Showing posts with label the district. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the district. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

runners high.

{view on memorial bridge looking at the lincoln and washington monument.}

this was the gorgeous view of the city i had on my run tonight.
there really is nothing quite like a
runners high.
especially when the sun is shining and warm on my skin
and
i get to look at a view as incredible as this.
i
love
dc

plus it fixed my two day migraine.
huzzah.

Monday, March 26, 2012

m.

*disclaimer: it has been forever since i have posted. i am aware. but we will pretend like it hasn't so i can tell you about my wonderful weekend with melissa and not feel guilty for all the other things i have left out.

so M came to town this weekend. and let me just tell you, it was delightful. she was a little piece of home and comfort that i greatly needed. in the same wonderful way, i was a little piece of vacation and escape that she needed. there is something so wonderful about an old, lifelong friend. no matter how many days, weeks, or months you go without talking you can always pick up where you left off. M and i have always had that kind of friendship. the second she came into my life i felt she had been there forever.

it was a fast weekend, but we made the best of it. some of our dc events included: pizza here with a series of random adventures throughout the city, brunch at the Hamilton with a lovely and lively group of girls {we enjoyed incredible wheat and oat pancakes with cinnamon apples and maple syrup}, a trip to the American History museum to see the dresses of the First Lady's {even Michelle Obama's inauguration gown}, and a late night run for froyo. we finished off the weekend with a perfect sunday afternoon in the city--cherry blossoms, MLK memorial, and the most magical art exhibit at the Hirshhorn gallery, and a walk through adam's morgan and woodley park til we rested our tired feet at my new favorite place.

the weekend was polished off with hours of thought provoking conversation and lighthearted laughter. i just love my M. thanks for coming and spending the weekend with me. i am so glad you picked dc to potentially go to grad school. great idea.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

a passing thought.


do you ever walk the same path...
on a regular basis?
almost daily.
but then one day,
have you ever walked on the other side of the sidewalk?
it's a completely different perspective.
the light falls differently between the buildings.
your feet trip on new cobblestones.
the view of your surroundings
becomes unfamiliar.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Sunday Brunch







so last sunday lauren and i decided to have sunday brunch together. can i just say that it was delicious?? church was bright and early (8 am!) and let me just tell you folks, that is really early on a sunday. hopefully no one noticed the glass baking dish, butter, and syrup i had stashed in my purse (ok, maybe it is the size of a small suit case. i like a big bag!) we made a mad dash to lauren's after church and enjoyed yummy german pancakes and fresh blueberries. i loved cooking again. my kitchen has been getting remodeled for 6 weeks now, and i have really been missing it. there is something so therapeutic and rewarding in cooking. anyway, after a little nap we headed out to a christmas concert at the daughter's of the american revolution building in DC. welllllll, after looking for a parking spot (and being kicked out of one because we weren't "military personnel"...how do they know?!) for 30 minutes we gave up. we decided we should take advantage of already being in the city and ended up driving up to the national cathedral. it was breathtaking! there is something so incredible about old cathedrals and temples. it just amazes that they were built with someone's hands. we also found a really cool school behind the cathedral that i just had to have a picture with. i just love lauren, and i am so grateful i got to spend the day with her! we had a blast just having girl talk and exploring the city together. hopefully more days like this to come since we will live within walking distance of each other come january! yay!

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Lucky 100.






So it's randomly my 100th post. and it just so happens to be a post about one of the most
incredible
epic
amazing
breathtaking
beautiful
floaty-moment
timeless

nights of my life. I really can't find the words to describe it accurately. But, I will try. It started out lovely as I met my sweetest friend Kendis for an Italian dinner near McPherson Square. It has been three years since we have been home from Italy, and not a day has gone by that I haven't thought about it. After dinner Kendis had a surprise event planned. Based on her excitement I knew it was going to be something wonderful. But I never imagined what was in store. When she handed me my ticket and I saw the name "Andrea Bocelli" I literally jumped up and down and screamed. I am sure everyone around me thought I was an idiot for not knowing where I was and what I was going to. Let me tell you, my ears and soul have never been happier. It was a night filled with utter beauty. What a talented, humble, sweet person Andrea is. It was the most perfect night with my girl. I am so sad she is leaving the District, but I am happy for what life has in store for her next. My little heart just might not be able to handle life without her, but I am so happy we got to soak up Andrea Bocelli together for a night. I will never forget it.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Giving Thanks.






So this year I spent Thanksgiving away from family. I have done this once before (when I was in London for a couple days before flying home from my study abroad...but was able to spend it with my lovely friends Kendis and Lynzie and Kendis's sweet family). But this time it was different. I live away from home now. As in I have to fly home to visit for the holidays. I'm trying not to think about that return flight on December 27th too much. Anyway, I wanted to take the opportunity to share some things I am thankful for this holiday season. I happen to love this time of year (it's what keeps me excited working in the retail world...).

celebrating the birth of our Savior
soft scarves
family
caramel apple cider
helping people buy gifts
mistletoe
homemade desserts
christmas music
good books
fireplaces
linking arms to stay warm
long phone conversations with friends far away

And lastly, I am so thankful for sweet new friends that let me and Lauren spend Thanksgiving with them. Dinner was fabulous and tasted like it came from Martha Stewart's kitchen. Then to top it off Mackenna made the.most.delicious.pies.ever. The crust was buttery heaven and the filling was incredible. Homemade pumpkin and apple-cranberry from scratch. I even witnessed the apple peeling. Thanks for a lovely evening girls!

Friday, November 18, 2011

My best friend...




Align Center


So this one time (a couple weeks ago...) my best friend Alexia Allred came to visit me in Washington D.C. It was the biggest slice of heaven I could have ever dreamed of. I loved having someone to share the city with. The weekend was the perfect mix of site seeing, talking, and relaxing. Some of the highlights include: seeing the White House (don't mind our big heads blocking the house, you want to us anyway right?), touring the monuments along the Mall and Tidal Basin (I have a better picture where her finger is actually on the very tip, I just can't tell which one it is), Mount Vernon (we spent all Sunday here and it was absolutely lovely), getting a tour of the Capitol by our dear friend Kendis (she did a very great job!), and getting burgers at Good Stuff Eatery! We had such a great time, I am so thankful for such a sweet friend.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Rubbish.

Remember how I live on the 18th floor?

Well. Wanna know my favorite thing about being up so high up?

Apart from the amazing views and incredible sunsets...

I love taking the garbage to the "rubbish" chute.

I even have to wait for it to drop all.the.way.to.the.bottom.

It makes a delightful sliding, falling, crashing noise. It is wonderful.

While I'm at it I should also share something kind of neat. Sometimes when I am in the elevator going down, my ears pop. That means I live really really really high. Just thought you should know.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Rooftop Magic



The last two weeks have been heavenly. I got to fly home for my gorgeous cousins wedding and spend some time with family back in Provo. Unfortunately, the garden reception they had planned had to be moved inside due to rain and temperatures in the 40's. Luckily their neighbors offered their ultra chic, modern house for the event and it turned out lovely! I will post some pictures soon.

Well, I got back to DC late Wednesday night. It had been two weeks since I had seen my friend Kendis, so naturally Thursday nights plans revolved around us getting together. We went to Dupont Circle to Panera for a bagel and hot cocoa. It was delicious. Our night got a little interesting when we got off the metro and rode the escalator out into the pouring, monsoon style rain. We were soaked in .2 seconds. (We are both brilliant and left our umbrellas at home. I know, we are ridiculous.)

After we dried off, ate our snacks, and waited for the rain to stop we decided to pay a visit to our friend Ryan. Ryan is way cool, and happens to have the most amazing rooftop view at his apartment. The three of us sat on a park bench playing random songs we pulled up on youtube. We listened to this, this, and this to name a few. The moon was to die for, and we even figured out that Jupiter was the bright shiny ball next to the moon in the sky (thanks to my handy googlesky app!). From his roof we had a view of the Capitol dome, and the Washington Monument. The night was delightful and just what I needed. I fell a little bit more in love with DC (and felt kind of at home since one of my most favorite places in Provo is the top of the Wells Fargo Parking Garage. Turns out I kind of have a thing for rooftops.).

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Life lately...



It turns out a lot can happen in a day. Life has become so unexpected since graduation...I have never had my life feel so open ended. Don't get me wrong, it is pretty wonderful. I'm just not used to it. I am used to structure, deadlines, responsibilities, schedules. Especially over the last three weeks, I have felt like a walking question mark.

Anyway, that's enough of my serious thoughts. I want to tell you about my day yesterday! Oh my goodness, it's kind of out of control. and kind of a lot, feel free to skim if desired. i won't even be offended.

Part-one. My morning started early as I showered, dressed and got ready to head to Silver Spring, MD (just outside the DC boundary...) for a job interview at APHL (Association of Public Health Laboratories). My interview was scheduled for noon, but I wanted to give myself plenty of time to metro over and find the building. Naturally this meant catching the 8:35 am shuttle. I arrived, found the building, then scoped out the area for the closest Starbucks. I ordered my hot cocoa and pulled out my laptop. 10:00 am. Luckily, I had nerves to calm and paperwork to fill out for the next two hours. Me being the classy lady that I am put on my make-up in the bathroom. Yes, you read that right. I spent all morning make-up less because I am that awesome. or lazy. or just can't ever stop snoozing. and I always run down the hall to catch the shuttle regardless of when I wake up. I know, I'm ridiculous. 11:45. Interview begins and I felt really good about how it went. It lasted about 45 minutes and required a lot of repetitive questions about what kind of employee I am, why Public Health, blah blah blah. But the two women I interviewed with were wonderful and would be great to work with. After the interview I felt I deserved some lunch so I treated myself to Chipotle (conveniently located around the corner! yay!). I didn't expect to hear back from them for a week because they told me they were still doing a primary interview on one last candidate and then they would decide who to call back for second interviews. 1:20. My phone rings. It's APHL offering me a second interview!! Oh my gosh, I cried. Literally. I am sure everyone thought I was crazy. Unfortunately it's not until October 17th because they are going out of town (again.).

Part-two. On my way home I decided maybe I would follow up with Anthropologie (I interviewed there last week but they are staffed right now, but may have temp openings for the new store on F street that opens next week...). I asked for the manager but he wasn't there, so I got his phone number and left the store. I passed JCrew and on a whim decided to go in and look around at all the pretty clothes. Again, on a whim, I asked one of the girl's for an application. She gave it to me and told me I could fill it out there if I wanted to. I decided I might as well, and plopped down in the shoe section to fill it out. When I finished I asked for a manager to hand it in to. After introducing myself and the manager taking a 10-second glance at my application she asked if I had 5 minutes? She thought the hiring manager was still there and felt like she should grab him. I agreed and she left to find him from the back of the store. I anxiously waited for about 5-7 minutes and then out she came with Andrew. We hit if off instantly (he loooooved my handshake! asked where I was from and said I was glowing!) and after explaining that I had never lived close enough to a JCrew to work there he jumped straight in to asking me if I would pass a background check. I said yes and he handed me a waiver. From there he went to get the store manager and we talked for a couple minutes about where I was from, etc. and then she went back to the back. Andrew then asked if we could just chat for a few minutes and he asked me to explain why I liked JCrew. I explained how its classic, timeless and not trendy. And that I just loved the aesthetic of the store. He g u s h e d about the word aesthetic. He went on to talk about the position a little bit, the dress code, and invited me to orientation TODAY! Ah! I walked out of the store in complete shock. Ijustgotajobatjcrew. Dream come true? Yes. To end my day with a bang, Georgetown Cupcake didn't even have a line. Best carrot cake cupcake I have ever tasted.



Part-three. So I went to orientation, filled out some of the paperwork (but unfortunately my passport wasn't in my wallet like I had thought, and my roommate couldn't find it anywhere to text me a picture to prove I have one, so I have to go back to orient the rest of the way on October 18th). Like seriously, this is my life? I can't believe it. I am super bummed that I didn't have my passport, but I didn't realize I had to have it with me 100%. He asked if I had one but never told me why it was relevant. I figured it was for the background check or something. Stupidstupidstupid me. But that's ok, he said they will be calling as soon as my background check clears to officially offer me a position. Now what do I do if I get the job at APHL? Someone please make that decision for me if I come to that point. I don't think I can choose. Maybe I will do both!

Monday, September 26, 2011

The places your feet can take you.





Sometimes its fun being a full-time tourist for a while. Today was one of those amazing, "I live here!" kind of days. I sort of love my life. My little legs carried me all over the the city today. Here is a little adventure log:

1) Took the metro to the Smithsonian stop (about halfway through the "mall")
2) Walked towards the Washington Monument
3) Continued to the WWII Memorial
4) Stopped on a park bench to rest up and enjoy a Diet Coke
5) Walked along the river to get to the Thomas Jefferson memorial via:
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Monument (breathtaking.)
  • Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial (might be one of my absolute favorites)
  • George Mason Monument
6) Finally reached the Thomas Jefferson. It was incredible. I could see the white house, the capitol, the washington monument, MLK Jr., and Lincoln all from my little spot on the steps.
7) I decided to walk back sort of the way I came via Ohio Ave.
8) Korean War Memorial
9) Lincoln Memorial. This is my favorite. I got to listen to a park ranger spew off facts about it for 20 minutes. It was neat. He kind of talked in circles and was so anxious to move on to his next sentence he would often leave his current one dangling with hand motions in stead of words. Quite impressive.
10) I just love the Lincoln Memorial soooo much. I was a little tired from walking and the humidity so I snuggled into a column and read Jane Eyre for a while. It was a.m.a.z.i.n.g to say the least.
11) Then on my way to the metro I stopped by the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial.
12) Continued up 23rd street to the Foggy Bottom Metro Station and onto my little blue line train home.
13) Kendis texted me mid-trip, so I got off at Crystal City to meet up with some friends for 1/2 off burgers at a nearby pub. Kind of different, but I was starving so it tasted delicious!
14) After dinner, which I am sure they were shocked all 7 of us ordered water with our meal, Kendis and I walked to our lovely friend Shannon's house for a Redskins party. Great company, and delightful Korean popsicles.

Needless to say it was a great day in the District.