Lagniappe » moving

The nature of a transitory town

jennasauber — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:33:23 +0000

When I first came to DC three years ago, I wasn’t looking for new best friends (I have a couple of great ones), but I was hoping I would find some people to hang out with from time to time in this new place since I was away from home, from my boyfriend, from all of my friends.

Within a few weeks, I became friends with a group of people (mostly all guys) that a college buddy m

et when she had moved to DC, only a couple of months before. But sad to say, within my first year here, each and every single one of those people moved from DC, because they all worked for Exxon and that’s how Exxon works I guess.

An HMC moment

When I started my job, I did the happy hours and lunch here and there with some of my fellow coworkers, but it w

asn’t until my friend Jacqueline’s wedding that five of us really bonded. We began calling ourselves the Hot Mess Club – HMC for short. Soon after Jacqueline married, she left our office. About six months after that, I left. And now, our friend Christin is moving to Chicago, Abby may be moving to New Mexico at any moment, Alanna is looking at Costa Rica later this year, and who knows where I may end up in 2010.

The Hot Mess Club has now been to two weddings together, numerous birthday lunches, dinners and happy hours, a bridal shower, and a baby shower (thanks to Jacqueline for all the showers). We’ve been through deaths in the family, unemployment, frustrating coworkers, and lame roommates. For three years, we’ve gathered once every month or two to catch up on work, boyfriends, husbands, babies, bosses, losing weight, gaining weight, therapy, sex, and new jobs.

Last night the HMC gathered for what might be the last time we’re all together for some time. It’s the nature of the city I guess.

One of my old roommates might be leaving DC this year. Another friend and colleague moved back to the West Coast after 10 years in DC. And now, one of my closest friends out here is moving on to the next chapter in her life.

As we ate our jambalaya and white beans (it was pretty damn good, if I do say so myself), drank our wine, and shared the latest updates, the HMC knew that things were about to change. But there were no tears, because I think we’ve all accepted that this is DC, and this is what happens. We’re happy for each other, proud of each other, there for each other. And we were already planning the first HMC reunion as we go national, and potentially international.

I didn’t expect to find four amazing, beautiful, intelligent, driven women in DC – four women who wanted me to be their friend, four women with so very different backgrounds and goals and personalities – four women who make me feel at home when I’m with them. But I did. So despite it being DC, despite this being a pitstop for so many of us on the way to the rest of our lives, I’m incredibly grateful that we all made this pitstop at the same time, so that as we get back on the road, we will have someone to call, someone’s house to stop at, someone’s birthday or wedding or baby to celebrate. At least we’ll have each other to lean on when our lives are a hot mess.

Tagged: DC, friends, girlfriends, moving

Chili pies, me oh my

jennasauber — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 01:23:06 +0000

This weekend my best friend from back home, Molly, stayed with me and we had a blast. It had been a few years since we had seen each other, so it was really great hanging out with her again. We looked at old yearbooks and pictures of course, and made an old school favorite, chili pies. If you haven’t had them, you need to and it’s soooo easy. My mom used to make them at Sonic when she was younger, and it was always a special treat. All you need is Fritos, chili and shredded cheddar cheese. And voila…so yummo. I wish I had taken a picture. Overall, it was a great weekend.

So that takes us to my final week in my townhome with the two guy roomies, and my final week with Dan. I move next Tuesday so things will start to get hectic with the packing and such surrounding that, but all the logistics are settled (utilities, etc.) so that is good for my state of mind. I’ll be so glad to settle into my new place, and I’ve already bought a few new things for it.

This weekend is Dan’s birthday, so we’re celebrating by going out with some friends, dinner out, and a concert on Saturday. It’ll be so weird to have him gone, but I can look forward to seeing him again a few times this fall and also know that this summer was awesome having him here and that we did a lot of fun stuff.

Apartment search is over

jennasauber — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:27:50 +0000

…finally! I was starting to freak out, too. There were some options that I thought were good and fell through, one in particular, and I was starting to get worried because every building I was calling had no more August availability. In the end, I got a studio in a great place in Cleveland Park, and I’m paying a lot more than I wanted, but it’s the only thing that’s out there. I don’t think I could have waited much longer to get something at the price I wanted, in an area I wanted. I’m pleased with the place and the area this time, so that’s really important to me. The money will work itself out – I’m a star budgeter when I need to be, and I know what sacrifices can be made. It also means I should try to get some freelance work going again- anyone know of anything I can do?

So that means only a few weeks left in my current place. Yay for being able to have my own space and not worry about my stuff being messed up or doors being left unlocked at all hours!

I finally went to the batting cages this weekend when Dan and I went to Syracuse. I had been wanting to for awhile. And boy is it harder than it looks! I did the slowest possible level of baseball, and it took me a few rounds until I actually hit a few. I was much better at the slow softball. And now I’m crazy sore in my arms and back. Another first- we went to a drive-in movie. It was pretty cool, and cheap compared to today’s theater costs. We saw Hancock – it was not bad at all. And the last fun thing we did was stop in Hershey, PA on the way home today. We did the Factory “tour” and then got a few things in the gift shop and had massive sundaes and should have just shared one.

Next weekend: Baltimore aquarium and Orioles game