Keep your fingers crossed!

Speaking of not having a job, I had an interview yesterday.  There is a company I have been keeping my eyes on for a while now.  I actually applied for a job opening they had listed on their website the night before Nick and I left Georgia.  I called about once a week (and emailed) until I got a hold of Bob, the guy I needed to talk to, last week.  He told me they had filled that position but he thinks there will be an open position that I would be more suited for.  He told me to call him back early this week.  So I called about twice a day until I got him on the phone and he asked me in for an interview the next day!

It went really well.  Bob was very nice, funny, and super chatty.  I got some really great vibes while I was there and was really impressed with everything he told me about their business model and how they all work together.

We talked for about an hour and towards the end he said, "well, I already know I want you to come back for a second interview". That sounds promising, right?!  I'll know Monday or Tuesday when my second interview will be and hopefully it will go just as well.  I'll meet with the design team and show my portfolio (which now I have to get together........).

I heard once that this guy really wanted to work for this company so what he did was basically bother them until he got an interview.  That was definitely my strategy here.  I know a lot of people don't want to seem like a bother or feel like they might be getting on someone's nerves, but you know what, it shows persistence and determination.  Those are qualities employers are looking for, not someone who just waits around.  And in my case, the only person I may have been bothering was the receptionist.

Two posts in one day? Holy shit - I need a job.

I just met with Jazma.  She is an investigator with with Federal government. She is working on Nick's security clearance and is making sure that everything Nick has said about himself is true.  If you are one of the lucky ones Nick has put as a reference don't worry, it was easy and not scary (not like that Mad Men episode).  No men in suits, she wore flip flops.

Jazma is from Atlanta. We started talking about Georgia and she asked me how I liked it here. I've been asked that a few times and I never knew what to say, so I'd normally respond "Um, well, it's...different". So when she asked me what I thought about Virginia I started with my usual response, but she completed my sentence for me, "it's different" she said. It was nice knowing that I'm not the only one who doesn't know how to respond to that. We started talking about all things we both miss about Georgia and all the things that we also like about living here in Virginia.  It's weird.  I like it here, but I miss Georgia (and my people) so much.

So here is what I am going to do:  I am going to pretend that I am back in Georgia and what I would do if I was there.  Below are my sisters/sisters-in-law (and nieces, of course) whom I miss terribly and what we would do together if I were still in Georgia/Athens. Carol, you don't count in this because I get to see you in a week and a half!!!

Kelly: I think both of us would just be back in Disney World.
Colleen: sorting through all our baby pictures and laughing about all the memories (and the fights).
Allison: just chatting in your kitchen while drinking delicious coffee and doing something crafty.
Helen: boot-camp at the Y with the one-and-only Brad and then walking with David in the stroller, we're probably heading to Ike & Jane's.
Kate: eating take-out and watching Eastbound and Down, and since this is pretend, we ran together earlier and I kept up with you.
Stephanie: hanging out at your house after a party you and Peter just had, then going to Aqua Linda for Mexican food. yum.
Sarah + Josey: painting each others finger nails and playing a silly game Sarah has invented.

Don't get me wrong, I am not sad, I just miss home and can't wait to see everyone (hopefully) at Thanksgiving!

Long Weekend.

By long weekend, I mean that we had many days, not that it was terrible or anything.  Nick has what the feds call "alternative work schedule" which means he works longer days so that he gets every other Friday off.  Sometimes this it works out where the Friday he has off is the one before a long weekend.  So he had a four day weekend and guess what?! It didn't rain!!

Here's an Office quote because it's funny and relevant:
"Robert: You want a three and a half day weekend for Columbus Day?
Andy: Yes I do.
Robert: And you are aware Columbus and his legions committed genocide against an entire civilization of Native Americans?
Andy: I don't care."

Friday and Saturday we didn't really do much.  We did meet up with Nick's friend Chris at this restaurant up in Crystal City where the UGA Alumni meets to watch the UGA games.  Yay for a win!

The leaves are changing!

We decided at the last minute Saturday night to go camping/hiking on Sunday and Monday.  We found this cute little State Park about an hour or so away.  We had to hike about a mile to the site and we hiked a few miles around the park on Sunday. The area is beautiful and the trails lead right up to the Appalachian Trail. We thought it was crazy that that trail essentially could take us home to Georgia. I was tempted for a second to say "let's do it!" until Nick told me it would take about 2 or 3 months to walk home. No thanks, maybe later.

I'm pretty sure everyone who was also hiking had never seen a dog with her own backpack before. Juno was a big hit and got lots of attention.  We decided to get her a patch from the park that I'm going to sew on her pack so that she can show off all of the hikes she does. That might be silly, but I don't care. :)

Our site & teeny-tiny tent

Our tent is waaay too small for the three of us and I got NO sleep. For one, I probably shouldn't have taken a Zyrtec because they always knock me out and it didn't help that Juno has to sleep right on my legs. Also, I hit myself in the face with a twig I was trying to break in half for the fire and got a bruise. Ouch! (...why do I always share those embarrassing stories?! I hope you guys are enjoying them...)  So, I woke up super tired and we decided to just pack up and head home. The weather was perfect and we had a great time. It was nice to get out of town for a little bit.

She loves to hike!

And to camp.

playing cards by the camp fire

This road was built in 1858!

So pretty.

Oh, and by the way, it's raining here again.

Where am I?!

On Sunday, Nick and I (despite the constant rain) decided to make a recycling run since it doesn't get picked up at our townhouse. We loaded up the truck and headed out in the general direction. I had been there once before and he hadn't. A few minutes into our trip Nick asked me where his next turn was going to be. Huh?!?! I don't know...

I've been so scared of getting lost that I've basically been using the GPS as a crutch since we've been here. Nick thought it might be time that I stopped using it so that I can actually learn where things are around here. fine.

I had a ton of errands to run today and I decided I would give it a shot. I went to the DMV this morning without even getting the GPS out of the glove box! So what that I had been there once already and it was basically one right turn. I did it okay. I was feeling pretty confident so I gave it another shot. The doctors office. I've been there twice before. No biggie, right? I got lost. I guess two right turns are a little too much for me to handle just yet.

Not sure what I was thinking a little while later when I was trying to navigate my way out of a part of town I hadn't driven through yet. They really mean it when the sign(s) say no right on red. First official ticket in the Commonwealth of Virginia. I don't even have my driver's license yet.

On a lighter note, the DMV thought I may have stolen someone's identity today. Not sure if you knew this, but when I was born my name was Kristine. Two weeks later my mom decided that I wasn't a Kristine, so she changed it. When my birth certificate came in the mail - instead of printing a new one - they crossed out Kristine and typed in Kimberly in slightly smaller font just above it. Totally threw 'em for a loop. They had to call the state of Illinois to make sure I was who I said I was.  :)

Penalty: Delay of Game

I've been a big-time slacker on the posting front.  I apologize to the many of you that have been refreshing this page daily.

Well, I had a great birthday last weekend.  So much better than I could have imagined.  It helped that Philip and Malory were here to bring a little bit of Athens soul with them.  We jam-packed the two days they were here with lots of touristy things and I had a great time.  It was so exciting to see the White House for the first time - even though we've been living in metro DC for over a month.  We saw most of the monuments and went to the Smithsonian American Art Museum.  It was great, but I was hoping for a little more modern art.  I really wanted to see a Jackson Pollack or a Rothko, but not one.  I think I'll try the National Gallery of Art next time.  We did however see sculpture from my favorite furniture designer/sculptor, Harry Bertoia.  It was one of those perfect moments where we were getting to the end and I was feeling a little sad, not seeing any of my favorites and I turned a corner and BAM.  There she was.

Sculpture Group Symbolizing the World's Communication

We also went to the Nationals/Braves game on Sunday.  It wasn't the same as Turner Field and it made me miss it a little bit.  It didn't help that we got slaughtered (not even one run!) and that everyone around you is cheering for the other team, but I have to say the hotdog was probably one of the best hotdogs ever.  You win there too Nats.

I loved getting so many cards and gifts in the mail in the past week!  It was fun coming home to surprises and feeling all the love from so far away.  I got to go shopping, we're going to the movies (!!!), and I feel so inspired from all my creative peeps.  So, thank you EVERYONE for all of the birthday love.

Below are pictures I stole from Malory's facebook, apologies if it's redundant to some of you. :)

Also, keep an eye out for all of my many projects I've been working on lately.  I've been a crafting, painting machine. :)

No Obama or Michelle :-/

WWII Memorial -- that's me to the left!

Honest Abe

Capital

Malory really wanted to see the reflecting pool, but it's just a smelly mud pit now...

Craft it Forward

So my lovely and talented sister-in-law Allison, also known as allybuilt, is starting a Craft if Forward project. 

Essentially she is sending out five handmade projects to crafty people she knows and I am one of them!!  Allison is so talented and I feel so inspired to be considered.  :) Once I get her handmade treasure I will post a picture of it and in return for her generosity I will send a handmade gift to the first five people who post on my blog post.  Continue to chain...

If you want to play this super fun game with us, let me know!!

What a Weekend!!

As I mentioned in the last post I spent all of Thursday applying for jobs.  I applied to everything I could find that was even remotely related.  Of course I got a call for an interview at a furniture/home goods retailer (pottery barn-ish).  I am over qualified for the job but thought I would go and interview for the experience.  It was weird.  For one, I am not sure why the store manager would schedule an interview on a Saturday when they are having a sale.  I got there and it was so busy that she thought it would be better to interview me by the register at one of the display dining room tables.  About half-way through she left to man the register and her assistant manager (who may have been younger than me) took over the interview.  She had no idea what she was doing, so we just started talking about outlet shopping...???  Finally the manager hollered over from the register and said it was just too busy to continue and that she would call.  I think they knew I wasn't going to take it. 

The funny thing is that Thursday night, when Nick and I were talking about what I needed to get ready for the interview I realized I didn't have anything to wear because it was all packed on the truck with everything else.  But Friday we got a call from the mover saying he would be there at 9:30 or 10 the next morning to drop off our stuff!  I didn't want to chance it with the clothes so I went and got something to wear at the mall, but figured there was plenty of time for the movers to get stuff in before I had to leave so I didn't buy shoes.  Surely they would have unloaded all the boxes by then.  Well, 10 o'clock comes and the movers aren't there yet.  They call and say they'll be there in 45 minutes which means I only have 2 and a half hours before I have to leave.  By 1 o'clock they have moved in a ton of stuff and only one box.  My box of shoes.  Phew!

It so was wonderful not having to move anything.  Nick was in charge of inventory.  Everything, and I mean everything, was marked with a numbered sticker and Nick checked them off the list as it was brought inside.  Now we've been unpacking and it's not fun.  Why is it that it always takes so much longer than you think it is going to??  There are boxes and shreds of packing paper everywhere.  Plus the kitchen looks as if all of our boxes of dishes have exploded everywhere. It's been weird unpacking into this house though.  Nick and I combined have moved countless times and wehave always had a transient mind-set.  We never imagined ourselves in a place longer than a year.  But here is different.  This is where we will be until we buy a house.  It feels more permanent and its nice. 

Sunday afternoon we were invited to our next door neighbors house who are an older retired couple.  Sam and Inge.  Sam is Slovic and Inge is German.  They are hilarious, extremely well traveled, and I think she was a professional skiier.  They met while he was stationed in Germany with the Army.  They have been living here in their house for 40 years and they love it.  Every year they throw an Okoberfest party complete with costumes, an acordian player, and homemade German food (pretzels, brats, and desserts)!  Oh yeah and beer, lots of beer.  We had a really great time getting to know all of their friends and neighbors.  I think we were the youngest people (not including the neighborhood kids) and it was a blast.  I got contact information from 3 people, one of which is hiring me to do some freelance work in her house.  Sa-weet!

Also, my birthday is in ten days and we are having our first visitors!  Malory and Philip are coming and we are going to watch the Braves play the Nationals here in DC!  I cannot wait.