Are You a Boy or a Girl?

Today, I went out and did Day 2 of Week 5 of the Couch to 5k program. I ran for 8 minutes straight. Twice. Woo! I know that doesn't sound like a lot, but, the program started out with me running for 1 minute straight. So I'm doing 8x better, yes?

Anyways, when I was doing my "brisk warmup walk," I passed a bunch of little kids who were playing outside. One of the little boys (who was probably 6 or 7) yelled over at me, "are you a boy or a girl?" I was a bit stunned. But, then I thought about it, and I realized that, with my short hair, no earrings, baggy T-shirt, etc, it could be something a little kid would question.

However, my pride was a bit wounded (I think memories of being teased for having a "boy's name" were triggered). I thought of saying something absurd back like "neither." But, then I decided to say "I'm a girl, what are you?" The little boy seemed pretty stunned that I had to ask him what he was. Point made.

Then, the little boy's little sister (I assume) started repeating, "Are you a boy or a girl? Are you a boy or a girl?" over and over. So, I kept on walking.

I'm not sure why I felt the need to share that. I guess it just shows you how society/parents shape their children's perception of things like gender and sexuality. Short hair= masculine, etc.

I'd like to get to the point where people make ZERO assumptions based on silly things like hair length, personal style, etc. I think we have a really, really long way to go.

8 Reasons Why I'm Sure I'm Turning Into My Mother

1. I must be aware of the exact location of my purse at all times, otherwise I will have a paralyzing anxiety attack. It must either be in my direct line of sight, or, I must be touching it. At restaurants, I either hang it on my chair, or put it on the floor so that it is touching my foot. My mom is the exact same way... as a kid, I remember constantly being asked if her purse was in the backseat of the car where I was sitting.

2. Twice now, after I've gone to get the mail, I've opened the mailbox, gotten out the mail, closed the mailbox, and then I've pushed the "lock" button my car key. You know, to make sure the mailbox is locked.

3. I sing songs to my pet rabbit Coltrane, which are often loosely based on existing songs. For example, my latest composition is "Feed the Bun," which is based on the song "Feed the Birds" from Mary Poppins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VwU_oS2ErQ). Well, mainly just the chorus: "Feeeeed the bun, toppins for bun, toppins! toppins! toppins for buuuuuun..." Ok, you get the idea. I am immediately reminded of my mother's composition about the dog we used to have, named Earl. It was based on that delightful hymn that we all used to sing on Sunday mornings, "Disco Inferno": "Go Early go! Disco Inferno! Go Early Go! Bite the head off of that squirrel!" Ahem.

4. I am a horrible dancer, and yet, I do it anyways, though only in the safety of my own abode.

5. I'm pretty sure portable GPS devices were actually specifically manufactured for my mom and me.

6. I go to the grocery store at least 3 times a week.

7. I get motion sick if I brave the swings at a playground, read in the car, or, you know, turn my head too fast.

8. I hate mayonnaise and syrup, and I never put butter on my bread.

Love you mom! :)

In other news, I had a salad made from spinach from my garden with dinner tonight. It was DELICIOUS!

In other other news, I am now on Week 4 of Couch to 5k!

The Vegetables of My Labor

You guys! I just ran out into the rain and snipped some basil leaves from my garden. And I made a small insalata caprese using that basil. And then I ate it. AND IT WAS GOOD!

Sorry, it's just extremely satisfying to have thrown itty bitty seeds into the ground and to have watered them, watched them grow, and then to have gotten to eat the fruits (vegetables) of that labor.

Basil!

Basil!

Caprese!

Anyways, Chris came home this weekend so we could start packing up our stuff. Our lease is up at the end of July!

We grilled out on Saturday night, which was fun and delicious!

Leeks, squash, brussels sprouts, potatoes with evoo, italian seasoning, garlic, salt, and sriracha.

Grill!

Chris looking deliciously scruffy.

In other news, I'm now on Week 3 of Couch to 5k! Woo!

Dress Shopping!

On the Monday after Mother's Day, my mom and I got into her bright red Mini Cooper and headed up towards Annapolis. Our mission: Secure kick-ass wedding dress.

I had been looking at dresses online for awhile, as had my mom, and we sent each other some ideas via email. I'm supremely picky about pretty much everything I wear, and I had a few criteria I knew I wanted my dress to meet. I LOVE the way lace dresses look and I knew I wanted a short dress, not a long, heavy, beaded, blingy thing. I want to be able to be comfortable on my wedding day!

Anyways, I found a picture of one online that I thought might be it, and I sent it to my mom, who loved it. She then proceeded to call every bridal store in a 100 mile radius that carried the line that this dress belonged to. Not one of them had a sample I could try on; most bridal boutiques don't keep short dresses in stock, because I guess not too many people want them.

Finally, a little store in Annapolis said they would see if they could order the sample in! A ray of hope! Woo!

And they did.

So, as I said, on that Monday, we got into the Mini Cooper and headed to Annapolis, as the sky dumped three bazillion tons of rain on us. My mom and I, alike in many many ways, left early and brought the GPS. It's a good thing too, because we hit horrible traffic.

But, we made it to the bridal store, and there hanging on a hanger, was THE dress. It was beautiful.

I was pretty nervous walking into the store... thank goodness my mom was there with me... she seemed cool as a cucumber. They let me try on the dress, and then I came out to the three mirrors and the podium thingie. Annnnnnnnnnnd, I did that super cliche thing and started crying, which is a little embarrassing. It just sort of made everything feel real. And when I looked at my mom, I could tell that she was very happy that I loved the dress, and that she loved it as well.

So. I decided to try on a couple more, since we made the trip and all. So, without further ado, here is a picture of me in a wedding dress (don't worry for those of you who are superstitious... this is not THE dress):

Please excuse my bra straps and that super uggo belt thingie the consultant put on there!

So, we decided to get the first dress I tried on in ivory, and that was that!

I took my mom out to lunch as a small "thank you" as she bought my dress. We went to the Ram's Head and had great food and just enjoyed our Mother/Daughter day.

It's all happening!

A Very Important Date

When Chris and I first got engaged, I kind of assumed this blog would end up as a wedding planning blog for a year or so. I've tried to keep it from becoming that. BUT, I thought I'd share a few details (mainly because I'm excited!).

First off, we are getting married on June 1, 2013 in Fairfax, VA. So, we have a little less than a year to go! In some ways, a year seems like forever, in others, it seems like it's coming quickly!

The venue we picked has a space for the ceremony upstairs (full of books!), and a hall for the reception downstairs. Currently, we are working on figuring out the food. Chris and I have a BBQ and beer bash in mind.

Secondly, I have found a dress! Yes, already! I found a beautiful little number online, and my mom worked very hard to find a store that could get a sample in for me to try on. She and I drove up to Annapolis, I tried on the dress, and I instantly knew it was the one. And yeah, I had that cliche experience where I cried. What can I say? I could just see myself walking down the aisle to marry Chris in it. I'll show it to you all sometime after the wedding. Anyways, I have to wait many months to actually get MY dress, so I'm glad that got done early.

Anyways, that's about it for now!