The District Sleeps Alone Tonight

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):

I will end this post with a simple love letter:

Dear DC,

You rock.

Xoxox, Jes

Nobody Likes You When You're 23

I have been neglecting my blog for the past few weeks. I haven't had a knack for writing lately. I never really have had one, but I'm trying. There are so many days when I wish I could use this blog as my personal venting/counseling sessions but I'm trying not to make every detail of my life public information.. which we all know is hard these days with Twitter, Facebook, etc;

As many of you know, this week is my last week in Washington DC. I have accepted a job in Dayton, OHIO and I am very excited for this new opportunity and the start of a new chapter in my life. I was waiting until now to write a post about my new job and move back to the Buckeye State because there were some complications with my job offer. A very distant relative works at my new company (which I was unaware of) and the company was investigating a possible conflict of interest. At one point, my job offer was actually rescinded... this catapulted me into a 24 hour period of panic:

Thankfully, my new company worked hard to fix the situation and finally offered me the job. I am thankful that they were willing to work with me to come to a solution.

Tomorrow is my 24th birthday and my last night in Washington DC. And exactly one year ago, my 23rd birthday was my first day in Washington DC. It's crazy how everything came full circle. What an amazing ride 23 was.

I thought that my college years were the time for learning about yourself and what you want out of life, but boy was I wrong. 23 was the year for me. I had my highest highs and my lowest lows, but I don't regret a single second. My head has never been so clear. I know exactly what I want, and I am surrounded by the most amazing people to help get me there.

Blink 182 said it best, "Nobody likes you when you're 23." 

Right Where We Left Off

My childhood best friend and I hadn't seen each other in going on four years!! Marg and I met when I moved to Michigan in the 2nd grade and by the time I left at the end of my 5th grade year, we were just too close to say "goodbye." Our college years made it tough to meet up, but when Marg called me back in December about the New Kids On The Block Backstreet Boys Concert #NKOTBSB in Washington DC, how could I say no!?

I was a grossly huge Backstreet Boys fan back in the day. Don't even get my sister started on the red and black BSB bucket hat I insisted on wearing around town.. my AIM screen name was even jba4ngc (JesBA4NicholasGeneCarter).. only because BSBgirl was taken. My top bunk bed became a shrine with posters lining the walls and ceiling.

My older sister was a huge New Kids fan so I also grew up listening to them, and playing with the Donnie and Joey Barbie Dolls. She even owned the NKOTB bed sheet set (I'm sure you did too).

So, the concert was ridiculous (as to be expected) and the classiest scariest most interesting crowd of women gathered outside of the Verizon Center to cheer on their main men. The concert was full of pelvis thrusting, surprisingly still ripped bods, screaming/panting women, love ballads, and cheesy dance moves (oh and Kevin the boring one didn't show up.. even better!). It was a night to remember.

"Backstreets Back ALRIGHT!"

"Please don't go girllllllllllll"

"We would like to thank Kevin for not being a part of this reunion tour.. because he is weird and boring."

Here's to promising not to wait four more years!

Love you :)

Marg and I :)

When life gives you lemons.. make Jello shots

A lot of exciting things are going on in my life right now and I can't share them with you yet!! Because 1) I don't want to jinx myself  2) in case someone other than my mom actually reads this 3) because when/if the news is final I'll tell you :)

In other news, I made some super cool Jello shots! I wish I came up with the idea myself, but I got the recipe from this blog "That's So Michelle" which is full of goodies. I made the Jello shots for my kickball team. We are entering our last game of the season before playoffs and I can't believe how quickly Spring has come and gone. This is my second season playing kickball and I have met some amazing people. Plus, you can't go wrong drinking on the National Mall with great company and an amazing view.

All you need is 10 lemons (makes 40 shots), a box of your choice of Jello mix, one cup of water, and one cup of vodka.

First, half the lemons and hallow them out (you can use the lemon guts to make homemade lemonade!) then add the Jello/vodka mixture. Once they have cooled over night, cut them in quarters to complete the shots. Click here for full instructions on how to make the Jello shots and homemade lemonade.

*a couple of tips: 1) I had to make mine a day early because of work and they didn't hold out that well, so it is best to make them the day before 2) get ripe/tough lemons rather than soft ones so the peel is more durable 3) get an extra box to Jello in case you need to add it to some of the lemon halves to fill them up (depends on the size of the lemons) 4) not fun to make if you have a cut on your hand 5) steal a few for yourself before you  put them out because they will be gone quick!

Tribute to my team: WHERE MY PITCHES AT?!

*Ashley not pictured

May 1, 2011

I have received a lot of questions from family and friends back home in Ohio about how things are unfolding in DC, so I thought I would post my thoughts on here. Nothing on here will be new news.. as you know the same stories and headlines are being looped on all news stations and Twitter feeds, but this is how I see it:

Where were you when you found out about Osama bin Laden's death?

I was sitting on the couch watching TV with my roommates Mo and Justin when Justin got news on Facebook about Obama's speech. I immediately resorted to my Twitter and saw that the speech was trending (about 10 PM). Speculations and rumors were flying. Then, as we were waiting for Obama to come on, one of the people I was following announced that they heard Osama had been killed. A few minutes later, CNN released the same statement on TV, confirming suspicions. I wonder how different reactions would have been if we heard the news from Obama himself rather than finding out through social media and news sources first... but nonetheless, the power of social media amazes me.




Did you hear the story about the guy who unknowingly Tweeted about the incident from Abbottabad? Fascinating. Before the incident he had about 700 followers and now he has over 95,000! --->




After the speech, crowds were flooding to the White House to "celebrate." At first, the videos of people chanting and singing the National Anthem gave me chills. It was in fact, the first time in a long time that we have had any sign of "good news." But after a while the crowd seemed to flood with students from GW's campus and seemed to be turning into another excuse to party. Something just didn't seem right.  I only live about a mile and a half from the White House and a few faint cheers and whistles could be heard from outside my window, but no, I didn't go to the White House to "celebrate."

As one article put it:

As the news of Osama bin Laden's death, thousands of people - most of them college-age and in requisite flip-floppy collegiate gear - whipped up a raucous celebration right outside the White House gates that was one part Mardi Gras and two parts Bon Jovi concert.

There were Cigars, a few beers, a lacrosse-stick-turned-flagpole waved by a kid who just climbed a statue, joining others aloft in trees and atop lampposts. Well past midnight, cars zipped up and down the streets of downtown Washington with women standing up through sunroofs waving ginormous American flags and guys blowing vuvuzelas, spring break style.

It felt a little crazy, a bit much. Almost vulgar.

Because meanwhile, across the river, at the Pentagon, in the ghostly quiet of lights at the September 11 memorial, a military veteran silently wept.

Read the full article here.

From WashingtonPost.com

I'm not saying that I wouldn't have been out at the bars if I were still at OU, or that if I were a GW student, I wouldn't have been persuaded to go to the White House. All I am saying is that as reality sets in, you realize that this isn't over. As bittersweet and condescending that it is, I'm glad he's gone? It's certainly "complicated." The images of people cheering remind me of the images of people across the globe cheering their victory over us on 9/11.

There is an increased security presence in the metro system in Washington DC, but other than that, it seems to be business as usual. I would be lying if I said, I wasn't a little nervous for a retaliation but I feel mostly safe.

I was in the 8th grade, sitting in class when a teacher came running in our room to turn on the television. We saw the second plane fly into the second tower live. It was surreal because our school is located right off the runway from the Dayton International Airport and as we watched a plane disintegrate a building.. another was landing on the runway outside the classroom window. We were supposed to go to Washington DC for our 8th grade class trip but because of the terrorist attacks our trip was canceled. And now, a decade later, here I am, living in Washington DC when the announcement of Osama bin Laden's death was released.

*UPDATE* This quote below, come to find out, thanks to a few tips from friends, is actually a misquote. Read the article here. I told you social media was crazy ;)

My sister B shared this quote:

I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that ~MLK

The cover of May 2, 2011 Washington Post. An extra 35,000 copies of this paper were made.

This is just too funny not to share

 

Cherry Blossom Fever

April is the month of Cherry Blossom fever in Washington DC.. and I'm not mad about it!

So here is the story according to Wikipedia:

Japan gave 3,020 cherry blossom trees as a gift to the United States in 1912 to celebrate the nations' then-growing friendship, replacing an earlier gift of 2000 trees which had to be destroyed due to disease in 1910. These trees were planted in Sakura Park in Manhattan and famously line the shore of the Tidal Basin in Washington DC. The gift was renewed with another 3,800 trees in 1965. The cherry blossom trees continue to be a popular tourist attraction (and the subject of the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival) when they reach full bloom in early spring.

If the National Cherry Blossom Festival isn't enough to get you excited, you can experience cherry blossom treats like cherry cupcakes, cherry flavored brandy, cherry upside down cake... you name it, and as long as it doesn't remind me of cherry flavored cough medicine.. I want it!


I first fell in love with cherry blossoms when I went to China last summer. There are subtle hints of cherry blossoms in  everything from pottery, to paintings to garments... when my trip came to a close, I became obsessed with doodling cherry blossoms all over my notebooks in class. So obsessed that I got one of my cherry blossom drawings tattooed on my body. 

My tattoo

The cherry blossom has different meanings in Chinese and Japanese culture. In China, the cherry blossom stands for women's dominance and beauty as well as feminine sexuality. In Japan it symbolizes the transient nature of life, as the cherry blossom blooming season is so short.






So now that I have bored you with my interest in the cherry blossom, take a look at some beautiful pictures my friends and I took along the Tidal Basin when the trees were in full bloom

Comforting

Waking up to "My hump, my hump, my hump, my lovely lady lumps... check it out!" rumbling through shitty speakers and vibrating windows might not be my favorite way to wake up on a Sunday morning, but it surprisingly put a smile on my face. With both the police station and the fire department right around the corner, the sound of sirens are eminent, but comforting. I enjoying slowly waking up and listening to the noises of the city through my window. Fast-paced - hectic - exciting - comforting. Things are falling into place.

Fay-Bans

First things first...

Why the hell do people get so angry on Valentine's Day? Channel: Teenage girls.

My Facebook was blowing up Monday with what seemed to be like hate mail. My news feed was littered with status updates like "I am going to walk up town and throw rocks at every couple I see" and "I f*cking hate today!!!! AHHHH" and "Dear today, please end! Please and thank you, Stars and hearts xoxox love, ME." and my personal favorite:

"The ancient Roman emperor Claudius executed St. Valentine on Feb 14th during the Golden Ages in Rome for illegally marrying young Roman citizens in opposition of the ban of Claudius during the wars in Rome... Happy V-Day."

I hate it when people get super serious about Valentine's Day.. so let me just say this:

Valentine's Day is not intended to make little teenage girls angry and sit around feeling sorry for themselves all day. If you are miserable on Valentine's Day, it's your fault. Now before you get all fired up again... I don't mean, it's your fault you are single... I mean, it's your fault you are miserable and having a pity party. I refuse to be the goody bag at your pity party!!

In my eyes, the point of Valentine's Day is for people to be able to take a step back from their busy lives, slow down, and have a nice evening with their significant other. What's wrong with tokens of appreciation every now and again?

Okay.. now to the point:

As long as I can remember, I have wanted a pair of Ray-Ban wayfarers... until I got a real pair, I settled with multiple pairs of Fay-Bans (Fake Ray-Bans).

The sad thing is.. not all of the Fay-Bans I have owned are pictured. Well, this V-Day, my love Adam bought me my first pair of REAL-BANS! I love them. DC, especially Georgetown, where I work, is full of fashion and I feel so good walking around with my sunglasses on!! :)

And, just for the record... Adam and I are 342 miles away... and according to Google Maps, it would take me 4 days 12 hours and 23 minutes to walk to him. So take THAT overly dramatic teenage girls. Now stop looking so desperate because when you're happy, you're sexy.  Ha





P.S. My roommate loves me:
"Hi - Balls - Steff (the superb roomie)"

Phase 2

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!

Close Up Shop!

While my computer was being worked on at work, I was privileged enough to sit at Senior's desk. He's my boss' dad and he needs to retire. He still comes in the office every now and again to take care of some "administrative tasks," but most importantly, he makes sure to "Close up inventory."