As I sit down to right this, I realize I'm probabblyyyy only doing this to avoid writing my op-ed for Econ, which I will probabblyyyy be doing eh...later on. It has been well over a week since my last post, so I'm going to try my damnedest to touch on the whirlwind that is my life and is DC. First of all, I need to mention that I feel like I've lived here for a century. Everything and everyone I've come in contact with is reminiscent of my "idea" of what home should be like, with the exception of the umpteen times I've succeeded in almost having panic attacks on the Metro (God bless the Orange Line and the Red Line and the mounds of people who are around at 5 o' clock, ahh business casual!) or the times I've spent looking similar to a lost puppy as I try to find my way back home to "F" street on GWU's historic campus. If it weren't for all the numbered streets, as well as my ability to name off the alphabet in order, I really would be in a ditch somewhere.
But onto the postive! I started my internship exactly a week ago, and from day one...I was sold. I remember being shown around the office building that I had walked to with much more ease than expected. Before heading to the office building, I stopped by Jimmy John's and came across a couple of astonishing facts: 1. THEY HAD SWEET TEA. 2. It was "brewed" sweet tea! Being the addict I was, I took this as a gracious sign from above and bought my self a cup of iced tea, because what is not a normal 8:30 am drink these days? Once arriving at the office, I realized my job would require me taking on numerous projects that I had little experience in, but I think I decided to relish the challenge. I, Badria, can take on the world of grant-writing, fundraising, and nonprofits in strides! This was confirmed only when my supervisors took me into a fancy law firm (Yes, they had revolving doors!), and I witnessed a committee meeting for the nonprofit with some of their coolest Board members. Of course, I was there only to take notes, but man, it was great fun--and kinda gave me hope for my own little high-rollin', semi-politico future.
The Council for Court Excellence equals awesomeness, as does GMU's Arlington campus. I started my class there the next day and really enjoyed how modern it was and had my first trip to ole' Virginia. I decided perhaps Economics could be interesting, and that my professor will probably end up teaching me more than expected. Haha, I also learned that being in a nonprofit program doesn't always equate to being a "good" person. In my case, I actually grow tiresome of directly helping people and have learned that the strategy behind giving is what I am more interested in, as well as effective altruism. As I had mentioned to a few people, I realize not all of us have a "heart of gold," but rather a stone that has been long-since painted gold, to which the paint gradually chips away unless the stone is closely monitored.
Okay, so that's enough of my nutty philosophy, if we fast-forward a little bit-- I'd like to make EVERYONE jealous that I saw Lana Del Rey live in Bristow, Virginia. I cannot repeat enough how phenomenal she is live, and how I much I wanted to ball my eyes out when she sang "Ultraviolence." I mean, shit--holy shit. Coming off the Lana high, I continued to be amazed by a lot of life. I attended my first Pride Festival ever and was dumbstruck by how much love the DC community had to offer to all kinds of people. I saw so many Christian denominations, parents, organizations, and many others who were so kind and in full support of the LGBT movement. Yet, it was also saddening--by knowing Arkansas has yet to reach a level where such full and complete support is realized. Also, I got a bunch of free stuff and bonded with some pretty wicked TFASers.
And those are my highlights for the week, but not to worry folks! For your enjoyment, I have made a lists of DOs and DON'Ts of DC
But onto the postive! I started my internship exactly a week ago, and from day one...I was sold. I remember being shown around the office building that I had walked to with much more ease than expected. Before heading to the office building, I stopped by Jimmy John's and came across a couple of astonishing facts: 1. THEY HAD SWEET TEA. 2. It was "brewed" sweet tea! Being the addict I was, I took this as a gracious sign from above and bought my self a cup of iced tea, because what is not a normal 8:30 am drink these days? Once arriving at the office, I realized my job would require me taking on numerous projects that I had little experience in, but I think I decided to relish the challenge. I, Badria, can take on the world of grant-writing, fundraising, and nonprofits in strides! This was confirmed only when my supervisors took me into a fancy law firm (Yes, they had revolving doors!), and I witnessed a committee meeting for the nonprofit with some of their coolest Board members. Of course, I was there only to take notes, but man, it was great fun--and kinda gave me hope for my own little high-rollin', semi-politico future.
The Council for Court Excellence equals awesomeness, as does GMU's Arlington campus. I started my class there the next day and really enjoyed how modern it was and had my first trip to ole' Virginia. I decided perhaps Economics could be interesting, and that my professor will probably end up teaching me more than expected. Haha, I also learned that being in a nonprofit program doesn't always equate to being a "good" person. In my case, I actually grow tiresome of directly helping people and have learned that the strategy behind giving is what I am more interested in, as well as effective altruism. As I had mentioned to a few people, I realize not all of us have a "heart of gold," but rather a stone that has been long-since painted gold, to which the paint gradually chips away unless the stone is closely monitored.
Okay, so that's enough of my nutty philosophy, if we fast-forward a little bit-- I'd like to make EVERYONE jealous that I saw Lana Del Rey live in Bristow, Virginia. I cannot repeat enough how phenomenal she is live, and how I much I wanted to ball my eyes out when she sang "Ultraviolence." I mean, shit--holy shit. Coming off the Lana high, I continued to be amazed by a lot of life. I attended my first Pride Festival ever and was dumbstruck by how much love the DC community had to offer to all kinds of people. I saw so many Christian denominations, parents, organizations, and many others who were so kind and in full support of the LGBT movement. Yet, it was also saddening--by knowing Arkansas has yet to reach a level where such full and complete support is realized. Also, I got a bunch of free stuff and bonded with some pretty wicked TFASers.
And those are my highlights for the week, but not to worry folks! For your enjoyment, I have made a lists of DOs and DON'Ts of DC
Do
- Do walk around DC as much as possible and take pleasure in the sights you see (I accidentally encountered a 7-11, Watergate, and the Saudi Arabian Embassy recently! )
- Do ask for directions when lost because people are pretty friendly
- Do fall in love with Trader Joe's, as it is the best grocery store around andddddd they perpetuate the cheap, granola, wholesome vibe
- Do go to any/all of the Smithsonians. There are so many interesting exhibits (aka the India exhibit in the Museum of Natural History)
- Do pay attention to homeless people because they are people and do having meaning, just as we all do in our crackpot little world
- Do eat fancy grilled cheeses at grilled cheese bars
- Do spend time with intelligent people because there is the hope that those people will rub off on you
- Do be a "yes man" or a "yes woman" because Goddddd, life is really great when you're open-minded
Don't
- Don't get discouraged at a fast-paced job or internship
- Don't run up an escalator
- Don't spend all your money at Whole Foods, no matter how appealing it is
- DON'T WALK AROUND DC IN YOUR HEELS. ahhhhggggg, so much painnnnnn
- Don't think that people at crosswalks are engaging in a really serious game of red-rover with you
- Don't fall into the category of people who don't smile when you smile at them
- Don't lose your Metro card!
- Don't forget to dress to impress because this city really digs that
Most importantly: Have those kooky adventures that are worth telling your grand kids about someday! Run across crosswalks! Get lost with people who interest you! Check out that cheeky cafe that's down the street from you! Pick up on what the world is telling you and actively participate in life with a thirst for knowledge and energy that is so eagerly intertwined with being young and inexperienced.
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