Melrose

In order to celebrate my upcoming birthday, my roommates and I had a roommate dinner. We have lived together for a year and this is our first time to eat together. They are all such amazing women but we have such different schedules and lives. However, every once in a while we get to catch up. Dinner was a perfect opportunity to talk about each of our lives. Jordana made a delicious Lebanese dish that had chicken, rice, raisins, and eggplant. Oh...it was so good!

If any of you talk to me on a consistent basis you know how much I love where I live. Three months ago I was thinking about moving away from D.C. to change things up. I thought about it and thought about it. The final clincher was this thought: what if I did not like the new place and wanted to move back to D.C. then I would not be living in the Melrose. That is love.

Some of you do not understand what it is the big deal about the Melrose (yes, it was nicknamed this due to it's residents: 35 single, LDS adults and the drama that is found between them.) My love for Melrose can only be expressed through prose.

How do I love thee, Melrose. Let me count the ways.
I love thee for thy outdoor lights that shine so bright
that bring people, coming home from dates, into my sight.
I love thee in thick snow, sleet, or down pouring rain
that allows me to jump all of the puddles that thou maintain.
Under your archway and in your courtyard, I meet a friend.
I love thee for thy underground parking, which I recommend.
I love thee for housing my friends that just live next door
Apartments 3078, 3076, 3014, 3040, 3092, 3096, all do I adore.
I love thee for your four story town homes, and my own room.
Plus, you have allowed me to be a "victim no more," I assume.
I have overheard DTR's in the courtyard: your own whispering dome.
I love thee at the end of the day, when you call to me, "welcome home."

The Melrose

Our living room

My room

Public Service Announcement # 86: In case you move to Melrose read the following http://www.ehow.com/how_2107520_stay-friends-drama-queen.html

Two places you should visit - Waterford & Harper's Ferry

I love living in Virginia. It has rich history, beautiful landscapes, and a perfect mix of large cities and small towns. Sometimes I have the need to get out of the city and back to a more simple way of life. Thank goodness for this past three day weekend that enabled me to do such a thing. Trent and I decided to take a day trip to a few out-of-the-way towns in Virginia and West Virginia. By the end of the day, I had sufficiently learned about raids, found out that I could not buy a home in Waterford, and been in three states: Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland. What a great day!! Here are some of the details:

Waterford
Waterford is a National Historic Landmark due to the fact that most of the homes have been standing since circa 1820. The Waterford Foundation has done a tremendous job of maintaining the town's historical landmark status and conserving the homes. We drove into town and it felt as if we had drove into another period of time. The town was completely charming. It is as if nothing had ever changed in Waterford.

As we drove into town (a whole two blocks), we noticed a little store where we might find a map. We were given a map of some historical homes and went on our way to discover Waterford. As we left with map in hand, a man walked out of a quaint building and said a friendly, "hello." We struck up a conversation with him about the town. He told us that he sold real estate in the town. I asked him to tell me about the homes in the town. He asked me, "Do you have money." My reply, "Not yet." He told us that the most inexpensive home in the city was $500,000. I asked what the residents did for work. He said, "half do not work and the other half work in DC (1 hour away.)" He had lived in the "pink house" up until a few years ago. He sold the home and the new owners began renovations. He stated that after it is finished it will have cost the new owners 3 million dollars. Quiet a bit of money for a slightly above average home that is old and was used as a "place of entertainment" when it was built .


Another home I liked was a log cabin that was reconstructed from two separate log cabins that were moved from another town (see below). I dreamed that all the people in the town were friendly - an almost Utopia environment. Maybe it was not Utopia but it was friendly as seen by a driver that passed us and gave us the three finger raise. He did not even know us. I loved it.



Waterford Mill * A funny sign at a local church "counsel with the coach."

"Please, do not let the dog out". Who is letting the dog out? Who is coming into this private property?

Harper's Ferry, WV



Our next stop was at Harper's Ferry, WV. It was very scenic. It is situated right between the convergence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, where Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland meet.

Here are some interesting tidbits of facts/ history of Harper's Ferry.

- Thomas Jefferson called the site "perhaps one of the most stupendous scenes in nature.”

- The town is one of only a few that the Appalachian Trail passes directly through.

- This were there were the largest surrender of Federal troops during the Civil War

- On October 16, 1859, the radical abolitionist John Brown led a group of 22 men in a raid on the Arsenal. The raid was unsuccessful and John Brown was taken captive and later hung for treason. The raid was a catalyst for the American Civil War. The town now celebrates this man and his determination to free slaves. There is a regular museum that discusses his life and purpose and an additional wax museum (around 87 full sized wax figures of John Brown - not a good looking man.)

- Meriwether Lewis began his expedition by getting supplies at Harper's Ferry, which were shipped to Pittsburgh.



Picturesque: you can see a railroad going into a mountain pass, a river, and a church.

I loved the slate walls that ran through the entire town. We also found this strange cave that Trent was a little apprehensive about going into.

Thanks to wikipedia for this aerial shot of the town.

Public Service Announcement # 85: If you need help to save a historic site click here http://www.ehow.com/how_135724_save-historic-properties.html

Valentine's Day

One word: Perfect

The highlights of this year's V-day

1. Waking up to candy and a puzzle (so funny)
2. Coming home to beautiful roses
3. Getting a package from my mother
4. A tasty dinner at the Beacon Bar and Grill - the restaurant had a perfect ambiance with candles, piano music, and a rose (the restaurant was voted as the Best of Gay DC)


5. Wondeful conversation with my valentine
6. Watching Elizabethtown - my favorite move (You should watch it)
7. No 2x4's
8. Again, mother, I do not hate Valentines Day: who could hate a day like this?

Public Service Announcement # : Just in case you want to know http://www.ehow.com/how_2096366_wear-red-valentines-day.html

Bob Newhart and Zero Tolerance Friday

Zero Tolerance Friday or ZTF is a Friday tradition that was set by my very bright friends Dan and Peter. The principles of ZTF have spread through our ward and into Utah, Nevada, California, and Ohio. Every Friday we receive a ZTF greeting from Dan and then people can write in with their stories about how they respect ZTF.

This is a press release that they sent out about the day so you can more fully understand its purposes.

"The purpose of ZTF is to make sure that nobody ruins your weekend. It is not to be unruly or harsh but to use sharpness. Not in the cutting sense, but to hone and/or clarify. Zero Tolerance Friday or ZTF is a mindset that does not allow for incompetence, shenanigans or the like. It is especially appropriate when interacting with subordinate employees, roommates, auxiliary services, interns, or callers whose jurisdiction is outside your own etc. When implemented properly ZTF ensures that all pre-weekend activities run smoothly and is an attitude that demands respect and responsibility. (Excerpt from PBD email to SuRec Peeps 6-15-2007)"

I love ZTF. At work, I have a great deal of tolerance with clients, parents, and co-workers. On ZTF, I still maintain empathy, genuineness, and my therapeutic voice. However, I do not in any aspect allow someone to ruin my Friday by ridiculous demands, harsh words, or disrespect. I put my foot down when I might usually put up with it. I hope that each of you, my good friends, can put this principle into place in order to secure your weekend.

This video clip is a good example of how someone might use ZTF at the work place. Please note, that I am NOT this someone.

Tina Jensen: I do not hate Valentine's Day

When the calendar hit February, my mother gave me a call. She said something like this: (in a soft, careful manner) "So it is February. Your most hated day of the year is fast approaching." She wouldn't even say the day. It was as if she was a Harry Potter character talking about "you know who." It is somewhat sad to think that mother believes that I hate Valentines Day to the point of not even being able to conjure up the name in my presence. However, I can not blame her for her perception. Even though I no longer hate Valentine's Day, I used to detest it in my youth. I began to think about where this all stemmed from. I mean, I loved giving/recieving Valentine's Day cards when I was in elementary. What I have come up with is a series of unfortunate events.

1. In middle school, it seemed as if all of the other girls would receive flowers or chocolates from their boyfriends. I did not have a boyfriend nor want one, but on V-day I always felt left out. Stop. Don't sympathize. I was 12. It is okay.

2. By ninth grade, I was sick of the flowers situation and stopped going to school on V-day. Yes, it was pretty extreme. I was able to take the day off and work at the local flower shop making candy kiss roses and delivery flowers. Strangely, it made me happy to be at the flower shop on that day. I loved to deliver flowers to people in my community.

3. My fate was sealed on Valentine's Day my Junior year. I again did not want to go to school on V-day so my parents thought it would help to take me shopping in Idaho Falls. The day was going great. However, it had started to snow. I was running from a store out to our pickup truck, my head was down and I was running at full speed. Whack!!! I had run into a four by four piece of wood that was hanging out of the back of my father's pickup truck. It knocked me to the ground. I was dizzy and had a painful sensation on my forehead. My mother told me that I looked fine and no one would even notice. We went to the next store and I knew that she had lied to me. Everyone was staring. A woman I did not even know came up to me and said "Oh my gosh. What happened to you?" I found a mirror and was horrified when I discovered that I had a huge indent on my red forehead. Well, of course I ended up with a huge bruise on my forehead and a black eye that lasted for weeks.

Thank goodness that my detestation for Valentine's Day has been remedied by much more positive experiences with the day. I just want my mom to know that I no longer hate the day.

Happy Valentines Day to a few of the people I love the most!!!

Public Service Announcement #83: http://www.ehow.com/how_13783_help-child-cope.html

Six More Weeks of Winter

So there we were in Punxsutawney, Pa. Lincoln, Ali, Trent and I drove into the small town at about 9:30 pm after driving through fog, snow, and meeting a nice state trooper that gave us directions. We were very lucky to be able to "take refuge" in an LDS chapel that is only 1/4 mile from Gobbler's Knob - the home of Punxsutawney Phil. We got to the church and met a few other single LDS people that came from Ohio. As the night continued, there ended up being about forty people "taking refuge" at the chapel. We went to the Walmart and bought provisions for the morning: bagels, hand and foot warmers, and self-heating hot chocolate.....yes it heats itself, simply amazing technology! We went back to the church and the group watched the movie Groundhog Day until 2 am. That was not such a great idea since we had to get up at 5:00 am.

The morning came too soon. The church house was a flutter of excitement (as much as people can muster at 5:00 am.) I was the last person to get out of bed. However, as soon as I was up, I had an amazing amount of energy and was ready for the day's festivities. We walked down to Gobbler's Knob. There were people everywhere...some came by foot but most were being brought in by bus loads. Music was playing loudly, people were dancing, there were fireworks, and giant balls were being hit around the crowd. This must be the best party in the USA that takes place from 3-7 in the morning!!! We ran into a few people dressed as groundhogs and so we had to take a picture with each of them.

Yes, there was a hummer there to protect Phil.


Huddled together for warmth * Our self-heating hot chocolate took thirty minutes to heat up....a bit of a disapointment

Time had come for the big event. The men from the Inner Circle (which you get called to and only get released if you die or move) made their annual trek to the platform in their tuxedos and top hats. The crowd chanted "We want Phil, we want Phil." They introduced Phil and the crowd roared. After Phil spoke with the Inner Circle (who speak groundhogeis) they announced that there would be six more weeks of winter. The crowds boo was deafening but the it could not change Phil's prediction.

After the main event, we drove into town and walked around the exhibits and took a few pictures with statues of Phil. We helped paint in a picture of Phil and I sent a postcard to my parents. We also checked out an ice sculpture. I pretended to stick my tongue to it and I overheard a mother tell her child "Don't try that."

It was such a great trip!!!




Pubic Service Announcement # 82: If you want to go next year, here is some information: http://www.ehow.com/how_2020236_celebrate-groundhog-day.html

February's Theme

Let's do this!

I think this is the perfect theme to follow last months "Let it ride." Hopefully, you let things ride in January...meaning that you have put something out there and just seen where it could go. If so, you can follow up with "Let's do this!" It says that you have made a choice and you are going to go forward and put your foot into it.

The urban dictionary gives the following definitions for "let's do this."

1. Statement or command used to signify the beginning of an action or event immediately, without further delay. May be used in a positive or negative connotation.

2. An urban term used when about to accomplish something important or worthwhile. Usually used proceeding a violent act.

3. Signal to go forth with something.

4. See "put your foot into" in Urban Dictionary.

Public Service Announcement # 81: If you need help in making decisions please click here http://www.ehow.com/how_3838_make-decisions.html