Author: Leigh Anne Zinsmeister

Washington D.C. in photos

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When I was planning my recent trip to Washington D.C., there was very little I definitely had to do or see. I’ve heard from many people – basically anyone who’s been – that there is so much ground to cover in D.C. that I’d have no chance of seeing everything in a mere three days. So aside from two requests – a nerdy journalism venture to the Newseum and a nostalgic meal at Nando’s – I decided to leave myself at the mercy of my host and good friend Courtney, who has visited D.C. countless times and moved there in November.

The White House, Washington DC

The White House

The Washington Monument on a foggy day, Washington DC

The Washington Monument

The Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC

The Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC

The Lincoln Memorial

The many monuments along the National Mall were, of course, a priority. Our designated sight-seeing day turned out to be foggy and dreary (oh, east coast winters), but it was still cool to see things that I’d only ever seen in photographs. The Lincoln Memorial, especially, is so much grander in person that I could have ever imagined. I can’t wait to go back in the spring and check out the views from the back of the memorial – I’ve heard they’re incredible, but we couldn’t even see across the river last weekend.

Sunset on the National Mall, Washington DC

Naturally, the next day – originally forecasted as a rainy one – was mostly sunny and clear, so we went back to the Mall for sunset.

Front pages at the Newseum, Washington DC

The Newseum, of course, was heaven for a nerdy writer like me. I could have spent days there, and in fact might get myself a membership next time. (It pays for itself in three visits, and I can see this being a stop every time I’m in town!) Here, all of the day’s front pages are displayed. It was a really interesting day to go, as we were smack in the middle of NFL playoffs, and it was also the day after Rolling Stone published Sean Penn’s interview with El Chapo. There was a really interesting mix of front pages!

Chinatown, Washington DC

Chinatown

Nando's, Washington DC

Nando’s is a chicken restaurant founded in Johannesburg, and it would be an understatement to say I became addicted when traveling in Africa last fall. Tragically, there are no locations in New York, but there are many in the D.C./Maryland/Virginia region. I dragged Courtney and her fiance here for lunch one day and was pretty much the happiest person on earth.

The Washington Monument, Washington DC

Thanks for having me, Courtney! And thanks to JJ for putting up with my presence on his couch all weekend. I can’t wait to come back and explore more of D.C.!

What did I miss that you think I absolutely need to see next time? For more on my Washington trip, see my video here.

Washington D.C. in video

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You probably know by now that one of my goals for 2016 is to take 12 trips. Twelve! It sounds like so many, especially considering that I have a full-time job and a relatively tiny income for New York City. But I am determined to make it happen, and especially to show that it is possible to travel even if you have time and financial restrictions.

Last weekend, I got a jump start on my 12 trips by taking the Megabus down to Washington D.C. I am fortunate to have long weekends built into my work schedule – two every month! – and I try to take advantage of these by taking vacations without using any paid time off. I was able to leave New York early Friday morning and get back Monday afternoon, just in time to be in the office by 5 p.m. Altogether, the travel portion (transportation and accommodation) cost me $26 – because I am also fortunate that my good friend Courtney lives in the District! Traveling to visit friends and crashing on their couches is my favorite way to save money (and I also love hosting my friends in Brooklyn!)

It was my first-ever trip to D.C. and we struck the perfect balance of sightseeing (my only request was a visit to the Newseum, which happened), and catching up. Here’s a little glimpse into the excitement!

Washington D.C. from Leigh Anne Zinsmeister on Vimeo.

Thanks for a great weekend, Courtney! Stay tuned for photos, stories, and a delightful guide to Washington D.C.

Currently: January 2016

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Disclaimer: I’m writing this on Thursday, because on Friday I’m hopping on a bus to DC – my first trip of the year! I hope you enjoy this little look into my life lately.

Reading: The Girl on the Train – and as everyone has already told me, it’s terrible but addicting. I’ll probably be finished with this by the time you’re reading, in which case, next up is Modern Love.

Wearing: Jeans, short sleeves (so I don’t overheat in my parka on the train), a blazer, ankle boots. Getting dressed in the winter is hard.

Buying: Plane tickets on plane tickets on plane tickets. I just added the Bahamas to my winter travel lineup: Three days at a place called Paradise Island with a dozen great friends? Yes please.

Listening to: Currently re-watching Parks & Rec (always) but this afternoon I finally started season 2 of Serial (back on the podcast bandwagon!) Also, I really want to start listening to audiobooks – any recommendations?!

Eating: I replaced my afternoon muffin with some cantaloupe… because I’m meeting my best friend for dinner tonight and we’re planning to order every kind of french fry. Balance.

Watching: Same as last month! I’m almost done with Veep, waiting for Mindy Project to come back so I can root for Mindy leaving Danny, but generally watching a lot less television than I used to.

Planning: All those vacations… sort of. I’m actually just planning to wing all of them.

Excited for: I’m excited for my trip to DC, of course, but I’m equally excited for next weekend: Three glorious days off and no commitments (beyond a coffee meeting, two church services, cleaning the apartment…)

Wishing: That it could be spring already… even though, yes, it’s been cold for exactly three days. OVER IT.

In 2016 I’m also adding some goals updates to these posts!

Books read: 1/52

Trips taken: 1/12

This month’s challenge: No alcohol! This is going really well and I’m also enjoying saving some money.

How is 2016 treating you so far?

Make Mondays Magical

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Can I be honest for a minute? Cliches make me a little stabby. Every time someone told me about how fast 2015 flew by, or how they can’t believe it’s 2016 already, I just want to scream. Everybody says these things, we all feel the same way, do we really need to talk about it?

By far my least favorite cliche is complaining about Mondays. Mondays suck, everyone whines on Sunday nights. Another long week at the office ahead, people comment as we gather around the coffee machine on Monday mornings.

But honestly? A big part of the reason Mondays suck is because we (I absolutely include myself in this) expect them to. We waste half of our Sundays dreading the next day, and we trek into the office expecting a barrage of emails to answer and problems to solve. And we do this every single week, 52 times a year.

A couple months ago, I accidentally had a really good Monday. I needed to get some holiday shopping done, and the markets had just opened here in New York City. I visited two of them, met a friend for hot chocolate, then went home and baked snickerdoodles while watching Christmas movies. It wasn’t even until later that night I even realized it was a Monday – it was just a really good day.

A few days later I was buying tickets for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and I realized I had a couple weeks coming up where I’d be working night shifts. I thought going to a matinee performance before heading into the office would make for a fun start to the day – and an even better start to the week. I bought a ticket for a Monday afternoon show and the day was, simply put, magical.

And so then I thought – why can’t every Monday be this good? And I couldn’t come up with a reason. In 2016, I’m committing to making Mondays a little more magical, whether it’s by doing something as big as seeing a show or as small as setting aside time to read my favorite book. I’m going to give myself reasons to look forward to Mondays instead of dreading them. And I encourage you to do the same.

I’ll be documenting my Monday adventures over on Instagram with the hashtag #MakeMondaysMagical. I hope you’ll join me!

2016, let’s do this

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I’ve never been so excited for a new year and so uncertain about what it holds at the same time. Last year taught me that even if you’re expecting a year of peace, God could throw a wrench called Africa right into the middle of it. And the year before that taught me that sometimes you do know the big things that lie ahead – but the downfall is that you can rush too hard to close your current chapter. So this year, I don’t know quite what I’m in for – and for the first time, I’m rather all right with that.

Still, I’m a person who likes to have goals (not resolutions), and so here’s what I’m hoping to accomplish in 2016 – with the complete understanding that plans could change and render some of these impossible. That’s the fun!

#Take12Trips

“Every traveler has a home of his own and he learns to appreciate it the more from his wandering.” – Charles Dickens

I was completely shocked when putting together my 2015 roundup that I only left New York City FOUR times last year. While I’m a big believer in everyday adventures and taking advantage of your own city, I’d like to get out more – a lot more – this year. The #Take12Trips challenge started over on Need Another Holiday and since then I’ve seen it pop up on lots of other blogs. Twelve sounds like a lot – three times as many as last year! – but I already have three booked in the next three months, so we’re right on track! (DC, San Francisco, Phoenix: See y’all soon). I’m so excited to see more of my country!

Read 52 books

“It is always better to have read too much than not enough.” – Ann Patchett

In 2015 my goal was to read 30 books. Then, in the spring, my friend Samy invited me to be a part of her One Book A Week project. I’ve been a regular contributor, but a book a week felt really overwhelming at the time. But! I read 38 books in 2015, and that included some doozies that took several weeks, and also included some time off here and there. So I now believe 52 books is totally feasible for me, and I can’t wait to get started! I have a whole stack of books ready to go, a loaded Kindle, and a library card.

Love people better

“Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something and has lost something.” – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Love is my word of the year for 2016. I’m planning to focus on my relationships, on being a better friend, sister, daughter, etc. Mind you, I don’t think I’m bad at being these things, but this year I’m going to be more intentional than ever about supporting and encouraging the people in my life – and cutting out the gossip and other toxic habits.

30-day challenges

“May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art – write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.” – Neil Gaiman

My friend Misha gave herself a different challenge every month last year,  and even from across the country I can see the world of difference it’s made in forming her into the person she wants to be. So this year, I’m following suit. I had great success with little challenges like this last year: 21 days without social media, 40 days without alcohol, 21 days without television streaming. I’m excited to pursue them more intentionally, taking little steps throughout the year to improve my health, spirit, career, and overall well-being. I’m kicking it off with one I already know I can do, from experience, but desperately need to do again: January will be booze-free.

It looks to be a wonderful year, and I’m so glad you’re all along for the ride. Happy New Year!