Exploring DC: Great Falls Park

One of the most exciting things about moving to a new city is all of the exciting new places you get to explore.

On Veteran's Day, I went with my sister and her little family to Great Falls Park in Virginia. It was an absolutely perfect day. I initially thought it was going to be on the cold side so when I left my house to walk to the Metro to get to my sisters apartment I was bundled up - 2 shirts, a sweater, and a scarf (with a jacket stuffed in my purse just in case). Needless to say by the time we got to the park I realized I didn't really need to be bundled up quite that much. It was about 70 degrees - perfect hiking weather.

The history about Great Falls Park is pretty interesting. We explored the ruins of Matildaville, a town that used to be located along the Potomac. And apparently there used to be carousels at the park that visitors loved. The last carousel was dismantled in 1972 after it was damaged in Hurricane Agnes. I can only imagine how amazing it would be to ride a carousel at this stunning park.

 

 

My sister, nephews and brother-in-law stayed on the main path, while I went off on my own to explore the areas that were a little to difficult to traverse with a 3-year-old and a 7-month-old. Some visitors set up a tightrope between 2 trees, and others were hiking with there pups. *Note to self: must bring Arya here, she would have a blast.*

My nephew, Oren, had a blast climbing over the rocks and playing with all the leaves. Now this is what fall really is about.

We saw people going down the falls in kayaks. I think that would be an amazing experience, although it may be a little bit to cold for this Florida girl. Definitely will add it to my summertime bucket list for 2015.

Overall, it was definitly an awesome park and I will be going back to do some more exploring at some point soon.

Mariah

Interviews

Interviews are nerve racking.

I had an interview earlier this week at an amazing place, and overall I think the interview went really well. It's the leading up to the interview that freaks me out. This was my second interview with the company so I had already been in communications with them for about a week - phone interview, emails informing me of the next step in the process, etc.

I panicked when I was contacted for the in-person interview. I put off replying to the email request to meet in person just a little bit because my heart was beating so fast. I went shopping with my older sister to buy a suit before I even replied to the interview inquiry. In my last event planning job, I obviously had to dress professional, but I never owned/bought a suit.

The day before the interview I did a run through of getting there at the same time as my interview on the Metro. I successfully got there (thank goodness my house is right next to a Metro station that goes right to were needed to go, no train changes). And scoped out the surrounding area to see where I could hangout (because obviously I would be there an hour early to avoid any issues with the commute/Metro). This venue just happens to be in an amazing location, so I walked to the White House.

 

It really was a beautiful day. This is exactly how I picture Fall.

 

I wandered down (more like took the Metro) to Eastern Market. Each day I am trying to explore a new part of the city. Eastern Market was awesome (wish I had taken some pictures, but I didn't). It was a tiny, fresh market that reminded me of a mini San Lorenzo's Market in Florence.

 

The day of the interview I woke up super early. Like ridiculously early. My interview wasn't even until late afternoon. I ran some errands. Sat in front of my computer and made a chart of how I fit into everything on their job description that they sent me (a tip I got from my older sister). It definitely helped. Over the past few months I have read so many articles about how to "ace the interview," that honestly that was the last thing I wanted to read right before my interview. I feel like no matter how many questions you look up online that could be asked in an interview you will undoubtably not come up with the same rehearsed answer in an interview - at least I don't.



Overall, I think it went pretty well. They said I would hear back from them later next week in regards to the position. So, fingers crossed it goes well. It really would be an amazing place to work.

Mariah

Help! How do I figure out my career?

One of the things that I am struggling with immensely is trying to figure out what I am passionate about.

 I apply to job after job that I am simply just not excited about. I have found a handful along the way that are amazingly exciting. I’ll take the time and put a quality effort into applying to those few exciting positions, but over all I just feel disappointed in what is out there. All positions I am more than qualified for, however at the end of the day I do not want to just settle for a job I am merely qualified for and capable of. I want to love what I do, and feel like I have a purpose every morning when I wake up.

I set out on this HUGE move, and have been completely revamping my life over the past 4 months (I’ve lost almost 40 pounds). And I feel like I would be letting myself down if I just settled for any mediocre, sub-par job that I was qualified for.

I was talking with a good friend about it. And he made a lot of valid points. Whatever my first job I get here isn’t going to be my dream job – that is impossible. I might have to take a job that I might be unhappy/not excited about just to get by, to get through the tough times, to become stable. And even though I may be doing a less than exciting job or something that might not be my dream career it’s still something that will lead me down a path that will take me closer to my future goals. According to him 3 things will happen.

1.       You will stabilize and then have more resources to find what you love.

2.       You realize you do love the work you are doing, but had no patience for it at first.

3.       Life gets tough again and you repeat the process,

4.       You become a junkie, homeless person who turns tricks for money.

He always has to throw in something light hearted to make me laugh. That is why he will always be one of my dearest friends.

The job search still continues, but at least now I have a slightly new/different perspective to look at it from.

Mariah

Big move to the District

I recently moved to Washington DC.

I'm still in shock that I followed through with it. I've been saving since May and it had always been in the back of my mind to make a move like this. But I honestly never thought it would happen.

I applied to jobs before getting here, but most places didn't want to hire someone for an entry-level position for someone that wasn't even in the area, and I totally get that. So here I am, 2-weeks fresh in the city and I'm starting the job search. Correction: I started the job search a week ago.

For someone who has always had a job since 13, being jobless in a new city is nerve-racking. I am lucky enough to have a great support system here, which a lot of people don't have when they move to a new city. My older sister and her little family is here so that is great, and they have been such a great help for me thus far in all of my freak-outs and spaz attacks. I'm also looking forward to networking with new people and in new industries.

My goal when I moved was to either get a job in museum management or historic preservation. I also have a background in hospitality and event management. DC is a great place for all of these fields.

Honestly, this blog, right now, is mostly for me. A place to lay out all of my fears and stresses. A place that I can look back on all of my adventures and experiences from my first year in DC and be proud of how far I've come, because it is definitely going to be a steep climb. If along the way I pick up some readers, that's awesome, however, that is not my goal at the moment. If you, as a reader, gains something from this blog then I am so happy for you and I would love to connect with you. So reach out, comment, enjoy, listen, learn, and share. I am open to everyone.

Mariah