Anonymous wrote:The ones that I think are very similar or a "combo" of your two favorites (Emma, Amelia, Ella) are pretty popular.

Some other options:

Annelise
Eliza
Lila
Amirah
Elise
Elena

I love Elise. Reminds me of the Christopher Reeve movie, Somewhere in Time. Jane Seymour played Elise McKenna. Classic, not overused and so pretty.

A student brought in her deaf friend to my class two weeks ago. The deaf student was a little hesitant, and I was not sure what I could do for her to make the experience better for her, other than really good cueing and making sure she could see well. But she nailed it. Her ability to follow well the entire hour was compliment enough, but then she said, "I thought because I couldn't hear music that I could never dance. But now I see all I needed was a great teacher that can actually teach."

Nice feedback always feels good, but coming from her, it felt extra good.

Anonymous wrote:We watched a lot of tv this weekend. DCs also played outside, although briefly. I don't think it's the end of the world.

me too. We watched two Christmas movies after an hour in the snow. Popcorn, cocoa and cuddles...it was bliss. Then DS did his sorting words.

YAY! One more day of chillaxin!

I also love about DC:

Roosevelt Island

Ollie Burger

Jack's Fresh Deli

LBJ Memorial park

watching the DCA planes fly in from the river

walking around Haine's Pointe

metro musicians, especially that guitarist around L St.

Rare Essence, Junkyard and Chuck Brown

Whitlows in Clarendon

Kazaxe in Alexandria

Adams Morgan

paddle boating by the cherry blossoms

festivals on the mall or Freedom Plaza

Natural History museum

Chinatown, even though it's a lot less Chinese now.

Anonymous wrote:My side roads aren't clear in ARL ( and one is a bus route), but I can see Wilson from the back of my house and the roads appear clear and cars are moving at normal speeds.

Man, there's no way I can reach the main road. Oh well, going to cancel class : (

How about Arlington?

OP, are there any other cities that appeal to you that would also have jobs in your field?

The main reason I love it here is because I grew up here with 4 generations of my family. Even though they were all from somewhere else, I feel very rooted in this area.

Other than that, there is no shortage of cool and interesting people to meet.

I love the diversity—hearing a gazillion different languages walking down the street, or in the elevator, locker room, or class.

I love the architecture, memorials and free museums.

I like the metro system. Even with all it's flaws, I still like it. I've lived in LA where there is no metro and that sucks!

I love the schools in my neighborhood. I love the community programs in my neighborhood.

I love the HUGE variety of dance studios. The dance job market. The dance projects. The dance community.

I love ice skating at the rink near National Archives.

The only thing missing is the beach. And bigger highways. And cleaner water. And Mexican taco stands. Well, it's missing quite a few things, but I still love it here.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wear what you like. No one cares at the end of the day.

Totally untrue. Nobody wants to be confronted with your muffin top, cellulite, cameltoe, or anything else unappetizing.

I have none of those things, but I hear ya. Muffin tops don't bother me, but cameltoe...maybe just a little.

I only have one box of pasta. I must go buy more, for I cannot live without pasta. Apple cider and limes, my new replacement for coffee. I don't have any...so off to stock up.

That is crazy. I think you don't need the stress of hanging around someone lying, stealing and taking advantage of you. If you choose to continue the friendship, I'd maybe keep the meet ups out of your house so she doesn't steal anything more. And label DC's clothes. But....she sounds a bit loca. I'd probably split.

me me me! I want snow! I hate the cold, but the snow at least makes it fun. I'm gonna go sledding, make a snow family and hopefully get snowed in on Sunday and Monday...I could sure use the break.

Anonymous wrote:My husband and his father regularly buy and share lecture series from Great Courses. You should check that out.

I second the Great Courses. I designed a catalog for them once and was drooling all over the intriguing lectures (audio or video) on literature, archealogy, history, religious studies, philosophy, astronomy, etc...tons of scholarly brain candy.

My Dad is a history buff, so I got him a DVD about Issac Newton (he used to love teaching me about gravity) and an audio book about the Mayflower (he traced our ancestry back to it).

Oh, and a can of lima beans (his favorite side dish).

OP, if your dad likes to read a lot, the subscription idea is nice.