My blog needs some refreshing.. some rejuvenation.. some TLC.
I would love to make a new template for my blog, but I am sad to say that I have lost my Photoshop/digital design skills.. I don't think I ever really had them... but I wasted many hours of class playing with Photoshop on the lab computers in my college days. Sadly those days are gone, and along with the cheap booze filled nights, went my digital creativity "skills." If you know a graphic designer/ template designer that needs to build their portfolio email me at Jbarmstrong87@gmail.com. In exchange for an amazing design, I can provide you with a shout out on my home page (because I'm cheap.)
But seriously, I will give you a spot right here
and here
What happened to Music According to Jes?!
Nothing happened, besides the fact that I got a new job that takes up 13912439840 hours a day and I do not have the time to listen to music all day anymore *sad face. My love for music is still growing, so my compromise will be, that I will add a "Post Song" to every post for your listening enjoyment. And if that's not good enough for you, I will make a playlist widget for every season... and autumn is just around the corner.
What do you think?
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This weekend I am moving into my new apartment next to the Fraze pavilion in Kettering and I'm so excited! I can't wait to decorate and get settled. My roommate's name is Jess also and I will be sure to update you on our apartment progress.
Am I looking forward to moving for the 5th time since college graduation? No. But I am so excited to have my name on a lease, a semi-permanent address, and a bedroom and bathroom that's all mine! Woot.
P.s. if anyone in Dayton is bored out of their mind (entirely plausible), and has nothing better to do than to help me move to kill time, I will be forever in debt to you. Not really, but I will give you pizza and beer and let you jump in my pool. Sounds like an amazing red-neck kind of day to me.
While you read this post about my departure from DC and all the things I will miss, please listen to this somberly/awesome song (yes, somberly is a word. I Googled it to make sure). It helps set the mood.. and I promise that I am listening to it right now on repeat as I write this, so it's only fair... Plus! I haven't made my July playlist yet. Oops. Do you guys even listen to those things anyways?!
THINGS I WILL MISS ABOUT WASHINGTON DC!
*In no particular order*
but I guess it's only natural to think of your most favorite things first
1. Meridian Hill Park
Meridian was one of the most beautiful parks I have ever seen and I stumbled across it one day while exploring the city. The best part was that it was only one block from our apartment. It went a few weeks unnoticed because of the high walls surrounding it, but just beyond lurks amazing landscape surrounding this enchanting fountain:
I wish I took this photo
Meridian is comprised of a labyrinth of staircases that create a Secret Garden atmosphere and also served as my fitness center because I refused to pay $125 a month for a gym membership. At the top of the fountain, overlooking the ledge, you can see the Capital Building, the Washington Monument, the Air Force Memorial, and the skyscrapers of Arlington, VA. Not to mention the amazing drum circles that would gather every Sunday afternoon.
2. The People
I will miss my roommates Mo, Justin, Mugsly and Bowser. My DC relationship with Mo and Justin began way back when with this blog post. I would have been lost in DC without them. I love you guys.
Mugsly
Bowser
I also met a surprisingly large amount of OU alumni. And I will never forget my old roommates, and my many kickball buds.
3. Diversity
DC is full of culture and I enjoyed being surrounded by so much culture. It was a great learning experience.
Click here to see DC up close and see how your city matches up: 2010 Census
4. The Food
-Ethiopian
-Lebanese
-Indian
-Southern Soul
-Thai
-you name it, DC has it
My favorite DC meals are...
Eatonville - Mac & Cheeese
located at 14th & V (NW)
Tacklebox - Fish Tacos
located on M Street in Georgetown
*unfortunately Tacklebox suffered some damage in a kitchen fire so they are closed indefinitely
Sticky Rice - Sticky Balls
located on H Street NE
5. Sculpture Garden
I will miss dipping my toes in the water at the Sculpture Garden.
6. Public Transportation
Of course it would have been nice to have a car for those days when you want to go on a big grocery run, or when you want to "accidentally" spend too much at Target, or even for those lonely days when I just wanted to hop in my car and drive back to Ohio to see my boyfriend, friends, and family. Don't get me wrong, a car would have been nice, but I'm proud to say that I haven't had a car in 5 years now. I walked/bused/metro/biked every where and I loved it.
I am car shopping this week though so call me a hypocrite. Hey, it was fun while it lasted.
7. The View
I'm just going to let these aerial pictures speak for me (even though I have yet to see a single picture that does it any justice):
My favorite song this month would have to be Love Lost by Temper Trap. Shout out to Skelton for the recommendation. Check out the amazing music video too. So cute.
Also, Blogger/Google just added a new button below
I would love some feedback so comment or recommend your favorite posts!
This month, I wanted to make a playlist featuring some of my favorite FEMALE artists. I was reminded how many wonderful women I have in my life. My little sister just moved out on her own, my older sister continues to do a fabulous job for Ronald McDonald House Charities, and my mom just passed her state board exam to become a nurse! My best friends are in grad school, teaching special education, and improving lives through children social work cases. And we can't forget the one who has once again put a roof over my head in DC, which I am forever grateful for.
February was not my favorite month and I know many of you feel the same. However, a lot of necessary changes happened and although they may seem stressful at the time, I am truly happy and ready to take on March with my head held high :)
My boyfriend, Adam and I decided to try long distance again. This time, it is better than ever and I have all the faith in the world that we'll make it work. Also, I moved into the city!! You can see the White House from the front of my apartment building! No big deal right?! I wish I could Google Map my address and show you all where I live now complete with charts and diagrams of all the fun things close by.. but since this is public information and I have views from all over the world... we'll just say that it's in the U Street area and I'm in love with it! I'm sure I'll have plenty to talk about in the weeks to come.
So, I'm moving out of Arlington and into DC with my friends Mo and Justin. There are kind enough to let me move into their guest room.
Rather than living a mile from the Ballston metro (not so happenin), I'll be in the heart of U Street :) It's also a short walk to Adams Morgan and Dupont. Pretty ideal. Not to mention the short bus ride to work.
I put an add up on Craigslist for my room and have already gotten about 20 responses. I was hoping to get some weirdos but I was irritated to find that everyone seemed pretty normal (at least from their first email)... we are hosting an open house next week though so hopefully someone will be blog worthy! While I hope someone is worthy enough of an entertaining blog post, I am confident that we will find someone respectable to fill my spot.
I'm so excited to start phase 2 of DC! Bring it on March!
My best friends came to visit for NYE in DC and it was definitely the best weekend I've had yet in this great city. I can always count on them to cheer me up and make me laugh until it hurts.
In front of the Washington Monument
P.S. Look at those awesome BOOTS! Yep I found em! A steal.. only $40 at Bakers :)
The highlights of the trip were a 25 cent blue turtle named Squishy, and a $2.50 carousel ride on National Mall... It doesn't take much to entertain us.
You wanna know what's hard? Trying to upkeep and maintain a blog without a computer. Yep.
When I started this blog in July of this year, I was without a computer and I still am... but on the bright side! My computer is fixed and I should have it today or tomorrow! Yay! Hopefully my posts will improve because I won't be looking over my shoulder at work for the fear of being "caught" blogging.
As of today, I have had about 3,500 pageviews. Now, compared to the World Wide Web and all of it's wonders, I know it doesn't seem like a lot, but I can't help but smile when I see the numbers climb...
Leaving Athens is never easy, especially when that means leaving my family and friends in Ohio. I did however have an amazing weekend in the promise land. Kegs n' eggs at 8am was considered a mild morning compared to others who were waiting at the bar door at 5am or those who didn't even bother sleeping (I'm amazed by their super strength).
After having at least 5 shots by 11 am... I regretfully didn't last past 9pm. This may sound like a failure to Bobcats but I did however drink heavily for 12 straight hours so I did my best....
Well for now, I'm in Atlanta for a conference and I'm staying at the Hotel Palomar Midtown. It is absolutely beautiful and it is pet friendly so it's nice to see a lot of furry friends around here! The conference ends Friday, but I am staying for the weekend to visit with my sister! :)
P.S. Last night at dinner we had a $450 wine tab... awesome night = bad tomorrow.
Anywho, as promised here is a picture of my bedspread/walls/room. I know I should have done a boring plain white wall before and after shot but just picture the most boring white hole filled walls you can think of... There. That one.
So yes. Yesterday was the day I finally got to chop off my hair. I am always changing my hair color due to boredom, but haircutting is not one thing I'm usually enthused about. The last time I got 5 inches chopped off, I cried. Pathetic I know. This time felt different though... new city, new job, new do! I was happy to donate to Locks of Love because 1) hair grows back 2) good cause and 3) I was getting tired of my limp straight hair
So without further delay....
Before
Bravo! Corporate women watch out!
Gone!
P.S. Although this photo looks brutal, I got to keep my head.
If you don't particularly care what Jessica eats on any given day then I apologize for this post, however some people actually want updates on the recipes I'm trying, so this my friends is for you:
Day 1:was a lazy Sunday so I just snacked all day on cheese and veggies and bagels :)
Day 2:
B: Oatmeal
L: Spicy mixed vegetable fried rice with tofu from Bangkok Joe's in Georgetown
I'm always on the hunt for new music and I go through more phases than a teenage girl during puberty, but here some my favorite songs right now (no particular order):
