Must make it through the week to end up in Minnesota! I can't wait to go home to spend 10 days there, yahoo! This week seems to be dragging along, but in general, I am amazed how quickly time seems to move. I mean, I am not currently particularly busy, but the days seem to go pretty quickly. Interesting. I don't have enough to do at work which makes time go slow, but in general, holy crap it is almost Christmas!
More drama with Tricky Date, but I will spare you all the details. The funniest part was when I told Tricky Date I wasn't sure if I wanted to go out with him again he responded with, "So, are we breaking up?" which confused me because as far as I knew, I wasn't in a relationship. Apparently, I was wrong, ha ha ha!
Tonight I went on one of my fabulous reflective strolls and listened to Coldplay just like old times when I would do the same thing in St. Peter and walk all around the boring streets behind Arborview. Aww, such memories. Coldplay really is the best music for reflective strolls.
As I am leaving town on Friday, I have to eat all my fruit before I go. That means I have to eat six oranges, a banana, and two apples in two days. Pretty much all I am going to eat is fruit.
12.19.2006
12.14.2006
I'm sure you guys will appreciate this post almost as much as the last one...
Today was the annual SOI holiday party. We paid $22 to have a fancy lunch at the nearby hotel and socialize. Then, the real "party" began. Everybody migrated over to Kelly's Irish Times, a local pub around the corner from our building at 4pm.
From 4pm onwards, bosses were buying everyone drinks, and everyone was tipping back beers, shots, wine, you name it. My bosses were yelling and swearing and it was awesome. Pretty sure I drank a shot of patron with all my coworkers. Top shelf liquor for top shelp people!!! After a pint-sized vodka cranberry and another unidentified shot, I was done with the alcohol, but stayed and enjoyed my tipsiness until 7pm. Therefore, our work holiday party extended for 6 hours and I saw half the crazy people in my office tanked and they were all buying me drinks. HOT.
Best work party EVER!!!!!!!!
Today was the annual SOI holiday party. We paid $22 to have a fancy lunch at the nearby hotel and socialize. Then, the real "party" began. Everybody migrated over to Kelly's Irish Times, a local pub around the corner from our building at 4pm.
From 4pm onwards, bosses were buying everyone drinks, and everyone was tipping back beers, shots, wine, you name it. My bosses were yelling and swearing and it was awesome. Pretty sure I drank a shot of patron with all my coworkers. Top shelf liquor for top shelp people!!! After a pint-sized vodka cranberry and another unidentified shot, I was done with the alcohol, but stayed and enjoyed my tipsiness until 7pm. Therefore, our work holiday party extended for 6 hours and I saw half the crazy people in my office tanked and they were all buying me drinks. HOT.
Best work party EVER!!!!!!!!
12.13.2006
I hope you are all ready for the recap of the worst date ever. I doubt anyone can top how ridiculous Tricky Date II went. I really shows I have no judgement in men. Here are a few select quotes that might tell you how awful the 65 minutes I spend with Tricky Date were:
Tricky Date: "I didn't get to the bank to put in my first paycheck and I'm kind of low on funds. Could you lend me a few dollars?"
Me: "No. I don't have any cash." (internal monologue: you cheap-ass IDIOT!)
Tricky Date:"Do you want to go out to dinner then?"
Tricky Date:"Republicans are just better politicians then Democrats."
Me drawing an imaginary line across the table: "You can't go past this invisible line."
Me: I think I am pretty maxed out on the political topics. It is good learn from other people though.
Tricky Date: I am pretty sure I will convert you by next election.
Me: Did I ever tell you that when I was in India for the 2004 election, we took a voodoo doll of George Bush and lit it on fire?
Tricky Date: Okay, let's figure out something else to talk about. Baseball? Basketball? Wait no, you're a girl. Shopping.
So there you have it. I was marginalized as a woman for not wanting to talk about sports, I was told my political party were shitty politicians, he asked for money, AND AND AND at the end of the night he asked me if I would drive him home even though I walked to our date. IE we walked all the way back to my apartment and I drove his sorry ass back home.
LUCKILY my roommate Joy does stand-up comedy and is bringing me with so I can go up on stage and tell everyone about this horrific event. YES!!
Tricky Date: "I didn't get to the bank to put in my first paycheck and I'm kind of low on funds. Could you lend me a few dollars?"
Me: "No. I don't have any cash." (internal monologue: you cheap-ass IDIOT!)
Tricky Date:"Do you want to go out to dinner then?"
Tricky Date:"Republicans are just better politicians then Democrats."
Me drawing an imaginary line across the table: "You can't go past this invisible line."
Me: I think I am pretty maxed out on the political topics. It is good learn from other people though.
Tricky Date: I am pretty sure I will convert you by next election.
Me: Did I ever tell you that when I was in India for the 2004 election, we took a voodoo doll of George Bush and lit it on fire?
Tricky Date: Okay, let's figure out something else to talk about. Baseball? Basketball? Wait no, you're a girl. Shopping.
So there you have it. I was marginalized as a woman for not wanting to talk about sports, I was told my political party were shitty politicians, he asked for money, AND AND AND at the end of the night he asked me if I would drive him home even though I walked to our date. IE we walked all the way back to my apartment and I drove his sorry ass back home.
LUCKILY my roommate Joy does stand-up comedy and is bringing me with so I can go up on stage and tell everyone about this horrific event. YES!!
12.09.2006
love it!
Here's how it works:Open your music player (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, etc).Put it on shuffle.Press play.For every question type the song that's playing.When you go to a new question press the next button.Some songs will fit perfectly.
Opening Credits: Stop- Spice Girls (HA!!)
Waking Up: Lucky- Lisa Loeb
Falling in Love: Der Nicht Denkt Zuruck- The 16 Choir (Bach)
Fight scene: Ganja Breed- Sean Paul
Breaking up: The Stage is Set- Singing in the Rain Soundtrack
Getting back together: Sky Starts Falling- Doves
Secret Love: Track 8 from Turkish Summer Hits
Life's okay: Youri Mrakadi (Arabic)
Mental breakdown: You Are My Lucky Star- Singing in the Rain
Driving Flashback: Gotham City- R.Kelly
Partying: Andy, You're a Star- The Killers
Happy dance: Get Ur Freak On- Missy E and Nellie Furtado Remix- PERFECT!!
Regretting: La Valse des Monstres- Amelie Soundtrack
Long night alone: Fly Me To The Moon- Frank Sinatra
Death Scene: It's OK- Tracy Chapman
Credits: Yeh Mera Dil- American Desi Soundtrack (Hindi)
I'm waking up to the Spice Girls and listening to French, Turkish, Arabic, and ending in Hindi pop. Yep, sounds about right....
Opening Credits: Stop- Spice Girls (HA!!)
Waking Up: Lucky- Lisa Loeb
Falling in Love: Der Nicht Denkt Zuruck- The 16 Choir (Bach)
Fight scene: Ganja Breed- Sean Paul
Breaking up: The Stage is Set- Singing in the Rain Soundtrack
Getting back together: Sky Starts Falling- Doves
Secret Love: Track 8 from Turkish Summer Hits
Life's okay: Youri Mrakadi (Arabic)
Mental breakdown: You Are My Lucky Star- Singing in the Rain
Driving Flashback: Gotham City- R.Kelly
Partying: Andy, You're a Star- The Killers
Happy dance: Get Ur Freak On- Missy E and Nellie Furtado Remix- PERFECT!!
Regretting: La Valse des Monstres- Amelie Soundtrack
Long night alone: Fly Me To The Moon- Frank Sinatra
Death Scene: It's OK- Tracy Chapman
Credits: Yeh Mera Dil- American Desi Soundtrack (Hindi)
I'm waking up to the Spice Girls and listening to French, Turkish, Arabic, and ending in Hindi pop. Yep, sounds about right....
12.07.2006
12.05.2006
The RKB challenge!!
Tomorrow is the IRS bake sale to benefit our "adopted families" (needy families where we buy their Holiday dinners and all the presents, new sheets, groceries, new clothes). It should be a stellar day. The best part is that I am entering my Peanut Butter Rice Krispy Bars (RKBs is what I call them) into the Rice Krispy Bar contest. These Washingtonians are not used to the delight that is known as midwestern rice krispy bars with the chocolate frosting molded together by peanut butter! I will show them!!!!! The best part is that the winner gets a $10 gift certificate to Starbucks. See why I am so excited? I deserve to win, because anyone who makes two batches of RKBs that end up looking delicious with this much counter space deserves a special prize in and of its own:
In case you were wondering, there is maybe 24 inches of counter space, so props to me!
Can I get a YUM YUM?!?!
In other news, I am finally done with the myriad of rehersals for AU Choir. We had our three concerts last weekend and I am finally done. How ironic that my concert was on the same weekend as C in CC. Being in a sucky choir REALLY makes you miss the one you used to be in. It was so sad not being there, but it sounds like everyone had a great time anyway.
There have been a lot of public transportation and general creepy public mishaps in these past few days. Yesterday a guy sitting near me in the metro started having a seizure (sorry, Toni, ceasear) and it was scary-tacular. I didn't remember a word of what I learned in CPR, but I think it basically revolves around the fact that if someone is having a seizure, you need to get them away from anything that will hurt them. Luckily, this guy stopped convulsing but was most definatley not conscious (conshuss). The entire red line was stopped at metro center while people in my car started screaming for a doctor on the platform. I felt pretty helpless, and let's face it, there are not going to be any doctors at Metro Center. Well, hopefully he ended up okay. We deboarded the train into a pandemonium of people, so I momentarily went to Macy's until the drama was over.
Then, as I was walking to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics building today at lunch (it's across the street from me) a creepy big black dude was mumbling some strange words (I'll use a word from Music of World Cultures, "vocables") and he just kept walking towards me and then leaned over towards my face and made drunken kissy noises, whereupon I said "Get away from me!". he walked away and didn't actually touch me but I was a little creeped out. I realized I maybe should buy mase or something. However, I live in DC, and walk through numerious securities every day, it will just get confiscated!! So what is the point! Creepy. The creepy people can smell my Minnesota Nice from a mile away. I think I just need to scowl on the street, apparently. I obviously need to be more gangsta. I should have bought that Rocawear shirt...
Okay, I must be productive now and start my Christmas cards! Only 20 more days until Christmas! Luckily I have a chain-linked countdown at work!
In case you were wondering, there is maybe 24 inches of counter space, so props to me!
Can I get a YUM YUM?!?!
In other news, I am finally done with the myriad of rehersals for AU Choir. We had our three concerts last weekend and I am finally done. How ironic that my concert was on the same weekend as C in CC. Being in a sucky choir REALLY makes you miss the one you used to be in. It was so sad not being there, but it sounds like everyone had a great time anyway.
There have been a lot of public transportation and general creepy public mishaps in these past few days. Yesterday a guy sitting near me in the metro started having a seizure (sorry, Toni, ceasear) and it was scary-tacular. I didn't remember a word of what I learned in CPR, but I think it basically revolves around the fact that if someone is having a seizure, you need to get them away from anything that will hurt them. Luckily, this guy stopped convulsing but was most definatley not conscious (conshuss). The entire red line was stopped at metro center while people in my car started screaming for a doctor on the platform. I felt pretty helpless, and let's face it, there are not going to be any doctors at Metro Center. Well, hopefully he ended up okay. We deboarded the train into a pandemonium of people, so I momentarily went to Macy's until the drama was over.
Then, as I was walking to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics building today at lunch (it's across the street from me) a creepy big black dude was mumbling some strange words (I'll use a word from Music of World Cultures, "vocables") and he just kept walking towards me and then leaned over towards my face and made drunken kissy noises, whereupon I said "Get away from me!". he walked away and didn't actually touch me but I was a little creeped out. I realized I maybe should buy mase or something. However, I live in DC, and walk through numerious securities every day, it will just get confiscated!! So what is the point! Creepy. The creepy people can smell my Minnesota Nice from a mile away. I think I just need to scowl on the street, apparently. I obviously need to be more gangsta. I should have bought that Rocawear shirt...
Okay, I must be productive now and start my Christmas cards! Only 20 more days until Christmas! Luckily I have a chain-linked countdown at work!
11.30.2006
11.29.2006
11.27.2006
The best part about Minnesota is the airport. I can tell you because I spent 4 hours waiting in DC to catch my plane, because I got there super early for a ridiculously long security line that did not exist. However, when I flew out of Minnesota to come back, I had extra time at MSP, nd not only did I eat Dairy Queen for breakfast (delicious!) I also had some delightful powerade (lemon lime). Regan National also sucks because I walked right through security with a half full Dr. Pepper and no one even noticed slash stopped me. Hmm....
On the way back to DC, I had to sit by a small child with turets and/or autism. He was the child from hell. It didn't help that I didn't know he had any disorders until the flight was over and he semi-attacked a lady who gave his mom the dirtiest look. The mom snidley apologized and said she was sorry but "that he couldn't help it. He has.....", but didn't finish the sentence. Too bad his thrashing, kicking, and inability to listen unless closely watching the Wiggles annoyed the living crap out of me. If the mom would have told me right away he had issues I wouldn't have gotten so mad. Let me just say, those disorders are terrible and I don't want to wish them on anyone, HOWEVER, I basically wanted to strap him to the chair. I would like to publically thank the Wiggles for producing a child-quieting DVD that was almost two hours long. I couldn't not have survived without you.
In Minnesota I did all the classic Minnesotan things: drove a Chevy while listening to Polka music (thanks for letting me borrow the car G-pa), baked banana bread, eat turkey, to go Target, and get Cafe Cravings. It was great to be home for four days, but not I am even more excited to come home for Christmas when ALL my best MN pals will be there.
I also got to hand out with my pals from MF. WOW I really miss working in the buying office. It was SUCH a good lunch at 700 express (delicious!) and seeing them was great. I think stuff is stressful there right now, but as soon as I get more used to working at the IRS hopefully it will be just as rewarding as MF. I doubt it will ever be as fun, but it will be academically rewarding.
I think I have strep throat or some tonsil disease. They have been swollen for a week now. It would help if I knew a good Doctor out here. CRAP!!
The AU choir concert is this weekend, which is STELLAR because I am so sick of this stupid choir that I am kissing it goodbye. Too bad I will be kissing classes and stress hello, but they will FO SHO be better than the stupid AU chorus. It is kind of sad to have been in such a good choir in college, because none will ever be even close to as fun or good.
I have the song "Stuntin' Like My Daddy" and "When You Come Back Down" by Nickel Creek in my head. What a variety. I heart Nickel Creek and just put them on my new iPod from my old computer at home. SO good! I am thinking of making a play list of really sad songs, but I don't want to just get sad listening it so I am taking suggestions to making a sweet ghettotacular mix.
We's out.
On the way back to DC, I had to sit by a small child with turets and/or autism. He was the child from hell. It didn't help that I didn't know he had any disorders until the flight was over and he semi-attacked a lady who gave his mom the dirtiest look. The mom snidley apologized and said she was sorry but "that he couldn't help it. He has.....", but didn't finish the sentence. Too bad his thrashing, kicking, and inability to listen unless closely watching the Wiggles annoyed the living crap out of me. If the mom would have told me right away he had issues I wouldn't have gotten so mad. Let me just say, those disorders are terrible and I don't want to wish them on anyone, HOWEVER, I basically wanted to strap him to the chair. I would like to publically thank the Wiggles for producing a child-quieting DVD that was almost two hours long. I couldn't not have survived without you.
In Minnesota I did all the classic Minnesotan things: drove a Chevy while listening to Polka music (thanks for letting me borrow the car G-pa), baked banana bread, eat turkey, to go Target, and get Cafe Cravings. It was great to be home for four days, but not I am even more excited to come home for Christmas when ALL my best MN pals will be there.
I also got to hand out with my pals from MF. WOW I really miss working in the buying office. It was SUCH a good lunch at 700 express (delicious!) and seeing them was great. I think stuff is stressful there right now, but as soon as I get more used to working at the IRS hopefully it will be just as rewarding as MF. I doubt it will ever be as fun, but it will be academically rewarding.
I think I have strep throat or some tonsil disease. They have been swollen for a week now. It would help if I knew a good Doctor out here. CRAP!!
The AU choir concert is this weekend, which is STELLAR because I am so sick of this stupid choir that I am kissing it goodbye. Too bad I will be kissing classes and stress hello, but they will FO SHO be better than the stupid AU chorus. It is kind of sad to have been in such a good choir in college, because none will ever be even close to as fun or good.
I have the song "Stuntin' Like My Daddy" and "When You Come Back Down" by Nickel Creek in my head. What a variety. I heart Nickel Creek and just put them on my new iPod from my old computer at home. SO good! I am thinking of making a play list of really sad songs, but I don't want to just get sad listening it so I am taking suggestions to making a sweet ghettotacular mix.
We's out.
11.21.2006
11.20.2006
things I am TA thankful for
#1- "Rob" my excellent strength "borrowed" wireless signal for my laptop.
#2- Any drivers of the J9 who actually stop for me, as opposed to making me run 50 feet every morning.
#3- The IRS water club. I am drinking water like a fish now-a-days. Go kidneys!
#4- The Rockville Target- thanks for always having the best Smartones (minus the Ziti which you always seem to be out of) and plentiful ramp parking. Tears are actually welling up in my eyes right now.
#5- The Starbucks close to my work and the barista who always gives me extra syrup and a medium when I order and pay for a small. Yeah (sexy back style)!
#6- My family and friends who I miss A LOT LOT LOT!
#7-The Smithsonian. You killed a lot of boring and hot-as-hell days before my work started.
#8- Sugar free pudding. I eat you basically every day.
#9- "The points system". Good nutrition here, people!
#10- iTunes. You let me download every ghetto-tacular song I could ever want for a mere $.99, thanks pal!
#2- Any drivers of the J9 who actually stop for me, as opposed to making me run 50 feet every morning.
#3- The IRS water club. I am drinking water like a fish now-a-days. Go kidneys!
#4- The Rockville Target- thanks for always having the best Smartones (minus the Ziti which you always seem to be out of) and plentiful ramp parking. Tears are actually welling up in my eyes right now.
#5- The Starbucks close to my work and the barista who always gives me extra syrup and a medium when I order and pay for a small. Yeah (sexy back style)!
#6- My family and friends who I miss A LOT LOT LOT!
#7-The Smithsonian. You killed a lot of boring and hot-as-hell days before my work started.
#8- Sugar free pudding. I eat you basically every day.
#9- "The points system". Good nutrition here, people!
#10- iTunes. You let me download every ghetto-tacular song I could ever want for a mere $.99, thanks pal!
11.16.2006
Good work Blogger, it was about time to hook yourself up with some Google lovin'. I can't think of a website more than Google, but Wikipedia and IRS are a close second. I hope you enjoy my bloggies new look.
Tomorrow is Friday, thank HEAVENS because this whole actually working 5 days in a week is cramping my style. Luckily, I am going home in a mere five days to see the fam and friends and be able to collect the rest of my long lost posessions that I have been void of these past months (cough my black Enzo boots and my black KC handbag, cough, cough). I wish I could take my crockpot and other printer on the plane, but I am sure that trick-ass TSA would obviously think that a crockpot was some type of detinator. Honestly, me flying out of DC for T-giving, could be the nightmare from hell, so let's just hope it goes okay.
This morning was quite the commute. Somehow, the power went out on the metro so the train couldn't move on part of the track. Once we got to a certain station we all had to get off the train and want for the power to be restored and to get on another train, whilst rushes of completly impolite and neandrathal people try to rush the train. Ridiculous. Then I missed my stop and had to take the metro back one stop. It was a definate blonde moment but I SWEAR the train skipped the Judiciary Square stop!!!!!!! All in all, I left home at 6:50 and got to work at 8:10. BOO! I get a little confused about the metro, because it is really nice and pretty expensive in terms of public transportation, yet something is broken every day. There has yet to be a day when all the escalators and elevators worked. To make matters even funnier, I was running up the escalator at the Bethesda metro station, and it is the world's longest escalator. I was gonig the walking up thing for exercize, but pretty sure I lost my shoe. Lucky for me the woman behind me who almost ran info me due to my abrupt stop handed me my shoe. I am not sure about you guys, but there is no way in God's green EARTH I would pick up a stranger's shoe. SICK.
Tonight I made italian salad and pudding so I am golden to eat for circa three days. I eat the same things over and over again and it is really sad: lots of diet caffeine free soda, italian salad (veggies tossed in italian dressing with noodles), cheesecake flavored pudding (delicious!), milk, and tons of lean cuisines. Sad, but true. Luckily I bought Nutella a few days back and that stuff is ridiculously good. I think I am going to ban myself from buying it again because I have been putting Nutella on everything from pretzles to bananas.
I am starting to get really excited for Christmas. I want to see DC all decked out for the holiday season. It still seems like September out here to me because of the weather, so it is strange that I saw wreaths at Union Station today when I was wearing flip flops. KYA?! I will be pumped to go home to a MIDWESTERN CHRISTMAS with delicious food and snow and cold and cars and parking and crazy midwestern accents. I called my MN bank today and laughed when I hung up becuase the woman had such an accent. BWA HA!
I have to go download some Luda. I am creating the ultra-ghizetto mix for cruising in my car when I go to Target. I have priorities people...
Tomorrow is Friday, thank HEAVENS because this whole actually working 5 days in a week is cramping my style. Luckily, I am going home in a mere five days to see the fam and friends and be able to collect the rest of my long lost posessions that I have been void of these past months (cough my black Enzo boots and my black KC handbag, cough, cough). I wish I could take my crockpot and other printer on the plane, but I am sure that trick-ass TSA would obviously think that a crockpot was some type of detinator. Honestly, me flying out of DC for T-giving, could be the nightmare from hell, so let's just hope it goes okay.
This morning was quite the commute. Somehow, the power went out on the metro so the train couldn't move on part of the track. Once we got to a certain station we all had to get off the train and want for the power to be restored and to get on another train, whilst rushes of completly impolite and neandrathal people try to rush the train. Ridiculous. Then I missed my stop and had to take the metro back one stop. It was a definate blonde moment but I SWEAR the train skipped the Judiciary Square stop!!!!!!! All in all, I left home at 6:50 and got to work at 8:10. BOO! I get a little confused about the metro, because it is really nice and pretty expensive in terms of public transportation, yet something is broken every day. There has yet to be a day when all the escalators and elevators worked. To make matters even funnier, I was running up the escalator at the Bethesda metro station, and it is the world's longest escalator. I was gonig the walking up thing for exercize, but pretty sure I lost my shoe. Lucky for me the woman behind me who almost ran info me due to my abrupt stop handed me my shoe. I am not sure about you guys, but there is no way in God's green EARTH I would pick up a stranger's shoe. SICK.
Tonight I made italian salad and pudding so I am golden to eat for circa three days. I eat the same things over and over again and it is really sad: lots of diet caffeine free soda, italian salad (veggies tossed in italian dressing with noodles), cheesecake flavored pudding (delicious!), milk, and tons of lean cuisines. Sad, but true. Luckily I bought Nutella a few days back and that stuff is ridiculously good. I think I am going to ban myself from buying it again because I have been putting Nutella on everything from pretzles to bananas.
I am starting to get really excited for Christmas. I want to see DC all decked out for the holiday season. It still seems like September out here to me because of the weather, so it is strange that I saw wreaths at Union Station today when I was wearing flip flops. KYA?! I will be pumped to go home to a MIDWESTERN CHRISTMAS with delicious food and snow and cold and cars and parking and crazy midwestern accents. I called my MN bank today and laughed when I hung up becuase the woman had such an accent. BWA HA!
I have to go download some Luda. I am creating the ultra-ghizetto mix for cruising in my car when I go to Target. I have priorities people...
11.15.2006
I am going to start by saying thie is my 100th Blog post. YEAH!!!!!!!!! I was looking back at some of my blogs from last year. Getting ready to go to law school, starting my job at Marshall Field's, grad school, moving out here, starting at the IRS. Life has really changed in 2005-2006. Surely the most eventful time in my life thus far.
Today after work I went to IRS happy hour. It wasn't one of those "all office" forced happy hours, but a select crew that I was happy to be invited to. We had a really good time and I heard all about the illustrious debaucherous activities of the IRS Christmas party where people get crunked by 6 pm and go home stumbling. SERIOUSLY I was shocked. I am pretty pumped to go.
The other new thing is that I am PUMPED for my classes to start in spring. Unfortunatley, I have them both on Thursday night which means I work from 7:30-5 and then have class from 5:30-10:40. Pretty sure I might die, but hopefully I will sneak in a sandwich and a catnap somewhere so I don't fall asleep whilst learning.
It is sad that I am excited for the season finale of Laguna Beach. It is even more sad that I am more excited to go to sleep.
Today after work I went to IRS happy hour. It wasn't one of those "all office" forced happy hours, but a select crew that I was happy to be invited to. We had a really good time and I heard all about the illustrious debaucherous activities of the IRS Christmas party where people get crunked by 6 pm and go home stumbling. SERIOUSLY I was shocked. I am pretty pumped to go.
The other new thing is that I am PUMPED for my classes to start in spring. Unfortunatley, I have them both on Thursday night which means I work from 7:30-5 and then have class from 5:30-10:40. Pretty sure I might die, but hopefully I will sneak in a sandwich and a catnap somewhere so I don't fall asleep whilst learning.
It is sad that I am excited for the season finale of Laguna Beach. It is even more sad that I am more excited to go to sleep.
11.09.2006
11.08.2006
Something quite interesting happened today.
I was tricked into going out on a date.
How, you ask might that happened?
At orientation at AU I met a dude who shall remain nameless. As this was in July, and I was looking for housing in DC, he mentioned that he might know someone with a room. I gave him my phone number. He called me once or twice to see if I found housing, but I had. I hadn't seen him until class in August when we exchanged very average small talk.
He sends me a text message today asking how I was ya da ya da ya da. He asked if I wanted to get coffee. I told him that was fine. He knew I was on the train coming home from work. I thought we would get coffee some time in the near future (so I could prepare!), but instead, he was waiting for me when I got off the train. I didn't really want to go out tonight, but I already told him I had a four day weekend and had no excuse good enough to tell him in person. KYA?! Apparently he has just gotten off the train as well and he wanted to get coffee NOW. Umm. Okay...
Well we walked a block and coffee turned into dinner. It turns out he is a pro-life Republican (sorry for all my GOP friends, but VOMIT)who had to say a lot about the election. A lot. He talked all the way through our dinner (which was surely more fancy than your average TGI Fridays). He actually said "God Bless George Bush" three separate times. OH GOD.
I had to leave dinner. I am not going to judge someone on their political views and he was totally open to mine, HOWEVER, I wasn't planning myself for such an intellectually/politically stimulating dinner (ie I was going to eat Healthy Choice whilst watching Laguna...). We then went into Barnes and Noble so he could get change for the metro. He actually tried to make a move in the "new to paperback" section. KYA?!?!?!?!?
I would like to present hints to be a better first-dater (although I am OBVS not an expert)
#1) Let your date know in advance, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!
#2) Don't say coffee and mean dinner
#3) No using pet names before the date begins (especially Sweetie Pie which is REALLY outdated)
#4) Don't talk about politics and dominate the entire dinner conversation, especially when your date looks tired and is at the complete opposite end of the political spectrum.
#5) If your date has their elbow on the table and their chin resting in their hand, it means they are so tired of you talking that they don't want to hold their head up.
#6) Don't do all pre-date conversation via text messaging.
#7) Never make a move in the ENTRANCE to B&N.
So anyways, he is a nice guy and very smart, which is hot, but still. The creep-up date was, well, creepy. There MAY be a possibility for a second chance, but we will see. Oy.
I have a four day weekend now. Love the Federal Holisdays and getting a day off every other week. HOT!!!!!!
I was tricked into going out on a date.
How, you ask might that happened?
At orientation at AU I met a dude who shall remain nameless. As this was in July, and I was looking for housing in DC, he mentioned that he might know someone with a room. I gave him my phone number. He called me once or twice to see if I found housing, but I had. I hadn't seen him until class in August when we exchanged very average small talk.
He sends me a text message today asking how I was ya da ya da ya da. He asked if I wanted to get coffee. I told him that was fine. He knew I was on the train coming home from work. I thought we would get coffee some time in the near future (so I could prepare!), but instead, he was waiting for me when I got off the train. I didn't really want to go out tonight, but I already told him I had a four day weekend and had no excuse good enough to tell him in person. KYA?! Apparently he has just gotten off the train as well and he wanted to get coffee NOW. Umm. Okay...
Well we walked a block and coffee turned into dinner. It turns out he is a pro-life Republican (sorry for all my GOP friends, but VOMIT)who had to say a lot about the election. A lot. He talked all the way through our dinner (which was surely more fancy than your average TGI Fridays). He actually said "God Bless George Bush" three separate times. OH GOD.
I had to leave dinner. I am not going to judge someone on their political views and he was totally open to mine, HOWEVER, I wasn't planning myself for such an intellectually/politically stimulating dinner (ie I was going to eat Healthy Choice whilst watching Laguna...). We then went into Barnes and Noble so he could get change for the metro. He actually tried to make a move in the "new to paperback" section. KYA?!?!?!?!?
I would like to present hints to be a better first-dater (although I am OBVS not an expert)
#1) Let your date know in advance, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!
#2) Don't say coffee and mean dinner
#3) No using pet names before the date begins (especially Sweetie Pie which is REALLY outdated)
#4) Don't talk about politics and dominate the entire dinner conversation, especially when your date looks tired and is at the complete opposite end of the political spectrum.
#5) If your date has their elbow on the table and their chin resting in their hand, it means they are so tired of you talking that they don't want to hold their head up.
#6) Don't do all pre-date conversation via text messaging.
#7) Never make a move in the ENTRANCE to B&N.
So anyways, he is a nice guy and very smart, which is hot, but still. The creep-up date was, well, creepy. There MAY be a possibility for a second chance, but we will see. Oy.
I have a four day weekend now. Love the Federal Holisdays and getting a day off every other week. HOT!!!!!!
11.05.2006
Recent Happenings as of Late:
I was bored on Saturday so I went to go see the movie "Flags of our Fathers". I wish I had something better to say about it but it was completly forgetable.
All the best mugs were 50% off at Caribou so I got a sweet thermos that seals and I can put in my work bag. This may sound inconsequential, but I have been raiding Filene's Basement for one FOREVER and they were never there, so to get the good kind was really stellar.
I went to K Street lounge again this weekend. This is the first time in my life I have been out dancing twice in two weeks. Sad. We had a good time even though the TA coat check is $4.
I went to Tyson's Corner today and that is a sweet mall, yeah!! =)
Today was extremely unproductive. I woke up at 10, ate bfast, took a shower, watched tv, took a nap, went shopping and came home. At least once I was home I did laundry and cleaned my room, but still! At least I have a FOUR day weekend coming up! Holla!
Better get off to bed (again) so I can wake up to be my best economist-self!
All the best mugs were 50% off at Caribou so I got a sweet thermos that seals and I can put in my work bag. This may sound inconsequential, but I have been raiding Filene's Basement for one FOREVER and they were never there, so to get the good kind was really stellar.
I went to K Street lounge again this weekend. This is the first time in my life I have been out dancing twice in two weeks. Sad. We had a good time even though the TA coat check is $4.
I went to Tyson's Corner today and that is a sweet mall, yeah!! =)
Today was extremely unproductive. I woke up at 10, ate bfast, took a shower, watched tv, took a nap, went shopping and came home. At least once I was home I did laundry and cleaned my room, but still! At least I have a FOUR day weekend coming up! Holla!
Better get off to bed (again) so I can wake up to be my best economist-self!
11.01.2006
Recap of the IRS Halloween Party
-I tied for the closest guess for the game of "guess how many pieces of candy are in the jar" so I won 68 pieces of candy. As I have ZERO willpower, I left all of it at work, but kept the delightful glow-in-the-dark ghost bucket. It kind of reminds me ot those buckets you used to get your Happy Meal in around Halloween, does anyone else remember those?
-Although I didn't win the raffle, the person who won the 2nd prize Starbucks gift basket hates coffee and since she knew I loved it she gave it to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OH YEAH! The entire SOI (Statistics of Income) division of the IRS now knows I am obsessed with Starbucks.
-We had delicious punch that is infamous in our office. How "The Office" is that?
Tomorrow I am going to actually cook myself Chicken for dinner. JIGGA WHAT?!?!
-Although I didn't win the raffle, the person who won the 2nd prize Starbucks gift basket hates coffee and since she knew I loved it she gave it to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OH YEAH! The entire SOI (Statistics of Income) division of the IRS now knows I am obsessed with Starbucks.
-We had delicious punch that is infamous in our office. How "The Office" is that?
Tomorrow I am going to actually cook myself Chicken for dinner. JIGGA WHAT?!?!
10.30.2006
The fact that I am saving for my retirement is hot. The fact that I am going to control part of the funds is even hotter. Take that financial know-how, bitches!
The fact that it was light out when I walked out of my apartment was almost as good. I can't even stress how much easier it is for me to wake up when it is not pitch black outside.
Pretty sure I just got the Meatloaf CD Bat Out of Hell along with two Chopin CDs and a Doves CD from the Bethesda library. Score! Now all I have to do is download Money Maker by Luda and I will be so happy!
I also really want to buy a desk chair that is comfortable, ie NOT my folding chair from Target. Hmm... too bad I am on a self-spending freeze because once I write off the check to pay my credit card bill with a queen bed + TWO roundtrip airline tickets home I won't have too much money and I am tired of taking money out of my savings. Pretty sure I will have to in order to eat, but whatever.
Tomorrow is the big IRS Halloween Party. Should be interesting. If people come in costumes it will be the funniest day of my LIFE!
The fact that it was light out when I walked out of my apartment was almost as good. I can't even stress how much easier it is for me to wake up when it is not pitch black outside.
Pretty sure I just got the Meatloaf CD Bat Out of Hell along with two Chopin CDs and a Doves CD from the Bethesda library. Score! Now all I have to do is download Money Maker by Luda and I will be so happy!
I also really want to buy a desk chair that is comfortable, ie NOT my folding chair from Target. Hmm... too bad I am on a self-spending freeze because once I write off the check to pay my credit card bill with a queen bed + TWO roundtrip airline tickets home I won't have too much money and I am tired of taking money out of my savings. Pretty sure I will have to in order to eat, but whatever.
Tomorrow is the big IRS Halloween Party. Should be interesting. If people come in costumes it will be the funniest day of my LIFE!
10.29.2006
to cop a feel is worth AT LEAST $6 & BA BA O DA JU!
In the grand scheme of attempting to find fun, classy, and fabulous nightlife in DC, Charlotte, Rodrigo, Jonattan (yes, I spelled it right) and I went to K Street Lounge last night. Jonattan put us on the guest list the night before, so that meant that if we got there before 11pm, we avoided the cover charge ($20 for dudes $10 for ladies). Luckily I got there in the nick of time and avoided this fee. Yes!
After walking the sparsley populated red-carpet type enterance, my bag was checked, whereupon the burly bouncer saw my Inhalor, as I carry it with me no matter where I go, but especially smokey DC clubs (no smoking starts in January and I cannot wait). He reminded me that if I needed to take my Inhalor, that I should. Umm, okay thanks mom. Maybe because I walked in alone he felt he had to remind me, but it was a little odd.
$4 to check my coat and $6 for an amaretto sour, I was waiting for the others to arrive, and they came a short time later. Seeing as that it was the weekend before Halloween, some people had costumes on, most of which were ridiculously SLUT-TACULAR. Seriously, the designers of commercial Halloween costumes have a way of making everything slutty including: NYC Cab Driver, baseball player, and of course some of the timeless classics like maid and nurse. The waitresses were wearing referee type uniforms complete with hot shorts and stripey shirts with ridiculously pluging necklines. This was all rather funny becuase the bar is so nice inside, and the clientele is (well, beyond the slutty Halloween costumes) reasonably classy and well-dressed.
The DJ ws playing good music, plus there was a conga band to liven up the beats which was stellar. They were a definate highlight of the night.
Charlotte is obsessed with finding me a boyfriend and knows I like Indians/Italians, (ie tall dark and handsome), so she insisted that we prance around scoping out the prospectives. On this walk, I was given a free "sample" (ie an entire bottle) of Beck's light beer. I don't like beer, but it was only 64 calories and about as watered down as Miller Light, so I was game, especially since no drink was under $6. There was no one that really came of interest right away so we went back to Rodrigo and Jonattan.
On our next round, as we were again walking across the room, someone grabbed my ass and I whipped around to see who the hell did it to throw back a bitch-a-licious glance, but there was too many people and I couldn't tell. DAMMIT! I know I was dressed up and all, but seriously, guys, this is the TACKIEST behavior EVER.
Lucky for me, I was whisked away by some hot guy who I later learned was from Nigeria. He bought me an amaretto sour and we talked. It turns out that he is getting his MBA at U of Maryland and just moved here from LA, and is turning 29 next week (thank God he was under 30). Here is the funniest part of the whole night, because of how the legacy of PK shows up at the bar. As we were dancing, he told me his sister had just moved from LA back to Nigeria. After I knew where he was from, I non-chalantly asked him if he speaks Yoruba, a tribal language of Nigeria. He was totally floored that I had any idea what Yoruba was or that I knew that Lagos was the capital of Nigeria. I have Music of World Cultures and C in CC with PK to thank for my suberb geographical and cultural knowledge. I could have started to sing and dance to Betlehemu in the middle of the club under Shakira, but luckily I couldn't remember all the words (except of course BA BA O DA JU!). It's too bad I wasn't actually drunk though, because if I was, I bet there would have been a performance....
My other observation of the night was that I can no longer tell people I work for the IRS because it is an immediate turn-off. My Nigerian pal asked me what I did and I told him I was an economist and he asked where. I kind of gave him a look and finally told him that I worked at the IRS. He immediatley jokingly accused me of taking all his money. I am now blessed with the fact that everone around me who knows where I work constantly asks for no taxes, not to get audited, or blames me for them having no money. I better stick with the fact that I just work for the Department of the Treasury and then no one will be smart enough to ask what branch.
K street lounge however, it worthy of returning. Its classy atmosphere and quaint downtown location were a plus. if I could just avoid the photographer hired to take slutty pictures of the partrons....
After walking the sparsley populated red-carpet type enterance, my bag was checked, whereupon the burly bouncer saw my Inhalor, as I carry it with me no matter where I go, but especially smokey DC clubs (no smoking starts in January and I cannot wait). He reminded me that if I needed to take my Inhalor, that I should. Umm, okay thanks mom. Maybe because I walked in alone he felt he had to remind me, but it was a little odd.
$4 to check my coat and $6 for an amaretto sour, I was waiting for the others to arrive, and they came a short time later. Seeing as that it was the weekend before Halloween, some people had costumes on, most of which were ridiculously SLUT-TACULAR. Seriously, the designers of commercial Halloween costumes have a way of making everything slutty including: NYC Cab Driver, baseball player, and of course some of the timeless classics like maid and nurse. The waitresses were wearing referee type uniforms complete with hot shorts and stripey shirts with ridiculously pluging necklines. This was all rather funny becuase the bar is so nice inside, and the clientele is (well, beyond the slutty Halloween costumes) reasonably classy and well-dressed.
The DJ ws playing good music, plus there was a conga band to liven up the beats which was stellar. They were a definate highlight of the night.
Charlotte is obsessed with finding me a boyfriend and knows I like Indians/Italians, (ie tall dark and handsome), so she insisted that we prance around scoping out the prospectives. On this walk, I was given a free "sample" (ie an entire bottle) of Beck's light beer. I don't like beer, but it was only 64 calories and about as watered down as Miller Light, so I was game, especially since no drink was under $6. There was no one that really came of interest right away so we went back to Rodrigo and Jonattan.
On our next round, as we were again walking across the room, someone grabbed my ass and I whipped around to see who the hell did it to throw back a bitch-a-licious glance, but there was too many people and I couldn't tell. DAMMIT! I know I was dressed up and all, but seriously, guys, this is the TACKIEST behavior EVER.
Lucky for me, I was whisked away by some hot guy who I later learned was from Nigeria. He bought me an amaretto sour and we talked. It turns out that he is getting his MBA at U of Maryland and just moved here from LA, and is turning 29 next week (thank God he was under 30). Here is the funniest part of the whole night, because of how the legacy of PK shows up at the bar. As we were dancing, he told me his sister had just moved from LA back to Nigeria. After I knew where he was from, I non-chalantly asked him if he speaks Yoruba, a tribal language of Nigeria. He was totally floored that I had any idea what Yoruba was or that I knew that Lagos was the capital of Nigeria. I have Music of World Cultures and C in CC with PK to thank for my suberb geographical and cultural knowledge. I could have started to sing and dance to Betlehemu in the middle of the club under Shakira, but luckily I couldn't remember all the words (except of course BA BA O DA JU!). It's too bad I wasn't actually drunk though, because if I was, I bet there would have been a performance....
My other observation of the night was that I can no longer tell people I work for the IRS because it is an immediate turn-off. My Nigerian pal asked me what I did and I told him I was an economist and he asked where. I kind of gave him a look and finally told him that I worked at the IRS. He immediatley jokingly accused me of taking all his money. I am now blessed with the fact that everone around me who knows where I work constantly asks for no taxes, not to get audited, or blames me for them having no money. I better stick with the fact that I just work for the Department of the Treasury and then no one will be smart enough to ask what branch.
K street lounge however, it worthy of returning. Its classy atmosphere and quaint downtown location were a plus. if I could just avoid the photographer hired to take slutty pictures of the partrons....
10.23.2006
Today I finally got paid. And a grand day it was. To truly understand how great it was, think of the fact that I havnen't been paid since August 1st, and have paid three months worth of rent (well, four including the security deposit), utilities, car insurance, car payment, and student loans as well as feeding myself, metro tickets, Target runs, purchasing a bed,the list goes on and on. Thank God I saved some good money at MF. My savings isn't wiped out, either, so that is nice. I don't feel super poor, but I probably will after I get billed for my bed AND two plane tickets home. It has been the most expensive two months of MY ENTIRE LIFE.
To celebrate, I finally went to the grocery store and bought olive oil to cook my veggies properly because apparently I deemed olive oil too much of a "luxury" until I got paid. WTF?!
I had a two hour meeting with my manager and work today to finish going over my roles and responsibilities (hm, it is week four) and I just realized how much I really love her. She was telling me all about when she moved to DC and how she was in choir and is also a singer and SHE IS THE NICEST WOMAN IN THE ENTIRE WORLD. And she is retiring in December, which really sucks because I think most people are going to suck compared to her, but I better get a better attitude and stat.
After work today I hopped over to the Bethesda library to get my library card, because I am a frequent patron of my public library. It was a year ago when I called Claire and she was telling my about the movies she got at the library and I was thinking "Why don't I do that?" and since then, being a library patron has been a stellar part of my life. In MN, I could rent new releases for $.50 a night! Stellar deal! Needless to say I was happy to go to the libs by my house here whereupon I rented two movies (Fiddler on the Roof and My Girl 2) becuase I love those movies (make fun of me all you want, haters) AND four CD's including The Rough Guide To Greek Music, The Rough Guide to Italian Music, the latest Jewel CD, and lastly, but surely most important Visions of Hildegard Von Bingen. If any of you know Patricia "Shruti Box" Kazarow (IE PK) from GAC, and have seen her in her Hildegard Von Bingen nun outfit, you would know just how funny it was that I got a medieval CD of trance and chant music composed by a nun who apparently had divine "visions". If you know PK it shouldn't surprise you that PK loves Hildegard and that she visits the Music Appreciation class every semester as Hildegard in her costume and will not be referred to as PK. Seeing this CD at the library brought upon a slew of memories from Gustavus, namely PK choir tours in Texas and her random quotes during Chapel Choir rehearsal. Ahh, the pelvic thrusts in the name of good singing.
Getting paid, sweet meeting with manager, library, and grocery store including olive oil. Ahh, its been a good one.
10.18.2006
I saved my scale! (and $30)
I am going to write about my ghetto-style resourcefulness....
My scale ran out of batteries circa 2 months ago and I bought new ones. After bending a small wire placeholder to put the new batteries in, I broke it. I am going to blame it on shoddy manufacturing, because it is not like I tried to break it, but it just snapped off.
I tried to fix my scale in a variety of ways but it just would not work. I was missing the fact that you need to somehow jimmy that broken wire piece into the scale so that it can actually conduct the charge of the battery. I can't belive it took me that long to realize this..DUH!
Somehow I get the batteries into the right spots and the scale worked, but since the metal conductor, battery holder piece was broken, the only way the scale worked was when I had my finger in the battery holder, which you obviously can't do when weighing yourself because I would have been standing on my arm.
Soon after, I fashioned long skinny pieces of scotch tape, and wadded up tiny pieces of kleenex and jammed them into the battery crevice. I also wedged a chunk of tape in and made sure the tiny TINY metal part was in the exact position to carry the battery charge.
Fourty minutes later, I REVIVED MY SCALE!!!!!!!!! It was seriously a crowning moment in my life. Plus I weigh the same as I did when I left home, and I was freaked out that I gained like 10 pounds but that didn't happen THANK GOD!
Ahh, such a good feeling....
Lesson Learned: Don't buy a scale with lithium batteries. They don't last that long and they are impossible to change!!
My scale ran out of batteries circa 2 months ago and I bought new ones. After bending a small wire placeholder to put the new batteries in, I broke it. I am going to blame it on shoddy manufacturing, because it is not like I tried to break it, but it just snapped off.
I tried to fix my scale in a variety of ways but it just would not work. I was missing the fact that you need to somehow jimmy that broken wire piece into the scale so that it can actually conduct the charge of the battery. I can't belive it took me that long to realize this..DUH!
Somehow I get the batteries into the right spots and the scale worked, but since the metal conductor, battery holder piece was broken, the only way the scale worked was when I had my finger in the battery holder, which you obviously can't do when weighing yourself because I would have been standing on my arm.
Soon after, I fashioned long skinny pieces of scotch tape, and wadded up tiny pieces of kleenex and jammed them into the battery crevice. I also wedged a chunk of tape in and made sure the tiny TINY metal part was in the exact position to carry the battery charge.
Fourty minutes later, I REVIVED MY SCALE!!!!!!!!! It was seriously a crowning moment in my life. Plus I weigh the same as I did when I left home, and I was freaked out that I gained like 10 pounds but that didn't happen THANK GOD!
Ahh, such a good feeling....
Lesson Learned: Don't buy a scale with lithium batteries. They don't last that long and they are impossible to change!!
10.14.2006
Fall 06 Trends
My sweet pals are here this weekend and life is good. We have been cruising around town which is really fun, but tiring! The new theme of my life seems to be TIRED!!
Frankly, I am currently enjoying my job but am really much more excited to get involved into some particular tax studies. I already know I will be responsible for the excise tax study, and also updating and amending historical tables. I am really pumped about the excise tax because I will get to write scholarly articles and also learn more and more about energy tax, luxury tax, and other forms of excise tax that I don't even know about yet!
I have finally passed the two month mark of being here in DC. I am proud to say I think I have most of my ducks in a row and am doing quite well. One thing that has been hard is meeting people. I was thinking work would be more of a social place than what it is, and also that there would be more graduate students in my choir. My two mechanisms for meeting other people my age have not measured up and I am starting to realize that I really need to meet some people my age and start forming a friend group. I have a few friends here which is nice, but I need to find some medium where I can meet other people my age while doing something beneficial/fun. I have been checking out voulenteer websites, but am unsure of how to find a suitable social forum. It is all overwhelming. I think my skills for meeting new people have really improved and that I am a social person, but without fellow students who are ready and willing to find pals (the ones in MA Econ program were really older and established here) things get hard. Everyone comments on how many young people are here in DC, and it's true. I am just going to have to tap into that resource some way, and hopefully soon. I am thankful for knowing a lot of the law students at AU, but since I don't interact with them very often, it is hard to foster a relationship when they spend all day with each other. Just another challenge that is currently in the works...
Frankly, I am currently enjoying my job but am really much more excited to get involved into some particular tax studies. I already know I will be responsible for the excise tax study, and also updating and amending historical tables. I am really pumped about the excise tax because I will get to write scholarly articles and also learn more and more about energy tax, luxury tax, and other forms of excise tax that I don't even know about yet!
I have finally passed the two month mark of being here in DC. I am proud to say I think I have most of my ducks in a row and am doing quite well. One thing that has been hard is meeting people. I was thinking work would be more of a social place than what it is, and also that there would be more graduate students in my choir. My two mechanisms for meeting other people my age have not measured up and I am starting to realize that I really need to meet some people my age and start forming a friend group. I have a few friends here which is nice, but I need to find some medium where I can meet other people my age while doing something beneficial/fun. I have been checking out voulenteer websites, but am unsure of how to find a suitable social forum. It is all overwhelming. I think my skills for meeting new people have really improved and that I am a social person, but without fellow students who are ready and willing to find pals (the ones in MA Econ program were really older and established here) things get hard. Everyone comments on how many young people are here in DC, and it's true. I am just going to have to tap into that resource some way, and hopefully soon. I am thankful for knowing a lot of the law students at AU, but since I don't interact with them very often, it is hard to foster a relationship when they spend all day with each other. Just another challenge that is currently in the works...
10.09.2006
Meet my new closet
DressesDress PantsSkirtsScarvesSummar Casual ShirtsTShirtsButton Down ShirtsJacketsBusiness Professional
HOT.
Here is my room including my new bed. The only problem is that my mom is sending me my sheets from home so I am currently using twin bedding on a queen. Quite fun.
My complaint of the day is that an oil change costed me $37 today. I called the nearby Honda dealer and it was $40. JIGGA WHAT? Why are oil changes in DC almost double what they are in Minnesota?
My happy though tof the day is that there are circa 70 restaurants within a mile of my apartment. There is everything from Indian, Mediterranean, Thai, Chinese, Sushi, American, Ethopian. Yahoo! I can't wait to get paid so I can eat at them all!
10.07.2006
Weekends are much better when you realize that you had to work to get to it. After just five days of work, I was pumped it was a weekend, and a long one at that.
The only downfall was that my new bed was being delivered and the dudes called at 8:08am to tell me they were coming between 9-12. Well, I obviously had to clear space for it, so I pretty much had to wake up then. Damn. Well, at least tonight will be EVEN BETTER sleep than before.
At work I do not have a phone number, therefore, I also do not have any of the important government IDs and access that I should have. If you don't have a phone number you can't have any of that or they don't know where to call in case you are in trouble. Life got a little boring when my director was gone two days in a row, and basically the entire office was gone on Friday. This mean that I spend a lot LOT lot of time on the only website I have access to, www.irs.gov/taxstats. It is pretty interesting, but not for 8 hours a day times three days. I am really glad that on Tuesday I will be able to actually start doing something and hopefully have a phone. Then I will actually be doing economic analysis and updating the excise tax study, too!
Today I went to the taste of Bethesda, which is similar to the taste of MN, but on a much smaller scale. Bethesda is known for its restaurants, and they have food from everywhere in the world. It was delicious to taste some and then I had ice cream so life was pretty good. I also got to laugh at the crazy DC-ites who are wearing a hat and mittens because it is 55 degrees. Quite funny. I hopefully won't become one of them, although I am a baby about the heat in the summer, so I guess it is pretty much the same.
I was excited to start work because I was hoping I would really meet some cool people, but that has not happened yet. I realize that it has been a mere five days, but I have not met anyone in my division who is under 35 and un-married, except one person. The average person at the IRS is about 55 years old and has worked for the government or IRS for at least 20 years. I wore my prettiest brown heels with a pointy toe and got three comments asking how I could walk in them. I think they are just a bit old school, but that is why I am there, to LIVEN them up! Hopefully I will meet some more people my age soon.
I am thinking about volunteering, but have not found one that fits into my schedule just yet, so I will keep looking. I was hoping to teach financial literacy, but I would pretty much volunteer anywhere that fits into my schedule that doesn't involve a humane society (for obvious reasons).
The new saying of my life must be "hurry up and wait".
The only downfall was that my new bed was being delivered and the dudes called at 8:08am to tell me they were coming between 9-12. Well, I obviously had to clear space for it, so I pretty much had to wake up then. Damn. Well, at least tonight will be EVEN BETTER sleep than before.
At work I do not have a phone number, therefore, I also do not have any of the important government IDs and access that I should have. If you don't have a phone number you can't have any of that or they don't know where to call in case you are in trouble. Life got a little boring when my director was gone two days in a row, and basically the entire office was gone on Friday. This mean that I spend a lot LOT lot of time on the only website I have access to, www.irs.gov/taxstats. It is pretty interesting, but not for 8 hours a day times three days. I am really glad that on Tuesday I will be able to actually start doing something and hopefully have a phone. Then I will actually be doing economic analysis and updating the excise tax study, too!
Today I went to the taste of Bethesda, which is similar to the taste of MN, but on a much smaller scale. Bethesda is known for its restaurants, and they have food from everywhere in the world. It was delicious to taste some and then I had ice cream so life was pretty good. I also got to laugh at the crazy DC-ites who are wearing a hat and mittens because it is 55 degrees. Quite funny. I hopefully won't become one of them, although I am a baby about the heat in the summer, so I guess it is pretty much the same.
I was excited to start work because I was hoping I would really meet some cool people, but that has not happened yet. I realize that it has been a mere five days, but I have not met anyone in my division who is under 35 and un-married, except one person. The average person at the IRS is about 55 years old and has worked for the government or IRS for at least 20 years. I wore my prettiest brown heels with a pointy toe and got three comments asking how I could walk in them. I think they are just a bit old school, but that is why I am there, to LIVEN them up! Hopefully I will meet some more people my age soon.
I am thinking about volunteering, but have not found one that fits into my schedule just yet, so I will keep looking. I was hoping to teach financial literacy, but I would pretty much volunteer anywhere that fits into my schedule that doesn't involve a humane society (for obvious reasons).
The new saying of my life must be "hurry up and wait".
10.03.2006
After having (basically) nothing to talk about for 2 months, there are so many new things, life is crazy!
So, I am done moving, and I just bought a bed an hour ago. It is coming on Saturday, so I will no longer be sleeping on an air mattress. I even bought it from a bed store so it has a mattress, box spring, and frame. The best part was that the guy who sold it to me was Indian so I flirted a little and spoke in Malayaum (the language of Kerala) so he basically gave me a sweet deal. He gave me the queen for the size of the full and free delivery, so I basically got $175 off the price, YEAH! Just another reason it's good I went to INDIA!
So I have just finished day two of federal employment. It was much better than the first day, because that day consisted of going to the ghizetto of Maryland for orientation because the downtown IRS suffered severe damage with the flooding rains this spring and isn't open. We worked from 8-1:30 to turn in all our forms (piles and piles of them), listen to the union rep, watch movies on disabilities and information disclosure, and the like. The lady who was collecting our forms was wearing black tapered jeans, had her bangs curled in at least 5 different layers, and answered her cell phone when her kids called in the middle of showing us something. Conversations she had in front of the 20 other new IRS employees were frequently followed by "GOD DAMMIT!". So, it was interesting. Here is a summary of what I learned:
-If I look up Oprah or Tom Cruise's tax return and it is not part of my official project, I will get fired. Damn! Otherwise I technically have access to everyone's returns, I just can't use my power. TAGTA is the IRS police that protects tax payers against IRS employees committing fraud and the aforementioned, and they seriously carry guns. TAX police carry guns. I thought they should be armed with a pocket protector and calculator, but whatevs.
-I can't refer anyone to a sweet tax attorney, because that is a conflict of interest.
-I have to do make sure my own taxes are correctly or I am fired. Basically, I am audited every year. Fun.
-I had to take an oath of office. Yep, the same that the president takes when they are sworn in. Wow.
-In order to get into my office, I of course need my badge, but I also need a federal access pass and a swipey card for the elevator. Apparently the IRS is quite the targeted agency so our building is unmarked and we have to have three pass codes along with different passwords for every possible computer system that are at least eight letters long, with two numbers and a special character. HOW am I going to remember my passwords?!?!?
So that was Monday. After orientation we ate lunch (finally) at 2pm and went back to our office. The other people in my division are very nice, and not many people (read: any) are within five years of my age. The closest one is one of my coworkers who is maybe 29. So at least she is there!
I made a vow today that no matter how long I work for the government, I will never wear stretch pants and tanktops to work because even though other people do, I still have my dignity! One nice part, however, about the government, is that I have a sweet computer (where I cannot access gmail, SUCK) a big cube, a NEW keyboard, and a NEW scrolley mouse. These things were all basically non-existant at MF, so I can't complain there.
Tomorrow is a new day, my room is still a mess from moving, and my bed isn't here yet, but soon life will be grand!!
So, I am done moving, and I just bought a bed an hour ago. It is coming on Saturday, so I will no longer be sleeping on an air mattress. I even bought it from a bed store so it has a mattress, box spring, and frame. The best part was that the guy who sold it to me was Indian so I flirted a little and spoke in Malayaum (the language of Kerala) so he basically gave me a sweet deal. He gave me the queen for the size of the full and free delivery, so I basically got $175 off the price, YEAH! Just another reason it's good I went to INDIA!
So I have just finished day two of federal employment. It was much better than the first day, because that day consisted of going to the ghizetto of Maryland for orientation because the downtown IRS suffered severe damage with the flooding rains this spring and isn't open. We worked from 8-1:30 to turn in all our forms (piles and piles of them), listen to the union rep, watch movies on disabilities and information disclosure, and the like. The lady who was collecting our forms was wearing black tapered jeans, had her bangs curled in at least 5 different layers, and answered her cell phone when her kids called in the middle of showing us something. Conversations she had in front of the 20 other new IRS employees were frequently followed by "GOD DAMMIT!". So, it was interesting. Here is a summary of what I learned:
-If I look up Oprah or Tom Cruise's tax return and it is not part of my official project, I will get fired. Damn! Otherwise I technically have access to everyone's returns, I just can't use my power. TAGTA is the IRS police that protects tax payers against IRS employees committing fraud and the aforementioned, and they seriously carry guns. TAX police carry guns. I thought they should be armed with a pocket protector and calculator, but whatevs.
-I can't refer anyone to a sweet tax attorney, because that is a conflict of interest.
-I have to do make sure my own taxes are correctly or I am fired. Basically, I am audited every year. Fun.
-I had to take an oath of office. Yep, the same that the president takes when they are sworn in. Wow.
-In order to get into my office, I of course need my badge, but I also need a federal access pass and a swipey card for the elevator. Apparently the IRS is quite the targeted agency so our building is unmarked and we have to have three pass codes along with different passwords for every possible computer system that are at least eight letters long, with two numbers and a special character. HOW am I going to remember my passwords?!?!?
So that was Monday. After orientation we ate lunch (finally) at 2pm and went back to our office. The other people in my division are very nice, and not many people (read: any) are within five years of my age. The closest one is one of my coworkers who is maybe 29. So at least she is there!
I made a vow today that no matter how long I work for the government, I will never wear stretch pants and tanktops to work because even though other people do, I still have my dignity! One nice part, however, about the government, is that I have a sweet computer (where I cannot access gmail, SUCK) a big cube, a NEW keyboard, and a NEW scrolley mouse. These things were all basically non-existant at MF, so I can't complain there.
Tomorrow is a new day, my room is still a mess from moving, and my bed isn't here yet, but soon life will be grand!!
10.01.2006
I am now live from my new apartment in Bethesda. YES!
One of my worries about moving was that my relative proximity to a Chipotle was unknown. Since then, I have solved that mystery and realized that Chipotle is only a ten minute walk and on the way home from the metro. Crisis Averted.
After moving for the second time in two months, I am glad to be done. Finally. Lugging all your crap around is no fun way to live. Luckily I really like my new room and apartment. I am lacking a mattress, but have a sweet automatic airmattress to hold me over, courtesy of my other roommate, Melissa. I must find a real bed and some other lighting. Otherwise my acquired purple furniture is looking great!
Big props to Erin who devised garmet bags out of big trash cans so I didn't have to un-hang all my clothes, and they are still wrinkle free. HOT!
Tonight I have to make an attempt to go to sleep at a reasonable hour. Why? I actually have to work tomorrow for the first time in two months. Wow. Crazy!!!
One of my worries about moving was that my relative proximity to a Chipotle was unknown. Since then, I have solved that mystery and realized that Chipotle is only a ten minute walk and on the way home from the metro. Crisis Averted.
After moving for the second time in two months, I am glad to be done. Finally. Lugging all your crap around is no fun way to live. Luckily I really like my new room and apartment. I am lacking a mattress, but have a sweet automatic airmattress to hold me over, courtesy of my other roommate, Melissa. I must find a real bed and some other lighting. Otherwise my acquired purple furniture is looking great!
Big props to Erin who devised garmet bags out of big trash cans so I didn't have to un-hang all my clothes, and they are still wrinkle free. HOT!
Tonight I have to make an attempt to go to sleep at a reasonable hour. Why? I actually have to work tomorrow for the first time in two months. Wow. Crazy!!!
9.28.2006
Sometimes, stuff really works out for a person. I always assumed I was not one of those people.
Last night I feel like I became one for a millisecond!!!
As many of you know, I've been searching for different housing here in DC. For many reasons, not just one thing in particular.
Yesterday I was looking for some sort of sign that I should move. I got three in fifteen minutes!
#1) My new apartment address number is 4949, and my house in Minnesota is also 4949. WHAT ARE THE ODDS?
#2) One block away from my apartment is a dance studio and under it is a neon sign that is red with capital letters HUGO. That is the name of my hometown. I am not sure of its affiliation with the dance studio, but there you have it.
#3) Of the two cool people I am moving in with, we all have the middle name Ann (no e's here) and my roommates name is also Melissa Ann.
So there you have it. In my personal opinion, I feel like it is some sort of divine intervention (insert bright light and clouds here).
Last night I feel like I became one for a millisecond!!!
As many of you know, I've been searching for different housing here in DC. For many reasons, not just one thing in particular.
Yesterday I was looking for some sort of sign that I should move. I got three in fifteen minutes!
#1) My new apartment address number is 4949, and my house in Minnesota is also 4949. WHAT ARE THE ODDS?
#2) One block away from my apartment is a dance studio and under it is a neon sign that is red with capital letters HUGO. That is the name of my hometown. I am not sure of its affiliation with the dance studio, but there you have it.
#3) Of the two cool people I am moving in with, we all have the middle name Ann (no e's here) and my roommates name is also Melissa Ann.
So there you have it. In my personal opinion, I feel like it is some sort of divine intervention (insert bright light and clouds here).
9.26.2006
Situations have recently come to light about the male species and their lack of committment in terms of being the one to initiate plans and take the lead in a relationship when the female is doing more than her fair share of the work.
My first thought about this was well, he is a guy, and it takes them longer to make plans or return calls, it is just how they are. Shortly thereafter I was slightly disgusted with myself. Just because they are guys doesn't mean the gal has to do all the work!
So, how far does human nature (male v. female behavoral traits) go, and does that surpass common courtesy (you should call if you say you will)?
If you are getting all sorts of physical and emotional "I like you" signals, but can't command those with a phone call or initiation of plans, what is the difference? I think the biggest way that you know someone likes you, is when they call you and make plans on their own initiative. That speaks volumes about a person, as they like you enough to go though the planning efforts to create a nice outing.
Initiative, I think, is more important, or at least mutually exclusive with actual chemistry. Why? You may have a great time together, but if no one capitalizes on this fact, the chemistry just fades as time passes, unless you have endless hot sexual encounters that never fade away (yeah right). Then we, as gals, analyze the situation and think, well, if I have to always make the plans, then he is just not that into me (thanks Jack Burger).
So, really, this goes for both sexes. Relationships are becoming increasingly "equal" these days, so if you can't provide something the relationship can't live without, you might as well live without the relationship.
My first thought about this was well, he is a guy, and it takes them longer to make plans or return calls, it is just how they are. Shortly thereafter I was slightly disgusted with myself. Just because they are guys doesn't mean the gal has to do all the work!
So, how far does human nature (male v. female behavoral traits) go, and does that surpass common courtesy (you should call if you say you will)?
If you are getting all sorts of physical and emotional "I like you" signals, but can't command those with a phone call or initiation of plans, what is the difference? I think the biggest way that you know someone likes you, is when they call you and make plans on their own initiative. That speaks volumes about a person, as they like you enough to go though the planning efforts to create a nice outing.
Initiative, I think, is more important, or at least mutually exclusive with actual chemistry. Why? You may have a great time together, but if no one capitalizes on this fact, the chemistry just fades as time passes, unless you have endless hot sexual encounters that never fade away (yeah right). Then we, as gals, analyze the situation and think, well, if I have to always make the plans, then he is just not that into me (thanks Jack Burger).
So, really, this goes for both sexes. Relationships are becoming increasingly "equal" these days, so if you can't provide something the relationship can't live without, you might as well live without the relationship.
9.24.2006
Last night was Janine's birthday party at our house. Janine is another LLM student with Charlotte who lives in a basement apartment, so not exactly the best place for a party, so we had it here. It was lots of fun, and it didn't really end until circa 4:30am. Crazy. All those Europeans playing drinking games and salsa dancing until all hours of the night. 'Twas great.
It was not great getting lost coming home from a different grocery store, but thanks to the nice lady at CVS, we made it home and had a full hour to prepare (we were supposed to have at least 2).
Today I spend five hours on two blocks in Friendship Heights killing time in: TjMaxx, Borders, Filene's Basement, JCrew, Williams Sonoma, World Market, Giant, Neman Marcus, and Lord and Taylor. I didn't buy anything except a happy meal from McDonalds because I was starving and nowhere close to home. Do you KNOW what my toy was? A Little Mermaid necklace featuring Ariel. It is large and plastic, glitery, and plays sounds of Ariel singing. Seriously, does anyone remember the McDonald's toys that existed when we were kids? We had plastic trinkets from Korea and now they have small electronics that come with batteries and double serve as apparel!!!! WTF mate? Sadly, I wish they had given me a Muppets toy instead of Ariel, but she is really a close second.
Sleep at 4:00am, up at 9. It is time for a nap mcnap.
9.21.2006
It's finally official. I've recieved word that my fingerprint check came back "favorable" and my tax check was clear as well. It is like I am some patient getting a work-up by the US Government. Creeptacular!
This means that I get to start work on October 2nd. YEAH!!!
This means that I still have 10 more days of nothing. BOO!!!!
THANK GOD Yer is coming next week. It will be stel.
Today I learned some interesting things in my 9 hours of wandering around downtown DC. Here are the highlights:
Tour of the Bureau of Printing and Engraving:
-the highest bill in circulation right now is $100
-they still print the $2 bill as the federal reserve orders it
-they took the $500, $1000, $5000, $100,000 bills out of circulation in 1969
-money changes design every 6-7 years to avoid counterfitting
-money is not paper, but 75% cotton/25% linen
-the average lifespan of a $1 bill is 22 months
Freer Gallery of Art:
-Buddha laid down on his right side when he died, and that signifies that he physically died at age 80, it is on a lot of art
-Islamic art focuses on these mediums: oil and water jugs, calligraphy, and plates with Sura's (verses) from the Qu'ran (Koran)
-I forgot what I learned about Japanese art but it was cool!
-All the art gift shops are sweet and I wanted some sushi sets even though I don't like sushi, they were so pretty!
USDA (US Department of Agriculture) "Visitors Center"
-The US is third in terms of global production of peanuts behind China and India.
-75% of US Peanuts are allocated to make PB
-US Farmers produce FAR more food than the US can eat so we export the rest or give it away as aid (I am slightly skeptical on how much is given away though)
Movie: The Last Kiss
-I highly reccomend
-Is is being marketed as "if you like Garden State, you will like this movie" and that is probably true
-Imogen Heap is on the side track with song "Hide and Seek" a timeless classic. This movie has just as good of a soundtrack as Garden State (if that is possible and or attainable)
-I had to pee but I held it for 1 1/4 hours, PRETTY GOOD!
Macy's Downtown
-They are still giving me my employee discount. This is awesome.
-I wanted to buy a red patent leather wallet with faux-diamonds and refer to it as my "slut wallet" but I didn't (sadly).
-They don't carry shoes in size 11. SUCK!
Friendship Heights TJ Maxx
-Ugliest Juicy Couture handbag on clearance from $200 to $19. It was so hideous. I stayed far away from it.
-Sales associate yells at me thinking I am one of her coworkers. Apologies? Hell no, we don't do that here.
Season Premier of ER
-The show is fading into the oblivion, but I still liked it. The fact that it is on at 10pm here kind of sucks.
Getting my shoes and scarves in the mail from my mom: PRICELESS!!!!
Sorry, guys, that you have to suffer through 11 more days of posts like this....
This means that I get to start work on October 2nd. YEAH!!!
This means that I still have 10 more days of nothing. BOO!!!!
THANK GOD Yer is coming next week. It will be stel.
Today I learned some interesting things in my 9 hours of wandering around downtown DC. Here are the highlights:
Tour of the Bureau of Printing and Engraving:
-the highest bill in circulation right now is $100
-they still print the $2 bill as the federal reserve orders it
-they took the $500, $1000, $5000, $100,000 bills out of circulation in 1969
-money changes design every 6-7 years to avoid counterfitting
-money is not paper, but 75% cotton/25% linen
-the average lifespan of a $1 bill is 22 months
Freer Gallery of Art:
-Buddha laid down on his right side when he died, and that signifies that he physically died at age 80, it is on a lot of art
-Islamic art focuses on these mediums: oil and water jugs, calligraphy, and plates with Sura's (verses) from the Qu'ran (Koran)
-I forgot what I learned about Japanese art but it was cool!
-All the art gift shops are sweet and I wanted some sushi sets even though I don't like sushi, they were so pretty!
USDA (US Department of Agriculture) "Visitors Center"
-The US is third in terms of global production of peanuts behind China and India.
-75% of US Peanuts are allocated to make PB
-US Farmers produce FAR more food than the US can eat so we export the rest or give it away as aid (I am slightly skeptical on how much is given away though)
Movie: The Last Kiss
-I highly reccomend
-Is is being marketed as "if you like Garden State, you will like this movie" and that is probably true
-Imogen Heap is on the side track with song "Hide and Seek" a timeless classic. This movie has just as good of a soundtrack as Garden State (if that is possible and or attainable)
-I had to pee but I held it for 1 1/4 hours, PRETTY GOOD!
Macy's Downtown
-They are still giving me my employee discount. This is awesome.
-I wanted to buy a red patent leather wallet with faux-diamonds and refer to it as my "slut wallet" but I didn't (sadly).
-They don't carry shoes in size 11. SUCK!
Friendship Heights TJ Maxx
-Ugliest Juicy Couture handbag on clearance from $200 to $19. It was so hideous. I stayed far away from it.
-Sales associate yells at me thinking I am one of her coworkers. Apologies? Hell no, we don't do that here.
Season Premier of ER
-The show is fading into the oblivion, but I still liked it. The fact that it is on at 10pm here kind of sucks.
Getting my shoes and scarves in the mail from my mom: PRICELESS!!!!
Sorry, guys, that you have to suffer through 11 more days of posts like this....
9.20.2006
9.19.2006
Yesterday, when it was a blasting 85 degrees and humid out, I decided to go to the zoo. Thus, the day started sweaty. As most of you know, I *heart* zoos more than other people. Every time I suggest going, no one really wants too. That is fine with me because I love them so much, and I will go alone!
The famous National Zoo has some sweet pandas and the even have one that is only about 1 year old named Tai Shan. He is quite cute. I enjoyed watching them, but even more, I enjoyed watching the lady next to me holding the camera just calling his name thinking he was going to walk right over to the wall, strike a ridiculously cute pose, and hold it until she got the perfect picture. Right, lady. At least it wasn't very crowded, so it wasn't a huge deal.
I then went to the Orangutang building where I got to be a volunteer to demonstrate a behavorial test. I won a starburst candy and was quite proud. There were a total of 4 people in the audience. Sweet!
Probably the best part of the day was the beaver exhibit. I mean, beavers are awesome to start with. I've always liked them. I felt bad for the beaver that was trying to nibble through a metal post like it was wood. Ouch! The wall around their enclosure wasn't praticularly high, and one of the beavers scooted over to me, and I was seriously 12 inches from it so I got a sweet picture. You obviously already saw it!! I insta-loved this beaver because he was awesome and quite spunky!!
Today I went to a mall in Murrland (Maryland), but didn't get anything. I also put a full tank of gas in the car for the first time since I got here (how is gas still $2.85 here and it is $2.19 in MN? that is QUITE the difference). Stupid Murrland. At least you have an Arby's.
Tomorrow my schedule is open as usual. I have a feeling I will actually get to start work on October 2nd, but rumor hasn't been confirmed. That is still one week and five days away. AHH! Croikey.
I am now going to listen to some sweet Hindi music. YES!
9.17.2006
Take Note!
CVS generic Swedish fish are gross. They taste like plastic and not any type of gummy treat.
Gross.
There are not any Arby's in Washington DC, but today I found one in Maryland, yeah! You bet I had myself a delicious Roast Beef Sandwich!
It was 85 degrees here today and the A/C is on again in the house. I can't wait for Winter!
I saw the movie Little Miss Sunshine, and it was really cute. It is quite a good movie, touching, intellient, witty, and interesting. Four stars!
Today I read an entire book in Barnes and Noble. This is what killing time causes.
Tomorrow I am going to see the pandas at the zoo!!!!
Sadly, this is all I have to report or comment on.
Gross.
There are not any Arby's in Washington DC, but today I found one in Maryland, yeah! You bet I had myself a delicious Roast Beef Sandwich!
It was 85 degrees here today and the A/C is on again in the house. I can't wait for Winter!
I saw the movie Little Miss Sunshine, and it was really cute. It is quite a good movie, touching, intellient, witty, and interesting. Four stars!
Today I read an entire book in Barnes and Noble. This is what killing time causes.
Tomorrow I am going to see the pandas at the zoo!!!!
Sadly, this is all I have to report or comment on.
9.15.2006
I haven't started work yet. I can attribute it entirely to the sluggish pace of the US government, because I handed in my giant mound of paperwork to them last week. Nothing I can do!
Along those lines, lots of fun must be had before I have to start work. Tonight, I went out for the law school Bar Review, because I am now basically a law student groupie sans the ridiculous amount of homework. We started out at Reef, a bar in Adams Morgan, where I had a delightful alabama slammer.
*Let me preface this by the fact that Charlotte and I got a ride from Abbas, a Pakastani with a Lincoln Towcar (jiggaWHAT?!?!). Unfortunatley, he has a wife and a kid somewhere (we never did figure out where) but he picked us up anyways. We listened to some slammin tunes and headed to Adams Morgan.*
After the alabama slammer and the arrival of more law students, we went next door to a club that gave free shots if you bought one drink. Down go an amaretto sour and raspberry kamikaze. That was the end of my liquor, but three drinks was just enough to make me have fun without truly being really tipsy or drunk. So we get to this club, and it is small and the dance floor empty. I don't know what it is about me and dance floors, but I took that empty floor by storm and it filled up STAT! A little Pussycat Dolls here, JTimberlake there..I was having a grand time dancing with all the LLM students and I was in very high spirits. I don't think any of them had ever seen me that happy (seriously I was high on the music!), and it was really really REALLY fun! I was dancing with married south asian for awhile, the girls for a while, and just in general having a sweet time.
*****IN GO THE HINDI REMIXES***********
KYA??? Yes, first the timeless classis Mundian de Bach Ke (can't spell Hindi) by Punjabi MC and then two songs later was another one that I know but an unsure of the name of. Seriously people, when the first Hindi song went on, I went slightly crazy. SAM (south asian man) and I were dancing bhangra style and it was sweet. Nejla and I were dancing up a storm.
They started playing Salsa so I danced with Jonathan (el es de Panama), which was also really fun. It can't beat the Hindi, but seeing lots of South American people in their element was really fun.
The saddest part of the night was when they shut us down at 1:50am. Sigh. This transition back into the real world is going to be a BIATCH!
There are going to be some crazy facebook photos of me...Damn news feed will broadcast them all over the fricking world...
Time to SLEEP!
Along those lines, lots of fun must be had before I have to start work. Tonight, I went out for the law school Bar Review, because I am now basically a law student groupie sans the ridiculous amount of homework. We started out at Reef, a bar in Adams Morgan, where I had a delightful alabama slammer.
*Let me preface this by the fact that Charlotte and I got a ride from Abbas, a Pakastani with a Lincoln Towcar (jiggaWHAT?!?!). Unfortunatley, he has a wife and a kid somewhere (we never did figure out where) but he picked us up anyways. We listened to some slammin tunes and headed to Adams Morgan.*
After the alabama slammer and the arrival of more law students, we went next door to a club that gave free shots if you bought one drink. Down go an amaretto sour and raspberry kamikaze. That was the end of my liquor, but three drinks was just enough to make me have fun without truly being really tipsy or drunk. So we get to this club, and it is small and the dance floor empty. I don't know what it is about me and dance floors, but I took that empty floor by storm and it filled up STAT! A little Pussycat Dolls here, JTimberlake there..I was having a grand time dancing with all the LLM students and I was in very high spirits. I don't think any of them had ever seen me that happy (seriously I was high on the music!), and it was really really REALLY fun! I was dancing with married south asian for awhile, the girls for a while, and just in general having a sweet time.
*****IN GO THE HINDI REMIXES***********
KYA??? Yes, first the timeless classis Mundian de Bach Ke (can't spell Hindi) by Punjabi MC and then two songs later was another one that I know but an unsure of the name of. Seriously people, when the first Hindi song went on, I went slightly crazy. SAM (south asian man) and I were dancing bhangra style and it was sweet. Nejla and I were dancing up a storm.
They started playing Salsa so I danced with Jonathan (el es de Panama), which was also really fun. It can't beat the Hindi, but seeing lots of South American people in their element was really fun.
The saddest part of the night was when they shut us down at 1:50am. Sigh. This transition back into the real world is going to be a BIATCH!
There are going to be some crazy facebook photos of me...Damn news feed will broadcast them all over the fricking world...
Time to SLEEP!
9.12.2006
Yesterday, I downloaded my first two songs from iTunes. I chose "Me & U" by Cassie, because I have always enjoyed the beat, as well as "Buttons" by Pussycat dolls becuase I was in the mood for a song as dance-tacular as that one. I was confused about the pricing of the albums, so I didn't get the "Step Up" soundtrack (come on people, does it really surprise you I saw it?), but now that I know it is only $10 I am pumped! I can tell I will never buy another CD again.
I have my first cold since I was sick the last time, which was January 2005, before East Coast Choir tour. I can't believe I have gone 1.6 years without even a cold. I must have some sort of immune system of steel that has been broken down by DC. Luckily I went to Target and signed my life away because I was buying "goo gone" and generic Sudafed in one transaction and they are both restricted products in Virginia. I am a rebel, YEAH!
So I emailed the inept feds today to find out about tuition remission for my school and to also see where they were on my background check. I'll spare you the details of the converstation, and just leave you with the thought that I am convinced the IRS hiring people don't do anything all day. They must just walk around and talk to each other or something, because, seriously, I can't get a straight answer from anyone. ANNOYING! I am starting to get to the crazy stage of not working. I seriously wanted to be employed by Starbucks today because I just wanted to go to work, and I am sure Starbucks doesn't have to check every reference of my life!
NOTE: If you are called by the Fedreal Gov't in the next few days, answer it, because I probably put you as a reference that I lived or worked somewhere =) THANKS!
Tomorrow: Wait to see if I passed my background check. WHO IS EXCITED??
I have my first cold since I was sick the last time, which was January 2005, before East Coast Choir tour. I can't believe I have gone 1.6 years without even a cold. I must have some sort of immune system of steel that has been broken down by DC. Luckily I went to Target and signed my life away because I was buying "goo gone" and generic Sudafed in one transaction and they are both restricted products in Virginia. I am a rebel, YEAH!
So I emailed the inept feds today to find out about tuition remission for my school and to also see where they were on my background check. I'll spare you the details of the converstation, and just leave you with the thought that I am convinced the IRS hiring people don't do anything all day. They must just walk around and talk to each other or something, because, seriously, I can't get a straight answer from anyone. ANNOYING! I am starting to get to the crazy stage of not working. I seriously wanted to be employed by Starbucks today because I just wanted to go to work, and I am sure Starbucks doesn't have to check every reference of my life!
NOTE: If you are called by the Fedreal Gov't in the next few days, answer it, because I probably put you as a reference that I lived or worked somewhere =) THANKS!
Tomorrow: Wait to see if I passed my background check. WHO IS EXCITED??
9.10.2006
I hate doing homework again. I can't believe I am complaining already, but I am.
Last night after going to Target in attempt to buy batteries for my inept scale, I went to Johnny-Cakes sisters house to hang out with Jon, Catherine, and her friends. We had a grand old time and ate and just behaved in a merry fashion, and then played a game called "Celebrity" when you put celebrities names in a bowl and then do three rounds. The first round the person who is "calling" has to make you guess the celebrities name by describing them (like catch phrase), the second round you only get one word, and the third round you have to act it out. It was quite funny. Since you use the same names for 3 rounds it gets even funnier with the associations you make between them. Some select favorites from last night were: President McKinley (you had to be there earlier), Roseanne, John Candy, and Gary Coleman. It was really stellar.
The best part was that I didn't even get lost in Arlington really! Today I am going to look at some houses there, so it should be interesting.
Last night after going to Target in attempt to buy batteries for my inept scale, I went to Johnny-Cakes sisters house to hang out with Jon, Catherine, and her friends. We had a grand old time and ate and just behaved in a merry fashion, and then played a game called "Celebrity" when you put celebrities names in a bowl and then do three rounds. The first round the person who is "calling" has to make you guess the celebrities name by describing them (like catch phrase), the second round you only get one word, and the third round you have to act it out. It was quite funny. Since you use the same names for 3 rounds it gets even funnier with the associations you make between them. Some select favorites from last night were: President McKinley (you had to be there earlier), Roseanne, John Candy, and Gary Coleman. It was really stellar.
The best part was that I didn't even get lost in Arlington really! Today I am going to look at some houses there, so it should be interesting.
9.07.2006
I've always done a bad job of putting Ikea furniture together. I think most people recall the story that when I was putting my desk drawers together I got so mad I took the hammer and hit the drawer. Hence, there is a slight gash in the back of my chest of drawers, but at least you can't see it. Ikea anger issues? Obviously.
It must be Ikea's fault, though, because I assembled an adult bike tonight for Charlotte, so clearly I am not that directionally challenged. God bless Huffy for actually writing directions in English so they are easy to follow. The bike is *mostly* together, the only thing is that the chain is strange and I can't fix it. Okay, so I am no assembling-guru, but I am giving myself credit for this one!
The other comment I have from today is that federal paperwork can EAT IT! Seriously, after arguing with the IRS hiring agency today that I never got a confirmation email with all the proper forms to fill out (she didn't believe that I didn't get the email), I finally convinced her to resend it so I can actually start working for once! Then I was supposed to fax like 30 pages, but since I don't have a fax maching I had to go to Fed-Ex, and it costs $1.50 per page to fax. WTF?!?! How is that possible? You use a phone line for circa 2 minutes!
On top of all that, I had to move my car today to let my roommate out and it wouldn't start. I was freaked out like WHOA because there was nothing wrong with the car, but it was not turning over right. So I called AAA to have them come and tow it. When they were on the way over, I started my car with a different key and it worked fine. Apparently, when I paid the Honda dealer $175 to make three keys for my car, the deactiviated one of the originals. Oyy I was pissed. But at least there is nothing wrong with my car Halo.
The batteries ran out on my scale today as well. I am guessing two lithium batteries at CVS is going to be like $15. AHH!! I am in such a crabby mood!
On the upside, I am learning five new French words of the day because Charlotte says that I should speak French. Now I can say "Je veux regarder un film" (I want to watch a film), Mignon! (Cute!), and J'aime ça (I love it!). I can also say outils (tools). I am sure all of these phrases will come in handy on a day to day basis, ha!
I better stop now. Time to go to sleep so this day can be over!
It must be Ikea's fault, though, because I assembled an adult bike tonight for Charlotte, so clearly I am not that directionally challenged. God bless Huffy for actually writing directions in English so they are easy to follow. The bike is *mostly* together, the only thing is that the chain is strange and I can't fix it. Okay, so I am no assembling-guru, but I am giving myself credit for this one!
The other comment I have from today is that federal paperwork can EAT IT! Seriously, after arguing with the IRS hiring agency today that I never got a confirmation email with all the proper forms to fill out (she didn't believe that I didn't get the email), I finally convinced her to resend it so I can actually start working for once! Then I was supposed to fax like 30 pages, but since I don't have a fax maching I had to go to Fed-Ex, and it costs $1.50 per page to fax. WTF?!?! How is that possible? You use a phone line for circa 2 minutes!
On top of all that, I had to move my car today to let my roommate out and it wouldn't start. I was freaked out like WHOA because there was nothing wrong with the car, but it was not turning over right. So I called AAA to have them come and tow it. When they were on the way over, I started my car with a different key and it worked fine. Apparently, when I paid the Honda dealer $175 to make three keys for my car, the deactiviated one of the originals. Oyy I was pissed. But at least there is nothing wrong with my car Halo.
The batteries ran out on my scale today as well. I am guessing two lithium batteries at CVS is going to be like $15. AHH!! I am in such a crabby mood!
On the upside, I am learning five new French words of the day because Charlotte says that I should speak French. Now I can say "Je veux regarder un film" (I want to watch a film), Mignon! (Cute!), and J'aime ça (I love it!). I can also say outils (tools). I am sure all of these phrases will come in handy on a day to day basis, ha!
I better stop now. Time to go to sleep so this day can be over!
9.03.2006
While tropical storm Ernesto caused sad devistation in other portions of the East Coast, I was basically welcoming it into DC. One day it was 95 degrees with a dew point of 75 (seriously OPPRESSIVE), but the next day it was only 75 degrees. Yeah! Despite the torrential 8-10'' of rain, and leaf-displacing wind we recieved, I was so glad it got a little bit colder!!!
This weekend was extra fun because my good pal AmLo came with her bf to visit me and we went to some sweet museums and had a grand time. When you are new somewhere, and there aren't too many (read: only two) people that share past experiences with you, it is really fun and nice to have someone you can talk with about choir, college, friends, and more. I was so glad they came!
Some other fun news is that I auditioned and made it into the AU Chorale. It is one of two choirs at AU (the other being Chamber Choir) and it is an ensemble anywhere from 40-70 singers comprised from under grads, grads, and select community members. I didn't know how good the choir was going to be, but I heard a recent recording, and they sound really good so I am excited. I also get to sing the song "Siyahamba" which was performed by G Choir when they were in S. Africa and I love that song, yahoo! I now have choir on Tuesday nights from 7:30-10:15, so they day will be long, but I am sure well worth it. I might have choir sometimes on Monday which would mean, work, class, choir, all in line until 10:15pm, but I guess I will have to see how that will work. All I know is that I love choir enough to sacrifice sleeping! During the audition, I had to do tonal memory and sight-singing, which I thought were going to be fine. the tonal memory went well, but the sight-singing was a little shaky as I realized I am only really good at sight-singing in the key of C. I think the director gave me an extra-hard one seeing as that I have lots of choir experience, but I can't believe how long it had been since I did that before!
Tomorrow is Labor Day and that is sweet. I now officially love Federal Holidays because I get them off. Veterans Day, do I work? No! Columbus Day? Heck no! Washington's Birthday? GET REAL! I am pumped.
I am off to enjoy the nice weather, but not outside alone this late. Every time my mom calls and I don't answer the phone she assumes I am dead in an alley. So funny.
This weekend was extra fun because my good pal AmLo came with her bf to visit me and we went to some sweet museums and had a grand time. When you are new somewhere, and there aren't too many (read: only two) people that share past experiences with you, it is really fun and nice to have someone you can talk with about choir, college, friends, and more. I was so glad they came!
Some other fun news is that I auditioned and made it into the AU Chorale. It is one of two choirs at AU (the other being Chamber Choir) and it is an ensemble anywhere from 40-70 singers comprised from under grads, grads, and select community members. I didn't know how good the choir was going to be, but I heard a recent recording, and they sound really good so I am excited. I also get to sing the song "Siyahamba" which was performed by G Choir when they were in S. Africa and I love that song, yahoo! I now have choir on Tuesday nights from 7:30-10:15, so they day will be long, but I am sure well worth it. I might have choir sometimes on Monday which would mean, work, class, choir, all in line until 10:15pm, but I guess I will have to see how that will work. All I know is that I love choir enough to sacrifice sleeping! During the audition, I had to do tonal memory and sight-singing, which I thought were going to be fine. the tonal memory went well, but the sight-singing was a little shaky as I realized I am only really good at sight-singing in the key of C. I think the director gave me an extra-hard one seeing as that I have lots of choir experience, but I can't believe how long it had been since I did that before!
Tomorrow is Labor Day and that is sweet. I now officially love Federal Holidays because I get them off. Veterans Day, do I work? No! Columbus Day? Heck no! Washington's Birthday? GET REAL! I am pumped.
I am off to enjoy the nice weather, but not outside alone this late. Every time my mom calls and I don't answer the phone she assumes I am dead in an alley. So funny.
9.01.2006
Out on a Thursday!
For those of you who know me, and I am assuming that's most of you, you know I don't go out often, but when I go I like to have fun!
Tonight I went out with Charlotte (roomie) and some of her friends from the law school at AU for Bar Review. We were in Dupont Circle, and I ended up driving there (and getting slightly lost on the way home, but we made it) because the metro stops at 12 and we didn't even leave until 11pm. We started the night out at "Big Hunt" where it was ridiculously crowded, but all the other LLM students gathered together and we sat around for awhile. I didn't know many people but it was still fun anyways.
We then decided to go to "Cafe Citron" which apparently is famous here in DC, and one of the best places to go. After waiting in the longest line, we were pissed because the bouncer was playing favorites and we were getting TA annoyed. Finally, FINALLY we got into the club and it was so crowded we couldn't really move. Great.
We finally made our way upstairs where they were mostly playing latin music but would once in awhile come up with a hindi/latin remix which was HOT HOT HOT. When people were not dancing real salsa there was more room on the dance floor to grove around.
I was merrily dancing my sober-self away, when this guys comes over and grabs my hand. I kin of look at him but am still dancing. While I don't have beer goggles on, it is quite dark. He tells me that his name is Eunice and I tell him my name. Then he says, "I was trying to find my best friend, but when I saw you dancing, I forgot what I was doing and had to come find you." Hmm...thanks Eunice, for a pretty bad pick-up line, although there are worse. I danced with him for about 7.9 seconds until our bodies were nearly fused and I hated it! I wanted out (and STAT) so I made up some excuse that I had to find my French roommate who I lost and who doesn't speak English. He didn't believe me so I really walked halfway across the bar so I could lose him. Luckily, I found my peeps again, whereupon JUST as I was finally making it back to the circle, some guy who I THINK was Indian grabbed my hand and wanted to dance.
The world stopped for a minute.
But, do you KNOW what I did? Did I dance with him like I should? NO, I was too scarred from touching Eunice's sweaty neck that I just smiled and kept walking to find my friends (who I was driving so kind of responsible to find).
$h!t, Fu*k, Da^^it kldjaiuerlakwjern ao8s!!!!! WHAT WAS I THINKING???
I am trying to convince myself that he was actually Latino and not a Desi, but I am can't be sure either way.
It is time for me to be less spastic in clubs. Seriously. I've had to get progressively less nice out here and more assertive (you just stole my dance space? OH NO YOU DIDN'T BIATCH!), but what happens in a club stays in a club (if it ends there). While I am not going to become a raging whore/skank/slut (no no and NO), I just need to be open to new people.
Tonight I went out with Charlotte (roomie) and some of her friends from the law school at AU for Bar Review. We were in Dupont Circle, and I ended up driving there (and getting slightly lost on the way home, but we made it) because the metro stops at 12 and we didn't even leave until 11pm. We started the night out at "Big Hunt" where it was ridiculously crowded, but all the other LLM students gathered together and we sat around for awhile. I didn't know many people but it was still fun anyways.
We then decided to go to "Cafe Citron" which apparently is famous here in DC, and one of the best places to go. After waiting in the longest line, we were pissed because the bouncer was playing favorites and we were getting TA annoyed. Finally, FINALLY we got into the club and it was so crowded we couldn't really move. Great.
We finally made our way upstairs where they were mostly playing latin music but would once in awhile come up with a hindi/latin remix which was HOT HOT HOT. When people were not dancing real salsa there was more room on the dance floor to grove around.
I was merrily dancing my sober-self away, when this guys comes over and grabs my hand. I kin of look at him but am still dancing. While I don't have beer goggles on, it is quite dark. He tells me that his name is Eunice and I tell him my name. Then he says, "I was trying to find my best friend, but when I saw you dancing, I forgot what I was doing and had to come find you." Hmm...thanks Eunice, for a pretty bad pick-up line, although there are worse. I danced with him for about 7.9 seconds until our bodies were nearly fused and I hated it! I wanted out (and STAT) so I made up some excuse that I had to find my French roommate who I lost and who doesn't speak English. He didn't believe me so I really walked halfway across the bar so I could lose him. Luckily, I found my peeps again, whereupon JUST as I was finally making it back to the circle, some guy who I THINK was Indian grabbed my hand and wanted to dance.
The world stopped for a minute.
But, do you KNOW what I did? Did I dance with him like I should? NO, I was too scarred from touching Eunice's sweaty neck that I just smiled and kept walking to find my friends (who I was driving so kind of responsible to find).
$h!t, Fu*k, Da^^it kldjaiuerlakwjern ao8s!!!!! WHAT WAS I THINKING???
I am trying to convince myself that he was actually Latino and not a Desi, but I am can't be sure either way.
It is time for me to be less spastic in clubs. Seriously. I've had to get progressively less nice out here and more assertive (you just stole my dance space? OH NO YOU DIDN'T BIATCH!), but what happens in a club stays in a club (if it ends there). While I am not going to become a raging whore/skank/slut (no no and NO), I just need to be open to new people.
8.29.2006
Life is better when you've secured employment.
You all should just watch out because I work as an economist for the IRS now. I will be learning about tax policy, laws, and regulations. Yahoo! The job will be a lot more fun than it really sounds =).
Thank heavens I started job searching earlier. While I had a job only being out here for 2.5 weeks, I applied for this job 3 months ago. People, that is how slow the job process is for a federal position. Moral of the story: don't quit your job now if you want a goverment job!
To make matters slower, now that I have the offer, I have to get fingerprinted, they will run a formal background check, and a tax check. There is no drug test. Does anyone else find it suspicious that I must have impecable taxes, but could be totally strung out on cocaine or a meth head? Who can talk about tax law then?
It has been a good day.
8.27.2006
House Pics
My "vintage" bathroom sink.
Notice the swans on the shower doors, beautiful!!!
My new folding table desk. Notice all the cords. I only have one grounded outlet in my room so that's a challenge....
Yay for built in shelves and drawers, because I don't have to buy furniture! Notice that my curtains look like Waterford Table Linens.
My shelf and fan. The door to the right leads to the attic, which is finished and is two entire rooms with walk in closets.
Lastly, my twin bed. How I miss my queen pillow top at home with 600 thread count Marshall Field's Hotel Sheets. My nightstand is an empty Rubbermaid container. It's all class for me.Really, I am so close to the metro, which is sweet. It took me awhile to get used to the fact that everything here is so old when you come from a house that was built a mere three years ago, but now I am starting to like the house (plus let's face it, I can't afford the 350 square-foot studios in the nearest apartment--they are $1450 a month!!!). I like to use a particular object in our house that describes the entire house. In the dining room, there is a beautiful chandelier. When the last light burned out, someone decided to put a regular lightbulb instead of a matching one. Classic.
8.26.2006
Crazy OC
Apparently French people love "The OC" which, in France, is called "Newport Beach". The fact that Phantom Planet, the band that sings the theme song to the show was going to be at AU basically excited the living daylights out of all my French pals. Of course, we headed right over to the concert. After some ridiculous technical difficulties and having to wait 2.75 hours to hear this song, everyone loved it, of course! The funny thing was that I would guess out of everyone there, it was 85% Freshman, and seriously, I felt so old at times. Remember how young you looked when you started college? They looked like they were 12 years old.
During the day I had orientation from 9:30-4:30. Quite long! I decided to take the metro and the shuttle, and it ended up taking 45 minutes to get the 1.13 miles from my house to campus. Ridiculous. I will be driving next time.
Class starts in three days. Oy. A great majority of the people getting their masters in economics are foreign students, I met one from Russia and one from Kazikstan (sp?). So it was good to meet new peeps. There was another econ student who also studied singing, so that was nice to see. There were a lot of PhD students too. I can't imagine leaving college and starting a PhD in Econ without professional experience.
My interview with the IRS went very well. I think they had two more people to interview and they interviewed some before me as well, but there are four positions open, so hopefully things will turn out okay. Working for the government means they pay for your transportation (yes!) and you also get flexible work, so if I want to work four, ten hour days, I can have a day off every week if I want, yeah! Hopefully stuff will work out. I should hear at the end of next week, so let's keep our fingers crossed!
I also took my placement test to work at the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). It was pretty hard, but I managed. The worst part about the day was the fact that I had my interview in the afternoon so I had to wear my suit all day. When it is 90 degrees out and you are wearing long sleeves, I thought I would die, but somehow I made it (whine whine!). The funniest part of the exam was that it was proctored by a old black guy who was missing a number of front teeth. They told us to wait for the test proctor, and all of a sudden this guy comes down in old blue pants and a dirty t-shirt and starts telling us the rules of the exam. He just kept making himself laugh. It was pretty funny.
It's my last week of freedom before school starts!!!
During the day I had orientation from 9:30-4:30. Quite long! I decided to take the metro and the shuttle, and it ended up taking 45 minutes to get the 1.13 miles from my house to campus. Ridiculous. I will be driving next time.
Class starts in three days. Oy. A great majority of the people getting their masters in economics are foreign students, I met one from Russia and one from Kazikstan (sp?). So it was good to meet new peeps. There was another econ student who also studied singing, so that was nice to see. There were a lot of PhD students too. I can't imagine leaving college and starting a PhD in Econ without professional experience.
My interview with the IRS went very well. I think they had two more people to interview and they interviewed some before me as well, but there are four positions open, so hopefully things will turn out okay. Working for the government means they pay for your transportation (yes!) and you also get flexible work, so if I want to work four, ten hour days, I can have a day off every week if I want, yeah! Hopefully stuff will work out. I should hear at the end of next week, so let's keep our fingers crossed!
I also took my placement test to work at the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). It was pretty hard, but I managed. The worst part about the day was the fact that I had my interview in the afternoon so I had to wear my suit all day. When it is 90 degrees out and you are wearing long sleeves, I thought I would die, but somehow I made it (whine whine!). The funniest part of the exam was that it was proctored by a old black guy who was missing a number of front teeth. They told us to wait for the test proctor, and all of a sudden this guy comes down in old blue pants and a dirty t-shirt and starts telling us the rules of the exam. He just kept making himself laugh. It was pretty funny.
It's my last week of freedom before school starts!!!
8.22.2006
Back to school, Back to school
Today I realized how annoying tourists are, but it is just something I will have to get used to. I shouldn't expect tourists to know that if you are only standing on the escalator, you stand on the right side so people can pass you on the left. I should know that tourists are going to take pictures of the metro stations as if they are some sort of public transportation novely. I also should expect them to be very loud and obnoxious in general. Yes, that is what I should expect.
Today when I returned home to check my email, I got my first glimpse of some assigmnments I have for class coming up. One of my profs is very tech saavy and the course website Blackboard lists everything we need for the class. One was the problem sets as well as syllabus. When I loked at the math problem set, a deep sinking feeling occured in the pit of my stomach reminding me how long it has been since I have done calc, and my calc book from college was not one of my prized possessions that made it with me to DC. Right now I am feeling VERY freaked out and kind of panicy. Hopefully I am just not used to her symbols and all of this homework will make perfect sense once class starts on Monday. Hopefully. Or, better yet, I will find someone who hasn't taken calc since me and find a bestie.
Either way this panic better subside!!!
Today when I returned home to check my email, I got my first glimpse of some assigmnments I have for class coming up. One of my profs is very tech saavy and the course website Blackboard lists everything we need for the class. One was the problem sets as well as syllabus. When I loked at the math problem set, a deep sinking feeling occured in the pit of my stomach reminding me how long it has been since I have done calc, and my calc book from college was not one of my prized possessions that made it with me to DC. Right now I am feeling VERY freaked out and kind of panicy. Hopefully I am just not used to her symbols and all of this homework will make perfect sense once class starts on Monday. Hopefully. Or, better yet, I will find someone who hasn't taken calc since me and find a bestie.
Either way this panic better subside!!!
8.19.2006
Single to Mingle
Interesting Info According to CNNmoney.com
City Rank, % of Population that is single:
1.Bloomington, IN58.2%
2.New Brunswick, NJ54.6%
3.College Station, TX54.3%
4.Ames, IA52.5%
5.Iowa City, IA52.0%
6.Cambridge, MA52.0%
7.Somerville, MA51.3%
8.Boston, MA50.4%
9.Berkeley, CA50.3%
10.Champaign, IL50.2%
11.Davis, CA49.6%
12.Gainesville, FL48.7%
13.Boulder, CO48.4%
14.Washington, DC48.4%
15.Ann Arbor, MI48.4%
16.Tallahassee, FL48.2%
17.Athens-Clarke County, GA48.1%
18.Greenville, NC47.6%
19.Lawrence, KS47.1%
20.Jacksonville, NC46.9%
21.Camden, NJ46.6%
22.Minneapolis, MN45.8%
23.Syracuse, NY45.6%
24.Kalamazoo, MI45.5%
25.Santa Cruz, CA45.3%
There are a few interesting questions that this data brings to light. The first being Bloomington, IN. What is going on there? Bloomington is first by an astounding 3.6%. When all the other cities are relatively close it seems interesting that so many are single there? When taking a look at the statistics closer, you see that the average price of a home here is much lower that the national average, the purchasing power is greater, meaning that the cost of living is relatively good in this town. Only 27% of the population here is married, and 7.0% are divorced. The crime rate is slightly higher. It is all very interesting.
But I digress.
The fact that Washington DC is 48.4% single is pretty stellar. I couldn't find on the website how they classify people as single or "eligible"; I mean I obviously don't want to be dating a five-year-old or someone that has been divorced 2+ times. Either way, there should be some hope for interesting relationships in DC. It is one of the most educated places in the US, so there are, relatively speaking, less stupid people (sans the girls that work at the movie theater in Chinatown).
Cheers to the singles on the mingle!
City Rank, % of Population that is single:
1.Bloomington, IN58.2%
2.New Brunswick, NJ54.6%
3.College Station, TX54.3%
4.Ames, IA52.5%
5.Iowa City, IA52.0%
6.Cambridge, MA52.0%
7.Somerville, MA51.3%
8.Boston, MA50.4%
9.Berkeley, CA50.3%
10.Champaign, IL50.2%
11.Davis, CA49.6%
12.Gainesville, FL48.7%
13.Boulder, CO48.4%
14.Washington, DC48.4%
15.Ann Arbor, MI48.4%
16.Tallahassee, FL48.2%
17.Athens-Clarke County, GA48.1%
18.Greenville, NC47.6%
19.Lawrence, KS47.1%
20.Jacksonville, NC46.9%
21.Camden, NJ46.6%
22.Minneapolis, MN45.8%
23.Syracuse, NY45.6%
24.Kalamazoo, MI45.5%
25.Santa Cruz, CA45.3%
There are a few interesting questions that this data brings to light. The first being Bloomington, IN. What is going on there? Bloomington is first by an astounding 3.6%. When all the other cities are relatively close it seems interesting that so many are single there? When taking a look at the statistics closer, you see that the average price of a home here is much lower that the national average, the purchasing power is greater, meaning that the cost of living is relatively good in this town. Only 27% of the population here is married, and 7.0% are divorced. The crime rate is slightly higher. It is all very interesting.
But I digress.
The fact that Washington DC is 48.4% single is pretty stellar. I couldn't find on the website how they classify people as single or "eligible"; I mean I obviously don't want to be dating a five-year-old or someone that has been divorced 2+ times. Either way, there should be some hope for interesting relationships in DC. It is one of the most educated places in the US, so there are, relatively speaking, less stupid people (sans the girls that work at the movie theater in Chinatown).
Cheers to the singles on the mingle!
8.17.2006
Metro Adventures, to Huntington and Beyond!
Well, obviously there are new adventures to be had every day, but the reality is starting to settle in because every day life her eis an adventure when compared to good 'ol Minnesota!
Today my plan was to again, not do the list of things I should do, and just go out and find stuff. I decided to go to Pentagon City, a portion of town I had not been so far.
Let's just say the the Washington Area Metro Transit Association (WMATA) felt the need to remind me that riding the metro is a privelage and not a God-given right. Okay.
I hop down to the Van Ness metro station after eating a banana along the way from my house to the metro. When I get down on the platform, they start having overhead announcements about track maintenance and loss of communication between the trains. Great. 10 minutes later, a train came. Ten minutes is longer than usual, but I could deal. I rode my way into Metro Center to transfer to the Yellow line to take me to Pentagon City. There were gobs of people with luggage ready to go to the airport with me, also on the Yellow line. It looked like a train hadn't come in awhile. Continous overhead announcements reminded me that there was track maitenance and the yellow and red lines were sharing a track. Five minutes pass. Ten. Twenty. Twenty Five. Thirty minutes later, me and a frickin zip code of passengers crowd onto the train. When a train usually comes every 4 minutes and waits 30, chaos is bound to occur!
So I made it to Pentagon City alright, after sitting my whom I can only say must be related to Bob Marley, but was kind of hot. So, that was good. I shop around the area and see what is there, and I found my beloved Macy's, my first department store since leaving beloved MF. It was great.
The time came where it was time to get back onto the train again. I stopped in the middle of downtown, went to Starbucks, read the paper, and boarded the red line to head back up to Van Ness. Little did I now there was a Jerry Springer-esque fight going on in the metro car I had to pick. Since it was too late for me to get the hell out, I had to listen two a group of two teenagers, a boy and girl, and their entire posse, yell at each other about some sort of relationship that I really didn't understand. I am serious people, imagine being in a car or train and have people yelling. It was insane. All those white-collar hill staffers didn't even know what to do. I couldn't turn my iPod up any louder for fear of being deaf the rest of my life.
And so, I finally made it home. Just another day in DC I guess. I better just wait until the real work starts.
Today my plan was to again, not do the list of things I should do, and just go out and find stuff. I decided to go to Pentagon City, a portion of town I had not been so far.
Let's just say the the Washington Area Metro Transit Association (WMATA) felt the need to remind me that riding the metro is a privelage and not a God-given right. Okay.
I hop down to the Van Ness metro station after eating a banana along the way from my house to the metro. When I get down on the platform, they start having overhead announcements about track maintenance and loss of communication between the trains. Great. 10 minutes later, a train came. Ten minutes is longer than usual, but I could deal. I rode my way into Metro Center to transfer to the Yellow line to take me to Pentagon City. There were gobs of people with luggage ready to go to the airport with me, also on the Yellow line. It looked like a train hadn't come in awhile. Continous overhead announcements reminded me that there was track maitenance and the yellow and red lines were sharing a track. Five minutes pass. Ten. Twenty. Twenty Five. Thirty minutes later, me and a frickin zip code of passengers crowd onto the train. When a train usually comes every 4 minutes and waits 30, chaos is bound to occur!
So I made it to Pentagon City alright, after sitting my whom I can only say must be related to Bob Marley, but was kind of hot. So, that was good. I shop around the area and see what is there, and I found my beloved Macy's, my first department store since leaving beloved MF. It was great.
The time came where it was time to get back onto the train again. I stopped in the middle of downtown, went to Starbucks, read the paper, and boarded the red line to head back up to Van Ness. Little did I now there was a Jerry Springer-esque fight going on in the metro car I had to pick. Since it was too late for me to get the hell out, I had to listen two a group of two teenagers, a boy and girl, and their entire posse, yell at each other about some sort of relationship that I really didn't understand. I am serious people, imagine being in a car or train and have people yelling. It was insane. All those white-collar hill staffers didn't even know what to do. I couldn't turn my iPod up any louder for fear of being deaf the rest of my life.
And so, I finally made it home. Just another day in DC I guess. I better just wait until the real work starts.
8.15.2006
The District is Your Oyster
Filling the days with giddy exploration is pretty fun. I like to tell myself that I am on "vacation" although that really means that I am not employed or in school yet. And, as my DC friends are not actually in DC right now, I have a lot of time on my hands.
Yesterday I aimlessly walked around downtown for 7 hours (two of that was spend in the movie "Step Up") and just discovered things. After I got my metropass, I just went shopping, found a coffeeshop, attempted to eat at the Chipotle in Chinatown for two hours but there never was a seat open anytime I walked by, and most importantly found a Bed, Bath & Beyond. Here is an excerpt from my favorite conversation in DC so far:
Girl at Selling Movie Theater Tickets: $7.50
Me: I hand her $12.50 with a bright shining smile.
Girl: Why you give me dat?
She is thrusting the two ones back in my hand.
Me: I gave you that so I could get an even $5 back.
Girl looks at coworker who does nothing as there are about 15 people in line
Girl: We don't do that here.
So, if anyone needs proof that DC public education is complete and utter crap, here is yet another example. I now have five one dollar bills to prove it.
Today my French roommate Charlotte and I went shopping at the fancy stores in Georgetown. I learned that the French regulate when stuff can go on sale in retail shops, and it can only happen one time in the Winter and one time in the Summer, which Charlotte and I think is complete crap. Lucky for her, she thought everything was so cheap and was pumped to get a pair of flip flops at American Eagle for $27.50. It really was endearing. I also discovered a store that is based in Spain that I now love, it is called Zara's. It is stellar! I think it will become one of my favorite specialty stores, which I can now shop at because I finally got my Giant and CVS savers cards today and am on my way to great deals (yeah right).
The good news on the job front is that I am interviewing for an Economist position at the IRS. Yes! How creepy and cool would it be that I could work for the IRS? Yeah! I must brush up on my interviewing skills before, however. I hate interviewing, but in a sense it is like riding a bike. Hopefully I will not have forgotten any of my rehearsed answers since last time.
Yesterday I aimlessly walked around downtown for 7 hours (two of that was spend in the movie "Step Up") and just discovered things. After I got my metropass, I just went shopping, found a coffeeshop, attempted to eat at the Chipotle in Chinatown for two hours but there never was a seat open anytime I walked by, and most importantly found a Bed, Bath & Beyond. Here is an excerpt from my favorite conversation in DC so far:
Girl at Selling Movie Theater Tickets: $7.50
Me: I hand her $12.50 with a bright shining smile.
Girl: Why you give me dat?
She is thrusting the two ones back in my hand.
Me: I gave you that so I could get an even $5 back.
Girl looks at coworker who does nothing as there are about 15 people in line
Girl: We don't do that here.
So, if anyone needs proof that DC public education is complete and utter crap, here is yet another example. I now have five one dollar bills to prove it.
Today my French roommate Charlotte and I went shopping at the fancy stores in Georgetown. I learned that the French regulate when stuff can go on sale in retail shops, and it can only happen one time in the Winter and one time in the Summer, which Charlotte and I think is complete crap. Lucky for her, she thought everything was so cheap and was pumped to get a pair of flip flops at American Eagle for $27.50. It really was endearing. I also discovered a store that is based in Spain that I now love, it is called Zara's. It is stellar! I think it will become one of my favorite specialty stores, which I can now shop at because I finally got my Giant and CVS savers cards today and am on my way to great deals (yeah right).
The good news on the job front is that I am interviewing for an Economist position at the IRS. Yes! How creepy and cool would it be that I could work for the IRS? Yeah! I must brush up on my interviewing skills before, however. I hate interviewing, but in a sense it is like riding a bike. Hopefully I will not have forgotten any of my rehearsed answers since last time.
8.13.2006
Survival of the richest...
Well, it has been an expensive day. Initial runs to Target and the grocery store tend to be expensive, and doing it all in one day was even more so. Luckily, I now have all the necesities of live, including food, so it's all good.
Let's call this next section: What I learned in Washington DC, Day 2:
-Giant, the newly expanded grocery store near my house validates your parking. You park underground to go to the grocery store!
-Giant does not have bagged cereal, SUCK!
-Giant does not have Dannon Lite and Fit Vanilla Yogurt, DOUBLE SUCK!
-Groceries here are circa at least 33% more expensive than in the Midwest. Minnesota is so cheap, people!
-My shopping sprees at Target are over, FOR REAL. The Target is probably 25 minutes away from my house (probably 8 miles but endless 4-way stops through Georgetown)
-If you had filthy heathens living in your house before you who never cleaned the bathroom, it will take three separate scrubs of the tub to make the rinse-water not be black with mold and mildew. GROSS. I am insane about being clean EVEN MORE!
-From the moment I said "flatware" I was known as the house mom. It is probably true, but my only justification for being the "house mom" is that I like things clean, is that such a crime?
So all in all, I have survived another day! Tomorrow it is off to get a metro pass and skip around my neighborhood until I have it memorized.
Let's call this next section: What I learned in Washington DC, Day 2:
-Giant, the newly expanded grocery store near my house validates your parking. You park underground to go to the grocery store!
-Giant does not have bagged cereal, SUCK!
-Giant does not have Dannon Lite and Fit Vanilla Yogurt, DOUBLE SUCK!
-Groceries here are circa at least 33% more expensive than in the Midwest. Minnesota is so cheap, people!
-My shopping sprees at Target are over, FOR REAL. The Target is probably 25 minutes away from my house (probably 8 miles but endless 4-way stops through Georgetown)
-If you had filthy heathens living in your house before you who never cleaned the bathroom, it will take three separate scrubs of the tub to make the rinse-water not be black with mold and mildew. GROSS. I am insane about being clean EVEN MORE!
-From the moment I said "flatware" I was known as the house mom. It is probably true, but my only justification for being the "house mom" is that I like things clean, is that such a crime?
So all in all, I have survived another day! Tomorrow it is off to get a metro pass and skip around my neighborhood until I have it memorized.
8.12.2006
Beware
After 20 long hours with just the Accord, me, shit loads of tolls and "travel plazas", I have arrived unscathed here in DC. It's quite amazing, really, because I was sure I was going to go insane in the middle of Chicago, Indiana, AND Ohio, but somehow I persevered. Things I learned whilst driving:
-Never, EVER, EVER in a grillion years drive through Chicago on a Friday during rush hour while there is construction. It will take you four hours to go 100 miles and you might shed a few tears.
-Have lots of quarters for those damn Illinios tolls if you are not smart enough to get an iPass ahead of time.
-Broadway soundtrack take up a lot of time and you can re-live the story in your head, so it will be just like watching tv, only better because you are driving so that is multi-tasking!
-Don't go 4.5 hours without stopping, your legs and back will hate you later!
-Snacks are key because your meal options will include the following: truck stop hot dogs (shady but good for an emergency meal), McDonalds (who wants to eat that when you are driving the whole day? BARF), Panera (a good option, but takes too long), Roy Rogers (no comment), or Sbarro. I don't about you people, but if I am driving, I don't want to eat anything, let alone anything greasy no matter how good it is in other instances!
-Don't fill your car up so much that if you are on an off ramp, your CD case comes crashing down on you!
-When you get "conditioning shampoo" at a Super 8 Hotel, it doesn't really condition, so you better have separate conditioner....
-Ohio and Indiana are the two more boring states that exist. There are no big cities along this 531 miles stretch of road. All there is are expensive tolls with shady looking attendants. Creepy!
So here I am in my very own room in my house in DC. I can't really judge any of my roommates right away, except Tyler, the 30 year old has more movies than anyone I have ever met. It is insane!
Moving, for me, is traumatic, as many of you know I am not really all that good with life altering changes, and there are challenges to be had (ie right now I have no food but do not know where the grocery store is! THAT will be fixed tomorrow). You just have to get new things, which is what I am going to be telling myself for the next few weeks.
Until next time, I am sleeping on sheets that are new and haven't been washed. For me, this is an accomplishment!!
Ahh, I already feel better!
-Never, EVER, EVER in a grillion years drive through Chicago on a Friday during rush hour while there is construction. It will take you four hours to go 100 miles and you might shed a few tears.
-Have lots of quarters for those damn Illinios tolls if you are not smart enough to get an iPass ahead of time.
-Broadway soundtrack take up a lot of time and you can re-live the story in your head, so it will be just like watching tv, only better because you are driving so that is multi-tasking!
-Don't go 4.5 hours without stopping, your legs and back will hate you later!
-Snacks are key because your meal options will include the following: truck stop hot dogs (shady but good for an emergency meal), McDonalds (who wants to eat that when you are driving the whole day? BARF), Panera (a good option, but takes too long), Roy Rogers (no comment), or Sbarro. I don't about you people, but if I am driving, I don't want to eat anything, let alone anything greasy no matter how good it is in other instances!
-Don't fill your car up so much that if you are on an off ramp, your CD case comes crashing down on you!
-When you get "conditioning shampoo" at a Super 8 Hotel, it doesn't really condition, so you better have separate conditioner....
-Ohio and Indiana are the two more boring states that exist. There are no big cities along this 531 miles stretch of road. All there is are expensive tolls with shady looking attendants. Creepy!
So here I am in my very own room in my house in DC. I can't really judge any of my roommates right away, except Tyler, the 30 year old has more movies than anyone I have ever met. It is insane!
Moving, for me, is traumatic, as many of you know I am not really all that good with life altering changes, and there are challenges to be had (ie right now I have no food but do not know where the grocery store is! THAT will be fixed tomorrow). You just have to get new things, which is what I am going to be telling myself for the next few weeks.
Until next time, I am sleeping on sheets that are new and haven't been washed. For me, this is an accomplishment!!
Ahh, I already feel better!
8.07.2006
After one long week of happy hours, going out to eat, plays, reunions, and bachlorette parties, I am finally getting ready to move! I had a great time this weekend (sans the eating at Bubba Gump at the MOA) and it was great to see most of the people I wanted to see before I left for DC. It was one giant high school reunion, but hey, it was nice to catch up on everything.
I even got to have about 5 sips of my favorite drink at "The Independent" in uptown (shark tank) and spend some time with friends of the recent and past (but still pals).
I am actually going through my closet and getting rid of all the clothes that are too big. While this is a good thing, I am sad becaue I like all of those clothes. On to better options!
The good news is that I have an interview in DC a week from Tuesday, shortly after I will arrive there. It will be great that I can start out interviewing with a job I think I would really like. It is especially for graduate students and is at the Depa
rtment of Commerce. Hopefully the crazy job searching will pan out.Off to commence with the cleanage.
8.05.2006
Well, my last day at MF was yesterday. Sad, really. Mydiscount is gone, I no longer have to ride the bus, and I never have to worry about the season-to-date sell throughs of various glassware or table linens ever again. It is a bittersweet reality.
I have to pack up my stuff in the next 7 days and then head out. Holy cow! I have an interview in Washington DC on August 15th, which is a Tuesday, so I know that I will at least have to be out there by then, so it looks like I will be leaving next weekend. INSANE!
Tonight it Jon's fringe show, "Johan Santana's Perfect Game", and after the fringing festivities follows the "Triple Threat Celebration Night" at the Independent in Uptown, which is basically my favorite uptown venue, minus the surprisingly unprivate bathrooms. I guess I'll just have to get over it!
I have to pack up my stuff in the next 7 days and then head out. Holy cow! I have an interview in Washington DC on August 15th, which is a Tuesday, so I know that I will at least have to be out there by then, so it looks like I will be leaving next weekend. INSANE!
Tonight it Jon's fringe show, "Johan Santana's Perfect Game", and after the fringing festivities follows the "Triple Threat Celebration Night" at the Independent in Uptown, which is basically my favorite uptown venue, minus the surprisingly unprivate bathrooms. I guess I'll just have to get over it!
7.30.2006
Seeing as the days of Marshall Field's are rapidly decreasing as we push closer and closer to 9/6, the day of Macy's, I thought it would be important to buy a Marshall Field's Cookbook and make one of my favorite salads from the Marketplace. It is called the Blueberry Chicken Salad and it is delish!
This salad involves quite a lot of ingredients, but after a snappy trip to Cub and a lot of chopping, roasting, and mixing, the masterpiece was finished. And, the best part is that when I tasted it, it tasted exactly like it does at work. I was a skeptic, but it was perfect!!! Finally, I can add something else to the list of things I can cook. Hopefully I can make this sometime next year because so far I am sure my food intake will consist of:
-boca burgers (I am obsessed with their deliciousness)
-strawberries
-toast with pb
-pizza
-lots of diet pop
-milk
-apples
-soup
-lean cuisines
I clearly need to diversify here. What if all of a sudden lean cuisine goes out of business? I would be SOL. It is time to dive into quality culinary endeavors (and stat!).
Off to study for my Bureau of Labor and Statistics Test (BLS). I have to take an entry level economist test that I pass or fail to determine whether they hire me. They even sent me a packet on how to study. How nice.
This salad involves quite a lot of ingredients, but after a snappy trip to Cub and a lot of chopping, roasting, and mixing, the masterpiece was finished. And, the best part is that when I tasted it, it tasted exactly like it does at work. I was a skeptic, but it was perfect!!! Finally, I can add something else to the list of things I can cook. Hopefully I can make this sometime next year because so far I am sure my food intake will consist of:
-boca burgers (I am obsessed with their deliciousness)
-strawberries
-toast with pb
-pizza
-lots of diet pop
-milk
-apples
-soup
-lean cuisines
I clearly need to diversify here. What if all of a sudden lean cuisine goes out of business? I would be SOL. It is time to dive into quality culinary endeavors (and stat!).
Off to study for my Bureau of Labor and Statistics Test (BLS). I have to take an entry level economist test that I pass or fail to determine whether they hire me. They even sent me a packet on how to study. How nice.
7.27.2006
Time to recount what could be the most ridiculous morning of my life.
7:18am- I open my eyes and my room looks a little more light-filled than it should. I lazily turn over to see the clock. Realizing that my alarm usually goes off at 5:45 am, I mobilize like whoa and run to take a shower. At 7:18 I am usually at the park and ride, ready to go into Minneapolis.
7:38am- Out of the shower, I am running out of my house, but I stop and remember to grab a soda to drink with my lunch. Good job, me! I realize that if I could possibly catch the 7:51 bus and only get to work at about 8:30 instead of 8.
7:38-7:51- Hit every single red light possible on the 11 miles of road I drive (seriously, I estimate I hit 17/19 stoplights, yes there is that many)
7:51am- Realize there are no parking spots left in the big lot and proceed to the smaller lot with lightning speed.
7:51:59- See that the 7:51 bus is 10 feet ahead of my car, but already proceeding to the highway. Dammit!
8:01- The time I think the next bus is coming.
8:25- The time the next bus actually comes. By this time, I probably could have just driven downtown faster, even with not going on the shoulder of the road, like the bus. I have been frying in the morning sun and I am sure my Yoplait should not be out of the fridge that long.
8:50- Arrive at work. No one actually noticed I was late, which is good because I left at 5pm. At least something went well.
Mass chaos, road rage, and severe impatience all before 8:30am. What a day.
7:18am- I open my eyes and my room looks a little more light-filled than it should. I lazily turn over to see the clock. Realizing that my alarm usually goes off at 5:45 am, I mobilize like whoa and run to take a shower. At 7:18 I am usually at the park and ride, ready to go into Minneapolis.
7:38am- Out of the shower, I am running out of my house, but I stop and remember to grab a soda to drink with my lunch. Good job, me! I realize that if I could possibly catch the 7:51 bus and only get to work at about 8:30 instead of 8.
7:38-7:51- Hit every single red light possible on the 11 miles of road I drive (seriously, I estimate I hit 17/19 stoplights, yes there is that many)
7:51am- Realize there are no parking spots left in the big lot and proceed to the smaller lot with lightning speed.
7:51:59- See that the 7:51 bus is 10 feet ahead of my car, but already proceeding to the highway. Dammit!
8:01- The time I think the next bus is coming.
8:25- The time the next bus actually comes. By this time, I probably could have just driven downtown faster, even with not going on the shoulder of the road, like the bus. I have been frying in the morning sun and I am sure my Yoplait should not be out of the fridge that long.
8:50- Arrive at work. No one actually noticed I was late, which is good because I left at 5pm. At least something went well.
Mass chaos, road rage, and severe impatience all before 8:30am. What a day.
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