The "I want" post (if the sun revolved around me)

I'm struggling with finding enough time for myself these days. In the hustle and bustle of life in the nation's capital, I find that I become quickly and all-too-easily stretched too thin. I've written before about how I want it all. I want to excel in the workplace and pour my time and energy into learning as much as I can during and outside of work hours. There is only so much time one can spend listening to and analyzing the news. I want to have a family. There. I said it. The idea of being one part of a whole with somebody, being so strong together that we can conquer the world. I want someone who believes in me so deeply that to him, I have no limits. And I want to reciprocate that belief in him. I get to hang out with a little 9-month old baby at softball on Thursdays, and it's giving me the itch. What's it like to shift around life things to accommodate the arrival of a cute little pants-pooper? But I also want to be by myself. I want to be free to have a crazy schedule and not try to work it around someone else's. I want to go for a swim at 7pm, not get home until 930pm, eat dinner at 10pm, shower at 10:45pm, and curl up into bed by midnight and not think anything of it except pleased for not having spent the night in front of the TV. I want to have a 2-hour long phone call with my mom followed immediately thereafter by a 1-hour long phone call with my best friend and not have anyone else's day halted because of it. I want to spend half of a Saturday in a coffee shop with a book, a journal, a pen, some note cards and stamps, and time to contemplate life. I still want to prove to myself that I am capable of making a ton of money and supporting my life goals and my family. But I want more to just do something that feels right. I want to keep working on enjoying the little pieces of life's beauty that are all around me all the time. I want to make wishes on dandelions and eyelashes. I want to stop to watch the sun set and to smell the roses. I want to volunteer my time because I can't volunteer my money. I want to help people. I want to love people. I want to be loved by people.

The funny thing about life is that we can't have it all. So where do I compromise? Looks like I need to take myself out to coffee on a Saturday morning to contemplate this...

love always,
E

Rock the Red Pump!

Rock the Red Pump!

Why?

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is March 10, 2012.

There are more than 1 million adults and adolescents in the United States living with HIV. Approximately one-fifth of them (21%) do not know that they have been infected.

In 2006, teen girls represented 39% of AIDS cases reported among 13–19 year-olds. Black teens represented 69% of cases reported among 13–19 year-olds; Latino teens represented 19%.

You can’t acquire HIV by drinking from a water fountain, sitting on a toilet seat, hugging or touching an HIV-infected person, or by eating off plates and utensils.

However,

 here are some ways HIV can be transmitted:

By way of bodily fluids (blood, semen, and vaginal secretions) during sexual contact. Saliva is not considered a transmission route for HIV.

By sharing needles to inject drugs. Infected blood can be exchanged between the parties who are using the same needle and syringe.

Through the transfusion of infected blood or blood products

HIV-infected woman can pass HIV to their babies during pregnancy, during delivery, or while breast-feeding

Be smart. Use protection. Get tested. LEARN more. 

And don't forget to rock your red heels, you beautiful lady, you!

I am rocking my red heels to work today.

I want to kiss you on the mouth to stop you from saying such ridiculous things.

DID YOU KNOW that THE Alec Baldwin was in my office building yesterday? 2 floors directly below me? Talking to my favorite Capitol Policeman Bill? AND NO ONE TOLD ME?! I have a tendency to be very enthusiastic naturally, and I'm pretty sure that even a glimpse of Mr. Baldwin would have sent me into enthusiasm overdrive, so maybe it's a good thing that I missed him. I could have died.

One time I was driving around with Emma and Kenny texted me all the way from LA to tell me that he was in line at a bagel shop and A. Baldwin was right behind him in line on the phone. I nearly crashed my car. Well, not really, but my reaction was big enough to be cause for concern. The thing is, I wouldn't even go up to him if I saw him because, can you imagine being assaulted by every member of the public who recognizes you? GEEZnothankyou. So I'd just stand there in an overly enthusiastic state about to burst at the seams until the moment had passed.

But a message to him because, well, I feel like it: Thanks for being you. Your portrayal of the character Jack Donaghy is the highlight of a TV show that I go out of my way to watch. Seeing as how I don't own a TV, this speaks volumes for your talent. I read in a magazine on a plane (was that Hawaiian Airlines? American, maybe.) recently that you will not continue on the show so that you can accomplish other things. Admirable. Onward and upward, Mr. Baldwin! And keep on keepin' on with those bagels.

Super Bowl Super Awesome Super Swimmer

Ok, ok, I know that last time I posted I told you that I would be sharing a ridiculous story, and don't worry, I will still share that tale, but it's  

Super Bowl Sunday! 

There will be no Urlacher or Hester to cheer for though, so I'm not invested in this game. That's probably a good thing. Check out this article about overzealous sports fans and heart attack rates. I'm surprised that I didn't become a statistic for this the last time the Bears made a Super Bowl appearance (I don't want to talk about it).

Speaking of sporting achievements, Brother kicked major ass in the pool this weekend absolutely slashing his time in the 100 free. I am thrilled! He has shown himself that he's capable of taking a challenge and conquering it. All that's left of the season is Conference and State for him. I think he might wish that the season was longer, and I don't blame him! At the rate he's going, he'd be faster in the water than on land very shortly. I think he should join USMS and he and I can go to meets all over the place when he's in college.

Well, I'm off to the pool for a swim before the Super Bowl gets under way. I hope you had a happy weekend! Love always