finally went home!

last thursday i packed a bag, left work early, and made my way to the airport! i was finally going home to see my parents and new nephew.

after the fiasco of trying to get home during the holidays, i must say i wasn't very confident that i was going to get a on a flight. but as more and more people boarded, it looked like i was going to get on the plane! and then i did!

since i'm now not very fond of checking bags, and i was only going for a weekend, i didn't check a bag. i thought. they ran out of space on the plane, so they made me check my bag at the plane. that made me even more nervous! were they sure it was going to get on the plane with me? so i checked my bag and got back in line to get in my seat in the very back of the plane. we were all in line waiting to find our seats when this lady in the back who had TWO suitcases, decides she needs to check her bags. so a line the entire length of the plane had to back out because she couldn't get by. oh how i love people...

the flight was ok, but when i did get to my seat, there were two guys in my row who decided that they didn't want to sit next to each other, even though my seat assignment was for the aisle seat. when i got back there, one of them said "oh good, you're in the middle, we've been waiting for you!" so i just pretended i didn't realize that i was supposed to sit on the aisle. again, i love people...

instead of waiting for me outside, my parents actually parked and came in. so while i was walking around the baggage claim looking for the right carousel, my mom snuck up behind me and scared me! i was so happy to see my parents! it's so weird not seeing people for along time. we talked about random things the whole way home.

overall, the trip was great. i met my nephew caleb, who is so cute! i got to hold him and feed him and i'm sad that i won't be there all the time now. nick flew in on friday night and he came over to my parents' on saturday morning. and he actually held caleb! it was amazing! we got to eat sweet tomatoes, with nick's parent's, his papa, and dave and heather. it was more crowded than i would have liked. and the time with them was very short. we met up with some friends afterward and saw a bluegrass band. really fun!

that night we found out that they were calling for snow the next day. weird. ok, so we got up on sunday planning on flying out earlier so we would be sure to get on a plane. wrong. all flights cancelled! what?! needless to say, we just about cried. i had an interview scheduled for monday, and even though i didn't have to work, nick did. and i was worried that the cats were going to drink all of their water and start destroying the apartment.

so after realizing that all of the carry-over from sundays cancellations were going to make it very hard to fly out on monday as well, we did the unthinkable. we booked tickets on amtrak. i was scared.

my parents took us to the train station in buckhead on monday night. our tickets were for the 8:20 train. it was probably the weirdest thing ever. we heard others discussing that their flights had been cancelled, and some said that they weren't able to make it to the train station the day before. so it was a little busier than normal. when they called us to board, we walked down the platform beside the train. it was totally surreal! i never expected i would board a train for a 14 hr trip. ever. we got our seats in the last car and were pleasantly surprised by the fact that holy cow train seats are big and have tons of leg room! also, they recline a little and then they have a footrest that comes out at the bottom. we were worried about sitting next to annoying people or crying babies, but neither happened really. we hadn't had dinner, so we went to the cafe car and i got a hotdog (pretty good!) and nick had a small pizza. before we went to get food, we had been working on a crossword puzzle that was in a train magazine. we both started feeling a little sick. i've never really gotten motion sickness and neither has nick, but the ride was pretty bumpy and we were concentrating pretty hard. so after we ate, we just kind of dozed off.

we woke up about midnight and started playing a card game we had bought. we couldn't go to sleep because some people who got on in south carolina were talking a LOT. so we played for a while then decided to sleep. it was tough. it seemed like everyone around us was sleeping really well and not having to move around a lot. we turned over a lot then took turns sleeping on each other and leaning up against each other. it was a pretty long night. we woke up for the morning at about 7, but i kept going back to sleep. it was pretty cool to see all the snow though as we went up the east coast. i was sooooo happy when i woke up and we were in manassas. cause i knew there was only alexandria left before the dc stop. when we got to union station, we got off and everything was all snowy and icy. it didn't feel like that's were we lived. then we went downstairs and got on the subway. yay!

well, the cats didn't tear up the apartment. they were out of water, but not food. that was surprising. they were so happy to see us! i missed them so much!

apparently we can never take a trip and have it go as planned, but we had a great time. can't wait til next time! i also can't wait til someone comes to see US instead.

i'm back!

ok, so it's actually pretty embarrassing how long it's been since i've updated this. it was before we moved! but i've decided to come back to the blogging world! i'm hoping that it will help me to try and focus on some positive things in the world of casi and nick rather than some of the less-than-desirable things that are going on.

just to get them out of the way though...

the hardships:
-moving is tough! i miss my family and friends every single day.

-moving in winter is tougher! i feel like i've lived here for six months, and it's been rainy, snowy, and cold the entire time. it's really hard to develop an opinion on this place when it seems that it's always winter here. i'm sure once the summer heat gets here i'll want the cooler weather back, but right now i want the sun! i hope it puts me in a better mood when spring arrives.

-friends are hard to find. dc is different. really different. you don't just meet people here. everyone has an agenda. people really aren't as friendly as in other parts of the country. when you meet someone new, they automatically have to "rank" you. they ask you what you do immediately. i realize it's a standard question to ask. but up here it seems like it's a requirement for even talking to someone. i need to know what you do so i know how important you are so i know if i'm more important than you are. they also like to slyly try and figure out where you stand politically. totally weird.

-virginia doesn't want you to own a car. in the "commonwealth" where i now live, owning a car is like trying to get citizenship or something. not only do we have emissions testing, but also safety inspections. this would be fine, but the system is flawed. the people that inspect your car to make sure it's safe are also the people that fix your car if you don't pass the test. see where i'm going? they don't want you to pass, because then they can charge you a bunch of money for the things you need fixed! my 2007 dodge caliber needed about $800 worth of repairs before it would pass inspection. i was worried about the crack in my windshield, which apparently passed anyway. i ended up replacing all four tires and some bolt or joint or something that had cracked.

you also have to re-title your car in the state. dumb! we haven't even registered nick's car yet because he needs so many repairs to pass the safety testing. ugh!

ok, enough whining. now the reasons why living here is actually pretty cool:

-i don't have to drive all the time! i absolutely love the washington metro system. it goes pretty much everywhere, unlike MARTA. i don't drive to work, ever. yes, my commute takes about an hour, but in that hour, i'm just chillin out reading the newspaper or listening to music. nick and i drive maybe 20 miles a week, combined.

-museums are awesome and free! i still haven't been to all the ones i want to go to, but the ones i have were super cool. last week when they sent me home from work because there wasn't enough work (another whine that i won't go into right now), i went into the city and went to two art museums and the archives. i mean, how cool is it that i can just go see the declaration of independence and the constitution anytime i want! next i want to go to the holocaust museum, but i want to wait til nick comes with me to do that.

-i witnessed history! ok, so i don't care who you voted for, or how mad you are about obama being elected, the inauguration was amazing. i've never experienced the feeling i felt on inauguration day. the metro station i usually use to get to work was closed, so i had to use a different one and walk to work. i was walking through chinatown at 630 in the morning and there were people everywhere. these people were so happy! everyone was singing, dancing, chanting, and just being so completely awesome. i mean, people were walking to get in line to go through security for the parade. they KNEW that they were going to have to wait to go through security, then stand on the parade route until 2 in the afternoon, but they didn't care! during the actual swearing in, i could here the president reciting the oath from my work. i stepped outside onto the street full of people and listened to it as it happened. it still gives me chills. when the parade came by, i ran outside to the end of the block, and i actually caught a glimpse of the president's limo. so cool.

ok so this post is so long i'm going to end it now, even though i could probably do a couple more "pros" about living here.

until next time...

Running Like Hell

This post doesn't really have anything to do with our moving, but it's something I've done while Nick's been gone, so I thought I'd post about it anyway.

Yesterday, the cats woke me up about 5am, even though I planned to get up at 6. So I drifted in and out of sleep until my alarm finally went off. I got up and went and opened the porch door to see just how cold it was. I was pleasantly surprised. It was cool, but not too bad at all. Then I got all geared up in my running clothes (including some crazy running tights that my sister let me borrow), ate a couple of waffles with peanut butter, and waited on my mom and Summer.

They got here about 7:30, and after watching the hilarity that ensued when mom attempted to parallel park, we left for the MARTA station. Summer hadn't rode the train before, so we thought it would be fun. It would have been better if the trains hadn't been single tracking up on our end, but we got to the King Memorial station in plenty of time.

I had never been to Oakland Cemetery before, and it was so cool! There were a lot of runners on our train, so we followed everyone else from the train station to the race. There's a cool archway over the entrance to the cemetery, and a cobblestone street. I just never knew that there was a place like this in Atlanta. It's almost like one of those historic graveyards in New Orleans. A lot of huge monuments, extremely old (like, from the 1800s) headstones and mausoleums.

I was so glad mom and Summer came, cause I would have been super lonely by myself. The pre-race email said there were about 650 runners, but there were a ton more at registration. I had forgotten they allowed race day registration for anyone who didn't pre-register.

So I got registered, got my cool t-shirt, and got in line at the start point to get ready to run. I was probably midway through the line of runners, so I couldn't hear the start, I just saw everyone start moving. Then we were off!

Don't mind the ridiculous face I'm making...

Since this was my first 5k, I really don't have anything to compare it to, but it was hard! There were lots of long inclines and a few really steep hills. But I had told myself that no matter what, I would not stop. Probably a little over a mile into the race, I saw the guy who was leading coming back. I didn't know it til then, but the race was sort of a loop. So as I was making my way through, I could see this guy already going back on the other side of the road (we were running on the streets in the Grant park neighborhood). Well, he won the men's overall trophy. With a crazy fast time! Summer was taking pictures at the finish line, and she got a great picture of him as he came in:

Yes, that is his time on that clock. And yes, he ran 5k (3.1 miles!) in that amount of time. You do the math!

I was feeling really good throughout the race because even though there were hills, I have long legs and started taking long strides to make it up the hills. There were many people walking the hills, and it was totally awesome to run by them! My plan of never stopping was foiled when my shoe came untied! So my time probably would have been about 5 seconds faster had that not happened. Oh well...

I totally got tricked though near the end of the race. As we were running back towards the cemetery, I could see the start line. Since we were coming back to it on the same route we left, I assumed the start line would also be the finish line. I was wrong! But I had already started to kick it in and run faster before I realized this. Then I saw that everyone was running through and continuing through the graveyard. I thought I was going to die!

It wasn't much longer to the finish, and there were many people on the pathway cheering us on. That really helped. If you ever get a chance to go watch any kind of race whether it be 5k, 10k, or a full or half marathon, you should go! It really helps the runners so much when there are people cheering. And it's fun! So I finally made it up the last hill, and I could see the finish. Then I saw my mom and Summer there cheering me on. It was so cool!

Here I am coming up on the finish.

And now finishing! Yay!

My official time (from my own watch) was 33 min 15 sec. They started that clock in the picture when the first people started running, but I didn't cross the start line for a few seconds after. They said over a thousand people ran the race, and I got 274th place!

After the race we watched the awards presentation and walked around the cemetery a bit. There's a whole section for confederate soldiers. It's just amazing! If you ever get a chance to go, you definitely should. It's so pretty and there's so much history there. Margaret Mitchell is buried there, but I didn't see her grave.

Well, that's pretty much all about the race. Afterward, Summer and mom and I trolled around underground Atlanta (it's still not very impressive) and then we came home, relaxed a bit, and started packing. It was a great day. I have to say I'm proud of myself. I've never loved running, but I'm glad I started. It's a great feeling of accomplishment to train for something and then follow through with it.

This is a crazy long entry.

Riding the Metro

After a long weekend of trekking all over DC and the metro area, Nick still didn't really find anywhere he thought we should live. I spent a lot of time on the phone with him, looking at google maps and telling him where to go. I still think it was worth it though. He found a couple of areas that we're now going to concentrate on: Petworth, an area pretty much directly North of the city (but still technically in the District), and Rosslyn, a town near Arlington that's near the river. He may or may not continue looking next weekend. That will just depend if he can find someone to take him to and from a Metro station.

Speaking of that, Nick had his first trip on the Metro yesterday. I think he did really well and seemed to know where he was going when I talked to him. He texted me "this is nothing like Marta" when he first got on. I figured it wouldn't be. When I look at the rail map, it's like a giant multicolored spider with all the different lines you can ride. But that's good, because I have no idea how to drive around in the area. We will definitely be living near a Metro station, because Nick gets reimbursed through his job for riding it.

I have a job interview!

I have been applying for a few jobs online, and sending a note along with my resume explaining that I will be relocating at the end of the month. The other day I came across a posting for a part-time administrative position at a florist. The job description was basically typing up quotes and bookkeeping type tasks. At this point, I'm just wanting to find something, so I send in my resume. Yesterday, they called me to tell me I am over qualified for the position, but they want me to interview for a management opening. She told me a little bit about the florist itself. They are one of the largest florists in the DC area, and they do a lot with high profile events like galas, etc. I think they have four or five locations in DC. They also sell home decor at their shops, which is awesome. The job would be for a manager position at either the Georgetown or the Ritz Carlton location. Holy cow! I'm intimidated, but I'll do my best. My interview is the day after Nick's graduation. Wish me luck!

So now the countdown begins. Today is nine days until Nick graduates. The time has passed so quickly! When he left I felt so sad that I wouldn't be seeing him for a whole month. Now my flight to DC is looming over my head because I've got to finish packing!

This weekend I am running a 5k race in Oakland Cemetery. It's called "Run Like Hell" and the entry fee that I paid goes to benefit the cemetery to help them fix the damage they incurred from the tornadoes this past spring. It's my first race...I've been training since July. Though lately, I have been slacking and my run yesterday didn't go so well. My goal is to run it (it's 3.1 miles) in under 30 minutes, but I don't know anything about the course or how hilly it is. I'm nervous, but I'm definitely going to finish no matter what. I hope to continue running races, and work my way up to a 10k, and then a half marathon. I don't know about a marathon though. Maybe one day I will...

On the Hunt

After taking in to consideration many opinions I've gotten about where to live in DC, right now I'm interested in actually living in the District itself. "But what about the crime?" you say. And "It's so expensive!" you exclaim. Well, there are plenty of safe and affordable places, according some people that actually live there. I haven't made up my mind on it, but I do know that I love living in the city. I like the idea of walking places, or riding a bike. I would rather not depend on my car. The roads are crazy! Well, at least to someone who hasn't been there before...

Nick rented a car yesterday so that he could drive into the city today to look for an apartment. He's been very apprehensive about doing this, because it's something so far outside his comfort zone. A) he has to drive into a city he's never been to and find his way around, and B) he has to talk to the leasing agents and property managers about renting and remember all the right questions to ask. In the past, we've done this sort of thing together, and it's worked out well. But, I'm really counting on him to do this so that we can find a place as soon as possible.

He said he would call me this morning, and he did. I expected it to be before he left. But at about 10 o'clock the phone rings.

"Hi!"
"Hi."
"How's it going?"
"I...don't know where I am."

So I got on google maps and turned him around and got him on the right track. He's meeting a friend from high school, Ashley, and she's going with him today. I am soooo grateful! I feel so much better that he has someone to help him out who lives there (even though she's only lived there a week). I wish he had the digital camera with him, but they weren't allowed to bring cameras.

So, everyone cross your fingers that they find something cool today!

Planes, trains, and...boxes?

Considering I should probably have the apartment all packed up before I go to Nick's graduation on the 23rd, I've been trying my best to pack like a maniac. I only have 15 days until I leave! The packing is actually going pretty well though. It must be because I had a lot of practice about 5 months ago...

I am SO excited to fly to Washington. I actually can't believe I'm finally going to be on a plane! Though it was kind of fun being 25 and able to tell people that I'd never flown before (just for the reaction). Nick told me today that they might change his graduation location so that it will actually be in DC instead of Virginia, so that would be great! It would make it so much more convenient coming from the airport, and then later when we want to look at places to live.

Today I mailed Nick his fleece, because apparently, the place is like a freezer! Everytime I talk to him, he's cold. I think the weather there is pretty similar to Georgia, it's just his room and classrooms that are chilly. So while I was at it, I sent him some Twizzlers and Reese's cups. Maybe he'll put on some weight while he's there...but probably not.

It's hard to believe his four weeks there is almost halfway through. He seems to be doing a lot better lately with the social aspect of things. He's also made friends with one of the counselors, and he gives him a lot of information because he used to work at the office that Nick will be in. The food continues to be hit or miss (roast beef=yum, shrimp fried rice=NO.), but they went out for burgers last night which he said was a nice break from the cafeteria food.

The cats are already suspicious of what's going on with the boxes. I think it's because they remember the sound that the tape dispenser makes when I'm taping them up. I feel so bad for them that they're going to be traumatized again so soon, but they'll adjust soon enough after we get there. Here's what happened their first night at our current apartment.


Needless to say, they were a little out of their collective comfort zone. Oh, cats...

Well, I need to get back to packing. Try to contain yourselves until my next riveting post.

First weekend away

Nick is having fun!

I don't want to sound so surprised, but I'm just happy for him. On Friday night, he and some of his classmates went out bowling. I think he broke a hundred on one game! Haha! Neither of us are very good bowlers, so I feel his pain. Afterwards, they went out for ice cream at what sounded like a really cool place. I hope that it's a chain that we can visit later. Apparently, everything is soft serve. They have some sort of machine that coats vanilla soft serve in different flavors as it comes out. AND, they have chocolate and cherry dip. I love cherry dip!

Yesterday, they ventured out to Wal-Mart, which Nick needed, because having set mealtimes for him just doesn't work out. He's always hungry for a snack at weird times, so I'm glad he had the chance to pick up some things. After Wal-Mart, they went to Applebee's for lunch, then came back to play some football. He scored a touchdown! I was so proud of him!

He told me that today they are going to play kickball. I'm jealous. That sounds so fun! He's also excited because on the weekends, they have a waffle bar at the cafeteria, so he's gonna try that out.

I, on the other hand, went to my dad's football game on Friday night. I realized that I'm not going to get to go to very many more. It makes me sad. Going to high school games has been a part of my fall and winter ritual since I was born. It will be weird not to have that anymore.

Yesterday I hung out with my family. I gave Cris and Summer a haircut which was fun. And I made Paula Deen's recipe for macaroni and cheese in the crockpot! It was obviously not very healthy, but soooo good!

Well, the first week of living alone has officially passed, and I'm feeling ok. The cats are still a bit confused, but I'm sure they will stay confused for the next month as week pack everything up and move again. But they keep me sane!