Grad School - a 2nd Chance

Have you ever thrown yourself into something you think will make you happy only to realize that it makes you quite miserable? But everyone around you is so supportive and encouraging that you feel like you shouldn't be a quitter, that you can just tough it out? But then you realize you are REALLY miserable and spend all your spare time and mental space dreaming about the proverbial "road not taken" and decide that life is too short to stay in something you hate, especially if you have the power to change it? So then you drop your original plan like a hot pan (cuz it sears your soul) and follow your heart back to the harder but much more fulfilling plan?

"What the heck is Linda abstracting about?!"

You probably figured it out from the title - I'm referring to my graduate education. My "original plan" was getting a Masters in Higher Education Administration (which I started last August and quit this March) to become an academic advisor/career counselor (See "Back to School as an 18th Grader"). My "more fulfilling plan" is getting a Masters in American Studies (my undergraduate major) to become a professor. I'd always wanted to do the latter, but was too afraid to fail. After praying to ask Heavenly Father if I could possibly switch back to American Studies and getting an exceptionally strong answer of YES, I was out of there!! Better to end the agony after 6 months than stay on for the full 2 years of a program I dreaded! I know it wasn't a waste of time because "all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good" (D&C 122:7). I used to walk past the American Studies building longingly...and now I'm back where I belong! I'm so grateful for a 2nd chance and a new start.

I started the first course in my new program this past week, and I couldn't be happier :) So happy that I mostly studied during the long Memorial Day weekend while most of my friends went off to the beach or lake or mountains. I'd also just moved into my own room (much more conducive to studying) this month and am loving it!

The one celebratory thing I did this weekend was go to the National Memorial Day Concert on the west lawn of the US Capitol (still haven't been inside). I'm starting my 2nd year of living in DC and it feels weird to NOT feel new anymore, but it still feels surreal to be living in the nation's capital during big patriotic events like this. I was afraid no one would be left in town to come with me and was extremely relieved when a good sized group ended up coming :)

The concert consisted of stories, songs, and short speeches by the National Symphony Orchestra, Colin Powell, Alfie Boe, and others. I couldn't believe I got to hear Alfie Boe from Broadway's Les Miserables sing "Bring Him Home" in person! I've listened to the Youtube video dozens of times and am trying to learn to sing/play the song myself. It was such a beautiful experience.

Most of the men on my Dad's side are veterans or currently serving in the US military; I wish I could've shared this experience with them. It was a patriotic and spiritually uplifting way to spend a Sunday evening :)

Other highlights of the week...

Monday - I signed up to be a mentor for the BYU Political Affairs Society and met with my mentee, Kyrene, after work. I tried to be helpful but this girl has got it together! She was already doing pretty much all the stuff I advised her to do. Watch out, world! Kyrene is going places.

Wednesday - My visiting teachers, Erin and Shannon, took me to a Rita's for shaved ice and frozen custard. We ate and chat on the front steps of the store in Chinatown. Have I mentioned how much I love the Church's Visiting Teaching Program?

Friday - Work let out 3 hours early for the holiday and I decided to cancel my exercise class to go play piano in one of the practice rooms on campus. How often do I have 3 unexpected free hours, my sheet music in my desk (I brought it earlier in the week), and access to a piano? Very very rarely. So I indulged til my fingers ached and couldn't play anymore. It was heavenly :)

Take a Hike!

This week, I became alot more comfortable with myself. I don't mean complacent and stagnant, I mean self-accepting and striving. I feel like I've gotten to the point where I'm not trying to prove anything to anyone but myself. I've come to peace with the fact that I'm more of an introvert, but I can turn on my extroverted side when I need to. I'm getting to know myself better and enjoying my own company. I don't feel weird or guilty if I go do stuff on my own. Maybe this comes easily and naturally to the rest of you, but this is progress for me :) I like the balance I've been able to achieve of being by myself during the weekdays and being super social with friends on the weekend.

Monday thru Friday, I've been seriously channeling my inner bookworm. I've always loved reading and really indulged myself this week w/ new and old books :)

I finished using my 2 week pass at Lava Barre - a combination of ballet conditioning, strength training, and Pilates. It kicked my butt, literally. We all have our stronger and weaker muscles. I found that I have pretty strong calves, back, quads, and abs. But I had to keep taking breaks during the arms and glutes sections...I blame it on my desk job.

It's humbling to have weak spots but it keeps me motivated to seek new fitness challenges.

I went to a record TWO ticketed shows (aka not free) at the Kennedy Center this week, a spirituals concert and a jazz festival. I wrote a paper on slave spirituals and jazz is my favorite music genre, so I greatly anticipated these events. Unfortunately, I was sorely disappointed. I couldn't believe I was paying to listen to what sounded like noise to me! $55 for music that grated my ears and irritated my soul (I think music should speak to the soul)...

If I were a music critic, I'd probably be a tough traditionalist curdmudgeon. Spirituals and jazz have come a long way (and I would say, a long way down hill) from their original forms that I had fallen in love with. The artists I heard all did modern reinterpretations or original compositions that lacked any endearing rhythm, melody, and groove. I think I only like music I can sing or dance to. I've decided modern jazz is an acquired taste, and I'm going to stop spending my money to acquire it because it's only repulsed me thus far. However, I must mention the Women in Jazz concert ended with an 84-year-old lady who was quite a good scat singer. Besides that, the only other aspect I enjoyed was being in the rooftop Terrace Theatre for the first time (after coming to the Kennedy Center dozens of times before). The view never gets old.

Wednesday night, I had the opportunity to go with my friend Doug to the Salsa Room and since I don't have a car, I jump on any opportunity to go dancing when others offer. It was bachata night and it was awesome :)

Saturday started with a wonderfully drizzly morning hike with the ward. I'm on the Activities Committee and I kept asking if it should be cancelled due to the rain, but Krishna (the co-chair) insisted that we go on with the activity...and I'm so glad she did! We all met at the church building and carpooled to Great Falls, Virginia. I rode with these lovely people and our conversations quickly delved into taboo topics like gay marriage and abortion. "When in DC..."

There was alot of breaking and reuniting of groups; here's the group we mostly stayed with -

It was still a beautiful sight despite the cloudy skies. I think I loved it so much because the rain and greenery reminded me of Washington, my home state (and Trent's and Marcilyn's).

Partway through the trail, Rob had the great idea to climb out on some boulders so we broke off from the group. We set my camera on a rock and Trent was our speedy camera man who dashed back and forth to set the timer haha. We finally got some good ones after many tries. Notice the obligatory staircase prom pose, also Rob's great idea :D

Andrea and I had to take some dance pics :D

Saturday evening, I went to the other ward's "Mr. Colonial" man pageant. It was pure hilarious entertainment. I'm impressed by and grateful for the gallant men who put so much work preparing for their candidacy and were brave enough to strut their stuff in front of so many friends and strangers! I'm honored to be friends with Jeff (Mr. Colonial 2012) and Michael (Mr. Colonial 2013) :D

It's been an ongoing challenge to balance living life and documenting it, so I don't take pics at EVERYTHING I do anymore. Other fun things I was able to do this week w/ no pics to show for them:

- Making s'mores in Jess's backyard
- Going clothes shopping with Trent
- Visiting teaching Meisha with Elizabeth
- Hanging out w/ Tara/Brooke/Kate/Vanessa/Austin/Rhett on a lazy Sunday afternoon and the subsequent impromptu massage session
- Going to Chris & Berlin's Music Culture Night and eating way too many cookies

Onward and upward!

Showboat, Swing & Sunshine

Had such a good week despite my allergies causing me to sneeze my head off, missing my barre class due to metro delays, cleaning up the mess after our house was egged (an unpleasant 1st), and tripping then scraping my arm. But I'm an optimist and the good definitely outweighed the bad. Here are some highlights...

I started taking classes at Lava Barre - it's a combination of ballet conditioning, Pilates, & strength training. It nearly killed me, I wanted to cry "mercy!" so many times. My tombstone would've read "Death by Barre". I thought I was in shape from social dancing & classes at Fuse Pilates but this was a whole other level of fitness. Apparently, I'd gotten too complacent with all my previous wimpy workouts and I'm not used to sweating or the sensation of burning muscles during exercise. My barre of fitness has been raised (aha, the pun was too good to pass up).

I got to see Showboat, "the 1st great American opera", at the Kennedy Center! It first debuted on stage in 1927 and was made into movie musicals in 1936 and 1951. I love the Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II songs, especially the haunting and powerful "Ol' Man River", which were sung beautifully by the cast. There were some very talented and animated dancers. The acting, on the other hand, was positively atrocious and I kept grimacing throughout. My theater friend Mari tells me this is the norm for operas. What a shame.

I found a new pho place to try on my way home from Lava Barre - Nam Viet Pho 79. It's a homey family-run place with very speedy friendly Vietnamese waiters; the service was lightening speed! I got the chicken pho, which had an excellent broth but the noodles and chicken were too tough and chewy - a heavy price for the fast service. Also, it didn't come with basil leaves or cilantro - fail.

Most of Friday night & Saturday morning was a nice change of pace. I just stayed home and enjoyed my new place :) I assembled my last piece of furniture (thanks Britt, Matt & Jess!) and finished unpacking/cleaning/organizing. I even got some leisurely reading done, which is a luxury that will most likely disappear when school starts next week!

Katie and I went to the highly acclaimed movie 42 about Jackie Robinson, the first black major league baseball player since the 1880s. I love black history and she loves baseball, so we were both pretty excited. And even with our high expectations, we were not disappointed! For a non-sporty girl who doesn't even know all the rules of baseball (Katie patiently answered all my questions haha), this movie made me want to go to a game. The stinging Jim Crow laws of the era, sympathy and defense of white supporters/defenders, the children he inspired, and Jackie's sweet devotion to his wife were all poignantly portrayed. And the acting was superb :)

Andrea and I went to another ward's monthly Country and Swing Dance put on by Hunter & Jordan. It. Was. A. BLAST!

I've been country (Nick's Nightclub) and swing (Glen Echo) dancing once each since I moved to DC, and both were pretty pedestrian (aka easy and non-strenuous). But there were alot of good and energetic dancers there that night. One of them was Dallin, who has this crazy and unique style of Lindy Hop blended with hip hop. Will write about it more and post lotsa pics on my dance blog later, but here are a couple of my favorites -

I left a sweaty mess but can't wait to go back next month!

After 2 days of cleansing downpours, Sunday showed up warm and sunny. I went to sing at the local nursing home (Potomac Center) with my ward. Our home teacher, Matt, gave Emily and I roses for Mother's Day in honor of our future motherhood haha :D

That afternoon, Elizabeth and I organized a potluck picnic in the park. As Elizabeth says, it was "just lovely" :)

Then I called my Mom to catch up and tell her I love her. Great end to a great week :)

Movin'

Happy 1 Year Anniversary to this blog! I can definitely say I've tried to live life to the fullest in DC - socially, musically, academically, culturally, spiritually, emotionally, gastronomically (foodie alert), and physically (ahem, dance-wise)...it's been an exhilarating, fulfilling, devastating, and infuriating year since I started DC to the Fullest last May...some of which I have shared on this blog ;) It's fun to read past posts (i.e. the 1st one) and I look forward to what this year will bring.

I know, I know, I'm over 2 weeks behind...but I have very legit excuses!

- I've been sick (nasty stomach flu)
- I moved! (from my apartment to a house, still in Arlington, VA)
- I started a dance blog! (here's WHY. I'll still post some dance stuff on this blog but probably mostly referring you to that blog)

So here are some highlights from the past 2 weeks, with the theme of "Movin'..."

The weekend I got the stomach flu, I had to cancel plans to go to a yoga barre class, a Pilates class, ballroom dancing, biking, and paddleboating. What a sad weekend that was. But I was well enough to go to the temple, Stake Conference, and Red Robin with a group on Saturday!

I was feeling alot better on Saturday but it was a case of faulty logic that sent me back to bed. I thought I should avoid burgers and salads (to avoid undercooked meat or contaminated raw veggies), so I ordered a milkshake and ate Jessie's fries. Silly me, I didn't know dairy, fat & sugar are the worse things to consume when you have the stomach flu! I stayed home from church on Sunday but was able to return to work on Monday thanks to a Priesthood Blessing of healing :)

MOVIN' PAST ILLNESS
By Wednesday, I was well enough to eat "real" food again (not just bananas, toast, and applesauce) and I decided to try the shrimp salad at Baja Fresh Mexican Grill- it didn't disappoint!

MOVIN' MY HIPS
On Thursday, I got to go to The Salsa Room for the first time in 3 months! I hadn't been since February because I was traveling alot in March & April. But due to my mini salsa dance famine, I lasted only an hour before my sore feet sent me to take a break at the sidelines. There were so many good dancers that night, including my friend Gustavo, and I was annoyed that I had to keep taking breaks! I got some pics and a video of us dancing because he's moving to California in a few weeks :( Why must my salsa friends keep leaving me!?!


I was highly anticipating the Washington Open Dancesport on Friday night because I hadn't attended one since I last competed at the U.S. National Amateur Dancesport Championships at BYU last March. Tali and Lindsey came along :)

Here are the best pics of the evening. Will write about it & post more pictures on my dance blog.

They had a few intermissions during which people could social dance on the floor. I asked a random camera man who led me thru a really fun foxtrot :)

The program had said the show was for 7:30-11:00pm, so I was shocked and annoyed when it ended at 9:30pm. I'm glad we got to see some genuinely high level dancers, but miffed that we didn't get our money's worth. C'est La Vie!

MOVIN' MY STUFF
Saturday was moving day but I got to start it off with a ward temple trip! Then we drove back to the church for a pupusas fundraiser for the Spanish ward's youth summer camps. I was a camp counselor for several camps and still highly support programs that benefit the youth. This was a delicious way to do so :D

Then I went home to start packing. Yes, I hate packing so much that I put it off til moving day. From 2-6pm, a different friend came every hour to help transport my stuff. By evening, I was exhausted and ready to get dinner at Chipotle and watch the new Iron Man 3 with Mari & Britt. I like this superhero franchise more than the others (tho Spiderman is my favorite) because of Robert Downey, Jr's unique brand of personality & humor. Oh, and Ben Kingsley is hilarious in this movie!

After the movie, I started unpacking, organizing, and cleaning til 2am because I didn't want for me or my roommates to have to deal with the mess on the Sabbath Day. 3 more friends helped me finish moving some stuff after church. Shout outs to Britt, Elizabeth, Erin, Meisha, Matt, Ben, and Aaron! Moving would have been exponentially more difficult, time-consuming, and costly without your generous service :)

MOVIN' IN!
I'm so grateful for my new abode! Since I left home for college in 2006, I've only had my own room for 4 months - so this is quite the welcome change! I have always avoided living in a house but after my first 2 days here, I have already fallen in love with it. Oh, and I graduated from my air mattress to a real bed; turns out it's much better insulation from the chilly nights. I also love my 2 new roommates and the cleanliness & peacefulness of the house. It's the perfect size - spacious enough to do my fitness DVDs at home and small enough to feel cozy. I'm excited to get better sleep & studying done here. Considering that I absolutely hate moving but have moved every few months for years and will be in DC at least 2 more years for my Masters program...I hope my living situation stays stable while I take new classes, meet new people, see new places, and try new things. I hope this will be my refuge from the world.