My dog ate my mobile phone.

Culprit name: Zara

Hair: mostly brown with hints of black, tan and white
Eyes: blue
Age: nearing 2 years
Breed: collie/husky/shepard. aka. mutt
Hobbies: chasing tails, eating cupcakes, squirrel hunting

Charge: After being left alone for a mere 30 minutes, Zara is charged with Blackberry Attack. (see photo below) This is out of nature for this four legged canine as I usually leave her out of the crate, free to roam around in my room for 8 hours a day while I go to work. She is usually an angel. Until... I leave to grab lunch one Sunday afternoon. BAM! There goes my poor, helpless Blackberry. Of course she chose to chew on the Blackberry that is owned by my company. Spiteful, Zara... spiteful. One cracked screen and missing button later, I am left to wonder why she chose hard plastic over chewy peanut butter to claim as lunch that day.

Being a dog owner has taught me a lot of things. Mainly, that I do not want children any time in the near future. Second, how to have patience, and last, how to forgive. Zara has been crated every day since the AoB (Attack on Blackberry). However, I am happy to report that because of the Humane Society's Crate Training Tips, my four-legged friend enjoys her crate. It might be the peanut butter kong that awaits her each morning, but as soon as I open the door to the crate, she walks right in. Although its not my preferred style, the world is now safe from her jaws while I am away. I'm hoping someone will tell me dogs are like wine - that they get better with age. I consistently blame this on her terrible 2's. Let's hope there are no terrible 3's, 4's and so ons. I guess it's not all bad, though. There is no other creature in this world who can give unconditional love such as man's best friend. And, she makes a good vacuum. I sometimes wonder if she is teaching me more lessons than I do for her. Maybe it really is a dogs world after all.

My life in boxes and keys.

This past week I celebrated my one-year anniversary of living in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area. And I must admit, I've caught the beltway blues more than once during my 365 days in presence. I had to transition from a small, country town in Ohio -- where my uncle is the mayor, everyone knows everyone, there is no cell phone service, no red lights, a town square, and sitting on the porch with lemonade and listening to the rain is a good time. I quickly found myself in a fast-paced "city" called McLean/ Tyson's Corner where there are more people in one apartment complex here than there are in my entire hometown. My office is 7.5 miles away from my apartment-- there are 34 stop lights (most of which are usually red) and 4 stop signs on my way to work. There are next to no sidewalks in Tyson's corner which results in having to drive everywhere. A few days ago, a 2.1 mile drive took 26 minutes and 47 seconds. I wish I were joking. However, when I reflect back on the past year, it's not all complaints. I've met some great people, learned so much through my job, cherish the fact that so much history is simply down the road, and can honestly say I haven't been bored since I moved here. There is so much to do! Whether it's playing baseball at the National Mall, getting a mind, body, and soul workout at Dancing Mind Yoga, or going to concerts at the local venues-- I've been successfully kept busy.

Tomorrow, I move from the Terror of Tyson's Traffic, to Arlington, Va. Ahhh.. a place where you can walk to get your groceries, easily access bike and running paths, only steps will take you to the metro-which opens doors. It's funny how packing up my belongings throughout the past week has made me think back to the first day I moved in. I would get lost literally every single time I left my apartment. I owe a lot to Google Maps. But seeing my room almost empty, just as it was when I first arrived, has reminded me of how much can change in just one year.

Now, the other part of this title is 'keys'. My key ring has exponentially grown. Last year at this time I had one key - my car key. Now, there are Harris Teeter, Petco, Borders, Giant little tag cards swinging right next to my car key. There are also two apartment keys (two locks-would be better if we had 3 because we live in the ghetto) and a mailbox key. Then, I began volunteering at the yoga studio and have two keys to allow access. Yesterday, the biggest key was added. The key to my boyfriend's apartment. Yes, it really is the biggest- metophorically and literally. Tomorrow, I will be giving away my apartment keys and getting new ones. I'm left to wonder how the ring will change and what I'll be carrying around next year. What's on your key ring?

I'll close with Hello, Arlington! Goodbye, Tyson's.
My new home.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T1RMuoQnKo

Transition from Fearful Facebook to Transparent Twitter

Facebook:
It’s on everybody’s mind. Multiple times per day. It’s on your cell phone. It’s on your computer. It’s your lunch break, and your mind break. Thinking back to my early days of college, I first heard of this social networking site from my friends at bigger universities. As a student at a college of less than 1,000 students on a good day, Facebook did not exist. That is, until Kari Jo and I began sending e-mails with information such as our college size, residence halls, fraternities and sororities on campus, dining halls, and other information on the “Petition to add your school to Facebook” form. Once Facebook was introduced to Bethany College (not sure if Kari Jo and I had anything to do with this-but we like to think we did), the world changed. I set ground rules. I would never give out personal information to people I didn’t know. I would never accept a friend request from a person I didn’t know. I went on in my merry keep-everything-to-my-own-personal-bubble way until… I met social media. With the service known as Twitter, I find myself following people. Yes, I admit: I am following complete strangers; and in some cases, products and services. That just sounds creepy. And, I’m somehow okay with it. That leaves me to wonder, when did I become so transparent? And who am I to think the world really cares about what I am doing. Okay, maybe they do. But why? It’s all about the sharing of information. It also has a lot to do with the personal interest factor. So Susie Q is “snowed in for the day”… maybe you are too? You can relate. People love to relate. Tweeple love to relate. It's actually pretty pretty useful in not only personal life, but work/business life as well. Many links, informational pages, facts, and ideas are presented daily through Twitter. Twitter is a great way to expand your network and build your very own web-u-tation.

Well, that’s my 2cents on this. I’m only left to wonder, what’s next? When will the line between my information sharing and privacy cease to be blurred?

Big Brother…is that you?

*Side note: While I still do not accept people I don’t know on Facebook, I’ve become lenient and do accept people who went/go to my alma mater and people who work for the same company as I…and the occasional mutual friend or two. :P

Resolution

I will blog more often. I will blog more often. I will blog more often. I will blog more often. I will blog more often. I will blog more often. I will blog more often. I will blog more often. I will blog more often. I will blog more often. I will blog more often. I will blog more often. I will blog more often. I will blog more often. I will blog more often.

Much to write about this time, folks! I guess that's what happens when you take a multiple month hiatus from blogging. That's not to say I didn't think about blogging, however. Anyway, 2009 is off to a fast start.

Highlights of the first month of two double-o nine:

Living in DC during a historical Inauguration
As if there aren't enough people in this city... just add 2 million more, and what do you get? Chaos! Luckily, I was permitted to work from home both Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as well as Inauguration Day. I would have joined the fun on the National Mall.. but thought twice after flipping on CNN when I awoke at 7:00 a.m. on the cold morning of January 20th. The metro lines were absolutely insane. People would fill up the trains at the very ends of the lines, making it almost impossible for anyone to board on the stops leading up to the center. This resulted in masses of people waking up early, freezing in the cold, and not even making it to see the Inauguration. However, I did enjoy the port-a-potties at the metro and believe they should stay up year-round. Makes for a better metro ride for a late Saturday night. Speaking of, I did go out with friends in Adams Morgan on the Saturday before Inauguration. Although it was fun, the amount of people crowding the already over-populated city was clear. It took almost 30 minutes to get a drink. And we met lumberjacks. All in all, I am excited to be in our Nation's Capital during a most important change in our Government. Go Democrats! America's faith seems to be on an uphill climb to restoration.

Speaking of faith...
"Miracle on the Hudson"
All I can say about this is, "WOW!" I followed this story for days. I believe this truly is a miracle. Sadly, I couldn't believe how the news coverage on this story lessened and almost ceased to be as the Inauguration crept closer. Many props to the Captain. I cannot imagine the ways the passengers lives have changed since their dance with death just a few short weeks ago. Many say this restored faith throughout the United States. My heart-beat quickened after first hearing of the event, and then my heart was filled with happiness after hearing all aboard are safe and sound. Truly a miracle!

Smithsonian 2.0
The two-day Smithsonian 2.0 gathering explored how to make SI collections, educational resources, and staff more accessible, engaging, and useful to younger generations (teenage through college students) who will largely experience them digitally. Over 30 creative people from the web and new media world met with 30 Smithsonian staff members to generate a vision of what a digital Smithsonian might be like in the years ahead.
Make sure to check out the event details at: http://smithsonian20.si.edu/default.html
I was able to work this event through Booz Allen by providing audio and visual support during the two days. I am awe-struck by the knowledge and ideas of the digerati whom were in attendance. I believe many exciting things are in the near future for the Smithsonian Institution. It's hard to believe only 1% of the entire Smithsonian collection is on exhibit/shown at one time. Imagine all that is not! and now, imagine being able to see everything from your computer, phone, or who knows what other ways to access the hidden artifacts SI will come up with! I was able to go on a Behind the Scenes tour of the SI Libraries as well as the American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. I was inspired by this event. And know many others were as well.

Upcoming Events
While January comes to a close and February opens up with still no snowfall in DC, many exciting things are planned in my world. Beginning this weekend, a trip to WVU to reuite with some friends and jam out to bluegrass. The Superbowl... I don't care who wins as long as it's NOT the Squealers. Turning 23 on Monday. Wow, I am old. I'm not sure I like this age. Actually, maybe it will be better than 22... too much responsibility and not enough respect. Zac Brown Band concert next week, because you know I like my chicken fried. Taking my chances at skiing in Deep Creek, MD soon. I'm not so great on solid ground.. I'm going to need some help on the icy slopes. Going to see Avenue Q at Warner Theater. So excited for this what-i've-heard-was awesome show! Valentine's Day mid-Feb. For once, I think I'm excited for this "holiday" ;) and then it's smooth sailing through the rest of February until Vegas, sunny sin city Vegas, at the beginning of March.

Have a great day, each and every one of you.

Oh yeah, my resolution isn't just to blog more often. It's really to begin year 10 of no pop (or soda free as people say it here) as well as watch more movies, and of course, work out more. Isn't that on everyone's list!?