life lately | february

In the spirit of "better late than never," I'm time-traveling back to February. These "life lately" posts are some of my favorite to write... it's a nice snapshot into my year, you know? It's so easy to forget the details when life moves as quickly as it does these days, and I want to remember. As I was looking through pictures from February, even just a few months later, I had several "oh yeah!" moments. A stolen moment in Boston when Zan struck a model pose in the middle of a snowy street by a light pole that cracked me up. Playing fetch with Theo on one of those rare warm days, a reprieve from a long winter, and how full of energy and excitement he was to be running on grass and not snow. I saw a lot of movies, too, with my colleague and friend Jess and with Zan - Dallas Buyers Club and Philomena were my favorites this year.

February was a blur. It's a blur now for me, looking back. In a lot of ways, it was an in-between month for me. I was waiting to hear from grad schools. I found out that I was a finalist for the Rangel Fellowship and was waiting (and preparing!) for my interview. I was waiting for it to be warm enough to wear anything but layers. I was completely living and breathing and existing in this state of "what if?" I was afraid to breathe too deeply sometimes, to take in the possibilities, to acknowledge that all my career goals and dreams and aspirations could come true.

It was a month of bated breath. Of soaking up the small moments, putting one foot in front of the other, trying to manage my hope and contain my happiness of all that might be, trying to wait it out, live in every moment, but also begging the clock to speed up, for days to fly by, so I could know finally know what my future would hold.

1: Our winter of wandering the side streets and canals in Georgetown continued into February. I love this shot of the canals at night.
2&7: This is the winter that never ends... yes it goes on and on my friends! Zan made a snowman... a very well-endowed snowman, at that, while throwing snowballs at Theo and drinking wine. It felt warm that night, even with the snow coming down.
3&4:  I think I'll go to Boston! I don't know what's with me and the song lyrics today? But hey! I'll roll with it! Zan surprised me with a trip to Boston for Valentine's Day, and it was the snowiest, coldest romantic getaway and those kinds are underrated. (The hat I'm wearing was a gift from my long time friend Melanie. Y'all are in luck because she just opened an Etsy shop with all of her homemade goods!)
5&8: The night that I found out I was a Rangel Finalist, Matt, Ryan, Zan, my girlfriend Staley and her husband Brian, and I all went to happy hour to toast. Matt gave me the best congratulations card - well, half a card, I should say. And half a candy bar and half a piece of gum. Because I was "half way there." After, Zan and I celebrated the best way I know how - with sparkling wine and pizza - at Alba Osteria, the newest Italian restaurant from Roberto Donna, one of my favorite chefs in DC. I also love his restaurant Al Dente.
6: Funny story, Zan and I met at a bar 4 years ago while I was on a pseudo-date with the bartender... who happened to be one of Zan's best friends. Zan came in and sat down at the bar, and we were fast friends; we got together a year later. We're still good friends with that bartender, who invited us to Catoctin Creek Distillery one Saturday when he was guest bartending. Per usual, his drinks were incredible. (You can taste his cocktails regularly at  the Green Pig in Arlington.)
9: Duke Ellington, eternal on the campus of his school. Zan and I were goofy tourists in our own city that day.
10 & 11: Theo and I were walking up to our favorite dog park when I noticed this creepy giant panda chilling out on a neighbor's front porch! I mean, what do I even say to this?! It's amazing, is what.