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