Monday, December 31, 2007

Welcoming in 2008

Dear James,
If I could escape
And re-create a place as my own world
And I could be your favorite girl
Forever, perfectly together
Tell me boy, now wouldn't that be sweet?

If I could be sweet
I know I've been a real bad girl
I didn't mean for you to get hurt
Forever, we can make it better
Tell me boy, now wouldn't that be sweet?
Sweet escape

Love,
Jessica

Five things I wanted for Christmas and didn't get:
1. A private jet
2. A flat in Knightsbridge
3. The super cute Juicy Couture bag I am in love with
4. Lunch with Miranda Kerr or a private Linkin Park concert
5. A stadium and DP for DCU
Man, my frends are lame! This is such a reasonable list!

I was considering listing my New Years Resolutions because I do have some but realized that's a bit too personal for a public blog. Those close to me know what they are they'll be there to encourage me.

But in general, I resolve to be a better person in 2008.

Bring 2008 on! I'm ready!

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday.
(Except for Veron. Pulling out at the 11th hour is SO not cool!)

Some personal messages now (this is going to take a while).

Daddy - Your little girl loves you.

Aunt Margaret - You're my best friend, really. Thank you for being patient with me for years and years on end. I've learned more than I could have hoped for from you. I love you.

Fiona - Everyday of your life I'm here for you. I love you. The best part of my life has been watching you grow up.

Vanessa - February 14, 2007 (it seems so much longer ago!) will go down in history. You are a remarkable friend. Thank you for all the stuff you helped me with this year. You are going to be an amazing attorney.

Cara - My emotional twin. Thanks for understanding me down to my core. You'll always have a place to stay in England. ;)

Jen - Thank you for being the friend that gently guides me to sensible solutions. That has been completely invaluable.

Dave - I'm lucky to have a friend that is willing to walk the streets of DC aimlessly with me so I can just talk and say things that are in my head out loud.

Ed - What the hell would my work days be like without you?!?! I don't want to think of a world where that exists. Now if only you would work in Virginia so we could get together more often. Thank you for the approximately 60 emails a day. hehe

Barrett - Thank you for putting in double overtime for me in Austin and for the hundreds of miles you are putting on your car on my behalf. It seems we very nearly have a solution!

Speaking of Texans...

David (AKA Houston guy) - Getting to know you has been fun. I'm looking forward to New Year's Eve. Thanks for leaving Houston to spend it with me.

My James - As it stands: 710(?)/100. Right? Thanks for the countless miles put on your car last week (I hope it doesn't take ages to get it repaired). My trip was a million times more amazing than I was expecting and 90% of that was because of you. You're in my heart every second. I can't wait for April 3rd!!
P.S.- London, please? Pretty please? Just near a tube station, that's all I ask!
Okay, Canary Wharf. That's a good compromise. Glad we settled that.

Nate - I like our "Understanding Men 101" sessions. Thank you.

Ben - I miss you so much. Without you, I have to get my own water! Booo!

Suhel - You know I adore you. You are the sweetest friend ever. You fit in more "you're beautiful Jessica" in one hour than I get in a month!

Jim - With you spilling one drink in my lap, our future was sealed. Had you not put knocked that glass over, we'd had never met. Fate is funny that way. And the gummy bear drink was SO much better than what you spilled anyway. heh

Ryan - I know I don't keep in touch as I should these days but you are gorgeous and I love hanging out with you. All I have to say is "ice cream". You were spot on. You can be rather wise for a 23 year old! ;)

Thea and Ann - I put myself at the back of the line again! Tch (Can someone please hurry up and get behind me in line? I feel like I'm spending a little too much time back there!)

Paul C. - Thank you for... everything. Run fat boy, run!

My DCU and Screaming Eagles family - There are way too many to list here but every single one of you are great people.

Bobby - Really? I mean... really?! Okay, fine. See you in Houston, then. Hmph

Troy - Now I have an excuse to go to Oslo! It's one of the places I've wanted to hit on the Jessica World Tour. Good luck!

Dema - Your running in squares has always provided me with inspiration. When I run, you're in the back of my head screaming "NO! You run hard now! Go! Go! Go! Don't be weak - it's just a little pain!" :)

Monday, December 24, 2007

Oh! One more thing...

Have you ever been in a car accident in another country?
No?
I have.

James and I were driving back to his house ALL THE WAY IN FLEET! Which is a million miles from London. I mean, when London is RIGHT there, why live in Fleet?! Yes, I know it's better for raising children and all that. But, really. It's too far outside of London and...

Oh wait, I'm digressing.

Back to the story. So James is driving the two of us back to his house (which we've firmly established is in Fleet - not London) and we get rear ended. Hard. His back bumper is in very bad shape, sadly.

Anyway, another experience to add to the growing list.

An American girl in.... America

Yes, I'm finally back home. God Bless the USA!
Yesterday I was in four countries and I must say, I would not recommend it.

I won't go into great detail about Belgium, it's very nice and I had a nice time there.
I can see why Gooch stays there to play.

Though while in Belgium I have to admit, I was wishing I was back in London. Having been away for four years, I can still say that London has my heart.

I had a fantastic time there (thanks James!) and I'm ready to buy a London flat and move tomorrow.

Okay, maybe not tomorrow. And, James says not London. I think we've agreed on Surrey. ;)

Anyway, I am glad to be home because I was missing my kitties like crazy. And, I was missing my little apartment and my little American life.

With that being said; Gucci, Prada, Valentino, Hermes, Vuitton. Jimmy Choo all the rest on one street. What's NOT to love?! I was in heaven. Yes, heaven.

And, I'm sending much love to Selfridges, Zara, M&S, Harvey Nichols, Debenham's and the great Harrod's.

All this and I didn't claim VAT at Heathrow. I came home with more clothes than I left with. And a significantly smaller bank account.

James - xoxoxoxoxoxo
Wow. Just, wow.
The Chinese food was amazing! ;)

Monday, December 17, 2007

London: Day Five

No matter how many times I come to this amazing city, I love it more and more each trip. The people are amazing - we've met some characters along the way - and you can't beat London when it comes to site seeing.

The Spice Girls shows were more fun than I could have imagined. Though I admit, I'm glad I saw them what I can only describe as "full circle". The shows had a way different feel to the ones in 1998 and the Christmas in Spiceworld in 1999.
They are all a lot more grown up now and the routines reflect that.

So, I'm glad I've seen them all so I can document in my brain the evolution of the Spice Girls.

And what I love about watching them here more than America is, the people here are not obsessed with them. They go to the show, have a good time and that's that. I love it.
There was a time when I was plastering my walls with their posters and paying attention to all the news. I've outgrown that just like the girls have outgrown their old spice persona's.

And the people of Britain are the same way. They came out, had fun and went home.
I like the mentality here.

I'll admit, I spent a small fortune on some memorabilia though. But, that's the case everywhere I've gone in London (the people of Britain can thank me for single handedly keeping their economy afloat).

Met a terribly cute and extremely funny Scot yesterday on the train. He had me laughing until my sides hurt. He's great fun to be around.

And here I am, about to embark on a journey outside of London to Hampton Court Palace.

One in our party has developed an inner ear infection and must stay in the flat today. Bummer.

Last thing I want to say about the trip so far is this: I'm not impressed by cars. Red car, blue car, black car - whatever. I couldn't care less. There is a house around the corner from our flat that everyone seems to be impressed with because they have a Mercedes, BMW and Porsche in the driveway. I look and shrug my shoulders.

However, yesterday I saw something that made even me look twice. It was a beautiful black Lamborghini. Oh my.

My darling James drives an Audi. I have no idea what that means but apparently they're quite nice.

I like my Jetta.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

London: Day Three

We are about to embark on our third day in London.

The flight here was quick but I didn't get to sleep as much as I had hoped. One of the movies we could watch was The Bourne Ultimatum and I hadn't seen it so I watched. Afterwards, I slept for a couple hours and woke when there was less than an hour left in the flight.

Arrived in London close to 7AM local time and was on the Tube not too long afterwards. Got to the flat and crashed for a while before heading out into London.

We did a walk around the city hitting Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, Trafalgar and Big Ben.

Yesterday we met up with Andy and went to lunch at Wagamama and then on to The Tower London. Afterwards, we walked down to St Pauls Cathedral which is just beautiful.
We hit the London Eye at night and lastly, went to a great Tandoori restaurant near our apartment in Edgeware.

We met an American living in London at the restaurant and spoke with him for a while.

Back home and finally went to bed around 1AM. Now it's Saturday morning and we're heading out for the day again.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

I leave tomorrow!!!!!

Okay, that's way too many exclamation marks, even for me.

But seriously, I leave tomorrow! Thursday morning I will wake up in London!
We're all checking in online at my house tonight to make sure our group gets seats together.

I asked my closest friends if there was anything I can bring them back.
Boy was I sorry for asking!
(As always, I use initials to protect the innocent)

AA-Panties with the Union Jack on them (might get a pair for me too come to think of it...)
EM-Sheffield United scarf (NO, NOT SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY!)
MC-As many Cadbury Flakes as my suitcase can carry
PS-Demarcus Beasley (might be tough to force on a plane, but I will try)
DG-Ryan Nelsen (see above note)

These were among the more humorous requests. I have more but they were fairly run of the mill.

So to AA, EM, MC, PS and DG; I will do my best.

James, I'm on my way!!! Dinner Thursday night at Ask Pizzaria Gloucester Road Tube Station in the Gloucester Arcade building (it's across from a grocery store - Sainsbury's if I recall correctly - and this could have changed, it has been four years. It could be a pet supply store for all I know).

One last thing. A big announcement will be made by DCU tomorrow. The news basically already broke so I guess it's not big deal that I say it. Even though, I was asked just last night to keep a lid on it, I've already seen it on the web this morning.

So...
DCU has signed SENSORED SENSORED SENSORED.
Turns out the story hasn't exactly broke. So, I've had to remove this.

Just wait and see though, DCU fans will be very pleased. Sorry, that's all I can say.


Let me thank you in advance for the jersey you will be giving me this season. ;)
PS - I still love Dema.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Weekend Update with host, Jessica

I did an amazing 5 miles on Saturday and a lame 3 miles on Sunday; only to currently stagnate in 9th place.
I am rightfully ashamed of myself.


Wednesday is only a few days away! I'll get on a great big plane, eat dinner, go to sleep and wake up in London. Eek!

There are a few essential things I MUST remember to take.
1. Medications
2. iPod
3. Nike+ equipment
4. Passport
Anything else I remember to take is just bonus. Including clothes (flashback to Toronto 2007 when I did forget to take clothes).

Jim and I saw The Golden Compass over the weekend and I still can't decide if I liked it or not.
There were many aspacts to it I did love, but I thought it went on a little long. About 20 minutes from the end, I really wanted it to be wrapped up already.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Attention D.C. Residents!!
I have someone coming from Houston to spend New Year's Eve with me and I have no idea of what to do that night. This area isn't like New York or even London where there is one common gathering spot.
Mt. Vernon was suggested because apparently, in the past they've done NYE parties and a fireworks display at midnight. That sounded absolutely perfect.
However, it would appear that either this tradition won't be carried on this year or I'm an idiot and kind find the information on the Mt. Vernon website.

So, I am open to suggestions. Or information about the Mt. Vernon celebration.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Snow, snow go away - Come back when.... I'm in London

Curses! I go to bed and in my sleep dropped back down to 11th.

Yesterday I was able to go out and get the running (okay, mainly walking) done in the snow. It was just starting to come down. The roads were still clear.

On my morning commute, it was a different story. I doubt very much I'll be getting out there today.

In fact, I expect to wake up tomorrow and be in 20th place. Booo!!!
To all you warm climate people I say; NO FAIR!

A week from now I'll be in London! YIPPEE!!

Oh, I'd like to quickly address the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show that aired on Tuesday night. That was great to watch! And, the Spice Girls did a good job for their first time on stage (as a five piece) in 9 years. What fun.

And finally, is there a more adorable creature on the planet than Miranda Kerr? She didn't get on stage much during the fashion show (being the newest VS Angel and all) but when I get my VS magazines in the mail, I always smile at her pictures. She is just the cutest girl (and I say girl because she can't be more than 18).

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Field Report - Day 5

I did a little over 3.5 miles in the snow today.
For some odd reason, I can do more and enjoyed it more in the snow.

Today's run got me back to tenth place.

Dropped to 13th - booo!!!

I didn't make it out yesterday becuase I was busy after work. And, I do deserve a day off here and there... right?

Let's not forget my goal was mid-table mediocrity and well; so far, so good.
Yay me!

It's snowing out and I'm not sure what the roads will be like for running today. Might have to (gulp) resort to the treadmill. Oh how I hate treadmills.

None the less, I am very proud of my progress.

Hey, don't write yourself off yet
It's only in your head you feel left out
Or looked down on
Just try your best, try everything you can
And don't you worry what they tell themselves
When you're away.

It just takes some time, little girl in the middle of the ride
Everything, everything will be just fine
Everything, everything it'll be alright

Hey, you know they're all the same
You know you're doing better on your own
So don't buy in.
Live right now
Yeah, just be yourself.
It doesn't matter if it's good enough
For someone else

It just takes some time, little girl you're in the middle of the ride
Everthing, everything it'll be just fine
Everything, everything it'll be alright
It just takes some time, little girl you're in the middle of the ride
Everything, everything it'll be just fine
Everything, everything it'll be alright

Hey, don't write yourself off yet
It's only in your head you feel left out
Or looked down on
Just do your best, do everything you can.
And don't you worry what the bitter hearts, are gonna say


-Jimmy Eat World

Monday, December 3, 2007

Field Report - Day 3

So I've moved back up to 9th place (from 11th this morning).

It was incredibly windy out and it made running hard and even more tiring than usual.

BTW - The hit on "Stuff" is called off. Turns out she walked a marathon and is working on getting under 200lbs. Good for her. Keep at it!

Commitment issues? Me?

First let me say I've dropped to 11th place and I've taken a hit out on "stuff" who is currently the leader with nearly double the amount of miles as me.
Pft

On to the topic at hand.
In the past, my commitment issues have been that I always want to have one.

However, I've been accused over the last few days (by a few different people) of being a commitmentphobic. I never thought in a million years that this word would ever describe me.
However, after examaning my recent behavior patterns, I realize it could be true.

I have been looking for reasons to not get involved with any guy I go out with. Or, in some cases, I'm getting bored with the guy quickly.

I honestly haven't been doing this consciencely, I didn't even think of it until it was pointed out to me by friends.

In the past I've reveled in commitment and only felt safe in the confines of a commited relationship.

But, I think my last relationship rather screwed all that up for me.

This might not be a bad thing, though. At least not for the time being.

And I truly believe that if the right guy comes along, I won't be so quick to send him on his way after I've had some fun.

With that being said; "Houston guy" is coming for New Year's Eve...

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Field Report - Day 2

Adding to the runny nose, today I got tears while running. No, I wasn't crying.
This is not easy but, it's worth it.
And, I have moved from 9th place to 6th place.



Moving on to other matters...
Dear Victoria's Secret,
I have a shopping problem. I am just not capable of spending less than $100 at a time in your store.
So, I have to ask a favor. Please, do not allow me through the doors anymore. I have no self control.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,
Jessica
Platinum Angel Card Holder

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Field Report - Day 1

Let me start off by saying that running in the cold weather is not noble, it's not brave and it's not heroic. The Nike and Adidas commercials are selling lies. Lies I tell you! :)

This morning I went running and it was freaking (brrrr!) cold! My nose was running and my lungs were hurting.

I never once saw a runny nose in the commercials. Hmph

Updated leader board (who is this donkey who has run 15 miles already today?!)