Summertime!
I thought it was high time for a good old post to the LJ, being so neglected these past months. The reason being is that a lot has been going on so perhaps it would be good to document it? So far this summer has been full of me trying new stuff and going places I've never been before. It's been a lot fun and a constant adventure!
First and foremost, I recently changed jobs (same company, different department) in early May. Got the news the morning of ACen, actually and I was thrilled, considering I applied at the last minute and there were quite a few applicants. The reason for the move was that I was slowly seeing my position disappear and I kept receiving more and more assignments that were, frankly speaking, beneath me (only considering my schooling and what I was being paid). I am more happily situated now and I can say, getting a raise & having an office to my own makes me feel pretty darn satisfied.
Brandon & I continue to have our wild and crazy weekend adventures. He continually keeps it interesting by pushing my physical limits and so far I've been able to meet them. It always amazes me about him that being a very serious geek, he is also somewhat of a sportsman. I think the sports thing has more to do with his upbringing, considering he's the only geek in his family. To me, it's perfect because I always wanted to be better at physical activities and he gives me the opportunity to push myself. These past few months in particular, we've hiked so many beautiful places, I learnt to rock climb, and we've taken up biking.
We've been hiking since we met but we've also gone to quite a few exotic places of late. In particular we did another visit to Turkey Run in Indianapolis as well as Starved Rock in Ottawa, Illinois; two gorgeous locations with so much to see. It amuses us that we always start off the trails with a crowd of other people hiking along with us, but the further in we get, the more private it becomes. That has partly to do with the fact that you thin out the further you get in but also, as we noted, not everyone goes as far as we seem to, which is what makes it the most fun. I am further amused by the fact that lots of people like to hike in flip flops (ouch!), carrying infants (>.<), and while smoking (::cough::). Some like to do all three together (ToT). I wish I were kidding about that last one.
The rock climbing was the thing I was most afraid of but let me tell you, every horrific aspect I had imagined about it was rather inaccurate. It is so much more controlled and safe than I previously thought. I think it also has a bonding element to it as you work in tandem with one climber & one "billeter" (one who controls your safety rope). You communicate with the billeter as you climb so if need a rest, they can give you one by locking the rope. The billeter also watches out for you as you climb so if you fall, they'll lock the rope to stop you. We climb in Bloomington where they've converted these old silos into some rather tall rock climbing rooms. I find that I can actually do pretty well but I'm so far from ever "free climbing." It shocks me how high you can actually get. o_o I think one of the best aspects of rock climbing is learning how to tie the fun figure-8 or "ten ropes" knot, which I find myself randomly doing whenever I have a long piece of string and some idle time.
When Brandon heard that I wanted a mountain bike for my birthday (which my father generously gave me), he went out and bought a bike of his own so that we could bike together. It's funny how we interpreted "trail biking" so differently. I pretty much had this face on when he suggested we actually go "mountain" biking: :O . I mean, I bought the bike so I could do more than just typical terrain biking but serious trail biking was a big surprise to me. Thank God we cleared that up pretty quickly but of course not before trying it a little. I definitely I did better than I thought I was going to do but we're so not there yet. Since then we've done more moderate, more long-distance biking which has been really fun and only challenging when I seem to dehydrate a little and feel like I'm going to puke. :X
I think Brandon & I are also becoming one of those "we"/"us" couples. It's hard not to do things without reference to him anymore because he is basically the other side to my life right now. Personally I think we make people puke because we're obnoxiously affectionate; hell, I'd be nauseated if I was watching us. Even still, Friday evenings & Saturdays continue to not be enough time spent with him. I just keep dreaming of the time when we can be together always. <3
I've got big plans for the end of the summer with Dragon*Con. I'm going to (::crossing my fingers::) dabble in some Steampunk cosplaying and I'm finally getting around to making fixing up my Rabi~en~Rose costume to more accuracy. I am also finding myself in this odd rut where I can't seem to think of any other costumes I want to bring/make. I am so used to cosplaying in a group setting and most of my costumes are geared towards that so I'm at a loss. I can't think of any characters that I could do & I actually would appreciate any (serious) suggestions at this point. Nevertheless, I'm not going to sweat it. Even if I don't finish any costumes or I only bring one, I'm going to have a good time.
I will be going to about three weddings in the fall and am currently working on Jessica's wedding dress. ::gulp:: I can't believe she wanted me to make it for her. I really hope she'll like it.
I also can't wait to see Miri & the Iowa gang in a week for AI. It will feel a little disjointed as poor Liz cannot attend this year due to work (:C). Even still, the cosplaying will be fun.
I'm really excited particularly for tonight as I get to try out a new restaurant I've been salivating for since June with two of my BFF's, Daron & Tori. We will be such a merry party!~ Hope everyone out there in the LJ world is doing well!
First and foremost, I recently changed jobs (same company, different department) in early May. Got the news the morning of ACen, actually and I was thrilled, considering I applied at the last minute and there were quite a few applicants. The reason for the move was that I was slowly seeing my position disappear and I kept receiving more and more assignments that were, frankly speaking, beneath me (only considering my schooling and what I was being paid). I am more happily situated now and I can say, getting a raise & having an office to my own makes me feel pretty darn satisfied.
Brandon & I continue to have our wild and crazy weekend adventures. He continually keeps it interesting by pushing my physical limits and so far I've been able to meet them. It always amazes me about him that being a very serious geek, he is also somewhat of a sportsman. I think the sports thing has more to do with his upbringing, considering he's the only geek in his family. To me, it's perfect because I always wanted to be better at physical activities and he gives me the opportunity to push myself. These past few months in particular, we've hiked so many beautiful places, I learnt to rock climb, and we've taken up biking.
We've been hiking since we met but we've also gone to quite a few exotic places of late. In particular we did another visit to Turkey Run in Indianapolis as well as Starved Rock in Ottawa, Illinois; two gorgeous locations with so much to see. It amuses us that we always start off the trails with a crowd of other people hiking along with us, but the further in we get, the more private it becomes. That has partly to do with the fact that you thin out the further you get in but also, as we noted, not everyone goes as far as we seem to, which is what makes it the most fun. I am further amused by the fact that lots of people like to hike in flip flops (ouch!), carrying infants (>.<), and while smoking (::cough::). Some like to do all three together (ToT). I wish I were kidding about that last one.
The rock climbing was the thing I was most afraid of but let me tell you, every horrific aspect I had imagined about it was rather inaccurate. It is so much more controlled and safe than I previously thought. I think it also has a bonding element to it as you work in tandem with one climber & one "billeter" (one who controls your safety rope). You communicate with the billeter as you climb so if need a rest, they can give you one by locking the rope. The billeter also watches out for you as you climb so if you fall, they'll lock the rope to stop you. We climb in Bloomington where they've converted these old silos into some rather tall rock climbing rooms. I find that I can actually do pretty well but I'm so far from ever "free climbing." It shocks me how high you can actually get. o_o I think one of the best aspects of rock climbing is learning how to tie the fun figure-8 or "ten ropes" knot, which I find myself randomly doing whenever I have a long piece of string and some idle time.
When Brandon heard that I wanted a mountain bike for my birthday (which my father generously gave me), he went out and bought a bike of his own so that we could bike together. It's funny how we interpreted "trail biking" so differently. I pretty much had this face on when he suggested we actually go "mountain" biking: :O . I mean, I bought the bike so I could do more than just typical terrain biking but serious trail biking was a big surprise to me. Thank God we cleared that up pretty quickly but of course not before trying it a little. I definitely I did better than I thought I was going to do but we're so not there yet. Since then we've done more moderate, more long-distance biking which has been really fun and only challenging when I seem to dehydrate a little and feel like I'm going to puke. :X
I think Brandon & I are also becoming one of those "we"/"us" couples. It's hard not to do things without reference to him anymore because he is basically the other side to my life right now. Personally I think we make people puke because we're obnoxiously affectionate; hell, I'd be nauseated if I was watching us. Even still, Friday evenings & Saturdays continue to not be enough time spent with him. I just keep dreaming of the time when we can be together always. <3
I've got big plans for the end of the summer with Dragon*Con. I'm going to (::crossing my fingers::) dabble in some Steampunk cosplaying and I'm finally getting around to making fixing up my Rabi~en~Rose costume to more accuracy. I am also finding myself in this odd rut where I can't seem to think of any other costumes I want to bring/make. I am so used to cosplaying in a group setting and most of my costumes are geared towards that so I'm at a loss. I can't think of any characters that I could do & I actually would appreciate any (serious) suggestions at this point. Nevertheless, I'm not going to sweat it. Even if I don't finish any costumes or I only bring one, I'm going to have a good time.
I will be going to about three weddings in the fall and am currently working on Jessica's wedding dress. ::gulp:: I can't believe she wanted me to make it for her. I really hope she'll like it.
I also can't wait to see Miri & the Iowa gang in a week for AI. It will feel a little disjointed as poor Liz cannot attend this year due to work (:C). Even still, the cosplaying will be fun.
I'm really excited particularly for tonight as I get to try out a new restaurant I've been salivating for since June with two of my BFF's, Daron & Tori. We will be such a merry party!~ Hope everyone out there in the LJ world is doing well!