I love the fall

Last weekend, Jessica, Joel, Leah, Reagan, Alice and I went up to Sky Top Orchard to go apple picking. We had such a great time, even though there were no apples to pick (there was a bad frost last spring and most orchards in the southeast lost everything). It was a perfect fall day: chilly, blue skies, crisp! We wandered around the orchard taking pictures of the sheep and goats and just enjoyed being with each other. I know I say it all the time, but my sisters are my favorite people in the world! I only wish that Anna and Cate could have been there with us! Alice and I rode together because Jess and Joel had to meet up with a friend and Leah and Reagan were going to a bed and breakfast for Leah's birthday (go Reagan! good present!).
Al and I are pretty close lately I think because we are the only two single sisters here in Greenville (we miss you, Cate!). It is going to be strange in a couple of months if we both go away for school - everything will just be completely different. I had an aunt recently tell me that women live many lives, and I think that's true. I can tell that I'm on the brink of a different life right now. I can look back and see myself in high school or early college and feel like those were different lives than I'm living now. So Alice and I are going to be living different lives one year from now than we are right now, and it is exciting! I love not knowing what to expect from the future, but being able to rest that I have a heavenly father who loves me and wants the best for me.
I know I didn't write a whole lot about it, but my trip up to D.C. was a really important growing time for me. At times I felt empowered and stronger than ever, and at other times I felt like I have no idea who I am or where I'm going in life or what I want to do or be. I found myself succumbing to a very superficial mentality of worrying about what other people think of me and how good/bad my fashion is and how little/much I've traveled, etc. Then I came home and saw something that reminded me of everything I've been through in my life and brought me back to the reality that these little things that I want to try to impress people with (travel, education, how I look), while they have their place and I want them in my life, are not ever going to be what makes me me, or makes me important, or makes me special, or makes me a person who knows how to live and love other people. I want to be others-focused, and while on my trip I think I became very self-conscious and self-focused, worrying about whether I have what it takes to live in a city like this and find friends among the successful people around me.
I have two months left of being in this place in life. I want to enjoy the moments leading up to change!

This week in pictures

The waterfront in Alexandria. So beautiful!! I enjoyed my first afternoon in the D.C. area here just reading and watching people.

My afternoon at the Smithsonian.

I spent Tuesday at my Grandmas house in Maryland. I can remember seeing the front doors after a 10 hour drive with the family and feeling so relieved, knowing that a huge meal awaited us inside. I love this house.

It is so good to be back home with my girlfriends! Cyrus and his family were perfect hosts, and I am so glad I got to know him as well as I did, but there is nothing like spending time with girlfriends. Last night we all went out to a salsa Halloween party! Riina (the geisha) almost won $100 for the best costume!

The Last Two NIghts

Thursday night I stayed up till almost 2 having a great talk. And last night I was up 'till nearly 5. I love good conversations! There is no better reason to stay up late!

Day 1 in D.C.

Yesterday was so cool. I flew in to Baltimore and felt so nervous/excited about my interview that I had to make it to by 1:30. I picked up my car and started driving and didn't stop moving/driving/walking/taking the metro until literally 1:25. I made it to the building that the interview was in just in time to wash my hands and walk upstairs. I had looked great at 5am, but after flying/driving/riding/walking I looked a little desheveled. I came in and met the woman interviewing me and began filling out a standard application when the fire alarm went off and everyone started leaving the building. So I filed down the stairs with everyone else who works in the building. It was actually pretty funny! Just completely unexpected!
After the interveiw, I had about four hours to kill before I could go back to the house that I am staying in (everyone was working until 7:30). So my friend Cyrus told me of an awesome place to go and hang out near to the metro that I had parked at. It was in the middle of Arlington, and it was so charming! King street leads down to this great harbor with a dock and a really cool little restaurant called the Chart House (I want to go there sometime!). I got a caramel apple cider (my current favorite drink! I love fall!) and went by the waterfront and sat on a bench and read a bit of "Ender's Game" (thank you, Ryan F.) and also read some Billy Collins. I thoroughly enjoyed my day. While sitting there on the dock, I thought about my future self coming to this same spot with people I love like family and friends. I don't know what the future holds, but I have the feeling that I'll frequent that spot many times in the coming years if I move here.