February In DC!

I know I have been gone for a while... One minute I was home and losing my mind and next thing I know I am running around to do a million different things. Ah, how life is so funny.

The last time we were able to catch up was when I visited in the Panda's in the National Zoo (which I totally recommend visiting if you ever come and visit). Since then, I have had a few changes in my life and I am so excited to share them with you!

As some of you may know (most of you don't) I got a new job! I am now working with a company called AE Strategies as an Analyst – so I am a gov contractor in short. This has provided me an amazing opportunity to continue helping my country, state, and people I care about with a few added bonuses of better pay and hours. I finished my first week with the company this past Friday and so far I am thoroughly enjoying it! I cannot wait to see what more I accomplish in this role and see how much I grow.

Even with all the ups and downs and last minute things, I have made plenty of time to hang out with friends, explore, and catch up with old colleagues/mentors. From some of the movie's with Julia and her friends, getting lunch with one of my old mentors, and seeing some of my old colleagues, I have made sure I don't spend so much time stuck in my apartment.

Above is a Korean bowl I got at the Union Market, which houses numerous shops and eateries so you can have whatever you want! I got this one time with Julia and I have loved it ever since. The Union Market is a great place to grab lunch/coffee/drink and meet with people. I went here with one of my old mentors and we caught up now that I am back in the district!

A China-Town Sunset! Julia and I were on the way to the movies and had some spare time so we went into the National Portrait Gallery – a beautiful place with an amazing indoor courtyard under a glass roof, it is absolutely stunning – and had some dinner before the show. The movie theater we visit is just right there tucked in-between that tall building in the middle and the Capital One Arena!

I took this picture through the window in the new Barnes & Noble in Georgetown. It was a gorgeous store. So many pretty books, so many genres, and an amazing feel – I know this book store will be bad for my wallet but luckily it requires a bit of motivation and a metro ride, so I think we will be safe... at least for a moment...

This is Julia, Caitlin, and I, on our way to the movie theater. In front of us you can see my old office building, the Hart Senate Office Building. Behind that are the two others Senate Office Buildings (SOB), and on the left side of all of those buildings is the U.S. Capitol. This is the typical gossip session we have on the way to the metro station at Union Station. We were on our way to see the new Captain America!

Even with all this fun, I still have not explored all that I hope to. Luckily, I am now a permanent resident of the District, so I should have plenty of time to go and explore all the parts of the city I want to. And yes, you read that right, I am becoming a permanent resident here! But, as the famous saying goes, "you can take the boy out of the Midwest, but you can't take the Midwest out of the boy." (I am constantly reminded of this when a lot of my friends here tell me I have a strong – almost Canadian – accent).

Until next time,

Nolan