Wrapping up the summer. Part Two.

Like usual, I'm wide awake less than 30 minutes before scheduled wake-up time. Dad and I are driving to Massachusetts in exactly 1 hour and 23 minutes. I am all packed, which is extremely rare given the unfortunate fact that my attention span never developed to that of a normal, full-functioning adult.

This summer. FLEW. by. I can't even believe it.

Life was not even close to the trauma I feared a couple months ago. Obviously. My stupid mind always expects the worst.

This summer was pretty awesome. I had a couple epiphanies and several reassurances and reminders such as:

• I love people. New people. Different people. All people. (.. ok most people.)
• I love new places.
  
• I love coffee. Medium. A little Half and Half. Two sugars. Small is too small. Large is just too large. Free trade coffee tastes like flowers.
• My humor sometimes takes adjusting to. I don't really have an arm disease or arm problem or tragic childhood story about my arm as some people may still believe...
  
• I'm glad I listened to my mother and didn't pursue photojournalism as a career. PR is the right place for me. Funny how the old folks knew first.
• I'm glad I listened to my dad's career and living-independently advice. It works flawlessly.
• Not all companies make interns do dumb things. I'm thankful everyone was eager to teach and show and my bosses were super.
  
• I'm thankful for all the advice and guidance I received over the past months.
• I'm thankful my roommates were awesome. You guys better come to Boston. I'm serious.
  
• I wish I had another month of summer.
• Nichole and Damian are the best coffee buddies ever and I owe both of them more than I could fit in a bullet point.
• I suck at goodbyes and would rather just duck out without a word because it's easier.

I'm not even going to talk about how I'm facing my senior, AKA final, year at BU. I'll save the angsty, end-of-the-world musings for late at night with the Boston roommates. MUAHAH. Just kidding guys.

Anyways there's no need for that because my family goodbye dinner at P.F. Changs yielded more than just an inflated stomach.

(Let's pretend half the restaurant didn't get this one as well.)

Let the fortune cookie speak for itself.

Bide your time, for success is near.

Wrapping up the summer. Part One.

This summer was the first time I'd been to Ann Arbor. It was a lot of firsts for me. This summer was my first:

• ...time living on another campus. University of Michigan is sooo different than BU. I didn't even see it during the school year, which makes me want to come back for a football game. Apparently it's all the rage here. I wouldn't know. We don't have a football team. I've never tailgated. Moving on.
• Gerald.
• ... time drinking outdoors without fearing jail time.
• internship.
  
• Happy Hour. Woooo!
• 9-5.
• ... time playing Cornhole. AKA throwing bags of beans (or something) at wooden boards with little holes.
• ... time playing toss-the-frisbee-at-a-tiki-torch-and-knock-off-the-bottle. Basically instead of a wick, the top of the torch is duct taped and an empty beer bottle is placed on top. The goal is to hit the torch with the frisbee and knock the bottle off so fast the other team can't catch it. Instead, I played try-not-to-take-out-an-elderly-stranger (aka the hosts father.) It's dangerous.
• ... time I've had to cook for myself or starve. It turned out pretty well. The good news is I'm not sick of spaghetti even though I ate it almost every night.
• being addicted to coffee.
• actually liking a dog. And having a dog like me.
  

Recovered: Artifacts of the Past

I've been packing and organizing for approximately 24 hours. I get distracted and start going through things I know will not be coming to Boston with me. The benefit to this is that every year when it's time to go back to school I rediscover old things that weren't always stuffed in a box or drawer.

Like this duct tape wallet made by Tom, a friend and Joe's soccer coach from Indiana two summers ago.



Or that random box of letters. The best of which was from someone we met in a hotel bar in Egypt about seven years ago. He didn't really speak English. Long story. Funny letter delivered after a week of hanging out in silence. He wanted to know if it was possible to be "boyfriends."



And this friendship necklace. You know you had one. From Massachusetts probably about ten years ago. Kim and I couldn't go to the mall without buying something to solidify our friendship.

Goodbye Old Phone

August 2 Kari: Haha I just had a good laugh to myself about Tatiana asking where you were sitting for football and if BU and BC were idols instead of rivals.

August 2 Me: I just spent $65 at the grocery store. I'm going to have a heart attack.
Dad: Welcome to adulthood.

August 3 Noelle: I haven't read for pleasure in YEARS.

August 7 Bridget: There's a woman here with KFC popcorn chicken. Looks sooo yum. I would do bad things for popcorn chicken.

August 7 Nichole: Yes be my Bobbie Brown.

August 12 Joe: You better carry a knife. Or a gun. Or mace. Or a taser. Or brass knuckles.

August 22 Nichole: Quit hitting the pipe before bed.

August 23 Christina: Girl I just moved my bro into St. Johns... I'm checking out the freshmen!!!

Maria's Hooray List!

Hooray! Another movie based on a book by one of my favorite authors, Chuck Palahniuk. It's been a while since Fight Club. Can't wait to see how Choke does. In select theaters September 26. (Dad Disapproval Factor: 93% He may enjoy the song in the trailer but he will have no interest in the movie and he will scoff at the content.)




Hooray! Leisha Hailey, AKA Alice Pieszecki, from the L Word is in a band. Or girl group. Or something like that. Leisha sings and does synth and bass for Uh Huh Her. I haven't listened more than a couple seconds on MySpace but so far they sound like they could be on the L Word soundtrack. In fact they might be. I don't know. (Dad Disapproval Factor: 73% He may give these ladies a chance, but he's not really one to blast indie electro pop while mowing the lawn.)





Hooray! I have cinnamon buns in the oven. That is not a metaphor. (Dad Disapproval Factor: 3% He may not like the joke but will forget about it after two delicious buns.)

Ruf mich an!

For some reason, a commercial from Switzerland popped into my head the other day. There were two music channels on TV when we lived there. One was MTV Germany and it had a best commercials. My favorite was this guy in a Doner Kebab shop dancing and singing to Britney Spears. I can't find it. Grr.

Here's another favorite. It's for ringtones. It always cracks me up.

Let's pretend I posted this stuff days ago...

Things have been a little crazy in these parts. Let's recap.

To celebrate my new internship in Boston during the school year, I made a delicious steak and the new best meal I've ever made.




The Olympics are still on? I guess that's why Beijing ordered so many condoms for the athletes.

Meanwhile, back in Michigan...

I went to the 2008 Woodward Dream Cruise with Lish and Laurie and later with my brother. Some old man from Utah told Lish and I he was looking for some "relatively attractive" girls to help promote his business. He offered to pay us $12 an hour to wear his shirt and give out his card. Lish laughed in his face and walloped him upside the head, screaming "you could have at least said cute!"

Later that week, I savored my last couple days in Ann Arbor by swinging on hammocks, sleeping in public parks and creating a gang with the following motto: "We ride low riders and eat spaghetti every day." Here are some pictures from the Dream Cruise of what we drive.



Stay tuned for Luau madness, family shenanigans and ....

My mom's yelling at me I can't finish this thought.

Things I'll Miss in Ann Arbor, Issue 1

Damian's weekly Web Ops meetings. (Stop making fun of me Nichole.)

If I recall correctly, it was Nichole who first dragged me into this Monday meeting. Since the first, I've sat (more or less) awkwardly watching people doodle-off while Damian gave the run down. Much to my surprise (and it wasn't as painful as anticipated) I was the subject of Josh and Jason's doodles today. Now I have something that captures my Web Ops awkwardness to put on my wall in Boston! Yay!


Jason's rendition:





Josh's rendition:







(Damian also put up some pics that might be clearer...)

I'm getting sick of the Olympics jingle...

... but I found a new Olympian crush.

Hellooooo Sasha Klein.






Speaking of water...

I may have laughed too much this weekend. My stomach definitely doesn't hurt from push ups.

This was a very eventful weekend for me. Nichole declared Friday "bring your intern home from work" day. Saturday was the infamous neighborhood block party.

It all started bright and early Friday morning on the bus ride to work.

Nichole: Pack your little Hello Kitty bag and tell Michael to get you in Novi tomorrow.
Maria: Mother of pearl this is the biggest bag ever.
Nichole: Do hoochie shorts and tube tops take up that much room?

Later at work:

Nichole: Did you remember to pack your fake ID?

In the car on the way to Novi:

Nichole: I hate when little kids are on Facebook.
Maria: Why are you friends with little kids on Facebook?

Driving to happy hour:

Andy: Do you even know who Michael Keaton is? Were you even alive for the first Batman?
Maria: I think so. Anything after '87.
Andy: She's as old as Top Gun!

Later, at the bar:

Maria: Seriously that guy just pushed a drink over to your area. Don't drink it.
Nichole: You guys! Drink this!

The next day, after having left Nichole's:

Nichole: I am going to make sure you didn't steal something and hide it in your carpet bag. Tell Vicki to turn it up!

Later that night, my family and I attended the neighborhood block party. Or should I say, dad attended the block party while mom and I watched fifteen people huddle under one tent as torrential downpours throttled them. When the weather broke, I joined the party. The only people who wanted to talk to me were 85 and completely oblivious to the words leaving my mouth. I went inside for a sweatshirt but fell asleep instead.

Some time later, in the basement:

Mom: Wake up and make yourself look pretty. The jello shots are out.

Approaching the crowd:

Matt: Everyone! Stop what you're doing! Maria has joined us!
Dave: Hah! Sleep lines.

Some time later:

Matt: Stop pretending you don't know how to open a beer. Your dad knows you drink.
Maria: I'm going to punch you.
Matt: Why aren't we MySpace friends.
Maria: Because I'm not 13 and you're creepy?
Dad: Tell him about Twitter!

Playing flip cup with older people is sometimes challenging. I was off my game but that was nothing compared to Matt's aunt.

Maria: Kick her in the legs when it's her turn and take the cup for her.
Rebecca: Let's knock out her knees Kerrigan style!

Sitting by the camp fire at 1 AM:

Dad: I think I'm going to sneak to bed.
Maria: I'll come with you.
Dad: NO! Then they'll notice me leaving! You stay here for as long as you want.

I refuse to join the block party until I share this with you...

On my back to school list:

Unless I misunderstood, this is called a Ghettoblaster for Monks. It is meant for monks but will be seen around campus on Maria's shoulder blaring Calabria 2008 in between classes:




In other news, dad rigged the car in preparation for our drive back to Boston. He hates stopping during the drive. Bathroom breaks are timed. To save us all the aggravation, he simply built this:




Dear MBTA,
Please replace every T with one of these.
Thanks,
Maria






Man builds own batmobile, finally attracts ladies.

I saw the sign. Of the ram. Yea.

I'm superstitions. Mom sent me this horoscope thing about how personalities are based on your sign. If I don't share it with someone within the next ten minutes I'll turn into a wolf and spend the rest of my life roaming the countryside hungry for flesh and companionship:

ARIES - The Daredevil (Mar 21 - April 19) Energetic. Adventurous and spontaneous. Confident and enthusiastic. Fun. Loves a challenge. EXTREMELY impatient. Sometimes selfish. Short fuse. (Easily angered.) Lively, passionate, and sharp wit. Outgoing. Lose interest quickly easily bored. Egotistical. Courageous and assertive. Tends to be physical and athletic.



I do like a good adventure. And a good challenge. I would consider myself fun at times. Other people may refute that. I think I'm a pretty patient person. It takes a lot to get me really worked up. Which probably relates to the easily bored bit. Although I could entertain myself for hours. I am passionate. If it's something worth being passionate about. My wit can be sharp at times. I am physically active and athletic. If you consider running to to the bathroom during a Law and Order SVU commercial athletic. Just kidding.

But seriously.







(Did I just describe you too? These things are so general...)

I hope you're as proud of me as my parents are.

Feast your eyes on this, ladies and gentlemen. Perhaps the best meal I've ever made. EVER!





I added the lemons to the picture because I was afraid it might look like I fried some chicken, peed in a plate and tried to pass it off as a delicacy. To prove otherwise, I will also provide evidence of the recipe I worked from:



I scribbled down directions my mom gave me the second I got in the door from a 25 minute walk home. Give me a break.

Mom's Lemon Chicken That Maria Made Successfully So You Can Make It Too:

chicken
olive oil
butter
lemon
white wine

Fry the chicken in olive oil until it turns a little brown on both sides. Then put one tablespoon of butter into the pan. Let melt. Add 1/3 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice, 1/3 cup white wine and a lot of love. Let sit until you can no longer resist the delicious smell.* Share the rest of the wine with the roommates. Indulge.







*Keep in mind these portions are small so make more if you plan on serving more than just yourself in front of the TV.

I'm an intern but don't have to get people coffee. This is the life.

It's Monday. Which means our coffee run was to Primo's. It also means that, despite a possible hangover, Nichole harassed me the entire 4 minute walk there, 9 minutes spent retrieving three unique orders of coffee and 4 minutes back to the office.

Nichole: You should get that cinnamon bun.
Maria: (peers into glass case to find one-month old cinnamon bun with old, gooey, wrinkly, discolored raisins sprinkled over top) Eew. Those raisins scare me.
Nichole: You need to improve your social skills.

It's ok. She gave up sugar (for a good cause.) Now she gets her kicks watching me indulge in sugary goodness.

.....

Here is a pictoral layout of our weekly coffee route, in case you wanted to stalk me.

PRIMO'S- I always have issues with this place. The guy that works there likes to make fun of me and tell me I look "out of it" and that he wishes me good luck outside in the big bad world. Today the girl mumbled. I couldn't hear anything and ended up with Free Trade coffee that tasted like flowers. I'll be leaving Nichole my punch card as a parting gift.



SWEETWATERS, Tuesdays and Thursdays- Love this place. My goal of the summer was to be able to assertively nod at the cashier and be given m y coffee without saying a word, a la Nichole and Damian. I don't foresee that happening in the next two weeks.




ESPRESSO ROYALE, Wednesdays- Two dollar lattes every Wednesday. Not quite as loud as the one in Boston. This is the site of my first large coffee ever.





STARBUCKS, randomly- Sometimes we go here when Nichole wants a muffin or we are feeling brave enough to try the new Vivianno which we have a coupon for so don't feel bad tossing it after a sip because it tastes like crap.

Odds and Ends

Mhhm, girl. Preach.

Scrabulous Update:

The brothers Agarwalla, who created Scrabulous are creating a new game called Wordscraper.

The game includes customizable rules and a different design- probably an effort to avoid future lawsuits. The customizable features of this new game can be used to create boards that resemble the familiar Scrabble/Scrabulous layout.

Sounds too complicated for me. I'll stick to the actual board, thank you.

...

How convenient would this be? I need one of these:

Joan Rivers tells it like it is.

This is a great commercial. One of the better in the series.

It's not me. It's you.

I'm copying you again, Maxie.

5 someecards that fit me perfectly even though I didn't look at them all because there are too many:





... It happens.





...Well I'm not.




...My brothers want to develop a required screening test.




...Because sometimes I just don't feel like talking.




... Mmm. Meat.

RABBIT RABBIT!

I almost missed one of the most important traditions in my life. Some time last year Tara started us on Rabbit Rabbit. When the last day of the month ends, the first thing you say in the new month should be Rabbit Rabbit. For good luck of course.

If you could stop making fun of me I'd appreciate it.

I had a minor freak out on the phone with Katie because I thought I'd missed it. Thankfully I didn't. So far all two days of the month have been pretty good.

The best Rabbit Rabbit moment in my life was at the end of the last school year. Christina, Noelle, Andrea and I were at Estate, a club in Boston, and waited for the clock to turn in the middle of a smoky, laser divided room where techno blared behind us. Some guy started talking so I told him to shut up and that didn't make him happy. Some people just don't get it.

Have a good month!