Waiting out the Storm

Back porch during Snow Dump '11

..and a storm it was! Wednesday night the forecast called for a 'few' inches of snow. I didn't think much of this, because snow has been in the forecast a lot since I've been here, and the result has typically been a lite dusting. Wednesday was the exception. The snow came fast and furious and before we knew it, our power was OUT. Apparently, Parkside is infamous for being without electricity when a storm blows in. Last year during Snowmaggedon, these poor residents didn't have power for 3-4 days, and were basically confined to their homes because the roads were so bad. So awful.

Anyway, the first night wasn't so bad because our place stayed relatively warm. And thankfully these girls were prepared. We had plenty of candles/flashlights/blankets to go around. Some other neighbors came over, we made rice krispie treats (the stove is gas so were still able to use it), roasted marshmellows over tealights and made the most of the situation.

Thursday was a different story. The temperature in our apartment was steadily dropping and I knew I needed to get out. There is a mall not far from our place so I had my roommate drop me off there so I could revel in the heat. It was almost comical how many other people were there doing exactly the same thing. Laptops and cellphone chargers galore; people sprawled out on benches reading. After a few hours I walked back to our the apartment, and decided while I was tromping through the snow that cold is easier to handle than the AZ summertime heat. Because at least when you're cold you can layer adequately and eventually reach a comfortable temperature.

Which is exactly what had to be done to sleep Thursday night. The temperature dropped to around 55 degrees in our aparement. Holy miserable. Imagine my sheer delight when I woke up Friday morning to a note from my roommate insisting that I use her car and go to her gym to take a hot shower. Of course I took advantage and got in a good work out; endorphins = huge bonus. Done and done. I spent most of the day out and about at Barnes & Noble bumming free wi-fi and did some other errands. The power was finally restored around 7pm Friday night so life is good again. One thing is for sure, I'm certainly getting my fair share of adventure here in DC.

Shortly after the power came back on. 57.2 and rising!

Becoming an Urbanite?

Not 100% sure if I'll ever truly be "urban", but now that I've become predominantly pedestrian, with the exception of friends/roomies taking pity on me, the issue of footwear has been called into question. For instance, Tuesday evening it snowed, which meant icy/slippery roads followed. Wednesday morning I had an interview, which meant trekking into the District, in business suit, attemtping to look the part of a young professional.

This is where the footwear becomes an issue. My walk to the Metro station is a little under a mile from my apartment. Once I get into the city, I still have a few blocks to walk. Lots of walking -- you get the picture. There is no way that my black patent leather pumps are going to make it on the slippery terrain. They have zero traction. So what'a a girl to do? Commit fashion suicide. Yep, I became 'that' girl. Now, by no means do I claim to be a true fashionista, though I try to look somewhat pulled together/polished. White shoes, black suit. What?

so hot right now.

About town

Since HDL didn't have to work, and I'm obviously unemployed after being here for 2 seconds, we met up on MLK Day to go to the Kennedy Center and try our luck in getting free tickets to see Patti LaBelle perform. The kicker was standing outside in a line that wrapped around half of the building. Did I mention it was below freezing? After approximately 45 minutes, one Larabar and one Sweet & Salty granola bar, we admitted defeat and went inside to warm up. The Kennedy Center is an amazing place and I will most certainly be back at a later date. Bonus: Free concerts every evening at 6pm, not just MLK day. Apparently it's not usually so difficult to get in...

Me + JFK's bust. Better luck next time.

HDL's friend (and my newest DC friend) Ashley graciously came and picked us up. She arrived just as HDL snapped this pic, hence the reason HDL and I didn't get one together. The three of us grabbed some dinner and then headed to Arlington Drafthouse. It's a movie theatre + restaurant + bar. On Mondays they show movies for a buck -- perfect for my budget these days. We watched "The Social Network", which I had already seen, but still found fascinating even after a second viewing. Afterwards, I made it home via the Metro without any complications. Success.

Big Day Out

After a little down time, I was ready to venture out of Bethesda and see what Arlington has to offer. Enter first Metro ride experience. For someone who, as a child, would get anxiety when navigating the airport, the idea of riding on various trains to get to a destination made me a bit uneasy. However, armed with my trusty Metro map, printed in color, I was certain that I could handle this. Easy enough, right? Wrong.

Things were going well enough, despite some delays because it was Saturday and not as many trains run on the weekends. Then it came time to get off the red line and change to the blue line. "You've got this", I thought as I headed down a flight of stairs to the blue/orange line. Feeling suave and maybe even a little cocky, I picked up the pace once I saw that the train was getting ready to pull out. Whew. Onboard and ready for the main event. It wasn't until a few stops later I look up and notice a sign, almost mockingly stating 'orange' line.

In a panic I get off the train and two Metro workers, sensing my distress, kindly ask if I need some help. They try to explain what I need to do to get to my final destination, and all I really hear is something about taking a bus. Huh?! Thankfully my friend HDL was waiting to meet me so I called her and explained my situation and she directed me exactly where I needed to go. People were not kidding when they warned me about the adjustment it is learning how to get around this city.

The drama of DC travel was quickly forgotten once HDL greeted me and we were able to visit Costco, a favorite pastime of ours when we were roommates in Phoenix. We also checked out the Pentagon City mall, another place of comfort for yours truly. Familiar face, familiar places. Couldn't ask for more. Oh, and I discovered the Nordstorm Rack here is pretty decent, which is helping the Last Chance withdrawals I've been having. Hallelujah.

Later in the evening, I met up with some girls who live in Arlington whom I'd never met before. I had been in contact with one of them a month or so ago about housing. She seemed really friendly when we talked before so I figured she would be fun to hang out with and would most likely have cool friends. My presumptions were correct and they were very sweet to let me tag along with them to eat at a delicious Thai restaurant in Shirlington. (Which, btw Jill, I already know exactly what you and I will share when you come visit and we eat there ;). Overall, a fun but exhausting day.

And I still had to Metro back home. Ugh. Roughly an hour of my life. As I entered the station to head towards MD, I felt confident that it would be easy peezy this time around. Not so. It wasn't a clear cut route, at least not for a novice like myself, because not only was it late, but there was also maintenance at some stops. Again, a Metro worker told me something about needing to take a bus which makes me think that it must be some sort of a joke they play on the obvious newbies. Luckily, I asked a nice older man if he could direct me where to go. He obliged and then we chatted and I learned that he had immigrated from Ethiopia three years ago and he told me a bit about his experience in America. So glad I didn't have the same ordeal that I had had previously in the day.

Fun Fact: the DC Metro takes great pride in cleanliness (as evidenced by the above sign)to the point that you can be ticketed if you are seen eating or drinking. I am definitely in support of this. Sure beats the Marta trains in ATL that would reek of curry, among other things.

Easing into It

I decided it would be okay if I gave myself a day to adjust to the jet lag, new climate, and unfamiliar area and not get too crazy and ambitious with the day's tasks. Therefore, it was a relatively relaxing, stressfree day. Just one day at a time (shout out to Elder Christofferson for his recent reminder of this).

It's safe to say that I have lucked out on the roommate situation. I'm living with 3 other girls, all totally normal and extremely helpful. One of them let me tag along with her while she ran errands, which means I got to go to Trader Joe's, Target, and Great Harvest Bread Co. Basically, all of my happy places. So nice being able to pick up some necessities and see parts of Rockville/Bethesda. I already feel my independence going down the drain without a car, but such is life..

Afterwards, we went running around our hood and said roommate showed me where the Metro stop is (less than a mile from our place) and some other key places like a farmer's market with excellent produce and a nearby dry cleaners. At this point it really is about location, location, location. Even though it was literally freezing, it was beautiful running the snow covered nature loop, which I was assured is even more beautiful in the Spring when everything is in bloom. Thank heavens I invested in some decent full length spandex because layering is wear it's at, even if it might not be super flattering. Functionality over decent fashion sense if it means staving off the

frost bite.

View from our veranda. Hot/Cold all at the same time.

Tonight my roommates threw a little dinner party, which last night I was informed I couldn't attend because there weren't enough seats. Kinda odd, but don't think they realized how this sounded. However, since Mormons tend to be flakey, a couple of people backed out last minute and I was able to eat with everyone instead of staying in my room..only a slightly awkward conversation, but it all worked out.

I met several people from the ward, including a friend of a friend who's from Mesa and also happens to look like Michael Phelps. Also chatted with some girls who moved to DC and did the same thing I'm doing. They had lots of advice on getting around, housing, etc. It is cool to be in a place where everyone has been new at some point, therefore they're sympathetic and welcoming.

Go Time!

After weeks of planning, daydreaming, and anticipating, the day finally arrived for me to say adios to Phoenix and hello to Washington DC.

Before I could peace out, however, I had to pack all of the belongings I will need for the next month into 2 suitcases and a carry-on. Quite a dilemma for a somewhat high maintenance girl with a penchant for shoes, not to mention the insane amount of warm clothing needed when coming to the East Coast in the middle of winter. Yikes. Much to my chagrin, the Snuggie and the fleece neck pillow didn't make the cut.

Fortunately, these essentials did. Shout out to SK for the b-day almond butter, aka my sustenance until I make it to a grocery store.

I had a layover in St. Paul, MN, which it turns out, proved beneficial. Why, you may ask? Because it was a whopping 17 degrees there, which made the 30 degrees in DC seem perfectly lovely. I didn't arrive in DC until after 9pm, thus I do not have any pics, but enjoyed taking in the sights from the plane. Capital building. Check. Washington Monument. Saw it. Lincoln Memorial. Goregous.

As we made our final descent into Reagan International, I had the realization that I'm far from home and all that is comfortable to me (obviously I'd reached that conclusion previously, but, no turning back now) . It felt a bit overwhelming and scary as I contemplated starting from scratch in a city where I know a handful of people. One thing I do know for sure, it's going to be an adventure; I can't wait to see what this place has in store for me and to share it with my family and friends.