Happy Memorial Day weekend! Judy, my Irish friend who lives in New York City, is coming to stay with me for the weekend. This is her first trip to DC and we are going to be tourists! I anticipate seeing Arlington National Cemetery, the Vietnam Vet's Wall, and the Mall in general. I think the military memorials are especially significant this weekend and I anticipate loads of tourists.
Things are going well. I got a crazy sunburn last weekend in North Carolina. It's peeling now - ew! But the beach was fantastic! I hope I get to go back to the beach soon - any beach!
Work is going well and I am reading up on immigration policy right now. The immigration debate prolly won't take place until next year, if then. It is such a divisive issue, although it will definitely be partially addressed in the health care reform process...
I have had a tough week because I suddenly realized that my sister is moving to Europe on Sunday. She gets married in June! I've been in denial about her departure across the pond. I know we'll figure it out, but I am still really upset. I can finally not cry when I say that I am sad she's leaving so I am making progress...
that's all for now! Have a wonderful weekend!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Rebel Rebel
Hello! Sorry I have been gone for sooooo long....things have been movin' and shakin' in my life. Big news is that I have almost received 3 full paychecks and I live in an apartment in DC! I love my new place, my roomie and I get along fantastically well and I walk to and from work most days (1.4 miles each way). Once the humidity and heat fully kick in, I'll re-evaluate walking home, uphill.
I've figured out how to get involved in my neighborhood and will be heading off to my first meetings at the end of this month. My zip code is the most culturally diverse zip code in the city and my ward has the most economic diversity. My street is fairly quiet and I've only had to kill one huge bug on my floor so far - this morning. I have no clue what it was but it did not look like something I want crawling on me or my stuff. I still have loads of boxes in my room - I moved all my things out of my Philly storage locker last week and am still trying to figure out where to put/store items.
I'm traveling a lot these next few weeks. I'm off to the beach in North Carolina this weekend and at the end of the month, I'm heading out to Colorado for the weekend. In mid-June, I'm going to Italy for a week to be in my sister's wedding. It's all very exciting.
I've found a great group of friends here and am enjoying work. I've learned a lot and will try to update more frequently. Don't give up on me! Sorry it's been so long :)
I've figured out how to get involved in my neighborhood and will be heading off to my first meetings at the end of this month. My zip code is the most culturally diverse zip code in the city and my ward has the most economic diversity. My street is fairly quiet and I've only had to kill one huge bug on my floor so far - this morning. I have no clue what it was but it did not look like something I want crawling on me or my stuff. I still have loads of boxes in my room - I moved all my things out of my Philly storage locker last week and am still trying to figure out where to put/store items.
I'm traveling a lot these next few weeks. I'm off to the beach in North Carolina this weekend and at the end of the month, I'm heading out to Colorado for the weekend. In mid-June, I'm going to Italy for a week to be in my sister's wedding. It's all very exciting.
I've found a great group of friends here and am enjoying work. I've learned a lot and will try to update more frequently. Don't give up on me! Sorry it's been so long :)
Saturday, March 28, 2009
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!
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!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, March 23, 2009
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 :)
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 :)
Monday, March 16, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
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!
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!
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