Mormons Also Don't Brush Their Hair

I love my job! Not kidding....LOVE IT! I work with some stellar men and women who understand my fascination with trying to make things better, and making sure everyone is happy. 

Yesterday, I took a quiet lunch and thoroughly enjoyed my Lebanese leftovers from the nice dinner my dad took me to the night before. I knew that I would have to refresh after my garlic-infested, yet amazingly delicious, meal. So, I chewed gum, ate mints, and did whatever I could to make sure I didn't wreak because I had a 4-hour meeting with my team.

During one of our breaks, I made one of my teammates sniff around and near me to make sure he couldn't smell me. I recognized that my request could have come across odd, but because I work at a cool job with super cool people, he obliged. He also knows that I hate making people feel uncomfortable...and would have eaten a jar of peanut butter if it meant that I could stop smelling so much like garlic. I must state again...I love the people I work with.

After conducting a rather extreme smelling test, he said, "No, no....you have nothing to worry about....but seriously, I didn't know that Mormons couldn't brush their teeth!" To which I jokingly responded, "Yes, the holy writ says we shouldn't." Little does he know that Mormons also don't brush their hair.

Little Things That Freak Me Out

• Colorless hand soap that isn't foamy
• When people who aren't in my phone call me and don't leave messages
• Talking about ingrown toenails 
• Seeing grease spots on the metro windows from where someone was resting their head
• Abnormally big mouths

Until We Meet Again - Scottie Pace

When Scott and I met

One Friday evening I was riding to a young single adult swim/skate event in Northern Virginia. While my car mates argued about the best way to get to the event, I noticed a car that had license plate rim that said “Sierra Vista” written on it. I was floored.  I thought “I am from Sierra Vista….I know everyone from there! Who is this? Oh my gosh, we are following this car on these random back streets…this doesn’t just happen!” I shouted to my driver “Follow that car!!!” The driver was taken aback as I continued to think out loud saying, “Wait a minute, they are headed to the event. I thought I knew all the singles from Sierra Vista.” Turns out the car was heading away from the event, but I was so curious as to who it was that I demanded the driver follow him. Instantly the car in front made a U-turn and headed back to the even (those darn GPS’). I was sure the driver was scared that we so intently followed them/him. We ended up parking right next to the car, I jumped out before our car came to a stop, and went right over to the side of the Sierra Vista stranger’s car. Realizing my act may have been brazen and a little crazy, I slowed down to give the driver enough time to exit the car without feeling threatened.

Cautiously, a young man exited his car, looking at me like I was about to tackle him. A little blunt, I blurted “Sierra Vista, Arizona – I’m from there. Who are you?” He laughed at me and told me his name was Scottie Pace and asked me mine. When I told him I was Lindsey Blau, he threw his head back smiling and said “Did you know that we were supposed to have been set up on a blind date a year ago when you had your high school reunion?” I instantly recalled the night my former Bishop, Gary Haymore, and his wife Del Anne tried to connect me with one of their Young Single Adults (YSA)s. I was bewildered at the recall. We got to know one another fairly well that evening, and reconnected shortly after during a beach trip to Virginia.

Divine Intervention

I am not one that believes in coincidences. I have no doubt in my mind that my relationship with Scott was divinely orchestrated. While our time was brief, I was touched by one particular experience that has shaped my character in ways I never thought possible.

I received an email from Scottie about visiting some of his soldiers at the Walter Reed hospital in Bethesda. The email detailed an account of two soldiers who were apparently down due to friendly fire. He recounted the story about how ground control called in air support to help them take out the enemies shooting at them. When the pilots were in the air, they lost communication with ground control. One of the pilots thought she was the one that released her bombs early and hit her soldiers during the raid.

Around this time, I was reacquainted with a buddy from high school who was an army medic at Walter Reed. I told him I wanted to go visit the soldiers, asking if he wanted to come too. He called me immediately letting me know that the soldiers were just placed under his care since the soldiers were part of the 82^nd Airborne. Again, this doesn’t just happen.

We paid the visit with one of the soldiers and his family. He was doing well and in good spirits. We wanted to spare telling him the details of the email (knowing the persons who may have contributed to him being in the hospital), but we did tell him that one of the pilots sent me there to tell him how much his service meant to his unit, and that Scottie Pace wished him a Merry Christmas.

Then, my friend asked him the details of what happened that day. He recalled the story that they called air support, air support did their thing, then left and 25 minutes after air support left, they were bombed by the enemy.

While there was no official report of what happened that day, Rudy double checked his story and again he reiterated that he was not injured due to friendly fire. After the account, Rudy told the soldier that it was reported that one of the pilots thought she contributed to his injury. He immediately said, “Give me her phone number. She needs to know this was not her fault.”

This experience taught me so much about the man Scottie Pace was/is. He cared for people so deeply and so profoundly. He allowed the Spirit to direct him to reach out to his friends, so we would have the opportunity to mourn with mourners and gave me the opportunity to strengthen those I visited, adding to my testimony of the mercy and love of Jesus Christ. That is why we are here in the first place. Scottie taught me that.

I know that this particular situation altered my perception and view of personal revelation and goodness. I KNOW that there were higher forces working on something during this experience. I just can't get over the timing of everything. What I failed to mention was this whole experience happened in 3 days…that’s it.

Day 1, Saturday: Reunited with my buddy Rudy, (Staff Sergeant Nunez)
Day 2, Sunday: Re-read Scottie’s email sent only 1 week prior.
Day 3, Monday: Sent Rudy the info asking if he wanted to join me to visit the soldiers. He called me right away saying they were JUST placed under his care. Visited with one of the soldiers (the other had been sent to NM) that night. Emailed Scottie the next day.

The Man Scottie Is

It was not hard for me to become close with Scottie, and while our communication varied in frequency, I always felt a special and fun bond with him. Just two months ago, I wrote an email to him that said:

“I was recalling a memory of mine, which - if you remember - is tremendously lacking as of late. It was in Virginia Beach. Upon arrival to the beach, you offered to carry my beach bag. I knew you hurt your wrist and felt bad about you carrying it, but because of your amazingness, you carried it. Later, I could tell you were in pain, but even though you were hurting, you didn't complain all that much, but I could tell you needed the drugs. I was going to go to the car by myself to get you some, but you insisted on accompanying me because you didn’t want me to go by myself. For some reason, this has had a lasting impression on me. That is why I was thinking about you the other day.”

To which he responded, “I blame my mother ;).”

I always admired how much he loved and cared for his family. It was during the beach trip that he talked of his fond love of his family. He spoke reverently of his mother, and told me how much he respected his dad. A mischievous smile crossed his lips when he talked about his brother, and he had a protective look when he talked about his sister. He was super excited to become a family man…something he would often tell me scared a lot girls he dated, to which I would jokingly tell him not to reveal that information on a first date…who wouldn’t be scared? ;) Truth is, I wasn’t…and found his propensity for family refreshing. The relationship he had with his family is certainly one to be respected.

Scottie has been an incredible example to me of courage, fortitude, and constancy. I will never forget our brief moments. I have been touched by his example, his Spirit, and those gorgeous eyes. He exemplifies the kind of person I want to become. Until we meet again, my dearest friend.

News Articles About Scottie
Brawley family remember fallen hero, Imperial Valley Press

Former Brawley Union High graduate and U.S. Army Captain dies in helicopter crash, Imperial Valley Press

NATO: Afghanistan helicopter kills 2 troopers, CBS News

U.S. helicopter Believed Shot Down in Afghanistan; 2 killed, CNN

Heavens are Smiling Down on Me: When Birds Poop

Since having started my new position, I get to walk to the metro everyday! YAY...and yes, to and from. It is pretty cool; not only do I get some thinking time while I am walking my 3/4 of a mile to the metro, but I am gratefully and optimistically exposed to the elements. 

Today I heard two doves cooing. I smiled recollecting my days in SV getting ready for high school in the morning. Two doves loved to wake me up every morning at the crack of dawn. They lived above my bathroom and would coo so loud that it would drive me crazy. Seeing that I wasn't (and still struggle) with mornings, my teenage self would go out, grab a rock and throw it at them every morning. Inevitably, they would return. It became a routine for us. Ah...memories.

Today's element/Carma moment happened as I walked to my office from the metro. Normally when I am walking to the office, there are hardly any people on the sidewalk...it is just too early for this city ;) So, I was walking to work when this man, stops and asks for directions. While I don't know where to point him, because I am still figuring out the city in my new location....this brief conversation prevented me from being massively pooped on by a FLY-BY bird! Seriously, right in front of me about 8-10 inches from hitting me right on the head.....

Let's just say the Heavens smiled on me that day....and I am grateful!

A New Position for a New Me

Some of you might not know, but I was given the opportunity to make a lateral move from Proposal Analyst to Program Analyst at DMI. During my last bitter-sweet proposal, I realize how much I loved managing the proposal...the operations part of the work. After some conversations, my company allowed me to make the switch so I can start learning all about program management. I just started, and am excited for what this means for the future of Lindsey Blau!

I am temporarily housed at our DMI office in downtown DC. I laugh because the commute to Bethesda, Maryland was a lot faster going from where I live in Virginia. However, being in the city is just plain awesome! I already love where I work! And yes, I am going to make a list, because you know I love lists.

Here is what I love so far:

• The bathroom sinks. I know, that seems rather silly, but I appreciate sinks that have faucets that don't have water going everywhere and that are cool. The faucet in the ladies room is shaped like a U. I tried to find a pic online...but really, it is so unique, I couldn't!
• I love being this close to so many great places to eat. I am near the Chinatown/Gallery place metro. I know I have this rule about only eating out once every two months, but I may need to see if I can stretch my budget to keep up with my ever-so-eager taste buds
• Love my cube. It is light and cozy.
  
• Surrounded by geniuses. It is amazing how much all these super genius people know. I already had to have help installing drivers for my computer, and these awesome workers knew how to do it! Even though they may have griped that they were not hired to be my help desk, I appreciate that they were so kind to install them on my computer....and under less than 2 minutes. GENIUS!
  

Date Auction

The single's congregation is up to it again...and seriously...my hats off to them! The Langley Social Club, another non-confrontational name for the Langley Dating Committee, will be hosting a date auction tomorrow!

I am truly and legitimately excited, and love the idea of an anonymous date auction. Here is how it works:

The date (which is submitted by the one who want to go on the date), whether individual or group, will be awarded to one bidder of the opposite sex with the highest bid. For group dates, it is up to the potential dater and the winning bidder to then choose the other participants on the date.

Rules for Auctioners

• The dater will be responsible to pay for the date and all participants unless stated otherwise or have already planned to split the costs with a friend. If the dater would like to change the original date idea, they can let the Langley Social Club know before the auction.
• The dater is responsible for coordinating with the bidder the details of the date, including when, where, who's driving, etc.
  

The Langley Social Club also included these couple caveats:

• Please contact the bidder in a timely manner and be considerate and cooperative
• Have fun and have an open mind
  
• Be willing to get to know someone even if you think you already know them
• The Church does not reimburse anyone for dates
  

My Excitement
As you know from previous blog posts, I love attending and participating in new date ideas. For the date auction, I submitted 5 date ideas of things I have wanted to do around DC but didn't want to do by myself. I can't tell you my date ideas yet, because they are supposed to be anonymous....but I can tell you that they are AWESOME! 5 seemed like a good number.

My Beef
Once again, I was surprised by the response I received from the Langley Social Club. If you recall, a couple months ago, I signed up for an 8-person group date and was told the day prior that I was chosen to no longer participate because there weren't enough men (they were 1 short-lol). That was no biggy. I get it. But then I got this email after submitting my date auction ideas:

Hi Lindsey,

Thanks for all of your submissions. We would love to auction off all of your ideas, but in order to give the auction some variety, we will not be taking date idea #3. We have already had a few other people submit the date to go X, so if you would like to submit another date in place of this one, please let us know.

Thanks again for your participation in the auction!

Seriously!!! I wanted to respond and say this:

I think depriving me of date #3, just because it is a popular idea, is crap.....just like I was deprived of the group date one month ago.....

Too many unknown provisions to this dating auction.....

I am only half serious.

But I probably won't. Sigh, the other date ideas are great too.....I guess I will have to do date #3 on my own, sans the dating auction.

Steady as She Goes

Loving how this is moving me today. I have so much to update you about how I have been feeling lately, and how I have been reacting to it. In the meantime, I will just tease you with the following phrases that I tell myself over and over. And now that I read this list, I realize what great band names some of them could be.

• Roll with the punches (or just "roll with it" if you think that is too violent)
  
• Take it as it comes
• What doesn't kill me makes me stronger
• Not a prisoner in my cell of circumstance
• Line upon line
• Come what may, and love it
• Ridding the wrong expectation
• Worth it
• Outside myself
• Going with the flow
• A little perseverance never killed anyone....yet ;)
• Light at the end of the tunnel
  

and...as the inspiration for this post, enjoy this little ditty: Steady as She Goes. Thanks Raconteurs!