The Day Club

I'm enjoying my first and only week of unemployment. Really, I have no excuse to not update my blog everyday this week. Well, maybe I have a few....

Here's what I've done:

- toured the East Wing of the White House
- ate Eastern Market breakfast
- saw all sorts of critters at the Zoo
- ran 4 miles with Amber (glad to have her back!)
- ate at Aria Trattoria
- ice skated at Pershing Park
- drove down the Washington Memorial Parkway
- went to the DMV to get new license plates
- Mano cut my hair
- paid for school and parking at NVCC (what! what!)
- stretched, balanced, and worked it at yoga
- met with an old work colleague
- read books
- shopped for groceries
- made dinner with Amber
- went to Institute
- ate lunch with Mel at Old Ebbett's Express
- saw increadible art at The Phillips Collection (loved the Rothko room)
- toured the Supreme Court
- did homework and attended my psychology class
- ate cookie dough with my roommates while watching Grey's Anatomy
- went to Home Depot and bought paint
- painted the ceiling in my room
- stayed up and read late into the night
- visited with friends
- organized my closets
- did my laundry and drycleaning
- took a donation to Goodwill
- drove around a lot

And now it's time for the weekend! I'm pretty much up for anything, so we'll see what excitement comes my way!

Saying Goodbye

This is my last week at my current employer. Exciting and wonderful as change is, it still tugs at my heart strings when it comes to actually doing it. For much of the past 2 years, I ran a one man, er - rather woman, show as the Director of Government Affairs for a non profit organization Washington, DC.

Today, I attended a regular meeting on the Hill where I see the same people every week. As we've worked on common issues, pushed legislation, signed and circulated group letters, supported efforts, activated grassroots, attended events, battled against "the other side," held meetings, and been through thick and thin to accomplish good in the federal government, these folks have become my co-workers. They're the people I see regularly, even though we aren't employed by the same people. I've had the honor to speak to them and keep them informed about my particular issue, abstinence education. Just last week, I spoke to them about our 2007 expectations.

At the end of today's meeting, the magnitude of what goes on there and all that I've been a part of blew me away! As I said goodbye to dear friends, I couldn't help but think about how the fight keeps going, even while the fighters come and go. I felt grateful for the opportunity to be a part of something huge - to contribute to something that I feel strongly about and to actually make an impact. When one friend said, "Charlee, you can't go!" I cried! (I'm such a baby, I know, but sometimes when i'm ineffable, I cry. In that moment, my heart filled with gratitude, and I realized how important my part has been.) The affirmation encouraged me. I am proud of what I've done here!

On my way back to the office, I said goodbye to a few other people who are part of my life. They're the folks in the street who smile at me everytime I pass by. Clayton, my homeless friend, kindly told me he'll miss me (after mentioning that he's broke! I told him that it's ok because I am too!) Then he informed me that he's still reading the Book of Mormon. Now that's AWESOME! I hope that is how I influence people in all areas of my life.

So I'm going to go learn something about the world. I'll be back someday. I am excited for the new path I am embarking on!

Hi Mom!

Watch out, Tiger!

Watch out everyone - I'm a golfer now! I recently received my very own set of golf clubs. I'm just an amateur, but I think I have a bit of a natural knack for it. The weather in Washington has been phenomenally balmy for January; yesterday we had sunny skies and temps in the sixties. The perfect day for the inaugural use of my new club.

Guess how far this one went!

This is Brian - he's great for tips and buckets of balls at the driving range.

Four!!!

ps - I'm still figuring out how to do pictures on this thing!