Thursday, October 30, 2008

A Night at the Museum

Tonight, instead of going straight back to the B&B, after work I took the Metro to the Smithsonian American Art Museum. 

(Of course, I did not take this picture…it was night when I was there.  This is from their website)  But as you can see, the building is very impressive.  It has very tall ceilings and gorgeous marble floors.  

 In the auditorium, they had a free showing on the big screen of the movie “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” with Audrey Hepburn.  About 100 people attended.  It was the first time I have seen the entire movie, and seeing on the big screen with a theater full of people really made the movie an event.  

She was such a beautiful woman.  Of course, in the movie she is supposed to be from a small town in Texas, married at 14 and no education.  She is so incredibly beautiful and classy, it is really laughable to make that stretch.  But her beauty and charm makes you forget.

After the movie, I stopped at a deli, grabbed a turkey sandwich, and jumped back on the metro and headed home.  I love this city!  
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Monday, October 27, 2008

Smithsonian Natural History Museum

Today I visited the Smithsonian Natural History Museum.  I intended to visit the Washington, Lincoln and the Vietnam Veterans memorial, but it was raining hard when I got off the metro, so it was plan B, and being inside instead.

Here is what it looks like outside

Inside, it looks JUST like the movie Night at the Museum.  Seriously.  

You can just imagine these things coming alive!  

Overall, it was a little creepy to have all these dead animals stuffed and posed.  There is something a little sad about seeing all these animals, who in the prime of their life, were killed to be put in this museum.   I think I prefer zoos to this.

The part of the museum I did enjoy was the mineral and jewel section.  They actually had the HOPE DIAMOND on display:

Sorry for the blurry picture, but the podium the diamond is on rotates…so that it is constantly moving, making it hard to get a good picture.

Here I am taking a break in the museum cafe.  (And yes, the food prices are crazy expensive.  $6.50 for a regular soda and pudding) 

After I saw most of the exhibits, I bought a ticket for the Deep Sea 3D movie.  It was stunningly beautiful.  I would see it again.

It was a good day.
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Monday, October 20, 2008

The Joys of City Life

It’s been almost two weeks since I have arrived.  So far, I have lived in two B&B;s…started the new job, received my car from shipment and signed the lease for my new apartment.  Oh yes, and I found a groovy knitting shop on Barracks Row in the Capitol Hill district that encourages you to sit and knit…(and buy their expensive yarn!)

The new B&B that I moved into on October 19th is closer to heart of the Eastern Market district, which makes it nice for shopping and having fun.  However, the actual apartment is not as nice as the one on G street.  I highly recommend the Barney Circle B&B if you are traveling or need temporary lodging in DC.  

Here is the C street view from the outside:

See the handrail on the bottom right?  That is my entrance…

Today (Monday) I had to wait for my car to be delivered from the transportation company, so I walked a few blocks to a cute little coffee house.

  
I was thrilled to discover that this coffee shop does the lattes with the designs on the top in the milk foam.  (Yes, I know…it’s a small thing, but it makes it look REALLY cool..)  My silly excitement at the design brought a smile to Barrista.  She actually introduced me to the award winning Champion Latte Design maker.  (They had a contest on Saturday to present this award).  I saw one of these competitions on FoodNetwork.

See what I mean?  Isn’t that the neatest trick?  

After I sat and enjoyed the Mocha Latte and the danish, I walked just a few hundred feet to the historic site of the Eastern Market.  This “flea market” location has been here for a long time.  In 1997, there was a terrible fire, and the historic building was burned badly inside.  Which is a real shame, because look how beautiful the outside is…

Happily, the city immediately erected this temporary space across the street, where the folks can still do their business.  The renovation of the original building is in progress and the current estimated date of completion is sometime in 2009.  

If you ever come and visit me, this is one place that I will take you.  The market sells many unique and ethnic items, and it is just plain fun to walk around.

It is very exciting to think that this is just ONE CORNER of DC…and I have so many other fun things to see in the coming weeks and months!
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Wednesday, October 15, 2008

I found my new apartment!

On Monday, I spent the day looking at apartments.  I really liked the Arlington/Alexandria area…and found myself going back there again and again.  Both cities are very close to each other, within 15 minutes of downtown, and they both have old quaint areas, and upscale areas close together.    And the metro goes to both quite easily.  The rents are not low, but not as high as downtown upscale either.  

So the apartment I signed the one year lease with is called the Wellington. 

I am going to be in the center building..which has the security guard.  The lobby is beautiful.  I can really imagine living here.

(Nice!) I will be on the 4th floor, but before you worry about me and stairs, there is an elevator. (whew!)

Here is a beautiful version of the inside of the apartment…of course with my crap, it will not look as good…but if I slowly buy nice furniture, in a year or so it might be nice!

The kitchen is called a Galley Kitchen.  I think this is a fancy way to say “small”  but I’ll be honest…I don;t see myself doing too much big cooking in the future…warming up WW frozen dinners will fit in this space.

I move in November 1…I am VERY jazzed!
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Monday, October 13, 2008

Apartment Search

On Friday, I traveled by metro to Alexandria Virginia to see an apartment.  It was a nice apartment– 2 bedrooms..one bathroom.  Nothing fancy…and no big bathtub that I MUST have…(at least for now…I am trying to hold out for my soaking therapy that I grown so used to!)

Checked out Eaton Place…here is what it looks like:

Monthly rent:  $1400 a month…utilities not included.    Very small kitchen…but it did have gas stove…(Grace would love that!)

It’s my first apartment I have looked at…so I will go see more and see what is out there!
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Friday, October 10, 2008

My first tour of the city

Today I managed to find my way to the new office and meet the crew.  I “toured” my cubicle…which took all of .5 seconds.  No room in my cubby for a secretary or a computer data analyst in this job!  I left for work at 0700…and made it with time to spare.  Good to know! 

I am getting motion sick in the metro train.  I hope I grow used to the ride.  Getting sick to my stomach each morning and afternoon won’t be fun…but on the bright side, it doesn’t make me want to eat!  

Now it is about 930 in the morning, and I have walked the three blocks from the new office to the white house…yes folks, the White House!  I am sitting in Lafayette Park as I write this…and I can see the beautiful white greco columns from where I sit.  It’s incredible to me that I can be so close to where the president of the united states lives and works.  

It is all a little overwhelming.  So many things to go see, I don’t know where to go next.  It doesn’t get better than this.  I am so happy to be here. 

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Thursday, October 9, 2008

I arrive in DC

I arrived in DC on Wednesday.  Leaving my daughter in CA was difficult, but the travel was easy. Great seats with lots of leg room, and no delays or surprises.  

At about 5pm EST, I was loaded into the shuttle van, heading towards the B&B.  The view of the city made me smile…

The Washington Monument welcomes me….

I was overwhelmed by the reality of being here.  It was such a long time from dreaming about living here…to applying for the positions….and the finally making all the arrangements to sell the house and move.  8 long months of planning, and finally, I am here.  I must have looked a little silly smiling ear to ear.

The B&B is perfect for me.  It is exactly where I wanted it to be…and the neighborhood is just right.  The owner of the B&B is very nice and has offered to take me on a car tour of the city to get my bearings tomorrow.  I plan to take him up on it.

What a great start!

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Tuesday, October 7, 2008

I am tired of saying Goodbye!

Today was my last day at work…and I think I said “Goodbye” and hugged 100 people.   At morning report, the director and my boss asked for a picture before I left.

I have worked at the hospital for 17 years.  I know there are times I will miss it…but I am still very excited about the future.

I leave for DC on Wednesday.   
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