In recent times

Lots of visiting has been happening, and I love it! Two weekends ago, my parents came to town on Friday and Saturday to check in on my new life (ha) and more so to celebrate my mom's birthday. It was a great time, except I was bad about taking photos to document the visit. I did, however, get these:

Mom with some of her presents

Saturday lunch at Busboys and Poets

I wish I had gotten a photo at her birthday dinner on Friday night at La Tomate's Italian in Dupont Circle, but the food wasn't as good as you'd think it be.

This past weekend Amanda came down from New York to visit. BFFs for 10 years (literally!) and still kickin'. I love when we get together because we love the same things: food, excessive sleeping-in, more food, shopping, buying crap we don't need, going out and dancing ridiculously...you get the picture. Oh, and we love movies, even if the ticket-taker said we were "too early" and denied us initial entry to"No Strings Attached" (why is it $11 for a matinee?), which normally would be obnoxious, but I think we were quite delirious at that point it didn't matter. For the record, go see the movie, it's hilarious.

This weekend we were also asked not once but TWICE if we were sisters. This is quite amusing to us as we look nothing alike. Maybe it's all the Forever21/H&M coordinated clothing.

We went out in Georgetown on Saturday night which was my first time out in Gtown since moving to DC. I didn't take many pics, but here are some random ones from the weekend:

Amanda's poor "oops...wrong cookie" fortune

Cupcakes at Crumbs Bakery

Well, that was easy.

View from Sunday rooftop brunch

Soooo good. (I don't know why my potatoes look like raw beef mendalions in this photo?)

Needless to say, two excellenttttt weekends.

Three weeks and still kickin'

So I kind of suck for not updating more regularly, but I should have put a warning label on this blog anyway stating I'm not a huge blogger in the first place (weird as it is because I do love writing). But that's besides the point...and a possible excuse for my blogging laziness ;)

BUT, I do have a fun weekend to update! Eric flew up to visit me this weekend and it was super fun, especially because he had never been to DC prior to this trip, thus allowing me to play DC tour guide all weekend. Instead of writing about it, here's some snapshots from the weekend:

We had dinner at Logan's Tavern (in Logan's Circle, SURPRISE) on Friday night...it was wildly YUMMY. I had some of the best meatloaf ever. Go ahead and laugh at my entree selection, but I'm telling you, it was DELISH.

Drinks at Local 16...although they're unpictured here. Too bad we didn't get a shot of Eric's Gatorade-flavored drink (at least to my taste buds).

The obligatory White House shot

Downtown near my office plus a good view of the capitol building

Lincoln Memorial. The Washington Monument is supposed to be in the background but...

Ordered hot chocolate at Starbucks but took someone's cup of coffee. Oops!  Good thing we were using it as more of a hand warmer than anything anyway!

National Air and Space Museum

On the Mall...note Eric's awesome CIA toboggan haha

Monument in the evening

Dinner at Floriana's on Saturday night. Their food rocked! Love the guys next to us, too...

Starting Sunday off right with a trip to Chinatown

We ordered fried pig intestine at lunch (only as an appetizer, don't worry) just because we could. For anyone who is wondering...yes, it does taste just like crap.

Getting my Bonnie and Clyde on at the Crime and Punishment Museum

A picture says a thousand words, so I'll leave the weekend at that. It was awesome!

In other news, DC is getting its first "big kid" snow since I've moved here (got to leave work early, booyah) ...which, by the way, I was leaving Apex right about this time exactly three weeks ago to move here. Can't believe it's only been three weeks because I feel like such a Washingtonian already. I'm so happy with how my life is shaping out right now. All I have to say is that 2011 has rocked my socks and it's only January!!!

Busy bee

This week has been super busy. It's been a crazy week at work but I'm finally starting to feel completely adjusted and I love staying busy at work--makes the day zoom by! We had two big events in the middle of the week and I've gotten some exciting projects to work on, so I've been learning a lot and have enjoyed what I'm working on so far.

I've gone in early the last couple days though, so I'm excited to get to leave early tomorrow! :)

I did have a chance to get domesticated this week though...

Homemade chocolate chip cookies! (Cute apron courtesy of my favorite sissy)

Sorry for a short post, but just wanted to throw in a quick update. Excited tomorrow is Friday and even more excited for this weekend!

"How beautiful it is to do nothing, and then rest afterward." (Spanish Proverb)

How wonderful to have a weekend devoted completely to...myself! Okay, so that sounds a bit narcissistic. What I mean is that I'm totally loving have a weekend devoted to whatever I'd like to do--free of homework, work, and obligations. It's rare to wake up and have the whole day to do absolutely whatever you want (no less, in the nation's capitol!), so this weekend is a treat.

Speaking of treats, yesterday I treated myself with a little trip over to 11th and F street, also known as the block with my two life loves: H&M and Forever 21. I promised myself to only consider clothes I could wear to work (so I wouldn't feel so bad about purchasing them). To any fellow Forever 21'ers out there reading this, this is seriously the best Forever 21 store I have ever visited. Most I've visited, including the one I'm used to at Crabtree Mall in Raleigh, are massive, messy, unorganized, and just plain overwhelming. This location, on the other hand, is wonderfully organized (all three levels!) and clean. It's like Forever 21 heaven.

(It's kind of embarrassing I just wrote an entire paragraph about Forever 21. Hey, what can I say?)

I passed by the White House to say hi to my favorite DC neighbors after shopping:

I also picked up The Good Daughters, a book I've been wanting to read for a while and finally have some time to now. 

Today (Sunday) was wonderfully relaxing. I grabbed some free hot chocolate from my lobby first (I'm hopelessly addicted) and went down to the weekly Sunday morning FRESHFARM market in Dupont Circle:

 I had never been to a farmer's market in the city, and it was a fun experience. Lots of locals clad in their puffy jackets and cups of Starbucks with their cloth grocery bags ready to stock up on local meats and fresh produce. I was just window shopping (what do you call "window shopping" at an outdoor market?) but was tempted to buy some of the fresh bread since I do love my carbs. 

I had lunch at Chipotle (yum!). It's sort of down in a basement from street level and had a cute little view looking up and out:

After lunch I went to a Caribou Coffee in Dupont for a perfect Sunday afternoon: curled up in a comfy chair with a good book (and some good phone conversations). 

I also took the metro up to DC's one and only Target (also the only two-story Target I've ever been in). I love the city, but there's something about walking into Target that is so comforting. My favorite part of this trip was discovering the cart escalator, because you have to get your cart to the second story of the store, right? You just hook your cart into a step of the little escalator and it just rides right up alongside you. It's almost kind of hilarious. (Tempted to take a photo but decided I took enough random tourist-like photos today.)

The best part of today? Knowing I have tomorrow off too. I think I see some cooking and/or baking in my immediate future. 

Here's to catching up on some zzz's

YAY for a three day weekend! While I've had a great first week at work, nothing compares to getting to sleep in this morning.

After having so much going on in the last month and half and experiencing so many new changes, it's nice to finally settle down and fall into some sort of routine. Never did I think I'd appreciate monotony, but I seem to almost be embracing it right now (although I'm sure it'll get old by the end of next week, HA). I think the adjustment from a college student's schedule to a working 9 to 6er's schedule has definitely been noteworthy, but I know I'll get used to it soon. I've usually been somewhat of a decent night owl; I'm usually not tired until 1:00 or 1:30 a.m., but this week I've been ready to pass out by 10:30 p.m. I get home around 7:00 p.m. each night, so thanks to my new sleep schedule, this gives me approximately three hours of a "normal life" after work before I'm ready to completely zonk out. What gives?!

Today I'm planning to either go downtown or do some shopping. I think we all know what will win, but I'm trying to avoid shopping at all costs right now (pun intended). But it doesn't really count if I'm shopping for shoes for work, right? ;)

I'm also excited for Restaurant Week here in DC next week. I've already made reservations at an Italian restaurant in Dupont called Floriana for next weekend that has received great reviews online. YUMMMMMM.

Happy long weekend!

Time to Work, Work, Work

"If you are serious about your goals, drop the conditions. Go directly to your goal. Be your goal! Why not just take charge and create the experience you are looking for?" (Eric Allenbaugh)


I love this quote because it defines exactly how I felt as I trekked in the freezing DC early morning yesterday to my first day of work at the Partnership for Public Service. I felt like I have worked so hard to come to this moment where I am. Finally, the endless hours of staying up late writing papers, studying, internships, GPAS...EVERYTHING...all culminated to yesterday. It's funny how you spend so much time in college "preparing" for the real world, and then suddenly it's like you're dropped there on a busy street at 7 a.m. and you can't believe you're finally there. 


A first day of anything--internships, summer jobs--make me nervous, but I think I felt a completely new sense of anxiety this time around. Not only have I given up a lot and made so many changes to be here in DC for this opportunity, but this isn't the after-school job or part-time internship, this is my 5 day/40 hours a week opportunity, and I had absolutely no idea what I was walking into. 


(Note: this next paragraph includes a heinous amount of detail and embarrassing giddy excitement over trivial aspects of my first day, so read on with a forewarning duly noted.) 


I had to be in at 8 a.m., so I left my apartment excessively early in case the metro was late/the walk took longer/etc. My office is in the historic Greyhound building downtown on New York Avenue (see a pic here) I have to say one of my favorite parts of the day was walking into my building and waiting at the elevator in my trench coat and heels alongside all of the well-dressed businessmen clad in expensive suits and black leather briefcases (and thinking: hey, I work here too!) 


My office is on the 10th floor and has an incredible view! I was impressed by the office right off the bat--very modern and hip. I met some of the other fellows and was briefed on using my computer and its program as well as the phone system. (Is it sad I was excited to have my own direct phone line?) 


We had an office-wide staff meeting (about 90ish people there altogether). I spent the day meeting tons of people, learning the ropes, lunching with my supervisor, and just getting acquainted in general. I think my favorite thing about the Partnership so far is how incredible the people are! Seriously. Not only are they all super friendly and welcoming, but I was impressed by their backgrounds, intelligence, and clear passion for what they do. I'm so excited to work in such a positive, creative environment where you are valued as a worker and encouraged to set high goals for yourself and take advantage of the many opportunities and experiences offered. 


Last night I was exhausted after adjusting to the "work world" schedule very different to my flexible college schedule where I was running to different classes, jobs, etc. throughout the day. I love the "grown-up work world" for many reasons though:

• Having my own workspace. There is just something to having your own little minicubicle with your own computer and all of your own stuff around it. A lot of people are turned off by being at a desk for the good majority of their day, but there's something about it I really like. 
• Office clothing. If you know me, you know I love clothes, and I love the opportunity to wear little heels and a cute top. (Don't judge.)
• Office mates. I love having people to chat with all throughout the day. Makes it more fun. 
• Working on your own time. In college (and way back when in school), you're constantly under others' time, like your professors. You can only eat during this time because you have class the rest of the afternoon, and you can't text in this class because your professor won't allow it. In comparison, I like the trust and independence you are given while working. No one cares if you eat a quick snack while you're working, and (for the most part) can work at your own pace. 
• SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST: no homework to come home to! I can't tell you how awesome it is to finish your day at 6 pm, and really be finished. For the last couple years I've been in an environment where you may finish class and work, but you still have a paper, reading, and a project to work on when you get home. I have to say one of my favorite things is coming home after work and have the opportunity to kick back and relax. 

Speaking of kicking back, I think I might just go and do that...

P.S. We finally got some snow here in DC, but nothing compared to those good ole' Boone blizzards. :) 

New Apartment, New Home (Warning: Lots of photos!)

I am loving my new apartment. It's gorgeous, in a great location, wonderful roommate, and has great amenities. I live on 16th Street right off historic U-Street. It's a nice 15 minute walk to Dupont Circle which I absolutely love since Dupont has so many great restaurants and shops. (Dupont is also my second closest metro station so I think I'll be doing that walk a lot.)

The building itself is controlled access and has a nice big lobby area and front desk. On the day we moved in we also explored some of the rooms on the lobby floor where you can go to relax or hang out that have big comfy chairs, fireplaces, and complimentary hot chocolate and coffee (I'm planning to take advantage of the free hot chocolate every morning on my way to work...) However, my favorite part is the grand piano right when you walk in that plays music 24/7. I've never seen an electronically played piano (it reminds me of a ghost playing it), but it makes me laugh every time I walk into the building.

Here are some photos:

Front lobby where you walk in (note the self-playing piano on the left)

Lobby (see my elevators in the back?)

My room

Living room

View from the balcony

On Wednesday night my mom, Emily, Thomas, and I left Apex around 8:30 p.m. (after Emily had gotten off her shift at work) and drove about 3 hours of the way to DC. Anyone who knows me knows that I have a ton of stuff, so four people + one car + all my crap was a lethal combination for a five hour trip:

Mom was a good sport and carried my little TV on her lap the entire trip :)

We stopped at a cheap hotel that leaned on the sketchy side to spend the night. I guess when you stay at a cheap place these days, they don't even put on the sheets for you anymore...

We drove the remainder of the trip on Thursday morning and arrived to my new place and quickly moved all my stuff up those to those little suitcase buggies/trolleys. Afterward, we went to lunch with my roommate Ivy:

I couldn't think of a better place to live as I start my journey in DC!