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