Better In Time

So I am a slacker about updating my blog...my apologies. Things are busy for me right now. I'm covering for my colleague who is on paternity leave as well as dealing with several issues with my apartment. I don't want it to sound like I am complaining, however. Things are going really well for me and stress at work kinda feeds my soul. Unfortunately, the stress can either feed me or make me snap. I am also the de facto leader of a project and, while I've found that I have risen to the occasion, it puts my patience at a razor thin level.

I've traveled a lot in the past month - Italy, North Carolina and New York City - so I'm just enjoying my time in the District. I love to travel and see my friends and I was so honored to be at my sister's wedding, but that being said, I enjoy being quiet at home, working on my needlepoint project. I find my addiction to crime drama shows, coupled with needlepoint calms my soul. Being alone in DC is quite different from being alone in Macedonia. I have access to a strong support network here that I can call on when I need it, which is different from my time in Skopje. I do not feel isolated here. I love my urban lifestyle, not needing a car or taxi to get around. The friends I have here understand the transient nature of my past and can appreciate that my "elevator speech" is still a bit convoluted because their speech is similar, about something different. I live in a young, professional city. I make a point to leave DC once a month for a couple reasons. The main reason is to gain perspective. The policy world here is such an echo chamber here. I forget that most Americans don't read Politico or know what CQ is. When I go to North Carolina, I am reminded that there is a different lifestyle out there and that the economic issues facing the country are real - not just statistics and something to spin one way or another, depending on the agenda or issue at hand. I could not live here and stay sane without leaving the area once a month. While I escape in my crime dramas and needlepoint/knitting projects weekly, the out of town excursions are a requirement for that reality check.

August is insanely busy for me. I am going to North Carolina next weekend. The following weekend, I am going to Nevada for a conference. Thank goodness there are pools and hot tubs to keep me away from gambling while I am in Nevada. I get back from Nevada and I have a guest from out of town staying with me right away. Add to this that my favorite person in the whole world, my grandmother, has congestive heart failure, and so my bags are constantly packed. She's 81 and has good days and bad days - you know how it is.

So you know, life goes forward, despite the mice eating the chocolate in the pantry, the eternal political initiatives. Realizing it will all happen, whether or not I check my blackberry and stay the extra time is something that I am learning to accept. All I can do is be present and notice the amazing hibiscus shrubs on my walk to work and be grateful for my health and amazing people in my life. That's what I do - take time to breathe and appreciate all I have because I am truly blessed. Until next post, my dear friends...

London Dungeon

It's almost July 4th and this city knows how to celebrate! I wish I did - while the fireworks display sounds amazing, the hundreds of thousands of people on the National Mall celebrating with me does not sound appealing. I'm sure I'll end up seeing it somehow though. I'm a fireworks junkie!

I returned from Italy last week. My sister married her boyfriend of 5 plus years in a civil ceremony in Umbria, near the city of Perugia. It was a fantastic week with my family - the last time we were all on vacation together was 10 years ago in San Diego, celebrating my brother's graduation from college. We saw Rome and Florence. What struck me is that Galileo, Michaelango and Machiavelli were all REAL people. Of course I read about them in my history books, but to see their graves and their respective works of art was just amazing. And a bit overwhelming. I would have to say that my favorite piece is the Pieta, in the Vatican. It is so simple, so beautiful, so sorrowful. I tried to get a picture of it, but it was too far away to get a great pic. The one regret I have is not purchasing the calendar of hot priests. I thought it was too ridiculous, but now, it seems like my wall is missing something.

Work was a fairly gentle re-entry. Today, I am still upset from the news that Palin resigned as governor of Alaska. I wish it meant she would go away, but, unfortunately I fear that we will only see more of her. She is not one to be underestimated, although her own ego may be her demise. I'm trying to not let it ruin my weekend. I really wish I could respect her, but I simply can't. The woman terrifies me. I am trying hard to not curse McCain for hoisting her upon us for the foreseeable future. She would still be in Alaska were it not for him selling out.