Wow, not being in grad school for the summer sure frees up a few extra minutes for things like blogging and interacting with humans. But working full time also seems to be more tiring, especially as I feel like I'm constantly alert for 9 hours a day, trying to absorb as much information as possible.
So I have officially survived my first week of working! Today we only had work until noon, because the office figured that everyone would head home anyway for the holiday weekend.
Everything has gone a lot better than I expected and probably in large part to your prayers. I actually look forward to work, and I have already learned so much, especially from my boss. The days seem pretty long, but I feel like I'm staying busy and engaged.
Yesterday I got to work and was informed that we were heading into D.C. again for the day. We once again drove in gridlock traffic to the metro station, and then breezed along to the Capitol, where I was deposited by myself to attend a briefing. The Capitol guards took away my water and lunch, but now I know for next time that I basically can't bring anything with me, except (hopefully) my brain.
After the briefing, I managed to find my way back to the metro, which was like a sauna due to the heat and humidity. The D.C. metro and its trains from the 1970s are a lot less fun to ride than Beijing's beautiful, shiny new ones. Anyway, I rode it to one of our company's small satellite offices nearby for the rest of the day. It's not in a very good part of town, so I didn't really venture outside after that. Instead, I put together a summary of the briefing, and talked with the only two other people at the office, who are ex-military leaders and have amazing stories.
In the coming weeks I get to look forward to other events, meals with Congresspeople, and even an event at the French Embassy. Ooooooh! But until then, I will enjoy this three day weekend, and hopefully venture back into the D.C. area to hang out with some friends. Have a wonderful Memorial Day wherever in the U.S. or the world you may be!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
A working girl eats breakfast on the Hill
Sorry I probably won't have much to talk about this summer, beside working. I don't really have much else happening--no school, no family, no boyfriend, etc. So this morning I woke up at the grand time of 5 a.m. I left the house by 6 and drove to Reston, where my boss picked me up in front of our building. We drove a million miles to Rosslyn, and then got on the metro to ride into the heart of D.C. to Capitol Hill. By 7:45 a.m., it was already hot, and I was already sweating in my dress pants and knee-highs.
We quickly walked by tons of suit-wearing, zombie-eyed people rushing to work, and passed the Capitol, Supreme Court, and various other amazing buildings that never fail to impress. We ended up at a fancy restaurant, which looked like it had been built in the 1800s. There were about a dozen other high-powered Indiana business reps there. All the other women had equally fancy suits, amazing makeup, and pearl necklaces. Everyone was extremely impressive, especially in their articulate words. I shook a lot of hands, and received a lot of business cards. I need to get some of my own business cards...
We sat directly across from an Indiana Representative who spoke to the small group of people. I tried to soak up every word and observe everything. I could barely speak when I had to introduce myself. For a second I blanked about which company I'm working for, but quickly recovered.
After an eventful morning, we began the long journey back to Reston, and the rest of the day went by fairly quickly, although I was extremely tired, and my eyes felt like they'd fall out. I'm already enjoying my job a lot, and hope to be a good steward of my time and resources.
More adventures to come...
We quickly walked by tons of suit-wearing, zombie-eyed people rushing to work, and passed the Capitol, Supreme Court, and various other amazing buildings that never fail to impress. We ended up at a fancy restaurant, which looked like it had been built in the 1800s. There were about a dozen other high-powered Indiana business reps there. All the other women had equally fancy suits, amazing makeup, and pearl necklaces. Everyone was extremely impressive, especially in their articulate words. I shook a lot of hands, and received a lot of business cards. I need to get some of my own business cards...
We sat directly across from an Indiana Representative who spoke to the small group of people. I tried to soak up every word and observe everything. I could barely speak when I had to introduce myself. For a second I blanked about which company I'm working for, but quickly recovered.
After an eventful morning, we began the long journey back to Reston, and the rest of the day went by fairly quickly, although I was extremely tired, and my eyes felt like they'd fall out. I'm already enjoying my job a lot, and hope to be a good steward of my time and resources.
More adventures to come...
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
A working girl
On Monday morning bright and early at 7:30, I hopped in my car and drove to the nearby city of Reston, which looks like it came off the Truman show or something. The planned, quaint city is home to dozens of high-powered, world-renowned companies. I managed to park, and glided into one of the gleaming high-rises, where an equally gleaming elevator whisked me to the lobby of the company I'm working for all summer.
It's a whole different ball game from my previous stints in the public sector, and especially in China. I'm working with a lot of interesting and extremely capable people, and will have a challenging summer of responsibilities ahead of me. I get to work on environmental and government relations aspects, which means my first big task is going to D.C. tomorrow morning for a breakfast on Capitol Hill. Apparently I'll be spending a good portion of my time there. Too bad it takes 1.5 hours to get to D.C. from the office. So I get to wake up at 5 a.m. tomorrow to leave at 6 a.m. in order to arrive for the breakfast by car and then Metro. Unfortunately, no chauffeurs were provided with the job. :)
Everything's a little overwhelming at the moment, but I feel very blessed and undeserving of this job. I really hope to make everyone proud and to learn a lot. Thanks as always for your thoughts! I'm adjusting to life here, although I still miss people.
It's a whole different ball game from my previous stints in the public sector, and especially in China. I'm working with a lot of interesting and extremely capable people, and will have a challenging summer of responsibilities ahead of me. I get to work on environmental and government relations aspects, which means my first big task is going to D.C. tomorrow morning for a breakfast on Capitol Hill. Apparently I'll be spending a good portion of my time there. Too bad it takes 1.5 hours to get to D.C. from the office. So I get to wake up at 5 a.m. tomorrow to leave at 6 a.m. in order to arrive for the breakfast by car and then Metro. Unfortunately, no chauffeurs were provided with the job. :)
Everything's a little overwhelming at the moment, but I feel very blessed and undeserving of this job. I really hope to make everyone proud and to learn a lot. Thanks as always for your thoughts! I'm adjusting to life here, although I still miss people.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Onward and eastward
I'm sorry that I haven't written anything for a while. We all had a marvelous time in Florida, especially seeing baby Andrea graduate from college. I'm so proud of her!
Yesterday I drove 11 hours and 581 miles by myself to Virginia. To keep me sane, I made some observations about the states I drove through:
Indiana:
-Worst roads
-Highest gas prices
-Saddest to leave this state
Ohio:
-Best roads
-Prettiest, bluest sky
-Longest part of the drive
West Virginia:
-Most interesting, dilapidated houses
-Most run down
-Most gorgeous wildflowers
Pennsylvania:
-Shortest section of the trip
-Hilliest
Maryland:
-Most scenic
-Narrowest one-lane highways
Virginia (or at least northern Virginia):
-Most suburban
-Most developed
Anyway, I safely arrived to my new home for the entire summer. I'm staying with some of my aunt's friends. They are very kind and have a gigantic house; I'm so thankful for their hospitality. I'm pretty sure my bedroom is bigger than my entire Bloomington apartment.
Now I'm looking forward to starting my new job; I need something to occupy my mind and time. Thanks as always for your thoughts!
Baby Andrea the new graduate.
Hanging out with Andrea and her sweet Asian friends.
Yesterday I drove 11 hours and 581 miles by myself to Virginia. To keep me sane, I made some observations about the states I drove through:
Indiana:
-Worst roads
-Highest gas prices
-Saddest to leave this state
Ohio:
-Best roads
-Prettiest, bluest sky
-Longest part of the drive
West Virginia:
-Most interesting, dilapidated houses
-Most run down
-Most gorgeous wildflowers
Pennsylvania:
-Shortest section of the trip
-Hilliest
Maryland:
-Most scenic
-Narrowest one-lane highways
Virginia (or at least northern Virginia):
-Most suburban
-Most developed
Anyway, I safely arrived to my new home for the entire summer. I'm staying with some of my aunt's friends. They are very kind and have a gigantic house; I'm so thankful for their hospitality. I'm pretty sure my bedroom is bigger than my entire Bloomington apartment.
Now I'm looking forward to starting my new job; I need something to occupy my mind and time. Thanks as always for your thoughts!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Upward and onward
One year ago my mom and Andrea were visiting me in China--helping me teach, going on crazy adventures, hanging out with dear friends and students, and eating good food. Now we're all about to be reunited again, this time for baby Andrea's college graduation! It's hard to believe that she is 22 and has just finished college.
I officially finished up all my exams and papers this past Thursday. I was working constantly the past couple of weeks on all that work, pretty much from the early morning to late night. Thanks so much for your thoughts! Everything is completed, and my grades were a lot better than I expected; so I certainly get to keep my scholarship next year, which is a huge blessing. So the first year of grad school is done...
I managed to push back my start date for my internship by one week, which means I'll get to attend Andrea's graduation. That has given me a bit more breathing room, so I officially get two weeks of a break for the entire summer, instead of just one. :)
I flew to the hubbub of Orlando yesterday to stay with Andrea in Daytona Beach, which is the total opposite of Mayberry. First I had to take an hour and a half long shuttle van ride from Orlando to Daytona Beach with several other passengers from all over the world--one was a British woman who practices hypnosis for a living. Another was a Mexican woman and her very elderly mother, who was singing in Spanish while the driver played Rolling Stones on the radio. Everyone was very friendly, but interesting.
I was sitting in the third row back, but the driver was looking at me nearly the whole time. I tried to pretend I was sleeping. He and the other passengers were asking me questions about everything, and the driver decided I could be dropped off first in Daytona Beach, because I was cute. Then he turned down the radio and declared that I "resembled Meg Ryan." I didn't understand him the first time, so he had to repeat it. I looked at him like he was crazy, because the only thing Meg Ryan and I have in common is that we both happen to be female. By the time I was dropped off at Andrea's school, I practically leaped out, because I was so ready to get out of there.
So this part of Florida is filled with so many interesting people of all different shapes, sizes, colors, and socio-economic statuses. It is hot, hazy, colorful, and loud. People wear and say crazy things, which doesn't happen so much when I stay in quaint little Midwestern towns.
The rest our family will be coming in a couple days... Hooray!
I officially finished up all my exams and papers this past Thursday. I was working constantly the past couple of weeks on all that work, pretty much from the early morning to late night. Thanks so much for your thoughts! Everything is completed, and my grades were a lot better than I expected; so I certainly get to keep my scholarship next year, which is a huge blessing. So the first year of grad school is done...
I managed to push back my start date for my internship by one week, which means I'll get to attend Andrea's graduation. That has given me a bit more breathing room, so I officially get two weeks of a break for the entire summer, instead of just one. :)
I flew to the hubbub of Orlando yesterday to stay with Andrea in Daytona Beach, which is the total opposite of Mayberry. First I had to take an hour and a half long shuttle van ride from Orlando to Daytona Beach with several other passengers from all over the world--one was a British woman who practices hypnosis for a living. Another was a Mexican woman and her very elderly mother, who was singing in Spanish while the driver played Rolling Stones on the radio. Everyone was very friendly, but interesting.
I was sitting in the third row back, but the driver was looking at me nearly the whole time. I tried to pretend I was sleeping. He and the other passengers were asking me questions about everything, and the driver decided I could be dropped off first in Daytona Beach, because I was cute. Then he turned down the radio and declared that I "resembled Meg Ryan." I didn't understand him the first time, so he had to repeat it. I looked at him like he was crazy, because the only thing Meg Ryan and I have in common is that we both happen to be female. By the time I was dropped off at Andrea's school, I practically leaped out, because I was so ready to get out of there.
So this part of Florida is filled with so many interesting people of all different shapes, sizes, colors, and socio-economic statuses. It is hot, hazy, colorful, and loud. People wear and say crazy things, which doesn't happen so much when I stay in quaint little Midwestern towns.
The rest our family will be coming in a couple days... Hooray!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Welcome to May
It's May. The weather is chilly and rainy for days on end. The lowest gas prices here are at $4.29, and everything seems to have gotten a lot more expensive. I'm also in the midst of finals and massive paper-writing. In three days I have to pack up my entire apartment. And in just a couple of weeks I start an internship far away that will last the whole summer.
So this month doesn't sound so awesome right now, but I still have a lot to be thankful for and am just trying to finish the race well. He knows the plans He has for me, and they aren't to harm me, although I'm filled more with dread than excitement right now.
In the spare moments I have to think about or do things other than school, I've been reflecting on this past year. It's such a change from China, which I still miss a lot, but I think I would still make the same decision to start grad school here in Bloomington again. I feel like I've finally found a place that seems like home, especially as I've uprooted my life and friendships several times in the past--going to two different high schools, moving to Virginia for 4 years, moving to China for 2 years, moving to Indiana, and now migrating briefly to the D.C. area for the summer.
I have had to say goodbye in the past couple of days to two very close friends who are graduating and now moving on from Bloomington. I already miss them a lot and wonder if I'll ever stay in one spot longer than a few months or years and be able to develop long-lasting friendships and connections.
That's all I have to say for now--I ought to get back to studying. Thanks as always for your thoughts and encouraging words. Have a blessed May!
So this month doesn't sound so awesome right now, but I still have a lot to be thankful for and am just trying to finish the race well. He knows the plans He has for me, and they aren't to harm me, although I'm filled more with dread than excitement right now.
In the spare moments I have to think about or do things other than school, I've been reflecting on this past year. It's such a change from China, which I still miss a lot, but I think I would still make the same decision to start grad school here in Bloomington again. I feel like I've finally found a place that seems like home, especially as I've uprooted my life and friendships several times in the past--going to two different high schools, moving to Virginia for 4 years, moving to China for 2 years, moving to Indiana, and now migrating briefly to the D.C. area for the summer.
I have had to say goodbye in the past couple of days to two very close friends who are graduating and now moving on from Bloomington. I already miss them a lot and wonder if I'll ever stay in one spot longer than a few months or years and be able to develop long-lasting friendships and connections.
That's all I have to say for now--I ought to get back to studying. Thanks as always for your thoughts and encouraging words. Have a blessed May!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Monsoon season
In Nanchang, I remember that each spring it would rain for a month straight every single day. Now that it has been raining and storming for most of April here, I'm recalling those days and wondering what we did to make the days survivable.
What I remember about the Nanchang rainy season:
-My bright yellow rain boots paired with my bright green rain jacket.
-My teaching lesson papers being totally limp and soggy.
-Dozens of brightly colored umbrellas were open to be dried in the back of the classroom every day.
-Since there wasn't an operable or effective drainage system in the streets, you could practically ford a river to get to class.
The excessive rain here in Indiana doesn't quite compare, but it's close. You know it's rained a lot when:
-All the gum you have is a squishy mess from the humidity.
-Your hair always looks wet.
-A familiar sound is wet vacs pumping out water from the ground level apartments of our complex.
-Everyone looks pale and tired.
-You have even less motivation to write papers, finish projects, and prepare for finals.
And yesterday was Easter! It was cold and rainy, but still a wonderful day, especially as we reflected on His resurrection! I got to bring my two Chinese friends with me to church. Overall, it was a blessed day and now it's back to the grind of somehow finishing this semester!
Rainy days: Nanchang, 2010.
I miss riding on humid Chinese buses with Jodi!
All the colorful umbrellas on display in the perpetually rainy weather: Nanchang, 2010.
Muddy roads: Nanchang, 2010.
What I remember about the Nanchang rainy season:
-My bright yellow rain boots paired with my bright green rain jacket.
-My teaching lesson papers being totally limp and soggy.
-Dozens of brightly colored umbrellas were open to be dried in the back of the classroom every day.
-Since there wasn't an operable or effective drainage system in the streets, you could practically ford a river to get to class.
The excessive rain here in Indiana doesn't quite compare, but it's close. You know it's rained a lot when:
-All the gum you have is a squishy mess from the humidity.
-Your hair always looks wet.
-A familiar sound is wet vacs pumping out water from the ground level apartments of our complex.
-Everyone looks pale and tired.
-You have even less motivation to write papers, finish projects, and prepare for finals.
And yesterday was Easter! It was cold and rainy, but still a wonderful day, especially as we reflected on His resurrection! I got to bring my two Chinese friends with me to church. Overall, it was a blessed day and now it's back to the grind of somehow finishing this semester!
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