Would you like that notarized?

I must be telling a great joke here, everyone looks like they are laughing so hard! (....)

While the first part of last week I was moving around and about, the latter half included a more longitudinal around and about-ing.  On Wednesday I was offered (and accepted!!) a Program Coordinator position with World Resources Institute with their Forest Landscape Initiative (the job search is off for now!).  I have so many people to thank for helping to get me where I am - this was not a road traveled alone and I am (thankfully) reminded of that everyday.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

On Thursday morning I hopped on the Amtrak train to Union Station to sign the dotted and meet my colleagues.  Friday morning I began looking at apartments!  That, too, was not a path traveled solo.  Cassie had a friend that used Apartment Detectives to find a place in DC that she loved and so we signed up, too.  So far it has been a fabulous experience.  Nancy Starrs, the real estate on our 'case', has been prompt and helpful and the places I saw on Friday and Saturday were gorgeous and reasonably within our budget.  You can even 'like' them on facebook!  I'll keep you posted once we have signed that dotted line, too.

Whitney, my college roommate and friend since the 6th grade (!), opened up her home to me, once again, for which I am also very thankful.  We met Ann, another college girlfriend, for dinner at Cava Mezze for dinner (delicious tapas-style place) and then got frozen yogurt at Pinkberry (you should check out their website just to listen to the song they play - it's pretty awesome).  

No, I did not ride my bike right into the church.  But that would have been awesome.

Sunday meant church - but not before giving a presentation on Mali to the middle schoolers.  I couldn't tell if they were really into it (I think that may just be because they're in middle school...) but good job to all their 3rd grade teachers because they remembered their facts about ancient Mali!

Last, but certainly not least, the rumors are true.  We have a notary in the family.  Mom joined the National Notary Association last week, and the nearly 5 million notaries in the United States, and is ready to handle all your notary needs.  Come one, come all - she may even cut you a deal if you mention this blog post :)

She already has a waiting list of people who want her signature!  (or you could be first.. :)

Check out this video if you're interested in more of what I'll be working with/for/towards at WRI.

Around and about

   My brother, Michael, and his wife recently made a new addition to their household - a golden retriever puppy named Midas!  On Monday after returning from Pittsburgh, I walked to their place to meet Dad, Sheri & Lindsay for dinner (and forgot my camera!).  On Tuesday, Michael brought Midas over to Mom and John's for some quality time with our dogs Tyson and Karma (who, we have determined, are cousins).  It was fun watching John and Michael wrangle all the pups together for a photo :)

Mom thinks Tillamook is the best kind of cheese!

Cassie continues to make waves in the Lomax/Davis household.  Although we miss eating dinner with her while watching Wheel of Fortune, she sent us a package containing Tillamook cheese (and other Oregon treasures) that is keeping her spirit alive.

This morning I had the chance to give mock interviews to VBCPS students at Tallwood High School's Global Studies and World Languages Academy (the same ones I presented to last month).  In between interviews, I talked with another of the interviewers who works for CMA CGM - one of the largest shipping container groups in the world based here in Norfolk, VA.  It's a French shipping company with offices around the world (and they're hiring!).  Neat!

And Mali makes the headlines.  Three men were charged with the assault of interim president, Dioncounda Traore.  I also really hope locusts don't swarm Mali.  As though they (nor anyone!) need that right now.  It's wild how this potential disaster, like the current chaos happening in the north of Mali, is being linked to Gaddafi and how his name continues to dot headlines involving Mali.

On a lighter - and kickier - note, the first African taekwondo-er to win a world-championship - Daba Modibo Keita- will compete in the Olympics this summer in London.  Here's hoping he makes a splash and keeps Mali's name in the news - for good!       

Yunalis Zarai and Bentley Brown: Music and the Immigrant experience

The job search continues!  (Aga Khan, World Learning, Friends of the Global Fight, World Resources Institute).  In between job searching, lunch with Memaw, and all the other in betweens that make life special, I have continued my blog reading.  I really do enjoy Africa is a Country (where I found these videos from Shola Ajayi - that I've now been able to watch!) and learned about Yunalis Zarai, a Malaysian artist (above) with songs being produced by Pharell Williams.  Listen to one of her songs - I'm sure you'll be hooked!  I also want to see Bentley Brown's movie 'Faisal Goes West.' (trailer below)  With OAA underway, the immigrant experience to the US is at the forefront of my thoughts.