Friday, July 8, 2011

A Bitter Sweet Goodbye

Yes we are moving to heaven. But I really feel like the city of Washington, DC is heaven. OR at least, heaven grows here.

This morning I woke up at 4:26 a.m. on the dot. This seems to Miss P's choice time to get her mommy out of bed. I realized that is is my second to last day to wake up in my bed in this house. So that is why I was sobbing by 5 a.m. Washington, DC has become the home I always wanted. I hope I make Columbia the same--but it will be hard. The friends we have made here have journeyed with us through some amazing times, and we have been blessed. I thought I would take this post to write some things Greg and I are thankful for as we reflect on our time here in DC. All these groups/places have made this City one we will look at completely differently for the rest of our lives. I know we have been changed. What that change looks like I'm not sure of yet, but I think I like it.


1) Georgetown University

Georgetown was a great opportunity for us both. We both met wonderful people-friends and professional. We both learned how to do stellar academic research. We both graduated with MA's in Communication, Culture and Technology and we both discovered new directions for our careers. Georgetown provided us with many opportunities and privileges and although it was an expensive experience it has put us in an entire new playing field. I could go on for days about why the decision to attend GU was one of the best we both ever made. It broadened my perspective in ways I could never have expected. The friends we made at GU helped us to gain new perspectives and realize that hard work and fun can go hand-in-hand.

2) The Washington Journalism Center

Although I have a lot to thank WJC for in general (our marriage, our decisions to enter journalism, and all the wonderful friends and contacts we have made), during this chapter of our lives it has provided us with an extended family. Greg was paid to work there, I hung around and learned from the students and Terry. This opportunity allowed me to deeper explore and reflect on why I decided four years before to try my hand at journalism--the quest for truth, justice and educating the public at large. WJC became our new Royal Poinciana Chapel and Palm Beach Post at the same time. It allowed us to use our calling to care for people and our passion for journalism in a way that many would not think possible.

3) Zeta Tau Alpha

When I was a sophomore at Baylor looking for a structured social organization--and to honestly start over after a tough Freshman year, ZTA provided me with the opportunity to "seek those things that would ever enrich and ennoble my life." In DC I have been blessed to be part of two groups of women who amaze and astound me with their commitment to caring for the world and each other. Each woman is so unique but we are all so much the same. Through the Washington, DC and Silver Spring Alumni Chapter I have seen love and friendship manifest itself in ways I never saw as an undergraduate at Baylor. These women welcomed me to the area with open arms and will continue to be part of the memories I hold dear in life. I look forward to the day when I can share what this means more deeply with my daughter. I hope she too will find a connection with women--across the country and the world like this someday. ZETA is so much more than a social organization and it stretches beyond college and into life.

4) Mosaic Church of the Nazarene

This section of the post is one of the most difficult to write. First because it was Mosaic that appeared so late in our time here in DC, but its impact is enough to envelope the entire experience we have had here. Greg and I began attending this church after a friend recommended it to us in Fall 2010. We had been attending another congregation and had a hard time with some of the changes going on at that church. We decided to try out Mosaic and several other DC churches. After a visit in November we discovered Mosaic was the perfect fit for us and in January we started working with the worship band there. Mosaic does not pretend to be the place where everything comes together, it does stay true to its calling and in its brokenness it is beautiful. The Kazee family reached out to us, they helped us see that the love of Christ is something that stretches beyond church and can be shared in fellowship with others. The congregation welcomed us as children to a family. The people we met genuinely wanted to get to know us. They became closer than friends and fellow parishioners-they became our brothers and sisters. Because of Mosaic we almost decided to stay in DC for Greg's Ph. D program, but even though we are not staying the church was extremely supportive of our decision to move to Missouri.

5) Other Friends

There are a number of other people who have been there for us. What I like to call "our cloud of witnesses" although they are not just religious relationships. Our Wylie neighbors have made living in the Atlas District a special experience I will rave about to people for years, the people at the places I have worked have each reached out to me in certain ways, those relationships we brought with us from Texas and Florida and Palm Beach Atlantic University and Baylor...they have all made the time here one that has been unique and exciting.

These five areas have served as hubs for our friendships and joys while in The District and I would not trade any one experience for another.

This City is so much more than a place. It is an amazing world with people who are passionate about life. The people here work hard--many of them without recognition. They all come from somewhere else and seek to find a home if just for a little while. This City has taught me about justice, love, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control, and working hard. Thanks to you DC for teaching me what heaven on earth could look like.

Missouri is exciting because it provides a new life--one which will look very different from what we've had here. With a new home, new family and new friends to share life with. This is all very exciting and scary at the same time. But no matter what lies ahead, I hope and pray that the friendships we form in Missouri will be just as impact-full as those we have made here in the District. I hope I can take some of my DC heaven and plant it in Columbia, Missouri.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Saying Goodbye

This is the first in a series of blogs that will bid farewell to our home in the District of Columbia. Greg and I have begun to pack boxes and we are putting things into our new home in Columbia, MO. Here's a list of places/things to do on our bucket list:

1) Lunch at Clyde's in Chinatown (check)
2) Dinner at Chinatown Express (done)
3) Dinner out with Georgetown Friends
4) Mike's Crab House (accomplished 3 and 4 together)
5) Nationals Game
6) Ben's Chili Bowl (5 and 6 together)
7) Ethiopian Food at Etete (done)
8) Paddle Boating on the Tidal Basin (done will post video)
9) Walking along the National Mall (done)
10) Lunch at The Tombs with former Professors
11) Last trip to the Newseum
12) Tacos at the Museum of the American Indian
13) Udvar Hazy Center (done)
14) Trip to The Capitol

Sure there are more I cannot think of just yet....sadly I'll be heading out of town next Saturday so I have less than a week to go and see and do all those things I love about DC. I totally understand what it feels like to be in limbo.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

New Blog

Greg and I just announced our expectation of Baby P in October 2011. We are so excited. Check out the new family blog, Acadian Nest for updates on Baby P!

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Trouble


Trouble with a capital "T" and that ryhmes with... well actually it does not rhyme with it--dogs and cars...
Yesterday I hit a pot-hole and messed up the front passenger-side tire on my car. That meant a second trip to the dealership this week. Again my entire Friday afternoon got rearranged. They are really getting friendly with me at the dealership. I'm praying right now my tire is covered by warranty so it costs around $150 rather than $400.
So I have officially been unemployed for a little over a month. I'm not enjoying it. I like having free time, but I hate not having the money to do things. The one upside to being unemployed is I have plenty of time to spend with my new dog Wylie.
Believe me, he needs the attention. I'm also beginning to understand why I never had a boy dog before. Wylie likes to do boy stuff--chew up the blue New York Times newspaper wrapper, mark the house (only in one place, the same every time), and growl at the postal delivery woman. I've tried several cleaners to get the smell out without much luck. I was using Kids and Pets, but I have not been able to find it in any stores recently. I'm about to break down and order a case online.
Wylie has brought joy to Greg and I though. He is sweet, funny and loves his squeaky toys.
I am hoping I'll get a new job soon. It is really hard not being able to contribute to our income. It is hard to go far on one income in Washington, DC.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Catch-Up

Its February. This is yet another post that will be playing "catch-up" with my super busy life. So here goes... Honestly, after wrapping up my MA Thesis at Georgetown and officially graduating on December 31 there is not too much going on here. This is why I have no reason to not blog. Also my mentees from the Washington Journalism Center are so good at blogging that I feel a bit like a slacker.

In January Greg and I headed to Colorado to ski with my family at Keystone Resort. My sisters and I spent an entire day ice skating on a six acre pond at the Keystone Lodge, we went night skiing and Greg, Catelyn and I tried a double black diamond with moguls (much to the pain of my shins). This was a great trip with my family.

Then Greg and I came back to Washington, DC to welcome a new class of WJC students. This group is extremely enthusiastic, polite and friendly. I love the fact they love the city and have already started to explore areas most groups do not explore.

I started volunteering with a journalism literacy program through The Fishing School here in DC. The building used to be across the street from our house, but they were adopted by ABC's EXTREME MAKEOVER HOME EDITION a little over a year ago and moved to a larger building in the Deanwood Neighborhood. The Journalism program reaches out to sixth grade students at a DC public school. When I started volunteering there I had a much different idea of the DC public school system. I'm still not sure what I think of it now.

I guess the one big thing in Greg and My life that I have not mentioned is the new edition we welcomed to our home the third week of January, our new dog--Wylie. His name was Freckles before but with his new life he got a new name.

See a Video of Wylie Here

Wylie came from the Oldies But Goodies Cocker Rescue. He is red and white and loves his stuffed toys. He weighs around 21 pounds and is 2 years old. Wylie was in and out of foster care and kennels all through the Christmas season. Just before Christmas his owners took him to the vet and asked them to euthanize him because their child was allergic to him. Now he lives with Greg and I in our little blue house. And yes, we named him after our street.

In other news I am still looking for a job. I've been attending networking events and applying to 10 or more jobs a week. Greg and I started taking French classes on Tuesday Nights (he's in the more advanced class), we joined our church praise band, and tonight is the first night of our Mosaic Capital East Face to Face discussion group.

I also scheduled a trip to Texas for the end of February to see family, friends and Baylor. I guess we are pretty busy. But then it is all part of my life's journey.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Surprises

I'm not easily surprised. However, yesterday I came down stairs to find my youngest sister lying on the couch. She surprised me by coming to visit. She spent 17 hours flying from Texas to Baltimore just to get here in time for my master's thesis presentation. This was a great gift, and surprised me for the reason it was unexpected.
This semester has changed me though. I feel like the more I learn about myself the more I surprise myself. The process of writing a thesis yielded an investigation into my passions, desires and my soul. I started a job at the US Institute of Peace which is now over. I wrote a thesis which is all but submitted to my graduate school program. I pulled back from activities that I've been dedicated to since I came to D.C. I joined the Capital City Bike Share. I stopped logging on to Facebook everyday. I found a new spiritual community...or at least I'm trying one out. I planned, changed my mind about a lot of those plans. I changed my hair color to brunette, I lost 15 lbs. I made a lot of great outfits. I ate at every new restaurant that opened on H Street. I reflected.
While I did not blog about most of these things, they lead me to where I am today. I'm actually surprised although I saw what was happening every edge of the way. Looking back I'm not sure when the change happened, but it did.
I know next year (2011) will be one of new surprises. In 10 years I married my best friend, went to college twice, got two degrees, had several great jobs that are molding my career, broadened my understanding of the world, met wonderful people, and met myself in surprising ways.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Highs and Lows

For those of you who might be reading this post--today I think my brain is screwed in strait. This thesis writing thing eats me up. I wish I could continue to focus all of my energy on my Thesis and still be a functioning adult. Somehow, at least recently, that has not be possible. I'm hoping in the next few weeks I can learn to balance my life a little more.

That in mind I wanted to see if any of you can help me with my survey, its for journalists who covered the Haiti earthquake mind you: look here to link to the page with more information
or Click here to take survey