It happens to be my last day at Island Press.


I'm not really sure how I feel about it. I'm not excited about leaving, this has been wonderful. But I'm also not sad to leave. Ready-- ready is a good word.

I should probably go home and pack some tonight.

It snowed yesterday.

it was freezing today

Today was my last Monday at Island Press. The train ride into the city this morning was snowy and grey. I think I had my biggest fluffiest scarf wrapped three times around my neck all day long. It was 22 degrees, plus the wind.

I realized today that I know my way around now better than I thought. I know how to get most places between Union Station and Farragut North, and then from Dupont Circle down to there and everything in between. The area down by the Mall and Pennsylvania Ave is pretty simple, just walk and you will find everything importantly beautiful.

Our house is a boarding house this next week. Faith and her friend Bri came home and are the best to hang out with. They drove up to Philadelphia to get Steven tonight so that will be one more. Almost every room in the house has someone sleeping in it (there are 8 rooms to sleep in). I will absolutely miss this part about living here, all the people coming in and out. There is rarely a dull moment and though things are a little crazy sometimes--particularly with showers, food, and the noise level--I wouldn't change it for anything.

I think I'm a little homesick.

christmas tea

Yesterday was the Christmas tea at church, for which we invited about a hundred elderly women from different homes in our area to come and enjoy some tea, and fellowship. I was so excited to help--as I love tea parties of any sort--and was assigned the job of re-filler; it was my job to refill the tea pots as they became empty. I found quickly that this job did not require to much of my time and soon I got myself some tea and sat down at a table of ladies to join in on the conversation. We talked and ate traditional-tea things, tuna salad sandwiches, breads, tartlets and chocolates. Some of them couldn't believe I was 22 and finished with college, which I have been getting a lot lately. There was earl grey, cinnamon and vanilla chai tea and I even got to take home my very own cup. It was delightful to spend the afternoon with these ladies and I loved the hugs I received as they left.

chocolate chip french toast

It's the little things in life.

This morning I woke up around seven, to the smell of breakfast drifting into my room. I came down in my pajamas to chocolate chip french toast made by the amazing Steve Wecker. Dads who make breakfast in the morning are the best (I am proud to say I have the best of the best).

 A cup of pumpkin spice coffee, the heater blowing on my feet from under the counter, a cold fall day; here's to life, and waking up early when you don't have to.

rainy day

This morning I was laying in bed at 6:15 listening to the rain hit my window and the planes fly overhead (during storms BWI planes get re-routed over our house), thinking that the last thing I want to do today is go stand in the  rain and wait for the train.

But alas.

I donned by boots, brown coat, and a scarf and headed out the door. The rain slid down the train window and I my eyes had a hard time staying awake. I love the train, I am really going to miss it. I decided this morning to get some tea--Earl Grey with milk and honey--in Union Station, relax in the warmth, and listen to the Christmas instrumental they began playing this week. It was so wonderful.

Around 9:30 I braved the storm and walked my three blocks up Connecticut Avenue with all the other wet people. The umbrella nearly blew out of my hands a few times. It reminded me of Mary Poppins. Now I'm inside, the heater is on, and I may make myself another cup of tea. These next weeks should be busy, the editorial department has 14 new books to transmit to us.

texas

With my best friend, it's pretty fantastic.

cities i live in

Baltimore, from Federal Hill.

On our way to the Jonsi concert.

Me, Joy, Zoe. The closest we'd ever been to Jonsi.

Washington, DC just around the corner from my work. 

Dear family, 

Good books, scarves, a decent SLR camera, boots, loose leaf teas, art supplies, a to-go tea infuser, a kite, sweaters--brown is my favorite color, after that burnt yellow and fall orange-- frequent flyer miles, tickets to a play, Scrabble, or anything from etsy.com. 

Love you, see you soon!

some days

I've begun to process leaving here. It makes my heart so sad. Hard to believe that before September 10th I didn't know this family, or this house. I hadn't hung out with Joy or Wendy and didn't know the void it had with them not in it. I had no idea the amazing conversations I'd have with Patti and Steve. The beauty of this place had yet to hit me.

Things are starting to end again. It makes me a little sad.

However to look toward the future, and the most incredible adventures yet to come, makes me okay with the changes. I can't wait for the holidays, I can't wait for the snow (I started packing for Thanksgiving tonight). My favorite times of year are just around the corner. Candy canes from the Candy Kitchen, my gram's house full of wonderful decorations and cookies, lights on everyones houses and a fire in the fireplace 24-7.

But for now I'll learn as much as I can, and soak up the experience.