In DC

Back in 2006 Kevin and I lived in Beijing. But since then, we've lived in small towns, most recently White Rock, New Mexico. White Rock has two traffic lights, and during the night you can see all the stars in the galaxy. Since I grew up there, I know a lot of people everywhere I go. It's a good little town.

Now we're back to the big city. We live on the 8th story of a building, and our nighttime view consists of the neighboring buildings and their lights. The Reagan International Airport is a few miles away, so Penny is constantly pointing up at the sky (or ceiling), which is her sign for airplane. We're working on making sure Penny holds hands with us when we go out walking, and now after a couple days, she's complying a bit more.

It's a bit surreal being in Washington DC. I mean, in order to get to Costco, the directions include driving past Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon (as in, THE Pentagon), then turning left. And the whole time you can look across the Potomac and see the Washington Monument pointing up at the sky. It's pretty cool.

Today Penny and I took a walk around our neighborhood. Now, I've always heard that people on the East Coast are a lot more proper than in the west. But as I walked in my sweatshirt, jeans, and tennis shoes, I was quite aware that everyone I saw (Everyone, even the homeless people, I think) was wearing slacks, polished shoes, and an appropriate amount of makeup. I don't even have any makeup!

Also, there are no playgrounds around for Penny or other kids to play at. I looked at the map for parks, and there are a few around. Some are memorials for various things (the Berlin Wall coming down, etc), and others are just a tree or two with park benches for the homeless to hang out at during the day. Or in my judgmental eye, that's that they looked like. And then there are some vast empty lots surrounded by tall chain-link fences, but I'm not about to throw Penny over just so she can play in the weeds.

So I'm getting used to this city life again. We're planning on going to the National Zoo pretty soon while the weather holds up. We also want to go to some museums and fun stuff like that.

Tomorrow is Flag Day for Kevin's training class. That's where they have a little ceremony and find out where everyone is going for their first posts. Kevin is trying not to be stressed about it, and I have put off being stressed until later. We gave our preferences a couple weeks ago, and once we find out where we'll be going, there will be plenty to read, study, buy, and otherwise prepare for. No sense in doing any of that until tomorrow. For once, my procrastinating has paid off!