Honeymoon Part 5 of 5

Monday, June 04

Last time, we were in San Fransisco and we were headed to the East Coast..

We made it to Boston with no issue, for a short layover before continuing on to Baltimore.  We were lucky enough to have time to make a bathroom stop.  While Teh German was in the bathroom, I was super tacky and pulled out one of those disposable Colgate brushers and "brushed" my teeth while standing in the middle of the terminal.  Just call me the queen of class.  #NotSorry

Relieved, we headed towards our gate.  I made a pit stop at Starbucks (not worth it) and then had to make another bathroom stop, ugh.  I was in the bathroom when they called for us to board, so Teh German and I ended up being in the last 3 people that boarded the plane.  Whatevs.  Once boarded, we headed to BWI where Chief Smartass picked us up from the airport and delivered us back to his house to reunite with Yurtle.

Hanging out with Secret Dog before heading to SoMD.

 A, thankfully, uneventful drive from Baltimore to SoMD to reunite with the beasts and take a longer than anticipate, but much needed nap before Teh Running Bestie came home from work.  The dogs seemed excited to see us and we were just glad that Pax didn't pee from over-excitement, which has happened before.

I just wanted to do my business in peace.  But Pax was INCESSANT and wouldn't settle until I opened the door and left it open so he could monitor my comings and goings.  #VelcroDog

My Monkey-Doodle.. /swoon

When Teh Running Bestie came home from work, we headed out to do a store run then we ended up picking up Chinese for dinner since no one was in the mood for cooking.  We watched the Caps game while eating dinner.  After a Caps WIN, it was bedtime.

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Tuesday, June 05

We had determined we were heading back to Charleston on Tuesday, so I woke up early to say goodbye to Teh Running Bestie, then I stayed up to catch up on emails and other work things.  I had originally planned on going back to bed, but that didn't end up happening.  I eventually had to wake Teh German up to get ready to go since he had wanted to leave around 10.  It didn't happen.  We left at 1035.  Oh well. 

I drove the first half of the trip, making the necessary stop at McDonald's for a the first sweet tea I'd had since May 19th, before we left for Australia.  Teh German drove the 2nd half of the trip, after we stopped at the dog park.  Unfortunately, Teh German got pulled over and received a speeding ticket in NC, BOOOOOO.  That was a really sour note for our adventure and it didn't make the rest of the trip enjoyable in the least.  We did listen to my audiobook for the remainder of the journey home, which pleased me greatly.  It was super depressing and I ended up falling asleep after we got onto I-26.  Oops.

When we got home, we unloaded the car, unpacked, then it was time to chill.  I checked in with work again and was putting odds and ends away while Teh German was catching up on his missed YouTube videos.  Teh German was on vacation for the full week after we came back from our honeymoon (unlike me), so he had plenty of time to catch up on his "internets".  I know you were worried about that.....  /facepalm.

Around 10, I was duuuunnn and it was bedtime.

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Wednesday, June 06

Originally, I was planning to go into the office, but I just couldn't force myself out of the bed.  We're gonna blame jet lag.  I let my people know that I'd be teleworking, then spent my commute time making up for lost time with Teh Cloud (the bed).

Teh German had a work meeting to attend, which he'd been stressed out about for most of our honeymoon.  This in turn, added to my stress, which was already on high since honeymoon.  When he got back home, I couldn't really tell what the outcome of the meeting had been.  He wasn't whistling (which I hate, but am slowly coming to term with), nor was there any heavy sighing.  It was a confusing time in my life. 

Teh German took his time changing out of his outside shoes into his house shoes and then emptied his pockets as slowly as possible before finally coming to the living room where I was.  He came to the couch and wasn't frowning but wasn't smiling.  Finally, I was like, "REALLY JUST TELL ME, OMFGGG!"  He reported back only good things (woot! a raise)!  After he'd told me all about it, we debated on a lunch plan and finally decided to stay home and cook a frozen pizza so we didn't have to leave since I had work calls at 1 and 1:30.  While we ate, I participated in my calls, then the afternoon was easy peasy.

And with that.... life went back to normal and the honeymoon was officially over.

Honeymoon Adventures

Part 1: SC to MD, MD to Cairns
Part 2: Scuba Diving the Great Barrier Reef
Part 3: Sydney Touristing
Part 4: California (San Francisco and Sacramento)
Part 5: MD to SC

Five on Friday #92

EINS

I have a coworker who has essentially started treating me as their glorified secretary for when they don't want to have to participate in meetings.  I'm over it.  It was one thing asking me to play stenographer, but something else entirely when you are too lazy/busy to drag the phone across the table and dial the number yourself... for the meeting you scheduled.

Let's just say it was no heartbreak for me to have to miss my regularly scheduled meetings while I am in DC.  #notsorry

ZWEI

Speaking of being up north.  I'm staying with Teh MD-AR and commuting to DC for the 2 days I have meetings.  That will be spectacular.  But this beauty made up for whatever hair pulling the commute will bring:

I even had to selfie with the tree, on principle.

For 3 years, while I was stationed in MD, I always wanted to stop and take "good" photos of this tree since it is absolutely gorgeous.  Each year I said I'd do it, and then 3 years had passed and I never did it and I was crushed.  To make matters worse, Teh MD-AR has these photos she had taken at The Tree and I'm just so jealous every time she shares them.  Well, dammit, I was on base yesterday as a surprise visit for Teh Soccer Mom and Teh MD-AR and I saw The Tree's sibling when I was making the turn to go to their office.  I then had to detour through a parking lot to go check the status of The Tree.

IN FULL FIRE MODE.  WIIIIIIIINNNNNNNN.  There were some leaves missing from the top, but for the most part, beggars can't be choosers.  Sadly, I didn't have my DSLR with me, but my cell phone isn't horrible quality and it will have to do.

I want this tree in my front yard.

DREI

We hit up the fair on Tuesday night.  It was everything you'd expect.

Each time I go to the fair, I realize that I'm getting older and Old Megan doesn't handle things that Youthful Megan happily enjoyed.  I'm talking about you, spinny, g-force ride that made my neck and back ache and almost made me vomit.  In fact, I think I'm outgrowing the spinny rides, which is super depressing. 

Instead of getting wallet raped, we just bought a $20 wristband so we could ride whatever, whenever.

I did have a blast on the go really high ride... until we got to the end and I couldn't breathe.  This was due to having big boobs and the harness not being a variable distance away from the body.  In fact, I even pulled my boobs up through the middle of the harness to help alleviate the weight on my chest.  When the ride stopped, I was trying to catch my breathe and couldn't.  I was almost to the point of having a panic attack, I was already talking myself down, when the ride guy finally released the harnesses.

We definitely took advantage of bumper cars...

Teh German's determination.

The both got me at the same time.

I needed revenge.

Then we rode the swings.

This was very definitive of mostly NO.

I have no idea why he was looking so depressed.

Mr. Golfer and Roux's Humom

SWWWING!

Dem clouds.

We had to ride the ferris wheel at sunset for the photo opportunity.

A few more rides after the ferris wheel, where I really cemented that "I'm no longer youth" status, we made our way to the bull riding ring.  Teh German had never seen live bull riding, so I was glad for him to experience real "American Cowboys" since that's the stereotype of Americans overseas.

He's so cute when he's eager to see something.

We didn't stay long for the riders.  The opening ceremony took over 20 minutes and we were standing since we had arrived late, aka Megan didn't realize the stands would be full so early.  My bad.  Mr. Golfer and Roux's Humom had left after the first ride.  Teh German and I stayed for a handful more rides, then we deserted our borrowed hay bale (to give us some height to actually see into the rink), and headed towards the fried oreos that I was insistent on.

After acquiring fried oreos, we walked through the photography exhibit, which is always one of my favorite things about the fair.  I like to use it to get ideas for where to shoot what.  After we wandered through the photos, we headed home since it was almost our bedtime.

VIER

From the phone:

Halloween night, a tree (Teh German) hugger (me) set up in the driveway to hand out candy.
We even brought some Hue lights and put them on rave mode as "decorations".
We ended the night with 1 of 2 huge bowls of candy left over.  It went to work with us the following day.

I needed a keychain for Bagheera's key and I have kept this old faithful, despite not needing a keychain for Yurtle's fob.
This makes me feeling like I'm in high school all over again since this keychain replaced one almost exactly like it that I had on my keys when I drove Teh Kaar.

Heh.  Hehhheh.  Hhhehehehe.
Of course I had to take a photo of this while we were at the fair.
Even though the smell of grease from this stand made me nauseous.

Sunrise on Thursday morning from CHS to DCA.

Get a greyhound, they say.
Greyhounds are majestic, they say.
They have never met Olive.

FÜNF

10 things that made me happy this week:

1. Easy travels to DC.
2. My east coast tree being in full fire bloom.
3. Going to the fair in CHS for the first time with Teh German.
4. Our first Halloween at Teh Ville handing out candy.
5. Riding Bagheera to work Tuesday and Wednesday, even if it meant no dresses.
6. Being able to put the 10lb pillow in my luggage without worrying about my suitcase being overweight.
7. Time to read/audiobook in the afternoons, while in transit, and while flying.
8. Nips from Olive because she's so excited to see me.
9. Skype
10. Teh MD-AR and I being roomies again (even if it's just temporary) and both of us trying to figure out where Meri and Phil are since they aren't constantly following us around (since they are in SC with Teh German).

Happy Friday, Gentle Readers.

Linking up with these ladies since it's FFFFRRRRRRIIIIIIDDDDAAAAYYYY!!!!!!!!!

http://meetatthebarre.blogspot.ca/ | http://farmerbell.blogspot.com | http://theflynnigans.com/

Music Monday #7 and Weekend Review {9/29}

Music Monday

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<a href="http://www.canidecideanotherday.com/" title="can I decide another day?"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZpb9AhJadASE9JguVjsd3DW4DMpC8BGz6SP_6M2YAewHfpWi3kzeNS8S-po2SHs43hULafeqZuORN2tEb_z9bvnvMp-NGce9utv87hAvb8jTjskMMcWYt0N8TqTelXYhqwTiV3HxtUxu/s2048/Music_Monday_Button_02.png" alt="can I decide another day?" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

I'm a pop music fangirl.  I can't help it.  I burned up plenty of rubber this weekend on the highways and the song that gets me every.single.time it comes on??  Boom Clap by Charlie XCX.  I wish I could fight it, but it's so catchy.  Teh Bear hated the fact that I loved pop music and now I don't have to worry about that anymore, BOOM BITCHES!

Let's get to the weekend, shall we?

FRIDAY

So on Thursday I went to medical for an appointment to take care of some nasty body crap and it didn't get taken care of I was referred to a specialist surgeon at the hospital who also wouldn't take care of my problem.  Instead, he distracted me with a shiny new allergist referral because he wants to see if/how allergic I am to penecillin.  I'm that kid.

Side story: Teh Sister is NOT allergic to penicillin and she was a pretty sickly kid.  When she would get the pink stuff that tasted like bubble gum, I'd sneak into the fridge and shake it up and lick the lid.  When I told Teh Mom when I was an adult, she got quite upset with me.  Oops, my bad.

Anyways, the surgeon was able to make a call and get me an appointment at the hospital in Bethesda on Friday.  I left a little bit early and traffic didn't end up being as bad as I anticipated so I had time for lunch  (sushi) and dessert (cannoli)!

nomnomnom!

At my appointment, I learned that since I had been taking my allergy meds (since it's freakin' allergy season and all) that they couldn't do allergy testing on me.  Good talk, glad I drove the 2 hours up here to STILL get no medical attention.  We did make a course of action though, so my drive up and back on Friday was practice for next Friday's drive up to actually get the tests.  Le siiiigh.  Oh military medicine, I hate you so much.

I came home and really wanted a nap from dealing with Friday DC rush hour traffic, but didn't have time.  Instead, I lived vicariously through the brown dogs.

Aren't they adorable "broken" dogs?

While we were getting ready to leave, I filled kongs with PB and I had the cutest audience.

I lubs dem.
I'm especially fond of that big white one, even with his stinky breafs.

After feeding the beasts, we headed to Teh MD Teenage Roomie's homecoming football game.  It turned out to be an absolutely gorgeous day.  I kept marveling at it the entire drive to and from DC and then got to be in awe again as we watched the game.

Lub wispy clouds.

It eventually got chilly enough for my hoodie, woot!!!
Minnie is back out.

We got to watch the marching band and it was super awesome and nostalgic for me (and Teh Worldwide Jesus Lover).

Despite eating at the game, we were all still hungry afterwards.  So we headed to Olive Garden because I really wanted the summer dessert (panna cotta) that I'd had with Mr. Mystery when he came to visit over Labor Day weekend.  Sadly, it was seasonal and since Fall started Monday, they were out.  DISLIKE.  

Fortunately, I pinned some recipes to make it, so maybe one SC day I'll accomplish that deliciousness.

This classy lady (in blue) was wearing her napkin over her shirt.. for their entire meal.
Oh SoMD, I'll miss you.

We came home and got doggy snuggles and started smelling something and before I could even look down, I realized it was Phil's breath.. I was right:

It's good that I love him unconditionally....
He has really started being a dick lately with the garbage spelunking and his atrocious breaths. 

SATURDAY

Gentle Readers I need to tell you a secret.  If you know me IRL, you may already know this, but I'm going to remind you.  I don't do math.  It's just better that way, for everyone.  I took ZERO maths in college because I had completed all my math requirements for college in high school.  I have a Bachelor of Arts.  I use an app to calculate tips.  It's just not my jam.  So Friday night, when I was trying to figure out when I should leave to make it to PA to hang out with my Raleigh Roomies, I did the math backwards and left an hour later than I should have.  Ooops.

They decided to love me anyways.  I arrived at their PA house a little after one and we hung out and had pizza and I played games with the girls.  I hadn't seen their youngest daughter and the last time I'd seen their oldest daughter, she was less than a year old.  They work at a place with an art gallery on the "campus" so they took me by there so I could see all the awesome art they get to hang out with every day of the week.  (Yes, I'm jealous.)  

Faces of Buddha made from NYC telephone books.

The center Buddha.
The artist was too poor to buy wood to carve, so he used phone books instead.  I think it's awesome.

This "hive" was above the elevator and it was made of pipe cleaners and beads.  

This book sculpture was of "super woman" aka a naked lady with hard nips dangling from the ceiling.

In the shark tank, the recycled tire shark tried to eat my head.

But then I acted normal.

The ladies!

Hold on, I need a selfie!!
I love them, they are so great, the littlest one kept saying "CHEEEESE" when we'd tell her it was photo time.

After our tour, we went to a relative's house for Rosh Hashana dinner.  Everything was delicious and it was awesome to get to meet more family members of my Raleigh Roomies.  I had met their parents back in 2007, but it was great to be included in something like that.  

Side story: I used to (ok and still do) call the Raleigh Roomies Mom and Dad because they took care of me (and Adolescent ZepZep) for my last semester of college.  They believed that I played too much World of Warcraft and didn't hang out with the family enough, so we had designated meal days.  

After dinner and socializing, we finally headed home and the girls had passed out in the car.  That didn't stop us from having a fire (mostly so I could toast marshmallows, I won't even pretend).  Also, I honed my toasting kills on square marshmallows.  Don't worry, my perfect marshmallow toasting skill is still on point.  Around midnight, the flames were out, so we called it and headed to bed.

I only need marshmallows, not smores... this time. 

These were the decorative pillows on the guest bed.  I counted.
Total number of pillows: 9 (+1 (mine)) = 10.
Total number of pillows I used: 1 (mine).
The Raleigh Roomie Wife and Teh MD Adult Roomie apparently are the same person with the similar taste in rugs and the same opinion on decorative pillows.**

SUNDAY

First thing Sunday morning was breakfast and games with the girls, then it was church time.  The Raleigh Roomies go to a mega-church.  The service was a legit "production."  As in, there was dry ice and it was concert loud.  I had to take a photo because I found it amusing considering that many people at my church think that our contemporary service (that I attend) is a "production" because of the worship band.  Not.even.close.  OMG.  It was an interesting experience.  Pretty much the opposite (and kinda the same) of that one time Teh Worldwide Jesus Lover brought me to Tupper Baptist Memorial (an African-American Baptist church founded in the early 1900s, all of those significant details she failed to inform this Podunk-born-Catholic-all-her-life-girl about (she will never live this down and I like to bring it up as often as possible)).

After church, I met Mr. Voices and Mrs. Boomkin at the mall for lunch so we could hang out one last time before I headed south for the winter.  I couldn't be so close to them (and my Godson) and not get to see them!  

The mall with the most retail space in America.
Yay dollas spendin'!

Mrs. Boomkin and I took some ridiculous selfies.  WINNING.

We hit up a few stores and then Mr. Voices and Mrs. Boomkin needed to leave to get back home.  Sad that we only had a little time, we hugged it out.  I, then, headed back into depths of the mall to do some (much needed) shoe shopping.  I ended up getting 4 pairs of shoes for under $100, getting trapped in JCPenney, and eventually made it out alive.

The drive back to MD wasn't as bad as it could have been, which I was thankful for.  I came home and Teh MD Roomies and I had dinner and we did puzzle and chores and wrote blogs (ok, I wrote this blog, we did things).

It still hasn't hit me that I'm only in MD for one more week.  This is the first duty station that I've actually not been ready to leave.  There is a countdown, but only for the acknowledgement of how many days I have left to accomplish necessary tasks.. like checking-out at work.  There are irritating things about SoMD, like the lack of decent shopping facilities (#firstworldproblems) and the very tight-knit/small communities that are sometimes hard to break into, but overall, it hasn't been the worst place ever.  I met awesome people who I'm not ready to leave yet and I'm not going to be ready in a week when I drive away with the rest of my crap in suitcases (I'm leaving the dogs since we're going on the cruise and I'll be retrieving them at a later date).  

Fortunately, I know that Teh MD Roomies will be here or at least be contactable.  I know that my greyhound/sighthound groupies would definitely be willing to grab lunch if I happened to be in the area down the road.  I know that these relationships don't end just because I'm relocating.  That doesn't make it any easier to wrap my head around.

Is there an acceptable grieving period for transitioning?  I kid, I kid.. kinda..  Also, I still need a SC job.  Lee siiiiigh.

**PS.  I hate decorative pillows.  We have 4 pillows on the bed in SC.  2 for Mr. Mystery and 2 for me.  

Linking up with these ladies:

Music Monday w/ Stories, Songs, & Praise and Love Woke Me Up This Morning |
Monday Morning Gossip w/ Join the Gossip |
Weekend Recap w/ Dateless in Dallas |
Weekending w/ B Loved Boston