Friends and family have told me I’m a connector of people and ideas. In the places I’ve lived, I’ve tried to create community where I otherwise haven’t seen it, or been welcomed to it. Case in point: I met my husband (Drew) through a scheme I devised to connect to a new group of singles outside the shallow dating pools in which I was swimming. My professional career interests have also focused on helping communities be all they want to be – especially when it comes to educating children.
People have also told me that I’m a storyteller. I love to write. I have discovered that what I write best is what I experience.
This blog is my attempt to meld these two passions.
I came to Washington, DC in 2002. My husband and I are New Yorkers, born and raised. We met in DC. He moved to Vienna, VA in 2005 and I followed him in 2006.
Since living in Vienna, I’ve tried to balance my allegiance to the North* with the fact that I am putting down roots in a community south of the Mason Dixon line. I struggle with the sometimes conflicting ways of life, expectations and lack of a good bagel.
My daughter was born in March 2010. Now that I’m a mom (to Ellie), I’m examining my community life more than ever. I see Vienna as having a lot of potential for my family. Here’s what it comes down to: will I continue to let go of my New Yorker mindset and truly embrace this town that boasts a small town feel outside the Washington Beltway?
In an effort to be present where I am, and to be positive in the face of a beautiful babe, I have decided to try to embrace this town for all it’s worth. I’ve already got a lot of knowledge and experiences under my belt. By writing this blog, my goal is to acknowledge what I do know, explore what I don’t and have fun around town with child in tow. Vienna residents, those who come to Vienna for business and parents will share in the benefits of what I learn about the ins and outs of Vienna. I hope you’ll add to the collection of information and stories about parenting and about life in a Vienna.
And away we go!
*Incidentally, Vienna is actually named after a town in New York. In the late 1850's, a doctor named William Hendrick agreed to settle in the area, then known as “Ayr Hill”, if its name was changed to that of Vienna, his hometown in upstate New York. The change was willingly made. The Vienna, New York, that was Dr. Hendrick's hometown later changed its name to Phelps. Source: Town of Vienna
