April Showers

This past weekend I made a road trip up to Pennsylvania for my cousin Sarah’s wedding shower! The entire road trip all I could think about was Intercourse, PA. It is a real place. Amish country baby.

The drive up was easy. I had no idea how many MOUNTAINS were in PA. Geez. I left DC at 7am and pulled into the parking lot at 12:30 ready to set up for the shower and get everything ready for the bride to be!

My Aunt Carol and Sarah’s two roommates who put on the shower, did a great job of decorating and making it “just right.”  Sarah’s wedding colors are pink and green.  Her favorite color as long as I can remember has always been green. Always.

Originally, this shower was supposed to be a surprise. But Sarah’s fiance, Jeff, just couldn’t keep his mouth shut and spilled the beans weeks in advance! I was kind of bummed about it, but also glad that I wasn’t the one to ruin the surprise. It was still a shock to see me, surprise or not.

We tried to throw her off on the location a little bit, but it just didn’t work. She is too smart for that. And her campus is only about an acre, so she knows every twist and turn. If I could go through NCSU with my eyes closed, I am 100% sure she would be able to direct through Geneva!

Working her bride magic!

so many presents!

Her rehearsal bouquet!

All of the Geneva girls!

3 of the 4 Garlow girls. Yes, there are only 4.

Mother and daughters. Aunt Carol, Sarah, Miranda

The only sisters in the Garlow Clan. The rest of us are stuck with brothers!

{{P.S I am sorry about the picture quality. I got all of these pictures off Facebook, because it is so much easier to “copy image location” than it is to upload everything several times… and as we all know Facebook trashes picture quality to the highest degree.}}

After the shower I was able to go see Sarah’s apartment, and we all went over to another bridesmaids house to hang out and chit-chat. Let’s just say there were some exciting topics of conversation, and my head was falling over at 10:30. Getting up at 6am and then driving 5.5 hours really can wear a girl out!  Even though I was two seconds away from passing out it was so great to see Sarah’s life up in Pennsylvania. Her friends, where she is going to live after she gets married, where she goes to school… it was just great to see the life she has made for herself.

On Sunday I forced her to go to the bridal shop and try on her wedding gown for me. I might have said, “this is the only time I am going to force you to do something I want for your wedding. Oh, wait, never mind… your bachelorette party. This is one of two things I am going to make you do.” I am dying to show you all the pictures I took of her in her gown, but alas, I cannot. Let’s just say this cheese balls eyes got all watery and I couldn’t stop touching the lace. Oh, the lace! She is going to be so stunning! I cannot wait!

My drive back was nothing more than pure torture. (I am so glad it happened on the drive back.) I decided to take the toll route figuring it would be like all other toll routes in Northern USA, but was I wrong.  My new route took me through Pittsburgh… At one moment I was driving through a tunnel thinking, “this isn’t so bad. I don’t mind tunnels,” and then it put me directly out onto a bridge.  My breath literally caught in my throat.  WHO THE HECK DESIGNS DEATH TRAPS LIKE THAT!? Horrible Steelers fans, that is who.

I am really glad I was able to make it up to Beaver Falls, PA, for Sarah’s shower. After last weekend, I wasn’t sure if I was just going to be “up for it,” but I am so glad that I just threw myself in my car and drove. It was so nice to see family, and be with people that you love and that love you. It was exactly what I needed.

Katelyn

On What It Felt Like to Turn 23

At work this morning everybody asked how my birthday went and how it feels to be 23.

I immediately started crying. That is how my birthday went.

So, how does it feel to be 23?

It feels like lonely. It feels like I am the only one on the face of this earth called Washington DC that tends to cry on the daily and wish I could be transported back to NC whenever I want. It feels like I want last summer every day.

Now, my birthday wasn’t bad, don’t get me wrong. My parents and little brother Jacob came up to visit me in DC, and we had a great Saturday weekend. I graduated from Washington Scholars with a pretty sweet diploma, explored Georgetown with my family and ran into friends from Winston in the line at Georgetown cupcakes, and topped Saturday off attending a banquet that I about lost my mind getting ready for.

Then Sunday came, the day of my actual birthday. I woke up with my lovely puppy on my bed, wondered why she was there, realized that I wasn’t home, and I immediately felt “off.” It just didn’t feel right. Waves of Facebook messages came through from family, friends and those people you sit there and think, “Why are they writing on my wall right now?” Texts, phone calls, emails… all the like were coming in, and I just couldn’t get excited.  My parents showed up mid-morning and we got ready and headed out to Target to get some supplies for my new room (pics later on that) and spend time together.

The weather on Sunday was not birthday worthy. It was freezing and pouring the rain all day long. I had this cute Spring outfit all planned out, but due to the weather my birthday outfit ended up being a pull-over and jeans. So not only did I mentally feel off, but now I physically felt off.  I don’t know how to describe it, but it just didn’t feel like my birthday. We went to Target and started ripping things off the shelf just to get out. “Oh, this towel is $4.00? I’ll take it in red, let’s move on.” My parents continuously asked, “are you sure you don’t need anything else?” How am I supposed to know? I currently feel completely numb; there is no way that I can think about if I need body wash or food.

Lunch at Olive Garden turned out to be a disaster. I picked OG because it was where I always went at home for my birthday, and I didn’t know of any good Mexican places in the area.  The waiter was horrible. I forgot my ID in my clutch from the banquet the night before and he didn’t believe that it was my 23^rd birthday. I didn’t even get a SAMPLE of wine on my birthday.  The whole day all I could think about was that they were leaving later.  They were leaving on my birthday.

After we said our good byes I went up to my room and sobbed into my dogs fur and immediately thought if I didn’t see them before they  left I was just going to die. So I ran down the stairs out into the pouring rain and luckily they had not driven off yet. I spent the next twenty minutes sobbing and begging them not to leave. Just stay. I just wanted to know somebody and be around people that love me for a little bit longer.

And then they left, and I went upstairs and cried some more while watching 4 episodes of Downton Abbey.

It isn’t about that it was raining on my birthday, or that I didn’t feel like I was “special” that made my birthday such a cry fest for me.  It was the simple fact that I was getting all of these messages from loved ones that I could be with on my special day, but instead once my parents left I was going to be in a city full of people that I didn’t know, mean people.

Three things were said to me that made me feel somewhat okay about yesterday:
My mom said: “Don’t think about that the people you love aren’t with you, just think about that you have so many people that love you.”
My dad said: “If you don’t like it, I will rent a U-Haul and move you back home. Just let me know when the time comes.”
Sally said: “Days like today are just hard because they are different from normal. But today you should be so proud of how far you have come this year.  You are brave and strong and independent and have accomplished such a big goal by your 23^rd birthday.”

There are days where I feel brave, there are days that I feel like living in Washington DC is some magical dream that really isn’t happening, there are days where I feel like my dreams are coming true, and then there are days like yesterday… that just happened to be my birthday.

Accomplishing your dreams aren’t easy, and there are going to be those days where you weep and cry and feel so lonely.

Honestly, I don’t know what is in store for me in Washington DC. I just can’t know.

What I do know is that being here can be so overwhelmingly lonely that it consumes me.  Those are the days where I probably piss Sally off from texting her 500 times an hour or drive my mom insane from calling her every hour.  I also know those days happen more times that I would like to admit.  I am trying to make the effort, joining softball and soccer teams, asking work people to go out for happy hours and trying to meet up with NCSU alumni team whenever there is an event.  I know that three months isn’t that long to get settled in a new city. I heard that it takes 2 years until you can really feel settled into a new city.  I really hope it doesn’t take two years.

I wouldn’t say that I have become older and wiser in the year between 22 and 23, but I can say that I have gotten stronger.

Katelyn

“It’s Okay.”

It’s Okay that I re-signed my family up for Netflix… after my dad cancelled our account. {{Dad, it is just the instant play, NOT the mailing one. }}

It’s Okay that I have become instantly obsessed with Downton Abbey, available on Netflix.

It’s Okay that Season 2 of DA is not available on Netflix, but is on iTunes… and I will more than likely pay the $15 to watch it. all. in one night.

It’s Okay that I can’t even focus on work because my family and my PUPPY are coming up TOMORROW! But really, I am worthless.

It’s Okay that my 23rd birthday is on Sunday, and I had my office birthday lunch yesterday. We went to Cheesecake Factory… it was an utter disaster. That’s okay too.

It’s Okay that this is the FOURTH day in a row I have not done my hair. I didn’t even brush it today. Go ahead, judge away you judgers.

It’s Okay that I figured out the perfect baby gift for my future cousinfew (cousin/nephew) {{I refuse to call him cousin. The kid is my nephew. fact.}} I.am.so.excited.

It’s Okay that I am not ashamed I am really pumped for Justin Bieber’s new Album to come out in June.

Katelyn

Only in The District

I completely forgot to tell you about the crazy amazing thing that I witnessed on Tuesday.

There has been all of this hype about the shuttle, Discovery, arriving in Washington D.C to be added to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. (The one at Dulles. The one none of you knew about.)  People were taking off work, setting up brunch parties on their patio, all for the sake of seeing a space shuttle attached to a Boeing.

via

I can’t lie, I was really excited about the thought, but since I work in Arlington, I didn’t think that I was going to be able to see it.  I remember when I went to NASA in Florida with my family as a kid. I mostly remember wanting to ride the simulators and begging for Dip N’ Dots, neither happened.

I was working super hard on an Excel Project designed by the Devil himself when I heard everybody say, “Did you see it?! Did you see it!?” As I run to the windows, I am informed that I missed it, and that it went STRAIGHT OVER MY BUILDING. I was shaking I was so furious with my hard working self. So, I just stood at the window and waited, and waited for that dang plane carrying that space shuttle. And then I saw it. I heard it way before I saw it; the plane was only flying at 1,500 feet.  I saw the reflection in the window of the building across from mine, the people in other offices plastered to the window pointing, the window started vibrating and then it flew straight in front of my face.  I swear it was so close. I got goosebumps and immediately wanted to go to space camp.

via

Everybody in the office had their face pushed up against the windows, wide-eyed, and hearts thumping. You never thought a space shuttle attached to a plane could make 60+ adults lose their minds.  We had Fox News playing in the other room and they were showing footage of people running out of buildings onto the mall and taking pictures.

DC Shut down.

Luckily, the plane made 4 circles around DC, so I got to see it multiple times.  The best part was when it flew right outside my window and I could feel the windows shake, but a pretty good second place moment was when I could look out and see it flying right over the Washington Monument and Capitol. Honestly, it just didn’t feel real.

All y’all are probably thinking, “she is crazy to be getting so excited over this.” And you could be right. But seeing the most flown space craft in American History fixed on top of a plane, followed by a fighter jet… I am sure you would get excited too.

A girl I work with got a picture that she sent over to me. Unfortunately, I was to enamored with the idea of seeing this plane with my face fixed to the glass, practically slobbering like a dog for a sight of this thing, I did not think about getting pictures to show you. That is what the professionals whose pictures are above are for.

This was the forth and final time the shuttle passed by, it was also the furthest away.  Do you see the corner of the building in the far left?  That is where it passed over when I saw it for the first time. Like I said, so close. 

It will be on display at the Air and Space Museum over by Dulles Airport this weekend, maybe I will get my parents to go!

Happy Hump Day!

Katelyn

What about fate?

This week has been going by painfully slow. You want to know why? Because every single time you have something to look forward to on the weekend, the week decides to play tricks on you and make you think its Friday, when in reality, it is Tuesday. We all can guess what I would inappropriately say to Tuesday. Especially since this upcoming weekend is the mother load of weekends.

Friday I have my Washington Scholars Fellowship graduation and my parents are coming up (with my dog. whether they like it or not.) Did I mention my baby Sadie is FINALLY coming to DC to live with me!? Saturday, we are going to move me from Herndon (Siberia in terms of DC) to Arlington where I am going to be able to walk to work! I am also attending a banquet that I mentioned yesterday.  Sunday is my 23rd birthday! Somewhere along the weekend a trip to IKEA and Georgetown Cupcakes will be involved. That coconut cupcake is mine, and mine only.

Even for a slow moving Tuesday that I want to “quote scripture” at, it has been a day full of greatness! I moved desks, thank the Lord above. No more singing, humming, dancing, screaming, conversations to one self from the intern beside me. I described it as “finally having my bubble.” It is glorious.

And the best news of the day!?!?!?! My little brother, Jared, accepted the offer from Limestone College in South Carolina today to play soccer! My lil’ bro is a Division II athlete!

It has been his dream ever since I can remember to be a collegiate soccer player.  There are a lot of reasons that make this day so special for him, and that make me one proud big sister.

First off, like I said above this has been his dream forever. Now, I can relate to what it feels like to accomplish something you have been striving for with all your might. Even though our dreams were drastically different… Jared wanted to be a collegiate soccer player, mine to work and live in Washington DC, dreams are dreams.  He has put so many extra miles, extra hours and all around extra effort to take his soccer abilities to the next level.

Knowing what it feels like to accomplish such a sought after dream, I can only imagine the elation he feels inside right now. He DID IT, he became what he has always wanted to be.  That feeling is something that nobody can take away from you.  No matter how terrible it may get sometimes, no matter how bad you may feel some days, no matter how alone you are in the beginning, nobody and I mean no one can take away the fact you accomplished your dreams.  And I can guarantee you the only people that will try, are those that are too scared to accomplish their dreams on their own.  Squash them like a bug, and move on.

{{Cue mothers tears}}

We also didn’t know this moment would ever happen. Jared has worked his whole life, especially his high school career, to better himself in the game. He has dedicated every fiber of his being to be better than everybody else. And during one of his last high school games this past fall he tore the meniscus in his right knee. It was terrifying for me; I can’t even imagine how he felt. Not knowing what the outcome could be. Just because one slide tackle went wrong, his hopes and dreams could come crashing down. We all knew it, we all were scared. His friends, his family, his not so good friends all understood one thing… All Jared has ever wanted to do is play soccer, and now he might not be able to. His recovery could have taken up to 6 months, in which he would have lost his premier soccer league season, and any hope of getting noticed. He could have never been able to play again, at his level of play, the only level he knows, because of this injury.  Everything that he had worked so hard for could have gone up in smoke.

But it didn’t. His meniscus was so damaged they had to take the entire thing out, which meant faster recovery time. He put in many painful hours of PT to get back into shape and ready to play for his Fusion team. He fell head first, got back up, and freaking ran up the mountain.

Obviously, it has always been God’s plan for Jared to play soccer in college. The stars have aligned, and he has been placed in South Carolina. He will be the collegiate soccer player he has worked so hard to be. He made it.

It is weird, because I feel such at peace right now. Like everything is exactly as it should be.

Katelyn

 

Monday Funday

Today is actually going great considering that is the dreaded Monday.

I didn’t end up falling asleep until the wee hours of the morning, and only because I took a sleeping pill. Note to everyone: ONLY TAKE SLEEPING PILLS WHEN YOU WILL BE GETTING 8 HOURS OF SLEEP. All caps were necessary. I was shouting at you. I felt like I seriously was plastered drunk when I woke up this morning. “What happened to me?” Might have gone through my mind.  Then I remembered. Never again people, never again.

Friday. 

After work on Friday I headed to Rooftop (obviously, a rooftop bar) in Arlington with co-workers and had a great time  being sandwiched in between hundreds of strangers and talking about baseball, work, all the things young professionals talk about. (Seriously, laughing at myself right now.)  When did I become a young professional? I still laugh when somebody says penis in a conversation.  {{I am currently laughing out loud at work right now.}}

There was a Capital Alumni Club softball kick-off party downtown. I wasn’t sure if I was going to go. I really just felt like curling up on my bed and watching The Masters Classic: Downton Abbey on Netflix, but I dragged myself downtown and had the best time e.v.e.r. I drove! I was so thrilled to actually be able to drive and not rely on the Metro or buses. It was close to Christmas morning.  When I got the bar there was a table of guys set up checking ID’s. I handed him my ID and he responded with, “I don’t need to see that {{wink}}” My reply was, “um, dude, I am 22 no need to wink and think you are doing me a favor.” “Okay, you just head on in there and enjoy yourself.”  I sure will ex-frat dude that thinks he is the bomb, I sure will.

I immediately found NC State friends.  We were right next to the live band, taking up three table lengths for  massive game of girls vs. guys flip cup.  I am proud to say my “one and done” came back full-force. It was like I had never left college.  It was really nice to have a group of people to scream, “Wagon Wheel,” with and talk about how much we hate the Tar Holes.  NCSU is playing Miami today in softball on the mall. I am kind of super pumped.

Saturday: 

I found this gem on Facebook. I was crying laughing so hard. I bet you can’t guess which one my little brother is.

If you honestly can’t guess, he is the one dead center, front row… the one wearing cargo shorts, a brown polo and a rainbow tie from the 6th grade, in all of his Captain Morgan stance glory. Every one else on the team is fratted out to the max, and then there is Jacob…
I am related to that.

My other little brother, Jared also went to his Senior prom on Saturday night! I was just so sad. I am sad that he is growing up, but watching them grow up means that I am getting older. I just refuse that I am growing up and all that stuff that happens in your twenties, and I can’t keep being in my denial stage of grief when my little brother goes to his senior prom. {{and I book my flight for his high school graduation.}} I just cannot handle this.

p.s we look NOTHING alike. So much so when him and I go out and run errands together, everybody thinks we are dating. Solid.

His date was Kaleigh. I was her volleyball coach this past fall, and they have been going to school together since KINDERGARTEN! I was SO elated {{yes, elated}} that he chose to take a good, solid, wonderful, beautiful, terrific girl to prom. Way to go J-Man.  But seriously.

In order to deal with my hot flash of depression about growing up, I went shopping.  Next weekend I am attending this banquet and needed a dress for the occasion.  Of course, whenever you really need something, you can never find it. I went dress-less all weekend. I did find some cute dress shirts on sale and then a bathing suit, but no dress. I am just going to wear something I had in the back of my closet and hope it works. If they wanted a super fancy date, they shouldn’t have asked a brand-new to the area, recent college grade, poor, 22-year-old. That is when you go for the cougars. fact.

I also came up with the best Bridal Shower idea for my cousin! Her shower is April 28th. It was supposed to be a surprise but her fiance told her all about it… so I can announce the date now. I will have to let y’all know how the “idea” comes together!

Have a great week!

Katelyn

Thank Sweet Baby Jesus for Friday.

I cannot begin to explain to you how happy that I am today is Friday.  It has been slightly hectic here at the work place.  I had a meeting this morning on Economics (I don’t do economics) that I thought was optional.  So, I get to the office, sit down to complete the project I had due at noon and got to work. Then I noticed that NOBODY was here… and then the VP leaves and I am like OH, ____!  If the VP goes… I go. So I ditch the project and head to the meeting across the street.

My project did not get finished at noon. Our communications team is going Bat S. Crazy trying to deal with something that popped up today. A fellow intern that I sit beside has put me over the edge. He talks to himself, and hums, and sings, and smacks his lips, and will yell, and dance and just DRIVES ME INSANE!  I have put up with it for a little over two months, and if you know me, that is showing an extraordinary amount of patience.  Finally, I moved desks today.  I.just.could.not.take.it.anymore.  I understand that people have to compromise when you are in close quarters, like the intern pit, but having complete disregard for the people around you, and disrespecting the fact they also have work to do is completely uncalled for. I just had to move.

So, I am sitting at my borrowed desk at the moment trying not to lose my mind. Yes, we might be in the middle of a crisis, but if I didn’t take this time to type out this quick blog I might have just started shaking and ended up in the floor in the fetal position.

Don’t doubt me, it could definitely happen.

In order to bring some happiness into this cray cray day, here is Fill in the Blank Friday.

1.  Today is a good day because   Um, it’s Friday.  I am wearing skinny jeans, Keds and a plaid over sized shirt to work.  I live for casual Friday.

2.   The best thing I did all week was play a back-to-back softball and soccer game. I played softball with the NCSU alumni group here in The District. I had a great time! I played right center field, and got a grounder and threw to second base for an out! boom. I also was up to bat twice (we had a long batting line-up) and got on base both times! Who says that a girl that has never played softball before, can’t play softball? Also, I played soccer with my work place after my softball game. I booked it from the Mall to Capitol Heights {{Insert Ghetto}} to play soccer at 9:00.  We won our game 3-0!  :)

3.  The current weather is     sunny and windy       and it makes me feel    cold and wishing the wind would just STOP .

4. The best thing about spring is    I get to wear all these pretty colors! And I am getting closer and closer to the beach!

5. A fashion trend that I’m dying to try out for spring is  colored denim. I would totally have a pair already if I wasn’t poor. I am going to hit up TJ Maxx this weekend… I’ll keep you updated.

6. A person who made me smile this week was   my dad, because he paid my student loans for me this month. {{But I immediately put the money I would have spent on loans in my savings. The joys of being a fiscal conservative. }}  ALSO, my cousin Beth!  She is totes preggers and found out yesterday that she is having a baby boy!  I am so excited. He will be an NCSU fan… even though he will be living in Colorado. Whatever.

7.  The most delicious thing I ate all week was   a PB & J sandwich. It just hit the spot.

Have a great rest of your Friday! I am going to try my best not to end up in frustration tears. Good day.

Katelyn

6 Reasons We Couldn’t Be BFF’s

I was going to do “6 Reasons We COULD Be BFF’s” but I could already feel the judging eyes of everybody who would read the post as I was writing my list. I don’t think, “being able to contribute to the Garlow ugly list,” is something people would high five me for.  So here are 6, slightly less offensive, reasons that we couldn’t be friends.

Most of them are forgivable if there is just one that you qualify for, but stack them up on top each other, we might be facing each other in the Hunger Games. You are FoxFace.  I am Katniss. I’m sorry, but that is just the way things have to be.

#6 – You don’t like Sports

I know sports aren’t really every girls thing, but you have to be able to sit and watch a college football game on a Saturday and understand what “blitz” means.  Also, you have to pick one team and one team only. You can’t like Duke AND Carolina. {{Face it, nobody bandwagons NCSU.}} Imagine what the state of NY would do to you if they found out you were a Jets AND a Giants fan.  Bandwagon fans also fall under this category.  You can’t just LOVE the Yankess because they remind you of your super dreamy ex-boyfriend and you “like the way Derek Jeter’s butt looks in his baseball pants.” I hate the Yankess and I am fond of DJ in baseball pants, let’s get real.  Also, if you don’t know who Mia Hamm or Abby Wambach is, get out of my house.

#5 – If you don’t like to read.

This may sound weird, because I’m sure a lot of you aren’t obsessed with reading.  I am a total nerd.  There are times that I would rather sit on a couch and read a book next to you with a bottle of Moscato each as our Friday night hangout then go out all dolled up to throw back some Rita’s.  I like to go out and have a good time, but I am also really into being chill.  Chill=reading.  So if you are the going out every night, wanting to party all the time… we just aren’t going to get along.  Number five also includes, if you don’t like Harry Potter. If you haven’t read HP, we can fix that, but if you DON’T LIKE Harry Potter, again, get out of my house.

#4 – You’re an obnoxious Democrat.

Notice. I didn’t write you off for being a normal democrat. Just let me get to know you first before we start the politics conversation. I know, I know, I work in politics, I am surrounded by it all the time.  But one thing I have noticed about obnoxious democrats is that they are so emotional. Granted, obnoxious any party people can get emotional (Ron Paul supporters anyone, anyone?), but dems take it to a whole different level.  I am fine with differing views and talking about those views in a professional and non-threatening manner, but once you start personally attacking me {{which they always do}}… well, you’ll find out.  On the other side, obnoxious Republicans are almost as equally annoying, because they give Republicans a bad rap.  So, moral of the story, don’t be obnoxious about politics; know the facts.

#3 – If you’re too nice.

I am being serious with this.  People that are just so nice, all of the time just don’t seem like real people. Get mad that somebody stole our taxi and we are left standing in the rain, or if your plans completely fall apart, or if your ex-best friend got bangs and they actually look good… just get passionate about something. I work with multiple “too nice” people, and I just want to throw my computer at them.  So your computer crashes right as you finish that op-ed you have been working on all day and the deadline is in five minutes, and you are just like oh well, I better just start over? Can you start over by me punching you in the face? Also, too nice people won’t tell me my outfit looks like crap, or that I probably actually should attempt at brushing my hair that day. Friends tell friends when they look bad. fact. People that are too nice will just be like, “oh yeah, you look great! Want me to drive?”  Girl, I know I look like I just got twirled up in a blender and then poured out, and we all know that we paper/rock/scissors for driving, but sure you go start your car while I go brush my hair.

sorry I'm not sorry.

#2 – If you take yourself seriously.

I know there are times that you need to take yourself seriously. Kind of. But there is no reason what-so-ever you need to worry about what every single person you cross paths with thinks of you.  It is healthy to be able to laugh at yourself.  The Garlow family is a lifetime of hazing.  You learn not to be embarrassed about silly things, because even if you are embarrassed/will end up crying… they will do it anyways.  Suck it up, move on, and get a good laugh. End of story.  Also, I am sarcastic, and insensitive in 99.9% of all situations. {{You probably figured throughout this blog post…}}  If you ask me a question, I will tell you my answer. It might hurt your feelings, but I just cannot sugar coat things for you as your friend.  I am not here to braid your hair and tell you that prince charming will come around the corner any second… I’m here to trip you when your date walks to the front door. I want friends that will trip me.

#1 – If you like cats and/or small dogs.

I am being dead serious. I loathe cats with a passion that burns deep inside my soul. Kittens are okay, but once they get fat and their belly hangs down low… we are done. Like the thought is making me gag. Also, they are creepy. They are always there, they are always touching you, they are conniving, they hate their life and their main purpose is to make you hate yours.  On the other hand, if your “dog” can fit in a purse, it is not under any circumstances a dog.  A dog is meant to drag you around the yard, get muddy, leave fur all over your clothes, be able to lick your face, jump on you and knock you over… if your dog is the size of a football I will be tempted to punt it across the room. Fact.

I hope you were able to read this in the completely ridiculous, sarcastic tone I wrote it in. If not, we can’t be friends.

Katelyn

It’s Not Just Monday

But it is the Monday after a Holiday weekend… double Monday probs here peeps.

I got off work on Thursday afternoon, played hooky on Friday and enjoyed a great weekend home doing nothing but getting tortured by my little brother Jacob.  There will be plenty evidence of this once my mom decides to upload her pictures to Facebook so I can steal them.  Just saying.

I might have done some torturing of my own though… Welcome to the family.

And just so you know he launched and egg at Sadie and rubbed yolk all in her fur.  I ran her back to the bathroom for a bath and she thought we were playing… poor girl had to get a bath. Totally worth it.

If you haven’t already seen this… you are welcome.

Have you heard Justin Bieber’s new song, “Boyfriend.” It has been on repeat for about a week straight.  Again, you’re welcome.

I have entered in the “Meet Zac Efron at The Lucky One Premier” contest every single day that it has been open.  I would have confessed my ridiculous love on the blog earlier, but I am selfish, and I didn’t want any of you to enter. The contest ends today. #sorryimnotsorry I am being 100% honest. Maybe God will reward me for my honesty by letting me win.

Story of my life.

I am going and looking at the new potential living situation later this afternoon! I am really excited about it.  If it turns out to be as awesome as I think it will be, I will hopefully be moving over my birthday weekend in two weeks! Cross your fingers that I will no longer have an hour commute each way! It is dreadful and sucks the life out of me. The only thing worse than being stuck between two super smelly giants, is traffic. Luckily for me, I get sandwiched in between super smelly giants in traffic on a daily basis. Help me.

Have a great rest of your Monday!

Katelyn

My Creativity Is Lacking

I can’t think of a title for this post. I don’t think it is possible to not have a title to a post.  Whatever. I don’t feel like making my brain work very hard.

I am finally back in North Carolina, and I get to stay here for three whole days! Goodness gracious.  Some exciting things are happening in D.C.  I am starting to figure out jobs that I want to apply for and I might have a really amazing living situation coming up soon! More deets on that later.

My little brother, Jacob, got his driving license on Monday.  Say WHAAAT!? Yes, all you fellow high school classmates, Jacob, the brother who will always be 12, received his drivers license on Monday.  The world is coming to an end.

I thought I was going to die on my way home, again, because I was responding to emails to press for an upcoming tour we are doing at the work place. yeah. I am an intern and I respond to emails on my vacation.  See anything wrong with that picture? I should have never hooked up my work email to my phone, but now that the deed is done I.just.can’t.stop.

Said potential living situation would allow me to have Sadie in DC! OMG, FREAK OUT! I almost started crying when I found out, and then when I told my dad I was going to take her away he almost started crying.  I can’t help my dog is the bomb.

She missed her mommy.

She is a lover.

Last Sunday I went downtown, yet again all by myself, and explored the American History Museum.  Overall, it is probably my second favorite museum in DC, right behind the Holocaust Museum. {{It’s that WWII thing…}} I don’t like the Holocaust Museum, obviously, you can’t “like” something like that, but I am just so interested about that part of history.  Anyways, here are some pictures of my time at the American History Museum.

Hey mom, I didn’t know you sold our old van to the Smithsonian?

These are pieces of the flag that was flown on the ship where the Star Spangled Banner was written.

Terrible picture, I know. {{all of the pictures in this post are horrible.}} There were so many people and they just all stared at me while I got super excited over this display. This is the evolution of snowboarding... and that is the Shaun White's gear. I was a little excited.

Then we get into the WWII section.

I was so excited about this section, but it was pretty narrow and there were SO MANY PEOPLE.  I don’t do strangers.

The gas ration labels. Depending on which sticker you had depended on how much gasoline you were allowed to get per week.

One thing I love about that era is the print media.  Newspapers were the thing back then, everybody read one,  being a journalist was awesome… and I just love old newspapers.

Part of the Berlin wall. Probably one of my favorite things in the entire museum.

Again, you gotta love old school print media.

I liked the museum a lot, but I felt like there was a lot more that I could have seen.  Many of the exhibits (First Lady Dresses, movie memorabilia, and others) were blocked off and I couldn’t see them.  They had multiple sections on slavery, a huge section on transportation, a pretty good size on inventions, all which were interesting I was just thinking other things were going to be there.  I was hoping to see stuff on literature, news, music, movies, and just much more on American culture.

One thing I wish was in all of these museums is LIGHT! Oh, my, goodness gracious… it is so dim in every single section of well, everything, and you just don’t have any light what-so-ever.  So please, get some brighter light bulbs Smithsonian.

Next stop will more than likely be the Newseum, and I am so excited to go there.  As much as I would love a friend to go with, I need to hit up that museum on my own.  I don’t think anybody could handle the nerd in me for 3 hours.

Have a great Easter weekend!

Katelyn