Swine Flu

We got tested for H1N1. It was awesome.

One story, two perspectives...

Continued Education

BFF-Heather has been teaching me about social etiquette. I guess I am severely defunct in that area.

She recently expressed to me that when I go exploring on my own, I am suppose to immediately let others know what I have found. If I withhold info for even just an hour, that is an inappropriate action. I am to report my findings immediately.

With that lesson being learned, I chose to post my findings here from my wondering around Seoul on Sunday. I can't afford to wait until I see BFF-Heather next. That might be too late.

First, I got up early and went to Mass at Myeongdong Cathedral. It was the highlight of my day.

Then, I went to Yangmasan. There, before I ascended to the top, I saw Asia's tallest waterfall park.

After climbing Yangmasan, I decided to climb Achasan which was nearby. While on Achasan, I thought, "I wonder what it looks like to stand directly beneath a large utility line tower." So I found out.

After I finished climbing my mountains, I walked past a restaurant that I was sure BFF-Heather would love.

Now if there's one thing that I've learned from BFF-Heather in my continuing social education, its that if you spend an entire day in Seoul, YOU HAVE TO GRAB SOMETHING TO EAT BEFORE YOU GO HOME. It doesn't matter if you aren't hungry. It doesn't matter if it was never your plan for the day to eat something in Seoul. It doesn't matter. It is implied by social norms to eat something. So, I went to Gangnam and grabbed a taco from Dos Tacos.

Before returning home, I decided to stop at Lake Park. There, I enjoyed a nice evening watching the Magical Musical Fountain.

That was my day. I hope I didn't leave anything out. I hope this fulfills my social obligations.

One story, two perspectives....

Best Friends Play Fantasy Football Update

Most of the time, being Best Friends is about supporting each other. Its about wishing the best for your Best Friend and hoping they excel in all they do. But sometimes being Best Friends is about kicking your Best Friend's ass. Sadly, I recently had to kick my BFF's ass.

As we previously posted, Zach and I are playing in a fantasy football league (the South Korean Football League), and with the onset of Football Season this past weekend, so began our Fantasy Football Competition.

Week 1: we played EACH OTHER!

I have to admit that I was a little nervous. Nobody wants to be responsible for making their Best Friend cry. When I went to work on Tuesday, I knew that I was going to win, but I didn't know what would happen. Would I have to console my sobbing Best Friend? Would I have to teach his classes while he cried in the bathroom? Would I have to talk him down from a ledge?

But, despite my AWESOME VICTORY, everything turned out okay. Zach handled his defeat well- all of his crying was in private. I didn't flaunt my victory TOO much. We won't play each other again until week 7 so he will have an opportunity to win some games. And, actually, Zach didn't do so badly. He was the winner of all of the losers so that's something...

BFFs - Where Blogs Come To Live

Have you ever wanted to start a blog? If so, I bet one of two things ensued:

1) You did indeed start the blog. After about a month, you stopped blogging.

-or-

2) You did not start the blog because you thought, "After a month, I will stop blogging."

Well, as many of you know, BFF-Heather and I not only started the very blog you are reading but also started a spin-off BFF blog. We thought, "Why not?"

A few things to note about the two blogs:

BFFB (the one you are currently reading) has been immensely popular within its self-cultivated cult-following. Will it ever challenge http://freshribbon.blogspot.com/? Probably not. How could it? But we do wish to challenge you...our reader(s). (more on this later...at the bottom)

Onestorytwoperspectives (http://onestorytwoperspectives.blogspot.com/), although a subsidiary of BFFB, has grown itself into a self-governing and sustaining entity. Last month alone it had 34 new blog posts. That's more than 1 post a day. Some blogs out there don't have 34 blog posts their entire lifetime. One reason, I think, Onestorytwoperspectives, has taken off the way it has, is that we have recently invited a new contribut(e)or into the mix: Ryan Olsen. Ryan Olsen is a TBB of BFF-Heather. Ask them. It's true. He has brought to the twoperspectives a whole new perspective. So while we are still named, "....twoperspectives," don't be fooled; that's like saying there are 2 sides to a coin...but what about the depth side...the side with all the ridges on it? Does that not count as a side? I think it does.

So what's the secret? How have we managed to start a blog, nay, two blogs, and keep posting to them after all this time? It's because the fuel that fires our blog is our BFFness. BFFs are where blogs come to live...never to die. Long Live the Blogs!!!!

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Our challenge is this: We want you to help us become a Blogspot Blog of Note. How can you help us do this? We're not sure. That's the challenge. Come up with a way to make us an officially recognized blog of note.

Best Friends Play Fantasy Football

My BFF, Zach, is a little concerned that there will be conflict during Football season. We support different teams. I, however, do not see how that will produce conflict. We are already very good at acknowledging and accepting each other's perspective (one story, two perspectives...). I can support the cowboys. I just support New England a whole lot more. I do not think the NFL will be able to come between us.

BUT...

Best Friends are playing Fantasy Football. Last night was our draft party, or parties, as it were. Fantasy Football is already trying to drive us apart. You see, our computers couldn't even connect to the same internet servers. We had to be at coffee shops across the street from each other. It was sad. I am generally known as a brave girl to all of my friends but I think I saw Zach tearing up a little. He does that sometimes, like when he watches a RomCom or when he is separated from his BFF. So, anyway we drafted our teams last night. Zach did an alright job but he forgot to draft some Patriots. My team, however, looks fantastic. So, while I don't think that NFL Fandom has the power to come between us, I'm a little concerned that in Week 1 of Fantasy Football, when the Paju Pancakes play Chillsan, Zach will try to pull away from the BFF that so awesomely defeated him.

Best Friends' Conflict

Never before and never again will our BFFness be tested like it is about to be tested.

BFF-Heather is a staunch New England Patriots fan. I naturally support a winner: the Dallas Cowboys.

For some strange reason, BFF-Heather refuses to accept the fact that the Dallas Cowboys are the better franchise.

Maybe, after this NFL season, she will finally see the light.

Until then, though, while the NFL season is being played out, I expect there to be much friction between the BFFs. It is a good thing the two teams don't actually play each other during the regular season. If they both happen to make it to the Super Bowl....well, let's just say that I better be out of Korea by then or things might become ugly.

One Story, Two Perspectives...

One NFL, Two Teams...

No Flu and No YouTube

Wednesday was a day of have-nots for BFF-Heather and I.

Korea loves Swine Flu. Much like America assumes innocence until proven guilty, Korea assumes Swine Flu contamination until proven healthy.

I woke up Wednesday morning not knowing that I would be taking a trip to the doctor's office that day. I learned about it through a Facebook status update from BFF-Heather followed by a phone call to said BFF-Heather.

She said, "Yes. We are infected."

I said, "Crap. We are going to die."

So anyways, BFF-Heather, myself, and the rest of the foreign teachers at our school took a field trip to the doctor's office in the middle of the day to have our temperature taken, blood pressure checked, and an x-ray zapped.

As it turns out, I am not as healthy as the rest of my foreign cohorts. I have slightly high blood pressure and need to lose weight (That means no more Cheese Donkassa --- if a cheese donkassa doesn't give me a heart attack, the news that I can't eat one anymore will!). The other teachers are as healthy as a quite healthy person. The x-ray proved that all of our bones were indeed intact.

Also, we don't have Swine Flu.

Now what's the other 'have-not'? I'll tell you what it is: YouTube. As it turns out, Korea is lacking in a fundamental component of YouTube.

BFF-Heather and I filmed our experience with the plan of allowing y'all the chance to see what we got to experience. Everything was going fine with the project until I tried to upload the video onto YouTube. It was then that I discovered that users in Korea cannot upload videos onto YouTube. I was quite disappointed. I may as well have the Swine Flu. What's the point anymore?

One Story, Two Perspectives....

G.I. Best Friends

I love Heather so much. She is the best BFF that anyone could ask for. I would die without her in my life. We are going to the movies. We just bought tickets. Isn't Heather pretty?

A Day in the Life of Heather Through the Eyes of a BFF (Actually...Two Days)

BFF-Heather's day (or two days): as I see it.

Thursday

August 13, 2009

10:16 AM - I arrive at work. BFF-Heather is not here. (I think she is busy planning GYM TIME that is going to happen on Friday.)

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12:30 PM - I'm eating lunch. BFF-Heather is still not here. (Wow! I am impressed at the amount of prep-time BFF-Heather puts into GYM TIME. She is obviously not here because she is still planning for GYM TIME on Friday.)

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2:18 PM - Kindergarten is finished. BFF-Heather is preparing lessons for her students. (The lesson she focuses her preparations on most is GYM TIME. Honestly, I wish she would balance her preparation time a little more and devote equal amounts of preparation to all her classes. Fortunately enough for her GYM TIME classes, New York and Colorado class, though, she spends the majority of her week preparing for her 40 minutes-a-week of GYM TIME.

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3:22 PM - BFF-Heather is busy working at her desk. (There really is a desk there.) (The reason you usually can't see her desk throughout the week is that it is filled with either 1) GYM TIME equipment or 2) books on the subject of GYM TIME.)

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Friday

August 14, 2009

10:20 AM - I get to work. BFF-Heather is not here. (Today is the big day. Every Friday, for 40 minutes, BFF-Heather gets to live her dream: GYM TIME Teacher!)

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1:32 PM - BFF-Heather is getting ready for the highlight of her week: GYM TIME!! (She is usually so excited about GYM TIME that when GYM TIME actually comes around she forgets she is actually the teacher. Often, she lines up with the kids ready to partake in the action.)

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1:50 PM - BFF-Heather is immensely enjoying the highlight of her week: GYM TIME!!! (What else needs to be said? GYM TIME!!!)

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3:20 PM - Even though GYM TIME ended an hour ago, BFF-Heather is still exhausted from all the excitement and thrills of GYM TIME!!! ("If only life was one big GYM TIME!!" -quote from BFF-Heather, usually heard once a week immediately after GYM TIME.)

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5:48 PM - BFF-Heather is conspicuously absent from her desk. (I suspect it's because she is busy planning next week's GYM TIME!!!)

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5:49 PM - Indeed, BFF-Heather was busy working on a Dance Party routine for next week's GYM TIME!!!! (She is very excited about it.)

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6:50 PM - BFF-Heather is busy molding the young minds of Korea. (Unconfirmed, but I suspect the lesson she is teaching here is about GYM TIME activities. Vocabulary for the day: jump rope, hop-scotch, jumping jacks, stretch, dance party)

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One Story, Two Perspectives....

Best Friend All Stars

Best Friends make good teams. I think that is a scientific fact.



Earlier this week, my Best Friend Zach and I dominated, I mean played basketball against our other friends Elizabeth and Kaleen. (Readers may not be aware of my mad skillz, but they're there. I'm a basketball superstar.) It was fun. They were formidable opponents but we won. My BFF Zach would say that Basketball was the real winner. But I think that we were the real winners... because we won.

Heather's Side (It was implied!)

My best friend doesn't always seem to understand social protocol and other related things, such as sharing and communicating. I try to help him out, but once in a while, I get resistance.

Why dinner was implied:
- the races are usually an 11-6 affair. this means you probably just had breakfast on your way and you're hungry by the time they end, right? (they end at dinner time!!! how much more direct would something have to be?)
- the races are far from where we live. very far. so you are going to meet your friend at this faraway destination, watch the horses run in a circle and then be like alright, bye? that's ridiculous.
- i have never gone to the races and not had dinner with the bulk of the group afterwards.
- i have never done anything with this group that didn't include a meal somewhere. often eating is the main event. its what we do. we eat delicious food. EATING IS ALWAYS IMPLIED!!!
- i don't think that the friends that Zach mentioned who didn't come to dinner should count. here's why: 1 set had just arrived to the races when the rest of us were feeling pretty much ready to leave. perhaps Zach hadn't communicated to his friends certain things like that we usually eat dinner afterwards. they also don't hang out with us much. so they would not understand the structure of our day or the dynamic of our group. the other set were all about eating but we left later than we meant to, and had a long wait for our table and they decided to dine elsewhere. the rest of our friends understood that dinner was implied.

In conclusion, I am right. Vote for Heather '09, Dinner was Implied. Yes we can.

Implied vs. Assumed (Zach)

BFF-Heather and I have been discussing a recent episode from our life as BFFs. We don't seem to agree on how something should have been understood so we decided to take full advantage of our BFFB and let you help us decide. So please, take a minute to read, and then vote on how you understand the situation.

Zach's account:

A month ago (approximately), Kate and I decided to go to the races. We hadn't seen each other in some time so we decided to get together and hang out. As stated above, we planned on doing this at the races. In our decision, we involved nobody else. It was only the two of us that planned the event. In all the talk of getting together (granted, there wasn't that much detailed discussion) having a meal was NEVER mentioned. The ONLY thing that Kate and I ever discussed doing together was going to the races for the day.

Leading up to race day, a few friends were invited to join us. The week before the races, apparently Kate and said friends decided to have dinner after the races. Once again, let me stress, that I was NEVER consulted about dinner. I was never involved in any discussion about dinner after the races. I never once mentioned going to dinner after the races.

Two days before race day, Kate asked if I was going to dinner. I said, "I don't know. Maybe." That was the ABSOLUTE FIRST time I was ever involved in any discussion about me going to dinner after the races. I never said anything prior to this conversation nor during this conversation that might imply that I was going to dinner. My answer was simply, "I don't know. Maybe." ...which means, there's a chance that I might go, and there's a chance that I might not go.

This is the point of the story when BFF-Heather and I got our social signals crossed. She told me that the mere planning of going to the races IMPLIED that I was planning on going to dinner afterward. I disagree; she ASSUMED that I was going to dinner after the races, but I never IMPLIED that I was going to dinner.

My arguments:

1a) As stated, I had never been involved in any discussion about dinner with Kate, the person I planned the day with, up until the point when she asked me if I was going to dinner. To which I answered, "I don't know. Maybe."

1b) I had never discussed going to dinner after the races with ANYONE prior to the same discussion with Kate that point 1a refers to. BFF-Heather told me that they were going to dinner after the races, but she never once asked me if I was going, and I never made a single comment about going to dinner. In fact, I specifically discussed with BFF-Heather doing other plans at that same...at which point she said she couldn't because she was having dinner. Once again, let me stress that I NEVER spoke of me going to dinner, nor gave any indication that I would be joining the dinner party.

2a) As a rebuttal to a point that BFF-Heather has tried to make to me....she has said to me that precedent had been set: it was the norm to go to dinner after a day at the races. My response is that the past 2 times I've been to the races with this same group of people, I have not gone to dinner with them afterwards. Actually, at the time of this writing, I cannot remember ever going to dinner after a day at the races with BFF-Heather. I'm not saying that I never have; I just can't specifically remember having ever gone to dinner after the races with BFF-Heather. If precedent had indeed been set, then I was very unaware of it as based on my prior experiences.

2b) In all actuality, this was the 1st time Kate and I ever went to the races together. It was the 1st time we ever organized going to the races. I find it difficult to understand how precedent had been set concerning a 1st time event.

3) Others in the racing party did not join us for dinner, and it was my perception that nobody thought that those absent from dinner were breaking any socially implied obligation. The reason: it was NEVER implied that they were joining us for dinner. Nobody thought that just because they came to the races with us then they would also be joining us for dinner. The two events, racing and dinner, are not correlated in that way. Doing one does not imply participation in the other. Those that left us to go home after the races without joining us for dinner did so freely because they NEVER implied that they would be joining us for dinner. Yes, they said they would come to the races. Yes, they came to the races. No, they were never involved in any discussions about going to dinner after the races. (Wow. Their story sounds very similar to someone else's.) I don't think it was ever implied that they would be joining us for dinner. Hmmmm.

Conclusion:

BFF-Heather assumed that I was going to dinner.

It is not implied that one is going to dinner just because one goes to the races (see argument 3).

I never spoke of going to dinner.

I was never involved in planning dinner (....planning dinner apparently as part of an event that I planned, or helped to co-plan with Kate).

Now go and vote.

One Continent, Two Vacations....

Recently, BFF-Heather and I have been spending a lot of time in the same country. Why?

Good question. Some might say it's because....... Hmmm, I don't know what some might say.

Well, to fix this 'same country' stalemate, we decided set off in two directions. BFF-Heather went to Hong Kong. I went to Vietnam. Wow. What an experience we had....together...apart.

Let me tell what BFF-Heather learned from this experience. She can tell you her perspective of my experience if she so chooses.

BFF-Heather says that Hong Kong = Pretty Darn Tootin' Alright.

BFF-Heather says that Hong Kong is the best place in the world. She can prove it.

BFF-Heather has been motivated by Hong Kong to get into the financial business...via a financial husband.

BFF-Heather thinks that not all Chinese people are bad.

BFF-Heather would have loved for time to stand still while she was in Hong Kong. She likens her feelings to those of residents of Hong Kong in the mid-90s who were loyal to the British Crown.

BFF-Heather thinks that Hong Kong is pretty darn tootin' alright.

You should go there.....and take BFF-Heather with you. It's what she would want.

One Story, Two Perspectives.....

One Continent, Two Vacations....

May I go to the John?

BFF-Heather is not overly-thrilled about the youngest kids we work with at our school. She deems them unstable.

I teach the two youngest classes at our school. She doesn't teach the youngest classes. I think I need to share an experience from class today since she is incapable of sharing any experiences from the youngest classes.

I have a class of 6 students. They are all 1st year English students. Whenever they want to go to the restroom, I am very strict about making them ask properly: "May I go to the restroom, please?" One of the girls, Ivy, enjoys being creative with this question. Whenever another student asks, "May I go to the restroom, please?" she immediately follows with something along the lines of, "May I go to the Zach Teacher?" or "May I go to the book?" or "May I go to the chair?"

Well, Ivy's question today was concerned with the little boy sitting next to her. His name was John. This is how things happened:

Juny: "Zach Teacher, may I go to the restroom, please?"
Me: "Yes, you may."
Ivy raises her hand.
Me: "Yes, Ivy?"
Ivy: "May I go to the john?"
I smiled. I laughed. I said yes.

BFF Interview

The following is an excerpt from an interview conducted by Zach McMahon with Heather Mitchell on July 19, 2009:

Zach McMahon: Good evening, Madamoiselle Mitchell. May I call you "Madamoiselle?"

Heather Mitchell: ...yes?

ZM: Good. So, I recently heard that you had the thrilling experience of riding in a car elevator for the first time ever today?

HM: Yes. Yes.

ZM: Would you care to elaborate?

HM: Yes, I would. It was fantastic.

ZM: Thank you. I think all of our readers feel much more enlightened about your experience today....

HM: ....it was fantastic AND exciting.

ZM: Okay. Thank you for being a very "to-the-point" interviewee. You make my job of editing your comments very easy. Now, there's been recent news about a new endeavor you and your BFF have embarked upon.

HM: hmmmm

ZM: Once again I ask, would you care to elaborate?

HM: Yes. (long pause) ummm.

ZM: Let me help you. You seem to be having difficulty putting your thoughts into words. You are a fan of current events. Right?

HM: Yes, I am.

ZM: So much so, that you've decided to devote a blog to the discussion of current events. Right?

HM: Yes, we have.

ZM: We? Who is this "we" that you speak of?

HM: My BFF and I. We blog.

ZM: And for those out there that may not know, who is your BFF?

HM: Zach.

ZM: Me?

HM: Yes.

ZM: Oh. That's exciting. What can readers expect to find on this new current events blog?

HM: Current events. Current events stories. Comments. Opinion, opinions....on current events stories.

ZM: Wow. That is much to be anticipated. Do you expect this blog to be popular?

HM: Yes. Very. We have good opinions.

ZM: I'm sure some of our readers are asking themselves this question right now: "Will Heather's comments and opinions be longer and more insightful than her answers to the questions in this interview?" How would you respond to that, Heather?

HM: Yes, they will.

ZM: I am sure that you have instilled a large amount of confidence in your readers with that...very long...and insightful....response. Now, where can we find this new blog?

HM: www.onestorytwoperspectives.blogspot.com

ZM: Wow! One Story!? Two Perspectives!? What exactly does that mean?

HM: It means that there is one story, but we have two different perspectives on that story. It's our BFFB theme.

ZM: Do y'all, or should I say, 'we,' always have two different perspectives?

HM: Yes.

ZM: So you are saying that the readers will NEVER find a story with 100% harmonious comments and thoughts on this new blog?

HM: Probably no. Probably, but... I wouldn't say never.

ZM: Haha. It seems like you might be stumped. Tell me, are others allowed to comment on stories they read at y'all's current events blog?

HM: Yes. Yes? No....yeah, right? Just yes. One yes.

ZM: Wow! Well, folks, I hope this interview inspires you to click on over to www.onestorytwoperspectives.blogspot.com right now and read, AND COMMENT, on the world's current events. I know I'm inspired. I can't wait to read about Heather's insightful thoughts on the world. Thank you very much, Heather.

HM: You're welcome.

Best Friends See Harry Potter

Tonight we went to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. It was FANTASTIC. We did not draw scars on our foreheads as maybe one Best Friend wanted to do more than the other Best Friend (and I think more than anyone else that went with us), but we had a great time. You see, above all else, this movie is about a small group of BFFs talking about their feelings (and fighting dark wizards). It was right up our alley, what with my Best Friend Zach's new dedication to sharing!

So: Harry Potter- Wonderful Movie, You Should See It With Your BFF.

Donkatsa (spelling variations acceptable)

I don't think this blog has discussed the importance of donkatsa enough. Honestly, I tend to neglect doing just that in my day-to-day conversations. Maybe I'll start having a daily discussion with my BFF-Heather on the importance of donkatsa. That's what BFFs are for, right?

I mean, that is what my BFF-Heather tells me. Sometimes she thinks that I don't understand what being a BFF entails. Maybe she's right. She tells me that one of the foundations that a BFFF (Best Friend Forever Friendship) is built upon is the simple/complex action of sharing thoughts and feelings.

I'm told that I don't do a good job of sharing my thoughts and feelings. Well, that ineptitude ends right now. Right now I am thinking about the delicious culinary delight known as donkatsa. And because that thought weighs heavily on my mind right now, I am going to share that with you. My sharing will not end here, though. The next time I see my BFF-Heather, I will proceed to share my thoughts on donkatsa with her.

Donkatsa - Is there anything not laudable about this delicious culinary treat? (rhetorical question) Second to the mighty Kimbab (or Gimbab, depending on the Konglish you choose to use), donkatsa is the greatest treat to come out of the eastern hemisphere. Donkatsa tastes good. It is usually always served with a nice splattering of side dishes. It tastes great. It is cheap. Its taste is not compromised by its low-cost. Similarly to my good friend, Ryan, it makes me a better me. Contrastly to my good friend, Ryan, donkatsa does its best when it is filled with cheese. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for Ryan. (We'll save that discussion for another post.)

Well, the time has come for me to end this post. Kimbab Chankuk beckons me. I hear they are running a special on donkatsa right now. I think they're calling it the, "Donkatsa is Special! Don't you know this!?" - Special.

TEAM DARTS - Part II

= AWESOME. Yes. It is.

Team Darts

= AWESOME!

Best Friends Celebrate our Friend's Birthday Week

Last week was our friend, Kim's, birthday week. Birthday week, bookended by 2 Birthday Weekends, contained many a memorable celebration. A few examples: We met Helen. We ate cake and played darts, which is very different from the usual not eating cake but still playing darts. We also played darts without eating cake. (Best Friends LOVE playing darts. Its what we do.) We went to the horse races. We drank cocktails in a bag. We ate lots of good food. And we went to jimjilbang. Our jimjilbang experience could be the ultimate BFFBlog experience. One story, two perspectives. I LOVE jimjilbang. My Best Friend Zach doesn't really love it. I also LOVE being in saunas. My Best Friend Zach also doesn't really love being in them. So it went like this: I went into every single room they had and ended up a sweaty mess and my Best Friend Zach hung out in the common area playing cards and doing the crossword puzzle. Two very different perspectives, right? That's how we roll. I think we were both glad that our friend Kim had such a fun birthday week, though.