New City-New friends- New adventures

Well, making friend has been slightly easier than expected. I was introduced to a group of guys through a friend of my sisters who have in turn introduced me into a group of girls- Happily I was invited to watch a kickball game followed by drinks to celebrate my birthday Wednesday! This birthday is going to be seemingly uneventful as most birthdays have been since I have normally spent them alone for the past 4 years with a mix of friends attempting and sometimes succesfully making my day special, expectations are however always low. I have accepted that Birthdays really are no longer that big of a deal and this one is no different.

Past week recap: Hung out with some new local friends and my best girlfriend from MN came to visit me for a week- we had a fabulous time as I showed her my new city and we explored some new place together. Granted this pic was from my first visit with a new friend- Jillian and I made the trek out to the Uvdar-Hazy Air and Space Museum to see the space shuttle Discovery and the ever famous jet (which I conveniently cannot remember the name of right now) that is featured in the second Transformers movie- Jills favorite.

This week: cracking down on some homework before the end of the semester!! three classes left and Im done!!! Now if only I could get something solid for my internship and it will be smooth sailing until graduation in December~~wish me luck! Off to snuggle my fur-child who is still adjusting to apartment life and the lack of running room, we will find our groove soon I hope!

Almost 26! Reflection

These past ten months, as I get ready to celebrate my 26th Birthday- my first by myself, I have learned so much about myself; my own dreams, my strength and confidence in being independent, and my own plans for the future. I also like to think I learned a great deal about life and what is important. I have had so many people come in and out of my life for the past 10+ months. Some have been old friends, some new.

Hard life lessons that I have no control over but its the sad, cold, hard reality of my new life:

-It has finally sunk in that some friends that I had 10 months ago, will never be as close or as important as they used to be. (I guess my widsters were right about married friends slowly fading away over the years). Oddly enough, I am okay with this- if they wont make the attempt to be a positive light in my life then they dont need to be a part of it-simple as that.

- Going back to MN rekindled old friendships and strengthened my family bonds; we picked up right where we left off from college!

-My family will always be there for me and will always support me when I need them. They are my biggest advocates and most honest critics. Love you guys!

-Now that I am in a new city- sitting at home is not going to make me any friends with the exception of Ben & Jerry and my trusty furry sidekick. I plan on being outgoing and exploring my new city, even it is alone for the first couple of weeks.

-Exploring a new city with a fellow transplant creates what I hope to be lasting friendships.

-I will try new things even if I am nervous, scared, disgusted, or any combination of the aforementioned.

Okay not so serious updates now- still self-teaching/working on my guitar skills which to me are not quite music sounding yet. Organizing and reorganizing a 1 bedroom apartment only takes a weekend before you run out of things to organize. Organizing and reorganizing a 1 bedroom apartment for an entire weekend is about as much procrastination form school work I can come up with. Excitedly only a few more weeks left of the semester and I will be one semester away from graduating with my Masters Degree! Very excited!
Well off to walk the furry child before it gets dark out; First official (non-family) visitor tomorrow evening!

DC!!!

Well it has been an eventful past couple of weeks! Officially a resident and apartment renter of Alexandria, VA.
Mom and Dad had to honor of driving me out here to the East coast with a very peaceful roadtrip. We got all moved in-with the help of some hired movers (highly recommended for anyone moving into a 3rd floor apartment!). After many shopping trips and rearranging, furniture ordering and delivery, I am- for the most part- settled. Still awaiting some recently bought pieces for the casa, but we are set up and running here. Tucker has made some friends with neighbor pups as we take our twice-daily walks. Tucker-ing him out (excuse the pun) helps us make it through the night without any potty trips until 8am-thankfully!
Ma and Pa stayed the week, and Ali joined us for some 4th of July festivities in our nations capital. Here are some pics of the new pad and our adventures around DC.

entryway

pantry and coat closet to the right-kitchen to the left

living room- ignore the ugly big chair-it has since been removed from the casa

still working on filling the picture frames

balcony with poolside view

dining room table- with the help of a new friend it was put together properly

Dining room

kitchen- my domain

small bathroom-but it works

my ginormous bed- loving the new king size and full bedroom set for the first time in my life :)

Capital lawn for the 4th

fireworks over the reflecting pools

crazy crowds at the capital

Air and Space museum outside of DC