I like raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens as much as the next child of the 1980s, having spent every Christmas holiday re-watching Julie Andrews bring joy and music to the Austrian Alps. I never planned my viewing in advance; somehow, year after year, I turned on the TV just as it started. As they say, timing in life is everything.
I longed to be a von Trapp child, to sing my heart out as I walked the beautiful hills with the sun on my face and a dress made from curtains on my back. That’s where the similarities would have ended, though; nice as they are, raindrops and whiskers will never fall into my “favorite things” category.
My friend, Constance, re-introduced me to the concept a few years ago. I came back from vacation and she asked me to play the vacation game with her: I had to name my favorite sound, smell, taste, touch and color from my get away. I was hooked, and found that each time I traveled after that, having the game in the back of my mind helped me to look harder and notice better in a way that enhanced the experience considerably.
As I sit with bags packed beside me reflecting on five – FIVE! – years in Washington DC, I find myself playing the game again to help fix in my brain the truly wonderful, exciting, sometimes difficult life I built here. I arrived on a Saturday afternoon at the end of September 2015, checked into “The Compound” as we would come to call Constance’s house on P St, and set about building a nonprofit from scratch. They say charity begins at home; mine started in the office but brought home to me a new way of seeing myself and the world that has been truly life changing. I got good by doing good.
So, here are a few of my favorite things (about DC and my life here):
Sounds:
- The bull frog in the tree in the garden at P St that kept me awake, but whose presence made me strangely happy as if he were standing watch over me as I slept (or would have done if he’d been quiet)
- The Super Soul Conversation podcast which brought me comfort and enlightenment on my darkest days
- The sound of my sister’s voice as we had an impactful conversation walking the streets of DC
Sights:
- Paul’s face in the morning on the pillow next to mine
- The sparkling and twinkling of the river in the sun, as if diamonds were dancing on its surface
- The persistently strange sight of someone wearing a face mask in this new pandemic reality
Colors:
- The blue of the big wide sky of DC
- The aqua marine of my big sparkling engagement ring
- The grey of my husband’s eyes
Touches:
- The sun on my face as I sit in the garden of P St on a gloriously hot August day
- Paul’s hand as it locks into mine
- The feel of freshly washed sheets on my skin after Paul has washed them (he always insists)
Smells:
- The dark wood of Martin’s bar
- Grown Alchemist body wash in our beautiful honeymoon hotel in New Orleans
- Paul cooking dinner in the kitchen as I sit on our sofa drinking a G&T and we catch up on our day and plan the next adventure
Tastes:
- That first mimosa of the night (or morning, or afternoon)
- The burger at Le Diplomat – hold the salt on the fries
- The meals I found in my fridge when I returned from travels, lovingly left by Constance so I would feel loved and welcomed home
Places:
- The bright, sunny nook at the Clubhouse
- The garden on P St
- The middle of the Mall – the Capitol on one side, the Washington Monument on the other – I never tire of that view
Experiences:
- Learning to meditate and calm my busy brain
- Taking a memoir writing course – and realizing I was good at it
- Learning to speak American
People:
- My husband, the love of my life
- My Compound Crew: Katie and Constance
- Friends, too many to mention them all, but you know who you are
Achievements:
- Building an organization
- Learning to say no
- Finding balance for the first time in my life
US destinations:
- Portland, OR – East London on the West Coast
- LA – much better than I was expecting
- Miami South Beach – Art Deco heaven
Books read:
- The Century Trilogy by Ken Follett, read in bed over Christmas 2015/new year 2016, the story of the American century as I settled into my new American home
- What I Know for Sure, Oprah Winfrey – she set me on the straight and narrow when I needed it
- A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles – one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read and a different take on “captivity” from my day job
Music:
- Jake Bugg acoustic set in Nashville on my 41st birthday – that guy brought be back to life after a difficult year
- Christine and the Queens with Kelly at the 9.30 Club – sheer wonder and delight in a 5-foot creativity pocket rocket
- Impromptu blue grass gig with Constance at her neighbor’s place in VA – she pulled me away from the TV, I danced in my PJs
Occasions:
- My wedding
- My 40th birthday weekend
- Leaning in on my first date with Paul
Wow moment:
- Being the Saturday Profile in the New York Times
And that, as they say, is a wrap. Thanks, DC, it’s been a blast. London – Brace! Brace! I’m coming to get you.