Look Inside America

I got the job at IWP! I can’t believe it actually happened. The anxiety-ridden hunt is over! My body is tired from all the stress, but I am happy.

Of course, I expected to hear the news early yesterday morning, but I didn’t get a phone call until almost 5 p.m. I practically went nuts waiting. I kept thinking the worse, when I should have tried to be more optimistic. I think the ‘my friend look for 7 months (see previous post)’ really freaked me out. I kept imagining myself working at some thankless job that involved no writing and crap pay.

The editor who called told me she had spent the day figuring out what she was going to offer me. She said she picked me “cause I like you better, so there.” I believe those were her exact words. She said I seemed nicer than the other candidate. Fo’ sheezi.

I start next Monday. I went to the office today and picked up my new employee packet. I need to figure out the medical insurance details, etc. Exciting, I know.

Now that I’ve got my job straight, I need to focus my attention on housing. I must have sent 3,000 e-mails today via craigslist. I’m not sure about which area I want to live in. Thus far, I like U Street the best. But, housing there is more expensive. You’ve got to pay if you want to be (or at least seem) cool. I liked U Street because it reminded me of Brooklyn.

I went out to dinner today with the kind couple who are letting me stay with them. We met up with some of their friends in Dupont Circle and went to a place called Pizza Paradiso. Minus the slight claustrophobic feeling I got (people literally sitting on other people), the pizza was tasty. This restaurant must be a guidebook favorite because it was overflowing with tourists. I could tell they were tourists by their awesome U.S. presidents t-shirts, grouchy children and sunburned faces. Ah, the joys of family vacation. If I’m feeling energetic tomorrow, I think I’ll go to the Smithsonian and see some interesting old, possibly modern stuff.

It totally rocks when the boss likes you better. Amen. Hasta pronto. xx