The Love Project: Hoyas

I'm coming out of bloggernation (get it? Bloggernation. Oh Tuesday...) to write about something that I truly love: Georgetown basketball.

First of all, I apologize for the prolonged absence.  These have been a strange last few weeks, and I haven't really been in the mood for blogging. However, I AM in the mood to gush about my beloved Hoyas' win over Syracuse on Saturday!  For those of you who are unaware, we beat the evil Orange 57-46 in the Carrier Dome, arguably one of the most hostile and toughest places to play. The win alone was enough for me, but the way we did it- a MONSTER game from Otto Porter, who proved in a big way with his 33-point effort that he deserves to be in contention for National Player of the Year- made it all that much sweeter.  This rivalry, between my Hoyas and the Evil Empire that is, as Hoya fans call it, Southern Canada, is something for the ages, and part of me is kind of sad that that the dynamic of the rivalry will change once Cuse defects to the ACC at the end of the season.

In Casual Hoya's article "Reflections on 21 Casual Hours in Syracuse", I loved the following quote:

There were two moments that perhaps didn't make the broadcast, which graphically make this last point...The first happened while Thompson huddled with his other coaches comparing notes before talking to the players. Nate Lubick was passionately making some point to his teammates when he grabbed Thompson's whiteboard from a student manager. For the next 30 seconds or so, Nate drew up plays on the board while the rest of the players calmly listened and talked about whatever point Nate was trying to make. For the last 15 seconds, Thompson stood behind Nate and rather than interrupt to make his point, listened to Nate and his player's work through it. Nothing like that was happening on the Syracuse bench where the conversation was all one sided badgering.

I also imagine that this wouldn't have happened even three or four years ago on the Georgetown team. I just don't see Austin Freeman or any other of our high school all American recruits listening and working together the way this team did. Team chemistry may be intangible, but it is real and this team has it.

It makes me smile to think that our players are so invested in being part of the process and helping each other succeed.  With so many teams acting as mere yearlong stopovers for players whose aspirations lie in the NBA, our players prove day in and day out that they actually care about each other.  Take Mikhail Hopkins, our deplorable center who was replaced by Moses Ayegba (rightly so) early in the first.  Moses had the game of his life, and, even beyond Otto, players stepped up.  There was one photo in particular, where Otto was fouled upon shooting a three, when you see Mikhail going NUTS.  The fact that he can be excited for his teammates when he a) sucks, and b) had a terrible game, is really a testament to the program that we have been able to create.

via Casual Hoya

So there you have it. No matter how much I may complain about this team, I love them to pieces, especially when they show up for big games like this one.  I can't wait for Syracuse Hate Week: Part 2, all leading up to the rematch at Verizon next Saturday, March 9th.  You had better believe I'll be there!

How I Spent My Valentine's Day

I hope all of you had a wonderful Valentine's Day yesterday!! Whether you're single or taken, I think the holiday is a great excuse to remind all of the people in your life how much you love them.

Yesterday was a really special day; while Dan is not a fan of Valentine's Day, he knows that I am, so he humors me and goes all-out for the day, which I really do appreciate.  I got some gorgeous red roses and carnations delivered to work, which is actually kind of a funny story.  I got an email at around lunchtime saying that I had a package in the Alumni Square RHO, and I had a brief flashback to college.  My guess is that the florist had so many deliveries yesterday that they felt like just dropping all of the bouquets in one place, because there were about ten of them in the RHO when I arrived.  They made me work hard for my flowers haha!  But they were truly worth the walk, and I was very appreciative of them.

He really does spoil me :)

We went to dinner at Lincoln, a restaurant in between Thomas Circle and McPherson Square.  While I was initially a little scared of the small plates {for my appetizer course, I ordered a fig dish, and they brought out one fig} and feared I would leave hungry, the meal was delicious, and I left feeling very satisfied.  I ordered a beet salad, a cauliflower and roasted vegetable dish, and, for dessert, something called the Green Fairy Absinthe.  It was a little ball of chocolate-covered cake, covered in a white chocolate cage and with sugary green wings.  I'll post a picture of it when I get a chance, and I promise that it was as good as it looked!!  I would have been perfectly happy cooking dinner at home and lounging around in our pajamas like lazy bums, but Dan insisted that, while he owes me a home-cooked meal, the stakes are just a little too high on Valentine's Day, logic that I agreed with.  I told him we can lounge and cook next year!

I am not really into exchanging Valentine's Day gifts {seriously, I eat enough chocolate as it is haha}, but we do a funny card contest every year.  This year, I bought a card with a great pun, which I was sure would win, but then Dan went and bought me a musical Justin Bieber card, and I immediately conceded defeat, without calling in a third party.  He's a tricky one, that Dan!  Luckily for me, we didn't put anything on the outcome beforehand, so there were no losers in this contest!

My Valentine's Day was also made complete by some exciting family news: my cousin Kelly gave birth to her third child, Nina Bernadette, yesterday.  She is just as cute as can be, and I can't wait to meet her!!! My parents also emailed me last night to inform me that my cousin Ashley is also expecting! I can't wait to have lots of little ones running around!!!!

Honestly, though, I was just happy as a clam to spend the evening with my love.  I truly feel like the luckiest girl every day to be able to call him my boyfriend, but, with our two-year anniversary a little over two weeks away, I guess I'm feeling extra-gushy :)

The Love Project: Happy Valentine's Day!!!

That's right, friends, it's Valentine's Day!!! Happy love day to you all, whether you are sharing it with a significant other, family or friends.

I have been eagerly waiting to share this video with you ever since I stumbled upon it on another blog, because it is so stinking sweet!  In case I haven't told all of you, it is my professional dream in life to become a wedding planner, so nothing gets me going like a good wedding does.  What I love about this wedding is its simplicity.  You can easily see that Karl and Leslie are so in love, but they don't need an over-the-top wedding to prove that to the world.  Everything, from the personalized lock placed on the famed Pont des Arts, to the intimate courtyard ceremony with just the officiant present, to the blissful looks on both of their faces, to the post-ceremony joyride around Paris, to a romantic stroll down the Seine, is, in a word, perfect.  Did I mention Karl's dance moves?!  Side note: any video that features Paris is sure to cause some happy tears on my part.

I never thought I would say this, but, after watching this video, I wouldn't be completely opposed to eloping...as long as it was to Paris {real Paris, not Vegas Paris} :)

I am truly the luckiest girl in the world, to be surrounded by love from my family, friends, and the love of my life every day.  While I don't think you need a holiday to tell the people you love how much they mean to you, I certainly get sucked up in the day.  Hug or kiss the people you love a little harder today!

And so, I leave you with a little Nat King Cole {if you automatically think of The Parent Trap, we are officially kindred spirits}.

NOMNOMNOM

via bippity boppity boo

Love at the d'Orsay

via bippity boppity boo

Pont des Arts

via twisted sifter

Seriously, there is no place on earth more romantic than Paris

via one and only paris

Tis the Season for Long Weekends

I had a bunch of comp time saved up from some events that I worked awhile back, so I took this past Friday off, giving me a much-needed weekend.  Last week was wonderful, but many late nights took a LOT out of me!

Friday was my dreaded 20-mile run.  As the days got closer to Friday and the rain forecast grew more certain, I realized that I would have to just accept the fact that it would be raining.  And rain it did.  It really wasn't too unpleasant, other than that gross feeling you get when your feet get wet.  Surprisingly, I felt really good, and I finished in just under 3 hours, which, given the weather and an uphill run up Wisconsin in the last few miles of my run, I was more than happy with!

After recovering, I took the train up to Baltimore to visit the lovely Colleen.  We hadn't seen each other in ages, and, although I had planned to go up to visit her in September, our little stint in the hospital prevented that from happening.  It was so wonderful to catch up with her, and, I swear, she has found the cutest little spots in the city, from Parisian-style cafes to quaint little markets to farm-to-table restaurants nestled among warehouses.  I was in awe!  I even got to see the stunning Peabody Institute library, one of the venues that Brett and Colleen are considering for their wedding reception.  It was breathtaking, and I wish there was a comparable space, besides Riggs, in DC!!!

Milk and Honey, an adorable Baltimore Market

The Peabody Institute Library.  I want Colleen and Brett to have their reception here SO BADLY!!!

I came back to DC on Saturday night, because I had some serious baking to do for our annual Galentine's Day party, inspired by Amy Poehler's uproariously funny Parks & Rec character, Leslie Knope.  I ended up baking mini heart-shaped cherry/cranberry pies with chocolate drizzle, and I was very pleased with how they turned out!! The brunch was on Sunday morning, and, being that there was one savory dish, we essentially gorged ourselves on sweets and mimosas {not complaining}.  It was a great group of ladies, and I'm glad we've made this an annual tradition!

My little pies :)

Lovely ladies!

On Sunday evening, I went over to my parents' house for dinner, and, surprise, my baby bro was there as well!  It is always nice to get the four of us together, particularly since Tim will be flying the coop and moving to NY the first chance he gets after college graduation in May {yikes, I still am in disbelief}.

Yesterday, Monday, was one of the longest work days EVER, because Dan was returning from a 4-day golf trip with some buddies to Arizona.  I missed him terribly while he was gone, and he sure knows how to bring a smile to my face!  I was beaming from ear to ear from the second I walked through his doorway last night. I'm very excited for our Valentine's Day plans, just a nice dinner and exchanging cards.  Last year, I set the precedent of not buying each other gifts for V-Day, opting instead for a funny card contest. It forces us to be creative, and, anyway, who needs more chocolate?!?

I hope you all had a lovely weekend as well!  I couldn't be more excited that this upcoming weekend is yet another long weekend!  Hooray for President's Day!

The Love Project: Unconditional Love

Hi friends! I hope you all had a lovely weekend! I'll post about that in a bit.  I wanted to talk first, though, about unconditional love, being that it's February and we're talking all about love!

An association that comes to mind when I think about unconditional love is the love that a parent has for a child.  No matter what the child does wrong, their parents still love them {so I suppose this post ties slightly in to forgiveness as well}.  I can't overstress the importance of, at the end of the day, being able to remind yourself of how much you love someone, whether your parent, sibling, friend, child or significant other has tested you during that day.  I don't always succeed at it, but I try to never go to bed angry at a person.  Now, I may wake up angry the next day, but I try to not end my day with negativity.  If I am upset with someone that I love, I try to take a moment at the end of the day and remind myself of why I am grateful for that person.  If I have had a heated conversation with someone or am just feeling generally pissed off at them, I try to send them a text or an email, or even call them, at the end of the day to let them know that I am thinking of them.

I know that that approach may seem childish {trying to push aside legitimate problems and possibly superficially "move past" a situation}, but I think that I thrive when I am able to step back and remind myself of why I love someone.  And that, my friends, is what unconditional love is all about, being able to look past petty annoyances to remind yourself to show gratitude for those who you truly love.

What does unconditional love look like?

Even if your family is fighting, you have to all come together for Thanksgiving, right?! It's un-American not to!!

via bippity boppity boo

Mommy and baby, such a sweet picture

via bippity boppity boo

Nothing makes me melt more than seeing daddies interact with babies

via morning coffee

The cutest little family

via better than fine

I'm very excited for Thursday's post {Valentine's Day, in case you live under a rock}.  I have the sweetest, most romantic video to share with you that will hopefully capture the spirit of the day perfectly!

The Love Project: The "anti-Bachelor" Love

Some of you may know of my love for the Bachelor/Bachelorette TV shows.  As much as I judge and hate myself for religiously watching such trashy TV, I can't look away from such an entertaining train wreck.  Plus, there's a little part of me that hopes that, despite the abysmal statistics, one of these couples will find meaningful, lasting love.

There is one thing that I always try to keep in mind while watching the shows: however fabulous it may be to be spirited away in a private jet to Curacao {this makes me laugh every time because of how consistently bad Emily and all three of the guys were at pronouncing this little island's name}, Prague, and every exotic location in between, shopping for expensive designer clothes and slow-dancing during a private concert with a semi-recognizable band, that could not be further from what real life is like.  I would venture to guess that the expectation that life will be all about such grand gestures is one of the main reasons why the vast majority of the relationships on The Bachelor/Bachelorette fail.  First of all, if life was one nonstop grand gesture, none of those bouquets of flowers, exotic trips or expensive diamonds would feel all that special anymore.  Also, and this may shock some of you...ABC is paying for and organizing all of those dates {shhh, don't tell anyone}.

Speaking from my own experience, Dan and I are a very active couple, so we enjoy coming up with new and interesting things to do.  However, with busy schedules and the budgetary restraints that come from being two young professionals, we can't just pick up and go on some grand adventure every time that we hang out.  Frankly, I kind of like it that way!  That makes trips to Boston, New York, to vineyards, farms, driving ranges, beaches, museums, historic homes, breweries and the like all the more special.  And, to be honest, some of my very favorite moments of our relationship have come when we have been relaxing at home, have had a meaningful conversation, or are not even doing anything in particular.  Interestingly, I also felt so happy and connected when we went on our 12-mile training run last summer as we prepared for our half-marathon.  Running, as a shared interest, is something so convenient and fun to do together.  I certainly don't feel my most glamorous or put-together when I'm running {particularly not in the summer, when I'm sweating like a pig}, but something about pushing my body to its limit, and sharing in that activity with the person I love, does make me feel strangely beautiful, sweat and all.

What I'm saying is, take the time to appreciate the little moments in your relationship, the things you don't necessarily plan, the lazy Sundays spent watching TV, and the conversations that help you get to know the people you love better.  Actually, one of my favorite nights of our relationship came in August 2011, a month where I went on vacation with my family for a week, got to see Dan for about 18 hours, and then he went on vacation with his family for a week {and was delayed in getting home thanks to that pesky Hurricane Irene}. I was so elated to see him after so much time apart on that first day that he got back.  Although he had driven through the night to get back to DC and could barely keep his eyes open, and even though we got dinner at the less-than-fancy Corner Bakery after spending an hour in the AT&T store replacing Dan's phone that had died over the weekend, I couldn't wipe the silly grin off of my face.  We were doing such mundane errands and one of us was a complete zombie, but the important thing was that we were spending quality time together.

Lazy Sundays are the best!

via Bathwater

So cozy :) I mean, come on, the bride is wearing a sweater!

via Better Than Fine

Busy Lady

I realized after I posted the Love Project post that I hadn't done a weekend update.  It was a busy one, so I have lots to share!

It was a very long week last week, so I was thrilled to have planned a low-key roomie date night with Molly on Friday night.  I got home early enough to clean most of the apartment {which I had neglected for a week prior} and take down the Christmas decorations {and yes, I am aware that this happened on February 1st}. I did some baking for the Super Bowl party that I went to on Sunday, and, once Molly got home, we got takeout pizza from Pete's and then watched some Felicity.  Any Friday night that features Scott Speedman's beautiful face and megawatt smile is fine by me ;)

On Saturday morning, I was up at 7 to do my long run, and knowing that I would get to see Dan after I finished definitely helped push me through.  I was scheduled to do 14 miles, but, for a variety of reasons, ended up running almost 17.  I guess it was good preparation for my 20-miler {EEK!} that I'm doing on Friday.  The fact that I'm almost up to 20 miles freaks me out, both because that means that the race is creeping up on me {it's on March 16th, so it actually is practically around the corner}, and also because 20 miles seems like a freakishly high number to me.  In any case, I was happy to get it over with on Saturday morning.  Once I made it over to Dan's, we went over to Top Golf for a bit so he could get some practice swings in before he leaves for his Arizona golf trip on Thursday, and then made it home in time for the Hoya game.  We stuffed our faces with Maggiano's pasta since we were both starving, and, although we had planned to have a low-key night and watch Zero Dark Thirty at my place, Molly had invited some friends over, so we ended up being social and hanging out with all of them.

On Sunday, after our respective workouts, we grabbed breakfast at our favorite bagel place and then met up with Dan's parents at Verizon for the Pens-Caps game.  Leslie and Peter had promised Dan Pens tickets for his birthday, but, since the first part of the NHL season was cancelled, this was the first chance we got to go.  As always, I loved spending time with them.  They are such salt-of-the-earth people, and I always enjoy being in their presence and catching up with them.  It also happened that it was a great game, and the Pens ended up winning 6-3!  I got to sport my new Pens shirt, which I bought in the airport on my way back from my Pittsburgh business trip.  Afterward, we went home and rested for a little bit, and then Dan's roommates had a bunch of people over for a Super Bowl party.  The good food placated me enough so that I was able to sit and watch the entire game.

Last night, some girlfriends and I went to Acqua al 2 in Eastern Market for our friend Cari's birthday.  Cari studied abroad outside of Florence, so had been to the Firenze location {the third is in San Diego...kind of random U.S. locations}.  The food was unbelievable, and I think the waitress was the best waitress I had ever had.  Three of us split the Burata appetizer, which was delicious, and I ordered the Farfalline alla Zucca {bowtie pasta with pumpkin...you can take the girl out of New England, but not the New England out of the girl!}, which was absolutely divine.  Throw in a fancy cocktail and you have the recipe for an amazing dinner.  A bunch of the non-vegetarians ordered the blueberry steak, which they said was delicious as well.  Given the location of the restaurant, I had my second-consecutive late night, and I am hoping that tonight isn't a three-peat.  I am going with some friends to a showing of the play "Our Town" at Ford's Theater, which should be fun.  And then, between now and Thursday, I'm going to try to squeeze in as much quality time as possible with my guy before he leaves!!!  And then, on Thursday night, I have a date with the 4 hours of The Bachelor that I will have missed from this week.  I imagine that some baked good will be involved :)

The Love Project: Vulnerability

I was talking to someone in my life recently, who was attempting to decide whether or not to pursue a romantic relationship with another individual.  This person confessed that they were frightened at the thought of allowing themself to be vulnerable enough to take a chance on love.  My advice to this person was that so much of love is about facing that fear of being vulnerable and of getting hurt.  In my opinion, it is always better to open oneself up to love and risk the fear of getting hurt than to never love at all.  Love is uncertain, but chances are you won't truly experience it unless you take a leap or two.

In the year prior to meeting Dan, I had been very hurt by love.  I had allowed myself to be open and to be vulnerable, and it ended up not working out for me, which left me feeling raw and emotionally exhausted.  That is why it was a huge risk for me to not only begin the process of dating again, but also to begin that process online.  For those of you who don't know our story, we met on Match, and, while that experience is certainly not for everyone, I thought it was an incredible exercise for me in becoming more open, as well as in determining the qualities that are most important to me in a significant other.  However, there is a certain degree of risk involved, perhaps more than your traditional meet-at-a-bar dating, because who someone claims to be online does not necessarily equate to who they are in person.  You are taking a huge risk before you have even gone out on a date!!!

I knew from the day that I met Dan {almost two years ago! How time flies!} that he was someone special, but I still doubted whether or not I could open my heart to him because of the lingering sting of the disappointment and hurt of the previous year.  It did not take me long at all to realize that he was worth it, and, tying in to my first Love Project post, he was affirming in how he felt about me, which made me feel less vulnerable and justified the investment that I was putting into our blossoming relationship.  That, my friends, is the key.  If you are not getting affirmation from your significant other, you will  never stop feeling vulnerable, but that affirmation, well, that makes you feel like you're on an equal playing field.

I loved this picture because it shows that us gals aren't the only ones who can be vulnerable!  This is the ultimate show of vulnerability from this groom, and what a sweet moment the photog captured!

via bashertweddings

The Love Project Kickoff: Support and Encouragement

Hi everyone! As promised in my last post, I have been trying to dig up some interesting articles, videos, photos, etc. to kick off this month of LOVE.  Let me tell you that I have a hum-dinger of a video, which I am going to save until Valentine's Day {sorry for the tease!}.  I hope you enjoy, because I had a lot of fun putting this together!

When I think of love, I think immediately of encouragement and support.  We all deserve to be surrounded by people who show their love for us through their supportive and affirming actions and words.  A huge part of why I feel so loved in my life, by family members, friends and Dan is because I know they all support me unconditionally and share in my joys and sorrows.  I don't take that love and support for granted, because I know, from heartbreaking story after heartbreaking story, that that is not always the case.  

The picture below {which I kind of want, by the way}, really spoke to me, because one thing I have learned, especially over the course of my relationship with Dan, is how important affirming statements like this one can be.  I think that it is so important to feel affirmed in your relationships, romantic and otherwise, so I think this shirt represents the importance of never being afraid to show the people who love how much you care about them.

via Bippity Boppity Boo

On a slightly different note, but also somewhat dealing with ways in which you can make others feel more supported, my mom send me this "Pep Talk from a Kid President" video earlier this week, and I couldn't help but share.  The adorable little kid's words of encouragement made me want to go out in the world and make a difference, PLUS the video is funny!  You just want to make the kid proud!  I think I love it just about as much as Jessica's Daily Affirmations.  I can't overstate the importance of having influences like that in your life.

To sum up this post, everyone deserves to feel supported by the people in their lives, and if you feel that you are not the recipients of this particular manifestation of love, YOU DESERVE BETTER!!!!  Especially if you're the type of person to dole out support, you deserve to get the same in return.

Happy weekend, friends!  I'm looking forward to a relaxing one, after a bunch of work events last weekend and this week.  I've got a roomie night planned with Molly tonight, and what should be lots of quality time with Dan {including a Pens game and a Super Bowl party!}.  Hopefully I will be nice and refreshed on Monday...HA