My March Madness Continues

I didn't think it was possible, but this week was even more stressful than last. However, it did include some fun times...

1) I went to a Caps game on Tuesday. Although they are amidst a slump, it was a good reason to leave work on time and hang out with friends.

2) I can finally see the end of filling out appropriation forms, and I look forward to telling you when they are all complete.

3) I found out that I will get the opportunity to meet some clients while they are in town for a conference beginning next weekend.

This afternoon, I'm attending a St. Patrick's Day parade. A little early I'd say, but it should be a good time. And tonight I'm helping kickball friends celebrate their 30th birthdays. Crazy to think that I have friends that are turning 30, but I'm sure crazier things have happened!

Snowfall in March

I woke up this morning to a beautiful sight out my 10th floor window of large snowflakes falling the from sky. To most of my readers, this would come as no surprise. However, several factors make this an odd occurrence.

1) My co-workers commented earlier this week that we've had such a hard winter. (The irony...I can count the number of times it's snowed on two hands.)

2) It was so warm on Friday that we built a bonfire and roasted marshmallows for smores at midnight.

3) I've been in DC long enough that I felt no shame using my umbrella while walking to church in the snow...normal behavior for average people walking the streets.

My week was ridiculously busy. The only day I left work before 6:30 or 7 was in order to attend Ash Wednesday mass. When I left the office at 7:15pm on Friday, I couldn't have been more excited to breathe fresh air. The good news about all of this is that last week was by far one of our busiest to date. The not so good news...we continue to have more deadlines to meet and more clients in town for the next several weeks. Again, I say to you, I enjoy contributing to the success of our work for the cities we represent. But when I finish something less than to the best of my ability, things are just too busy.

For Lent, I've decided to attend mass on a regular basis. On Wednesday, I went to mass at my old Catholic church on The Hill. Father Burn (my favorite priest at St. Peter's) was presiding, but I left wanting more after hearing the same sermon I heard last year for Ash Wednesday. After attending Our Lady of Lourdes down the street this morning, I was also left wanting more. It doesn't make sense to me that nobody speaks or sings to worship loud enough for their neighbor to hear. I need more than that. I need to feel that those around me are passionate enough for the Lord to put some effort into praising Him. I'm keeping all those of faith who don't outwardly show their inner fire for Christ in my prayers, and I'm hoping to grow closer to the Lord this Lenten season.

May all of you have a blessed Lent! 

Bumps Understood

I made a realization today about the annoying raised path near the edge of every Metro platform. It's important for me to note that I've complained aloud and grumbled to myself time and time again that this large bumpy strip hurts my feet when I speed walk across it in an attempt to breeze by those "tourist-pace" people between me and the exit. I never took the time to figure out why this pathway wasn't smooth like the rest of the platform, nor did it ever cross my mind that it served an important purpose.

Today after work, I witnessed a blind man navigating the Metro. While walking along the platform, he tapped and dragged his cane in rhythm to and from the smooth surface and the bumpy surface. Those annoying bumps to me were a matter of life and death to him. If they weren't there for his safety, he could very easily walk right off the platform and into the path of a moving train.

From this experience, I'm taking away two very important lessons:

1) My convenience isn't always the most important. Take a deep breath and slow your life down once in a while.

2) Cherish the gifts you have (such as sight), rather than dwelling on those you don't or those things that bring you down. Your joy in life relies on it.

Scheduler

This past week at work was quite intense. President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law, FY 2010 appropriation request deadlines have been looming, and we have a handful of clients coming to Washington next week. I feel as though my job title may well have been "Scheduler" the past few weeks, as I've spent a great deal of time and energy making sure our clients get in to see everyone. But as hectic as things have been in my office, I still do my best to be as polite as possible whenever communicating with people outside my office. I'm continually shocked by the number of people who do not make an effort to do the same. 

The poor attitudes I've experienced are most likely caused by people working in a job that they don't enjoy, and this is something I constantly struggle with. After meeting up with my old senate gang for happy hour this week, I was reminded of the number of people that I know personally who are in the same boat. But with the current economy, job security is crucial. It definitely isn't the time to be quitting a job to find something you better enjoy; however, I think this is even more reason for everyone to make the best of their current jobs. I just wish people were a bit more optimistic, that's all.

With that said, my optimism continues to be tested. This week, my good friend Jenny made the decision to be admitted to the hospital. Symptoms from her first week of chemo proved to be too difficult to manage at home, and she felt like the hospital was the best place for her. It's hard for us to show Jenny support from so many miles away, but we do the best we can with what we have. Continue to keep her in your prayers, as her treatment road ahead may be long and hard considering how rough it has begun.

In such trying times, I am very thankful for the friends I have made out here and the church family I working on building. The girls in my small group all seem like great people, and I'm excited to get to know them better and have deeper discussions with them. More to follow on that later.

......I can't wait until spring/warm weather!!