What We Do

In this town, it seems that the question of what you "do" comes about two seconds into a conversation. Now, there are probably better questions (like "what is life-giving for you?"), but I'm resigned to having to field the 'do' question. I say resigned because after about 243 attempts at an answer, I still can't manage to give a good response. Part of the problem, of course, is that I'd like to give an answer that will elicit a response like, "wow, that sounds really interesting!" While I find my job really interesting and rewarding (most days), there are relatively few people in the world who would find it so (and most of them work in my building). Take for example one of the more high-profile things I work on, the FOMC Minutes. If you managed to read more than a paragraph or two just now, you probably work in my building and happened upon this blog.

But then there is the Mrs. When she mentions that she is an architect, people tend to say "wow, that sounds really interesting!" And, for good reason, the response is genuine.

This last weekend we stopped by one of the projects the Mrs. worked on for some time, Olson's Books in Crystal City. I'd heard a lot about it, but seeing it finished was fantastic. As we walked around anonymously, I felt like what an angel walking around Yosemite with God must feel. I wanted to grab people and say, "how about singing some praises to the creator of this joint you're enjoying before I smite your ass!" OK, so maybe an angel wouldn't say that, but you get the point. I managed to keep myself in check for the whole visit, absent the snapshot below that I subtley took while browsing a book.

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The studying has begun.

In August I convinced my (oh so kind!) Employer to let me work less hours each week; this would give me time to study for my upcoming exams (9 total). The Employer agreed to an arangement of 32 hours a week, so long as it worked with the schedule for my projects. Finally, mid- October I decressed my hours...32 short hours each week. The great part about this is that I not only get 8 extra hours(and all the extra over time hours), but also save about 3 hours (by not driving home in rush hour traffic) each week.

Of course this cut back in hours was just in time to finish some projects at home... before 4 recent college grads moved in with us for three weeks...then off to thanksgiving with the family... then time for christmas shopping and preparation...then time for Christmas....and then the New Year...and finally this little *intern architect* is ready to be an Architect. So now I spend those extra hours each week preparing for the Architectural Registration Exams.

I have decided to start with the grpahic division first, this is 3 of the 9 exams, I feel like I am accomplishing more by studying for more than 1 exam. (I mean I have some time to make up for!) The first day I was so excited to get started- to finish this process of education- that even these sentences did not phase me...

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"Exceptional solutions are not expected, nor are they necessary."

"...the primary goal of this exam is to produce a passing grade, not a superior design."

"...the exam experience is about taking a test under pressure -- it is not necessarily about design."

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Normally the tone of these phrases would be like finger nails on the chalk board...don't think about esthetics, just make it work...but when you are ready to ace 9 exams I will do whatever they tell me!

Back to studying...

first test date tbd

Two Sheds in Disarray

Today the Mr. had the day off...one of those Federal Holidays...which was great for him! The house has been in a state of almost done for the last few years it seems, certainly ever since I have been around. And today the Mr. created his cave. Of course it is still in process...almost done. But it was fun to come home and have dinner together and hear him describe what he did today.

"I made my cave, the front shed can be for all my tools and the back shed can be for storage. Of course I am still organizing it, but it'll be great!"

Now the goal is to put everything in the back shed that is cluttering our basement, so we can finish our almost finished basement. The fun will never end!