Somewhere ages and ages hence;

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled..." -Robert Frost

Perhaps one of the most overused, over quoted poem used by high school and college students alike. Be that as it may, Robert Frost was onto something here. What did Mr. Frost know that I don't? How was he sure he took the less traveled road?

As I think about and try to plan my future I want to ensure that I, too, take the road less traveled. I reflect on my life's decisions and wonder whether the choices have gotten me where I am today are a reflection of choosing the road less traveled. Or were the decisions made because of expectations? Or fear? Or thoughtlessness? Or perhaps this is where fate has taken me?

I lean towards the expectations piece, always doing "what was right" or the logical next step. Look at my life, graduated high school with honors (expectation), went to college out of state (one of my stubborn choices), graduated college with honors (expectation), went straight to grad school (fear? expectation?), graduated with honors (expectation), then got a prestigious residency out of state (expectation). I'm not saying any of these were bad decisions, but I often wonder if I make decisions because I feel pressured by what I'm "supposed to do." Maybe I could have been a little more crazy and wild in college, not that I didn't have my share of fun, don't kid yourself, but I spent a lot of time in the library too. Maybe I could have gone to travel Europe with nothing and taken odd jobs while seeing the world? Maybe I could have majored in something less reasonable like theater? Maybe I could have tried out to cheer in college?

Please don't misunderstand me, I am very thankful and proud of my accomplishments. I knew relatively early on that I would need to work for the things I had in life. Nobody was going to hand me anything. I just don't want to feel stuck in my responsibilities. I want to make sure that the next decision I make is made because it's really what I wanted and not because it's what I felt like I should or had to do. Also I need to remember to get a little crazy sometime. I want to jump in a car and take a road trip across the country, I want to go get crazy in Vegas (sometime when I'm not going for work), I want to leave the country, I want to see the world! I want to help people, make a difference, take chances, live with no regrets, laugh too loud, love too much, learn to sew, start my own business, and have dance parties every day. Silly? Yes. Trite? Perhaps. But it's time to seize the day and find joy in every moment!

All of this to say, I want to take the road less traveled because in the end it will make all the difference. It seems Mr. Frost may have had the same concerns as I, "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both, And be one traveler, long I stood."

So too long I stand.

Sometimes you're lost, sometimes you're found

Well today was an interesting day. I started out by going to my very first NBA basketball game, the Washington Wizards. It was fun even though the Wizards are terrible.

So then I'm innocently sitting at home, when the roomie texts me. I ask her if she's made any life decisions yet, and she says yes that she's not coming back from Tulsa. This puts me in quite the pickle because we were supposed to re-sign our lease next week. Now I need to find a new place to live, not to mention probably a new roommate due to the high cost of living, plus movers, plus money to hire movers, plus money for deposits and pet deposits. Ugh! Too much stress!! I've already moved twice since June, and now for a 3rd?!

Honestly, could I catch a break?

DC hasn't been the kindest to me: a move within the first month of being here, an unfortunate car towing experience, a harassing run in with the law, being dirt poor all the time, and now this?! It's time for some GOOD LUCK!

But hey, nothing can hold me down. Professionally speaking I am really starting to prove myself and I'm excited about the opportunity for growth. I've met some great people in DC and experienced great things. I've been continually challenged to grow as a young professional and a woman. I know now that I can go anywhere and do anything.

Call me stubborn or crazy or even stupid, but I don't think I'm ready to give up on DC.

This is just another challenge and I am great at overcoming challenges!

Sausage and Pancakes

"Since we're going to to be hungry..."

I'm spending the night/weekend at home with Mary Fox. She has talked me into creating a blog...to blog my utterly boring existence. What will my blog say? Probably something to the extent of:

Day 1: I worked 12 hours today.

Day 2: I worked 12 hours today.

Day 3: I worked 12 hours today.

Day 4: I worked 12 hours today.

Day 5: I worked 12 hours today, then went to the bar.

Day 6: I slept 12 hours, then went to the bar.

Day 7: I slept 12 hours, then got ready to work 12 hours the next day.

Ok, so it's probably not that benign, but I guess only time will tell.

I had this great idea that I would start blogging upon moving to Washington, DC. I would buy a digital camera (I know it's 2010, I'm 25 years old, and I'm still using disposables. Pathetic? I'm aware) and take pictures of monuments and all the fun things I'm doing. Well, it's been 7 months and I never quite found the time (or money) to do that.

All of this stream of consciousness talk to conclude I need to spice up my life (did I really just quote a Spice Girls song?) and Mary Fox is a bad influence. We are a "we" now though, so I guess it's ok.