My Fervent Hope for You...

I hope you never let the--or our--past leave you jaded and bitter.
I hope you linger on the good, yet still learn from our mistakes.
I hope you'll never regret it--us.

I hope you find someone that can love you the way you want need to be loved.
I hope that when it comes along, you will let that love in. Wholeheartedly. And without hesitation.
And I hope you can show such tried* love in return.
Again, wholeheartedly. And without hesitation.

I hope your life leads to happiness.
I hope it leads you to love.

*tried-adj.; good, faithful, and trustworthy through experience




(Yes, after reading this, I do realize I probably could have just quoted "I Will Always Love You" and have said the same thing!)

And the Dundy for Most Random Blogger goes to....

(For those of you who missed it, that is a The Office reference in the title.)

So as I have been blogging more and more (and suprisingly loving it more and more), I have come to realize that I am the world's most sexy, random blogger. (That sexy part was a joke... thus proving my point about being totally random!) This, however, comes at no suprise. In fact, I don't even mind being the world's most random blogger. Actually, I kind of like it.; it pretty much embodies exactly who I am...

So... As a forewarning,--3 or 4 blogs too late-- if you are going to follow my posts, be prepared for some totally unexpected, out-of-the-blue content.

And speaking of randomness, let me just go ahead and share a highlight of my day:

Before 10 o'clock even rolled around this morning, I was asked to make several copies of an event itenerary. Being a bit nosey curoious, I took the opportunity to read over the whole program as I was making those copies. And this is what I came by:

"2:00 p.m. Seminar.............................................Harry Pugh"

(Okay, that is not actually verbatum. The "2:00 p.m. Seminar" is something I kind of pulled out of my... well, that's just say I made it up for the sake of my story because I can't remember the actual event that Harry Pugh was leading. But trust me, Harry Pugh was the legit name on the paper; I wouldn't make this up.)

Does the name "Harry Pugh" sit funny with anyone else?!?! Because as soon as I spotted it, I couldn't help but laugh! I wonder if he is any relation to Curly Pugh?! (Only Julianne would get that, but I serisouly knew heard of a guy named Curly Pugh...) And with all of that being said, let me just say this: If your last name is "Pugh" and at some point in your life you mate, there are a few first names that you might want to be weary of when picking one out for your kid!! (That advice also applies to all you last-name-Johnsons out there!)
**If your name is Curly/Harry Pugh and you happen to be reading this, I apologize right now... Blame your parents. Not me!**

Going on to other recent developments...

2) My cooking skills are improving expanding. Not to say that I am a bad cook, but I just don't know all the tiny ins-and-outs and how-to's of authentic cuisine. (By authentic, I am referring to the fact that it doesn't come from a Kraft box, Ramen package, or Ragu can.) But with the help of a few gracious women I know--shout out to Carolyn and Milaray!!--I am catching on. For instance, last night, I made Chicken Picatta with a side of Lemon-Buttered Broccolli, and it was probably the fanciest meal that I have ever produced. Also, suprisingly, it was probably one of the easiest--well, maybe not the easiest, but it was pretty darned simple. I felt so "gourmet" because it entailed using wine in the actual cooking. And there was just something about the aroma from that steaming wine cooking of a hot pan that makes me feel saavy! But not to be the biggest critic of my own work, the finished product was just okay... For my personal taste, It was a bit too wine-y flavored. (But that's okay becuase it is all about trial-and-error, right?) So next time, instead of wine, I am going to try using chicken bullion--which, to me, sounds just as fancy gourmet! The broccolli, on the other hand, I really liked. It was zesty and sweet; a good combination on the palet! (Like my "foodie" lingo? Ha!)

Tonight, I try my hand at spagetti. No, not Ragu and Noodles, but a more authentic version involving Italian Sausage, Ground Beef, and Parmasean Cheese on the bottom of the noodles! (You may not understand that last, parmasean cheese part, but I think Milaray will, at least.)

Also, more exciting news:

Nancy comes home today!!! (Home = America.) I am not sure of all the flight details but at some point, she'll will be setting foot back on America soil in good ole, grandeur New York City. I can't wait to hear my Lova's* voice!
*Lova - not literal; more of a figure of speach; nickname.

Anywho, there you have it: A few erratic happenings in my day/life. Random, much? (I know they don't relate to eachother, but as you avid readers should know by now, it is just how it is going to be.)

Why I Love Betty White...

For those of you who really know me, you know that I LOVE me some Golden Girls. And for those of you who really, really know me, you know that Betty White is my fave and that I secretly wish she was my Grandmother...

Anywho, so my sister--Shout Out to Faith, Whoot Whoot--told me about this, and being the Betty White & Jimmy Fallon fan that I am, I had to check it out...

There is just somthing about the thought of Betty White playing beer-pong that is utterly funny to me.

...I hope you, too, find it amusing (at least half as much as I do).

Video Recaps Full Episodes Webisodes

And the Countdown Begins...

It is officially one month.

One month until my flight whiskes me away from Tennessee and into the yonder blue--or in non-hillbilly other terms, one month until I leave for the Netherlands!!!

I.

can't.

wait.

If I could get on a plane tomorrow, I would. Hell, if I could get on a plane today (and all my bags be magically packed), I would! At this point, I am not even sure if it is my utter readiness to get out of this house Knoxville or just the sheer excitement of taking on something new that is making me more and more anxious. But either way, the countdown is on!! Assen, here I come!

In other news, I booked our--Nancy's and my--skydiving jump today!!! Holy Shi-ite, I know!
(If I die, I prefer to be cremated, have a power-point of my life to the musical stylings of Elton John's "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me", and everyone, EVERYONE--even you Aunt Betty--take a shot in memory of me. Admiral Nelson is probably most nostalgic since it best suits my own personal not-able-to-afford-any-better drinking habits. I'll not force tequila on anyone.)
So on September 5th at 2 o'clcok, Nancy and I are taking the plunge--pun intended because I am that big of a dork. And as scared to death as I am, I am at the same time SO FREAKIN' EXCITED!! So right now, wherever you are, say a little prayer for us; otherwise, it is Elton John and Spiced Rum--which I can't personally say is a bad thing!

So there you have it. My mundane, 8-5 working life is starting to take a turn and get a bit more adventurous. And of course, I'll keep letting you three all know all about it.

Words that describe [You Know Who You Are].

Inconsiderate.
Self-Centered.
Condenscending.
Dramatic.
Jealous.
Paranoid.
Disrespectful.
Deceptive.
Insensitive.
Chauvinistic.
Jaded.
"Superior".
Small.
Imperceptive.
Unreasonable.
Ungrateful.
Egocentric.
Oblivious.
Presumptuous.
Misleading.
Intolerant.
High-and-Mighty.
Unaware.
Insulting.
Bullheaded.
Apathetic.
Patronizing.
Impertinent.
Difficult.
Manipulative.
Arrogant.
Unwilling.
Biased.
Stubborn.
"All-Knowing."
Unappreciative.
Illusive.
Hypocritical.
Sexist.
Impudent.
Brash.
Undiscerning.
Cruel.
Close-Minded.
Demanding...

Not Worth It.

So why, oh why... ??

Testing, Testing...

Well, as all two, three , many of you know, it is one month and counting till my big leap of... faith? (I am not sure that is what you would really call it, but we will not worry with that now.) And as the preperations for my big move to the Netherlands continue, I promise to keep you faithful readers updated on my every second of progress. However, for this first post, I just want to see if this works and leave you with this highlight of my day:

Are you ready for this?

Today I noticed one of my coworkers jamming to ABBA. In his office. Yes, it was a male. And for some reason, that made my day. Because I now believe I can die happy knowing that there is a straight grown man who appreciates "Mamma Mia" as much as I do...

I'll leave you hanging there til my next faithful post...