Friday, October 21, 2011

The Muffin Thief

I am now two weeks into the everyday-for-the-rest-of-my-life phase of life. It's not so bad. I like having my evenings free of homework, but I am always tired when I get home from work so it takes a lot of effort to actually do something worthwhile with that free time. I'm sure all of you already know this as most of you are already a few years into this phase of your life.

So far I like my job and I love the people I work with, but today I encountered the first person at my office that I do not like. The story starts yesterday at the end of the work day when my boss told me it was her turn to bring in something to share with our department for breakfast (someone different takes a turn each Friday) but she had to work late so she wasn't sure what she'd have time to do. I offered to take over her day: a way to help my boss and impress my coworkers with my baking skills--perfect. So I made some delicious muffins and brought in grapes that were cut into manageable clumps of 2-4 grapes. Everyone liked my offering, of course. Towards the end of the work day there were a few muffins left and a woman in the office wanders over to my desk bringing my bag and plastic containers and asking people along the way if they wanted another muffin. A coworker who is more vocal than I says, "I'm sure Kirstin will just take the leftover muffins home." I chime in, "Yeah, I'll eat them for breakfast if no one is going to eat them." By this point the woman has arrived at my desk and sets down the bag and containers but says, "I'll just take the muffins home. I didn't get any and there are only two left." Sorry, what?! I had no expectations of taking muffins home--I brought them in to share--but if there are leftovers then I should get them. And what bothered me the most was 1) the tone of her voice--she spoke as if she were doing me a favor by taking the muffins off my hands; and 2) the fact that she lied--I could clearly see that there were four muffins in that bag.

As she walked away the coworker who spoke up looked at me like did that really just happen? Then we spent the last 20 minutes of the work day retelling the story and hearing more anecdotes about that woman's bizarre behavior on other occasions. I'm happy it turned into an opportunity to bond with some coworkers, but tomorrow morning when I wake up and have no muffins to eat I'm going to be sad. 

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Day Clubbing

 Day clubbing is the term used to describe sight-seeing all day long by the unemployed job seeking of DC because they have nothing else to do. (Perhaps this term is used elsewhere, but I've never heard it before coming here). When I've had friends in town I've joined them in day clubbing, but have stayed closer to home "running errands" when by myself. However, I decided I should take advantage of my free time and spend more time in the District, and I might as well document my adventures. On my way from the Metro to the first museum of the day I passed a square that had several food trucks parked in it and I just couldn't resist these Korean BBQ tacos.
 My first stop of the day was the Daughters of the American Revolution Museum where I toured their period rooms. After looking at all these historically furnished rooms, I left wanting to decorate a house in the "Colonial Revival" style and to sew something. Then I went to the Renwick Gallery's "Something of Splendor" exhibit featuring decorative arts from the White House. Street food + free museums = perfect day clubbing activities for those on a budget (which most day clubbers are).
I ended the day by wandering around the Georgetown area for awhile then sat on a bench to read a book and eat some treats I picked up at Georgetown Cupcake.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Birthday Weekend

 I went to New York City for the weekend to visit Danielle and celebrate my birthday. Here I am on the Brooklyn Bridge. We spent Friday wandering around the city, window shopping, eating, and getting manicures.
 We got birthday cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery.
 It took me two tries to blow out that one candle.
On Saturday we went to see How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, which is currently starring Daniel Radcliffe. Afterwards we waited outside and he signed my playbill! This is the best picture I got, which could be of any guy in a baseball cap.
But here is the playbill he signed.

If this weekend was any indication of how the coming year will be, 27 is going to be great.