So I'm starting to realize all the cool things I have access to while I'm here.
For example: the SCOTUS (supreme court of the united states) Obamacare decision. I actually know people who went to the SCOTUS announcement of the case! I mean, how cool is that? I've also known many people to meet Congressmen and work with them. Additionally, there are all these seminars and speakers you can attend. A lot of these take place at Think Tanks, which are educational and academic institutions on issues and politics. On the Washington Center website, you can read about how someone got to see Bill Clinton speak! totally cool.
I also attended an intern luncheon hosted by the Roundtable, where I work. This allowed us to meet other interns in other companies around the city, but also allowed for Q&A with the executives of the Roundtable. I was able to get a few in, which was good. Afterwards, I was able to talk to the CEO of the Roundtable one-on-one. (He actually sought me out after the luncheon was over!) We chatted about history fun facts, he asked about school, and mentioned I was doing a great job on the work my supervisor, Abby, was helping me with. Big confidence boost!!! I'm starting to really enjoy my job here. I'm always busy, which is good. It's better than being bored! I'm also learning a lot about how the financial services industry interacts with legislators and Congress. I've got a clear picture now of what happened before, during, and after the 2008 recession and where the economy might be heading.
In general, Washington is a great place to become immersed in politics and what is truly driving our country forward. I plan on subscribing to POLITICO after I leave, a politically-focused newspaper that i've found to be great for local, national, and global current events.
I only have one month left here!!! I can't believe it, but my goal for the rest of my time here is to make the most of it!
Saturday, June 30, 2012
downtownnn & chinatownnn
Hey everyone!!!
So these past two weeks/weekends have been a little more low-key than in the past.
Last Thursday, my friends Katie, Meagan and I went to see a small concert on H street - Greg Laswell and Elizabeth and the Catapult. Even though I had never heard of either of them, they were very good! I liked them a lot. Mental note to keep them in mind for some good music.
On Friday - we decided to go local by heading to the after-work hotspot, the Jazz in the Garden series at the Sculpture garden! I'm not sure if i've written about it before, but there's this great garden just south of the Archives and next to the art gallery full of cool sculptures and with a fountain in the center. The fountain has a ridge all the way around it so you're able to stick your feet in it on a hot day :) sooo refreshing. Anyway, in the summer every Friday night they host jazz concerts and they're a nice way to relax after the workweek and kick off the weekend! Afterwards, we tried to get into this comedy show at a place called DC Improv. Apparently this is ALSO the place to be, since we showed up an hour early and it was already sold out!!! bummer. But we ended up eating a late dinner and hanging out in Dupont for the rest of the night, which was okay with me :)
Saturday we went shopping downtown, around the area I work in. Everyday when I get off the metro there is first a giant Forever 21 and then an H&M next door, and I've been dying to go inside everyday. So we finally did!!! I got these great purple shorts and a cute summer dress! I was so excited! You'll see pictures of the dress later!
At night, we went to see a movie in Chinatown. I was totally taken aback by this area- It was not what I expected! Full of nightlife, bars, restaurants, and shops. and of course, a whole strip of Chinese restaurants! keeping that in mind for later. We were going to see...aw shoot I don't even remember, but it was sold out. the important thing was that we had to settle for Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. If you haven't seen it...well, I don't exactly recommend it. But it made for some hilarious historical ironies...a cross between buffy the vampire slayer and twilight. hahah whatever. :)
So these past two weeks/weekends have been a little more low-key than in the past.
Last Thursday, my friends Katie, Meagan and I went to see a small concert on H street - Greg Laswell and Elizabeth and the Catapult. Even though I had never heard of either of them, they were very good! I liked them a lot. Mental note to keep them in mind for some good music.
On Friday - we decided to go local by heading to the after-work hotspot, the Jazz in the Garden series at the Sculpture garden! I'm not sure if i've written about it before, but there's this great garden just south of the Archives and next to the art gallery full of cool sculptures and with a fountain in the center. The fountain has a ridge all the way around it so you're able to stick your feet in it on a hot day :) sooo refreshing. Anyway, in the summer every Friday night they host jazz concerts and they're a nice way to relax after the workweek and kick off the weekend! Afterwards, we tried to get into this comedy show at a place called DC Improv. Apparently this is ALSO the place to be, since we showed up an hour early and it was already sold out!!! bummer. But we ended up eating a late dinner and hanging out in Dupont for the rest of the night, which was okay with me :)Saturday we went shopping downtown, around the area I work in. Everyday when I get off the metro there is first a giant Forever 21 and then an H&M next door, and I've been dying to go inside everyday. So we finally did!!! I got these great purple shorts and a cute summer dress! I was so excited! You'll see pictures of the dress later!
Friday, June 22, 2012
Sweet Home Chicago
I've been neglectful, I know, loyal readers, and I am sorry!
This past weekend wasn't spent within the beltway, but in the loop! (for those that don't know - inside the beltway is another name for the city of Washington, and the loop is a part of downtown Chicago. and no, I didn't spend my whole weekend in the city of Chicago, but back at home in general!)
My cousin, Megan got married in the city on Friday. My sister was a bridesmaid, and Megan and her now-husband Mike asked me to do a reading at the church service, as well as pass out programs and bells before and after the ceremony. The reception was in the coolest location possible - on the 66th floor of the Sears (and now Willis) Tower! Loved the views! The reception was very fun too.
It was a lot of fun to spend time with my cousins Megan and Colleen, her younger sister (who is closer to my age, and was Megan's fabulous maid of honor). Congratulations, Megan and Mike! So happy for them. Colleen is coming to DC in a few weeks, which I'm also very excited for!! It was also great to see the rest of my extended family, and it also was a fun time with my parents and sister! We spent most of the night dancing!!
Saturday was my only full day at home in Batavia. It was sort of an early Father's day since I was leaving on Sunday, so we went out to breakfast as a family. The rest of the day, my dad just felt like hanging out so we hung out with him around and outside of the house. It was a great relaxing day!!! Then at night, I was able to go visit my boyfriend, Charlie. He made me dinner at his house which was delicious! He's a pretty good cook :) We had a great time together and it was so good to see him!
My flight left at Chicago at 6:30 AM on Sunday, and I knew I'd be tired but I didn't really care! It was simply good to see the people I love. After 3.5 hours of sleep, I was off to O'Hare and back to Washington. It was such a quick trip!!! I wish it would've lasted longer. However, the views flying back into Reagan airport were PHENOMENAL! --->
Sunday, since I was back so early, my friends Meagan and Katie and I headed to Eastern Market, which is a neighborhood southeast of the Capitol. There, there are a lot of food and craft vendors selling their hobbies and/or homemade products. I bought some really cute earrings and there were TONS of other crafts I wanted to buy, like local photographers' work (pictures from around DC) and super cute knick knacks and decor for the home. Wish I could buy this stuff!!! I don't have a nice enough house to put it in!! haha :)
Right before we headed home, we stopped in this bookstore called Capitol Hill Books - THE COOLEST PLACE EVER!!! This old 3-story row house contains probably thousands, if not at least a million books. each room on each floor is stacked floor-to-ceiling with books... the place is seriously bursting with books. Although it looked daunting at first, there is organization!! they're sectioned off by category. For example, one corner near the ceiling is the "Kennedy Corner" and the bathroom has been converted into the "Foreign Language Room"... take a look...
That's all for now!! More updates on this week / weekend later... I'm too tired after a busy week!!
xoxoxo
This past weekend wasn't spent within the beltway, but in the loop! (for those that don't know - inside the beltway is another name for the city of Washington, and the loop is a part of downtown Chicago. and no, I didn't spend my whole weekend in the city of Chicago, but back at home in general!)
My cousin, Megan got married in the city on Friday. My sister was a bridesmaid, and Megan and her now-husband Mike asked me to do a reading at the church service, as well as pass out programs and bells before and after the ceremony. The reception was in the coolest location possible - on the 66th floor of the Sears (and now Willis) Tower! Loved the views! The reception was very fun too.
Saturday was my only full day at home in Batavia. It was sort of an early Father's day since I was leaving on Sunday, so we went out to breakfast as a family. The rest of the day, my dad just felt like hanging out so we hung out with him around and outside of the house. It was a great relaxing day!!! Then at night, I was able to go visit my boyfriend, Charlie. He made me dinner at his house which was delicious! He's a pretty good cook :) We had a great time together and it was so good to see him!
My flight left at Chicago at 6:30 AM on Sunday, and I knew I'd be tired but I didn't really care! It was simply good to see the people I love. After 3.5 hours of sleep, I was off to O'Hare and back to Washington. It was such a quick trip!!! I wish it would've lasted longer. However, the views flying back into Reagan airport were PHENOMENAL! --->
Sunday, since I was back so early, my friends Meagan and Katie and I headed to Eastern Market, which is a neighborhood southeast of the Capitol. There, there are a lot of food and craft vendors selling their hobbies and/or homemade products. I bought some really cute earrings and there were TONS of other crafts I wanted to buy, like local photographers' work (pictures from around DC) and super cute knick knacks and decor for the home. Wish I could buy this stuff!!! I don't have a nice enough house to put it in!! haha :)
Right before we headed home, we stopped in this bookstore called Capitol Hill Books - THE COOLEST PLACE EVER!!! This old 3-story row house contains probably thousands, if not at least a million books. each room on each floor is stacked floor-to-ceiling with books... the place is seriously bursting with books. Although it looked daunting at first, there is organization!! they're sectioned off by category. For example, one corner near the ceiling is the "Kennedy Corner" and the bathroom has been converted into the "Foreign Language Room"... take a look...
That's all for now!! More updates on this week / weekend later... I'm too tired after a busy week!!
xoxoxo
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Monday, June 11, 2012
What does the Apocalypse, food trucks, and gay pride all have in common?
Any guesses? No?
Actually, they have nothing in common except for the week that they all were a part of my weekend! :)
Thursday
So if any of you know me well at all you know i'm a Starkid Fan. Starkid is a musical theater group that became an internet sensation, and created musicals like the Very Potter Musical and many others. It's also where Darren Criss came from. They currently are touring the country performing their songs from these musicals, and they came to D.C.! The show was great, and so much fun. After the show, I waited outside to see if the cast members would come out back to meet the fans - and they did! I got to meet Joey Richter, who is one of the more famous members of the cast, who signed my ticket and took a picture with me! (see below) So amazing!
Friday
Friday meant that I completed my first full week of work!!! And man did I need the weekend. Some friends and I headed to the old Navy Yard area for a food festival named Truckeroo! This takes place in an outdoor picnic venue next to Nationals baseball stadium. The enclosed area is formed by old cargo shipping boxes all painted and stacked up on top of each other! "Truckeroo" is simply the festival that occurs every month. It is when tons of food trucks come and park inside the venue, and you can sample a lot of different foods! They had cupcake trucks, popcorn trucks, Hawaiian, empanadas, sandwiches, lobster, burgers, and everything under the sun! Food trucks are super popular in DC. There was also a 90's cover band playing, and it was fun to just hang out and dance :)
My friends and I have also decided we want to go to a Nationals game if the tickets aren't too pricey! Wish they were playing the Cubs sometime this summer, but no such luck...
After Truckeroo, it was still pretty early in the night so we decided to take a walk around the mall. I had heard that the monuments are prettiest at night, and that was definitely true! It's also far more peaceful, since the crowds have long gone and the hubbub of the city has died down. We started at the Wash. Monument, then made our way past the WWII memorial, DC War Memorial (which i've never seen before - it was kind of hidden!), Korean War Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial (hands down the best view in Washington), and the Vietnam Memorial. Although we didn't get back to my apartment until 2am, it was definitely worth the walk!
Saturday
With my program in the Washington Center, we received membership to a promotion called INTERNS ROCK! for intern appreciation week! This membership allows us discounts and other freebees at many native DC stores, restaurants, and activities. It also gives us free admission to the Newseum! This was definitely something to take advantage of, so a bunch of us went. The Newseum focuses on the media and its role in our society. They have unique exhibits such as the largest chunk of the Berlin wall outside of Germany, the "Checkpoint Charlie" watchtower, and the TV antenna from the top of the World Trade Center ( which is a very moving and thought-provoking exhibit - one of my favorites). The Newseum is also home to the tv studio for "This Week with George Stephanopolous." And by luck, an employee let me inside the studio!!! It was super cool to see- how many times are you going to be in a tv studio??? The lady then informed me that Rick Santorum would be there the next day for its Sunday broadcast! I decided I was definitely coming back the next day.
After that, we headed to Dupont Circle to see part of the Gay Pride Parade. I've never been to the one in Chicago, so it was definitely interesting! We ate dinner there at this fantastic pizza place and then got frozen yogurt (with our InternsRock discount!).
Sunday
As I mentioned before, I headed back to the Newseum Sunday morning. Although I was there for the whole broadcast from 9-10, I never saw Rick Santorum! Unless I missed him - but i'm definitely convinced there is a secret door.. -_-
I decided to walk back from there instead of spending money on the metro (which is expensive - $2.15 per trip, both ways??? it really adds up per week...). Even though it was hot, I stopped by the Capitol, because even if i'm not a "tourist" in some ways, it's still cool to walk by the Capitol every now and then!
I'm on my third week here, and my time is going by so fast! There is still so much I want to do and see. I'm heading home this weekend for my cousin's wedding, and am very excited to be in Chicago again!! So unfortunately for you all, you won't have any exciting DC news to look forward to, but maybe an update on my time at home!
Thanks for stalking me! :)
 |
| Joey and I |
Thursday
So if any of you know me well at all you know i'm a Starkid Fan. Starkid is a musical theater group that became an internet sensation, and created musicals like the Very Potter Musical and many others. It's also where Darren Criss came from. They currently are touring the country performing their songs from these musicals, and they came to D.C.! The show was great, and so much fun. After the show, I waited outside to see if the cast members would come out back to meet the fans - and they did! I got to meet Joey Richter, who is one of the more famous members of the cast, who signed my ticket and took a picture with me! (see below) So amazing!
Friday
Friday meant that I completed my first full week of work!!! And man did I need the weekend. Some friends and I headed to the old Navy Yard area for a food festival named Truckeroo! This takes place in an outdoor picnic venue next to Nationals baseball stadium. The enclosed area is formed by old cargo shipping boxes all painted and stacked up on top of each other! "Truckeroo" is simply the festival that occurs every month. It is when tons of food trucks come and park inside the venue, and you can sample a lot of different foods! They had cupcake trucks, popcorn trucks, Hawaiian, empanadas, sandwiches, lobster, burgers, and everything under the sun! Food trucks are super popular in DC. There was also a 90's cover band playing, and it was fun to just hang out and dance :)
My friends and I have also decided we want to go to a Nationals game if the tickets aren't too pricey! Wish they were playing the Cubs sometime this summer, but no such luck...
 |
| DC War Memorial |
Saturday
 |
| Inside the studio |
After that, we headed to Dupont Circle to see part of the Gay Pride Parade. I've never been to the one in Chicago, so it was definitely interesting! We ate dinner there at this fantastic pizza place and then got frozen yogurt (with our InternsRock discount!).
Sunday
As I mentioned before, I headed back to the Newseum Sunday morning. Although I was there for the whole broadcast from 9-10, I never saw Rick Santorum! Unless I missed him - but i'm definitely convinced there is a secret door.. -_-
I decided to walk back from there instead of spending money on the metro (which is expensive - $2.15 per trip, both ways??? it really adds up per week...). Even though it was hot, I stopped by the Capitol, because even if i'm not a "tourist" in some ways, it's still cool to walk by the Capitol every now and then!
I'm on my third week here, and my time is going by so fast! There is still so much I want to do and see. I'm heading home this weekend for my cousin's wedding, and am very excited to be in Chicago again!! So unfortunately for you all, you won't have any exciting DC news to look forward to, but maybe an update on my time at home!
Thanks for stalking me! :)
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Starting to feel like a local
So I'm really beginning to feel like I know what I'm doing in this city. I've become very sure of my actions, and I am learning the ins and outs of how to get around the city. For example:
I'm also enjoying a lot of the "cool and hip" places to hang out in the city, mostly things that only locals know about and are tourist-free. Additionally, I'm really enjoying being able to see the sights one by one, day-by-day. And I even get to eat my lunch in cool places! This week, I took my sandwich and ate on the White House lawn and another day I at ate the Navy Memorial (see below) in front of the Archives building. Loving it!
During the week I find it hard to do any sightseeing, since I come from home from work after 5:30 and am EXHAUSTED after making myself dinner and doing any homework I have to get done. This program wasn't lying: they're keeping me extremely busy!! My professor just assigned us our first bit of homework, I SHOULD be doing a questionnaire assignment right now, but I'm choosing not to... then work, after work events sponsored by the Washington Center and other organizations, and my Civic Engagement project, which starts next week. I found out I will be helping to build a "Green Roof" - a sort of garden oasis on a rooftop. Apparently they're very good for the environment in cities such as this one!
- I no longer need to use the metro map. Well, at least when I'm using the red line, the line which stops closest to me and takes me to work.
- tourists suck
- I can come out of the metro and orient myself by observing the nearest cross-streets (DC is mapped out as a grid system; Letters starting at A that begin at the Capitol - go north and south and you'll encounter B, C, D streets... then Numbers also starting at the Capitol - and by going east or west you'll cross 1st, 2nd, 3rd...and all the diagonal streets are states.
I'm also enjoying a lot of the "cool and hip" places to hang out in the city, mostly things that only locals know about and are tourist-free. Additionally, I'm really enjoying being able to see the sights one by one, day-by-day. And I even get to eat my lunch in cool places! This week, I took my sandwich and ate on the White House lawn and another day I at ate the Navy Memorial (see below) in front of the Archives building. Loving it!
During the week I find it hard to do any sightseeing, since I come from home from work after 5:30 and am EXHAUSTED after making myself dinner and doing any homework I have to get done. This program wasn't lying: they're keeping me extremely busy!! My professor just assigned us our first bit of homework, I SHOULD be doing a questionnaire assignment right now, but I'm choosing not to... then work, after work events sponsored by the Washington Center and other organizations, and my Civic Engagement project, which starts next week. I found out I will be helping to build a "Green Roof" - a sort of garden oasis on a rooftop. Apparently they're very good for the environment in cities such as this one!
Monday, June 4, 2012
WHAT?
This is my grocery store. and this is their weird commercial I just saw on tv...just thought I'd share it because it's so random
Friday, June 1, 2012
First Days as a working girl!
I had my first two days of work this week! So far, so good! I am a research intern, so I basically assist the research department on their day-to-day activities and special projects. For example, they have weekly "Fast Facts" on different topics that they research and send out to all of their member companies. On thursday, I wrote an entire fast facts on my own! Very proud. Can't wait to see what else is in store. They are all posted on the website, so if you ask me i'll give you the link and you can see what i'm working on!
Its also the company's 100th year anniversary, so they are putting together a book tracing their history throughout American finance and the economy. I really want to work on this, so hopefully I can weasel my way in to that project!
On Friday night, some friends and I got to explore DuPont Circle - a really cool, upscale area of DC filled with bars, nightclubs, shops, cafes, and a lot of foreign embassies! We went to this cafe called Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe. Basically, its a bookstore but in the back, its a cafe and bar! They also had live music playing, and it was just a cool place to hang out. After a few drinks and dessert, we went exploring around the area. Like I said, there's a TON of embassies around...a little bit of another country within ours. We saw Iraq, Argentina, Malaysia, Colombia, and Mozambique. I LOVED it here! Wish I could enjoy more of the nightlife, but I still have a ways to go. I have to go back this way tomorrow and I can't wait!
Saturday I went to Georgetown! Such a cool area to shop and eat. VERY upscale! We went to go to the "Taste of Georgetown," a mini Taste of Chicago if you will, but it was ending when we got there. That was okay, we explored the area everywhere. Lots of shops and LOTS of cupcake places - It's TLC's DC Cupcakes' claim to fame. However, the line was outrageous so we went to Sprinkles! It was just as delicious. mmmmm! Can't wait to go back. Also in Georgetown is the Old Stone house - the oldest known private residence in Washington DC built in 1765. It was so cute! And had a beautiful backyard garden my roommates and I took a lot of pictures in. I also did a small bit of shopping at Urban Outfitters :) One of the best parts of the trip was how we got there - we took the DC Circulator bus which only costs ONE DOLLAR to ride! INSANE but so cheap and worth it! Like Dupont, I cannot wait to go back!
Today, Sunday, I went on a run around the Capitol. So many people run on the mall at all times of day. Its especially hard to navigate around tourists, but the view makes it all worth it. I plan on doing this as much as I can!! I still can't believe i'm here for the summer, and i'm loving every minute of it!!!
Me in Georgetown - See more pictures on my facebook :)
Its also the company's 100th year anniversary, so they are putting together a book tracing their history throughout American finance and the economy. I really want to work on this, so hopefully I can weasel my way in to that project!
On Friday night, some friends and I got to explore DuPont Circle - a really cool, upscale area of DC filled with bars, nightclubs, shops, cafes, and a lot of foreign embassies! We went to this cafe called Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe. Basically, its a bookstore but in the back, its a cafe and bar! They also had live music playing, and it was just a cool place to hang out. After a few drinks and dessert, we went exploring around the area. Like I said, there's a TON of embassies around...a little bit of another country within ours. We saw Iraq, Argentina, Malaysia, Colombia, and Mozambique. I LOVED it here! Wish I could enjoy more of the nightlife, but I still have a ways to go. I have to go back this way tomorrow and I can't wait!
Saturday I went to Georgetown! Such a cool area to shop and eat. VERY upscale! We went to go to the "Taste of Georgetown," a mini Taste of Chicago if you will, but it was ending when we got there. That was okay, we explored the area everywhere. Lots of shops and LOTS of cupcake places - It's TLC's DC Cupcakes' claim to fame. However, the line was outrageous so we went to Sprinkles! It was just as delicious. mmmmm! Can't wait to go back. Also in Georgetown is the Old Stone house - the oldest known private residence in Washington DC built in 1765. It was so cute! And had a beautiful backyard garden my roommates and I took a lot of pictures in. I also did a small bit of shopping at Urban Outfitters :) One of the best parts of the trip was how we got there - we took the DC Circulator bus which only costs ONE DOLLAR to ride! INSANE but so cheap and worth it! Like Dupont, I cannot wait to go back!
Today, Sunday, I went on a run around the Capitol. So many people run on the mall at all times of day. Its especially hard to navigate around tourists, but the view makes it all worth it. I plan on doing this as much as I can!! I still can't believe i'm here for the summer, and i'm loving every minute of it!!!
Me in Georgetown - See more pictures on my facebook :)
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