One World, One Dream

IT'S HERE! Though we will only be seeing the opening ceremonies beginning tomorrow night, the Opening Ceremonies of Olympics have already happened in China and the games are under way. I'm meeting my friend at the local pub tomorrow to watch the Opening Ceremonies being broadcast on NBC.

My all time FAVORITE sports of the Summer Olympics are gymnastics (men's and women's) and beach volleyball. I actually found out TODAY that the gal I work with has a NIECE competing! Talk about EXCITING! Her name is Queen Quedith Harrison and she's from right here in Richmond, VA. She'll be running in the Women's 400m Hurdles (even more surreal, she was born the year I graduated from high school!)

To check out the Olympics website, you can click on the following link: Beijing 2008 Olympics. Of course it's in Traditional Chinese, butther eis a link in the top right hand corner that you can click on to read it in English ***whew***. The mascots are adorable! Each one represents one of the elements or blessings (how cool is THAT!) It's very apparent just looking at them. Beibei is the blessing of Properity (water), Jingjing the blessing of Happiness (earth), Huanhuan the blessing of Passion (fire), Yingying the blessing of Health (air) and Nini the blessing of Good Luck (spirit).

The next exciting thing is that the gymnastics gets underway on Saturday! Heartbreaking to read was that Morgan Hamm withdrew today from competeing becauses of his ankle injury. Where that leaves the men's team, I'm not too sure. I was really looking forward to watching Morgan compete again (good ole Wisconsin boy that he is!). And Shawn Johnson is goign to be VERY exciting to watch! The next Mary Lou, perhaps?

Here's to all of the athelets from all of the nations around the world! Congratulations for making it this far and best of luck!

Mamma Mia!!!

I'm hooked! I went with the girls to go see "Mamma Mia" yesterday afternoon. I had always "poo pooed" the idea of the musical because I couldn't fathom making a musical of ABBA music. Now don't get me wrong- I LOVE ABBA, always have!

Sitting in the theater, it took me right back to the very first album I ever bought, at a garage sale: ABBA Arrival! And I was hooked! I sang, I laughed, I cried, I boogied in my seat (lol). Meryl Streep was HILARIOUS in the movie! I kept seeing my mom in MANY of the scenes, being silly, dancing like a dork, sticking her tongue out. Even she agreed. And I would NEVER pass up an afternoon with Pierce Brosnan (YUMM-O!)!!! His wife is a very lucky woman! I'll spare you the rest of the details ;)... hubba, hubba!

I ran out today and bought the soundtrack and can't get the songs out of my head (which is a hell of a lot better than that STUPID Flobots song "No Handlebars" which has been resonating there for days!). 'Gimmie! Gimmie! Gimmie!', 'Waterloo', 'Money, Money, Money', 'I Have a Dream'.... I've been singing all night and day. What a FUN movie! I highly recommend it to everyone!

Setting it in Greece was awesome. I loved the trail up to the church, the beautiful white and blue houses, Aphrodite (you have to see to understand) and the water. Jenni and I just love the culture there. Both mom AND Mary said "Both of you girls would fit right in!" (a little background. Mary, Jenni and I went to the movie. Mary is Jenni's mom. EVERYONE who sees us thinks Jenni, Mary and I are related......my mom is adopted. You put the puzzle pieces together). Now, if I can just find myself a handsome Greek to sweep me away to one of those beautiful islands....

Welcome to my NEW Blog Home!

Welcome to my new home! I felt it was time for a change and a fresh start. I can't say I'll be any better at keeping up to date on the entries, because as of late, it's been C-R-A-Z-Y, but at least the layout is fresh and you can view some new pics in a slide show.

I know you're all DYING to know what's been going on since the surprising layoff. Bouncing right back like the pro I have become, I landed a contract job at the Federal Reserve Bank. I'm covering for someone out on maternity leave, but I'm staying very positive and doing what I do best - work my butt off and get things in line and organized and I've already 'WOWED' everyone I work with. We're hoping this will become something permanent as the Fed appears to be a VERY stable organization! Ahhh - to finally be free of potential lay-offs and enjoy what I do all in the same spin!

In the 5 weeks I was waiting for this opportunity to come along, I was actually able to fit in a mini-vacation to the OBX, which I haven't really been able to enjoy in YEARS! I worked on my GREAT tan, spent time with the kids I babysit, made some $$ on the side and was able to RELAX for a while. Despite the employment and financial set-back, the universe has been very good to me. I've finally been able to enjoy a summer after having missed the last two due to work hours. Being the sun worshiper that I am, all of the rays have helped with the depression, too.

And the all important question everyone always asks, "Am I seeing ANYONE?" Well, let me see? I see a lot of people! At the store, at work, while driving, while walking, on TV.... OH! You mean the OTHER kind of seeing! That, my dears, is a loaded question! Am I involved, in love and on the marriage track? HECK NO! But, I do have a couple (yes, meaning TWO) of "gentlemen friends" in my life at the moment and for the most part am very content with the state of affairs. They aren't beau's, boyfriend's, lover's or such.... simply wonderful men who put up with my shit and enjoy spending time with me and likewise. No stress, no mess, and it's just the way I like it... as Janet Jackson says "I'm in control"...lol, and they would probably agree, too :). Seriously, though, control meaning I won't get hurt, it's not serious and it's just the type of relationships I like. Though, I will admit, I have developed quite a fondness for the two and do miss them when I don't see them.

I hope everyone else is doing MAHvelous and will catch up to you all very soon!