Week 13

I am finally done with all of my work! I took my class final, submitted my portfolio, mailed in my research paper for Villanova, and faxed over my journal entries. I can now relax and take a nice breath of the fresh spring air, although it might be physically impossible to do so since my allergies have completely clogged my respiratory system. I feel like this city is perpetually covered in a thin layer of pollen.

The Mets were in town so we went to the Nationals Park again to see the game yesterday (yay New York!) Although the President’s Race (where people dressed up in huge mascot-esque costumes of Teddy Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson, G. Washington and Honest Abe race each other on the baseball field) and the fireworks accompanying the Nats games are always great, we were so tired from working that we left the game early, just in time to miss Felipe Lopez’s grand slam - I wish I could have seen our Founding Fathers flip out over that. The weather was great, although it’d be more enjoyable if our apartment’s AC didn’t spew out hot air like you couldn’t even imagine.

It’s our second to last weekend here, and I can’t believe how quickly this semester has passed by. Leaving is definitely going to be a lot harder than I thought, but enough of that – I’ll deal with thoughts of leaving when I have to. I’m going to go out to our courtyard and have a cookout with some friends, and you know how much I love barbeques. Until next time!

Week 12

Yesterday Senator John McCain stopped by Villanova University on Chris Matthew’s Hardball tour, and I deeply regret not being able to go. I managed to catch the last few minutes of it after rushing home from work, but I missed the Senator’s flustered response when a student invited McCain to join him in a shot. Hopefully when I campaign for the GOP nominee’s run for the Presidency during the summer, I’ll be presented with more opportunities to attend his public appearances.

Last week we went to the Nationals game against the Marlins, and although the Nats lost, it was still a lot of fun. The new Nationals Park is pretty awesome and is complete with Five Guys, Ben’s Chili Bowl, and a great view of the Washington Monument and Capitol Hill. I probably spent too much money and consumed too many calories from the beer, burgers, and peanuts, but hey, you only live once.

I am finally done with my portfolio and my 15-pager for Villanova’s Internship Requirements, and after my final later today, I’ll be work-free till the last week here. Despite the fact that I rarely looked at my LSAT review books, I took a mock LSAT at the Kaplan Center on Saturday morning. I scored a 161, and although I’m fairly confident that by the October LSAT I’ll be able to score at least a 165, I’m skeptical that I’ll be able to jump the ten points needed to break 170. As for now though, I just want to enjoy my last few weeks in D.C. before studying for the LSATs consumes my life during the summer.

Week 11

I am so tired of seeing gray skies--it's April and a few weeks into spring; we should be walking around sans scarves and coats, yet people are eyeing me as the over-zealous girl who sprung into spring too early by gliding out the door in only a thin shirt. I live for the summer and all the beaches and barbeques that come with it, if you couldn’t tell.

Last week the office went to a luncheon to honor the recipients of the Ridenhour Award, which celebrates "truth-telling." Former President Jimmy Carter was one of the recipients last year, and it was extremely interesting to hear politically driven individuals address "truth-telling," especially since politicians are infamous for speaking of promises with fingers crossed behind their backs. Although I appeared to be the only one standing to the right of the political equator, I still enjoyed myself at the event. Here's a picture of most of the interns and office staff that went:

As I’m finally wrapping up all the documents due in my portfolio, it amazes me that I only have one month left in D.C. I’ve had an amazing time down here, and I’m not sure if I’m ready to leave the professional world for college life filled with classes, cramming, and (sometimes) condescending professors. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss the late nights and lazy Sundays associated with the collegiate experience, but I’ll definitely miss the young professional atmosphere once I leave. I’ll especially miss how clean the city is when I walk around in New York City smog during the summer. I think I see a hint of sun finally, so I’m going to take a quick lunch break--until next time!

Week 10

I have been so tired lately – I think the 8:30-5:30 job is finally beginning to take its toll. It’s probably a combination of a few things, especially since things in my personal and family life haven’t been picture-perfect lately, and although I’m having the greatest time in D.C., homesickness is definitely not an unfamiliar sentiment.

Despite all this, I’m still trying to take in as much of the experience here as I can. I stopped by the cherry blossom festival this weekend, and although the exhibit was beautiful, it was probably a mistake to go during the festival’s opening weekend - it was complete insanity. As a New Yorker, I thought I was used to large groups of tourists, but the crowd at the festival definitely proved me wrong. It was still a great time though, and I’m looking forward to returning to the Tidal Basin.

Unfortunately, I am so ready to crash, so this post will have to be super short. Until next time!