9, 10, and everything in between.

That was fast...

Ten wonderful weeks gone in what seems like the blink of an eye.  So much has happened over the last ten weeks that I can't even fathom the fact that in less than one week, I have to trek back to Oklahoma.

First of all...how am I gonna fit everything into my suitcases that were already overweight whenever I got to DC?!  Goodness, if that isn't a nightmare in itself then I don't know what is...

But that's beside the point!  I had such a wonderful final two weeks between my classes and my internship that I have no complaints in the world.  We'll start with two weeks ago and maybe work around the rest of that time.

Well...I don't actually remember much from two weeks ago except writing five papers within a week for my classes and the WINS closing ceremony and a really cool visit to the Department of Defense so instead of going day by day, I'll just leave a blurp about those things.

I'm typically pretty good with writing papers but let me tell you, those papers were the hardest thing to write on this planet because they all seemed to be about the same thing.

The WINS closing ceremony was awesome.  Thankfully, Victoria picked me up and took me there with her and some of her colleagues from State that I had not met yet.  Her boss had a wonderful little girl named Norah who was the cutest thing on this planet and her mom was even cooler.  We had one of the coolest speakers too--Under-Secretary for the USDA gave the best speech I've heard through this program since I've been here.  We even lucked out and got another visit from Bill Mendoza, who is seriously the most interesting man on this planet.  I'm not kidding, if the Dos Equis man was Native instead of Mexican....well, Bill Mendoza would be the most qualified for the job.  

Finally, my visit to the Department of Defense was insane--in a good way!  DASD Hollis introduced me to three new people and all of them were wonderful and interesting, just like everyone else that I have met through this internship.  My favorite was Jim (YES ANOTHER JIM, please, east coast people, stray away from the name James...) who was my escort around the Pentagon and not only taught me some lessons about life and working for the DoD, but even took me to be a tourist for 20 minutes so that I could see the 9/11 memorial inside of the Pentagon.  It was beautiful and I was absolutely blown away by how much it affected me.  Isn't it crazy that the generation of people that are currently in high school right now weren't old enough to remember the towers and Pentagon being hit?  Goodness.  But shout out to Jim for showing me around and teaching me the importance of intelligence in this job.  Once again, another beautiful person that I was given the opportunity to meet and get to know.

This past Friday was my last day and I could not be more heartbroken.  I really couldn't.  The amount of support and advice that I have been granted over these last ten weeks is definitely unmatched.  I have never worked with a group of people that I have liked so much and it was wonderful, not to mention, Assistant Secretary Brownfield sent me one of the coolest, most humorous emails I have ever gotten.  YES people, the OU-Texas rivalry has been around for a number of generations and probably will never die...

Thursday, my colleagues in the office threw me and a few others a happy hour since we all are leaving INL.  Don't worry, I had to dig around to find a diet coke (apparently not everyone was aware that I'm only 20...) but I found one, nonetheless!  It was fun though and boy, can Joe (yet another generic DC name) cook.  Friday was the best, and also one of the saddest.  My South America team consists of a group of people that work their butts of and care about you as a person, whole heartedly. They gave me a card at El Chalán as we ate lunch and I decided to wait to read it (luckily, since  I cried at my desk...) but also treated me to lunch at this amazing restaurant.  Thanks to Theresa, I'm coming home with a book for my business cards, a Department of State pullover, a challenge coin, and an awesome ornament for my future Christmas tree, lolz.  I cried leaving DC, moving out was one of the saddest and most stressful things I've ever had to do, honestly.  Thankfully though, last weekend was a blast with all of my OU people and even a fellow Owassan.  God bless your soul if you're reading this Sam Peyton, because you're a rock star and my favorite person on this planet.  Literally.

I am so thankful to have had an opportunity like this and don't want to give it up, but of course, I need to finish school first.  It's tough, being offered something as cool as this and not being able to stick around because you still have school.  School is really an ugly, never ending cycle.  I love school, but goodness...I love DC even more.  I cannot thank each and every one of the people who has stepped up to the plate this summer and taught me more than I ever could have imagined during my time here.  What a beautiful, beautiful place.  New experiences aren't so bad and change is what makes the world go round.  DC, I'll see you soon, you beautiful beast of opportunity.

Often the difference between a successful person and a failure is not one has better abilities or ideas, but the courage one has to bet on one's ideas, to take a calculated risk--and to act.

-Andre Malraux

Slow down, W8, week 8

Hopefully all of y'all caught the pun of W8 (because wait, slow down, I don't want this to end) but if you didn't, there's your explanation.

It was a mighty long week.  I loved every minute of it, don't get me wrong.  but wow.  Long...yet not long enough because here I am complaining that I only have 2 weeks left.  I got asked to stay for an extra week but I don't know if I could do that.  Not unpaid, at least.

Monday--I had class with a group presentation that was due.  I hate presenting, honestly.  Don't get me wrong, it's not that I'm scared of it because c'mon, I love people.  But it's just tedious and you're always afraid to frustrate your group members by not coming in the clutch like you need to.  Luckily, I had an awesome group so it was a flawless presentation.  After I got out of class (which was surprisingly early) I met up with Mel because she came to see me in DC!  Exciting to have your best friend of the past 7 years with you in a city that you STILL haven't gotten to see all of.  I took her to the monuments because what else were we gonna do since it had rained all day...BUT nonetheless, it rocked.

Tuesday--work was average, kind of slow for the day, but had a really awesome meeting which went VERY smoothly to my delight as well as Abby's (other intern with me in our office) considering we were supposed to be handling all the logistics of it.  After work, I napped because I needed it and then Mel and her parents picked me up and took me to dinner.  Let me get something out in the open right now, I love the Pesek family.  They rock, literally the sweetest set of people you will ever meet.  After dinner, I had a cab pick up Mel and I and we drove around DC--I took her past the Capitol, over past the monuments, and then we started at the White House and walked ALL the way back down to the Lincoln Memorial with a group of random people we met.  It was worth it though, it's nice being so outgoing sometimes because I never never NEVER meet a stranger.  Dinner rocked though, we had Haagen Dazs for dessert, and an awesome Uber driver who offered to drive us around whenever we wanted hahaha.

Wednesday--this was my best day by far.  Yet another meeting, trying to handle the logistics and grasping for some explanations somewhere down the line--you don't get the clearest directions when you work for the government, but you work with what you have and learn along the way.  The last half of the day was most exciting but I do have to admit that I love my office.  Everyone in my office is so great that I really enjoy going to our staff meetings.  Jimmy Story is my hero and that probably will not change for a very very VERY long time.  After the staff meeting, I had a meeting to go to with my supervisor about one of my projects with someone else who works in INL and ended up being given an INL challenge coin, which I personally think is the best part of it but then again, I'm a little nerdy.  After that, I went to the meeting that I helped set up and escorted, only to escort someone from the DoD; I ended up chatting with her for a while about what life was like on that side of the fence and it turns out that I am going to find out sometime this week on my visit to their offices.  The meeting went well and Brownfield is a rockstar.  I got a few new projects, which is exciting, and worked through the day.  Thankfully, Lester was hungry when we got off work and we went all the way to Crystal City to Chick-Fil-A where I got to also see the OU office in the Crystal City mall!  

Thursday--Thursday was a blur, nothing too good or exciting happened, but I went on a good run after work (pictured below) and sent out a few emails that needed to be addressed.  

Friday--work was great, I felt like I got a lot accomplished early in the day and reached out to everyone that I needed to reach out to.  I tried my very first street vendor hotdog at lunch and it was AWESOME (and cheap) and the vendor was actually a really patient guy when he found out all I had was my card.  He said I could go eat first and then pay him after I finished lunch, but obviously I found a card machine and paid him ASAP.  After work, I ran back home, got everything put together, and made my way to Union Station to catch my amtrak to go see my sister and niece.  I upgraded to business class because I'm paranoid and didn't know how Amtrak worked, but in the end it was definitely worth it.  I sat behind a guy who heard me mention that it was my first time on an Amtrak train and he started a conversation with me; he was in his late 50's, a grad from Ole Miss, and seemed genuinely interested in what I was doing in DC all the way from Oklahoma.  He assumed I was already in grad school (which made me feel good because I never get mistaken for being older than I actually am) and when I told him I wasn't, he got even more curious.  He continued to ask me about my dreams, aspirations, etc.  He worked for the Associated Press for 35 years as a political correspondent--needless to say, he recommended never going into journalism because it didn't pay well.  After finding out that he was a political correspondent for a while, he said that he just recently changed to his job now where he works at a law firm out of Richmond but that they also have an office in DC.  Once again, I never meet a stranger so it was cool to have someone to sit by and talk to about my future, someone who actually doesn't laugh at you, ya know?  He asked if I considered going into law school and when I said hell no, he gave me his card and said he saw potential in me.  Needless to say, I was excited because once you get into the professional world, you realize there is no better compliment than receiving a business card with the whole "contact me soon, we'll talk more about this and what you want to do when you graduate" kinda conversation.  We talked professional, we talked college football, and ended the convo (sadly enough) once I got to my destination.  I finally got to my sister's and was so happy to see her and my niece, but went straight to bed that night.

Saturday--I spent all day with my niece, sister, basically brother-in-law/basically other niece, and we spent some time on the lake.  We came home, I helped with dinner (the good Lord KNOWS I love mashed potatoes) and had an awesome home cooked meal.  I watched a movie with my sister and Daniel at the end of the night and then all but passed out.

Sunday--today was mainly packing, spending as much time as I could with them, and then getting in a little lake time. 

My train was late so alas, I could be arriving in the next 15 minutes but instead, it's gonna be another 25.  That's all right though, I'm learning (slowly...very slowly) to be patient.  Thankfully, it was an awesome weekend of relaxing and getting in a little family time while I could.  Back to the grind in DC--pray for me for these next two weeks because I know that they're gonna fly by.  Meanwhile, enjoy the pictures and expect the next two posts to be depressing; I'm not ready to leave this city or the awesome people that I've met and connected with.  So with that, the greatest lessons I have learned this week are:
1. Appreciate the people who surround you and provide you with constant love and support.
2. All you have is today.  You aren't guaranteed a tomorrow and the past will be irrelevant in 3-6 months.
3. Reach out to who you can, when you can.  People are a beautiful thing and good karma is real.

Once you say you're going to settle for second, that's what happens to you in life, I find.

-John F. Kennedy

70%

Okay, week 7 is complete.  I cannot believe that this summer has gone by so fast; I feel like for as much as I have done while I've been here, I haven't seen half of what I want to see and that...well, that's a tough cookie to swallow.  This week was kind of cool but overall, pretty boring.  The office has basically been empty because everyone (and I seriously mean everyone and their mother) has been on vacation.  Luckily, most of them come back this week.

Monday--I was lucky enough to attend a meeting with an NGO called WOLA.  It's the Washington Office on Latin America and they're interesting.  The meeting was supposed to be more so about Colombia but ended up comparing Colombia to Peru and Guatemala and let's be real...those countries just don't compare.

Tuesday--I had class at the Embassy of Tribal Nations and oh my GOSH.  Our speaker was AMAZING.  She literally blew my mind with the amount of information she provided us with, on top of how passionate she is about improving the lives of Natives across the nation.  She strictly just wants the Native people to not remain the invisible people they are today.  We discussed the Redskins issue and that name really does cut deeper than any of most of you are aware of, so let me get on my soapbox for just a second.

Sadly enough, our American history courses do not even break the tip of the iceberg on Native history.  Not one single bit.  Do you know why Redskins is offensive?  It's because way back when we were in a period of termination of our Native people, "Redskins" referred to the scalp of a Native person while they were advertising bounties. For example, "$200 reward offered for a Redskin" and once the Indian was murdered, he/she would be scalped, their scalps would be sold, and then made into something like wallets or something of a leathery substance.  So for those of you thinking that it's just a liberal ploy for attention--guess again.  ALSO TAKE NOTES ON WHEN THE NAME WAS GIVEN.  The name was given to them when America was in a period of termination--you know, trying to PERMANENTLY remove Indians from the American "homeland".  Anyway, just thought I would throw that out there.

Wednesday--I loved Wednesday.  I was really lucky to be able to attend a meeting that was strictly in Spanish about community policing in Central America.  Surprisingly enough, I caught myself understanding more Spanish than I thought I would and realizing how much help Central America really wants.  After work, I met up with my mom's best friend Ed and Ed's brother, Bill.  The metro ride into Maryland (through southeast DC, mind you...) was interesting, but Ed and Bill treated me to the BEST DINNER I HAVE HAD SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE.  If y'all haven't been to Char House  in Old Town Alexandria...you need to go.  Thanks to Bill and Ed for treating me and driving me around, on top of providing some of their advice and expertise for me.  I loved it.

Thursday--I GOT TO GO TO THE WHITE HOUSE.  Shout out to Javier for taking us through.  Javier is a rockstar, he is one of the many people I have met that work in DC and just continue inspiring me to follow my dreams.  Javier and Aris both; I have yet to meet two people who love each other so much, but love what they do as well.  I feel like I have two cheerleaders on my side who just want to see me make it back to DC and travel the world once I finally get a job out here.  

Friday actually went by so slow that I don't even remember what I did all day Friday.  That's how long it was.  Friday night, I wrote a paper and it was miserable, the end.

Saturday I woke up with a migraine, but went to the powwow and loved it.  I miss when I was little and my mom used to drag me around to powwows, festivals, and Red Earth days in OKC.  But I came back early because the migraine got so bad and slept for another two hours; I FINALLY GOT TO MEET UP WITH INDIA!  Goodness, I am so glad to have a sister here for the rest of the summer.  It's a total blessing, and Saturday night was so great.

Today, I woke up and got ready, went to Starbucks, and went to the National Zoo.  Ugh, Bao Bao is so cute.  Bao Bao is the baby panda and it was totally worth all of the sweat that happened to see him.  I forgot how much I seriously love animals and the zoo.  After the zoo, we came back and changed and rushed to the Potomac to go kayaking.  My arms are legitimately sore but it was SO fun.  I've also met the second wind of interns from OU that are here for the remainder of the summer and have loved every single one of them.  No worries though, there's no shortage on pictures and they're all going to be posted tonight.  

The biggest lessons I learned this week are short and simple.

1.) Chase your dreams.

Never in a million years did I ever think that I would end up within the gates of the White House; I feel like a kid again.  My want for a shot at the presidency was literally reignited as soon as I stepped into the Blue Room.

2.) You are NOT alone, ever.

You are not alone in the way you think, feel, act, or just in general.  There are a lot of people out there who have similar dreams and when you actually meet them, it is such a beautiful thing.

I'll end this with one more story; I got the chance to catch up with someone back home and it was one of those things where you realize you're basically the same person with the same mindset, you know?  I mean, before this conversation happened, I didn't realize that there was anyone out there who actually thinks along the SAME EXACT LINES as me.  Someone so excited to start their future but with so many viable options in front of them.  So after one of the longest weeks of my life with another one on the horizon, I am just super thankful for Austin this week (I'm not one to drop last names so all of you creepy people can go out and see who I'm talking about so don't ask).  Realizing that maybe you aren't as crazy as you originally thought because there's someone out there just like you is refreshing and most definitely reassuring.  

Off my official soapbox, sorry this post was so long.  Goodnight and good luck and as always, I'll leave y'all with a quote.

When it comes to the future, there are three kinds of people: those who let it happen, those who make it happen, and those who wonder what happened.

-John M. Richardson Jr.

Week 6

An entire wave of emotion has set in for this week.  Words cannot describe how sad I am that more than 50% of my time here is completely over.  Time is a funny thing you know; everyone spends their days worrying about having enough time to do something or wishing it away so they can move onto something else, and then poof.  It's gone and everything you waited for or all that time you wished away can't come back.

Last Sunday was a little weird.  I was starving so I walked to McDonald's to get food, alone.  Alone is fine, it's just McDonald's and you aren't allowed to take more than thirty minutes to eat your food inside anyway; on the way out, I saw that there were three homeless men just sitting outside.  None of them asked me for money, asked me for help, harassed me, anything.  Recognizing that the number of homeless people here in DC is high, I was also humbled.  I asked the three of them if they had eaten dinner and let them order whatever they wanted--no, they didn't order the largest thing on the menu.  They asked for something off the dollar menu and I went home knowing that I had just left three people very happy for the night.  Regardless of your opinions on homeless people, you never know the situation.  Help out where you can because good karma is a thing.  Later, I realized how much I miss being surrounded by familiarity and a constant support group; naturally, I called someone from home and I finally thought I was all right...only to have a rat run across my foot.  Yes, a rat.  I'm talking a rat the size of the rats in the Nutcracker.  Nonetheless, I wasn't devoured and I'm alive and well.

Monday was the start of a new week though, so as always we're gonna knock this blog out in one swift move (based on 7 days...) and this entire week.  Monday was busy but great, I actually got to meet with someone who works in intel and research at State.  He was really cool, very young, and pretty down to earth.  We knocked out the obvious questions during our conversation together--he's from New York, I'm from Oklahoma, it was culture shock for him to even listen to me talk.  I learned the following from the conversation: 

It's dangerous to even acknowledge someone you don't know on the metro--literally, don't even smile at them.

I might want to work in intel and research someday.  I've never met someone so young but SO full of knowledge.

The people in DC are supposedly (I REALLY don't understand this one) nicer than they are in New York...New York must be a miserable place.

Anyway, he also gave me my favorite piece of advice that I've heard since I've been here: You cannot make a decision for your future today, based on an idea that you have of what tomorrow might bring to the table.  

Needless to say, it was a really great lunch.  I had class on Monday night, got out early, only to wait on a bus for over an hour.  Basically, I would've rather sat in class for another hour than have waited outside in a dark, humid bus stop of DC.

Tuesday wasn't super exciting or anything--I did meet some REALLY great people at a happy hour inside State though, all while we enjoyed the soccer game.  I really enjoyed the discussion in my Native Nations class.  Yeah yeah, super nerdy, I know, but you don't realize how relevant Native Americans SHOULD be, but absolutely are not, in today's society.  Every time I'm in class, I realize that I'm surrounded by some of the most intelligent people that I have ever met and some employer out there is missing out.  Another piece of advice I got that is not only relevant when writing, but also just for life in general:

Say what you're gonna say, say it, then tell them what you said; shout out to Peter Morris (my professor) for doing the most.  Seriously, what an awesome person.

I also had another relevant conversation later that night about my future and let me tell you, I get so worked up about my future that I could talk about it for hours.  So naturally, when someone asks me about my future, I catch myself getting overexcited and talking too much; yet another piece of advice (I'm full of advice from this week) from some relevant person in my life: 

Don't be embarrassed by the things you're passionate about.  Thanks for the pep talk Logan, appreciate you too.

Wednesday was exciting.  I was given the opportunity to go to a meeting inside of USAID and what a seriously insane building; it's nice to see the other side of foreign aid too, within different agencies and what not.  I also found out that I have been presented with a chance to go tour the White House sometime this week and that is SO exciting.  Someone I know who works within the White House has gotten us a tour and that's insane.  Also--heat index on Wednesday was 109 degrees so if you think Oklahoma is bad...well, at least y'all aren't all dressed up and walking around because walking and public transit is your only means of getting anywhere.  I caught myself thanking the good Lord above that I'm a girl because dresses might be uncomfortable, but a full black suit and tie when it's that hot outside?  Eh, hard pass...

Thursday was basically nothing.  I went to work, met up with my favorite FSO for some coffee and a chat about the week, then basically did a few things until lunch and my office let me go at 1 PM.  Lesson of the day: no one in DC does anything, no matter what entity you might be working for, on July 3.  I came home, took the longest nap of my life, enjoyed a solid dinner at Five Guys with Arthur and Lester, then hung out with my OU friends the remainder of the night.  

Friday--FOURTH OF JULY!  Day parties everywhere.  I had such a blast; you don't know how much you love America until you've spent the Fourth of July here.  I'm dead serious.  It's wonderful.  Alexa and Maddie, you all rock for spending the day with me.  After some fries and a milkshake, I wandered to the mall with Alexa and we watched the show.  The day was so long that we came back and chilled until Maddie got back--then walked to McDonald's.  Things are a little different in DC y'all.  Walking anywhere at dark in DC is a little dangerous if not terrifying.  Needless to say, it was an experience and the Southern mentality of "give everyone the benefit of the doubt" that I have grown up with all my life is now out the window.  You live and you learn though.

Saturday was a new day.  Kyle is gone (crying) so then...there was four.  We went to the pool for part of the afternoon and then came back, snacked, and I ended up going to my dad's.  What a good decision because I ate my body weight in peel and eat shrimp, rice, and cheesecake all while enjoying a World Cup game.  I love Blue Ridge--best place to just relax and literally put DOWN some seafood.

Sunday, thank goodness, is wrapping up already.  This weekend has been so long and great, but I'm actually very ready to be back at work.  I had a solid day with my pops, driving around in the Camaro and then experiencing my first ever "authentic" Chinese restaurant.  If any of you ever get the chance to go to Peking Gourmet Inn...wow.  I have never put down that much food in my life.  

So to wrap up all the miscellaneous things I've learned this week:

The idea of a "Southern Gentleman" is actually a joke.  They're one in a bazillion and don't believe that just because one holds the door open for you that they were raised right--my dog has more manners than half of the men out here, lolz.

Every good story starts with a tinder match.

I could probably start a successful show called "Dammit Clegg" with all the moments in my lifetime that someone has said that to me--the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Texas can't actually secede, so jokes on all of you Texans who think "TEXAS FOREVER" is actually a thing.

Finally, when you're feeling down and all that crap...suck it up.  Life could be worse and in the next six months, whatever is bothering you now will probably be irrelevant. 

Onto the next four weeks, let's hope life slows down a little.

Until then, thanks for keeping up.

The only difference between the saint and the sinner is that every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.

-Oscar Wilde

Week 5--half full or half empty?

Yeah, that's right.  I have now been here for five weeks.  Five short weeks of nothing but new things and adventures and people and places.  So now that I've finished up half of my internship, I'm facing the question of is the glass half full or half empty?

Obviously, before I delve into this past week, I have to address this.  The answer is both.  

It's half empty because I have finally gotten into the groove of things and I only have five weeks left.  I don't want to leave or stop working with the people I've been working with all summer.  I don't want to give up this fast-paced East Coast lifestyle to get back to the "south".  Don't get me wrong, I like the South and how everyone makes a point to say hello, whether they know you or not.  But D.C. is wonderful outside of all of that.

HOWEVER, it's half full because I know that if I get to experience ANOTHER five weeks of this place, I'm gonna go home with a clear mind and whole heart.  Every day here has been reassuring that I will be working here whenever I graduate.  Whether that be when I graduate from my undergrad or from grad school--well, that's to be determined.

Onto the week though.  Boy, was this week LONG.  Every day just kind of flew by up until the last three hours of work every day.  Literally, everything would just hit a stopping point around 2 o'clock every day it seemed like, which is tough.  But that's all right too, because I still love where I'm at.  I don't even know where to start with this week honestly, so this post is not going to be orderly...not in the least.

Monday is a blur.  Monday is Monday, and that is that.  

Tuesday was cool, Kyle came and shadowed me.  I think the best part about that was that I was able to actually share my excitement with an outsider by firsthand experience and show her why I was so happy every day that I come home from work.  She was able to attend a couple of meetings as well as getting to see the inside of Main State a little, so it was pretty good.  Post-all of that, I had class and we had a couple of guest speakers.  As tired as I am at the end of the day, I actually do enjoy my classes.  Everyone in my courses have such a love for their tribe and a want to change the world in the way of how Natives are viewed.  You would think that being from Oklahoma, I would experience that every day...but I don't because EVERYONE in D.C. has some sort of expectation to make a difference in the world and that's the best.  Since I got out of class early, I met up with one of my friends who was here from Texas and we wandered over to the Jefferson Memorial, then walked all over and he showed me around the Capitol.  Let's just say I'm glad I work where I do and not the Capitol...hahaha.  But I finished House of Cards finally so I guess the Capitol was cool to experience in that aspect.

Wednesday was pretty much what you expect a Wednesday to be...whatever that may be.  Minus the fact that my friend Alexa and I went on a walk and happened onto a food truck of ICE CREAM SANDWICHES.  Easily the highlight of my week (up to this point, at least).  You could choose what kind of cookie you wanted on top (Nutella cookie), what kind on bottom (chocolate chip), and what kind of ice cream in the middle (peanut butter) so I had to.  Alexa and I talked about how our weeks were going, missing home (New Jersey for her), and just about everything else.  It's rare for me to meet someone that I just click with enough to go out and talk to like that, but it's great and I'm really sad she'll be heading back to NJ in two weeks.  I'm attached to D.C. and the people in it, leaving is one of the more upsetting things that have been on my mind lately.  

Thursday was long but awesome.  Ended up going to dinner with Lester and Arthur and goodness.  I feel like I learn something new from those two every day and like I said before, it's refreshing to be surrounded by so many different groups in D.C. that want to change the world they live in.  

Let me fill you all in on a little secret that a lot of you either aren't aware of or refuse to believe: THERE IS A WORLD A LOT LARGER THAN THE SOUTH AND IT'S AWESOME.  Get out and experience it, change the views of the small-minded people you know, get them to love their country in a way that is indescribable.

Friday rocked.  What better way to start your Friday morning than going to a swearing-in ceremony for an ambassador?  Let that sink in for a second....there are some 200 American ambassadors to our fellow allies and countries around the world (that is NOT very many people) and in my 10 week internship here, I was actually able to go to a swearing in ceremony.  That's nuts to me.  Friday afternoon slowed down as my supervisor prepared for her trip to Japan for the next two weeks of vacation.  Goodness, I don't know what the office is going to be like without her, so short staffed.  Since things were slow, I reached out to my favorite person who unfortunately, is no longer in our office as he is preparing to go abroad for his next tour of State duties.  I was given some tasks, whatever.  But I think the best part was getting to sit down and chat with him about other opportunities.  I left Friday so excited to CONTINUE learning more every day I'm here about the bazillion different agencies that are centered here in D.C.  I could not be more thankful to be surrounded by an office of people that have only known me for five weeks and want nothing more than for me to succeed.  Whoever told you that ALL East Coast people were awful, told you a big, ugly, dirty lie.  Granted most of them are transplants from their home states...but they've been here long enough to call D.C. home.  

Saturday, my sister Sara Sancak came to see me!  Had to take her to Founding Farmers for lunch because that place is seriously a must whenever any of you come to D.C.  We wandered around and went into Georgetown and shopped, what a success.  It's been nice having a couple of transplants from home (OK & TX) to comfort me a little while I'm here.  And of course, I ended my Saturday night with my OU groupies and wouldn't have that any other way.  But I do have to share a story with you guys.  Lester and I went to TGI for dinner because it's close and has decent food; our waiter is one that I have had once before and he's a talkative one.  But while asking Lester and I about school, he surprisingly opened up a little about what he was doing in school.  I love learning about others and I think it's one of the best ways to go about life, spontaneity is a beautiful thing.  He has dreams to play college football but wanted to get some education in before he pursues it.  Of course, Lester and I told him to make sure he headed to the South for football because...well....do any of the schools on the coast have anything outside of basketball, hockey, water polo, rowing...you get the point.  

It's Sunday and I'm in Starbucks, learning that doing things alone isn't so bad after all.  Those of you that know me, know that this is a HUGE step for me because I typically hate being alone.  Even if I'm in a room with people who aren't talking, I'd borderline rather be there than alone.  Not that I'm incapable of being alone, but you know.  

ALSO SHOUT OUT TO MY DELTA GAMMA CHAPTER AT OU FOR BEING THE NATIONAL RUNNER UP FOR THE FOUNDER'S AWARD.  Natalie Fore, if you're reading this, you're a rock star and thanks for representing us so well in Arizona at the DG rising symposium.  Next to that, I would love to share with y'all the donation link for Anchorsplash.  As director of philanthropy, I plan and coordinate this year's event and would absolutely love it if you would consider donating a few dollars to Service for Sight, which is what Anchorsplash benefits.  We're trying to beat the record from last year and I would love it if y'all could help me out!  

Anchorsplash 2014!   

Anyway, I'll end this with a huge thank you to everyone who's been helping me out in D.C. and showing me the ropes, as well as presenting me with opportunities I never imagined were possible for a 20 year old.  And of course, a few pictures (even though most of them are posted on my Facebook already...)

Here's to week six and all of the adventures it may bring.

Change is the law of life.  And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.

-John F. Kennedy

Week 4!

Okay, wow.  Let me just start off by talking about what a freaking AMAZING week I had.  I'm terrible and I never know where to start with these things, so I suppose that for now, I'll start chronologically.

Monday was seriously the highlight of my week.  It was the first Monday I think that I have ever looked forward to starting.  I easily work with the best people that you could possibly meet in this city; I have never met a group of people that are so persistent about contributing to how much I get to take away from this experience.  For those of you who don't know Theresa Drake, she's a rockstar and has been my saving grace this entire week.  She took me to the Embassy of Colombia to watch the US vs. Ghana game and oh my goodness, it was INSANE.  But in a good way, of course.  Trying all the Colombian drinks and food was even better--safe to say that I love empanadas and Germán has convinced me that Bogóta is where I want to be when I study abroad, not to mention the Colombians are also a group of the nicest people that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.

AND THAT WAS JUST MONDAY.

Tuesday, nothing too great happened.  I had class and I love going to class.  It rocks.

Wednesday was just your typical Wednesday.  Blah blah.

Thursday...well, as hectic as it was supposed to be, everything from Thursday got moved to Friday so it was basically irrelevant, aside from meeting the random group of Sigma Chi's that live like four houses down from us.  

WAIT NO, I totally forgot to mention the banquet I was able to attend for WINS.  I met William Mendoza, who is the executive director on the White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education.  WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MAN.  Inside and out, so well-spoken and so driven.  I absolutely loved him.  He also called me beautiful and I'm not usually one to tell people about the compliments I receive, but it was a day-maker for sure.

FRIDAY.  Ugh, such a great day.  Friday I got to work with Theresa all day on her briefing (which she rocked) and then got to sit in on the briefing.  Then, later that afternoon, I was able to sit in on a meeting with DAS Arreaga and a Peruvian congresswoman.  It's so crazy how many people you end up meeting and networking with.  Post-work, I met up with Lester (so thankful he's in DC with me, for real) and we got to meet DeEtta Cravens.  DeEtta is one of the most interesting, motivated, well-rounded people I have EVER met.  I mean come on, the girl is going to Harvard to study public diplomacy.  What they say is true though, it's all about who you know and she has been so helpful in helping me network.  Didn't really do much of anything on Friday night though.

Saturday rocked.  I met up with another intern at State that goes to OU as well, Nikke is so great.  We went to Georgetown, wandered/explored for a little bit, and shopped.  Georgetown is so so so cool.  The giant H&M and Urban Outfitters made the crappy weather a little more bearable.  We also passed a Cajun restaurant that I really wanted to try while I'm here too because I LOVE Cajun food.  Saturday night was a blast; I went out with the girls that I live with here in DG and goodness, I seriously have been SO blessed with the people they shoved into this little townhouse for the summer.  Saturday was a good time though, for sure.  Not to mention I met a ton of new people again--if I could claim meeting new people as one of my favorite pastimes, I probably would....

Sunday.  Goodness gracious today has been the longest day ever.  Didn't get to sleep in this morning, but had a DELICIOUS brunch at Founding Farmers.  If y'all haven't eaten there but intend on visiting DC, I highly recommend it.  It was delicious and they served the best Arnold Palmer.  Wandered around the city for a little while with Maddie and Alexa--whoever said that New York/New Jersey people are no fun told you a DIRTY LIE.  I have not laughed that hard in a solid few months.  Came back and took a cat nap, only to wake up and go to eat at that Cajun restaurant in Georgetown for family meal.  I seriously put down a pound of peel and eat shrimp.  We also watched the World Cup game against Portugal...what a bummer.  Post-dinner, our group decided to go see Waterfront and tonight was the perfect night for it.  SO beautiful.  I also experienced seeing my first rat tonight so there's one for the books.  Seems like there were a lot of firsts this weekend hahaha.  But that's alright.  

I definitely fell back in love with this city while we were enjoying some Hershey's ice cream at Waterfront though.  As always, enjoy the pictures and thank you all for trying to keep up with my busy life this summer!  I hope that if any of you manage to make it out to DC while I'm here, I can convince you that our nation's capitol is as great as I feel like it has been.

Good night and good luck.

When everything happens to you when

 you're so young, you're very lucky, but 

by the same token, you're never going

 to have that same feeling again. The

 first time anything happens to you - 

your first love, your first success - the

 second one is never the same.

-Lauren Bacall

Week 3 already?!

Let me start by apologizing to my granddad.  I know, I promised to have this up by the end of today but things just got super hectic and obviously, it didn't happen.  Except technically, it isn't midnight on CST time yet, so I still have roughly 40 minutes...

This week was legitimately the longest week I have EVER FREAKIN HAD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.  But that...well, that's perfectly fine.  I keep meeting people and I love it--give or take the MANY rude ones I seem to have come across this week.  Let me just brag for a second about the people I meet that are from the "SOUTH" though...literally, there is most DEFINITELY such a thing as hospitality and even more so, chivalry.  Arkansas, just know that you're greatly appreciated this week.

Monday might have just started on the wrong foot.  Not that it was a bad day at work, because I seriously love being at State.  I definitely got lost taking the bus to Tenleytown to meet up with my supervisor, only to have to take a taxi (which are VERY expensive) to American University, where I'm taking courses for the WINS program.  It's too long to explain what it is, so if you're that curious, Google is pretty freakin' great.  I got all my books and thanks to a little bit of help, made it back to GW. WOO!  You think you conquered the week, right? Wrong.

Tuesday (and yes, I do have a story for every single day this week because it was that busy) was probably the second best day I had this week.  First, thank the good Lord for Lester Asamoah for being my fellow State intern and constantly helping me find my way with the metro.  We went to the OU Capital Club Alumni social together, but we left early thinking that it would take longer than it did....only to be the first two there...BUT that is perfectly all right.  I had such a blast meeting up with some of the alumni (only a few of nearly 2000) in the Capital Club here in DC.  Brad Steele, wherever you are, you were legitimately the funniest person that I have ever talked to.  Erin Wiley & Jimmy Dubois, amazing people.  The coolest part about it was definitely getting to meet Sam Peyton, who graduated from my high school as well as OU; I graduated with his sister but had never gotten the chance to meet him and wow, Sam, if you're reading this at all, you're a rock star--literally, living the dream life.  

So aside from not getting back home and being able to go running until past 8:30, Tuesday was actually really great.  I also received my $1000 scholarship, in case I didn't mention that...

Wednesday.  Professional development day for WINS.  Probably one of the more boring days I have had here but boy was it long.  That is perfectly all right though; tornado watches when I got back to the townhouse (that's what I get for mentioning I was homesick earlier this week...) and a nice run through DC again.  It's so much easier to motivate yourself to run whenever there is so much to see when you're on your route.

Thursday.  God bless America, Thursday.  SUCH a long day.  Work, from work straight to classes (which go until 9:30) and then getting to the bus stop.  Yes, the bus stop is scary here at night.  All alone...with people just staring at me....and I'm not one to usually get scared but goodness I hate when people stare.  Absolutely hate it, gives me the creeps.  Didn't make it home until after 10 PM, obviously. Went on a 45 minute run somehow (too outta shape) and was able to make it back in time to shower and relax before bed.  I forgot to mention that during the day, I edited a colleague's 80 page paper.....yes, 80 page papers DO exist in the world post-college.

Friday.  TODAY WAS THE BEST DAY OF MY ENTIRE LIFE OKAY?  One of my supervisors took me to the Embassy of Colombia today and oh my gosh, I was in absolute HEAVEN. Aside from a random downpour that took place for about an hour this afternoon, I met two of the greatest people I have ever met--they were both Colombian and SO well spoken, I just can't even help but talk about it.  We sat down for the "courtesy call" meeting and they served Colombian coffee--already sounds like it couldn't get any cooler, right?  WRONG.  You are wrong again.  There is always a light at the end of the tunnel, and the light (Friday) at the end of this tunnel (THIS ENTIRE WEEK) was so freaking bright that the Colombians asked me if I would join them on Monday with my coworker to attend their USA-Ghana World Cup watch party.  I nearly cried tears of joy.  Now, I have something else to look forward to all over again.  On a MONDAY.  The beauty of networking man.

Got off work and took the metro to dad's to celebrate Father's Day at his place this weekend, only to get to the metro and be told that something had gone wrong on one of the tracks so they were single tracking every...single...train.  Let's just say Foggy Bottom was full of sweaty, pissed off people with melting make up and drenched suits (both pant suits and skirt suits) with a LOT to say.  

Anyway, there's the end to my hellish week.  By hellish, I don't mean that it was not enjoyable, it was just very very VERY long.  That is perfectly all right though, I love my job and so far, I am loving my classes.  Sorry for such a long post, I thought they'd get shorter from earlier this week but apparently not.  

I could weigh in on all the political drama surrounding Bowe Bergdahl, unaccompanied minors POURING into America's borders, Cantor's primary election loss, or ISIS taking over Iraq, because I have an opinion on every single one of those things.  But tonight, I don't want to overwhelm those of you (most of you) who do not have an attention span that exceeds 7 minutes of reading.

Good night and good luck to you all!  Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful dads that I am surrounded by as well as my mama for playing both roles whenever she has to.  I'll just include a little side by side of pops 20 years ago and myself, only a full year ago, as well as the rose over by the EPA building off Pennsylvania Ave.  Also, my quote tonight targets those of you who say that I get too close to too many people in entirely too short of an amount of time.  Enjoy y'all!

“It is good to love many things, for

 therein lies the true strength, and

 whosoever loves much performs much,

 and can accomplish much, and what is

 done in love is well done.” 

--Vincent van Gogh