a day at the national gallery

I enjoyed a truly lovely 3-day weekend, repleat with tasty food, fantastic weather, great art and a parade too boot.

On Saturday I took my lil sis to Paul for sandwiches and mini pastries, followed by the National Gallery. It was almost like being in Paris only cheaper.

My favorite artist of the day, Alexander Calder.

I could watch his mobile sculptures for hours. At one point, one of the sculptures set off an alarm - I'd like to think that'd make the artist proud. Talk about art taking on a life of it's own. 

And Calder's Red Horse - striking against a clear blue sky, reminded me of a Giant Dala Horse.

Because I like to tie everything back to Nordic folk art.

there's no place like home

Well, my bags are packed and in a few hours I'll be leaving cubicle behind, hopping onto the metro and be on my way to the airport. That's right I'm heading home for Christmas.

And when I come back, I'm bringing my lil' sister with me. Technically, she'll be following a day behind me but she's coming to DC for a semester and I'm so excited for all the fun she'll have here and all the fun we'll have together.

Once again, it has become abundantly clear that I am blessed.

Merry Christmas! And if you don't hear from me much over the next week, no worries, I'll be back before the New Year.

Another of my favorite Christmas Songs, Hard Candy Christmas. This one always makes me smile. Growing up we used to watch Dolly Parton's Christmas specials and well, I've loved her ever since.

the high life

Last week my parents came to town and we had a grand ole time. My Dad was here for a conference and they put them up in the fanciest room in the smanciest hotel. How fancy? you ask, you can check it out here. And here's a fuzzy picture of the view from their window. That's the Washington Memorial there and in front of it, that'd be the White House.

Here's a clearer picture (I used the window sill as a tripod and my timer here). Do you see that window there? Best I can tell, the first family was unwinding with a little television after a long day. I've never wanted a pair of binoculars more in my life. We were at least a block away and all we could make out was the flicker of a television/monitor. But I'm pretty sure the secret service followed me home that night after all my stealthy photography.

all in a day

And oh what a Monday it was.  It all started out with the snooze button.  I pushed it 5 times this morning, which meant that I started the day and hour behind schedule.  And when I finally got to work, all the free parking spots were taken.  So, I parked in 2 hour parking - intending to come back in a couple hours and move my car - and promptly forgot.  4 hours later, I suddenly remembered my poor car which at this point had a giant parking ticket tucked under its wiper.  I moved it anyway and knowing that I fully deserved the ticket made my way back to work.  But, not so quick, on my walk back I was stopped by an old man - probably drunk and possibly homeless - who proceeded to tell me how beautiful I was and that I should take that as a real compliment coming from a black man.  Then he showed me the dimes that he had just found on the sidewalk and said that I had made his day.  He was a real charmer and It took some finagling but I finally managed to let him down easy and get back to work.  

Later at work, I found out that the internship that I had been all but promised at EPA is a no go.  Back at home, I'm feeling all uneasy and anxious-like - maybe I'll self medicate with some chocolate fro-yo. 

the temp

One of the first things I did upon arriving in DC is apply with a few temp agencies.  There are loads of agencies that specialize in legal work in the DC area and there are even more attorneys that are unemployed.  Also, there are firms and companies that are looking for temporary workers because they are cheaper.  Gotta love this economy!

So today, I got my first contract and I start tomorrow.  I am relieved.  Although I have a nice little nest egg that I am prepared to live off of for the next while, I have been feeling rather uneasy about the finiteness of this sum and the added income takes the pressure off.  And I'm getting bored and need a change of scenery.  I will most likely hate this job, as it will be document review of some sort and possibly the most tedious task that a lawyer could be asked perform.  However, the beauty of temp work is that it pays alright and won't last forever.