VA Beach

Last weekend I headed off for a much anticipated retreat to Virginia Beach with several other interns from Ashoka, as well as Michelle, of course.

We drove, set up camp, and hit the beach. Three car loads of us bonded over s'mores, beach volleyball, and getting in touch with nature. I love these people.

After returning, we all showed up at work the next day tired and sunburnt, but knowing it was well worth it.

Boston

Last week my work flew me up to Boston for the MIT and Knight Foundation's Future of Civic Media Conference. It's hard to put into words how I felt during the whole thing and it's way too long to explain everything and let's be honest, people really only want short quotes and pictures so I'll keep it brief.

An excerpt from thoughts I wrote down while there:

"I sat back today and was alarmed by how comfortable I am here. I’ve never been to Boston, I don’t know anyone, I’m the youngest person there, and yet somehow I feel right at home. And I can’t decide if it’s the nature of the work or the International Fellows I am surrounded by. I’ve been so caught up in everything that I’ve almost forgotten about things in my “real life.” And I suppose that’s ok for a few days, to get lost in something in order to soak it all in and somehow come out changed."

My supervisor blogged briefly about the conference. He summed it up perfectly: http://knowledge.ashoka.org/node/4989

"They're meaty issues, indeed. And complicated, which is part of the fun. And vitally important, which is why all our Fellows are in the game."

Roomie reunion

I have a bajillion things to blog about, but this one is about dear Whitters. She came to DC last week and we saw each other for the first time since her Spanish adventures. We had long chats with Hannah and Audrey over dinner at Serendipity, caught up on each others lives, and watched an outdoor movie. It was good to be able to de-brief again, it had been too long. 

Free as we'll ever be

This past weekend my best friend got married. She was beautiful, the reception and luncheon were perfect, and it was a perfect few days in Utah. Now, getting there was a different story. A long, dramatic story about me being late for the wedding and missing my last night together with Jordi, but I'll spare you the sad details. Instead I'll post happy pictures of how pretty her wedding was.

It was so fun to be back with everyone and to tag along with her and Brady all day (they couldn't get rid of me). The next day in Salt Lake was spent with my boys at Lagoon and dinner at the Red Iguana. We finished the night up with ice cream and late night talks at Blake's.

These streets will make you feel brand new

Before I set off on another weekend adventure (jetsetting to Utah tomorrow...more on that when I get back), I need to recount my trip to New York. Alex and I decided last minute to buy bus tickets up north to visit some friends in the comms program. And it was just what I needed. 

In true dorky/tourist fashion, we busted out the ipod when we saw the city lights and started singing along to "Empire State of Mind." It started the trip off on the perfect foot. Tori was the best tour guide I could have asked for. She first took me to the one place I've always wanted to go, The Brooklyn Bridge. We stood underneath it, stared at the skyline, and blabbed on and on about our internships. The next day was full of Broadway, food, Staten Island Ferry, food, Times Square, Wall Street, food, street markets, Little Italy, China Town, Grand Central Station, and more food. Honestly, that city knows how to eat. 

List of famous people I saw:

Daniel Radcliff (childhood dream come true. also, he is so cute on Broadway)

Bono (down the row from me at the show. omg!! sunglasses and all)

Harry Reid (oh you know, at church)

Elder Perry and Elder Cook (again, church in New York=awesome)

And I also ran into friends from school throughout the weekend. "Oh hey, you're in New York too?" Yeah, it's a big city and I know people walking down the streets. nbd. 

So here are the pictures of my weekend in the concrete jungle. There's something about that place that leaves me wanting more. New York hasn't yet had the time or chance to chew me up and spit me out. 

Emphasis: Print Journalism

Two years ago, I sat in a "Principles of Journalism" class. I didn't know anyone and I had no idea what to expect. In that class I met Tori and Alex. Since then, we got accepted into the program, wrote for the Daily Universe, worked as TA's and editors, and became friends. And not just the "hey I'll see you tomorrow in class friends," but real honest to goodness influence your life friends. One of the best things the communications program has given me is the people. 

These first pictures were taken at Chili's (naturally) after we got accepted into the program. 

And these are from the past weekend in New York when Alex and I took the Megabus to visit Tori. She has been a rockstar at The Daily news for the past few months and is ending her crazy internship today.

Looking back on the beginning of our journalism journey I can't help but laugh. Laugh at what we were getting into. We've come a long way, we've learned a lot, and we have gotten to share it with each other. And that's something I wouldn't change for the world. 

Ethnic Thursdays

With 45 interns in an international office, I have quite the diverse group of colleagues. And with everyone being entrepreneurial, we have events planned for almost every day of the week. After getting a group together for Ethiopian food last week, ethnic Thursdays were born. We try a new authentic style from someone's home country each week. Tonight, Tony took us for chinese.

This table covers 5 continents, 8 countries, a number of religions, and who knows how many languages.

Dear Mr. President,

Thank you for inviting me to the welcome ceremony for the Chancellor of Germany this morning. It was great to see you up close and personal for the first time. You sure know how to greet people in style.

Sittin on the dock of the bay

Well it's time for another weekend-o-fun update.

Jazz in the park 

Tony and I instantly bonded when I found out he was from Shenzhen

236th ward reunion at a Weezer tribute band concert

sibs

Adams Morgan by night

America

Waterfront at Old Town Alexandria

 This city is treating me well. Every day, every weekend, every week is exciting.