and three years later...

I submitted my thesis today. On the bus ride home tonight I couldn't help but think of all the ups and downs over the past three years -- everything from taking the GRE 3.5 times to calling my mom and sister in tears because I thought maybe I made a mistake...especially because I couldn't find a good Tex-Mex restaurant in DC. I kept saying that I couldn't wait to be on the other side of all of this and see how it all turned out. Well I'm not completely on the other side -- mainly, because I'm not sure we ever are -- But what a great feeling.

Before I left my old job, a person I worked with in Japan gave me a daruma doll as a good luck present. They're little Japanese wish dolls with big white eyes -- you fill in one eye when you start a goal (or wish) and fill in the other when it comes true. When I moved to DC, I made sure it had a special spot in the U-haul (with my makeup and jewelry, of course). And when I was settled into my new place and about to start at Georgetown I filled in one of the eyes.

Tonight, I'm going to fill in the other eye.

And I'm also going to have a nice glass of wine with Laura -- quite appropriate since she came to visit DC with me almost three years ago when I decided to come.

So cheers to a daruma doll with two eyes.

Some holiday fun

I've been working away to wrap things up with school, but have enjoyed a little bit of holiday fun. I stayed in DC for Thanksgiving because I had a thesis deadline, but Jason and I celebrated. We checked out the National Zoo (one of my favorites) and then cooked a great dinner. We had the oddest turkey -- did you know they come without turkey legs? I'm hoping that our little guy had them originally, but that someone (like Rocco) got to enjoy the legs at a state fair...And while I had hoped to make it to the National Tree lighting, turns out you have to get tickets November 1st (noted for next year). So we made it down to see the National Tree on Friday, the day after the tree lighting ceremony. Here are some pics...

ps...

I didn't include details on the job, but just wanted to clarify that much to my disappointment (and I'm sure yours) the job is not as a backup dancer for Madonna. Email me if you want details.

Big news!

It's official! Tonight I got the call -- I have a job offer! It's the one I wanted, so I'm pretty darn excited. And of course, I'm really, really relieved given the current job market to have something lined up before graduating. I'll be starting in February, so I'll get a nice break for the holidays. I do just want to say thank you to everyone who has been so supportive over the last two and a half years. I took quite a leap and you were all there supporting me along the way. So thank you, thank you, thank you. I will buy drinks at happy hours (in Austin and TX and Geneva) beginning in February.

Madonna

I'm back from a whirlwind of a trip to TX. And let me just say that my sister and I had a BLAST at the Madonna concert. I'm actually reconsidering my career options and adding to the list: backup dancer for Madonna. Not that I really have moves, but can you even imagine??? I can. It would be amazing.

While I don't agree with Madonna on all of her life style choices (like dating Vanilla Ice back in the 90s among many other things)...I do think that we could be long lost BFFs. Why, we have so much in common.
1) I also speak basic Spanish. Si, lo entiendo, Madonna. I can sing both La Isla Bonita and Spanish Lesson with you
2) I also have a fake British accent, although it is best used for reading my favorite novel by you, The English Roses, to my nieces or saying good morning to my old roommate
3) I also have a name that could have been used as a stand alone if a little known jewelry company and singer had not done it before me.

Clearly, I am one step away from being a member of the fan club, despite being a very rational person. Oh, and just one more thing, I think that "Tommy", the gentleman who got to request a song at the concert, should have been booted out. I mean really, Tommy. Secret? That was the song you requested? Did you not even think for one minute about Like a Virgin or Holiday? Even my BFF was shocked by your choice.

Friends, it really was a good show, but this is me procrastinating. I have a thesis deadline, which always seems to prompt blogging -- maybe it's because it gets my creative juices flowing for writing. I better get to it. Only 4 weeks left.

I'm still kicken'

Sorry, it's certainly been a while. Lots of happenings. First things first, I couldn't be happier about the elections. DC has been all a buzz with the upcoming transition. And I guess I can see myself here for at least the next four years ;) I don't want to jinx myself, but I do hope to have some good news to share in the coming week or two on the job front. Keep sending good vibes to the universe. And I promise to blast the world with news when I have it. But in the mean time, I'm still interviewing. I'm going back for a third (yes, THIRD) round with a consulting firm that interviews in a "speed dating" format. I'm hoping to have more than 2 minutes to ask them questions this time and love that the HR person reassured me by saying that interviews would be 30 minutes this time rather than 20 minutes. Wow. Don't you like only need 8?

Today it feels like winter, but DC has been gorgeous with all the leaves falling. My mom and dad had a nice visit including a beautiful trip to Monticello. Mom taught me how to make chicken and dumplings (yum!) and homemade apple pie (crust and all), so I guess I'm set for my DC Thanksgiving this year. My thesis deadline is shortly after so I'll be staying in DC. I'm looking forward to seeing the lighting of the National Christmas tree in between writing my heart out.

Oh, and speaking of that little thing called school. I'll be done in -- count'em -- 5 weeks! My thesis is coming along and I should have a final draft in the next two or three. The results are interesting -- in that they prove me wrong. I'll try to post more about it when I have it all completed, because lets be honest, this is the only place it will ever get published.

And this week I'm off to TX for my good friends' wedding, but also some much needed time with my sister. She's been going through a rough time but we're going to cheer her up with some girls nights -- including the Madonna concert on Sunday. Stay tuned for vogue photos.

cause we all need a laugh

The last couple of days have been a whirlwind with two job interviews and my first day at the new job (yes, FINALLY for those keeping track). I stopped by the grocery store on my way home -- all spiffy from the day's events. I headed straight for the apples and noticed that a guy in line was looking. Then he got out of line and was in the produce section -- I figured he forgot something as he was headed for the apples and gave me a big smile. Well, right after as I was looking down at the spinach, I realized that my "apples" were, well, how should I say this...showing? Yep, all dressed up in my lovely suit with an oh so very important button undone. I guess it explained the over the top smile the man gave me.

And then as I was leaving, the giggles set in. There was an old woman playing the recorder and singing her heart out to "Don't worry be happy" by Bob Marley. LEB can appreciate this -- we agree that the recorder is one musical instruement that is just so under utilized. If I don't get a job, I'm going to join her band as the triangle-ist. With all the bad news with the economy, I like to think of alternative job options -- the possibilities are really endless.

Now for the serious update...the interviews went well I think. At the very least, I did some great prep work for them and interviews from here on should be a lot easier. I have a huge deadline for the thesis today -- notice I'm procrastinating? I won't go into the details, but basically my data is still not all in one file and my advisor suggested I do two different models today -- a bit of a change of plan, but one that he thinks will make it a better paper. Hate to break it to him, but there is a point in all of this where you really don't care about the quality -- you just want to be done. But he's right, and I'll power through it -- only 2 months and one week to go. Wowzers.