Trying to Relax

The last week has been rather stressful here in DC. A large percentage of the population of DC and the surrounding area is affected by the government shut down. On top of the 800,000 federal employees forced to take unpaid leave there are many contract companies here that are facing layoffs due to a lack of work. If you don't believe that people are feeling rather on edge, just look at the news. On Thursday there was the incident with the lady who was shot near the capital and then on Friday while walking from work I saw that part of the mall was taped off and there were police everywhere. Turns out a guy set himself on fire. I don't know why this is all happening, but it seems that many people are feeling more stress than normal. One of my coworkers has a husband who works at the White House. On Wednesday he was trying to figure out how long they can afford their mortgage. He is going to have to start looking for other work even though he really likes his job. I don't know what the solution to the government stalemate is, but those who are making the decisions don't appear to be affected by the consequences of their inaction which is the most frustrating. 

I spent this weekend hanging out at home for the most part which was nice. I cleaned some, though not as much as I should have, made puppy chow, and spinach and artichoke dip. It was nice to lay around and not feel busy or rushed for a few days. Corey wasn't around because once he heard the government was closed and therefore he wasn't going to be working for awhile he flew out to Minnesota to see family. He came back today. I am a bit jealous that he was able to go home, especially since it is really cheap for him since his mother works for Delta, but it also nice to know that I am still earning money since I now pay rent. Yesterday Cara Smith moved back into our house. She was in MVS last year and moved out at the beginning of September. Turns out she didn't really like the neighborhood she was in and missed the MVS house. After consulting the new house members, the support committee decided to let her move back in since we have an empty bedroom and we are all excited to have her join us. Keith is still looking for a place to live but for two weeks he is house-sitting for a couple so for now he isn't at the house. 

Work has been going well. Starting tomorrow all of our sites except for one will have started. We have our federal work study starting as well so I am no longer going to be filling in for site associates every day. I will still be going to sites a few days a week, but now it will change up and wont be the same all the time. I am interested to see how the different sites run. Also this Tuesday we are having a happy hour fundraiser. It should be fun, but I am wondering how many people will show up since there are a lot of people not working right now. If nothing else I will get to chill out with the few people who come and count it as a work function.