I'm not going to make it through the day.
It's only 2:35.
And I've been ready to go home for about 5 hours.
It's the last day of Congress's Recess before we start up again Monday night.
And Capitol Hill is totally dead (figuratively).
The office is ridiculously quiet.
And I'm antsy.
I've got a bad case of the jimmy legs.
And jimmy arms.
I got the jimmies all over, actually.
I also realized that a lot of people don't actually know that phrase - the jimmies/jimmy legs/jimmy arms.
It's been popularized by the hit 90's comedic sitcom Seinfeld.
I don't know if you've heard of it before.
Not enough people really know Seinfeld, I suppose. Like really know it. Like I do.
I needed to pinpoint the episode that popularized this term (in our house, at least) the other day after using the term in a conversation with a friend, and I ended up reading the entire episode script.
It's a funny show, that Seinfeld.
I think we must've called it the jimmy legs before Seinfeld used it, but I really can't be sure.
Either way, it's common Barlow vernacular. And I think more people should use it. It's a great term.
Restless Leg Syndrome just seems too intense in some circumstances.
Though I'm pretty sure I have acute RLS.
I got it from my mother.
It's hereditary, I've decided.
Because it's always easier to blame genetics and family for all your problems.
So I'll also blame my impatience for this day to be over on genetics, too.
It's the cool thing to do, after all.
If it weren't for my parents, I'd be able to get through this day more patiently.
I just know it.
It's 2:43 now.
I've only been able to waste 8 minutes.
I'll give my parents a break - I'm blaming Nature this time.
Nature makes time so slow sometimes.
I have nothing to do with this. I'm a product of my environment. All the forces around me are causing me to painfully and impatiently struggle through 195 more minutes before I can leave and start the weekend.
The weekend for which I've made no plans.
195 more minutes until I get to go home and potentially sit around my house, doing nothing.
Kind of like right now.
But in the future.
When work is over.
So it's better.
I think I've got a case of the jimmy brain right now, too...
194 more minutes.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Go Brewers! Time to Get Interested in Baseball, I Guess...
So I went to a Red Sox baseball game on Tuesday. NBD*
(*Note: mom and dad, NBD means no big deal. just in case you didn't know...)
Why is it that it seems more impressive or like a bigger deal if I say I went to a Red Sox or Yankees baseball game than when I say I went to a Nationals or Orioles game? (the Sox were playing the Baltimore Orioles, so technically I did go to an Orioles game, too - but doesn't that just not sound as cool?)
I suppose it's because there's so much history in these two organizations, as far as baseball goes. I don't know much about baseball (or rather, until Tuesday and yesterday, I didn't know much about baseball. Now I know loads of stuff about America's first favorite pastime), but I still know the Yankees and the Red Sox decently. I know their recent game history, going back to 2004 or so - the year the Red Sox won their first World Series in decades, incidentally. (I didn't really remember that before, but my friend discussed how this 2004 win affected his life on the way to the game, so now that fact is ingrained in my head - and yours now, too, hopefully).
Speaking of baseball and the World Series - the Milwaukee Brewers are still in the running for it! What?! I don't think I've been able to say that in a really long time (if ever - I definitely know I haven't ever physically uttered that phrase before, but let's be honest, I didn't often speak about the the World Series in general, in my past life). It feels good to hear the Brew Crew's name uttered on Sportscenter, and have it be positive, or something more than, "playing against the Brewers, Team (insert club) hit 5 home runs and went on to win the game 25-2, sweeping the series against them." It's a nice change.
And watching the Red Sox game in Baltimore was a lot of fun. I was with 2 friends of mine who are big Red Sox fans, so I've had to adopt them as my team away from home, and I know so much about baseball after sitting at that game with them. Plus, the Red Sox won. I've found that I'm a pretty decent good luck charm when I attend baseball games. The Nationals won both games I went to this Summer - and they won that 2nd one in such a dramatic fashion, it made baseball actually exciting for a moment.
Of course, when I watch baseball on tv, the luck might as well be flushed down the toilet and eaten by the sewer rats - I have the opposite record this way. 0-2. The Red Sox lost yesterday - and not only did they lose a game they really shouldn't have lost, but then the team they were battling for the wild card spot for the playoffs, the Tampa Bay Rays, went from losing to the Yankees 7-0, to scoring 8 runs in the last 3 innings and winning 8-7, thus fully eliminating the Sox. So not only did the Sox lose, but they kind of lost twice in the space of about 15 minutes.
So sad.
Sorry about that, team.
But now I can fully and singularly cheer for the Brewers - go on boys, make me proud!
(*Note: mom and dad, NBD means no big deal. just in case you didn't know...)
Why is it that it seems more impressive or like a bigger deal if I say I went to a Red Sox or Yankees baseball game than when I say I went to a Nationals or Orioles game? (the Sox were playing the Baltimore Orioles, so technically I did go to an Orioles game, too - but doesn't that just not sound as cool?)
I suppose it's because there's so much history in these two organizations, as far as baseball goes. I don't know much about baseball (or rather, until Tuesday and yesterday, I didn't know much about baseball. Now I know loads of stuff about America's first favorite pastime), but I still know the Yankees and the Red Sox decently. I know their recent game history, going back to 2004 or so - the year the Red Sox won their first World Series in decades, incidentally. (I didn't really remember that before, but my friend discussed how this 2004 win affected his life on the way to the game, so now that fact is ingrained in my head - and yours now, too, hopefully).
Speaking of baseball and the World Series - the Milwaukee Brewers are still in the running for it! What?! I don't think I've been able to say that in a really long time (if ever - I definitely know I haven't ever physically uttered that phrase before, but let's be honest, I didn't often speak about the the World Series in general, in my past life). It feels good to hear the Brew Crew's name uttered on Sportscenter, and have it be positive, or something more than, "playing against the Brewers, Team (insert club) hit 5 home runs and went on to win the game 25-2, sweeping the series against them." It's a nice change.
And watching the Red Sox game in Baltimore was a lot of fun. I was with 2 friends of mine who are big Red Sox fans, so I've had to adopt them as my team away from home, and I know so much about baseball after sitting at that game with them. Plus, the Red Sox won. I've found that I'm a pretty decent good luck charm when I attend baseball games. The Nationals won both games I went to this Summer - and they won that 2nd one in such a dramatic fashion, it made baseball actually exciting for a moment.
Of course, when I watch baseball on tv, the luck might as well be flushed down the toilet and eaten by the sewer rats - I have the opposite record this way. 0-2. The Red Sox lost yesterday - and not only did they lose a game they really shouldn't have lost, but then the team they were battling for the wild card spot for the playoffs, the Tampa Bay Rays, went from losing to the Yankees 7-0, to scoring 8 runs in the last 3 innings and winning 8-7, thus fully eliminating the Sox. So not only did the Sox lose, but they kind of lost twice in the space of about 15 minutes.
So sad.
Sorry about that, team.
But now I can fully and singularly cheer for the Brewers - go on boys, make me proud!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Zumba Saturday!
I went to a Zumba class today.
And I LOVED it.
Aside from the fact that, ever since moving back to a life of humidity, I sweat buckets whenever I do anything.
BUCKETS.
But when I decided not to let my glandular embarrassment hinder my Zumba groove, I really enjoyed the class.
I dance around my room all the time anyway, acting like I know how to bust a move or two, so it seems like the natural workout for me, when I think about it.
Sometimes dancing around my room at night gets my heart rate up faster and longer than going running - because sometimes when I go running, I decide to walk instead. And when I walk, I actually just stroll. I enjoy my walks better at a slower pace.
Gold's Gym is doing a September promotional where members can bring a guest to the gym for free, for classes, working out, whatever. My friend just told me about this promotional, so in the next week, we're going to take advantage of this as much as we can.
Another friend met up with us, and the 3 of us shook and shimmied as much as we could for 60 minutes in a very warm workout room, with some other women who showed no sign of innate latin swag in their hips either. So I didn't feel so stupid.
I used to think that I have rhythm, that I have groove.
I don't.
At least, not very much.
But I have decent hip action, when I'm not concentrating on doing what the teacher's telling us to do.
Actually, if I can toss some of this humility - I think I actually did pretty well.
It helped that our teacher used lots of different dance specialties in her workout for us. It wasn't all just latin dance moves.
I did better with the moves akin to club dancing.
And anything that had a bounce or jump to it. I can't swish my hips, but I've got a good bounce.
But I'll never be good at shimmying.
I try really hard, but it's just not there. I can't get the shimmy down. Mom tried to teach me to shimmy when I was in high school (scandalous!), but I couldn't do it then.
And I can't do it now.
(Sad face)
But I really liked Zumba.
(Happy face)
I think I will go back.
When Gold's Gym invites me to come for free again.
So...next year.
Until then, I'll just keep dancing in my room.
Except I live in the attic now, not the basement.
Sorry, roommates.
And I LOVED it.
Aside from the fact that, ever since moving back to a life of humidity, I sweat buckets whenever I do anything.
BUCKETS.
But when I decided not to let my glandular embarrassment hinder my Zumba groove, I really enjoyed the class.
I dance around my room all the time anyway, acting like I know how to bust a move or two, so it seems like the natural workout for me, when I think about it.
Sometimes dancing around my room at night gets my heart rate up faster and longer than going running - because sometimes when I go running, I decide to walk instead. And when I walk, I actually just stroll. I enjoy my walks better at a slower pace.
Gold's Gym is doing a September promotional where members can bring a guest to the gym for free, for classes, working out, whatever. My friend just told me about this promotional, so in the next week, we're going to take advantage of this as much as we can.
Another friend met up with us, and the 3 of us shook and shimmied as much as we could for 60 minutes in a very warm workout room, with some other women who showed no sign of innate latin swag in their hips either. So I didn't feel so stupid.
I used to think that I have rhythm, that I have groove.
I don't.
At least, not very much.
But I have decent hip action, when I'm not concentrating on doing what the teacher's telling us to do.
Actually, if I can toss some of this humility - I think I actually did pretty well.
It helped that our teacher used lots of different dance specialties in her workout for us. It wasn't all just latin dance moves.
I did better with the moves akin to club dancing.
And anything that had a bounce or jump to it. I can't swish my hips, but I've got a good bounce.
But I'll never be good at shimmying.
I try really hard, but it's just not there. I can't get the shimmy down. Mom tried to teach me to shimmy when I was in high school (scandalous!), but I couldn't do it then.
And I can't do it now.
(Sad face)
But I really liked Zumba.
(Happy face)
I think I will go back.
When Gold's Gym invites me to come for free again.
So...next year.
Until then, I'll just keep dancing in my room.
Except I live in the attic now, not the basement.
Sorry, roommates.
My Kind of Friday Night
I've been feeling a wee bit stressed at work this week. And last week. And probably part of next week.
I don't love feeling stressed. It makes me sleepy and maybe a bit grumpy. Not things I like to feel multiple days in a row.
But yesterday - Friday, the day I've been waiting 2 weeks for - finally came and went, and after about a year of waiting for the workday to end, 6pm came around and I bolted.
All day I planned out how I'd leave work, jump into my snugglies, eat a quick dinner while bundled up in bed, watching some shows or maybe a movie on my computer, before drifting seamlessly off to sleep for 10 hours. It seemed the perfect plan.
Did I mention it's been rainy and dreary all week? I'm more and more amazed at how affected I get by the weather. I need some sunshine!!!!
Anyway.
As I walked home from the metro, I realized that the warm, but slightly cooler due to the earlier rain, air outside was perhaps the perfect running evening for a tired, maybe out-of-shape, slightly cranky young woman such as I resembled. Plus, running to some cranked-up tunes blasting out any other thoughts in my head seemed like a perfect state of mind to be in.
So I went for a nice, long run. I took a new route, wondering where I might explore, ended up running the perimeter of Pentagon City (my city-in-a-city of Arlington), and felt really great for most of it (surprisingly).
Sadly, I came home to my roommate trying to fix a flat tire that refused to be fixed - the screws of the old tire were practically super-glued on; they refused to budge. So my other roommate and I tried to help however we could, and I called a friend to see if he could come over and help. When he came over, I ate my dinner outside while trying to be supportive to everyone currently involved - I like to think I'm a pretty good cheerleader. When we came up with a plan of action for tomorrow, I said goodbye to my friend, waved to my roommate and her friend as they went to get some cheering-up treats for roommate, and jumped in the shower - it's humid out here and I was so sticky from running = GROSS.
I still planned to jump in bed after and snuggle up to something mindless for a little while. But when I came up to my room, I saw my puzzle waiting patiently for me, wondering if I'd like to spend some time with it. How could I say no? The poor thing was so lonely, sitting alone and hungry with nothing in its border. I needed to fill it a little - give it some substance. So I spent the next hour (or 2) sitting at my table with my puzzle. Finding joy in each puzzle piece I found a spot for. We had a blissful time together, Puzzle and I. And when I finally said goodnight to it, we both parted with a smile on our faces, having lifted each other up a bit.
I then went to bed, exhausted, but much happier, content than I had hours before, when I had anticipated getting into bed the first time. Turns out, worrying about someone else's problems distances you from your own problems a little bit - which was much needed yesterday.
And a good puzzle will always make me feel better.
And that was how my Friday night yesterday might've been my favorite Friday night in a long while.
Post-Script: This puzzle is actually kind of hard - the pieces like to pretend like they belong with other pieces when they really don't. So you can't always just trust the fit. You have to really pay attention to even the slightest variations in color. But it's from a pointilisim painting, so there will be variations in color...all this to say, that's why after 1-2 hours, I, a puzzle connoisseur, have only gotten this far on it...
Sunday, September 18, 2011
I Keep Trying, But It Ain't Working Out
And once again, I've learned - I am not a happy camper.
Literally. I don't generally find happiness in camping. It's just not my thing. I keep trying (kind of), to see if I've changed, but I haven't. The great outdoors and I were never meant to be more than casual friends.
I went on a retreat this weekend with my ward from church this weekend. And it was really fun. I quite enjoyed it all. I had a lot of fun driving up to Northern Maryland with friends, stopping at the new Cafe Rio nearby for dinner (I don't think that place was prepared for such good business Friday night - 200 hungry Mormons all in the area at the same time?! What!?!); I rocked out at the dance party we busted out as we unpacked our car; I liked seeing a lot of friends and making a lot of new friends for 48 hours; I love love loved playing ultimate frisbee in the rain Saturday morning/afternoon for 2 hours. There were a lot of things I really liked about this weekend retreat.
But I didn't love the sudden, unannounced, party-crashing entrance of Autumn - where did you come from so suddenly? I didn't love sleeping in freezing cabins (though I'd take that over a tent ANY DAY) during sub-freezing nights when most of us were ill-prepared for such conditions. I don't love getting very little sleep for 2 nights in a row when it's my weekend and that's when I usually compensate for lack of sleep from the previous week...and I don't like that even when I'm having fun, I still can feel cranky about sleep and cold.
BUT, my attitude managed much better than I anticipated. After a rough Friday night of sleep, I really enjoyed myself despite bringing a poor choice shoewear for the unexpected rain and having just about every piece of clothing I brought end up wet from the sudden downpour (I grossly under-packed, for the second time in my life - which is why I will always over-pack the rest of it). But it was really quite fun, and surprisingly relaxing - there's something about knowing you won't be doing anything you'd normally 'need' to do on a Saturday that keeps you feeling rather at peace and relaxed. The shoulder massage I got from a friend Saturday night didn't hurt my relaxation either.
All that said - next time, I'll stick with the boys who booked into a hotel 20 minutes away, and stayed warm while they slept at night and showered in a nice bathroom each day.
That's my kind of roughing it.
Literally. I don't generally find happiness in camping. It's just not my thing. I keep trying (kind of), to see if I've changed, but I haven't. The great outdoors and I were never meant to be more than casual friends.
I went on a retreat this weekend with my ward from church this weekend. And it was really fun. I quite enjoyed it all. I had a lot of fun driving up to Northern Maryland with friends, stopping at the new Cafe Rio nearby for dinner (I don't think that place was prepared for such good business Friday night - 200 hungry Mormons all in the area at the same time?! What!?!); I rocked out at the dance party we busted out as we unpacked our car; I liked seeing a lot of friends and making a lot of new friends for 48 hours; I love love loved playing ultimate frisbee in the rain Saturday morning/afternoon for 2 hours. There were a lot of things I really liked about this weekend retreat.
But I didn't love the sudden, unannounced, party-crashing entrance of Autumn - where did you come from so suddenly? I didn't love sleeping in freezing cabins (though I'd take that over a tent ANY DAY) during sub-freezing nights when most of us were ill-prepared for such conditions. I don't love getting very little sleep for 2 nights in a row when it's my weekend and that's when I usually compensate for lack of sleep from the previous week...and I don't like that even when I'm having fun, I still can feel cranky about sleep and cold.
BUT, my attitude managed much better than I anticipated. After a rough Friday night of sleep, I really enjoyed myself despite bringing a poor choice shoewear for the unexpected rain and having just about every piece of clothing I brought end up wet from the sudden downpour (I grossly under-packed, for the second time in my life - which is why I will always over-pack the rest of it). But it was really quite fun, and surprisingly relaxing - there's something about knowing you won't be doing anything you'd normally 'need' to do on a Saturday that keeps you feeling rather at peace and relaxed. The shoulder massage I got from a friend Saturday night didn't hurt my relaxation either.
All that said - next time, I'll stick with the boys who booked into a hotel 20 minutes away, and stayed warm while they slept at night and showered in a nice bathroom each day.
That's my kind of roughing it.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
On Long Days and Loud Squirrels. And a Favorite Song.
Umm...so it's been a really long week so far. And I don't have so very much confidence that the next 3 days will be any lighter/better/faster. I'm hopeful, but even my hope is rather dampened by reality.
That said, I haven't had much going on besides work. I got home at 7:45 tonight. Not my favorite, but I got a lot done, so I actually can't complain too much about it, despite it adding to the length of the day.
But, unlike the impression I'm giving off already, I'm trying to stop complaining about it. I had a whole month of doing absolutely nothing at work, so it's about time I made up for that.
Yesterday, when I was walking home from the metro after the first of the week's long days (and what a joy it was to walk home - yay for moving!), I passed by a squirrel munching on an acorn. Turns out, squirrels are extremely loud eaters. I kept trying to figure out where this weird squeaking sound was coming from. After looking around the park I walk through for about 5 minutes, I finally spotted the squirrel sitting right next to my path (which took me so long to notice, partly because squirrels seem to camouflage well into tree-heavy areas, partly because I'm 100% blind when I'm actually looking for something specific). It was working intently on an acorn in its hands, and I haven't seen a squirrel seem so content in my life. It helped calm me down, and for that, squirrel, I'm in your debt. I'll pay you back with loads of acorns to burrow up for the winter.
Strange how such a little moment can make bring work a profound change on my mindset.
Well, that, and my go-to song to drum out my drearies:
This song alone has made the last 9 months of my life so lovely. Pure happiness comes with the maraca and foot pedal at 1:32. Pure freedom comes with the piano at 3:18.
That said, I haven't had much going on besides work. I got home at 7:45 tonight. Not my favorite, but I got a lot done, so I actually can't complain too much about it, despite it adding to the length of the day.
But, unlike the impression I'm giving off already, I'm trying to stop complaining about it. I had a whole month of doing absolutely nothing at work, so it's about time I made up for that.
Yesterday, when I was walking home from the metro after the first of the week's long days (and what a joy it was to walk home - yay for moving!), I passed by a squirrel munching on an acorn. Turns out, squirrels are extremely loud eaters. I kept trying to figure out where this weird squeaking sound was coming from. After looking around the park I walk through for about 5 minutes, I finally spotted the squirrel sitting right next to my path (which took me so long to notice, partly because squirrels seem to camouflage well into tree-heavy areas, partly because I'm 100% blind when I'm actually looking for something specific). It was working intently on an acorn in its hands, and I haven't seen a squirrel seem so content in my life. It helped calm me down, and for that, squirrel, I'm in your debt. I'll pay you back with loads of acorns to burrow up for the winter.
Strange how such a little moment can make bring work a profound change on my mindset.
Well, that, and my go-to song to drum out my drearies:
The Head and the Heart - Lost In My Mind
Friday, September 9, 2011
Good Morning Beautiful Lady
This morning was the second time this week I was greeted by the same worker in the House tunnels with, "Good morning, beautiful lady." I'm starting to think that's his automatic 'hello' for women, and the compliment didn't affect me quite as much this time. But I'll take whatever confidence-booster I can get on a rainy morning that brought me to work feeling a little like a wet dog. So thank you, Sir, I appreciate your voluntary blindness this morning.
In other news, I moved over the weekend! The room-putting-together is taking a wee bit longer than necessary, as I've lost all desire to do anything productive during this week of Seattle weather. BUT I've a goal to get the last-remaining parts put away this weekend, so with any luck, I'll be getting pictures of my new, super-cute attic room up here for you to all ooh and aah at my not-necessarily-amazing-but-nothing-to-shake-your-fist-at decorating skills. I also just barely got the code for our internet last night, so I apologize for my long absence, but I was living life old-school like it was the 1990s at home this week...
And that is it for me for now - have a great day, beautiful people.
In other news, I moved over the weekend! The room-putting-together is taking a wee bit longer than necessary, as I've lost all desire to do anything productive during this week of Seattle weather. BUT I've a goal to get the last-remaining parts put away this weekend, so with any luck, I'll be getting pictures of my new, super-cute attic room up here for you to all ooh and aah at my not-necessarily-amazing-but-nothing-to-shake-your-fist-at decorating skills. I also just barely got the code for our internet last night, so I apologize for my long absence, but I was living life old-school like it was the 1990s at home this week...
And that is it for me for now - have a great day, beautiful people.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
A Better Week Than Expected - So Far
Well, I must admit, I was feeling rather stressed last week. This time last Thursday, my journal got to hear all the anxieties and worries about the upcoming week as I sat on a plane bound for Utah (I'll spare you the dreary boring-ness). But a week later, I can say I've been able to cross off a few of my more high-stress worries, and I feel so much lighter and happier for it!
Side note: Props to mom & dad and friends for keeping my Utah trip low-key and stress-free. I barely worried about my upcoming DC anxieties the whole extended weekend trip. Thanks for keeping me distracted, relaxed, and in vacation mode!
The biggest of my concerns, and therefore the greatest of my reliefs, had been finding a new place to live. I'm not sure if you recall, but I've had my share of problems with my current housing situation, and my lease was up as of TODAY. As of Monday, I had no new home to call my own, and had very little options come up in my search. I was also being slightly particular (but really, not that particular) about where I was going to move and what I wanted, but still - not much in the way of female housing options were coming up AT ALL this Summer, so I was a little nervous about how this was going to play out.
BUT, Tuesday proved to be a friend of mine - which was surprising, as Tuesdays have been my "I'll get you, and your little dog, too" days for the last 2 years or so - and things suddenly came together before I even fully realized it! So now I have a new home! So while I'm typing this from my old room, which now belongs to some girl named Julie, though she won't be here until Saturday, I technically now no longer live in a freezing, bug-infested basement! HOORAY!
Now I live in a warm, hopefully non-bug-infested attic. One day I'll live in a regular room in a normal area of a house.
The new room is a good-sized space that could be something really interesting, if I can tap into my creative juices enough to do something with it. But here's the best part about it. It's 2 blocks from church, and about 8 minutes walking distance from the Metro! Goodbye bus with the strangest schedule ever! Goodbye 15 minute ride in the morning that too often got me to the Metro just in time to watch my train pull away! Goodbye evenings that kept me waiting at the bus stop forever if I left work at the wrong time or wanted to meet someone for dinner! More sadly, goodbye to my bus boyfriends - I truly will miss you and the non-verbal conversations I had with you in my head, the slight sideways glances that I "knew" were for me (because, duh, how could they not be?), the shy distance we kept from each other while riding the bus. Sigh, you truly will be missed...
All this said, I hate moving, so my excitement these last 2.5 days has been somewhat tempered by the realization that I have too much junk (most of which is actually not junk at all...), and I don't know how I'm going to move my bed to the new place. Plus, in a strange way, I'll miss this place a little bit. It was the 1st home I had on the East coast. The neighborhood is kind of cute. It's oh so close to the grocery store. But I'm looking forward to waving buh-bye to the mega-spiders (of which, luckily I haven't seen in a while) and mutant millipedes.
I'll share some good pictures with you when I've finally figured out how to handle my new place. But I just wanted to share with you all how very happy I am to know I have a place to lay my head at night, moving forward. And I think I accomplished more than that here - aren't you glad I'm not going through the whole list of stresses that my journal had to endure holding??
Side note: Props to mom & dad and friends for keeping my Utah trip low-key and stress-free. I barely worried about my upcoming DC anxieties the whole extended weekend trip. Thanks for keeping me distracted, relaxed, and in vacation mode!
The biggest of my concerns, and therefore the greatest of my reliefs, had been finding a new place to live. I'm not sure if you recall, but I've had my share of problems with my current housing situation, and my lease was up as of TODAY. As of Monday, I had no new home to call my own, and had very little options come up in my search. I was also being slightly particular (but really, not that particular) about where I was going to move and what I wanted, but still - not much in the way of female housing options were coming up AT ALL this Summer, so I was a little nervous about how this was going to play out.
BUT, Tuesday proved to be a friend of mine - which was surprising, as Tuesdays have been my "I'll get you, and your little dog, too" days for the last 2 years or so - and things suddenly came together before I even fully realized it! So now I have a new home! So while I'm typing this from my old room, which now belongs to some girl named Julie, though she won't be here until Saturday, I technically now no longer live in a freezing, bug-infested basement! HOORAY!
Now I live in a warm, hopefully non-bug-infested attic. One day I'll live in a regular room in a normal area of a house.
The new room is a good-sized space that could be something really interesting, if I can tap into my creative juices enough to do something with it. But here's the best part about it. It's 2 blocks from church, and about 8 minutes walking distance from the Metro! Goodbye bus with the strangest schedule ever! Goodbye 15 minute ride in the morning that too often got me to the Metro just in time to watch my train pull away! Goodbye evenings that kept me waiting at the bus stop forever if I left work at the wrong time or wanted to meet someone for dinner! More sadly, goodbye to my bus boyfriends - I truly will miss you and the non-verbal conversations I had with you in my head, the slight sideways glances that I "knew" were for me (because, duh, how could they not be?), the shy distance we kept from each other while riding the bus. Sigh, you truly will be missed...
All this said, I hate moving, so my excitement these last 2.5 days has been somewhat tempered by the realization that I have too much junk (most of which is actually not junk at all...), and I don't know how I'm going to move my bed to the new place. Plus, in a strange way, I'll miss this place a little bit. It was the 1st home I had on the East coast. The neighborhood is kind of cute. It's oh so close to the grocery store. But I'm looking forward to waving buh-bye to the mega-spiders (of which, luckily I haven't seen in a while) and mutant millipedes.
I'll share some good pictures with you when I've finally figured out how to handle my new place. But I just wanted to share with you all how very happy I am to know I have a place to lay my head at night, moving forward. And I think I accomplished more than that here - aren't you glad I'm not going through the whole list of stresses that my journal had to endure holding??
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