Confessions of an Earthquake Panicker

Well, as you have by now seen, DC experienced a 5.9 earthquake. It was actually my first earthquake! The last time that DC had an earthquake this big was in 1897.... so it took people off guard to say the least.

I have to preface this by saying that I've always considered myself pretty good under pressure and assumed that meant that I would be calm during a crisis. Boy was I wrong!

It had actually been a very nice day at work. I got into the office, had an early morning meeting, and spent the next few hours finishing up some outstanding projects. This week is the last for someone in our office, so we took an office field trip to have lunch at the Lebanese Taverna on Pentagon Row. We just got pack and sat down to our desks discussing how much we didn't want to work that afternoon.

A girl in the office stole me for a secret project. I went into the bosses' office with her and the boss and we closed the door. She needed me to help trim a picture so it would fit in a frame. So... I'm standing there with scissors in my hands when we feel a slight tremor.

The boss, my co-worker and I just stare at each other and ask "what was that." Before we could even answer, the whole building started to shake, more and more and more. That is when panic struck the whole office - what was happening? An earthquake? A bomb? Another plane like 9/11?

Then the panic really overtook me. I felt trapped. I was on the 5th floor and about a 7 minute walk from the nearest exit. Whatever was happening, I couldn't get out. We hid under desks until the shaking stopped. Then as we heard people in the halls yelling to evacuate, we locked up, grabbed our things and got out of the building as quickly as we could.

By the time we out of the building, we still had no idea what was going on. Once we got cell reception, we found out it was "just" an earthquake and relaxed a bit. Unfortunately, my nerves were completely shot and I wasn't even able to get a phone call/text out to find out if Caleb was okay. Since the thought of riding an underground metro (if it was even open) was not appealing, 3 of my co-workers and I loaded up in a car and headed out. They were very sweet to drop me off at my apartment before the traffic got TOO bad.

When I made it home, I was finally able to turn on the news and see what was going on and that it was over... hopefully. The quake had definitely hit our apartment as well. Several books, pictures, and all my plants had fallen over. Rhett didn't seem any worse for the wear, but Scarlett was hiding in her crate. I'm not sure if that was because she was scared of the shaking, or because she pooped on the floor and knew she was in trouble... oh well.

And, now Caleb is home. A co-worker was kind enough to drive him home as well. Well.. there you go. I survived my first earthquake, shed a few tears, and now know that I crumble under the pressure of natural disasters : )

Until next time, this is earthquake panicker signing off.

Our New Home!

Sorry this blog post has been so long coming. Each weekend I swore I was going to finish the apartment, but it go so dirty during the week that I was lucky to get back to where I had been before. But I got serious today and I'd say the apartment is about 95% set up. I have to wait on Caleb's next paycheck to finish a few short term projects. And then I have a whole list of long term projects.

But, before the pictures of our new place, here is a rundown of what we have been up to lately: Caleb is back working at Occidental Petroleum, he is also in the middle of law school recruitment for jobs next summer; Scarlett has decided Rhett isn't so bad; Rhett has grown a whole pound - she is now 3.4 pounds; I am still at the Pentagon, school starts for both of us in a week; we have attended our community's yappy hour for the dogs; we joined the DC Aggies club and attended the fall kick-off barbeque; we went to see the nats v. phillies game with friends but it was sold out so we ended up at a traditional moroccan restaurant for a 3+ hour 7 course moroccan meal; we've fully moved in to our new place; we MIRACULOUSLY" didn't get charged for Scarlett's accidents on the carpet at our old apartment; we are desperately attempting to potty train Rhett; 3 more couples in our Sunday School class have announced that they are pregnant - bring the total to 12 couples!; watching the Rangers dominate and hopefully move towards the playoffs; eagerly anticipating the start to college football season; following the debate about Rick Perry running for president.

As you can see, it has been quite the busy month. This week will be extra busy for me. I'm an ISA - international student ambassador- and will be helping to welcome 1100 students from 78 different countries to DC and George Washington. Since I have to work all day, I am signed up for evening activities like shopping for dorm decorations, bowling, a concert at the Kennedy Center, and a scavenger hunt across the city.  But, enough of that. Without further ado, I give you our new apartment: 

Front Entrance:

 Dining Room & Kitchen:

 Living Room:

 Kitchen:

 Improvised entertainment center (thank you ikea!)

 Ode to Texas "shrine" in the dining room:

 Dining room and door to garage:

 Our "Texas shrine" has the texas flag, a cotton candle, our aggie ring pictures, our marriage certificate, a cowboy hat and boot salt & pepper shaker, wedding precious moment, pic of us at an aggie game, and a cross that Caleb's grandmother made. It's our corner that makes us feel like home.

 Door to the guest room/office:

 Caleb's desk:

 Guest room/Office:

 This is not the bedding for the guest room. I am waiting on Caleb's next paycheck to go pick up the bedding I've picked out at bed, bath & beyond. I'll post a pic when I finally get it. The giant black thing is our futon mattress. Once I have the money to get an outdoor futon cover, it'll be going out on our patio. So, for now, it sits in the guest room.

 View from the front entry:

 I love this little nook. Caleb's papa made this bookcase. I love it and it fits perfectly!

 Guest bathroom/aka the George Washington Bathroom:

 Inside the guest room:

 My closet is in the guest room:

Inside the laundry room:

 Dog zone:

 Rhett land:

 Our bathroom:

 Our bedroom:

 Note: I told Caleb I was going to take pictures of the apartment and unless he wanted his mother to see what his closet REALLY looks like, he better clean it. This is the result : )

 My study nook:

 The garage!

 The kitchen:

The dogs are definitely enjoying their new home:

 Scarlett still loves to lay on the clean laundry. Her favorites are Caleb's clothes...

 "Playing"

I am not posting pics of the patio just yet. We've had storms the last week and my plants aren't looking so good. Hopefully we can get an outdoor futon cover soon. The weather is nice and I'm ready to hang out out there! Some of my other long-term projects are to clean up our painting imperfections. I know they aren't a big deal, but its driving me crazy! I also need to recover the dining room table chairs and maybe even restain the table. I like darker woods. If anyone has any tips on how to do these projects, please let me know!

Well, I better turn in. It's going to be a LONG week! If anyone would like our new address, feel free to let me know via comments, facebook, email etc.