Monday, June 28, 2010
My Favorite Wife
One of my new favorite movies! I had a great time at the National Theater this evening. The movie was wonderful, a great comedy by Cary Grant!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Halfway done.
Well, I am now officially HALF WAY DONE with my internship! I have to say that I am pretty excited. This has been a great opportunity, and I really do like it here, but I miss Texas.
This weekend was not very exciting, but I did catch up on my sleep which was super nice. There were some things that I wanted to go out and see, but I decided to save them for when my boyfriend, Zane, comes to visit me. This week will be a short one at work, I have Thursday and Friday off, as well as next Monday! I am super excited for the 5 day weekend; I just hope the next 3 days go by super fast!
Although last week was uneventful, I do have some things planned for the next few days:
Monday: watch "My Favorite Wife" at the National Theater
Tuesday: visit a piano bar with my room mate after work
Wednesday: wait for Zane to fly in to D.C.
Thursday: sightseeing and paddleboating with Zane
Friday: continue sightseeing
Saturday: Birthday Celebration + exploring Old Town Alexandria
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Things I've Noticed: Part 4
Writing a research paper for a company is ALOT different than writing an academic research paper. Definitely an adjustment.
Things I've Noticed: Part 3
I just noticed that it is a week and a half until my birthday. Wow, time sure does fly!
Monday, June 21, 2010
The National Theater
The National Theater is located right next door to where I work, and I just found out that they have a summer movie festival where they show movies for free every Monday night. And not just movies, but wonderful classic old movies. This summer is Cary Grant themed, so naturally I have to attend each movie that will be played. Tonight was their opening night, and they showed To Catch a Thief. It was amazing. Possibly my favorite Cary Grant film to date...but then again I haven't gotten through the whole summer, yet! Here is the rest of the schedule:
June 28 - My Favorite Wife (definitely attending)
July 12 - An Affair to Remember (I'm going to Screen on the Green, instead to see Goldfinger)
July 19 - His Girl Friday (attending)
August 2 - Notorious (I cannot wait for this one!)
August 9 - Bringing up Baby (I'll be back in Texas)
August 16 - Charade (Back in Texas, but it is in my Netflix queue)
The Texas State Society Father's Day Picnic
All of us interns were invited to intern at the TSS's Father's Day Picnic. They would provide us with some much needed bbq, blue bell, and shiner, so of course all of us said yes. The picnic was in fact fun, and I met some more awesome people there (they invited my room mate and I out with them to H street this weekend, so look out for that post), but they failed to inform just how long it would take to get to the place where it was held at. My room mate and I headed out on our journey at around 11 AM Sunday morning. The metro runs slower on the weekends so we had to wait about 15 minutes for a blue line, then we had to wait another 15 minutes to transfer to the red line after a 20 minute ride. So, we finally get on the red line but we have to ride that to the end of the line, about 15 stops. Awesome. And the red line is having construction work done on it, so more delays. Double Awesome. 45 minutes later we get off the red line and head to where the shuttle bus should be awaiting us. Apparently the shuttle picked up on the hour instead of every half hour, like we had assumed. So, after 35 minutes of waiting the shuttle picks us up and drives 30 minutes out to the Maryland countryside. In total it took 3 hours to get there. That is just a bit shorter than it takes for me to get from Pleasanton to College Station. But, I did get free bbq out of the deal (and Shiner) so I really can't complain too much. The best part was when the shuttle driver got lost and asked the bus load of Texans if we saw the turn he had to take. Seriously? I am really starting to miss Texas, right about now.
Saturday at the French Embassy
So, on Saturday I attended Fête de la Musique, a world music festival, at the French Embassy. It was so much fun....once I got there. The embassy is located in Georgetown, which does not have a direct metro stop to it. So, after I got off the metro I had to make a 2 mile hike to the embassy. It was enjoyable, however after having run 2.5 miles that morning 2 more miles was a bit much...especially because half of it was up hill. But, the scenery was nice. It reminded me of Adams Morgan because there were so many refurbished row houses, but Georgetown is definitely a bit swankier. After an hour of walking, I finally arrived. There were five "stages" set up around the courtyard, and lots of wine, European beer, food, pastries, and music to be had. I had to buy $20 worth of tickets, but out of that I got French bbq (sausage on a French bread bun YUMMY!), pasta salad, two beers, and a pastry. Here is a picture of my yummy strawberry tart pastry thing that I got...ohhh so good.
The Batala performance was probably my favorite, and to tell you the truth I realllllly want to join it. The music was awesome, and the performance was choreographed. It reminded me of my belly dancing days. The below picture is of a group called "The Only Two", but I guess they threw in a third for this performance. They played a more Bob Dylan style of music.
After a good 3.5 hours at the embassy, I decided it was time to head back, downhill this time, to the metro station. This walk back was nicer for many reasons: it was downhill; the sun was down; I talked to my parents the whole walk home. I'll definitely be looking for more embassy shindigs like that! But maybe ones that are a closer walk to a metro.
While I was there, I listened to a large variety of music; jazz, blues, country, and even an all women reggae-samba style percussion group called Batala (see picture below).
The Batala performance was probably my favorite, and to tell you the truth I realllllly want to join it. The music was awesome, and the performance was choreographed. It reminded me of my belly dancing days. The below picture is of a group called "The Only Two", but I guess they threw in a third for this performance. They played a more Bob Dylan style of music.
After a good 3.5 hours at the embassy, I decided it was time to head back, downhill this time, to the metro station. This walk back was nicer for many reasons: it was downhill; the sun was down; I talked to my parents the whole walk home. I'll definitely be looking for more embassy shindigs like that! But maybe ones that are a closer walk to a metro.
Receptions, Socials, and Meetings
Last week was full of meetings! On Wednesday, the interns were invited to a reception honoring Mike Mckinney, the chancellor of Texas A&M. Needless to say, there were some big wigs in attendance. Also, needless to say, there was some good finger food available. It was an enjoyable hour and a half of mingling, but my feet were tired and I was ready to get back to the apartment to attend the pizza social with the National Capitol Texas A&M Club. That social was fun, and the pizza was definitely satisfying. They also invited us to their monthly happy hour social in the Adams Morgan neighborhood. So, on Thursday my room mate and I hopped the red line to Adams Morgan to go socialize with more Aggies. I have to say, that Adams Morgan is my favorite neighborhood so far. The streets are lined with cute, renovated row houses and gardens; it is exactly what I would imagine an East Coast street to look like. The restaurant we were at was cute, as well, and the drinks were super good. Definitely a place to catch again for happy hour! I met some great Aggies, and had an awesome time!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Things I've Noticed: Part Three
It is really cold in every office that I work in. Seriously, it is at most 70 degrees in every office I step into.
Drycleaning Time!
Well, after 4 weeks on the job it is time to clean my clothes. So, instead of spending $40 on dry cleaning, I decided to experiment with Dry Cleaner’s Secret, and it is actually pretty awesome. It is $10 to clean up to 24 pieces of clothing and you can do two dry cleans per dryer cycle! Definitely not a replacement for dry cleaning, but on my limited budget it sure did the trick! It got out the wrinkles on my jackets and pants, as well as some minor stains. I am definitely happy I tried it out!
Exciting Week!
Well, this week is turning out to be a pretty interesting one! On Monday, I finally received a cubicle to call my own in the department of commerce! I no longer feel like the lonely step child of the office. Woo Hoo! However, there were obstacles associated with my new office. First of all, my mouse did not want to work. So, my supervisor and I had to rummage through random drawers and cabinets to find one. What we found was probably version 1 of Microsoft’s wireless mouse, it’s pretty awesome. It has this antennae thing that goes along with it.
After that was taken care of and I could finally log on to my computer, we found that it took about 30 minutes for my desktop to appear on the screen, so we called the IT guys. They came by and said my computer had an insufficient amount of memory, and by 5 o’clock Monday they installed a new memory card, and I could finally log in and do some work. But by then it was ready to go home.
In between the hassles of setting up my permanent workspace, I got to go to a meeting where my supervisor’s at the NAM were presenting the NAM’s opinion on international trade to the National District Export Council. My supervisor even included some of my research, and mentioned what I am doing to the council. It was pretty cool. All in all, four weeks into my internship I would have to say my supervisors at the NAM and the DOC sound pretty pleased with my work.
All I can say is that I am so excited about what they are having me do, and I am lucky that they give me so much freedom to put my own spin on everything. I don’t think many people get to do that as interns. And it is so cool to get to work with people who are trying to change the status quo. Although in the DOC the work has to be political, the overall objective of everyone in my office is not; they truly want to create a program that will actually benefit business owners who want to export to new markets and expand their business. It is pretty awesome. And everyone is just so supportive of me taking this internship and using it as a way to meet people. I am currently going through lists of offices in the International Trade Association and making note of people that I would like to have informational interviews with.
Today I am attending my first meeting on the hill with the director of our international policy team. I’m pretty excited, although I’m sure the meeting will be filled with more political jargon that I will have to google once I get back to my desk. Oh well, maybe I can make a dictionary for the intern who will take my place! Tonight is also the reception that Texas A&M’s Chancellor invited all of the PPIP/ANRP interns to, and the social with officers of the D.C. A&M Club. Maybe I will be able to give away more of my business cards…
After that was taken care of and I could finally log on to my computer, we found that it took about 30 minutes for my desktop to appear on the screen, so we called the IT guys. They came by and said my computer had an insufficient amount of memory, and by 5 o’clock Monday they installed a new memory card, and I could finally log in and do some work. But by then it was ready to go home.
In between the hassles of setting up my permanent workspace, I got to go to a meeting where my supervisor’s at the NAM were presenting the NAM’s opinion on international trade to the National District Export Council. My supervisor even included some of my research, and mentioned what I am doing to the council. It was pretty cool. All in all, four weeks into my internship I would have to say my supervisors at the NAM and the DOC sound pretty pleased with my work.
All I can say is that I am so excited about what they are having me do, and I am lucky that they give me so much freedom to put my own spin on everything. I don’t think many people get to do that as interns. And it is so cool to get to work with people who are trying to change the status quo. Although in the DOC the work has to be political, the overall objective of everyone in my office is not; they truly want to create a program that will actually benefit business owners who want to export to new markets and expand their business. It is pretty awesome. And everyone is just so supportive of me taking this internship and using it as a way to meet people. I am currently going through lists of offices in the International Trade Association and making note of people that I would like to have informational interviews with.
Today I am attending my first meeting on the hill with the director of our international policy team. I’m pretty excited, although I’m sure the meeting will be filled with more political jargon that I will have to google once I get back to my desk. Oh well, maybe I can make a dictionary for the intern who will take my place! Tonight is also the reception that Texas A&M’s Chancellor invited all of the PPIP/ANRP interns to, and the social with officers of the D.C. A&M Club. Maybe I will be able to give away more of my business cards…
Sunday, June 13, 2010
End of Weekend!
Well, I would like to report that I did tons of awesome things this weekend, but unfortunately I cannot say that. Instead of traveling around the city, I decided to take a weekend off to recuperate; it was glorious. I hung out by the pool and caught up on my tanning, I worked out in the gym, and I basically lounged around most of the weekend. However I can cross getting groceries off of my to-do list. I made an excursion to Pentagon City and visited Harris Teeter, now my refrigerator is teeming with goodies. I also did my first load of laundry, today. I found out this weekend through a coughing/sneezing fit that I am apparently allergic to something that is on my pillows and the sheets at the head of my bed. So, I had to wash my sheets to get rid of whatever that something was. Tonight, hopefully, there will be no more sneezing and coughing. Most importantly, after waiting 3 weeks my apartment finally has internet!! Last night I watched many shows on Netflix to celebrate the occasion.
This week is going to be quite busy, so I will have many updates. On Monday I am attending two meetings where I should have the chance to network with some D.C. big shots...we will see how that goes. Then on Wednesday, I get to go to a reception with THE chancellor of the Texas A&M system, Mike McKinney. Talk about rubbing elbows! After that is a social with the Texas A&M Club in the area at my apartment. On Thursday is happy hour with the Texas A&M Club in the Adams Morgan neighborhood, then Friday, and then the weekend! Hello and Goodbye to week 4 in D.C.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Things I've Noticed: Part 2
People outside of the government workings look at things WAY differently that people inside the governent. I am lucky to be working on both sides of the fence and be able to see an issue clearly from two points of view.
Long time no write
I’m sorry readers that it has been about a week since my last post! Fear not, here is an update and once the internet is up and running in my apartment this Saturday (fingers crossed), I will be able to update at my leisure. Anyway, last Friday I went to the Fashion Center at Pentagon City to do a bit of shopping therapy…it certainly worked out well! I walked a way with 2 pairs of shorts, a pair of jeans, and 3 shirts for a very modest price. FYI: did you know that the Limited gives 15% discounts for students? I didn’t but I found out that sweet tidbit last Friday. I also got to take advantage of the minimal sales tax in the state of Virginia! As well as shopping, I got a chance to hang out with my room mate and one of her friends who is an ANRP intern. It was super fun girl time, something that I hadn’t had in a really long time. A good time was had by all.
Then on Saturday, I went with the same girls plus one more of their friends back to the Smithsonians. The museums were a lot less crowded so we got some great museum time in. Then we went to lunch at the super cute restaurant that was extremely reasonable. All of us ordered off the kids menu, trying to save some money, and quickly learned that the kids menu = a really big kids menu!
We definitely got our money’s worth. Seeing the regular sized plates made me happy that I ordered the kids portion. I probably would not have been able to move. After that we headed home and hung out at the apartment.
On Sunday we all went out again to the National Zoo. This was a very fun adventure, although I didn’t think the zoo was all that great. I’m still not entirely impressed with the Smithsonian’s museums. I’m not sure what it is about them, but on a scale from 1 to 10, I am sitting at about a 5 or 6. In any case, the girls I was with were a lot of fun, which made the zoo worth the trip. However, our outing was cut short when we found out there was a TORNADO WATCH in D.C. connected to storms that swept across the midwest! Seriously, a tornado in Maryland?…who would have thought. So, we rushed back out of the zoo (about a 1.5 mile walk) back to the metro and back to the apartment. Fortunately, the storm missed us so I didn’t get rained on as I went to see Hamlet at the Folger Theatre later that evening. I really enjoyed this production of Hamlet; I like the interpretation, although it took me a while to catch up to the Shakespearian language since I hadn’t heard it in a while. By the end of the play it was 10PM and I was exhausted. Once I got back to my apartment, I had to go to bed.
Monday was my first real work day in the DOC, unfortunately the metro was not my friend and the delays made me about 15 minutes late (getting lost in the building didn’t help me either). However, the staff is super understanding about hold ups like that. Anyway, I finally got my transportation benefits form turned in and I also finally have a desk to call my own. Now I am finally able to start doing my job for them, which is a good feeling. The day was relatively uneventful, but I did get to have dinner at the office of Texas A&M’s lobbying firm, Meyers and Associates. It was a very nice little get together, and I got to learn more about the job that Meyers does for A&M.
Tuesday turned out to be another uneventful day, but I did get to sit in on my first very aggressive meeting. So far, all the meetings I have been to have been laid back where both parties agree on the point of discussion, but this one had an entirely different tone. When I was asked my opinion, one of the men in the room tried to make me feel stupid, but I held my ground and tried to make my point. But it definitely is hard to make a point to someone who doesn’t want to hear your reasoning. It was different, but educational, and I won’t be taken aback if I am in another situation like that.
On Wednesday I headed back to the NAM where my econometrics work is really starting to show some progress. However, every time I finish something my supervisor wants me to do something else. It’s a very tedious process, but I am going to be super excited to see my numbers and outcomes somewhere in a NAM approved document. In the same sense, I can’t wait to be done with the numbers so I can start writing my paper on the subject and move on to the work between the Commercial Services and the NAM. Its going to be challenging so I can’t wait to get right into the meat of it.
That pretty much catches you up until today, where the story is pretty much the same as yesterday. In other news I am thinking about trying out my first grocery delivery service. I found one that offers a free delivery on your first order, so I’m pondering on whether to use it. I really need groceries and honestly I don’t see myself taking the trip to Harris Teeter any time soon. Although I love going to the market, without a car it definitely becomes a lot less appealing. However, I’m still not sold on the idea, so I’ll see where my mood takes me this weekend.
Plans for Friday - Sunday
1) GET GROCERIES by whatever means necessary. Its getting pretty serious at this point...or at least in the vegetables and fish department.
2) Go to the Limited. I got a $10 gift certificate today in my email, and that just can't go to waste
3) Attend my first D.C. happy hour, somewhere.
4) Tour the Capitol with the rest of the interns
5) Go to Eastern Market
6) Eat some chili at Ben's Chili Bowl
7) Check out U-Street
8) Enjoy having some internet!! (Countdown 17 hours)
Then on Saturday, I went with the same girls plus one more of their friends back to the Smithsonians. The museums were a lot less crowded so we got some great museum time in. Then we went to lunch at the super cute restaurant that was extremely reasonable. All of us ordered off the kids menu, trying to save some money, and quickly learned that the kids menu = a really big kids menu!
We definitely got our money’s worth. Seeing the regular sized plates made me happy that I ordered the kids portion. I probably would not have been able to move. After that we headed home and hung out at the apartment.
On Sunday we all went out again to the National Zoo. This was a very fun adventure, although I didn’t think the zoo was all that great. I’m still not entirely impressed with the Smithsonian’s museums. I’m not sure what it is about them, but on a scale from 1 to 10, I am sitting at about a 5 or 6. In any case, the girls I was with were a lot of fun, which made the zoo worth the trip. However, our outing was cut short when we found out there was a TORNADO WATCH in D.C. connected to storms that swept across the midwest! Seriously, a tornado in Maryland?…who would have thought. So, we rushed back out of the zoo (about a 1.5 mile walk) back to the metro and back to the apartment. Fortunately, the storm missed us so I didn’t get rained on as I went to see Hamlet at the Folger Theatre later that evening. I really enjoyed this production of Hamlet; I like the interpretation, although it took me a while to catch up to the Shakespearian language since I hadn’t heard it in a while. By the end of the play it was 10PM and I was exhausted. Once I got back to my apartment, I had to go to bed.
Monday was my first real work day in the DOC, unfortunately the metro was not my friend and the delays made me about 15 minutes late (getting lost in the building didn’t help me either). However, the staff is super understanding about hold ups like that. Anyway, I finally got my transportation benefits form turned in and I also finally have a desk to call my own. Now I am finally able to start doing my job for them, which is a good feeling. The day was relatively uneventful, but I did get to have dinner at the office of Texas A&M’s lobbying firm, Meyers and Associates. It was a very nice little get together, and I got to learn more about the job that Meyers does for A&M.
Tuesday turned out to be another uneventful day, but I did get to sit in on my first very aggressive meeting. So far, all the meetings I have been to have been laid back where both parties agree on the point of discussion, but this one had an entirely different tone. When I was asked my opinion, one of the men in the room tried to make me feel stupid, but I held my ground and tried to make my point. But it definitely is hard to make a point to someone who doesn’t want to hear your reasoning. It was different, but educational, and I won’t be taken aback if I am in another situation like that.
On Wednesday I headed back to the NAM where my econometrics work is really starting to show some progress. However, every time I finish something my supervisor wants me to do something else. It’s a very tedious process, but I am going to be super excited to see my numbers and outcomes somewhere in a NAM approved document. In the same sense, I can’t wait to be done with the numbers so I can start writing my paper on the subject and move on to the work between the Commercial Services and the NAM. Its going to be challenging so I can’t wait to get right into the meat of it.
That pretty much catches you up until today, where the story is pretty much the same as yesterday. In other news I am thinking about trying out my first grocery delivery service. I found one that offers a free delivery on your first order, so I’m pondering on whether to use it. I really need groceries and honestly I don’t see myself taking the trip to Harris Teeter any time soon. Although I love going to the market, without a car it definitely becomes a lot less appealing. However, I’m still not sold on the idea, so I’ll see where my mood takes me this weekend.
Plans for Friday - Sunday
1) GET GROCERIES by whatever means necessary. Its getting pretty serious at this point...or at least in the vegetables and fish department.
2) Go to the Limited. I got a $10 gift certificate today in my email, and that just can't go to waste
3) Attend my first D.C. happy hour, somewhere.
4) Tour the Capitol with the rest of the interns
5) Go to Eastern Market
6) Eat some chili at Ben's Chili Bowl
7) Check out U-Street
8) Enjoy having some internet!! (Countdown 17 hours)
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Something interesting did happen today...
I got the chance to sit in on a meeting with industry affairs officers from Toyota, and also a meeting with an international trade director for Campbell's Soup!
Well, not much is going on this week...
So, nothing really exciting is happening this week which is why I haven't had anything to post. But I am on the internet! Check out this website (under the current interns page) to see the bios and pictures of me and all the rest of the PPIP interns.
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