My first 48 Hours in DC

Some weird kind of "Wizard of Oz" sculpture at the Dallas Airport. I wanted to sing songs from "WICKED" and see who else had my same thoughts.


Welcome to National Airport -- the ceiling of the Ronald Reagan Airport. My first sight of DC... blocking me from the RAIN.

I am safe and sound in DC. While I have officially been here 48 hours or so [at the time of this post, I've been here 3 whole days and am on the 4th morning], I am already enjoying the people and have the highest hopes for this experience. First, I am not homeless! After the Leadership Conference for the sorority, I reconnected with an alumna who had connections in DC -- she sent out an introduction, and from there, I found so many more willing, wonderful alumnae to help me on this journey. From those introductions, I have a place to stay for both March and April. Before I find a place for May, I will know if I am staying through the summer, and that will affect the length of that particular sublet -- 1 or 4 months. Wish me luck!

Lauren, a UCLA ADPi alumna and her Henry (recent corporate world-retiree and now recording pianist who lived in SPAIN!) picked me up at midnight in the RAIN at the airport and drove me to their house in Northern Virginia suburbs. They couldn't be nicer, have better discussions on what I'm going to do in DC, the people I should meet, and thoughts on opportunities here. Also, they are wine and food "snobs," and I find it hilarious/love it.... mostly because I still think there's nothing better than Kraft Mac and Cheese. They finished up a dinner party to retrieve me from the airport, and welcomed me into their home, stuffing me with leftover Puerto Rican pork and beans with rice and a home-made chutney. I don't even know what a chutney IS, but I was pleased with non-airport food. (This morning Henry made fantastic oatmeal pancakes, and for lunch taught me how to make Spanish Tortilla de Patata... ummmm hello "best food I'll eat while in DC") The short of it is... while I am excited for the "Mega Juicer" or whatever it is that is in my first subletted apartment... this seems like the better option.

Yesterday, We went to Costco yesterday and I picked up coconut water and dates. I don't stick out like a California Hippie at allllllllll. It's actually funny -- a HUGE selling point here, that I heard multiple times in the sales pitches of the sample-offerers, was "grown in California" "made in California"or whatever. I thought, "well, then the winds are with me if I am awesome simply for being from California." Last night, Lauren, Henry and I drove into "The District" to attend a UCLA Alumni Dinner (Dinner for 12 Strangers). Guess what? THE HOST WAS ADPi TOO! We actually knew people who crossed over between our college years, and it was a laugh. I met a lawyer, a man who worked for NASA/DARPA(?), two women doing the UCDC quarter from UCLA (who also knew mutual friends), a woman doing a Dept of State internship (HELLO! THAT IS WHAT I HAVE APPLIED FOR FOR SUMMER!), three people doing a Sustainable Tourism graduate program at GW (HELLO! I WOULD LOVE TO TRAVEL FOR WORK!), a woman who works on the Hill in the building next to me and has done the same fellowship I will be applying for next year (HELLO! NEW FRIEND AT WORK! POTENTIAL REC FOR THE FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION!), and a woman my age looking for work in foreign policy/security (HELLO! SIMILAR INTERESTS! LET'S BE FRIENDS!). Needless to say, this was an excellent introduction to DC, through UCLA, through ADPi. Simply put, what a wonderful place. I took business cards/numbers/emails and came home to immediately work on a business card for myself.

Today, I helped Lauren prepare for her older-ADPi-alumnae wine and cheese soiree she held this afternoon for roughly a dozen ADPi women. It was wonderful to meet more sisters and make connections, and this 35+ older group allowed me to really see that this sisterhood is a lifetime. I already have an upcoming Friday lunch date on the Hill with some of these women, and they have all offered support in one way or another. This makes life SO much easier... not that I will need even HALF the help (hopefully) but it's wonderful to know it's an option. Lauren & Henry have already invited me back for their Wine Dinner on Friday. Please believe, I am excited to return at the end of the week of cooking for myself to normal, delicious food.... that didn't come from a microwave package.

Monday (tomorrow), Lauren and Henry are helping me move into the new apartment in the morning. During the day I will orient myself with my neighborhood and pick up the essentials. In the evening, I have the option of attending a UC-Alumni networking night (which conflicts with the "Show Tunes & Cocktails" event at the Jefferson... DARN!) and Wednesday I will meet more ADPi women at a Happy Hour. I moved out here a week early thinking I'd need the time to apartment hunt, but now will have the time to adjust to the city. Honestly, I wish I could stay longer with Lauren and Henry, which they have graciously offered, but I should get acquainted with my new city. They explained their home is my home whenever I want to come out. Including the ability to do LAUNDRY! That offer may be the nicest thing anyone has said to me HAHA!