A few pictures as proof of state 43

This is my proof that I was in Kansas... that I am holding a Kansas magnet. Because, obviously, this is foolproof.

Me with Maddie and Lizzie (Annie's girls). We had fun getting to know each other for a few days. Yay!

Me and Jeremy! (Apparently, there were no pictures of Annie??? Sorry!!)

Me with the Nelson kids. (Again, no pictures of Lisa!! AAACK!!)

I'm sorry, but is this not the cutest thing ever??

The way the midwest won

I've known for many-a-year that I'm allergic to spring. However, I've most recently been reminded that I am oh-so-allergic to Midwest May. Holy cow! Seriously, I haven't had this serious of a reaction in a long, long time. Perhaps, not even since the horrific outdoor date in Philly a few years ago where I was so full of allergens and sneezing and such that there was absolutely no way that any other human would want to touch me, let alone the hot-former-coworker guy. But, I digress. The point is that I am pretty much unable to go outside here and am quickly acquiring a claritin addiction. Throw a couple of cats into the mix and I am feeling pretty suffer-y. Yuk. Oh well, seeing friends of awesomeness is totally worth it.
Down with pollens!

A Week Away From Reality, Phase 1

So, after all the chaos of getting the new season launched and a new performing arts center opened, I was finally able to slip away for a week prior to my summer classes beginning. So, on Tuesday I flew into Kansas City for a week-long getaway in Kansas (plus airport time in MO). In addition to this being my 43^rd state (yahoo!), I get to spend some long overdue quality time with two of my favorite people. Since Tuesday, I’ve been hanging out with my friend Lisa and her family. We went to both college and grad school together, but haven’t seen each other at all since they moved out to Topeka about 3 years ago. It is so good to reconnect with someone who knows so much of my history and with whom I am completely comfortable just being myself. And, to boot, I get to hang out with kids, which I never get to do. It’s been pretty cool to hang out with Joshua (5), Kayla (3), and Tyler (1) the last few days and realize that they have no idea that I am completely experience-less with kids. They just trust me and love me and want to hang out with me. There’s something so charming about children that just expect you to be a part of their life from the moment they meet you. It’s a crazy-stark contrast to my usual day-to-day life, but it’s really quite refreshing.

Tomorrow, I’m on to Kansas, Phase 2: Jeremy, Annie, and the girls. More reports soon.

Once-in-a-lifetime

Last night, I got all dressed up and headed out for what may have been a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. Saturday night was the gala dinner and performance (a.k.a. the formal night) of the three-day grand opening weekend at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. George Mason (my employer) is one of the three significant partners in establishing this gorgeous venue in Prince William County. It is located on one of Mason's campuses and the operations side of things rests squarely on GMU's shoulders. As such, I have had a role in preparing for its opening over the last year or so. Though my role is fairly insignificant in the whole scope of things, it was definitely enough to give me a real sense of pride in the whole project.
As I sat in a brand new chair in a beautiful new hall, looking at musicians sitting on a brand new stage, I couldn't help but get excited about the many years of enriching arts experiences that would be had in that hall, or even in that very seat. Someone may be inspired to write a play, pursue playing the piano, take up ballet, or underwrite a season of concerts from that very spot. I had gotten so caught up in the minutia of the work that I had forgotten what a monumental event this really was. Performing Arts Centers don't get opened every day. And, most certainly not in this economic climate! It was an honor to be there among the first to be a part of this event.
I would love to be a part of opening another new venue someday, but I also realize that this may have been a once-in-a lifetime experience for me. I am honored and humbled, thrilled and inspired to be a part of enriching the lives of a community in a new way. This is what inspires me.

Random things from today

• I finally mailed Christmas presents to my family. I gave up on actually having all of the birthday presents to go along with them. So, they get a package of May presents and that's just the way it is. Hey - at least they get them!!
• I love my job. It is crazy and I can't keep up with it, but I really do love it. I am so fortunate to be in a field where my passions also are.
  
• I was amused by a very serious looking envelope I got in the mail today from "Federal Investigative Services Division" that was imprinted with the date and "Have a nice day". Looks like they're trying to do some image management? It just seemed like a very lighthearted thing to print on such a dour federal envelope. It would have been a bit better, I suppose, if it said 'The Feds say, "Have a nice day!"'
• Dinner with Liz tonight! So good to see her again -- she was my first ever frolleague. Someday, we will once again have adjacent doors and get a custom plaque that says "codependent since 2007." Yay for time to actually catch up with friends!