I can't wait for this holiday to be over...

I've never been a big fan of Halloween. I think there is so much pressure to figure out a clever outfit or a funny one or a slutty one.. The girls in Vegas take slutty to a whole new level.. A friend of a friend last year actually pasted fake leaves over her nipples and vaginal region and went out as Eve (from Adam and Eve) to the nightclubs.. I guess she won a huge prize though worth like maybe $5k if not more.. So I suppose she's the smart one in the end..

Since I came up with nothing witty or slutty enough to head out, I stayed in and handled some of the trick-or-treaters that stopped by the house tonight.. They finally stopped ringing the doorbell around 9 pm. I went up to my room and opened my window to get ready for bed, and it smells like campfire, someone's burning something.. There aren't really leaves to burn so I'm not sure what it is, but it smells like heaven. A scent you never know you miss until you don't smell it enough...

Which reminds me... I think that the statement "don't know what you got until it's gone" is so true. Last weekend I was truly in awe of the amazing orange and yellow leaves back in Iowa. When I stopped in the ISU alumni office to pick up some decor for our events, I commented how great it is to see them. The woman helping me said, "Actually, they're not good at all this year.. I'm so disappointed." It took me about 30 seconds to pick my jaw up from the floor.

I can't wait to go home again. It's funny but I'm not sure what makes me more homesick, not going back forever or going, getting a taste and then having to leave. I'll be back so much in the next two months, but it makes me really happy. Hopefully the upcoming holidays will be a joyous event, everyone will get along, and everyone will have a good time.

Until then, work work work! :)

A funny thing happened on the way to McD's...

Close to the lunch hour today I was heading from a meeting back to my office when I decided to stop at McDonald's and get an ice cream cone to hold me over before I could actually eat lunch. I went through the drive-up window, handed the first girl my $1.79 (I know, right?? When did the prices skyrocket on frozen cream??) and then went to pick it up. This guy comes to the window -- he was foreign, I think maybe Russian but I'm not sure.. He smiles at me and says "So beautiful!" and I look at this great cone he's made that would make my mom proud and say "Oh yes, it is a great cone!"

At this point he looks at me funny and points at me.. "No, YOU so beautiful. Have a nice day!"

Has Vegas jaded me so much that I can't even see a compliment coming? That I immediately think the complimentor is talking about someone or something else... EVEN something as trivial as an ice cream cone???

I started to think about this on my drive home... This guy didn't want anything from me -- not my phone number, not to see me again. He just wanted to tell me that he thought I was beautiful and go on with his day. It was genuine -- again not something you see/hear of much out here -- and to be honest, it was close to the highlight of my day.

THE highlight of my day was getting to meet Lon Kruger -- head coach of men's basketball at UNLV. We're working with him on an event, and he was one of the nicest guys I think I've ever met. Again -- very genuine. When my dad asked me how the meeting went, I told him he seemed like the nicest coach I'd ever met -- even possibly nicer than Coach Callahan (UNL) who had offered to call my dad and tell him to take me to Ireland when I had to drive him around during my college internship in Kansas City -- and I don't say that about just anyone.

Today was my first day back in town from a long weekend back home. It was the first time I'd been to Iowa in 6 months, and believe me, I needed it. I'm going to be back 3 more times before the end of the year, and I'm hoping that will hold me over for a while. Hopefully no more staring out my window in bed, watching the lights of airplanes as they are on their way out of town, jealous of whoever is on that plane on their way back home to see family and friends.

I'll write more about home later -- great trip, great Iowa game.. No sleep but great times :) For now, I'm going to go catch up on that sleep though...

Whether the odds be great or small, old Notre Dame will win overall...

I could NOT be more excited right now....

I walked out of work today, and the air is so crisp. It's like the perfect fall day, and for some reason it really reminded me of leaving school the day of the big homecoming game in high school. Maybe it's because it feels like Iowa outside or maybe because it's my high school alma mater's homecoming today... I'm not sure.. But I decided this morning that I could not pass up an opportunity this weekend and now I want to share with everyone.

On my way to work I was checking my email on my phone (I know, I know.. but it was at a stoplight, I swear!) and an email came through from someone in the Las Vegas Notre Dame club that was trying desparately to get rid of his tickets in LA for the UCLA game this weekend. He had an emergency and had dropped the tickets a total of $125 in price for three. I couldn't possible pass up going to see ND play for $40, especially when I knew tickets were going for $300 in LA... Even if the team is playing terrible, I have to have hope that maybe this game will be their turning around point... I mean, isn't that the point of being a fan? Remaining constantly optimistic?

Either way.. I'll be at an ND game. It can't ever be a horrible experience (or so I hope).

So my friends Brad and Tiffany and I are taking off in about an hour. We're staying with one of Brad's friends at Hermosa Beach, and we are all so excited to just have planned the most sporatic spontaneous roadtrip in the last 7 hours!

The kicker... I get to see my dad. I haven't seen him since July, and that seems soooo long ago. I know I'll get to see him more times than normal in the next three months, but when you're this far away, you take every shot you can get. And since he didn't spoil me and buy me a ticket on my own, I'll make it work myself!

Ok I MUST go pack and get ready.

GO IRISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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.