Dreams.

Dreams & cool things come true people. 

 

 

I am currently living in a torrential rainstorm/hurricane/tropical rainstorm/tornado land. Ya know?

 

This past week has been just wet. There was one day last week that as I was walking to get a free Krispy Kreme and there was so much moisture in the air that I felt more like I was swimming. But bring it on I say. The wet-er the air the bigger my hair. Seriously, the inner lioness/Shirley temple has been unleashed with this humidity.

 

One of my favorite things here that I get to do is my calling as FHE Co-Chair. We have had the opportunity to organize some really fun activities and talk a lot about missionary work. This weeks activity I think was one of my favorites... The MAC&CHEESE Cook-Off that changed my life. We broke up into four groups and had 30 minutes to make the most creative and innovative mac. I expected it to be tragic but, that was not the case. The only thing it was tragic for was my thighs and my waist line. I ate my share for sure. There was a Mexican mac, a mac with pretzels crushed on top, salsa, and mozzarella mac. I was super impressed. Also, speaking of things tragic for my waist line.... The word "treat" has become a much too prominent word among my fellow Barlow-ites and I. We have the innate capability to find something to celebrate everyday. Besides the fact the we are living in the capital! :) Not to mention "treats" are made three nights a week for institute and FHE. But hey, no complaints.

This week I got the email no one ever wants to get...the title says it all...worst and most hilarious email you could find hanging out in your inbox. I actually died of laughter from this email. Elder Fulkerson ( who is our building manager and the missionary assigned to the Barlow Center) sent this email out after our disappointing cleaning inspections one morning.  We have been warned about cockroaches over and over again...we have apparently failed at our attempt to keep them out. :]
My favorite lines from the email are kind of gross...but I chuckled:

"The garbage can in the 1st Floor Lobby was being used by a group of live cockroaches as a breakfast buffet as they consumed the wet garbage left overnight.

REMINDER:  THE GROUND FLOOR AND THE BASEMENT ARE THE AREAS THAT ARE MOST VULNERABLE TO ROACHES AND RATS AND OTHER PESTS.  DO NOT HAVE PITY ON "BEN" AND HIS ASSOCIATES BY FEEDING THEM.  PLEASE CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELVES."

 

It cracked me up that Elder Fulkerson named the pests "Ben." Another one of my favorite things about this past week was when Elder Fulkerson taught me how to turn off the fire alarm.  He was concerned with our macaroni cook off that someone would set off the alarm and so he made sure I was prepped for that little adventure.  He then took me down to our great room.  This room is known for being freezing and inconsistent.  He told me he finally found the trick to the room and taught me how to regulate the temperature in the room.  After he finished teaching me he said, "Now you can add all that to your resume." I immediately thought of my papa. That is totally something he would say to me.
 

 

The dreams & cool things of this week:

• I got to do baptisms and go to the DC Temple. Beautiful & Necessary
• I SAW MY FIRST FIREFLY. THEY ARE PURE MAGIC. Seeing fireflies was at the very top of my list of things to see and it made my heart so happy.
• I made an amazing grilled cheese sandwich that may or may not have involved garlic and cream cheese...
• You know that moment in the  movies when the actor is walking along the street in the big city and gets splashed by a bus on the street corner...well, that is a real thing. And that real thing happened to me this week! It was kind of awesome...
• Good News Moment Work Edition: my boss invited me to be his guest at a fundraising networking event and I met some great contacts.
• More mail from grandma and momma. :]
• I ran to the Lincoln at night twice this week. One of my favorite places in the world.

 

TOMMOROW= PHILADELPHIA & VALLEY FORGE

ADVEN-CHA.