Another Move

What an intense week. Work was out of control and I've been stressing out about my housing situation. I decided to go for a smaller shared house in Columbia Heights after much pressure (from myself) to get a new place. I'll be sharing a 3BR/2BA house with two girls. They seem very nice and most importantly, seem to be at a similar place in their lives as me. That means no reliving college and the ability to clean-up after themselves. I hope that I haven't made a rash decision but I have been itching to move out of where I live for months.

So the race is on to pack my stuff and organize movers. I hate to pay $300 to move basic furniture .5 miles down the street but I don't want the hassle of driving a U-haul truck. This is the one occasion (besides VDay) when I wish I had a boyfriend or at least a few, buff male friends who owe me favors. Thankfully, a few gal pals agreed to help, and I'm thinking that we'll manage. Of course, this is all scheduled during a crazy-busy legislative period, but I think that if I devote a few hours every day during the next two weekends to packing, I should be all ready for the moving men on May 10.

Fine Lines

I see them.

A few around my eyes and a growing collection on my forehead. They say that "black don't crack" but I am seeing evidence of major, future wrinkles.

Since I turn 28 in a few weeks, I guess it is okay for me to start using wrinkle creams but I don't know if I will ever opt for Botox, skin rejuvenation, a face lift, or whatever else will be on the market when I hit 40.

I like to think that I am a low-maintenance, natural woman who embraces her imperfections, but the impact of aging on a woman's body is too much for me. I don't want saggy boobs, a flabby neck, a hunchback, frown lines, or sunspotted skin. But I know that it is on the way and there is little that I can do.

I don't want to be the weird lady who has clearly had work done--who can't smile or whose hands/neck/belly belies her plumped, radiant face. I want to love my wrinkles and see them as beautiful signs of maturity. But I don't know how to get out of our society’s youth-obsessed mentality so that I can embrace and love my aging/decaying body.

Birthday Party Planning

I want to do something different for my birthday this year. Right now, I’m thinking about a picnic on the Mall or a Ledo’s pizza party.

Picnic on the Mall
I love picnics and I love the Mall. That’s why it would be perfect to spend a warm spring day under the shade of the trees in front of the National Gallery. I’d ask friends to bring fruit, veggies, hummus, sandwiches, salad, etc to leisurely eat while sipping on contraband wine. We could play Frisbee, fly kites, or throw around a random beach ball. It would be very low-keyed and focused mostly on celebrating the warm weather. The main problems would be transporting everything to the Mall, the fact that pollen isn't my friend, and the threat of spring showers.

Ledo’s Pizza Party
I love Ledo’s, and I think it woud be the perfect location for an old-fashioned pizza party, with hats, horns, goody bags, and ice cream cake. It would bring out the kid in all of us and give me an excuse to pig out on pizza and beer. The ultimate party would be to bring a few Ledo's pizza pies and a cake into Rocket Bar. Although the place isn’t great for chatting (too loud), we could easily spend hours playing all the board games and other games offered. The only problem is that I don't know if the Ledo's Chinatown location will be open in time.

So those are my option. I still have time to figure out the logistics, and most importantly, which option would be best for bring together my different groups of friends.

Missed Connection

Two blog entries in one day are a big no-no for Hippo Q., but...

OMG. I sat next to the dreamiest guy on the plane. He started talking to me as soon as I sat down. At first, I was antisocial, favoring to do some reading for work (will I ever catch-up?!). But when I was done, we started chatting again. Mainly about work and DC.

He's a military officer/lawyer and in town for only a few days, which means that he would be good for a short fling. A ONS isn't my style, but I would give anything to makeout with him. He was just so tall, tan, and strong with perfectly kissable lips.

No, I didn't ask for his number. Not when we were getting off the plane or when I said goodbye to him again near baggage claim. I am such an inexperienced flirt, relegated to relieving such exchanges over the blogosphere.

Any normal woman would have closed the deal. But I feared rejection and didn't know how to say, "hey sweetcakes, I'll give you a tour of the city you will never forget" without sounding cheesy.

So unfair. Why can't I get over my wallflower, traditional approach to guys? I fear that my lack of game will result in me becoming a crazy catlady that no one visits.

So here is my game plan. I'm going to try my luck with an ad on Craiglist and in the City Paper. Then, I'm going to burn in my memory this experience so that when the next Mr. Right(now) is presented to me, I won't fuck it all up.

Airport Musings

After a few days in Atlanta, I am ready to return to my reality. It was a nice trip home. Although I didn't get to see my grandmother, I did see my niece (so tiny and squishy!) and I spent some quality time with my mom. I always get restless at home. The suburbs are so quiet and calm and I don't have easy, walkable access to stores for browsing or parks for people watching. I honestly can't see myself living in ATL for a long while. I like the energy of DC too much. But the real deal breaker is that I refuse to be reliant on a car to get to work, run errands or visit friends and family. ATL is definitely a car dominated city, and that's uncool.

I won't miss the pollen that has made my eyes burn, my nose run and my skin itchy. But I will miss having a backyard. I planted marigold seeds and impatients for my mother, and it was really nice to get my hands dirty in GA red clay.

Going Home

My flight leaves tomorrow for Atlanta. I’m really looking forward to seeing my friends and family. I haven’t been home in over a year—so my visit is very much overdue.

There are a bunch of things I want to do while I am home, including see my grandmother and niece, hang out with my high school buddies, and plant new flowers for my mom. I also want to take at least one bubble bath, ride my bike around the ‘hood, and eat Chick-fil-a, the Varsity, and Waffle House. It’s a lot to fit into a 3 day vacation but I will do what I can.

I am so happy that it is recess. I feel unbelievably relaxed and calm—quite a change from the stressed and anxious feeling that plagued me during the past two months. I love my job but it can be really intense. So this two week break is exactly what I need before the next round of madness. Plus, it is always nice to get away from the city and out of the bubble.

On a side note, my roommates and I bonded last night over a few hours of card games. It was a very fun night and I am glad that I ventured downstairs for the impromptu game. Yes, I still want and need to move but given that I've blown off most house functions since I arrived, it was time for me to be present.

Sunday Stroll in Old City (?)

Yesterday, I took a walking tour from Mt. Vernon/NoMa to Logan Circle. I fell in love with the 400th block of Ridge Street NW, among others with, when I checked out a few rental units in that neighborhood a month ago. It is such a quiet area that has a lot of potential. I also like the area between Logan Circle and the Convention Center. Sure, some of the streets are still undergoing transition but I think that it is a good location for me in the long term. And that's what I want, a place that will fit my lifestyle now and for the next 10-15+ years. I may party in Adam's Morgan and on U Street now, but will I still want to have easy access to that area later? So barring a lottery win that would enable me to buy a house in Foggy Bottom or Dupont, I'm thinking that an area a short bus ride from Chinatown/Penn Quarter is more my style.

Yes, I am still interested in purchasing a home in D.C. I briefly toyed with the idea of getting a condo, but now I am quite sure that I would be the most happy with a house and a small yard. This means that I will need to save even more money.

I've decided to go for a place with 2-3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms—to ensure rental income and easier resale. I want a place that has been updated but not renovated. I want a structurally sound house with new appliances, updated bathrooms and revitalized floors. But I don't like renovations that strip an old house of its character. I've seen many places like that and in fact, I live in that sort of house. It is modern and comfortable but it lacks the charm and workmanship that an updated, old house can have.

A yard is a must. Nothing huge that I can't manage, but something that will allow me to "play in the dirt again."

I don't think that I'm asking too much. But houses are so expensive in D.C., even in transitioning areas I like. Can I really save and raise five figures during the next few years to manage at least a 5 percent down payment? Given housing prices, that means at least $30k, not to mention the money I'll need for closing costs, an emergency fund, etc. That's where government grants and family gifts will have to come in. I hesitate to ask my mother for help, and I've heard that many of the HUD, etc programs are tailored to low-income families, not underpaid single Hill staffers. Where does that leave me?

When I go home this weekend, I hope to talk to my mother about my plans and get her advice about how to properly proceed. I still have at least two years to save and research but I want to be fully prepared before I start seriously looking and sign my life away.

**I am quite confused about the proper name(s) of the areas where I was walking. The real estate listings say Old City 1 and 2, the street signs said Mt. Vernon/Naylor Court/Blagden Alley, and wiki calls part of the area NoMa. I apologize to the locals who are offended by my ignorance, but where was I?

Donde Estan Hopper Cakes?

I am having the hardest time finding hopper cakes this year. They are my favorite seasonal snack and I look forward to them every spring.

I can remember buying five boxes of the sweet little cakes a few years ago. I don't know what came over me as I'm not the sort to get swept up by "limited time offers," but hopper cakes are hard to find. They are only sold around Easter and only at select stores that tend to have only a few boxes or individual packs. You go back the next week, and they are all gone. That's probably why I go crazy and buy so many whenever I see them. They are just so rare.

Of course, I can and should live without them. No one needs to ingest such an artificial, sugar-packed snack. Yet, I love them and can't imagine the beginning of spring without them. Keep your fingers crossed that I find some before it's too late.

A Mentor

Today, I had a brief meeting with my new mentor, a senior staffer in my field. He is supposed to show me the ropes and help me feel a little less overwhelmed with the new trajectory that I seem to be taking on the Hill. My new job has opened my eyes to a whole world of possibility on the Hill and I haven’t quite figured out how/if it fits into my career and life plans.

I’ve been itching for a mentor since I first arrived on the Hill. I have had pseudo-mentors, established Hill contacts that have given me insight on how to get and keep a job on the Hill. But I've never had a mentor who could give advice specific to my job and tasks. I’m hopeful that my mentor will help me feel a bit more confident about my capability to excel in this field.

I will continue to seek other mentors on the Hill, specifically a minority female mentor. I am meeting many young female, minority staffers and we are all thirsty for a role model. Some one to support us as we seek to break the ranks in a White male-dominated Hill (unfortunately, that is still the case for both Members and staff). A role model who can relate to our concerns about pursuing a demanding career while also seeking to settle down and start a family. That’s the sort of role model I am looking for and I hope, eventually, I will find.

Something Old, Something New

Eek.  If only my work life would calm down, I could post more regularly. I apologize to my loyal readers, but my free time is limited these days. I'm hopeful that the upcoming 2-week recess will give me time to create a bunch of great posts. But I'm not making any promises.

 

Over the weekend, G.F.A., A-M and I went to one of my favorite DC restaurants, Busboys and Poets.  No, not the U Street location that is mere blocks from my animal house. We ventured to the spanking-new location north of Chinatown.  The food was perfection as always—one day I'll venture to order something other than the immaculate veggie lasagna.  But something was missing. The vibe seemed cold and less urban than the hip and always-bumping U Street location. Perhaps, it's just that "NoMa" (WaPost coined?) hasn't finished gentrifying so there are still many abandoned buildings and lots next to towering, unfinished/uninhabited condos.  Of course, I didn't let that interfere with my meal, but I don't think that I will return to that location any time soon.

 

Afterwards, we headed to Rocket Bar. I love Rocket Bar. From the moment I entered the bar, I was greeted by all the late 80s and 90s songs that I grew up with. It was crowded but we managed to score a table in the back between two pool tables. As an added bonus, I spotted several cute guys in the crowd that night---definitely a place I will return to with my single gal friends.

 

Chinatown is rarely an area where I choose to hang-out. It is always swarming with annoying high schoolers, Verizon Center junkies and movie-goers.  But the young, chill vibe at Rocket Bar makes me at least reconsider it as a weekend destination.

 

Speaking of Chinatown and NoMa, I have decided that I want to have a pizza party at Ledo's for my birthday. I love, love, love Ledo's, and I am so excited that a downtown location is in the works.  If only, they would build a Sparkles skating rink right next door. Then I could really go old-school.

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.

Metro has new seats

This morning on the green line, I noticed the latest Metro upgrade. I must stay that I hate the previous Metro upgrade--the new metal and cloth handles--new handles that Metro proudly advertises with signs in almost every Metro car. I have yet to see someone actually use the metal ones and the dangling cloth ones always hit me in the head on the way out of the metro car.

A friend told me that metro spends a good portion of its revenue on refurbishing seats and cleaning the carpeted floors. Apparently, they decided to get rid of the carpet and instead, invest in velour (?) covered seats that are also seen on some of the newer Metro buses. It makes sense to not have carpet. I've seen my share of puking drunks on the metro to recognize metro's rationale for replacing the carpet with easy-to-clean vinyl. But cloth seats? I think the plastic-leather seats are a better choice. Sure, annoying high school kids can't write on them, but the vinyl seats are better at repelling dirt or at least alerting riders of their relatively cleanliness. And that matters to me, especially when I am wearing my best suit or dress to work.

My vote is for no new handles, no new cloth seats, but yes to the vinyl floors. Spend money instead, Metro, on maintenance to avoid breakdowns, derailing and delays.

Spring is Here!

I heard songbirds again this morning. I'm glad that today marks the beginning of spring. I'm not so naïve about DC's crazy weather to think that today marks the end of extremes--snow storms one week and 70 degree weather the next. But I am encouraged that soon enough summer will return with the heat and humidity only a southerner could appreciated and even love.

This weekend, my potential roommate is moving to DC. It remains to be seen if we really are compatible but I am hopeful that we can find a perfect place to share. After visiting and calling countless places and only getting the run-around and lots of pressure to reserve the apartment now(!), I am convinced that given our budgets and desire for location and space, renting a house may be our best option. This has opened my eyes to living on the Hill, though Columbia Heights remains my first choice.

We'll see what happens but I am glad that I am one step closer to finding a place to call home.

A Lingering Crush

Last fall, on the campaign trail I met a guy who worked in a district office. I found myself instantly attracted to him and to this day I can't seem to shake him.

I've never been the sort to act on crushes. I just like the stage of flirtation and flutters without the worries of rejection and unease. I'm a habitual crusher, and I tend to have a new male crush every few months. Some guys continue to be on my mind months after our last interaction, and that is the case with this particular guy.

The best part is that he has moved to DC. I saw him a few weeks ago and he invited me to visit his office. Though I want to, I haven't visited him yet. I feel that would cross the line because I know that I would be going there for the sole purpose of flirting and doing everything in my power to get him to ask me out. And that's the problem. My heart still belongs to Floyd. Also, I hesistate to pursue a guy on the Hill. It is too much like high school--peolple gossip and folks tend to get around a lot.

So for now, I'm going to be immature and just relish our chance meetings. Once I know more about him and more about my own heart, I will find the courage to go after him and every other crush).

Networking 101

This week, I attended a very informative event on the art of networking. I've lamented my difficulties with networking on this blog before. But as long as I want to succeed on the Hill and in politics—where networks are essential for success—I need to get as much insight and practice as I can now. I want to avoid rookie networking mistakes once I've made it to or near the top. Here are just a few tips that were given during the event:

1) Be confident: This one is basic. If you don't believe in you, why would anyone else believe in you? Everyone has something to offer. Both interns and CEOs offer information, experiences, etc that can be of use to others. My tendency was, and is, to always be like, "Oh no, I'm just a [intern, assistant, etc]." Who cares what your current position is! You are still a gatekeeper to information and contacts within that organization. Plus, even if you are an intern, there are high school and college students who can learn a lot from you.

2) Say your first AND last name, and mean it: I often break this rule, which is reminiscent of a Suze Orman adage. Assert yourself and you will be remembered.

3) Be a catalyst of connections: When you meet people in a room, introduce those folks to other people you know in the room. Same with information. If you know about a great event, pass it along to your networks. Eventually, folks will start coming to you as the person in the know. It's a rather cool place to be!

4) Keep track of your contacts: After an event, I always write information on the back of all of the business cards I've collected. Such info as where and when I met the person and key things that I learned about them may be helpful for a follow-up calls/emails.

5) Do be afraid to email or call: Remember to follow-up, especially if you way you will. A simple email saying "it was great to meet you. Can we meet for coffee to chat about XYZ" will suffice. Remember that even super-busy folks are often willing to take time out of their schedules to help out others. Everyone remembers what it was like to start-out and how important key contacts and advice was to them. It may take weeks or months for them to schedule a meeting. But, they'll be flattered that you sought them out as a "guru" in the field/industry. Be persistent (without being rude) because it is worth it.  At the same time, don't waste their time. Be prepared and focused in your questions and requests.

6) Nurture your contacts: A simple email update every once in a while is great. Emails are particularly important when you have success (i.e., you get the job, finalize a project, etc). Who doesn't like to know that they were part of someone else's success?

7) Don't forget about your non-professional groups and networks: Book club members, kickball teammates, roommates, and alumni all have something to share.

8) It's not always about work: Those same networks that help you succeed at work can also be helpful in learning about other, non-professional ventures (e.g., a good tailor, realtor, book club, bar, etc).

So with this new wealth of knowledge, I have pledged to do a better job of building, nurturing, and diversify my network on and beyond the Hill. A Hill buddy has already offered to team-up with me in going to Hill receptions. Eventually, we'll get enough practice and be able to work rooms and cultivate contacts like the pros.