...and a new one being built everyday!
At least near our temporary apartment. But I swear, there must be a one-to-one ratio of strip malls to residents. Most of them are under-rented, so I wonder how the builders get permits to build more!
On the plus side, DC is more technologically advanced in some ways than Seattle. That also comes as a complete surprise. At the doctor's office there is no paper files for example. They type everything into the computer as you say it. The grocery stores have pull-up areas to pick up your groceries if you've ordered ahead over the internet. Many places have free wi-fi access--it seems ubiquitous.
On the sad side, the radio stations are abysmal---unless you like evangelist radio, country, album-oriented rock, and rhythm & blues. Where's the hip-hop?! What about alternative rock, top 40 and college-radio? I am surprised about that one. My car can save 12 stations and I have trouble finding six to save! And of those--2 are NPR and one is classical. What up?! I'm sad because I loved almost every station in Seattle.
I had heard that I could expect Southern efficiency with Northern charm in DC. Ha ha. My experience has actually been the opposite. Northern efficiency with Southern charm. Chop chop! People are quick. They talk FAST, they're direct and to the point. But they're also very, very nice.
Another surprise is that more people here are height-weight proportionate and well-dressed than in Seattle. People are very good looking in general and very well put together. There's a sense that people are serious, type-A personalities, and with all the military and defense stuff, it feels like a pretty safe place (unless you're in the police-state neighborhood in the Northeast of the city).
Another wonderful thing I've never experienced is a huge population of very well educated and professional, middle-class and affluent minorities. It truly feels like an American Melting Pot. Seattle has tons of folks from lots of places too--it just feels like lots are 1st or 2nd generation and they're still hangin out in their own little neighborhoods together--not blending in.
I'm trying to be open to the possibility that Dave and I could really like it here--given the opportunities to be closer to family over the long-term--because of Lumbley. At the moment, it's a real struggle! Less natural beauty, hotter and more humid weather, bland, sprawling suburban areas, and the overall crowdedness feels like it's changed our quality of life for the worst.
Yesterday I went into the city to go to see my Obstetrician. (We selected her based on the fact that Dave spends more than 12 hours downtown, so we have a 50% shot at the going into labor when he's already downtown...she's also on a best doctor's list in the Washingtonian) So--I left 2 hours early to travel 36 miles. I barely made it! And poor Dave--I experienced his daily commute reality--no fun!! The distances are the same as we had in Seattle, but the crowds and the required public transportation situations make it oppressively long.
We're still thinking our house and actual neighborhood are really nice and fit our financial situation...we just will never see eachother and we'll both be completely exhausted all time. Talk about living for weekends.
In baby news, my measurements are all what they're supposed to be and I'm still within the recommended weight limits. It's a very normal, low risk pregnancy. And my new doctor is wonderful. I hope she's the one on duty when the time comes!
In doggie news, we've had a big milestone. We can trust Daisy our puppy to sleep through the night outside of her crate with no accidents--and no eaten furniture or walls. So--she barely spends anytime in her crate at all now. That's a huge relief.
This adjustment time is ICKY and very sad. We miss you! Email us at schleiferkin@gmail.com.
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