2 Things

Cosa Número Uno

Tuesday was Roberto's 28th birthday. Woohoo! He really is the easiest person to shop for because he's so dang cheap that he won't buy himself stuff that he wants. Unlike myself, who will splurge on unnecessary garbage. He made it very clear that he wanted a microscope. Not sure what he plans on observing under one, but he only seems to appreciate educational gifts. However, I wanted to get him something a little more meaningful, a little unexpected.

So, I thought, what else does Rob like? Well, there's baseball, but I just gave him that baseball bachelor party as a wedding gift. Oh, nature, that's always a winner. Lessee. He's always said how he's never been on a real hike. After a few hours of deliberation and internet research, I decided on a four day mini-vacation in Shenandoah Valley Virginia where Rob can hike his little heart out. We'll be there August 23-26.

We're staying at the Skyland Resort, at 3,680 feet, in a room with a view.



I gathered a crap-load of hiking-related items (ranging from freeze-dried ice cream, to an emergency kit, to cushiony hiking socks) and wrapped them all up. Still, after 11 gifts, he thought he was getting a microscope! Then I handed him an envelope with the trip details and he flipped, in a good way. I think he's most surprised that I would be willing to go hiking with him. Me - the indoor, nap-taking, fast food-eating, make-up-wearing, internet-surfing queen. I think it's going to be a great time! Just me, my husband, 300-500 black bears, and loads of bugs. Awesome.


Cosa Número Dos

I'm going to stop dawdling and start thinking about what I want out of my life, professionally. Sure, sure, my job is fine. Better than most, I'll bet. But the point of taking a creatively-stifling job in exchange for a decent paycheck is so I can live comfortably while focusing on creativity in my spare time. Well, I haven't been doing much of that! I haven't done anything crafty lately. I haven't even been reading up on my field. I basically get home and veg out. Bad Melissa! Bad! So in an attempt to get back on track, I ordered myself a portfolio book:



Ain't it purty? It's kind of pathetic, but I'm a designer that doesn't have a portfolio together. I started working here while I was still in college, so I never put much pressure on myself to get one together. Four years later, I'm thinking it might be a good idea. I don't know what is going to happen or when it's going to happen, but I'd like to start creating some things that I'm proud of.

*Bonus thing: A street cleaner yesterday told me that I had a beautiful smile and I made his day. I wanted to run over and give him a big smooch for his kindness! Turns out he made my day.

Thursday Night with the Phillies

Thursday afternoon I got offered free tickets to the Phillies game versus the Padres. The seats were in the outfield, but they were second row, which is sweet homerun territory. If it were up to me, I would have passed. I had a big weekend ahead of me, and I would have much preferred a relaxing evening at home. But I know Rob would divorce me if I ever passed on a baseball game, so I called him up and asked. After a few minutes of debating, only because our car situation was inconvenient, he decided he wanted to go. That's fine. Free tickets don't pop up too often.

Luckily the weather was gorgeous. Could not have been better. And it turned out to be a fun evening out! The game was lackluster, and the Phillies lost, but sitting outside, enjoying some ballpark food with my best friend is not bad at all.

I've been carrying around my crappy camera lately. Just because it's tiny. Makes my nicer camera feel too bulky for my skinny arms.

I grabbed a Frappuccino and parked my butt on a bench. This was my view.




And this was my view down. I bought new shoes, aren't they cute? Haha.




Here I am annoying the bejeezus out of Rob.




Goofing off before the game.




Mmmm, crab fries. I don't even really like them, but I enjoy waiting in line for 25 minutes to buy some $7 french fries.







That silly "what" bubble follows me around.










The Philly Phanatic