Life in D.C.

My last post was about how excited I was to be traveling to the nation's capitol and starting new. Well, life always seems to keep me on my toes and throw curve balls. I not only didn't get my job with the C.I.A. or F.B.I. but I could barely even get interviews for jobs that I was over qualified for. But, hey I've been there before. I struggled for a few months until I just let go of all of these ridiculous high expectations for myself and just find a job that would get me though the year. I finally got a nanny position with an amazing family and adorable little girl. It's just so great how it all worked out. But of course there was choices that I had to make. Around the same time I got the nanny position I was offered a position at a high school which actually paid well and would build my resume. I thought a while about the two positions but I decided that an hour drive each way and letting down this great family wasn't worth it. I actually got to turn down a job. It came at a time when I needed an ego boost and feel like I was worth while while Dave was making great steps in his career.

I don't want to be the person who bases their happiness in life from their career status but I have to consciously talk myself through it. So, since we're out here for a short while and I didn't want to be miserable the whole time I relaxed and started to just immerse myself in the city.

Here are a few things that greatly helped in the first 6 months of the new D.C. lifestyle:

1. Joined Old City Crossfit

• We joined this gym before we even moved to DC. It was brand new and we got in as "Founding Fathers" which also locked us in on a great deal! 
• This gave Dave and I something we could do together.
• Duh, I've lost weight, built muscle and feel so much better.
• Probably the most important is that the gym offers more than a place to workout but it's a great community where we built friendships that I'm hoping we'll keep even when we move.
• I'm learning a little bit of sign language and learning a whole new culture since we have deaf and hard of hearing members who attend/attended Gallaudet University.

2. Take advantage of the proximity to many states

• We've traveled to places I never thought of traveling to:
• Asheville, N.C.- Go there, it's a neat laid back city. Go to Wicked Weed and try their Serenity beer if you like pickles :)
• Deleware- We went to Dogfish Head Brewery and got to see what Deleware is all about. Not much there but still get to mark it off the list.
• Baltimore- Only drove up there for a beer but def going back for Orioles games.
•  Planning on visiting Vermont so any recommendations are welcome.

3. Be a "Yes man"

• Dave and I rarely turn down an invitation to go out to new places and meet new people.
• We got to experience a Marine bar that's part of Barracks Row which seems to be pretty exclusive. Making small talk with people opens you up to new experiences and gets you out of your comfort zone.
• At the Great American Beer Fest in Denver I met a Brewer who works at 3 Stars Brewing in DC who offered for Dave and I to come help out in the brewery. Again, meeting new people and I get to stay in the brewery culture that I love.
• Dave and I participated in medical testing which was a unique experience where Dave and I got to support each other in a completely different way.
• Everyone wants to come visit and even though the monuments can get redundant I always experience something new with each visitor we get. Plus, it brings CO to DC which I love!

What I need to work on (still and probably forever) is to let go of these high expectations of myself and life and just live it! I enjoy it so much more and experience more positive things that way. I would kick myself if I moved out to D.C. and came back with nothing more than a job. I have stories and experiences, and friends, and smiles.