Independent Woman...part 2!

As a dear friend commented on a previous post about my independent
woman life style (which I am simply enjoying) it made me realize that
the oh so common song lyric that reaffirms every spelling lesson I
have had is absolutely the best way to be living my life right now!

So part 2 in the traveling nomad independent woman (and yes every time
I type that word I silently add "do you know what that means") life of
mine has began to unfold yet again. As many of you may know I am now
living in Phoenix (currently house sitting). The adventure getting
here was quite a ride, as my life seems to be these days.

I woke up bright and early last friday around 4am and quickly dressed,
zipped one last bag and made the contacts/glasses decision by choosing
glasses as I had grand hopes of sleeping on the plane! I make it down
the elevator and out the door with my 7000lbs of luggage (and this
trip should have been easier as I shipped two boxes home to alleviate
weight issues I had traveling to DC) I start the trek to the metro and
its starts raining...rain I figured was the least of my worries as
long as I made it to the metro to catch the 523 train....well I didn't
really realize how much longer it was taking me to walk the usually
short 7 min walk to the metro until I looked at my phone and it was
519 and i was having to stop every couple minutes to switch bags and
give my tired body a rest (I had a bag that I later found out weighed
61lbs, another that was 20, and two shoulder bags which together were
close to 30). At one of these routine rest breaks I realized I
couldn't really see anything...because...I had left my glasses in the
apartment...so much for early morning decisions!

I finally made it to the metro and had missed my train...but all was
good there are always more! I finally made it to the bus stop, after a
transfer and endless stares as though I was crazy or even infringing
upon other people's comfort zone, although I never got in anyone's
way. I got on the bus and there was really not a lot of room for my
life in bags and this nice guy noticed and offered to make sure my
body bag sized luggage didn't fall and was out of the way! It was
really a great thing at 630 in the morning!

So I finally made it to the airport, checked in, and had to re pack my
body bag because it was 11 pounds over weight. The man behind the
counter goes "when that bag bursts your skivies are gonna be going
around the conveyor belt! At least someone had a sense of humor that
early in the morning...right?

Check in was a success, made it to the gate as the attendant was
asking for volunteers to give up their seats...for the price of the
one way ticket to phoenix plus $200 on top of that! So I decided to
take the offer! After all I didn't have to be in phoenix by any
particular time...but the catch was that I had to be shuttled to
baltimore (I was at dulles). So they hired a shuttle van...I got on it
and barely made it to BWI in time for my flight. I went thru security
in 3 minutes and got on the plane just as they were closing the doors!
Talk about perfect timing!

I realized thru this somewhat disheveled experience that blessings
come in quite mysterious ways!

I'm in Phoenix now and have been enjoying laying out, watching movies
and relaxing! Some might call this being a bum or even laziness but I
can assure you that is not the case! This is my mental break before I
need to scrounge for jobs! A job is my next priority...hopefully one
will come my way soon!

I hope you...whoever you might be... are doing well, enjoying life and
appreciating the little things! Take time to relax and look at the
stars, read a book, or paint your nails! Oh yea...if u know of a
job...I would love to chat!

Peace!

S

Posted via email from Samantha's Posterous

The hovering epidemic

Now maybe epidemic is a bit of an exaggeration but I have come to
notice that folks in large metropolitan cities become expert hoverers.
As I write this entry I am standing outside some random office
building, staring at the metro..and all those other hovering by
because they really don't have much else to do. For example, there is
an older gentleman standing with his back to the wall with one leg
crossed in front of the other. Business suite, shopping
bag...something small...maybe for the wife, phone in hand, and sun
glasses. Now either he has a lot of time to burn or he is waiting for
someone/something. But the fact of the matter is...his hovering
abilities. Now some of you might be wondering what do u mean hovering?
Well let me explain!

I have found that living in a city where a significant amount of the
population travels with mass transit, either metro or buses, that when
their is down time, the only options are to wait outside and hover in
an area...not necessarily around people...or go somewhere and spend
money. I.e. Restaurant, starbucks, boutique...you get the point! As
spending money goes...there just isn't an unlimited supply of it in
many cases so that means hovering is the next best option! If people
had cars they would probably want to drive around, nap, or would even
spend their time most likely walking the 5 miles to the parking spot,
which happened to be the closest available in morning rush hour.

I know this is a strange observation but what can I say...its
everywhere...the hovering epidemic! Due to the fact that I am creepily
watching people as they aimlessly stand by buildings and store
fronts...maybe the real obscurity is my sense of entertainment!

Love

S

Posted via email from Samantha's Posterous

Independently Wealthy

As I sit on BoltBus to NYC I have a great dream of magically becoming
independently wealthy...not so much to baste in materialistic
possessions but to have experiences! Imagine the glorious jungles,
beaches and mountains that could be shared and conquered!

Although affording such lavish travel would be wonderful, I sincerely
enjoy working and giving back some of the gifts I have been blessed
with. Finding a job to use these so called gifts I have awarded myself
has become another issue for my life! I keep applying and networking
and am just hoping to get a break! I am excited to work, as that is
what I have decided to do come hopefully the beginning of May (at the
latest). I find myself searching for meaning and truth and am going to
continue searching that out...until I feel satisfied...or...

I can continue to dream of being independently wealthy!

Posted via email from Samantha's Posterous

Ask yourself...

 

 

 

Posted via email from Samantha's Posterous

A Searck for TRUTH: droppingknowledge.org

At work and did a google search for "truth". This is what I found

 

 

 

Really powerful...but there are more...go to www.droppingknowledge.org

 

thought provoking...I think so!

 

S

Posted via email from Samantha's Posterous

Adventurous adventurer

I thought I would take this time as I patiently wait for the metro to
arrive to colorfully relay to all of you (my very loyal and faithful
readers) my random adventures of the last few days!!!

Last week I decided I wanted to find out where things were so I
started walking! I discovered a UPS store, an amazing happy hour ($1
sushi rolls and $2wine) and that homeless people enjoy tall hot
chocolates from starbucks just like those politicians and lawyers!
Seriously, I stopped into a starbucks to get a skinny soy cinnamon
dulce latte and found a homeless woman buying a hot chocolate! What I
find to be most surprising about this encounter was her decision to
spend $4.06 on a cup of hot chocolate! I guess if I had no home and
limited resources starbucks would be my last choice....but everyone
has to have their BUCKS fix!

Following my unusual encounter I decided heading home was good
considering I had dinner plans with margie and her friend from home!
We went to have mexican...margaritas and all...except my beverage
tasted like pinesol and the food was mediocre....I mean it was a good
experience...just no Arrandas..(.for you Austin people) I guess I
learned that real mexican food has to be found down south!

The next day I decided to walk home from work!! I discovered I live
Sooo close to where I work...considering people commute an hour! I can
walk to work in about 25 minutes! The walk is awesome...great
neighborhoods, the national zoo, and a cute cupcake place! I had a red
velvet cupcake with gnache as frosting! It was quite delicious!! This
day was also monumental to my time here for the sheer reason that I
discovered my building has a steam shower in the "health spa"...yes
you read that right steam shower gloriousness!!! It is AMAZING! And
the best part is that no one is ever in there so I get it to myself!!

My next adventures took me to the national mall! This was a really fun
day for me! As I have never been to DC before all of the monuments and
museums are like a sparkly treasure for me! I had so much fun being
really touristy! I saw the capital, hope to go in it one of these
days! The washington monument was beautiful surrounded by flags and
set in a crisp blue sky. The Lincoln memorial was really awesome
because of the magnificence of the monument in itself but also because
of his words...inscribed into the walls!! So powerful!

This same day I decided that a visit to a museum would be a great
idea...and hey they are free...I like free things...so I went to the
Museum of American History...3 levels in an hour and a half...not too
shabby I must add! I saw Julia Child's kitchen, presidential stuff,
and the first ladys exhibit which was probably my favorite of the day!
The museums were pretty awesome but I was exhausted! It was a great,
crisp, and clear day! I couldn't have asked for anything better!

Adventures wil continue..as I am visiting the White House tomorrow and
heading to NYC next weekend!

Peace y'all

S

Posted via email from Samantha's Posterous

This week...in DC with a little grad school flare!

Soooo this has been a really fun week for me! I am getting to work on
great things at work and when I leave work I go on mini adventures! My
adventures took me to target because everyone has got to know where to
buy those must have's and not such a high cost! The target I chose to
visit was in Columbia Heights...so I jumped on the metro,
transferred..only once and made it to one of my favorite stores. This
target was especially special because it was in a larger building with
a best buy, marshals, and another store...so by larger store I really
mean city block! As I walked in I was greeted with the familiar aroma
of cooking/stale popcorn and a flash of red! As I ventured around
Target I came upon escalators...in the store...it was in fact a two
story target...which I thought was quite special! After I purchased my
dry fruit and essential black tights I left with the hopes of
exploring Columbia Heights a little before it got too dark! Well turns
out the only 'safe' part of that area was where all of the shops are.
Now don't get me wrong I hadn't walked into a terrible part of town,
but I could tell things were getting run down pretty fast so I
promptly turned around and walked the other way...of course playing it
cool the whole time just listening to my music. I had almost gotten
back to the metro when my rommate texted me to meet her at the
mall...so I jumped right back on the metro and headed to Pentagon
City. I, by chance, ran into her at the transfer station, and when we
got to PC I was slightly shocked to find the metro lead directly into
the mall. Seriously, you walked out of the metro and didn't even go
outside and straight into the mall! This mall is GINORMOUS. But really
just your average mall filled with too many teenagers!

Shopping was fun..I didn't buy anything...which is fine..except I
really really wanted to!!

So, I think I should mention my grad school adventure while I am
thinking about it! Last saturday (yes 2 days after I made it to DC) I
traveled to seattle for Seattle University's preview days. While I was
there I got to see my grandfather and his wife...and actually enjoyed
a couple bottles of wine with them...which was so funny! Seeing him
was great! I even got him to go to Mass with me which totally shocked
my Aunt and Uncle who I also got to see. They cooked me amazing fresh
caught (as in that morning) white salmon, with fruit salad and
couscous! I had not seen them in almost 4 years so it was great to
take a relaxing evening and spend time with them.

Traveling back to DC was a crazy emotional rollercoaster! I almost
cried like 5 times! They made me check my cloth Vera bradley at the
door because the red eye I had to take was completely full. Did I
mention I sat in the middle and the man to my right was pushin 6'7''!
I did open my eyes once and notice I was kinda cuddling with
him...then I noticed his wedding ring! Best, no sleep, exhausting,
emotionally charged night EVER!

I did finally make it back to DC after I took a 20 seater from
philadelphia, and was glad to be back...to work! I went straight to
work for my second day! My supervisor got right down to business and
gave me all these great things to work on! Articles for a newsletter
to write, book descriptions and research! I was fine at first and then
everything started to fade! I met with my supervisor at the end of the
day to talk about a few things and he had an article I had written. He
started out saying it was half my fault and half his...those are never
the words you want to hear on your second day! I had written a
paragraph that was absolutely false in every way...and in my delirium
I didn't know the difference! Again the waterworks almost started but
I got it together and finished my day and left!

The moral of my semi-sob story is this adventure sure has its ups and
down! But its all for a reason right??

Still loving DC and can't wait to share more!!

S

Posted via email from Samantha's Posterous

A typical day...not so typical.

Right now as I sit in a turkish restaurant called Levante I am
thinking of how lucky I am to have this opportunity.

Today I worked from 8:30 till 4:30 writing articles for a newsletter,
creating spreadsheet for a seminar in Rome, read Ex Corde Ecclesiae
and worked on a blurb for a book cover. All of these tasks were
different in their own way but all had a valuable leson to be learned.
I am so utterly thankful for this internship, for those that have made
it possible, and for the courage to come out here.

As I walk to work in the morning I find myself hoping to fit in with
the crowds on the train, to do great work for the ACCU and to learn
something about myself in the process! I think that this whole
experience will bring me knowledge about myself that I might not
otherwise be able to find. I am searching for something greater than
myself, somewhere to place my energies, something to say 'this is my
purpose'. I hope to start this discovery on this adventure and of
course along the way I will stumble, but I am excited to get back up
and learn!

PS greatest hummus of my life! I love this city for its diversity and
culture! I am excited to be here, and to share my journey along the
way!
Now, time to eat and enjoy the environment!

Posted via email from Samantha's Posterous