So I’ve made a list of all the things I still need to do while I’m in DC:
· My portfolio… yea… I’m a procrastinator
· Actually go see some of the sights around DC—like the thousands of museums I haven’t yet visited
· My final paper for class… again with the procrastination
· Get my hair cut
I think that’s all for now…
This past Monday was our final Presidential Lecture Series event—and I still have not had a Congressional Speakers Series meeting. I wonder if it will happen?
I always get very reflective toward the end of something—especially something like this. This is such a once in a lifetime opportunity. I think, however, my expectations for this semester were very misguided. Originally I was looking forward to the parties, the city life, the social scene—and I had completely overlooked the real reason why I was coming here: for a quality internship experience. Jealous of my friends heading abroad for the semester, sick of Case, sick of busting my butt at school and never getting too far—Washington was intended to be the semester I would never forget. But when I look back on this I’m mainly going to remember how much growth and positive change I experienced, how much I learned (about myself and the world I live within), and how I will never again have roommates—not how much ridiculous fun I’ve had. Don’t get me wrong—it’s not like I’m not having any fun. I’m in Washington DC—that alone makes this more fun than school in Cleveland. I’m really glad I have this experience behind me and I do not regret coming here one bit—it’s just not been at all what I was expecting.
Last weekend was nice. Friday we had a barbeque outside in the courtyard. We even met some of our neighbors (besides the man who lets his cats run loose through the hallways…)! On Saturday I lounged around all day then went out to dinner with a large group from work in Georgetown. I got to meet everybody’s families which was really cool (and I enjoyed lots of pizza!). Later on in the week some family friends came down to tour DC and visit colleges. It was so great to be with people from home—the familiarity of old friends is what I miss the most.
April in DC is very rainy.
Lessons of the week:
1) If the air conditioner is blowing out HOT air—there’s a good chance it’s broken. I suggest finding out when your building turns on the AC before you try to use it (in ours, it’s not till May 2—till then we suffer!).
Monday, April 28, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Three Weeks Left
This week has blown by! Only one day left till the weekend! No big plans for the weekend—perhaps some work on the portfolio and perhaps stuff for class. Everything is starting to catch up on me!
I finally registered for classes for next semester. ASG has inspired me to learn more about architecture, and so I signed up for a city design and architecture course. Pretty cool!
I’m really starting to get super comfortable at my job (I know—it took me how long!?). I’m really starting to feel like I am gaining some kind of knowledge base here—a sense of who I am, where I fit in the office, and what my role is. I have enough confidence to make more of my own decisions and take on some more autonomy. Hopefully when I walk into my next internship over the summer I’ll begin with this same level of security and confidence. It’s got to get easier, right? I really can’t wait until I finish school and start work for real, though (in three years…hoorah for graduate school…). I’ve only had a taste of this kind of lifestyle—but I think it suits me.
Last week I went to see Newseum on its opening day with work. We went to study the architecture of the building and later on we had a Design Pin Up/Happy hour where we all hung up sketches and photos of the museum and discussed. It was really interesting. The museum was super cool—we only had our lunch break to spend there, so I didn’t get to explore as much as I would have liked, but I’ve suggested to Fred that we go on a field trip there with the BIT program. I've heard that university and college groups can go for free ;-) The World Trade Center exhibit was very moving—I can’t believe it’s been…almost seven years? It’s funny how no matter what, the world keeps turning. Life keeps barreling on, and eventually after a tragedy—no matter how severe—we return to "normalcy."
Lessons of the week:
1) See the cherry blossoms during their peak! Don’t be a fool like me and miss them.
2) Go see the National Mall at night—I swear it was one of the most beautiful, powerful things I have ever seen.
I finally registered for classes for next semester. ASG has inspired me to learn more about architecture, and so I signed up for a city design and architecture course. Pretty cool!
I’m really starting to get super comfortable at my job (I know—it took me how long!?). I’m really starting to feel like I am gaining some kind of knowledge base here—a sense of who I am, where I fit in the office, and what my role is. I have enough confidence to make more of my own decisions and take on some more autonomy. Hopefully when I walk into my next internship over the summer I’ll begin with this same level of security and confidence. It’s got to get easier, right? I really can’t wait until I finish school and start work for real, though (in three years…hoorah for graduate school…). I’ve only had a taste of this kind of lifestyle—but I think it suits me.
Last week I went to see Newseum on its opening day with work. We went to study the architecture of the building and later on we had a Design Pin Up/Happy hour where we all hung up sketches and photos of the museum and discussed. It was really interesting. The museum was super cool—we only had our lunch break to spend there, so I didn’t get to explore as much as I would have liked, but I’ve suggested to Fred that we go on a field trip there with the BIT program. I've heard that university and college groups can go for free ;-) The World Trade Center exhibit was very moving—I can’t believe it’s been…almost seven years? It’s funny how no matter what, the world keeps turning. Life keeps barreling on, and eventually after a tragedy—no matter how severe—we return to "normalcy."
Lessons of the week:
1) See the cherry blossoms during their peak! Don’t be a fool like me and miss them.
2) Go see the National Mall at night—I swear it was one of the most beautiful, powerful things I have ever seen.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Week 11
The unthinkable has happened: I’ve found housing for next year in the on campus apartments I wanted to live in. And I’m with a friend. Who woulda thunk—something actually worked out for me. And for people who don’t understand the magnitude of this, I will have a single bedroom, a mostly private bathroom, a double bed, air conditioning, and QUIET. Because, yes, I know it’s crazy but I actually require quiet when I sleep and study.
In other news, as promised here are the Texas photos. The first is one of me and one of my coworkers at the boot store—please appreciate the background of this photo (dead animals and bones…). The second is another one of me and my coworkers at the conference-wide party on our last night (donning our awesome boots).
In other news, as promised here are the Texas photos. The first is one of me and one of my coworkers at the boot store—please appreciate the background of this photo (dead animals and bones…). The second is another one of me and my coworkers at the conference-wide party on our last night (donning our awesome boots).
Only four weeks left here. Before I was counting how many weeks we’ve been here so far, and now I’m counting how many weeks remain—I wonder when I made that switch. I’m looking back on this semester so far and if I had to come up with one word to describe it the only thing I could think of would be surreal. I feel like one of these days I’m just going to wake up back at Alpha Phi and be like “Damn—that was a crazy dream I had last night” and head out to class. I wonder if I will stay in touch with the people I met here. One of my friends in Phase I of the apartments actually lives in the town right next door to mine so I’m sure we will see each other. But everyone else? Who knows.
Lessons of the week:
1) Motion City Soundtrack’s latest album is amazing. Everyone listen to it if you haven’t already. I was a little slow with getting it, so I know this is kind of after the fact. But still.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Keeping Austin Weird… Not that hard…
Yeeeeeeehah! I got back from my six day adventure to Texas last night. What a surreal six days… From bar hopping, to eating nothing but Tex-Mex (really…I’m talking very single meal), to buying used vintage boots from a taxidermist, to being in the same room as the founders of New Urbanism (the reason I have a job), to accidentally walking through a VERY large group of North American Union protestors… Words don’t really do the whole experience justice. I actually had a lot of fun—learned some things (like a lot of things), met new people, and bonded with some other girls in the office. I also got to experience some nice sunny warm weather—which I’m not sure if people in D.C. can also say.
Back to the grind today—PLS in two hours, then class. The deadline for our final paper seems to be catching up to us. I believe we are meeting after the lecture today to put together an outline for it. The paper discusses and analyzes the Family Self Sufficiency act created by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. I’m hoping to learn a bit about the affordable housing arena from this project.
The internship search for the summer is going slowly. I’ve applied to seven places, hoping to hear back soon. I get to register for classes and before that I need to figure out what to do about my senior project. I’m thinking something along the lines of the economy of new urbanist developments. There is a part of Brewster that can be really re-developed into something great, and I want to propose a plan for it. Perhaps a cost/benefit analysis? Not sure—need to think.
It was Greek Week at school this past week, and I’m sad I missed it. But Alpha Phi did great—and next year should be even better! Anyways, time for the PLS. Next update with photos coming shortly.
Lessons of the Week:
1) Be wary of social situations with your employer outside of work. There is an interesting blurry line of appropriateness.
2) If you ever go to Austin, please make a stop at Texas Custom Boots. Among the variety of stuffed bears, snakes, and deer heads you will find an interesting selection of vintage used boots at prices that are quite negotiable.
Back to the grind today—PLS in two hours, then class. The deadline for our final paper seems to be catching up to us. I believe we are meeting after the lecture today to put together an outline for it. The paper discusses and analyzes the Family Self Sufficiency act created by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. I’m hoping to learn a bit about the affordable housing arena from this project.
The internship search for the summer is going slowly. I’ve applied to seven places, hoping to hear back soon. I get to register for classes and before that I need to figure out what to do about my senior project. I’m thinking something along the lines of the economy of new urbanist developments. There is a part of Brewster that can be really re-developed into something great, and I want to propose a plan for it. Perhaps a cost/benefit analysis? Not sure—need to think.
It was Greek Week at school this past week, and I’m sad I missed it. But Alpha Phi did great—and next year should be even better! Anyways, time for the PLS. Next update with photos coming shortly.
Lessons of the Week:
1) Be wary of social situations with your employer outside of work. There is an interesting blurry line of appropriateness.
2) If you ever go to Austin, please make a stop at Texas Custom Boots. Among the variety of stuffed bears, snakes, and deer heads you will find an interesting selection of vintage used boots at prices that are quite negotiable.
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