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.

do i know myself, or what?

{Sagittarius via here}

The only horoscopes to which I've ever really paid attention were published by Yahoo! during a stretch in 2007, because they said things like, "you could feel like a vaudeville performer who's just gotten out of their straitjacket while locked in a tank full of water using a tiny golden key and their teeth." I'm not kidding. That was an actual horoscope. HOW AMAZING.

But this one on New Year's resolutions is pretty spot on, too:

Sagittarius

Expansive Sagittarian energy demands both freedom and adventures. Even if you are experiencing tight financial times, resolve this year to do at least one very exciting thing each month. It could be hiking in the national parks, leading a children's sports team, or campaigning for your favorite cause - anything that pushes your limits and expands your horizons will do. The more people you meet, the better you will feel.

Hmm...maybe I should accept a friend's invitation to go skiing at Wisp next month...? If you'd like to know what resolutions you should be making based on your astrological sign {and really, why wouldn't you? :)}, click here.

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!