Memorial Day Weekend!

This weekend has been filled with so many cool things!
Friday I had my Washington Center program orientation, and learned more about all the things that will be involved with my time here this summer. In addition to my internship, I have class once a week and will have to complete a civic engagement project - I'm doing a "go green" type project.

On Saturday, some of the friends I've made and I put our tourist faces on and did a little touring of the mall.  For those who don't know, the "mall" means the lawn/grassy area from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol. We went to the White House, the Washington Monument, the Museum of American History and Natural History, and finally to the Capitol. I love living in this city!! The only real bummer is that the mall lawn is all torn up, and so is the reflecting pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial :( I'm just assuming that they're trying to make the area nice for inauguration in January!

Sunday we headed to the Capitol lawn, where there was a free Memorial Day Concert! They had performers such as Daughtry, Trace Adkins, the National Symphony Orchestra, and Natalie Cole, along with many speakers and ways to honor our soldiers. It was very nice! And so cool to be sitting beneath the Capitol. But after an hour of the concert, officials let us know that there was severe weather approaching and they would have to cancel the concert. Boo!! Such a bummer. But I was glad we got to see part of the concert!

Today, Memorial Day, was a long one! We tried to go to see Obama speak at the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, but we didn't make it in time. We ended up staying on Constitution Ave where there was going to be a parade! It was pretty good, and afterwards we decided to head to Arlington Cemetery. I was glad we did - it was very beautiful. And almost every grave had a rose on it! We also headed to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where we saw the changing of the guard. It's always cool to see! Today made me feel super patriotic, and I have so much appreciation for our military forces!!!

I can't wait until the 4th of July in DC - it should be AMAZING!
I don't start my internship until Thursday, so you'll hear from me after that! Stay tuned...

Some pictures from my weekend!

Safe and Sound!

Well I'm all moved into my new apartment! My building is only two years old, and the apartment is super nice...my first apartment!! I'm a couple metro stops from downtown, and there's already so much I want to do and see in the city this summer! Our building meeting let us know about cool areas, such as the H Street Corridor, Gallery Place, and Georgetown. Definitely putting these places on my list this summer!!!
The next few days will be filled with orientation about my program and other career-building activities, which should be pretty interesting...
I plan on posting pictures later, but I can't seem to find my cord yet in all my unpacking madness! So until then, stay tuned!

Love, Michelle :)

Here we go...

Starting blogs seems to be the thing to do lately, so I figured I'd give in and make my own. So here it is!!! Enjoy.
This summer, I'll be working in Washington D.C. at an organization where I'll be a legislative research intern. This company represents the interests of banks and other financial institutions. My job will be to compile research which will be distributed to the member companies as well as its lobbyists. So I'll be pretty busy! I found this opportunity through a program called the Washington Center. Therefore, along with my 9-5 job, I'll be attending one class related to my major (Political Science) and other programs the Washington Center organizes.
Here's the website if anyone is interested: http://www.twc.edu/

And TOMORROW I'M LEAVING!!! Well, driving there, at least. I don't check in until Wednesday morning, so we're staying the night with a family friend. "Check-in" includes moving into TWC's apartment complex, where I'll be living over the summer!


I'm excited for the opportunities that lie ahead! While it's not quite a "study abroad" experience, i'm hoping that I'll gain skills and memories for a lifetime!