Love Being a Heathen

Well, it finally happened. Last night, we went to the Thirsty Scholar to celebrate one of the people in Rob's lab getting her doctorate. But this is not what finally happened... one of her friend's friends who recently moved up here from Dallas, TX to go to the Divinity School sat next to me. Not too strangely I guess, she prompted me to talk about my views on religion. I don't quite remember what we were speaking about (alcohol can do that), but I definitely remember her saying, "Well, tell me a little more about what you think..." Then that lovely little voice in the back of my head goes, "Oh boy... can't wait to see what I'm in for!"

So what happened? Well, she was the first person to ever truly try and convert me! Whenever I said, "I don't know, I just think we should be good to each other," she would say - "You know, the answers you are looking for are available in the Bible. May I suggest the Gospel of Matthew?" WHAT??? and then she tells me that she has read 3/4 of the Koran, and some of my answers are in there... but not all of them. DUDE - you just told me you've only read 3/4. Maybe the answers are in the other 1/4!! and stop telling me about the son of God - I thought I told you 5 minutes ago that I have an issue with that?? Anyway, it was unbelievable. She had recently told me that she went to India... and how before India, she would try to take part in politically active volunteer issues that were not faith based, as she thought people should be at liberty to pick what they want and have that freedom... but after seeing a country living based on a "man-made religion" (you've no idea how many times she said that), she realized that maybe Christ had a place in American politics. Oh man - I was boiling! Who decides which religion is a "man-made" religion? and don't tell me the Bible is the word of God, because even the Bible doesn't say that! I did want to point out to her that the Koran does say that it's directly the words of God... but would it even matter? No, of course not. anyway, it was a little shocking. She took my e-mail address (how could I not give it?) and said that she would be more than happy to do some "readings with me" and "seriously - I would enjoy it." Of course you would enjoy it - you're trying to get your butt into heaven! and perhaps mine too, but please just leave me alone! I'm happy as I am!!! Of course, she did say that I brought up a lot of "controversial issues" that are definitely challenging to think about - homosexuality, the human need to punish sins rather than waiting for God to take care of his business, and my inability to accept a God who would banish Native Americans, etc. to hell because his "son" couldn't get around to letting them know what religion to follow. Of course - Rob was not a fan... the little clips he overheard were enough to get him angry. oh well. I guess it was interesting and somewhat entertaining in the end...

WOW

Luis called earlier from the package receiving room at work and says the usual, "Nelly, I have a package for you." I sit and think... and think... and can't think of what it is... I tell him, "Luis, I have no idea what it is... maybe one of my teachers has gotten me a gift! What's the box look like??" (Luis obviously likes me and has patience for me, because who would normally entertain such questions?!?) He says, "It's a big, slender box."

Well, all I heard was BIG. How exciting... but what could it be?!? So I tell him I'd be right down, and I rushed to the elevators. I go into the receiving room with its familiar music, and I say, "Luis, what can it be?? It is big." And he says, "I don't know. Maybe it's your wedding dress." And he laughs.

Here's the crazy thing - he doesn't know I'm engaged even, and it IS my wedding dress! How could I forget that I gave them the address and everything on Monday?? I needed somebody to sign for it. So, of course, I gasp and say, "But Luis, it IS my wedding dress! How exciting!"

So Luis turns a bit red... thinks perhaps I'm crazy, as I grab the box and run up to my desk wondering if I can open it at work... and wondering how I can get the box home considering that I'm going to the Alvin Ailey dance show tonight. I run out in the security area of the lobby and run into Elizabeth and Henry, and tell them my little funny story. Go up the elevators with Elizabeth - we grabbed Kathy and Kate and ran to the copy room (bathroom just didn't seem right) and pulled out the dress - and it's BEAUTIFUL! I love it!!!

Then Alison took me home for "lunch" and I tried on the dress with her help - because I definitely can't do it on my own. It's so fabulous. It's strange... one expensive dress that will require steaming and maybe even cleaning and some tailoring before the wedding, and then I'll never wear it again. But really... it's the only thing that has made this whole thing seem real. Trying it on again - as my very own dress was so exciting. Definitely the best lunch break I've ever had. What a wonderful day.

lemon poppyseed

The lemon poppyseed bread (cake really) came out well. Woke up at 6 - had some with an egg - and went to the gym. very proud of myself. Even got in a quick "power abs" class.

I've been getting a lot of headaches lately... very strange. I didn't get my first headache until college maybe?, and now I feel like I am making up for lost time. I get them almost every day... I think I have to talk to my doctor about it. My doctor who I love oh so much! She'll probably just tell me I'm imagining it or something... perhaps they are tension headaches? I don't know. But I was very surprised to learn that people don't get headaches pretty much daily - or even weekly! I've been surrounded by headaches so much (my sis and dad get migraines as do much of my paternal family) and many of my friends get them too... so I thought this was normal! And now that I know it's not... I want relief! I don't like taking a ton of medicine either, so I don't really take anything ever... it's so tempting right now though. As it definitely hurts... I thought maybe it was due to dehydration (which shocked me as I've never really needed much water), and confirmed that it's probably not the case. I've been drinking a lot of water and avoiding alcohol, and I don't really have any source of caffeine, so... what's going on?? Hopefully something solveable. It would be nice to not get headaches!!!

ok... back to making eggplant (beef) stew. and then making tonight's dinner after that. Pork sausage (organic) with veggies, salad, mashed potatoes and some ajvar I picked up in Croatia. I set aside some beef for grilling too, as I had extra from the stew. Should be a good dinner.

nice weekend

over all, it was a great weekend.

Friday night, we bbq-ed. I was very happy with the way the burgers turned out, and they were excellent with the pepperjack cheese Rob had picked up.

Saturday, I spent the day with high school friends, after Rob and I checked out an apartment in the morning. We had planned to save the date a couple of months ago - it's so hard to get 10+ people together without planning now that we're older! We went to the Museum of Science's Star Wars exhibit, and then we went on the Swan Boats - Lily's (of course), Tiffany's, and my first experience! Afterwards, we went to PF Changs, and then Jennie, Mark, Rob and I went to Boston Beer Works for a couple of beers. Then Jennie, Rob and I met Alison to see the Champions on Ice, which was fantastic! I love fiure skating, so I really enjoyed this - free tickets add to the enjoyment too! Anyway - Sasha Cohen looked great, Michelle Kwan seemed to still be injured as she did no jumps despite being the final skater, and the acrobats and the girl who skated with hoops were entertaining. Really a packed day that left me tired, but very happy too.

Today, I went to the gym (and watched Demi Moore in Half Light - pretty good), played squash with Rob, and just finished making a huge amount of veggie stew and the lemon poppyseed bread is in the oven! I'm excited for the bread, as it is a first attempt. I saw a large amount of poppyseeds on sale for $1.99. I figured I'd buy them, but I've never made anything with them before... so I'm excited to check it out.

Now I'm tired - but feel good. Ready for a shower, a quick try of the bread, and a good night of sleep! It's a shame, no matter how good a weekend is... I can never get myself to be happy about Mondays.

Passover

Going to a friend's for Passover dinner tonight. I am bringing some white bean dip that I love (and made last night) and some wine. There should be a lot of food, so I am looking forward to it. I didn't realize that pita is leavened bread, which I should have, so she got some matzah chips to go with the dip. Three of my Jewish friends have written me with all different spellings for matzah. I'm just spelling it phonetically at this point, as there seems to be no consistency whatsoever. Ok... I just checked it on dictionary.com and it seems there are 3 different spellings... but it looks like the one I went with is the main one. Interesting.

Kind of like the word flier and flyer. They are both right. That threw me for a loop once.

back to work. It's almost 70 degrees. We are slowly approaching solid warm weather days - so looking forward to it!

sunny day

It's been a nice day so far... woke up this morning and had breakfast with Rob. Just an egg, toast, and 1/2 a grapefruit, but it was nice. He has to work all day, so it was nice to see him for a bit this morning. Then I went to the gym for a couple of hours (very proud of myself) and worked out to and watched all of Separate Lies. Personally, I liked it, but it looks like it didn't get very good reviews. I just liked the tension and the weird understanding that existed between everyone... plus, it made the time pass away very well!

Then I went to the grocery store and picked up the rest of what I need to make banana bread - my first time doing so! I'm looking forward to it.

At 4, I'm going to a friend's for dinner, and a movie... we may watch 1/2 of A&E's Pride and Prejudice, which I LOVE. If we're not quite in the mood for that, we'll watch The Constant Gardiner. Looking forward to ordering in... and trying the banana bread!

I just finished reading a very disturbing New Yorker article on attacking Iran... like attacking Iraq wasn't enough of a lesson...

on that note, time to go make the banana bread!

emergency phone service

I'm tired. and I hate cell phones right now. I've gotten like 10 calls since end of work last night on the emergency phone which is my lucky responsibility tonight. I CANNOT wait to pass this thing off tomorrow morning... I have to drive to Brighton to get it off my hand (not waiting for them to come get it from me - that's for sure!), but it's totally worth it. We'll pick up the wedding bands that are ready (how exciting!) in Brookline as well... though now I'll be worried that I'll lose them somehow.

It is AMAZING the things that can go wrong... and it is VERY annoying to deal with someone's stupid mistake... such as leaving your passport on the flight from RDU -> CLT. Raleigh to Charlotte... on your way to Europe. AH! One of many folks, one of many... The crying mom who was worried because she hadn't heard from her daughter - ok, those always strike me as a little cute, and it makes me cry a bit, but I've always been a sucker for someone in need. It did feel good to help. But that was 10 pm. and now it's 6:40 am and I've gotten like 10 calls in between. I'm going on 4 very interrupted hours of sleep. oh well... what else am I going to do but complain while I wait for the person on flights emergency phone to get back to me???

going to a bbq this afternoon. that should be fun... if I can sleep enough so I'll have some pep when I get there. Fortunately, I've never needed much sleep.

beautiful day

finally, it feels like spring. yesterday was 74 - somebody said Florida was colder than that! I love it. We had our first bbq of the season last night - very exciting. Had a bunch of people over, and everyone was in a great mood - very fun night! with A LOT of good food... Sherean even made chocolate covered strawberries!

tonight I'm going to this Persian comedy show - should be fun/interesting. in English. Rob is going and a coworker and her bf. Should be fun.

going to get a pedicure and manicure now - how fun! and I'll get a new cell phone today... finally waited long enough to get a $150 rebate - woo-hoo! No more having to sign on to the internet to receive text messages - which means I won't be mad at friends for sending them any more... yay!