Archive for May, 2011

May 31 PG Tips Tea

Tuesday, May 31st, 2011

I’m starting a new series on the blog called Products I Wish I Got Paid to Endorse. If any makers of these products happen to see it and want to pay me, I will gladly change the title. ;)

I discovered PG Tips tea at the British Pantry, a fun little tea room that serves pots of it in Virginia. It’s a good strong tea and now my go-to for a morning jolt with English authenticity. I found it at my local grocery store, so I hope you can, too!

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May 30 The U.S. Military

Monday, May 30th, 2011

I’ve expressed thankfulness for the Special Forces, and today – Memorial Day – I want to include all members of the military and their supportive families. There’s no way to thank you, really.

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May 29 Cousins

Sunday, May 29th, 2011

I got to see two of my cousins today. (They’re first cousins once removed – but don’t let that distract you too much.) We had a fun Memorial Day cookout, appropriately including two retired military gentlemen in our family.

My dad found an article years ago that basically said cousins are nifty – they’re not siblings, but they understand and share your family. They’re friends you can pick up with at any time. In my case, my cousin MM invited me to live with her for a summer after we had met just once. That was the summer of my first internship in D.C., which ended up leading to my present career. We were family, and that was enough reason for this generous cousin to offer me a room in her house. Now, she and her sister are my cousin-sister-friends. It’s a very cool relationship.

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May 28 Picnics

Saturday, May 28th, 2011

There’s something about eating outside on a grassy knoll. Lying back on the blanket and watching the clouds swim by. Enjoying a breeze with your chips and fruit. Aahhhh.

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May 27 Just Missing That Downpour

Friday, May 27th, 2011

A torrential downpour occurred while we were eating dinner out this evening. We’re talking high winds and blinding rain – which we viewed through the restaurant’s windows from the comfort of our booth. It’s such a treat to miss being outside when the downpour hits – it happened while we were eating and finished before we left.

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May 26 A Gym

Thursday, May 26th, 2011

Yes, going to the gym can be painful. And sometimes there are smelly or strange or grunty people there. But I’m thankful to have one. It’s much better than trying to exercise outside when the temperature “feels like” (according to Weather.com at this moment) 94 degrees.

I’m writing this post to get myself psyched up about going there after work. Motivation loading… loading…

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May 25 Intelligence Professionals

Wednesday, May 25th, 2011

Living in the D.C. area, it’s not uncommon to know people who work for some of the intelligence agencies. Now, I can neither confirm nor deny that I know such individuals, but if I did, I would hypothetically make a general statement that they work very long hours and it is by no means glamorous.

Today I attended a panel featuring a former CIA spy. He has written a book under a pseudonym and works to help officials better understand Iran. The panel was open to the public and was broadcast on the Internet, and this man wore a surgical mask, sunglasses and a baseball cap to hide his identity. I can’t imagine living like that, and it made me deeply grateful to all those who do.

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May 24 Co-workers Who Take Sick Days

Tuesday, May 24th, 2011

As the companion to sick days, I’m thankful to have co-workers who observe sick days. My immune system appreciates every little bit of help it gets.

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May 23 History Lessons: Straight from the Witnesses

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

I’m reading a book about Iran-contra. It’s not the best-written book, but it’s not the worst, and I’m reading it because I want to learn about the subject. I can do that because someone who witnessed history recorded it for the rest of us.

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May 22 My Friend NH

Sunday, May 22nd, 2011

The weekend in Tennessee was fantastic. I love that with NH I can be completely ridiculous. We make up songs, talk about everything under the sun, and share an appreciation for the sweet details of life – like the delicious yellow-corn grits at the Old Mill in Pigeon Forge.

I’ve known NH for about 13 years now. We’ve shared a strong bond through college, graduate school for both of us, dating, and getting married. I know that when I’m with her, I’m going to be loved and I’m not going to want to leave. That holds true when we’re going on adventures and when neither of us is feeling particularly energetic. She’s the kind of friend you can “just be” with.

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