On: Run With It...

Over the last month, something miraculous has happened. By the grace of God alone, I have taken to waking up before the sun rises (most of the time), clumsily fighting my way into my yoga pants and sweat shirt (in the dark so as not to wake Jon), and walking down to our complex's work-out facility (often times with very interesting and provoked-looking hair) to run/walk before work.

I truly think this is a sign of aging... In college I never would have dreamed of working out in the morning before class. I also never went to bed before 11:00. Now, the pendulum is beginning to swing in the other direction. Being married means that your body isn't your own to abuse with caffeine and sleep deprivation anymore. Also, I knew it was only a matter of time before years of sitting (in class, at work, in the car) would catch up with me and start to alter both shape and posture. And another thing-- I have suddenly become a "miss" or worse, a "ma'am" to most teen-aged restaurant hostesses now. All motivation to drag my bum out of bed in the morning and stay healthy.

So now it's been several months of multi-vitamins and more whole grains, fruits and veggies. More recently the treadmill has become less of a mockery of my coordination and more of a friend (the ipod helps). And you know, I think I thrive on the endorphins! I feel more awake in the morning, I feel more pleasant, and I have more energy! This makes for a happier, more productive home and work Jenn.

Jon is a distance runner, so I still have a ways to go before I can keep up with him, but this is a good start. Would you believe also that he is eating leafy greens and other colorful veggies!? That's right! Attempting to eat well and stay fit: evidence that we are getting older. Hopefully the pendulum doesn't swing too far...

Seventies, you and the wife retire to Fort Lauderdale, you start eating dinner at two, lunch around ten, breakfast the night before. And you spend most of your time wandering around malls looking for the ultimate in soft yogurt...

--Billy Crystal
City Slickers

On: Space...

Before we moved, Jon and I were trying hard to consider the adjustments we would have to make given the amount of space we would be living in for the next year. We decided that brain-storming would be easier with resources. So we did what any couple with limited space and a budget would do--we went to Ikea.

Phase 1: Strategery

We are practical people, but Ikea doesn't mess around with space saving.

Nor does Target mess around with tiny adult-looking chairs for small people.

Phase 2: Ponder

This was our life, in 336 cubic feet:

And then we flew across the country and waited for our things to arrive--just a couple of days. It gave us a chance to ponder how we would explore our new surroundings and how we would arrange our new living space:

Phase 3: Organize/Execute!
(This is still a work in progress)

I would love to say that we're completely unpacked and settled in, but for the moment I can't. This is our living space now. As you can see, we have some more decorating to do. It will happen. This is our place as of this past weekend:

View from the front door.

View from the kitchen doorway.

View from the kitchen.

View from our window.

We love our space, and soon, it will have more character!

On: I think it's the humidity...

DC is a dynamic place to live. This is true. I know we've raved about the beautiful views and fun outings, but for the sake of objectivity, I think I should share some of the more unusual elements of DC that we encounter more often than we'd like...

I give you:
the cicada. Disgusting, I know. They are everywhere... How do I know this? You can hear them practically anywhere you go (especially around heavily wooded areas). Cicada's sound like nature's sprinklers. It's not a terrible sound, and really, they can be very relaxing to listen to in the evenings. But, they sound a lot less calming after you see one... Seriously, this isn't an insect, it's an alien. Jon and I have only seen a few of them--all dead--most likely because of the next prehistoric-looking insect...

I have to scoot the lappy away from me, these things evoke a lot of anxiety... Meet the cicada killer wasp. This is an African breed of wasp that is commonly found in the Georgetown/Arlington area... Are these not the craziest beasts you've ever seen? Apparently, they're only deadly to cicada. Also, from what I've read, the males are harmless and the females will only attack humans if provoked. What a relief right? Next time I encounter one, I'll simply ask its gender, politely, in its native African tongue...

So there you have it... Some of the animals that, on paper, are completely harmless. If you were to ask me, I would insist that these things are waiting for the opportunity to attack us from the air and devour us.