Kite Festival

In D.C. there is an annual Smithsonian Kite Festival. The first Kite Festival I attended was with my friends Leah and John (from Leah and John.) Leah and I were so excited that there was such a festival and we were ecstatic to witness such an event.

I love walking around the National Mall and looking up to a sky that is dotted with bright-colored, large and small kites. My favorite activity at the Kite Festival is the Rokkaku Challenge -10+ kites fighting till there is one winning kite, flying triumphantly in the sky. This year was exceptionally exciting since there was a sudden death round to determine the winner. The winner was the Bike Rack kite. I was voting for the Mona Lisa Kite but it went into a tail spin dive with the Cat Kite. They spiralled down together and then CRASH!!! Every once in a while one kite would be cut free and would float away and free fall into the crowd. Everyone cheered, but I think our group was the loudest with our "oohs and aahs" and Trent yelling at the Scream kite "Get in the game, Scream."

Mona Lisa and the Cat in their tail spin to the ground.

A few of the spectators: Trent, me, Joni, Derek

I loved this picture of the sun.

Public Service Announcement # 92: THIS IS THE BEST: CHECK IT OUT: Learn to fly a kite here.

U23D

In order to celebrate passing my LCSW exam, Trent and I went to dinner at a yummy Indian restaurant and then we went to U23D at the Natural History Museum Imax Theater. I don't think it will come as a surprise that I LOVED IT!!!

Here are the reasons I loved U23D:

1. U2's politically conscious lyrics and when Bono talks about how we should all coexist.

2. Feeling like I could reach out and touch The Edge and Bono. I tried but I could not quite reach them.

3. The 3D allows you to feel like you are in the midst of the concert, with the best seat in the house.

4. During the show, the cameras span the audience and it feel like you are standing next to these people. And I have to say, I felt connected with them, as if we were experiencing this together.

5. I also felt very connected with one of my BFF's Jen, who loves Bono. When we lived together she would get ready in the morning by putting on a video of his concert.

6. We wore 3D glasses. Enough said.
7. There was a 13 year old boy sitting next to us. The boy leaned over and asked me "Did you go to this concert." I told him no but I wished I would have fibbed and told him yes. Later he asked me what "co ist" meant. I explained that it is supposed to be read as "Coexist" and it means that we should all live together in peace. He liked that. I love kids.

8. Music has a great affect on me. Some of my most heart stirring moments in life have been conjured up by music. I wish that life had a soundtrack and that the perfect song was always playing in the background. Playing right now: It's a beautiful day.

9. Some of my favorite songs: One, Pride, Sunday Bloody Sunday, and Sometimes you can't make it on your own.

10. U2 knows how to Rock!!

Signing off,
"The Stuff"

Public Service Announcement # 91: To be like Jen click here.

Validation

27 March 2008 was a day of validation.

1. After months of worry, postponement, dread, excitement, and some studying, I am happy to report that I took my licensing exam and passed!!! This means that I am now a full fledged Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have paid my dues and can now get a higher paying job and/or start a private practice. Even better -- no studying!!!

2. While I was signing in to take the exam, a woman looked at me and said "Mandy, what a feminine name. I really like it. I bet you do, too." In fact, just this past weekend I have been talking about how I was not happy with my name because it sounded like a little girls name. However, maybe I will give the name Mandy another look.

3. I went to work after passing my exam. I was walking out of my office when a professional woman I have never met before says to me "MSW's Rock." I said "Thanks." I agree with her but what I think ROCKS even more is an LCSW.

Choice

Would you like your life to be a little easier? Here is your answer: know what you can and cannot control. Oh, sure that sounds basic but think about it. How many times have you known that you could not control something but were still trying to control it?

I see this daily with my client, friends, and in myself. Many of my oppositional, anxious, and depressed client seek to control things in their lives that are not under their control. They try to control how their friends treat them, their parent's relationship, or the kid that just bothers them. However, they refuse to control the one thing that they have most control over: their own choices.


I think that all we can control is our own actions, thoughts, and feelings. One of the most powerful principles in this life is that we have choice. We have the choice to choose how we will handle a situation, how we treat others, how we think and act, and what we will become. When it comes down to it, I can control my choices and I can not control the choices of others. I can control how I perceive others but I can not control how others perceive me.

For instance, many years ago a friend of mine constantly complained about his life. There were too many demands, he could not do it all, and he felt that he had no choice. I had empathized with this friend often. However, one day I looked at him and said, "I know that this is all hard on you but you have a choice. Either you get rid of some of these responsibilities or you can continue. Either way you have made the choice and must deal with the choice and consequence." He did not like this advice. He seemed annoyed by me. However, over the months to follow he would bring up this advice. One day he told me, "Mandy, I know that I should be taking care of myself and not adding new stresses to my life. I do have a choice." See that!?! It was a switch in his thinking. Instead of thinking that all of these things were being done to him he now saw it as under his own control and choice. He could then work on it if he wanted. That is empowerment!!!

If something is bothering me then I can choose to remove it from my life, try to remedy the problem, or deal with it. In the end, this is my choice. Therefore, I can not constantly complain about these things because I chose them. Just because you neglect something or ignore it does not mean that you are not responsible for that choice. Neglect is just as much of a choice.

Knowing what I can control and cannot has helped me to have less worries and anxieties over details that do not matter and events that are out of my control. This is liberating and allows me to live my life with less fear.

Public Service Announcement # 90 :for more information please see this following link http://www.wikihow.com/Become-Less-of-a-Control-Freak

A Double Dose of Eastern Market

For the past two weeks, I have eaten a wonderful, late Saturday morning breakfast at Eastern Market. I was lucky to go twice in a row thanks to out of town visitors. Two weekends ago, Trent's childhood friend, Kristen, came into town for her Spring Break. Then last weekend, my good friend, Kyle, came into town.

If you have not been to Eastern Market, I will do my best to explain why I love this place so much. However, I realize that I will not do it justice and you will have to see it for yourself.

1. The Eastern Market Breakfast. Inside one of the Eastern Market buildings there is a fast food style restaurant. This place is constantly packed with people waiting to order the famous Blue Buck Pancakes (blueberries and buckwheat), French Toast with Real Maple and Pecans, and "The Brick."

So here is the scene: you walk into the building and immediately stand in a very long line. The good part of standing in line is that you have a 90% chance of seeing other Mormons waiting in line/ eating. Plus, you can do some great people watching. The bad part of waiting in line is that you stand right next to the fish counter. I am not fond of the smell of fish, especially at 10:00 am with an empty stomach. The line does move fast and you are soon at the counter. The owner of the joint takes your order...trust me, you better know what you want because he does not have time to wait around for you to decide. This man yells every order to the staff. So the entire time you are there you randomly hear "ORDER OF BLUE BUCKS" or "FRENCH TOAST." It is all very charming. Then you make your way to pick up your food. If you have ordered real maple or pecans, you need to present your receipt to get those items. Then you sit and eat every last scrumptious bite.

This is the only spot to eat inside the building - they do a fine job at crowd control.

Kristen, Trent and I at Eastern Market

2. Walking around the Farmer's Market. In the summer, the market is filled with fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, and homemade foods. There are vendors that sell purses, clothing, jewelry, paintings, and cinnamon glazed nuts (Leah and Jon - they are in the mail.) The last two weeks I have purchased two great necklaces!! Plus, there is that really strange mannequin.

They give free samples!!

3. The Used Bookstore Next Door. There is a used bookstore next door to the Market. You walk into the old Brownstone home and it is packed with books. No really, it is packed with books. Everywhere you walk, the books are stacked from the floor to the ceiling. There are three levels to the bookstore, can you imagine the sight? Books are arranged in categories like psychology, horses, philosophy, man interests, and bird watching. If you are looking to learn a new language, you will find those books in the bathroom. I suggest that you just go to Barnes and Noble for your foreign language needs.

A stack of books at the bookstore
Inside the bathroom

Public Service Announcement #89: How to shop at a Farmer's Market

http://www.ehow.com/how_2154047_shop-farmers-market.html

Middle Name Meme

Kami tagged me to post a middle name meme. Since I like her so much I agreed to comply.

1. You must post the rules on your post before you answer the questions.
2. You need to list one fact about yourself using each letter of your middle name. If you don't have a middle name use your maiden name instead.
3. When you are finished with your answers, you tag one person.

Life and Laughter. I am a believer of living life to the fullest: trying new things, having new experiences, and laughing all the way through. I follow the motto "Go big or go home." When I have my mind set on something I do it big, with style, and try to have a soundtrack.

Intrepid. This is something that I am striving to become. I have always wanted to be fearless and bold. In fact, a few of you know that my thoughts on love vs. fear. Here is a mini version of the idea: You can either love or fear. We know that perfect love casteth out fear. Fear (we are not talking about rational fears) use a lot of energy that we might better put to use in loving those around us. There are two cycles that we can get into: a negative cycle and a positive cycle. A Negative Cycle goes like this: Fear leads to Selfishness creating Social Conflict producing Scarcity and reinforcing Fear. A Positive Cycle goes like this: Love inspires Sharing, creating Cooperation that generates Abundant Provision and reinforces Love.

Night Owl. I do not go to sleep until the wee hours of the morning. Seriously, last night it was 2:30 am. This is followed by me not waking up until 9:00 am. I have tried to change this behavior but it seems to be a very difficult habit to break. In fact, a few nights ago I went to sleep at 1:30 am and I was very proud of myself. It is not like I am partying into all hours of the night. No, not me. I am usually in my bed at 11:30 pm. What do I do for the next few hours? I blame the internets. Those darn series of tubes that allow me to know/ look up anything. Last night: BBC's brain map. So fascinating for my line of work. A few night before: BBC's quiz "what sex is your brain." This really needs to stop. Oh, yeah, my brain is perfectly balanced between a masculine and feminine brain. Just saying.

I tag...Kaylyn and Mary.

Public Service Announcement # 88: If you'd like to waste time on the internets click here: http://www.ehow.com/how_2128669_waste-time-internet.html

Birthday Festivities

I have had the most incredible weekend filled with laughter, singing, dancing, plays, old and new friends, and deep talks. How does one top a weekend like this? You do not.

Friday
It all started out on Friday night. Trent took me to the musical rendition of The Secret Garden at the enchanting Little Theatre of Alexandria. I have always loved the story of The Secret Garden and its symbolism of life and growth. Pair such a great story with inspiring music and I become all excited! During intermission, we joined the other theatregoers in a social hall. I love this part of the theatre experience because you get to do some great people watching. My favorite people were the old men that wear blazers over a turtleneck. I counted five men sporting this look. Simply timeless.

Saturday – My Birthday

First off, I want to thank my parents for giving me life...along the Arco Highway…in a car. I am grateful to them for their love and support.

My day started out by spending the morning in the temple. I could not have found a better way to bring peace, love, and joy into my day. Then Trent took me to an amazing lunch at Zaytinya in D.C. The food (Mediterranean tapas) and ambiance were perfect. My favorite dish was the Kibbeh – a beef and wheat fritter stuffed with almonds, pine nuts, and currants. I could have seriously eaten it all day. The bread dip was olive oil with pomegranate...oh my gosh...it was fantastic.

That night, Mary threw me a party with the help of Trent, Kim, and Wayne. Mary made the theme "Mandy in Wonderland." We decorated the house with bright colors, streamers, and hanging lanterns. The food was based off of the Mad Hatter tea party so we served cookies and hot cider. My wonderful friends made the most cookies that I have ever seen in one room!!! I, of course, dressed up like Alice: blue, white, and black headband. The party was a complete success – due to Mary’s exceptional party planning skills. I am grateful for all of her hard work and friendship that she has given to me. That night we sung (proudly) along to Kareoke. We sang and danced for hours. The two best songs of the night: "Taking Care of Business" and "Sold" – I loved it. I was also blessed to have an old friend, Alysha, from Middle School and High School visiting and attend the party. It was a wonderland!!!

Mary and I lost in Wonderland

Alysha and I * Facebook status: Wayne is the cookie monster.

Hula Hoops * Trent and I: bright as the sun..

Millie, Katie, Wayne, Mary, SCOTT, me

Drama of "I'll be your backer"

Sunday

This was the day that I set aside to thank some of my closest friends for their constant support and loving me just as I am. In order to thank them, I had them over for a sit down, Italian dinner. I love eating with my friends. We talked about the first time I had met each of them. Some were good encounters and some were not so good, but none the less they have all become dear to me. My friends took turns to say some of the things that they were grateful about me: thanks for ego boosting!!!

Late Sunday night I was able to spend more time with Alysha, my old friend. I had not seen her for nearly nine years yet it was so easy for us to talk about our lives: disappointments, blessings, growing experiences, and our wishes for the future. How wonderful it was to sit with an old friend and to be able to just talk as if no time had gone by! It was also deeply touching to be able to see who someone has become and to understand a little about the path that got them to where they are currently. It left me thankful for my experiences in life that have made me who I am today. I would not change them, especially the ones that hurt. These experiences have become my instructors and great friends.

In conclusion, thank you. Each of you have made an impact on my life and helped me along the way. I hope that I have made a positive impact on your lives.

Mary, Me, and Kaylyn - I love these girls.

Trent and me * Kim, me and Millie: great roommates

I just love all of these people!! Thanks for being such great friends!

Public Service Announcement # 87: Need a friend? http://www.ehow.com/how_2054724_be-friend.html