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!
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
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