'Ask and you shall receive' does NOT eff around.

It's satisfying to have an understanding with someone. But also complicated.

After the success of my first date with Mark, I really wanted to make the next one count--I worked in the afternoon, then cleaned the apartment (although it needed to be cleaned anyway--guests are just a good motivator) and bopped around to some music while Betsy was out at her first visit to Mercersburg Academy, where she'll be photographing this summer.

John came over around 6 to be filled in on my date over some hot chocolate (it's been miserably grey and chilly and rainy here)--he was completely and genuinely excited about my date and the fact that I had a good time. I told him the bit about Mark confessing to corset-photo guilt, and John mentioned that his mom had seen that photo of me! Slightly embarassing, as that isn't exactly a mommy-friendly photo (I am covered! There is a corset!). Well, let me just write down the exchange after that.

Me: Ooh, she saw that? Not the kind of photo that makes me popular with Moms. With BOYS, however...

John: Well, I liked you long before that.

Me: Oh, totally--wait, what? (thinking) Did he just say what I think he just said?

So, the cat is out of the clear plastic bag. :P (You were all thinking it!) John likes me, and I like him--we're completely comfortable with each other and can be completely honest about the situation. Let me break it down, because I know you're all thinking "What about MARK?!"

Okay. John has endeared himself to me in spades by completely supporting the situation that makes me happy (like a good date with Mark, or several) and by taking all the pressure off of me--he is completely satisfied with being friends first; according to him, "this [the relationship, in any form, between us] can't be bad" (melt!). He just likes the closeness we have already, and isn't pushing anything to change.

So, John was there when Mark arrived around 8. Weird, I know! But I presented John as my friend, and it wasn't as if he were sticking around for the game, so they shook hands and it was fine.

It was a good game for Mark to attend, naturally--we won!!!!!! Which means we tied the series which means we came up from a 2-0 deficit to make it a whole new series! This also means I didn't waste time jumping around and shrieking like a total moron for all the world (and a cute boy) to see. :P But I don't care--it was a fantastic game and I'm so excited! Let's Go Pens!

At this point, I'm still really interested in investigating how things will go with Mark--after all, John and I have been able to spend a lot more time together so far and it's easier to be open since we approached it from a friends perspective rather than the more delicate dating perspective I have with Mark. I want to give Mark a real chance, because I like him too! (Still no kiss, by the way.)

Actually, the timing is sort of perfect--John is about to head home and then to France for a week, which gives me ample time to see where things go with Mark.

Until then, I'm just entrusting it to God and praying about it. We'll see!

I'll leave you with a wise, wise quote from my Em:

Emily: prayer is good. salad cream is NOT good.

I love you all--wish me luck!

-A.

Why I Love Brian. Part Seven.

Brian: i'm just skimming it for right now, but i noticed you partook in some mystery method. nice going.

Alyssa: haha, i did?

Brian: yup. you grazed his waist. to show him you noticed. thats an IOI--indicator of interest.


If you're not familiar with the Mystery Method, check it out.

Up-Date.

I'm sure the suspense has been building. :P (Does anyone even read this still?)

My date was very, very good.

He picked me up 5:15 sharp, as he said he would, and complimented my outfit as any girl would expect (and I did look pretty cute :P) and we drove out to Fells Point (bonus points to him, as Weezer was playing in the car when I got in). The conversation never lagged, and he was just as active in asking me about my family and likes and dislikes and complimenting me about my ability to tell a story well. We got to the restaurant and were talking so easily and so much that we had to send the waitress back twice before we had our orders ready!

The dinner conversation was...unorthodox. He brought up his ex (holy shit, 5 year relationship--apparently she dumped him in August) asked me about mine, and we traded stories. This is usually a sort of taboo, but, being me (AKA ravenous for information) and finding his honesty charming, I was okay with it. He also pointed out, to my delight, that his first kiss was when he was a senior in high school (he went to an all-boys school, so, not much opportunity) and he described himself as a 'slow-mover'. And, what else would a date be without an in-depth discussion of our religious viewpoints! :P

Mark is Catholic, born and bred, and it shows. But, unlike a lot of Catholics, he understands that it's not just attending every Sabbath and Holy Day or doing CCD or washing your hands this many times before you eat, it's about your faith. He started to make some complaint, and I got a little nervous, but he only meant to observe that his experience in the Catholic Church was lacking as far as NOT GOING DEEPLY ENOUGH. He wants to investigate MORE. It was so cool. He really seemed to get what I was saying, and could joke with me as well as answer honestly. We had a few good discussions (NOT debates at all), and he was quick to validate my viewpoints that maybe he hadn't considered before.

So, after dinner. we walked around Fells Point as it started to drizzle, and we talked a bit about how out-of-the-blue his invitation was. I kind of busted him on noticing my booby-corset-profile photo that is currently on Facebook, and I guessed that was one of the reasons he chose me. He conceded to that fact cutely and was a great sport ("It caught my eye...you are very attractive."). And he earned major points by saying that even though the photo was what drew him in, he noticed that I was a Christian (GOD ANSWER--typo and it stays :P), and that made the decision for him. He then offered a ride on the water taxi, but the rain looked like it was going to really come down, so he asked if I wanted to see a movie instead! I agreed, and we drove back to my place to check the times.

I showed him Betsy's website, and he was impressed (as well as complimentary, which made Betsy fall in love without even meeting him), and we headed out to catch the 9:20 showing of Angels and Demons. We showed up WAYYYY early and caught the end of Night at the Museum 2 (eh, looked okay) and then killed some more time at Barnes and Noble until our movie started. The movie was actually a lot of fun, in that hit-you-over-the-head-with-mystery kind of way. Ewan MacGregor is a foxy priest (bad, Alyssa, bad!), and there were some gasp-worthy moments. :)

However, down side, the theater was FREEZING. I had worn a dress to dinner, and thankfully had the presence of mind to change into jeans at my apartment, but my thin cardigan wasn't doing the job. I was shivering, and he noticed, so he ASKED if he could put his arm around me. :D Of course, I let him. (He also asked all night if it was okay that he was paying for me--apparently his ex hated when he did. WHAT.)

As we left the movie theater, he rested his arm around my shoulder to guide me though the door, and I sort of grazed his waist to show that I noticed. :P I went to put my arm through his, and he straightened his arm, obviously expecting me to hold his hand, and there was about .8 seconds or "Wait, what?", but I did it his way and slipped my hand into his. It had started to rain, making my chill all the worse! But I was having too nice of a time to let it get to me. We got back to my place around midnight (7 hour date!) and he walked me to my door...

And hugged me.

He cited our 'slow-mover' dispositions (more his than mine, I'll admit, but its good for me) and we made plans to watch tonight Penguins' game together. :) I admit, a kiss wouldn't have gone amiss, BUT, waiting for the right moment is even better--besides, I think I've been a little bit of a kissing-slut (as my mom would call it) lately, and slowing things down may be just what I need.

So, he'll be over tonight to watch the game, and probably make fun of me for my, um, enthusiasm, let's say. :P It should be good. :) I spent part of this morning tidying up the bathroom and kitchen for when he arrives, although I still have a ton to do. :/ But it's worth it!

I'm trying not to get ahead of myself, and it's working, for the most part (first time ever. :P). Wish me luck!

(And GOOOOO PENS!)

Love!

-A.

So many GOOD THINGS.

Yesterday was a fantastic day.

I had an eight-hour shift yesterday (8 AM-4 PM) that was made far more bearable by the presence of John, who came in at about 10:20 AM and stayed with me until my shift ended (although he was originally supposed to go visit a friend in Columbia who unfortunately [for her] took ill), and ended up hanging out with me until about midnight, even suffering through my screaming-jumping-freaking out antics during the Pens game. :P We WOOOOOOON!!!! :D

It's so funny--we've only hung out for about four days together, but we click SO WELL it's insane! It was a huge get-to-know-you-fest yesterday, ranging from our families to our favorite Disney princes (the Beast, doy, and you'll be getting a dissertation on that at some point).

(BTW, there are some adorable British accents happening in front of the Gateway desk right now. :D)

ANYWAY, it was a wonderful time, and we got dinner, and he looked through my book and apparently liked it a lot (yay!). I have to say, he's been so unbelievably complimentary of me. I mean, the things he's saying are simple, and they sound like I might've heard them before, but his sincerity blows me away. Example: I've said before that we have this inside joke about how he describes me as 'Belle' to his friends. Yesterday he also commented that in the movie 'Life is Beautiful', the main character greets his love interest every day by saying "Bon giorno, principessa'--he said that reminded him of me, since we met properly in Italy, and I'm a Disney Princess. :P And THEN, when I tell him how flattered I am that he has all of these sweet associations for me, he doesn't even take credit! "It's all you!" :D

So, enough gushing out of me.

...

:D


I have a date tonight, with Mark. I'm not building up any kind of expectations. I hope I have a good time, but I'm not going to force anything.

I guess a potentially awkward date with a stranger is a bit lackluster in comparison with the kind of day I had yesterday. :/ I mean, I'm totally excited about the cool things happening in my life! I guess I just don't want to let myself decide anything one way or another yet. It's ironic--when nothing is happening, I overanalyze everything, but when there's a lot going on, I'm doing my best (at least now) to SLOW the EFF down.

Whew.

In funnier news for me, Lacie is even more balls-out insane than I originally thought, and has shed every ideal she ever held in favor of some wacky, 'liberated' existance. There's so much more, but it isn't worth typing out. I'm investigating it personally, anyway. :P

Sigh. Okay, I'm done. I was shocked at first, but now I'm just laughing! How much can a person eff their own life? She's made it an art.

But let's not concentrate on that. I won that pretty eBay dress! :D It should be here within ten days! And I got a bustier to wear with it, as it is strapless, and I don't think a regular old strapless bra is going to cut it. But, yay for pretty dresses!

I'm having a good time. Scary, but good. :)

Love you all!

-A.

A Semi-Solitary Weekend

With Betsy at home in New Jersey for the weekend, and Jen home for two weeks on Long Island, I have four long days by my lonesome. I had a wonderful visit with Ben, who drove up from Virginia at short notice to be with little old me. :)

Ben and I have bonded amazingly well lately--two phone conversations in the last three days lasting over 3 hours. They've been informative, funny, and sometimes difficult, but always rewarding. It's nice to have a friend that challenges me. It's good for me.

I had two shifts yesterday, and at the end of my second, a DA I've known for years, Tiff (not Marla's roommate!) came in with a boy I don't know and I ended up talking with her about the events of the past year (I told her about my upcoming date with Mark and she inquired about Robin and I).

The most fascinating part was, the guy she came in with, Jie, ended up being Mark's best friend! He didn't have much info to offer about Mark--save a little insider stuff about his ex (they've been done for awhile, and were on-and-off for almost their whole 4 YEAR RELATIONSHIP. Yeesh.). I am a little wary that this is just a rebound thing, but I'm not going to make any decisions about that until the actual date!

In other news, I applied to City Cafe (Donna's has been flaky and silent), and I've been mostly holed up watching reruns of Gossip Girl: Season One. Seriously. Everyone needs to watch this show.

Tonight is up in the air--I don't have a shift and I'm uncreative. :P

But Betsy is back tomorrow, and then my date on Wednesday! Maybe I should enjoy the relaxation. :P Also, I'm hoping to secure this gorgeous dress on eBay--




Wish me luck! :)

Love,

-A.

Well, Look Who Has A Date!

Mark called me in the last two minutes of the Pens game (3-1 loss D:) and invited me out for dinner Wednesday night! I accepted, naturelement.

Wish me luck! I'll keep you posted.

-A.

P.S. This series of tags sort of cracks me up. Oh, to be dating Sidney Crosby. :P

The Date, Take Two.

I had my date with Noah, the Barnes & Noble guy. We just went and got hot cider at this crepe place nearby (DIDANYONEELSEGETSNOWTODAYAWESOME!), and chatted for a little over an hour. He was perfectly nice, and obviously a kind guy, but he was a little bland. So, not really for me. I disengaged myself as a romantic interest by shaking his hand and saying I would get in touch with him later on. I'm thinking of going to B&N when he works and bringing Robin. Is that lame?

ANYWAY, the rest of the day was wonderful. Had lunch with Robin's friend Amy, who was visiting on her way through Maryland. She was really sweet--it was nice to meet her. The rest of the day was pretty much spent with Robin, although I did watch a little bit of Hook in my apartment before Noah picked me up. Robin and I made dinner around 10:30 pm (I know, late dinner) and switched between Love Actually and Doom on TV. :P

Betsy's sister Katie is visiting, so they ended up going to a late dinner, too. Hopefully I'll get the chance to spend more time with Betsy and Katie later today. We may go see Twilight, if they get back from DC in time. :)

I also got a chance to spend some time with Annie, my roommate from freshman year tonight. It was nice to just catch up and let her in on what's new in my life and vice-versa. :D

Okay, time to do something with myself. Love you!

Muah!

-Alyssa

The Date was a pleasantly surprising success!

That isn't to say that I was expecting a bad date--not at all.

The beginning of the date was standard enough--met for coffee, walked to the car, talked, got to the movies. Unfortunately, Brideshead Revisted wasn't playing at 7pm like Chase thought, so we ended up seeing Tropic Thunder, which was surprisingly funny in places, actually. Sitting in the movie itself was actually a little uncomfortable, but after it was over, we stopped at a Starbucks and talked for a little over an hour about everything--it was really sun, and I learned a bunch of interesting stuff about him. (He can sing, likes opera and ballet, and was weirdly attracted to Morgan Mertz, to name a few.)

Then, he was the best sport in the world and met my mom, sister, and brother, then stayed for two hours. He and Lauren seemed to get along well, and he was great with KJ.

So, I actually intended to make him wait for a kiss until the next date, but he kind of went in for it all on his own--I hugged him and kissed him on the cheek and he was like 'MUAH', which was fine. (He had soft lips.)

He seems interested in extending whatever we have going past my return to MICA, but I guess I'll have to decide later on. He said he'd call me tomorrow, and we'll do something.

Okay, before I wind down, there are two little things that have me holding back. One, he's not really sure about his career path. He has an idea, which is fine, but I'd like to see more going on there. Two, aaaaahhhhh......he lives at home. As in, with his parents. It's not just him (thankfully?), his OLDER sister lives there, too, and I guess it's fine if he's avoiding the extra expense before getting his act together, but if he intends to pursue a serious relationship (any, not just with me), I'd like to see that he has his own place, at least...for, erm, privacy, if necessary.

Anyway, it's late, but I'll catch you guys later. :)

The Date is tonight.

Anticipation!

He sent me a message last night at 2 AM that I just got a little bit ago that basically reenforced how psyched he is to see me again, and he inferred some intentions for the future, which is like "OMG." "We've known each other a week!" and "Oh, yeah, he's 26."

It's all very fast. That isn't to say he SHOULD'NT be thinking about the future--he should be, after all, he's older than I am and is more than old enough to be thinking about future things/intentions/etc. I guess the question is, should I be thinking about these things? Or maybe I'm just exaggerating and he's just being extra-nice. Blah. I'll update after The Date.

I don't think I've ever been on a first date like this before--Guy asks Girl, I mean. It's kind of cool. :)

As for the Olympics, Em came over and watched USA's amazing relay finish and Michael Phelps' eighth gold-medal of these Games. I just can't believe how privileged I feel to be watching history unfold like that. It's amazing and a weird kind of honor for me. I'm honored to be alive and watching it happen.

Melissa called me the other day, and we're plotting how to break into the North Baltimore Swim Club in order to steal Michael Phelps away for our own evil purposes. >:D Only five minutes from MICA's campus...

Anyway.

Love you guys,

Alyssa

P.S. Why is everyone getting engaged all of a sudden?! I mean, I love it, but it's all at once!