I went to Portland and I all had was a fantastic visit and a renewed love of my current city

So, as I mentioned in my last post, I have recently been to Portland. Karel moved out there two years ago this summer and I've been lucky enough to see her since then, since she comes back east to visit her fam. But it was high time for me to go call upon her, and so I embarked on my third trip to the West Coast.

Like my visits from Boston to visit her in NYC, my time was centered around food and shopping. And lo, the food. AND LO, THE SHOPPING. Oregon has no sales tax. Saving that extra 6% made me all giddy so I picked up - skinny jeans, pink cardy, white Chucks, a green and yellow plaid cape (yes, really), and an embroidered skirt. We'll see if I fit in all of it after the food. Mexican, southern, Indian, hot pot, grilled cheese, late night crepes, BALUT (hopefully with video soon) and more. Stuffed.

But more than eating and shopping and simply being with my lovely Karel, I found something I have been sorely missing for some time : a love of DC. When I first moved down here from Boston, I was excited about my grad program but sad about leaving my boyfriend behind. I was living at home, which was great on the wallet and hanging with my parents was fun, but it was hard to be in a new city without a real strong friend base. They were there, but arranging time with them wasn't casual - I had to book their time in advance and arrange for sleeping arrangements.

When I moved in with Lauren and Sam in March 2008, not only was I single for the first time in several years but I was on my own again after 6 months of being at home. I was so happy to just be, I think I could have been in any city, but I really loved DC, going into the city proper for school, hanging out with my roomies on our back porch, parties throughout the summer, etc. When I moved to DC proper last summer, I was excited for even more exploration. And I had it. And it was good.

But this year has been a bit different. I felt like DC was old hat, nothing new. I started thinking more and more about moving, leaving the mid-Atlantic, leaving the country. Not immediately, but starting to think about it in real terms, starting to save. Enter Portland.

Don't get me wrong. Portland was awesome, though I would say that of any visit with Karel. But being there, with its spread out quadrants, its suburban feel, I felt myself falling back in love with DC a little bit more each day. I certainly found neighborhoods that I loved - the Pearl, Nob Hill, Mississippi - but overall, the density just wasn't there for me. This is an odd thing for me to say because my main issue with NYC is that the city is just... too much. All on top of me, with no rest. I guess Portland is the opposite- too spread out, too much space between the neighborhoods, the places I want to be. DC is just right; different neighborhoods bumping up agaisnt each other, flowing quasi-seamlessly from one into the other. I want to know more places, expand from just Dupont and Columbia Heights, Mt Pleasant and Petworth, U St and (shudder) Adams Morgan. I know that Portland is a city I love to visit.

And DC is a place I love to call home.

When in Portland

do as hipsters do.

Here's the inspiration photo. We'll see if I can pull it off once I wash my hair.


Ok, back to having fun with this gal.

Jonny knows me so well

The man knows how I feel about Venn diagrams.

2009 in Review

This is my third time doing this whole year in review thing. Check out 2007 and 2008.

----

What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Acquired a job with a salary. What up, late bloomers!

Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Apparently my only real resolution for this year was to get a job. Look who's batting a thousand.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Sam's sister. And though the babe is in MA, I get the privilege of seeing some very cute baby shots on a regular basis.

Did anyone close to you die?
Just all the celebrities of the world. And I feel worst for Farrah. MJ totally stole her death thunder.

What countries did you visit?
Australia to see the sister.

What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Giant admissions from exes that keep me in counseling. Whoa, who let the TMI fairy in with her pesky dust?

What date(s) from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 16- grad school graduation, five years to THE DAY of my undergrad graduation. Spooky. October 19- first official day on the *new* job.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Entertaining the thought of a buying a place of my own in the near future. And yes, even thinking that thought counts as an achievement. The obvious one is my Master's but that's been the product of several years. Regaining some of my confrontational personality after being a doormat for awhile.

What was your biggest failure?

Trying to figure out the damn html for this question. I know it is easy, but I'm lazy. F it.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing more than you typical colds. Oh, that's a lie. I found out I have the cholesterol of a dead person.

What was the best thing you bought?
Most recent haircut because I was way overdue for a change. Luck ring. Money spent towards mending clothes instead of buying new things.

Whose behavior merited celebration?
All my friends for putting up with my CRAZY. (same from last year. And from what I can see, every year going forward).

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Republican teabaggers. Seriously, you crazy.

Where did most of your money go?
Grad school (same for the past three years. Getting smart costs mad money, yo.), food stuffs, impulse purchases (hello, PedEgg)

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Being done with school. Pig Pickin'. Moving to DC proper.

What songs will always remind you of 2008?
MILEY CYRUS- PARTY IN THE USA. AND YES THIS TOTALLY DESERVES ALL CAPS. All of Lady Gaga, the Fame Monster, but specifically Bad Romance. Darude- Sandstorm. Shakira- She Wolf. Good King Wenceslas.

Compared to this time last year, are you...
I. Happier or sadder? This exact time? Probably happier because I'm not putting any pressure on myself for NYE. Not that I'm not excited about my plans, I'm just not hanging all my happiness in the new decade on how tomorrow night goes.
II. Thinner or fatter? eh, lord knows. I back up at my heaviest weight (seriously, that TMI fairy is getting WAY too liberal with her dust) but the weight has arranged itself better this time.
III. Richer or poorer? Richer, but I'm no one's sugar mama.

What do you wish you'd done more of?
Trusted my gut instincts. Cooked at home more.

What do you wish you'd done less of?
Spent time obsessing about the past. Eating full fat cheese.

How will you be spending Christmas?
Christmas Eve was at cousin's house in south central PA, Christmas Day- Chinese food and "It's Complicated"

What was your favorite TV program?
Of the year? Glee. That's obvious.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hate is pretty strong. I don't think there is anyone I hate, that I know personally.

What was the best book you read?
The second book in the Wideacre trilogy. Seriously, maybe one of 5 books I read this year that WASN'T a romance novel. And there's still a healthy dose of sex (be it incestuous) in it. I need real book recommendations and how. The whole in grad school so I only have the brain power for romance novels doesn't cut it anymore.

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Miley Cyrus. Shut your face. Party in the USA makes me happy.

What did you want and get?
To move into DC proper.

What did you want and not get?
A museum job.

What was your favorite film of this year?

Oh lord. Well, I love most films, so really, pretty much anything I saw, I liked. Away We Go was cute. I loved the music in Pirate Radio and couldn't stop myself staring at the glasses. Star Trek was FANTAB. I feel like I answered the question a few weeks ago and was more erudite but it just isn't coming to me right now.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old?
The big old 26. Had many celebrations, including drag bingo and some good old fashioned bar time.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Getting my license- on my way with the permit! ---> always getting my license. Still holding fast with the permit.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
"You look Amish, but in a good way." direct quotation from coworker from this summer.

What kept you sane?
Professional help. Friends. -----> some things never change

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Lee Pace. Ah, lovely pie maker. Also, I just finished Wonderfalls and the man is too cute for words, unless the words are TOO CUTE.

What political issue stirred you the most?
The fact that people don't want universal health care. I don't know much more about the debate but I just want to slap people who don't believe in health care for all. Because they've never been uninsured and boy howdy, does it suck.

Who did you miss?
My ladies out west. My ladies in Baltimore.

Was 2009 a good year for you?
I truly think that each year since high school graduation has gotten better and better (for the most part). Which makes me really excited to get old.

What was your favorite moment of the year?
Graduating is pretty up there. Any and all champagne Mondays (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, etc.)

Where were you when 2009 began?
Logan Circle, one of a few peeps dressed up at a dinner party.

Who were you with?
Folks from Haverford and the lovely folks I know through them.

Where will you be when 2009 ends?
Birthday/NYE party in Adams Morgan.

Who will you be with when 2009 ends?
A bestie from work, Monica, and greader friends. What up, Google Reader!

What was your favorite month of 2009?
March had me in Australia but also learning that I didn't get a dream job. May had me graduating but also moving. October had me starting a new job AND dressed up as Maleficent, so that's pretty awesome

How many different states did you travel to in 2008?
MD, VA, DC, FL, PA, NC.

How many concerts did you see in 2009?
Um, just one, I think. But it was awesome. Guster. Hello, college.

Did you have a favorite concert in 2009?
See above.

Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?
Shame is heavy. I pretty much am embarrassed by most things I do but they make me, me, so shame doesn't enter the picture.

What was the worst lie someone told you in 2009?
"Yeah, a second date would be fun."

Did you treat somebody badly in 2009?
Certainly brusque or brash at times, but always out of love.

Did somebody treat you badly in 2009?
Nothing out of the ordinary.

If you could go back in time to any moment of 2009 and change something, what would it be?
Say yes to moving into the place I lived over the summer. Oh the headaches.

What are your plans for 2010?
Lower my cholesterol to that of only someone on the brink of death. Save money so that when my lease is up, I can move to my own place or only have one roommate (big girl dreams!). Take stock of my life more often and have my choices reflect my desires. Stop writing sentences like that.

Second Thoughts

I'm sure you are tired of me talking about both a) yoga and b) my hair, so... I'm only going to talk about one of them in this post! BULLY FOR YOU!

So, of course, I have a great hair day right before the day I'm supposed to cut it all off. And I'm having second thoughts. What if I have mom hair? What if it gets way too curly for its own good and eats my face in the middle of the night? Because that has been totally known to happen when hair gets curly. Oh the humanity!

Waving good bye to my youthful and non-mom hair length.

Oh look! It is my friend, Juliet! Hi, Juliet! We had our six year friend-aversery this summer (what up, nerd caamp!). She would like to tell you that she doesn't have a butt chin, that is a scratch. In the interest of full disclosure, it was a pimple that she popped that became a scab that she then hit with her blowdryer. You can see why we are friends.

Anyway, the hair.

I hope it isn't hideous. Will post pics tomorrow of (hopefully) infertile hair. Of course, it will be straight, so won't be much of an indicator anyway.

Pig Pickin' Aftermath

So, I'm home from pig pickin'. And fun can be so exhausting. There was frisbee, football, and tons and tons of food. And beer. And scotch and ginger ale. And a bluegrass band. They did not take my requests. I'll never know why not.

Pig Pickin'

By the time you read this, I should be elbow deep in some fine swine. Perhaps elbow deep is a bit of an exaggeration, but I do expect a healthy amount of hog. Nom. Also, s'mores. And maybe a beer.

I'm camping this weekend with some friends from work, though if we electing to spend this much time together outside the office, I can legit just call them friends. I do sometimes worry that I make the leapt to friendship too fast - and with Facebook, it can be oddly quantified - but as I grow older, I'm starting to worry less and less if people think I'm being crazy re: friendships. I like people!

Man, strange how a post about camping could turn into a treatise on how I veiw definitions of friendship. Also, can't wait to sleep in a tent.

Spring is springing and taking me along with it

Yeah, I don't know what that title means exactly. This is my semi yearly post where I write to explain why I'm not writing a lot. If you remember, I said that I was going to Australia in about 3 weeks. Before I go, I have to take my comps this Friday. Comps as in if I don't pass them I don't graduate in May. I'm not too worried- went to a study group last week and we are all pretty set about what we need to know but the prospect of the writing I do in a three hour window determining whether I can walk in May... a bit daunting. And on Friday the 13th. I don't pretend that I'm not only a little superstitious. But I'm trying to not focus on that.

Besides comps, there is a large all staff meeting for most of next week that I won't be attending (pout) but that I have been helping plan. Because of this meeting, I will be in the office 4 days next week, which will help make up for the days that I'm missing while in Australia, but in addition to time abroad and the meeting, I've had to rearrange my schedule to get in enough internship hours so that I can graduate in May (see a theme?). I am creature of habit like WHOA and always hate the first few weeks of the semester when my schedule isn't locked down so this switch up mid Spring is throwing me off. I mean, I'm happy to deal with it because hello, AUSTRALIA, but it doesn't mean that I like sitting down and rearranging both jobs AND the internship. It is a lot to handle.

Also, my coworkers have slowly become my friends, with dinners and random happy hours. This makes me happier than words can say- can you say impromptu dance party after homemade Middle Eastern feast?- but it also means that I get home later and later. And when I do get home, I plop down and watch TV with this ho.

So, that's why the writing has been light. And why it will be light for probably another week or so. Because I know y'all care.

Perfect late fall day

I can complain a lot. Yes, yes, I'll wait for the snickering to die down. But it is true- I often complaining comically but the complaining is still there.

But not today.

Today was the perfect fall day. I slept in, I showered, I walked to Georgetown to see a friend at work and have some quiche and Christmas cookies. I had two cups of tea and bought edamame. I exchanged Christmas gifts with my lovely roommates. I cooked chicken and rice for dinner. We watched funny TV. A roommate looked over a cover letter to a job I'm OBSESSED with getting. I'm now sitting, snuggled in my bed, watching TV online and thinking of all the lovely sleep I'll be getting when I go to bed early.

Today was a good day. And there isn't too much funny about it, but I'll get humor out of frustration some other time.

and this concludes the bake sale coverage

I know that y'all are probably bake saled out- what with two in two weeks- but I just wanted to give an update.

Even though we had fewer people stop by, each patron seemed to buy more. Apparently, raising money for a presidential candidate tugs at the purse strings more than a broken heart. Go figure.

** drumroll **

We made almost $150! Woohoo, go us! And Sam just got an email saying that a previous donor will be matching our donation, amounting to a cool $300! Go us and being all politically active.

I promise to blog about something other than bake sales soon. Unless my mom decides to throw on for her birthday this weekend during my visit.

Thanks, Ed

"Hey Breakup Baker-

I saw your Bakeup flyer on a lamp post early Monday morning and I wanted to write you a note to say it brought a true smile to my face. (I'm sorry I missed the Bakeup itself, too.) I'm a habitual driver to work, but my beloved car, which I have had forever, finally broke down Monday as I was trying to get to work- her second transmission virtually exploded on me @ 195,000 miles- forcing me to be a "man of the people" and metro in. I was bummed about that and in a bad mood when you note popped into my line of sight. So, thanks for brightening my morose morning; I hope your culinary catharsis over the weekend worked for you. Take care and keep your chin up.

- Ed the Ambler"

a real note that I got today. Just when I'm feeling down in the dumps re: life (dramatic, no?), my friends throw me a bake sale and random strangers are sending me notes saying I brought them a smile to their day.

Bake sales will save the world.

breakup bakeup

so, what do you do when your boyfriend breaks up with you? if you are me, you take one day off from to work to completely wallow, complete with gut wrenching sobs. you pull yourself together for a debate party, you make it to work the following day, you only cry in public a little and then you let your friends take care of you. while the pain of a breakup might be the worst immediately following, i think that the first weekend as a new singleton is the hardest time. those routines that you had fallen into for months are erased in second and you are left with no distractions.

unless you are marvelous friends.

elle, juliet, and sam ate chipotle with me friday night and helped me drink wine while we watched young at heart. crying because you love old people singing is not the same as crying because you just got dumped.

saturday was the best. friday afternoon, sam decided that breakups could be sweet and that we should capitalize on my pain and have a bake sale. yes, you heard correctly- a breakup bakeup! i made rice crispy treats, colleen (another roomie) made chocolate chip cookies, brant (sam's boyfriend) made lemon bars, and the master baker herself made red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing, homemade oreos, and double chocolate brownies with salted caramel buttercream. all from scratch. i made fliers and posted them at the main intersection near my house. and for a few hours on an early fall afternoon, we stood outside our front door, waving to people as they walked by, selling our homemade treats.

it got such an amazing response! we had three groups stop their cars, park, and get out to get food! we had runners come back with money to get treats! besides the simple fun of baking with friends, we meet some neighbors and brought smiles to a lot of people's faces. almost everyone had words of encouragement to share re: the breakup and one guy even made me cry for going on and on about how cool this all was and that there had to be a guy out there for me. with the money that we made (about $65! sam wouldn't take money for baking supplies), i think i'm going to get a massage and maybe mani/pedi too! but even if we hadn't made any money, it was a success just is raising my spirits.

to all my friends and family who have reached out- thank you so much. you don't know how much coming over to give me a hug, sleeping over, giving me flowers, making me eat, throwing a bake sale, texts, calls, emails- it all means so much to me. i went through a horrendous breakup about a year ago and was very guarded about it here, thinking that i couldn't put that out there. maybe things would have gone better for me if i had opened up to having people help me.

everyone should be lucky enough to have a breakup bakeup.