first day on the job

Of course I had to take a photo outside his new office when I picked him up on the first day!
(He was less-than-jazzed as you can tell by the look on his face)

Although the hours are already long and it's not even campaign season, 

he really likes his job and it's great experience so I can't complain.

 ...Now I'm just looking for someone to keep me company during the late nights come fall!

our new apartment

Although we still have a few more things to do before our apartment is finished, 

(find a living room rug, more artwork for the bedroom, and buy a few new lamp shades) 

we are excited that we finally are feeling settled here in Washington, DC.

This area is starting to feel like home!

I never thought I'd make the adjustment but it is so beautiful here and

it's hard to not fall in love with a city with the history and action that is here.

I am starting even using GPS less and less each day.

And I took the Metro yesterday! (yes Mom, it is safe)

The only thing I can't get over is the parking,

we have to pay for it wherever we go, including work. 

I just cannot get over it. Ridiculous.

 

 

(below: yes, those are Steve's legs, he didn't want to move for the photos)

 

 

Even though our apartment is small, and a little farther away from a Metro stop than we would like, this will be a great place to live for the next year!

weekend in NYC

This past week Steve & I left DC on Wednesday evening and went up to the Katy Perry Concert in Maryland. I couldn't take my camera in because it has a detachable lense so I had to leave it in the car:(

From the concert we left Maryland at 11:30pm and arrived in New York City around 3:00am. The only good thing about driving at these hours was there was no traffic at the Lincoln Tunnel with never happens! We quickly went to bed when we got there and had a fun 3 days with the Pierce Family in NYC! Thank you again for such a fun trip!

At the Yankees vs Rangers baseball game. 

Rick Bearden and I were the two Yankees fans:)

 

 

We went to Wicked, which is always amazing! 

Erica saw Spidey in Times Square. 

Too bad it wasn't the newest Spiderman Andrew Garfield, extremely good-looking.

Story behind this photo: seconds after I was taking the Korean approach (squatting) while waiting in line for an hour Broadway tickets it started to rain. It wasn't just a light storm, but a downpour for 45 minutes! Just imagine not a single person in Times Square EXCEPT the people waiting in line for tickets! Steve was such a good sport to endure all the rain for the tickets for everyone!

 

Our last night there we went and saw Phantom of the Opera. So incredible!

 The morning we left we went to the Ann Taylor Loft in Times Square, which is where their corporate offices are located. And of course I had to get a picture by them (even if they are under renovation on the outside)

We are excited that part of living on the east coast means New York is only 4 hours away! 

We can't wait to go back soon!

his and hers jobs

Remember last week when I posted about good and bad news? 

Well the day I posted that a lot of good news came our way! 

Steve got a call from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee! 

He started today as a Research Analyst on the Rapid Response Northeast Region Team.

This is the perfect job for him and will certainly open a lot of doors in years to come!

He is so excited to finally be doing what he loves,

and with his office just a block from the Capitol he is right in the action of D.C.

I am starting at the George Washington Law School this week!

I will be an Executive Assistant to 6 deans in the Law School.

I love the school and loved the people I interviewed with so I'm looking forward to it.

This is exciting because it will also save huge on Steve's grad school tuition.

We have been so blessed to find these jobs!

anniversary number two

Yesterday Steve & I celebrated our second wedding anniversary.

Steve is such a blessing in my life. 

Always so patient and loving,

with a testimony and strong faith that always amazes me.

The past two years have been the best years of my life (so far),

and I am so excited to see what the future years bring.

I love you, Steve! 

Nothing says "I love you"like a Sunday afternoon picnic at the national mall.

It was a simple day spent together,

and that it just how it should be.

I love my Dad

 I couldn't let Father's Day come and go without posting about my amazing Dad. 

He is the most selfless man I know. 

He is the hardest working man I know.

He is the most caring man I know.

He is the handiest handy-man I know.

 He is the smartest man I know.

He is the most generous man I know.

Happy Father's Day, Dad - Thank you for always looking out for me!

I love you!

good news/bad news

Steve & I are trying to remain positive around here! Although we are I am starting to wonder when we are going to find jobs and why nothing has come along after 6 weeks of searching. Don't worry I've certainly had a few "what are we doing here?" moments in the past week or so. Although it's been tough, probably the toughest thing Steve & I have ever had to do together and sometimes seems unbearable, I know that everything will work out as it's supposed to. Steve has been so positive through it all, he as demonstrated amounts of faith and confidence that have helped me pull through!  

Thank goodness for husbands!

 

Steve by one of the many George Washington busts located in Foggy Bottom on GWU campus! 
His new school in August!

GOOD NEWS:

Steve & I went on a super fun date to Georgetown last Saturday night. It was so much fun walking the adorable streets, window shopping and just talking. It was a beautiful night and so relaxing.

Steve had 2 second interviews this week! Plus should hear from 2 jobs by Friday!

We played tennis with our new friends last night! Michael & Jessica just moved here from Provo too and we had so much fun with them. Certainly won't be replacing any Provo friends. But it's been fun to make friends here and laugh about the job search together!

We went to the WWII Memorial and walked the mall. Granted we were both so sweaty by the time we were done but it was fun. We've learned the only free activity in this city is walking. Not even parking is free ($4/hour street parking with garages around $10-12/hr), but walking is free. I think we are going to be doing a lot of walking this summer.

Our 2 year anniversary is on Sunday-

We are celebrating by going to the DC temple, Cafe Rio & the Katy Perry concert today in Maryland!

We will be in NYC all weekend with the Pierce Family!

Gas prices went down! 10 cents, but still went down.

BAD NEWS:

George Washington ended up not having a position open up for me in the Law School, or at least not yet. 
So I'm back to square one in the job search...

Steve didn't get the DSCC job, but still waiting for DCCC and APCO

(good news) we were called to be nursery teachers, (bad news) Steve wants to volunteer to teach early morning seminary to get out of the calling (and leave me in there alone!)

Steve's allergies are STILL acting up, they are so bad out here!

We are trying to keep the good news list longer than the bad news! 
Hopefully the good news list gets longer this weekend when Steve hears from other jobs!

photos from the WWII Memorial

 

it's friday, friday! ...lookin' forward to the weekend, weekend

I can't help but sing Rebecca Black's Friday every Friday. So addicting. I love singing it all day, and normally by 6 in the evening I'm dancing around our apartment singing that catchy tune and convincing Steve sing along with me :)

I've been itching to shop the last few days. Although I am always itching to shop, certainly more lately than normal. Maybe it is because I haven't been to Ann Taylor LOFT in 67 days. Or maybe it's because I've been dying to check out some of the great DC shops and flea markets. Or maybe it's because Steve & I both have a couple amazing job possibilities on the horizon (hopefully we will have really great news next week). If this is the case we can finally spend a little bit on clothes and entertainment in the city!  
Compared to our current rule - can only pay our monthly bills and buy food at the grocery store & gas.

I have filled this void of in-store shopping with online shopping. Online shopping is always safe for me because I will never buy anything online, unless of course I've already tried it on in the store multiple times.

Here's what I've been eying on the world wide web the last few days....

Of course I've also been looking at interiors blogs because Steve and I have decided to change a few things up to our decor from Provo. Here's a few photos I'd LOVE in incorporate into our new apartment.

First up is definitely a chevron rug in tan and green or brown. Since most chevron rugs are extremely pricey I think I am going to have to dye on myself - wish me luck!

steve's favorite republican

Saturday night Steve and I took our evening walk around the Lincoln Memorial.
It is always mesmerizing, no matter how many times you visit,
it's so incredible how this memorial looks at night.

My favorite part of the evening was sitting on the front steps
over looking the Washington Monument.

While Steve preferred to discuss whether Teddy or Abe is his favorite republican.
I was trying to brainstorm a list of how many TV/movie scenes are filmed on those steps.

There were middle school tour groups, tourists from across the world 

and even high school prom groups at the memorial.
This made people watching extremely entertaining.

Watching people take photos on the stairs while "holding" the Washington Monument in the distance, like people do with the Eiffel Tower & Leaning Tower of Pisa never gets old.

I'm excited for many summer nights at those steps.

Quilt for Lindsay

Preston and Lindsay have been the absolute best friends the last few years!

Well, Ben and Jake as well but they are our single friends so it's a little different-

The Johnsons define what best friends should be. 

They are two of the nicest, funniest, and most caring people I've ever met.

Whether it be watching NBA games, the Bachelor watching parties, 

workouts at 24 Hour Fitness, BYU sporting events, eating out at great restaurants, 

Preston's guacamole, bowling league, Spades and Dr. Mario, talking about PLL and American Idol, commiserating about our long commutes to work each day, and simply having great conversation,

that is what true friendship is all about.

When I realized Lindsay's birthday was only days before we would be leaving Utah 

I had realized how perfect it would be to make her a quilt for their apartment 

to show them how much we have appreciated and truly cherish their friendship.

The night before Lindsay's birthday was another example
of how amazing the Johnson's are.

Lindsay was so appreciative when she opened the quilt,
and even Preston seemed excited too. 

I'm telling you, they are the two nicest people.

Then Preston made smoothies (as always) and we talked in their kitchen till 1:30am. 

Telling crazy stories and laughing — just like any true friends would.

This is the night I realized how much we were going to miss them when we left Provo,

and for the first time realized the importance of keeping in touch with true friends, 

no matter the miles that keep you apart.

Although they are going to end up in Southern California and us in DC, 

I know we will keep in touch over the years.

Steve has adopted a policy from a family friend and lives by it:

at the end of your life, you'll be able to count your true friends on one hand.

I think that night at the Johnsons I truly realized I've added two friends to my count.

Please excuse the quality of photos — they were taken at night, in our terribly lit apartment 

AND in a hurry because I was anxious to deliver the quilt :)

Weekend Anticipation

I'm excited for this weekend!

The to-do list includes: going to the new X-Men movie, trip to the pool, grocery shopping, having the missionaries over for dinner, evening walk to the Lincoln Memorial, first attempt at making homemade wheat bread, going to the National Archives (hopefully we have better luck this weekend), and shopping at Pottery Barn (thanks to my mother-in-law sending us an entirely too generous gift card!), and as always exploring new areas.

Last night Steve & I stumbled across an area in Arlington called Clarendon.

It was incredibly charming.

Beautiful shops, architecture and landscaping.

The restaurants were adorable with the cutest patio dining.

And there were so many people out, especially for 10pm on a Thursday!

Although parking is a joke (and never free), I love the bustle of people everywhere we go.

This city is beginning to feel like home -

The Potomac is beautiful (at night) and sunsets here rival most I've ever seen.

The Capitol, monuments and memorials are stunning when lit up in the evenings,

and the character of the restaurants and town homes is incredible.

And it helps that the people here are very friendly and courteous.

Sounds cheesy, but I realize how proud to be an American I am

as I pass the Pentagon and Arlington Cemetery on my way to work every day,

or as we walk Constitution and Independence Ave in the district,

or think about the history behind the universities and buildings in the area.

I can't think of a better second home.

We are so excited for the visitors already planning to come this summer,

and hope more will make plans to come as well!

Rachel came to visit!

This was one of the chairs at the Dairy Godmother -

a cute ice cream shop in our neighborhood.
President Obama took his girls to this ice cream shop on Father's Day 2009.

Memorial Day weekend was amazing!

Friday night Steve and I finally finished putting our apartment together

then it was off to pick up Rachel Brubaker from the district!

She rode the bus down from Philadelphia to spend a few days with us.

We went swimming,

and to the Museum of Natural History
and attempted to go to the National Archives
(but the line was too long)
and ate burgers and fries,
played entirely too much Doctor Mario,
and watched movies,
talked about her single life, my married life and her amazing job here,
and reminsced about our high school days.

Rachel was exactly what I needed for the weekend,

after moving to Philadelphia all by herself nearly two years ago,
having lived on the east coast for 2 years now,
she's practically an expert on city living,
and she knows exactly what I have been going through over the last month.

She's so sweet, hilarious, has adorable style,
and is the most loyal friend anyone could ask for.

It was great to have a familiar face around for the weekend.
This is something I never knew I'd be grateful for until we left Utah.
I've come to realized that one of the hardest parts about moving cross country,
(with our closest family member still 700 miles away)
has been not knowing anyone.
Not just family, but friends as well.
During the first few weeks here, I told Steve I simply missed seeing familiar faces.
So take advantage of the familiar faces around you,

and hopefully I'll soon discover a few new ones here:)