Memorial Day Weekend - Part 2

On Saturday most of our group got the opportunity to work at the Southern Virginia University Open House. It was really cool to get to see how the school puts on one of these events. I came to SVU after being here for EFY so it was different but I enjoyed getting to talk to students and parents and help answer questions. The tour was probably my favorite part, and thats when a lot of students would ask me questions about housing and rules of campus and different clubs and majors.

After the Open House finished we scrambled to get everyone packed and together at the same house. We took two cars, my snazzy rental and Jesse's car. Our first stop was the Washington, DC Temple where we had an appointment to do baptisms. Jesse drove with Mari and Katrina and Sara, Tyler and Tori came in my car. We took some photos after our time at the temple and then headed up to Olney, MD for some Cafe Rio {insert Tyler's "devil voice" here followed by an equally creepy sounding Baja Fresh}. We then decided to hit up the Jefferson Memorial before heading to our place of rest in Arlington, VA (does that sound weird? We were staying at Sara's sister's place... and would be resting there.... hmmm). I figured since Jefferson isn't one you normally walk to from the mall we should get that one done that night. It was beautiful. I love the monuments at night. From Jefferson, Lincoln, and Washington you get such great views of the district.

After that we made our way to KCM's house in Arlington, VA, but not before my GPS could get us lost...

to be continued....

The "back" of the "front" of the DC Temple

Jesse thought these giant dandelions were cool...

Jesse and Tyler

The girls - Katrina, Tori, Me and Sara. As soon as we got up there the wind started blowing our skirts and dresses around and it made for an awkward few moments while we tried to figure it out.

Tyler forgot to turn in his clip from the baptistry and then we teased him a little for "Stealing" from the temple. (Okay, it was just me but I thought it was funny and this picture is too. I like his creepy shadow to the left of him)

Me and the DC Temple!

Sara, Tori, Tyler, Mari, Jesse, Katrina and me.

My attractive friends at Cafe Rio. Sorry, but there needs to be proof. :)

I was telling George Mason a secret I guess. It was Mari's idea but I think its a fun photo.

Washington and Jefferson from the Tidal Basin

Tori, Sara and Tyler looking out on the tidal basin towards Washington

Karaoke

 

 There are few places I'll actually sing.

Church. The shower. My car.

Not at Franks for the Memories, except almost two weeks ago when I sang four lines - that was enough for me. Notice that one of them was "I hate you". Well, that was rude, and untrue. 

Also, let us notice my lovely quadruple chin when I finally give in to Tyler & Jesse. It's pretty attractive, so thanks Jesse, for filming from that angle. 

Basically - I love my friends.

On the Soap Box - Happy Valentine's Day

I don't remember when it started, but somewhere in the last 21.5 years I have fallen in love with love. For all intents and purposes I will blame one, Samantha Kealoha, and you know why. I think out of the trio she was the one most set on never letting us forget Valentine's Day. February 14th never passed without us celebrating in properly. Thanks, dear.

However, on the SVU campus we have a disease called "Im-going-to-celebrate-singles-awareness-day-and-not-Valentines-Day-because-Im-single". Personally, I want to know where this came from. I never heard of Singles Awareness Day until my freshman year at SVU when girls ran around on 2.14 with "SAD" shirts on. Really? This year, in our schools newspaper publication (for which I manage the finances) had our Valentines Issue come out without me really... looking at it before hand. Since some of you do not go to SVU or are not close enough to campus to check it out, I'll sum it up for you - One article was "A Single Girls Guide to an Anti-Valentines Day Celebration".

What?!

Since when is being single a reason to not like Valentine's Day? Since when are women now so controlled by their relationship status that if they are not with someone they automatically feel the desire... nay, right to wallow in self-pity for 24 hours. I do have a friend with a great excuse for preferring SAD to Valentine's but the rest of you have no excuse, sorry.

Valentine's Day may be a holiday that is highly commercialized. It may be a day that kind of makes you sick from all the excessive pda couples feel they can show because its Valentine's Day but you know what? Its a great day!

It is a day to remember love. All kinds of love. Love from your parents, and to them. Love for the rest of your family. Love for the best friends that are so fantastic you just spent nearly $500 for a plane ticket (and you hate flying) just so you can see them. Is it wrong if I say this is even a day to remember the greatest gift of love, ever, The Atonement. No.

It is a day to love.

To remember love, to share love, to be obnoxious about love with construction paper hearts and thickly iced cookies, to dance around with your best friend at the last Valentine's dance you'll be in the same state for.

Off the soapbox.

:)

Now for some pictures of my last few Valentine's celebrations in Virginia.

Freshman Year - Sadie Hawkins Dance

Sophomore Year - Brayden & I broke up and then got back together on Valentines Day
Looking back, especially at this photo, Im not suprised we broke up two weeks later
:)

Senior Year - At the SVU Valentines Day Rave with Mal

Senior Year - Valentines Day
Celebrating National Creeper Day (take 2) with some of my FHE "Kids"

All in all, some really fun times have been had.

One left!!

I have made it through finals week, YES! Im alive, barely, and still kicking and I really cannot wait to finish my last exam. Algebra was on wednesday, and I am pretty sure I got at least a B on the test. It wasnt the easiest but I brought my ipod, zoned out (or i guess in, to the test) and stayed for 2 hours. I am almost positive its the longest I have ever taken on a college final, but I felt really good about it when I left. This morning was Macro, which yeah.. it was the final wrap up of a really bad grade. I knew I was doing horribly, I just dont get the material but I am thankful for the opportunity I had to take the class and learn that I do not ever want to be an economist :-) Tomorrow is my Financial Accounting final and I feel pretty secure about it. I took an accounting course in high school and this test is pretty much covering everything I learned there with just a tad more depth to it. I dont think it will be too hard but I am ready to get it over with.

Sadly, it looks as if Mallory and I will not be leaving for home tomorrow but on saturday. Seems that there is a storm hitting a part of PA that we would be in, at the time we would be there if we left tomorrow after my test. There are also storms hitting back home in NY but if we leave early enough on saturday we should beat them and be fine. I also think I feel a little safer if something comes in closer to home, at least I know my area, if we get stuck in PA its not exactly friendly teritory.

On a better note though today I signed up to become an group fitness instructor... Me? I know! I thought the same thing. Last spring Mallory and I started going to this class called Body Attack on campus. Its a pretty intense aerobic workout lasting about 60 minutes (it starts as about 45 and builds until the end of the semester) that is run under the Les Mills fitness program. Its taught by a professor here named Tobie Bauman who amazes me every class. She is very high energy, very fit and so much fun. She really made me enjoy the class, and so Mallory and I did that all last spring semester. Then we started up this fall with a new attack program trying to get SVU to be a certified Les Mills training facility. Basically this means that we can train people to teach at our SVU location, it involves lots of hard work (and $190) but once you are certified (which happens after you send in a video at the end of your training and hours of instruction) you can teach in any location that offers these programs. Its great because when I go home over the summer I can teach at a local gym and make some money doing something I really love. It is very exciting and I was worried I wouldnt be able to have time to teach but it looks like I will and I really cant wait. Only slight downside is I really have to keep up my workouts over christmas break to make sure when we start learning the new lesmills program, my body is at least more prepared to handle it.

Okay well its house checks tonight and I really need to finish cleaning and packing! BYE!


oh yeah... I LOVE NY!