Wednesday, April 23, 2008

dislike

 - all bad language, especially "sucks"

really can't you be more creative then use this kind of language to describe what you think about someone else. also, don't talk about other people, or turn into a gossip just because you are around one. you're better then that roomie.

Pow Wows, Notecards, and Other Secrets of the Yaya Sisterhood

I'm at work - basically one of my last remaining days. I may drop by another day in a week or so to tie up a few loose ends, but this is basically it. I loved having a little corner and niche at this sometimes overwhelming city.

But what I learned most today is that someone should have banged me in the head with a frying pan. I'm not sure what it was that set me off on a little stress tangent at night, and only at night, but whatever did its certainly nothing to cry over. For starters, at a little pow wow the girls and I had this afternoon, they also made me recognize how much I have to be happy about - and reminded me of all that I had already accomplished and will. I also found myself encouraging and even pushing one of the girls a bit about some job stuff, and I again found myself pointing a finger at myself saying - Emily what the hell do you have to be nervous about!? Seriously!

You've landed an awesome job, in the city (an awesome city) that you want to live in, have an awesome relationship, an awesome salary, and now just have to find an awesome apartment and car - and heck that's the easy part right! So what has it been? Perhaps a medical scare and unconscious guilt, but that's certainly not something that's going to stop me from enjoying all of these things I've worked so hard for and are now coming true.

As the little notecard above my desk says "Making the dream HAPPEN!" And guess what, it really is!!!!

The First of My "Happy Tennessee List"

This is the beginning of my "Happy Tennessee List" In the coming weeks up to my move I'm creating a fun little list of the things that make me happy about moving there.

1. Tennessee river - view from lookout mountain (which I do want to climb)

2. Knoxville Brewer's Jam - drove down randomly one weekend and went to this. Cute mug too:)

3. Dogwoods, mmm so pretty

4. UT Games and my orange fleece - tailgating and using the Weber Q (it's a baby weber that's been sleeping far too long in my apt.)
5. Good breakfasts. I know someone that makes the best darn eggs n sausage (w/maple!) ever.
6.  This license plate on my new car!

Monday, April 21, 2008

A Blessing!

The boy and I. I had to take a moment to post this to recognize what an amazing relationship I have, especially with helping me navigate through little life decisions lately. To walk side by side with side with him is such a blessing, one that I can't describe. It adds a whole new depth to the richness and goodness of God and life. Thank you boy for everything. 


Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Agape Love

Before laying down, it came to me that I knew what the tugging is:
I want to find new ways to say I love you & thank you to him. To go beyond what we already know.
And then it was simple: We must go deeper with God.

And we will.  
Agape.

Larger Thoughts


I've been wanting to write, like really write for quite some time now, but the words have been sitting at bay.  I blame the busyness of life. The reading, the thinking, the talking too much. Usually I can write when I quiet the outer and listen to the inner. When I let the words move from being the frayed edges of my heart to the center of the rhythm.  I have things on my mind. Larger philosophical questions about life that want to frame my thoughts. They beg for attention, and at night get a few minutes worth before my head becomes disenchanted with their largeness and I fall asleep.

Outside the sun has gone down, the tulips stand still in the moonlight waiting for the morning's speckled dew.  Flicks of red, pink, and yellow face up in the promise of the coming day.


Moving Up'

So I've almost wrapped up all my major projects for the semester! And it feels so good, almost like a new freedom I'm finding.  Next week I defend my thesis in class (yay/woo) and also start hunting for an apartment in Knoxville.  While moving can be overwhelming we have to look at the positives of it.  After living in a city for a year, having a car, having a car with the inability to steer, and living in an apartment with a baby upstairs, the positives are becoming ever more crystal clear:

1. Car - honk honk. I will no longer have to grocery shop according to how many lbs. I can carry in my arms. Ah, I can buy milk, beer, and water at once! Also, there's something about rolling windows down, turning on music, and moving your hand in a cool airplane like motion that gets me going.

2. Green, trees, mountains, oh my - When I look out ahead and drive to work I'll be seeing the mountains each morning, rising up before me like majesties.  I can also "plan" to go hiking. See plan in quotes:)

3. Dogs - In my current apt. you could only have a cat, that was a definite no go for this gal.  I'm currently investigating the Border Terrier. 

4. Laundry - No more paying gastronomical amounts like 3.00 dollars to be able to wash all my coloreds. Disclaimer: I plan on cooking for the boy who may let me use his washer/dryer.

5. No JDJFD- Lots of people I meet in the DC seem to work for acronyms DOD, DOE, DOJ, WH, take your pick.  They also get every other Friday off and wear strange badges and sometimes cut in front of you at restaurants and in movie lines because they are VIP. Look, another acronym.

6. Money - While education has its perks, and sleeping till 7:20 each morning has been fun, I'm tired of eating oatmeal for different meals.

7.  Favorite person - Being an hours flight away from your person only permits you to see them like once every 3 or 4 weeks.  Instead of taking a train, bus, and plane to get there I can just go down the street. 

Sunday, April 13, 2008

News! I'm Moving to Knoxville!


It's official! I'm going to bid farewell to DC and move to Knoxville, TN at the end of May. I've accepted a position with the University of Tennessee as a Curriculum Development Specialist, and will be working at Oak Ridge at their Institute of Public Service - Law Enforcement Innovation Center (LEIC).

I'm thrilled about this position, as I will be working with over 100 subject matter experts involved in training the National Forensics Academy, Air Force, Army, and other branches of government, large corporations, etc.. I'll be taking their content and coming up with a training program design in a hands-on experiential learning format. I'm also responsible for helping to develop standardized monitoring and evaluation techniques for our trainers.

LEIC is currently completing a very large addition to their building, and has constructed an outdoor classroom complete with a burn cell, stairwell going nowhere, and lab to conduct and practice investigation techniques with participants. During the summer they actually has a 10 week national academy, and the investigators come and stay in Oak Ridge for this. I'm looking forward to seeing this in action.

But overall I'm thrilled to officially become part of the Knoxville community and UT! I can wear orange now and look forward to a fall full of football games and tailgates. (The benefits package for state employees rocks!) Yes, this is part of the best part -- UT full time employees get reduced tickets for family, friends, and guests. Last Christmas, I was given a UT orange cooler and now I can finally use it!

So while the majority of this post was about the job, and UT, I have to admit my enthusiasm and excitement about moving to Knoxville has been primarily driven by a support, and a love that I have come to cherish. The Boy and I have been dating for over 2 years now, and in a long distance relationship for what's beginning to become a year and a half. We've managed it well, and this last year was much easier as we spanned only DC to TN, not TN to South Florida. But there are so many things that we want to be able to share together, that distance sometimes makes it hard to do. The Boy has been a steady rock in my life that I can count on during the good (to be my biggest cheerleader), the bad (have a shoulder to cry on), and the everyday in between - always a few laughs. He inspires me in how he lives. And we've grown close, and I look forward to all of the opportunities well have to keep growing closer once we are in the same city. He's amazing, and a blessing in my life. Together, I feel we become better people.

Here I come UT, Knoxville, and closer to The Boy! I'll keep you posted on future developments ie looking for an apartment and planning on finding a new car.

Monday, April 07, 2008

Resonating Sound


when two violins are placed in a room
if a chord on one violin is struck, the other violin will sound the note
if this is your definition of hope...this is for you
the ones who know how powerful we are
who know we can sound the music in the people around us
simply by playing our own strings
for the ones who sing life into the space
who open their c
hests and offer their breath as wind on a still day

Saturday, April 05, 2008

Cute Post by the Sis-Masonick Girls

Taken from the my sis' blog.

Emily: "If smart is hot, I think therefore I am."

We were raised to think this way. That's what occurs when you grow up in a famiy where the women are all either entrepreneurs or administrators. The biggest blessing- that they are all loving and caring moms at the same time. It's difficult to mix a sense of drive and ambition with an equal call to raise a family and be attentive at home. Yet, the Masonick women stood up to the task and provided excellent role models. In our weekly phone conversations Emma and I constantly agree, "there's something special about being a Masonick girl.

Friday, April 04, 2008

The Sweetest Thing You Could Ever See is a Happy Girl.

It's been a lovely few weeks here folks.  Even with the quickly approaching end of the semester due dates, and frequent Friday dates with my thesis and delicious cheese, life is pretty darn good.

Last week I had two successful interviews, thanks to great job experiences and some stellar education, I felt prepared and ready to make a little debut. The first one would definitely get my little imagine kicking, with all of the CSIesque things that happen in the office, God only knows the stories I could end up with.  The second a true example of college bureaucracy and the works of a big campus. But none the less, I got my name and my face out there and hopefully made a good impression.  We shall see.

I had a great weekend with the Boy, who purchased Rock Band. And let's just say well...that pretty much rocked and so did we.  Also, our second version of a deep dish pizza turned out much better.  We figured out saucy is good, but only in some forms, not in pizza land.  We had fun advancing The Fighting Phyllis and Willis' (our band) and acquiring a super jet and hippie van. It's good to let your hair down every once in awhile. 

Back in DCland I'm spending a good amount of time trying to knock things out of the ballpark, figuratively speaking, get them done and above and beyond style.  All I know is that when I finally get myself a little puppy, I will be so happy.  Seriously! But I know that half the amount of fun is getting yourself there, and so I'm making the most of this journey but also really excited about what's to come!

I'll try to update more frequently, and hopefully with some exciting job news! Cross your fingers! Cue song..."Oh, oh she's a happy girl, everybody knows she's a happy girl. And the sweetest thing you could ever see in the whole wide world is a happy girl"~by martina mcbride