A working girls turns a quarter century

My boss at work today: "Laura, you're not saying much. Are you okay?"

Me: "Yes, I'm just quieter now in my old age."

Yesterday at 7:34 p.m. on July 17th, baby Laura turned 25. Twenty-five. What a big number! People still ask if I'm in high school. How can I be in my mid-twenties? What is about turning 25 that makes you reevaluate your life and where you're heading? I'm supposed to be quite wise and have things figured out, right? Anyways, I'm thankful for another year and pray that I'll spend my days wisely for God and other people.

I did get to spend my birthday weekend up in Rochester with lots and lots of family members. The bigger event than my birthday was probably my oldest cousin JR coming with his serious girlfriend, Michelle. They are both two of the sweetest and most genuine people. They are both believers, and we're all hoping they get married!

Words can't describe how content I was being reunited with so many people, especially my baby sister. I was only there for about 2 full days, because Karen and I had a lot of driving to do, but there were plenty of fun activities and conversations. We played tennis, frisbee, ate great food, and just had lots of laughs. I'm learning to appreciate my family more in my old age... Several of us also Skyped with Mom in China. I hadn't talked to her in about 4 weeks, so it was wonderful seeing her cute face and hearing her cute voice!

JR and Michelle!! I want to move to Houston just so I can hang out with them.

Sisters!

A whole bunch of us.

A working girl becomes a capitalist

Did you know this is my 336th blog post? That's pretty intense. Thanks for sticking with me! I hope these posts are worth your read.

It is extremely hot here, probably like the majority of the country. I about melted on the pavement going on the long journey by bus, metro, and foot into D.C. today. At least I looked cute while I melted!

For lunch I sat on a shaded bench in Lafayette Park nestled in between the White House and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. I had a great view of the White House, people playing chess, police riding their bikes, and about half a dozen groups of different kinds of protesters. It was mostly fascinating to watch the protesters who all had various causes such as opposition to nuclear weapons and advocates of lifting the embargo on Cuba. Oh, America, you are so free! There aren't many places like this in the world where you have such amazing free speech rights.

In the afternoon I attended a big summit at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. I got to run a gauntlet of protesters in the front of the building protesting the speakers at the event. The primary theme of the meeting was improving the free market, while telling Washington to get out of the way. The back of the room was filled with media, and I met lots of interesting people. Another intern I met was working in government relations this summer at American Express. She is a student at a different university in Indiana and is also a native Kansan! It was like we were long lost friends...

And then this past weekend I tried to stay active. I went on an 18 mile bike ride with Jim and Marion and about half of the northern Virginia population on the W&OD trail. I also reunited with my IU friend, Jess, who is leaving for Indonesia on a Fulbright scholarship. We ate ribs at her aunt and uncle's house. They are all extremely athletic and adventuresome people. Her aunt, for example, once biked across America and lived in Switzerland, where she taught at an international school. One of her students was Elizabeth Taylor's daughter, who didn't have anywhere to be with at Christmas, so Jess's aunt spent the holiday with her at Elizabeth Taylor's empty Swiss chalet. What stories!

I also went to church yesterday like usual. It's a fairly large church, and it just struck me how strange it is that the police will help direct traffic going in and out of the church. In many countries the police will help arrest believers.

So all in all I've just been considering our blessings here in America. We have so much to be thankful for, yet many Americans are still angry, depressed, and discontent (and sometimes that includes me!)

With Jess, my favorite tall friend.

Jess and I walked all the way to Vienna in the dark!

A working girl makes it through another week

Wow, where on earth has this week gone? Where has my life gone? In less than 10 days I turn 25 years old! I still feel like I'm 12 and people still think I look like I'm 19. But I was extremely content this week, despite my birthday looming around the corner.

I just wrapped up another whirlwind week of work in the big city. Today I went to work at 6 a.m., but I didn't mind, because I was going into D.C. There is always such an air of anticipation and activity that draws me toward the bustling place. It's also fascinating to meet so many interesting people on a daily basis...

Today I went to a breakfast with Congressman Donnelly from Indiana. My boss managed to snap a photo of us at the Monocle, which is a classy little restaurant people have been going to in D.C. for 125 years. I think I almost look 25 in this picture. Happy Friday!

A working girl has a holiday

At one point in my life I was very proud to be an American. I think I'm still patriotic somewhat, but not as much... What happened? I'm thankful I'm American, but I don't believe that makes me any more special than anyone else in the world. I'm blessed to be an American not just to be blessed, but so that I can somehow bless others.

Anyway, I tried to be festive this Fourth of July weekend. I missed our annual neighborhood picnic, but we still found plenty to do here in Virginia. I had a great time:

-Visiting George Washington's home at Mt. Vernon
-Eating a picnic by the Potomac
-Taking the metro into D.C. with about 25 million other tourists on the hottest day of the year
-Going to the White House, Capitol, Art Gallery, Chinatown, Washington Monument, Air and Space Museum, lunch with Aunt Susie, and Georgetown
-Walking many miles
-Laughing a lot
-Swimming
-Going to church
-Listening to an army band in Reston
-Hiking in basically a swamp at a national park
-Eating Asian food
-Shooting off a giant firework

I was also thinking of my dear mother who has been in China for almost a week now! She is doing fabulously and I'm so proud of her...

A working girl is still working

Probably one-third of my blog reading audience has now declined--my dear mom has now departed for her 6 week adventure in northern China! Please remember her as she teaches, learns, serves, and shares life along precious Chinese people the next several weeks. I know her life will never be the same! :)

Life is still somewhat the same here, however. I had a great weekend hiking with my friend Kelly, and then have been holding the fort down while my hosts for the summer have been away. They return tomorrow.

Work is still fun and interesting--last night I got to attend a reception at the British Embassy. It's way classier than the French Embassy, and was filled with guys in skinny suits and skinny ties. My boss has a British accent, but I could barely understand most of the people. It was neat also seeing people I had met at other functions previously. What a life! I also made a presentation today in a nice conference room, and was able to use all my presentation skills from school and teaching skills from China. It was great.

There's not too much else to report, except I can't believe I just finished up week 6 of my internship--just 6 more weeks to go! When I first got here I thought 12 weeks was an eternity, but now I feel like I wouldn't mind working here for a lot longer. Plus, it's nice to have a bit of money--I'm saving the vast majority for tuition, but I'm allowing myself to eat real food, like blueberries and meat.

I'll leave you with a few random pictures. Happy July 4th weekend almost!

At Great Falls National Park.

With Kelly before we started hiking up and down tons of rocks.

Sadie, my responsibility and now good friend.

A working girl has a pet

Hello from the D.C. suburbs! I have officially been here for over 5 weeks now. Isn't that thrilling? It's hard to believe I'm almost half way through with my internship. There's a lot coming up in the next week. The people I live with went away to the Northwest for a few days, so it's just me, the dog, and a big 'ol house. I really hope I remember to feed the dog, Sadie... Then they return the same day that John arrives for a couple of days to visit.

There's not a whole lot to report. Probably the most interesting thing about the week was a fundraising dinner for a couple of very powerful and high up Congressmen. We went to a super swanky steakhouse right on Constitution Ave. There were only 10 other people and we had our own dining room, with lots of steak and good food. It was a little surreal to be "rubbing elbows" with these people and talking with them. And who knew I could make stuffy old Congressmen laugh? I guess that's one of my spiritual gifts.

Last night I talked to baby Reborn, who is living with her sister this summer in eastern China. I would much rather talk to her any day than hang out at political fundraisers... I'm just so thankful she was still discipled this past year by a new foreign teacher, and her passion for the lost puts me to shame! She's such an inspiration and encouragement. Please remember her older sister who is not a believer, that Reborn can be a light to her this summer, and for Reborn's post-graduation plans.

Now I'm off to go hiking with a friend. Hopefully I'll remember to feed Sadie when I return!

A working girl has a reunion

The past several days have just sped by! Life just speeds by! I can't believe I've officially been back from China for one year. China has been on my heart a lot lately, especially as I hear about flooding in Jiangxi province and have finished reading that book, The Heavenly Man.

I'm acutely aware that this summer I'm not living in the real world. Who lives with a nice family in a huge house, eats steak for dinner, has a soft bed, works at a fancy corporation, and visits embassies? I guess that's me for now. It's a lifestyle like I've never experienced, and although I'm trying to enjoy it, it's also difficult, knowing that I'm living like .0001% of the world's population or something. But hopefully I'll use these blessings to bless others.

Speaking of blessings, I drove down to Richmond this past weekend to attend the wedding of one of my good ODU college friends, Jon. He married an amazing and godly woman. They'll be wonderful in ministry together. But I guess I forgot to tell the rest of my friends I was coming. So I waltzed into the University of Richmond chapel after not having seen these dear friends since graduation 3 whole years ago. So I think we were all happy to see each other, and I spent the entire day catching up, laughing, and dancing with them. That has probably been the highlight of this month.

In work related news, I get to go to the British embassy next week. We'll see how that compares with the French one. :)

Looking all swanky in my $20 Gap dress.

With Jess and Dani.

The bride and groom.

My InterVarsity friends from the old college days.