So much stuff

Every day here is just filled to the brim with fun and interesting things. I feel like I'm wearing my body to the ground.

Yesterday we trekked through the city to visit the World Bank, CSIS, and the Department of Health and Human Services. Career-wise, I'd never given those institutions a second thought, but I tend to forget that there is a variety of positions in every organization.

At least something from each speaker piqued my interest, and now I have three nice crisp business cards connecting me to each of those places. Networking. DC is about networking.

Speaking of networking . . . the girl who showed us around CSIS yesterday said, "If you don't have good people skills, you won't get anywhere in this town."

Confession: I don't have good people skills.

But I've been learning. I've probably introduced myself to more people in the past week than I have in my entire life. I meet literally at least a dozen new people every day. Fortunately, every introduction gets easier. Yesterday I found myself quelling the urge to approach random people on the street and ask them their names. Maybe I really am an extrovert at heart!

After our long day of city exploration yesterday, I came home, took a thirty minute nap, and then went out with some friends to do more city exploration. We hopped on the metro, got off at a random stop (we were following "the vibes"), and ended up in China Town.

Martin Luther King Jr. sure had some great things to say.

In case you were wondering, there are no Asians in China Town. But there sure are a lot of black people. Just kidding. There were like, four Asians.

After turning down some street scalpers who were trying to sell tickets to the Wizards game (and a t-shirt laced with charming profanity), we found ourselves at a little Japanese sushi restaurant. Then we continued to follow the vibes through the city. The vibes took us to the Ford Theater (where Lincoln was shot), past a sexy saxophone man, to the Old Post Office, the Treasury, and finally, the White House. Last night I was completely wiped.

So did FDR.

Today we got up at 9 and did some more embassy hopping. The lines were outrageous, so we were only able to make it to Luxemburg, Greece, Italy, and Germany/France. The embassies were fun and fancy, and we got to eat some interesting food, but we probably spent 75% of the day in lines. However, I'm pleased to report that I even though it was raining, I was hungry, and my feet and back hurt from walking so much, I was a fairly happy camper. Since I tend to be a bit of a complainer, my lack of irritation at the situation surprised me. I was standing there thinking, "Hm. I have no idea why I'm not grouchy right now."

Maybe it was that delicious French cheese or that adorable little Greek boy with freckles splashed across his nose or our unexpected tramp through the conservatory in the middle of the city.

I was told this is a really nice car. So I took a picture with it.

Or maybe I'm just learning patience.