Surprised is an Understatement

Im afraid Im starting to overuse this phrase "best day ever".  But it seems to keep happening out here.  

Although at this moment I look out the window and see awful white flakes drifting to the ground.  Which makes me want to forget about the present and back this story up a few days.  (Also, I've been neglecting to blog)

I woke today with no desire to remove myself from my bed.  With that said, lets go back to Tuesday.  

Tuesday was another service learning day.  Check that experience out on the WJC blog.  It might not be up for a couple days, but read everyone else's blogs while you're there! http://wjcblog.typepad.com/

Tuesday night a group of us headed to the Post Pub to watch Obama give the SOTU. Surprisingly not many people were there. My conclusion is that this city is already "over it".  Who doesn't forget half of the things promised two days later anyway? 

Wednesday, what happened Wednesday?  Hmm. Class. Slush falling from the sky.

Sarah introduced us to a new sausage/ pasta mixture.  Then it began to snow. And the city freaked out.  Buses went on emergency routes only.  People were sent home from work.  Welcome to the east coast.  

I skyped with Colton and Ernie.  

I went to bed with the anticipation of waking up to a day off.

Wish granted.  

Thursday was a relaxing day off, but turned out much different than I expected.

I feel as though this post is going to get very long, and you are going to get very bored.  So I'll explain the surprise in the next one.

Weezy F. Baby

Today was one of the best days. Maybe the title gave it away, but I'll get back to that. 

The second weekend in DC was great.  Friday night six of us girls ventured out to Pentagon City Mall. Dangerous.

Saturday I slept in and it was a much needed nine hour night sleep.  I rest my case that this city is exhausting.  

When I finally got up and moving Kelsey and I went to Starbucks to take care of some studying.  That night Mimi (my mentor) and Greg (one of my directors) had the WJC gang over at their row house for spaghetti and pie.  We hung out and watched each others scavenger hunt videos.  My groups video was voted best by past program alums and mentors so we each got a Starbucks gift card. After some more socializing we left Greg and Mimi's and Gretchen and I lazily hung out in the apartment.   

 Sunday morning I met up with a close friend of my brother Wes'. Will took me out for breakfast in Georgetown.  He showed me around the city and offered his assistance with anything while I'm here.  

Sunday afternoon was filled with a lot of reading, a little napping, and a run to Eastern Market for pulled pork.  It was my night to cook for the apartment.  I made pulled pork sandwiches. I hung out with Gretchen and Merve the rest of the night, then crashed early.  

Another nine hour nights sleep, I woke up energized for lecture today.  Following the afternoon lecture a group of us headed to the Supreme Court to check out the March For Life.  The top photo was a speech happening on the steps of the Court building.  The bottom picture was from the steps of the Library of Congress.  

Gretchen and I went into the library for a bit, then froze as we headed back to the apartment.  But here's the exciting part.

I noticed on Facebook that Lil Wayne had put out tour dates, after verbalizing this to Gretchen, there was no question we had to go if he was coming to DC.  Turns out he's coming to DC on April 3rd, and we will be there in row M.  Gretchen summed up her excitement saying  " I feel like I just got engaged."  

This direct quote was a result of her calling everyone to inform them of the good news.  She also told her mom "He just got out of jail, he's at his prime."

I'm super excited, going to a Lil Wayne concert is on my bucket list. 

Family dinner tonight was burritos.  Yum. 

I also watched my first episode of Gossip Girl tonight, thank you Merve.  

It's safe to say this week is off to a pretty good start.  

Love you, DC.

Ready to be a Resident, Not a Tourist

How long does it take to live somewhere and no longer feel like a wandering tourist?

Well I don't think Im past the tourist stage, but I really would like to be.

No doubt I know my way around the few blocks near the apartment.  But make me travel across the city and Im in trouble.

I have complete confidence that I will soon reach the point where Im telling someone else how to get somewhere, but for the time being I will rely on Google Maps on my Blackberry to direct my every move.

The good news is I have survived my first week as a city girl and the outcome is exactly what I had anticipated, love.

Wednesday was relatively chill.  Morning and afternoon lecture.  Then Gretchen and I walked to Eastern Market and got our nails done.  Alyssa made delicious chicken for family dinner, and as Gretchen put it I was on a "reading roll".  All this meant was I actually did my reading. We watched Law and Order SVU then went to bed.

Thursday was again a service learning day. This time Elizabeth and I were at the Capitol Hill Pregnancy Center.  It is one of two pro-life pregnancy centers in DC.  http://www.capitolhillpregnancycenter.org/
They offer counseling, birthing classes, and appointments once a month to help new mothers with clothes, diapers, and other necessities.  It was a lot of fun, and a huge eye-opener.  The most exciting part is that on Tuesday next week when I go back, I get to go to a pro-life hearing in the house building.

It is an issue I have always had a firm belief on, but never really exposed to its affects.  Im thankful for the experience here in DC.  It was hard to hear a phone conversation where the girl on the other end was upset the center didn't conduct abortions as she screamed "I need this thing out of me right now!"
My heart melted and just prayed and she wouldn't do it.  But not all phone conversations at the center end that way.  A lot of women call for an abortion, and end up coming in for counseling and learning about adoption and their options.

After working at the center I came home and found out I got the job of Community Events Planner for the program.  Which means I need to get busy researching free or cheap things to do in the city. Im totally excited since event planning is something I love.

Gretchen made tacos for dinner. Delicious! Then a group of us walked to  Crumbs, a new bakery in Union Station.  Thank goodness for city living and having to walk to places.  I wanted every perfectly frosted cupcake placed behind the counter.  I decided on the half baked cupcake.  Just as evil as it sounds.  Half cookie dough, half brownie.  I think I could live at Union Station, tons of little restaurants, and the cutest little boutiques.

Its amazing to me how fast relationships have grown in only a week.  I feel like I've been friends with some of these people forever, and some I am still excited to get to know.  Yet I have been so thankful for the opportunity to keep a hold of relationships during my time away.  Seriously, what did people do without Skype?  I loved my time with Jacob Schick last night.

Not sure what's up for the weekend.  Hopefully some time for me to figure this city out.