Last Week - Lo Siento, Lots of Text, No Pics

Monday - Spain & Myles' Birthday
Dinner for Spain was Monday night. All day we finished putting together menu cards, place cards, and gift tags. Wrapping gifts, last minute shopping, and lots of spray glue was also included. It the end the dinner was a success and everyone loved the sugar cookies shaped like Spain. Pretty precious (and tasty) if you ask me.

Myles is one person in my ward whose name I can remember. He is one of about... 10 (in that number I am not including my roomates). Monday is usually FHE and this Monday it was a FHE for the whole ward but instead most of us bethesda/parkside people went over to Adam's to play RockBand, Eat Pizza, and celebrate Myles' birthday.

Tuesday - Friday
...all kind of a blur.

We were glad to make it through the Vietnam and Spain dinners alive. There was a lot of follow up to be done for both so I spent a lot of the week labeling photos, writing letters and sending them out. Ive also been working on labeling a huge pile of photos from the first big event of the summer, AWL.

Friday was super busy for us in the office. It started with a very early trip to the metro, three pairs of shoes and my curling iron in a trader joes bag. I got to the office and began helping with set up. This was a unique morning since this type of meeting is a- not usually attended by the whole office, and b - certainly not attended by the intern (s). This was my first meeting like this that I went to, though the 2nd since me being in the office and it was just SO COOL. Being able to witness a meeting like this, the structure, the topics, it was just a great experience. It made me realize how much I really do want to work for one of these offices post grad. I love the work we do.

I left the meeting a little early to run over to Furins for our guests' lunches. After the meeting got out and our guests' were on their way to more meetings we ran upstairs to prepare for our next big event, a meeting up in the Russell Senate Building. After we gathered highlighters, pens, clipboards and our RSVP lists we head up to the Capital. We arrived early which allowed us time to get some kinks straightened out and I took a photo behind the Senate podium. Think its cool that you did that at the American History Museum... yeah... I did it behind the real one :-)

People started arriving, Names were checked, and soon enough our guests arrived. We were able to spend about an hour with them.... I guess at this point I can reveal that among our guests were two members of the 12 Apostles.. After they spoke they had time to shake hands and I was able to take pictures with each of them (Cheesy, paparazzi -ish maybe... but hello! I will not get this chance again!)

After the room cleared we went out for Sushi, It was my first time. We went to this place next to the Hart Building and got a friday special which included a california roll. I think the taste of the seaweed threw me off but otherwise it was good and an experience for sure. I want to try different kinds now that Ive gotten the first time done with.

Friday was pretty much over after that.

Saturday I had planned to go to the city and do all kinds of fun things but... I woke up and remembered my camera battery was dead and I didnt know where the charger was. It must have hit a nerve because I remember being annoyed and tired, and all around moody. I mostly chilled at home for the day. Sunday was Sunday. Today is Monday. Ill blog about this week at the end of it :-)


I think I need to do a picture post... We'll see what time allows this week.

Origami Flowers, New Hair Color, & Chocolate

This week was busy but fun.

We had two dinners coming up so we had lots to do. Invitations to make & send, placecards to make, menu cards to put together - there was a lot going on. We have one dinner left to go but thursday was our dinner for Vietnam. My coworker mentioned she wanted to have paper lotus flowers on the table in some way, and we decided to use them as placecard holders. I made 19 and attempted to make more but no joke, it took FOREVER. I was at work until 7pm on Wednesday and then stayed home on Thursday just so I could finish them and then work at the dinner. I helped our caterers with plating and serving the food and got to taste the goods as well too.

New Hair Color - Okay, I bought the dye when I was back in NY for Memorial Day Weekend and have gone back and forth on to whether or not I was actually going to color it, well I specifically did not put product in my hair today after showering so it was either do it tonight or who knows when I was going to - as we speak.... as I type rather the dye is on my head! Lets hope this works out and doesnt look too crazy, my boss' boss is coming in tomorrow from SLC to work at the office ha.

& Chocolate. Ever have a craving you just need to satisfy? Well, I read/heard somewhere that if you have a certain craving, specifically for something sweet, but dont have what you need to satisfy it then you shouldnt try and eat other sweet things because it wont fulfill it and you'll just snack more -- Okay, whether or not that is true I am not sure BUT sounds pretty good to me. Tonight I had this bad craving for some chocolate, I had nothing to satisfy that though. I looked around and found some nutella, opened up my bread and while I usually dislike the heel this time it was thick and perfect for some nutella - Craving Satisfied :-)

On a final note, I am watching Singles Ward... It makes me feel better about my ward up here and how crazy I feel like it is.

Completed - Week 4

I have to say, this job gets more fun and more interesting the further I get into my internship period. This past weekend I went to New York and came back to D.C. Tuesday night. Needless to say, work went by very fast this week. We had a lot to do this week especially since one of my colleagues took her vacation this week. We had two dinners to work on and invitations for both of them had to be made. I think thats one of my favorite things in the office, the fact that we make all of our invitations for events (our last luncheon we had someone do design work on them but generally we make them all). Its just so neat! It also means I get to go on "field trips" to the local Paper Source store. It has to be my favorite thing, I always wind up buying the stuff they sent me for and stuff for myself.

Like this World Map Wrapping Paper or this New York City Wrapping Paper or this little ditty I bought for Mallory, I can put this here because she NEVER reads my blog and wont find out about it until I give it to her tomorrow :-) Yes, Paper Source says they are "wrapping paper" but in my mind they make the PERFECT posters. Not everyone will have one. Plus, I love to travel and I see a room with a few more of these being my perfect space. Once they get this Italy one back in stock I will be off to buy it!

Back to the point, I love that we make our own invitations/menu cards/name cards/place markers... you name it, we're making it and its fun!

Well - without any further delay I think Ill tell you all about my eventful friday.


It was mentioned earlier in the week that someone very important to the LDS Church would be in D.C. for meetings this weekend. It was also mentioned that it was possible, though not likely, that he would drop by. Im not going to be a name dropper, but a few of you know who it was. Ill give you a hint: He has one of the best laughs Ive ever heard. It was strange because when he walked in I was working with one of the directors helping her buy a plane ticket... I almost didnt realize it was him.

Now because it was mentioned that he may or may not come in, I skipped institute. I did not want to miss him if he did come. After he left I ran over to the Hart Senate Building to deliver a dinner invitation to a Senator's office. When leaving I asked a security guard for directions to Union Station. He asked if I was looking for the Metro, and I was, and he said that it was shut down and I should take Capitol South. While walking towards CS I realize, Im right next to the Capitol Building... and the Supreme Court Building... and Library of Congress?!?!?! The Capitol is hard to miss but I hadnt found the other two yet and so I am glad that I know where they are now so I can go back and explore.

I get on the metro and for the first time since I have moved here, I had a conversation with someone while riding the train. Ive fallen in to the D.C. way of things with not talking and playing with my "crackberry" on the way to and from work but this couple sat near me and were discussing metro stops. They couldnt figure out which one was next and so I said "McPherson Square" thats right folks -- no map, no intercom announcement... I just knew. She couldnt find it because of the way her map was folded and this got us talking about why they were in town etc. It was nice to finally talk to people while traveling.

I get off at FB and I immediately get a call from Ashlee, she says "Are you okay?" to which I reply... "yes...?". She proceeds to tell me that they got a report of a shooting at Union Station Metro and she panicked because that was the closest one to the building I was delivering the invitation to. What is scary is when I went back and thought about it, if I had gone to institute on time, by the time I would have gotten out and over to the metro is when the "shooting" happened. We found out later in the day that all the reports of a crime scene, fatal injuries, and gun on the tracks were wrong and it was a fight that occured near the tracks and a teen sustained non-life threatening injuries. Still! Crazy, huh?

It was so hot that I marched on over to Trader Joes for some lime pops and then headed back to work. The rest of the day was filled with making labels, photo copies, R.S.V.P'ing to invitations, e-mails and research for the upcoming dinners.


Can I just say - I love my job. I still cant believe I am doing this. I am still okay with the fact that I am not getting paid. This is the best experience I could be having this summer, and the best preperation for next year when I graduate and am facing the toughest job market.


Well, I am now going to finish cleaning my apartment and get ready to trip down to the BEEV for the weekend.

Out.

Week 4

Pictures:

D.C. Temple at night; I live 10 minutes away!

My roomates sister came in to town and they made California Cookies *which were amazing*

This next week will be week 4 of my internship so there is a lot of catching up to do.

The first week or so was mostly me just getting used to the routine of things. Getting on the metro, the walk to the office, doing things in the office (answering phones, mailing cards, making phone calls, and tying bows... ill explain that one) , finding things in georgetown to do over my lunch break or after work, discovering D.C. after work, jumping on the metro home and then passing out ha.

I think im finally getting the hang of things. I am currently home in new york for the weekend and, crazy as it sounds, really wish that I was in D.C. for the weekend especially considering it is Memorial Day. Im watching a PBS concert being held in the capitol and it makes me "homesick".

Some fun things I have done are:

Worked on a Luncheon - this is where the tying bows comes in, Im fairly certain I tied at least 100 bows for the gifts we gave out. it was a pretty high stress event and there was so much going on but it turned out SO great and Im excited to work on more events.

Attended a Congressional Hearing - I attended a hearing for the Ways and Means Committee on the legalization and taxation of internet gambling. It was hard to get through as I could barely hear most of the speakers but thanks to the wonders of YouTube I found video of the hearing and was able to go back and listen to it. Im really looking forward to being able to attend more of these hearings.

Explored Georgetown - One of my first Saturday nights my roomate Julie, her friend Chris and I went in to Georgetown and explored. We found this great little crepe place that isnt far from my office and I found a new favorite spot - down on the waterfront. There was a lot going on that night but we walked down a little and just sat down by the water... Seriously, so pretty.

Rockband - So what? Right... Thats what youre thinking? Well, hey, Im one of the more social interns in the ward (because I actually want to be here when I graduate so I need to find out if I like the people and social events in the area right?) So yes... I played RockBand the other night

I got lost - Another so what moment? Well, no. It was very fun. One friday after work I just decided to walk around. I ran in to a Borders and bought some books, and kept walking to try and find a metro... and it started storming and really raining hard but I still had fun just roaming around.

Lets see... I think thats about it. My goal is to post more frequently so Ill have a good record of the things I did... Ill work on that.

Im Alive

Ill update later. Work is good but keeps me busy and there is no time to update this thing. Hopefully Ill have some time soon.

First Sunday.

It started off with me rushing to get ready and then messing around thinking I had time to... and realizing I didnt. TomTom got me lost, but only a little bit. I was able to turn around and get going the right way. Im starting to recognize things, signs, buildings, landmarks but dont ask me to give up TomTom just yet. I got to church and it took me another 5 minutes or so to find parking. I ran into some girls on my short walk to the building who said that parking wasnt usually this good... I think Ill begin leaving earlier :)

Church was... different. The ward was very large, and it seems that its more 6:4 men to women where as SVU is 4:6 women to men (give or take). So hey, at least my chances are good. (and no I dont mean chance of marriage... I just get along with men better than women, so chances of having a fun summer are good). Sacrament meeting was very interesting. We had three speakers, all with really wonderful messages, and a musical number. After Sacrament I turned to the girl next to me to ask what happens next and the Bishop (who I havent met yet) starts talking about "Introductions" and I quickly realize... I now have to introduce myself to the entire ward (which probably consisted of 300 people... Yikes!) Apparently this is a common thing they do almost weekly due to their membership turnover rate. It was all new to me.

Next I went to a "New Members Class" where a bunch of us newbies met and introduced ourselves ...again. My roomate happened to be leading this class so I had at least one familiar face. There were maybe 5 girls, with the rest being security salesmen or pest control salesmen. We went outside to take photos, standard, and the photographer guy made us "hike" up this little path... Im wearing heels... My name is Gina... it goes without saying but I tripped. I didnt fully biff it but I was close, and lost my shoe in the process but one of the security/pest salesmen guys picked it up for me and I turned it into a joke.

On to Relief Society where I once again, introduced myself. This wasnt super eventful but we did get a new Relief Society President. I strolled around the "munch n mingle" and then hiked back to my car and headed home.

Time for a sunday nap, and maybe later tonight a drive up to the temple. :)

First Weekend in Maryland

"Ive arrived"

That is the message I sent to a few dear friends letting them know I had gotten to my apartment. By the time I arrived it was late but I got there without getting lost thanks to my dear TomTom. I met with my roomate, Becky, and she helped me unpack my car and gave me a little tour. So far, so good.

This morning Megan and I planned to meet up and find our offices. Hers being the Museum of Natural History and mine being The Barlow Center. It started off with me getting on the wrong metro and having to backtrack a bit. It was a long ride in and the train was packed, there was a baseball game today and track maintence... oh well.

I finally arrived at Metro Center to find a confused Megan (she thought Metro Center = Union Station) but we got back to our plan and headed off to find her museum. She has a nice stop and a short walk to her museum. Next stop was my office! I had gotten a tip from my bishop "Foggy Bottom... Turn Left" I should have listened. I turned left but then began to complicate things, we were crossing streets, getting distracted by Trader Joe's, and simply getting a little lost. I found a postal worker and asked her and she gave me directions. We were SO CLOSE without knowing it so I replied "Really?!" and she said "NO! You did not just say Really?!"

Lesson 1: When asking for directions, a simple reply of "Thank You" will suffice.

We found my office. Its the cutest thing on the outside. Its a small building with a church sign outside of it and near some nice little places I can go for lunch nearby. Im excited. Scared. Nervous.

I dont think I have ever had so many emotions at one time.

Megan and I went back to Foggy Bottom and caught our metros home. This time, I went the right way. I called Webster on my walk back to my apartment and we caught up on life. Its seriously great (and a blessing a lot of the time) to have a friend who is willing to spend 40 min listening to me list of my worries and then telling me to knock it off because I really have nothing to worry about and the concerns I do have are valid but "you're a new yorker, you're gina, you can do this".

Its now 126am sunday morning... Ive been sleeping all afternoon so I think ill unpack now.