Merry Christmas

Happy Christmas everyone.

From-

Richard and Erika

Christmas is good. We love Christmas and giving and getting. And our families. We got some sweet stuff. We got an Office board game, Richard got some sweet argyle socks and an argyle sweater and a great book and a lot of other stuff. Erika got some sweet socks, floss, and...student fees. We gave Emmie a freakin sweet apron we made ourselves, Elina a movie and some stuff that smells good, and my parents a gift card to Hamiltons, (yes, THE Hamiltons, but don't think we're rich because we're not.) Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night. God bless us, every one. I wanted a red ryder BB gun with a compass in the stock and a thing that tells time.

P.S. We are SO SO excited to see all of the rest of you at New Years. We have presents for the rest of you to distribute at that time. :) Be excited.

Pictures will come later! -Richard and Erika

Beijing

Hey there everybody! Sorry this took me soo long to post but better late than never, right!? Here are just a couple pictures from my trip to Beijing! Enjoy!

Here is where we spanked the entire world in swimming...and by we I mean Michael Phelps.

Asian picture!

I'm climbing over the Great Wall. It really wasn't that hard.
Here I am on the Great Wall! Yay! Sorry, it has taken me a while to get these few photos up, but this was my trip to Beijing!
My left hand is pointing to Erika. My right hand is pointing to me. Literally opposite sides of the world.
Check out the SWEEEET reflection in my sunglasses!
I'm a commi too!
The Forbidden City!? Forbid this!!!

That's all! Hope you enjoyed it, later, R. Vronick

Just a quick Note

Okay, just a quick update from Richard! I'm in Beijing right now! This is a sweet city and has been my favorite vacation so far! There is just sooo much history. It's really interesting. And that is about it. In other news...15 days. That's about all that is going on :) Teaching is going great, it's been fun and a great experience! :) I have pictures, but I can't put them up until I get back to Guilin, so wait and I'll have them! :) Well that is it! Later! R. Vronick

Odds and Ends...aka the longest blog EVER

So here are some pictures that no one has laid eyes on as of yet. There are some of me and Richard, and some other random people. Enjoy!

Bahahaha! This is us in Provo some random weekend at David's apartment. We were eating starbursts (Tyler ended eating all of them, surprise...) Richard was annoying me again so I put two wrappers behind his glasses so he wouldn't look at me anymore.

Three of my favorite boys in the history of the universe. Too bad you can't see the actual pictures moving. They like to shake their face fat. I threw up a little bit in my mouth.

THIS is how much I love Richard. I scare him sometimes. I took this so you all could see straight up my nose.

Isn't he cute when he actually smiles? Richard Christensen is a California Dream Boat.

Here's Richard, keeping me safe as we cross the street in SLC.


Richard driving my car.

Me not driving my car. :)

The freaking GIGANTIC grasshopper in Antietam! It made me scared to take this next picture. (the boys have great footage of me screaming and freaking out. I'll locate it for your viewing enjoyment)

Me proving to the big boys I wasn't a wimp. Take that, uh! What, suckas!

Sideways picture of me in a church in Antietam. I was declared a witch by Pastor David Haupt.

My office. And a random guys head. We were here to watch the inaugural nail driving ceremony. Yes, those exist. I have a nail to prove I was there!

Here I am claiming my Japanese heritage in a classic Japanese tourist photo.

Us interns at the baseball game. Go Nats!

Me, smiling for the camera.


I know many people think this is disgusting, but it was the most delicious 10 dollar hot dog I have EVER eaten. Bratwursts rock, I don't care how many pounds I gained that night. (This brat was followed by a soda, french fries, and funnel cake)

Here I go!

Here we are being goofy. I don't know why but I think I jump faster than the average human being.

Yes, I went to the zoo by myself. I felt like a creeper seeing everyone there with their kids. Luckily Richard stayed on the phone with me the ENTIRE time! In this exhibit they let the monkeys run wild! WILD! Poop was raining from the ceilings! Poop! (okay maybe I stole that from a popular television show.)

Great story. On the day of my infamous WEST WING TOUR, it was flooding outside. Literally. I was wet up to my knees but they still let me in the White House. Here is the cutest little kid ever. His name was Adam he was five, and knew EVERY state capitol.

Me in the press room of the White House. My lack of make up and my very curly hair can attest to the hurricane outside.

Beautiful Annapolis! I love it so much I just might live here some day. Seriously I got giddy at the prospect of seeing the ocean! The ocean!

Annapolis revisited. Here are all the constitutional delegates from Maryland. My cheesy pose fits right in.

All of us privileged people ant the Republican National Convention's Election night party. It was a sad, sad day.

Last of all, this is where I want to be! Three weeks into the future in Utah, with Richard and the fam. Only three weeks away!

Okay, okay you get the gist. I have TONS more of DC but none of them are that fun to look at, so another day.

18 days Richard. 18 days.

VENT! A little of this and a little of that...insight into my life.

I am incredibly BORED at work, so I did what Lindsey says cures all boredom. BLOG! I am even boycotting blogs, but this is a new low. I am all Facebooked out and there's no one to email or chat with. So, here I am. First things first, update on my life:

I am officially stuck in DC with no where to go and nothing to do because an overwhelmingly large majority of people are LAME. Congress is in session now (for those of you who don't follow politics) which means I get to work long hours...with nothing to do... We get out of here at 6 o'clock, but by that time it is pitch dark and attackers are lurking behind every corner. Going home from work is relatively safe, but venturing out of my jail cell of an apartment after 7 (the time I get home after work...I want my car back!) is a no go. Here are some interesting things that have happened to me lately:

I had lunch with the Senator and his wife. It was rather entertaining actually. He's really laid back and casual guy, so it was like talking to your Grandpa or Great Uncle or something of that nature. Some tidbits about the Senator: He likes salad, coffee flavored ice cream, questioning the status quo, and his height makes him bump into things a lot.

My cousin had her baby. It seemed only weeks ago that we were playing Barbies on her bed (the convertible we had was SWEET!) and choreographing dances to our favorite Spice Girls Hits. Oh, I long for the days of Boy Meets World and roller blading. Oh the joys of growing up in the 90s!

The love of my life up until about, say 9 months ago, Andrew McMahon is here. In this city. Tomorrow. 8 metro stops away. I waited to buy tickets until I knew my bestie in DC would be coming home, but much to my dismay, she will not be returning in time. So now the show is sold out. I know I can still buy tickets on eBay, BUT everyone here is lame. Interns, staffers, my so called "friends," everyone. They have no taste and will not accompany me. Richard says I cannot go because I might be accosted on my own. Is there any mercy or justice in the world for me?

The same thing happened earlier this week. The Aquabats were here. A night of splendid skanking awaited me, but once again. Let down by the lameness of society. So I got in the shower and turned on Super Rad so loud it shook the window panes. That'll show 'em!

I came close to becoming a martyr for the Republican party last week. I was on the metro heading over to Eastern Market, when BAM! About 50 Georgetown Students boarded to train, on their way to the Prop. 8 rally on the Capitol steps. #1 - it already passed people! Get over it! #2 - California is on the OTHER side of the country. Are we lost?! After much chanting ("Don't hate, integrate" and "1 2 3 4, we won't take it anymore" etc.) The beligerant leader, (clad in Rainbow socks and Mardi Gras beads) yelled, "Are there any Republicans on this car!?" I saw my life flash before my eyes. I was going to get clubbed to death with multi colored pickets because I'm Republican, I can only imagine what they will do to me if they found out I was a Mormon from Utah! Luckily, I just ducked my head down and another round of chanting began. That was close.

Now, for some venting:

I got to D.C. because I worked my BUTT off in college!!! I am not related to any Congressman or I did not sleep with any one to get here!!! Why are there so many stupid people working on the Hill?!? Aren't these people supposed to be the BEST and the BRIGHTEST! I have lost hope.

Where is MCKELL!? I am DYING! No one here wants to do anything except eat and watch lame shows. She is my soul mate and it was happenstance we roomed together in DC, but fate had to tear us apart. Leaving her sick and afflicted on a couch in Utah and me here, bored, tired, and alone in Washington D.C. We will now both miss our beloved Andrew and must cope with the loneliness of being utterly separated from those with an IQ higher than 3. I miss you McKell, all they want to do is watch Sex and the City and go tanning. I can't afford to lose any more brain cells!

3 weeks and 4 days Richard!!!!

Yeah, I'm a little dramatic.

Lindsey: Breaker of Blog Boycotts

Me and Richard were on a Blog Boycott of sorts. We think they suck. But Lindsey "tagged" me and I could not turn away from it. It was a matter of honor. Here it goes:

That's so great about the number 8 anyways..

8 favorite tv shows (in no particular order):
1. The Office
2. 30 Rock
3. Jeopardy (Freak yes!)
4. Newshour with Jim Lehrer
5. BBC World News?
6. Scrubs
7. So You Think You Can Dance (I know, I know…)
8. Project Runway…

8 favorite restaurants:
1. Costa Vida
2. Mehak (a little hole in the wall India place in Chinatown)
3. Mekala’s (my Uncle’s Thai restaurant)
4. Firehouse Pizzeria (Shout out to my homies!)
5. P.F. Changs
6. Olive Garden
7. The Cheesecake Factory
8. ColdStone (Yes, it is a restaurant, yes it is a meal)

8 things that happened yesterday:
1. Work…
2. Had lunch with the Senator
3. Chatted with Richard
4. Called my Mom
5. Ate pancakes
6. Listened to the Aquabats
7. Read my new novel (I forgot how much I loved reading without deadlines!)
8. Fell asleep to Richard on the phone

8 things i'm looking forward to:
1. Getting done with this internship!
2. Moving back to DC with Richard someday
3. Starting my Masters
4. I think they call it a wedding?
5. Christmas & New Years!
6. Richard!
7. Emmie!
8. My family in general. (Including the newest addition!)

8 things on my wish list:
1. Having money again (interns get paid crap)
2. All A’s my last semester and graduating with Honors
3. Having Richard back
4. The State Department Internship (ha, yeah right, but a girl can dream)
5. That scholarship…
6. That assistanceship…
7. Koch Foundation Scholar
8. A Honda Element

8 people i tag:
1. I don’t care….anyone else?…
2. Cyn?
3. May?
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

You Can't Handle the Truth!

So I was riding the metro after work today next to an old lady reading a romance novel and thought to myself, "Wow. I wonder if her children and close friends knows about her obvious addiction to sketchy romance fantasies..." and I realized, there are a lot of people who read all these things I write and don't exactly know me. I mean, don't get me wrong, I do not read books like that or have any confessions of that nature, but really. Maybe many of you have asked yourselves, "Who is that girl? Really?" and here I am, ready to answer the questions that have haunted your minds for oh so long. But, take this as a precaution, you are entering a place few have ventured and returned with a happy tale. This place is the deep recess of the mind of Erika Morris.

• First things first, I hate public mass transit. It is riddled with many assortments of diseases and vermin.
  
• My guilty pleasure: Andrew McMahon (who was, in fact serenading me via iPod on my train ride.) I heart you forever Andrew.
  
• I want to be a rockstar when I grow up. Seriously not joking. (P.S. I miss jammin' with you Chase and all my rocker home boys in L-Town)
  
• I wish I had time to read more.
  
• Sometimes I think I went through COLLEGE too fast. I honestly hold fast to the belief that you can never learn too much.
• If I could I would spend the lost Inca gold everyone is looking for on books. Piles and piles of them. Oh, and concert tickets.
  
• Sometimes I wonder how these people get into college, let alone graduate.
  
• I can't wait to get back to school, full time jobs suck.
• This morning I didn't eat breakfast and I saw three homeless people.
• One thing I've been craving is a good dance party. Complete with Paramore and the Aquabats.
• One thing I will never depart with are my Chucks. Broken, torn, and worn literally into pieces, these guys have stuck it out with me for 5 years and counting.
• I'm tired of wearing my business clothes and just want my skinny jeans back.
• One deep dark secret: I secretly wish I could dye my hair Fire Engine Red. Or maybe just parts of it. Unfortunately my hair is (for all intents and purposes) black.
  
• I feel most alive rocking my face off at a good show. I feel most myself sleeping in the field behind my house in Washington.
  
• Sometimes I feel like I'm living two lives. Like I'm a secret agent. Business grown up Erika that goes to work early and fulfills my responsibilities as an adult. Crazy irrepressible Erika that sings on the Subway and never holds back. I have two wardrobes. Pointy toe shoes and Vans. Eye shadow in Champagne and Neon Pink. A lady briefcase purse and my button clad pin stripe bag. Late nights studying like a mad man and late nights partying like a rock star.
  
• I miss Kaysha and our chex treat making, Aquabats music video creating, documentary filming, DDR playing, Karaoke singing selves. Where art thou BFF of mine?
• One of favorite memories is working outside in my farm boots, riding in the bucket of the tractor, picking blackberries and making cobbler, and swinging on the old tire swing out back.
  
• Some of my favorite shows include, but are not limited to:
• Sherwood (my very first and one of the best!)
• Jack's Mannequin (BOTH times)
• Saosin (I couldn't move my neck for a week and a half! Not joking!)
• Paramore (She is my personal hero)
• The Aquabats (Freak yes!)
• Taking Back Sunday
  
• Mae
  
• And too many more to name!
• I love EFY
• I miss orchestra, symphony, and 2:00 weekly appointments with Dr. Emile.
  
• I believe that you can find soul mates at any stage in life. Kaysha!!! And McKell!!!
  
• I love my family and my friends.
  
• I love Richard Vronick Christensen.

*Thanks to my cool friends that made this blog possible...and made it look so cool.

Courts, Clothes, and the Civil War

So...apparently my life has been too busy to blog. Between work, vacationing, site seeing, studying, and late night chats with Richard, my schedule is starting to wear on me. I love my job though and I love Washington DC! What they say is really true, once you're here, you'll find your way back again someday, and I plan on it. Writing letters, watching votes, watching hearings, and simply taking in all of the history here has definitely been the fulfillment of a childhood dream. (Which is sad because most kids dream of like, becoming an astronaut or a princess or something. I'm just a nerd, daughter of a history professor.)

So I finally had some time to practice yesterday and my fingers hurt like crazy! I need to get new strings since I'm playing on cheap ones I stole off my old violin. Once I can afford a new pair of shoes, I will definitely look into buying some new strings. (Note: my priorities are straight.) My friend's family was supposed to drive some of my belongings out here, but unfortunately that fell through. I've been living off of 4 pairs of shoes, no jacket, and 3 sets of Sunday clothes for almost 2 months now. Don't ask me how I survive, because I honestly do not know. Oh well, good excuse to go shopping I say! Unfortunately, my meager intern salary doesn't give me much leeway, mostly due to the fact that I eat as much as a mid-size manatee.

My hair is getting long again. I really need to get it cut, but I am very wary of trusting anyone with my hair. I got so desperate that I cut my own bangs. Yeah, anyone who knows me should understand how dire this situation really was. But it's actually even past the awkward mid-length stage now so it's not looking too bad. But for a while there...wow.

Nothing really super exciting has been happening as of late. I went to Annapolis (which is a really fun place, another place I wouldn't mind living when I'm older and rich.) And chuck full of attractive sailors, due to the Naval Academy there. Just giving a heads up to any of the single ladies I know. ;) I've been to Gettysburg and Anteitam and plan to see Fredricksburg and Clarksburg this next weekend maybe. I know they aren't places people know. That's because me and Mike are history enthusiasts and have an odd fascination with the Civil War.

If any of you feel the urge (Lindsey!) feel free to come visit me out here. I have 2 couches and an extra bed! I need some excitement in my life.

Other than that, just the usual things taking place. Eating, sleeping, and missing Richard are what take up all my time outside of work, but I really am trying to get out and see things. If I could get over my addiction to Richard, maybe I will take advantage of Washington D.C.

Arachnidologist-One who studies spiders

Well, with all these spiders around me I'm finding that I'm quite interested in these fascinating creatures! Maybe I'll become an arachnidologist! Here is the another spider picture, definitely the coolest one yet. For one because it's alive and for two because it is simply the coolest one yet! :) It is called a Golden Orb Weaver. Other names include Banana Spider and Giant Wood Spider. Although, these are all common names given to many species of the genus Nephila. There are a reported 27 species of this genus. The one I have here seems to be a Nephila Clavata. But, who knows, I'm just judging by the picture. This species is known to be in Japan, Taiwan, Korea, and China. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this B-E-A-UTIFUL picture! The Creator surely is an artist :)

More Pics, Better Method

So, here are more pictures from all my travels, the most recent ones in the album China 2. Enjoy!
-China
-China 2

-R. Vronick

The Joy of One...and the Pain of none.

So! Things are going good. Right now I'm (this is Richard, Erika never writes posts because of the lack of Internet in her apartment) in a city called Sanya! It is nice, it's like Hawaii...only in China so kinda a lot more dirty :) I think I'm going to have a chance to go surfing tomorrow! I'm keeping my fingers crossed! (and I'm sure Erika is keeping hers crossed that I can't go :) She thinks a shark is going to eat me every time I even talk about surfing)

One thing that I've discovered/rediscovered about myself. I love to be alone. Now, I want to explain because now-a-days it's not so much that I want to be alone as much as I want to be with those that know me best. I don't like people not understanding my actions. Bri and Ty are great, don't get me wrong. We are great friends but, they just don't know why I do certain things and why I act certain ways. Like when I ask if I can stay behind or if I can go walk around the ferry by myself, they worry. I'm like, "You guys, I'm a loner, that's what I do! I go to restaurants and movies by myself...when Erika can't come." Now, of course I've always known this about myself and this isn't what I am claiming to discover/rediscover. I'm talking about how much I hate(!) doing touristy stuff that costs an arm and a leg! I would MUCH rather just buy a map of the city and walk around and see the people and ask directions to the nearest bookstore, street market, or restaurant. That is fun! That is why I go to new places and new cities, to see them and the people in them. NOT in order to do stuff that I can do some other time in America, like fishing or going scuba diving. Or even stuff that I can't do in America, like going to a monkey island. Ya, it's cool and I would eventually do it, but I want to get to know the city first. It's much more interesting to me.

Now, the pain of none. A seeking suspicion that I have is that I miss Erika. Ya, I know! You would have never guessed that with me saying in every post but, it's true. It's October though. So, counting down the days (literally). Things are going great. I love her more every day, and hence miss her more every day. But, with the increase in love also comes an increase in commitment and faith about us and our future. I know that everything will work out despite the many obstacles that stand in our way. We can do it together (and I enjoy being with her WAY more than being by myself, every time) Well that's it for me, have a good day cyberworld!
-R. Vronick

Pictures for the non-Facebookers

Okay, so my sister in-law Shana was like freaking out (!) because I haven't put pictures on mine and Erika's blog. So, here are some pictures of me in China. This first one is a HUGE centipede that was in Ty and Bri's room.

Here we have the Shanghai skyline at night, beautiful eh?
Me, being awesome in Shanghai. That is the pearl tower in the background.
Ty and I are confused about where we are going next.
This is the hostel that we stayed in while we were in Shanghai. It looks like "It's a Small World" and they play that song 24/7 in there!! jk

There you go Shana, and everyone else. Enjoy. I have more photos and I'll put more up later.
-R. Vronick

Nine to Five...Actually Six.

So my second week at the job is proving just how tiresome this whole gig is. Well, that is probably my own fault though...staying up until 2 in the morning talking to Richard messes up your sleep pattern. I hate getting only 5 hours of sleep! My brain is kinda fried right now. Everyone asks me what I'm doing, to be honest I do a lot of things. I am the go-to guy (gal?) for the deputy chiefs of staff, errand girl for the Senator's assistant, constituent correspondent, and press assistant. And today, I was a ticket counter for the Presidential Inauguration. You'd think that it was boring, but Sammie, the head guy man, is HILARIOUS!!! I loved it.
Things are really going well and I know what I'm doing now, mainly doing a lot of research for the Senator. Oh, awkward Senator/Intern moment. All of us interns were waiting for the elevator and the Senator comes walking down the hall and we were like, Oh my goodness, that's him! That's the senator! We didn't know what to do, so as he walked by I kinda was just like, Hey we're your interns. Kinda really fast and quiet. I didn't think he'd hear me, but he turned around. He just kinda looked at us. Then introduced him and shook our hands. Looked at us again, and turned around and walked away. Awkward.
Other than that, I've put up with annoying neighbors, drunk interns, and boys trying to break into my room.
I've never been so tired before in my life. That is all.

Shotty work there Sparky

Okay, so let me vent a little here on this blog. I'm doing fine in China. Missing Erika like crazy, but what else is new. We talk soo much, it's awesome! I love her. But, it seems that the Chinese want to tear us apart. I'm convinced that they are the ones that plot the power outages right when I told Erika that I would call her.

Okay okay, it is mostly my fault. Last night I was supposed to call Erika at 7:30 pm, but I fell asleep and then woke up and called her at 8:20, which was too late. Tonight I was all set to call her at 7:30, and wouldn't you know it? The power goes out! Ty and I went out in the night to fix it. Get this, we are messing with the breaker and hearing sparking!! I swear, could the Chinese be any less efficient? Everyone talks about how they are the new America and how they are soo progressive. Well let me tell you, I've been here for 2 weeks and I already see some fundamental flaws in their society that I just don't see working unless they change.

So, you want to hear how we fixed the electric problem? I punched the power box as hard as I could! "Bruum" it roared away and the lights (and internet) came back on. Although, if you know anything about modems and routers, sometimes when the power has been off they need to be rebooted. So, I did that and got the internet fixed. (I'm like Mr. FixIt here) Let's just hope that the power holds out. My fist still hurts from the first repair, I need a little time to recover :)

Well that is about it. The teaching is going good...except for when the kid tried to choke himself with his token bag on Monday. No worries, I stopped him promtly. Later,
-R. Vronick

All Alone in the Big City...and it Rocks!

So I went out for the first time alone today and it was absolutely amazing. I don't have my camera just yet, so I just took a short little walking tour. I saw a few things...like the freaking Supreme Court! Heck yes! And the Library of Congress and the Capitol Building!!! It is amazing here. I will live here someday. In one of those cute little townhouses in the Historic District on the Hill or out by Georgetown.
Afterwards, I took in Richard's computer to get it looked at. I was pretty scared, but it turned out that all those tears and stress was unnecessary. They cleaned it out and it worked just fine. Way to freak out Erika. That's just great. But things are looking up now! I've been trying to hijack internet into my apartment for the last few hours without any success, so I think I'll just have to pay. I think they're trying to starve us. Between the metro fares, outrageous cost of food, and having to pay for every service imaginable, it's a miracle kids here don't go into debt. I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel and I'm at the highest paying internship here!!!
More to come. I'm sure I'll have another adventure tomorrow!

The District of Columbia

So my first day in DC is just a huge blur. I arrived at my apartments at around 2 in the morning. After our flight was delayed due to technical difficulties, a medical emergency, and the metro was under construction. Yeah. I didn't want to wake any of my roommates, so I crashed on the couch. I still woke up early enough to talk to Richard though. Afterward, what did I do? Be responsible and go grocery shopping and clean the kitchen my roommates destroyed? No. I went sightseeing. We walked all around the Mall, went to the National Botanical Gardens, made new friends, and found out where I will be spending most of my time (Senate Dirksen Building Room 436.) It was pretty awesome. After that I did what every normal girl would do in this situation. Shop! And let me tell you, the shopping on the east coast is phenomenal! But I exercised self control and only bought two things from H&M. Yay Erika!
We went home after that and I was just pooped. Out. But, alas, something else had to come up. The internet card in Richard's computer wasn't working, so I opened it up and re-inserted it (just like the guy at Best Buy did before!) and I go back to turn it on...and nothing happens. I panicked. I tried again, opened it again, nothing. I hyperventilate and start crying. Then I call my Dad. No help. Then I remember, oh yeah, Richard's brother does computers!!! So after a wild goose chase (using the ultimate stalking tool Facebook, I found Tyler's number, who I texted to get Lindsey's number, who called me and gave me Danielle's number so I could talk to Tommy.) Tommy and Danielle assured me that I couldn't have ruined it, and to take it in to the Apple Store. So I am heading over there first thing in the morning. If I can get up that early. But I will because this is Richard's computer and if it's ruined he will kill me. I have faith and trust Tommy though, I'm sure it's fine.

What a day, huh! I'm tired, I'm dirty, I'm stressed, and I'm mising Richard. It's been SO long but I have to wait up for at least an hour more before I can go to bed...Richard might get online.

I'll keep you posted on my adventures in the big city!

-Erika

Hong Kong and a Headache!!!

:)Hello from China!! I'm in Hong Kong right now and will be here for the next two days. Then we hop on a train for some 30 hours to get to Guilin! 30 hours!!?? That is what the head teacher tells me but that seem a little ridiculous! Of course, I'm in China!, what do I expect :) Well, I miss Erika like Tyler misses food (he's fat) but I'm sure it will get easier. It's mostly due to the fact that the internet isn't consistent here in Hong Kong. We are staying in a YMCA hotel and I have to pay for the internet. So, we have time constraints that normally wouldn't be there. Oh! Let me speak from personal experience, an 8 typhoon is nothing to worry about :) That is apparently what is going on outside RIGHT NOW! But, it looks like a weak rainstorm in Vegas to me :)

The converter I bought doesn't work with my computer!? Everything else works fine with it but I just can't get power through it to my computer! So, I'm using my roommates right now, I'll buy one that fits my computer tomorrow. Then I won't feel bad about using his to charge my computer when he needs it to charge his too. Well, that is it for now! I'll let you know how the train ride went when I get to Guilin...although I don't expect to be suprised, I rarely am :) YOurS TruLey, R. Vronick

I Feel Violated

My personal blogging space has been hijacked! You know, just when you think you can trust someone...

So, I'm supposed to be packing again, but I'm really tired and this is the last time in a while I get to talk to Richard on the phone, so I'm putting that on hold. I can't believe he is leaving today! He is literally going to exactly the other side of the world (exactly 12 hours away!) What are the odds? I'm kinda nervous because I don't know what's going to happen, but he assures me that everything will be fine.

I'm really not quite sure what to do with myself. I have a LOT to do, but that can wait until Richard is gone. It's hard to concentrate on things that have to be done when you're on the phone every waking minute (even sometimes when I'm falling asleep!)

Richard thinks that my computer runs too slow, so he's sending me his old one to take with me to DC. Only one problem, it's a Mac. He insists that they are better, but I am reluctant to let go of my beloved PC.

Okay, so to add fuel to fire my cell phone broke today. My little sister (she's like 1 1/2 feet tall) dropped it at a funny angle and cracked the screen. It's supposedly under "warranty" still, but this falls under the "insurance" part of the plan. Lame. Like I don't have enough stress, right? It's okay. I have a tendency to make mountains out of mole hills.

Enough rambling! I'll be sure to write again when there's something worth writing about!

- Erika

Subtle Takeover...

Well I don't know if you saw this coming, but this is going to be my blog too!! Why create another one when I can simply take this one over with sweet ninja skills and subterfuge? I know what your saying, "Why would you want to takeover your girlfriends blog?" Well that is simple! I want to take over the world and I have to start somewhere!! So, I'm off to China later today, 8:10pm Vegas time to be exact. Crazy! I have a 4 hour layover in Los Angeles, which isn't cool, but what can I do? Nothing, until I rule the air! I fly from there to Taipei and from Taipei to Hong Kong! I land in Hong Kong at 9:10am local time...on the 22nd!! That seems like a lot of air time but it won't actually be that bad.

So, some time has passed and now I'm getting nervous... I have traveled enough to now that once I get going the jitters will pass. But, just the prospect of leaving Erika and traveling to a place that is as far away from D.C. as you can get before you start coming back is a little daunting. I know that everything is going to be fine... but you know how it is! :) CHINA!! It's going to be quite the experience. For the entire time that I have been planning to go I have though that 4 months will be a long time; but who am I kidding? I was on a mission for 2 years!! That is 24 months! I realized this because I was packing and trying to slim down to just one checked bag (I did it!), and I was like, "Wait a second! Four months!!? That is nothing! That is less than half the time I spent in L'viv! I could live out of one backpack in that time, easy!" So, I took out a couple more articles of clothing. I'm still pretty close to the weight limit and if they say I'm over I'll just lose a couple more things! No big deal :)

Anyways... I'm all done now, so I'm just sitting and thinking...and that is never a good thing for me if you are aware of how my brain works :) That is about it for me. Expect more random mutinous efforts from yours truly, R. Vronick.

The first day of my blog life.

Okay. I thought my life was falling apart, but I'm good. I mean, I cried so hard I made my nose bleed, but you know, fully recovered. :) So...after convincing by both Lindsey and Danielle, I finally gave in. I created a blog and I'm officially a cyberspace internet junkie. I think it's a good move up in the world for me, this way I don't have to write a thousand e-mails updating everyone and I can release some of the emotional build-up that is increasing as of late.
My life: Richard is leaving for China Wednesday. That's really all that's on my mind. I don't think it's really sunk in yet, but he's in Las Vegas right now, so baby steps. Definitely good for me. I am leaving for Washington D.C. on Sunday. I haven't even packed yet. My bedroom is a disaster. I think that "tropical storm Fay" struck. In my bedroom. I didn't really realize how bad it was until Richard went in there and was stuck. Literally. There was no room to walk around! Not to mention many "girl items" strewn willy-nilly around the place. It's okay, Richard doesn't pick up on those things. But I am making progress! I moved my large suitcase (I can fit inside it) and have started packing while watching Juno. Well, I'm writing this so I'm not making much progress now.
This morning I woke up to a call from Richard (that's the best way to start your day, not breakfast.) After we were done talking, I rushed to work to make sure I wasn't scheduled. I wasn't thank goodness. I was going to call in and tell them I threw up last night anyways, which wouldn't be a total lie. I felt sick at least! But I have to go in tonight. I came home and Emmie was like, "Richard?" I told her he was gone. I don't think she understood. She still carries around a picture of them all over the house! It always finds itself back above her changing table though.
So my pants are too long. My parents dropped $400 dollars at Anne Taylor buying pant-suits for me when I start my internship and surprise, surprise! the pants were too long. I'm getting them tailored tomorrow. Okay, Emmie is throwing everything out of my suitcase. I need to intervene.