3-2-1

3-2-1

3. three reasons I love DC

2. two recent business trips

1. one blessed life I am living

3. 

three reasons I love DC

Granted, I don't "technically" live in the city, I'm in what they call "nova" or if I'm really lucky the "dc metro area", sometimes even "the dmv" (district, maryland, virginia)...

But, every time I get to go to the city, I am amazed and overwhelmed. I can't believe I get to live here. It's actually overwhelming.

(3) I love the museums! And not just because they are FREE! They are beautiful. I love the architecture, the paintings, the sculptures, the people admiring Dorothy's Red Shoes, admiring Jackie Kennedy's inaugural dress... I was overwhelmed and completely moved, almost to tears, by the Star Spangled Banner exhibit. WOW! That flag with the music playing in the background, all the work that went into making it, the work that went into restoring it...the patriotism. Utterly amazing. And that was only ONE exhibit.

(2) I love being able to WALK everywhere. It reminds me of Clemson and Charleston. You can walk down the National Mall and not even realize you've been walking that long. (and that sure is a good thing because there are lots of good eats in this city...) You can walk around museums and appreciate the beauty of the Cherry Blossoms. 

(1) I love the feeling in my gut the second I drive over the Key Bridge or the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge. (It is only third to the feelings I get when I drive into Clemson and Charleston). You know what I mean, that warm, gushy feeling that almost takes your breath away? It's like that feeling that gives you butterflies like you have a new crush on a boy, or for me, the feeling as I'm driving into Clemson and see the orange tiger paws, smell the air, the wind blowing in my hair... Yea, you know what I mean...

God Bless America and God Bless Me

My niece, Miriam in front of the White House

Lincoln Memorial

Natural History Museum

The Capitol

I went to a party here with the Wilsons almost 3 years ago.

Orchids at the Natural History Museum

2.

two recent business trips

 (2) Stuttgart : Recent college graduate, working for less than 2 months, and I get to travel to Germany? Already! Bam! It was by far, the quickest trip I have ever taken to Europe. I left Tuesday night, arrived Weds morning...meetings Weds, Thurs, Friday, then I left Saturday morning. Really quick trip. All the meetings went really well and we are currently working to further develop those relationships and get some more business! I went to a dinner Weds night and cocktails after, went to an Irish Pub Thurs night and dinner and cocktails, and Friday night I had dinner with Jim and had cocktails at his "family bar".

Man, I love Europe. Could totally live there.

And do I have to mention how great the FOOD is? and the WINE? BEER?

My kinda place....

[I arrived back from Stuttgart Sat night, went to a private party RIGHT on Dupont Circle (literally, above the Starbucks--google it) with loads of friends. It was awesome!]

And 4 days later...

(1) Dallas : Just getting back into the swing of work and back to the US time zones and I fly out really really early Thursday morning with my coworker Jorge to Dallas, to our other office there and for this golf tournament. I get paid to golf? That's not even the crazy thing! I am just LEARNING how to golf! And I wasn't even that bad, not the worst player on my team (sorry, Jorge!) and we didn't come in last place. (It was a Best Ball Tournament for Susan G. Komen for the Cure). I had the best BBQ (well top 3), but the best Brisket I have ever had at a place called Hard Eight in Dallas. I think I will continue to play golf---great, just what I need, an expensive hobby--I hope the deals I make on the course justify it! Quick 2 days in Dallas and BEAUTIFUL weather (as you can see, 88 and sunny)! And yes, Mom and Dad, I wore sunscreen and a hat! 

Look out LPGA

My team. Brad, John, Jorge

The most amazing BBQ EVERRRR---HARD EIGHT in Dallas

1.

one blessed life

Because of all these things and more, I am so blessed. I really always have been. I am so grateful for my life and the opportunities I have been given.

SO blessed. 

I wish I could express my thanks and gratitude.

Thank you Jesus.

I love you all.

On another note--I will be going to Detroit for a conference April 15th, and I will be flying out that night to head to Charleston. I will be in Charleston April 15th through the 20th. 

HOORAY FOR ANOTHER CHARLESTON TRIP!

Pray for BEAUTIFUL WEATHER!

"world traveller"

So apparently British Airways classifies your flying level:

I am "world traveller" and "euro traveller"!

(How cool is that?!?!?)

I have successfully joined MULTIPLE frequent flyer programs, including, but not limited to:

United, AirTran, British Airways, American, SouthWest, and had to consolidate TWO of my Delta accounts, just to name a few.

The whole point to this really quick post is my upcoming TRAVELS!!!

I only have 13 days of work in the office this MONTH!

The rest, you guessed it, are off traveling!

I'm going to Stuttgart, Germany March 15-19

Dallas, TX March 24-26

(and most likely, Detroit around April 15th too!)

Busy Busy Busy!

I am so excited. I'm definitely praying for lots of guidance and help. I hope that I can succeed on my first solo-business trip. (My boss will be in Afghanistan). I pray that I have the confidence in myself that my company already so clearly has in me.

[ And a great website I love, www.seatguru.com, it tells you your exact flight and plane, which seats are good/fair/bad, etc and all the details including locations of the bathrooms, galley, and whether or not you have a personal tv! ]

On another note,

I had my first "official" GOLF lesson today.

I had learned some from summers spent at Camp Greystone.

I use to hit balls with my Dad in Wild Dunes, go to the driving range with him some.

And I MUST SAY, I am an extraordinary Putt-Putt player. (If you care to challenge me, game on, cause I'll win....*wink wink*)

The golf lesson was awesome. I had a great time and look forward to many more and for my Golf Tournament in Dallas in a few weeks!

But, since I didn't get home until almost 7pm tonight, I didn't get to the gym, and therefore need to wake up early for a morning workout.

That means, it's bedtime.

[Side note: I have read NINE novels on my Kindle since I got it for Christmas. 4 of which have been in the last 2-3 weeks, and I'm probably going to finish another tonight.]

Man, I love to read.

[Insert nerdy tease here]

a few pictures...

Me this past Saturday. The Capitol building is TINY behind me.

Washington Monument

My apt kitchen

Apt living/dining room

My apt bedroom

My apartment table

My badge

Washington Monument again. (with Polly and friends)

My company gave me this wine set. I think we'll get along just fine!

My first set of business cards. They had to buy me new ones because my direct line was incorrect.

The view from the 22nd floor. My gym. Sunset over Reston.

My TICKET for the Coca Cola 600 in Charlotte. I'm hoping to go for Memorial weekend like I did last summer.

Museum of Natural History

the Good, Bad, and the Ugly

Sorry to all my bloggers.

I'll try to get better with time.

It's been almost a month since my last post. I am disappointed in myself to say the least (if you're a family member, you're not surprised).

Since my last post, I've had plenty of business dinners which means 13+ hour work days, networking events, my first business trip, nights out in the city, and many more things going on.

Nothing too exciting. Really.

But here are some things in the past month that have made MY headlines (good, bad and ugly):

GOOD:

--I've learned more about the Middle East (especially Afghanistan) this month than I ever did in any Political Science or news source.

--I won 2 FREE tickets at the Lufthansa Round Table dinner to a CAPITALS hockey game! March 11, whoop whoop!

--I had my FIRST business trip in Charleston! CHARLESTON! What are the odds that my first trip was HOME? I'm a lucky girl. (all expenses paid by the company---Saturday night through Wednesday morning). I got to see all my family and Ellen, Medley, Logan, and some Ashley Hall friends. It was so great!

--Reed Henry Smith was born. My cousin Kristin and her husband Matt had their first baby on Feb 23! (a month early, but a happy, healthy baby)---and as a side note, I will always remember this date for two reasons: It is the birthday of my first boyfriend AND the anniversary of my dad's surgery to remove his prostate cancer in 2005.

--I'm FINALLY learning my company's software program

--I'm catching on to the acronyms and cargo industry lingo.

--I feel much better getting back into a solid workout routine. Today was my first two-a-day and it felt great. I'm hoping to keep it going (at least twice a week). 

--Yay! I'm learning the bus and metro systems.

--The D.C. street-grid is SO EASY! Love it!

--I'm now on the GLAC (Government and Legal Affairs Committee) for ISOA (International Stability Operations Association) representing my company.

--I'm taking GOLF lessons! A client of ours is hosting a Charity Golf Tournament for Susan G. Komen for Breast Cancer in Dallas, TX the last weekend in March. So, I'm going to go. It's a best ball game, so hopefully I don't have to be too good. My company is sponsoring 3 holes, so maybe I'll stand there and look pretty. Or drive the cart OR better yet, supply the beer.

--I've been out in D.C., Georgetown, Bethesda MD, Adams Morgan, and others and it's been a blast. absolute blast!

--I'm joining a WAKA Kickball league in Arlington from the end of April through May.

--the food in NOVA/DMV area is pretty darn great!

BAD:

--More like sad, my best friend Ellen's grandmother passed away this past week. She's been in my prayers, but I wish I could've actually been there for her. I've known her since I was two years old and call her house my second home. Furman and Martha are the best. I love that family. I love you Ellen!

--Exhaustion. It takes all the energy I have in the morning to get out of bed. (You should hear the fight I have with myself every morning: "get up, you'll feel better if you go to the gym. BUT it's soo warm in these covers. BUT I looovvee my sleep. BUT I didn't sleep well last night. BUT I stayed up late reading. BUT KATHRYN! MOVE YOUR BUTT! WORK OUT. SHOWER. and GET MOVING!"--unfortunately, that MOVE YOUR BUTT KATHRYN doesn't win that often.)

--The COLD weather, obviously. I want warmer weather ASAP (especially, so I can run outside)

--Don't think I'll be able to go to Stuttgart in March :(

--Apparently, I'm a Virginia resident????

--BUT, since I haven't switched my license plate/driver's license, I can't apply for an EZPASS? ughhhhh frustrating.

--Ironing and DryCleaning.

--Grocery and Gas prices. (not to mention the TOLL road and D.C. parking)! Gracious!

UGLY:

--Airlines suck.

--I am a cranky traveler when I get cancelled and then delayed, delayed, delayed. No seriously, DELAYED AND DELAYED!

--TSA. (Transportation Security Administration in case you didn't know) HATES. ME. And what's funny, is that I'm certified by TSA for my work?!?! Are you serious?

--Bag charges stink. This is a problem because I would prefer to carryon since it's so convenient and FREE, but those carryon bags are too little. They only fit my running shoes and a makeup bag. Seriously, too small. About to throw a tantrum.

--Calf pain and charlie horses. For some reason, my calves have been KILLING me. And I had another one of my ab spasms, yes ab spasm. One tiny little ab contracts and won't let go. painnnnful.

--Tequila. enough said.

--Craigslist. It's sketchy and ugly. But, I've decided I want to move to the Arlington area, so I'm desperately searching for apartments/roommates. Hopefully, it won't be TOO ugly.

--Charlie Sheen.

That's all for now.

I'll leave you with this:

"The only thing I'm addicted to right now is winning. Just winning every second. Winning, anyone? Duh, winning!"

-None other than, Charlie Sheen