Location: Arlington, VA/Washington D.C. area
This summer marks the first summer I’ve lived somewhere outside of North Dakota and Minnesota, and accordingly, I’ve had a few other firsts as well.
Last week, July 16 to be specific, I suddenly woke up around 5 A.M. It sounded like someone was shaking Whitney and I’s bedroom door in its frame, rattling it, like they were trying to get in. Think an unskilled burglar jostling the lock. I opened my eyes and pushed back my turquoise comforter, and stared at the door while propped on my elbows. But just as suddenly as it arrived, the shake was gone. “What the hell…” I thought sleepily. I rubbed my eyes and then brushed it off. I figured maybe Anna and Kristi were leaving for work early and slammed the front door, causing ours to shake. Whitney woke up as well, and opened our door to go to our bathroom. She was just as confused, but given that everything seemed to be order, we went back to bed.
Last week, July 16 to be specific, I suddenly woke up around 5 A.M. It sounded like someone was shaking Whitney and I’s bedroom door in its frame, rattling it, like they were trying to get in. Think an unskilled burglar jostling the lock. I opened my eyes and pushed back my turquoise comforter, and stared at the door while propped on my elbows. But just as suddenly as it arrived, the shake was gone. “What the hell…” I thought sleepily. I rubbed my eyes and then brushed it off. I figured maybe Anna and Kristi were leaving for work early and slammed the front door, causing ours to shake. Whitney woke up as well, and opened our door to go to our bathroom. She was just as confused, but given that everything seemed to be order, we went back to bed.
Just an hour and a half later, Whit and I were getting ready while listening to the radio. A lightbulb turned on in my mind when I heard the DJs say earthquake.
“Hey Whit,” I called. “You know that shake?”
“Yeah?”
“That was an earthquake!”
Yes, the Washington, D.C. area was hit by its largest earthquake since 1974. It had a magnitude of 3.6, and although it was centered in Rockville, MD, it could be felt up to 30 miles away. While it was a large quake for the area, it was by California standards, a baby of an earthquake and caused no damage or injury. Needless to say, Whitney and I were fairly excited that we had “survived” our first earthquake!
Another first I had recently was attending my first soccer game! I went to see the D.C. United take on the L.A. Galaxy at RFK Stadium with Rachael and Marissa. I was never a soccer fan by any means until the World Cup, and it was easy to get caught up in that excitement with the game watching parties and united, rambunctious support for Team USA. I saw Team USA’s star Landon Donovan on TV all the time, and at the game I got to see him in person! He plays for the Galaxy, as does David Beckham. He was warming up right in the corner we overlooked, and I gotta say, he and his teammates aren’t too hard on the eyes. David Beckham wasn’t there, sadly, as he has been out with a foot injury that he suffered before the World Cup even began. Even without Becks, and even without really understanding soccer, the game was a lot of fun.
Something else I’m unfamiliar with? The intense heat. They say D.C. is a northern city stuck in the South, and I have to agree. I’ve experienced many cold and wind advisories, but D.C. is the first place where I’ve had a summer of multiple heat advisories. One hundred and five degrees Fahrenheit plus 85 percent humidity is not my cup of tea. Oh yes, and no wind…an occasional, slight, slight breeze if you wish for it really hard. So many people warned me about the summers here before I left, but it’s truly worse than I imagined before arriving. Toss in dress clothes and hang an oversized purse containing heels, an umbrella and an assortment of other items on your shoulder for an extra dose of misery. It makes me glad my apartment complex has a deliciously cold pool to relax in on the weekends (and a frozen yogurt window…I know, I have it good) since my apartment’s AC can’t keep up with the heat, either.
Finally, the most exciting first of all—my first trip to New York City is coming up! I am traveling to the Big Apple with my boyfriend, Jake, over my 21st birthday. It just makes sense to do it this summer since I’m already living on the East Coast and can get there much more cheaply by bus than by plane. Jake is flying to D.C., so we will have two days here and three days in New York for the perfect vacation. My 21st will mark yet another first—my first legal drink…in the United States. Living 15 miles from Canada has its upside. Anyway, I absolutely cannot wait to go to NYC! It’s been on my must-see list since I was a little girl and I can’t wait to see Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, the Empire State Building, a Broadway musical, and just being in the city that never sleeps!
I’m particularly excited for my birthday in the city. Jake and I will be eating dinner at the 21 Club, taking in West Side Story at the Palace Theater, and then hitting up a few NYC bars. I don’t know which ones yet; I’ve gotten dozens recommended to me. Feel free to comment and add to my list. I’ll let you know how it went and what I thought of NYC when I get back!
Even though I am more stationary now than I was in May on my world tour, this still feels like a travel blog. And honestly, I like it that way. My life is much less interesting when I am less transient. New cities mean new adventures, which means something new I want to write about.
Another first I had recently was attending my first soccer game! I went to see the D.C. United take on the L.A. Galaxy at RFK Stadium with Rachael and Marissa. I was never a soccer fan by any means until the World Cup, and it was easy to get caught up in that excitement with the game watching parties and united, rambunctious support for Team USA. I saw Team USA’s star Landon Donovan on TV all the time, and at the game I got to see him in person! He plays for the Galaxy, as does David Beckham. He was warming up right in the corner we overlooked, and I gotta say, he and his teammates aren’t too hard on the eyes. David Beckham wasn’t there, sadly, as he has been out with a foot injury that he suffered before the World Cup even began. Even without Becks, and even without really understanding soccer, the game was a lot of fun.
Something else I’m unfamiliar with? The intense heat. They say D.C. is a northern city stuck in the South, and I have to agree. I’ve experienced many cold and wind advisories, but D.C. is the first place where I’ve had a summer of multiple heat advisories. One hundred and five degrees Fahrenheit plus 85 percent humidity is not my cup of tea. Oh yes, and no wind…an occasional, slight, slight breeze if you wish for it really hard. So many people warned me about the summers here before I left, but it’s truly worse than I imagined before arriving. Toss in dress clothes and hang an oversized purse containing heels, an umbrella and an assortment of other items on your shoulder for an extra dose of misery. It makes me glad my apartment complex has a deliciously cold pool to relax in on the weekends (and a frozen yogurt window…I know, I have it good) since my apartment’s AC can’t keep up with the heat, either.
Finally, the most exciting first of all—my first trip to New York City is coming up! I am traveling to the Big Apple with my boyfriend, Jake, over my 21st birthday. It just makes sense to do it this summer since I’m already living on the East Coast and can get there much more cheaply by bus than by plane. Jake is flying to D.C., so we will have two days here and three days in New York for the perfect vacation. My 21st will mark yet another first—my first legal drink…in the United States. Living 15 miles from Canada has its upside. Anyway, I absolutely cannot wait to go to NYC! It’s been on my must-see list since I was a little girl and I can’t wait to see Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, the Empire State Building, a Broadway musical, and just being in the city that never sleeps!
I’m particularly excited for my birthday in the city. Jake and I will be eating dinner at the 21 Club, taking in West Side Story at the Palace Theater, and then hitting up a few NYC bars. I don’t know which ones yet; I’ve gotten dozens recommended to me. Feel free to comment and add to my list. I’ll let you know how it went and what I thought of NYC when I get back!
Even though I am more stationary now than I was in May on my world tour, this still feels like a travel blog. And honestly, I like it that way. My life is much less interesting when I am less transient. New cities mean new adventures, which means something new I want to write about.
Really, this whole year has been a lot of firsts for me. Each one affects me uniquely, but all further me as a person and make me realize both who I want to become and who I already am. Voyages to other places often become journeys in self-discovery, as well. That’s the kind of fact you hear in motivational speeches all the time, but you don’t fully understand until it happens to you. Living in a metropolitan city 1,537 miles from my home alone has made me more confident and mature, and I’ve already had so many incredibly, enriching experiences during my internship and on my down time that have greatly expanded my perspectives and understanding. It’s both exhilarating and sometimes startling to grow up. Does one every truly stop growing up? I surely hope not.
Donovan and the L.A. Galaxy.
He's good.
D.C. United vs L.A. Galaxy
Marissa, Rachael, and I
Surprise! My family is getting a new puppy. Here he is.
His name is Ace. Isn't he adorable? I can't wait to meet him!
1 comments:
Ris--Glad you've surviving all these firsts--especially the earthquake! and the awful heat!! Dad said this is one of his fave blogs; you can guess why. Have fun in NYC; your 21st birthday has ALL the makings of a very special birthday! Love and Miss you, Mom
Post a Comment