please look after this bear. thank you.

Poor little bear didn't stand a chance. And, did you see what happened to the tree in the background??

SEE : snow white

So it took SNOtorious B.I.G. {No? Snowpocalypse? Snomgasm? How about Snowmageddon? It's what SnObama prefers.} for me to finally update my blog, but I wanted to share with you the ridiculous weather-beating DC got this weekend. These pictures were taken using my cell phone {I still haven't bought a new camera to replace my old one}, so please excuse the quality.

Patio Table & Chair, Arlington, VA. 2/6/10.

{I actually prefer having 16-some inches of snow on our wall. Our neighbors {on that side} are sketch.}

Mailbox Wearing a Hat of Snow. 2/6/10.

Please Come In! 2/6/10.

Trees. 2/3/10.

The last photo is from a snow storm we got earlier in the week, but it's my favorite picture taken of the snow so far. We're expected to get some more snow on Tuesday, Wednesday, AND next Sunday, so there may be more snowy photographs in this blog's future. Basically, I live in Alaska.


PS: Regarding the last link: Yes, I totally watched Rock Star: INXS. Marty was my favorite, obvs.

it may be the antidepressants talking, but i'm feeling somewhat optimistic about 2010.

{title via someecards.com}

2009 may not have ended well {and the five-month period I spent looking for jobs was a little rough}, but there were some definite highlights that keep me from declaring it a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad year:

• in the beginning of the year, I was living and playing in New York City;
• I received my Master's in Social Work from Columbia University;
• I got a job where I'm actually using my education and internship experience {gasp!} and moved to Washington, DC {or, more accurately, Arlington, VA}...

...okay, so that's only three things. But there are lots of little things that were great, too {indulging my inner child with regular cupcake runs, starting this blog, decorating my first real place...}, and I'm cautiously optimistic that I'll be a little more figured out by the end of this new year. {One can always hope, I guess.}

And thus:

Goals for the New Year

1. Run a 5K. My expectations are low. I don't care if it takes me 2.53 hours to finish; I just want to cross that finish line.
   Game Plan: I've begun preparations for this goal, albeit unexpectedly: I won a gift card to Famous Footwear from the lovely Anna at Around the Way Girl, and I think I'm going to be practical and purchase New Balances with it. And! I've bookmarked the Couch to 5K Running Plan! I don't care what you say; that's progress.

1. Learn a new language. I want to learn a lot of languages, actually, but as it stands now, I can speak English and Banglish {an atrocious mix of Bangla/Bengali and English, of course}, can order a taco in Spanish, and can say "un ananas ne parle pas. ce n'est pas possible!" in French. Very useful.
   Game Plan: Register for Arabic via Rosetta Stone... which is available to me at no cost via my job {how awesome is that?!}. I will go to Egypt and ride a camel yet! {Long story.}
   
   
2. Read 12 books. What did I say about low expectations? Last year I read a total of 8 non-graduate school-related books {I KNOW}, though I started {and bought} about 5x that many books. This year, I have a TV. Disaster waiting to happen.
   Game Plan: Read?
   
   
3. Take a trip to India. {Or maybe Egypt? I can use my newly-acquired Arabic skills!} I really want to see the Taj Mahal. Maybe I'll take my mom. {My dad has already been twice, the bugger.}
   Game Plan: Work like mad, don't take any vacation or sick days, and then buy a ticket {or two}!
   
   
4. Do something unexpected {for me} every once in a while. Go camping {"I hate outside!"}. Make a quiche. Take a dance class. Paint something for my room. ...Run a 5K. :)
   

happy new year, friends!
it's going to be a good one. i can feel it.

a home of my own

So I've been traipsing all over the DC Metro Area {through rain, biting winds, and a bad sense of direction} in order to find a suitable living space. After much effort, I have found the {almost} perfect place:

How charming is this kitchen? I love the pale green tiles and white cabinetry...

...and the little dining nook {and the scrollwork on the balcony}...

...and the rafters, the splash of red on the walls,
and the curtain that separates the bedroom area from the living room area.

The only problem? It's in France. {That would be a long and expensive commute, but what a gorgeous view.}

{Images via here.}

I'm looking at a few more apartments this weekend. Let's hope one of them works out!

***

have a great weekend!

retail therapy

I am frustrated.

Last week I bought new glasses and was assured by the Lenscrafters associate that I would receive them before I left for D.C. {tomorrow!}. This morning I was told that my hi-fi high-index lenses won't be shipped until tomorrow.

And then, when I went to pick up a copy of my records from the health department {to prove I have been properly immunized and vaccinated for work}, I was informed that my files may have been lost in the transition to an electronic filing system.

{frustration!}

Yes, I am one of those people who sweat the small stuff.

And, yes, I am also one of those people who tend to partake in a little retail therapy to make me feel better {although I never really need a reason to shop}.

My wishlist, as of late, has been very home-centric. Maybe I'll blog about my favorite items and design aesthetic {which is basically Moroccan/Middle Eastern/"ethnic" + French + country + a tad bit modern + pseudo-vintage + whatever strikes my fancy, otherwise known as "eclectic" or "a hot mess"}, but for right now I wanted to share a print that I lovelovelove and think is appropriate for today and the next few days:

{Via The Love Shop here}

PS: I also love these prints from The Love Shop:

love is the new black // je t'aime //
it always seems impossible until it is done

...and the multiple "oh my chandelier" prints as well.

PPS: Thank you guys for your encouragement and kind words! You all are very sweet, and your comments made my day!

what a way to make a living

I have some news. Good news, in fact. Remember when I went to D.C. early in October? Well... after five months of job hunting, I have been offered {and have accepted} a grant writer position at a nonprofit organization in the district.

{Huge sigh of relief.}

Alexis Bledel as the "We Can Do It!" woman
(found here via Glamour)

I'm lucky, I know, to have gotten a) a job b) that I wanted c) where I can actually use my graduate education and internship experience.

But I am more than a little worried about making the transition from a lazy bum {not that all unemployed people are lazy... just me} to working girl, and having responsibilities, and being a grown up, and having programs and people depend on my ability to do my job well.

{Deep breath.}

reward dependence

{Phew.}

I am back home, a little more hopeful about my employment prospects {fingers crossed! xx} and a little tired of talking about myself {though, apparently, not tired of writing about myself}. I like to pat myself on the back for doing things I should be or need to be doing in the first place {like interviewing for jobs}. {Let's pretend it's positive reinforcement. :)} Most of the time, these reinforcers come in the form of either food or fashion: after one of my interviews I bought a new sweater; after the other, a new dress; and at the end of the week, I celebrated by treating myself to Vietnamese.

Grilled Scallops and Shrimp on Rice Vermicelli from Four Sisters,
Falls Church, VA.

If you ever find yourself in the D.C. Metro area and craving Vietnamese, I definitely recommend Four Sisters. Their menu is comprehensive and their food delicious and reasonably priced. {I also recommend getting the shrimp toast. I didn't think it sounded very appetizing, but oh, it was. so. good.}

Also in reward, I slept in on Friday {the only day I didn't have interviews scheduled} and then, channeling my inner Gossip Girl, spent the afternoon on the steps of the National Museum of Natural History {not quite the Met, but...} with Le Petit Prince and a salty oat cookie and Japanese sweet green tea from Teaism.

Salty Oat Cookie and Japanese Sweet Green Tea from Teaism, Washington, DC.

Hmm... Perhaps my need for reward is a bit excessive...

traveling light

{Image via here; edited using Picnik.com}

I've spent most of the afternoon trying to figure out how to pack two suits and a week's worth of clothes, shoes, and other everyday essentials {flat iron, accessories, make up, etc.} into a carry-on for my trip to D.C. next week. {I have two interviews scheduled, which is the most I've had all summer. Long distance job hunting is hard!} I generally do not travel light, but I am flying Delta, which like most airlines, charges $15 for the first checked bag {one way} + $5 if you don't check your bags online. Frustration!

{I know... I might have to bite the bullet and fork over the $30.}

Sometimes I opt for comfort when I'm traveling, but often, especially when my suitcase is overflowing, I'll layer on items -- jackets and sweatshirts and bulky shoes -- that take up the most space. {It's not very chic.} the glamourai has some useful advice on packing jewelry and such, which I will keep in mind as I reorganize my suitcase yet again. If any of my fellow travelers out there have advice on packing or traveling in general--

do you roll your clothes to keep them from wrinkling?
or do you just fold them?

what can you not leave the house without?

-- please share!