So I was excited to submit the medical forms to the Peace Corps today. My last doctor's appointment was at 4 pm downtown and to my surprise I finished by 4:20. When I walked out of the doctor's office, just a couple blocks from the Peace Corps headquarters, and realized a FedEx was on the corner, I thought it was fate. I would copy all of my info, pack it up, and hand-deliver it to the Peace Corps. That way, I would know they had my medical forms.
I left FedEx with a sense of accomplishment at 4:50 pm. The Peace Corps was just a few blocks away, so in the event they really did close at 5 pm I had enough time. When I arrived, the office was clearly still open. And yet:
Security officer: "Miss - what are you doing here?"
JayGirl: "I'm dropping off my medical forms."
Security officer: "Our office is closed."
JayGirl: "But you're still open..."
Security officer: "We close at 5 pm, ma'am. It is 5:01. We reopen tomorrow at 8 am so I would suggest you come back then."
Really? Really? I honestly couldn't even argue because I was so surprised, so I walked out the door to find a post office box right outside their office. "Hmmm... that would be really funny to mail these forms right here," I thought until I saw the giant sticker on the post office box that advises you to mail anything over x number of ounces at the Post Office. I'm not exactly sure the weight of my entire life's medical records but I am pretty sure it was over x ounces.
To add insult to injury, I passed by a just-closing Post Office on the way to the bus stop and then missed the bus by 10 seconds. The choice was: miss the bus or dash in front of four lanes of rush hour traffic... ce la vie.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Correction
So Sierra Leone is not a French speaking African country, despite being bordered by French speaking countries. I guess Saturday wasn't a sign after all. Back to my original list of potential new homes: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mali, Senegal, and Togo. Or really anywhere else in the world the Peace Corps would want to place me. Ambiguity is my friend.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
A New Home - But Where?
One of the inevitable parts of going through the Peace Corps application process is wondering where, just where, you are going to spend 27 months of your life. It's a great lesson in patience, flexibility, and keeping things in perspective. There is so much outside of your control. Because of this, you tend to read too much into certain things and create your own reasoning for where you'll be assigned and why. For example, is this week's snow in DC the universe's way of suggesting I may be assigned to a post in a cold, wintery region? There are many, many possibilities.
To somewhat mitigate this, ever since my interview when I was assigned to the Francophone Africa track, I've assumed I'll get assigned to one of the countries in that region with Peace Corps programs and without political coups going on. That actually eliminates the possibility of me getting posted in one third of Francophone Africa countries with Peace Corps programs. So my short list of potential countries was: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mali, Senegal, and Togo. I even walked by the embassies of each of these countries, imagining the adventures I could have in each one. This is all assuming I don't get re-assigned to a different program and geographic area, a frequent occurence in the Peace Corps application process.
But it does pique my curiosity, to wonder what country will become my home for two years. I've created three "homes" away from my hometown now and home has become a relative concept, a collection of people and places I love, rather than one specific place. So naturally I am interested to learn where my new home will be as a Peace Corps Volunteer, and two nights ago I checked the Peace Corps website. Something caught my eye; the program in Sierra Leone, which had been suspended, is re-opening in 2010. Last night, as I was waiting for friends I walked around Dupont Circle and happened to walk by the Sierra Leone embassy. Was that a sign? I can't help but wonder.
To somewhat mitigate this, ever since my interview when I was assigned to the Francophone Africa track, I've assumed I'll get assigned to one of the countries in that region with Peace Corps programs and without political coups going on. That actually eliminates the possibility of me getting posted in one third of Francophone Africa countries with Peace Corps programs. So my short list of potential countries was: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mali, Senegal, and Togo. I even walked by the embassies of each of these countries, imagining the adventures I could have in each one. This is all assuming I don't get re-assigned to a different program and geographic area, a frequent occurence in the Peace Corps application process.
But it does pique my curiosity, to wonder what country will become my home for two years. I've created three "homes" away from my hometown now and home has become a relative concept, a collection of people and places I love, rather than one specific place. So naturally I am interested to learn where my new home will be as a Peace Corps Volunteer, and two nights ago I checked the Peace Corps website. Something caught my eye; the program in Sierra Leone, which had been suspended, is re-opening in 2010. Last night, as I was waiting for friends I walked around Dupont Circle and happened to walk by the Sierra Leone embassy. Was that a sign? I can't help but wonder.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
The Sparkly Gold Skirt
Tonight, as I prepare to go out to dinner with friends I am happy to be wearing my short, sparkly gold skirt. You know how you have outfits that you just love, that make you feel good when you wear them? That is exactly how I feel about this skirt.
The second thing that makes me smile about this skirt is how I acquired it. It was a beautiful, perfect summer day in Chicago and I was spending it with my dad, sister and grandparents. I saw it on the rack at J. Crew as we were shopping, on sale for a bargain price, which of course made it especially catch my eye. I tried it on & viola, it fit perfectly!
But I wanted to see if it would pass the Grandma test. As in, would my grandma approve? It is short. And a gold-ish hue, with a little bit of gold sparkle woven into the fabric. I said to my grandma "Is this skirt too short and too sparkly?" She said "Oh, no, of course not. You won't wear it to work, right?" I wouldn't - this is strictly a fun with friends skirt. And with that, my dad offered to buy it for me.
It just makes me smile every time I wear it, to think that the shortest, sparkliest skirt I have is 100% Grandma and Dad approved.
The second thing that makes me smile about this skirt is how I acquired it. It was a beautiful, perfect summer day in Chicago and I was spending it with my dad, sister and grandparents. I saw it on the rack at J. Crew as we were shopping, on sale for a bargain price, which of course made it especially catch my eye. I tried it on & viola, it fit perfectly!
But I wanted to see if it would pass the Grandma test. As in, would my grandma approve? It is short. And a gold-ish hue, with a little bit of gold sparkle woven into the fabric. I said to my grandma "Is this skirt too short and too sparkly?" She said "Oh, no, of course not. You won't wear it to work, right?" I wouldn't - this is strictly a fun with friends skirt. And with that, my dad offered to buy it for me.
It just makes me smile every time I wear it, to think that the shortest, sparkliest skirt I have is 100% Grandma and Dad approved.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Snow Days = Snow Week
We ended up having four snow days, which in my mind added up to a six day long snowcation. And I work from home on Fridays, so... I have not been on the metro nor left DC in seven days. No intention of leaving DC until next Tuesday, either, thanks to the President's Day holiday weekend. Many Washingtonians are tired of hibernating and are getting cabin fever. But I have to admit, I've enjoyed it. Part of it is my Midwestern upbringing equipped me with the skills and gear to get around even when it is cold outside. I've continued on with runs, or at least walks, during most of these snowy days. So, thank you, sky, for delivering a great snowcation!
On another note, there's an 80% chance of snow for Monday... Wouldn't that be something!?
On another note, there's an 80% chance of snow for Monday... Wouldn't that be something!?
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Yes, I Support Dancing
This is random, but funny. Last night, after we went out for pizza & pints, we continued on despite the snow for margaritas, chips & salsa. The El Salvadorian restaurant we went to was passing around a petition for folks to sign because they want to get a nightclub license so they can offer dancing. Um, yes, I am definitely in suppoort of dancing in my 'hood. Sign me up!
The Great Snowcation
Snow Day #3! The great snowcation of 2010 continues on. I remember fondly the snow days we had as kids growing up in the Midwest. My sister and I would get all bundled up, then play in the snow, make snow angels, and get in snowball fights. There were two hills, both man made, in our flat prairie hometown. We would sled down them for hours on end and knew those hills, the curves, and what they would do to us on a sled like we knew the back of our hand.
Time warp to snow days as an adult. Surprisingly, or maybe not, most of the same activities still apply. I've gotten into many a snowball fight since Friday when this all began, including a great big one in my neighborhood park on Saturday and one in Dupont Circle. Snow still tastes the same as it did when I was a kid. I haven't made a snowman myself, but there's still time, and I've seen many creative snow people over the past few days.
But the best part of snow days as an adult is twofold: being with friends and being able to go to the bar. Many of our neighborhood establishments are still open, faithfully soldiering on despite the snow. My friends and I no longer have the excuse of "It's a week night." Because even though it is, there is no work tomorrow. That's been an awesome moment each of the past three nights, getting the email that work is cancelled again while we're out. We've had time to be at the full happy hour, to try out the restaurants we've been meaning to go to but never got around to it. It's like a fun week of vacation, except at home with friends.
Time warp to snow days as an adult. Surprisingly, or maybe not, most of the same activities still apply. I've gotten into many a snowball fight since Friday when this all began, including a great big one in my neighborhood park on Saturday and one in Dupont Circle. Snow still tastes the same as it did when I was a kid. I haven't made a snowman myself, but there's still time, and I've seen many creative snow people over the past few days.
But the best part of snow days as an adult is twofold: being with friends and being able to go to the bar. Many of our neighborhood establishments are still open, faithfully soldiering on despite the snow. My friends and I no longer have the excuse of "It's a week night." Because even though it is, there is no work tomorrow. That's been an awesome moment each of the past three nights, getting the email that work is cancelled again while we're out. We've had time to be at the full happy hour, to try out the restaurants we've been meaning to go to but never got around to it. It's like a fun week of vacation, except at home with friends.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Snow Day Top Ten
Today is a snow day which = no work! The Post has a link today to vote on whether or not you think it's safe to go to work tomorrow. Not surprisingly, the majority of voters are picking "Yes - it is too dangerous to go to work tomorrow," despite the $100 million in lost productivity from federal employees alone. See, the government really would save taxpayer dollars if they were based in the hearty Midwest. Anyway, I am enjoying my day of getting paid for not working.
If you need ideas of what to do today, here's my personal Top 10 list of things to do on a snow day in Washington, DC:
1) Work on my dance moves for the upcoming Jay-Z concert.
2) Go for a run, potentially in Rock Creek Park, to demonstrate my flinty Midwestern toughness. Mr. Prez would be proud.
3) Try on my cocktail dresses so when/if I get an invite to an embassy party, I know what to wear.
4) Hypothesize about what my cover story would be if I were a spy.
5) Make snowmen in the likenesses of American presidents.
6) Scheme about how to score a date to the White House Correspondent's Dinner in spring. Would be another chance to wear aforementioned cocktail dresses.
7) Catch up with friends, relishing the different geographic perspectives they have to offer on the snow. From Florida to Texas to the Midwest, cold is a relative term.
8) Brush up on my foreign language skills in hopes I can become a diplomat's wife.
9) Anticipate whether or not we'll get tomorrow off, too, since we are supposed to get more snow then!
10) And #10... work on the JayGirl blog.
What I really should do is laundry. Sigh.
If you need ideas of what to do today, here's my personal Top 10 list of things to do on a snow day in Washington, DC:
1) Work on my dance moves for the upcoming Jay-Z concert.
2) Go for a run, potentially in Rock Creek Park, to demonstrate my flinty Midwestern toughness. Mr. Prez would be proud.
3) Try on my cocktail dresses so when/if I get an invite to an embassy party, I know what to wear.
4) Hypothesize about what my cover story would be if I were a spy.
5) Make snowmen in the likenesses of American presidents.
6) Scheme about how to score a date to the White House Correspondent's Dinner in spring. Would be another chance to wear aforementioned cocktail dresses.
7) Catch up with friends, relishing the different geographic perspectives they have to offer on the snow. From Florida to Texas to the Midwest, cold is a relative term.
8) Brush up on my foreign language skills in hopes I can become a diplomat's wife.
9) Anticipate whether or not we'll get tomorrow off, too, since we are supposed to get more snow then!
10) And #10... work on the JayGirl blog.
What I really should do is laundry. Sigh.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Snowpocalypse 2010
OK, my Fake Winter post did anger DC. Because now we have at least a foot of snow and more coming down. It is fabulous. Haven't seen snow the likes of this since my days in Minneapolis. But my full Snowpocalypse 2010 story starts on Tuesday afternoon with a call to my mom. I can be kinda ridiculous sometimes and this was no exception:
Daughter: "Mom, I need you to send my snow boots to me. We are supposed to get a big snowstorm this weekend."
Mom: "Can't you just buy some new ones? Is it really worth it to ship them?"
Daughter: "Why would I buy a new pair of snow boots when I have a perfectly good pair back in Illinois?"
Mom (who *hates* going to the Post Office): sigh "Ok."
So Thursday comes along and there is no snow. In fact, there were not even clouds in the sky. And yet... Happy Hour got cancelled on account of the "impending snowstorm." Two work meetings for Friday got rescheduled. My boss rescheduled her long weekend trip to Florida. Friday morning I wake up to... no snow. My monthly alumnae brunch on Saturday gets cancelled because of the non-existant snow. And yet... DC has declared a Snow Emergency. Lunch time comes and goes with no snow. And finally, in the afternoon the first flurries arrive.
Then I begin obsessively checking to see if the mail has arrived. It usually gets to my apartment around 4 pm. 5 pm, no mail, no snow boots, and a few inches already on the ground. 6 pm comes and goes, no mail. At 6:30 pm I give up and get ready to go out. At 7 pm I get in the elevator to leave my apartment and the front desk has put up a note that they are closed for the evening. "Oh great," I think. Even if the mail does arrive I won't be able to get it. I walk out into my apartment lobby to see... the mailman! And the person at the front desk is just getting ready to leave... but still is able to give me the package that is my snow boots!
They were just as warm and fuzzy as I remember them to be. When I left my apartment wearing them Friday, there were just a few inches on the ground. But when I went home late Friday night, there was a foot of snow! Snowpocalypse 2010 had begun.
Daughter: "Mom, I need you to send my snow boots to me. We are supposed to get a big snowstorm this weekend."
Mom: "Can't you just buy some new ones? Is it really worth it to ship them?"
Daughter: "Why would I buy a new pair of snow boots when I have a perfectly good pair back in Illinois?"
Mom (who *hates* going to the Post Office): sigh "Ok."
So Thursday comes along and there is no snow. In fact, there were not even clouds in the sky. And yet... Happy Hour got cancelled on account of the "impending snowstorm." Two work meetings for Friday got rescheduled. My boss rescheduled her long weekend trip to Florida. Friday morning I wake up to... no snow. My monthly alumnae brunch on Saturday gets cancelled because of the non-existant snow. And yet... DC has declared a Snow Emergency. Lunch time comes and goes with no snow. And finally, in the afternoon the first flurries arrive.
Then I begin obsessively checking to see if the mail has arrived. It usually gets to my apartment around 4 pm. 5 pm, no mail, no snow boots, and a few inches already on the ground. 6 pm comes and goes, no mail. At 6:30 pm I give up and get ready to go out. At 7 pm I get in the elevator to leave my apartment and the front desk has put up a note that they are closed for the evening. "Oh great," I think. Even if the mail does arrive I won't be able to get it. I walk out into my apartment lobby to see... the mailman! And the person at the front desk is just getting ready to leave... but still is able to give me the package that is my snow boots!
They were just as warm and fuzzy as I remember them to be. When I left my apartment wearing them Friday, there were just a few inches on the ground. But when I went home late Friday night, there was a foot of snow! Snowpocalypse 2010 had begun.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Just a Midwestern Girl
I had a couple experiences in the past two weeks where others had more confidence in me than I've had in myself. The first was talking with a fellow juror while I was on jury duty. She works on Capitol Hill and is in her mid-thirties. We were trading stories and life experiences; we have a shared commitment to public service. She casually mentioned that I should really look at her grad program, as it was filled with like-minded people committed to public service. "What program did you go to?" I asked. "Oh, the Kennedy School," was her nonchalant reply.
The Kennedy School? Even for me, with all my goofiness and audacious goals, I had not considered Harvard.
Then a week later at dinner with my former boss, she asked if I was looking at graduate schools. I said not yet, but I do want to go back in the next few years. Her response was so supportive and she, too, mentioned that I should really look at the Kennedy School, as well as a couple other very competitive programs. "It's so funny," I told her. "I've just thought of myself as a small town Midwestern girl, not the kind of gal who gets into Harvard."
Her response? "Even small town Midwestern girls can go to Harvard. Everyone has to start somewhere."
So I guess the lesson learned is to have confidence in myself. There's nothing wrong with dreaming big.
The Kennedy School? Even for me, with all my goofiness and audacious goals, I had not considered Harvard.
Then a week later at dinner with my former boss, she asked if I was looking at graduate schools. I said not yet, but I do want to go back in the next few years. Her response was so supportive and she, too, mentioned that I should really look at the Kennedy School, as well as a couple other very competitive programs. "It's so funny," I told her. "I've just thought of myself as a small town Midwestern girl, not the kind of gal who gets into Harvard."
Her response? "Even small town Midwestern girls can go to Harvard. Everyone has to start somewhere."
So I guess the lesson learned is to have confidence in myself. There's nothing wrong with dreaming big.
Winter Wonderland
It's as if my Fake Winter post angered DC. We've now had more snow in a week than perhaps my whole 3.5+ years living here. I finally called home to ask my mom to send my winter boots out here, before our predicted weekend snow storm.
Mind you, it is still a mild winter compared to the Mighty Midwest. The temperatures are in the upper 20s, low 30s. The snow is the big, white, fluffy kind that you can't quite make a really good snowball out of. But a nice white blanket now covers the city. We'll see; maybe more will come this weekend.
I am enjoying it, though part of what I am enjoying is the opportunity to display my Midwestern "flinty toughness." When my friends from warmer climates remark on the weather and the snow, I get to say things like "Oh, this is nothing compared to the Halloween blizzard of '94" and "This? This is a warm spring day in Minneapolis. You barely need a coat."
Mind you, it is still a mild winter compared to the Mighty Midwest. The temperatures are in the upper 20s, low 30s. The snow is the big, white, fluffy kind that you can't quite make a really good snowball out of. But a nice white blanket now covers the city. We'll see; maybe more will come this weekend.
I am enjoying it, though part of what I am enjoying is the opportunity to display my Midwestern "flinty toughness." When my friends from warmer climates remark on the weather and the snow, I get to say things like "Oh, this is nothing compared to the Halloween blizzard of '94" and "This? This is a warm spring day in Minneapolis. You barely need a coat."
