Fabulous

I am pet-sitting this weekend. Just me, Tony (the chocolate lab), Kiwi (the cockatiel) and the boys (2 orange kitties...can't remember their real names). I am really both enjoying being alone and, well, feeling alone! I went to pick out a mattress set today and bought loads of groceries. I've been on this health kick and so there were lots of veggies and fruit. I am also buying for 4 people (including me). Everything was on sale at the store - I saved almost 25%, but still spent lots of money. I like grocery shopping, especially when I am not hungry. I tend to make better food choices and buy less random stuff, like weird beans or something. Any how, being able to drive around, sing in the car and do what I want when I want has been a real treat. I realize how lucky I am that I don't have to think about any one else when I make decisions like buying a mattress set. I can pick what I want.

My life has been in transition for at least a year and a half. I am finally feeling a sense of stability creep into my being. It is strange because I knew when I was managing the law firm, that wasn't "it" for me, but I never really understood that, even then, my life was in transition. On Wednesday, the first day I am officially earning money at my job, is when I can finally say I've arrived, in a sense. This is what I have been searching for. I work at a job where I love what I do and it fits, both in terms of the work and the people I work with. While I was at the firm, I adored my colleagues and they adored me, but my work in no way satisfied me, except when I was challenged to learn something new or given a new level of responsibility. While I know this feeling of newness will not last forever, this is what I have sought my entire life. I no longer feel shiftless or like running far away, trying to escape. I'm here. I don't seek meaning outside any more. Here's to hoping this stays with me and that I can hearken back to this feeling when I have a craptacular day. Cheers!

Drive_Blind

Today is not my day, but here's to hoping it improves. I got to work an hour late, through no fault of my own (I wish I had overslept!), the metro door almost closed on me and some random guy in a suit is yelling outside my building about them wanting to commit him or something. I think he is trying to protest something, but he is effectively ensuring that most people will agree with the party that wants to commit him. I wonder if he is still out there. He seemed really angry. Also, there is some posting that there is going to be an explosion near the Key Bridge for a movie. This is my first experience with living in a city where everyone fears terrorism (for good reason) and proactive attempt to not freak everyone out. It is something I never thought about - shooting a movie in DC where things blow up on screen. We were graced by the Jolie_Pitts a couple weeks ago while she shot some scenes in Georgetown. They should film scenes in my new neighborhood. It has character too, you know!

I am going to file my taxes to day and, much to my chagrin, I cannot claim the earned income tax credit because I lived outside of the country for 7 months last year. I know it is only $170 (yes, I am that poor), but any amount helps when you are broke! I will resist committing tax fraud in order to ensure my confirmation hearing in years to come will go smoothly. I also realized that last year, I paid more in Philadelphia city tax than to the feds or the state. I am sure DC taxes are worse than Philly. I guess I'll know soon enough! Rumor has it they are 10% of my gross income. Yikes!

Finally, I anticipate my day blowing up due to the House and Senate releasing their budget proposals at some point. I've been reading up on Sen. Conrad's proposed cuts so I have some general idea of what to expect. I am also very interested in what the Republicans are going to do. It would be nice to see something proactive as opposed to just nay-saying. We'll see what their housing proposal looks like and hopefully they have some counter budget proposal of sorts.

These_Things

I am so excited! First, I was officially offered a job here at my internship so as of April 1st, I will have my first full-time, full benefits job since I worked for the State of Colorado back in 2003. That's right, I have been self-insured and had no 401k almost my entire working life. But now, all I will have to pay for is co-pays! This is so exciting for me.

Add to my excitement that I found a fantastic apartment and now, all I have to do is be approved by the leasing company. I am nervous, just because they want 2 pay stubs and, well, I don't have that yet. I have an offer letter, which should be sufficient for now...this apartment is EXACTLY where I want to live, in a neighborhood called Meridian Hill. Meridian Hill is half-way between Adams Morgan and the U Street Corridor. Click here to see the link to the park just down the street from my apartment. I'll have my own bedroom and full bathroom and my new roommate seems really great, fun and responsible. Please keep your fingers crossed the leasing company picks me. This is what I was looking for in my future dwelling. My friend, Sarah, saw the place with me and she said "make an offer" right after we walked in. It just works.

Ok, back to work. Just think, in a week and a half, I'll be getting PAID for what I do :)

American_Girl

I think it is kinda funny when I read a job announcement for the position: gender-based violence coordinator. I know what they are trying to say; however, I think the position title should be, ah, re-evaluated. I can see the cover letter now...

In other news, I should know tomorrow if my internship turns into something where I am paid, a real person! Imagine! I am so nervous. I know I have the job if they have the money. It's not like they created a position for me - they are already operating short-staffed. I have no control over the situation...so nervous...I hope I can sleep tonight. Last thing I need is my insomnia rearing its ugly head. I've been able fall asleep recently, however my dreams have been horrible and weird. Not nightmares, but horrible none the less.

My weekend was really fun and too short. I bought a beta fish to be my office, and so far, only, pet. His name is Edward Sweeny after Johnny_Depp characters. You've probably guessed that my fish is incredibly handsome and talented, just by his name. He has spots on his bottom fin and looks fantastic in his new zen aquarium. He rode the metro TWICE and I am considering knitting him a bag so I can carry him around to visit the sites of DC, similar to my blue purse. I kept the container I brought him to work so we have options. I'll have to upload the pictures of the purse and the sites soon.

Paranoid_Android

So there is a bit of depressing news on the job front: the article in USA_Today that the feds, states and counties/cities are being swamped with job applications. A lot of the applications are from highly-qualified individuals. Add the anecdote that the FBI received over 227,000 applications for 3,000 openings and it gets staggering. I will keep trying, not to worry, but it is not encouraging.

In brighter news, the security guard downstairs is going to bring me homemade Ethiopian food for lunch one day. She is so nice. Every time I leave the building, except at the end of the day, I ask if I can get her anything - she is stuck at the desk for hours at a time. Well, yesterday, she insisted that I have some of her lunch with her - the Ethiopian bread and some spicy vegetarian puree. Oh my, it was so good. So she said sometime, she will bring a whole meal for me, but that she doesn't want to tell me which day in case she can't follow through. How wonderful is that? I am trying to think of how to thank her properly when the time comes. I can guarantee that it will not involve my culinary skills. Maybe flowers or something....I dunno. Oh, I could knit her something!

Circle_in_the_Sand

I am still chugging along in my internship and am still very happy here. I had a bit of a morale booster today when some of the edits/suggestions I made on a colleague's paper were included in the final write-up. It is silly - I am contributing regularly to weekly publications, but still, this felt good. It validates me as a professional and as a writer.

In other news, I am suffering from serious insomnia. I think I need to switch out my pillow and consider over-the-counter sleeping aids. I have slept for less than 5 or 6 hours for the majority of last week and, so far, the majority of this week. It doesn't matter so much on the weekends because I don't have to be coherent, at work by 9 am. I have problems with falling asleep and feel as though I sleep very lightly, albeit with strange dreams, once I am asleep.

There isn't much else of an update. Not a single place I have applied to has even acknowledged that I applied, let alone offered me an interview. I am in transition and need to continue to be patient with the process. That being said, it is really difficult to not be living independently at my age. I am so grateful for what I have, but I am ready to find my place in this city. I think it will be in Adams Morgan. More on that when I can move from dreaming to reality.

People_Are_People

There was something totally boring I wanted to report on, but now, I can't remember what it is. I am still actively seeking work, i.e. a paid job. We had a snow day yesterday and I applied for 3 positions. I see LOTS of ramen noodles and cheerios in my future, but I must do my time. There is a chance I'll get hired on where I am at, but I need to be actively pursuing income outside of my organization.

Tomorrow night, I am going to a knit night with my friend, Sarah. I taught her how to knit this weekend and I think I successfully hooked her! The knit night is at a local yarn shop in Alexandria. I've decided that I prefer the Northern Virginia suburbs to the Maryland suburbs, by the way. It is a constant debate here - Md. or Va. I still plan on living in DC proper once I am gainfully employed, however, that being said, one must think into the future when it may not be just me I have to take into account. Raising a family in the city may not be possible. But let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. A job is my next step.

High_and_Dry

Why am I not surprised that the EU will not bail out Hungary? The EU is a fantastic idea when the eastern countries are doing well for themselves. I am not surprised that Western Europe is not quick to rescue Hungary because there is considerable EU expansion fatigue (thanks to Bulgaria and Romania) and, quite frankly, a sense that Eastern Europe (with the exception of Prague, maybe) is not like Western Europe and, therefore, not as deserving. Eastern Europe is immature, only 20 years or so free of grip of the USSR. This grip was imposed by the USSR as it marched through Eastern Europe en route to Germany. We failed to support the Hungarian uprising in 1956, even though our rhetoric gave hope to those resisting Soviet control. Once again, Eastern Europe is being punished for its geography and history. The EU is a great idea when the economies of its member states is booming. Now is the real test of its values. So far, I am not sure if it is passing the test. Click here to read the Wall_Street_Journal article about the decision to not bail out Hungary. What does it mean to be European? Is the promise of EU expansion an empty promise because when things get economically dismal, it's every country for itself? What is going to keep countries that do not have a history of democracy from turning their backs on the EU, and therefore their commitments to openness if they see that the old members are going to favor each other at the expense of the newer members? I would like to think that the people would demand their governments continue on the paths to rid themselves of corruption and where, instead, there is a true level of transparency. Unfortunately, my experience leads me to think otherwise. My experience is that the all this transparency is top down, not grass roots up, therefore, there is no accountability. Democracy is not a universal value, despite what Reagan told you. Don't believe me? Democracy and freedom from tyranny are not the synonyms, contrary to what often insinuated. Go spend some time in Macedonia. Democracy in our global community is learned and takes generations to instill. It's not that the people don't want to trust their government, they just don't and it is for very good reason. It isn't that every politician or government worker is corrupt per se, it's that, for years, you HAD to be a party member to get anywhere and there is a strong history of corruption. For many years being involved in politics was a means to an end, the end being job security. Today, sure, you have decent voter turn out and "free and fair elections", but dig deeper. Are people just showing up and voting free of coercion a demonstration of democracy as a societal value? I don't think so. There has to be ownership by the citizens. That is the difference between democracy as an idea in action and democracy as a value that society shares. The citizens I talked to do not hold their government accountable or actually believe they can make a difference by getting involved. You could say the same about many people in America, before the election of Obama.