I can still remember when I was counting down the weeks I actually survived in DC and now I can count weeks until it's all done.
The past month or so has been hectic, but still having fun. School is going great, my internship isn't the most fascinating thing in the world, but it's still a fun place to be at. I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving break because I can actually set time aside to see things. My plans thus far are to venture out to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Kennedy Center and National Cathedral for now. I also have an invite for "Thanksgiving dinner" at a friend of my parents' house, so it's all looking pretty good at the moment.
My living situation, on the other hand...it's been quite the experience. I have loved living off campus (perhaps except for the metro fare I spend commuting to campus), but this building is just something else! When we first got here, our permanent apartment wasn't ready, so we lived in this small cramped temporary apartment until we could move. When we moved, it was a bigger space, but still small for three people. Now, we've moved temporarily into a different apartment while they gut the bathroom to fix a pipe in the shower. I can deal with it, because honestly, I'm glad to be getting the shower fixed. The flip side is I am definitely ready to be rid of the roommates. The noisy one is in China until after Thanksgiving, so that was so NICE, but I still have the other one--she's nice and all, but she is quite high maintenance. That's just not me--I try to not let it get on my nerves so that I can stay sane the time I have left here, but in that aspect, the three weeks will not pass fast enough.
Living in DC at this time of year is kinda weird because there's no snow! It just started to get colder...yesterday. Definitely going to be a shock when I get back to Wisconsin.
Other than that, not much is going on. Looking forward to turning 21 a week from TODAY! I don't have any real plans to celebrate--just small, with friends (at least one in particular). Looking forward more to the belated celebration when I come home, but I'm glad to have people to celebrate with!
This is pretty much all I have for now..
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Ripping off the Band-Aid
Don't get me wrong--I really enjoy blogging--it's an AMAZING release. But I know I haven't posted an entry of substance in a while, so that's the reason for the Band-Aid thing and the general feet-dragging.
So, how have things been in DC? For the most part AMAZING! I remember my first day here (2 months ago already!!!) and if you would have asked me then what this semester was going to be like, I can guarantee it was not anywhere close to this. Although I am not a city person and I don't quite fit in with the whole city mentality, I think I'm growing attached more each day, and the thought of possibly going on to graduate school here is less and less scary. Living in the heart of the city is an experience in itself--you definitely run into your fair share of weirdos, but the experience here is incomparable. I'm learning so much here I didn't know before and I really don't think it's anything I would have learned had I spent the semester at SNC. I have an awesome professor and he's trying so hard to fit all of this stuff in, and yes, on the mornings I have to be up at 6:30 to be at the next seminar, I hate his guts, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.
I mean, how cool is this--I've been to the embassies of Denmark, Great Britain, and will soon count in France and Russia; the actual Senate Foreign Relations Committee room and Senator Richard Lugar, a ranking minority party member--arguably one of the most knowledgeable Senators in the area of foreign policy and relations; the Eisenhower Executive Office Building to meet with a member of the National Security Council (and we had our pictures taken on the steps leading from that building to the White House--I saw the lights on in the Oval Office!!); I work on a military base in an institution where senior military and government agency officials--the people making THEEEEE most important decisions in the government are educated; and today, I listened to a presentation from Bob Woodward, who exposed the world of both Watergate and the Bush Administration activities in Iraq. I know how absolutely nerdy this all sounds to most people, especially to friends in Ecuador, Austria, Spain--I'm not abroad, but in a way, this is my abroad. This is the first time I have been genuinely happy that I chose to stay in the states and not go abroad like everyone else--this is where I fit in.
Of course, it has come with its problems--I had to learn how to live on my own, take care of myself by myself, find my way in this place, and most of all, I had to remember that despite all of the big, seemingly important, alpha male egos, I know my stuff too. That one was the single biggest problem of them all. Yes, admittedly, finding a grocery store was quite a task (you wouldn't think so, but without a car, you'd be surprised), but the thing that was the biggest slap in the face was when a guy in my class talked down to me and told me "where I belonged." Granted, it was a simulation at the time, so it was confined to just telling me what role I was supposed to play in the simulation, but still--he talked to me like I was supposed to just know my role, shut up, and leave the decisions for the "big guys." I mean, I experienced somewhat of the same thing at SNC--people who talked as if they knew everything about anything, but it usually didn't take long to shut them up because it didn't take long to prove that I knew my stuff. Here, I just got steamrolled. But to be honest, I'm sick of it--I'm done taking this crap. I don't care that I'm from the Midwest, where people could care less what's happening around the world, but that guy will not talk to me like I'm stupid again.
Guaranteed.
I don't care if he thinks I'm mean (which frankly, his definition of mean, quite like him, needs to grow a pair), because at the end of that simulation, I talked to a woman who had observed the simulation (I later found out she actually works for DoD). She asked me what I thought about the whole thing and I told her it was a good experience but I didn't think I could do it for a living. Inevitably, that begs the "Oh why not" question, and I told her because there were so many alpha personalities in the group that I just got ignored and thrown against the wall, as if my opinion didn't matter. And she looked at me and told me how ultimately, this whole thing was about being able to voice your thoughts against "those big assholes" that seem to dominate everything.
So...um...sorry about that whole thing, but in a way it's relieving.
So, how have things been in DC? For the most part AMAZING! I remember my first day here (2 months ago already!!!) and if you would have asked me then what this semester was going to be like, I can guarantee it was not anywhere close to this. Although I am not a city person and I don't quite fit in with the whole city mentality, I think I'm growing attached more each day, and the thought of possibly going on to graduate school here is less and less scary. Living in the heart of the city is an experience in itself--you definitely run into your fair share of weirdos, but the experience here is incomparable. I'm learning so much here I didn't know before and I really don't think it's anything I would have learned had I spent the semester at SNC. I have an awesome professor and he's trying so hard to fit all of this stuff in, and yes, on the mornings I have to be up at 6:30 to be at the next seminar, I hate his guts, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.
I mean, how cool is this--I've been to the embassies of Denmark, Great Britain, and will soon count in France and Russia; the actual Senate Foreign Relations Committee room and Senator Richard Lugar, a ranking minority party member--arguably one of the most knowledgeable Senators in the area of foreign policy and relations; the Eisenhower Executive Office Building to meet with a member of the National Security Council (and we had our pictures taken on the steps leading from that building to the White House--I saw the lights on in the Oval Office!!); I work on a military base in an institution where senior military and government agency officials--the people making THEEEEE most important decisions in the government are educated; and today, I listened to a presentation from Bob Woodward, who exposed the world of both Watergate and the Bush Administration activities in Iraq. I know how absolutely nerdy this all sounds to most people, especially to friends in Ecuador, Austria, Spain--I'm not abroad, but in a way, this is my abroad. This is the first time I have been genuinely happy that I chose to stay in the states and not go abroad like everyone else--this is where I fit in.
Of course, it has come with its problems--I had to learn how to live on my own, take care of myself by myself, find my way in this place, and most of all, I had to remember that despite all of the big, seemingly important, alpha male egos, I know my stuff too. That one was the single biggest problem of them all. Yes, admittedly, finding a grocery store was quite a task (you wouldn't think so, but without a car, you'd be surprised), but the thing that was the biggest slap in the face was when a guy in my class talked down to me and told me "where I belonged." Granted, it was a simulation at the time, so it was confined to just telling me what role I was supposed to play in the simulation, but still--he talked to me like I was supposed to just know my role, shut up, and leave the decisions for the "big guys." I mean, I experienced somewhat of the same thing at SNC--people who talked as if they knew everything about anything, but it usually didn't take long to shut them up because it didn't take long to prove that I knew my stuff. Here, I just got steamrolled. But to be honest, I'm sick of it--I'm done taking this crap. I don't care that I'm from the Midwest, where people could care less what's happening around the world, but that guy will not talk to me like I'm stupid again.
Guaranteed.
I don't care if he thinks I'm mean (which frankly, his definition of mean, quite like him, needs to grow a pair), because at the end of that simulation, I talked to a woman who had observed the simulation (I later found out she actually works for DoD). She asked me what I thought about the whole thing and I told her it was a good experience but I didn't think I could do it for a living. Inevitably, that begs the "Oh why not" question, and I told her because there were so many alpha personalities in the group that I just got ignored and thrown against the wall, as if my opinion didn't matter. And she looked at me and told me how ultimately, this whole thing was about being able to voice your thoughts against "those big assholes" that seem to dominate everything.
So...um...sorry about that whole thing, but in a way it's relieving.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Columbus Day
First and foremost, I apologize for not blogging in almost a month--I've been keeping busy. Not that I have anyone drooling to read the next installment, but for what it's worth, I will try to blog more frequently.
So, I woke up this fine Monday morning groggy and hating the fact that I had to get up this early to go intern. Don't get me wrong, I love my internship so far, it has been amazing, but I am definitely NOT a morning person. And furthermore, getting up so early to go stare at a computer screen and do research is not exactly the best motivation. I finally get out of bed, eat breakfast, dress, makeup and out the door to the metro station. I am no more than a block from my apartment when my mp3 player dies...off to a WONDERFUL start already!
I get to the metro station, get on the train, switch, and get off at the place where the nifty shuttle that saves me 3ish blocks of walking picks me up. Usually I get there, and there's a shuttle waiting--I am shamefully lucky that I pretty much have never had to wait for one. This morning I got there, and there was no shuttle...hmm...strange, but maybe I just lucked out this morning. It became painfully clear 25 minutes later that no shuttle was in sight--I was apparently destined for a morning walk. Not that I mind, I like walking, but it isn't all that enjoyable when you have a cold.
Get back on the metro, wait for the green line train, take it to the waterfront (SW part of the city--gives me the willies!). I walk three blocks to the main gate of Fort McNair and there's no guard at the front gate--the gates aren't even open. Ok, by now this is REALLY strange, but luckily a passing police officer tells me the gate I can get in is another block up the street. Hell, I've already walked 3 to get here, what's another, right??
I get to the gate, sign in, and begin another long walk. The shuttle drops me off at Coast Guard Headquarters, which is right across the street not only from one of the entrance gates, but also from the building I work in, but when you use the main entrance gates, you have to walk all the way to the other end of the base--I definitely do not mean this lightly, it's a LOOOOOOONG walk. But, just like the walk from the metro, bearable.
Setting out again, get to ICAF, swipe my CAC card to get in the door (which I finally learned the trick to working--little bastard used to like locking me out until recently). I walk through the door to the first floor and the entire hallway is black. Doors are all closed...alright, if the gate thing was strange, this is just freaky.
Then it hits me...NDU is operated by the Department of Defense. A government agency...which only closes for holidays, even the useless ones. And guess what today is....
FREAKING COLUMBUS DAY.
A day we never had off for, even in public school, but yet a day all government agencies shut down for. And I walked all that way just to find that out.
By this time, all I could do is laugh--I called my mom just because I knew she'd appreciate the story and it would make me feel better just because my mom pretty much always makes me feel better.
But I can tell you this much--I have no use for Columbus Day.
So, I woke up this fine Monday morning groggy and hating the fact that I had to get up this early to go intern. Don't get me wrong, I love my internship so far, it has been amazing, but I am definitely NOT a morning person. And furthermore, getting up so early to go stare at a computer screen and do research is not exactly the best motivation. I finally get out of bed, eat breakfast, dress, makeup and out the door to the metro station. I am no more than a block from my apartment when my mp3 player dies...off to a WONDERFUL start already!
I get to the metro station, get on the train, switch, and get off at the place where the nifty shuttle that saves me 3ish blocks of walking picks me up. Usually I get there, and there's a shuttle waiting--I am shamefully lucky that I pretty much have never had to wait for one. This morning I got there, and there was no shuttle...hmm...strange, but maybe I just lucked out this morning. It became painfully clear 25 minutes later that no shuttle was in sight--I was apparently destined for a morning walk. Not that I mind, I like walking, but it isn't all that enjoyable when you have a cold.
Get back on the metro, wait for the green line train, take it to the waterfront (SW part of the city--gives me the willies!). I walk three blocks to the main gate of Fort McNair and there's no guard at the front gate--the gates aren't even open. Ok, by now this is REALLY strange, but luckily a passing police officer tells me the gate I can get in is another block up the street. Hell, I've already walked 3 to get here, what's another, right??
I get to the gate, sign in, and begin another long walk. The shuttle drops me off at Coast Guard Headquarters, which is right across the street not only from one of the entrance gates, but also from the building I work in, but when you use the main entrance gates, you have to walk all the way to the other end of the base--I definitely do not mean this lightly, it's a LOOOOOOONG walk. But, just like the walk from the metro, bearable.
Setting out again, get to ICAF, swipe my CAC card to get in the door (which I finally learned the trick to working--little bastard used to like locking me out until recently). I walk through the door to the first floor and the entire hallway is black. Doors are all closed...alright, if the gate thing was strange, this is just freaky.
Then it hits me...NDU is operated by the Department of Defense. A government agency...which only closes for holidays, even the useless ones. And guess what today is....
FREAKING COLUMBUS DAY.
A day we never had off for, even in public school, but yet a day all government agencies shut down for. And I walked all that way just to find that out.
By this time, all I could do is laugh--I called my mom just because I knew she'd appreciate the story and it would make me feel better just because my mom pretty much always makes me feel better.
But I can tell you this much--I have no use for Columbus Day.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Week Four
It's only the beginning of week four--a.k.a. the one month marker--but I have the feeling that if I don't do this now, by the time the end of the week rolls around, I will be too tired!
This is the beginning of what I sense as a LOOOOOONG week. First sign of this--TODAY! First day at NDU and at long last, a class of Justice and Public Policy (MY NEW FAVORITE CLASS!! :D).
My first day at NDU ended up being a lot better than I thought it was going to be. I managed to get myself to the metro station and to the stop for the shuttle on time, but unfortunate thing about the shuttle was that it's a generic white mini-bus and by the time I got to L'Enfant Plaza, there were 3 of them all lined up by the curb...hmm...which is the magic shuttle bus?? This, naturally, is where I kinda go into freak-out mode because this is my first day at an internship I had to go a bit farther to convince them to take me on staff, and there was the good possibility of me being late! The cool thing was that I met a guy (35-40 years old) who was in the same predicament, only his first day was at Coast Guard Headquarters, which is right across the street from where I work. We ended up talking about where each of us came from, the unknown expectations of new positions, and by the time we found out where the shuttle was and arrived at Fort McNair, I was glad to find someone who was in the same boat--we both had no idea what in the world we were in for with these new jobs.
I ended up arriving at NDU, finished the tour of the building that I didn't complete when I visited last Thursday, and was actually able to listen to a speech by Colin Powell this morning. The seats (the sound booth) weren't great, but it was amazing to listen to him. I can forgive him being a part of the Bush administration because he is an AWESOME and incredibly inspirational speaker. After doing lots of floating around from office to office with introductions, what my major is, where I live, I found a professor who is researching both Russia and organized crime (and not surprisingly, there is a link there), and I get to start working with him tomorrow. I'm supposed to help him build his syllabus for an organized crime class, so that will definitely prove to be interesting. It was especially cool that when I told him I was from Wisconsin, his face didn't display the "HUH?!?" look, as if asking "Where is that?!?" By the end of the day, it wasn't that I was happy to leave as much as I was excited that I found something to do that actually interests me. And of course, to come full circle, who do I run into as I leave for the shuttle back to the Metro station....?
The same Coast Guard man I met this morning!
As far as Justice and Public Policy, I was definitely intimidated by the class because I'm not a justice or criminal justice major, but I find it so interesting and the professor is old, but he is one of those old guys who is unbelievably cool. I have the feeling I'm going to get a lot out of this class, and the best part is that I just enjoy coming to class!
So, after interning tomorrow, I have a full rest of the week of seminars to look forward to, all of which require business formal (translation: full business suit). Although most of the speakers are higher end government officials (Senators and a former director of the CIA), that is definitely no bueno, especially if the weather stays the way it has. Even though it's almost the middle of September, it is still hot and humid here in DC--I AM DEFINITELY NOT A FAN! Hot and humid in Wisconsin is fine, because I'm consoled by the fact that it will eventually go away....that doesn't happen here! So, crossing my fingers hoping it's cooler to make business formal more bearable.
Here's to a very very busy, but yet still exciting week!
This is the beginning of what I sense as a LOOOOOONG week. First sign of this--TODAY! First day at NDU and at long last, a class of Justice and Public Policy (MY NEW FAVORITE CLASS!! :D).
My first day at NDU ended up being a lot better than I thought it was going to be. I managed to get myself to the metro station and to the stop for the shuttle on time, but unfortunate thing about the shuttle was that it's a generic white mini-bus and by the time I got to L'Enfant Plaza, there were 3 of them all lined up by the curb...hmm...which is the magic shuttle bus?? This, naturally, is where I kinda go into freak-out mode because this is my first day at an internship I had to go a bit farther to convince them to take me on staff, and there was the good possibility of me being late! The cool thing was that I met a guy (35-40 years old) who was in the same predicament, only his first day was at Coast Guard Headquarters, which is right across the street from where I work. We ended up talking about where each of us came from, the unknown expectations of new positions, and by the time we found out where the shuttle was and arrived at Fort McNair, I was glad to find someone who was in the same boat--we both had no idea what in the world we were in for with these new jobs.
I ended up arriving at NDU, finished the tour of the building that I didn't complete when I visited last Thursday, and was actually able to listen to a speech by Colin Powell this morning. The seats (the sound booth) weren't great, but it was amazing to listen to him. I can forgive him being a part of the Bush administration because he is an AWESOME and incredibly inspirational speaker. After doing lots of floating around from office to office with introductions, what my major is, where I live, I found a professor who is researching both Russia and organized crime (and not surprisingly, there is a link there), and I get to start working with him tomorrow. I'm supposed to help him build his syllabus for an organized crime class, so that will definitely prove to be interesting. It was especially cool that when I told him I was from Wisconsin, his face didn't display the "HUH?!?" look, as if asking "Where is that?!?" By the end of the day, it wasn't that I was happy to leave as much as I was excited that I found something to do that actually interests me. And of course, to come full circle, who do I run into as I leave for the shuttle back to the Metro station....?
The same Coast Guard man I met this morning!
As far as Justice and Public Policy, I was definitely intimidated by the class because I'm not a justice or criminal justice major, but I find it so interesting and the professor is old, but he is one of those old guys who is unbelievably cool. I have the feeling I'm going to get a lot out of this class, and the best part is that I just enjoy coming to class!
So, after interning tomorrow, I have a full rest of the week of seminars to look forward to, all of which require business formal (translation: full business suit). Although most of the speakers are higher end government officials (Senators and a former director of the CIA), that is definitely no bueno, especially if the weather stays the way it has. Even though it's almost the middle of September, it is still hot and humid here in DC--I AM DEFINITELY NOT A FAN! Hot and humid in Wisconsin is fine, because I'm consoled by the fact that it will eventually go away....that doesn't happen here! So, crossing my fingers hoping it's cooler to make business formal more bearable.
Here's to a very very busy, but yet still exciting week!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Week Three!
For me, week three ends with many mixed feelings...
Excitement--I finally have an internship! I was so afraid that after the ordeal with the media companies not responding (even after follow-up emails...JERKS!), that I would be stuck with an internship where I just did mindless tasks and would wither away in boredom. It turns out that this internship is definitely going to be different from any other that I've had. It's on a military base first of all--I'm definitely not a person that knows a whole lot about the military, so that was definitely a form of culture shock in itself. The people all seem really nice, and it's at National Defense University, so there's also the chance for me to learn a lot helping the faculty with all of their stuff. I'm more excited to start than anything, so we will have to see how that goes.
Exhaustion and Frustration--OH MY GOSH! Even while at St. Norbert, I don't think I've ever felt so tired IN MY LIFE! And I have a feeling it will be worse when my internship starts because I have 12 hour Mondays to look forward to. Joy :S. After interning Monday and Tuesday, I have the rest of the week for seminars, and they end up consuming most of my day, every day. I'm usually on the Metro by 9 for a 10am seminar, and aside from a mid-afternoon break, I'm in class until 4 or 5 at night. Usually by the time the weekend comes around, I just want to stay in bed and sleep, which is complicated by my being in DC for only 3 months. Class is relatively easy to go to--it proves to be interesting from time to time, but the roommate situation complicates things. I learned pretty quickly that my roommates and I have VERY different lifestyles in terms of sleep, morning habits, cleaning...and the like. I always try to be conscious of how much sleep I get, but there are times I could strangle the both of them. One night in particular, I was in bed by 11, and one didn't go to bed (or at least stop making noise) until 1, while the other went out after class and didn't come home until almost 3. To add to the...pleasure...I'm pretty sure she was hungover and I was blessed with the audio of her throwing up on a pretty regular basis until 6am. Not a happy camper.
The jist of all this is I live with 2 girls who are both older than me, but yet, I'm the responsible one..?
Homesickness--Since I got here, I've never completely won this battle. I left when things with my mom had finally started to make sense and work out, and not going to lie--I miss her. I don't miss everything, but I guess I miss her mostly because I could talk to her about anything and really, at anytime. No matter how many emails, IM's, facebook posts, or phone calls I get, I don't have that here and there are days I really could use it. Yes, I'm on my own here, and the independence of it all isn't the worst thing, but at the same time, I've never felt so alone, and that makes the days pass by so slowly. I know half of the problem is that I need to get out and just go places to take my mind off things, but that's hard to do with both my homework load and how draining my schedule has been.
All in all, this week has been funky, for lack of a better term. I don't mind being here, but am not completely sold yet.
Excitement--I finally have an internship! I was so afraid that after the ordeal with the media companies not responding (even after follow-up emails...JERKS!), that I would be stuck with an internship where I just did mindless tasks and would wither away in boredom. It turns out that this internship is definitely going to be different from any other that I've had. It's on a military base first of all--I'm definitely not a person that knows a whole lot about the military, so that was definitely a form of culture shock in itself. The people all seem really nice, and it's at National Defense University, so there's also the chance for me to learn a lot helping the faculty with all of their stuff. I'm more excited to start than anything, so we will have to see how that goes.
Exhaustion and Frustration--OH MY GOSH! Even while at St. Norbert, I don't think I've ever felt so tired IN MY LIFE! And I have a feeling it will be worse when my internship starts because I have 12 hour Mondays to look forward to. Joy :S. After interning Monday and Tuesday, I have the rest of the week for seminars, and they end up consuming most of my day, every day. I'm usually on the Metro by 9 for a 10am seminar, and aside from a mid-afternoon break, I'm in class until 4 or 5 at night. Usually by the time the weekend comes around, I just want to stay in bed and sleep, which is complicated by my being in DC for only 3 months. Class is relatively easy to go to--it proves to be interesting from time to time, but the roommate situation complicates things. I learned pretty quickly that my roommates and I have VERY different lifestyles in terms of sleep, morning habits, cleaning...and the like. I always try to be conscious of how much sleep I get, but there are times I could strangle the both of them. One night in particular, I was in bed by 11, and one didn't go to bed (or at least stop making noise) until 1, while the other went out after class and didn't come home until almost 3. To add to the...pleasure...I'm pretty sure she was hungover and I was blessed with the audio of her throwing up on a pretty regular basis until 6am. Not a happy camper.
The jist of all this is I live with 2 girls who are both older than me, but yet, I'm the responsible one..?
Homesickness--Since I got here, I've never completely won this battle. I left when things with my mom had finally started to make sense and work out, and not going to lie--I miss her. I don't miss everything, but I guess I miss her mostly because I could talk to her about anything and really, at anytime. No matter how many emails, IM's, facebook posts, or phone calls I get, I don't have that here and there are days I really could use it. Yes, I'm on my own here, and the independence of it all isn't the worst thing, but at the same time, I've never felt so alone, and that makes the days pass by so slowly. I know half of the problem is that I need to get out and just go places to take my mind off things, but that's hard to do with both my homework load and how draining my schedule has been.
All in all, this week has been funky, for lack of a better term. I don't mind being here, but am not completely sold yet.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
One Week...well...almost Two
So, as the title says, I've officially been here almost two weeks. Honestly, it does and doesn't feel like it's only been a few weeks. I still feel relatively new to the city in some aspects--still figuring out where everything is, but for how much I have to commute to school and speakers for class, I'm pretty used to getting myself around. On the other hand, I looked at my planner and realized it's only been a few weeks and could've swore I've been here longer. My days are so jam-packed sometimes that I'm in seminars from morning to evening and time seems like it flies past, but yet, it's only been a few weeks. I definitely think the days are different here. Even yesterday, when I pretty much sat around and did absolutely nothing, the day was almost over in the blink of an eye.
For the most part, life here is pretty comfortable. I'm not the hugest fan of having two roommates with completely opposite schedules, but they're pretty great, so I really can't complain. I'm hoping my internship search will finally start to take off after Labor Day--I sent out resumes to two organizations I REALLY want to intern for, so I'm hoping people are on vacation and that I'll get a response soon. Seminars are a bit on the long side for my taste, but I'm getting to know people in my class a lot better, and the whole wall between us created by the on-campus vs. off-campus situation is slowly starting to go away. I've met people from all different places--West Coast to East Coast, and even someone from the Midwest, although he's from Illinois, so there's a bit of a rift. The people I've become closer to are even from different countries--Brazil, France, Korea...it's the coolest thing!
Even though I'm meeting new people and getting along with them really well, there's still a space missing where my friends back at home are. It's a bit scary on my end because I miss them all already, but a lot of them seem to be going their own places all at the same time. It was alright when I left because I left first and I'm still in the US even though I'm not in Wisconsin. Now, Autumn's going to Spain and Ja's going to Austria, and I know I'm really going to miss them, especially talking to them. That's probably the hardest part of going away--knowing that life goes on back at home. My life and my life at home almost become two parallel lines--they don't really intersect now--I don't get to visit my friends or see the things that go on at home, but I just get to hear about them. It's definitely a hard thing to balance--I know this is the opportunity of a lifetime, that I've worked my whole life for something like this, and that in the end, I probably will look back and say I loved it, but there are moments where that's really hard to keep in mind and it's easier to slip into a little bit of homesickness.
Still waiting on my camera, and hopefully it won't be too long now, but in the meantime, even though I'm not at SNC, I still have homework...joy. I have to keep myself from laughing sometimes in class because these first few seminars brought me back to the WONDERFUL times of INTL 150 and GRATZIA! Unfortunately, no Cochabamba yet, so that's a bit disheartening, but this teacher is from South America too (Peru, actually) so there's a bit of a link there. And the only funny drawing we've had is this weird compass to demonstrate the 5 schools of thought in foreign policy, not some crazy loop thing, but this guy does have battle helmets (and oh yes, he actually wears them). The most interesting part is we're supposed to listen to these speakers telling us why their particular school is the best...the first one was more frustrating to listen to than anything, so I'm not sure what I'm in for with the other four. It's hard to think of polite, respectful questions to ask when my mind is screaming "YOU ARE AN ILL-INFORMED, NAIVE IDIOT!" Not quite in those nice terms, but you get my drift.
I should get back to my reading--I'm taking super-detailed notes so I don't have to go through this fiasco again when it comes to exam time, but that makes it take that much longer unfortunately. Hopefully I will get around to seeing the National Gallery of Art tomorrow, so this weekend won't be a total loss to the homework monster!
For the most part, life here is pretty comfortable. I'm not the hugest fan of having two roommates with completely opposite schedules, but they're pretty great, so I really can't complain. I'm hoping my internship search will finally start to take off after Labor Day--I sent out resumes to two organizations I REALLY want to intern for, so I'm hoping people are on vacation and that I'll get a response soon. Seminars are a bit on the long side for my taste, but I'm getting to know people in my class a lot better, and the whole wall between us created by the on-campus vs. off-campus situation is slowly starting to go away. I've met people from all different places--West Coast to East Coast, and even someone from the Midwest, although he's from Illinois, so there's a bit of a rift. The people I've become closer to are even from different countries--Brazil, France, Korea...it's the coolest thing!
Even though I'm meeting new people and getting along with them really well, there's still a space missing where my friends back at home are. It's a bit scary on my end because I miss them all already, but a lot of them seem to be going their own places all at the same time. It was alright when I left because I left first and I'm still in the US even though I'm not in Wisconsin. Now, Autumn's going to Spain and Ja's going to Austria, and I know I'm really going to miss them, especially talking to them. That's probably the hardest part of going away--knowing that life goes on back at home. My life and my life at home almost become two parallel lines--they don't really intersect now--I don't get to visit my friends or see the things that go on at home, but I just get to hear about them. It's definitely a hard thing to balance--I know this is the opportunity of a lifetime, that I've worked my whole life for something like this, and that in the end, I probably will look back and say I loved it, but there are moments where that's really hard to keep in mind and it's easier to slip into a little bit of homesickness.
Still waiting on my camera, and hopefully it won't be too long now, but in the meantime, even though I'm not at SNC, I still have homework...joy. I have to keep myself from laughing sometimes in class because these first few seminars brought me back to the WONDERFUL times of INTL 150 and GRATZIA! Unfortunately, no Cochabamba yet, so that's a bit disheartening, but this teacher is from South America too (Peru, actually) so there's a bit of a link there. And the only funny drawing we've had is this weird compass to demonstrate the 5 schools of thought in foreign policy, not some crazy loop thing, but this guy does have battle helmets (and oh yes, he actually wears them). The most interesting part is we're supposed to listen to these speakers telling us why their particular school is the best...the first one was more frustrating to listen to than anything, so I'm not sure what I'm in for with the other four. It's hard to think of polite, respectful questions to ask when my mind is screaming "YOU ARE AN ILL-INFORMED, NAIVE IDIOT!" Not quite in those nice terms, but you get my drift.
I should get back to my reading--I'm taking super-detailed notes so I don't have to go through this fiasco again when it comes to exam time, but that makes it take that much longer unfortunately. Hopefully I will get around to seeing the National Gallery of Art tomorrow, so this weekend won't be a total loss to the homework monster!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Before Classes Start!
Alright, so I've been here since Wednesday...5 days in DC...and I think I'm finally starting to get the hang of things. We moved into our permanent apartment yesterday--SO much nicer than the temp one we were assigned to when we first got here. Not the happiest with the sleeping arrangements--back to top bunk which I wasn't the most comfortable with, but I slept alright last night so it'll work. Hopefully I'll have my digital camera back soon to start putting up some photographs--it wasn't taking good pictures outside at all before I left, so I should be finding out what's wrong and the cost pretty soon.
I ended up going on this National Mall tour with a girl I know from class and a few of her friends yesterday on a total whim, but it was actually really fun. We started from Metro Center and walked up to the White House, around the war memorials, the Lincoln Memorial, and finally to the Jefferson Memorial. Even if you don't have a map in front of you, let me tell ya, it's a LOOOOONG walk. It was cool to see everything, but my legs were most definitely telling me that it would need to be taken in pieces next time.
As far as classes, I've had a few seminars for both my foreign policy class and my internship, but things really start to get in gear towards the middle of the week. I have a few places targeted for my internship search and a bazaar of organizations on Monday, so today will mostly be for pre-class reading and touching up both my resume and my cover letter. And of course, finding a supermarket...strange that that seems to be the only thing I haven't found yet. We have this Whole Foods market by the Metro stop in Tenleytown (which takes us to AU Tenley and Main Campus) and I did some shopping there--but man oh man, I need my Yoplait yogurt and cereal with some flavor. This organic stuff is really healthy, supposedly, but I'm sorry, I need some taste. I might also make a stop at Eastern Market, which is supposed to be this giant farmers' market off of Pennsylvania Avenue, but we'll see.
Alright, time for me to go shower and I'll be in touch!!
I ended up going on this National Mall tour with a girl I know from class and a few of her friends yesterday on a total whim, but it was actually really fun. We started from Metro Center and walked up to the White House, around the war memorials, the Lincoln Memorial, and finally to the Jefferson Memorial. Even if you don't have a map in front of you, let me tell ya, it's a LOOOOONG walk. It was cool to see everything, but my legs were most definitely telling me that it would need to be taken in pieces next time.
As far as classes, I've had a few seminars for both my foreign policy class and my internship, but things really start to get in gear towards the middle of the week. I have a few places targeted for my internship search and a bazaar of organizations on Monday, so today will mostly be for pre-class reading and touching up both my resume and my cover letter. And of course, finding a supermarket...strange that that seems to be the only thing I haven't found yet. We have this Whole Foods market by the Metro stop in Tenleytown (which takes us to AU Tenley and Main Campus) and I did some shopping there--but man oh man, I need my Yoplait yogurt and cereal with some flavor. This organic stuff is really healthy, supposedly, but I'm sorry, I need some taste. I might also make a stop at Eastern Market, which is supposed to be this giant farmers' market off of Pennsylvania Avenue, but we'll see.
Alright, time for me to go shower and I'll be in touch!!
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