As many of you may know, I’ve been so quiet here on After Graduation because I’ve been moving to the D.C. area. My new place is bitchin’, as is evidence by the giant zebra on the wall:

As my friends start to visit the new pad, time and time again, I get the same question:

“Why do you have a giant zebra on your wall?”

And time and time again, my reply is the same:

“Why don’t you have a giant zebra on your wall?”

Because it isn’t about the zebra itself, it’s about the fact that look at him makes me laugh, so there’s a smile on my face continuously throughout the day. It’s just so absurd to have a giant wall zebra, that even as I write this, I can’t stop giggling. Why wouldn’t I want him there?

But there’s not supposed to be a giant wall zebra in the middle of a living room, so people keep asking me that question - why is it there?

Isn’t it enough that it makes me happy? Everyone should be so lucky to have a giant wall zebra.

People asked me the same thing about moving to D.C. As I was trying to find a rental, potential landlords and roommates asked me the same question: Why?

If I can live anywhere in the world, since I work from home, why would I choose a location where cost of living is so high? Where the traffic is insanely bad? Where I’m so far away from my family? What is wrong with me? My parents especially don’t understand the decision - I paid several hundred dollars to move my crap here and will end up paying thousands of dollars more in rent every year. Why wouldn’t I just stay in my home in Pennsylvania and put my money in the bank?

Because sometimes, you need a giant wall zebra.

D.C. makes my heart sing. I love being in this city - the stuff to do, the places to eat, the monuments and museums. And the people - I have tons of friends in this city. D.C. is my giant wall zebra brought to life. It doesn’t make sense. It certainly isn’t the most practical choice. But it makes me happy.

Isn’t that enough?

What is your giant wall zebra?