Lovefest

      In a semi-whiney voice: “I’m surprised you haven’t written any posts about your dad!” 

           - Says the mother of my father, and one of my most favorite people in the whole entire universe – my grandma!   

      

      Biased a little…yes.

So here you go grandma:  you are an 84 (or maybe 85, I lose track) year old version of me!  More than once a week I call and come to find out we are doing the same thing, but you have popcorn accompanying your wine. 

We read books more frequent and faster than most. 

We say what’s on our mind before thinking of others’ feelings (or possibly not caring). 

We love life (even the most boringest of days) like it’s our job, and we can talk about absolutely nothing for hours while entertaining ourselves more than anyone else can. 

Yes.  I love you grandma more than most people in the world (you know this because we’ve talked about most); you’re so much more than my drinking buddy, confidante, girlfriend, and “sweet” (ha) old grandma – you’re my dad’s mom!

You’re too right my dad is something.  No, he’s not the indestructible, all-knowing, super human I once thought he was – he’s far better. 

He’s sensitive, sarcastic, and so special (sometimes yes, in that way).  He quietly observes, and only adds to the conversation when he really has something to say (SO opposite of us).  He goes out of his way and above and beyond the call of duty for those he really and truly cares about - which are few and far between (much like us), but if you’re lucky enough to be on the receiving end, you really feel as if you’re the only person that matters right then in the world.

He knows how to really enjoy life – whether that’s fishing alone, or eating and drinking with friends and family. 

He’s more loyal than any of the best dogs. 

He’s funny. So funny.  I wish more people saw this side of him – but again it’s reserved for those closest.  He’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever met.  And best of all, when he’s happy (and ornery) that sparkle you love so much in his eyes grandma - never leaves.

I could go on forever – modest, ethical, friendly (well - with babies and dogs), honest (when not golfing), a guy’s guy, smart, permanently tan, etc.  But best of all he’s all mine (or at least that’s how I feel) because he:

• Will always drop everything and rearrange his life to pack and move me (to-date: at least 6 times).
• Takes in my dogs and cats, all while complaining, but really loving them as his own (he now delivers and picks-up too!).
• Spent every one of his birthdays for a good 10 years in the cold (which he hates) and in costume (which he really hates).  Happy Halloween. Um I mean birthday dad.
• Has never said no, no matter the time of day to: picking me up, fixing something, or taking me somewhere (obviously I’ve lived a post childhood life of unreliable cars and apartments).
• Growing up he did everything in the world to provide us with all the silly and “oh so important” teenage “needs”.  Even though I now know we weren’t – I always felt like millionaires.
• Paid for four years of college for me.  To his ultimate rival.
• Has only yelled at me twice. And both times I really deserved it.  Really.
• Makes the best chipped beef on toast in the world.
• Oh, and did I mention he has touched and lifted every item I own.  Six times.
• Finally, I know that if I ever need anything (absolutely anything) I know he’ll do it without any questions asked (sounds very mafia-like, but oh so true). 

Yup. You Smith’s are really something.  I always wished I was from those big families with all the crazies – but you know what I don’t need it. I have drama-free wonderful role models in my life (that are still a bit crazy). 

I’m so lucky. I can’t say it enough. I know. I have a great life. All because I had the best people in the world raising me.  I can never pay any of you back. And let’s be honest, I never will ;)  So let’s just chalk this one up to “paying it forward”.  I love you all. 

And there you have it grandma – anyone else you need me to include in this lovefest?! 

A grandmother is a little bit parent, a little bit teacher, and a little bit best friend.   

~Author Unknown

He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.  

~Clarence Budington Kelland

It's Complicated

Reallyyyyy…it’s almost August…which means the summer, my favorite season in the whole wide world, is nearly over!  Noooooo! It can’t be! 

What have I done (besides not write on this thing)?  I guess thinking it over...between pool parties, Nationals Games (yes I’m a semi-convert; hey they have WAY better food and bars at the stadium AND I can still wear all my red outfits), my birthday, the 4^th of July, book club, one epic boozy brunch at La Boum, Bocce Ball league (don’t judge), Flag Football games (again…no judging), and a few current, terrible weeks without AC, all added to my trips to the Outer Banks, Atlanta, and one long train ride (36 hours to be exact) to New Orleans…then, I suppose throw in a little work, and it’s true; it is almost August. 

Sad times. 

At least I still have a few more weeks - or months - if this sauna of a season keeps up!

“Summer is kind of like the ultimate one-night stand: hot as hell, totally thrilling, and gone before you know it.”

Ha.  Which is the perfect transition to this…Why does dating as a grown-up (yes contrary to popular belief I am one) have to be so dang hard?! 

It’s complicated.

Trust me I’m not complaining, as I don’t really “try” or do I actively “look” for anyone (obviously I don’t have the time to fit it into my schedule), but geez finding boys used to be so much simpler! …Or maybe that’s just it; in my younger days, I didn’t use to have any standards and dated just that “boys”…which obviously worked out really well for me!

Like I said, I don’t generally give dating a second thought, but with the passing of what would have been my 10 year wedding anniversary one month ago, and the majority of my friends in relationships and/or having babies – I’ll admit I’ve thought about it a bit more lately.  

Luckily I don’t “long” for a relationship…and I know this because the second after I look longingly at a cute couple on the street my brain immediately says, “Ugh who wants that!  Relationships are so much work and most of the time not even worth it! And they probably aren’t even REALLY happy…”  Howeverrrrr I wouldn’t mind a guy actually asking me out!  Dating – that I can do!  But seriously, finding someone I actually want to date is damn near like finding the holy grail, or the fountain of youth, or whatever else is pretty much non-existent!  

I guess then I should consider myself lucky…as I do like my “me” time.  I like not shaving when I don’t feel like it.  I like being untidy.  I like eating entire bags of cheddar cheese popcorn in one sitting (while in my underwear).  I ALSO like wearing granny panties. I could go on with this list forever. But the gist of it is: I like not sharing everything from my food to my feelings (yes I’ve reverted to a 3 year old and am somewhat okay with it)!

Yup.  It’s complicated.

Funny story - a few weeks ago a single girlfriend and I were chatting and she said something about how she was going to start hanging around doctor offices and courtrooms…and I whole-heartedly agreed.  Only come to find out she was looking for the actual doctors and lawyers…where I was more thinking about finding all the old, dying, rich men and divorcees! 

Either way, doctors or dying men, I think I’ve come to a point in my life where I am happy (and set in my ways obviously) that I no longer feel the need entertain the thought of dating whomever shows up in my life – I’m gonna be picky!  I mean - I really do not have the time for these short, self-involved, stuck-up DC man-children! 

I will tell you what’s not complicated: Manchild v. Mason…hands-down I’ll always pick the dog (and I'm talking about the literal dog, Mason)! 

And if all else fails…the good news is I do like cats! ;)

Being single used to mean that nobody wanted you. Now it means you're pretty sexy and you're taking your time deciding how you want your life to be and who you want to spend it with.
~ Sex and the City

No, I don't have a boyfriend. No, I don't need a boyfriend. I am enough. And I am complete just the way I am. I choose to be single, just like I choose to not listen to people who make marriage seem like the only possible pinnacle a life can have.
~ Lauren Rohrer

Being single entitles you to not ask someone's opinion before you do something to mess up your own room, your credit report or even your life.
~ Sayali Patil

It is far better to be alone, than to be in bad company.
~ George Washington

Everyone Has One

We all have one.  Every single one of us.  Mine happens to be pretty special.

Sometimes we forget.  Forget that there is a tie that binds us all.  When abroad I am fascinated by drying laundry.  I take pictures of it slung over balconies, pinned to lines between homes, spread out on the hot dirty ground, and even thrown over bushes in parks.  But that's not what I'm talking about (though it is true - rich or poor we all have laundry - dirty and clean).

What I am talking about I was reminded of a few weeks back when I found myself at a bar on a Sunday afternoon (surprise surprise) speaking candidly with two homeless men.

We all have mothers.

While staring wide-eyed and hungry for more stories about life on the streets of DC one of the men's mothers called (on a phone nicer than mine might I add) and we proceeded to speak to her on speaker phone.  Wow.  Sometimes I guess I forget.  Even grown homeless men have mothers.  Mothers who still ask about the kind of trouble they're getting into (probably literally in his case), and what they've been up to.  Yes, we all have them, but many people are not as lucky to have such a good one as I do.

Today I received my first card in the mail (yes the actual physical mailbox kind) from my mother, well not my first card ever from my mom (god no - she was the one who never failed to send the holiday care packages in college, the one who paid more in shipping costs to send me tampons in Thailand than the 80 tampons were worth - so no.  This is not a first in that sense).  This is the first one from our new "project" aka Mother's Day gift 2012 (which I'm guessing won't actually be appreciated for years to come).  The project is a series of cards we complete and mail to the other to complete the same questions - then ultimately they end up in a pre-made scrapbook of sorts.

Mom and I spend so many hours on email, the phone, and in person discussing god knows what, but I couldn't begin to tell you who my mom's mentor is, her childhood dreams, or even where she was born (seriously Mom I thought you were born in Boonville until I got this card and it said Racine)!  We know so much about each other (well her more about me than me about her due to this blog and the fact that she raised me), but so little about certain important parts of her life before me (yeah I know can't be that important if I wasn't around...but still).

As my birthday approaches (according to mom it's my 30th - so let's just go with that), I'm still in awe that when she was my age she had an 8 year old - me!  For starters I can't even fathom myself with a child (unless it's the kind that can eat when and whatever I choose, and loves to hang out all day under the bed unsupervised - wait that's Mason) - yeah no, I can't imagine taking care of another small human at my age - so yes I want to know how my mom did it.  And did it well.  Let's just say that I turned out pretty dang normal (not to toot my own horn, but I am comparing myself to these homeless men).  So I am normal!  My mom is awesome.

Like most moms, she did the standard "mom" stuff, like always putting herself last, that apparently comes with giving birth.  Tenneva, Sophia and Elizabeth do a pretty good job of summing that bit of my mom up:

"A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie." ~Tenneva Jordan

"When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts.  A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child." ~Sophia Loren

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous.  It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." ~Elizabeth Stone

What these quotes don't say are the above standard things about my mom that I admire, for example how she:

• Worked (and still works) very hard to make her dream happen;
• Asks and actually appreciates my advice;
• Is creative (more than she knows and realizes);
• Is excited for all my choices (good or bad - even if she's worried - she still is the ultimate Jenna fan);
• Tells me how it is (yes I know my hair looks terrible, but thanks for being so honest);
• Makes time for the little things in life, that mean millions to me (she recently redid a hamper for my apartment in an "Indian" theme - love!)
• Takes in my pets, belongings, car, etc. every time I decide it is time to pick and go;
• Has dealt with her own sickness and her parents' deaths with more strength than I thought was humanly possible;
• Is a leader and go-getter; but,
• Most importantly how she has helped shape who I am today - a strong, independent, open-minded, and compassionate human being who easily sees the beauty in all.

Thank you mom.

And thank you for NOT teaching me how to drive, or how to be on time, or even how to cook (too many childhood bread/fire memories) ;)

I look forward to many more cards and conversations about you and your life before and after me.

Here are a few more fitting quotes that I just couldn't let go to waste (and I know everyone will appreciate and relate because...Everyone Has One):

"Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever." ~Unknown

"A mom's hug lasts long after she lets go." ~Unknown

"Mom, when thoughts of your are in our hearts, we are never far from home." ~Unknown

"Where we love is home - home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts." ~Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

I love you.  And all that you are beyond just being a mother.

Some Gypsy Love from Syeira & Pal

You may now call me “Syeira” and Mason will go by “Pal”.  

We have our official gypsy names!  (Or so says the “gypsy name generator” that I found on that www…) This is so exciting, as I was one of those kids that always wanted, but never had, a nickname – but now I have finally found one!  No. I have no idea how mine is pronounced…but still :) 

Having now been gainfully employed and living in the nation’s capital for 98 days, I still often find myself feeling a bit gypsy-like in spirit (and now in name) compared to others. 

“You walk to work?! In the rain?!”… “You still don’t have a TV? What in the world do you do?”…”Your phone doesn’t get internet?  How do you get around?”  

Side note: I’m the company “Tweeter” (however, don’t ask me what a # or @ means - ugh) BUT I do find many random facts per day; this one is just crazy slash dumb slash unbelievable: 1/3 of all high school students have an iPhone.  What?!  Insanity.  I know I didn’t have my own phone (or even own line) in high school, let alone anything that cost more $200 for that matter (I have no clue how much an iPhone is actually…)!  

Anyway. Yes!  I STILL get it.  I realize I don’t have a lot of material things.  But I also don’t need a lot.  And guess what, even after now being back in the States for five months I’ve found myself able to stick to such principles (even if sometimes I’m just clinging…) and still be happy.

 

Miriam Beard was so right in saying: Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.

After moving back I think what I first thought of as “culture shock” is now just my new deep and permanent idea of living.  I find myself barely ever “needing” anything (and if I do, it best be on sale)!  Pal, however, needs to get with the program; he always seems to need a new bag of dog food (his coat is however REAL shiny from all the eggs he eats until I realize this is really a “need”). 

Of course there are the moments I catch myself online shopping for nothing of necessity (but end up dumping the entire cart before hitting the checkout button), and yes there are moments when I’m so lazy that walking four blocks to work seems insurmountable and all I want in my life is a taxi, and yesss there are definitely moments that I find myself complaining, thinking negatively, or judging someone or something all for no good reason at all, but to just do it and jump on the bandwagon.  But I can say that at least I am now aware of when I am being silly or wasteful or negative or whatever. 

Another truth: Once you’ve traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers.  The mind can never break off from the journey. – Pat Conroy

Love. 

Everyday I’m grateful for my experiences.  Excited for the future.  But most of all content in my present.

I’ll leave you with a few other of my random facts found on Twitter:

• Typing two spaces after a period (.) is incorrect.

• Americans are expected to buy 14 million cars this year (up 35% from 2009)

• April 25^th was National Malaria Day – in fact there is a crazy holiday for EVERY DAY!

• Today actually has five: International Tuba Day (who cares), National Bird Day (ugh. gross), National Candied Orange Peel Day (what is this even?), Renewal Day (huh?), and Space Day (ok I’ll give you that one) 

• If the number of Facebook users was a country, they’d be the third largest in the world.

• 88% of American adults own a cell phone.

• Americans generate 7 lbs. of garbage a day.

This last one is not off of Twitter, but I have to share.  So one day at work I ate an entire tub of cottage cheese at my desk (gross. I know.), but it WAS small curd and low fat…anyway, after eating the tub I began to feel really sick.  So I Googled “What happens when you eat too much cottage cheese?”  Here’s the answer I got: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Can_you_eat_too_much_cottage_cheese 

Holy crap...my stomach will explode?!  Please also check the “relevant answers” section...I love the one about how it will make you "overweight and DIE".  Who writes this stuff!  Well I guess they do let me "publish" this piece of junk on the internet... ;)

Try to be the person your dog thinks you are

Hmmm. Well. Ummm. No, not really.  Doesn't apply here!

I used to love this saying.  So simple. So pure.  So sweet.  Now, soooo...not true (at least for me - I'd like to be the opposite please!)  Maybe the person who said this underestimated their dog (or didn't live in a 400 sq ft box with it), or maybe my dog, Mason, is too smart to be duped into thinking that being fed = great human being.

People always say how their dog greets them at the door with an out of control wagging tail and the utmost praise.  Yeah, well Mason does the wagging bit (no praise), and then looks past me for someone better.

People always say how their dog sees the good in everyone and places unearned faith in strangers.  Nope. Not here. Mason hides from strangers on the street that try to pet him because he's "just soooo cute".

People also always say how dogs don't hold grudges.  Well let me just tell you...if looks could kill.

Actually - come to think of it - he does sound pretty dang smart ;)

But back to the saying - try to be the person my dog thinks I am - what?!  No way.  My dog thinks I'm nuts.  Which is somewhat understandable, as he only sees me in my "natural habitat".  I mean, I absolutely try to only be this "person" in private, for obvious reasons.

Mason definitely thinks I am:

- a prison warden (only letting him in and out of his cell three to four times per day).
- a home wrecker (who in their right mind would drag someone away from a perfectly good home, with a yard, a lake, more than one room, friends, etc. to THIS place).
- a drill sargeant (and a liar) - yes you will "jog" with me down the street without being able to stop and smell the trees, and yes we will tell people we "ran" for a half hour, when really these five blocks winded the both of us.
- a terrible singer (eh. I am.)
- a garbage disposal (yeah, I realize that items of food that fall to the floor are in most households considered a dog "gimme" - but not here - all's fair in the five second rule!)
- a flake (oh hmmm....you don't have any dog food left?  For the third day in a row?  We can just share my vegetarian dinner...that you "love" so much).
- a weekend day drinker (hey - you can't tell time, and it IS five o'clock somewhere).
- a lazy bum (yes, I know I'm just sitting on the couch staring at a book, and your whole purpose in life is to go outside as often as possible, but guess what I'm immune to your dirty looks and huffs).
- a slob (yup.  Those are all my clothes from the entire week slung over kitchen chairs, the couch, and the floor - deal with it).
- a cheapskate (well you shouldn't have destroyed the toy I bought for you YESTERDAY).
- a bore (yup, still sitting on the couch just staring at this book).
- a needy, and overly aggressive cuddler (beggars can't be choosers buddy).
- a pig (yes, I realize I ate an hour ago. I am aware. But no one but you and I will ever know about this - insert disgusting condiment here - i.e. entire jar of olives, spoonfuls of cream cheese, handfuls of shredded cheese...).
- a schizo (she's not even talking TO me...just talking...).

Yes, I'm not exactly the "ideal" person in your eyes.  I get it. I do. And Mason - I promise to you that I'm not JUST these things...but they are a part of me (and guess what, I don't exactly love to pick up your poo, but I do. Out of love).

You're stuck buddy - think of me how you like, but all we've got is each other, and you will love me faults and all!  And he does. Most of the time.  And really - that's all I need.

Glad to have you back in my life Mason.  We were clearly made for each other - big personalities and all!

Live Simply, Give More, Expect Less

Live Simply, Give More, Expect Less.

It dawned on my yesterday as I sat watching the world go by on my "TV" (nope - not that kind of TV, my gypsy TV, aka my window), that as I glanced around my newly decorated 400 square foot room that the quote over my bed is SO true.  And I'm kinda doing it.  Could this be the cause of my happiness?  Are these words subconsciously having an effect on me?  I mean maybe!  My last wall decal (again over my bed - thank you mom and Mississippi Mud) was "Be the change you wish to see in the world" by Gandhi. By sleeping under such words every night could they possibly take root in me?  Over the last few years I did end up doing as Gandhi said - I made changes (albeit small) in Africa, Thailand, and India.

Now, I feel as though I may be living out the words of Stephen Covey (don't worry - I had to look up who said it too), but apparently these are his words:

"Free your heart from hatred - forgive.

Free your mind from worries - most never happen.

Live simply and appreciate what you have,

Give more,

Expect less."

Wow.  It's funny. After seeing his name as the source, I realized my first encounter with Mr. Covey was the last time I lived in DC. Years ago.  At work we had a workshop over his book - The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  At that time in my life I was doing none of this living simply, giving more, or expecting less business!  Annnnd was also not the happiest.

But I get it now.  And I truly think I'm starting to actually live it.

Live Simply.

First off just let me state that I think it's so hypocritical when a phrase like this is written on a pin or a bookmark or a keychain (or I guess even a wall decal - but mine was a gift so I'm not making fun of myself - obviously!  But seriously. The very phrase "live simply" means you DO NOT buy this crap people!)  Anyway.  Just my opinion.  But now I will make fun of myself - I have now lived in DC for 36 full days, and as I write this it is the first time I've done laundry since I've been here (obviously this is only due to the fact that I put on my very last pair of clean underwear this morning) - now that is definitely not living simply.  I mean who, after a stint in India throwing away every pair of underwear owned (at least 50 pairs), still possesses 36 (or actually 37 as I do have some on right now) pairs of underwear!?  I'm aware this is not normal.  And working on it (well not really, because doing laundry every 36 days is actually kinda "simple" ;)

Okay, but living simply; I don't know how much simpler you can get than this:

• I live in a 400 square foot room (I mean yes, the closets are jam-packed to the point of danger upon opening them of my past pack rat ways! I unloaded 1200 pounds (and I wish that was a joke) of mostly crap from my pod.  Old yearbooks, college tassels, an unopened set of lobster forks (?!), 2 crock pots (two?!), piles of old unsorted (and unopened) mail, old dirty cleaning rags, I mean the list just goes on and on.  No!  This is not okay!  And so not simple. 

However, I have bounced back because:

• My kitchen is like living on an RV.  One of those RV's with no dishwashers that is.
• I have no internet (or smartphone).  
• Which also means I still use maps (real paper maps) to get around.  Quaint huh.
• I have no iPod dock for an iPod, or a stereo.
• I have no TV (trust me this window I've got though is way better than any reality show - living in downtown DC I've definitely got myself a mix of Cops, The Biggest Loser, with a bit of The Dog Whisperer thrown in).
• I walk to work (aka no car and/or bike).
• My building is not state-of-the-art, or even close to new.  It is however rent controlled (heyyyy scary, um I mean eclectic, neighbors who have resided here since the day it was built, and are also probably paying pennies for the same space as me).  

So yeah, all in all I'd have to say if my wall decal is my only "extravagence" then I'm doing okay :)

Give More.

I'm making an effort to volunteer at least one to two times per week.  It's fun.  It's a great way to meet like-minded and new people.  It's rewarding and fulfilling. It's free (which is key!). It's all I've got to give.  My time. No money (see previous entry re: free).  And it keeps me out of the bars (see previous two entries re: free).

I'm also making a concerted effort to give more of myself to people.  To acquaintances. To friends. To family. And yes - to strangers.  This too is a work in progress, as I do tend to talk WAY too much about myself in conversations (surprise surprise).   

With friends, I try to remember important events, give advice (thoughtful advice, not cliches) when asked (or not asked, frankly), and I also work very hard at keeping in touch.

All this "giving" of myself is making me feel as though I may be too nice for this town.  Ha. No, but as my grandmother would say of herself - "I've never met a stranger" - well that's now me!  I talk to absolutely everyone.  And I mean everyone.  People in the elevators (who want nothing to do with me with their earphones on, or me eavesdropping AND adding to their conversations), to the grocery store checkers (people behind me definitely love this one, as the checker usually forgets their task at hand to chat with me), the CVS stockers (in this instance I was actually making fun of them, as days earlier I had witnessed a tower of crates come crashing down onto the sidewalk from their loading dock), to the liquor store owners (and I quote, "You must not be American - you're way too happy and smiley!"), to the men selling their wares at the flea market (hey - inner jealous gypsy), to the homeless guys along the streets.  Yup.  Grandma be proud!  I've turned this big city into my own personal Hutchinson, Kansas!

Expect Less.

This one is the most difficult in theory, and in life for me.  I first ran across this concept in Buddhist Thailand, and trust me my first instinct was - "What?!  No.  That's stupid that you can't ever not expect anything out of others - how is that any way to live?"  It all seemed very pessimistic at the time.  But slowly I think I'm getting it. (Kiwi - correct me if I'm wrong...but): You control you.  You control your feelings.  And you control your actions.  If you're always building things up and just expecting that everything will work out in your favor, you'll most likely end up disappointed.  You only control you. Not any of those other, outside factors.  Just you. And because of this you cannot expect.  You can hope I guess, but not expect.  It's hard for Americans to grasp this (trust me I'm still struggling), as we always want to be in total control of any and all situations (or at least think that we are).  But that's not life.  We aren't in control.  And I'm learning that slowly but surely.  You got to start somewhere.  With the little things.  

So um post man - I'm expecting the print I ordered (because they emailed me to tell me they shipped it) days ago!  So seriously where is it?  I do hope it arrives soon! :)

Live Simply, Give More, Expect Less.

So, next time you see that person in front of you yapping away to the checkout attendant, don't automatically assume they have no one else to talk to in their lives (though this could be true - but don't judge) - just appreciate that time you have and read the rag magazines so you don't have to spend money on that crap! 

Just me and DC

Ahhhhhhh. Alone.  Just me.  My first 24 hours of solid alone time in months.  Nope make that in 99 days!  I have zero furniture, zero food, just the two bags I've been living out of for the last three weeks, and 400 empty (and expensive) square feet of my own space.  Nevermind that today I had to drink out of an old medicine bottle I found in my purse (cups weren't high on the list for the three bags) - and obviously I have since upgraded to beer bottles and half gallons of milk...no offense to you Mom, Dad, Aliza, Chris, Beth, or Matt - but it's just me and DC.  Finally.


The last three weeks have been culture shock at their finest - commuting in the Nation's Capital.  Everyone is always rushing.  Why?  Everyone is on an iPad, iPhone, or iPod.  Always.  Why?  Everyone always seems distracted and unhappy.  Why?  Don't you people realize how good you've got it!  You are living, breathing, and yes working in the Nation's Capital.  You walk by the White House on your way to work, in the winter that has been sunny and 50 degrees!  How can you not be happier, or at least glance down the street to marvel and take in your surroundings?!  How have so many of you become so disconnected from life that you feel the need to tune it out with earphones and downward-looking, hurried walking?  Maybe I'm crazy.  Just maybe. And highly probable (who pays $1600/month for 400 sq. ft of anything) - but I'm happy.  AND I'm that crazy lady who is taking pictures of the birds that are fed every morning on the sidewalk in front of Wells Fargo on K Street - and I hate birds!  Yes.  I'm that girl in the business attire and non-matching flat casual boots strolling around (in no rush) at lunch hanging out with the tourists in front of the White House.  Yeah that's me - I've seen your stares.  But guess what?  I'm not too good for this city (or just act like it), I haven't taken for granted anything, and I refuse to rush anywhere just to look or feel important.  


If I've learned one thing from my last year abroad - it is that work is not everything.  Unless you're rushing to put out a fire, save a baby's life, or stop world hunger then put that phone away (because quite honestly most of you nearly walk in to me while text-walking), and slow down.  Take in the day.  Take in the city.  Take in the people.  Those emails will all be there when you get to work and spend 12 straight hours indoors.  Trust me.  Breathe. You might enjoy it!


In celebration of being in the Capital for President's Day (apparently it IS more than a mattress sale) - I bring you some of my favorite presidential quotes (and UPack is about to bring me a whole pod of belongings that are to be hauled up four floors and shoved into my 400 sq. foot room - whether they fit or not):


I am a poor hater.  - James Garfield


I pity the man who wants a coat so cheap that a man or woman who produces the cloth will starve in the process. - Benjamin Harrison


You can do what you have to do, and sometimes you can do it even better than you think you can.  - Jimmy Carter


Testing oneself is best when done alone.  - Jimmy Carter


The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable.  - James Garfield


If wrinkles must be written on our brows, let them not be written upon the heart.  The spirit should never grow old.  - James Garfield


Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time.  We are the ones we've been waiting for.  We are the change that we seek.  - Barack Obama




And finally - this one sums it all up for you iPhone distracted Washingtonians:


There are two educations.  One should teach us how to make a living and the other how to live.  - John Adams.


Start living!  My life starts right after this cube gets unloaded ;)