Random thoughts for a random day...

I really hate going to the post office. Even now that I know how to use the little electronic machine that is open 24/7 - I still can't bring myself to remember to stop and mail my cousin's baby presents after work... I avoid that place more than the doctor.

I go home in 22 days... And I COULDN'T be more excited. Is it weird that I'm actually thrilled at the idea of driving 2 hours to go watch Guthrie Center play Bedford in football? All these kids that are the stars of the team are the same kids I taught how to float in swim team so many years ago... I can't wait to just drive through town and look it over, see how it's doing. I can't wait to run into random people at the grocery store or the bank and catch up. I love home. I feel so safe there. I hope I'm not building myself up for disappointment, but at this point, I miss it so much, I think I'll just be elated to be back in a place where my life was so simple.

I would be interested to see if people that have careers in public relations agencies die at a younger age... This has been a hellacious week and it's only Wednesday. I feel like my mind is being pulled in 1000 directions.

Vegas has been a creepy place lately.. As if it wasn't creepy enough that we have this psycho pedophile on the loose, I just heard today that there is some repeat rapist running around town and sneaking in through open windows. All things I'm aware happen everywhere, but still... It doesn't make me feel any safer at night.

My dad is going to LA this weekend.. To see Notre Dame play... Without me! The nerve, right??

I get to see this comedian who I politically admire soooo much perform on Saturday. For free. Just another reason I LOVE my job.

Watching tonight's Newport Harbor episode reminded me of the morning I left for college.. That brings back some old memories I haven't thought about in a while.. And it made me miss Rhoda - my old Alero that was so small and cute and sporty (No offense, Eileen (my new SUV). I love you too).

The new Dashboard Confessional cd came out yesterday and by the time the third NOTE had played, I was in love... I'm bummed I will miss seeing them next Friday at HOB but I've got a house party to host :-)

I love that when people back home see Vegas on tv they think of me and send me a text. My cousin Julia text me when The Hills was in Vegas the other night and it seriously made me smile that she thought of me! Although its funny... now when I see all that stuff, like them sitting at Pure nightclub, I think of my friends at work who had to staff the club that night and handle all press and couldn't go out with us instead of thinking how cool it is that the tv show happened to be in the same town haha.. Oh how the job changes you!

And to end this most random of thoughts post... I have finally found a place in Vegas where I could probably be happy going every single night.. Stoney's is the new country bar that opened up when The Frontier which housed Gilley's closed down. It is an amazing good time.

Just because it's Monday...

Love: This amazing fall weather that has come over Las Vegas
Hate: That the fall weather is not accompanied by beautiful rolling hills of changing leaves

Love: The new fall line-up of tv shows, including all new teeny-bopper shows on The CW
Hate: That I'm so busy that I usually forget when they're on
Love: That my DVR remembers for me and allows me to watch when I'm bored
Hate: That my roommate hasn't hooked up the tv in her room (after 9 months, I doubt she plans to at this point) so I feel guilty hogging the living room tv just to watch the finale of Rock of Love... yes, I DVR that show and I'm not afraid to admit it! :-)

Love: Hearing from Devan after watching him play football
Hate: Watching Devan get hurt and knowing there's nothing I can do 1500 miles away

Love: Getting text messages
Hate: Getting text messages from stupid boys

Love: My girl friends in Las Vegas, Des Moines, DC, St. Louis.. everywhere.
Hate: That our lives are so busy we barely have time to call/email and catch up

Love: That I will be back in Iowa in 30 days
Hate: That I have to wait 30 days to get back there

Love: Theme parties!!!
Hate: Cleaning

Love: Pedicures
Hate: Paying $30 to have someone paint my toenails because I'm not coordinated enough to do it on my own

Love: Surprises
Hate: Planning surprises

Love: Fresh cut flowers
Hate: Slimy leaves at the bottom of a vase

Love: A healthy glass of red wine
Hate: The soap film our dishwasher leaves on the bottom of my beautiful wine glasses

Love: Down comforters
Hate: Making the bed

Love: Notre Dame football
Hate: Everyone likes to kick an Irishman when we're down


Well that killed a few minutes :-) Off to clean the room.

Things that make you go 'Hmm??'

It's been a weird couple of weeks... So many moments where I was wondering who the heck I was or how the heck I got here...

Moment #1: I am and have always been a small purse person. If I can get by with a clutch, I will gladly do it because I hate having room to keep your whole life in a purse and then you can't find a single piece of gum or a business card or the tiniest easy thing when you need it. But a few weeks ago I noticed this beautiful red bag at Target.. It's almost like a cardinal red, fake leather tiny suitcase in a way. It could fit a laptop, but I discovered it was the perfect size for my leather binder that I take to all client meetings. So I splurged and now I am a big purse person. (Ok, this will only make sense to girls... but for me, it was a big deal.)

Moment #2: I came down with a horrible virus this past week to the point where I couldn't even swallow my own saliva. When I reached that point, I finally went to the clinic and after waiting two hours got to see a doctor for about 2 minutes, he told me my tonisls were huge and he would give me some steroids to bring down the swelling. He also offered to write a note to excuse me from work at which point I said, "Don't even offer it.. I'm too busy to even think of accepting." Whatttt?? Who is this girl?? Two years ago I would've wanted a doctor's note for a paper cut if it excused me from Astronomy class.. But I suppose that's part of growing up and having responsibilities.

Moment #3: A few minutes ago.. I was driving home from the Iowa gamewatch downtown where I was wearing my official Devan Moylan jersey and cheering my little heart out for him.. I decided I needed a diet coke before bed so I hopped out at the gas station near my house and I had a flashback of all the times running into Sparky's after high school games were over in between cruising the streets of Guthrie Center.. I don't know if it's because I was wearing a black and gold jersey or if it was #14 (the same as my hs boyfriend), but I can't believe that stage of my life is over.. And college is over.. And now I'm here, in Las Vegas?? Who the heck LIVES in Las Vegas???

I don't know if I'll ever accept that I'm a grown up... But lately I've been a lot more nostalgic than usual. I've been thinking about people I used to be really close to and life just made things grow apart.

In fact, my dad randomly ran into one of those people tonight, one of my very best friends when I was a senior in high school and into my freshman year of college. Someone I haven't talked to probably in two years and before that it was a year or two more.. He went his way, I went mine, but every time I think about that it makes me sad. I wonder if he ever thinks about that too... Does growing up mean growing apart?

The homesickness has been off and on lately.. Just when I have myself falling back in love with Vegas, something will prick me right in the heart like all of my friends watching the ISU vs Iowa game together or a long talk with my mom about absolutely nothing at all.. Just girl talk. I'll be back in Iowa soil in a month and then the next month and again the month after that for Xmas. Hopefully I will get my fill to hold me over for a while.

The places you have come to fear the most...

The last two weeks have been like a roller coaster. We've been so busy at work, but I've felt really good about it all. I've really tried to step up and own a couple of projects and really put forth my best effort. Plus staying busy at work distracts me from other stuff going so that's always good...

My cousin Brett and his wife Sadie had their second little girl this morning. Dad woke me up in a daze with an early phone call to tell me the news. I have always considered Brett to be more of a brother than a cousin, and we've always been close. I am so happy for him and Sadie, but at the same time, it just reminds me of yet another thing I'm missing out on by being here... When Vada, their first girl was born, I was able to get to the hospital and meet her that first day. Now over a year and a half later, I've only got to hang out with her a few times... And now her little sister, I won't even get to meet until she's two months old. My dreams of turning them into little cheerleaders are quickly dwindling...

But I know that there is no one out there that understands what I'm doing more than Brett does. We've both always had big dreams, and I know he knows that's why I'm here. But that doesn't make NOT being there much easier...

I went back to Kansas City for a weekend away with Mom and just had an amazing time. I was so convinced that in a year or two I would be ready to move back there. But as I get more and more involved with work, I am really falling in love with my clients. I love to see the positive work coming out of the cancer institute, the level of creativity I get to be around with those blue guys, and the seriously kindest hearts you'll find with our PBS station...

I keep thinking about the life I left back there, and I've finally been reminded that there is a whole new life, right here, right in front of me, that I'll miss just as much if/when I leave.

Maybe the grass is always greener... Who knows.

Playing dress-up...

Every now and then, on a rare occasion, I have to wear the full-on business suit to work.. Usually only during really big events, but today was one of those days.

I was off-site all day, helping at the Latin Chamber luncheon where Vegas PBS was announcing the launch of their new Spanish channel, V Me, then delivering passes for front desk staff at a few casinos for the Springs Preserve, and then back to the convention center for Vegas PBS to get training to escort media at the shooting of Antiques Roadshow tomorrow.. Needless to say, it was a crazy day, and the entire reason I'm at home at 11 pm on a Friday night and not seeing The Dan Band at The Joint with my friends.

But I digress... Today as I put on my business suit and took one last look in the mirror, an odd flashback came through my mind.. Sixth grade.. Dress like your hero day for Red Ribbon Week, and I chose my mother's blazer so I could look like her. I can't remember if it was hot pink or just red, but hey - it was the 90's - so in my head it's hot pink.

I can't help but wonder where the time has gone.. Am I really a grown up? With a professional job? Am I really doing all these important things and going to these important meetings where (at least I hope) my opinion is respected and needed?? What happened to the little girl who put on her mom's suit jacket that spilled over her arms and had bulky shoulder blades so it looked ridiculously out of place?

I guess sometimes I still can't believe the position I have, the city I'm living in, the role that I play. I still feel like a kid playing dress up.. Like someday I'll wake up and none of this will have ever really happened.

This growing up stuff... it sneaks up on you.

Snap back to reality...

I thought I would be so much better about posting on here.. And the funny thing is, all throughout my day I find myself thinking, "This would be a great post on the blog..." and then I leave work and go out with friends or need to do laundry and end up not posting anything.. But here goes.

I had quite the reality shock today that I'm not in Iowa anymore. I was wrapping up what seemed like my 100th conference call of the day and getting ready to get some lunch. I scrolled through my email quick to see that our office manager had sent out a note to everyone to be careful because the police were in our staff parking lot as someone had just tried to carjack the dentist from the office below us' car. Great... As I leave the office, I see the police start to pull away, and I go about my business. I pull in front of our building only to see four more cop cars standing at the jewelry store next door. Caution taped wrapped all around it, and the owner standing outside screaming about how he just got robbed... Whether one had anything to do with the other, I have no idea..

Now this may seem like a typical Las Vegas moment to outsiders.. But my office is in a really nice part of town. It's very safe, and there are million dollar houses lining the back of our office park that when we get bored we look out and watch kids swimming or the dogs running around in the back yards.. It's not like this is the ghetto, but we're certainly not in Guthrie Center, Iowa, anymore either.

Anyways... in other news... I've been quite the jetsetter lately. Two weekends ago I traveled down to Phoenix to visit my best friend Kelly. She had just relocated their from Des Moines and needed a little help getting settled and reassured leaving everyone back home was the right deicison. I nominated myself for the job :)

We had a great time, and believe it or not, I actually believe Phoenix is hotter than Las Vegas. I should have brought stronger sunscreen with me!

The next weekend (this past weekend) I flew up to San Francisco to meet Dad for the Moylan wedding. I was so excited to see some more familiar faces, get time to spend with Devan, and also get to run around one of my favorite cities with Dad.

The wedding was a gorgeous outdoor wedding, and I think it's safe to say that everyone had a pretty awesome time that day/night. Congrats to the groom, Shaun, and his beautiful bride, Julie! After spending years stuffing bank statements with Shaun (or should I say FOR Shaun while he played computer games), I know that he is such a lucky guy to get a great girl like Julie!

Dad and I spent most of Sunday running around the city doing our favorite things: watching street performers at Fisherman's Wharf, driving across the Golden Gate Bridge, and getting lost in Sausalito. It was such a great trip, and I will admit I got a little teary eyed when my plane took off. That always seems to happen when I have to say goodbye to my dad...


So this weekend I'm FINALLY in town for once, and I plan on doing NOTHING. Just having a relaxing weekend with not a lot of plans... Next weekend - the 10th - I'm back on a plane and heading to Kansas City for a girls' weekend with my Mom so it will be great to see her as well, and I'm so excited to get back around my old (and hopefully someday future) stomping grounds.

I can't believe it's already August... I guess time really does fly when you're having the time of your life :)

You say it's your birthday...

Birthday celebrations all around, I tell ya!

Last weekend I drove 3 hours with a bunch of pals to celebrate my friend Melissa's birthday. She wanted to go camping for her special day so we drove to the town of 700 people - Pioche, Nevada - to stay in their Inn (with an attached Saloon) on Friday night and then camping in the state park on Saturday night. It was so much fun, and I felt like I was back in a town like Guthrie Center. The locals had no idea what had hit them!

So yesterday was my big 2-4. It was probably one of the best birthdays ever.

Tuesday night was kicked off with a 51's game - our local minor league baseball team. It was a fun time (although hot hot hot outside), but the fireworks at the end were fantastic and worth the wait.

After the game, Jessi and I took advantage of the fact that we didn't have to work the next day and went out to a 'saloon' downtown called Hogs & Heiffers. If you've ever seen the movie Coyote Ugly, this is what the bar is exactly like... Within twenty minutes, Jessi had told the bartenders it was my birthday at midnight, and we were up on the countertop dancing like it was our home away from home. We had so much fun and just danced to our country roots. It was a great kickoff to the birthday.

On the actual 4th, yesterday, I knew I was going over to my friend April's house to cookout and lay by the pool. I knew a couple friends were going to be there but was totally shocked when I got there and friends that had told me they had plans (you little liar, Jessi) and coworkers that April had never even met and friends I didn't even know knew about it all showed up. It was such a surprise. We played water volleyball all day and just enjoyed the holiday. They even made me a cake and the whole deal.

The birthday party planner - April - and I

Not to be outdone by the entire Andrew family singing Happy Birthday over my mom's cell phone (in harmony, mind you...), it was all a pretty awesome day.

I am dragging today though.. What a bad idea to have a holiday mid-week. That's like having two Mondays... But thankfully tomorrow is Friday, and I plan on taking it easy.

Saturday will be the end of my birthday festivities (doesn't everyone celebrate for three days??). A bunch of my friends and I are going out dancing, and I am really excited.

Not a lot else to report... Busy at work. Really looking forward to my upcoming trips to Phoenix, San Francisco, and Kansas City. I really miss my family - like always - but am really excited to get to spend some time with them in the next month.

Thanks again to all who wished me a happy birthday! It was definitely one of the happiest...