DC-the first few days

I have finally made it to DC, however currently I am racking up those
frequent flier miles and traveling to Seattle for a graduate school
preview days program...these airplanes are great places to catch up on
posts!

So thursday I left for DC with literally 115lbs of luggage. Now for a
normal travel experience where someone is picking you up from the
airport that much luggage is no problem...but that was the farthest
from my experience. I landed in Baltimore and knew I needed to catch a
shuttle to the Amtrak station. So I did that with only minor
problems...I get to the Amtrak station and buy a ticket on the Marc
because it was $44 cheaper!

Waiting for the train I met a nice lady who wasn't scowling at me for
packing my entire life in 4 bags! Finally I got a chance to sit down
and attach my rolley bags together creating this monster of a bag. So
now I didn't have to pull two and have two on my shoulders which was
really starting to be awkward! Getting onto the train was funny
because I had to go around this sharp corner to find an empty place
with my bodybag like contraption! At this point all I could do was
laugh, and thank the Lord that I could somewhat manage myself!

Departing the train I needed to find the red line metro, buy a ticket,
get through the turnstiles, and make it onto a metro train. I had
never done any of that in DC before, heck I had never been to DC nor
had I ever met my roommate or really knew where I was going! So I
just smiled, apologized to all the kind, very nicely dressed people
(oh did I mention...it was rush hour) and mastered my independent
woman gig! The only hiccup I had was getting all of my stuff thru the
turnstiles while inserting a tickets and then pulling it out, while
walking thru. I literally got stuck in between the little doors that
open and close! So..I forced them open with my sheer adrenaline that
was absolutely flowing at that moment, played it cool and survived!

The metro ride wasn't bad except for the merciless stares due to the
absurdity of my packing abilities! I got on the right train, made it
to the Cleveland park stop and managed to drag my belongings with the
last bit of strength I had left off the train only to find that the
escalator was out of service! So I toughed it up and started dragging
all of my luggage up two flights of stairs! I got up the first stair
and thought I was gonna throw my back out so I devised a new plan. I
sat my carry on bags a few stairs up, turned and with all my might
heaved everything up. I did this a few more times, all the while
thinking this is what I deserved for packing for 6 weeks for 3
different climates and bringing 11 pairs of shoes...I was being
smited!

Finally this really nice man saw my struggles and probably thought if
he didn't help me I might keel over and die so we both lifted the bags
and made it, alive, up the stairs.

Meeting my roommate was kinda nerve racking especially because I'm
sure I looked like a crazy person! Margie is so so sweet, and
considerate! She has red curly hair like me, and her apartment is
phenomenal! The front door has a doorman, the lobby looks like
something from an Audrey Hepburn move adorned in crystal, and gold
with regal mirrors and flower arrangements! There is a sitting room, a
members only lounge and of course a state of the art health club and
spa! Ok so for real...I never want to leave! Think old glamour, a 5
min walk to restaurants and an organic supermarket, and wood floors!
What more does a girl need in her life! Seriously its amazing! I am so
blessed to have found this opportunity!

Friday was my first day at the internship working with the Association
of Catholic Colleges and Universities! I made it to Dupont Circle
found the building, got my badge and started what I hope to be one of
the most informative and worthwhile experiences to date! I began work
almost right away thinking about my professional and personal goals
while at the ACCU! I also began writing an article for their quarterly
newsletter which is sent to 3000 people, made website notations of out
of date information, and researched the Center for Earth and
Jurisprudence. All in all, it was a perfect first day, including the
delicious lunch my supervisor took me to at a delightful Turkish
restaurant!

After work I decided to take an adventure of my own to a Verizon
Store! I mapped it out, and started walking! I only made one wrong
turn and found the store thanks to my trusty crackberry! Then I rushed
home, changed and headed out again to see Avatar...for the first
time...cuz I'm super lame!

So far DC is everything and more than I expected it to be! I am super
excited to explore the city, meet new people and learn!

So that's all for now! I am waiting in the Chicago airport and might
get bumped which means a free roundtrip voucher from United! More
later on my Seattle adventure and graduate school excitment!
T
Wish me luck!

S

Posted via email from Samantha's Posterous

Mardi Gras recap

As I am sitting on the plane reminiscing about the whirlwind of the
last few weeks I have to. remind myself that that whirlwind is about
to become a hurricane! Right now the only dilemma is to figure out
where to begin...

After my 9 day stint as an administrative coordinator at the
Counseling Center at St. Edward's, I participated in what is probably
one of my favorite things to do: MARDI GRAS!! This holiday has so many
negative underpinnings and receives so many scoffs because of the
inappropriate and degrading experience many people believe this
extravaganza contains. Now, don't get me wrong, if you are lookin for
a show you absolutely can find it in New Orleans at Mardi Gras, BUT
that is definitely not what I went to find nor is that my experienced.
My version of Mardi Gras is made possible by the amazing Dugas Family!

This particular Mardi Gras started with a trip to a great Cajun
Restaurant where I enjoyed my first shrimp Poboy (of the many to come)
and a walk down Bourbon to find Hurricanes! We were absolutely
successful in the Hurricane endeavor and we even got a great cup with
a handle to take home! Now maybe I should clarify who WE is... My dear
friend Anna from Kansas City, Kristie whose family kindly coordinates
much of the trip, Rachel from Kansas city who played volleyball with
Kris and is a huge riot, Michael from Lincoln-we went to high school
together and is of great importance to Kris, then all of the people
Kristie's older brother brought along...Chuck, Scott, Matt, Anthony,
Josie, two other girls who I didn't really get the chance to talk
with, and Robs gf Nikki. So as you can see the WE in this story is
quite an entourage, one which only got larger by saturday...there were
36 people in 9 hotel rooms...you get my drift!

After the stroll down bourbon, we proceeded to get bundled up because
it was becoming quite a cold night. With gloves, scarves and countless
layers we made it to Mike Serio's Poboy shop on St. Charles...which
happens to be on the parade route. Due to the weather the previous day
the parades that were supposed to roll thursday couldn't so we got to
see 4 parades on friday night! My favorite of the night was Muses
because its an all women Krew and they throw great things...eye masks,
rings, bracelets and all adorned with high heels in pinks and reds.
But the prized possession of this parade are the hand decorated real
shoes they throw out. Now you might be asking why are throw and beads
such a big deal...and I honestly don't have an answer except you just
can't help but want more and more once you are in that
atmosphere...and the high heels are just icing on the cake! People
fight over these things..literally. A man said to Anna that once the
parade starts that he goes all out and to not excpect him to be kind
or considerate...this man caught 3 shoes this year...simply unfair!

After the parades Anna and I decided to go find the rest of our people
because they had decided to leave and go to Pat O'Briens the famous
piano bar on Bourbon. It took us almost 25 minutes to fight our way
thru the crowds. When we finally got there, the line to get in was an
entire block long! So...we left and randomly met up with on of the
guys in our group on the street. We then found out that everyone had
gone back to the hotel, so that is where we headed too! After a day of
drinking, parades, friends, and Beads we were all exhausted...but not
tired enough for a trip to Arby's!

Saturday morning started out well...woke up early then tried to get
breakfast at Arby's and lost out! Anna and I made it 5 min after they
stopped serving...and all I wanted was an egg soo bad! I seriously
almost jumped over the counter! After our breakfast disappointment
came the most epic Mass of my life! Saturday is an important day for
the Dugas family because the Endymion parade rolls saturday night, and
this is the parade Kristie's dad rides in, which ends in the Super
Dome at a Ball! All of this craziness begins with a Catholic Mass
celebrated in the Super Dome with the Krew and family members. The
reason this experience is so epic is because the guys are dressed in
their outfits which generally are bright colored clown suits, across
the aisle from us were men drinking beer with feet propped up, people
laughing and talking but what is so strange is it all seemed so
normal! And yes, the Bishop of New Orleans did allow that mass to
count for Sunday!

After mass we ventured back to Mike's with a quick stop for some
pizza! Anna and I decided to stay a little longer at Mike's and when
we tried to get back to the hotel we were stuck because there were day
parades going on we had to cross the parade route twice! This is not
allowed and kristie almost got arrested because she tried to right as
she was across from the hotel! We finally found a place to cross and
by this time it was almost 330 which means Ball preparation time!
Every year there are about 10 girls trying to get ready for a formal
ball in two rooms with 2 showers and 6 mirrors...you can see the
problem! But getting ready is always so much fun! Sharing make-up,
doing hair, sewing dresses...it all happens in those rooms with just
enough time to take one team photo and then catch the charter buses to
the Dome!

This Ball is not a sit down dinner, classy affair. Its essentially is
a formal tailgate! You bring your own food in coolers, and your own
alcohol. They provide popcorn, mixers and ice! The rest is history.
This year we danced the night away, watched as the parade came thru
the Dome, I got "married," enjoyed drinks, sang to Leonard Skynard as
he performed live, and took countless hilarious pictures! The dresses
were fabulous, the music was amazing and before I knew it it was 4 am
and we were headed back to the buses! 8 hours of dancing, Laughing,
drinking and making memories I was exhausted! Somehow I ended up with
a tux coat, and thank goodness for that because it was really cold in
my dress...and we had to walk because we are idiots. We got off the
bus early for some crazy reason and walked along side the bus back to
the hotel! After discovering the new shade of black on my feet and
eating popcorn with a little girl talk mixed in...Saturday was over!

Sunday was supposed to be a day of recovery but with all thing comes
room for changes. I finally got to eat at Mothers which is quite
famous in NO due to its block long line...constantly. The food was
everything I needed in my life at that moment. Crawfish Etoufee
omelet, grits, french fries, and biscuits with butter and jam! Talk
about perfect hangover food! And this was such a good change from the
poboys I kept obsessively eating. Following the cure to all my
problems Anna and I went back to the hotel and sat on a wall and
people watched for a good long time! I was asked if I was saved, saw
middle aged women wearing matching purple and yellow argyle tights,
homemade feathery hats, and bedazzled sun glasses, and got to watch
another parade.

Sunday evening led us back to Mike's to watch the Bacchus parade! It
was a ton of fun, I talked to my "husband" about out prenup agreement
and continued to enjoy the delicacy of BudLight! The weather was
chilly, the people were excited and life was good! Following the
parade and a short hotel stop a few of us went to Pat O'Briens...but
did I mention that it had begun to rain?? Oh well cuz it had! This
mean soaked clothes but tons of rain dancing fun. This particular bar
has enough over hangs to keep people dry, but who can resist some good
old bad music dancing.

After meeting a 35 year old man dressed as Tigger it was time to
leave! Sunday was so fun and relaxing, the perfect end before everyone
left.

As most people know, no trip to The Big Easy is complete without a
stop at Cafe Du Monde for some beignets! For the 5 people at out table
we asked for 7 orders...which means I ate 5 beignets...yes I was
slightly hungry and couldn't really control myself. After feeling
mighty satisfied it was time to say goodbye to almost everyone! With
the departure of my old friends, and some new ones I realized I had
just taken part in quite possibly the most fun and random weekend of
my life!

Posted via email from Samantha's Posterous

Fantastic Finds for February

1. myfitfoods.com (austin) --> healthy meals prepared and delivered to your home: from chicken and veggies to atlantic salmon to trail mix. All very reasonable priced with tons of different options

2. Groupon.com --> find the best daily deals in Austin from Daily Juice discounts to laser hair removal, you can save 50-90%!

3. Fage --> Greek Style Yogurt with 19g of protein for 1 cup and only 4.5 grams of fat, wonderful mixed with chopped almonds and dried cranberries. Has a thick texture and can be subsitued for a small meal with a side of veggies or a salad

4. Genisoy sweet crisps/soy crisps --> delicious snack made with soy products but with enough protein to sustain hunger.Forsavory flavors-- try the zesty bar-bq for a great snack or the cinnamon streusel sweet crisps for a great dessert.

5.Annie's Organic Whole Wheat Shells and White Cheddar --> your average mac and cheese with a healthy twist. One Serving has 250 Calories and low fat. I always combine with veggies either sauteed or frozen (the frozen can be added right in with the boiling water towards the end of the cooking time for the pasta) Perfect for a rainy day, or when that craving for comfort food attacks!

 

Just a short list of the things that keep me busy from day to day!

Posted via web from Samantha's Posterous