On: Evidence...

Hmm... I wonder if Jon has been here... (Image of lecture notes posted on our bathroom wall).

On: First Days...

Last Monday (the 4th) marked my first day of work, and Monday (11th) marked Jon's first day of class.

We are officially "full time."

This change in status makes for relatively full days, but exciting days none-the-less. I take that back, our days were full and exciting before any of this came to fruition, it's just that our days are full of work now.

Allow me to paint you a picture with my summary brush:

I really like my job with consulting firm. I'm currently working within the Federal Human Services division in the Children, Youth and Family group on a project that helps low-income families save for, and purchase assets (homes, small businesses, or education). The firm has about 130 employees and it's been around for over 30 years. Also, from what it looks like, I will be working between 45-50 hours/week. Ah yes, since this is not a government gig, all bets are off regarding over-time:) In the grand scheme of things, this is not bad, AND, there are cool perks:

• I enjoy the work
• I have my own, small office
• Every Tuesday we're provided with free bagels & shmear from Manhattan Bagel!
• Every Wednesday the company offers massages for a small fee.
• Every Thursday we're provided with free cookies from Mrs. Fields(!!!!)
• Great benefits/time off
• Cool co-workers
• There seems to be free food everywhere, much of the time

And Jon? His first week has been, well, very academic (as you can imagine). Because of the change in curriculum, his schedule has been (and will continue to be) a little schizophrenic. He has classes five days a week, but none of the classes are scheduled at the same time each week--if that makes any sense... Molecular and Cellular Physiology (MCP) from 9-12 on Monday during week one, may fall from 9-11, then 1-2 on Monday of week two. Fortunately, he's developed a very strategic study schedule and has been flexing his organizational muscles, so all is well. This present term, covering MCP lasts until September 5. The following term starts up again the following week-- Metabolism and Signal Transduction. From what I've seen of the material, it looks VERY exciting. The human body is both amazing and disgusting. :)

The transition for both of us, from gainfully un-employed to super-full-time student/employee, has demanded that we both make the most of our time. This means being extremely diligent at work and school to ensure that we have time in the evening to hang out with each other and relax. I think it is safe to say that this is the most organized either one of us has ever been. Ever. It feels good:)

On: Down at Fraggle Rock...

A few days ago we ventured down to the American History Museum to see Jim Henson's Fantastic World--an exhibit honoring the 50th anniversary of the Muppets. Why? Because in the late 80's/early 90's we grew up on Sesame Street and were down with Fraggle Rock!

This particular exhibit housed a lot of the muppets that were made famous on "The Muppet Show" (like Mahna Mahna, Doctor Teeth), "Sesame Street" (Bert & Ernie and of course, Kermit), "Fraggle Rock" (the doozers, Red and Cantus), and "The Dark Crystal." They had also displayed a lot of Jim Henson's original sketches, posters and ideas for shows.

The truly sweet thing about the whole experience was watching the adults enjoy the exhibit (I know we did). Most of the children there hadn't gone under their own volition, the parents were excited to go and see figures from their childhood under glass. It's fun to be in a room full of adults who all light up at the sound of a familiar theme song--"It's time to play the music! It's time to light the lights!" Good stuff. Grown men sitting on tiny stools next to their kids reading books and drawing pictures.

On: Ms. Rowling would be proud, Our digs, and the Newest member of the Pagan family...

This will be a bit of "DC in Review," mostly documented by pictures.

Primero: Welcome to Hogwarts--I mean, Georgetown...
This is the view of GU as seen on the Key Bridge (the bridge that crosses the Potomac, connecting Arlington & Georgetown)

I half expected to see "Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus" etched above the doors of Healy Hall. I can't say that I've read any of the H.P. books, but after doing some substantive research, I dare say it looks a bit like... Well, I'll let you be the judge:


vs.


Blessed indeed. This is where Jon gets to learn for the next year. Classes begin in ten days, so there will be more to update then.

Segundo: River Place

This is the building in which we live!
Gotta love the bricks. This place is nice and reasonably quiet--offset enough from Washington, DC so as not to be RIGHT in the middle of everything, but close enough to the city to enjoy it when we want to. It's also just two blocks away from a metro station, so we're a short ride away from all of the museums/restaurants/excitement. We're also a three minute drive away from the Pentagon and other cool monuments.

This is the view from our parking spot (Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Capitol in the background). Very cool.

We're still organizing the apartment, but once it's done, we'll post more pics.

Tercero: Gainfully Employed!

As I had mentioned in a previous blog, I start working at my new job on Monday! Last week I accepted a position with a consulting firm that is about ten miles from our place here in Arlington. I am very excited... They do helpful work, I start at 9:00, AND they observe casual Fridays (and by "casual" I mean they wear jeans)!

And to get to this new job/around DC...

We are the proud owners of a new car! Again, so blessed and so excited!

A serious thanks to everyone who has been praying for us. We have had a great transition and on top of all of this--cool apartment, beautiful campus, great new job and smooth wheels.

On: Glasses...

Showin' off the specs... That's all...

On: Prepare! I found some pictures and I want to blog as much as possible before I start work on Monday!

Warning: Possible Thunder Showers...


Last week Jon and I met up with some friends for dinner in Georgetown. As we were walking back home across the Key Bridge, we exchanged some, "I think it's starting to sprinkle," s. Before we were half-way across, the heavens opened up and dumped several thousands of gallons of water all over the DC metro area... and us.

No joke, it was like the scene in Forrest Gump where Tom Hanks is describing, "big ol' fat rain."

On the brighter side, it was warm outside, which made things nicer. Jon and I raced back home, laughing hysterically, soaking wet and squishing around in our shoes. Welcome to DC.

After getting into the elevator to get back to our place to dry off, one of the people next to us smiled and said, "They just sneak up on you sometimes." Good memories:)

One of my favorites:

On: Geeks...

Our beloved lappy with all of our pictures on it recently decided to stop working...

Thankfully, we live near a Best Buy. We've given the lappy to the Geek Squad with the hope that they can revive it. I'm sure they can.

Once it's up and running, more pictures and posts of what we've been doing here in DC!