A few thoughts...

Many of you probably know that I am currently back in Washington, D.C. looking for a job. Well let me tell you...being unemployed is interesting. Here's why--

COMPLAINTS

First, it gives me too much time. I have worked two jobs for almost as long as I can remember. I am use to being busy. I thrive on being busy. I work my best when I am busy. Here's an example of what I have had the time to do. Today I went through my email contact list and put all of my contacts into separate folders so that they were marked "coworkers", "friends", and "family". Who has the time to do that??

I no longer have a schedule for my LIFE and when I do it is a tentative one. I have been working at Victoria's Secret (4 years and going!) as much as I can but with the economy the way it is there aren't a whole lot of hours to give out. Therefore my schedule for LIFE not ever official. It always depends on the day. One day I think I will be heading back to St. Louis in defeat of not finding a job and then the next I am back in the game with an interview. Now I do have the tendencies of OCD (this is NOT my fault by the way! It is in my genes!) so not having a schedule bugs me. A lot... Despite the story of my life being so transient, especially since I graduated college, you would think that I am use to it but let me assure you, I am not. It drives me crazy.

I am living out of a suitcase and my car. I have lived literally lived out of a suitcase, or in some cases laundry baskets and hanging clothes off workout equipment more than once, and on many occasions for months. Again, you would think that I would be use to this too. but I am not. Currently my car is crammed full of business suits, high heels, coats (it's FREEZING here!), and a few groceries (if you can call poptarts, Juicy Juice apple juice boxes, and peanut butter food!). It is an interesting life that I have right now. Don't get me wrong, I am happy to be here. Really happy actually and grateful to friends who are allowing me to crash at their house, but I am ready to be settled in a room with a closet, dresser and a bed--which brings me to my next point.

Sleeping arrangements. During my time in Utah I never bought a bed. I slept on a queen-sized air mattress for FOUR months. Who does that?? Because we lived in such an old house it was usually really, really cold in our house. For those of you who not have slept on an air mattress for an extended period of time let me explain something. The cold air gets underneath you and practically freezes you out of bed. For somebody who typically complains about her roommates keeping it too warm in the house I went to sleep every night in sweat pants, a hoodie with the hood ON, t-shirt, and thick socks. I am still thawing out from having slept on an air mattress in Utah for so long. Even though it was really cold on that air mattress it was quite the adjustment to go from a queen size to a couch. I am staying with some girls from church and am truly grateful for their hospitality. They have been amazing roommates and understanding of my situation. Sleeping on a couch is great for a little while but when you go to turn sides it's not the best feeling when the back of the couch is an inch from your face. :)

BENEFITS

I spent the afternoon walking through the newly remodled American History Smithsonian Museum. When you actually live in DC you don't really think about all of the amazing things that surround you too often. It has been great having the time to visit the things that I use to not have much time for when employed. Having time might have been one of my complaints, but it is also a benefit. For example, I had the time to sit in freezing cold for seven hours to see the Inaugual Concert on Sunday. Despite the angry feelings I was having towards the tourists I was really happy that I spent my day there. It really was incredible to see U2 (BONO!!!), Garth Brooks, James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce, etc. perform on steps of the Lincoln Memorial. I have also had time to update this blog that hasn't been updated in who knows how long. I have had time to hang out with old friends and some new friends. I have had more time to talk to my mom more on the phone. Also, I have had time to sort my email contacts. Good times...

Another benefit of being unemployed has been really trying to figure it out what I really want out of life. I have figured out a number of things actually. First, I like to help people. I want to be able to have a job that allows me to help people. Also, I want to learn to be a really great cook/baker like my mom and Nanny (my mom's mom). I also want to become a better seamstress like them. I want a puppy. Also, I want to be a farmer...errr...actually a farmer's wife. I want to be able to not stress out about things and analyze them so much. I also want Jim and Pam to finally tie the knot on The Office. I want to go to Europe really bad. I want to find a balance in life. I want a garden....but not just any garden...I want vegetables, an English garden, a wildflower garden, an orchard, and more. I know, I dream big but I just thought you should know what they were.

Wish me luck and pray for me because tomorrow I have a third interview with a company and I REALLY think this would be a great job! And sorry there were no pictures this time, I can't find my camera in my car...probably shoved in my car between my Jimmy Choo shoes and Chanel suit. :)

Rachel didn't like the last picture that I put up of us....so ONLY because I am excited to see you will I post a different pic. This is on our "All Out Tourist Day" in DC. Basically we did everything tourists do but in one day...Talk about TIRED! These were our super cool ponchos that the Newseum was handing out when it started down pouring. We thought they made us look even more touristy. Please note my I Heart DC t-shirt. :) Good times.

Anticipated Visit

So I get really hot when I am sleeping so I usually crack the window in my room before I go to bed. As per usual, I did this last night before tucking myself into bed with a great book. When my alarm went off I started to get out of bed and quickly changed my mind....it was FREEZING! This put me in a little bit of a grouchy mood. It was already Monday AND I hate waking up really hot or really cold. It just bugs. Anyway, I eventually convinced myself that it was time to get out of bed (I had to be at work in 45 minutes and it takes about 20 to get there) so pulled on one of my favorite sweaters and headed out the door. As I was driving down my street I realized that I had left my breakfast on the counter (a somewhat soggy apple because I ate about 50 cookies last night...each with 260 calories...you do the math, I prefer NOT to think about it!). So this lovely crisp morning was off to somewhat of a rough start. I thought I would call my old DC roomie Rachel at work just to bug her...no answer, although her intern that answered the phone was very helpful. Then I get stuck behind possibly the slowest driver in SLC, which I might add was probably the only driver in this town that actually drives the speed limit besides me. Grr...





So I'm settling into my office when my coworker announces that it's our other co-worker's birthday and she wants her cake now. So I got breakfast! Cake for breakfast happens to be one of my favorite things!

Then Rachel calls me back and guess what?!?!? She's coming to town next week for work and I get to hang out with her! I am seriously so excited!

I have been missing DC lately... a lot actually. I really miss my old roommate Rachel. We had some really great times. Here's a picture of us one goofy summer night at the FDR Memorial.

I seriously miss this girl! She always puts me in my place and tells me when I need to just shut up BUT I of course do the exact same thing back to her! She is a great friend and roommate and I am grateful for such a great friendship.

Rachel seriously made my day by telling me she was coming to visit! It will be nice to have a bit of my DC life collide with my new life here in SLC. Thanks for turning my frown upside down Rach! You're the best!

The Good Old Days

I have been told by some of the few people who actually read this blog that it was time for an update.

I just kicked off my four inch heels I have been wearing all day and sat down at the computer to think about the day. My feet are killing me, I have bags under my eyes, my hair is in knots (thanks to the huge amounts of hairspray that my cousin put in my hair this morning and the lovely Rexburg winds) and I am exhausted. It has been quite the day today. Here's why....

Many of you know that I have a really close-knit group from my college days at BYU--Idaho...specifically from my freshman year. I like to refer to them as the dang locals. Steve, Bryce and Nye (Ryan) are three of my best friends. We spent a lot of time ignoring curfew, sneaking out, and eating Denny's that first year of school. I also wrote all three of them on their missions. It's amazing to think that we are still such good friends because we have watched so many of our other friends move off, get married or have kids. Somehow the four of us managed to stay single for this long. .. until today. Nye decided that this cute girl Diana was the girl of his dreams and they decided to be sealed for time and all eternity in the beautiful Rexburg temple today.

It's hard to believe that one of us finally decided to take the plunge as we have ALL faced commitment issues...clearly...and have seemed to have never been able to find "the one." Seeing your best friend get married and move onto a different stage of life is rather interesting and bittersweet, especially when that person is of the opposite sex. I cannot help but be ecstatic for him because I have never seen him happier but it is sad because things will never be the same again. Just because I know that change is never easy but it is necessary for growth does not mean that I have to like it.

After the sealing and luncheon we had a couple of hours before the reception. My cousin was at work and my sister was in Idaho Falls so I needed to find something to do. I thought, I should go visit people. That was when I had the realization that I know very few people in Rexburg anymore. What a sad realization, but also a necessary one. Since leaving my beloved BYU-I, I have missed it dearly. Life was centered more on fun, homework and the big party on Friday night and was just a little more simple. Sure there were struggles, but at the end of the day life seemed easier than it does now. I also realized how young the students there are--did you know that the freshman class was born in 1990???? Seriously. Anyway, today was a wake-up call in the sense that I feel that I no longer belong at BYU--Idaho. Truth be told, when I went to visit my cousin at work (at the library) I felt out of place, like I had stepped back in time. I have now accepted that I belong with the young professional group, rather than the undergrad students. It just feels weird to think that I am no longer a part of flirting in the library instead of studying, "themed" dates (which I ALWAYS thought were weird anyway), devotionals and the testing center. It's been just over six years since I started college at BYU-Idaho but it feels like yesterday. I still remember the awe that I felt seeing so many "Mormons" when I got there. A small town girl from Bangs, Texas very rarely had the opportunity to be around a lot so it was quite the shock.

I have been so blessed by a place so great. BYU-I was an amazing place to learn what life was all about and I wouldn't be the person that I am today if it were not for the experiences that I had there. Congrats to Ryan and Diana! I wish you the very best in your life together! Sorry I don't have any pics right now but I will post them as soon as I can!