I is for Independence; The ultimate reminder of an internship's purpose

Taking time to reflect on the upcoming week celebrating our nation's birthday, I am also reminded of what this internship has taught me so far.  While studying vocabulary words for the GRE, I was in dictionary mode, and decided to look up the real definition of "independence." As expected, Google reported that independence is the fact or state of being independent (no shocker there). It's been said that there is no better place to celebrate the Fourth of July than the nation's capitol, but my excitement for this week is rivaled by my personal celebration of living, learning, and growing as an individual.

In D.C., Independence isn't just red, white, and blue fireworks on a special day.  It's also the history and memories of what has made this country great; it is the reminder of the great people this country has created.  Independence Day, a holiday that has been my favorite since I was a kid, is the one day of the year that everyone celebrates the United States for the unique country that it is.  It is my opinion, that this very independence is something that we all take for granted every day of the year. My internship, however, has allowed me to experience a new sort of independence; one that isn't just about picnics and parties, but exposes the real fireworks of what it means to be "on your own."

Believe it or not, this
was my first solo trip to
Barnes and Noble...

Ask anyone, and they will confidently tell you that I am a very social person.  But taking the butterfly out of her natural element is enough to shake things up a bit and to make being alone uncomfortable.  I used to laugh at people who said the Midwest was "too friendly," but through my experiences here, I now know that the social atmosphere of DePauw and the state I grew up in is an asset, not a flaw.

Putting yourself out there to meet new people, new faces, and new opportunities is an action that I have only had to do one other time in my life: when going off to college.  Now, I see how difficult it is to truly trust people when you're "away from home." But the simple times when I have made an effort to reach out to someone waiting for the metro, or have complimented a woman on her dress while waiting in line at Starbucks, have been the most rewarding of my time here.

There is not a classroom, a symposium, or a teacher that can teach you how to be on your own.  If anything, getting too familiar with one place or a group of people can hinder vital social skills for being successful in the real world.  I've always been the one to harp on how wonderful LinkedIn is (raise your hand if I've basically forced you to create an account at some point...) but there is something to be said for being on your own, being socially vulnerable, and meeting new people.

While this week will certainly bring many more reflections on how lucky I am to have been given this opportunity, and how lucky I am to have freedom in the United States of America, it will also bring about an appreciation for my newfound skill of meeting people, and interacting in an unfamiliar world.

A wise friend once gave me the advice to "Do one thing every day that scares you," (a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt, if you're unfamiliar).  I can certainly say that I have done just that so far in my time here.  With new experiences come new fears, but it is only through conquering those fears that I have been able to truly embrace my independence.

The special reminder of wise advice from an even wiser friend. :)

H is for the Hill; Exploring the Capitol and our nation's history!

Russell Senate Office
Building

H is for the Hill...bet you saw that one coming! Yesterday, I was fortunate to go on an official tour of the Capitol building with other DOEd interns.  It was a great experience overall, but if you've ever been to the Capitol building, you've experienced the long lines and overload of history, facts, and people who know all about our nation's founding.  It was, however, one of my favorite things in D.C. so far!

Starting out our tour at the Russell Senate Office Building (if you haven't checked it out, you definitely should).  It is a beautiful building inside and out.  After a couple elevator rides, and meeting up with our Capitol tour guides (Hill interns from New York!), we were off down the tunnel from the Senate Building to the Capitol.  There were so many things to take it, I don't think I can report them all in this post.

After a tour of the Old Supreme Court Chamber, the surrounding art-filled hallways, and a quick peek into the Capitol Rotunda, we headed to the Senate and House galleries to observe the daily dealings of the Capitol, C-span style!  It truly was a wonderful experience getting to see many of the people I read about in the newspaper, and to see the American government in action (literally!)  From the Visitor Center and the Statue of Freedom to the first Capitol cornerstone (put in place by George Washington) and the Inaugural steps (Yes, I walked up and down them), we toured the building and learned many historical facts about our nation.

Statue of Freedom

Capitol cornerstone

Capitol Visitor Center

The Inaugural Steps!

After the tour, I was exhausted (like so tired I could take at least a 5 hour nap...) but it was time to go back to work!  There certainly isn't rest for an intern, especially not one that wants to see and do all she can while in D.C.
(that's me!)

Beautifully painted hallways
in the Capitol!

The Capitol Rotunda
(under construction)

At 5:30, I headed to meet another intern to attend an economic policy forum for "job seekers" hosted by the Heritage Foundation.  Heritage is a conservative think tank, and just like all the other events and speakers I have attended, offered great advise for someone, like me, wanting to go into policy.  This just goes to show that no matter what political views someone hold, Washington, D.C. is a great place to fuel your inner curiosity, and to learn from others.

From the Hill's history to Heritage, this day was certainly one of the most rewarding so far!

With fellow DOEd interns at the center of the city!

G is for Game time; Finding time to relax

The fast-paced nature of summer interning makes it quite easy to get caught up in your work, workplace, and the "tasks" you are trying to finish before the end of your internship.  Not too different

Got our tickets!

from deadlines and an overload of work during the school year at DePauw, there is always something to be done while interning at the DOEd.  I have found, however, that just like in school, I work much better and more effectively if I give myself "time-off" or "me time" on nights and weekends.  This becomes more important as my time here progresses.  Not wanting to get "burned out" or stuck in a rut going through the motions, I have found a few ways to unwind and to relax.

Walking up to Nationals Park!

This past weekend, my favorite relaxation method was attending a Washington National's baseball game with some friends.  Great conversations, and watching one of my favorite sports was the perfect ending to a long week of working at a computer and going to meetings.  It was great to sit around, eat "W" shaped pretzels (I know, I should have taken a picture, but it tasted too good to think about that at the time), and watch the Nationals play the Braves.  It was my first major league baseball game! Hard to believe, I know!

Our Amazing View!

Fellow DePauw and
Alpha Chi Sister, Rachel!
It was so nice to spend time
together at the game.

Walking up to the stadium, it was funny to see the number of people who had strategically transitioned their office/work clothes to fit the game time atmosphere (I had done the same, but hopefully a little more discretely?).  There were so many people at the game; I'm sure they had the same idea to end a great week as we did.

Big events like baseball games can also be a little stressful (especially when you're in a new place, city, etc.)  I have found it even more important to find ways to find out what the best "me time" is for me personally.  Surprise, surprise, my ideal "me time" includes Netflix and having great conversations with my roommates.  But I have also taken to learning to cook new things as a way of relaxing (and I've realized I'm a pretty great cook! Yay!)  I wouldn't say I'm homesick or anything just yet, but I have found it refreshing to choose at least one friend or family member to call on the phone or Facetime/Skype, etc. each day. Writing (and receiving) letters from friends and family has also been a great wind-down activity for me during this internship.  It is weird being away from DePauw and my family (PSA: Underclassmen, you will miss DePauw, no matter how short or long a time you are away from it), but finding little ways to stay in touch has done wonders for my personal happiness!

D.C. is a fantastic city with so much to do - but with all the busy-ness (and business) happening around me, I have found that relaxing, catching up with friends, and taking a little "me time" has been one of the best parts of my summer experience so far!

Relaxation at its finest!

F is for Fulbright; Using experience to build for the future!

Summertime is normally spent relaxing, watching TV and working for extra cash, but not many students realize how important these low-stress days are for thinking and preparing for the future.  While in D.C., I have met many people who have encouraged me to think about "what's next" and have given me wonderful advice on how to figure that out.  It sure is a good thing I have a whole summer here to think, plan, and prepare for after my senior year!

Just doing some Fulbright research
and application work!

Casually riding an elephant in
Thailand. It's no wonder I fell
in love with the country!

My "what's next" up to this point, however, has always been Fulbright (with a back-up plan of grad school, of course). Since I was a First-Year student at DePauw, I have been attending Fulbright and other fellowship meetings offered by the Hubbard Center for Student Engagement.   An hour out of my day, these meetings helped me to not only think about possible options for my future, but to hear first-hand from other students how their application processes and decisions occurred was one of the most helpful footholds for my own Fulbright process.  Now that I am a rising senior, Hubbard Center staff have been incredibly helpful with showing me the steps of beginning the Fulbright application and statement drafts.  They also offer a class in the Fall to help students to write, critique and submit their fellowship applications.  It's no wonder DePauw had 5 Student Fulbright winners last year!

Visiting a university in Thailand!

After going on the Education in Thailand Winter Term in 2013, I officially decided to pursue a career in education policy.  I fell in love with Thailand and their education system.  Touring colleges and meeting Thai students studying English influenced me to focus on Thailand as my country of choice for an Fulbright ETA Grant.  Being center-stage of education issues in the U.S. through this internship, I have been able to compare and contrast the U.S. and Thai education systems in very interesting ways.  I have also been fortunate enough to speak with education professionals about advise for Fulbright.  

This just goes to show that you should NEVER take any aspect of an opportunity for granted.  The right person or piece of advice could be the key needed for you to achieve your dream.

My favorite picture from Thailand! Isn't it beautiful?

E is for Excursions; You'll never guess what I've been up to...

It has been a few days since I have been able to post, but it is for a good reason! D.C. is certainly a city where time can get away from you.  With internship responsibilities and numerous speakers, events, and tourist attractions to visit, my time has been consumed by learning about everything around me.

At the Kids for Ca$h screening!

Last week, I was given the opportunity to screen a documentary about juvenile justice and zero tolerance policies in Pennsylvania.  The film, Kids for Ca$h blew my mind.  From a judge taking advantage of misguided students to a school's discipline policy that certainly did not have its students' best interests in mind, Kids for Ca$h had me thinking about the ethics involved in school discipline.  Upon my return to school, I will be a Hillman Student Intern at the Janet Prindle Institute for Ethics for the 2014-15 school year.  As an intern, I will plan events and speakers that will enlighten DePauw students, faculty, and community members about various ethical topics and issues.

After the film, I approached the producer in order to get information about how to have a screening at Prindle (now that you all know, you had better mark your calendars!). The producer, Robert May, was extremely helpful in informing me about how to get the documentary screening for on campus. He even gave me his card in case I had any difficulty! Inspired by my experience and conversations with others that night, I chose to write my "Ethics Statement" for Prindle about zero-tolerance policies and how they are not ethical for childhood development in schools.

Check out my Ethics Statement and my Student Bio on the Prindle Website!

Continuing through the rest of my week, I was star-struck once more when attending a student forum regarding Financial Aid and Affordability for College with Undersecretary Ted Mitchell and the one and only Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan!  During the talk, Arne asked a question to the audience. He asked, "The United States used to be #1 when it came to college degrees...but what is our ranking now?" Stumped? I wasn't! I answered "Twelve!" only to be answered with a reply from the Secretary, "You've been doing your homework!" Yes, my day was pretty much made at that point.

My week of excursions was not quite finished.  On Saturday, I was ready for something fun, and non-internship/DOEd related.  It's always good to get away from all the "office-thinking," and to have some fun. After all, I only had the summer to explore D.C.

With a new friend I had met (who was from Indiana, who would have thought?!) I went to the National Air and Space Museum, which happens to be the most popular museum in the country (and was also free, talk about a lot for a little!).  The feminist in me smiled to see Amelia Earhart's bright red airplane that she used to set some of the first flight records for women.  It was inspiring to read how Orville and Wilbur Wright created their first airplanes (after experimenting with bicycles!), even though Orville didn't actually receive his high school diploma (he took college courses instead of some of his mandatory high school ones...oops?) We walked around the museum and talked about school, work, and everything we saw.  My favorite part, however was getting to see pictures taken by the Mars land rovers Spirit and Opportunity.  There were simulated videos of how the rovers landed and how they moved across unseen territory.  With everything new I was experiencing and seeing in D.C, it was mind-blowing to see pictures of somewhere I would never be able to go and things I would never be able to see.

Pictures of Mars taken
by the Mars rover Spirit!

A really cool sculpture
out in front of Air and Space.
It was a beautiful day!

Amelia Earhart's Plane!

We left the museum after a few hours and headed to The National Mall to explore the park and monuments.  There were so many people, but we decided to walk the entire length of the mall, stopping every now and then to sit and watch everything that was going on.  I even had a bit of time to take a picture with the beautiful Washington Monument! How about that? I'd say this was a successful week for excursions, and I sure hope there are many more in store!

At the Washington Monument! So beautiful (and windy)!

D is for Downtime; How to use every second to your advantage

Let's face it. A college-age intern, especially one from DePauw, is used to a much different style of working.  We are taught to get things done quickly, correctly, and efficiently, but also while thinking critically about what it is we will produce.  College students are no strangers to meeting deadlines, but are not used to having ample time to complete things.  Sometimes employers are not ready for a "fresh" face with new ideas, and an enthusiastic drive to get it all done right  here, right now.  It takes time for both your supervisor to adjust to your work ethic.  It also takes time for you to figure out how to work as an intern.

Using my downtime to read the paper
and to catch up on Education news online!

I would consider myself to be a "self-starter." After I understand the task at hand, I don't need someone to hold my hand in order to complete it. I do, however, need to be able to ask questions in order to get the "story straight" for whatever I'm doing.  Creating an open environment where you feel comfortable asking your supervisor questions and for advice is a vital part of the first 2-3 weeks at your placement.  It is also important, however, that you integrate your work ethic into the workplace to which you have been invited. As an intern, you should not expect the way things are done to be changed for you.

One consistent aspect of every internship I have ever had is again, something college students aren't extremely accustomed to: downtime.  Having periods of time throughout a day or week where no deadlines are approaching and no work is pressing does not necessarily mean that you aren't working hard enough, or aren't doing a great job.  It is sometimes hard for us to understand why downtime is not only okay, but also a great time, Harvard agrees. It is extremely possible that you have completed everything you need to do for the time being.  Sometimes, there just simply isn't an exact task for every moment of your internship. Don't waste it being bored! Use your downtime!

 Here are some Do's and Don't's regarding how you should spend your downtime:

DO's of downtime: If you feel the amount of downtime you encounter exceeds moderate amounts

During my lunch break,
I went to hear the CEO of Federal
Student Aid discuss the current
state of college funding in America.

each day, be sure to ask your supervisor for more work, or ask if you can add another level of complexity to what you're doing.  Research and study more about what you are doing, similar projects that have been done, and the organization you are working for.  Learning more about the company might spark some additional ideas for projects or improvements that you could ask your employer if you could work on.  Read the newspaper or online news updates to stay current with the headlines, especially if your internship is somewhere that deals directly with big issues in the news (cough cough, Department of Education).  Take this time to watch webinars or to read "how to" articles about aspects of your job that you are less familiar with.  Maybe use this time to do some deep, critical thinking; the kind you would never have time to normally. Downtime = better "you" time.  Downtime can also be the perfect time for you to get organized for future days, or to go through emails that might not have been important before. If your work environment/supervisor is open to it, take a short coffee break to stretch your legs and clear your mind. Some of the best ideas can be a result of using your downtime effectively.

DON'T's of downtime:  Taking advantage of the fact that you don't have anything to do, or were not given enough work to keep you busy, is NOT what you should do with downtime.  Remember that your work during this internship (even if unpaid) will effect your reputation and what those you work with think of you.  Future recommendation letters, networking, and even future careers can come out of a successful internship.  Using your downtime to simply do nothing, is a waste of not only your time, but also your employer's time.  You should refrain from using your downtime to work on personal projects.  It might be alright to answer a couple personal emails in your spare time every now and then, but it is not appropriate to engage in personal activities such as online shopping or social media.  Downtime is only positive if you are using it to better prepare yourself professionally or for your position.

Just checking out the beautiful view while reading
at the National Library of Education! It's great to get out
of the office every now and then.

Downtime, whether it be a few minutes here or there, or a half-hour after lunch, can be one of the most productive times of your day. Finding new things to read, learn, and explore, even if only for a few minutes can become the highlight of your work day.  Having short downtime breaks here and there can also help you to be more focused at times when you have a lot to.  Downtime is a natural part of any internship.  It is impossible for an employer to know exactly how fast you will be able to work, but it is very possible for you to fill your work time (and your downtime) in the best way imaginable.

C is for Competency; Learning how to navigate and own the internship lifestyle

My cute little cubicle!
I feel so special :)

So I landed this awesome internship, and made it through the first couple of weeks...but now what? I have started to realize that every experience, especially those like internships, are 100% mine to own.  The ball is officially in my court.  Realistically, I could show up at my job (on time), and do the work expected of me for the next two months and still get a stellar review from my supervisor (thank you Career Services at DePauw), but where is the challenge in that?  The key to real internship success lies in realization of how this internship and your overall experience as an intern is supposed to fit into the grand scheme of things.  Determining this aspect early on is incredibly important for not just your success in your position as an intern, but in getting the most out of your time and experience in the "real world." I am extremely lucky to be surrounded by bosses and supervisors who are on my team in that regard.

My shiny SmarTrip car.

Being successful, however, doesn't just have to do with what you do in the office.  I've learned that it is extremely (and I mean extremely) important to understand and utilize the resources that are out there for you.  My biggest shock when first arriving in D.C. was the cost of the metro (which for my long commute, comes out to be about $8.10/day).  Not only did I have to spend 50 minutes (each way) riding to work, but I also had to pay more than I was being paid ($8.10 to be exact, #unpaidinternships).  While I was lucky to have received a grant from the Hubbard Center, I did some investigating on how to get the most for my travelling dollar.  Some government organizations and corporations in D.C. offer their employees subsidized metro passes, or benefits for travelling.  With the recent, but long overdue hype about reducing pollution and carbon emissions, more and more companies are strongly encouraging public transportation, ie. the metro.  I have been fortunate to discover how to get in on this offer.  This just goes to show how strategy and investigation are important for internship success.

See how wonderful
my new app is?

On top of the stresses of paying for the metro, as a small town girl from southern Indiana, an even bigger challenge has been navigating it (let's be real, even just saying I'm directional-ly challenged would be too polite).  Enter EmbarkDC (also known as my new favorite iPhone app).  Later in this post I will discuss my new-found love for technology, but for now, I will just mention how much reassurance just having this tool has given me.  Ever felt distress after going the wrong way? Not me! Thank you to whoever created this for interns like me who might just need a directional friend at the touch of a button. Now I just have to cross my fingers that there is an app this great in every city I visit!

My to-do list and Mole Skin
notebook (which is already
half filled...)

But being successful also means learning how to get organized in the new place you are simultaneously learning to navigate.  Every morning I take advantage of my first 15 minutes at work to catch up on emails, read the headlines of the newspaper, and make a short "to-do" list for my morning (typical Rachel, I know). I guess you could call this my own personal orientation.  But doing this every day has made me feel more prepared and has ultimately allowed me to be productive, even though I have only been at the Department of Education a short time.  Networking (both with people and ideas) has also never been more important.  I feel like I am constantly whipping out my Moleskine notebook (you should really get one if you don't have one) to write down something that is important or interesting.  I have attended many really interesting talks and had unimaginable conversations with people who live and breathe education policy. It is amazing.

Just like at DePauw, there are plenty of speakers, programs, and events to attend and get involved with, and while I would love to spend every hour of my day listening to experts speak about my favorite subject: education, I also have a job to do (so unfortunate, I know).  I have, however, found a middle ground of sort: Webinars.  We live in a time where saying technology has taken over would indeed be an understatement.  We also live in a time where those who are "getting ahead" are mastering this same technology and using it to their advantage. At school we are all too used to googling (yes, it is an actual verb) and searching for things we do not know or want to know more about.  The same is true for on-the-job work, especially when you are like me and are working at a place that revolves around statistics, but have never taken a statistics course...oops?

Replacing my Netflix obsession (only slightly, of course) with Khan Academy statistics "how to" videos, utilizing NCES's Distance Learning Dataset Training online, and simply looking up words and terms I'm not familiar with, has made a night and day difference in not only the amount, but the type of work I have been able to accomplish.  With the type of "to the point" writing I am required to do, my Political Science courses are certainly coming in handy, but ultimately Dictionary.com has become my new best friend.  All in all, the excuses that "I don't know how to do that," or "I haven't taken a course on that," are no longer an option for our generation.  Thank you DePauw, for teaching me how to use my resources (literally).

The best part of my morning commute so far:
Saxophone players and musicians galore!

But when researching and reading about any topic, I have learned how important is is that you pay attention and become familiar to both sides of the story, all the multiple perspectives, etc.  Being surrounded by so many education gurus and experts, it would be a shame to make myself look ignorant, or to offend someone simply by being uninformed.  This is instance where my longer than normal morning commute on the metro has started to come in handy.  I have started to read books about the things I'm working on, and the criticisms of it.  I have also expanded my library to include the "new ideas" that are circulating in the education world. It's been a rewarding experience, especially now that I can ask informed questions and understand why people take the sides they do.  It's basically like creating my own liberal arts environment on a daily basis!

I bet you thought that an internship in D.C. would be all fun and no work. Wrong! I am reading more now than I do in school (sorry, professors), and am learning more than I ever thought possible! I am also working harder than normal, simply because there are so many new things to learn, people to meet, and resources to take advantage of.  The added obstacle of the city, and increased anxiety of being in an unfamiliar place has definitely opened my eyes to why some individuals might not be as willing to put themselves out there and take a chance with this type of opportunity.  I am not normally the one to give advice, but if I have one piece (after a week and a half into this experience) it would be:

"Embrace unfamiliarity, and learn how to own whatever you do, wherever you are." 

The world is always going to be a scary place, and experiences are always going to be new, so you might as well make them your own.

B is for Brainstorming; Making a first impression, rain or shine

My first day outfit,
all ready to go!

Everyone likes to start off on the right foot and make the right impression, especially when moving to a new place with new people.  As nervous as I was to begin my big summer experience, I was excited to start the internship I had been anticipating since March.

LBJ Education Building =
the main DOEd building

The First Day - The night before my first day at the Department of Education, I set out my clothes for the morning and was sure to get a good night's sleep.  I had already read through the internship manuals provided to me, and I was confident on where I would need to arrive in the morning, as well as when I would need to leave.  Everything worked out perfectly.  

Walking up to the LBJ Department of Education building on a sunny Tuesday morning, I was all smiles.  I immediately met my supervisor, Elise, who was extremely helpful and aware of what I was going through.  It was refreshing to have someone to help me to get my ID badge (I feel so official!) and appropriate "first day" items. She

introduced me to everyone in the office and allowed me to get acquainted to the office at my own pace.  I could already tell that I was in for a great summer with great role models, and an intellectually challenging atmosphere.

Being new did not stop me from immediately jumping into my work and to learning everything I possibly could. I brainstormed future projects and tried to grasp exactly what I would be doing at NCES.  I asked for extra reading material from Elise, got acquainted with online Education Blogs, news sites, and research spaces, and asked every question

that came to my mind.  Everyone at NCES was very receptive to my questions and took my ideas seriously. Learning about all of the studies that had been done and were currently being done was inspiring.  Most of my first week was spent studying, reading, and learning about the education topics I would be focusing on; this internship was exactly what I was hoping for!

Letters of love and support :)

Just a "bit of light reading"...

My DOEd ID Badge!
I'm so official!!

I soon learned that I would be working with survey information to construct data sheets that would present quick facts that NCES provides to policy makers and the public.  Although I had not taken any type of Statistics course, I was able to find information online and in books at the office to help me bridge the gap of what I did not know.  It probably helped that it stormed multiple days during the week, because I was more inclined to read extra material in order to prepare.  If I've learned anything so far it is to never waste a chance to prepare yourself.  Fear or uncertainty can only control you if you let it, and I was not about to let "not knowing" control my ability to impress and perform as an intern.

From my time in college, attending camps and going on mission trips, I am not a stranger to being on my own and away from my family and friends.  I admit, that it sometimes takes me a bit to feel comfortable in a new area, I have not experienced homesickness in quite some time.  But it was so incredibly nice to come home after long day to find a handwritten card from a sorority sister who had taken the time to think of me and my new experience.  Receiving mail later in the week from my grandmother sealed the deal, allowing me to feel comfortable here. Sometimes it's the little things that make you feel at home, even when you're not truly at home.  

By the way, my summer address is 7406 Dickinson Avenue, College Park, MD 20740 if anyone needs it! 

Beautiful Botanic Gardens!

Hard work is not something that should be taken for granted, but after a long week of learning the ropes and getting into a routine at NCES, I was eager to meet up with a friend and sorority sister from DePauw who is also in D.C. for the summer. Plus, it had finally stopped storming, and the weather was beyond beautiful.  I had not had the chance to meet many individuals my age in the city, so it was nice to be able to hang out and talk about the experiences I was having with a close friend.  We went to the United States Botanic Gardens and had a relaxing lunch at the National Mall.  There were so many food trucks with unhealthy food! A college student's dream for sure.  There also a ton of people playing games, eating, and sitting in the grass.  D.C. is definitely a great location to have a great time with family and friends.  The sunny afternoon could not have been spent in a better way.  With the Capitol in the background, we explored the area, picking out the museums and attractions that we hoped to visit in the coming weekends.  There certainly isn't a shortage of (free) things to do in D.C.!

After a very long week of navigating a new city, learning a new position, and living in a different part of the country, I am proud to say that I am still alive (if any of you were taking bets...).  It would not be an understatement, however, to report that I am more alive than ever.  Washington, D.C. is an amazing place, and my time here has just begun.  

The Capitol Reflecting Pool on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon!