Day 91: Let's cruise, let's float, let's glide

NOT a new thing: Sneering at a CHILD in a Duke sweatshirt. Oops. But if he's going to be a fan, he needs to get used to the abuse.

Definitely a NEW thing: Receiving a free cruise! In celebration of our company's 15th anniversary next year, our CEOs are taking all staff and a guest on five-day cruise! I've never been on a cruise, so come March 9th of next year, it will be a new thing too!

Day 90: Casual Friday and Monday and Tuesday and...

For the most part, I like that my job has a casual dress code, and I can wear jeans every day. I try to still dress up nicely once a week or so, but when it requires ironing and matching and usually more painful shoes, I just grab the jeans and go.

But as I may or may not have briefly considered wearing my pajama shirt to work this week, because it was cute and really not even a pajama shirt, I decided I needed to raid the closet and try a little harder. (For the record, the shirt was the one from my cookie post, day 85. It could totally pass for an everyday shirt, as it is one, I just choose to sleep in it occasionally.)

Thus tonite I got all my nice dress pants out, and starched and ironed them all. I still can't iron a pleat to save my life, and my starch leaked on one pair, making them extra extra stiff, but at least none of them will look good with my pajama shirt.

Day 89: Sugar and spice and everything nice

1/2 cup sugar + several squirts of lemon juice + minuscule drop of oil = an exfoliating face scrub, right out of my kitchen!
After researching facial scrubs on Wikihow during halftime of THE TRIUMPHANT FINAL FOUR BOUND TAR HEELS game, I made and used my own facial scrub. While the oil will be left out next time, the sugar and lemon made my face nice and smooth, and quite tasty too. And it means I truly have found a way to inject sugar directly into my pores. Nice.

Day 88: Overkill, much?

I do believe that Shannon suggested getting a tattoo as one of my new things to do. Sadly, as the last shot I received resulted in near hyperventilation for me, and a near broken hand for Mom, I think my fear of needles will prevent that from happening. But thanks to rub-ons, and Carolina's propensity for slapping a logo on any and everything, I wore a Tar Heel (temporary) tattoo on my foot for a day.

This isn't the first time I've worn a Tar Heel tattoo, but it is the first time off my face, and the first time I wore it out in the real world, on the metro, at work, and while shopping in Alexandria.

It was quite comforting to look down throughout the door and see something so familiar and reassuring. And as soon as they make needle-free tattoos, I wouldn't mind it permanently attached.

Day 87: Average Joe? Hardly.

Things that never cease to amaze me: The Internet. And that every day is a holiday. Literally. And normally, every day is more than one holiday. Today, according to various sources, is Fly a Kite Day, National Spanish Paella Day, and best of all, National Joe Day. A celebration of the name, the men (or women), and a chance for anyone to change their name to Joe for a day.

Given the plethora of Joes already in my family, I didn't change mine, but I did call two of my favorite Joes to wish them a happy them day.

Some other Joes, in honor of the day:
Of course, I have the best of all:

Click to see it less blurry. I'm tired and it won't work and THE HEELS ARE IN THE ELITE EIGHT! A truly great National Joe day indeed.

Day 86: My Bengal of gold, I love you

I think the importance of pride and celebration of a country's day of independence can not be overstated. I love our Independence Day, but why should I only celebrate our own? There are so many countries out there that fought to be free, and tonite, I honored Bangladesh's independence day by singing the Bengali national anthem.

I'm not going to lie, it wasn't pretty and I finished singing long before the midi file finished, but my heart was in it, and I think the Bengalis would appreciate it. Now I just need to find a Bengali to celebrate with.

Day 85: Still Quite Mad about March

Some may say I'm letting this basketball thing get out of hand. Some may call me a dork or say that I have too much time on my hands.

I say why not combine my love of cookies with my love of Carolina basketball, and make Tar Heel shaped peanut butter cookies, complete with blue icing "tar" and a few decorations.
I think David would approve. Go Heels!

Day 84: Slow Southern Style

Today one of my co-workers told me that he and another were talking, and could not believe that I was "soooo Southern" in my speech.

I personally don't think I have an accent. Yes, when I'm tired or stressed or hyper, I prefer to just let it drawl, but on the day to day, I don't hear it.

But apparently, everyone up here does. And in London too, as I recall. But that's ok. I'm proud of being Southern so if I have a drawl, oh well, let it drawl.

But to test just how Southern I am, and prove to my brother I am not a Yankee, I took the test, "Are you a Yankee or a Rebel?" I now have undeniable proof that I am indeed NOT a Yankee, but 73% Dixie.

Ain't that great, ya'll? :-)

Day 83: Can I have Prince Charming next time?

I'm not going to lie, I still get McDonald's Happy Meals. I say it's because, other than the minuscule drink, it has the perfect portions. And it does. But also, I like getting a toy.

I really like getting a toy.

Especially when it's a truly kick-ass toy like a pair of Cinderella princess gloves! And a gigantic ring!

I wore my beautiful Carolina blue princess gloves periodically throughout the car ride back, and when unpacking, and unsuccessfully when eating.

And you know, I did feel like a princess. :-)

Day 82: Those Rockefellers get around

Tonite I went here:
To celebrate the birthday of her:
And I ate one of these:
And I looked like this:

Eating an Oyster Rockefeller, my first oyster of any kind, wasn't as bad as I thought, but I'd prefer just the spinach and cheese, without a slimy animal and it's dirty house.