Lagniappe » Washington DC

Four years in DC and still so much to do!

jennasauber — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 14:15:17 +0000

Out enjoying DC, year 1

This week marks my fourth year in DC. I’m a big milestone person, noting anniversaries, birthdays, recognitions, etc, as if I work for a card company or something. (Thankfully, I have friends who do the same, so I know I’m not alone in this.) As I think back on the four years I’ve spent here since I left school and Ohio a semester early, I realize I’ve been through a lot, but that I have so much more coming my way. Journey with me?

Since February 2007:

I’ve lived in three apartments and had four roommates
I’ve had two jobs, three titles, and six (and a handful of dotted line) bosses
I continued a long-distance relationship, and broke it off
I’ve rekindled old friendships, made many new ones, and lost friends I thought were for life
I’ve consulted for 2 amazing entrepreneurs whose companies I believe in
I’ve held five parties, all but one Cajun-themed
I’ve watched the Saints win the Superbowl and LSU win the BCS Championship
I’ve gone through two couches, two mattresses, two comforters, two shower curtains, and two lamps.
I’ve gone kayaking, hiking, museuming, and attended tweetups
I’ve run my first three races here and scheduled my next two
I’ve watched the July 4 fireworks every single year, either on a rooftop or on the Mall
I heard Ted Kennedy speak, voted in person for the first time, attended President Obama’s presidential inauguration, done a West Wing tour, and a Capitol tour.

All that and a lot more in these four (short/long) years. But, what’s even better is that there is still so much to do! I’ve decided to create a fifth year “bucket” list, or more appropriately named, a “Must Do” list. I’ll want your help – I’m going to start it here, and I want your suggestions! Anything and everything goes, from restaurants I should try, to the cheesy and touristy, to activities I need to do, to places to hang out in. Help me fill out my Must Do list for year five!

Must Do for Year 5

Go to the top of the Washington Monument
Eat at Art & Soul
Visit Ben’s Chili Bowl (I’ve only had it at Nats Stadium)
~~Attend a Caps game~~
See a concert at Verizon Center
Hike the Sugarloaf trail
Visit Mt. Vernon
Visit the Library of Congress
Visit the Supreme Court
Run the Capital Crescent trail
Do a night monument tour
~~See a full show at the Kennedy Center (only saw a Millennium Stage show once)~~
See a play at the Shakespeare Theater
Eat at Ray’s Hell Burger
Visit the botanical garden
Visit all the museums that I’ve missed so far
Visit the National Archives

What else?

Tagged: bucket list, DC, list, living, recap, things to do, tourist, Washington DC

Pickling the Beast

jennasauber — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 15:12:06 +0000

Yesterday was a beautiful, yet windy day. I met up with some friends on the mall for the end of the Cherry Blossom parade and then we headed down to the blooms themselves. It was packed with people of course, but the weather was just perfect for it all. The flowers were gorgeous as always, although I noticed they were a little less bright pink than usual.

Just a couple hours out in the wind and sun was tiring for all of us, so after a big lunch, we headed back to my area, and stopped at the zoo for a little bit before chilling at my place for the rest of the night have some beers, watch a little Dane Cook, and then the Final Four. I have no allegiance to any of the teams, so no comment on the outcomes. We did watch the second half of The Sandlot though, hence the title of this post.

Today is another beautiful day, so I plan to make use of that and do another good run outside and enjoy the weather before suffering through some apartment cleaning and laundry. Check out the pics from yesterday.

Tagged: blossoms, cherry blossoms, Dane Cook, Final Four, Washington DC, zoo

Being in DC right now

jennasauber — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 23:20:30 +0000

I realized I never really wrote about all of the inauguration excitement. For those of you who live in DC, you know how crazy things were and how the general atmosphere of city was just heightened and everyone was (and still is) in a better mood than usual.

For weeks I had debated whether or not I would actually make my way through the crowds and the cold down to the festivities, and in the end, my friend got us tickets on the Capitol lawn, so that sealed the deal. I woke up at 6am, and after my friend picked me up and we parked his car back in Dupont Circle, we literally jogged to where our gate was. I was bundled up in about 6,000 layers and wearing snow boots, so by the time we got there, I felt like I had had a complete workout. And then the cold set in, of course.

A few hours after waiting in the blue gate line just to move a couple of blocks, we made it onto the lawn with time to spare. We didn’t have a direct view of Obama, and were cut off by the corner of the building, but we were close up to a jumbotron, and being on the lawn still made it feel pretty cool. The moment was awesome, and I was glad I had ventured out. That evening, I conked out on my couch, much like I had done 2 days earlier after attending the Lincoln Memorial concert. Being out in the cold is exhausting! I doubt I would have lasted very long at a ball or other shindig.

Now that Obama is President Obama, it’s great to look forward to the work he’ll do to bring about a fresh face to our country – and he’s already gotten a great start with things like repealing the global gag rule, passing the Lilly Ledbetter Act, and pushing for a stimulus package. Not to mention, he has a sweet White House website, thanks to my former colleague, the amazing designer, Matt Ipcar.

It’s pretty cool to live in DC right now…and I’m sure it will only get better!

Tagged: 2009, Capitol, DC, election, inauguration, Obama, President Obama, Washington DC

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