This Ain't Goodbye

So somehow it's become less than a week until I leave. How did this happen? I'm not quite sure where this mysterious "summer" went... But now it's pretty much time to go and, not gonna lie, I'm pretty freaked out. Saying bye to people this past weekend was horrible and I was so super upset. I was starting to think that I was making a horrible decision and that I totally shouldn't go. Then I went to my cousins house tonight and they got me these surprise going away gifts, and it made things sooo much better.

It's a huge map of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, a new SWEET journal, and this beautiful stationary kit. I was just so surprised and it really helped me get back to the excited and jittery state I was in for the beginning of the summer. I can't wait to use all of it! Also it was my momma's birthday (almost), as noted by the birthday princess crown.

So we'll be celebrating that some more this week and getting me ready to go. Still have a few doctor/dentist appointments and my prescriptions to fill and stuff. Boring. And I have a few more necessities like sandals and a suitcase I need to buy, but for the most part, I'm fairly ready which is weird.
And I'm starting to be okay with leaving since it's only a SEE YA LATER, friends. For some of you, it's a long ass see ya later, but a see ya later nonetheless. And we're all going to have such adventures and so many things to talk about, so it's okay.
YAY for being excited again!

Lisztomania

Things I am going to miss in the next 4 months:

- The new Harry Potter movie. When I found that out, I actually cried.
- Football season. HORRIBLE REALIZATION.
- Halloween. Only my second favorite holiday after my birthday (WHICH IS A LEGITIMATE HOLIDAY, don't judge me).
- The only time the Lakers come to DC to play the wizards this season. Really, guys? We couldn't have done this is January maybe? Has to be December 14th? OK, COOL.
- Sushi.
- Glee. I know I will be able to watch it online and stuff but it's not really the same as actually watching it. I just hope they save the BSpears episode for really late in the season.
- Casey's sisters wedding. BOO. Oh and Casey's birthday. double BOO.
- Fall. OH GOD it's going to be SO COLD when I get back. Especially having like a 7 month summer. UGH.
- The beginning of AU Basketball. If you know anything about me, I'm sure my absolute LOVE of AU basketball (and players) has come up. I take my team spirit seriously and it always upsets me when Bender is empty on a huge game-day. As soon as the 2010-2011 schedule comes out, I will pick a big game and make it a huge facebook thing. BAM.
- Starbucks. oh my gosh, white girl problems.
- ICE CUBES. Shannon and I were discussing this the other day and agreed that this was a pretty huge thing to do without.
- Showing my shoulders and knees.
- Community of Hope, tutoring, my kiddies, etc.
- Oh wow, Thanksgiving. That kind of sucks. Hadn't thought of that one. Damn.

UGH why am I doing this? I'm annoying myself. Next post will be on everything I'm SUPER EXCITED ABOUT.


*disclaimer: I did not include people on this list since 1. I figured it would be a given and 2. the list would be astronomically too long.

Over It

So I decided that trying to nanny next week while couch surfing was just going to be impossible and detrimental to my health and well-being and would add even more stress to my plate right now. So I think I will be able to make it home this weekend for a few days and then come back to DC like Thursday or so and stay a few days for welcome week festivities (like I would miss B.o.B or basement happenings. let's be real). Hopefully this means I will be able to maximize friend-seeing and mom-spending-time-with, etc. in order to rest up a little and keep some sanity before my world implodes on the 29th.
I'm sad I'm leaving them hanging for a week without me, but my relief overwhelms that sadness.

It's Like a Heat Wave, Burnin' In My Heart

Today was quite an interesting day- new developments on many fronts. MOST IMPORTANTLY THOUGH, I finally had a conversation with Lifeguard. dun dun duuuun. I guess I should briefly explain Lifeguard though. So I take the boys to this pool they're members of and the lifeguards there are lovely. One day a few weeks ago, one I had been eye-ing decided to wave at me. It was cute but then we sadly had no more interactions after that besides longing glances. Last week, as per Maie's suggestion, I posted a missed connection (AND GOT REALLY WEIRD/MEAN RESPONSES which I will cover at a later date), but nothing from Lifeguard. I knew nothing about Lifeguard except that he had a little tattoo on his neck that I found intriguing. UNTIL TODAY when he waved me over to chat with him as I was leaving with the kids. He made me take off my sunglasses and asked what color my eyes were. And it was awkward, but also kind of cute, and then he introduced himself. Immediately I knew I was now dealing with an Eastern European man, per the accent. The Pollock ladies do not have the best of luck with this specific category of foreign men, so I was very taken aback by the heavy accent. And then I was all "OKAY WELL SEE YOU LATER BYE" as I as so shocked at the encounter.
I guess I had built up this person in my head and he is absolutely not what I was expecting, so it totally threw me and then I called my mom to tell her that the allure of Lifeguard was over since we finally spoke. I am pretty disappointed in myself for not picking up on the Eastern European vibe earlier- since I totally figured out early on that another lifeguard totally was. But his accent is so strong, I had to make him repeat what he asked me (awkward). I still find him highly attractive, but only know his first name and that he's Russian/Ukrainian/Moldovan? So I guess there is still some mystery. But I'm a little disheartened. Also he only has 63 facebook friends. Can we vote on whether this is too weird or acceptable since he's obviously foreign and probably, like, just came to the US or something (much like Max a few years ago, so I guess I should be nicer). It would be nice to know if he's like 20 or 37 though, I guess that should be my opener next time I drag the boys to the pool during a heat wave specifically to see him?

got caught out in the rain

I have white girl problems right now, as SHaack would say. I am so tired of spending 10 hours a day with 2 spoiled rotten only children. It sounds so obnoxious to complain about, but I swear this job is harder than working at Chick-fil-a (which I also wasn't much of a fan of). I'm just ready for it to be over and to have some time to myself to think.
I'm also starting to get kind of nervous about going abroad. I wouldn't say that I'm "scared" per se, but I'm HIGHLY nervous. More about missing things here than actually being there. And I'm sure that once I am there and into the swing of things, it will be all good. Also, goodbye party will be August 7th so be there or be square.
I went to the Nationals/Braves game last night with Heidi, Ellie, and Maie. It was fun and entertaining since none of them had ever been to a baseball game before (obviously anti-American). To sum up the evening: Ellie had one beer and was trying to lick my face, Heidi was being foot-fondeled by the older man in front of us, and Maie was tired. Pretty typical evening.
I'm going home for a few days this weekend, which is much needed. Also, getting out of my apartment will be a welcomed relief. Everything had been so nice and calm for the past 2 weeks, I had forgotten it could be any different.
I JUST POSTED A MISSED CONNECTION ON CRAIGSLIST. this is so exciting/terrifying/i'm sure not that gratifying since he probably won't ever see it. but STILL. I did it! That's a success on it's own. I'll keep you updated on any developments in the case.

This is the first day of my (blogging) life

So I'm really stoked to be blogging again. It's been awhile since I have shared my thoughts on life on the interweb. Mainly I was just super jealous of the success of 2birds1blog and I want to be Madison McBlogger. Also, I plan on using this as my travel and work blog so everyone can have updates on my life i.e. read my complaints about everything, probably, and look at pictures of elephants.