Birthday Weekend!

Although 25 may seem old to many of you AIESEC youngin's (and extremely YOUNG to you old fogies...ahem...Devrim...cough, cough), I'm actually quite excited to be turning 25 on Monday. If for no reason other than the fact that car rental is really expensive when you're under 25. Lame reason, I know, but I'll take whatever reason I can get to be happy about getting older!

Last night was excellent. Nomad Reunion with Dody, Wonderwoman, Surya, Kevin, Vishen, and a load of New Yorkers who came to party with them. Props to Suzanne and Trent who managed to stay awake for breakfast at 3:30am. I just couldn't do it. My stomach was just starting to absorb all of the nacho cheese Combos that I'd eaten on the car ride home, which was perfect timing to pass out.

Tonight will be more partying on the Lower East Side and tomorrow will be MEHANATA! The biggest dive bar in New York. Hopefully we'll get to see the bellydancing midget and Bulgarian '70s porn displayed on a reel film on the wall. Looking forward to it!

Sadly, my actual birthday is on Monday, the day of the Board Meeting, but I think I'll have plenty of fun this weekend to make up for it. Phillipe, Claude, Kristi, Frances, and Petr are all in town, in addition to Sarah and Surya, so a good time will undoubtedly be had by all!

Golashes make me happy

Jen bought me yellow golashes with green dots. Happy day! Thanks, Mama!

New York is drowning.

It's wet outside. REALLY wet. I made the mistake of going out to lunch today (yay, for all-you-can-eat sushi!) and 5 hours later, my jeans, socks, and shoes are still soaked. I may need to bring a spare pair of slippers in the office this week. It's supposed to pour straight through the weekend. I hope the weather in the Dells is better!

You'd think that this weather wouldn't effect me so much after having grown up in Oregon of all places, but I can't look outside the window without thinking, "UGH." The smallest task (like getting out of bed for example) becomes arduous in this weather. Even now...it's 7:30pm and I'm still in the office. Yes, that's partially because I have a lot of work to do, but it's also my dread of going outside.

Unlike Northwesterners, people in New York don't wear raincoats. It's not fashionable enough. So everyone carries an umbrella. Which is fine enough except lugging around a soggy, drippy umbrella everywhere with you is not fun. Try walking into a packed elevator and watching everyone maneuver around so that their umbrella isn't dripping on anyone...or themselves for that matter. Subways are even worse, especially during rush hour. I guess New Yorkers just prefer fashion over practicality. But there's no surprise.

Anyway, enough whining for one night. At least Lost is on tonight!

iTunes = Evil

Well, actually, no, that's not true. But everytime I have a bad day or feel frustrated, I always turn to iTunes. Buying new music always makes me happy. Or at least, less angry. :)

Landon, from Mizzou, introduced me to James Blunt who is awwwwwesome. Totally my kind of chill, quasi-sad music. After a short meltdown this morning, I went on a musical rampage and bought about 10 new songs. Yay!

Kim, Mike, and Jill – Weekend O’ Fun

I had an amazing time this weekend catching up with Kim and Mike in D.C. Here are a few highlights of the weekend:

Meeting Mary the Riverdance Queen and what’s-his-name who bought me a beer!
Gossiping at The Diner over an egg and cheese sandwich and a yummy, very-alcoholic Raspberry Lemonade.
Negotiating for a reduced cover-fee in Twi at the Ghana Café and then dancing the abaja with a crazy old man.
Staying up ‘til 4am on the couch with Kim telling stories about cute boys.
Jumping on Kim and Mike to wake them up at 11:30am.
Buying the diva hat, shoes, and bag at Hazel’s store!
Long Islands, Spinach Dip, and Crab Cake Sandwiches on the waterfront.
Having the Yankees beat the Red Sox! Sorry, Mike!
Sharing music and photos!
CHAMPAGNE!!!!
Rooftop sushi dinner and accidentally insulting the cute guy in the pink shirt.
Pretending I was back in Colombia again at Bossa and dancing our asses off with the band! God, I love Latins.
Being drunk 4 separate times in 48 hours, and going for Apple Fritters at 7Eleven. It’s no Wawa, but it’ll do.
Going to Eastern Market and eating sorbet as Mike eavesdropped on the Redskins game.
Getting a bonus hour with my girl when the Chinatown bus oversold the 4pm bus. Soy Chai Latte time!

Thanks for an amazing weekend Kim and Mike. I adore you so much and I had an amazing time! I’ll be back again soon, but you’d better let me treat you to a crazy weekend in NYC sometime soon!

RKS Countdown

4 days and counting until the first Regional Kick-off Seminar in Urbana/Champaign, IL. Training sessions are coming together just in time. :) Hope to see you all there!