Well I had the first day in the office today – the National Academies building is huge and houses the National Academy of Science Museum, the National Academy of Engineering and the Institute of Medicine. It is right on Constitution avenue – and if my desk faced the other way I would see the tree tops of the parklands that run from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol. I picked up my security clearance, arrived to find I had a separate office with computer, phone, new stationery, and a very quietly efficient welcome.
I had walked the mile to the office from my apartment this morning in 81deg F and was pleased to discover that there is a dedicated shuttle which does about 10 trips a day from the Metro right near my apartment to our building and to the other main building – so I got to ride almost all the way home – great when carrying laptops and paperwork. The building has a superb cafeteria – even has cooked breakfast – apparently some people start work VERY early – the most popular shuttle is the 7 am one and the chap who runs the Center starts at 6 am and leaves at 4pm. Other people work through until 7pm to miss the traffic.
My apartment is one bedroom has a kitchen, bathroom, walk in wardrobe, king size bed and a fold down sofa bed ( very tired and sinks in the middle!). It is in a very secure building with a 24hr concierge and with the late summer evenings I am not likely to be out after dark very often. There is a “Trader Joe’s” store around the corner only 100m away and with
the George Washington University so close, it is clearly a university district so there is a variety of reasonably priced food. Most of the streets are tree lined and I have worked out the numbering system, of the streets, so it is not easy to get lost. I did get lost in the building trying to find the way out tonight when everyone else in my office had gone home…it is like a labyrinth.
Annette – my new pyjamas are great but can’t wear the new suit yet – it is way too hot. Catherine – my nails are holding out and I have found a couple of places to go at the weekend if I need to get a touch up.
I walked and walked over the weekend whenever it was fine – although my legs are tired, I am pacing myself – I went a
long to Georgetown 
yesterday afternoon and stood on the riverside and watched everything from rowing skiffs, canoes, luxury runabouts to sightseeing ferries… and Oh, don’t Americans like their little dogs – saw a real Paris Hilton imitation and another lady with a parrot on her shoulder. Browsed in some lovely “old” bookshops and generally feel overwhelmingly privileged to be here.
I had walked the mile to the office from my apartment this morning in 81deg F and was pleased to discover that there is a dedicated shuttle which does about 10 trips a day from the Metro right near my apartment to our building and to the other main building – so I got to ride almost all the way home – great when carrying laptops and paperwork. The building has a superb cafeteria – even has cooked breakfast – apparently some people start work VERY early – the most popular shuttle is the 7 am one and the chap who runs the Center starts at 6 am and leaves at 4pm. Other people work through until 7pm to miss the traffic.
My apartment is one bedroom has a kitchen, bathroom, walk in wardrobe, king size bed and a fold down sofa bed ( very tired and sinks in the middle!). It is in a very secure building with a 24hr concierge and with the late summer evenings I am not likely to be out after dark very often. There is a “Trader Joe’s” store around the corner only 100m away and with
the George Washington University so close, it is clearly a university district so there is a variety of reasonably priced food. Most of the streets are tree lined and I have worked out the numbering system, of the streets, so it is not easy to get lost. I did get lost in the building trying to find the way out tonight when everyone else in my office had gone home…it is like a labyrinth.Annette – my new pyjamas are great but can’t wear the new suit yet – it is way too hot. Catherine – my nails are holding out and I have found a couple of places to go at the weekend if I need to get a touch up.
I walked and walked over the weekend whenever it was fine – although my legs are tired, I am pacing myself – I went a
long to Georgetown yesterday afternoon and stood on the riverside and watched everything from rowing skiffs, canoes, luxury runabouts to sightseeing ferries… and Oh, don’t Americans like their little dogs – saw a real Paris Hilton imitation and another lady with a parrot on her shoulder. Browsed in some lovely “old” bookshops and generally feel overwhelmingly privileged to be here.
Thank you to all who have made this possible and thank you especially to Peter for faith and trust and making it possible for me to come with an easy heart.
Love to all
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