The City is Calling

*Yaaaaaawn*

*Streeeeetch*

Well, here I am. I made it! I'm officially a Virginia/Washington DC resident. I've been super busy since my arrival; unpacking, moving, walking, metro-ing, bus-ing, more walking, more moving, more unpacking... It seems to be an endless cycle. I'm still getting used to not having a car... Public transportation is mostly great, but sometimes it's not so great when it takes you an hour and a half to get somewhere that a car could have taken you in 20 minutes. But, that's the breaks and I'm sure it'll get easier as I become more comfortable with it all.

It's weird when I realize that I'm here for good and not just visiting. I keep forgetting! I think it becomes more real when I'm at Andrew's place. He has an awesome doorman named Steve, and he's starting to recognize me since I'm there so often.

Also, being at Andrew's makes the move more apparent because that's where Mia has been since the end of June. I wonder if she knows she's a big city kitty now. She loves sitting in his windowsill watching the cars and people go by. She seems really happy there. She's always running around his room and being super playful and cuddly. I was worried she'd just hide all the time, so I'm happy to see her come out of her shy little shell.

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On the 4th of July, I watched the fireworks from Andrew's rooftop. It was really neat. After they were over, he said, "I wonder where Obama was watching from," and I smiled because again - I forgot I was in DC! The president lives here! Whoaaa...

Our house has been coming together nicely. We hired cleaners because the house was pretty gross when we moved in. The people who lived here before us just kind of left stuff everywhere and almost everything was dirty. Our landlord seems to be a bit lazy and/or sketchy. We've had a lot of problems so far, and Kendal has been dealing with them which I'm very thankful for. We'll be deducting the cleaning bill from rent, so that's nice.

I was here while the women were cleaning and I felt really awkward. I kept moving around from room to room so I could stay out of their way. I played angry birds for a few hours and was texting and trying to look busy. I felt bad. I don't think I could ever have someone clean my house on a regular basis. "Oh, don't mind me, I'll just be sitting here while you scrub my toilet."

I told my dad about it and he responded with a text saying, "Lift your feet," which is a very "Manda's dad" response, if you know my dad.

Bella napping on our new (free!) couch. Andrew's friend, Hamad hooked us up. What a guy. Thanks, Hamad!

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It's Andrew's birthday tomorrow, so last night his brother, Alex and his girlfriend, Madh, wanted to take him out to dinner. Originally we were going to go to a french restaurant, but instead we went to the Lebanese Taverna because they had more vegan/vegetarian options. I thought it was sweet of them to think of me! A few of Andrew's friends also joined us. The food was delicious. I loved everything, and I'm definitely taking Kendal there in the near future.

After that, we went to Chi-Cha, which is a hookah lounge on U-Street and tried some mango hookah. I'm looking forward to bringing Brian back there when he visits. We tried going to a hookah bar in Madison, but found out it was in a trailer park, so we changed our minds, haha.

Anyway, a few of Madh's friends came to Chi-Cha, too. They were really nice. Everyone I've met so far has been super friendly and has made me feel welcomed. Everyone keeps telling me that east coast people are angry and rude, but I haven't noticed it at all. I'm hoping the people here continue being as nice as everyone Andrew has introduced me to thus far!

Andrew and I tried taking some photos, but it was super dark in there and we were all crammed on this little couch, so it was hard staying still.

Andrew's friend, Fox.

Draaaanks.

A very blurry photo of Alex and Madh's friend (whose name sadly escapes me at the moment).

After we left Chi-Cha, Andrew and I walked to Ben's Chili Bowl, since I've never been there and was curious to see what it looked like. There was a big line outside and people were everywhere.

We didn't order anything, but I'm sure i'll be back. My roommate, Chris, is all about this place and he's been there twice already, so I'm sure I'll experience their vegan chili sooner or later.

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Andrew has been a wonderful guide, and he continues to be sweeter than ever.

This is actually a picture from my first visit - just minutes after we met!

We were in the elevator on our way up to his apartment.

All in all, i'm enjoying DC. The only thing I'm still getting used to are the rats and cockroaches. Andrew warned me before I moved here, but I didn't want to believe him. It just doesn't make sense that such vile things walk around outside and nobody seems to mind. We don't have things like that in Wisconsin. Mice, occasionally, but rats??? And yes, we have some cockroaches in Wisconsin, but when we have cockroaches, it's considered a problem and it gets taken care of. I never ever saw them just walking around outside until I moved here. It's terrifying.

The other night, I walked from the metro to Andrew's and my knees were shaking because I kept seeing cockroaches scurry around right in front of me as I walked. I wonder how many times I yelped, "oh my god!" and gasped loud enough for others to hear while on that short walk. And when I was about 30 feet from his apartment, I saw a rat run into a sewer. Oofda.

I sent this email to my dad that night:

"Dad, there are so many cockroaches out at night... And did I mention GIANT RATS???!!! EVERYWHERE. Dad. Everywhere. There are rats and cockroaches everywhere. Dad."

His response?

"Lift your feet."

I miss him. I'm hoping we get the internet soon so I can Skype with everyone back home. I probably won't be back in Wisconsin until December, so I'm sure I'll have withdrawals before then. I love Skype so much. Maybe I should write them a thank-you letter?

Well, that's all for now.

Until next time,

May your dress fly as high as your dreams.

xo,

Amanda