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

Work week 2--finished

Well, this has by far been the coolest but longest week of my entire life.  Goodness.  When I'm at home, I'm always complaining about how bored I am, that there's nothing to do, blah blah blah.  Here, I'm like OH MY GOSH I DON'T HAVE TIME TO GO TO ALL OF THESE PLACES BUT I WANT TO GO!  It's a rough life; if there were 27 hours in a day, I would probably be so much happier.

The good news is that I got accepted into the WINS program and I am seriously so pumped.  The bad news?  Well, it's not really bad but I'll be taking classes at American university while I'm here.  As cool as it is that I'll be attending one of the best schools in the nation for the summer, it's also going to be tough writing papers and working 40 or more hours a week.  That's alright though, a little extra work never killed anyone, right?

Continuing into my awesome week though, I met so many people and it rocked.  Seriously, everyone at state is legitimately a rock star.  There's not even a better word to describe it.  I met DAS Luis Arreaga this past Friday and he is easily one of the nicest men I have ever had the pleasure of meeting, along with the new chargé de affaires of Bolivia.  What a nice way to end my work week, huh?!  Not to mention, I finally had the chance to sit down for a courtesy call with our deputy director at INL and he is quite possibly one of the most interesting people I have ever gotten to speak with, as well as everyone else on my team.  

The East Coast is a funny thing though.  The first time I got into a taxi, my driver was like oh my goodness you have been so nice to me and you are the nicest person I have EVER had in my taxi, blah blah.  And all I did was have a casual conversation with the guy...it has happened three times since then.  Next, I got on the metro on Friday and it was pretty packed but there was an empty seat next to this lady, so I asked her if I could sit next to her and she was like "Yeah, sure!  You must not be from around here...no one here ever asks if they can sit down, they just do it."  The weekend has been a blast though, I've been exploring and getting out more with my friends from OU and meeting new people.  Saturday was my favorite by far; I got to meet up with one of my mom's favorite people in Vienna, who allowed me to become a part of the family for the night and hosted an awesome cookout.  As good as the food was, the family feeling was so much better.  

Got back from there yesterday though and went out, only to have the opportunity presented to me to go see the National Mall AT NIGHT.  It was probably one of the prettiest things I have ever seen, the monuments were all lit up and I really just fall deeper and deeper in love with this place every day.  

Sorry for how long that post was, I'm just so happy to be here and it seems like each day that passes gets better than the previous one.  The only thing I miss about home is my family and how nice everyone always is.  SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY IS A REAL THING AND NO, IT DOES NOT EXIST UP HERE.

Thank y'all for keeping up with me, I hope I'm not overwhelming you too entirely much.  So once again, here's some more pictures and a quote to end the night--family dinner with all my OU homies in like thirty minutes.

Life is not about getting and having, it is about giving and being.

-Kevin Kruse

Week 2

Still in total awe of this place.

Yesterday was alright, but I made friends on Sunday so I mean yesterday was actually really great compared to last week, we even wandered over to the National Mall and the Washington Monument was BEAUTIFUL at sunset.

Today was a little hectic, it started off really great, but really busy.  Anyone who knows me knows that I love to be busy though.  Anyway, basically got offered an opportunity to apply for some scholarship money through a program sponsored by State through a Native American funding.  So everyone cross your fingers for me, because I could really use the money.

We had a building evacuation today, which is weird because I feel like I haven't had to evacuate a building since the fire alarm was pulled my freshman year of college, haha.  That's alright though; post-work, I joined my coworkers for a happy hour for one of our coworkers who is leaving us to work out of the country.  I am actually really sad because he is easily the coolest man I have ever met, but that's okay.  Everyone has to do what's best for themselves obviously, but I could tell he was sad to leave this bureau because it literally has so many great people in it.  Nonetheless, congratulations to him; it was also really great because I got to meet even MORE people that were outside of my bureau as well as inside of it and learn so much more.  I literally love DC.

Post-Happy Hour, I went on a run with my roommate.  Let me tell you, running two miles when you haven't gone running since like freshman year of college, is freaking hard.  But so worth it, DC is beautiful (BUT HOTTER THAN ANYWHERE I HAVE EVER BEEN, LAWWWD) and so many things to look at while you run.  

OH, I totally skipped the fact that I met four of the greatest girls I think I have ever met in my life this past Sunday.  My roommate rocks, so no worries there--she's totally normal and a DG at Ole Miss--I also met three amazing Alpha Phi's who are from all over the country.  YES, I made friends.  

DC is expensive as anywhere I've ever been.  I paid four dollars for a bag of chips today--not blessed.  But I guess you pay for what you get (location wise though because that bag of chips was NOT full).  

Still loving this internship and as I continue to meet even more amazing people in it, I cannot help but be borderline giddy for what my future holds.  Let's hope this week rocks just as hard as last week did.

Meanwhile, enjoy the pictures and wish me luck!

PS: No filter on that picture of the Monument.

Exploring the unknown requires tolerating uncertainty.

-Brian Greene