big day!

Big Day tomorrow....

Wish me luck, say some prayers and stay tuned...

inspired

It's been a long time. It's not that I don't WANT to blog, it's that I forget or think of other more important things... or just can't decide on a topic.

Some days I don't blog because I'd rather go to happy hour.
Some days I'd rather just sit and catch up with my roommate or boyfriend.
Some days I just want to catch up on my shows.

How trivial and selfish I sound...

Recently I've read blogs about sorority sisters and friends from college who are married and are struggling with getting pregnant or staying pregnant. I can't imagine the pain and sadness they must be going through and how incredibly impressed I am by their strength and composure through it all. How hard that must be to mourn the loss of an unborn child because of a miscarriage, or the pain of multiple months of trying and multiple procedures and nothing. I can't imagine that and it makes me feel like the worries I have on a day-to-day basis are so, so MINOR.

I am impressed, no, down right blown away, inspired, and awed by the strength of these women.
It's still one of those taboo subjects, infertility, that no one talks about. It's more common that we think, than I thought. These women have complete faith that this is what God intended for them and their family and they still pray and rely completely and totally on what God gives them. I pray that they will find support groups and that this topic becomes less taboo than it is now.

I've never once considered that I might have difficulty getting or staying pregnant. Honestly, right now, I am more worried that I'll wait too long to get married and have trouble getting pregnant because of my age. These women are in their late-20s. I've just assumed it would come easy to healthy women at that age. Because it is a rarely talked about subject, this was clearly my naive impression and it is clearly not the case.

I pray for these women and all the women that have had, will have, continue to have problems with infertility. In the future (Mom and Dad, don't worry, wayyyy far away), I pray to not have struggles with pregnancy, but if I do, if God intends that for me and my husband, I hope I am half as strong and as inspiring as these women.

God Bless Them. God Bless Mothers.
Happy Mother's Day.

Keep the faith

...for our Tigers.

As much as I get frustrated with Clemson's poor losses, our 9-3 record, our horrible loss to the worst team in the nation (the SHAMEcocks), and our inconsistency....I still LOVE my Tigers! 

I get very intense with the games as you all know. BUT what frustrates me more is when Tiger fans become fair-weather fans and only cheer and follow when we are doing well and then become negative when we are down.

Remember, to keep the faith.

Remember, that Dabo said that this year wasn't our year. That 2011 and even 2012 would be "in the works" and "improvement" years.

Tiger fans, keep the faith.

Dabo believes.

Sammy believes.

Tajh believes.

I BELIEVE!

GO Tigers!! 

Beat the Hokies! 

Headed to the ACC Championship game in Charlotte this weekend with DC friends.

GOOO TIGERS!

Maryland game

Last Saturday, I traveled with about 90 other young Clemson Alumni to College Park, MD.

My first away game of the season.

We had 2 buses with loads of beer, food, people and tons of college friends. I knew friends from Charleston, Philly, Houston, NYC, and all over the DC metro area.

I made (for my first time) a FAB pasta salad (that, I might add, was devoured in TWO seconds at the tailgate. I only had a small serving myself).

To this:

It was a 7pm game (as all of Clemson's away games have been this season) and colllddd. I'm glad I brought two jackets with me. 

Also, I hate Maryland. Not the state per say, but definitely that school. The campus LOOKS pretty when you drive through it, but the metro is FAR away from the campus and everything is so spread out. Let's not even mention the HORRIBLE, rude, and ungracious fans. 

(My friend got jumped and mugged INSIDE the stadium on the on ramp to the upper deck and got a concussion).

I ran into a few friends that stopped by our tailgate, which was ROCKING with tons of Clemson people. (Thanks to Liz's fabulous organizing).

Anyways, we didn't get our first lead til the 4th quarter and we only won the game because of the BEAST who is none other than SAMMY WATKINS. (Thanks to his kickoff return for a touchdown, eh hem... Mr. CJ Spiller...?)

We won, after I've lost my voice and complete frustration, 56-45, thank God.

Here are a few pics from the game:

(Also, please note the NOT full stadium. The boxes & no seats on the Home side upper deck, and no seats on the whole left side of the field-out of this picture).

(Seriously, is THAT their mascot??? - pathetic)

Then, a few of us still wanted to go out after we got back from the game around 1 am. 

Yes Mom & Dad, 1 am.

PLUS, one of my favorite, incredibly sketchy but fun bars in Georgetown is closing permanently, so we decided to go for it's very last night.

Here are some pics from SALOUN Saturday night:

Mob trying to get in. Then the cops came & yelled for everyone to get in a single file line, then we got in. Thanks, Mr. Policeman.

Me, Grier, Rebecca, and her date...?

At Saloun. Long day, so I apologize for the rough appearance.

Over & Out.

As always, GO TIGERS!

7-0, 3-0 in ACC

#8 in the Nation (AP Poll)

#7 in the BCS poll

KEEP IT UP TIGERS!

6-0

I can't remember the last time Clemson was 6-0 and BOWL ELIGIBLE this week. WHOA

* Clemson is bowl eligible on October 8, the earliest the Tigers have been bowl eligible on the calendar since 2000 when Clemson won its sixth game on October 7.

* Clemson is now 6-0 for just the ninth time in school history and the first time since 2000 when the Tigers started 8-0. Clemson is also 3-0 in the ACC for the first time since 2000 when the Tigers started 5-0.

This website is awesome for our records as of yesterday's victory: http://www.orangeandwhite.com

* Our quarterback Tajh Boyd suffered a hip injury, and Cole Stoudt had to come in. Really proud of this skinny little guy for coming in and leading the team. Tajh is expected to practice Tuesday. MRIs and xrays were negative. Good news.

* For the first time since Dec. 6, 1982, no Sunshine State team was among the AP rankings on Sunday, marking the end of 472 straight polls where either Florida, Florida State or Miami -- and usually all three -- were on the list. And the Top 10 teams in the AP Poll remain the same. CRAZY.

I watched the game at an Arlington bar called OSullivans this Saturday and I don't think I'll do that again, although Town Hall in Glover Park in DC is far, they've got more tvs, more friends, and it's just a better time there. 

After the game, Megan and I went to Rhino Bar in Georgetown to watch the Auburn Arkansas game. I had completely forgotten that Rhino Bar is THE OHIO STATE bar. There was only ONE tv that was showing anything other than Ohio State v. Nebraska (which by the way, Ohio State BLEW second half after a major lead...)

Saints won today against Carolina Panthers. Saints are 4-1. (and my friend Neal, who lives in NO, Sigma Chi, golfer, graduated with me...is sending me his old Drew Brees jersey that he let me wear in Clemson for games. SO excited to have a jersey!!)

That's all for now.

So proud of my TIGERS!

3376 views?

I have hardly blogged? Who even checks out my blog?

Creepy....

Long time, no post.

Sorry family & friends for my lack of blogging

Work, travel, friends, DC activities and so MUCH MORE.

I'm going to try and come up with short and quicker ways to blog.

I saw this great blog where a girl wrote a thank you note once a day every day...thank yous for the smaller things in life. I like that, but I also might do just short blurbs that could also be potential pet peeves.

We'll see how that goes.

Here's a quick update.

Since April, tons has happened.

• I've travelled lots for work, most recently Germany for Stuttgart's Oktoberfest
• I've had friends visit DC and some even move here, like Nick who came in April
• I've had a few trips home to Charleston and I hope for many more to come
• I've met TONS of Clemson Alums that I didn't know back at Clemson, how crazy is that?
• I've had BOTH sides of my family come to visit me in DC
• Mom came and saw my new apartment, went shopping, and helped me get comfortable into my new place and it was so fun.
• Dad, Linn, Travis, Cameron, and Lauren came to DC. Walks, dinners, and went out in Adams Morgan and had a great time.
• I've had Pete & Miriam came to visit and got to see a little snow on the ground
• Work is great. I love traveling, blessed to have MY OWN OFFICE now, a great coworker, boss and President of my company that are really encouraging and have a lot of faith in me
• Like I said, lots going on...

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY....CLEMSON is RANKED #8 in the NATION and 5-0, 2-0 in ACC

WOOHOOOO!! GO TIGERS!

• Went to the Clemson v. Auburn game Sept 17th weekend with the whole family. Such a special time with everyone and to see old friends. (Thanks to Dad for making that happen!)
• CLEMSON WON --- beat Auburn's 17-game winning streak. SCORE: 38-24
• Clemson has so far WON against Troy, Wofford, Auburn, Florida State, Virginia Tech
• We have beaten Top 25 Ranked Teams for the past THREE weeks, first time ever in the ACC
• Great amazing performances by Sammy Watkins, Tajh Boyd, Nuke Hopkins, Bellamy, our OC Chad Morris and our head coach Dabo Sweeney
• So proud, everyone needs to check out all the YOUTUBE videos 
• Clemson fans welcoming back the team after Va Tech
  
• Clemson v Va Tech Motivational
  
• or check out : TigerNet
• Literally, I am obsessed with EVERYTHING CLEMSON RIGHT NOW
• I purchased my flights to go to Clemson for the UNC game
• Mark my words, Georgia Tech in Atlanta will be GAMEDAY
• And I'm going to the Maryland game in College Park, MD in two weeks

Okay, so there's a quick update.

I'll keep you posted.

Peace out.

GO TIGERS!!

Holiday Treats!

Now, I realize it's not the typical holiday season that you might be thinking...

IT. IS. BETTER.

WAY. BETTER.

Thin Mints, Thanks-A-Lot, Samoas

GIRL SCOUT COOKIE SEASON!

Deliciousness in YOUR mouth

AND REESES EGG SEASON!!

AMEN to that!

Note:

Surprisingly, there are MULTIPLE BENEFITS of having Divorced Parents.

#1 on my list:

Receiving multiple boxes--count 'em SEVEN BOXES (3 different flavors)--of Girl Scout Cookies!! Thanks Mom and Dad!

Which coincidentally makes me the COOLEST co-worker ever sharing them at the office!

BAM! Awesome-sauce!

(Maybe I'll continue the benefits of divorced parents on some other blog post)*

*means don't count on it.

3 shouts and a CHEER, GRIER is HERE!

Bad rhyme, I know, but I'm just SO excited!!

Two friends of mine who live in DC were visiting Clemson this weekend. It's Carolina Cup. And I am perpetually missing Clemson....

So what better way to reminisce on Clemson times than with CLEMSON FRIENDS and fellow Alums??

One of my good guy friends Grier, a Sigma Chi (see post about graduation party at Loose Change) flew into town Saturday to move here for a job. I am so excited! I love having more and more people I know in the city!

I met up with him Saturday night and met his cousin who also went to Clemson!! ahh! LOVE IT!

We went to a Texas BBQ place right off the National Mall, went out in Georgetown and Dupont, and back to Georgetown to late-night eat. Falafels, of course!

And speaking of my love for more friends in the city, I turn around at 3am at this falafel place, and who do I run into? High school friends from Charleston! Two guys, Buster and Austin, that I used to hang out with and haven't seen since high school! Absolutely ridiculous!!! How awesome!

And this morning, we went to the Eastern Market and visited the PICKLE MAN! I loooveee pickles and this guy has all kinds of flavors, even Wasabi (and yes, I tried it and it was good!) So, I bought a quart of pickles, probably 12+ pickles in 3 different flavors for $9. YUM! (And I took one to go)!

I had a blast hanging out with Grier and that group of friends. They were so great!

Some quick new updates!

(1) I have FOUND A ROOMMATE and an APARTMENT in Arlington!

This is GREAT news! I have been searching and searching on Craigslist (with no luck) and this sort of fell onto my lap. A friend of a friend in an apartment building ridiculously close to the Ballston metro and mall. I mean, you can't top that! There's parking, a gym, a pool, and most importantly my own bedroom and bathroom! Hooray! This girl, Hilary is so sweet and I am really really praying hard that it all works out and I can move in the end of April!

Hallelujah! 

and the best part....wait for it.....She went to CLEMSON!!!

(and here's for you Lauren, she was a CHI O!)

(2) I am really excited about my Charleston trip! Really excited!! April 15-20ish! (mark it on your calendar people!) I get to see my family and friends AND make my five year high school reunion.

(3) I am SUPER pumped for spring/summer in the city. TONS of friends will come visit. LOTS of Clemson people will be up here, for home or work or internships! I am SO excited!

(4) I am making plans for a work trip to Norwalk, CT in May to visit my company's other office for a Business Development meeting. AND I am hoping to stay for the weekend and go out with my good friend Amanda who lives in NYC!!

(5) Work is picking up and I love it. I can definitely handle this business development thing. It's fun, it's challenging, and no day is this same--different people to meet, different contracts to read, different problems to solve--so far, so good!

(6) I am DYINGGGGG for an iPad 2. DYINGGGGGGGG....or maybe an iPhone. hmm.

(7) And I'm going to make an APPOINTMENT TO GET MY HAIR CUT IN CHARLESTON! Those of you that see me now, know I need it. Those of you who know me, know I've only had my hair cut by one woman only, my entire life, Diane. I am so excited. I love getting my hair cut. Diane is part of the family! She will be doing my hair for my wedding and will be doing my kid's first hair cut (whenever far, far away that may be).

Anyways, this wasn't an exceptional post, but I'm off to bed.

Goodnight cyber-world.
Please pray my apartment search is over and this works out!

Listen to this song. It was introduced to me by these Bethesda, MD boys. And it will get stuck in your head. Hilarious and awesome.

Duck Sauce

3-2-1

3-2-1

3. three reasons I love DC

2. two recent business trips

1. one blessed life I am living

3. 

three reasons I love DC

Granted, I don't "technically" live in the city, I'm in what they call "nova" or if I'm really lucky the "dc metro area", sometimes even "the dmv" (district, maryland, virginia)...

But, every time I get to go to the city, I am amazed and overwhelmed. I can't believe I get to live here. It's actually overwhelming.

(3) I love the museums! And not just because they are FREE! They are beautiful. I love the architecture, the paintings, the sculptures, the people admiring Dorothy's Red Shoes, admiring Jackie Kennedy's inaugural dress... I was overwhelmed and completely moved, almost to tears, by the Star Spangled Banner exhibit. WOW! That flag with the music playing in the background, all the work that went into making it, the work that went into restoring it...the patriotism. Utterly amazing. And that was only ONE exhibit.

(2) I love being able to WALK everywhere. It reminds me of Clemson and Charleston. You can walk down the National Mall and not even realize you've been walking that long. (and that sure is a good thing because there are lots of good eats in this city...) You can walk around museums and appreciate the beauty of the Cherry Blossoms. 

(1) I love the feeling in my gut the second I drive over the Key Bridge or the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge. (It is only third to the feelings I get when I drive into Clemson and Charleston). You know what I mean, that warm, gushy feeling that almost takes your breath away? It's like that feeling that gives you butterflies like you have a new crush on a boy, or for me, the feeling as I'm driving into Clemson and see the orange tiger paws, smell the air, the wind blowing in my hair... Yea, you know what I mean...

God Bless America and God Bless Me

My niece, Miriam in front of the White House

Lincoln Memorial

Natural History Museum

The Capitol

I went to a party here with the Wilsons almost 3 years ago.

Orchids at the Natural History Museum

2.

two recent business trips

 (2) Stuttgart : Recent college graduate, working for less than 2 months, and I get to travel to Germany? Already! Bam! It was by far, the quickest trip I have ever taken to Europe. I left Tuesday night, arrived Weds morning...meetings Weds, Thurs, Friday, then I left Saturday morning. Really quick trip. All the meetings went really well and we are currently working to further develop those relationships and get some more business! I went to a dinner Weds night and cocktails after, went to an Irish Pub Thurs night and dinner and cocktails, and Friday night I had dinner with Jim and had cocktails at his "family bar".

Man, I love Europe. Could totally live there.

And do I have to mention how great the FOOD is? and the WINE? BEER?

My kinda place....

[I arrived back from Stuttgart Sat night, went to a private party RIGHT on Dupont Circle (literally, above the Starbucks--google it) with loads of friends. It was awesome!]

And 4 days later...

(1) Dallas : Just getting back into the swing of work and back to the US time zones and I fly out really really early Thursday morning with my coworker Jorge to Dallas, to our other office there and for this golf tournament. I get paid to golf? That's not even the crazy thing! I am just LEARNING how to golf! And I wasn't even that bad, not the worst player on my team (sorry, Jorge!) and we didn't come in last place. (It was a Best Ball Tournament for Susan G. Komen for the Cure). I had the best BBQ (well top 3), but the best Brisket I have ever had at a place called Hard Eight in Dallas. I think I will continue to play golf---great, just what I need, an expensive hobby--I hope the deals I make on the course justify it! Quick 2 days in Dallas and BEAUTIFUL weather (as you can see, 88 and sunny)! And yes, Mom and Dad, I wore sunscreen and a hat! 

Look out LPGA

My team. Brad, John, Jorge

The most amazing BBQ EVERRRR---HARD EIGHT in Dallas

1.

one blessed life

Because of all these things and more, I am so blessed. I really always have been. I am so grateful for my life and the opportunities I have been given.

SO blessed. 

I wish I could express my thanks and gratitude.

Thank you Jesus.

I love you all.

On another note--I will be going to Detroit for a conference April 15th, and I will be flying out that night to head to Charleston. I will be in Charleston April 15th through the 20th. 

HOORAY FOR ANOTHER CHARLESTON TRIP!

Pray for BEAUTIFUL WEATHER!