Au Revoir

So here is my prerequisite farewell post.

In less than two weeks, I ship off to begin a 10-month adventure in France. I am delighted that all my preparation during the past year (and even before that) is finally paying off and that I’ll be able to check off one of the top things on my bucket list: “living abroad.” There are so many things that I want to experience while I’m in France, and of course, I am very hopeful that my time away will be extended.

I’m saying goodbye to this blog because I’m leaving DC; but also because I’m at a different place in my life.

I started this blog after my ex, Floyd, moved back home. And I end this blog — five years later — knowing that I have successfully released myself from that period of my life. As reflected in the changes in the content and frequency of my posts over the years, I’ve slowly started to lead a full and fulfilled life. During the past few years, I have “come into my own” as a career woman, as a single girl, as a daughter, as a friend, and as a human being. I know that my journey is far from over, but I feel that the past 30 years of my life were full of much laughter and that the tears were always, eventually, dried by greater knowledge and understanding of the world and my true self.

I enjoy blogging. It is a great form of expression and I know that it (along with old-fashioned journaling...) has helped me get through a lot of the struggles of my late-20s. Yet, I haven’t decided if I will start a new blog in France. I’m hoping that I won’t have enough free time to maintain one. But I also know that there are more than enough expat blogs out there to keep folks entertained regarding the minutiae of living in another country and culture.

So thank you, my “devoted fans” (i.e., my friends) and also the random visitors who’ve stopped by.

Au revoir. Bon courage.

Bon Voyage

In about 9 hours, I depart for France. I am unbelievably excited about being in la belle France again. And I am even more excited to be able to share with my mother my first visit to Poitiers. It will be a different experience of France than on our last visit together over 4 years ago.

I have a bunch of fun things planned for the few days we spend in Paris: brunch along the Canal Saint-Martin, la nuit des musees at the Louvre, and a watercoloring session at the Jardin du Luxembourg.

But the real fun awaits us in Poitiers. I have 3 rdv scheduled with local folks: a Frenchman (who may not speak English…), an American woman, and a Taiwanese woman (who is taking a career break to study French, like me). And I’ll be visiting the university campus and language program. I had intended to get a lot done during this trip (opening a bank account, getting a cell phone, securing housing leads, etc), but now it seems that it will be a trip focused on simply getting to know the city. And that is fine with me. I can’t wait to get a sense of Poitiers, its rhythm, its layout, the beautiful parks, and even all the grimy, hideous parts.

When I return, I’ll have about three weeks to finalize my paperwork before my visa appointment with the French Consulate. I am crazy-worried about getting my visa application ready as I still haven’t figured out my housing situation. Even though I’m a bit old, I am interested in finding a homestay/au pair situation since it would give me an intimate window into French family/home life. At the same time, living alone or with roommates would be better for my social life and for hosting friends and family. I’ll have to figure this all out soon…

So all is well. My 30th year is truly off to a good start. I spent the last hours of my 20s and the first hours of my 30s surrounded by amazing friends, and I’m still on track for France. And for that I am thankful.

Another Update, Plans for Abroad

This week marks the 4-month anniversary of my pursuit of French proficiency and professional opportunities in Europe. I have one more application to submit by Friday, and then, I will be officially done with Part One of my plan. I can’t believe how much time, effort, and money I devoted to learning French and to perfecting my applications. I am so proud of myself. My fingers are crossed that one of the programs I applied to will work out (I’ve already been contacted for an interview!). But given the economy, I know the applicant pool is crowded and the programs are highly competitive.

Now that it’s almost 2011, I’ve started to think about how I will celebrate my 30th birthday. For sure, I will drink and dance with friends in DC, but I also want to do something just for myself. I’m leaning toward going to see Thomas Fersen at La Cigale in Paris at the end of April (during the spring recess!! But that may not matter if I don’t have a Hill job…). I have become obsessed with Thomas Fersen, along with a handful of other French singers (Camille, ZAZ, etc) thanks to Alliance Française. A-M is contemplating Spain this spring and another potential travel buddy is talking about Eastern Europe. So I would probably go alone (it is a bucket list goal...), and if I'm not selected for the programs I applied to, it will make sense to visit Lyon, Nantes, and Avignon – the locations of the French language schools I’m considering.

So, thankfully, I’m still on track to fulfill my dream of living/working/studying abroad starting next summer/fall.

My mother arrives in DC on Saturday and I look forward to her visit. I am anxious to share with her, in person, all of my hopes and dreams for the future. She needs to understand that I am very open to living in Europe for longer than a year—and what that means in terms of the sort of career, family, and lifestyle I hope to have. We need to talk about downsizing my possessions and about my finances. It should be an interesting conversation, and yes, I think that we’ll discuss it over a French meal.

Holiday in France

I am becoming increasingly excited that I will be in France in a mere two weeks! I spent the weekend making purchases for my trip. The key and most expensive purchases were a digital camera (welcome to the 21st century, Hippo!), and a pair of cute walking shoes.

I am most proud that I have culled my packing list to the essentials. And I am determined to not panic the night before my departure and end up bringing every item in my closet. I have items that I can mix-and-match and easily hand wash and dry. If all else fails, I will go shopping. I am hoping to acquire a few new items anyway.

Speaking of budgets, I haven’t really figured out a budget for my trip. That is a little dangerous, but I think my frugal nature will ensure that I don’t go overboard. And thankfully, I have a “rainy-day fund” that was originally created for international travel, though it is now my mid-term savings account. I don’t anticipate spending a lot of cash on souvenirs and at touristy sites. I mainly want to spend my cash on food—mostly bread and fruit—specifically fruit tarts and other fruit pastries. Dear me, I have given myself the green light to gain 10 pounds in the pursuit of the perfect fruit tart. The last time I was in Paris, I went a little crazy every morning and evening at the pastry shop near our hotel. I can recall buying 3 tarts during one trip. My mother asked, “Hippo, do you really need all three? You just ate dinner and it is late.” I ate everything that night before bed.

We decided to spend most of our time in Paris, with a short trip to Blois and then Tours to see a few chateaux and experience life outside of the “big city”. According to the travel guides, the Loire Valley is perfectly situated for bike rides so we anticipate renting bikes to ride to the chateaux, with beautiful baguettes and bottles of wine sticking out of the bike baskets. My friends love wine so I’m sure a wine tour will be a possibility while in the Loire as well.

As for Paris, while my friends are visiting the spots I don’t care to visit (the top of the Eiffel Tower, Musee d’Louvre, and Musee d’Orsay), I am determined to check out a few spots that I missed on my last visit. Namely, Montmartre, Musee de Rodin, and lots of lazy hours picnicking and reading in the Jardin des Tuileries, Jardin du Luxembourg, and Champs du Mars. I also want to check out the faux beach and the evening dancing along the Seine.

I am hoping that we are able to have a quick meal with Organica on our first day. She’ll be leaving Paris (after spending a month in France—so jealous!) on the same day that we arrive. I also plan on spending the first day with my college roommate who offered to take a short holiday to Paris so that we can see each other.

Over the weekend, I watched The Diving Bell and The Butterfly, and borrowed two French novels to read during my trip, The Count of Monte Cristo and Madame Bovary. Les Miserable would have been a great addition but it is too large to lug around in my bag. Maybe next time?

All that is left now is to learn more French phrases, review my packing list, and step-up my visits to the gym in preparation for the culinary adventure (of butter, chocolate, wine, and cheese) that awaits me in France.

A Pat on the Back

I started working on a chick-lit novel during the fall of 2007. I am happy to say that tonight I finished the first draft. It's almost 34,000 words--about half of which were added during the past month.

I don't know how I feel about the story at this point. It is silly, simple, and purposeless in many ways. But that is how I feel about most chick-lit. If you are lucky, you come across a book that gives you a gem of wisdom about life. But mostly, it is a marvelous, often mindless, diversion from the everyday.

Regardless of how meaningful or meaningless my story is, I am proud that I followed through and finally finished it. That is something I can celebrate, even if it languishes on my thumbdrive for eternity.

I have two more weeks to add at least another 60,000 words of descriptions, backstory, and dialogue. And I want to strengthen the hook. That is certainly a "heavy lift" but I'm thinking that it will be a fun and rewarding challenge.

Twi-hard?

Last night, I finished the last book in the Twilight series. Reading the books has consumed my life during the past two weeks. I shunned outside activities, stayed up late and woke up early almost everyday just so that I could read a few more pages. I put aside the disturbing but equally captivating book that I had been reading, The Picture of Dorian Gray. As soon as I am able to move forward from my lingering thoughts and unresolved questions about the Twilight story, I shall return to Dorian Gray. I just wonder when and if my brain will be able to move from Twilight.

It is funny that just as I shunned Harry Potter for years, I was reluctant to read Twilight. But as I was doubtful that a "kids book about wizards" would be able to truly capture me, I was doubtful that a silly teeny-bopper, fantasy book would even come close to having the beauty and complexity of my favorite Austen and Hardy classics. But something—a combination of being hooked on the CW’s rather tame Vampire Diaries and the encouragement of friends—convinced me to start reading the books. I am so happy that I did.

I am in love with the story of Twilight. Sure, it may never be as close to my heart as Persuasion. But, something about the idea of love, true love, being the purpose for and quest of your life has filled me with joy. I was engaged by the love story, by the conflict, and by the supernatural world Stephenie Meyer created. Of course, like many, I cringed at the incomplete editing and other flaws that appeared in the book (It was interesting to watch how her writing and voice became stronger over the series). But after the first few chapters, it no longer mattered. The story had a way of sucking me in and making me anxious to discover the resolution of Bella’s story and in an odd way, it charged me to find resolution in my own life.

This means that it made me think a lot about Floyd. Wondering if Floyd is my Edward, my true love. But I’ll save that for anther day. As I will also think later about how the book and Meyer’s somewhat unplanned ascent to authorhood has inspired me to write again. I’m not so deranged to think that a beloved story of my own will come in a dream, but I am excited about the possibility that I, too, could create characters and a story as vivid and satisfying.

For now, I give two thumbs up for the Twilight saga. It is intoxicating, frightening, and enjoyable. I look forward to reading the books again, less anxiously, so that I can have an even greater appreciation and understanding of how the author was able to weave such a beautiful story. So though, I’m not quite a Twi-hard, I am deeply reverent of how her story has moved me.

Final Hippo-Floyd Saga Update

I feel the need to send out an update to my loyal readers after my last blog.

I am doing fine. I was obviously very emotional on Sunday and Monday, but now I am doing better. I am in the same state I was before Floyd visited, but now the reality that there is no us is a bit more vivid in my mind, which is good. The perk is that now whenever I think about him or am tempted to contact him, I remember the revelation he shared on Sunday. He is ready to date again, specifically a woman who lives in Fairfax. That keeps me from fantasizing about how I can get him back and reminds me that I can’t be his friend (someone who’s happy that he’s found someone new) until I get over him. He won the “breakup contest” and that adds a wound to my vanity as well as my heart. I need to start healing both now.

This is my last post about Floyd. There is nothing else to write about that I haven’t already shared. And he’s no longer in my life. Hopefully, one day we’ll be friends and he will read my blog again (with my blessing) and I will write about how great of friends we are. But until then, there is no need.

Instead, I want to write about the awesomeness of my work and social lives---things are really good. It’s crazy that as soon as I start excelling and find peace in the other parts of my life, my love life falls apart.

I look forward to when I can finally write about a happy and exciting dating/love life. I must admit that Organica’s excitement about being young and single is intoxicating. She is right that the time to get out, explore and have fun is now. I don’t want to regret not living it up more in my twenties. Now without Floyd, I have the ability to do whatever I want without having to worry about what Floyd would say or what it means in terms of a relationship with him. I can date/love/fool around with anyone. I can pack up and move across the country or world whenever I want. It is scary but exhilarating to be so free.

I think Organica’s youthful optimism about love and boys is just the perspective I need to hear this summer, as I work to finally move on and reestablish myself as Hippo + none.

A Birthday and A Move

Moving Sucks
I successfully moved my junk into my new space over the weekend. Everything fit—though I do have a far amount of things stacked in the living room that may never find a home.

The move was pretty painless. Unlike this summer, my movers showed up when promised and it took no longer than 2 hours to complete. Nothing broke and no one was injured. Perhaps, next time I will be frugal and move myself, but there is just so much more piece of mind when you are organized and you hire professional movers. Please pray that I don’t move again for at least 2 years—enough time to save for a down payment on a house.

I like my new space. I’m still getting used to the weird shape of my room, the window A/C unit and the cat that is always sitting on the porch, staring at me, when I leave and return each day. I love cats, but he freaks me out. My roommates informed me that there are at least three cats that frequent our stoop, since we usually put out food and water.

This weekend, I hope to tackle most of my boxes. I’ve been sick most of this week with a horrible cold. No, I don’t think that it is H1N1, but it has prevented me from doing anything but blowing my nose and sleeping during the past few evenings. I blame it on the all the stress I experienced over last week due to my move and my birthday party.

28 is Great!
My birthday party was awesome. I was pleased that so many of my friends showed up, though I was missing my grad school trio. I look forward to getting friends together again for a bar crawl this summer. Good times.

My crush didn’t show. He gave me some lame excuse on Monday, but I’m so over him. My friend warned me that he is seriously enjoying his "fresh meat" status on the Hill, and I don’t blame him for wanting to take advantage of all the girls who are trying to catch him. As A-M said, he’s just not that into me and I’d said the same thing, I’m just not that into him. I don’t care enough to be one of those silly girls chasing him. I’m too old for that and I feel that he should be coming to me instead.

So now, I wait to develop a crush on someone new. I’ll keep you posted on who the lucky guy is and how successful is my game.

White House Tour

What an amazing treat on the eve of my birthday. Today, I had the opportunity to take a White House tour. I totally lucked out on an extra ticket and I plan to get an thank card to the person who made it possible asap.

It was surreal to see the West Wing. Unfortunately, we weren't able to see the residence but we saw the blue room, the green room, navy mess, press room, oval office, rose garden, etc. It was truly awesome. I was both overwhelmed and underwhelmed by the tour. I was overwhelmed by the furniture, portraits, artifacts and the slight views I could catch of the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial. I was underwhelmed by the size of some of the rooms (TV cameras can be so deceiving!) and the fact that it felt like a normal office space. I know that I'm not making sense. The bottom line is that it was an amazing experience and I can only hope to visit the WH again for another tour, a VIP meeting, or, perhaps one day, for my first day on the job.

Urgh!

Almost every young Hill staffer has the fear of being overheard divulging office secrets in the elevator or of being caught in the middle of a Member photo-op. For that reason, I always try to avoid Members, VIPs, and camera crews like the plague, and I am always tight-lipped around folks.

Last week, cameras were swarming the halls and I was unlucky enough to be caught in a published picture next to a few Members. It is a bad picture and I look obviously uncomfortable. I can clearly remember trying to scurry away from the scene, but was blocked by a gaggle of chatting Members. The look on my face is obviously that of distress--last week was nothing but stressful.

For the record, I officially hate my profile now.

Business Cards

After 11-months on the Hill, I finally have business cards. When I
first arrived, I didn't care if I had cards. I was only a staff
assistant and I didn't plan on staying. But as it became more and
more apparent that I would be sticking around, I started to want
business cards. My supervisor told me that cards should have been
ordered for me, but never really told me how to go about securing
them. I decided to let it go, betting that I would be out of the
office by the time my cards were delivered anyway. So for the past 11
months, I've been sheepishly telling folks that I don't have a card. I
guess it hasn't really affecting my ability to network, but it is
something essential when it counts.

So now I have a set of about 200 cards. I look forward to finally
exchanging, not just receiving, cards at the receptions. It would have
been awesome to have had a card from my first Hill job, but I'm
thinking that my signed farewell shot more than suffices as a memento.

I will mail a small stack of my business cards to my mother. She's
always asking for my cards as she likes giving them out to her
friends. I also plan on giving her my inauguration ceremony and ball
tickets, programs, and ID badge. I think she'll be even more excited
to see that. I think my small collection of memorabilia would look
nice framed, along with a signed pic of the President.

An Addition to the Family

I became an aunt yesterday. My sister had her baby girl around 6 last night. I am so happy for my sister and her husband and the rest of our family.

The child already has so many folks, (great) grandmothers, great aunts/uncles, (play) aunts/uncles, etc that are looking forward to helping and watching her grow. It is truly amazing how much love a child automatically comes into the world with.

I hope to go home in a few weeks to see her and also see my sister and the rest of my family. It will be awkward but awesome to hold my niece.

Best Day Ever (on the Hill)

I have just one more day at my current job. As my coworker said, I still haven't stopped to breathe but I promised myself that tomorrow, I will let-go and chill after lunch.

We had a gathering today at work for folks moving on. It was unbelievable. I was truly like a deer in the headlights in getting acknowledged and thanked by my boss. It was a great send-off to be a part of and I look forward to more personal goodbyes tomorrow.

Yes, I'm being cryptic. Ask me in person, and I'll give you the details. You'd have to know my boss and about my office's politics to understand how momentous the recognition was for me.

So that's it. Now, I need to find a way to quiet my soul so that I can get some rest. I need to be ready to get some closure tomorrow.

Three Things

Work
I had an amazing week at work. Congress is back in session, which means an increase in tasks—but most importantly, it means the return of receptions and events. That's what makes my job so interesting and worthwhile: the opportunity to rub elbows and get my name and face out there. Of course, the free food, drinks and prizes are great too, assuming they don't get me in trouble (What's the House Ethics Rules limit, again?). After almost five months on the Hill, I am happy to report that I am still happy with my job and hopeful and excited about my career trajectory on the Hill. My Peace Corps medical application should be finalized in a few weeks, so it remains my back-up plan just in case things turn sour on the Hill. Let's hope it doesn't.

Floyd
Right now, my attention turns to the arrival of Floyd. He'll be in town for a few days for a work event. I am really excited to spend time with him and show him how much D.C. has changed since he left. I can't wait to show him my new 'hood (which is actually his old 'hood) and enjoy dinner at Ben's like we used to. Of course, we have to spend a little time figuring out "us." But mainly, I want to enjoy his company.

Joy
After a few years of chaos, depression, and despair, things are finally good. As I told Chatty-Chica last night, I hope that I haven't reached the summit of happiness. Things sucked for a long time while I was trying to "find myself." I still haven't found myself but I think I deserve a bit more time in the sunlight before things fall apart.

Expecting

My sister is expecting a baby, which means I'll be an aunt very soon. I'm definitely excited for her and her husband. I'm also very happy for my mother. It will be her first grandchild and I know that she can't wait to spoil him/her. Yesterday, she joked that she'll have to start saving money so that she can properly spoil her first grandbaby. The baby is due in March, which is cool because it is the month of my father's birthday.

I guess this whole situation will force my sister and me to finally mend our strained relationship. I know that I don't know how to be an aunt, and at this point, I don't really know how to be a sister. I guess I'll be forced to learn both in the upcoming months.

I have to admit that babies weird me out. It will be great to play with and spoil my niece or nephew but I still haven't mastered the art of holding, cuddling or soothing a baby. I prefer older preschool aged kids that don't need to be changed and are most happy using their imaginations to play.

My sister's pregnancy reminds me of my own fleeting youth. We're both getting older and as the years past, we'll increasingly only have each other. I guess it's time for me to finally grow up and be a whole person and an adult.

"Saturday night's alright"

Home
I am not going to be homeless come July 1. I just got an email from the house in Columbia Heights that I was hoping for. I’d been selected to fill one of the two open rooms!

This past week has been so stressful and my days and nights have been filled with anxiety about finding a place—and specifically about being accepted to this particular house. Now my fear is that I can still get screwed and be homeless. So I’m pushing to sign the paperwork and handover my checks as soon as possible. My mother will be here in less than one week and I am so relieved that I have a place before she arrives.

I can focus on sorting my stuff and packing now that I have an idea of what my new housing situation can accommodate. My new room will be sunny and a pretty good size with a walk-in closet. So I’ll be able to keep a few things I had planned on chucking. Notably, I should be able to keep my plants and few other semi-essential things.

Work
I got news on Friday that my coworker was offered a great position in another office. I am so excited for her as she’d been “paying her dues” as a staff assistant for 8-9 months. I am worried about how her departure will affect my workload—until they hire someone new. But mostly, I’m concerned about being the “senior” staff assistant on a two-person team. I’ve only been working in the office for two months, and though I know my tasks pretty well, I’ll have to learn her tasks in order to properly train her replacement. It should be interesting.

I am so glad that I did not take the original staff assistant job I was offered. I got a taste of what I would have to do on Friday, when a barrage of calls came in criticizing a particular vote and I was asked to help answer the phone. I don’t think that I’ve ever been so irritated at work and more ready to write-off activists as a bunch of rude/nasty people. I don’t have a problem with passionate people who are informed and anxious to comment on a particular issue. But I do have a problem with folks who aim their disdain at others—especially a low level staffer like myself—who can’t do anything to calm the caller or defend their boss.

But whatever, that’s the thing about political office—about life. Not everyone is going to like you and some people will really dislike you. You can’t take it personally and you must always surround yourself with loyal supporters and candid confidants who’ll be there even after you’ve made the hardest, most controversial (and perhaps, worst) decision of your career/life.

Anxiety & Bird Poop

This morning has been unfortunately eventful. I was standing under a tree waiting for the super-late N22 bus when I was confronted by a small mound of purplish goo on my shoulder. I'd been attacked by a bird and it was the last straw.

I guess I feel that I've been regularly shit on during the past few weeks. Okay, so maybe that is an exaggeration but wtf, why can't I get things together? I still haven't finished packing and at the rate I'm going, I wonder if I ever will. I just have too much stuff and not enough willpower to part with it all. Plus, I have two weeks left and still no place. As of June 30, I will be a homeless girl with boxes and crates full of junk and nowhere to go. And that's the least of my problems.

I know that I shouldn't complain as my life is pretty good. I have a job, friends, and some solid plans to look forward to. But having my favorite shirt pooped on this morning put a damper on my normal optimism. Thankfully, I brought along a tshirt, which I plan on wearing under my suit coat all day.

I believe that being christened with bird droppings is a sign of good luck. And I've had at least two other bird dropping incidents in the past few years. So perhaps, it's a sign that things are turning around. Tonight, I will find my dream housing situation, and this weekend, I will tackle all the crap in my living room and in my closets. But it could just be a sign that I should retire my snug work shirt and stop standing under that tree every morning waiting for the always late N22.

Happy Birthday To Me!

Indeed, it's going to be a good day. I spent the morning doing a few sun salutations to Depeche Mode, Billy Idol and Marvin Gaye. Yoga was cancelled last night so I'm not in a total Zen-like mindset today inspite of my mini-session this morning. But who could be when you spend your yoga session wriggling your hips along to Enjoy the Silence.

Even without yoga, I had a good evening last night. I went to the playground for a bit of personal reflection on the swingset. I also viewed my latest guilty pleasure CW shows, and I watched the Marvin Gaye documentary on PBS. It was so disturbing. I love Marvin Gaye and I am so sad that he couldn't overcome "his demons (e.g., the family dysfunction and drugs). It is so sad that such a creative genius died so soon and in such a way.

I don't feel older today but fulfilled. It has been crazy and amazing year and I can only hope that I can spend the rest of my life going through ups and downs with so many great friends

It is odd to pass my birthday at my new workplace. Everyone is very happy for me but it's not the same as celebrating your birthday at a workplace of friends. I miss the LB, especially on days like this. But no worries. I'll see most of them tonight for what should be a very good evening of strong drinks and tasty food.

Farewell Lunch @ Work

Today, I had my farewell lunch at work. I was amazed by how many people attended--many more than my core group of assistant friends and program coworkers (almost 20!). My supervisor gave a very touching and humorous presentation of gifts. I was floored and overwhelmed because it was so nice and humbling. Of the gifts I got, I am most happy that I got a copy of the Dr. Seuss's The Lorax--the quintessential environmental book for kids. It might even bring along with me to Peace Corps to share with the community kids.

So, I have less than 2.5 days left at work. I still have some outstanding projects but all is well. I'm ready for my new position and ready for all the challenges that adjusting to a new work schedule, new coworkers and new tasks will bring.

My boss finally offered the congratulations that I'd be waiting for. He apologized for his less than excited response when I gave my two weeks notice and noted that it was a good "next step" for me. It is. So now, my boss is back on my good list and I'm ready to forgive all of the not-so-great things that have transpired during the past two years so that I can move on--without burning every bridge on my way out the door.

Tax Time!!

The bane of my existence every April is finally over. I completed my federal tax forms!

Like most people, I hate filling out tax forms. They are unbelievably confusing, and there are so many loaded/unrecognizable terms and phrases in the forms and explanation documents. I guess the forms just reflect how immense and convoluted tax law is. But, if I, a college-educated individual who likes to play around with numbers, have problems with tax forms, I can only imagine how hard the process is for folks that aren't as informed.

I had the hardest time with one of the Schedules this year, and due to absent data, I had to fudge some numbers. My "guesstimation" translates to no more than a $50 difference so I doubt that the IRS will be knocking on my door anytime soon—especially when there are so many individuals and companies who owe thousands or even millions of dollars. The lesson I've learned is to keep good records.

Once I file my federal taxes, I'll be put into the computer for the federal tax rebate. I doubt that I'll get the full $600 but it would be great to get a few hundred dollars from the government (get a rebate estimate from the IRS here). And yes, my rebate is going straight into a high-interest earning account. No new wardrobe/television/vacation for me!

Remember that everyone must file their federal taxes this year—i.e., if you want a rebate check. This is particularly important for low income groups, the elderly and others who don't normally file but to whom the rebate checks are aimed at (low income groups, in particular, are expected to funnel that cash directly back into the economy).