Big Day in D.C.

Unless you live under a rock, or don't pay attention to Facebook, Twitter, Television, Newspapers, etc. you know that the Supreme Court made a ruling on the healthcare bill. Now I'm sure you have your opinions on it, just as I have mine, but I don't want to talk about them, at least not here. 

What I want to talk about is how cool it is to be living in the city where this large decision was made! I was in a meeting at work today when the boss popped his head in to say "They passed it, 5-4, Roberts was the swing vote!" Everyone in the office was running around, and live news coverage could be heard from various offices who were streaming it online. Instantly I knew I wanted to go and see all of the action! I knew the area out front would be packed with people, and secretly I wanted to see if I could get onto CNN (didn't happen). 

So when lunch time came around, Lilly and I headed out the door and took the Metro through the city to Capitol South. When we arrived we could tell we were now in a different part of the city. There were less people around than the area near our office, and it was quieter. Everyone was wearing suits, and people were talking intensely into their phones. 

Soon though we happened across the Capitol building, and stopped for a moment to take in the sight of it.

After that we crossed the street to find a ton of news crews set up, covering the action. There were the usuals... CNN, CBS, ABC, NBC, and then there were also international press stations like Danish TV. 

I have only been to D.C. once before, and I have never seen the Supreme Court building. Walking up to it, it certainly lives up to it's grand title. The large columns and white marble immediately alert you to the importance of what happens behind the doors. Unfortunately by the time we got there a majority of the crowd had left. There were still some people around though, taking in the moment. 

It is days like today that make me happy to be in this city. I was literally right outside the door from something that has the potential to change our nation on a very large scale. I can't help but get the feeling that each time I ride the metro, or walk down the street, or eat at a food truck that I may possibly be standing near a Senator, or a columnist for the Washington Post, or the next Food Network Star. Everyone here is so driven, and so 'in it' I can't help but be in constant awe. 

I can't wait to see what else unfolds over the summer, and what other parts of history I will witness and have the chance to say; "I was there for that." 

First Day of Work!

(wall art on my floor at work)

I woke up early today, much earlier than I had in almost two weeks, to get up and get ready for my first day of work! The adventure began when I hopped on the subway. My route to work is pretty simple, get on the metro, wait two stops, and get off. I was confident I had this in the bag, and then the predictable happened... something went wrong.


After one stop the ENTIRE train was emptied due to "maintenance issues." This normally wouldn't be a big deal, but at peak hours the train was completely packed (like people's armpits in my face to hold onto the balance bar packed), and the next train that rolled in was just as busy. Everyone started pushing and shoving to cram into the second train, and only about half of us made it on. 


After that debacle however the ride went fairly smoothly. Sweaty and hot and uncomfortable, but smoothly. So I arrived at work and after a day of introductions, lunch, meetings, and new friends I was on cloud 9. I think I will really enjoy what I will be working on, and the people on my team seem pretty great. I share a cubicle with another intern, which is a great way to make a new friend really quickly! 



After work, my fellow intern told me about the softball team that some of the people in the office are on. I decided to come along to watch the game even though I couldn't play (pencil skirts aren't really softball attire). And what do you know? The games are held on the field directly beneath the Washington Monument.

After a fun game, the team decided to head out for a beer, and we all walked to Public Bar in Dupont. It was great to sit and talk with others working in the office, and even meet some people from the Pac-NW!

All in all I was gone for about 13 hours, and while I am exhausted I am incredibly excited to be meeting new people and exploring this new city of mine. The rest of the week is going to be just as busy, but I wouldn't want it any other way!

Here at Last!

                                         (the view from my roof of the Washington Monument)

As I write this I am sitting in my apartment on my third night in D.C. It's been great so far, getting acquainted with my neighborhood and exploring different parts of town with my Dad. I am so thankful he was able to fly out here with me, having him here is definitely making my transition easier. 

It has been a bit of a whirlwind, but I can already tell this summer is going to be jam packed with adventures!  There is so much to see and do, I need to start making a list to keep it all organized. 

Some of the highlights so far have included mapping out my route to work and seeing the building, getting my new smartphone so I can stay connected, going on a 'pub crawl' of sorts through different neighborhoods with my dad, and reuniting with one of my roommates from Australia that I haven't seen in about two years!

(Bankhead and I at the Mellow Mushroom) 

The past few days have been great, and I am so excited to start work on Monday. It's going to be a busy summer, but I can't wait! 

#CoPforLife!

Today is my last day of work at the College of Pharmacy, and after two years it is definitely a bittersweet goodbye. My roommates and I all have on campus jobs, and lately we've been talking about how these will probably be the best bosses we will ever have.

Once we join 'the real world' work will be assumed, it's what everyone does. Here though, with an on campus job, everyone makes the effort to let you know you are appreciated. The setting is a little less formal, because students are everywhere, which gives people a chance to really get to know one another.

My time spent here has been a tremendous learning experience, not just in administrative tasks, but in learning how to be a professional. I will be forever grateful for the people I have met here, and the things I have learned. It was the perfect experience to get me ready for my new adventures, and I couldn't have asked for anything better.

So thank you CoP for a wonderful two years, I will miss you greatly!

(my flowers and All-Star trophy on my last day)

Words of Wisdom

Things have been changing a lot lately, and life has gotten a little harder. It's been difficult to find the words I need, and whenever this happens I look to others for inspiration.

I have always been a person who loves quotes. They are a beautiful reminder that someone somewhere has felt the exact same way you are feeling right now, it connects the human in all of us, and reminds us we aren't alone.

So I thought I would share a few that are helping me at the moment, and maybe you could find a little help in them too.

                                                         

As you can tell most of these deal with change and moving on and growing up. My world is in the process of being flipped on its axis, and I'm just trying my best to find the center. Little reminders like these help me to realize that while one very large chapter of my life is ending, a new beginning is just over the horizon.