The Name is Walker...

...DOG Walker...

I have lined up the first of several freelance gigs. I am the newest dog walker/pet sitter for a local company. Its pretty sweet, actually. I go to people's homes, play with their pets, and get paid to do it! And tipped! My first client is a golden retriver puppy that I will go play with 4 days a week. This makes me unspeakably happy since my first dog was a golden retriver puppy and I understand how much love and attention they need, since ours ate through the breakfast room wall while left home alone during the day. They are in the final stages of checking my background and references, so I should be on my way with leash in hand shortly.

D and I went to DC last weekend for a little sightseeing, checking out the neighborhood where I grew up, and picking up my dad's truck that I am borrowing until early spring.

Thankfully it was pretty cool and not as muggy as I had feared. We did some driving around Hillandale, Potomac, Bethesda and Chevy Chase. We even did a tour of the momuments by night in the truck and I didn't even get too lost! In the day we walked around the Mall and went to several of the museums, just managing to catch the American History Museum before they closed yesterday until 2008 for rennovations.

Yesterday I started studying in earnest for the NYC guide exam. This won't be easy since I am very much starting from scratch. First, I am mapping out all the places, people and events I want to study (see the index cards). Then I will visit each place and take a picture of each important building or site to attach to the cards. I haven't studied in so long, it's hard to remember how to start. I think I will need a good 6 months before I feel ready to take the exam.


I have been getting more and more comfortable here in the apartment. I had a funny conversation with Joe (D's dad likes to be called Joe for some reason) the other day. He was either saying that carrots don't go well in a salad, he doesn't like carrots or carrots are good for eyesight. I am not sure which of the three. Or maybe it was something totally different. Hm.