Snowed in!

I wish JT was here to enjoy the snow with me.

Work related challenges

Now that I have been working full time for over a week, a new set of issues and challenges have arisen as a result:

The Commute -- I must say, I really do miss my ten minute drive to my part time jobs, haha. To get to work, I need to travel about an hour from the "suburbs" of Virginia into the heart of DC. This involves catching a bus (which makes stops along my neighborhood), hoping on the yellow line, transferring to the red line, and then walking about 0.5 miles to my office. The first few days of my commute were a little shaky, but I have definitely gotten it down to a science now-- I'm usually out the door by 7:30 a.m. and back home by 6:05 p.m. My bus actually gets in at the Pentagon, so I get to see men in uniform and well-dressed Pentagon employees all the time. :) It definitely makes my morning.

Jason also gave me an idea this weekend that perhaps I can turn into a long term project involving my commute. I might start working on it this week, so we'll see. Maybe it will actually turn into something worthwhile.

Breakfast and Lunch -- Every day last week I have gone to Cosi for either breakfast or lunch and that is something which shouldn't happen. I am on a budget and recklessly getting food is not a part of it! I mean, my commute alone is around $6 round-trip, so I can't afford to be spending another $5-8 on Cosi. So tomorrow I am making a trip over to the local Trader Joe's to pick up bagels, cream cheese, and other things to make wraps, pasta dishes, etc. Saving money is a must right now and this has to be the way I do it.

This is the start of something good.

After a hectic week of packing and moving, I am now in DC and will start my job tomorrow. I'll try to blog more about it soon! :)

Good things come to those who wait.

Good news: I got the job and couldn't be happier! When I was at my interview, the director of admissions said that he truly believed that everything happens for a reason... And I think this situation exemplifies that idea. I had to wait six long months for a job, endure rejection after rejection so I could end up here-- getting a great job in DC like I have always wanted.

Falling in love.

There is something strikingly beautiful about Washington DC. I've been to a few cities here and there, and although they were exciting and lovely, I don't think they have made me feel the way DC does. As I was driving along Mass Ave and around the monuments, my face was literally plastered to the window. Gazing out at the lights was like some mesmerizing experience as my eyes were completely fixated on the things we were passing. The monuments are especially beautiful at night. In eighth grade, I remember traveling to DC for an overnight field trip-- I remember walking around the FDR Memorial at night and thought that was nice, but perhaps I was too young to understand. Driving around the heart of the city gives you a grander overview of the monuments in all their illuminated glory. When we were driving past the Washington Monument that's when I knew I was meant to live here.


My interview on Wednesday went well. After a hectic morning of driving and metro riding, I found the building with some time to spare. I had Cosi for breakfast and then made my way to the third floor to meet with HR and Admissions. Overall, I had a very pleasant experience and I am crossing my fingers that they will offer me this position. The more I think about it, the more I know that I want to work in higher education. My college experience has helped shape me into the person I am today and that would not have happened without the aid of my professors and all the professional staff that I've befriended along the way. I want to be able to do that for someone else... For the lost college student trying to figure out what they want from life and how to achieve it.

Anyway, hopefully I will hear from them within a week. I am so ready to start the next chapter of my life in a city that is so new and exciting to me.

Job search woes

I've been very anxious since Friday afternoon and I doubt this tightness in my chest will subside any time soon. I am going to D.C. tomorrow morning for an interview (on Wednesday) and I am scared to death. I know I can do this job, but I am afraid that if I keep my hopes too high, I will be so disappointed when I don't get the offer. Will thinking this way set me up to fail? I don't know, but to be safe, I am going to think positively for once. Wish me luck.

Driving back on Wednesday might be the worst idea I have ever had. We'll see...

I'm dizzy from all this spinning.

I have always felt like I was meant to do something beautiful. Perhaps that is too broad. I suppose what I am trying to say is that I feel like I am living a purposeful life, I need to fill it with worthwhile endeavors... like photography, art, dance and cooking. I want to be a part of something breathtaking.

Every day I spend at home is another day wasted. It's another 24 hours I cannot retrieve. And as hard as I try to do things that are meaningful, this environment stifles every creative urge I have. Waking up to footsteps from upstairs and the monotony of suburban life leaves me feeling empty. I am ready to take a leap. I am eager to start exploring a new city and meet new people.

Don't get me wrong, there are certainly things in my life that I am more than satisfied with. For instance, I am part of a relationship that is wonderfully simple-- yet at the same time, every day is a brand new adventure. I am very aware of who I am and who I want associate with. And I am lucky to have been where I've been.

But one day, I know I will achieve great things. Just wait, you'll see.