Update

(Side note: I am sorry that I have not been posting on the blog. But, not being able to access internet through my laptop makes this a daunting task and, as a result, writing posts on my blackberry requires very strong thumbs. So, the posting will be slow going.)

I am going to brief you guys about the living and happenings thus far.

Living

I am currently writing this post on the ninth floor of the Meridian Apartments at Braddock Station. I am a good 30 minute metro ride from “the District” (Washingtonian slang for the Capitol) and in a pretty nice area. The Meridian is located in Alexandria, Virginia. If you are familiar with the term “wrong side of the tracks” then you would understand how Alexandria is set up. One side is filled ghettoes, while the other side is filled suburbs. My apartment is a 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment, with a common area, a patio, and kitchen. It is a nice, not spectacular and I am rooming with 3 other people. There is Jason, who is interning with the DOD (Department of Defense) and he has access to top secret stuff. Then there is Darby, who is working for some political/teenage activist think tank. And lastly there is Zhambim, who is working for SBA (Small Business Agency.) All and all I like where I am and who I am with.

Happenings

The last 2 days have been Orientation, and one that is filled with the annoyingly repetitive icebreaking games. Besides having to constantly stand up for yet another icebreaker between slides, the programs and presentations have been informational. They have one on the faux pas of interning, and another on places to go. But, the highlight was the scavenger hunt, which led us all throughout the city. We visited the National Mall, and the sites therein, as well as other places in the D.C. area. A funny story was when we first received the list for the hunt, our group was immediately divided. One half of my group wanted to go to a bar get drunk, while the other actually wanted to do the hunt. We hunters won, ran everywhere, and had to drag the drunks. And even with their subtle derision, I had a blast.

I will write more later.

Thanks,
O