I can't stop listening to her

she is amazing.

little bits of wisdom

"Say it straight, simple and with a smile."

That really would make everything easier.

on repeat like whoa

don't say I didn't warn you.

The Staves

::goosebumps::

I remember what it means

You’re watching Stay Young, Go Dancing. See the Web's top videos on AOL Video

this is exactly what I've been looking for.

so this is what summer is about

I love this band more than words can describe. So much in fact that they inspired me to post after having been absent for about a month.

Big Bear Cafe

I don't know what took me so long to realize this gem was just down the street. I forecast a summer of balmy nights with a 90% chance of iced coffee and some serious philosophizing. Corny? Probs. Real? Definitely.

And when we got home guess what we did? Made an amazing dinner and watched the Spelling Bee = perfect evening.

Capitol Dome Tour

I am so lucky...I totally got the hook-up for a Capitol Dome tour (thanks, Ben). Yet another reason to love my new life:

 

Easter Brunch

I have had an awesome couple of weekends, and now that I have working internet I thought I would go ahead and post some pictures of said awesomeness:

So there you have it...a summary of Easter brunch in pictures. It was so nice to just cook and hang out with my new roommate and friends. I feel so lucky to be surrounded by such great people. Beautiful weather, good food, amazing friends, and mimosas...what more could I ask for?

Freedom

I may be one of the last people to read Freedom, but whatever, better late than never. Anyhow, maybe because I didn't have exhaustion to distract me, or maybe because these two excerpts were just that insightful...I don't know, but I'm going to share. Ready to have your mind blown? I thought so.

"They looked sullen or guilty, like lovers compelled to behave themselves in public. Or conversely, like people who hadn't settled on terms yet and were unhappy with each other. The situation merited careful monitoring either way."

So on point, right? Haven't you seen this before, or felt this way? It's as if he wrote about this from inside my head. Ok, now for #2...

"People came to this country for either money or freedom. If you don't have money, you cling to your freedoms all the more angrily. Even if smoking kills you, even if you can't afford to feed your kids, even if your kids are getting shot down by maniacs with assault rifles. You may be poor, but the one thing nobody can take away from you is the freedom to fuck up your life whatever way you want to."

Ok, now ask yourself how freaking true this is? It's so true...people have these ideas STUCK, completely ingrained in their beings and they refuse to let go of them. It doesn't matter what the truth actually is, or if by ignoring the truth they will hurt themselves...people don't care. All they care about is that no one else is telling them what to do. Wake up and stop being so selfish people, there are other people (not to mention animals/plants/etc.)that have to live on this planet too.

We are all visitors here.

I had a visitor, finally. Jeff flew out to see me in my new life. Living in DC is so crazy; every morning I walk in front of the Capitol building; I see Congressmen, reporters, and walk through metal-detectors at least 3 times a day. Everything is happening here, and I am smack in the middle. I had never imagined this would be my daily routine would be thus, but as always, life goes where it does without really asking your for directions. Having him here made everything so much more real. It's no longer a dream, he is now my witness.

Washington (and no, I don't mean DC)

I can't really remember where I left off, but I think it was before the staff-retreat on Bainbridge Island, WA. It was amazing to be home, Washington is by far the most beautiful state that exists. Where else do you have so much water, green, mountains, rainforest, and beach all within reach? Nowhere.

too soon to think about these?

I just found these bathers over at TeenAngster, and am already plotting about which one I'd like best (completely ignoring the fact that it's March and absolutely pouring outside).

So far these two are the winners:

Now you can pick which one you like best at Little Minnows Etsy shop.

Trees

Growing is Forever from Jesse Rosten on Vimeo.

I seriously am due for a camping/hiking trip. I love D.C., but the lack of green kills me.

Good weekend

I've been quite the social butterfly this past week..

Thursday: happy hour with friends at Bullfeathers on Capitol Hill.

Friday: happy hour with new co-worker at Capitol Lounge and slices of pizza (or slice rather, since I dropped one on the floor, got a new one, and then decided that I couldn't even think about taking another bite, and thus gifted it to a friend); slumber party at Scott/Kara's.

Saturday: Got coffee on my way home at Tanyan? Coffee was good, atmosphere was so so; headed to Eastern Market (where has this barrio been all my life) where I proceeded to get more coffee at Peregrino (BEST coffee in DC, pretty sure); Georgetown outing where I purchased my spring jacket from J.Crew, had some dinner with Maria Elena, and then watched a movie.

Sunday: I'm still sitting in bed, going to get ready and head to Dupont to wander around a bit and then meet up with Kara and Scott for a Clarendon excursion (Whole Foods, Williams Sonoma, rounded out by dinner at Restaurant Three).

room result

I tried to post these last time, but something was up with my puter...so we'll try this again.

re-decoration.

This last week was a bit crazy.

Amendments, amendments, and more amendments..how about we just do it right the first time?
Luckily, my soul was saved last night by Kara, Scott, pho, gelato, and a giggle fest with my two favorite DCers (they're both official now).

This morning, instead of heading straight home, I went for some Starbuck's; tall soy 2 pump hazelnut latte pleeease and thank you. Sat across the aisle from a man who was conversing with the man? across the table from him ala beautiful mind. Typical morning in Foggy Bottom.

I couldn't bring myself to head home just yet, so I wandered across the bridge to Georgetown, but turns out at 9:40 on a Saturday nothing but Barnes & Noble is open. I killed a good half-hour meandering amongst the rows of books looking for nothing in particular (already have a book I'm reading: Freedom by Jonathan Franzen, which is so far so good).

Finally it was a little past 10AM and I could go where I really wanted to: Anthro, J.Crew and Urban (deh). AND what a surprise I found a little something at each place. Two shams for my naked Ikea pillows. A rug for my bare wooden floor. And two shirts to welcome in the spring.

And now...shower?

just sharing

I thought these were gorgeous....



Found via Oh Joy!

ps
it's supposed to be almost 70 by Friday...what?

Back on track?

So I know I've been terrible about updating...I had had this idea that during this new year I would be better. Then I got so busy at work, so lethargic once I got home (when I did come home), and when I had a free moment all I could do was stare blankly at the wall while attempting to do something (ANYthing) productive.

BUT

During this "hiatus" I have accomplished many things: finished two books The Story of Edgar Sawtelle(super good) and A Thousand Splendid Suns (which I had avoided reading forever simply because it was so popular, there is a reason turns out); made friends out of new co-workers; got 'un-stuck'; re-connected with friends and family back in Washington state (by far my favorite accomplishment); and lastly, realized that I really like the person (adult?) I have become.

Thinking about the possibility that I am no longer a child freaks me out a bit, but mostly excites me. For the first time in my life I feel pretty much in charge of all things within my control. I figure out what I want and I go for it. No looking back. Reliving the past can be great, but only if you are looking at the positives. Otherwise, it is a complete waste. What is done is done, and no one can change the choices their previous self made, all they can do is learn from what happened and work toward becoming the person they hope to be.

Here are some random pics from my trip home:








Eggs Benedict from Genie's in Portland.
Montlake Bridge in Seattle.
Jeff's basement dwelling.

mi cuarto

Here are a couple of pictures of my partially finished room:

 

It's getting there...all good things are worth waiting for.

King Street

picture heavy

Awhile back on one of my weekday days off, I walked around, camera in tow, and took some pictures of Old Town, Alexandria. Looking at the pictures again, I think I have already begun to take its beauty for granted. So here's a little sneak-preview/incentive for those of you back home who have yet to visit...







more to come.