Happy Happy

Happy 31st Birthday big brother! I hope you ate some baskin robbins mint chocolate chip ice cream cake for me!

State Funerals

As I hear details about President Ford's state funeral, I am reminded of the events surrounding President Reagan's. At the time of President Reagan's death I was working at the US Senate for Senator Bennett. I remember walking around Capitol Hill seeing the many flags at half staff, I believe they stayed this way for an entire month. The Senate had reserved a place on the lawn so that those interested could watch the funeral procession from the White House to the Capitol. The day of the funeral procession was a hot and humid one, as June in DC ususally is. Abbie (my friend, roommate at the time and co-worker) and I were planning to go down to the lawn after work so that we could witness a bit of history in the making. Well, around 4:00 or so we hear this weird alarm coming from the fire alarms in the hallways. It wasn't the alarm we were so accustomed to hearing during our many fire drills so we ignored it and went on with our work. Well a few minutes later a woman gets on the annunciator (the little walkie talkie type thingy installed in each room that the Capitol Police used to communicate with us...on an almost daily basis we would hear about the suspicious packages througout the Capitol complex...all were false alarms *I digress...*) Sorry...back to the annunciator...A woman gets on and says, in the most terrifying voice I've ever heard, "THIS IS NOT A DRILL...LEAVE THE BUILDING IMMEDIATELY!" I have never been so scared in my life! Everything we learned during the million drills we've had completely left my mind. At least I remembered my purse though! The hallway was a mess, everyone was shoving to get to the stairwell to make the descent 5 flights down to ground level. I was stuck (I say stuck because the stairwell was completely CLOGGED) behind a rather large woman who was struggling to go down the stairs and I remember thinking "I am going to DIE in this stairwell because this woman is taking FOREVER!" Horrible I know, but these were desperate times! When I finally made it to ground level there were officers on their bull horns yelling for us to run as far away from the building as we possibly can. Outside was complete chaos. People were running every which way, with the exception of the police standing at their posts with their machine guns and everyone looked terrified. I ran to our offices designated spot and waited for my other co-workers. I remember my friend Emily yelling at me because I didn't remember to bring the annunciator thingy. I can't remember at what point we found out that there was a plane that was headed towards the restricted air space around the Capitol. It was then I realized that the sound of the alarm was the same I had heard when watching movies about WWII...It was an air raid alarm. At some point we learned that although a plane had entered restricted air space it was not a threat. The Governer of Kentucky's plane had encountered some problems with the transmitter and was given the go ahead to fly in the air space around the Capitol but unfortunately the information was not relayed to the Capitol police. Abbie and I were reunited and as we were both shaken up by the events, we decided that we'd feel better about watching the proceedings from the comfort and safety of our own living room.

As you know, President Reagans casket was lain in state in the rotunda of the US Capitol. Here's a little history lesson for you, President Ford will be the 31st person to lay in state or honor. In most instances, the coffin is laid on Abraham Lincoln's catafalque which is otherwise kept in the tomb (originally intended to be the resting place of George and Martha Washington) directly below the rotunda. I also learned (although I'm not sure if it's true or not) that because President Reagans coffin was so heavy, I believe it was lined in marble, the catafalque had to be reinforced so that it didn't collapse under the pressure.

Anyway, back to my memories...People were waiting in line for hours and hours in the blazing heat outside the Capitol for their chance to pay their respects to President Reagan as he laid in the Rotunda, protected by servicemen from each branch of the US Armed Forces. Senate employess were able to pay their respects without having to wait outside, although we still had to wait a long time. When I went, the line ended at the edge of the Russell Senate Office building (the first of the three), and it wound up and down the stairs of the Capitol. I probably waited in line for an hour and a half or more. I was lucky to be in the room to witness the changing of the guard, which was not unlike the changing of the guard at Arlington Semetary. I was amazed at the precision of their movements, as well as their ability to stand still for an extended period of time. I remember how quiet the room was, even though there were many people there. Whenever someone of note came to pay their respects, or for the changing of the guard they made you stop.

Just as I was leaving the room they made us stop, as someone important was entering. He was in traditional Muslim (I'm guessing here!) clothing, a brown tunic and a white head scarf. I learned later it was the President of Iraq, al-Yawer. After leaving the Rotunda we were given en embossed card with the details of President Reagan's laying in state. I have it somewhere...

I am still amazed by the things that I have experienced while in Washington, most specifically when working for Senator Bennett. I have met people, and have been present for events that most people only hear about in newspapers or history books. I wouldn't give up these experiences for anything! I'll admit it, I'm a lucky girl!

2006 Reflections

What did you do in 2006 that you’ve never done before? So many things...to name a few: sailing, shoot guns...BIG guns, visited Philadelphia and both the Carolinas

Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions and will you make more for next year? I don't really make New Years' resolutions

Did anyone close to you give birth? several friends

Did anyone close to you die? no

What countries did you visit? I didn't...BOOOOOORING

What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006? a man :) a toned stomach and legs

What date from 2006 will remain etched in your memory and why? none in particular

What was your biggest achievement of the year? giving up sugar for 3 months

What was your biggest failure? not being able to moderate my sugar intake after reintroducing it in my diet

Did you suffer illness or injury? nothing out of the ordinary

What was the best thing you bought? Running shoes

Where did most of your money go? my laptop and the usual bills, car payments...

What did you get really, really, really excited about? Everything gets me excited, but I would have to say fitting into a smaller size

Happier or sadder? Happier

Thinner or fatter? Thinner :)

Richer or poorer? Can I say both??

What do you wish you’d done more of? travel, working out

What do you wish you’d done less of? lying in my warm bed watching TV

How did you spend Christmas? In Virginia with my sister and her family playing games and eating lots of food

Did you fall in love in 2006? No, unless I count myself

What was your favorite TV show? Ugly Betty, The Office (how ironic that they're in the same time slot)

What was the best book you read? it's a tie between Forever by Pete Hamill and Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

What was your greatest musical discovery of 2006? Chicane, Hybrid

What did you want and get? my job

What did you want and not get? a kiss

What was your favorite film this year? Little Miss Sunshine and Stranger than Fiction

What did you do on your birthday? I was kidnapped by my friends and taken to breakfast, went to work and went out to dinner with Amanda, Betsy and Abby. This was the first year I did not eat any birthday cake.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? eating birthday cake on my birthday.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006? A little on the funky side. I wear mostly jeans and plain colored shirts but go a little crazy with jewelry and shoes to spice things up. My favorites...my multi-colored sequin slip-ons , mint green saucony's, my custom made brown, pink and orange cloven hoove nikes, and my pewter wedges.

What kept you sane? My favorite people

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? No clue!

What political issue stirred you the most? I don't really get stirred by politics but the nasty smear campaigns in VA and MD made me not want to vote.

Who did you miss? Everyone back in Utah

Who was the best new person you met? Pete, although I'm not sure he qualifies. Technically I've known him since we were 7 but we didn't really become friends until this year.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006. You have to live your life for yourself. You can't please everyone, so do whatever it is that makes yourself the happiest.

Merry Belated Christmas

Hi everybody! Sorry I've been MIA, I've been pretty busy lately babysitting, putting together my "homemade" Christmas gifts (I matted and framed this picture I took at myrtle beach) and lying in my warm bed. I hope you all had a lovely Christmas, I know I did! I did get out most of my Christmas cards just like I said I would. I'm kind of shocked that I actually followed through! My mailbox has been full of cards from friends, I think it's my favorite part of the Christmas season. I can't resist a little shout-out to my blogger friends...Thanks Jill for the darling ornament. I didn't put it up this year, but you should take that as a compliment! And that card? I can't believe Randy drew it! Michelle, I absolutely loved the picture on the front of yours. I will tuck that one away for future reference. How did you get a picture printed that size?!

I went to a really fancy restaurant with my co-workers and their significant others last week. It was nice to spend time with them outside the work place, I really do work with a great group of people. They surprised me with a very generous Visa gift card to show their appreciation for all that I do for them. It was unnecessary but very sweet. I spent a good portion of it yesterday on new running shoes. There really is no turning back with this whole running thing now!! It's kind of scary! Santa's presents came early and I put them under my tree. Notice the new addition to my pink tree...they match the pink green and white silk scarf I used as a tree skirt. I LOVE it!

Saturday morning the last roommate left for the holidays leaving me with the house to myself. WOOHOO!! On Saturday night I went with my friend Tara and some of her old Virginia friends to see Night at the Museum AT the museum (the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space museum). How cool is that?! There are two IMAX theaters in DC, one in the Natural History museum and one at the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space museum, but unfortunately the Smithsonian people didn't really understand how completely perfect it would have been to screen it at the former. If you haven't seen that movie yet, go see it STAT, and if possible, see it on an IMAX screen! On Christmas Eve morning I went to my good friend (and former roommate) Abby and Jon's house in MD to exchange gifts and hang out before they caught their flight to Utah. I hadn't seen them in a while and it was great to catch up. They are so great!! I spent the rest of the day just doing nothing really. I was feeling kind of sad and lonely until I realized "HELLO Anne...go hang out with your FAMILY!!" My spirits were lifted the second I walked in the door of my sister's house. My brother in law's sister and her family were visiting from Utah and his parents were en route so it was a full house. One of the Clawson traditions is to go out for Chinese on Christmas Eve. We started out going to the Ho Ho Gourmet (get it...ho ho...Santa Claus?!) but now any asian food will do. Since Chinese isn't top on my or my sisters list we decided on Thai this year. It was so incredibly good! I stopped at home to get my presents, games, DDR and pj's so I could spend the night at my sister's. We read the Christmas story and put the kids to bed. We, well really just Matt and Rich, went to work putting together the trampoline the kids were getting from Santa, we put out all of the presents, I put out my stocking that Santa (aka ME) had so generously filled (he left me a movie, lip glosses, an ITunes gift card and a sudoku book!) and we all helped eat the cookies left for Santa. Christmas morning was such a blast. The kids were so excited to see their presents. My favorite was Jensen (my nieces and nephews cousin) who was so excited for EVERYTHING, not just his own presents. It was cute! I opened my gifts (some shirts, socks and gum) but kept the best for last. My sister and I opened our Pink Christmas gifts, I absolutely love the fabric cards that Amy made for me. They are in shades of pink and brown and are darling. Lucky me!! I took pictures of all of the action with my sister's camera and will post them when I get a chance. Thanks Kristi for the millionth time for this genius idea. I am blown away by the creativity that you and all of your friends possess! I keep hoping that a little of that rubs off on me! I spent the day in my pj's playing Pit (my first time...I love that game!) eating LOTS of food and schooling everyone during our many DDR tournaments. I didn't leave my sister's house until 6:00 pm that evening. What a great Christmas! Yesterday was spent shopping and watching movies. I went back to work today to an empty office. I'm one of 4 people in my practice, and the only one in the Tyson's office, working this week. This is what I looked like for the majority of the day.

And now you're all caught up! I don't make New Years resolutions, but if I did, I would resolve to post to my blog on a more regular basis. We'll see how that goes...

It's Official

Yesterday I registered for the Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run which takes place in DC on April 1. I'm a little nervous because everyone has to be off the course at 2 hours and 20 minutes, which equates to 14 minute miles, and I'm basically starting from scratch. The several people I have spoken with have told me that it is definitely possibile to go from being stagnant (as I feel I am) to being able to run 10 consecutive 14 minute miles in 4 months. I know that it will be hard work, but I'm really excited about it. I've always felt that if I could teach myself to run that I could really love it. Just in the two days I've been running I can feel that. I have a long way to go, but I think I can do it! Wish me luck!!

Happy Happy Birthday!!

Happy 3rd Birthday Peter Pan and Tink! I'm sorry I can't be there to share in your day. Eat lots of cake and ice cream for me.

Greatest Idea Ever!

I am in the market for a new scent, but have the hardest time finding a perfume that I love. I stop by the perfume counters often to test out a new scent, but it's really hard to know if I love something after one spray and they rarely have a full sample that I can take home for a test run. I know you can have Nordstrom make a sample for you, but I'd feel really dumb going in and asking for 10 scents at once, which is required to make sure I'm getting that perfect scent. Enter Sephora. You can buy a fragrance gift certificate for 45 dollars that comes with 10 full size samples of their most popular scents. You can test out the different perfumes at your leisure and then redeem the gift certificate for the fragrance that best suits you. Count me in!!!

Bueller...Bueller...

I apologize for my absence of late. I have been putting in major time working on my Pink Christmas gift as well as laying in bed reading Forever by Pete Hamill (you should read it, it's great)...leaving little time to blog. Hopefully the subsequent entries will catch you up on everything else I have been doing.

Following through

When I went into the basement to look through my bins and bins of Christmas stuff for my tree and ornaments I found a large stack of old Christmas cards. Christmas cards that had been sealed, addressed and stamped. Some of these cards were two years old. I was more than a little embarrassed for myself and committed to not only seal, address and stamp my cards this year, but actually put them in the mail. I am happy to report that I am right on track to completing this task. I did run out of stamps but they're ready to go. They WILL be in the mail before Wednesday. If not, I don't deserve any presents this year.

Christmas Cheer

Last year I wrote about the Christmas decorations at my house. For those of you who haven't read it but don't want to waste your time clicking that link to read the post I'll give you the cliff notes version. My roommates love colored lights, I don't. They also like TACKY stockings, whereas mine is pretty classic. Because of this I have decided to display my decorations in their storage bins in the basement. I just can't stomach putting them out with all of the tack. Instead, I have created my own Christmas haven in my room, which consists of the cutest, most non-traditional tree ever made. It wouldn't appeal to many, but it truly makes me happy.

Pink Christmas

I participated in what I hope becomes an annual tradition with my blogger friends called Pink Christmas organized by the amazing Kristi. We were given the name of another participant and were to create something for them. We were sent information on our Pink Christmas recipient at the end of August, had to submit photos of the completed project by October 1st and had a deadline of December 6th to send them out. You would think that with all that time it would be easy for me to complete my project on time, but I didn't. Well, procrastinator that I am, I was putting the finishing touches on my present on the evening of the 6th and driving it to the Automated Postal thingy at 11:00. At least I got it out on time! I can't post pictures in case she reads my blog, but I will show you after the holidays. It was a nice way to jump start the holidays. I received my Pink Christmas gift in November and although extremely tempted, have not yet opened it. It is currently the lone present underneath my barbie tree. I can't wait until Christmas morning to open it. Thank you Amy!!

Thanksgiving

I had an awesome Thanksgiving weekend. Ever since my sister and her family moved from Virginia to Utah, my Thanksgiving's have been spent in New York City at my Uncle Denny's place. It's been an awesome tradition that I look forward to each year. With my sister and her family back in the area this year, there was some debate (not really) about where Thanksgiving would be spent. Denny invited everyone to spend the holiday at his house in Corning. Surprisingly, Amanda consented and the Lewises and I packed up the mini and begun the 6 hour drive before the sun rose on Thanksgiving morning. It was such a beautiful drive, or at least it would have been 4 weeks earlier when the leaves were still on the trees. Some highlights from the roadtrip include the mini Statue of Liberty in the middle of a lake or river and an amazing stretch of river (I once knew the name of the river, but can't recall) that was the most beautiful shade of emerald green. With the trees on the shore that still had some bright red leaves on the branches it was truly breathtaking. If only we were able to easily pull off the side of the road to take pictures of it! We made it to Denny's house in one piece and were greeted by my cousin Betsy and her friend Clara, not to mention bowls full of reeces pieces, chocolate donuts and honey roasted peanuts. Because of an oven snafu, we had several hours to kill before the meal, so the kids entertained themselves by making their own place settings, eating M&M's (except the blue ones...Betsy is morally opposed to blue M&M's and removed them from the bag) from the red M&M guy dispenser, and playing the player piano (which got REALLY old, REALLY fast). Once the 50 pound turkey (which clearly is an exaggeration but not by a lot...) was fully cooked we all gathered for a delicious meal. Afterwards I had a nice nap (while everyone else cleaned up...sorry everybody) and then we had a dessert of pumpkin and banana cream pie. Unfortunately Matt had to work the following day, so the Lewises loaded up the car to make the trek back to Virginia. My plan was to spend the weekend in New York and take the bus back to VA on Sunday. Betsy found an old tape that had an episode of Strawberry Shortcake and The Berenstein Bears. I was amazed that even 20 years later Betsy remembered all of the songs. Denny has decorated his home with all sorts of cool things, including a big wooden beaver, a musical instrument fountain and the scariest, realist looking dog.

It was positioned between the refrigerator and the door into the tv room and it freaked me out every single time I walked by. I was convinced that it would somehow come to life and attack me, which would not be cool. I wouldn't have minded, however, if the ghost that lives at Denny's house presented himself. I was actually hoping for a sighting...my dad was lucky enough to witness the workings of the ghost when he was up a few months ago, but no such luck for me.

My uncle is very interested in history and has had several war era guns made. The morning after Thanksgiving we packed up two of them and went to the shooting range. There was a gun that you loaded up with several shells where the hammer had be manually cocked before each shot was fired, but my favorite was the Revolutionary War era black powder musket. It was almost as tall as I was and was loud with a major kick that kept my shoulder hurting for days. It was such a blast (literally). I don't think I hit any targets, but I wasn't really expecting perfection on my first time out. After lunch at Wegmans, (if you live near one you should check it out, your life will never be the same.) we readied the house to remain empty for a few weeks and made the drive back to New York City. We drove across the George Washington bridge, fantastically lit at night, and fought our way through traffic on our way to Denny's apartment on the upper east side.

The next morning Denny and I took the subway to South Street Seaport to go see Bodies, The Exhibition. It sounds gruesome, but it was the most fascinating thing I've ever seen. The bodies have been disected to show different things such as major muscle groups or the reproductive system and then preserved. In addition to entire skeletons, there were displays comparing a healthy brain with one that had endured a stroke, a healthy lung with one overcome with lung cancer and so on. It made me want to make every heathy change I possibly could, so I didn't end up like some of the cadavers we saw there. My favorite section was that of the arteries and blood vessels. The room was pitch black and there were cases full of different sections of the body, stripped of everything except the blood vessels which had been dyed red and blue, and suspended in some clear liquid. It was artistically beatiful. If only they allowed photography. We even held a bone and a brain, and immediately washed our hands. After the exhibit we walked over to the waterfront where I took pictures of myself and the Brooklyn bridge and Denny pretended he didn't know me. Denny has been doing research on our Manhattan ancestors and pointed out the land at the base of the Brooklyn bridge (on the Brooklyn side) which was home of Claes Cornelise Van Schouw aka Meutelaer (the Grumbler), one of our early ancestors. Very cool!

Betsy and I spent the rest of the day shopping where we both had some success and then went to Greenwich Village to hang out with Ben (Betsy's brother). Ben had spent Thanksgiving with a friend of his, Taryn, who is quite the fashionista. She has an enormous wardrobe which she is now selling on ebay and Ben was able to convince her to contribute some items to the Anne and Betsy need new clothes effort. I scored a multicolored knit poncho, a long brown knit shirt, a raincoat, a gorgeous blue silk flapper style dress, a pink metallic blazer shirt thingy with the price tag still on ($297.00 from Niemann Marcus) and a black Marc Jacobs blazer. Total score!! We had a delicious dinner and then had Betsy wait in line at Magnolia bakery to get us cupcakes for dessert for which Denny and friend (I'm drawing a total blank on her name...I want to say Joan?) joined us.

Not quite sure what we did on Sunday, but the bus station was an absolute ZOO! Luckily we made it onto the bus and started the crazy drive back to DC. We had an awesome driver and made it back home in 5 hours or so. Not too shabby considering traffic was HORRIBLE!