Cloud 9

Yesterday, we had more than 40 people in our backyard for an end-of-the year bbq, and we certainly had reason to celebrate! It's been a few weeks since I've posted (yes, the New Year's Resolution breaks in April! Not too shabby) but those few weeks have been some of the craziest of the year.

I went home for a lovely Easter with my family, and although we enjoyed good food, good company, and a phenomenal egg-decorating celebration (see below) I couldn't fully enjoy myself knowing that my fate in DC was still a mystery. The job search was weighing heavily on my shoulders, and I was stressing about finding an apartment for next year without knowing where I was working and how much I was making.


Seven hour car rides are bad for the psyche. They give you far too long to over-think and over-worry about everything. On the car ride home, I was feeling pretty glum. Suddenly, my phone rang. It was a number I didn't recognize, so I let it go to voicemail. When I pulled over at a rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike, my life changed forever. The voicemail was from the Center For Education Reform. They are a think tank in DC and their CEO, a woman named Jeanne Allen, spoke to my grad school class last December. I loved her so much and was so impressed by her work that after class I chased her, got her card, and arranged a meeting with her. We talked about the work she does and I asked for advice on how to transition into the realm of Ed Reform from the classroom. She kept my resume from that meeting months and months ago, and when a position opened up at her organization, she brought me in to interview!

That car ride and fateful call was Monday. Tuesday afternoon I was in the office interviewing for the position and a week later, I was offered the job! My new title is "Manager of Development" and I'll be working closely with Jeanne to develop a number of strategies to grow the organization and spread the news of its work. I'll also be building relationships with many major donors, exploring why they have a vested interest in Ed Reform. The position has so much untapped potential and I think there's a lot of room for me to grow! Best of all, they are letting me start work after school as a "consultant," go to Israel, and come back to officially start full-time in July.

As if this isn't all exciting enough, Meredith and I also found a gorgeous apartment on Capitol Hill and signed the lease for it this weekend. It is LITERALLY 2 blocks from the Capitol Building and one block from Union station. The location could not be more ideal and we are so excited to have a place where we can put down some roots and hopefully stay more than a year!







Everything is really coming up roses right now. A mentor of mine from college summed it up perfectly: "You're living the dream! A place you love, great friends, and a chance to do work you believe in....that's what it's all about! Kudos."

I know things would not be so great for me if it were not from all the love and support from family and friends. I am so thankful!

Peace and love.