A Punch Ponder:

Are there couples out there who are actually there to make us feel good about ourselves?

Remember the Sex & the City episode entitled the “Attack of the 5′9″ Woman”?  As Carrie was feeling less than sub-par when comparing herself to Big’s new fiance’, the gorgeous, model-like, shiny haired socialite, the question Carrie pondered was: Are there women out there who are there to make us feel badly about ourselves?  Well, after dealing with a personal situation about a week ago, I actually pondered quite the opposite:  Are there couples out there who are actually there to make us feel GOOD about ourselves?

Now, normally, as a single divorcee’ (who happens to have many friends who fall within this same category, as well as many who have not yet met Mr. nor Miss/Ms. Right), I would typically run for the hills when asked to attend a more “couple-ly” weekend event.  Yes, I know at my age, this is not a new concept, but it doesn’t make it any easier.  However, because I have such a special place in my heart for this particular couple, I was actually very excited to go. 

Say what you may, the single female in the two-by-two party isn’t always (nor usually) the Belle of the Ball.  She is usually the one that is 1) felt sorry for 2) glared at 3) thought of curiously as “what is wrong with her/what is her deal?” 4) discussed as a potential set up for any possible non-attached male within a 5 mile (or major market) radius.  Knowing this, I still decidedly went stag (that term still kills me) and breathed the biggest sigh of relief when I walked in and saw one of my favorite couples.

In my eyes, a “favorite couple” is a set of two individuals whom I genuinely enjoy separately, yet together, they seem to meld and transform into one super-human smarter, funnier, more successful, mega-interesting person.  “They” are not two, “they” are one.  “They” are stronger, bigger, and better together and their force of nature is positively powerful.

I seemingly attached myself to “their” hip(s) and spent the majority of the night conversing with them together and divided.  The other “favorite couple” was why I was even there, so I was thankful to spend time with them as well.  I was starting to feel blissful … it was almost like receiving homemade chocolate chip cookies fresh out of the oven.  As I was engaged in our chats, laughing and reminiscing, I started to realize the difference between the couples from whom I run and these friends. 

There are couples who actually do make us feel badly.  They are the ones who give us that look that clearly states “I hope she realizes she’s not getting any younger.  When will she settle down?  She needs to hurry up.”  Sometimes we are lucky to be the recipient of the old, “Don’t you think you need to find someone soon?  You are such a nice person.  What’s wrong?” or even: “It’s nice to have a career, but honestly, when are you going to have a child?” My personal favorite is when the two wrap themselves around each other, look you directly in the eyes as you sit hans solo across from them at dinner (because they always have to sit right next to each other so you feel like you are in the Spanish Inquisition) and spout: “We are SO happy together!  We have never been happier!  Just witness how happy we are. (kiss. kiss. giggle. kiss.)  Sigh. If only someday YOU could be as lucky as we are.”  Uh, yes, there are those couples like that out there.

But my friends, these favorite couples of mine, do not concentrate on what I don’t have and what they do have.  They concentrate on our friendship and how much we care about and for each other together.  They love my life and I love theirs.  We hold a mutual respectful appreciation for one another. 

That’s when I thought back on how many times I had actually been “that couple” in the past for a friend who was single, a friend who needed nurturing, a friend who needed maternal and paternal care, a friend who needed family-like caring, but in the form of two individuals, who together were stronger. 

I can honestly say, that while I am not currently part of a “couple”, I love the couples in my life.  As I have gotten older and hopefully chosen those in my life in a wise way, these friends continue to be more genuine, loving and true.  I am blessed to know them (you know who you are) and I thank God everyday to have these fantastic couples in my life. 

Philippe Cousteau Featured in Wall Street Journal Magazine

Check out the latest on Punch Community Partner EarthEcho International’s Founder & CEO, Philippe Cousteau, who was featured in the latest The Wall Street Journal Magazine:

http://magazine.wsj.com/hunter/tone/high-and-dry/

Philippe, we will see you on the rock climbing wall (or at least at Central … that’s more likely)!

(Pictured above: Philippe and mum Jan Cousteau.  Both are executives with EarthEcho International and continue to be very active in the mission of fostering extraordinary leaders to take action to restore and protect our oceans.)

To learn more about EarthEcho International and how you can be a part of this action oriented 501 (c) (3), please go to www.earthecho.org. 

This Week’s Birthday Wishes Go To:

Brendan Sullivan (who had one heck of a partay Friday night at Bobby Lew’s in Adams Morgan… yes, many of us are still recovering), Barry Broadway, Tiffany Carter, Matt Landsberg, Gina Scime, Maureen Umeh, Ashley Renwick, Tyler Beardsley and Wendy Adeler Hall of Punch Highlighted Partner Adeler Jewelers.

A special shout out goes to my old Tri-Delta pledge sister and roommate at Penn State - Kate Murphy Riggs. 

Wishing you all great health and wealth and apologies for anyone we may have missed!

Mix 107.3FM Broadcast Live Spot on Saturday the 13th

Come out to University Town Center in Hyattsville, MD to see Mix 107.3 FM’s Tommy McFly broadcast live from 10am - 3pm.  He will be taking your toy and dollar donations for the Toys for Tots Campaign the radio station is doing.

If you are out there and meet our friend Tommy, tell him the Punch sent you!

Saturday, December 13, 2008
10am-3pm
University Town Center
6525 Belcrest Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782

You can also still participate in the online auction as well:

http://www.mix1073fm.com/sectional.asp?id=29103

American Red Cross "National Day of Giving" Saturday, December 13th, 2008

Tonight is the "Little Red Dress Party" at Skye Lounge for the American Red Cross.  The cover is only $1 and you will receive drink specials all night. 

www.skyedc.com

If you are at Skye at midnight tonight, you will be a part of the "National Day of Giving" which is to benefit the Red Cross.  Please read the below information found on Facebook:

More than ever the American Red Cross needs your help in supporting the Disaster Relief Fund. In the aftermath of hurricane season, we know just how much it takes to respond to emergencies and how quickly those resources diminish. To rebuild the Disaster Relief Fund and to be better prepared to aid victims of natural disasters, the American Red Cross has launched a national fundraising campaign with a $100 million goal to conclude December 31st 2008. In order to boost the campaign, the Red Cross has named December 13th a National Day of Giving. On that Saturday, the Red Cross hopes that you will organize fundraisers in your community for the Disaster Relief Fund.
As the youth of the Red Cross it’s time for us to step up and Take the Challenge! Come up with a great fundraising idea or simply just get out there on December 13th in your Red Cross t-shirt to collect money, spread the word and create a buzz about the Red Cross.

You may be asking yourself, how big of a commitment is this? Be assured that it can be as little or as big as you want, know that any fundraiser will be more than fine: any contribution helps!

An easy and effective way to collect money is with a canister. Get together with a few people and go to a couple popular places around town and ask the public for donations, making sure to educate them about the cause. Get creative in your ask, maybe promise to dance for a contribution or tell a funny joke.

Whatever you are doing, we want to know about it! The National Youth Council of the Red Cross is challenging you to join us on December 13th! Think you have a great idea or that your group can raise the most money for the Disaster Relief Fund? Visit http://redcrossyouth.org/contests-and-scholarships/ to enter the challenge and win a great prize along with nationwide visibility for your efforts.
Also visit http://redcrossyouth.org for tons of helpful resources and marketing materials to help you maximize your efforts on December 13th.

So on December 13th, go out into your community and raise awareness for the Disaster Relief Fund, because remember: when you help the American Red Cross, you help America.

Holiday Punch Bowl Pick

Here’s another pick from our "Holiday Punch Bowl":

Check out MooJoo Ken on U Street for gifts for the women in your life.  In this hidden treasure of a store, you will discover silky patterned scarves with adorable matching bags and shoes, unique jewelry pieces and apparel by designers whom were chosen specifically to be carried in MooJoo Ken. 

The good news is, that even though when you typically think "design house" and "boutique", you may also think "pricey", but fortunately, everything is affordable and you can pick up some major deals in there.  What I personally love about these patterns is that they are named after areas found within our city (i.e. Foggy Bottom, Embassy Row, Penn Quarter and the like).  You will definitely stand out with these beautiful shoes, handbags, scarves and jewelry.

To sneak preview some of their lines, go to www.moojooken.com, but you must go into the store in person.  You will not be disappointed…and as always, tell them the Punch sent you!

1512 U Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
202.234.3140 ph
202.234.3141 fx
sales@moojooken.com

Kathlin Argiro’s White Graduation Dress Trunk Show at Fornash - December 13th & 14th

Saturday, December 13^th10 am – 5 pm

Sunday, December 14^th 12 pm – 5 pm

Come view the Collection and meet the Designer at

The Shops at Georgetown Park Mall

3222 M St., NW

Second Level- Suite W- 229

Washington DC, 20007

P) 202 338 0774

To book a private appointment with the designer, please contact:

Courtney@KathlinArgiro.com

P 212 268 8774

www.KathlinArgiro.com

BONUS! 10% off ALL Merchandise!

Facebook Groupie

If you are on Facebook, please don’t forget to join the "Pamela’s Punch Group" which was created a few months ago, but has grown to over 750 members now.  We have a goal of reaching 1,000 members by the new year! 

Thank again for your loyal readership, questions, comments and feedback (positive and um… not so positive). 

Tatiana Boncompagni Comes to Urban Chic

Join Vogue writer Tatiana Boncompagni in the chic upscale area of Bethesda Row this Friday evening from 6:30pm-8:30pm for a book signing, champagne and cupcakes.  The fashionista who has been pleasing loyal Vogue readers for a long time (her pieces have also found their way into the New York Times, Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal and InStyle) is a Georgetown University grad and very well respected in the beauty, fashion and social trends industries.

The novel is entitled Gilding Lily but get ready for her next one, Hedge Fund Wives (oooo… sounds juicy!) which will be published in 2009.

Urban Chic, 7126 Bethesda Lane, Bethesda Row - Champagne & Cupcakes

RSVP to 301.229.4883 or dcrsvp@thepattongroupinc.com

Library of Congress to Launch New Features to the Library of Congress Experience

With the upcoming inauguration, the Library of Congress Experience has been highlighted as one of the 44 free things to do in anticipation of the inauguration:

Today, Thursday, December 11th, the Library of Congress will unveil a series of innovative and interactive features that will allow visitors to seamlessly integrate the onsite experience in the Thomas Jefferson Building with the Library’s new online experience at www.myLOC.gov, a site that allows users to explore “bookmark” Library artifacts to help plan a visit, touch history and continue exploring the LOC after a visit. These new features build on the permanent Library of Congress Experience exhibition which launched this past spring.

The new features of the Library of Congress Experience will include:
·         Passport to Knowledge – Each visitor to the Library can now receive a Passport to Knowledge enabling them to scan and “save” artifacts from the collection while they explore the Library’s educational content and related materials onsite via interactive kiosks and, later, online at www.myLOC.gov. Each passport bears a unique barcode that connects to personalized accounts on the Library’s interactive companion site, www.myLOC.gov, which was recently revamped and enhanced.  As visitors physically and virtually navigate through the Library’s most treasured collections, they will be able to build their own collection of items of interest at myLOC interactive kiosks located throughout the Thomas Jefferson Building.  Upon returning home or to the classroom, visitors will be able to access their customized collections on www.myLOC.gov and continue exploring the Library’s vast resources online.

·        Knowledge Quest – The Quest is an educational adventure that lets visitors investigate unique artifacts from the Library’s buildings and exhibitions. As with their tour of the Thomas Jefferson Building, a visitor’s Knowledge Quest will also be able to continue online at www.myLOC.gov.

Since launching the “Library of Congress Experience” in April 2008, the Library has seen an overall 25 percent increase in visitors to the Thomas Jefferson Building.  This increase is expected to continue with the debut of the Capitol Visitor Center on Dec. 2 and the opening of new underground passageway that same day, which directly connects the U.S. Capitol to the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building. These are also great to check out on your next visit to the Library! 

http://www.prweb.com/releases/PassportToKnowledge/11202008/prweb1647044.htm