First of all, I got a job last week at Starbucks. It was as much from boredom as from the need for money. I basically just walked in there and asked them to hire me. The application and interview process was really tough though. It consisted of, "Wow, you worked for a radio station? You're hired!" I'm not even joking. That is all it takes to get a job serving coffee in Northern Virginia. Looking at the other employees there, I was struck by the thought, "They don't take their coffee seriously in this crazy place." Really, none of the Starbucks I've been to here have the same feeling, if you will, as their counterparts back in Washington. They are not as clean and the service isn't as good. It's weird. But starting on Monday I will be bringing some of that Seattle flavor to NOVA (that stands for Northern Virginia. It actually took me over a week to figure that out) coffee houses. I'll call it the "west coast roast", and it will be good.
I also had my first week of classes. It was overwhelming, to say the least! There is tons of reading and tons of writing. I think that over time I will get used to it though. If other people can handle it, then I think I can too! It helps that some of the things we are doing are really cool. Take, for instance, the final assignment in my Governance Post 9/11 class. We are writing a Memo to the President Elect, kind of like Madeleine Albright did. This memo will be edited and sent to the President. Let me say that again: Something that I wrote is going straight to the oval office. How cool is that?! My teacher was talking about us getting invites the White House and eveything. It is impossible to tell what will actually happen with our papers, but I know that ICAR has the connections and the name recognition on Capital Hill to really make this project worth doing a good job on!
And last, I just wanted to report (for anyone who I have called over the last two weeks either completely bored or somewhat lonely and needing to talk) that I am finally making some friends out here! Yesterday I went to the mall with my neighbor and classmate Ajla, then I went dancing with my new roommate Alison last night. Today I went to a school picnic where I met a lot of people from my program and made plans to hang out later this evening.
So in conclusion, I have a job, I am doing exciting things in school, and I am starting to meet people out here. Things are looking up, and I can't wait to see what next week will bring!
2 comments:
Yeah! Jobs are always good. And friends make it bearable to be away from home. I'm still just so excited for you that you are on the East side of the country. I've always wanted to go over there and do the US History stuff. I'm mostly interested in the Holocaust Museum. I've heard it's awesome.
Okay girl. So you're in northern Virginia - and I'm in southeast virginia? Let's get together!! Come visit and play at the beach!! You can even bring a friend and stay at our little beach house!! DO IT!! Btw, okay to link to your blog? Another btw, we're soooo close to Jamestown, Yorktown, Williamsburg...
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