Chill out? Hell yes.

I decided that one thing I want come back home from Washington is a more relaxed attitude. This may sound funny, but I feel like working in what could have been one of the most stressful and high-paced environments has really helped me put things in perspective.

I have a lot of stress in my life--quite a bit of it I bring upon myself. But the thing is--stressing won't solve life's many problems. Whether it's grade or being a poor college student (or poor young professional or whatever), worrying about money or school won't magically make your problems disappear. Balancing work and play is important, and it seems to be key that you are able to enjoy yourself at both.

I took my side job here way less seriously than I have taken any job ever, and I still got rave reviews from my boss. I guess maybe I'm slowly learning how to let things roll.

I've worked with some awesome and laid back people. They do their jobs very well, but they understand that they can't control everything. They have fun, and they seem to have everything in perspective, that is, it's all really just a job.

I'm not saying I've completely abandoned the high-stress way of life. I think my priorities have gotten a bit more straight though. Change is hard to make. I just like to think that the devil-may-care-come-what-may part of my life has come out a lot more while I'm here, but only in the best way.

Happy Easter Recess

I went to Catholic school through second grade. In the 15-odd years since I went to a religious school, "Easter" break has firmly been changed to in my mind to "Spring" break. Imagine how odd it was when the first two weeks off in April became not "April" recess but "Easter" recess.

Who knew DC was so religious?

The demise of Lazy Sunday

It's been awhile. I apologize. Life got in the way of writing...

Life has gotten busy here. Last weekend was gorgeous, and I decided I would much rather be outside experiencing life than be inside and not. Thing 1 and I both had visitors and then simultaneously realized neither of us have summer jobs (please hire us!)...needless to it's been a little crazy/stressful.

Sundays are best as lazy days, though most of my Sundays here have ended at my second job. I am literally exhausted today and can think of nothing more I would rather do than run and chill. Instead I have to work at 3 which really means I have to leave a little after 2. What kind of sadist keeps things open on Sunday evenings? I know I felt like this when I was a waitress: Sundays should be for chilling at your house and preparing for the workweek. Unless you live on a college campus and then Sundays are for groaning, pulling your ass out of bed and trying to get a seat at the library or coffee shop. And not leaving for 10 hours. I've had far too many of those days to count.

One of my favorite things about Sunday is the Sunday Times. All the columnists are on board for the Week in Review section, and the Times magazine rarely disappoints. I had 3 or 4 Sundays over break where I was able to just sit, run and read and it was absolutely delicious.

Sundays are not meant to be productive, unless being productive means grocery shopping and ironing. I have to say being able to sleep in this morning was amazing. I think back to freshman and even sophomore year of school where the day did not begin before noon and I laugh. I set my alarm for 10:30 this morning and even more important than the fact that I slept in to it completely was the fact that I could have slept for longer.

Instead, I (literally) pulled myself off my air mattress, made some coffee, and started trying to be productive. I'm halfway through at least one NYT column and am going for my run soon...

Have a relaxing day,
Thing Two

Fridayyyy

I like Fridays. There's always some sort of clusterfuck when every is trying to figure out their plans for the night. For a while, everything is up in the air. And then things calm down and come together.

I will say one thing: I'm looking forward to going back to 4 (or less!) day weeks in college. It is SO nice to have very little to do on Fridays. I spent my Fridays this fall working, but it was still a break from class, a break from thinking.

Ironically, I had a very intellectual conversation at lunch about climate change. Some people have the coolest, craziest career paths. Like this guy--a former Math professor working in envrionmental policy sector. This guy changed jobs a decent amount, and it just seemed like he had a very rich career. Who doesn't want that?

It made me realize that I can do a lot of different things. I can change my mind. I can fast track to one thing, but that doesn't mean I work in something completely different 30 years down the line. For someone who likes a decent amount of uncertainty and tends to dislike committment, that's really refreshing.

So I'm zen: tonight will be good. My career, whatever the heck it is, will be awesome.

What's your flavor? Part II

I love good inspiration, and I'm a sucker for good quotes. But I also really appreciate bitter and sarcastic humor, and so this site is fantastic for a laugh. While I wouldn't call it overly clever, the humor is definitely outright, its still pretty funny.

I've found that the worst pitfalls come when you take yourself too seriously. There's just no need for it, and everyone else around probably thinks you're a stuck-up idiot. Which, to be honest, you probably are. I've heard sarcasm called the "tool of the weak," but I'd like to make a case for it, and instead call it the tool of the non-serious potentially intelligent being. If you're being sarcastic you're poking fun at a situation and thus are most definitely not being serious. Since you've taken the time to come up with a sarcastic comment, one that not everyone will necessarily pick up on, you've put some thought into the situation and can therefore be classified as potentially intelligent. Ergo, I would like to designate myself as a "non-serious potentially intelligent" being.

Sarcasm shouldn't be written off. You can get away with making fun of things that other people might not pick up on, I recently finished reading the classic novel "Catch-22" which highlights the craziness of the world through the frame of World War II, a pretty important event that I think most people would probably call fairly serious. But I would opine that the point Heller is making is that you can't take anything too seriously, every event, not matter how large or how small, is at least somewhat ludicrous.

Catch-22 is awesome because it teaches without being preachy. It's clever humor-my favorite type. You have to both pay attention and understand that you have no idea what's going on in order to fully appreciate the book. I read it right before snowmaggedon hit the DC area, and it kind of fit with the situation. People who took life and their jobs so seriously weren't able to work for a week. They were forced to do all sorts of terrible things like embrace week-day bar specials not because work had got them down, but because they had nothing better to do. A city usually engulfed in go-go-goers was suddenly filled with people starting huge snowball fights and sledding in the streets. Of course, I'm sure there were those dedicated workers being productive, but sometimes, you just have to embrace chaos.

So the wisdom I will impart upon you this Valentine's Day-another crazy holiday-keep your head in the game, but in reality, you've only got so much control. And when all else fails, make fun of yourself. The smart people will get it.

Holla,
Thing Two

Bonding with your Boss: Part I

One of coolest things you can hear your boss say, first thing in the morning, is "I'm so glad you're here!" That and "I have a project for you" definitely top my list. Like most people, I want my presence to be appreciated, even if my main job is to provide moral support. Unlike most people, I actually like being busy, and I work best when I have a long to-do list.

I find that my best boss-bonding time comes later on in the afternoon. We've had the entire day to either get stuff done or get ready to go home, and the office atmosphere feels more relaxed. I'm usually an overly eager beaver in the mornings, chomping at the bit to do some important errand like sort the mail or deliver a transcript. That's if I've had my coffee; if not, well, then, I'm nodding off over the NYTimes and not making any conversation. Good bonding also comes when no one else is around and we can make jokes. However, I still long for the Happy Hour invite (even if I would turn it down). Eventually...maybe...hopefully? Haha, I'll keep you updated.

Peace out,
Thing Two

Whats Your Flavor?

The best tip I think I ever got was to have an issue. Have one thing that you can know, you can talk about, that can be yours. It took me six months to figure out what mine was, it sort of came to me. I've always gotten revved up about it, but one day I realized that I really wanted to work to change the status quo in it. Today I was fortunate to meet an expert in my issue, and it was...inspiring (corny, I know).

And let me tell you, it was like a drink of cold water. I've felt bogged down in some of the mundane intern tasks I've had to do, but hearing this person talk about the path they've taken renewed my love of my issue and my reasons for being here. I'm not doing the most glamorous job, but I'm here to have access to the people who do. I'm here to get a foot in the door and be introduced to the circles where I eventually hope to run.

I'm a passionate person, and I've had a chance to actually work with my issue in my college back home and I loved it. It was frustrating and addicting, and I didn't want to stop. While I don't always consider myself a competitive person, my issue is a challenge because it's not necessarily the most popular.

But I can do it, I can make it. All I have to do is want it bad enough; because if I want it bad enough, I'll make it happen.

I got a job and have income, don't hate me.

I got a job. A paid one, but not a legit one. Just your basic food service-whatever-it-pays-my-bar-tab-and-grocery-bill job. And so my lesson: working seven days in a row, even if 5 of them is unpaid office work, is tiring.

The weekend started out great, with increased work activity. I got to go to a couple of meetings and had some cool assignments.

After happy hour, we traipsed to a district comedy club with some college friends for a laugh. I've never been to a comedy club so here comes lesson two: its a blast!

Lesson Four: Harris Teeter rocks. But you can't go there on a Sunday night, because it will be packed. As if grocery shopping weren't obnoxious and overwhelming as it is, I had to wade through the sea of incredibly slow moving shoppers to get my $20 worth of groceries. I was overwhelmed and frustrated, until i swiped my VIC card and realized how much money I saved. I can't imagine the people who don't sign up for the bonus cards...grocery stores practically give away money!

Lesson Five: The Bachelor is fantastic. Judge me if you want.

Love from the only poster who posts,

Thing Two