So I’ve spent the past couple of days pondering about Lady Gaga’s self-proclaimed “gay anthem.” The words “chola” and “Orient” are among the harshest criticisms. Regardless of the quality of the song itself, I will say that “Born This Way” does reflect the LGBT community at large in that it shows…
Mulligan?
So, it’s been a while. I’m not great at keeping a blog, that’s pretty clear but I want to make the effort again. I really want to record this time in my life because I am happy, (mostly) loving school and life, and sometimes even my job …and I’m searching, actively searching, for a change. How strange. Why would I want to leave something so good? Well, I don’t want to but I have to. Graduate. You know, if I get there (an I’ve heard the College of Ed hasn’t lost one yet…) So… here I am, off to chronicle the mostly ups and some downs of the next little bit. Probably many political/social commentaries to come…and probably some great youtube videos of small children. Just wait, it’s gonna be great! :)
Think about muddy water;
If you try to stir the dirt out,
The more your stir
The muddier it gets.
How shall we have clear water?
Leave the muddy water alone.
The dirt will settle by itself.
In the same way we find contentment:
Let each thing act according to its nature.
Give it time.
It will come to rest in its own way.
“
A challenge to the right of Israel to exist can be construed as a challenge to the existence of the Jewish people only if one believes that Israel alone keeps the Jewish people alive or that all Jews invest their sense of perpetuity in the state of Israel in its current or traditional forms.
“
| — | Judith Butler |
one other wonderful part of this weekend: learning that there is such a thing as a nalgene flask…who would have thought?!
This is not a dress rehearsal.
It has been an absolutely thrilling few days:
Friday I stapled 18 bulletin boards on 9 floors of the building they are using for CI (orientation)…thrilling work. I have one more, which will be the legit one – I have big plans. A map of the metro with each line/color representing different types of info (orange = academics, blue = housing, green = at CI, etc.) ‘Don’t get lost, let us help you find your way!’ …oh bulletin boards… The night was dullsville. Worked on stuff for EAD 867 – love the discussions (when people actually reply) don’t love the papers… eh, such is life – it is a great class overall. Then went for a run…from which I am still sore. Ick.
Saturday morning I worked on more stuff for class: discussion postings are very fun. Saturday afternoon Angie invited me to come along with Meredith (both CDs) and her friends to the Pride parade. My first pride…and it was interesting. One major conclusion after attending: they need to limit the number of politicians and religious groups (though I was very impressed with the different religions represented – Seventh Day Adventists! [tried to get a pic for AMF but couldn’t], Catholics, Baptists…the whole crew) seriously though, 75% of the parade was religious groups or politicians. One interesting moment: a PFLAG dad came up to one of my friend’s friends and said “Do you know your father loves you?” & gave him a hug… a few people around teared up (or almost did)…totally bizarre! It was a little long but fun nonetheless. A lot of blending of friend circles. Then this morning I found a plethora of colorful beads and glow sticks in my bag… and some glitter. Not a fan of glitter.
Today I wandered around, people watched, did more schoolwork. I read and got caught in a torrential downpour it was quite thrilling…I looked as though I’d just been thrown in a swimming pool. Yuck!
Things I am looking forward to this week: Kennedy comes to town SO soon! - My birthday (though it is during CI and I don’t think I’ll be doing anything since I don’t have a ton of ‘people’ here and I hear CI is very very busy), the World Cup- I have predictions, and…seeing a very old friend next weekend… as in best friend from 4th grade… should be amusing if nothing else.
& that is life in this moment. Sleep & repeat.
“Friends are G-d’s way of apologizing for your family.”
Today ran together with the rest of life…
Tonight was enjoyable. Chipotle! With new friends?! Reminded me of Chris Scanlon, my Chipotle buddy (especially as I am in DC!)…
After, a quick 3 mile run while listening to Dry by Augusten Burroughs. I do love my audiobooks!
Now I’m watching quite possibly the most depressing episode of Vanguard ever ‘World’s Toilet Crisis’ …wow.
Then reading for class & reading the book Colleen told me to read! Much more excited about the latter.
Sleep & repeat. Such is life.
A short update…
A few too many episodes of Vanguard later (a documentary series on Current TV, Gore’s channel – check it out legally and for free online at: http://www.hulu.com/vanguard) I am alive but with a slightly more cynical view of the world. Worse yet, I traded doing work for class for watching episodes of Vanguard. It is just too good.
Yesterday Amanda had her last night in DC. We ‘celebrated’ by going out to dinner at a Pakistani/Indian restaurant that I am fairly certain is a front for illegal activity. My vote is smuggling of antiquities though drugs did also cross my mind – perhaps drugs smuggled within antiquities? I may never know.
After a significant amount of talk about Colonial Inauguration (CI for short – GWs orientation program) I think it is starting to make sense (though I am sure I will be shocked once it is underway). It truly seems to be a production…very interesting. I love orientation (my time as an OL –orientation leader– at UVM was probably my favorite summer of recent memory!) so I am hoping it is as good as others and I’ve hyped it up to be! One week from today I guess I’ll find out for sure. I’m making 18 or 19 bulletin boards for CI…better get on that, eek!
Lesson of the day: Do not shop at Trader Joe’s on a weeknight around 7pm – the line will reach around the entire store and take longer than it is worth.
Doing the District!
What an action packed weekend!
Here are some highlights:
Amanda is still in town for another day so we decided to make the most of it. We wanted Joseph to hang out with us too but he is too busy being important (oh, no big he’s just on a retreat with Senator Leahy’s office/the senate judiciary committee…!) SO, Amanda and I explored - started off at Eastern Market & got breakfast/brunch there, wonderful! Then we headed to take a brief peek at Gallaudet University (very cool) before going to the National Postal Museum (who knew that there even was such a thing!). We then wandered over to the Smithsonian American Art Museum and after touring ate lunch in Chinatown. After lunch we checked out the National Museum of Women in the Arts, went shopping and got some frozen yogurt (yum!)…overall a wonderful day with an even more wonderful friend!!!
When I got back I headed over to hang out with some of the Community Directors (MSU: think CDs/RDs/HDs; UVM think RDs – you get the picture) – very fun & I felt honored to be included even though I’m just the lowly summer intern! :)
Seriously, the best weekend of the summer so far!!!
ALSO: future plans – Catherine and I are planning a hike…somewhere… (and I’ve decided we are taking Joseph along); Maybe visiting Claire in Raleigh; Pride next weekend?; Hanging out with Joseph! Hopefully he’ll have more time after Monday (when he takes the LSAT!); Reading the materials A. Wong got me at NCORE (yes, examining my white privilege with some help from Peggy McIntosh!); and you know, just going wherever the wind takes me!
I’ve a feeling we’re not in Michigan anymore…
Today was the best day of the summer so far – here’s why:
- Brunch with Catherine Dixon at Le Pain Quotidien this morning! A great chance to catch up on life, enjoy some wonderful food and company, wander around the Georgetown area – AMAZING. For me, I think people create ‘home’ and seeing Catherine today did that.
- Online class work, trying to get ahead on things so I’m not doing stuff last minute. And it worked, I feel ok about where I am in my work but I have to get more done tomorrow… ick.
- Dinner with Joseph Thomas and Amanda Wong at Nam-Viet in Cleveland Park! Two of the people who made huge impacts on my life at UVM (and beyond) together, in one place… when you can start where you left off even after a year or two, that is true friendship. :)
I miss my UVM family SO much; today was such a great reminder of how strong those ties can still be despite distance and busy schedules. <3
Beautiful people, lovely places & sunshine!
Other things that have happened recently include:
- Being cat called late on Friday night… totally creeped me out, some man followed me for a block and a half commenting on my dress the entire time.
- Realizing Hulu is the best invention ever.
- Making plans with A. Wong for tomorrow! Which I am ecstatic about!
- NOT getting lost on the metro or while wandering around in DC!
- Dorm life…being woken up at all hours to strange noises…not a fan!
That’s my life right now in a nutshell.
Maybe I have the Peter Pan gene…
Memorable moment of day 2: being asked if I was a prospective student visiting GW…I was mistaken for a 16 or 17-year-old!
Yes, likely someday I’ll like that I look like a child but right now, two weeks from my 23rd birthday…not so much. Especially when I’m actually trying to be/look/act mature. :(
Day one [✓]
It is official; I have completed my first full day as an ACUHO-I intern at George Washington University! As part of my reflection on the day I have written a series of haikus about my first impressions, enjoy!
holding my breath deep
jump into business clothing
holy shit blisters.
eight to five it is
cufflink orientation?
more coffee please, oy!
office transition
reorganization plus
three new directors.
professional, yes
where is the touchy-feely?
really? Sarah?!
between A to Z
acronyms in abundance
welcome to my life!
end of the day, check!
wait, online class awaits me
goodness more work now.
missing my four friends
honest to G-d! legit love
to the moon and back.
