A piece of me will always be with that beautiful city

My whole life I have lived a mere hour (sometimes less, sometimes more traffic dependent) from the capital of the United States of America. My family would occasionally venture in for some sight-seeing, but I far from knew the city. I had always considered this a very sad fact of my life. People go on whole vacations just to see DC, and there I was living so close and I had no idea how to work the metro.


When I was a secretary, we had a lot of down-time in the later months bc it wasn't summer and people didn't have as many bugs. We serviced some buildings in DC and one day I took out one of our maps and was determined to walk away from work that day with an increased knowledge of DC. I casually mentioned to my co-workers that I have always wished to know our nation's capital better than I did. I doubt they remember this, but Heavenly Father certainly did. I think that is why Heavenly Father helped me get this job. Sometimes I just feel like such a favorite of His :)


I am so sold on this city. It is wonderful! I love the metro, the low skyline, the monuments, the small-town/big city feel it somehow manages to pull off.


I would like to share some of the things I had the opportunity to learn while living in DC....


1. I love the nanny club
One day I was talking to my mom and I commented on all the nice friends you meet just because you are pushing around a stroller. All these fellow stroller-pushers come up to you and soon you're chatting like old friends. I was kind-of bewildered by this at first, but my mom just smiled and said, "that's the moms club."


I love the nannies I became friends with, and even though I couldn't give you half their names that is okay, because I seriously know so many. The best way to make friends on Connecticut Ave. is to walk around with a baby.


Nannies and Au Pairs are all so friendly and want so many good things for each other. When I told Madeline and other nanny that I was going back to school they each smiled and implored me to "work hard." Madeline is from Senegal and other nanny is from some country in South America I believe. They each have worked so hard and want their children to have the best possible future, and because I was one of the youngest nannies in our little Connecticut Ave. group I was like a daughter to many of them, and that was nice :)


2. Everyone loves babies.
Countless times I would get on the metro with the lil guy and it would be during rush hour, when you are literally packed in like sardines. I could prolly count on one hand the number of times someone didn't offer me their seat, or the big crowd in front of the metro door didn't part like the Red Sea for me to get through.


People in DC are busy and important, but the baby trick works with anyone. One time (this didn't happen very often because I am AWESOME) I was lost and asked this man if he knew how to get to the Dept of Education. He whipped out his fancy phone and figured out the directions so quickly. He was dressed in a suit and had a shiny, black briefcase, but the instant he saw my lil guy he was cooing and baby talking. Babies work, people.


3. The National Zoo can be your personal paradise when you are a nanny during the winter months
Starting about September the enormous crowd at the zoo starts to thin. By the end of the month it is your playground! There were so many times that the lil guy and I ventured to our favorite spot and we and a couple other nannies and their kids were the only ones there.


4. All the best playgrounds are at the tops of mountains.
Which can get very annoying, but man do your calves get a work-out!


5. The metro is very easy to use.
At first it can be quite intimidating, but don't you worry! It is a wonderful invention. Here are some helpful metro clues....

• If you ever get lost in DC and want to find the metro, just look at the ground for the vents and follow them
• The end cars are always the best ones to be on bc no one wants to walk that far
• If you miss your stop, just get out at the next one and board the opposite train. You'll be fine.
• If you are only wanting to maneuver about downtown, you needn't worry if you are on the green or yellow line, or the orange or blue line. For all intents and purposes they are the same thing.
• For about five stops the red line is exclusively on Connecticut Ave..
• Just because it is the Smithsonian station does not mean that it is closest to the Smithsonian you desire to see. Natural History and American History are both closest to the Federal Triangle station, and Air and Space and poss Native American and the Botanical Gardens are closest to L'Enfant. The capitol building is very close to L'Enfant as well, in case you were wondering.
• Using public transportation is nothing to be ashamed of. It saves you money and time. People from all walks of life use the metro. It is a great idea.

I miss DC. I miss it every day. I miss the Zoo and the hustle and bustle and the place with my favorite pumpkin walnut muffins. I miss the metro and I miss the nanny club. I miss Frederike and Madeline and Sarah from the lobby. I miss seeing all these people dressed up so professionally and the big groups surging off the curb and onto the crosswalk seconds before the white walk light turns on, because by that time they have memorized the light's schedule. Have I ever mentioned that driving in DC must be a nightmare?


I miss seeing embassies and diplomat cars. I miss looking around at all these sharply-dressed people and knowing that they were off to their very-important jobs. I want sooo badly to work in DC. I have never felt so energized in my life than when I was living there.

Most of all I miss my lil guy and nanny family. I am so blessed for being offered that job. Those were some the happiest four months of my life.

Dear DC,

One day I will be back, but I'll be different. I will be dressed up in a cute pencil skirt and a professional-looking shirt and classy-looking heels. I will have an ID that, when swiped, will allow me into some amazing building where I will be a part of an amazing team and do amazing work. I will ride the metro and have a special pair of comfy shoes that I will keep in my purse just for my commute. I will read The Economist and also briefs from work while I wait for my stop. I will go home to my beautiful, small apartment (prolly in Cleveland Park). I will go eat at Sorriso a lot with my friends and get calamari every time. I will go running in the Zoo and pick up a strawberry frappicino (no, that is not coffee) and a pumpkin walnut muffin from the Firehook Bakery on my way home. I will have a big dog, who I will take on walks and no one will dare mess with me. I will go to a Singles Ward full of people like me. I will travel abroad for my job and fly in private jets! Or at least 1st Class.  I will be contributing to society and making a difference. No, don't you worry, DC. I will be back. I promise.

Love,

Nicole

Oops

I forgot how much I love this song too....

He is seriously perfect.

I am in love....

....with gojane.com. Fo realsies people, I absolutely cannot get enough of it!

:) sooo heavenly. I love shoes!

I am also in love with these two songs....

David Guetta is such a freaken genius!

The "why" Part Two

This is one of my favorite stories. It was told by Joseph F. Smith in the April 1900 General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

"My mother was a widow, with a large family to provide for. One spring when we opened our potato pits she had her boys get a load of the best potatoes, and she took them to the tithing office; potatoes were scarce that season. I was a little boy at the time, and drove the team.

When we drove up to the steps of the tithing office, ready to unload the potatoes, one of the clerks came out and said to my mother, "Widow Smith, it's a shame that you should have to pay tithing."

My mother turned upon him and said: "William, you ought to be ashamed of yourself.

Would you deny me a blessing?

If I did not pay my tithing, I should expect the Lord to withhold His blessings from me.

I pay my tithing, not only because it is a law of God, but because I expect a blessing by doing it.

By keeping this and other laws, I expect to prosper and to be able to provide for my family."

I believe in this. Every time I do a good deed, or pray for someone, or answer a call for help or otherwise look out for and help someone else, I'm not doing it because I'm this great person. I'm doing it because I know that one day I will be in some sort of trouble, and when I am I will expect a blessing. Following in Christ's footsteps is the only way I know that will 100% guarantee my happiness.

It's like taking out an insurance policy with God.

Dear Douchebags,

I've had enough of this. You never were good enough for my best friend. How you ever managed to hold her down for all this time is beyond me. How dare you treat her this way. Your nerve and confidence astounds me, given the fact that it has absolutely no base.

But don't worry- she will find someone so, soo much better. And you? Do you really believe that you will find someone better than the wonderful girl you just gave up? Because you won't. You will never manage to find someone who measures up to the incredibly high bar she has set. And you deserve that. Because my best friend is not someone you will find at those dumb parties you go to, or in that stupid middle school-level math course you are taking.

Welcome back to your league, asshole.

The way you have treated her is the most cowardly thing I have ever seen. And how about that timing, huh? Right after a birthday for one and right before Valentine's Day for both. How dare you. I hope, no, I know that karma will catch up to you, and when it does....you are in for the ride of your life.

She was planning a future with you. You were planning it with her. You strung her along and then hung her out to dry, because all the sudden your caveman brain hit a massive hiccup. Can't say I'm surprised. Your over-inflated ego must've been taking up all that prime real estate in your head.

Once you realize your mistake, it'll prolly be too late. My best friend hasn't been going unnoticed. Do you know how many other boys have been waiting for you to mess up?

You're an idiot, but lucky for her, right? Because the biggest mistake of your life- breaking up with my best friend- is the best thing that could've happened to her. I know she doesn't see it now, but she will. It won't take a lot of retrospection to come to that conclusion. Sure, there were good times, but you shouldn't have ended things this way. You cancelled out every good act you ever did in your relationship with the hard, cold way that you smashed up my best friend's heart in the end. Her tears went unseen by you, and her crying unheard because you are a selfish asshole who deserves to be kicked in the balls with all the cleats of every soccer team in the world. You are such a coward.

My best friend deserves so much better than what you gave her, you know that, don't you? But if you are ever so lucky as to get back together with her, just know that I will never, ever forget what you have done. Ever.

You never were good enough for her.

Getting to the root (canal) of the problem

These past few days I have had a problem. And it sounds like suchh a lame problem and I would like to say that I NEVER listen to problems like this but it was sooo persistant that finally I just said, "problem! Whhhaaattt is it?? What is SO important that it cannot wait until mid-April when I am home?" Here is the problem.

My tooth hurt.

I know.

Lame.

And again, I reallyy don't listen to these problems. I say "ow." And then maybe pop in a couple of ibuprofens and get on with my life. I simply do not have time to deal with such minor issues such as a toothache.

But this time, my tooth just wouldn't shut up. I brushed. I flossed. Possibly more than ever before. I ibuprofen-ed. I complained. I told my tooth very firmly to shut up. I told it that I did not have the time to deal with this sort of craziness and whatever it was going through could it promptly shut up anddd now. I told Heather. I told daddy. Daddy said,

"Nicole, your health is the most important thing! You could have an infection! You need to get to a dentist!"

"But daddy, I hatee the dentist!"

"Nicole I mean it! You need to get that thing checked out!"

"But....what if I rack up a huge dental bill??"

"Don't worry about that! We'll take care of it! When it comes to your health, getting the help is the most important thing. Don't worry about the money."

And it made me want to cry bc my tooth was hurting lots and my daddy is so nice to me.

So I put on my big girl pants and looked up dentists in Rexburg. I called the Pediatric one bc on their website they SAID that they treat young adults. I guesss 19 is too old for young these days. Whatever.

So I asked who they would recommend and they gave me two different dentists. I called the first and they said they could pencil me in! ....At the end of the month. Apparently the dentist is going on a 10-day vaca. Because that is more important than my teeth.

I told them that I might get back to them. Then I called the second dentist and they were soooo nice! They got me an appointment that very afternoon! My friend Kathy drove me and they X-rayed my mouth. As I was sitting in the seat I took in my surroundings and I felt more relaxed based on two observations....

1. The office was very open. I could hear the dentist from the reception area. That means that they can't be too awful to their patients, or else people would hear.
2. I also remembered that this office is on a strip mall, so that means that they also have to be nice bc otherwise all the people who were going to the other stores would be scared off by all the screaming and they wouldn't have any more customers.

 I felt a lot better after these realizations.

After the X-rays (which was actually prolly the most painful part of my experience) the nice dental assistant sent me back to the front to fill out the paperwork.

I felt so big and grown-up filling out my own paperwork. It was the first time I had ever done it without my parents. In fact, it was the first time I had ever gone to the dentist without my parents. It's not what I would prefer, but I had to do it. I was glad that Kathy was there.


The nice secretary told me not to worry about the insurance part bc she had already gotten it when we were on the phone. She had even called my insurance company to make sure this was covered. It was! She is so nice :)


But actually, I would like to make a note. This experience wasn't bad at all. The whole staff was so nice. I felt perfectly safe and taken care of. Sometimes things happen to me that force me to grow up, but a lot of the time I don't really mind. It's a good learning experience.

Then they called me back to look at my teeth. The dentist came in and poked around my mouth and looked at the X-rays. "Yep," he said after a minute. "You'll need a root canal."

"What?!"

My eyes widened and my mind started racing. My daddy had had a root canal many years ago. It's kinda been a family joke, just bc it happened at such a funny time. I may include that story at the end of this post.

But I wasn't thinking about how funny it was. I was thinking about how in pain my daddy looked. I felt those years of laughing at that story condemning me. I sadly realized that I deserved this. Karma had finally caught up to me, and if it had its way I would not get the last laugh.

I frantically began thinking that I was too young for a root canal! Then I remembered how my favorite polisci friend Paige had told me that she has had two root canals, and she is just a few months older than me! I cast around my mind for another reason of why this could not possibly be happening to me. Then it hit me- I was not prepared to deal with this!

But all the sudden I "faced reality" (my daddy's favorite story about me.) I realized that I was dealing with it. I needed a root canal. In a way, I had already gone through the worst part. I was just going to have to be brave and do it orrr I was going to have to deal with the pain for the rest of my life.

I chose the root canal.

The dentist and dental assistant set to work on my mouth. They gave me multiple shots on my gum and somewhere else in my mouth. I dunno. I can't see down there. The kind dental assistant rubbed my shoulder soothingly as the dentist stuck the needle in my mouth. I felt it, but it wasn't so bad. It was numbing medicine, so it kicked in pretty quick and I didn't feel the rest of the shots.

Then they drilled in my mouth and put screw-type things in. I'm not sure what they looked like bc I have a very firm rule for the dentist office-

Never, under anyyy circumstances, look at what instruments they are sticking in your mouth.

Just don't do it. I implemented this rule bc I have a very active imagination, and it is just good for my sanity that I let some things remain a mystery.

A few times I would start to feel something, and whenever this happened I would calmly and simply say, "ow," and they would stick me with more medication. I was quite afraid of dying of too much medicine, to tell the truth. I prayed sooo much that I wouldn't die, and I'm still here! Heavenly Father doesss answer our prayers :)

After about an hour of all this they stopped and told me that they would finish up on Monday. I thanked them for their time and they gave me their numbers so that if I was having any problems I could call them no matter whaaatt time it was. I thought that was very nice of them :) The secretary told me what medicine to take and how much and how often and then told me what it would cost with the insurance.

My happiness deflated. I got in the car with Kathy and called my daddy to tell him the news. I'm not kidding, I think it was a combination of a lott of things bc I just about cried when I told him. My daddy said very gently that I shouldn't worry about it. He said he was expecting a bill like that. He dismissed my offer that I pay half. He reminded me of what he had said earlier that my health is the most important thing. He told me that his root canal had cost almost four times that, and that made me feel a lot better. He also told me that a Queen of Sheba had apparently died from a root canal bc there simply wasn't the technology to take care of it. He said that he hadn't wanted to tell me that earlier bc he didn't want to worry me. He said he was very glad that I had gone to the dentist and gotten it taken care of.

I was once again struck with how blessed I am to have my father. He is the best daddy in the whole wide world!

Kathy and I went to the store and I bought a lot of soup and yogart, since I cannot chew very well and am not supposed to chew with that side of my mouth anyway. I guess I acted a lil weird in the store. It reminded me of when I texted my family that I was at the dentist's office and Kelly texted back,

"Have fun getting high :)"

What a jokester.

I also got dill pickles bc I had been craving them and also more of the medicine I needed and apple juice and orange juice (high pulp) bc I firmly believe that I deserve it. I also bought Kathy some chicken bc she drives me everywhere and waits in dentist office lobbies for me so I won't be scared. Then we ran into Noel and roommate and they drove home with us. It was ex-actly what I needed. Hmph.

Then I went home and Michelle came over bc Wednesday is Gator Jack night. I greeted her, but my voice was weird bc my face was still numb and I had a very distinct lisp. I told her that I had gotten a root canal. Michelle cast me a skeptical look, then said,

"No you didn't."

I blinked. What? "Yessss I did." I told her. Awkwardly and with a lisp and I'm sure drool coming out of my mouth.

"You're joking. I don't believe you." Michelle said.

"What? Whyy would I lie about thiss-pp?!"

Michelle laughed at me and continued to think I was lying to her. She said, multiple times while looking at me with pity, "I wish I could just believe you. But I can't!"

I would glare back. "Well that'sss-pp shaa-ooo-pidd."

I ordered chili soup and attempted to eat it. Through-out my attempt at feeding several massive strings of cheese hung themselves from my chin, and I wouldn't know until Michelle would laugh at me bc my face was numb and I wouldn't notice. Finally she believed me, and then she couldn't stop laughing. Michelle is such a good friend.

At Gator Jack's they give you a cookie with each order. These cookies are de-LIcious! I love them! But I could not chew, so I was reduced to putting the cookie on the side of my mouth that I was allowed to chew on an pressing it down with my index finger until it crumbled enough for me to swallow. While I was in the process of this pathetic ordeal, I noticed a girl openly staring at me. I was about to glare at her when she was like, "Nicole?" very timidly.

I then realized it was Brittany! The Brittany from math class who I love! I met her friend and introduced her to Michelle and explained about my condition. They all laughed at my lisp-filled story and expressed their sympathy through the merriment in their eyes. I'm not offended though, bc I know I sounded ridiculous, and if Michelle was going through the same thing I would prolly tell her the exact line she said to me....

"Okay I'm sorry I'll stop laughing....Let's be honest. I'm never going to stop laughing."