Where Do They Hide All The "Junk"?!

Last night was the DC Drag Queen Race 2010. I headed to Dupont Circle right after work to ensure that I got a good spot. Before heading to the street, some friends and I stopped in Mad Hatter to get some dinner and drinks.

Mad Hatter is one of my favorite DC spots because I am a huge Alice in Wonderland and Tim Burton fan. After last night however, I am also a HUGE fan of their food! I got the Psychedelic Dog which is covered in potato chips and pineapple. This may sound like an odd choice but I love pineapple on my pizza so why not hot dogs too?! And last but not least!! *drum roll please*... THE BUFFALO CHICKEN FONDUE! The most amazing thing I have ever put in my mouth (que the "that's what she said"...har har).

After Mad Hatter deliciousness, we headed down to the street to admire the costumes and continue to be surprised by how they tuck you know what where?! Seriously. In a leotard where do they fit it all... it's beside me.

Anyways.. meet miss Katy Perry!

Is she your Teenage Dream?

Jet-Setter

After 10 days away from my new home, I forgot how beautiful DC was. A week in Atlanta almost made me forget the beautiful Autumn weather that I got to return to Sunday evening. The leaves have turned so fast over the past 10 days and the commute to work is beautiful!

Arlington Cemetery

My trip:

1. OU Homecoming was amazing! Surprise, surprise. It felt so good to be reunited with my best friends and walk on the Court Street bricks again. There were some people I would have liked to see that I didn't get the chance to due to day long binge drinking but it's so tough to cram it all in. Luckily I got Sunday afternoon to spend with my old roommates, best friends, and family. 

Going back was so much fun but I noticed that I'm not the same person I was 4 months ago, and neither are a lot of us. Relationships change over 4 months and that can't be ignored.. no matter how hard you try to ignore it. Some relationships however remained exactly the same :) Laughs are shared as if you never left. I also didn't realize how much I missed inside jokes! I say things to new friends around DC and I realize, they have no idea what I'm talking about... (followed by awkward silence and awkward laughs) ha.

2. Week long conference in Atlanta. The hotel was contemporary and beautiful and I got some free wine out of the gig :) My favorite part of the conference was dinner at the Georgia Aquarium. We had exclusivity of the aquarium from 6-7 and then had a dinner/cocktail reception from 7-9.

Underwater Tunnel

 I didn't touch the ocean until I was 18 years old so as beautiful as the aquarium was, it terrified me at the same time. I screamed when one of the bull sharks swam above me and I was around all of my "clients" so that was just dandy. But they're massive... honestly 20 feet long. How the hell am I supposed to feel comfortable getting into the ocean, pre-wrapping myself in a wet suit, and hoping on a board that is ironically shaped like a seal. Seriously? I'll pass.

3. A weekend in Atlanta with my big sister :) Due to the nature of my job, I got a free stay in the Ritz at Buckhead in Atlanta. I have never stayed in a Ritz before but walking through those massive wood and gold plated doors was enough to make you suck your cheeks in, walk straighter, tighten that gut, and smooth your hair.

HUGE!

My sister adopted the "Ritz walk" one foot in front of the other, ever so lightly ha. You had to see it I guess. Oh! And there was a chandelier in the elevator. No biggie.

When we approached our hotel room door we noticed massive double doors and a sign that read "Presidential Suite." We opened the doors to find a luxurious room with a kitchen, dinning room, office, living room, master bedroom and master bath. 

Only separated by 6 inches of acrylic!!!

The first-class experience was complete when we noticed the complimentary bottle of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries. We persisted to parade around the room in our robes, drinking champagne, and taking ridiculous photos.. (anticipate photos later).

I had an amazing couple of days with the people I care about most, and the job perks definitely helped! :)

Hot-lanta

Leaving Athens is never easy, especially when that means leaving my family and friends in Ohio. I did however have an amazing weekend in the promise land. Kegs n' eggs at 8am was considered a mild morning compared to others who were waiting at the bar door at 5am or those who didn't even bother sleeping (I'm amazed by their super strength).

After having at least 5 shots by 11 am... I regretfully didn't last past 9pm. This may sound like a failure to Bobcats but I did however drink heavily for 12 straight hours so I did my best....

Well for now, I'm in Atlanta for a conference and I'm staying at the Hotel Palomar Midtown. It is absolutely beautiful and it is pet friendly so it's nice to see a lot of furry friends around here! The conference ends Friday, but I am staying for the weekend to visit with my sister! :)

P.S. Last night at dinner we had a $450 wine tab... awesome night = bad tomorrow.

I'll update when I get back in D.C. next week.

xoxox

Hotel Palomar Atlanta lobby and fish tank!

The Land of Bricks, Honey.. and Bad Decisions

Since I graduated and moved out on June 12, I have been counting down the days til' Ohio University Homecoming. My sudden and exciting move to Washington, DC, has made the anticipation for OU Homecoming even more exciting. I cannot wait to see all my best friends. In 9 years of best-friendship, Allison and I have never gone more than a month without seeing each other. And I miss all my best friends more than you can imagine. I've always said, "Friends are the family you choose for yourself."

I cannot wait to black-out with my best friends, classmates, random townies, acquaintances, freshman biscuits, horse cops, and any other poor souls I happen to encounter this weekend. Here is my formal apology: "Sorry for partying!".. yeah, I said it.

Watch out Athens, Ohio! HERE I COME!!

Beautiful View of Campus

Oh the memoriesssss

Do It Yourself: Origami Crane Wind Mobile

In an attempt to mix my appreciation for Asian culture/art with country decor, I made this origami crane wind mobile.

I tried to take pictures along the way but as you know, my Droid's 5 megapixel camera just isn't impressive.. hopefully, I'll get a new digital camera soon.

Pretty origami paper :) I got mine at Paper Source

Folding instructions: Origami Crane

After I made the cranes, I took fish line and small silver beads and thread them through the cranes to make the strands the length I wanted without worrying about the cranes moving. Then, I tied the strands onto sticks and hung onto a hook in the ceiling.

So easy!

Today is Thursday...

That means that last night was kickball. I was feeling so chipped (see?! what the f' is chipped? That doesn't even make sense.. chipper*) this morning and BAM! I look at my clock and sure enough.. it's 2 pm.

I don't know why 2 pm likes to torture me so much but it never fails. That's when my hangovers come.

If I ever get stranded in a desert and I'm too dumb to figure out how to tell time with the sun (very likely) I will just find booze to get hammered on. Then, when my hangover hits me.. I'll know it's 2 pm.

Shit.. It's going to be a looooong day.

Would it kill you people to comment? And where the F is a Sonic when you need one.. I want some cronic ice cubes!

Sweet October

Happy

October is here and I don't mind. I slept like a baby last night. There's nothing better than holding your blankets close to comfort you from the chill of the night air while the rain drops dance on your windowsill. I woke up this morning excited to put on my light jacket and scarf. While the rain usually puts a damper on my mood in the hot summer months, on this October morning, I enjoyed the walk to work.

You know those girls that always bust out their legs and boobs at the first hint of spring? Well that's me only not as slutty... the first glimmer of fall sends me rushing to my stowed away "winter clothes" bins. Hoodies! Jackets! Scarves! More Scarves! Finger-less gloves! Boots! Leg warmers! Even more scarves! Need to buy more scarves!

The smell of Autumn and bonfires is enough to make me weak in the knees. Pumpkin scented candles litter my room, and Cocoa Joe's and pumpkin spice lattes warm my belly.

See how happy I am in that hat and scarf?! ---> It's undeniable.

This Is Why I Love Music...

...this song explains beautifully the way I feel sometimes. Don't get me wrong, I'm really beginning to love living in DC but I would be lying if I said I didn't feel "Lost And Far From Home" at times...