"I'm going to get some soda" translates into "I really don't want to talk to you so I am going to get some soda so that I don't feel awkward anymore."

Let me vent to you some of my observations of the DC Mormon singles scene. Actually, they're really just general social frustrations.

I really am a social person but sometimes I get annoyed that I am so social. It's one of those personality traits of mine that I wish I could get rid of in the blink of an eye. But I can't. I'm an extrovert, a social butterfly, a flirt. Call it what you will but that's me. Dang it.

My latest observation (see headline). I go to a party. There's food. There's a TON of people. Sometimes there's dancing. Sometimes there's lamo card games (I am not a games person at all). There's themed parties. There's costume parties (watch out Halloween). And there's always an excuse to move on to the next person, the next conversation, the next potential EC.* Whateves.

The most common excuse to get out of a conversation: "I'm going to throw my napkin away now." Or, "I'm going to check out those cookies." Or, "I'm going to make sure my ride is still here." And the list goes on...

I do it. We all do it. We come up with excuses not to talk to someone. Can we get out of this insufferable cycle?

Yah. It's called, "Hey, nice to meet you, see ya later."

It's that easy.

Agh!

*EC translates into eternal companion. Yep, that's our lingo in this LDS culture of ours.

Be the Best Sub Ever

Since moving out here I will admit that I have been slapped in the face by humility. I came out here with 2 1/2 suitcases and a backpack full of my stuff. Other than those things and a few friends I honestly didn't have much to boast. No car, no job, no man...what is a girl to do?

However, as disappointing as things have been (mostly with the job situation), I have been greatly blessed. I now sub at this Catholic School and the people there have been so good to me. In addition to subbing, I help out at the after school program where I get the joy and privilege of telling kids to clean up their messes, to be nice to each other, and to make sure that they wash their hands before they eat their snack. It's completely hilarious because I am doing what I never, ever wanted to do--Be a babysitter. But yet, circumstances are such that I have this opportunity to be with the kids and to teach them, regardless of the environment (school cafeteria or classroom, I mean, what's the difference?)

A couple of weeks ago I started to feel like I was working far beneath my qualifications. I did spend 5 years getting a bachelor's degree, for crying out loud! Not like I was totally complaining because believe me, I am SO grateful to be working. However, I felt like I was entitled to have a better job because, duh, I'm freakin' amazing and a good teacher too (right??).

Then this past weekend I had a lot of time to read because I flew to the west coast and back. I read "The Last Lecture," (which I highly recommend by the way) and one of the lessons learned was that no job is beneath you. In the few paragraphs regarding this topic the author said that, "if you work in the mail room, be the best mail room mail sorter."

It got me thinking that I have the opportunity to be the best sub ever or the best after school supervisor ever. This isn't where I want to be in five years, that's true. Yet, in the meantime, I can be the best at what I do. I can learn, grow, improve and ultimately smell the roses. Heck, I don't have to lesson plan! What a blessing.

So, it has taken this slap of humility to teach me these things. I am grateful for it. Besides being the best sub ever, I am currently the best bus rider, the best walker to the grocery store, the best independent study class taker (working on that one majorly!), the best penny pincher (and working on this one), and the best volunteer ESL teacher.

There's a good reason that God gives us humility...to make us grateful for what we have in the present.

And even after all of this humility, I am still extremely happy.

West Coastin' it in Santa Barbara

I just returned from a quick jaunt to Santa Barbara, CA. My best friend from High School, Kathleen, got married to a handsome Turk. And wow, do they know how to celebrate a wedding! I enjoyed the 24 hours that I was in Southern California. Beautiful sunshine, beach, and surfers. I am reminded why California is so gorgeous! However, I did come back with the realization that I really love the east and am VERY happy living in DC right now. More on that later...

So all around UCSB I saw peeps riding these cruisers. I have a coveting problem now.

And a campus right off the coast? Holy cow. I will admit that I am more of a mountain girl than a beach girl. Good thing I went to school in Utah.

Eighty degrees. Holler!

I just had to throw this in here.

Gangsta' goes west coast.

I was trying to do Karate Kid. But I got this instead. Whatevs.

I recruited some of my old Piedmont pals to do Karate Kid with me. Denise in the middle is doing the Karate chop.

I think this is a cool pic.

Walking along the coast.

Contemplating life's mysteries.

I took a picture of the surfers. They waved at me. I felt giddy.

More surfer dudes walking our way. Bow chicka bow wow. (That's for you, Erin).

The Santa Barbara Mission. Very historical.

With the fountain.

Lillypads.

And me!
I never saw a car decorated like this before! Don't get any ideas, peeps!

Kathleen and her man, Cagdas (Cha-dosh). Beautiful couple. Ps. He sure knows how to dance! Remind me to marry a foreign man.

Marissa, Denise, and I. Old High School buddies.

Hooray for In-N-Out.

I devoured this.
At the reception. They are so cute.

Don't you worry...I danced the night away. Definitely the highlight of the evening. Mom, we're for sure dancing at my wedding.

Kath got her groove on.

Piedmont friends reunite. I haven't seen most of these people in 6 years.

Such a fun 24 hours. Congrats Kathleen!

Cello?

Today, being Columbus Day, many of my friends and I had the day off to gallivant around Charlottesville, VA...also known as the home of Thomas Jefferson (Monticello) and the home of the University of VA.

Here we are pre-Monticello...the odds are obviously in favor of the boys. Lame sauce.

Upon arrival in Monticello...

Thomas Jefferson was very strong...just saying.

Cute groupie.

This just looks funny.

TJ's grave.

Bre. Ash, you know this chica.

Quinn. My fake bf.

Gourds. Reminds me of the fall.

Looking to the future.

Ahh, the rolling hills.

Clint.
Suz.
Roommate loving. This is KA.

Quinn is feeling on top of the world right now.

I thought this was random but cute.

Monticello from the side.

More roommate loving.

And Quinn just had to ruin it...

Nice reading material for the privy.

There's a reason why Clint isn't a professional model.

More prettiness.

Dressed for fall.

Trying to be gangster. Never works.

Pop that collar.

The whole group. We called it 9 brides for 2 brothers.

Who wouldn't want to make a pyramid in front of Monticello?

Clint and I.
Don't know what we're doing besides celebrating the fact that we're alive.

Miss America/Amelia Earhart.

They said I looked like a pilot so I tried to sport it.

Last stop: University of Virginia. Beautiful campus.

Nothing better than fall time in VA. I have such a good life.