A Good Day For Once...

...But Do All Good Things End?

  I know I’ve been the missing sister lately (well, maybe not as “missing” as #4), but that’s what happens when you live hundreds of miles away. –And that’s what I wanted to write about. I know that when I was home for the holidays, coming back to DC was the last thing I wanted to do, and I let everyone know it. I was tired of the politics, tired of the grind, tired of the infectious self-importance… I miss being close to my beloved sisters and our family, their families, my little nieces and nephew.

  But every now and then, a moment comes along when it’s not so bad; I’ll have a day where things come together so well that it almost feels like home. Tuesday was like that.

  First off, I have to point out that I’m really lucky to not only have a job that I love, but I have two jobs that I love. I work with great people, I work on real and pressing issues, and when I leave, I can always feel a sense of accomplishment –no matter which office I’m leaving from. Tuesday, like yesterday, was a Hill day, but first I should set the scene.

  Capitol Hill, 8:49am. I was eleven minutes early for work. It was cold outside, but sunny. Monday was President’s Day, so everyone had a long weekend (except me, I had classes Monday night). First day of the workweek though, and we’re in recess, which means no Senators and no suits. So straight off the bat, everyone was dressed casual and lax on hours. Really, there was almost a festive atmosphere in the marble halls, everyone in jeans and sneakers, sweaters and even some baseball caps. I knew a lot of things would be going on that day from the explosive news that morning, but I felt good hanging up my coat and listening to my co-worker Rick share random facts about maple tapping. (He and his wife and son went to Virginia to partake in this fascinating activity over the weekend and apparently it takes eight hours to get even a teaspoon of decent syrup. –Brave man).

  It wasn’t even until 9:30 that every else began to trickle in, and the raucous debate on aforementioned explosive news began. Jay was in our office joking up a storm (impersonating Bode Miller is his new hobby) and we were knuckled down on the day’s business with more cheer than usual. The Senate might not be in session, but that doesn’t mean the government stops working. Out-of-session senators were making statements left and right, proving that even when they’re physically gone, their spirits still loom over us. And staffers, of course, were putting out the usual fires resulting from those statements.

  Despite the day’s low-mid level crisis though, we ate chocolate cake, we were teasing –even about defense approps, –and everyone took a regular lunch instead of the eat-and-work trick we usually pull. It was absolutely marvelous. And best of all? When 5:30pm rolled around, we all started packing up. –That’s a whole hour before we normally do! Our goodbyes and cocktail suggestions stretched so long that many of us ended up leaving together for dinner and happy hours in the area.

  So we strolled down First Street, in between the Capitol and Supreme Court, the sky still blue and the sun just beginning to set (the days are staying lighter now, too). It didn’t seem as cold as it had in the morning, and I just felt so good. It’s the nation’s capital, I thought to myself. And I get to live here, work here, and at least for the rest of the year, I get to be a part of it all.

  Since Tuesday, it’s been pretty much downhill –although yesterday had it’s fun moments, too. The workload is piling up, and this weekend is my “big event,” which has encountered numerous unexpected hitches so far this week. But remembering Tuesday is getting me through. Because it’s never all bad, right? There’s always that good in there somewhere. I just have to remember to keep my eyes out for it.