Fun at Work and on the Weekends

Sitting down to write this long-procrastinated blog post, sitting in Starbucks, listening to 50s cafe music, and watching young professionals walk by on their way home from work I thought for a moment that I had finally become one of those quirky, coffe-shop writers; but then I realized I'm sitting in the world's biggest coffee chain, about to go meet friends for burgers, and will wake up tomorrow and go to work at a lobbying firm based out of Southern California. In short, no, I have not gone hipster and I have not become an urban city-dweller.

It's been over a week since my last blog post, but there isn't a lot I have that is new and interesting enough to share. The most exciting tourist destination I went to recently was the Newseum which those of you who know me should know is right up my alley. The museum itself had its ups and downs and some random exhibits that seemed out of place, but for the most part, it was an awesome look at al aspects of news, from history to digital and foreign media. My two favorites included an exhibit on the assassination of Kennedy and how it was covered in the news and an exhibit on 9/11 that featured the front pages of newspapers from around the country and the world from the day after the tragedy. Even though it is one of the few museums in DC that you have to pay for, I would definitely suggest stopping by if you ever visit DC and have even a remote interest in news.

A withered piece of the World Trade Center from the Newseum's 9/11 Exhibit

Newspaper front pages from the day after 9/11

In my attempt to act more like a true resident of DC, I've also tried out some of the local events, most notably Jazz in the Garden, where every Friday afternoon in the Sculpture Garden on the Mall there is jazz music and always good company. The last two Fridays I have met friends there for a picnic on the lawn, in an exemplary showing of our class and attempt to appear older and more sophisticated than we actually are. 

Jazz in the garden with friends!

Besides all the fun things that happen on the weekends, I do have some exciting news to share on the work front! Because I was only working four day a week at PeacePlayers International, the nonprofit I came here to work for, I decided to reach out to a company called Townsend Public Affairs that I had originally talked to about working for over the summer. After a rapidly scheduled interview and some negotiating of work schedules, I started my part-time (2 day) internship with TPA on Tuesday and so far I absolutely love it. TPA represents mostly cities and counties in California so I have had the opportunity to do a lot of writing letters on behalf of cities I have actually been to for grants for important things including police officers, school resource officers, grants for city vehicles, and funding for community colleges. Yes, it's lobbying, but it's the good kind of lobbying and I'm learning SO much and enjoying every minute of it.

For now, that's all I have for you. I have an exciting week coming up so the next blog post should be on its way soon and I promise the next one will be more interesting. If you read this far in this post, thanks for the support! Miss you all at home and I hope your summer is less humid than mine!