! I seriously can't believe that it is July!! (For the record I started this post on July 2nd but due to my stint as Aunt Beck Beck keeping Raygan for a few days and then getting sick, I've been somewhat delayed in finishing it!)


At the beginning of the year, I shared with you some goals that I had for 2010 and I thought the six-month point would be a great opportunity to check in! As I said then, I didn't want to set too many goals but just to focus on a few things and all in all, I think it's good news to report six months into this venture!!


First I resolved to be a better blogger. This is still probably my weakest area. I've tried to blog once a week but it hasn't quite happened. In all honesty, I haven't had any huge trips yet to blog about (my international trip has been cancelled so it looks like I won't be going anywhere until November!!) So in reality, I'm blogging about the everyday mundane activities of life. I do realize that my definition of mundane might not coincide with yours but sometimes I need a little reality check to keep things in perspective!! So while I am doing better, I still have a long way to go to be a good blogger like so many others, including many of you who are reading this! All I can say is thank you for your continued interest in the happenings of my life! And I will of course try to maintain my blog in an appropriate fashion!!!

My next area of focus was to turn the TV off more. Despite the fact that I am watching a rerun of the Cosby Show, (I have an ear infection at the moment and all I want to do is sit on the couch!) I really have turned off the TV quite a bit and become more active. Actually, just healthier in general. I wasn't clear on how that was all going to manifest itself back in January but I'm happy to say I've been rather happy with my efforts. First of all, the only show I really watched was Biggest Loser (I DVRed it) and only occasionally was the TV on just for the sole purpose of being on. (The one negative part was that of course while I watched BL, I was generally eating some kind of fattening snack but whatever!!) So what have I done in my newly increased free time? Well several things!! First of all, as you saw in a couple of posts earlier this year, I have taken up cooking! All because of the movie Julia and Julie (or is it the other way around?). I can proudly say that I no longer buy all my groceries from the frozen food aisle of the grocery store. In fact, I actually enjoy going to the grocery store and I buy things from all the aisles EXCEPT the frozen meals aisle!! I try to cook at least one meal a week (depending on my crazy schedule!) and then freeze things so I can eat it on a later night. So far, I've ventured through many recipes and have even cooked for friends!! It's actually been fun! I find recipes online and then take the list of ingredients to the grocery store and buy what's on the list! I have even come close to being able to make recipes up on my own. Or at least be able to adapt certain things! Not to brag, but I've impressed myself with some things! I've always known I was able to follow directions well but I never transferred that to being able to cook. And it's working!

The second thing I've done to be more active, was to join a gym!! For those of you who have known me a long time, I'm sure this comes a surprise to you!! I'm the one who got out of gym class (because of my bone condition) and ended up keeping score in volleyball or raking the sand in the long jump pit. I really don't enjoy sweating and athletic has never been a word to describe me. But I figured it was about time to do something active since that whole metabolism thing really does change in your 30s! I didn't believe people when they told me that but I'm a believer now! So I joined the YMCA in February as a way to be more active. I started out with a Zumba class and I was immediately hooked! Zumba is sort of like aerobics and salsa dancing combined-neither of which I am any good at. But I had soooo much fun and I didn't feel like I was really exercising! Plus I wasn't sure exactly how many calories I was burning but it had to be more than if I was sitting on my couch! Also, I spent enough time laughing at myself (and truthfully others in my class) that I knew I burned quite a few calories!! I became a regular in the Zumba class (I haven't been in the last two weeks and I actually miss it quite a bit!) The next step was to actually go to the gym. Honestly, I had never done that before. I was so intimidated about the whole thing that I just had never really even thought of going. But I met with a trainer one morning and he showed me how to work all the machines and what to do. What I absolutely LOVE about my gym is that it uses the FitLinnx system which keeps track of everything for you. So you have a PIN number that you put into all the machines and then at the end of your workout, you sign out on the computer and it sends you a congratulations message. For example, "Congratulations on completing eight stations. You have lifted XXXX pounds!" I just love the positive reinforcement! When I first saw that message and it said that I had lifted 5,000 pounds, I couldn't have been happier! What a sense of accomplishment!! I've worked my way up to over 12,000 pounds and it makes me LOVE going to the gym! 12,000 pounds!! Yes you read that right!! I have turned into She-Ra!! Ok, not really but I have felt myself getting stronger! And at the end of the month, the system sends you an e-mail with the results from the entire month. Usually it tells me I have lifted the equivalent of 8 African elephants over the course of the month. Seriously?!!? I have never tried to lift 8 African elephants but knowing that I can, makes me feel oooooh sooooo good!!

My last area of focus, and most important area, for this year has been my prayer life. Pray more. Worry less. I wish I could say I have perfected this area and have had complete success but I can't. However, there has been improvement. I do have a prayer journal where I list all the concerns of friends and myself and then also praises. And I can't tell you how cool it is to go back and be able to check things off the list that have been answered. For some broad things, I am still praying for on a daily basis but there have been specific requests that I have seen answered and it's just awesome. Of course there have been some things that I've been praying for that weren't answered in the way that I would have chosen but that is where faith comes in. Faith that God's plan is much greater than mine and He really does know what He's doing. For instance, I've become hooked on several people's struggles with various forms of cancer and while a couple of them are winning their battles, three of them have lost and are now with Jesus. I've followed all these people (several of them are children) on their blogs or CaringBridge pages and I'm sure they have no idea that I've been sort of stalking them but it's encouraging to see that no matter what the outcome, they praise God for His comfort or healing or protection or whatever. It's definitely a dose of perspective and reality that I need and am honored to be able to follow along. But in general, it's been a great exercise in discipline and actually intentionally seeking out God right off the bat in things. Like I said, I haven't perfected the concept, far from it. But I have enjoyed seeing God at work in many things- big and small!!

Ok, that about sums it up!! I am currently in the middle of a two week staycation so I think I can find some time to blog later and catch you up on anything mildly interesting in what has been going on recently!! That will already help me to continue to improve on one of my year's goals!!