Well, today marks the start of week two of my internship in Washington, D.C. For those of you who don't know, I am interning at the Department of Transportation in the Office of the Secretary. The Deputy Secretary of Transportation is a UD grad and has allowed for two UD students (one being me) to come and experience the opportunity of a lifetime: interning and living in Washington, D.C. for the summer. It's a pretty sweet deal if you ask me!

So as I was saying, today marks the start of week two of an eight week program, and let me tell you, I'm being kept very busy (Alleluia!). Laura (the other intern) and I have been working on a number of stories for the DOTnet, the internal website at the DOT. Whether it's writing, editing, or interviewing, it seems like I'm moving a hundred miles a minute from the 9-5:30. This fast pace is just the thing that I need. Although I love Ohio, I've missed the fast-paced life that you find in big cities. I feel so lucky to be doing exactly what I love and it feels nice knowing that what I am doing each day is not only worthwhile for my future, but also something that makes a difference at the DOT. With lots of projects in the works, I cannot wait to see what the next seven weeks have in store for me!

As far as my life outside of work, it's a little mundane, and I'm okay with that! After work I tend to be pretty tired, but I try to go for a run or walk around the city. Not only does this allow me to get in some exercise, but I also get to find my way around this great city. The other day I was running around the Mall and got stopped by a UD alumni. It just shows that no matter where you go you will most likely find someone with ties to UD. . .reason #1000 why I love the University of Dayton. I still can't wrap my head around jogging past the Lincoln Memorial on my way home, or taking a stroll by White House on my way to the grocery. I love that I can say that I actually live here, and I try to play the part of a tough, knows-where-she's-going Washingtonian. . . it's a work in progress.

This past weekend I got to meet some of the other interns in my building. It's so great to see young people out there making a difference and following their dreams. On Sunday, I put on my tourist hat and walked around the Mall. However, with the Girl Scout Convention in town (I kid you not) my trip was cut short in an effort to escape the crowds. Although I didn't get much sightseeing under my belt the first weekend, I'm going to be a little more strategic with my planning next time so that I can see all that D.C. has to offer!

I hope that you'll follow this blog over the next two months as I chase my dreams in a new city. It's exciting, scary, interesting, wonderful, confusing, eye-opening, and a whole lot of other things, but overall, it's a journey. A beautiful journey that I know will have resounding effects on the rest of my life. I feel blessed to be able to jump outside my comfort zone, live in a new place, meet new people, try new things, make mistakes, learn new things, and find myself. Like I said, it's a journey. . .welcome to it.

Kate