Very, very, very quick post.

I’m in the guest bedroom at Natalie’s house, about ready to pass out from exhaustion. This has been quite the long week, and my weekend is only going to get busier (but so, so much more fun.) In the morning we fly to Boston– send up a few quick ones that snow overnight won’t delay our flight out– and get approximately 48 hours in the most fabulous city (ok, 3rd most fabulous) in the world to eat, drink, play, network, schmooze, make friends, see the sights, and really anything but sleep. Did I mention our hotel has warm cookies for each guest upon arrival?

Fergus lost his manhood on Wednesday, but as the receptionist told me when I picked up this morning, “I don’t think he even realized he had surgery.” He’s already back to his rambunctious puppy self, and I will miss him terribly in my absence. I had my first midterm of the semester on Tuesday, pretty sure I rocked it, though I find myself caring less and less as we get closer to May whether I did or not. The fact that we’re leaving for Vegas for Spring Break two weeks from tomorrow is nuts. Complete and utter insanity. I will mostly likely be back here in the ‘burbs next weekend for a night while Neil gets his car in tip-top shape before the drive, so there really is no rest for the weary. Not that I’m complaining, things are quite awesome as of late.

(Oh, bootcamp still leaves me pretty sore– and ravenous– but getting up before the sun is getting easier, and I’m starting to notice larger muscles. Now if only the extra inches around my abs that have settled in post half marathon training would get the hell outta here.)

Our respective alarms all start blaring at 5 a.m. this morning (Eastern time, so really 4 a.m.) to get on a plane back home. Shout out to the Radisson for having Sleep Number beds, free wireless, and a free shuttle to the airport. While in hindsight we should have just come back Monday night, at least we moved to a hotel right next to the airport for maximum sleep in time and it was glorious. After a lot of connecting and waiting and random dozing off and flying and driving and one oddly delicious breakfast sandwich from Potbelly even though the lady put bacon on it the first time, we made it back to Iowa City and went our separate ways. While we did some serious bonding over our long weekend, I feel I need an extended break from all things PRSSA and my fellow members (said as lovingly as possible, of course.) If I heard the words networking, social media, Twitter, or resume in the next week, I will LOSE IT.
While I should be getting some homework done, sleep is absolutely trumping any deadlines I currently have, so I’ll leave you with some photos from the trip. A freshly bathed Fergus is snoring away next to me– he snores a lot and gets the hiccups once a day, thoughts?– and I will probably soon join him (I seem to have chronic sinus problems, the snores are not my fault. I SWEAR.)
I just sneezed twice and he woke up, bewildered. Love.

PUMPKIN MARTINIS!!

No zoom-- we were literally at the White House's front door during the Garden Tour

Sasha & Malia's new play set

The changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery

If you’re a-Facebookin’ and wanna see all my pics, you can click here.

After cutting it pretty close to make our flight from Moline to Detroit, I am now typing 30,000 miles above ground and hurtling towards our nation’s capital through quite a bit of turbulence (but let’s be honest, I’m posting while firmly on the ground probably somewhere in the Marriott lobby—I’m certainly not paying for in-flight wireless, though for the first time in my life it is available.) Going from Concourse C to A in Detroit, I was freaked out by how eerily familiar it seemed. Chalking it up to 14 years of flying finally blurring into one ball of indiscernible travel experience, I then remembered that I had stalked a senator through that very underground passage back in January. Le sigh. As if I weren’t already having trouble with the Germany flashbacks.
Outside our gate there was a small food court where—get this—there was a restaurant dedicated to PB&J. They carried other variations including my favorite, peanut butter and banana, or PB & Chocolate, or even PB, banana, honey & bacon on cinnamon swirl bread. I opted for a fruit cup from a bakery instead, because after reading Skinny Bitch (very eye-opening) and finally completely crossing the boundary from toying with vegetarianism to committing to vegetarianism, I was just really craving some fruit. Yes, I realize I just announced my not eating meat in what must seem like a very flippant “Oh, maybe I’ll wear a T-shirt today” kind of way, but I assure you I’d been consuming it sparingly anyway, and the stats, experiences, and descriptions in the aforementioned book made me realize I just need to go ahead and give it up.
I’m already completely exhausted (dammit, Fergus) and will want to just fall into bed as soon as we get to the hotel, but who knows what kind of second wind DC will bring me. Speaking of my little floppy-eared love, he had his first vet visit yesterday. Not only did he pass, but he’s gained a pound since we got him on Saturday, and he charmed everyone in the office who assured me he’s the cutest basset they may have ever seen. Wtf, flight attendants—they haven’t even begun the in-flight beverage service. This is only an hour long flight; if I don’t see some pretzels before reaching our destination, heads will roll.

I suppose this post could be filed under “semi-big announcements,” only because it has to do with another semi-big announcement I made a while back when I revealed I registered to run my first half marathon in October. Most of you know of my involvement in PRSSA on campus, being VP this year after three years of pretty serious involvement and general geeking out about most things that will lead to a richer professional life right outta college. Imagine my dilemma then when I found out that PRSSA National Conference this year is scheduled over the same weekend as my race. As much I would love to go to DC (never been!) I said no, thanks– I’m already registered, I’ve already been training, staying in Des Moines is hundreds of dollars less than going to the coast for some stuffy conference anyway. I sat by while other executive members planned their trips and tried to recruit more interested members in getting in before the registration deadline. Well, today I changed my mind. I know, you’re shocked. The most indecisive person in the world flip-flopped her position on something. It was actually brought about by a guest speaker we had the pleasure of doing casual lunch with today. She was PRSSA President back in the day (the year I was born, actually) and hearing her speak of her experiences and how networking and the people she met led to such great things really got me thinking. I love running. I’ve been running, and I know that while 13.1 miles is no easy task, I could definitely do it. I don’t need to be in an organized race to run that distance or farther; with a couple weeks more mileage I could wake up on a random Saturday and do it around the city. This is my only chance to go to such an event, and the line-up of speakers and events they have planned for us makes it kind of silly for me not to go. As my father said (because yes, at 21 I still call him to run ideas by him and get his advice before making semi-big decisions) “You’re not going to get paid for being a marathon runner” aka– this is much bigger investment in The Life of Brittney. So yeah, I am kinda bummed about the race because I’ve been getting weirdly excited about it. I don’t really see it as quitting because races of all distances are pretty plentiful. I’m much more excited about flying again, staying in a hotel (I LOVE hotels, perhaps a post for another time), continental breakfasts, buying and wearing professional clothes, handing out business cards and resumes and working through my awkward meeting people issues, and perhaps meeting up with NPH’s little sister who goes to school in DC and might have a package of delicious baked goods waiting from their mother upon my arrival. Hey, a girl can dream.

Only THREE MORE HOURS til our plane takes off from Miami.  Have I mentioned how much I loathe all things associated with flying?  I like travel, just not the getting there.  The cruise was great, quite warm.  Perhaps I’ll post pics later.  I’m currently watching a boy of about four or five pelt his younger brother with stuffed animals whilst wrestling about in front of a Pizza Hut in the Miami International Airport.

For the next 48 hours I’ve pretty much accepted that I will be in meltdown mode, remembering forgotten things I should pack for my semester abroad, being extremely short with family members, trying to enjoy watching the Hawkeyes win the Orange Bowl but being jealous of my friends who road-tripped down to see it in person.  Once I’m on the plane I should be fine (oh, who am I kidding– two hours into it my legs will have severely cramped and I’ll be debating whether or I can hold it or should I ask the person next to me to move AGAIN so I can go to the bathroom.)

My horoscope today told me to exercise.  Boy howdy I wish it were acceptable for me to start doing laps through the H concourse.  After two weeks of constant eating and very little activity, my body is screaming for elevated heartrate brought on by something other than OH SWEET JESUS WHERE DOES ONE BUY A WATCH BATTERY IN THE GREATER DES MOINES AREA SO I CAN TELL THE TIME WHILE 30,000 FEET ABOVE THE ATLANTIC?!  Yes, people– these are my thoughts.

I must go find a Starbucks now or just stretch my feet or probably let little brother have time on my laptop (thanks Google for the free wireless.)

My brother is currently reading a map of Germany to me.  Way too much fun to handle.  We’re waiting to go to the airport to take off to sunny Miami (with a connecting flight in Atlanta– 1. I hate layovers.  2. I have never been to Atlanta and was all YOU’RE SO WRONG when NPH told me that’s most likely where we’d be connecting so now I owe him like a quarter or something.)

I’m not a huge candy bar/ chocolate fan, but if I had to choose, Twix bars are pretty boss.  I had a slight obsession with them as a child.  This may or may not have been a factor in my moderate childhood obesity.

OH so after the shiteous time I had in the theater watching It’s Complicated, Papa K and T-Bone took me out to a boss fancy dinner AND a movie the next night (yes, it really is great to be me.)  We saw Up in the Air which I liked about a bajillion times better.  It was visually clean, the story made sense, the whole message was you need a partner in life because “Think of your favorite memories– were you alone?”  My parents weren’t exactly as big of fans as I was.  Dad said he knew people who would legitimately leave the theater and straight up want to kill themselves.  I suppose for people who’ve spent their lives trying to find a “copilot” (the movie was about flying?  Life partner = copilot?  GET IT?!)  or had one then lost them it would be a mondo sobfest.  But for moi, a strapping young buck in the prime of her youth, I thought it was very inspirational like YEA!  Life partner!  I’m gonna go out and find my lifemate.  Also, George Clooney is increasingly hotter as he gets older.  That blonde chick from The Departed is in it who I’m sorry but is not that attractive.  Also, the really funny guy from The Hangover is in it for like two minutes in the beginning.  So TWO THUMBS UP from this one.

Also, at dinner beforehand, I had creme brulee for dessert.  Holy tummyache-inducing awesomeness.  I’ve had it once before, I believe the term I coined was “dessert mayonnaise.”  (I don’t even like mayo, it’s just a delicious creamy white consistency… upon further thought, I’m going to change the subject now.)

Collectively as a family we’re hoping there is a Waffle House near our hotel tomorrow morning.

“When are you due?”

“Excuse me?”

“Aren’t you pregnant?  You must be having triplets or something, at least eight months along I’d guess.”

“Nope.  Just a food baby.  A pretty epic Christmas indeed.”

And THAT’S how I imagine a random conversation going in the grocery store tomorrow should I find the motivation or ability to get up from the prone position I’ve just kind of fallen into. 

SO.MANY.THINGS. happened today:

1.) My father noticed the um, crack in my laptop that’s been hanging out on the right hinge of the screen for like, I don’t know… a month or so?  Or three?  It was way worse and I kind of just popped it back in place (yep, he’s not thrilled.  I am a dumbass.)  He asked what my genius self planned to do if the screen decided to just crap out on my one day, perhaps when I’m say, ohhhh THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY FROM HOME.  And I said “Uhh… Internet cafe?”  Wrong answer.  So now I get to decide whether to take my chances with this slightly handicapped Dell OR use some of my Christmas money to buy a new one.  I’m no math wizard, but the voices of reason in my life are gunning for me to get a new one to ensure (insure?) my sanity while abroad.  This option does not work well with my natural frugalness (parents, do NOT laugh– just because I can spend money like a drunken sailor at a strip club doesn’t mean this is something I want to spend said money on.)

2.) That guy tried to blow up that plane while landing in Detroit.  Normally, I don’t give two shits about things in the world not directly affecting me (I know, how mature of me) but this DOES alter my life, don’t you see?!?!  We fly out on Tuesday for Miami and sure as shit the FAA has already been all “We’re stepping up airport securtiy” AGAIN.  Even though everyone knows that if some guy on the news gets busted for sneaking bombs on in his shoes, the LAST TIME you’d want to repeat said manuever would be directly following said criminal activity.  Because that’s the first place they’re gonna look.  This is not rocket scientist, it is simply a childhood of a few too many Saturday morning cartoons.

3.) AND THIS IS A BIG ONE: So my friend Lauren (@laurensieben for all you Twitter freaks) was all “Yo Brittney, your blog is rad, we’re both studying abroad, let’s be rad together.”  So she and I now have a NEW BLOG that is devoted to our adventures in Europe.  (It is conveniently listed in the blogroll to your right!)  We have a lot in common–journalism majors, severe sarcasm, the wish to one day not be stuck busing tables forever, the ability to make at least two people outside of our families chuckle with our writing.  She’ll be in Spain, I’ll be in Germany.  Props to Papa K for getting creative with the doman name (Iowa Girls Gone Wild…hehe– we have no moral objections to our target audience being misguided perverts) and getting it all set up.

BUT WAIT, BRITTNEY– what does that mean for this little gem of a site?!?!  Never fear, you all know I’m much too self-serving to let my little Brittney Has Something To Say (dot com!  T-shirts available soon!) go by the wayside.  Perhaps when I’m lazy I’ll copy/paste the same post on both blogs.  There will certainly not be fresh content on both every day, or even every other– I plan on actually experiencing Europe and then perhaps filling in the details for you as an afterthought.  I haven’t actually thought that far ahead.  My main concern at the moment is what to wear home tomorrow since I’m quite certain I didn’t pack any muumuu’s big enough to cover this post-holiday girth.

Ohhh and I forget to tell you the absolute best part of today:

4.) I’m learning how to look into the webcam while Skyping instead of using it as a mirror.  Baby steps, people– baby steps.