Settling into Life In Washington

Exploring DC on one of the few not-as-cold days.

Sometimes I feel I'm suddenly going to wake up and discover that the events of the last month and a half has been a dream.

Is it true that I've made a new life for myself in Washington?

I haven't written online for the longest time, and I didn't mention it to many of my friends until the official job offer was made, simply because I never thought this dream would ever come true.

It was a quick move; I had to report for duty on 31 December, so I flew up with one-- and only one-- suitcase: a week's worth of work clothes, a pair of walking boots, a pair of snow boots, one pair of jeans, a bunch of paperwork, and my personal laptop computer.  With little knowledge of where I wanted to live, I booked a hotel (found a great deal with the 3rd night free, and that averaged my hotel cost at $66/night.) for a few days and kept my fingers crossed that I'd be able to find the right location and apartment for me.

Ice skating rink at Pentagon Row in my neighborhood.

It wasn't my ideal time to re-locate, having just spent a week for Christmas in Colorado with my family and recovering from a sinus bug.  The stress, coupled with the nasty cold weather, made the trek around town potentially miserable, but I had an adrenaline rush to explore my new city and home.

I had every intention to live in DC.  I wanted to be close to the action, close to work, close to the nightlife and fun.  I found a few places within my price range-- all studio apartments, but then I was put off by the noise, and surprisingly, the lack of convenience of important things to me, such as a grocery store, nearby.

After a long day exploring DC via Metro rail, I was on a shuttle back to the hotel from the station and realized all the things around me: a shopping mall, drug stores, restaurants, a Costco (BIG selling point), and a 24-hour grocery store.  The area around the Pentagon City Mall in Arlington, Virginia had a lot on my list of wants.

Snow.  I'm so over it now.

After another day of exploring, I found a one bedroom apartment that covered rent AND utilities well UNDER my budget!

I'm getting used to life in DC. It has been hard losing the independence of having a car.  I left my car back with my parents in Florida, so I'm now dependent on public transportation to get around.  I've had to adjust my shopping habits, buy a wheeled cart, and maximize my trips around town. During these months, you want to maximize your trips around town and be efficient also for the fact that it's just so damn cold.  You don't want to waste any moment when you venture out.

I am still figuring out the ins-and-outs of my new job.  New environment, new people, and new challenges are popping up, and I'll admit it's not easy.  I'm trying to make the most of it, maintaining a positive attitude and quickly learn how to best fit into the team.

The other part of adjusting to my new life in DC is the social scene.  I'm still working out ideas to meet new friends and discover new things to do in this city.

Apparently this house was already taken. 

After all the challenges of the last two years, I have been blessed God has pulled me through.

2013 is my year... and I'm claiming it.