Welcome back!

Today I commented on a friend's blog (Happy Anniversary Brandon and Lindsay!) and it used my blog ID to post. All that did was remind me how long it's been since I posted. I had such good intentions when starting this. I thought it would be a good way to keep friends and family updated with what was going on in my far away DC life. Unfortunately it only works if you take the time to update your page. I think part of my problem is I think I need to have something earth shattering to be post worthy. And when something does happen, I don't take the time to write about it but then it seems odd to post about it weeks or months later.

Here's a brief life update:
I'm still living in DC and loving it. I've finally unpacked all my boxes, but there's still a pile of picture frames on the floor waiting to find a home. I'm still at the same job, and that's actually where I met my amazing fiance. We're planning a September wedding followed by a very relaxing beach honeymoon. Even though I live significantly closer to the ocean, I have yet to go since moving. Hopefully that will change this summer. As of October, I am now an aunt to the world's cutest baby. Seriously, this girl is adorable. I've found a church I really like and am being challenged and encouraged by my community group. A few friends and I have started our own book club. The meetings may not be consistent and on topic, but at least we're reading! For the first time since I was 10, I'm playing softball this summer. The team doesn't mind that I'm terrible since we're in the noncompetitive division of the work league.

I'm going to make an effort to be better at posting. I know this was brief and didn't flow, but at this point, a bad post is better than no post.

An oldie but goodie - out to dinner last summer

I told you she was the cutest baby in the world

Come and Gone

I have been dreading one day for the last two years – July 3, 2009. That is the day I turned the big 2-5. Now I know for most people they don't think twice about turning 25. I'm still young and seemingly have my whole adult life ahead of me. But that's what has bothered me the most. The age 25 has so much meaning. I've always felt that was an “adult” age. Granted, I've been out of school and living on my own for three years now but having to say, “I'm 25” seemed like a big deal. By that time in life you're supposed to know where you're going, what you want, have a life plan and have started on your way.

Well, as you know, July 3, 2009 has come and gone. There was no dramatic shift in the universe. The day started and ended, just like any other. I didn't wake up with a giant weight on my shoulders. As the day went on, I didn't feel like now that I was 25 my life had less meaning. I guess I just had to realize that it really was just a number.

Eastern Market

I love my neighborhood. I do. I love the old row homes, the short walk to restaurants and shops, the Eastern Market, seeing the Capitol everyday, people walking dogs, children in the park and even the buckled brick sidewalks that sometimes make me lose my shoe. After I found this apartment, I found a video of the neighborhood online. I remember wishing it wasn't filmed in winter so it'd be more aesthetically pleasing. However, I now find myself thinking about it as I walk around the winter scene from the video and singing the song in my head. I've realized that this video captures the Eastern Market I've fallen in love with. Like a picture from a first date. Spring will be here soon, and I can't wait, but I just wanted to take the time to share with you my winter love.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBlhb9wSYmA

I'm Still Here

I'm finding that I'm terrible at keeping this updated. I find myself thinking, "what is worthy of a post?" but then not writing anything. I do plan on posting about the inauguration, but I haven't sorted out my thoughts yet. I'm setting a goal of having it posted next weekend. Wish me luck!

Official D.C. Girl

I live in Washington, D.C. and have the driver's license to prove it. I went to the DMV today and officially switched from a Hoosier to a Washingtonian.

Now to some people that might not be a big deal, but hours later, I'm still trying to let it sink in. I've lived here almost two months already, but the time has been a blur. I've been so busy going here and there and trying to get things done that I haven't really thought about the fact that I moved 10 hours away. This new place is my home. I may have no idea how to get to a Wal-mart, but I live here.

After leaving the DMV I just sat in my car and stared at my ID. It had my name and face on a strange backdrop with a funny address listed. (It's not as bad as the passport picture, but it's by no means flattering.) Since I never changed my ID when I lived in New Albany, for all legal purposes I still lived in Camden. I've had the same* address for over 24 years.

Don't get me wrong, Indiana will always have a special place in my heart, but it's now switched to the place I grew up. I'll always be a Mid-western girl at heart. Just this past weekend I heard a family on the Metro trying to figure out if they were on the correct train. I went over, explained the map, and told them which stop they needed. I even waved as they found their way out of the station. If that's not a Mid-western thing to do, I don't know what is. But at the same time, I do understand the Metro. I guess I am a Washingtonian.




*Technically my address changed when we got 911. You are missed Rural Route 2.

A Few Of My Favorite Things

My work day started like any other second day at work. I had nothing to do without my computer so I was reading a book. (For the record, in the afternoon I started a project that I don't need a computer to do. I didn't know those still existed). As I'm reading, my telephone rings. Normally this would be an ordinary occurance, but since I just started it was my first phone call. It was the branch secretary saying she'd received some boxes with both of our names on them. That could only mean one thing - they were my boxes from J'ville!

On my last day at work, I boxed up my manuals, files and some personal items into three boxes that were to be sent to my new office. I went down the hall to claim them. I loaded them onto a cart and headed back to my desk. I then realized that I was beaming. I couldn't stop smiling. I was that excited to get my things. I couldn't wait to open them and find MY Processing Manual, with it's special tabs and well worn Must BL lists; MY Edit Specs, with a tab for every letter making it so easy to find what I'm looking for; MY files that may not make sense to anyone else; MY notepad that I've had since the first day that has more doodles than notes, MY double picture frame with family pictures in it; MY calendar of The Office; and MY picture of Novak (yes, even he made the move). It was like Christmas! But better because you know all your favorite things are inside. Imagine!

What I find the most amusing was that others noticed my joy as well. It just couldn't be contained. I readily admitted to my new cubicle neighbors that I was so happy to have my things and that it really was like Christmas. I think they were definitely amused. I know that I can be animated sometimes, but this was different. I was calm, but just very happy.

This got me thinking, why was I so excited to get these boxes? I had all my apartment belongings delivered yesterday and wasn't nearly as excited. It's simple. These items represent home to me. I have spent more waking hours with the items in these 3 boxes than I have anything in my apartment. These items being in my new cube help bridge the gap from my time in the J'ville office to the time I will spend here. Yeah, my day to day activities will look different, but I can still reference the same binder of forms when I have a question, or flip to the exact spot I need in a manual, or find what time zone North Dakota is in.

Now if only my co-workers from J'ville would magically appear up here too... I have Molly's school picture on the right side of my cubicle since I can no longer look to my right and see her wonderful mother Jessica. I 'saw' Craig at my metro stop coming home from work. I catch myself thinking that the guy behind me is Nathaniel and he'll see me squirming around in my chair bored. I flipped to the picture of Misty and I from her Christmas party in my album. And I was so happy that Steph sent my boxes on time I almost called her. (I didn't because it was close to 4 by the time I was free, but don't worry, it'll happen soon.)

So to sum it all up, today was a good day. I made a big step in making DC feel like home. Even if it took bringing some of J'ville here. Who would have thought I'd find that place comforting?

I've Arrived!

I made it! I am sitting in the living room of my new DC apartment as I write this. It's kind of unbelievable really. I can't wait to get everything unpacked, get all settled in and make this place my home. I feel like there's so much to write about, but nothing at the same time. I'll be thinking of things to post, but for now, just know that I'm so excited to finally be here.