Day 3 in the District

Last post for a while, as I'm really only playing catch-up right now.

Monday after I organized the apartment, I took the Metro and walked in the BLUSTERY COLD WIND to the UCDC Alumni & Student Networking night. After THAT choice encounter with nature (not to mention me tripping UP the stairs at the metro... typical), I have not left the apartment without a scarf, gloves, AND a hat. I need to get one of those earmuffs things that wrap on the BACK of your head. Eh, anyway, I turned my scarf into a hood and survived.

Networking night was AWESOME! Yes, Dad, I already put all the business cards where they need to be and am following up! I even ran into a UCLA girl I knew my senior year and, best part, ANOTHER ADPi from UCLA! She was actually the woman who guided me through recruitment, and I didn't know she was ADPi until I pledged. The world works in such weird ways, said goodbye, and I met up with this guy Chris, who works in the Airforce with Jess Giffin.

As I entered this Irish Pub on the circle, I met Chris, the unlucky receiver of my rant about the weather. Even though Chris was a stranger to me, we had talked on the phone while I was in LA after Jess connected us, and I was happy to eat dinner with someone other than my reflection on my first night alone. He is an example of how absolutely lucky I am to have amazing friends who support me and volunteer their friends to show me around. *Thanks Giff*

Tuesday I spent most of my time organizing business cards and finally catching up on things I had put off during the move. Then I popped over to the Safeway and as I was coming out, my friend Vic pulled up (thank god for that car) to take me to dinner. Now, I am used to carrying my own groceries and when I was in Spain I huffed it around everywhere on foot.

It's a totally different story when you live in a moderately questionable neighborhood (calm down, Mom), have literally a dozen bags, and the carts lock up 20 feet outside the store. Since I didn't bring shampoo and all the essentials with me, my bags were laden with the necessary things for me to be presentable in society, and the usual kitchen staples for people who mooch off other people's spices. I get three feet outside the store, and one bag rips open, so I'm carrying my giant package of kale like a small child while trying to balance eggs, and you can see me slouching to one side since the woman put all the bottles and bathstuff together in a too-heavy bag. Vic referred to my walk as a "waddle" and continued to reference how ridiculous I looked all night.

He helped me take my groceries upstairs and we talked about UCLA. Vic was a few years older than me in the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, and best friends with my senior-year roommate, Stephanie. After graduation, he went into the Marines (he had done reserve stuff too) and was relocated out here to finish up school and the like. This summer he's heading back to Southern California to work in the 11th Marines at Camp Pendleton -- don't worry, I already told him he has to be new best friends with the Dana Point group, even though he won't be a 5th. We drove to Georgetown to pick up Evan, another Beta I knew in college, and went to dinner for Indian food. Funny thing is, I probably would have eaten Indian food on this particular night in LA too.

After dinner, Vic was nice enough to drive me to where my NEXT apartment will be in the Northeast Quadrant. It isn't exactly close to anything, to be completely honest. I'm reconsidering if I will move in there, even though the building is nice in a nicer area. I like having a grocery store one block away.

Basically, I am ok and have people here that I can call if I need something. Tonight I am going to meet up for an ADPi Happy Hour in DuPont, and I have already overcooked 6 or so chicken breasts, so I will be fed until Friday.

Anyone want to let me know if I should have just kept them in the fridge or frozen them instead of cooking-to-tupperware-ing them? I thought getting the messy cooking out of the way was smart. Now I have overcooked chicken. Edible, but not my best.

I can see the wind raising flags and plant life outside. Here I go to track my commute to work!