We are just about ready to go. Unfortunately, we had to run around getting everything done with a hang over, which kind of slowed us down. It was worth it though, we had a nice party at work. Well, it started out work. It happened to be one of those days where there were parties all afternoon. Someone else (more important than me) was relocating after many years, and there was a big party for her around 2:30. So some of my coworkers and I started off there, and then went over to my bosses office where they had put together a nice spread. The rule was that no one leaves until all of the bottles are empty. Well, we did it - actually, it seemed to have mostly gone to me, but maybe that was just my perspective. Note the photo of the last ones left in the office before heading to the local pub - I always have my arm around someone in drinking photos! Matthias was thrilled to have someone as geeky as him to talk about his crazy Penrose physics!
The drinking did help me get up early this morning to start with organizing the random piles of things. I always get up really early if I drink a lot - I think it’s the sugar.
Anyway, the apartment is empty. It is nice to have a moment (on the floor) to reflect on the temporary nature of things. As I sit in this space, I have a clear memory of what it looked like up to a few days ago - it will never be that way again, and it will only be a memory for ever.
Matthias and I learned that the post office has stopped using surface mail for international shipments! This threw off my whole moving plan! Not to mention, it wasted an hour of our time this morning running around. I didn’t get into work until 10:30, and I had planned on trying to get a bit of stuff done there this morning!
On the bright side, I am constantly being reminded of the source of suffering (according to the yoga sutras). The sutras say that the root of suffering is mistaking the things that temporary for things that are permanent. I was getting a bit attached to my junk, and now I get to leave even more behind for someone else to enjoy…… stupid post office! The path to enlightenment can be annoying sometimes.
We did have a great lunch today. Matthias and I met a colleague of mine from the DFG (Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft) at a restaurant down town. She is really cool, so I wanted Matthias to get a chance to meet her. She even gave Matthias some tips on options for one of his students. We had a few really fun experiences working together this year, and I hope to keep in touch with her in the future. I keep telling Matthias that she is one of the really nice Germans
That is a great quote from Teddy Roosevelt that is engraved on a large tablet on an island in the middle of the Potomac (ironically, called “Roosevelt Island”). He has some good quotes. Why can’t our current president put together such great thoughts? This website has all of the quotes from the tablets on the island.
Today was a lazy Sunday, and it was great! After sleeping late, we went to George town for a French breakfast, and then we spent some time in the Starbucks in Barnes & Noble doing a bit of work. I had to update a bio that someone wrote about me; it’s strange to refer to myself in the third person, but I felt the editing was in order because I didn’t like the way they told my life story.
After some coffee we headed down to watch airplanes again and then we visited old Teddy on the island. It was SO humid today. At least the temperature was a bit manageable, but it was still stifling! We had a nice walk around the island despite weather. I had a bit of a nap on a rock on the river bed - I love passing out on the ground for an afternoon nap.
I suppose we should be stressing this weekend, but everything is getting done. We made a run to the Good Will to give back some of the things I am leaving behind, and we just need to dump some furniture down stairs to the trash room. In a place like my building, the trash room becomes a furniture swap, so I am adding a few items. Matthias was getting nervous about the seemingly massive amounts of stuff, but the place is emptying out now. I’ll take a photo tomorrow to show the progress.
For now, we need to finish the wine and watch an episode of the Simpsons!
Ok, they are not so secret, but you have to have a tour guide to see them. My friend Allyson, who works on one of the Sentate committees, offered to show us the Capitol last week. I have already been on 3 tours, but I learn something every time, and this was the first time that Matthias got to get the ‘behind the scenes’ tour. We started over at Allyson’s office and took the underground tram to the Capitol. (Matthias took the video below). The handsome gentleman in the photo is one of the 100 state statues around the building. The astronaut is just across the hall from the first woman elected Senator - she was also the only person to vote against WWII (she felt that the first vote of a Congresswoman couldn’t be a vote for war). I think they are fitting neighbors. There are some more photos from the tour here.
Anyway, we ended our tour gloriously with burgers in the Senate cafeteria! Then, as he must do each time in DC, Matthias headed over to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.
For the past couple of days we are doing our best to sort out all of my crap! The place is a mess. Matthias is afraid that it won’t all come together, but I have no doubts! All of the important crap will surely go where it is supposed to go. I passed off a few things to my coworker Julian, and another coworker is taking a bunch of furniture on Thursday when we head out. Whatever is left will just have to be donated to the trash room/furniture exchange. I would like to goof off tomorrow, but I suspect we will spend a good part of the day in the apartment again!
Matthias is quite upset with me for not taking him to Gravelly point park the first time he came to D.C. I finally took him there on Sunday, and he said it is the best part of D.C. by far! You can sit in a field and let the planes fly directly over your head as they land or take off from Washington Reagan airport. There is a bike/running path there too, so you can watch the healthy people sweat in between planes. This is what it is like:
Aside from the great time listening to and watching the giant flying machines (I am still amazed that planes fly), Matthias also redeemed himself for all of the bad photos he takes of me because he finally took a cute one! I love that shirt.
We managed to procrastinate tonight, and instead of packing we went to an Irish Pub in town and played trivia with Brian, his wife and some of her coworkers from the FBI - we all, apparently suck at trivia. I mean, really, does anyone really know who invented the mini skirt?
We were only about $999,950 short. We did manage to lose most of our money slowly though. Here is a photo of us in front of “The Donald’s” tacky chandeliers in the Taj Mahal - that man is ALL class. (Doesn’t Matthias’s new haircut look great! - and look, we are actually together!!)
We lost a wee bit of money, but we had a good time. We even put down a d few bucks at the roulette wheel - I think that was the quickest way we lost cash. Matthias found a new way to get under my skin thanks to my dad. I asked Mark what number to bet on last night, and he told me 9. So, this morning, my dad asked what number it was. I said ‘9′ to which he responded, “We should call him and ask.” I repeated, “He said 9.” My dad went on a bit about how we will NEVER know which number it was (despite my repeating the answer to him). Matthias thought this was really funny and jumped in to add how impossible it would be to know what Mark had said!! I don’t think I should let Matthias hang out with my dad too much. Of course, I could remember number 9 because that is one lucky number for Mark - it was the day in June when his fabulous little sister was born!
As always, Matthias managed to take several very non flattering photos of me. He has taught me that I am not attractive when I eat - good to know. We stopped down at the beach because it was such a beautiful day here today.
As Cliff reminded me today, I should be a responsible blogger and mention that Matthias made it in safely! I feel like a whole person again. It’s so nice having him around.
We are at my parent’s place today, and tomorrow we are all heading to Atlantic City. I’ll try to remember to take photos!
Now I remember why I don’t watch TV so much. I flipped through a few shows tonight, and the overwhelming underlying message is that women are interested in getting married, looking pretty, and they are, well, not so smart compared to the boys. While boys, on the other hand, are interested in getting sex (from said stupid women) and geeky things - they like to education the poor stupid, pretty women about how things work. According to TV, I am not doing such a great job at being a woman. As Matthias’s dad recognized once (a bit surprised), “You like technical things don’t you?” Actually, I have gotten that message in many forms growing up - luckily, I don’t pay very close attention sometimes. Though I suspect my need to prove (to myself) how smart I was was a strong motivating factor for me for a VERY long time - I finally convinced myself and can relax a bit now.
Anyway, mom and dad came down this weekend and help bare the burden of my move. They took my books away, and mom is going to sort out the details of shipping them (thanks mom). They also took back a bunch of stuff that they lent me for the year. Dad’s fancy new truck came in handy for that. In return, I showed them around Georgetown a bit and we went on a tour of Arlington National Cemetery (that’s where the picture is from).
In even better news, Matthias is coming tomorrow!!! I haven’t seen him in person since May - Skype is just no substitute. I have to wake him up in a couple of hours so he doesn’t miss his train. For the first time, we are moving someplace together!! It’s my last night alone for a while, and I couldn’t be happier! I usually really like my alone time, but I noticed that when mom and dad were around, I felt more energetic, and when they left I felt lonely. I think really I need to be back with Matthias again.
She entertains herself with the internet, of course! (So to answer the question that has been gnawing at my mind for years) finally, I know what color crayon best represents me!
You are most like:
You are Blue
You are cool and soothing, with a hidden spontanious side. You are deeper than most people percieve, and you care a lot for those whom you surround yourself with.
We are just about ready to go. Unfortunately, we had to run around getting everything done with a hang over, which kind of slowed us down. It was worth it though, we had a nice party at work. Well, it started out work. It happened to be one of those days where there were parties all afternoon. Someone else (more important than me) was relocating after many years, and there was a big party for her around 2:30. So some of my coworkers and I started off there, and then went over to my bosses office where they had put together a nice spread. The rule was that no one leaves until all of the bottles are empty. Well, we did it - actually, it seemed to have mostly gone to me, but maybe that was just my perspective. Note the photo of the last ones left in the office before heading to the local pub - I always have my arm around someone in drinking photos! Matthias was thrilled to have someone as geeky as him to talk about his crazy Penrose physics!
