Rants and Raves- DC Style

After talking to one of my friends who is attending graduate school in Chicago, she became really excited to be able to share "rants and raves" about city life with me.  During this conversation I didn't think I had much to contribute to the the difference of city life vs. small town Tennessee, but the longer I am in the city I see it more.

Rants-

Cost of supplies-  In my own naive way I believed things like groceries would cost about the same.  I knew a lot of things would be more expensive like gas prices, milk, and eggs; but other grocery costs threw me for a loop.  One product in particular will be hard for me to stomach the new prices.  Cascadian Farm makes my favorite snack, a very delicious chewy chocolate granola bar.  In Tennessee the cost is $3.30 and is almost always on sale for $3.00; subsequently in DC it's $3.99.  (on a side note, milk is actually cheaper in the city)

Rain/Snow and Public Transit-  I've only had this happen once or twice, but using public transit while in inclement weather really makes me miss having a car.  My apartment is considerably closer to the metro compared to my friends (only 3 blocks), but in a downpour it's not fun.

RAVES!

Public Transit-  Other than the inclement weather I LOVE PUBLIC TRANSIT, or at least the convenience of it.   I can get to almost anywhere in the city quickly and for a low cost.  Not having to worry about parking is a god-send and it's nice to zone out and listen to music.

Abundance of interesting restaurants-  Tonight I went to a wonderful restaurants with some friends from my previous job in Tennessee.  Something I have started to dabble in is looking at the food I eat in a more conscious way.  The restaurant Founding Farmers really epitomizes how reasonable prices, great atmosphere, and amazing food can all come together and work in perfect harmony.  A huge plus was that the waiting area of the restaurant was full of books that advocated for their mission of knowing where your food comes from.

Museums-  I feel that even if I lived all of my life in this city going to museums every single day I would never fully reach the full amount of knowledge that is free for public use.  And yes, when I go to museums I do tend to zone out with the amount of knowledge, but I am always learning new things.

I know I will have a lot more rants and raves soon, but in my small two weeks in the big city these are the things that stand out to me now.  Question for you, what are your rants and raves about where you live?

First Week in DC!

Just a quick update to let everyone know I'm in DC and getting everything settled.  I'm starting my job at the Smithsonian National Zoo soon and I'll have a lot more to blog about.  For today's blog, since I'm short on time to write, I'm going to get your feedback.  If you lived in DC, where would you want to visit?

Thoughts on Baking

Around friends I’m known as the “Cake Boss” because of my baking creations.  It’s amazing to see my journey with creative cakes.  I’ve always loved “cute foods”, but taking the Wilton cake decorating class has taken it to new heights.  My journey into the land of cakes started January 2011 and has taken off since then.  If I wasn’t careful packing, I would have ended up with more cake baking supplies than clothes!  But why did I stick with cakes?  I’ve tried other crafty things, but cakes?  I think my main objective was to start something that people didn’t have to store in their homes.  I’ve tried painting mugs, origami, basically anything to keep me occupied, but space was starting to become a problem.  With cakes I can make them, appreciate their beauty, and then EAT them!  Plus what’s a good occasion without a centerpiece of something sweet? 

Last night I made the last cake in my home kitchen before the move.  Amazingly, I finished everything except decorations in an extremely short amount of time.  I distinctly remember baking my first few cakes and it taking HOURS.  Over time I’ve practiced and learned the tricks that have made it a smooth process.  I guess the life lesson I’ve started to take away from all of this is that if you are passionate about creating a quality product, at first it will be hard, but overtime you will get the hang of it and it will be second nature.  

I love my job

To my family at CFT,

Yes, you are my family, there is no denying it.  Ever since I started working at CFT I have been in awe of the amazing, heartfelt, dedicated, and compassionate people that I see everyday.  As a co-worker's boyfriend best put it, "Everyone must be on happy pills because everyone is always so positive and smiling".  You all have made an impact on my life that I can never forget.  I want to tell you all a huge THANK YOU.  Thanks for being my friends, co-workers, inspirations, role models, and every other great aspect that you can think of.  I am going to miss you all so incredibly much, but I know a lot of you go to D.C. for conferences so we will see each other soon.  Someone powerful must have been looking over my life and blessed me to be surrounded by the best people in the world.  Know that I love you all so very much and you will always be on my heart.  I think the best way to express how much I care about you all is through a song (yes, it's Josh Groban).

"You are Loved"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGLSk3AVcUU&ob=av3n
 

DC Bucket List

“I’m already thinking of New Years Resolutions, something I want to do is create a bucket list.”  - My supervisor at my current job.

What a great idea!  A bucket list!  Ok, I’m completely stealing the idea from my boss, but she has great ideas and this is a stroke of genius.  Some of the things on my list might seem impossible to achieve, but at the same time, I jump out of planes. 

-Visit every museum in Washington, D.C.

-Celebrate MLK day at the new MLK statue

-Watch the inauguration

-Rally behind something I believe in

-Take a picture with the occupy movement so I can show my future grandkids “I was there!”

-Have my name published in the paper for a great achievement

-Shake hands with the president

-Make snow angels on the National Mall

-Read beneath the Cherry Blossom Trees

-Take artsy photos of the monuments

-Learn a new language and order food in that language

-Learn something about every animal at the zoo

-Go to the Kennedy Center Honors

-Promise to laugh every day

-Get into a great graduate program

-Watch the sunset over the monuments

An Introduction

Stolen from a friends facebook page:

Want to be amazing? Want to be epic? Want to be outstanding?

All right. Here’s your recipe:

Look at what you feel you should do, what you know would change your life and the lives of others for the better. Let it overwhelm you. Let it terrify you. Let it mock you with its impossibility and insurmountableness. Let others tell you it can’t be done. Let your friends and family call you stupid or foolish or naive. Let fear chatter in your ear and erode your confidence and your ability to think rationally.

Then, do it anyway.

Starting on my new journey certain feels like this quote.  After years of wishing, hoping, and wanting to be the change I want to see in the world, I'm finally doing it.  Starting in January I'm moving from a comfortable life in my small southern hometown to our Nations Capital.  This blog will help chronicle my journey.