An Amanda Date.

Let me define the title of this post: An Amanda Date = this afternoon I was able to relax, rest and unwind. (Surprise! We were able to leave work a little early today!) I went for a bike ride to the pool, of course.

(Hey dad, I'm wearing the helmet you sent me two summer ago, remember?)
I'm reading this charming love story:


After the pool + reading time, I biked over to Walgreens to pick up a new nail polish!

I love it! 1. It's my first time purchasing an Essie brand - this one is limo + scene. 2. I spent $8, but after calculating how much it would cost for me to get a manicure at the spa, this price was a better deal in the end as I'm guaranteed like 200+ manicures from this one little bottle. ;)

Nails painted.

Manicured toes.

Happy Friday.

And, the whole reason for this post is because when I was walking home from the train station this afternoon, guess who I spotted strolling down the street:

This guy - A Google Earth Street View Vehicle. I didn't have time to whip out my camera, so I grabbed this pic from Google Images.

Does that mean that when Google Earth updates their system, there will be a screen shot of me included? I better go check.

Beach Volleyball!

My favorite weekly summer activity came to an end on Tuesday night -- Beach Volleyball.

I've loved it!

*I'll continue playing until the weather forces me to stop. I'll just miss my league.*

Family time, is the best of time.

It really is. Especially with an extended family like this:

And a parade with floats like this:

And delicious hamburgers like this:

And carnivals rides like this:

And lots and lots of kisses until we meet again:

{Oh. Guess what I learned this weekend? When my Grandma and Grandpa Thomas were younger, they were each called as the Stake Dance Director, and that's how they met. Cute, huh? Dancing Queen. It's hereditary. Obvi.}

First time...

Okay, so more than once this past weekend, I said out loud, "This is my first time to...."
1. Enjoy sushi + dessert at a housewarming party in a posh apartment downtown.

2. Attempt water skiing, then wakeboarding. I failed. But, I did try multiple, multiple times and my friends were super supportive. So supportive, in fact, that this friend jumped in beside me to show me the tricks.



I still failed.

But I did not fail at working on my tan and promoting impromptu dance parties.

Becky made it up. No problem. First attempt. She's a rock star.

3. Dance the night away at my company summer party - 66th floor of the Willis Tower.

Here is a pic that's been floating around the office.


Keep on dancing 'till the world ends.

Introducing my second home.

The work cubical.

Roommate #38 just moved in.

Here was my lunch convo at work yesterday.

Me: Yep, I now have a new roommate.

Co-worker #1: Again? Wow, your apartment is like a revolving door, or a hostel... ha ha ha.

Co -worker #2: Wow, you really can tolerate anyone.*

Co-worker #3: But, it sounds like no one can tolerate Amanda... ha ha ha.

My thought bubble: Maybe I should get the hint.

*Several weeks ago, I mentioned that I enjoy sharing a room because I can purchase plane tickets throughout the year and take multiple mini-vacays to visit my family and friends. :)

Thanks for the reminder

When I quickly snapped this pic in a rather sketchy Chicago neighborhood, a guy passing by yelled out, "Hey ma'am, are you Christian?" Evidently he was too. Who wouldn't walk by this and stop:

If I purchased this bib for my niece and nephew, would I meet my future Mr. Husband?

Hey, it's worth a try. Ha ha. ;)

(Angela and Khloe sent me this pic.

They were shopping at Babies R Us and found it.

It made me laugh.)

: Finally :

1. I finally got to meet sweet baby Khloe!

: I love her :

She was blessed during church on Sunday in Salt Lake.
My uncle asked if I own stock in an airline.

: I giggled :

Nope!

I'm just grateful for a friend that has connections to buddy passes for United Airlines and is willing to share.

2. After talking about it for months, I finally created a profile on Mormon.org.

: You should create one too :

3. And finally, I received some mail last week that made me smile.

This was sent from Denver.

Angelica sent me this postcard from her New York vacay.

: love :