I am officially ...

A Washingtonian. They say if you live here a decade that you can legitimately call yourself a Washingtonian. So, here I am – professing to be one. As you may know, while this “District” is fabulous (to me) in many ways there are also things that, well, make me giggle.

The first three start with … You – “Where are you from?” Me – “DC” …

1. You - “I live in D.C. too” Me – “Really?! Where?” You – “Well, Alexandria. Or Bethesda. Etc.” If the post office does not acknowledge NW, NE, SE or SW on your legitimate address you do not live in DC.

2. You – “Really?! Do you know Congressman so-and-so? Or, my fave - Do you know the President?” Me – walking away. This question makes me laugh every time. It is almost as bizarre as when I worked for Walt Disney World and someone would ask, “Do you know Sally Smith?” Yes, out of 30,000 Cast Members I know Sally Smith?! (Factoid – only once, in 15 years, did someone ask if I knew another Cast Member and I actually did. I know there is some mathematician out there that can easily do the legit math but with my math skills I equate that to about 1 out a kazillion gillion.

3. You – “Do you, like, go to Georgetown Cupcakes all the time? That must be so great!” Me – walking away.

4. No one ever says I’d rather fly out of BWI or Dulles because it’s cheaper. No amount of money is worth that. And, you never ask your true friends to take you. Ever.

5. It is amazing that we troll the streets of DC looking for a great rooftop bar. And, when the weather is nice we share them with 432,612 of our closest friends.

6. We are elated for the weather report from December 15 through March 26 because it usually involves the following: Weatherman – “There’s a chance of snow tomorrow.” All 200,00 Federal employees turn on the tv at 6 a.m. and peer through one eye to hear “Federal Government is closed” and then they roll over and go back to sleep.

7. Lastly … All true Washingtonians:

Lose several SmarTrip cards in the course of one year.

Have great calves and quads from taking the stairs in all Metro stations due to the escalators being broken, yet again.

Know each and every Starbucks’ location within a 4-block radius of wherever they are.

Know that traffic, simply, sucks. all. the. time.

Give cabbies directions 9 out of 10 times they hop in a taxi.

Avoid all monuments at all costs.

Know where all speeding cameras are located. Each. And. Every. One. Of. Them.

Can list off every brunch establishment with bottomless mimosas/bloody mary’s.

7 Random things about Disney and me ~ October

Florida storms, like most storms in life, seem to appear out of nowhere; just surprisingly enough to make you take cover; but, in the end, make you realize they were never as bad as they first appeared. In all my 15 years as a Disney Cast Member I never really saw Walt Disney World through the eyes in which Walt intended until this trip. And, all it took was something as simple as a ride on Space Mountain. We rode the ride much like I had over the past two decades but this time I took a moment to relish the moment. Hearing my sister’s genuine giggle (the-whole-entire-ride) and Natalie’s cries of fright and delight finally gave me that “ah-ha” moment which most guests experience and I realized I had lacked each time I stepped into a park.

I appreciate that WDW has finally caught up to the digital age but when you have 20,000 guests in one park all trying to use their smart phones at the same time you need to improve your tower coverage.

I, truly, understand that after a trip to WDW one needs a vacation from their vacation. I mean it is sensory overload to the nth degree!

I have a soft spot for Cast Members who genuinely love their job and live to make the Magic. The realities of the day-to-day often make us hard and cynical but when you ride the tram and hear the comical spiel of someone who is enjoying their job it makes you pause; it makes you laugh; and it makes you thankful that someone can transport you from reality to Fantasyland in one brief moment. And, you experience joy.

I appreciate that on any given day in any of the four parks you can find someone on some level that you can connect with – even just waiting in line. I love that it brings all people from all walks of life into one location for the purpose of simply finding a break from reality for a few short days.

And, there will always be an element of Magic to Disney that makes me still believe in fairy tales and that dreams really do come true …

7 Random Things about NYC & Me ~ September

Pedestrians ALWAYS have the right away no matter what any light or sign may say – especially to the contrary. The city totally shuts down between the hours of 3 and 5 pm. There was not a bite or beverage to be had. And, beware … their website may say they seat until 3 but the kitchen really closes at 2:40?!

Coming from DC where the grid is fairly simple I understand that 730 G Street means that you find 7^th and G (and the right quadrant) and you are good. How the heck are you suppose to know that 11 Times Square is really at the corner of 42^nd and 8^th Ave (the address, by the way, was not at either the corner of 42^nd or 8^th)?

The advice of my very good friend rang true … “If you check into your hotel and there are more liquor stores than banks; find a new hotel.” So true, my friend, so true!

I wore all black; I was on my cell phone; I wore gigantic sunnies; I had a cross-body bag for Pete’s sake– why the heck did you mistake me for a tourist and offer me a Bus Tour each and every time I walked to the corner?

My irritation for stupid people was at an all-time high! I am my father’s daughter. Must pray through this!

Between your massive, confusing public transportation to your indistinctive address grid; in the words of Stacy “This city makes DC look like a cupcake!” Again, so true! And, I loved every second of it!

7 Random Things ~ August

I drive barefoot. No matter what the weather – extreme hot or extreme cold – I do not drive with shoes on. Ever. (Don’t tell my dad. I think he mentioned it was illegal – at least in Florida; go figure!). For some reason I have used a lot of clothes pins this month. First, they remind me of my grandmother, who used them all the time for everything. Secondly, they make me smile because my sister always calls them paper clips.

August is the beginning of the final Grand Slam of the summer! Can’t wait to see all of The Greats at the end of the month in Flushing Meadows.

It is always interesting to me how God moves in areas, which we hold so guarded. He is doing some intriguing things in a relationship that I find peculiar. But, that is the thing about God – always expect the unexpected.

When I said yes to that little voice that prompted my heart I was immersed into a wealth of overwhelming gratitude for things I never knew I needed. Thank you to all of those who sent me a note of encouragement after Tuesday’s gathering!

I hate strings on bananas. I know they provide nutrients for the banana but they really creep me out.

Lastly, I am just grateful.

7 Random Things ~ July

It is birthday month – yay! I am so grateful every July because my friends and family bless me so much as they celebrate with me. I love doing life with them! If you follow me at all on Pinterest you know that I have a small liking for Champagne and on Monday it makes me happy that I get to drink pink bubbly.

In addition to pink Champagne, I love that Wimbledon finals are always on my birthday weekend. And, since grass is Federer’s best court I usually get a great match to commence my birthday weekend!

If you read my last post about 7 random things you know that I have this weird idiosyncrasy for umbrellas … and, today, I got a great big purple golf umbrella. Thanks to Jola for condoning my peculiarity.

I love lightening bugs … they are something from my childhood that I never knew I missed until I see them appear at the beginning of every summer.

Emotional maturity and intelligence is so sexy!

I look forward to traveling the world with the one I love and seeing the world through their lens.

7 Random Things ~ June

I have this weird OCD hanger thing. I have to have all of the wire hangers together and all the plastic hangers together. Do not mix (note to sister!). Dining Al Fresco is my favorite way to entertain.

Simply loving life right now with Roland Garros. Federer is Betterer!

Letting go of the past, truly, is liberating.

Broaching an intersection of life at the moment. Praying for direction in the next move. 

While the vulnerability of letting others in is petrifying in terms of emotional exposure the reward of absolute and comprehensive support is immeasurable.

Along with the hanger thing, I have an umbrella thing. Ask Stacy or Jola for details …  can’t explain it.