So I've been crazy busy lately but loving every minute of it. My internship is amazing...my boss really tries to give me every possible opportunity to get exposure to the news industry, and I've been able to do a lot of research on stories that air on the national news. So far I've seen or met John McCain, Hermain Cain, Newt Gingrich, Scott Pelley, and a few national news correspondents, all of whom have left me a bit starstruck. It's funny how the "celebrities" out here are politicians, but I guess that's D.C. for you. Anyways, I'm going to the opening of the MLK Memorial bright and early tomorrow morning and will get to see Obama speak, so I'm really looking forward to that (and a strong cup of coffee), since I haven't seen him speak in person since he visited UO in 2008.
My restaurant job is good and is helping me pay for a lot out here, and I know once the weather gets colder I will start making way more money doing coat check. It's not a lot of money by any means, but it's enough to get me through my new habit of online shopping, happy hours, and take-out lunches when I don't have enough time in the morning to pack my own. I really miss my friends and family back home and in Oregon, and although I have great roommates and awesome co-workers, it's definitely hard not being back in a college environment where I am constantly surrounded by my best friends, my sorority, and familiarity in general. It's also hard working weekends since it doesn't give me much of a social life, but I do like that the weekend news crew is smaller, as it allows me to help out a lot more.
The two main things I really really miss: my own room and my car. One of my roommates is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet, but quite possibly the noisiest in the morning (as if it's not bad enough having bunk beds). This morning she was leaving our apartment to take an early flight, and she answered her cellphone at 4 AM in our bedroom, left both doors open with the lights on, and was slamming around below me like she was searching for lost treasure. Long story short, this is a frequent occurrence, and while we've all discussed multiple times about being quiet while others are sleeping, she doesn't seem to realize how loud she is being. So basically, I have constant dark circles under my eyes from being exhausted, and even when I do get the chance to sleep in (which is about 8:30 AM for me on a good day), I still get woken up abruptly before my alarm even goes off. As for my car, walking to the metro and back in the rain is miserable, and I don't enjoy having to lug my heavy groceries for 4 blocks on the walk home from the grocery store...so a car would be nice right about now.
But that's enough complainging for now...overall, I'm really loving D.C. I don't know if I'd ever want to settle down here for a long period of time, but if I got offered a job out here I'd definitely take it. I need to start looking into jobs, and at this point, I'd take one anywhere...I'm mainly interested in finding a job in New England, Portland, or even Texas, but I know I have to take any opportunity that comes my way. I've loved living with my parents and I am excited to visit San Diego for the holidays, but I don't want to live at home again after the internship. Fingers crossed that I find a good career somewhere, preferably in the news industry!
