Hi there, breezy summer readers—
Greetings from my almost packed apartment! So far, my favorite box is labeled “tights, shoes, office supplies” because… why not?
Obviously I have been doing tons of reflection on the good times had in my humble abode. I thought it was only fitting to recap a few favorite features and happenings in apartment 502 in a ‘lil blog post. This is not even close to an exhaustive list, so please share your favorite Sedge memories in the comments section below.
2005: When it all began
I found this gem of an apartment on Craig’s List. I knew I needed to move in when I discovered the person living here was also called Emily (beshert). I made the move to 502 in August 2005, a week before Hilell’s Leaders Assembly (of blessed memory) in Clayton, GA. I remember being so nervous that I wouldn’t be able to unpack in time for my departure to Georgia, so I researched the possibility of ordering campy clothes on OldNavy.com and having them shipped to Clayton.
The Red Kitchen (and other crazy colored walls)
I am not sure who was selecting the color palette for 502, but the previous tenants were really daring with their paint choices. I always loved living in an apartment with a bright red kitchen (and a sky blue hall way and bathroom, and lest we forget the rust and mustard colored walls in the living room). Whenever people walked into the apartment, the color choices on the walls were always one of the first few things they’d comment on.
Neighbors
I have been lucky to live close to so many wonderful people during my time in 502. I had a chance to ask all my questions about the airline industry to my former next door neighbors slash flight attendants, Tom and Tucker, during the three years we shared a wall. And how could we forget the good friends I made in the lobby so many years ago while waiting to attend (what ended up being a very awkward) Shabbat dinner—Stephan K. and Ben L. Good thing I could drop the names of Julie and Seth F. to gain University of Maryland Hillel street cred and quickly make my way into their hearts.
The List Serv
The building list serv is the source of CONSTANT entertainment. As I write this, a little note entitled "Golf clubs, musical instruments" popped into my in-box. I believe the e-mail is representative of the fabulous banter present on this lively yahoo group:
If you have ever thought about taking up golf, the five string banjo or the bowed psalterie (OK maybe you really have to think about that last one), you now have the chance to do so with minimal risk. I am about to part with these items and thought I would check to see if any one here wanted them first before I took them to the thrift shop. Musical instruments come with instruction books, videos. Golf clubs will too if I can locate them.
Arched Doorway
Did you ever notice the big arched doorway from the living room to the foyer? Well, it has some lovely architectural details that you just don’t find in brand new apartment buildings.
Glass Doorknobs
In the same vein, all the door knobs in 502 are the original glass knobs installed when the building was build in the 1920s (allow me to clarify—I am not SURE of this fact but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was true—they are so antique looking and I can imagine that if they were ever going to be replaced, the building wouldn’t have invested in the pretty glass variety).
The Shower Curtain
I have had the same shower curtain since I moved to my freshman college dorm in 2001 (yes, Carolyn G., Sonal B., and Michelle L., it is the one with the little fish we had on it in Thurston). The curtain followed me to each of the five apartments I’ve lived in since then and I am sad to say, it won’t be making the trip to the new apartment. Like all good things, my use of the fish curtain must come to an end (just too many trips through the washing machine and overzealous use of bleach have left it kind of blah and sad looking). I’ll miss you, tetrapod friend.
Keg in the Bathtub
When my friend Neil S. moved from DC back to Los Angeles (just typing this sentence pains me), I decided to host a goodbye party with Beth K. We didn’t have firm plans for the party but were sure of one thing: we needed to rent a keg. And so we did… and we put it in the bathtub. (Check out the video invitation we made for the fiesta on YouTube.)
The View
One of my most favorite parts of this apartment is waking up to the beautiful view of Riggs Place out my window. With tons of natural light and lots of windows, 502 really showcased the views of DuPont Circle perched right outside our door.
Neighborhood
Oh how I LOVE LOVE LOVE my neighborhood. I love walking down 19th Street (it is so quaint and quiet, yet only one block off busy Connecticut Avenue) and most of my friends live within a three block walk. I love being so close to the iced Morrocian mint green tea at Teaism and my manicurist, Thuy, at Lovely Nails. Although my new apartment is only a few blocks away, it is SOUTH of the circle and that will take some getting used to.
Thanksgiving
Remember the time I hosted the Goodstein family Thanksgiving at the Sedge? My living room in 502 was so spacious, I was able to fit almost 20 people around the table (and when I say table I mean 4 tables I had pieced together from random friends and neighbors). I even made a video about the event.
So... as my time in the Sedge comes to an end, I am glad to have taken so many photos in and around my well loved home of the last five years. I am excited about my adventures south of the circle, and look forward to spending all the time I will save with an in-unit washer and dryer... blogging! So stay tuned!
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