Another week has come and gone. As I sit here writing I'm trying to soak in every last bit of this city. I love the different fashions, the history, the different languages you hear on the streets, the food, the flood of commuters at 8:30 & 5 each day, the street musicians. . .I could go on and on. There is always something to see, some reason to smile, something new to experience. I can't believe how lucky I am to be here at this time in my life.

Work has been interesting. At times I feel like I am accomplishing so much, and at other times I feel like I'm just sitting around. I have to remind myself to take it all in and not get caught up in the moment, good or bad. I guess it's my type-A personality in full swing. 

Laura and I got to have lunch with the Deputy Secretary on Monday. We talked for over an hour, which I'm sure cut into a lot of other things he could have been doing, but he was so present and willing to answer any questions we had. Hearing the different jobs he had after graduation reminded me that life has a funny way of working out. To go from a night-time security guy to Deputy Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation is quite a leap. The rest of the week consisted of meetings, writing, and trying to stay busy. Next week will hopefully be a little busier as we have a lot of events and meetings to attend, even a taping of the Secretary's "On the Go" segment. 

On Tuesday after work, a group of us from work went on a boat ride on the Potomac. We departed from Georgetown, went up the Potomac River toward the monuments, and circled back around. It was so fun and different to see the city from the water, and a great way to get to know my coworkers a bit better. It started to pour as soon as we returned to the dock so we ducked into a pizza place to wait out the downpour. Not the most enjoyable walk home, but an experience nonetheless. 

On Wednesday I went to the Best of Washington event. This is an annual event put on by the Washingtonian Magazine highlighting the best restaurants and shops around D.C. A friend of mine works for AT&T, who hosted the event, so he had an extra ticket and invited me. Definitely swanky, which I was completely fine with. It was great to get out during the week and do something totally different. Thursday morning was a little rough, but the memories of the event were well worth the lost sleep. 

Today, Laura and I went to the Newseum, which is a museum all about the news, who'da guessed? It was so up my alley! We spent much of the afternoon there, with plans to return tomorrow to finish up. Laura went to dinner with a friend, and I headed to the Old Post Office. I went up to the observation and got a great view of the city. Funny how small it seems from so high up. 

I continue to adapt to life here. It's not always easy, but it's worth the journey. I'm learning so much about myself, the world around me, and what I want to do with all that I've been blessed with. I love not knowing what's around the corner, but realizing that whatever it is, I'll figure it out. Happiness is all that I'm looking for, and that is something I can create for myself. 

Xoxo,

Kate

Fourth of July, Humidity, Cubicles and Fooood.


Spending the 4th of July in D.C. was an unbelievable experience. My roommate and I walked the 20 blocks or so to the Capitol to watch the Concert at the Capitol, which airs each year on PBS. There was a great line up including Kool and the Gang, Josh Turner, Matthew Broderick, and Tom Bergeroff. Kind of a funny mix, but it was so much fun!! We packed a picnic and braved the heat along with about a million other people (or so it seemed). After the concert we stayed to watch the fireworks going off behind the Washington Monument. I can't even begin to explain the sight, it is definitely a you-had-to-be-there moment. The walk back home was a little less than enjoyable as, even at 10 pm, it was 90 degrees, and the million people I was talking about before were all racing to the nearest Metro and trying to cram themselves and their 20 family members into the train. Okay, so I'm kind of exaggerating, but my love of crowds is right up there with my love of poking out my eyes.

Anyyywayyy...as far as work goes it's all the same, which isn't a bad thing. I feel that with each week that passes my writing skills and understanding of how the office works improves. I'm sure that I'll have it down pat right in time for my last day. I can't believe that I only have three more weeks at DOT. It's crazy to think that I moved into my apartment five weeks ago, still not quite sure if I was making the right choice to be away from home again. The time has absolutely flown by and I've met so many new and interesting people. Although the cubicle life isn't exactly my favorite thing, half the fun of interning is figuring out what you are looking for in a job. Who knows, I may even miss my cubicle come mid-August.

This weekend I went to brunch in Chinatown with a friend. We went to Graffiato's, a restaurant owned by a past contestant on Top Chef. The food was unreal! We each picked three different dishes. I chose a pizza with berries and covered in Nutella (so healthy, I know), the ceasar salad, and steak. It was quite possibly the best food I have ever tasted and the atmosphere was great too. Needless to say I left with a food baby and the urge to take a mid-day nap.

Today, I went to the Basilica for Mass. I went with my family a few years ago, but never got to go to Mass there. It was a beautiful Mass, and I took a little time afterwards to look around and check out the gift shop. It's so hot here now and with the humidity the last thing I wanted to do was walk, so I decided to take the metro to the American History Museum and finish up the last two floors that I didn't get to a few weekends ago.There was even an exhibit on Transportation, which I really enjoyed as it had a lot of info on stuff I've been working on for the last few weeks. It was kind of funny, I think I heard every language besides English for a majority of the time...just goes to show what a diverse city D.C. is.

Attempting to do laundry now, but the ballerinas that have taken over the building are currently swarming in the laundry room. If laundry wasn't a drag before, it sure is now. Pray that they've left me a dryer :)

Thanks for keeping up with me while I'm in D.C. I love and miss everyone back home and can't wait to be back in Cincy in a few short weeks (okay, maybe I can wait a tiny bit :) )

Xoxo,

Kate

Started my fifth week at DOT today, and let me tell you, it was a quiet start. With July 4th on Wednesday, most people have taken an extra long weekend, leaving the office eerily quiet. I continue to be busy working on the DOTnet site. There has been some rearranging of positions in the OST, which means that a key writer on the team will be leaving. We got the news on Friday that Jessica's last day will be July 13, so we have been scrambling to pad the rest of the year with stories to make the editor's job easier when we leave. It's a bummer to know I won't be here to see these pieces published, but it also feels good to be an integral part of this transition. It has definitely taught me the need to roll with the punches and be willing to help out wherever needed. It's a challenge, but it is making me a stronger team player.









This past weekend my friend from UD, Lindsay, came to visit me. It was great to see a familiar face from back home. It was also great to receive a huge bag of quarters for laundry and a few key pieces of my wardrobe (thanks mom). We spent most of the weekend sightseeing as Lindsay had never visited D.C. before. We went to Georgetown on Friday for dinner and drinks and then walked around for a bit. Saturday we spent most of the day at the Holocaust Museum and then took pictures at all the different monuments. It was hot and we tried to last as long as we could, but had to run home after a few hours to avoid melting. She had to leave early Sunday morning, so I helped her on the train and crawled back into bed.

This coming week I'm looking forward to July 4th celebrations in D.C. I'm sure it will be like nothing I've seen before as tourists flock from all over to take part in parades, concerts, and firework shows. I'm hoping to catch the firework show from my roof and away from the craziness of the Mall. This Friday, my supervisor is taking Laura (the other intern) and I on a tour of the White House and to lunch afterward. I'm really excited to get a behind-the-scenes view of life in that big white house. Maybe I'll even catch a glimpse of the first dog :)

Can't believe that just three weeks from this Wednesday my parents will be here to load up my stuff and move me home. I have so much to cram into the next few weeks! Thanks for following my adventures. I love and miss you all!

Xoxo,

Kate