Circle of Life

I’m back and have a lot to catch up on. I want to tell everyone about L meeting my parents, and about the wedding we went to last weekend, and some “talks” we’ve been having about “our future” but something more important has come up.

Beginnings: A friend at work had been pregnant for awhile and was ready to pop! The due date was soon, but she came in to work this morning at the normal time at 8. Since her due date was so soon, she had a doctor’s appointment that afternoon and she left feeling fine. However, at this appointment, the doctor told her that he was estimating the baby at 9 lbs! and they needed to do a C-section immediately! When I heard this news, it was sort of surreal. To see someone normal in the morning, then having an unexpected c-section later that afternoon sort of boggles the mind. How did this baby get so big? I guess it just didn’t want to leave the warmth of the womb! But it was time for a new life to be born, and the little girl was born healthy and at 9 lbs 1 oz last night! Mom, dad, and little baby girl are all doing well!

Endings: Later that evening, as I’m driving home from the gym, my phone rings. It’s a good friend from college calling to tell me that a good friend of ours died yesterday. 30 years young, dies unexpectedly. They’re not really sure what happened, I guess they’re doing an autopsy and should have more results soon. But basically he was complaining about not feeling well that morning, passed out, and died. Gone. 30 years old. I’m still just such in a complete state of shock. 30 years is too young for this. He was in good health, exercised regularly, just got married less than a year ago, owned a home in Arlington, had a great career with a promising future. And just like that, he’s no longer with us.

I know things like this happen. There’s no rhyme or reason for why people go when they do. We can only pray they are in heaven and that we’ll see them again one day. But the full circle of life was realized in one day for me, starting off with the celebration of a new life, and ending with the mourning of one taken too soon.

Random Musings on a Train

I actually wrote this yesterday, but didn't get the chance to post it.

It’s 5:50 am and I’m sitting on a northbound train, waiting to hear the last “ALL ABOARD” before heading north to Philadelphia. Why is there something so romantic about traveling by train? It brings to mind images of the Orient Express, murder and mystery, and love. Or it reminds me of sleepy summer country evenings, hearing the horn of the train out in the distance, just past the fields and tree line while you’re sipping a cold glass of sweet tea in the July heat. In reality, the train is nothing short of a longer, yet less irritating means of transportation than planes. My train is currently full of pre-teens on their way to a cheerleading competition, (thank goodness I didn’t get on that car!), sleepy business workers, and families heading up to DC, NYC, etc for spring break.

As for me, I’m heading up for a client meeting, and could not get a direct flight to Philadelphia at the hours I wanted. The total flight would have taken over 4 hours, complete with waiting in security, layovers, etc. I decided it would be better use of my time to spend those four hours working. Aren’t I a dedicated employee?

Can you believe there’s no wi-fi on this train? I was totally ready to use this as the perfect opportunity to catch up on my blogging, both reading and writing, but alas, I cannot surf the internet. I’ll just type this now and post it when I get to the Philadelphia office and access to the internet is restored.

In other news, on Saturday, I spent about 7 hours in my backyard, and it looks fantastic! I forgot I wanted to post some pictures! In fact, I will wait to tell you all the most exciting details of my back yard until I have the pictures. So, a post for another day.

I guess I should post an apple cider vinegar update. I couldn’t keep up with it on any sort of regular basis. It was too gross, and not the easiest thing to carry in your purse when you’re out and about. As I said earlier, it did clear up a stuffy nose, but that was the extent that I saw. I didn’t lose ½ lb a day, like some bloggers claimed. Not that I was that naïve to expect that, but I am always hopeful! I’m not opposed to trying it again, but it was hard to take, just really sour and bitter and made my whole mouth pucker up.

I do have some exciting news, this weekend, L is going to meet my parents!! I’m pretty excited about it! I’m definitely not one of those girls that brings home every single guy I ever go out with! When a guy meets my parents, you know it’s serious! I think meeting the parents is a big deal, and I really want to know a guy and know that I see myself with him long term before I want him to meet my parents. I know other people view it differently, they want to get the family approval early on, but the way I look at it, it’s important first and foremost what I think of him. And I want to have my feelings solidified before I introduce him around, even to my friends, much less my family. Plus, some guys get freaked out by meeting the parents, and if the solid relationship foundation isn’t there, then a relationship can quickly fall apart because the guy will think “this is moving too fast.” Ok, enough of that side bar, this weekend should be fun. I just know my parents are going to love him as much as I do!

Who wore it best?

So, this was an interesting one. I'm always a fan of the "who wore it best?" but this one struck me as odd. First, I don't think it looks particularly flattering on either of them, not to mention, I think the dress is ugly. So, why is it so popular?

Both are wearing Ports 1961

Kim Kardashian in July 2009 and Rachelle Lefevre in March 2010.

Both courtesy of Getty Images, KK - Jemal Countess, RL - Frazer Harrison

Why is the line from Clueless come to my mind?
Cher: Been digging through my trash?
Amber: As if!
Cher: Do you prefer fashion victim or ensembley challenged?

Wow, I loved that movie! I think I'll have to do a whole post on why it's such a great movie!

Happy Good Friday!!