first photos from DC, 10 things 10 days have taught me, and the idea to start a snarky advice column.

{mine.}

I've spent the last ten days being busy. And constantly surrounded by other people. My first moment of reprieve was on Sunday morning, when everyone went to church and I stayed at home to breathe.

But let me back up.

I got here the night of January 19th. I've been staying with a friend and her two room mates until I find my own apartment (I have some leads - keep your fingers crossed, PLEASE!). I've started my part-time internship, interviewed and got a part-time job that will pay some bills, and have felt overwhelmed. I've made a few new friends, gotten closer to the friend that I'm living with, and done so much apartment hunting that I think I should be allowed to design my own now because I could do it well. (Sorry, every architect I just insulted.)

10 days in DC has taught me a lot.

People are nicer here than everyone "warned me" they would be. I don't know if it's because Texans want to be the most hospitable ever (we are!), but every time I told someone I was moving to the east coast, they would saying something along the lines of, "You know, people in the Northeast just aren't as nice as people from the South." Well that's just false. I've gotten lost and been helped by total strangers, I've made friends at work (already!), and have had longer conversations with the woman checking me out at Target here than I ever did in Texas.

There's just too much to do in DC. It's impossible to stay in because there's always a new restaurant to try, a museum to go to, or a show to see. I will literally never be bored here.

"Business casual" is the loosest term ever. In one of my offices, business casual means non ripped jeans and a sweater, and in the other office slacks, a button up shirt, and heels. What the what? (What does "business casual" mean to you?)

For a control freak like me, the metro is the worst invention ever. I can't control when the train comes or whether or not in breaks down? I'm twitching just thinking about it. I miss having a car. [Did I ever tell you guys about the car accident I got in in November than totaled my car? No? Basically, a car behind me hit me and shoved me into the car in front of me. Not my fault at all and I wasn't hurt thankfully, but now I'm car-less. Boooo.]

I am crazy about old architecture. I mean, I think I always knew that (hello, love affair with all of Europe ever), but every single old building in  DC makes me gasp because I think it's so pretty. I just wish the metro was above ground a lot so I could see more of the buildings while on my way places.

Apartment hunting is the most exhausting and frustrating endeavor ever. I've lost count of how many I've looked at (eleventy billion? easily), but I have two leads, so hopefully one will play out soon and I'll be able to move in somewhere soon! Because, also? Not having a space to call my own is really stupidly exhausting. I live out of a suitcase on my friend's floor and while I'm crazy grateful she's letting me do this, not having my space makes me feel directionless and confused and out of wack. I also hate living out of a suitcase because it means I have like 10 shirts and 5 pairs of pants and no accessories and I'm starting to lose it. Professional nomad? Out of the question.

Have you ever tried heated Vinyasa yoga? I hadn't until I got to DC and now I love it. My thoughts on it? THE MOST SWEAT EVER EVER. The most excitement to take a shower ever ever. The best work out I've gotten in a long time. I love this style of yoga now, and I totally recommend it. Also, I'm going again tonight. I'M SO EXCITED. 

I literally have no idea to walk in snow. I remember dealing with this when I went to Montreal, but three days of snow on the ground in DC taught me that I need to leave twice as long to get somewhere as I actually think I need because I'm terrible at walking in the snow. I fall like every 10 feet. I'm about to tie tennis rackets to my shoes to walk everywhere... that works, right?

When the sun is out, DC is crazy beautiful. I'll always love Texas skylines (see below), but DC sunsets are becoming a close second (see below below).

{mine.}

{mine.}

I very easily get obsessed with shows. My newest obsession? Bones. I've always loved it, but I've been watching like 4 episodes a day for the past few days. It's a problem. Especially because I think it's keeping me from going out more, which needs to happen better. I love to be out and about - time to close the computer and act on that!

Which I'm about to do! But two things first:

I'm still going to need a few guest bloggers for when I finally do move and stuff, which is when I'll be obnoxiously busy. More busy than now. So if you're interested in guest blogging about moving to start a new job, or just moving in general, let me know! You can reach me at valorielovely {at} gmail {dot} com.

Also, I'm thinking of starting a snarky advice column on here. I'll try to really help, obviously, but also? The snarkiness. Would you guys like that? Would you submit your quandries and conundrums to me? Did I spell those words right, because Blogger says I didn't. But Blogger also says 'snarky' isn't a word and that's wildly false.

Wildly.