For any of my wonderful readers who did not get the update that I finally moved my blog I am extremely sorry. I sent out e-mails and just realized that I never updated on here.

The new link to my blog is: http://christyclary.wordpress.com/

Just made since to go with a name that can change with me as I travel. So go catch up on whats been going on in Texas and update me with what is going on in your life!

So, I probably should have done this awhile ago. I left D.C. August 1st.

My last week was semi-uneventful. On Monday I went and met Amanda who had lived in the house in the spring for drinks and appetizers. Then I walked to the Mall and met Craig for Screen on the Green. We watched Dog Day Afternoon (1970′s Pachino) and got back to the Center after Midnight.

Friday, a large group of us went out in the city. It was 3 of the peoples in the house last night. So, we went out had a good time and it was a bit crazy. I made it back later then I should have, got little sleep and got up in the morning, packed my car and headed out.

It was a bittersweet departure. I loved my time in the D.C. area. I already miss the city and all the possibilities. It has been really weird to get back into the habit of jumping in a car to go someplace. I mean, there you jumped on the bus/metro or walked.

Being a WOW PA was an amazing experience. It is a time in my life I will cherish for ever. I met some amazing people, experienced some amazing things and worked with some great kids. I learned new skills which I find myself using everyday. I mean, you start looking at a city completely different. The layout, design and how to get from point A-Z.

I feel I should give a better wrap up of my time in D.C. and probably if I had sat down to do this right after I got home this would be more insightful etc. But as I sit here and write this, I know that even though this is my D.C. adventure wrap up, I’ll be back there again. But the clock has just changed to 12:00am and that means my next adventure will be starting in mere hours. Because as one chapter closes, another begins and I will be departing for Texas in just a short period of time.

My blogging will not stop. I’m going to work on figuring out how to merge this blog into a new one for all my diligent followers as I continue on with my rambling life. So, Good-bye D.C. and Hello Texas!

So this was my last full weekend in D.C. I’m not a crying mess yet and maybe I won’t get there, but damn I’m going to miss this city.

First off, let me get this out of the way by saying there is nothing new to report about work. There done.

Monday myself and two of the housemates went to a Nats game. I can now cross that off my ToDo in D.C. list. I had more fun watching the little kids in the row in front of us. Nats lost, suprise suprise. But we still had fun.

Nothing to exciting until Friday, which was really just a random day. One of the roomates asked if I could possible drive her to the mall to pick up some stuff to take to her bosses house the next day for a cookout. I said sure….IF she would go with me to the Wheaton Metro to ride the escalator! Yes, I just typed that. To ride the ESCALATOR. Now why you might ask would I want to do that…well, because its the longest escalator in the western hemisphere! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheaton_(Washington_Metro) read the wiki on it. I’m not kidding. Then read the wikiarticle on all escalators (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escalator) and notice the lengths (its really the longest single span escalator in the WORLD). And yes, we paid the metro fees to do this. The roomates thought I was crazy and this would be the most boring thing ever, but we had so much fun. We rode down, saw the sign that said do not sit on the escalator and well, the other two did, I never did…though I did run down a short bit of it to take pictures. We rode to the top and that was that. HECK YEAH!!!

After that we came back to the house and went through the movies at the house. We ended up watching Beauty and the Beast and then Robin Hood–the cartoon version. YES! Good night. Until at the end of B&B we remembered—you have to rewind VHS tapes. Blew our minds.

Saturday I went into the city to Eastern Market and then around the city just kind of wandering and doing a little shopping. Get home and just chill. Scott wanted to watch B&B so we watched it again. Then I went to U Street with what is left of the CWF PA’s. (Yeah, 7 of pas have moved out. The other two are leaving tomorrow). They had never been before so we went. We stopped at a small little place with live jazz. Stayed for a little while and left. We then went to Ben’s Chili Bowl got some food and headed back. Very chill night.

Sunday = GETTYSBURG! That is right, I have finally made a trip to Gettysburg. My two roomates and I left a little after noon. We made good time there and made a stop at some place people back home will find out about later…teeheehee. Then we headed to the battlefields. We parked at the first parking lot we found and just started walking. We walked for a good while and just explored the battle fields. It was great. Some day I will go back and explore more, maybe do a tour. Its hard to explain here what I saw and and such, but it was fun. Pictures and in person will be better. But we started walking down the road back to the car and decided to take the path to the visitors center. Which was a waste of my time. The museum costs money, so yes you can get a map, and then there is a bookstore. Thats really it. So I grab a map, look through the store and we decide to walk back the nice path back to the car.

As soon as we walk outside, we heard the first clap of thunder. First it was just a little rain, then the skies opened and it came crashing down. POURING down rain. I’m wearing flip flops and jeans. We are attempting to run. Not going well. Finally we get to the road, I take off the flip flops and we stop under a tree with a lot of coverage and its raining even harder and we decide to go for it. Take off for the car where I have to hide under another tree to block the rain to find the key. We get in, rain is coming down harder. I can’t even see, and then the windows fog up. Bah.

We finally made it out of there and on to Dairy Queen. Colin had said if I ever went to Gettysburg I had to go to DQ. They don’t take blizzard flavors off their menus. If its ever been in that store, you can still get it basically. AWESOME! Then we took off to drive home, still sopping wet. JJ had seen a bbq place on the drive in and asked if we could stop. I say sure and we are looking for it and we pass the sign for the Mason Dixon Line. We had seen the sign on the way in and decided we wanted to get pictures on the way out. But it was raining. We pulled a U turn (legal) and went back though. Teish decided she WAS going to get a picture with the sign. So she jumps out and runs across the road. I took pictures from the car. We then pulled another U turn (legal again) and headed back to Maryland again. We see bbq place…CHUBBY’s SOUTHERN BARBEQUE. It was bad though because I didn’t realize there was a left hand exit, went to the right, we had to go up a road, get back on the highway and pull yet another legal U Turn. But we got back to Chubby’s which equaled Best meal in a LONG time. It was this little side of the road diner type place. Amazing food. You walk in and the smell was just overwhelming goodness. Seriously, if YOU ever go to Gettysburg area, find this place.

After that it was just a ride back to the center. Nothing to crazy beyond laughing about all the random moments and listening to Texas Country there and back.

We’ve been trying to make plans for the week. Basically we are trying to do something each night because Teish is leaving this weekend too. Its going to be a long work week because we are going to make the most of this week.

Bittersweet.

Ok, well maybe not all around town, but I did spend the day in the city.

I only have this weekend and next left in the D.C. area and so I have to make the most of them. I had just planned on sleeping in until I woke up and then go into the city after lunch. I’ve been fighting something off this week an haven’t felt the best, not been able to sleep at night and been overly tired so sleep was welcomed. But through a series of unfortunate events, I woke up at 9am and did not get back to sleep (grr). I ended up just sitting around this morning reading and then went to lunch with Zach at the cafe. After that I headed into the city.

First stop was the National Building Museum (former Pension Building). Theresa had told me that I should add this to my list of museums to see before I left. It was a nice museum, but I would have enjoyed it more if the employees would have left me alone. Every time I walked into a room they would talk to me and I couldn’t enjoy the exhibit or I felt like they were following/staring at me. It was kinda creepy. There was an exhibit on designing the city that I enjoyed. As a PA I talked about the layout of the city and the design of it quite extensively. I also had to memorize the names of the various architects of major D.C. buildings so this was a very cool exhibit—until I saw the name Peter L’Enfant. Pierre L’Enfant was the man who planned the layout of Washington D.C. I understand that Peter is the english version of Pierre, but for some reason it really irked me that they Americanized his name. I couldn’t look at the display the same way anymore.

After that I walked to the National Gallery of Art (west wing). I passed by the Newseum on my way and checked out the front page newspapers. I walked through very few exhibits at the Art Gallery. I started feeling sick and needed to sit down for awhile. While I was there I did see Monet’s, Van Gogh’s, Manet’s and Toulouse-Lautrec’s. All artists whose work I can remember studying in High School. Most specifically that stood out was the Monet’s Woman with a Parasol. Probably because it is the one paining I immediately recognized.

Following the Art Gallery I located a place to sit and relax in the Sculpture Garden around a large fountain. It was great. I sat and read for awhile and then soaked my feet in the fountain. After that I spent a few minutes in the Hirshorn before I started feeling ill again. I attempted to go to CVS and got there 7 minutes after it closed. I then tried to buy some souvenirs but after a rude attempt with a street vendor gave up  on that. I grabbed a drink from McDonalds and walked up Capitol Hill.

Walking up Capitol Hill I see a guy wearing a shirt that says “I Hate Ohio State.” I’m wearing Ohio State of course and say, its ok, I hate Michigan. Not sure if they actually heard me or not, but one of the girls he was with said, its so awkward. Not 2 seconds after that encounter, and I know they heard this…I got OH’ed of course I responded with a very loud IO. hehe GO BUCKS!

I then found a table outside of the Madison building of the Library of Congress, with a great view of the Jefferson Building and sat and read for awhile. When I finished I walked up to Good Stuff Eatery for lunch. Now I had heard from Lauren and a few others that I should try this place out. I put it on my list, but it wasn’t a priority, until I found out who owned the place. Spike from Top Chef. Now I love Top Chef, some seasons are better than others, but I love the show. But, Spike because of the character he was, is one of my all time favorite contestant’s. So, I have been saying since I found out he owned the place I had to go. So, I set out today with plans of eating dinner there. I walk in the door and the first employee I see is SPIKE! I go over and get in line and somehow get cut off by 3 groups  who come in after me. Seriously rude and oblivious people. But, I finally order my food, burger and shake and the women asks if I went to Ohio State. Ok, so maybe the OSU shirt and the OSU debit card are clues that I might just LOVE OSU. Her parents went to MSU. I told her I wouldn’t hold it against her, we have mutual enemies. I stood and waited and then when my buzzer went off, Spike was the one organizing the food for pickup. Would have loved to see him on the grill, but this way, I got to talk to him! Ok, so maybe it was a 6 word conversation, but still, it kinda made my day. I did not take any pictures, I’m not that big of a stalker. Overall, the burger was good (small but good) the shake was so/so. I wouldn’t buy that one again.

After that I spent an hour and a half on the trip back to WaHa. Good ole metro delays and running on one track.

So I wrapped up my time as a WOW PA. But, was then told about another opportunity here at Council that I should apply for since I hadn’t found a job yet. I’ve been applying for various things, but nothing has panned out so far. By that, I mean, except for one no one has contacted me what so ever. Even when I’ve tried to follow up.

So, for the month of July (I started today) I will be working for ACCESS 4-H. This is an enrollment system that Council is working on rolling out. I’ll be doing some of the data entry type stuff to help them prepare. It won’t always be the most stimulating job, but it is a job and ACCESS will be a great overall program.

What this means is, that I won’t be home until the end of July/Beginning of August. And then I will only be there for about two weeks. I applied and interviewed for a position with The Outdoor School. I had my first interview June 26th while by group was here. I actually was in the city sitting at the Holocaust Museum Cafe. I had a second interview last week with the director of TOS. I received a call yesterday that they were extending me an offer for a position. I have till the end of the week to accept, but I’m planning on accepting. So, I will be moving to Marble Falls, TX in August.

This is another temporary position. And it is 20+ hours away from my parents. But I think this will be a good experince for me. I’m excited and I think it will be awesome.

No news on how long I’ll be in D.C. I just won’t be coming home Monday the 6th.

Jason arrived on Wednesday. We went out and met people from the house in Cleveland park for $.25 wings. After that we just came back to the house and hung out. Thursday we went into the city and walked, a lot. We went to the Natural History Museum, walked to Chinatown for lunch. Went to the Portriat Gallery, walked back to the mall. Went through the Folk Life Festival on the mall and then walked to WWII, Vietnam, Lincoln, Korean Memorials. Back to Lincoln to weather the unexpected rain storms. Then walked to Foggy Bottom to catch the metro home.We picked up some grocery’s in Friendship Heights and then came back to the house, had dinner and relaxed. Busy day. Friday we slept in a little, then Jason and Brian (housemate) and I went to the zoo. Brian was mad because the animals were on vacation and not moving. We came back, ate dinner at the center and watched multiple episodes of StarWars with Scott and Zach.

Saturday-HAPPY 4th of JULY!!! We left the house at 9:30 (Jason, Zach, NeKeisha, Darielle, Scott, JJ, and myself.) We went and staked out some prime real estate on Constitution and 9th for the parade. Two others met up with us and while we waited we played some cards and protected seats. Some of the others showed up later but there was no room for them on the curb at that point, so they stood behind. The parade was great. They had big balloons. Which were a complete disappointment at the Cherry Blossom Parade, but they did not throw candy which disappointed others. After the parade we walked and got lunch. We walked to the Old Post Office Pavilion and discussed going to the tower, but there was a wait so we passed it up and went to American History Museum. After that we walked down past the White House and decided to enter the fenced off area around the Washington Monument. Our plan had been to find shade, but we sat out in the sun for better view of fireworks. We played some cards, walked around some in groups to save the seats. We were sitting near the Army Band Stage, and Mark Wills performed. We didn’t have a view of him, but could hear pretty well.

The fireworks started at 9:10. There was music from the stage, but hard to hear because we were so close to where they were shooting off the fireworks. The fireworks were pretty much directly over top of us. Not kidding. I don’t know if they were the best display I’ve ever seen, but they were amazing and being so close just made it better. Then came metro madness. We debated just sitting around waiting for the crowd to pass and then just decided to brave the masses. We were right next to 17th street so we just needed to walk to Farragut North and we’d be on the red line. Well, a lot of people had that plan. At one point, I was walking the yellow line on 17th. People in cars were just sitting there, but what did they expect? Finally the police made us walk on the sidewalk, so we mostly complied. We made it to the metro and it was PACKED. The trains were running ever 2 minutes (crazy) and we had to wait for about 4 trains before we could get on. We weren’t standing in the best position or we could have probably got on faster. People were just pushing and shoving trying to get on. And we were yelling at people to make room. Like the guy who was sitting by himself and not sharing his seat. Finally the train we got on pulled into the station and was fairly empty. We cheered. We metroed to Bethesda and walked back from there. We weren’t sure what the holiday bus schedule would be. We made it back to WaHa aroun 11:10.

AND I AM A LOBSTER. My sholders and nose are fried. Vinager was my friend last night.

Today Jason and I went into the city and went to the Old Post Office Pavilion. We went to the top of the tower and I was able to point out some things on the D.C. and Virginia landscape to him. After that we walked to Air and Space Museum and explored there. At one point they had an infrared camera set up. It really detects blood flow. Most people stood in front of it and there faces would be a light yellow/orange and their bodies would be blue. I stood in front of it and my face was orange bordering on red (Jasons too) and my shoulders and chest were yellow. Covered by a shirt. No one elses were showing up like this. I pulled up my sleeve and the tops of my shoulders turned BLACK and then radiated out into shades of red. Told ya I was a lobster.

After that we walked to the American Indian Museum and then through the Botanic Gardens, the building was already closed. From there we walked to L’Enfant Plaza to get on the metro. We were walking and I saw a CVS and this made me super excited because it meant I wouldn’t have to go later. But it was closed. On a Sunday. I’m used to all CVS’ being 24hrs here people, and they weren’t even open. We get to the metro and the escalator isn’t working, and we realize its gated. So, we took off walking again and found the other entrance. Back to the center, ate dinner and then I went to CVS to buy Aloe Vera. I slathered it on about an hour ago, and I’m about ready to go reapply. I’d really like to keep my skin from peeling, but I’m afraid its inevitable. I rarely peel, but I rarely burn this bad.

Jason is leaving in the morning and I’m sleeping in until I go speak with someone about staying longer.

And its a day late, but once again, Happy Independence Day!!!

So, I know it has been forever since I posted, but until this week I’ve led a boring life.

Recap of before this week: I did make a trip to the National Portrait Gallery, so that is marked off my to do list. A large group of us went out for Mexican food that night. And that’s been the only exciting thing that I can remember right now. Last weekend, I was pretty much a bum the entire time. I kept trying to get people to go out with me and no one would. I spent some time at the Wheaton Mall and dropped off a library book. Other than that, I bummed around. Took a walk down the street to the diner, pharmacy, grocery store and coffee shop we didn’t know existed till a few weeks ago. Heather didn’t come to visit–we’ll leave that their.

At work I’ve just been doing random tasks. Name tags, filing, tallying evaluations and some website content stuff. Nothing to wild and crazy. I did get to blow out candles on a cake for the 50th anniversary of center.

On Monday there was a Metro crash. The red line is the line that I take to get into the city, but the accident was on the opposite end of the line. Three of my roommates needed to take the red line to get home and were stranded at Union Station. So they called me to the rescue and I traversed downtown D.C. traffic and we all survived! This was the first time I’d driven in downtown so I was pretty happy about this.

But this week I had my last group and they were 4-Hers. Monday and Tuesday I finished tallying and did the wrap up stuff for my group. They arrived Wednesday morning and literally they pulled in, I jumped on the bus and we took off for the National Cathedral. Which started the beginning of a long but pretty awesome group. I was on the front of the bus talking to the chaperons. I had given the kids some info on me and where we were etc. and was now going over some stuff with the chaps and giving directions to the bus driver. This led to the moment when my eyes had to of lighted up…the kids started singing camp songs! The chaps apologized for it and said, that’s our group of counselors back there and some of them just got out of camp. I told them not to apologize that it had kind of just made my day! I have tried to get all my groups to sing, and now I had one that started on their own.

This group had a crazy packed schedule. I actually had two bus drivers, they switched mid week. My first driver knew the city much better than the second, which meant I had to give directions pretty much constantly. But they were both great guys who listened (most the time). The first driver actually owns the company. He told me that in the time he has been bringing groups to D.C. in general and staying here, I was the best tour guide he had ever had. I knew how to give directions and alternate routes if something was backed up. He said he was very impressed with this and told me this, and apparently all my chaperons and the relief driver too, because they all told me. This made me very happy because I’ve always been good with directions, but I did learn the city and that is something I wanted to do so that I could give good directions.

The group had spent 2 days in New York before coming to D.C. and we had late nights every night so they never caught up on sleep. But they kids were amazing. I felt bad because there schedule was so packed they didn’t get to spend a lot of time at anyone place. I think they would have liked to do less and see more. They had a heavy walking trip and that is rough too, especially with the heat. I got a little sun burnt one day and I’d tried to stay under tress shaded most of the day. I also got to go see Oklahoma at Tobys again. Good show.

Friday we went to the Marine Corps Parade. Unfortunately we were in chairs which made it difficult to see because of tall people in front of us, but it was still a great show. While we were waiting to get in though, a storm rolled in. It was a 15minute heavy downpour with high winds. A family was killed driving near the 4-H Center from a falling branches. A tree was uprooted near the Jefferson Memorial. We weathered the storm standing under an overpass. Luckily the Marines heard that the storm was coming and got us there right before the storm hit. Unfortunately, our driver was not able to go to the show with us because of his arthritis, after the storm hit he didn’t want to chance being out in the rain. He did walk up and listen to some of the show, but couldn’t get in the gates after it started. But, while we were standing in line, I talked with a few of the kids that I hadn’t got to know that well yet and we were teaching each other new songs. Yesterday was the first chance I got to go sit with the kids on the bus, besides the ones in the very front. They were singing and I joined in from the front and I heard a few go ohmigod she knows the song! So then, I led a few songs and when the driver was to a point he knew where he was going, I moved to the back of the bus to sit with the ones that were leading the songs.

After we got back to the Center I prepped for my workshop. I don’t really like doing a workshop on the last night, just because with this one, how a bill becomes a law, we’ve already talked about so much of the stuff. But, I started it out by doing a team building activity (corporate maze) and the kids really enjoyed it. They had never done it before, nor had my chaps (they said they were going to take it back with them). We then went through the workshop, and though I didn’t think it was my best ever, but they liked it and said that it really did help the understand congress a lot better. After it was over they filled out evaluations and gave me a small gift of things from Missouri. Then we sang a few songs for one last time and they went to pack and load some stuff on the bus.

I got up this morning and said goodbye to them. They pulled out around 8:00am. It was sad to see them leave. I really really enjoyed this group. Even with the few downsides, it was an awesome week and a great group to go out on. YAY for 4-Hers on WOW groups.After they left, I went back to sleep until about 1pm. I needed that sleep. I really felt like I was at camp this week with the schedule I was keeping. I then just bummed around for the rest of the day.

So, now to the maybe part of the wrapping up…I have to write my debrief and tally evaluations and that wraps up my time as a WOW PA. Jason is flying in on Wednesday and is planning on driving home with me on the 6th…but I may be staying in D.C. for an extra 4-6 weeks. I have to speak with someone tomorrow to determine if this will be happening or not. If it is, then I told Jason I would pay for his return flight home.

I’m sorry to those readers who this does not work into your plans. I know I had personally planned on spending the month of July in the pool. But I do have student loans to pay. My car, oh how did I forget that part…My car is PAID OFF!!! I made the last payment last weekend. Anyway, I have bills. And an additional 4-6 weeks of having income, no matter how small is a good idea. And, it gives me 4-6 more weeks of exploring D.C. a city that has taken a small part of my heart. I don’t know if I could live here permanently, but I know I could stand a few more weeks here. And well, I’m taking the attitude of if its meant to be it will, and this has kind of fallen into my lap. AND 4-6 more weeks of trying to find another job. Actually, keep your fingers crossed for me. No more details for right now, but maybe more this week as I find things out.

Ok. Enough for now. Its long, but the past 4 days rocked and I had a few other random notes to add in. Lets hope I get good news and update again this week!

P.S. I got a new roommate. She moved stuff in Friday, but no one saw her until today as her mom is in town too.

Well, not much has really happened since I last posted. Work has been kind of boring. they have been trying to keep me busy, but it is slow at times. I spend the extra time I have searching for jobs. I’ve applied for a few. Now I just have to wait and see.

I did a dayview last Saturday. Nothing earth shattering there. I will say it was one of my better trips, so that made me happy. Sunday I tried to get some things crossed off my D.C. to do list. But, it didn’t happen that way. I was trying to get to the Teddy Roosevelt Island. I metroed to Rosslyn and was going to walk the supposed 6 blocks. Well, I couldn’t figure out how to get there. After looking at the posted street maps, it appears you had to walk along the GW parkway and I didn’t think that was a good idea.

Colin moved out Wednesday. Which means, not only have they not had much work for me, I also have no one to really talk to at work. Its kinda sad. I’m the last one standing. He is supposed to come back and visit before I leave. Some Saturday so the CWF pas are off work.

Last night I got to go see Oklahoma at Toby’s in Columbia. It was opening night and a very good show. The Florida delegation had extra tickets and offered them up to anyone who would like to go. Craig and I took them up on the offer and enjoyed 3 hours stuck in traffic. There was a Taylor Swift concert at the Merriweather Pavillion, which is RIGHT next to Tobys. Apparently they had 20,000 tickets sell out in 3 minutes. Part of the issues with the traffic was the fact that the police would randomly stop traffic from turning into certain parking lots. And one of those turns is the ONLY way into Tobys from the road we were on. Tobys management went and talked to the officer sitting outside the lot, and let them know to let the big red bus through. And lo and behold they finally did! We made it to the show about 10minutes before it was supposed to start. The buffet had already been taken down, so they had made us plates, covered them and had them sitting at our seats.

I moved rooms. I am now downstairs in Colin and Nicks old room. It just made sense for me to move so that when I move out in 3 weeks, the rooms are even. I attempted to pack some of my stuff up at I moved.

I’m hoping tomorrow to mark something off my D.C. to do list. Heather is coming next weekend to visit (YAY!!!) so we will be marking several things off then I hope. I thought about going to Gettysburg tomorrow. I’ve never been and its only an hour and a half away. But, I think since its the CWF pas day off, I may stick around here and go out to dinner with everyone and try to go to Gettysburg on Sunday.

Only 3 full weeks left in D.C.

I made the drive back on Sunday. It was uneventful. I stopped multiple times along the way so that lengthened the trip, but I was trying to find different things I wanted and so on. I still made good time and made it back just right as dinner opened. Three more people have moved in—we are filled!

But while I was home… Thursday I just chilled around the house as I said last time. Mom picked me up some books so that made my weekend. Friday was Hayden’s birthday party. I went to town with mom and did some shopping. So weird to be back in Chillicothe. After a trip to the Amish and picking up lunch it was kind of just prepping for the party. Jen and Eric showed up around 6pm. Nan got there around the same time. I tried to convince Hayden to jump into the “pond” in the front yard to get the rubber duckies. Jen caught him before made it and called him back. Later, when I was NOT in the backyard though, he did jump fully clothed into the kiddie pool Brigitte had set up. The water was freezing and when he turned blue we told him no more. It was a good time, nothing to crazy. Saturday I lounged around the house again. I went to town to get parts for my car and pick up dinner. There was a tornado watch and I ended up in Brigitte’s basement for awhile. I wasn’t really worried, but I just went and sat down there and read while Chloe freaked out and dad stood on the back porch.

Sunday was uneventful also, dad, Zach and I worked on my car. My car has been having issues with starting. I was having to jump start my car way to much during the months of March/April/May. I hadn’t had to jump my car since May 7th though when I went to the concert with Lauren and we got stuck in traffic (meaning it was running for over 2 hours-longest trip since my drive to D.C.). Anyway, I had the battery checked in D.C., and in Ohio. It was fine, so was the alternator, so we decided to just change the cables. I’m under the car disconnecting the cable, and realize the ground wire was not attached to ANYTHING and never had been. Apparently it was touching the frame, but my car should not have been starting as it was. But, I have new cables and all are connected.

I still have no news, for those of you who know what I’m waiting for. I’ve been working longer days this week to make up for taking Monday off since I only have a dayview and not a group this weekend. Unfortunately, there isn’t much for me to do at work but I’m finding various small projects to try and keep busy. Colin has a group starting today, and then our dayview on Saturday. But then, he is leaving on Wednesday now. I don’t know what I’m going to do being the only WOW PA left, to weird.

Friday the WOW PA’s went out on the town for one last time. Amanda came over to visit and then we walked to Bethesda, along with one of the new kids Zach. It was a crazy night. Oh boy was it. Fun times, and really thats all the details I care to share here

Saturday, my group arrived. They showed up an hour early and Nick and I were not prepared. But, luckily their rooms were not ready which meant we had a little time to continue sorting out their room keys. The group went fairly well. No big issues that weren’t out of our control—like roads being shut down. I am happy to say that I was able to navigate the city fairly well. Unfortunately we did have to miss the concert and other events, but it was still a good weekend.

When we got back to the house on Monday. I took a nap and then everyone else got back and we cooked out. Chef Z has been great with providing us with random food. We sat around the living room and wrote random questions down and answered them for some laughs.

Tuesday morning the CWF PA’s took their exam Tuesday morning. They think it went well…but more importantly/sadly Lauren also moved out Tuesday morning. She left early to catch her flight back to Cajun Country. It is so weird that our time in D.C. is coming to a close. Some days it seemed like time was moving so slow, but now it feels like we just moved in and we are moving out.

Wednesday morning I went to work early and then realized I had my hours for the week. So I decided to take off early. I left work around 2:00pm, loaded my car and pulled out around 2:30 for Ohio. I came home for Hayden’s 2nd birthday which is tomorrow. Once again it is sad because I said goodbye to Nick, and more than likely, he will be gone on Monday when I get back. Colin is driving him to New Jersey to meet up with his family sometime on Monday. Which goes back to Colin and I were supposed to have a group the 6-8th. But we found out that it is just a Dayview on the 7th and so, he will probably move out earlier then planned. So crazy.

But I made good time to Ohio. I’ve just been sitting around the house today watching movies and talking with my mom, dad and Brigitte (who may have been more excited to see my phone). I saw the grandparents last night and grandma stopped by again today. Elly and Bo visited today too. I’ve barely had to leave the house and people keep popping up. Tomorrow is Hayden’s birthday party so I’ll get to see the kids and the rest.

Well, lets keep our fingers crossed I get a good phone call tomorrow. If I do, expect another post…