I didn't plan to be here, but that's ok

I didn't plan to still be in DC. I planned to be happily returned home to Seattle by now. Except now its more than just me in the US location with licenses plates "Taxation Without Representation." I joined Hope and Terry and Payton and Hailey. My friend from UW, Samantha, moved down from New York. Now Merissa has moved out and so has her best friend Mashari. Suddenly I am surrounded with family and friends. And I have wonderful friends from work: Rebecca and Kristen. God has truly taken away my loneliness for friends that I felt so deeply last winter.

And so I find myself actually living in DC. And apparently staying for while. School ... there are lots of questions there. In a week from Tuesday I will be starting with a new contract, a new client, doing something hopefully a little more interesting and challenging. Still a contractor for the federal government supporting Immigration Customs Enforcement. How completely odd to say that! It has been a learning experience. I hope (I believe) my patience and understanding has increased.

I don't know where I will be in 10 years (I hope I will be doing something I love). It is nice to feel that I may actually be where I am supposed to be for while. For me this is a huge step forward.

In the midst of storm there is a rainbow

This does no justice to the weather yesterday. I biked to Dulles airport from Hope's to catch a bus into the district. Shortly after everyone got on the bus, the rain started sheeting down. At one point all the cars on the toll way were pulled off because visibility was so bad. Several tornadoes touched down in the area and many areas were without power last night. I waited for almost an hour and a half for the bus as the line of customers lengthened. The orange metro line which runs west lost electrical power between two key commuter stations. Though they promised to shuttle passengers, one bus rider said the scene was chaos and that there were thousands milling around waiting for the shuttles. That made the bus line to the airport which also services the Herndon Monroe Park and Ride an easier, if not faster, way home for many who live out in the boonies near Dulles (sorry, guys, it really is far out here! Not saying its not pretty!) When we finally waded through traffic, the rain again started up. My brilliant plan to bike home again was foiled. Thankfully Hope came to pick me up. We stopped at Wegmann's for dinner where this rainbow shot was taken. Quite pretty, yes?