Happii Birthday to Mii!

Yesterday was a pretty great day, except for the fact that I had to work, was sick all day, and got kicked out of the swimming pool due to a thunder storm. Other than that, it was awesome! I played beer pong with Robyn, Andrew, Ben, and some other friends, and I was terrible at it, but that's no surprise. Robyn told me that 27 is the physical peak, and that scares me because if this is my peak, I sure don't want to see my valley!

The fun part of the night is when I got home. Mircea gave me my birthday present, which is a Nintendo Wii! I'm very excited and can't wait to set it up (I was too tired last night). Now I'm researching all the games and necessary components, so that is interesting (and expensive). I'm definitely excited b/c I want to play Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree, and Mario Party 8. Woo Woo!!!!! Of course I have to save up my pennies to buy those games, but still, woo woo!!

My Golden Year

I've got some goals for this next year. I intend on making 27 a fantastic year. My life has been blessed thus far, but I've got some personal goals that I'd really like to meet (or exceed) during this, my Golden Year. Wikipedia defines the Golden Year as:


One's golden birthday, also called a champagne birthday, is the day when the age someone turns is the same as the day in the month he or she was born. (for example, someone turning 26 on December 26 celebrates his or her golden birthday).

The following goals are those for my 27th year of life.

• Complete the Marine Corps Marathon
• Complete graduate school (MBA program)
• Travel Overseas (Mexico and Canada are no longer counting as "out of country")
• Gain credibility in my position at work
• Participate in the Patuxent River Mini-Triathalon
• Repair relationship with stepmother without being submissive
• Begin and maintain a healthier, more active lifestyle. I'm sure not getting any younger!
• Earn the respect of co-workers and peers
• Work to the potential I am capable
• Ease up on myself-I'm only human and I'm bound to not be perfect. In fact, that's in my description
• Build a better relationship with my religion and beliefs
• Create a mission statement and vision
• Be my authentic and true self

So Happy Birthday to me (Do I owe Michael Jackson royalties for that?) and I have a lot to do in this year. I'm definitely "In Repair" as the John Mayer song so eloqouently describes.

Tagged by Stephany

Here are the rules: Each player starts with seven random facts or habits about himself or herself. A tagged player then writes a blog entry with the seven things, as well as these rules. Then the player tags seven others and lists their names on his or her blog. Remember to leave a comment for your newly tagged players, letting them know they have been tagged and to read your blog!

Seven random facts/habits about me:

1. I'm adopted and the date on my birth certificate (tomorrow!) is different than the date the Social Security Administration has on file. I'm assuming the birth certificate is right, but I actually got the one with my name on it when I was three (before I was "baby girl") so I'm a little nervous.

2. I sweat like a pig all the time. Even when it's cold outside. I promise, I'm clean, but sweaty!

3. I hate flossing my teeth.

4. Until I dated Mircea, all the guys I've dated have the most boring names ever. (Sorry guys)

5. I pretend that I like the Chicago Cubs. I don't give a rat's ass about them, but it's my only link to the city and I really liked living in that area.

6. I think Jesus Christ Superstar is the best musical in the whole world and think that anyone who doesn't like it, doesn't understand it.

7. I think I'm in the wrong career. I like this, but I'm pretty sure it isn't my calling.

I'm not going to tag anyone. I'm a party pooper-though I didn't want to poop on Stephany's party, so I posted this!

Good Times, Neat Fun

My weekend definitely got better, despite its rocky (Friday) start. On Saturday I got up and ran (walked) three miles, and then did some lunges, which is why I can hardly move today. When Mircea got home we watched Meet the Fockers, which is pretty funny. I saw it in the theatre, but he’d never seen it before and he liked it enough. Oooh, and Mircea made ribs for dinner and they were so delicious. That man can cook.

Sunday started with me lying in bed doing nothing and watching Made on MTV for a few hours. Then I went over to Marc’s house to play some Nintendo DS and make a pseudo-birthday cake. After a two hour drive back to my house (big ol’ traffic accident) Mircea and I went out on the boat and stopped for dinner and drinks at Clarke’s Landing and then enjoyed an additional libation at the Solomon’s Pier.

This week seems like it will be something special. I am spending the night at Lindsay’s tonight up in DC so I can get to my meeting in the morning. Usually my work would pay for that, but enough idiots dropped the ball that I’m sort of left to my own devices while I brief the International community. Woo hoo! I’m getting excited about Wednesday. I’m going to go swimming with Robyn and then we’re going to go over to our friend Ben’s house for beer pong. And then I get to go home and get my birthday present from Mircea (who has class so he won’t be joining the beer pong). I’m so excited, just because he’s a good, thoughtful gift giver so it should be something interesting. I just love that he puts the thought into it!!!

I hate work. That’s all.

The Day Shaped Up

Ok, yesterday started out with a big smelly toot, but it turned out ok. At the very least I got the house nice and clean, played with the kitties, and when Mircea got home we talked and I think we understand each other a little bit better. So that's that. But he's still a nag (and I know Marc is thinking-ha, you get what you deserve because you were a nag!)

I watched Tears of the Sun last night, which will always be "the movie that Marc went to alone when he first moved to Maryland". We really liked it. Mircea had seen it but hadn't remembered it all, and I thought it was pretty great. I have started liking action/drama. What's a girl to do?

Ok, I have nothing else to write, but I wanted to tell you all that Mircea and I didn't kill each other.

All This Fun Before 9:30 a.m.?

• Mircea and I have a huge fight this morning. He storms out like a child. Will not take calls.
• 10 voicemails when I get to work, basically indicating that this huge brief I have to do has no hope of ever being right.
• Computer doesn't work because NMCI lost a cord.
• Find cord, access tons of emails because I've been out of the office working elsewhere for 4 days.
• Boss not there to answer questions
• Donation center closed. Broke rules and left my donations outside (like everyone else did)
• Return home to cat vomit EVERYWHERE. Wicked awesome. Had to get the steam cleaner out.
• Day of cleaning ahead of me because Mircea thinks that if he works all day I should do everything around the house-lest we forget that I work all day too.

I'm just a merry sunshine today. Who knows where I'll live tomorrow, but I'll tell you all this-I'm sick of taking shit from people that are supposed to love me.

Hmph

I want a new blog template. I don't like any of them on the web and want to make my own. Sadly, I had some html skills (which I never really used on here) from college, but I don't understand this xml stuff, and it appears to be somewhat different.

Why can't I just know things without having to do a lot of hard work?

On another note, I am so tired. I don't know what is going on, but I get up all night to use the restroom, and I've been not having liquids after like 6 pm. What am I, a hundred years old? Eww-there was an ant crawling on me. At work. Where did that come from?

I have nothing to say. Just whining. Hope everyone has a good day.

My New Baby

There is a new gal in my life and she's made her way into my heart (not that it's too difficult-I'm a sucker for a fur-baby). This is Stinky (her name was Squeaky, but when Mircea got her he changed her name because her breath is atrocious) and she is 18 years old! She's a pretty big sweetie, though she sometimes bites a little bit. She loves to cuddle and she has the funniest little meow. There's one huge problem with Stinky-she HATES Lily. She doesn't mind Fern too much (though she attacked her this morning) but usually she and Lily just go round and round, hissing and fighting. Mostly because Lily is a big fat baby and hisses at everything. She hisses at herself in the mirror. She is unbearable. I know Marc has a couple stories about how Lily would hiss when he would try to move when she was sitting on his lap. But we love her anyway. Back to Stinky. Sweet cat. Love her.

Dear Adam Levine,

I have so much I want to say to you. That's not true, I think if I met you I'd do something similar to what I do when I see you on tv. I stop and stare. I don't know what my problem is, but I see you on the tv and I just sort of melt into your eyes. I don't like you. I want you to know that. I think that you are a total tool and you've only said one funny thing in your entire life. (it was on VH1, I don't want to get into it, but it was funny.) You have only said stupid things otherwise. But I am obsessed with you. Not like in that "I have posters on my wall and I'm a Maroon 5 groupie" sort of way, but in that "all life stops when I see you on the television" kind of way. Especially in the She Will Be Loved video, which is just ridiculous, but those eyes. THOSE EYES!!!
So if you come to town, stay away from me, because I won' t be able to stay away from you. You tool...you hot hot hot hot tool.

It's Already Been a Week?

I have been working on some posts, but they are all in draft form and not really relevant right this moment. I've been keeping busy the last week, with stuff at the cottage, and stuff at Mircea's house, as well as swimming laps with Robyn, organizing clothes, and making an Ikea trip with Marc. The French Embassy wine and cheese thing was really cool. We get all dressed up and schmooze with all kinds of fun people and it's just a fun way to get out and still be at work. Driving in DC is not a treat though, but we somehow survived (even though I was driving!)

I'm doing pretty well with Weight Watchers, so I'm happy. I had a good loss this week and I'm not feeling so hungry. That brings me to my next topic-cooking. I really love it. I've been cooking dinners the last week or so because Mircea is working 12 hour days (7 days a week!) and I thought it would be nice to have dinner on the table for him when he got home. I have some yummy recipes to share with people...are you guys interested? And if you have some to share I would love them. I've been doing this with Robyn the last couple of weeks and it's been really fun for us to try new stuff and report back on changes we made, what our friends thought of the food, etc. I'll get the ball rolling by posting this yummy yummy recipe that I made on Friday. It was a hit and really really simple.

Chicken Gyros with Dill Sauce

1 cup plain yogurt
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill
2 large garlic cloves, finely minced
1 teaspoon plus 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 pound skinless boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
4 fresh pita bread rounds, heated
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1. In small bowl blend together yogurt , 2 tablespoons dill, garlic and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken with oregano, 1 teaspoon dill, salt and pepper. Sauté until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
3. Add 1 tablespoon oil to skillet and sauté onions until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Return chicken and any juices to skillet. Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Stir until heated through, about 2 minutes.
4. Top pita rounds with chicken mixture. Spoon dill sauce over chicken and serve. This sandwich is folded in half and eaten. Pass the extra sauce, as desired.

Serves 4.
**I left out the onions on this because I was tired and hungry. It turned out really well though!!**

Hey!

Hope everyone had a nice weekend. Mine was rainy and wet, and I moved all my stuff out of the house in that rain and wet. Gross. I have so much more to write, including movie reviews, music reviews and a wild dissertation on animal husbandry, so stay tuned in the coming days.

One quick fun thing. I'm going to a wine and cheese party at the French Embassy tomorrow evening. It's this fancy event and I'm super excited, despite the fact that I will have to sausage myself into some sort of outfit, but it will be neat nonetheless.

Hope everyone is having a great day!