Out of everyone in the house, I must say Howie is quite the man. Here's why.
Howie works at the front desk of one of the dorms on campus. The shifts are all late night shifts going from either 9pm-12am or 9pm-1am on the weekends. He works around 3 nights a week (I think), sometimes on nights were we even have practice in the mornings. This means that while we are all tucked in bed - Howie's at work. By the time he closes up and bikes home it's around 12:15ish. Then by the time he gets to bed it's a little later. He sets his alarm like the rest of us and wakes up at 5:45am.
I could talk about Howie's unhealthy coffee addiction (just the other day he had two cups at home and when I saw him in the business building he had just bought a third), or about how I think we should start weening him off the caffeine - but I won't. Let's just leave it saying the guy is a real trooper and very committed.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Black Velvet
Saturday was our team's "Black Velvet." For rowing teams, black velvet signifies the beginning of the season. For East coast teams it represents the time where the ice breaks and melts, and the team can finally go on the water - not a problem for us. Regardless, it is a special event for rowing teams across the nation.
The day was filled with activities - from practice in the wee hours of the morning, to the open boathouse and alumni row in the afternoon, to the banquet in the evening. I'd say the entire day was a success, and although this post isn't exactly about what happened at my house, it is about something important that happened out all of our lives. Here are a few of my favorite parts!
The open boathouse is always something memorable. For the past three years the President of our school, Father Engh, has come out to where we row on Black Velvet to bless our boats. Because his brother rowed, he understands things about the sport that many cannot. He makes it a point to try and get to know the athletes and to make it to regattas throughout the year.
The dinner is my favorite part of the day however, and this is where my girly side comes out. I never have an excuse to dress up. You can pretty much always find me in sweatpants or athletic gear. Just this morning I had time to shower after practice before class. I had time to put on a cute sweater with cute boots. When I walked into the kitchen Tobe asked me why I was getting so dressed up. Like wearing leggings and a sweater is fancy? Anyway, you've all seen the dress I was going to wear featured in the Shopping post! My friend Karla (also a coxswain) told me a couple days before Saturday that she had made makeup appointments for us, which was really nice considering I had no idea what to do in that area! Everything came together quite nicely. I loved seeing some of my housemates parents - especially Tobe's. And because of them, I was able to finally get the picture I've been trying to get since moving in.
The day was filled with activities - from practice in the wee hours of the morning, to the open boathouse and alumni row in the afternoon, to the banquet in the evening. I'd say the entire day was a success, and although this post isn't exactly about what happened at my house, it is about something important that happened out all of our lives. Here are a few of my favorite parts!
The open boathouse is always something memorable. For the past three years the President of our school, Father Engh, has come out to where we row on Black Velvet to bless our boats. Because his brother rowed, he understands things about the sport that many cannot. He makes it a point to try and get to know the athletes and to make it to regattas throughout the year.
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| Our team with Father Engh |
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| Spencer, Tobe, Me, Dan, Howie |
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Just a little sensitive
As I mentioned in a previous post, the boys know about my blog. Dan, Tobe, and Howie all found out at the same time, while Spencer was out of town. They immediately read every single post from the beginning - and got a good laugh out of it. It's really not a big deal now since I'm pretty sure Tobe's the only one who ever really checks it! That being said, some people in my house (spencer) are a little too sensitive to just laugh about it.
When he got back from Hawaii - that's another story - the guys obviously told him about the blog. He looked at it, basically skimmed it, but refused to read it. He won't read it because he said he's afraid he won't like some of the things in it. He won't read it because out of everyone in the house, he knows he fights with me the most. Today he was icing his hip flexor since it's bothering him a bit. He was sprawled out on the sofa, you know, sitting legs open like most guys do acting like they need more room for their junk than necessary. The ice was inside his shorts, giving the impression that his area was quite large. I tried to snap a picture of it to blog about - but Tobe warned him. This resulted in angry Spencer. He stormed off and yelled about how he can't even ice himself in his own home without getting blogged about. He wasn't very nice.
Hopefully he stops being grumpy and a little too sensitive. :)
When he got back from Hawaii - that's another story - the guys obviously told him about the blog. He looked at it, basically skimmed it, but refused to read it. He won't read it because he said he's afraid he won't like some of the things in it. He won't read it because out of everyone in the house, he knows he fights with me the most. Today he was icing his hip flexor since it's bothering him a bit. He was sprawled out on the sofa, you know, sitting legs open like most guys do acting like they need more room for their junk than necessary. The ice was inside his shorts, giving the impression that his area was quite large. I tried to snap a picture of it to blog about - but Tobe warned him. This resulted in angry Spencer. He stormed off and yelled about how he can't even ice himself in his own home without getting blogged about. He wasn't very nice.
Games nights and long weekends.
Last Monday was President's day and therefore we all received a much needed day off. However, just because Monday is a national holiday, doesn't mean we get off from practice! Oh no. We still wake up at 6 and head on over to the boat house. This means that while everyone takes small weekend trips or goes out and stays up late, at my house, we don't. I decided to plan something fun because of this, and created a game night! I invited all our friends over and the night was filled with Taboo and The Game of Things. We ordered pizza and had a great time. Now for perhaps my favorite part of the night - Tobe.
Tobe didn't play with us most of the night because he's an engineer and his nights are spent doing homework and blah blah blah. On top of the homework, he wasn't feel too swell and took NyQuil. After taking NyQuil, he decides to join our game. I think it was a combination of being tired, sick, and the medicine that did it, but Tobe was basically acting delirious. He was literally giggling throughout the game. I laughed and tried to snap some pictures.
Tobe didn't play with us most of the night because he's an engineer and his nights are spent doing homework and blah blah blah. On top of the homework, he wasn't feel too swell and took NyQuil. After taking NyQuil, he decides to join our game. I think it was a combination of being tired, sick, and the medicine that did it, but Tobe was basically acting delirious. He was literally giggling throughout the game. I laughed and tried to snap some pictures.
Shopping
When you live with boys you have no one to give you advice on clothes or any other girly things. We have a Crew banquet coming up this weekend that marks the beginning of our season. It's a formal event with a dinner and all the alumni come. I always get really excited about it because it gives me an excuse that I never really have to dress up! All of the boys in my house will be wearing suits looking all handsome. Parents come in from all over (which is another thing I love) and we have a party afterwards. For the past two years I've worn a dress I already owned - I'm all about the re-wearing. But this year I decided it was about time for me to buy a new dress! I went shopping with my friend Laura one day on the weekend. We shopped for four hours. I bought nothing. It was miserable. I'm not a big fan of shopping in the first place, I know, quite un-ladylike. It drives my mother crazy. The point is the day was a huge letdown. The next day, in class I might add, I was looking online at this little store hoping to find something. I did!! The problem was they only had two dresses left, one of them in my size. Now, I can't go to the store by myself, I at least need one person to come with me!! It turns out that pretty much all of my girl friends were either in class or doing something. So I turned to the next best person, Howie. He agreed to come with me on the condition that he need not give me any advice. Needless to say, he gave me advice. And smiled and told me he liked the dress. He did all the things a girl friend would do and even zipped me up!
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| Here's Howie holding up the dress so I can send the pictures to my friends. (real pictures will follow after Sat!) |
Friday, February 17, 2012
Girl night + 1??
It's nice to know my housemates are confident with themselves.
My friend Kelly and I decided it was about time for a girl night with the two of us. It was a Saturday night so my other housemates were all out (Tobe being with Jessica!). Kelly came over, and we decided to watch "Just Friends" starring Ryan Reynolds. Just your typical romantic comedy/"chick flick" with the two of us.... plus Dan. Wait what??? That's right, plus Dan. Dan loves Ryan Reynolds. Ryan Reynolds is his man crush. So Dan was lovingly added to our night in. It was great. While Kelly and I laughed and quoted parts of the movie - Dan chimed in. He is probably one of the only guys I know who could actually make it through the entire movie with Kelly and me. It was the perfect night in. The best part? The night fully satisfied my need for a girls night in, even with Dan being there.
My friend Kelly and I decided it was about time for a girl night with the two of us. It was a Saturday night so my other housemates were all out (Tobe being with Jessica!). Kelly came over, and we decided to watch "Just Friends" starring Ryan Reynolds. Just your typical romantic comedy/"chick flick" with the two of us.... plus Dan. Wait what??? That's right, plus Dan. Dan loves Ryan Reynolds. Ryan Reynolds is his man crush. So Dan was lovingly added to our night in. It was great. While Kelly and I laughed and quoted parts of the movie - Dan chimed in. He is probably one of the only guys I know who could actually make it through the entire movie with Kelly and me. It was the perfect night in. The best part? The night fully satisfied my need for a girls night in, even with Dan being there.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
We are all kids at heart
There are times when Spencer and I get along. Most of the time we are bickering - but it's like a brother and sister constantly annoying the other. Anyway, Spence and I had this big finance test today. We stayed in last night to study and both woke up early to study some more. We pretty much figured we knew everything with an hour or so left before class. It just so happens that (for February) it was a wonderfully sunny day. It also just so happens that we have a pretty awesome back yard. There is a little tree house, a stone pathway, lots open grass, and a beautiful tree that is currently blossoming pretty pink flowers. So, I opened our back door, went outside, and started to play.
When I say play, I mean play. I climbed our tree, skipped from rock to rock, went in the tree house - it was great. I had been so stressed all week about the test I was going to take in an hour that it felt incredible to just enjoy myself. I went back inside (singing to my music that was playing) and asked Spence if he wanted to come play with me. He looked at me like I was crazy. He said he was busy. (When I looked at his computer he was on youtube). I told him he should sing and come outside with me because it would make him happy - but he said he didn't like singing and that it didn't make him happy. He told me that I was such a child. I told him he needed to have fun before our test and to not be silly, everyone likes singing! Finally with enough encouragement, (or perhaps to get me to stop bugging him) he came outside.
I got Spencer to climb our tree. Later on I heard him whistling a song. Then on our way to class, I even caught him singing. So you see, everyone does like singing - and if you just give them time to show it, everyone is a kid a heart.
When I say play, I mean play. I climbed our tree, skipped from rock to rock, went in the tree house - it was great. I had been so stressed all week about the test I was going to take in an hour that it felt incredible to just enjoy myself. I went back inside (singing to my music that was playing) and asked Spence if he wanted to come play with me. He looked at me like I was crazy. He said he was busy. (When I looked at his computer he was on youtube). I told him he should sing and come outside with me because it would make him happy - but he said he didn't like singing and that it didn't make him happy. He told me that I was such a child. I told him he needed to have fun before our test and to not be silly, everyone likes singing! Finally with enough encouragement, (or perhaps to get me to stop bugging him) he came outside.
I got Spencer to climb our tree. Later on I heard him whistling a song. Then on our way to class, I even caught him singing. So you see, everyone does like singing - and if you just give them time to show it, everyone is a kid a heart.
A new lover.
So these are the kinds of things I love. I love when the guys like a girl and start to be all cute about them. This has happened with Tobe. (hopefully he doesn't kill me for this since he can now read it!)
He has a girl. It's pretty cute. For Valentine's Day he surprised her by putting flowers in her room while she was in class. Then she brought him cupcakes. Then he took her out to dinner. I love when she comes over! It's super exciting (I'm probably the only one who thinks that!). But regardless. Tobe acts all cool - as if it's no big deal - but really I think he's smitten. Scratch that. I know he's smitten. He's starting to bring her over more and more now. Really I just love having other girls in the house.
The other day Jessica brought her dog over after Tobe and her had taking the dog on a walk. I like Jessica, and I approve. Major points to Tobe for not picking a silly girl. But hey, if he did, what could I do anyway??
He has a girl. It's pretty cute. For Valentine's Day he surprised her by putting flowers in her room while she was in class. Then she brought him cupcakes. Then he took her out to dinner. I love when she comes over! It's super exciting (I'm probably the only one who thinks that!). But regardless. Tobe acts all cool - as if it's no big deal - but really I think he's smitten. Scratch that. I know he's smitten. He's starting to bring her over more and more now. Really I just love having other girls in the house.
The other day Jessica brought her dog over after Tobe and her had taking the dog on a walk. I like Jessica, and I approve. Major points to Tobe for not picking a silly girl. But hey, if he did, what could I do anyway??
The weekends.
On the weekends, this is what they do. I've seen them watching shows together in Tobe and Dan's room - perhaps even taking little naps with each other. Here they are (plus Drew who is on our team and basically lives at our house) sitting on Tobe's bed watching Dan play Sky Rim.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Sad day.
Until this point I had been careful. Scratch that, I had been meticulously careful. The boys had no idea that I was blogging about them. All of our friends knew - everyone on our team, my family. Then Tobe borrowed my computer decided to snoop around and found it. They have now read every post. I was happy because they laughed and didn't care to much. In fact, I think they kind of loved it. I think they were a bit flattered, but I'm sure they won't admit it. From now on, they will probably think twice before doing anything they think will end up on my blog, but I promise everything I say will be true!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
They love the drama
Let me start off by saying that one of the major perks of living with boys is that there is hardly any drama. Girls in general are much more catty and vicious than guys. We take everything personally and know how to hold a grudge. We are experts are the whole "passive aggressiveness." In my experience, guys are much more straightforward and blunt. That being said, living with boys I've learned that although theymay not be as involved in the drama girls are, that doesn't mean they don't love it.
I've had walked in on my housemates watching thing like "Keeping up with the Kardashians" or "Teen Mon" before. They sit around making fun of what's going on, but really they're hooked. It's funny because it's shows I don't even watch. The other day, however, the funniest thing happened. We were all eating breakfast in the living room and someone (I forget who) was scrolling the channels. This someone stopped on "Battle of the Exes" on MTV. If you haven't heard of this show - don't worry - I hadn't either. But apparently everyone in my house had. It's a show where people who have "hooked up" on other MTV shows get paired as a team and have to compete in various challenges. They all live in a house together, which is obviously full of drama. We all sat and watched together. Not only did we sit and watch it together, but the guys explained who everyone was and who had already hooked up again and what not! They knew everything. They may be in much drama - but they sure do love to watch it unfold.
Kind of a silly side story - Spencer had to leave early to go to class before the episode ended, and this is our conversation while he was in class:
He was really into the show.
I've had walked in on my housemates watching thing like "Keeping up with the Kardashians" or "Teen Mon" before. They sit around making fun of what's going on, but really they're hooked. It's funny because it's shows I don't even watch. The other day, however, the funniest thing happened. We were all eating breakfast in the living room and someone (I forget who) was scrolling the channels. This someone stopped on "Battle of the Exes" on MTV. If you haven't heard of this show - don't worry - I hadn't either. But apparently everyone in my house had. It's a show where people who have "hooked up" on other MTV shows get paired as a team and have to compete in various challenges. They all live in a house together, which is obviously full of drama. We all sat and watched together. Not only did we sit and watch it together, but the guys explained who everyone was and who had already hooked up again and what not! They knew everything. They may be in much drama - but they sure do love to watch it unfold.
Kind of a silly side story - Spencer had to leave early to go to class before the episode ended, and this is our conversation while he was in class:
He was really into the show.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Worse than girls
You know how guys make fun of girls for going to the bathroom together or calling each other about what they're going to wear later that night? I think we can all agree that most of the time this is true, but don't be so quick to point the finger boys - because I've found that boys can be worse than girls....
I'm sitting at home alone right now. Where are the boys you ask? Shopping. This isn't a joke. They love to go shopping together. They are at target now getting who knows what. It's funny because sometimes they are worse than girls. Dan will say "I'm going to Safeway" (our grocery store) and suddenly everyone responds, "Wait for me man!" or "I'll come too!" Sometimes they even plan it. The other day I heard them talking in the morning about how after their classes they were going to go to Trader Joe's. We also live close to 7/11, and Howie is a big fan of the Slurpies there. He'll pass by my room and tell me he's going to 7/11, and I'll say something like "Ok see you later." Then I go outside my room and realize they're all gone. They'll come back and I'll ask Spencer or Tobe or Dan, "Hey what did you get?" To which at least one of them replies "Oh nothing." I mean really? To be honest it's pretty cute, and I've realized that boys like spending time with each other too - even if they won't admit it.
I'm sitting at home alone right now. Where are the boys you ask? Shopping. This isn't a joke. They love to go shopping together. They are at target now getting who knows what. It's funny because sometimes they are worse than girls. Dan will say "I'm going to Safeway" (our grocery store) and suddenly everyone responds, "Wait for me man!" or "I'll come too!" Sometimes they even plan it. The other day I heard them talking in the morning about how after their classes they were going to go to Trader Joe's. We also live close to 7/11, and Howie is a big fan of the Slurpies there. He'll pass by my room and tell me he's going to 7/11, and I'll say something like "Ok see you later." Then I go outside my room and realize they're all gone. They'll come back and I'll ask Spencer or Tobe or Dan, "Hey what did you get?" To which at least one of them replies "Oh nothing." I mean really? To be honest it's pretty cute, and I've realized that boys like spending time with each other too - even if they won't admit it.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
New Episode!
If you haven't already, please check out the television show "New Girl." There is a new episode on tonight, and I think it's one of the funniest shows currently airing! Sometimes I feel like I can exactly relate to the silly things that occur on the show. :)
Ew.
This morning I woke up to this.
In fact, most mornings I wake up to this. I'm pretty sure it's Tobe who has to pee in the middle of every night. The first time it happened, I nearly fell in. Now I'm use to it and double check every time. I've decided it's much less effort to just flush the toilet myself than it is to complain to them. Plus, they do put up with my girly needs - so I figure I'll give them this.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Bake into their hearts.
Man oh man can these boys eat. It doesn't help that they work out so much with practices twice a day every day. This means they are constantly eating - literally. I'm not sure there is ever a time when at least one of them at home isn't eating something. I think of them as my garbage disposals. And let me tell you, all of them have a sweet tooth. Since I've been here I've made a total of three cakes, some brownies, and various types of cookies. The other day my friend Karla and I decided to make homemade chocolate chip cookies and stuff them with Oreos.
This was the result:
As the boys walked into the house (they had all gone on a run together, cute huh?), they instantly came into the kitchen and flashed their charming smiles. Dan said, "I want our house to smell like this forever," and Howie said, "Please tell me we can eat those." Of course the cookies were gone within the night. If ever I'm in a rut with them, or if I ever feel like I hadn't been the nicest person - I bake for them, and somehow find my way back into their hearts.
This was the result:
As the boys walked into the house (they had all gone on a run together, cute huh?), they instantly came into the kitchen and flashed their charming smiles. Dan said, "I want our house to smell like this forever," and Howie said, "Please tell me we can eat those." Of course the cookies were gone within the night. If ever I'm in a rut with them, or if I ever feel like I hadn't been the nicest person - I bake for them, and somehow find my way back into their hearts.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Lazy Days
Do you ever just have those days where you literally just want to hang around all day in your pj's? Not only that, but you also have no urge to do anything productive? Even the simplest tasks such as putting your cereal bowl in the sink or picking up your shoes from the living room become difficult tasks. These are the ultimate lazy days - and they are also reasons why living with boys can sometimes be quite rewarding.
The other day I didn't want to do anything. It was a Sunday, and I was tired from practice, tired of school, and just plain tired in general. I lounged around all day with the guys and didn't even shower. I made eggs for breakfast and didn't clean the pan right away. Then I snacked on some yogurt and didn't throw the container away. I took off my shoes in the living room and left them there all day. It was great. When I had a girl roommate this would never have happened. Well, let me rephrase. It would have happened, but I would have had a whole lot of yelling coming at me. If I was ever late for class and changed in a hurry, leaving my clothes in a pile, I was in trouble. If I ever accidentally left toothpaste in the sink and didn't wipe it up within seconds, I was in trouble. Living with these boys is sometimes kind of refreshing. They are by no means messy. They are probably the cleanest guys I know, but let's just say they understand lazy days way better than girls do.
The other day I didn't want to do anything. It was a Sunday, and I was tired from practice, tired of school, and just plain tired in general. I lounged around all day with the guys and didn't even shower. I made eggs for breakfast and didn't clean the pan right away. Then I snacked on some yogurt and didn't throw the container away. I took off my shoes in the living room and left them there all day. It was great. When I had a girl roommate this would never have happened. Well, let me rephrase. It would have happened, but I would have had a whole lot of yelling coming at me. If I was ever late for class and changed in a hurry, leaving my clothes in a pile, I was in trouble. If I ever accidentally left toothpaste in the sink and didn't wipe it up within seconds, I was in trouble. Living with these boys is sometimes kind of refreshing. They are by no means messy. They are probably the cleanest guys I know, but let's just say they understand lazy days way better than girls do.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Isn't he cute?
Continuing on this morning's post, here's a few photos I've snapped of Spencer in the past month . . .
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| In class wearing a giant sweater and flip flops. |
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| Spencer on his first day of work! |
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| Just playing Call of Duty |
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| After practice enjoying a cup of coffee. |
Sometimes, you just wanna kill 'em
I am with my housemates an insane amount of time during the day. We wake up at 5:30 together to go to practice on the water together for 3-4 hours. We then all make and eat breakfast together. After our classes we have a second practice on land from 5-6:30ish. After that we go home and usually eat dinner together. From that point on we're together until its time for bed - then we do it all over again. It's no surprise then that sometimes, I want to kill them. I literally want to throw my heaviest books at their face. Or possibly strangle them. Obviously I don't actually want them to die, just suffer for a tiny bit.
The other day this was Spencer. If there were ever any two people who were going to fight in the house, it would be me and him. Part of my job at practice is to correct technique/form and to relay to the guys in the boat what it is exactly our coach expects and is looking for. Now let me preface this story by saying that Spencer is a good rower. He is our stroke seat and is by all means one of the best rowers on our team. It just so happens that this day he was messing up. It was obvious he was "breaking his outside wrist" or "feathering his blade with the outside hand" (I apologize for the rower talk). Our coach noticed it first and told him to correct it. No change. Again he tells him to stop breaking the wrist. No change. Finally he tells me to tell Spencer, to which I get the response "I'M NOT BREAKING MY WRIST." Instantly the next stroke is perfect.
When we get up to the boathouse after practice, Spencer is all grumpy and whatnot because I yelled at him. He then tries to explain to me that he wasn't "feathering with his outside hand" he was just "breaking his outside wrist" - WHICH IS THE SAME THING. I basically ask the question to the entire team whether or not they agree with Spencer or me, and they all agree with me. Spencer doesn't talk to me for the rest of the day. In fact, he doesn't talk to anyone for the rest of the day because he's so freaking stubborn. This eventually resulted in an all out shouting match at the end of the day. Like I said, sometimes, you just wanna kill 'em.
(and perhaps they want to kill me).
The other day this was Spencer. If there were ever any two people who were going to fight in the house, it would be me and him. Part of my job at practice is to correct technique/form and to relay to the guys in the boat what it is exactly our coach expects and is looking for. Now let me preface this story by saying that Spencer is a good rower. He is our stroke seat and is by all means one of the best rowers on our team. It just so happens that this day he was messing up. It was obvious he was "breaking his outside wrist" or "feathering his blade with the outside hand" (I apologize for the rower talk). Our coach noticed it first and told him to correct it. No change. Again he tells him to stop breaking the wrist. No change. Finally he tells me to tell Spencer, to which I get the response "I'M NOT BREAKING MY WRIST." Instantly the next stroke is perfect.
When we get up to the boathouse after practice, Spencer is all grumpy and whatnot because I yelled at him. He then tries to explain to me that he wasn't "feathering with his outside hand" he was just "breaking his outside wrist" - WHICH IS THE SAME THING. I basically ask the question to the entire team whether or not they agree with Spencer or me, and they all agree with me. Spencer doesn't talk to me for the rest of the day. In fact, he doesn't talk to anyone for the rest of the day because he's so freaking stubborn. This eventually resulted in an all out shouting match at the end of the day. Like I said, sometimes, you just wanna kill 'em.
(and perhaps they want to kill me).
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Forever young
The other night I wanted to watch a movie. It was a Friday night, and considering we all had to wake up at 6am on Saturdays for practice, we were all home. We searched through our movies and decided on Gladiator. If you haven't already seen Gladiator - I'm not sure what you are doing with your life. Words cannot describe the movie, so I won't even try. The main point of me telling you what movie we watched, is that Gladiator is a long movie. If you are tired or in a rush, don't start it. I didn't realize just how tired I was when the movie started, but about halfway through my eyes started to droop. It didn't help that I was laying down on our futon, wrapped in a blanket, and that the lights were off. I'm not even sure which part of the movie it happened, but the next thing I knew I was sound asleep. Tobe was trying to wake me up so that I could go to bed, but I didn't want to move. In fact, I was half delirious and refused to move. I'm not sure if it was out of affection and kindness of his heart, or rather, annoyance that I was taking up the entire futon he wanted to sit on that urged Tobe to do this, (my guess is probably the latter, but for the warmheartedness of the story, let's say the former) but the next thing I know I'm being carried off to bed. Now remember when you were little and you were tired and had fallen asleep in the car on the way home, or on the floor watching a movie in the living room and your daddy carried you off to your room and tucked you in? This was kind of like that - except without the daddy, and I'm 21. The point is as Tobe dropped me off in my bed and as he turned off the lights I heard him mutter "Don't expect this to become a habit," - and he shut the door making me feel like I was still a kid.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
An addiction, an obsession.
I grew up a pretty big nerd. I was forced to get glasses by age seven and was put in enrichment classes. I thought reading was the coolest thing ever - to the point where if I was in trouble, my punishment was to have my books taken away. My dad's kind of a computer nerd and, therefore, the trait was passed on the me. I remember sitting on his lap as a little girl asking how to play "Rome Total War" or "Civilization." I was the girl in class who always volunteered to read first in class. Despite all this nerdy-ness, I never really picked up an affinity for video games.
In my house there are 5 televisions, two of which are in the living room. There is also an X-box 360, a Playstation 3, and a Nintendo 64. The guys' favorite game to play? Without doubt, Call of Duty Modern Warfare. My room is closest to the living room, and most nights I fall asleep to the sounds of guns firing, explosions, and "UAV online" or "We are losing B." I started off just watching Spencer play (since it's his game). I just kept thinking "How is this possibly fun and how can you play for so long?!" Then Dan got addicted. Watching them play I thought, "This is so easy! How could you stay entertained?!" Then I took a turn.
The game is a drug. It's more addicting than anything I've ever done before. The first time I played I only got 1 kill and died 28 times. I thought, "I can do better than this, just one more game." Now I can't get enough. It literally gets my adrenaline going, especially since I'm just naturally a competitive person. I started off just playing occasionally. If I'd come home in the middle of the day and one of the guys was playing I'd ask, "Hey can I jump in?" But now it's much worse. Spencer taught me how to load the game myself. Sunday I woke up, turned on the X-box, and started to play while everyone else was still asleep. I've even changed the game into a verb so that when someone asks me what I'm doing I say "CODing." So girls, never again question how your boyfriend can play a video game for so long and not get bored.
In my house there are 5 televisions, two of which are in the living room. There is also an X-box 360, a Playstation 3, and a Nintendo 64. The guys' favorite game to play? Without doubt, Call of Duty Modern Warfare. My room is closest to the living room, and most nights I fall asleep to the sounds of guns firing, explosions, and "UAV online" or "We are losing B." I started off just watching Spencer play (since it's his game). I just kept thinking "How is this possibly fun and how can you play for so long?!" Then Dan got addicted. Watching them play I thought, "This is so easy! How could you stay entertained?!" Then I took a turn.
The game is a drug. It's more addicting than anything I've ever done before. The first time I played I only got 1 kill and died 28 times. I thought, "I can do better than this, just one more game." Now I can't get enough. It literally gets my adrenaline going, especially since I'm just naturally a competitive person. I started off just playing occasionally. If I'd come home in the middle of the day and one of the guys was playing I'd ask, "Hey can I jump in?" But now it's much worse. Spencer taught me how to load the game myself. Sunday I woke up, turned on the X-box, and started to play while everyone else was still asleep. I've even changed the game into a verb so that when someone asks me what I'm doing I say "CODing." So girls, never again question how your boyfriend can play a video game for so long and not get bored.
 |
| Dan and Spencer CODing. |
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
the best friends in the world
I was raised on football. I grew up in Texas, where in the fall people didn't ask you what you were doing on a Friday night because the answer was obvious - going to see your high school football team play. Sundays were spent with families watching NFL games, and you lived and died with your team. My dad's from Wisconsin, so naturally I was raised a Cheesehead. The first jersey I ever owned was a Brett Favre one, and yes, I shed a few when he retired and again when I saw him in a Minnesota Vikings jersey. For those of you who don't follow football, the Green Bay Packers were recently eliminated from the playoffs after having an incredible 15-1 season. I watched the game at my house with the guys in full excitement.
It was clear before the game ended that the Packers were going to lose, but I watched the entire game. I watched my team drop pass after pass and make crucial turnovers that cost them the game. Let's just say I wasn't very happy the majority of the fourth quarter through the end of the game.
(Short side story: I don't know how to ride a bike. I just never wanted to learn as a kid. My dad tried to teach me, but I was never into it.) After the game finished, there was basically silence in the house. Even Spencer (who is a huge Chicago Bears fan) didn't rub it in my face. Finally, the silence was broken by this:
Tobe: "Angelica let's go teach you how to ride a bike."
Me: "I don't have a bike"
Tobe: "You can use mine"
I spent the next half house outside in the fresh air learning how to ride a bike and realized I have the best friends in the world.
(Short side story: I don't know how to ride a bike. I just never wanted to learn as a kid. My dad tried to teach me, but I was never into it.) After the game finished, there was basically silence in the house. Even Spencer (who is a huge Chicago Bears fan) didn't rub it in my face. Finally, the silence was broken by this:
Tobe: "Angelica let's go teach you how to ride a bike."
Me: "I don't have a bike"
Tobe: "You can use mine"
I spent the next half house outside in the fresh air learning how to ride a bike and realized I have the best friends in the world.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Surfin' USA
We have this extremely comfy recliner chair in our living room that kind of rocks back and forth. I recently discovered that if you stand up on the chair, it moves back forth and makes you feel as if you're surfing. The other day, fueled by a sugar rush, I climbed on the chair and started surfing while singing the song "Surfin' USA." A couple things happened.
1. Did you know that the words are not "Everybody's gone surfin', surfin in the USA"?! Because I was under the impression my entire life that those were the lyrics. Because of this, I kept getting the tune of the song wrong, and my timing was all off. I kept trying to sing it the right way, but it just wasn't working. This caused my housemates to go absolutely insane. Finally, Spencer corrected my lyrics until I remembered.
2. Now, I'm not tone deaf by any means, but let's just say I was having some difficulties this day. My housemates all hummed the tune for about ten minutes while I tried to sing until Tobe was forced to open up his computer and play the song. Even after I heard it it took me a couple of minutes to get it right.
Note: The entire time this is going on, I remain surfing on the recliner.
3. Finally, I get the chorus right - tune and all - only for the guys to discover that those are the only lyrics I know to the song, causing them to regret helping me at all since the rest of the night is filled with "Cause everybody's gone surfin', surfin USA!"
Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Grj7sjQ0_p4
1. Did you know that the words are not "Everybody's gone surfin', surfin in the USA"?! Because I was under the impression my entire life that those were the lyrics. Because of this, I kept getting the tune of the song wrong, and my timing was all off. I kept trying to sing it the right way, but it just wasn't working. This caused my housemates to go absolutely insane. Finally, Spencer corrected my lyrics until I remembered.
2. Now, I'm not tone deaf by any means, but let's just say I was having some difficulties this day. My housemates all hummed the tune for about ten minutes while I tried to sing until Tobe was forced to open up his computer and play the song. Even after I heard it it took me a couple of minutes to get it right.
Note: The entire time this is going on, I remain surfing on the recliner.
3. Finally, I get the chorus right - tune and all - only for the guys to discover that those are the only lyrics I know to the song, causing them to regret helping me at all since the rest of the night is filled with "Cause everybody's gone surfin', surfin USA!"
Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Grj7sjQ0_p4
Learn To Lock Doors
I share a bathroom with Tobe and Dan. Usually there is no problem… except once. The problem actually wasn’t even with Dan or Tobe, but with Howie. When I moved into the house I was the only one here, the guys were all still home for Christmas break. I guess you could say I got use to the privacy. Once everyone was moved back in, I kind of forgot about boundaries….
It all started when someone was taking a shower in my bathroom, and I needed to shower and get somewhere fast. I asked Spencer if I could use his shower (he’s roommates with Howie and they have a bathroom in their room). Everyone is in the living room just watching TV and whatnot when I go to shower. It kind of slipped my mind that Howie wasn’t home and was out buying groceries. So I go into their room and undressed by the bathroom. Now here’s a little room geography. If you are standing at the entrance to the bedroom, you can see straight into the bathroom if the bathroom door isn’t closed. It just so happened, I didn’t close the door. Howie gets home - walks straight through the living room where I would expect Spencer to say something like “hey man, Angelica is taking a shower in our room,” but of course nothing is said - and heads straight for his room. All is hear is a slamming of the door and someone yelling “LOCK THE DOOR!! ARE YOU CRAZY?! YOU LOCK DOORS!!”
Our conversation later -
Me: “so did you see..” Howie: “yes.”
So that happened.
It all started when someone was taking a shower in my bathroom, and I needed to shower and get somewhere fast. I asked Spencer if I could use his shower (he’s roommates with Howie and they have a bathroom in their room). Everyone is in the living room just watching TV and whatnot when I go to shower. It kind of slipped my mind that Howie wasn’t home and was out buying groceries. So I go into their room and undressed by the bathroom. Now here’s a little room geography. If you are standing at the entrance to the bedroom, you can see straight into the bathroom if the bathroom door isn’t closed. It just so happened, I didn’t close the door. Howie gets home - walks straight through the living room where I would expect Spencer to say something like “hey man, Angelica is taking a shower in our room,” but of course nothing is said - and heads straight for his room. All is hear is a slamming of the door and someone yelling “LOCK THE DOOR!! ARE YOU CRAZY?! YOU LOCK DOORS!!”
Our conversation later -
Me: “so did you see..” Howie: “yes.”
So that happened.
Everyone Has A Story
I admit, my situation is unique. How exactly did I end up living with all guys? Well, here’s my story…
I am currently a coxswain for the men’s rowing team at my University. That’s right, a girl on the men’s team. If you do not know what a “coxswain” is - look it up! But in short I’m the small person who 1. steers the boat, 2. keeps pace/rhythm, 3. motivates and encourages. (Many men’s teams have female coxswains because we are small and weigh less.) This is important to know because it means I am constantly surrounded by the opposite sex. Now that’s not to say I don’t have girl friends. It just so turns out, those girl friends aren’t exactly accessible at the moment. Whitney is studying abroad. Sandy had to live on campus again (and trust me, I was ready to get out of the dorms) and Dani is living with her old roommate again. So when my fellow teammates were all deciding to live together - yes, everyone is my house rows - it was only logical that I move in with them. We found a house, the lease was signed, and that’s when my story became our story.
I am currently a coxswain for the men’s rowing team at my University. That’s right, a girl on the men’s team. If you do not know what a “coxswain” is - look it up! But in short I’m the small person who 1. steers the boat, 2. keeps pace/rhythm, 3. motivates and encourages. (Many men’s teams have female coxswains because we are small and weigh less.) This is important to know because it means I am constantly surrounded by the opposite sex. Now that’s not to say I don’t have girl friends. It just so turns out, those girl friends aren’t exactly accessible at the moment. Whitney is studying abroad. Sandy had to live on campus again (and trust me, I was ready to get out of the dorms) and Dani is living with her old roommate again. So when my fellow teammates were all deciding to live together - yes, everyone is my house rows - it was only logical that I move in with them. We found a house, the lease was signed, and that’s when my story became our story.
New Girl
I’m not sure how many of y’all have seen or ever heard of the television show “New Girl.” It is a brand new series that stars Zooey Deschanel and is only nine episodes deep. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it. The show revolves around Zooey’s character, Jess, who recently moved into an apartment with three men. Not too complicated of a plot right? I mean there are millions of comical directions the writers could take using that simple idea - which is exactly what happens. The show is filled with (in my opinion) funny/awkward situations. Add that to the quirkiness that surrounds Deschanel, and the show makes for a great laugh.
But enough about the series. I mean how realistic is anything on that show anyway? I mean sure, in this age it is socially acceptable for men and women to live together in a non-romantic way. But what are the odds that one quirky girl lives with all males? Here is where I raise my hand. I currently live with not three, but four boys! Of course I have a single bedroom, but other than that, the remainder of the house is shared. When I first heard of the show “New Girl,” I instantly thought of what my future living arrangements would be like - knowing I was moving in with all guys. I just moved into the house in January, and funny story, I often feel like my life involves tiny episodes of the series. So in some sense, I’m a real life new girl.
But enough about the series. I mean how realistic is anything on that show anyway? I mean sure, in this age it is socially acceptable for men and women to live together in a non-romantic way. But what are the odds that one quirky girl lives with all males? Here is where I raise my hand. I currently live with not three, but four boys! Of course I have a single bedroom, but other than that, the remainder of the house is shared. When I first heard of the show “New Girl,” I instantly thought of what my future living arrangements would be like - knowing I was moving in with all guys. I just moved into the house in January, and funny story, I often feel like my life involves tiny episodes of the series. So in some sense, I’m a real life new girl.
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