In retrospect, today was an excellent example of the insanity that comes as part of the intern experience. I left work during the lunchtime hour to attend a Science and Technology in Society (my specific TWC program) programming event at the National Building Museum for a public lecture on the future of urban ecology. When I left the Judiciary Square metro station, I turned around and wandered through the National Law Enforcement Officers memorial. |
It's a such a beautiful memorial... the weight of the sacrifice that so many men and women have given is something that I've experienced each time I've gone; unfortunately, I can't say as much for the loud school children and those who loiter during the lunch hour. Don't go during the lunch hour. |
The buildings around Judiciary Square are worth visiting to simply see. I don't know how old this part of town is, but the architecture is phenomenal. The National Building Museum, where programming was held, enchanted me so much that I found myself standing in the main lobby area for several minutes without moving. This is the kind of place I would like to come to simply sit and relax. Apparently they have a number of interesting things in the museum (which, by the way, is also free to visit!) including a maze. I'll be going back before I leave! |
Alas. All good things must come to an end, and so I headed back to work. It was a late morning out the door, so I bought lunch on the way back to the office. I get that Shake Shack is good ... but the hype that people here build up over it isn't so warranted in my opinion. It's certainly not In and Out. (Yes. I went there. California, represent!)
While I munched on my fries at my desk, I realized that this may very well be the extent of the excitement my week holds.
I was so wrong.... because eventually the third officemate showed up and joined Benedicta and I in our small office.
"What color do you think this lipstick is?" Benedicta asked, pulling up a photo on her screen.
After a few moments of scrutinizing the picture, I told her that it looked like thistle. Our officemate didn't believe that I wasn't making it up.
"How do you know this?"
I turned to my computer to pull up google as I informed him, "Crayola. Really. They have a crayon that is THAT color," while Benedicta simultaneously answered: "This is the girl who makes curtains out of socks and wax!"
Somehow, between finding out I cook, and dyed/sewed my bathroom curtain (like this Anthropologie curtain) (with help from my mom and the use of her serger!), this is her impression of me. I won't argue... but socks and wax??
Then he showed us Garfield minus Garfield, where someone has removed Garfield from the Garfield cartoons. Be sure you read the introductory paragraph at the top of the page before you begin clicking through the comic strips.
My day was shot after that. Yours will be, too, if you click that link.
The day took a bit of a downward turn. There was a (small) possibility that my dad would be able to come and visit this weekend, but it ended up not happening. I won't lie, I felt incredibly disappointed because it was something that I was looking forward to. Although, I knew it was a slim possibility. Chances to spend time with dad (whether at home in California, at school in Lubbock, or here in DC) are the kind that I jump at. Oh well. Three weeks... right? I've lost count.
Miraculously, I made it home with my wallet and phone. I've been sufficiently trained.
Finally home, dinner on the coffee table, and a show on the TV, I began to unwind. The disappointment continued: I had forgotten that Thursday nights are extremely busy for my fella, who is working as a camp counselor this summer. He sent a message saying that he wouldn't be free until it was incredibly late in DC, which made my blue mood a bit bluer. Homesickness was hitting hard today.
... Then this happened.
He was able to text a bit earlier while his campers were involved in an activity, and he began asking weird questions.
So, have you been home today?
Was everything nice when you got home?
Did you get anything special?
It took three tries for me to realize how particularly odd his questions were, and at that point I tripped over the coffee table on my way out the door. My roommate must have thought I had gone mad, because I ran out of the apartment without a word to get the letter I knew he had labored over and sent to me. (Handwriting letters is something I enjoy doing... him, not as much.)
It was not what I expected at all.
While I munched on my fries at my desk, I realized that this may very well be the extent of the excitement my week holds.
I was so wrong.... because eventually the third officemate showed up and joined Benedicta and I in our small office.
"What color do you think this lipstick is?" Benedicta asked, pulling up a photo on her screen.
After a few moments of scrutinizing the picture, I told her that it looked like thistle. Our officemate didn't believe that I wasn't making it up.
"How do you know this?"
I turned to my computer to pull up google as I informed him, "Crayola. Really. They have a crayon that is THAT color," while Benedicta simultaneously answered: "This is the girl who makes curtains out of socks and wax!"
Somehow, between finding out I cook, and dyed/sewed my bathroom curtain (like this Anthropologie curtain) (with help from my mom and the use of her serger!), this is her impression of me. I won't argue... but socks and wax??
Then he showed us Garfield minus Garfield, where someone has removed Garfield from the Garfield cartoons. Be sure you read the introductory paragraph at the top of the page before you begin clicking through the comic strips.
My day was shot after that. Yours will be, too, if you click that link.
The day took a bit of a downward turn. There was a (small) possibility that my dad would be able to come and visit this weekend, but it ended up not happening. I won't lie, I felt incredibly disappointed because it was something that I was looking forward to. Although, I knew it was a slim possibility. Chances to spend time with dad (whether at home in California, at school in Lubbock, or here in DC) are the kind that I jump at. Oh well. Three weeks... right? I've lost count.
Miraculously, I made it home with my wallet and phone. I've been sufficiently trained.
Finally home, dinner on the coffee table, and a show on the TV, I began to unwind. The disappointment continued: I had forgotten that Thursday nights are extremely busy for my fella, who is working as a camp counselor this summer. He sent a message saying that he wouldn't be free until it was incredibly late in DC, which made my blue mood a bit bluer. Homesickness was hitting hard today.
... Then this happened.
He was able to text a bit earlier while his campers were involved in an activity, and he began asking weird questions.
So, have you been home today?
Was everything nice when you got home?
Did you get anything special?
It took three tries for me to realize how particularly odd his questions were, and at that point I tripped over the coffee table on my way out the door. My roommate must have thought I had gone mad, because I ran out of the apartment without a word to get the letter I knew he had labored over and sent to me. (Handwriting letters is something I enjoy doing... him, not as much.)
It was not what I expected at all.
Although still homesick, this certainly brightened my night!
Blessings,
Clarice
Clarice