DC: Day Two

Much better day than yesterday - no parking violations!
Seriously, though, it was a great day. My awesome upstairs neighbor is allowing me to use her wireless account until I get mine set up (that and cable), so I looked up the addresses of a couple of places I wanted to visit to input into my GPS. I also joined Friends of the National Zoo; the zoo is free (like most attractions here), but the parking fee is atrocious ($20 a visit!), and since I plan on visiting more than once in the next year, it's a money-saver!
Speaking of saving money: I am in awe of the wonderland that is Costco! I decided to check it out - I'd always thought about joining Sam's or something of the sort - and fell in love! Seriously, I don't think I'm going to have to go grocery shopping (except for milk - there's no way I can possibly drink as much milk as they sell before it goes bad) for a couple of months. They have all sorts of great organic food, whole wheat pasta; all the "yuppy puppy" stuff I love but usually don't buy because it's cost-prohibitive (except at Costco!). As a bonus, they validate your parking (I had no idea you have to pay to park at a lot of the malls around here), so it's just a great deal overall!
I finally finished settling into the apartment today (today's photo was taken right before we loaded the U-Haul). Everything is where I want it to be; I even planted a few plants on the patio (pray for them - I am not known for having a green thumb). I also found out that they pick up trash on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays - and pick up recyclables on Wednesdays as well - so I can get rid of all the mess I've accumulated in the process of unpacking. I plan on taking and posting pictures tomorrow (after I go to the zoo!); there's just not enough light tonight for me to get shots that do the place justice!
Cool things about today:
1. I found a Starbucks! I wasn't looking for it, it just happened to be between Petco (hungry python) and Lowe's (coupon that came with my "congrats on moving" stuff from the post office was used to buy plants). Their banana-mango-orange smoothie is AWESOME!
2. No parking violations!
3. I actually found my apartment on the first try on my way back from shopping. This is HUGE!
4. I have 28 days before I start working, which means I can explore the heck out of this wonderful city!