Sunday, June 30, 2013
MeetUp.com
While I may have mentioned Meet-Up previously, I have yet to dedicate an entire post to this website. It is awesome! I am so glad someone invented this idea. Humans are social animals, so it's normal that we want to be around other people a lot of the time. But, it can be tricky to meet new people, let alone find new friends who share your same interests. Enter Meet-Up. MeetUp.com has thousands of groups to choose from, and you can pick one (or several!) that fits in with your proximity, what you're into, what demographic you want to meet, etc. Some are very broad ("Let's Have Fun in DC!" group) to very specific ("Bethesda moms with French poodles"). I am part of a lot of groups (though I have yet to interact with them all), and they each serve their own purpose. The tennis Meet-Up I go to lets me practice my game; the "20's and 30's" social groups I joined let me simply socialize with people my own age over drinks; Bethesda groups allow me to make new friends without traveling far. And it's free to join! And while some activities do have a cost, the majority of them are free and just meant to get you out there. So try it! You might like it!
Saturday, June 29, 2013
AT&T National golf tournament
I had a Living Social deal to see the AT&T National golf tournament today. I bought two tickets so that I could take my dad, who plays golf regularly. Neither of us had been to a tournament in person before, so we thought it would be fun. And fun it was! For one, it was a beautiful day out, with plenty of sunshine and a nice breeze to cool things off. What better way to spend a summer day than taking a long stroll? Also, even though I've watched golf on TV plenty of times, it was interesting to see the game in person, like any sport. The golfers make every stroke look so easy, even though I know golf is actually very complicated! It was also cool to see famous players in the flesh, like Vijay Singh (Tiger Woods wasn't there because he supposedly has a boo boo on his elbow...). It was such a fun, new experience!
If I ever were to go again, I would change a few things. For one, I'd scope the surrounding area out for the cheapest, closest parking spot. Many home owners opened their lawns to parking for $20, which worked out perfectly, but closer is always convenient when you know you're going to be walking outside in the heat for a couple of hours! I would also bring a big tote bag for all of the free goodies you get at the entrance, like tees, golf balls, koozies, etc., since my Vera Bradley bag could barely handle the load. A picnic blanket or sheet would come in handy, too. While it's definitely fun to walk around the course to see all of the different holes, it would also have been pleasant to place a blanket in the shade and just enjoy seeing all of the different players come through at one spot (although since I didn't go to the gym today, the ~5 mile walk today was my exercise). We enjoyed eating our burgers and soda on the grass, but a homemade picnic would have been nice as well (you just have to be sneaky!).
But honestly, the day could not have gone better. My dad and I had wonderful weather, we got in some good golf-watching and got some fresh air, the food, though casual, satisfied our hunger (I love me some frozen lemonade), and we spent a lovely afternoon with one another. A perfect Daddy-daughter day!
If I ever were to go again, I would change a few things. For one, I'd scope the surrounding area out for the cheapest, closest parking spot. Many home owners opened their lawns to parking for $20, which worked out perfectly, but closer is always convenient when you know you're going to be walking outside in the heat for a couple of hours! I would also bring a big tote bag for all of the free goodies you get at the entrance, like tees, golf balls, koozies, etc., since my Vera Bradley bag could barely handle the load. A picnic blanket or sheet would come in handy, too. While it's definitely fun to walk around the course to see all of the different holes, it would also have been pleasant to place a blanket in the shade and just enjoy seeing all of the different players come through at one spot (although since I didn't go to the gym today, the ~5 mile walk today was my exercise). We enjoyed eating our burgers and soda on the grass, but a homemade picnic would have been nice as well (you just have to be sneaky!).
But honestly, the day could not have gone better. My dad and I had wonderful weather, we got in some good golf-watching and got some fresh air, the food, though casual, satisfied our hunger (I love me some frozen lemonade), and we spent a lovely afternoon with one another. A perfect Daddy-daughter day!
Friday, June 28, 2013
I am a Gibson Girl
Until yesterday, I didn't know what a Gibson Girl was. But after reading an article about Gibson's illustrative creation in the Washington Post Express, I can now have a new identifier for myself.
A Gibson Girl has all of the qualities that I possess (or at least I like to think so. I'm working on it!). For one, she's beautiful: she dresses in the latest styles and always looks feminine. But she's not weak. She's athletic (which meant riding bikes in the late 1800's but now means going to the gym regularly, practicing yoga, playing tennis, etc.). She's educated and cultured, having attended college and taking enjoyment in the arts (I became a member of the Kennedy Center this year!). She also knows that when it comes to dating (or I suppose "courting" in those days), she has the upper hand. In the end, she makes the decision of which suitor to choose, and she will not settle.
THIS is my idea of a feminist. Neither Gibson nor I identify a feminist (in a positive way) as a woman who pickets at a rally or dresses like a man or doesn't take care of her body because she's not going to conform to society's idea of beauty. A feminist in my eyes is a woman who makes the choice to be a strong woman. Strong in the body and mind, but feminine in demeanor and looks. Being beautiful and having a body that could be considered the "ideal" for men in America doesn't discount a woman (i.e. me) from being a feminist. Demonstrating her ideas through civil conversation rather than violent or "un-lady-like" behavior also does not mean this woman is not a feminist.
I accept the fact that I am a woman, I love being a woman, and I will use the fact that I am a woman to my advantage. A feminist who victimizes women as the disadvantaged sex is not a feminist at all. I will play the hand that I have been dealt, and I will win.
A Gibson Girl has all of the qualities that I possess (or at least I like to think so. I'm working on it!). For one, she's beautiful: she dresses in the latest styles and always looks feminine. But she's not weak. She's athletic (which meant riding bikes in the late 1800's but now means going to the gym regularly, practicing yoga, playing tennis, etc.). She's educated and cultured, having attended college and taking enjoyment in the arts (I became a member of the Kennedy Center this year!). She also knows that when it comes to dating (or I suppose "courting" in those days), she has the upper hand. In the end, she makes the decision of which suitor to choose, and she will not settle.
THIS is my idea of a feminist. Neither Gibson nor I identify a feminist (in a positive way) as a woman who pickets at a rally or dresses like a man or doesn't take care of her body because she's not going to conform to society's idea of beauty. A feminist in my eyes is a woman who makes the choice to be a strong woman. Strong in the body and mind, but feminine in demeanor and looks. Being beautiful and having a body that could be considered the "ideal" for men in America doesn't discount a woman (i.e. me) from being a feminist. Demonstrating her ideas through civil conversation rather than violent or "un-lady-like" behavior also does not mean this woman is not a feminist.
I accept the fact that I am a woman, I love being a woman, and I will use the fact that I am a woman to my advantage. A feminist who victimizes women as the disadvantaged sex is not a feminist at all. I will play the hand that I have been dealt, and I will win.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Keeping Appointments
Maybe it's because I'm an expert at time management, but I just don't understand why people/offices/businesses cannot keep appointment times. It's already bad enough that my friends can't show up on time, but when it's something really important? I mean, really?
I remember in college setting up office hours meetings with my professors, and frequently the professors would be busy with something/someone else, or not even be there at all! Why did I even bother setting up a specific time to meet with him/her when I was just going to have to sit and wait anyway? The same goes for hair cut appointments: when I say I want an appointment at 9, that doesn't mean I want to sit around for an hour and finally get started at 10. And the other day, I went to get an MRI done on my knee, and the woman at the front desk told me I had missed my appointment, that I was 1.5 hours late. I told her, "I spoke with someone from your office YESTERDAY to confirm my appointment time, and they told me it was at this time." The woman kept giving me the stink eye as if this issue were MY fault.
The fact that I'm in my early 20's and STILL more responsible when it comes to time management than doctors and professors blows my mind. What is the world coming to?!
I remember in college setting up office hours meetings with my professors, and frequently the professors would be busy with something/someone else, or not even be there at all! Why did I even bother setting up a specific time to meet with him/her when I was just going to have to sit and wait anyway? The same goes for hair cut appointments: when I say I want an appointment at 9, that doesn't mean I want to sit around for an hour and finally get started at 10. And the other day, I went to get an MRI done on my knee, and the woman at the front desk told me I had missed my appointment, that I was 1.5 hours late. I told her, "I spoke with someone from your office YESTERDAY to confirm my appointment time, and they told me it was at this time." The woman kept giving me the stink eye as if this issue were MY fault.
The fact that I'm in my early 20's and STILL more responsible when it comes to time management than doctors and professors blows my mind. What is the world coming to?!
Monday, June 24, 2013
Beliefnet.com
Yes, this website will spam you with multiple emails a day. However, in general I usually read at least one piece from each email. There is always something on there that piques my interest, whether they are inspirational quotes, tips on de-stressing, or activities to lift your spirits. Even if you aren't a religious person, I still think you can gain something out of these quick slideshows the website puts together.
It's sort of like reading a "Jesus loves you" bumper sticker. Even if you don't believe in Jesus Christ, you still think, "Well, that's a nice sentiment." That's sort of what this website and its emails are like.
It's sort of like reading a "Jesus loves you" bumper sticker. Even if you don't believe in Jesus Christ, you still think, "Well, that's a nice sentiment." That's sort of what this website and its emails are like.
"Love with all your brain"
This past weekend, I was chatting with a party bus driver, and I'm not sure how we got on the subject, but he said, "I don't like when people say, 'I love with you all of my heart.' The heart is just an organ to pump blood through your body. You love someone with your brain."
I found this very interesting, and true, too! You really don't love someone with your heart; you love someone with your mind. He brought up the good point that if someone were to become a "vegetable" or to lose his/her memory, just because the heart is still beating, that doesn't mean he/she knows how to love you. How you feel about someone is all in your head. Your brain allows you to feel emotion; your heart just may have physical reactions to that mental emotion (ex. beating really hard and fast when you're nervous or scared).
You never know when or where you may hear some good advice or interesting thoughts! So the next time you really care about someone, tell him/her, "I love you with all of my brain."
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Kayaking Preparation
I went kayaking yesterday, and I think it's a great summer activity! But you want to make sure you're ready for it, especially if you're going to be out on the water all day!
1. Footwear: Although you can wear flip-flops or sneakers while kayaking, I do recommend some outdoor shoes especially made for water sports. These shown are Chacos I bought at REI. They are very complicated to get on (all of those straps are really just one loop that goes in and out of the shoe and around your foot!), but that means they are less likely to fall of your feet when kayaking (or if you fall in the water!).
2. Hat: You want to protect your face from the sun when you're on the water. I prefer baseball caps, but a sun hat or visor would do, too.
3. Sunscreen: If it's a sunny day, make sure to put sunscreen on! The sun will be shining on you for several hours, so it's almost like you're sunbathing!
4. Phone Charger: Yes, you can always leave your phone at home, but in our day-and-age, chances are you won't. But when you're in the great outdoors, it can be difficult to charge you phone. Not anymore! I just bought this Evolution on-the-go charger from Groupon. It works wonders! You just charge it using the USB cord it comes with (either connect it to a wall outlet or your computer), and once it's fully charged, you can use it wherever you want to power up your phone! You never have to worry about your phone dying again! That means you can take more photos and videos of your kayaking trip, and then tweet about it, too!
1. Footwear: Although you can wear flip-flops or sneakers while kayaking, I do recommend some outdoor shoes especially made for water sports. These shown are Chacos I bought at REI. They are very complicated to get on (all of those straps are really just one loop that goes in and out of the shoe and around your foot!), but that means they are less likely to fall of your feet when kayaking (or if you fall in the water!).
2. Hat: You want to protect your face from the sun when you're on the water. I prefer baseball caps, but a sun hat or visor would do, too.
3. Sunscreen: If it's a sunny day, make sure to put sunscreen on! The sun will be shining on you for several hours, so it's almost like you're sunbathing!
4. Phone Charger: Yes, you can always leave your phone at home, but in our day-and-age, chances are you won't. But when you're in the great outdoors, it can be difficult to charge you phone. Not anymore! I just bought this Evolution on-the-go charger from Groupon. It works wonders! You just charge it using the USB cord it comes with (either connect it to a wall outlet or your computer), and once it's fully charged, you can use it wherever you want to power up your phone! You never have to worry about your phone dying again! That means you can take more photos and videos of your kayaking trip, and then tweet about it, too!
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