Leap day!

This year we have an extra day! An extra day to #makeitcount as Nike would say. So don't waste it. 

I hadn't really thought about leap day much (why do we call the one day we don't leap the leap day?) till I read this article about ways to celebrate leap day.

My favorite suggestions to "take a leap":

3. Compliment a stranger. “What pretty eyes you have.” “You have such a warm smile.” “I love your outfit.” Everyone has had his or her day made by an offhand compliment from a stranger. Turn the tables and dole out some warm fuzzies yourself. If you are afraid of sounding creepy, just wait until you are in a retail situation and compliment your barista, server or auto mechanic.

Example 1: I once told a girl on the New York City Subway that I liked her shoes and then exited the train. Creepy maybe? Or maybe I made her day.

Example 2: As I ran up Meridian hill last week I met another female runner, she said "You go girl" as we passed each other. Made my day... made my week.

4. Say “yes” to a bizarre invitation. Unknown, uncontrollable social situations make some people break out in hives – but if you limit yourself only to the familiar, you are missing out on a world of fun. The next time you are invited somewhere and have the urge to automatically turn it down, say “yes” instead and watch your horizons broaden.

I don't have an issue with this, if I'm free I'm going to say "yes". But often I get weird excuses when I invite others to do things. Recently they included- "My husband doesn't like that band" Well good thing I didn't invite your husband.

8. Wish upon a star. When is the last time you looked up in wonder and said, “Star light, star bright?” Find your favorite sky diamond, close your eyes and make a wish.

Did you guys see this the other night? The Moon, Jupiter, and Venus lined up. Ok those aren't stars but I went to my rooftop and wondered at them for a good while.

9. Dance. Don’t think. Don’t judge. Don’t feel silly. Don’t stop. Just dance!

So DC has country radio! I spent some time on Sunday practicing my two-step around my apartment.

12. Wish “Happy Leap Day” to everyone you encounter on February 29. They will probably think you are weird and may give you a funny look. Relish it.

I WILL be doing this.

28. Tell a joke in a crowd. Figure out your favorite joke and practice telling it in the privacy of your own home. When the next party rolls around, take the plunge and tell the joke to a group of friends and strangers.

I'm bad at remembering jokes, but recently I made it a point to memorize and tell this one:

Why didn't the lifeguard save the hippie? He was too far out, man. (still makes me laugh)

What will you be doing to celebrate?

Lions Tigers and Elephants (oh my)

On of the sweet things about DC is most of the museums are free this is including the National Zoo. Now the National Zoo is no Kansas City Zoo, but it does have animals. Since its free you just walk in and get to work. My favorites were:

The Lions

 The Tigers

 and the Elephants

When I reached the Elephants they were getting ready to feed them and having one of the elephants do tricks, which was really fun to watch.

True Grit week 6

How did everyone do with their posture? Stand a little taller? Demand presence when walking in to the room? I didn't notice any difference, but have noticed myself speaking up more lately. Maybe its related?

This weeks challenge is de-clutter and release.

- Create a map of your living space and identify clutter areas, clear one item away from a heavy clutter area

- Clear your inbox to zero

- Think of something that frustrates you and brush its energy away from you

- tackle one nagging task that you have been postponing

These goals align closely to The Happiness Project Chapter 1: Vitality where she worked to toss, restore, organize and tackle a nagging task.

One thing I've been doing a lot lately on the subject of "Think of something that frustrates you and brush its energy away from you" is remind myself that its not me its you.  For example on my walk home tonight a car honked at me even though I was in the bike lane where they shouldn't of been driving, then they ran a red light. At first this made me mad, but then I reminded myself that the driver must be having a bad day and was running late to something very important. And then I realize how little the honk really impacts my life.

Do you have any habits or mantras that lets you de-clutter and release?

Fuel yo self

A few weeks ago I first saw Nike announce the fuel band.  And I immediately preordered one... well I waited till they went on preorder at 5pm that day and snatched one up. Yesterday it arrived.  

If you haven't heard of it yet, its a bracelet that tracks calories, steps, and "fuel" (it also functions as a watch). NikeFuel is basically the measurement of movement. You can set your daily goals and there is a light scale on the band to show you how far you have to go. There is a nifty App that shows you how you are doing (which also includes miles, but I haven't figured out how accurate that is yet) and you can see your results (and other peoples) online.

So far its pretty cool. I set my goal for an Active lifestyle and I hit my goal by 7pm. I was most active between 7-8 am and least active during a staff meeting from 1-3 pm (excluding sleep time).   

The weather was warm and beautiful in DC today so once I got home I spent a little time on the rooftop.

How to celebrate Presidents' Day weekend: Day 3

Truth is I didn't do anything too Presidential on the actual Presidents' Day. The crowded museum on Sunday kept me from attempting one of the official activities. After a morning run and lazing around my apartment I walked over to Georgetown and bought an iPhone. I've wanted one forever and have been pleased thus far. The rest of my day was spent figuring the phone out and grocery shopping and making broccoli salad for the office Mardi Gras potluck on Tuesday.

However according to wiki George Washington frequented Georgetown and Thomas Jefferson lived there while serving as Vice President under John Adams. 

Occupy cleaned up

How to celebrate Presidents' Day weekend: Day 2

I started day 2 how I like to start all Sunday mornings with CBS Sunday Morning. Today's show was full of presidential stories so perfect for the weekend. 

After a slow start I made it to the Newseum a little after one. I was hoping bad weather might keep people at home however the bad weather never came and the museum was CROWDED. Lots of groups of children, which I found odd for a Sunday, but apparently not. Also there were a lot of videos playing with everyone circled around them. Most people apparently didn't have the energy to read the displays.

I'd heard the museum was amazing. Yes my opinion was clouded by the crowds of preteen girls, but I just thought it was decent. There was a special exhibit on the Presidential Campaign and the president, which was fun and some photos taken by the official photographer of the President.

Non-president related exhibits I enjoyed were the sports photographs, News History, and Tim Russert's office.

Berlin wall and watch tower

View of the Capitol from the Newseum (Canadian embassy on the left)

I took a quick self portrait completely blocking the Capitol

9/11 Newspaper headlines

On my walk home I noticed all the cranes at "the pit" (my name for the construction site on 9th street) all flying American Flags.

Happy Presidents' day!