Well it was orientation today. And I think it was a little disorganized because a lot of people were out of the office or doing telework today in the aftermath of the hurricane. Not that there was any damage in downtown, but I think some of the suburbs were still without power and a number of schools were closed today.
Interestingly there were a a number of newly-minted law grads who were starting in the Legal Honors program. Apparently this is the only way to get into HUD (and I think other agencies) as a newly minted attorney on an actual "attorney track". There were a lot of JDs applying to the PMF program but the work they do as PMFs is usually not really law focused according to what I have heard. There were a couple of other HUD PMFs too.
So we had a nice big group of orientees with lots of people who were new to federal work. We spent most of the day going through procedures and filling out paperwork, of course. I did get my voice mail box set up this afternoon. When I got to my new office almost everyone was gone for the day though. I read through some of my paperwork and finally met two of the directors when they got out of meetings. Nice men and they were glad to see me.
That's all I have for now. I need to go research health plan options and life insurance rules and premiums. Apparently if you don't sign up for life insurance when you are hired it can be hard to add on later. However I really don't need life insurance right now. Well I'll do a little research.
Sorry but no pictures.
-Sarah
Monday, August 29, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Hurricane update
As I'm sure you've heard on the news, we are following up the Virginia earthquake with a hurricane. That's pretty good, disaster-wise but I think I may hold out for a rain of frogs too. Cute little green treefrogs would be nice.
However I'm sure you are all holding out for hurricane information with bated breath. I'm sorry to tell you that it doesn't look like much more than a good rainstorm here so far. It's 4:40 PM in DC as I am writing this. I went for a run in the rain this morning (the fivefinger shoes are good for splashing in puddles too) and then I read a book and took a nap. It didn't seem very auspicious to try to visit garage sales on foot today. There will be more later.
I need to do some furniture arranging, and then maybe I'll take some pictures of my apartment for you. In the meantime, here is a video of the rain out my balcony window.
Let me know how well posting a video like this works. I could also try posing on youtube and linking to the video there.
-Sarah
However I'm sure you are all holding out for hurricane information with bated breath. I'm sorry to tell you that it doesn't look like much more than a good rainstorm here so far. It's 4:40 PM in DC as I am writing this. I went for a run in the rain this morning (the fivefinger shoes are good for splashing in puddles too) and then I read a book and took a nap. It didn't seem very auspicious to try to visit garage sales on foot today. There will be more later.
I need to do some furniture arranging, and then maybe I'll take some pictures of my apartment for you. In the meantime, here is a video of the rain out my balcony window.
Let me know how well posting a video like this works. I could also try posing on youtube and linking to the video there.
-Sarah
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Corn in the microwave and biking in the rain
So how do you cook an ear of corn when you don't have a pot wider that about 6 inches? I contrived and it turns out that one ear of corn will cook just fine in a Pyrex pan in the microwave with a little bit of water around it. Of course that leads you to the question, "What corn?" Well here is the tale of my adventures this afternoon.
This morning I braved the DMV and got my DC drivers license. Conveniently the service center for this quadrant of the city is located just down the road, inconveniently they had long lines even at 8:15 in the morning. I got out at 10:00 so it took more than an hour just waiting. I'm so spoiled by the Baker DMV...they never have a line at all! But I got it done so now I can be an official DC resident. I get to complain about taxation without representation. I can't wait!
After that I made the call to switch over my rented Comcast modem to the one I bought (so I don't have to keep paying $7/month rent), and then I mapped out the route to bike up to the Comcast service center on NE Michigan Avenue to return the old one. Fortunately I planned ahead and wore running clothes because it looked like possible rain. (The running clothes work well because they dry fast.) It did indeed rain on me but it was warm enough that it almost felt good. The toe shoes work well for biking too and stay comfortable when wet.
So all in all it was another nice ride up the Metro Branch Trail and I didn't get very lost trying to find the place. It's close to the Catholic University of America which has some amusing architecture including a "National Basilica" with a really big spire.
On the way home I went through Columbia Heights and found the international market that was suggested as a source for Lizano. They did indeed stock it and $6 later I had my very own bottle. Yay! I actually already cooked a little pan of black beans (and ate most of them without it) so now I can make proper gallo pinto. Here's a picture of my new garage sale shelves with the bottle sitting on them:
After the market I went by the Thursday evening farmers market on Vermont Street "by the White House." It was a fairly small market but they had some good things and it wasn't too busy so it was easy to navigate. I got:
Here is a picture of the sunset out my balcony this evening though. I fear in the winter that the sun may set behind the tree instead of straight down the street behind Arena Stage, but right now I have a great view of the sunset.
This morning I braved the DMV and got my DC drivers license. Conveniently the service center for this quadrant of the city is located just down the road, inconveniently they had long lines even at 8:15 in the morning. I got out at 10:00 so it took more than an hour just waiting. I'm so spoiled by the Baker DMV...they never have a line at all! But I got it done so now I can be an official DC resident. I get to complain about taxation without representation. I can't wait!
After that I made the call to switch over my rented Comcast modem to the one I bought (so I don't have to keep paying $7/month rent), and then I mapped out the route to bike up to the Comcast service center on NE Michigan Avenue to return the old one. Fortunately I planned ahead and wore running clothes because it looked like possible rain. (The running clothes work well because they dry fast.) It did indeed rain on me but it was warm enough that it almost felt good. The toe shoes work well for biking too and stay comfortable when wet.
So all in all it was another nice ride up the Metro Branch Trail and I didn't get very lost trying to find the place. It's close to the Catholic University of America which has some amusing architecture including a "National Basilica" with a really big spire.
On the way home I went through Columbia Heights and found the international market that was suggested as a source for Lizano. They did indeed stock it and $6 later I had my very own bottle. Yay! I actually already cooked a little pan of black beans (and ate most of them without it) so now I can make proper gallo pinto. Here's a picture of my new garage sale shelves with the bottle sitting on them:
After the market I went by the Thursday evening farmers market on Vermont Street "by the White House." It was a fairly small market but they had some good things and it wasn't too busy so it was easy to navigate. I got:
- One ear of fresh corn
- Three tomatoes
- Six peaches (the varieties were several that I wasn't familiar with so I don't remember them except for the "Mango peach")
- Three nectarines
Here is a picture of the sunset out my balcony this evening though. I fear in the winter that the sun may set behind the tree instead of straight down the street behind Arena Stage, but right now I have a great view of the sunset.
You can even see an airplane heading in to National airport against the cloud.
Breaking news: It appears that we may get considerable dregs from the fringes of Hurricane Irene. They have canceled the MKL Memorial dedication for Sunday due to fear of the weather causing considerable problems when combined with the expected crowds. That is really too bad because I bet a lot of people from out of town made plans and reservations a long time ago.
What I long post this is. Go me! [Well we all know it wouldn't be long for Nicole, but it is long for me.]
-Sarah
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
We had an earthquake and I missed it!
Actually I'm kinda surprised I didn't notice since it was apparently 5.9 (correction: later changed to 5.8). I rode my bike up to Home Depot (where I finally found baking tiles) and on the way home the traffic was crazy even for DC. Although I could sneak around most of it in my handy-dandy bike lane. When I checked my email and saw the news I learned about the earthquake. I expect that explains the traffic since many people probably left work early. I think that also explains why the elevators in the building are out and I had to carry my bike up the stairs.
The only way I can figure I missed the quake is that it happened while I was riding by Union Station and I just thought the rumbling was another train going by. As you can tell from my complaints I am entirely fine of course.
I did have a nice ride up the Metropolitan Branch Trail though. It is a dedicated bike & walk lane that parallels the railroad. So not very scenic but a good grade most of the time. Home Depot is on Rhode Island Avenue about where the trail crosses it.
If you're wondering, here's the Washington Post article about the earthquake: http://www.washingtonpost.com/earthquake-rattles-washington-area/2011/08/23/gIQATMOGZJ_story.html
-Sarah
The only way I can figure I missed the quake is that it happened while I was riding by Union Station and I just thought the rumbling was another train going by. As you can tell from my complaints I am entirely fine of course.
I did have a nice ride up the Metropolitan Branch Trail though. It is a dedicated bike & walk lane that parallels the railroad. So not very scenic but a good grade most of the time. Home Depot is on Rhode Island Avenue about where the trail crosses it.
If you're wondering, here's the Washington Post article about the earthquake: http://www.washingtonpost.com/earthquake-rattles-washington-area/2011/08/23/gIQATMOGZJ_story.html
-Sarah
Monday, August 22, 2011
I ran down to the memorial tonight...
Yeah, it's pretty cool to be able to say that! Of course in this town you actually have to specify which one. This time it was the new MLK memorial. You have probably heard on the news that the official dedication will be Sunday with (expected) vast crowds and hoopla and all. It is open all this week though for people to walk by if they wish.
It was a really not day, only in the 80s today (of course that really should be high 20s, 'cause why are we still using Fahrenheit anyway?) and not very humid. I took advantage of it by biking this morning and going for a run this evening. Alas I did not take my camera so I don't have any pictures of the memorial or the lovely sunset as I ran around the Tidal Basin to share with you.
Here's a picture of my new running shoes though:
As you can see I've joined the toe shoe movement. I'll credit the example set by Glenn and Evan. I do like them so far although it would be nice to find some dirt trails to run on. All the concrete around the Mall and the memorials does get rather hard.
-Sarah
It was a really not day, only in the 80s today (of course that really should be high 20s, 'cause why are we still using Fahrenheit anyway?) and not very humid. I took advantage of it by biking this morning and going for a run this evening. Alas I did not take my camera so I don't have any pictures of the memorial or the lovely sunset as I ran around the Tidal Basin to share with you.
Here's a picture of my new running shoes though:
As you can see I've joined the toe shoe movement. I'll credit the example set by Glenn and Evan. I do like them so far although it would be nice to find some dirt trails to run on. All the concrete around the Mall and the memorials does get rather hard.
-Sarah
Friday, August 19, 2011
The best use for Crocs
This makes for a rather random post number two, but I'm trying to get in the habit of noting short fun things. I'd rather have more frequent short posts rather than long ones. The fact of the matter is that I am more likely to tell you things if I keep it short!
This evening we had a torrential rain and thunder storm here in DC. The rain really fell in torrents for a while. I had a package slip on my door though so I slipped on my new Crocs after dinner and walked over to the West building where the concierge desk is. It's always fun to get presents, even if I already know what they are. (In this case it was my new sheets from Sierra. They are light purple and very soft.)
One the way over though, I learned that Crocs are great for splashing in puddles.The water swishes in and out of the holes in the toes and then the shoes get all squeaky and you can feel like a duck and splash around. At least this works as long as it isn't too cold and, given the hot muggy day we had here, it certainly felt good to me this evening. There was some pretty spectacular lightning too, although I couldn't actually see very much of it out my window.
In other news I bought a bike today from Phoenix Cycles. It's a program based over in Arlington that teaches at-risk youth to work on bikes and provides the usual sort of activities and counseling I believe. One of the ways they make money for the program is by rehabbing and selling donated used bikes. I decided that was a program I would just as soon support and I though that I might find more selection in one place than trying to respond to craigslist ads. As it turned out, they had a number of bikes for sale but not many of them fit me. But one was all it took and I finally settled on a Schwinn Crosscut with fairly upright handlebars and, I think, larger tires than my old bike. I hope naming the bike means more to my readers (like you, Bill?) than to me. One of the reasons I fizzled on craigslist is that I was overwhelmed by all of the brand name and spec listings that I didn't really understand.
The folks at Phoenix were very nice though and I am very happy to have wheels again. It didn't take me long at all to really start missing riding. I think this bike will work very well as a city beater and for the occasional longer weekend ride too. I also spent the $30 for a good solid U-lock, and I hope that between riding a relatively old and scratched up bike and being careful to lock it up when it's not safe in my front hall that I will manage to escape the infamous DC bike theft problem. At least this bike doesn't scream "Steal me now!" when you look at it the way a new one would. I still spent $160 on it though so it probably does have some theft-value.
So here's a picture of the bike:
As you can see it is purple. I've got something of a theme going with that color at the moment: sheets, bike, and the Crocs which were at least the most fun of the things I got at Goodwill.
Well that's all for tonight. Here's to hoping for another good rainstorm!
~Sarah
This evening we had a torrential rain and thunder storm here in DC. The rain really fell in torrents for a while. I had a package slip on my door though so I slipped on my new Crocs after dinner and walked over to the West building where the concierge desk is. It's always fun to get presents, even if I already know what they are. (In this case it was my new sheets from Sierra. They are light purple and very soft.)
One the way over though, I learned that Crocs are great for splashing in puddles.The water swishes in and out of the holes in the toes and then the shoes get all squeaky and you can feel like a duck and splash around. At least this works as long as it isn't too cold and, given the hot muggy day we had here, it certainly felt good to me this evening. There was some pretty spectacular lightning too, although I couldn't actually see very much of it out my window.
In other news I bought a bike today from Phoenix Cycles. It's a program based over in Arlington that teaches at-risk youth to work on bikes and provides the usual sort of activities and counseling I believe. One of the ways they make money for the program is by rehabbing and selling donated used bikes. I decided that was a program I would just as soon support and I though that I might find more selection in one place than trying to respond to craigslist ads. As it turned out, they had a number of bikes for sale but not many of them fit me. But one was all it took and I finally settled on a Schwinn Crosscut with fairly upright handlebars and, I think, larger tires than my old bike. I hope naming the bike means more to my readers (like you, Bill?) than to me. One of the reasons I fizzled on craigslist is that I was overwhelmed by all of the brand name and spec listings that I didn't really understand.
The folks at Phoenix were very nice though and I am very happy to have wheels again. It didn't take me long at all to really start missing riding. I think this bike will work very well as a city beater and for the occasional longer weekend ride too. I also spent the $30 for a good solid U-lock, and I hope that between riding a relatively old and scratched up bike and being careful to lock it up when it's not safe in my front hall that I will manage to escape the infamous DC bike theft problem. At least this bike doesn't scream "Steal me now!" when you look at it the way a new one would. I still spent $160 on it though so it probably does have some theft-value.
So here's a picture of the bike:
As you can see it is purple. I've got something of a theme going with that color at the moment: sheets, bike, and the Crocs which were at least the most fun of the things I got at Goodwill.
Well that's all for tonight. Here's to hoping for another good rainstorm!
~Sarah
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