Two months of a new life

Well, I have a new name, a new job; I live in a new house; I pretty much have a NEW LIFE! As one of my 'new life' resolutions, I have determined to be more dilligent in the blogging business. That's what's great about resolution....you can always resolve again the next day

res·o·lu·tion [rez-uh-loo-shuhn] –noun
1. a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something.
2. the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc.

So on that note of resolution and change, I will say that the biggest change in my life--marked by two months today--is my marriage to Joseph William Richards. He has, in more ways than one, changed my life-for good! You know something or someone is good for you when they motivate you to be better, to reach a little higher and run a little faster. Joseph does this for me. One way he blesses my life is in his motiviation to action. Joseph is a "Doer." He is not content to sit idly and watch life fly by. If he's not setting goals or researching about grad school, he's reading up on the primary lesson we will teach that week in church or figuring out how much flood insurance costs (we live in the basment condo) or how many pounds of rice we would need to start our food storage...I love to watch my husband in action. We've only been married a short time, but I'm sure glad I got the right one :)


New Name: Maren Richards

New Job: After working several years for Senator Bob Bennett (R-UT) a new opportunity presented itself, and I took a position at a small lobbying firm in March of this year....just about the same time I got engaged. I don't really think they were bargaining on their newest employee planning a wedding the first few months on the job, but they were so wonderful and understanding!

New House: Soon after Joseph and I were engaged we found a great condo just south of Old Town, VA along the Potomac River. The lease began in June, so Margo (sister who was living with me for the summer) and I moved in that month. Since being married it has been fun playing house for keeps! We love our little two-bedroom bungalow. And yes, the guest room is all ready :)

Job Approval

Sometimes I just wish that I could figure out just exactly what it is I should do for a living. As many of you probably already know, I am currently working for a lobbying firm in downtown DC. The issues are interesting, I've become a fantastic googler, and I really do love the people I work with. But the reality is, I don't think I've found what I'm passionate about. I guess what I'm wondering, is if I should really continue that pursuit?...the pursuit of happiness, or at least satisfaction in what I do. I'm curious to hear your thoughts. Are you passionate about what you do? Is work an enjoyable thing for anyone? I know it is a great blessing to work, to master a trade, a skill, an art, but I just hope that for most people, and myself included, it becomes something to be considered a passion as well. Hmmm, maybe I'm just a dreamer :)

Home

3 months and 3 days after my blogging beginnings I have decided to revisit the world of online communication...this time I think I should get the word out (at least to close family and friends) that I actually HAVE a blog. Surprising as it may be, it is not that fun to post things into a world unknown to anyone who would appreciate what you have to say.


The rain pours down outside and the clock ticks on at a painfully slow pace. 4:18, 4:19, 4:20...40 more minutes until the whistle blows and streams of federal employees come trickling from office buildings. Like rain into the gutters, they scurry to the nearest metro entrance and duck underground, disappearing into the blur of people, all going - HOME.

HOME. I don't know why, but for some reason that is the place that flashes through my mind on a rainy day. Maybe it is because to me rainy days are synonymous to days spent on cozy couches, where fuzzy-slippered feet curl up with a good book. Perhaps it is because, whether my home is 2500 or 10 miles away, when it rains I feel like distance blurs and I am closer the the ones I love. Whatever it is, I like it. Ohh, and it's time to go home!

Inspired by a dear friend of mine, I've decided to join the world of bloggers. Perhaps I'll experience the liberation of online journaling, maybe I'll be discovered by a major publication! Regardless, I hope to keep family and friends aware of my comings and goings...I thought the little grin in this picture was quite fitting:

"Here goes nothin'!"