Three Months Down

I have created a life of constant change for myself. I feel like I haven't been in the same place for more than a year for going on SIX years now. While I was at good ol' Chappy for four years, each year required a move, and for the most part a new group of people. I have a few consistent friends from all four years, but between people graduating, moving off campus (which really did put them off the radar), different activities, classes, and a new Resident Advisor staff every year, I was constantly meeting new people and creating different core friends. I was always living in a different hall/apartment.

I think that this constant change is good. It keeps me on my toes. Meeting new people is always important and I never want that to stop! On the other hand, there are moments when I wish I could round up my friends and put them all in the same place.  We could recreate the idealistic college life we had and I could throw some high school and post-grad friends as well!  It would be an epic lifestyle! Unfortunately, I have adapting over the last 6 years to living away from my family and friends so while it is difficult at times to only be able to call/video chat, this is not something new to me.

I have found that you can't let yourself ponder what you don't have for too long or you just get depressed/lonely/etc. I have an amazing life in Switzerland and I am enjoying taking advantage of it all! The three month point is the big hump you need to get over. As an RA in college, this was when homesickness settled in for first-year students. You realize that the honeymoon is over, you are away from what you know, and this is now just life. This can be an AMAZING and/or SCARY revelation!

This brings me to the point of the post. I continue to move place to place and as I look into the future I can't imagine that I will find that city to settle down (whatever that means) in for a several more years! I do, however, miss things, people, and certain concepts. I didn't have a culture shock when I moved here. I was immediately surrounded by English and the food wasn't all that different. I have gotten used to not being able to communicate very well with people at restaurants and for the most part I have started to just speak English with hand motions in order to get my point across.

So here's a few things that I miss (obviously I miss you too!)

1. Shopping for and making my own food

2. Having privacy (the laundry room is accessed through my room...and we all know the laundry is never done!)

4. Being able to send people a text when something reminds me of them

5. Calling people while I walk to and from and sending texts with random moments from the day (However, I read a lot more now!)

6. Jamba Juice (I missed this in DC too)

7. Frozen Yogurt!

8. The warmth of the sun


And things that love about being here:

1. The free time to read

2. Walking outside and seeing snow capped mountains everyday

3. Learning French

4. That the hardest part of my day is getting 2 kids to brush their teeth

5. Being able to be in 4 different countries within 3-4 hours

6. Traveling!

7. Meeting new people from all over the world

8. Walking places

9. That a 50 degree rainy day is now good weather! (I am changing!)

This month is going to go by so quickly and so is my year here!

Two Months Marks the Spot!

So I have reached the 2 month point today! I am enjoying it so far! I figure I would take this time to tell you about Switzerland!

I am not sure if I mentioned this before, but I heard 3 things every time I said I was moving to Zurich:

1. It is gorgeous!
2. It is expensive.
3. It is cold all the time.

So as you have been able to tell by my pictures it is actually gorgeous here. It never gets old. We had a beautiful weekend and the mountains were out! So amazing! I do not think I will get over this one all year!

It is expensive. So very, very, VERY expensive. Instead of the using the Big Mac Index as the Economist did, here's my Starbucks index. No matter what you get, even if it just a plain ol' cup of joe it will run you at least 5 CHF. The Swiss Franc and the US Dollar are essentially equal to one another.  It will cost you 5 CHF for the cheapest shampoo you can find. A haircut won't cost less than 60! A beer or glass of wine won't be less than 8 CHF (which isn't that shocking considering the places in the US that I have lived). Don't even think about going out to eat because no matter where you go (unless you get a delicious kabob) you will be paying at least 15 CHF. Needless to say, I don't go out to eat.

It is not cold all the time. I did, however, move to the Seattle of Europe. It rains all the time it feels like. I am working on getting used to it. I need to if I am ever to live in Seattle. Fall came right on time and it has been a bit chilly and wet for the majority of the week. Luckily, we have had some beautiful days mixed in there!

This means that I have spent more money here than I am used to spending. I am working on it.

Here are a few more observations I have made over the last couple of months:

1. The city is immaculate. All of the time.
2. There is no poverty and are no homeless people. The Swiss work hard to make sure this is the case.
3. There are "number one" and "number two" buttons on many toilets. Including in the house. 
4. It is safe. Really safe. 
5. The Swiss are...well they aren't this or that. They are just there. To have pleasant but not interesting conversation with. They aren't overly nice or mean. They just are here. Living happily in Switzerland! Example: Mama C went to a Sting concert last week and she said no one was dancing...no one.. they all just sat in their chairs. I have attributed their lack of enthusiasm to the fact that life is easy for most. People work hard and get paid a livable wage. If you are a waitress, that is your job for life and you will always make enough money to get by.  I will talk more about the Swiss economy in a later post. The point: Without any struggles and with complete efficiency, your people may lose a little of their umph and ability to understand sarcasm! So complete neutrality does in fact come at a cost.. (The other day I bought a book called Why Switzerland? which looks at the history and present society of Switzerland. While the people may not be the most exciting, the way they got to this place as a country fascinates me! I look forward to reading the book and, of course, will share it will you!) 
6. There is no open bottle law here. This means we can grab a cheap bottle of wine (which is so much better than a cheap bottle in the states) and sit by the Lake or the River and chat! It saves us poor aupairs money! 
7. Starbucks is ordered "for here or to-go" which means they save on millions (if not billions) of cups every year! I don't know why Starbucks doesn't start this a normal thing everywhere in the world!
8. The windows are awesome! They can be open slightly (vent-like) or they can be opened completely (making big windows into doors)! They don't have screens here, which I actually like, but wouldn't be practical in many places in the States. 
9. After 2 months I finally figured out how to use the shower door properly! It is quite a challenge. It has three panes that fold up. I knew there had to be some way to get it to stay open, in line with the tub, but I just couldn't do it! Well I finally did it! You have to get it at the right point and pull down the lever which will then move it so it is tight against the tub. (I realize this should have been a lot easier! I have showered in a shower half the size as it should have been for 2 months! I am excited that shaving my legs will now be sooo much easier!)
10. There are no number buttons on the microwave. 
11. The food is just better for you but essentially the same. There is less sugar and preservatives in the basic food you buy here. I also saw that there was a Carbon sticker on a papaya fruit the family bought. It showed you that it had to be flown in, meaning it hurt the environment more than other fruits. They also treat their animals better. Their factory farms aren't comparable to what we have in the States. I have eaten more meat here than any other time in my entire life! 
12. There are no overly obese people (possibly related to the above observation).
13. The average car is so much nicer than the average car in the States. And a heck of a lot smaller!
14. Things move smoothly all the time. It is incredibly efficient! 

• Their public transportation goes everywhere you could want to go and on time. Between the trains, trams, and buses you can get everywhere! 
• So don't be late for the bus or it won't be there any more. 
• But don't miss your last train or bus because then you are stuck in the city until the wee hours of the morning!

I spoke to a lot of families when I decided that I wanted to move to Europe and become an aupair. I didn't care where I would end up. I am very happy with my decision. The family is pretty good, the place is gorgeous, and I can get to 4 different countries within 3-4 hours. 

*** After a year in DC, this is so different from what I am used to. Washington DC is one of my favorite cities but it is also one of the most dangerous and poorest cities in the States. Switzerland, specifically Zurich, is one of the richest cities in the world. There aren't safety concerns pretty much ever. On the other hand, I think still love DC more! =) 

One Month?!?!...Already???

Around the time that I bought my one-way ticket to move to Switzerland and started to realize how hard it was going to be to leave D.C. I had a mini-freak out. A few people received e-mails during work that day. They all responded saying that it would be nothing but a blip in my life.  Meredith said that I might miss a few birthdays or Christmas but it will be worth it for the experience and everyone will be there when I get back.  My month in California reassured me of all of this. Time doesn't stop but why would you want it to?

So one month after moving to Switzerland, I can't help but think about the wonderful support I had from all of my family members and friends in taking this risk! It has been a month! Eleven months from now I will be returning to the U.S. (or so my Mom and Dad are hoping and praying).

It also makes me think to my first month in DC. After a month in D.C., I had finally found my apartment for the year (and two amazing roommates who became great friends), and a part-time job, but that is about it.  I had Craig, but that's about it. I hadn't met most of the people I consider amazing friends now! I didn't have a job. I was sure I was in the right place but was hitting many dead-ends and meeting people was a whole different challenge.

Switzerland has been a million times easier.  First, I haven't been dealing with leaving Chapman and college life, which wasn't easy.  Secondly, I had spent hours upon hours looking for somewhere to live. Thirdly, I was, for the first time, in a place where everyone around me wasn't looking for friends.  There was a lot to adapt to! While I am not saying this has been and will be a cake walk all year long, having people around me who understand it all makes it a million times easier! It is so funny to me because I have met a few aupairs who just got here or got here right after I did, and I am already in the midst of making sure they get to meetings and showing them where to go, etc.  It is really amazing how quickly things change!

I had a job and home when I arrived. I had phone numbers of people to call and a meeting to go to where people were looking for friends! I have a ton of free time so I have time to work out, talk to people from home all of the time, and still work and have a social life.  I have already made some friends who I really enjoy. I was able to go on a day trip to Sierre, in the French section of Switzerland to go wine tasting (pictures to hopefully come soon!).  I am going to meet up with my Auntie Francie in Lake Como, Italy this weekend and next weekend I meeting Maggie (a friend from Chapman) to go to Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. So if I had to leave in one month, it would be worth the experience.  Luckily, I have 11 more months to come of new experiences, struggles, travels, and friends!

I apologize for rambling for so long, but since you have made it to the end, here are some videos of P & G dancing with an addition friend involved! This is my job and as much as I hate telling them to brush their teeth 17 times, I do love having dance parties and watching them sing to pop songs.

Note: The song is California Gurls by Katy Perry. It was not chosen by me but P thinks it is the coolest thing ever that I am actually a California Girl! I am not going to lie, I think it is pretty awesome as well!

My friend Emily just moved to Ireland and left this quote as her Facebook Status, I liked it so I will leave you with it! 

Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends. -Maya Angelou

Playing Games

I just sent the kiddies off on the bus. I am starting my third week on the job (fourth in Switzerland).  My alarm goes off at 7:02am and I immediately think "What is for snack time?"  I then precede to go through everything in the house until I decide what will be perfect for the day. Today it was rice cakes with peanut butter, juice, a prune, and a Pom Pom (which is a fruit puree or something like that).

It was a rough morning. G didn't want to get out of bed because she didn't sleep very well and P was especially against listening to anything I say.  G just needs a little encouragement, maybe being picked up, or some dancing and she will slowly perk up. P is a challenge. He saw that G didn't want to get out of bed so he started whining.  I refuse to indulge him when he is acting half his age.  So my attitude towards being fun and entertaining to get him out of bed quickly turns to get, "ok P, that is enough..."

My friend told me last night that I am such a "mother" already.  I know that what I do isn't close to what it is like to have a child attached to you for the rest of your life, but I do see where it becomes so easy to be a nag.  When you have to ask someone to do something an average of 4 times before they listen, there is no choice but to nag until it gets done.

On the other hand, kids are pretty easy. I can read to them for hours or just put a book on tape on and they are entertained.  On Friday, I played school with G for a little while. It was adorable how much we went through what she does during the day at school.  We went through the bus list, had recess, and learned some vital math and writing skills.  I remember I loved to play school when I was younger. I would get Stephen and whoever else was there to listen to me while I made them do workbooks and not talk while I was talking. G loved it! I got in trouble for talking all the time on Friday! I can completely see G getting told that she needs to stop talking after recess or when switching subjects during the day.

P is a little more challenging but we have found a love of Yahtzy (as it is spelled in German) He loves to read.  It is great that a reward after doing him homework is doing more reading. Very odd, but impressive!

These things called Silly Bandz are the "cool" things at school.  They are basically rubber bands that you can wear as a bracelet and they have different shapes (dinosaurs, instruments, animals, balloons, etc.).  No matter how much you bunch it up or try to change the shape, the original shape always comes back. Mama C and I don't really understand it but apparently you can make rubber bands super cool! The moral of the story is that we should think of something extremely simple and then sell it to children so we can all retire!

I am getting to know the kiddies better everyday. They are also getting to know me and where my line is.  I try to make everything into a competition or a game.  P will play sometimes but also is starting to understand what I am trying to do.  G will do anything if I count to see how long it will take her. This is definitely the best thing in the world!

I am also getting used to living with the family. I am not home as much which makes it easier when I am home. Eating with the family makes it a lot easier to get to know them and it makes it less odd during the rest of the time.  Tonight we are going to sit down and talk about life after the baby is born which will be nice to know how my schedule will change.

Not Quite Three Weeks

I haven't reached my three week mark yet (it is officially tomorrow night).  However, I feel like I have been here for forever. I don't know if I emphasized how much I was thrown into the deep end with the family.  I was here without them, to fend for myself in a new country.  The family came back, I had the kids for 12 hour days. Back to school was a whole new experience and then last week I had an overnight with the kids. I have been doing a good job (gotten several compliments about how well I am doing, especially considering everything). Host-papa told me it seemed like I have been here for a long time! Eeeek...

Days like today. I remember the previous aupair for the family said she has days when she thinks "why do they need me."  I am having that feeling today.  I came home from Zurich to be here for the kids when they got back from the bus. I just finished giving them their snack and now I am off for the afternoon? Their Mom is here to do homework, crafts, etc with them.  I now have the next 8 hours to kill before it is bedtime. Hmm.. what to do?

I know my previous post may have seemed a little soon to complain about anything. Ultimately, this is a great opportunity. The family is pretty great and I shouldn't be complaining. I live in Switzerland.  My life is nothing to complain about.

And it is true. I have been enjoying it. I do enjoy the kids.  I have met a few new people. One of the reasons I liked this family more than others, was because of the previous aupair. She was honest about the job and she was already introducing me to her friends! It seemed like the transition would be smooth and it has been.  I am slowly meeting more people, and trying to not "bother" people or cling on too tightly.

I am realizing how much free time I have. Something I haven't had a lot of since around January when I started working two jobs and trying to have some semblance of a social life. Now, I have days when I will work for a couple of hours (today I made breakfast, cleaned up the kitchen, did some ironing all before 11:30am..).  I went to the city for coffee with a friend. I am looking to classes (art, working out, cooking) to take (all of which will be in Swiss German) and will soon start learning French.

I am trying to figure out what else to do! I will be reading a lot. I can tell you that now, so if you have any good book suggestions let me know. I found the European version of Ebay and a used book store with an English section.

I have found that I missed out on many classics over the years. While I don't like Pride and Prejudice or written about a similar time period (I think it is the feminist inside of me..maybe?).

I will hopefully be doing some reading about the economy/micro-financing etc. in my attempt to learn as much as I can about what I want to dedicate my life to. I will also be watching a lot of Ted Talks (ted.com I really recommend it for those random 15 min you have nothing to do during).  Lisitening to NPR and of course watching John Steward (who is going on vacation for the next two weeks =(.

I sat down over the weekend and looked up places I wanted to go. I read about things to do in Zurich and where to go around the city.  I am pricing out trips and signing up for every travel newsletter I can possibly find!

Three weeks and I think I am doing pretty well! A couple of friends, I can get around, and I have two trips planned! Now I just have to fill the gaps!

Living where you work

I was an RA for 3 years. I lived on campus; worked on campus; all of my friends were on campus. I ate on campus. My room was the "office" where I was always available to residents or to a 3am page because people were being to loud or were too drunk to get to their rooms. I thought this experience would help me in taking on my new job. I mean I had in fact lived where I worked.  There were weeks when I didn't leave campus at all. It was my life and I loved it!

It is not the same working as an aupair. Your friends aren't your co-workers.  My employer owns the house I live in. They buy the food for me and cook some of the meals.  I am asked regularly if I will be having dinner with the family or not. It is a tricky balance to find too.  It is nice to have dinner with them when I am not working but I also feel like I am invading family time.

It is Saturday. Gabrielle came into my room. She was looking at my pictures and asking me about my family.  I was fine with it.  The host Dad came down and said "Gabrielle, you know your not supposed to bother Michelle on the weekends."  It is moments like that when I realize that I am the help.  I think it is awkward and difficult for Gabrielle to understand that I do get paid to hang out with her, but it doesn't mean I don't like doing it.  I do appreciate that when I am in my room, it is my time. When you live where you work the line must be drawn.  But how can I really ever be off? I wasn't "off the job" as an RA unless I was off campus.

I think I have found the solution to the problem. I am going to start going on day trips as much as possible.  I can get to Germany, France, Italy, and Austria within a couple of hours by train and I can get all around Switzerland as well. So it is a great excuse to get out of the house.

It is difficult to go from having my own everything to living under someone else's roof and essentially living their life.  I also know that I will learn how to find the balance of it all but for now it is just a tad awkward to live where you work.

Continuing to Adapt and Discover

Today was a great day! It was the beginning of a real schedule and we had a family dinner to celebrate my host-father's birthday. I got my chores done, attempted to go for a run (which included me tripping and falling, my ipod dying, and me recognizing that a month without running makes you incredibly out of shape!).  The positive: I found my favorite spot to read in my neighborhood. I was walking up the hill after tripping and reached a peak that looked over the lake, houses, and mountains.

In my area and around Zurich there are signs for trails called Wanderweg. I followed these trails on my "run."  I continued and got home. I am starting to recognize many of the street names to get back to my house! So I made it back. Did some ironing and whatnot.  The sun was coming out, which it hasn't done very much in the last week so I walked back with my camera and a book back to my spot. It has benches and grass! It is absolutely breathtaking (which I don't think my pictures get across!).

I had a good afternoon with the children and both parents were home today. We surprised the father with a birthday dinner which had some difficulties along the way but it turned out nice. I wasn't sure if I was going to join them but I decided that it would be better.  I have been struggling with living with my "employers."  They have been so welcoming but I am so nervous about not doing something right or the kids missing the bus or something ridiculous! They don't eat all together very often during the week so it was the perfect opportunity to take advantage of. It was great to sit down and get used to being around as just a member of the household.

My life is so surreal right now! I just can't believe I am actually in Switzerland and will be here for a year! Below are pictures of my new favorite spot to walk to and read! I really couldn't stop taking pictures so I will spare you from most of them but here are a few.

If those clouds cleared completely
you would see the snow-capped Alps!

Adapting to Life as an Aupair

The last few days were very busy. Filled with games, cooking, and a whole slew of rules and procedures.  Yesterday we went to a park for a couple of hours.  It was not like the parks I went to as a child. Similar things to do, but we were in the rolling hills of Switzerland. I was struck by the beauty that was these kids everyday life. I am guessing that people may think that about parts of San Diego and the beach.  There were cows and horses during the 10 minute walk to the park! Plus, there each of the toys was shaped like animal (a cat, spider, and HIPPO!)! How cool is that?

Here are a couple pictures of the kids playing! It really was a fun afternoon! I was just ready for bed by the end of the day!

It was a bit overwhelming last night but I know that it is completely doable. I got up this morning and sent the children off to school for their first day. It went surprisingly smoothly, which is not how it will be every morning, but it was nice to start off the year on the right foot.  As many of you know, I am very set to timetables and HATE to be late for things, so that will hopefully help me with making sure that we get to practices and school on time!

Today I went to an aupair meeting. It is every Wednesday and it is a great way to meet people. It is how the previous aupair for my family met her friends.  There were just 3 of us there today. One who was very good friends with the aupair I replaces and another girl from Denmark. Both of them will be here for awhile longer so that is nice. (The last two girls I met are leaving in the next month or so).

I am slowly getting more comfortable in the house and the neighborhood. The language barrier is definitely intimidating.  I don't know when people are talking to me or what they are saying when they are. I am trying to learn some basic phrases but Swiss German is not the easiest language to remember.  I am getting more comfortable with that and trying to ask if someone speaks English. My family doesn't speak the language very much either, which is comforting, knowing that I will be able to get by.  I will be looking into starting French lessons soon as well.

Leaving Washington DC

I left D.C. one week ago. I took advantage of every minute of my time in DC the last couple months. I was able to spend time with the amazing friends that I made in DC.  A day trip to Philly, visitors from California, museums, "hiking" endeavors (difficult when it is 100 degrees out and there is 80% humidity), rooftop BBQs and pool nights, July 4th on the National Mall with friends from Chapman, and miniature golf at a quirky bar. I loved every minute of it. I had a great last dinner with my new DC friends who will be around for many years to come.  I said good-bye to my co-workers who were absolutely amazing! I was so fortunate to have the experience in DC that I had. It is because of that experience, beginning with lonely nights to making new friends, and strengthening the bonds with old friends, that I now have the confidence to move halfway across the world in less than a month. I am so incredibly grateful for the entire experience. I have grown so much as a person. Everyone that I met in DC taught me more than they will ever know.

Leaving DC was harder than I thought. I have become used to moving around and people leaving. I am a person who will keep in touch with you until it is so obvious that you aren't going to call me back that it hurts. I love meeting new people but I thrive on having good friends. I depend on having friends around me as often as possible and by the end of my experience in DC, I found a way to make that happen. I am one of the luckiest people in the world to  have so many supportive and wonderful friends in my life.

From the moment I stepped off the plane in DC, it was surreal.  I have realized that I am an outgoing person. I can hold a conversation. I was willing to meet anyone! I met several relatives I had never met. I met friends of friends of friends.  I am ready to take on this challenge in Zurich. I am excited for it because I know I can do it.

Washington DC is a beautiful place. I think it represents everything that is wonderful about this country that I was so lucky to be born in. I also think it brings to life the many problems we need to deal with face on. I love DC more than just about any city I have ever visited. I know it is the right place for me in the future but I also know it is time for me to explore more the world.  My transition time in San Diego is extremely busy without beginning to deal with the list of things I need to do to prepare for Switzerland. I have so much to look forward to it is hard to dwell on my time in DC. I have found I need a little time to move past it.

I know looking forward I will have countless transitions to deal with. I will leave people and keep in touch. I know this is the lifestyle I want for the near future, but it doesn't make the good-byes any easier. It is a weird feeling to have so many places to call home there is no where to call home, but that is a compromise I am willing to make for now.

I want to take a sentence to thank everyone of my friends and family members who support my decisions to move around and take the risks I am taking. It is because of that support and your confidence in me that I am confident I am going to take Switzerland by storm.  I love you all so much and really appreciate each one of you in indescribable ways.

New Housing, New Outlook

Hello Everyone! This one is going to be kind of short but here are a few updates on what is going on in DC.

I moved this weekend to the city. I found a place last week and made the decision to move. I am living with two women who also recently graduated from college. They went to Smith in Massachusetts. One is working for the State Department on the envoy for Middle Eastern Peace and the other is temping with a Law Firm. They are very sweet girls and I look forward to getting to know them better. This will be my new home until next September! I have my own room and basically my own bathroom. My room is huge and lacking furniture at the moment, but there is a mattress on the way! The kitchen is large and the living room came furnished which is really nice.

The neighborhood is also really nice. I went for a lovely run to the Farmer's Market and then walked to a grocery store. It was a perfect day. As I wandered I found lots of restaurants, shops, and a park. I am excited for the leaves to start changing because the walk is going to get even prettier.

It is really nice to have my housing squared away. I am going to be able to make this into a home for the next year and now I just need the job to go along with it!

I am excited for this month though! I have a few networking events with a non-profit group in the area. I am going to a coffee talk with an International Affairs group. I am going to have dinner with some relatives that I haven't seen in a long time and another few that I have only met through email. It is exciting to have plans and have the prospects of meeting new people and making new connections, both socially and (hopefully) career-wise.

I reached a lull and lacked some motivation for a little while and now I am getting excited again. I know that I can do this and it just takes time for things to come together and work out! There is just something about wandering around and looking up to see the Capitol building in the distance that is just a great feeling to have!

I hope all is well and I love you all! Thanks for reading!

The First Month of DC

I have been in DC for just about a month now. It has been less exciting at times than I have hoped. I have learned how to spend unprecedented time by myself, started studying for the GRE, and have been reading a lot. I am currently reading a book that has made it through the family about a woman in her late-20s who moves to DC to work for a Senator. While my life is far less eventful in comparison it is exciting to know the places she is referring to! I am also reading a book called Hope is a Tattered Flag which is really good. It is a serious of interviews done by two journalist of politicians, academics, other journalists, and CEOs about political issues and the road our country is heading down. It is really interesting and I am happy to report that there is hope for the future!

While the job hunt is still going on, I believe that my network of people is slowly getting larger. An old friend from high school moved here and he recently contacted me so we are going to get together, so it will be nice to see a familiar face. I have also had a chance to meet up with one of my Aunt's friend. We went to Georgetown, which was really fun. I also am getting to know one of the woman that I work with and I think we might hang out. I know that I just need to start with a couple of people because that will allow me to meet more people! That is why I left everyone I know back home!

My friend Janille told me about Meetup.com which is a site that groups can post events or meetings from anything like rock climbing to politics. I have joined an International Affairs group. They meet once or twice a month for coffee and talk about a topic that has been pre-chosen. I am excited to go to that in a couple of weeks. It should be a good way to meet people and network with people who are interested in the same things I am.

I represent my Red Sox at work and it is a good conversation starter. I met one woman the other night who is in the Peace and Conflict graduate program at Georgetown who is also a Red Sox fan and I think we are going to get together to watch a game or two. It has also began conversations about what I am doing here. I told my Mom that I think it might result in some new contacts in the field that I want to enter and maybe a job (that's me being REALLY hopeful). It almost did a couple of weeks ago but they were just visited DC so they couldn't help me unless I moved to their city!

I am still looking for housing in the city. I am going to have a fun entry about public transportation very soon but it is the most wonderful thing but when my commute costs be an hour's worth of work there is some cost benefit analysis that needs to take place. I am looking at a few places this weekend. Hopefully I will be able to find something before I have to pay another month's rent.

My parents came to DC last weekend for a conference. It was really nice to see them and since my Mom has never been here we did a lot of walking and went to a couple of museums. Unfortunately, their time here was short but we enjoyed it. I think it was comforting for all three of us to see each other. The weather was amazing while they were here, and really had been excellent. I went to lunch with them at their conference and met some people who work for the Hemophilia Federation of America. I am going to start volunteering at their office on Monday. They are doing a lot with the current health care bill and I should be able to gain experience with them. It will also be something to do during the day since I mainly work nights.

I have realized that I kept myself busy for a reason. I did things I enjoyed and enjoyed doing my reading and researching for class. This also made free time more exciting and relaxing. As I continually look for jobs and housing, my down time is infiltrated with what I should be doing or what I could be doing. I am hoping to find another place to volunteer at in the afternoon so that I can look for jobs in the mornings and volunteer at a couple of places in the afternoon.

I am not going home for Thanksgiving for the first time, but I did buy a plane ticket to Boston to spend it with extended family and my brother. I am also hoping to make it up to New York in October or November. The Mega Bus goes there for $1-9 so it should be doable. I really want to take advantage of being so close to other cities. Baltimore is close and while not many people have good things to say about it, I am sure I will make it there soon as well! Philly is on my list as well because I have never been there! I am just trying to fill my time and manage my money, while enjoying myself and making sure that I am happy!

Thanks for reading!

The Weekend

I am sitting in the National Sculpture Garden by a lovely fountain, which people are allowed to put their feet in! It is a beautiful day in the sun and the shade. I just walked down Constitution Ave. I was able to walk passed the amazing old buildings throughout the city. I have only been here in Match, when there is little to no green so it is fun to see grass along the National Mall and flowers on the walkways. I am really enjoying my time here so far. I have been staying College Park, Maryland with Craig. He has been so helpful. We walked miles this weekend looking at places to live and I think the winner in a month to month place in Maryland. I will be living with a very nice woman and another roommate that she is still looking for.

I may potentially intern at Play Pumps International which is funded under the Case Foundation. They build water pumps in Southern Africa which are also playgrounds for children. Lack of clean water is the leading cause of disease and it is also extremely time consuming to obtain. Play Pumps attempts to bring water closer to towns in Africa, which provide people with clean water and also cuts down on the time that people, mostly the women, spend walking to get water every day. It also has a health education division. The pumps also serve as a way to educate people on important topics such as AIDS. The CEO has a lot of experience in economic and community development which is the field I am most interested in.

There is this feeling in DC. It is this feeling of change, and not Obama change. What people seem to have forgotten is that Obama is not the first or the only person to want to make changes. In fact, out government is an institution that will consistently make change. People seem to care here. People know what is going on to some extent and not always because they want to know, but they just can’t help but know. There are people young and old, conservative, liberal and everything in between who believe that they are working towards making the world a better place. The tourists wandering around the streets are here to look at art and history. They want to have an impact on the world we live in and that is a beautiful thing.

I am enjoying my time here thus far and if everything works out I do believe that I could be here for a long time.