Monday, February 4

moving out, moving on


I think it's final. The map that C bought in an excited craze and pinned on the office wall has stayed up a long time, and is getting used more and more. We have decided to replant ourselves in the District of Columbia later this year. Ever since he was accepted to grad school in the area a couple months ago (thereby ending the grueling application process), I've been listening to the Magnetic Fields' "Washington D.C." and letting myself get excited. Because I am excited. I interned briefly in DC one summer and never felt like I got to know the city as well as I wanted to. And I've always wanted to move away from my hometown, just me and C. Our little adventure. And here it comes.

So I'll be looking for lots of things, but right now I'm trolling for:

o1. a new job.
o2. a new apartment.
03. a new friend. Or two.

If you have any ideas for me, a comment or e-mail is appreciated.

"Washington D.C., it's paradise to me. It's not because it is the grand old seat of precious freedom and democracy. No, no, no. It's not the greenery turning gold in fall, the scenery circling the mall. It's just that's where my baby lives, that's all...."

Image via loc.

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50 comments:

laura tj said...

congrats for everything, that's really exciting! so funny, i'm actually going through the same phase - new job, new apartment and new friend(s). hmm.. i think i need a new bf too to complete my list :P

ALL THE BEST said...

How exciting! I love adventure and I still remember (with fond memories) when my husband and I moved away from my hometown, just the two of us!

Best of luck!

Jackie Rice said...

Good luck on your new adventure. I often dream about moving away from the familiar and starting over... but what fun it will be with someone to share it all with.

Robin said...

Ali! Congrats on C's acceptance, and your impending move! But...I think SLC will not be the same without you (even though we've never met), and who will update YHO with all the local stuff? Maybe YHO will relocate too?
I'm glad you get to look forward to a new adventure, those are always fun.

marta said...

ali, you and i wrote a similar post! two birds flapping our wings. am excited for you and know you'll find amazing things ahead. there are good things in store for you and c. you know we'll be crossing our fingers for you.

Courtney said...

How fantastic for both of you Ali! I can't wait to hear more about your move throughout the year. Best of luck on everything you're looking for, but I have a feeling number 3 will happen quite quickly..and in abundance!

Joanna Goddard said...

oooh yay! how exciting!!!

http://montmarte.blogspot.com/ -- she lives in DC and seems completely lovely. she could be your friend!

and if you ever come visit to NYC, we can be friends! :)

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your big adventure, Ali!

erin wilson said...

Well, you won't be that far from me in NY and we should be friends! Congrats!!!

Taryn said...

how exciting for you! you don't know me...i'm just another anonymous fan of your blog. but we live in washintgon dc currently and i love it so much. we live in the crystal city area of arlington...and i would recommend looking for an apartment here. there's a really big lds population here and great wards.

Kris said...

Ali, This is such exciting news! I live in Falls Church - 10 minutes outside of DC. Dc is great - you'll love it. Email me if you have any questions. kng3@georgetown.edu
~Kris

KELLY said...

ooo so exciting! i have no advice whatsoever stuck on the other side of the pond : ) but i'm looking forward to following your adventure! good luck with everything! x

Krista said...

Oooh, how fun! I lived there for several months when I was little. It will be a fun adventure for the two of you, no doubt.

Unknown said...

good luck on your move! it seems like a lot of people in the blog world are relocating this year.

my best friend lives in DC and likes it. There are a lot of places to see and they get amazing art shows!

http://www.theshinysquirrel.com

brittani c. said...

Congrats Ali! I think living in the East is fantastic. I know a couple of people who absolutely love living there. Me and my "C" would like to plan a trip there sometime, so when I do, I might need to book a tour with you :)

Whatever Dee-Dee wants said...

How exciting! Will you be starting a YHO for DC? I would love to read it:)

alyson. said...

how exciting! isn't it fun thinking about a move with just him? experiencing lots of new things together? I quite liked it.
and I too have always wanted to know more about DC. I can't wait to see what you find.

Suzanna Mars said...

This is just great, A.! Congrats to him on his acceptance. What an adventure for you both--it is the start of something wonderful, I can just tell.

I'm envious of all the marvelous libraries there, and, of course, the cherry blossoms.

becky said...

YAY - Congratulations! I love your blog and pictures! And I love that you're moving to my town. D.C. is awesome! You'll love it!

Sarah said...

Wow! What big news! How fabulous. It's good to start a new challenge in a new place. Can't wait to hear more about it!

Marci + Dan said...

Best of luck on your adventure! I have awesome cousins (potential friends) in D.C. which I visit every so often. I'd be glad to put you in touch with them as you begin the apartment search. Morgan and her hubby live in Arlington, and my cousin Melissa lives in Alexandria. You will love D.C.

Lane said...

East Coast Rules! I can't wait for you to get here. I wish you were a little closer to NYC, but I'll take what I can get.

I know you'll love DC, and DC will love you.

Lacey Jane said...

So... you really are leaving? jk. Just like everyone has said, this will be such a fun adventure for you! Just plan on visits from us... a lot.

A and L said...

p.s. I think Kathy lives in D.C.

thebillsfamily.blogspot.com

Jill said...

wow that is very exciting! good luck with everything. you will really love 'getting out' and having your own adventure.

sarah marie. said...

so excited for you so sad for me.

Ann Marie said...

Hooray for D.C.! The universe has arranged adventures for all of us. Hope you can come visit us in Australia!

Carly said...

how exciting! I love adventures.

Tiffany said...

Congratulations on a new and exciting chapter in your lives!

Lorilee said...

I'm thrilled for you two. Try to enjoy the moving process and relocating your lives.....having your best friend to do it with makes it so much more fun.

Jane Flanagan said...

Yay! It sounds exciting. Congrats to C on the grad school acceptance. It will be a ball!

kaili said...

Congrats to you for taking the leap, that's fabulous! You'll love it, I'm sure.

angie said...

so exciting!

Deidra said...

I fell in love with my husband in DC. That happened right after I fell in love with the city! It is so great. Ditto to what everyone else has said. One of my favorite DC songs is "The District" by Adam Richman. I love the talk about the Rockies and the District. Fitting for your move.

Dede said...

Wow Ali...you will be missed! We have already made plans for a visit...hope you don't mind ;)

jamieanne said...

Plitter please, don't leave me.

Unknown said...

what? i can't believe you're moving.. ?? what about yho?

anyhow, i'm still excited for you i guess.. but sad we didn't hang out more... we need to get together before you leave, promise?
and, can i come visit?... love d.c.!

LoveLola said...

dc will always be my 2nd home. just moved from there to be closer to family but wish u the best!

ps - since DC is such a MON-FRI kind of place, you'll always have the city to yourself on the weekends to just get lost in all the culture. how many big cities can you do THAT in!

Anonymous said...

oh wow! i am heading there in a few weekends for the first time ever! i am so excited and just can't wait. good luck on this new adventure of yours :)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the exciting news! What an adventure!

Michelle said...

Congrats! I am very excited for you, and looking forward to watching your process, I know you will make it beautiful and fun and special

Tonia Conger said...

I'm happy and sad all at the same time. I guess Ali loves Curtis can happen anywhere, though. Even DC. What a fun adventure for you!

Jeremy said...

Wow, I've never seen 42 comments for a post-EVER. It's safe to say you are and Curt are going to be missed. I know we don't see you two as often as we should, but you will be missed by Hallie and I. Simply knowing the two of you are so far away, I will feel a void.

Take care when you leave and show DC what's up!

Ms. Spinach said...

i'm a little bit worried i'm going get lost in the shuffle of so many comments, but i'm in dc! we will have to have cakelove or caribou coffee or five guys when you arrive. whee!

rachel @ blackeiffel said...

What a fun adventure! I love D.C., it is a cool place. Best of luck!

kami @ nobiggie.net said...

How fun, what an adventure you will have just the two of you, I am a little jealous.

P.S. What will happen to YHO? you can't go.

{natalie} said...

have fun! i love the east coast. we have always wished we would have moved somewhere and had an adventure before we had kids. enjoy!!

Katie said...

I'm so excited for you!

Jo said...

oh ali!!! wow, that is so great, congratulations!!! good luck, i wish you all the best in this new adventure!

allison said...

ali - after stumbling upon your blog, i've been silently reading for a couple of months now and absolutely love it - and I live in d.c.! new friends are always fun, especially those that love the magnetic fields. we've got some pretty decent art, music and fashion. let me know if you need a new friend to show you around!