but please don't ask if i'm done unpacking the boxes yet...Thursday, February 12, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
"Wherever you are, its your friends who make your world"
It's almost midnight on February 1st, 2009! Which could only mean it's over, really and truly over.
Not the superbowl, silly. My time in Washington.
It's the end of an era, as they say, and the beginning of a new one. It's exciting. It's a time of adjustment. And it's just plain weird.
This summer, the lovely LC wrote a letter to DC on her blog when she returned to Seattle. In my constant quest to copy the really cool people I know, I'm writing my own letter...
My Dearest District,
Where do I start? I miss you already. I miss the hills, the monuments, the embassies. I miss the diversity I encountered on the metro and the bus, the fulfillment I found each day just by showing up at an office around 8:30 a.m. I miss knowing that the breaking political news on CNN and Fox was happening in my city. And gosh, I miss the beautiful White House.
It was a marvelous year and I have no regrets, only memories. I know you will be the city I compare all the rest to, and I don’t know how any other will live up to the precedent you’ve set. You are, after all, the capitol of our wonderful country!
I learned a lot about independence and the appreciation of loved ones from you. You taught me to never underestimate the challenge of a long bike ride. You instilled in me an appreciation for spacious bedrooms.
I loved our four seasons together, each for different reasons. The first winter that faded into spring, full of visitors from Texas, intern adventures, and dance parties with L.J. and Mary Alice.
Summer may have been my favorite – I’ll always remember the way the orange sunlight radiated off the Smithsonians as I left work each evening. My whole body felt warm that summer, surrounded by Caitlin & Katherine and other wonderful friends. And two trips to Texas to the lake with my fam didn’t hurt, either.
Fall was miraculous. Who knew leaves could change to become so many wonderful colors? Thanks for being my safe harbor during hard, confusing times back on the homefront.
William James, a 19th century pshyscologist, said “Wherever you are, it is your friends who make your world.” Miles and miles from family and old friends, you certainly proved that to be true.
Within your 68 square miles, I had the time of my life. My prayer for the future is definitely to run forward and not become “that” girl that talks about “DC” or “my friends in the district…” or “back in the day, in Washington,let me tell you a story…” No one wants to hear that. Least of all the greatest state in the union: Texas.
You see, D.C., it was a conscious decision to end my time with you. The place I came from, it’s comfortable. It’s exciting. It’s full of all the people I love most. It’s the land of Craig Biggio and “Remember the Alamo” and the hill country. We smile a lot, we unapologetically drive gas guzzlers, we say things like “ya’ll” and “fixin’ to.”
I love you, District of Columbia. I’m pretty sure you know that. And I’m sure you always knew this was a casual affair. The land that made Sam Houston and Barbara Jordan, Tommy Lee Jones and Lady Bird Johnson, Roger Clemens and Walter Cronkite who they are- its pulling me back. Back to Texas for me.
Saying thank you seems silly, so I’m not going to say it. I will say I’ll be back, and I hope we can continue this friendship always. Take care of my homies that are still there.
Thanks for teaching me a lot about faith & patience & hope. Thanks for teaching me never to settle for anything less than the best. Oh! And I almost forgot - the job skills, the business-world experience, the passion for all things politics - thanks a heap for that, too.
This was supposed to be a short note, full of humor and wit. In the end, it’s just another fumbling attempt of mine to put my feelings on paper. Or the screen, whatever...
I’m not good at goodbyes and I’m certainly not a fan of “break-ups.” So let’s just quickly wish each other the best and be thankful for the memories.
But know that my heart will always have a district-shaped spot in it.
Where do I start? I miss you already. I miss the hills, the monuments, the embassies. I miss the diversity I encountered on the metro and the bus, the fulfillment I found each day just by showing up at an office around 8:30 a.m. I miss knowing that the breaking political news on CNN and Fox was happening in my city. And gosh, I miss the beautiful White House.
It was a marvelous year and I have no regrets, only memories. I know you will be the city I compare all the rest to, and I don’t know how any other will live up to the precedent you’ve set. You are, after all, the capitol of our wonderful country!
I learned a lot about independence and the appreciation of loved ones from you. You taught me to never underestimate the challenge of a long bike ride. You instilled in me an appreciation for spacious bedrooms.
I loved our four seasons together, each for different reasons. The first winter that faded into spring, full of visitors from Texas, intern adventures, and dance parties with L.J. and Mary Alice.
Summer may have been my favorite – I’ll always remember the way the orange sunlight radiated off the Smithsonians as I left work each evening. My whole body felt warm that summer, surrounded by Caitlin & Katherine and other wonderful friends. And two trips to Texas to the lake with my fam didn’t hurt, either.
Fall was miraculous. Who knew leaves could change to become so many wonderful colors? Thanks for being my safe harbor during hard, confusing times back on the homefront.
William James, a 19th century pshyscologist, said “Wherever you are, it is your friends who make your world.” Miles and miles from family and old friends, you certainly proved that to be true.
Within your 68 square miles, I had the time of my life. My prayer for the future is definitely to run forward and not become “that” girl that talks about “DC” or “my friends in the district…” or “back in the day, in Washington,let me tell you a story…” No one wants to hear that. Least of all the greatest state in the union: Texas.
You see, D.C., it was a conscious decision to end my time with you. The place I came from, it’s comfortable. It’s exciting. It’s full of all the people I love most. It’s the land of Craig Biggio and “Remember the Alamo” and the hill country. We smile a lot, we unapologetically drive gas guzzlers, we say things like “ya’ll” and “fixin’ to.”
I love you, District of Columbia. I’m pretty sure you know that. And I’m sure you always knew this was a casual affair. The land that made Sam Houston and Barbara Jordan, Tommy Lee Jones and Lady Bird Johnson, Roger Clemens and Walter Cronkite who they are- its pulling me back. Back to Texas for me.
Saying thank you seems silly, so I’m not going to say it. I will say I’ll be back, and I hope we can continue this friendship always. Take care of my homies that are still there.
Thanks for teaching me a lot about faith & patience & hope. Thanks for teaching me never to settle for anything less than the best. Oh! And I almost forgot - the job skills, the business-world experience, the passion for all things politics - thanks a heap for that, too.
This was supposed to be a short note, full of humor and wit. In the end, it’s just another fumbling attempt of mine to put my feelings on paper. Or the screen, whatever...
I’m not good at goodbyes and I’m certainly not a fan of “break-ups.” So let’s just quickly wish each other the best and be thankful for the memories.
But know that my heart will always have a district-shaped spot in it.
All my love,
crob
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