Maryland in August

I know I said I was back and that I was going to blog. Well, I am back but I have been rather lazy in updating my blog and continually put it off to watch episodes on Netflix.

That being said, I am now vowing to blog at least once a week. Even though the blog might be a small paragraph about how much I hate grad school and how hard it is, I will blog.

In order to move things along, I am going to recap August with a list of things I have done:

1. Motor Vehicle Agency
I went to the Motor Vehicle Agency, Maryland's version of the DMV. It was an enlightening experience. I went the first week I was in Maryland in hopes of being able to get my car titled and registered, and get my license. Well I was able to get it titled and registered, for $170 dollars, but I didn't have all the documents for my license. So I try again a few weeks later, and again, I don't have the right documentation. After ranting on the phone, complaining about canceled checks and Maryland in general, I calm down enough to get the right documentation. And today, I went back and they gave me my license, for $45. And I am registered to vote. However, I still need to get my car inspected, something they don't do at the MVA. Ah, the convoluted ways of our government.

2. Borders
I got a job at Borders.....and then quit my job at Borders. I needed something to do and was able to get a job at Borders since I was sorta still on the books. All the while, I was applying for other jobs. And I really didn't like working nights in Silver Spring, a town I didn't know and one that has been known for some crime. So, when another job seemed close to being offered, I quit. Which leads into...

3. The National Gallery of Art
I have been offered a position, unofficially, at the National Gallery of Art. It is in the Image Collections Department in Library of the National Gallery of Art. I would be a Library Technician/Student Assistant. I say unofficially because the director chose me but I have to hear is officially from the personnel department. The position is 20 hrs/week during the semester and it can be full time during breaks. I will have it for three years and the networking/resume building could be fantastic so I am very excited.

4. Friends
I have friends! Yes, I know you all were worried that no one would like a loud, obnoxious, sarcastic Jersey girl but that has not been the case. My roommates have sorta been forced to deal with me since we all live together but I think they might like me. :) And I met some people in the iSchool (Library Science) and they accepted me. And I met a bunch of people at the History Orientation and they also seem to like me. I'm sure alcohol made me seem a lot more awesome than I really am but I am more than okay letting them believe that.

5. Washington D.C.
Living this close to D.C. is great. I can get on the metro (something I have almost mastered) and go anywhere I wish to in the city. I have learned where not to go, which is very important. I went to the Library of Congress and the Postal Museum, the latter I would recommend to everyone. It is very interesting. I also have been to a bar in D.C. It was fun, but it might have been a gay bar, something we realized after two hours. Whatever, it was fun.

6. Georgetown Cupcake
Staying with the D.C. chat, I went to Georgetown Cupcake. BEST.CUPCAKES.EVER. Nothing else to say. Seriously. However, it takes forever to get there. It took over an hour by the metro and then we had to wait in line for 40 minutes. But the cupcakes are worth it. They changed my life. And they can heal broken hearts, even if it is just for a few moments. Here is the website. You can order them and I will pick them up for a nominal fee of a peanut butter fudge cupcake. I'm very cheap. You can bribe me with cupcakes.

7. Sports
I discovered sports in D.C. I went to a D.C. United (soccer) game. It would've been great had I not been by myself. I did enjoy myself and would like to go back to another one if I get the chance. I also went to a Nationals game last Friday night. That was a lot of fun and I would recommend it to all. They stadium is nice and even though the Nationals are crappy, nothing can ruin a baseball game in the summer.

This list pretty much sums up my month of August in Maryland. It has been an overall good time and I really like it here. The one major downfall is the heat. It is 93 degrees out right now. Slightly unbearable.

Classes started today but I don't start until Wednesday. Hopefully my background check goes through soon and I will be able to start my other job very soon. I hope to return soon with a recap of my classes and maybe some tales of Labor Day weekend shenanigans.