I have finally made it to DC, however currently I am racking up those
frequent flier miles and traveling to Seattle for a graduate school
preview days program...these airplanes are great places to catch up on
posts! So thursday I left for DC with literally 115lbs of luggage. Now for a
normal travel experience where someone is picking you up from the
airport that much luggage is no problem...but that was the farthest
from my experience. I landed in Baltimore and knew I needed to catch a
shuttle to the Amtrak station. So I did that with only minor
problems...I get to the Amtrak station and buy a ticket on the Marc
because it was $44 cheaper! Waiting for the train I met a nice lady who wasn't scowling at me for
packing my entire life in 4 bags! Finally I got a chance to sit down
and attach my rolley bags together creating this monster of a bag. So
now I didn't have to pull two and have two on my shoulders which was
really starting to be awkward! Getting onto the train was funny
because I had to go around this sharp corner to find an empty place
with my bodybag like contraption! At this point all I could do was
laugh, and thank the Lord that I could somewhat manage myself! Departing the train I needed to find the red line metro, buy a ticket,
get through the turnstiles, and make it onto a metro train. I had
never done any of that in DC before, heck I had never been to DC nor
had I ever met my roommate or really knew where I was going! So I
just smiled, apologized to all the kind, very nicely dressed people
(oh did I mention...it was rush hour) and mastered my independent
woman gig! The only hiccup I had was getting all of my stuff thru the
turnstiles while inserting a tickets and then pulling it out, while
walking thru. I literally got stuck in between the little doors that
open and close! So..I forced them open with my sheer adrenaline that
was absolutely flowing at that moment, played it cool and survived! The metro ride wasn't bad except for the merciless stares due to the
absurdity of my packing abilities! I got on the right train, made it
to the Cleveland park stop and managed to drag my belongings with the
last bit of strength I had left off the train only to find that the
escalator was out of service! So I toughed it up and started dragging
all of my luggage up two flights of stairs! I got up the first stair
and thought I was gonna throw my back out so I devised a new plan. I
sat my carry on bags a few stairs up, turned and with all my might
heaved everything up. I did this a few more times, all the while
thinking this is what I deserved for packing for 6 weeks for 3
different climates and bringing 11 pairs of shoes...I was being
smited! Finally this really nice man saw my struggles and probably thought if
he didn't help me I might keel over and die so we both lifted the bags
and made it, alive, up the stairs. Meeting my roommate was kinda nerve racking especially because I'm
sure I looked like a crazy person! Margie is so so sweet, and
considerate! She has red curly hair like me, and her apartment is
phenomenal! The front door has a doorman, the lobby looks like
something from an Audrey Hepburn move adorned in crystal, and gold
with regal mirrors and flower arrangements! There is a sitting room, a
members only lounge and of course a state of the art health club and
spa! Ok so for real...I never want to leave! Think old glamour, a 5
min walk to restaurants and an organic supermarket, and wood floors!
What more does a girl need in her life! Seriously its amazing! I am so
blessed to have found this opportunity! Friday was my first day at the internship working with the Association
of Catholic Colleges and Universities! I made it to Dupont Circle
found the building, got my badge and started what I hope to be one of
the most informative and worthwhile experiences to date! I began work
almost right away thinking about my professional and personal goals
while at the ACCU! I also began writing an article for their quarterly
newsletter which is sent to 3000 people, made website notations of out
of date information, and researched the Center for Earth and
Jurisprudence. All in all, it was a perfect first day, including the
delicious lunch my supervisor took me to at a delightful Turkish
restaurant! After work I decided to take an adventure of my own to a Verizon
Store! I mapped it out, and started walking! I only made one wrong
turn and found the store thanks to my trusty crackberry! Then I rushed
home, changed and headed out again to see Avatar...for the first
time...cuz I'm super lame! So far DC is everything and more than I expected it to be! I am super
excited to explore the city, meet new people and learn! So that's all for now! I am waiting in the Chicago airport and might
get bumped which means a free roundtrip voucher from United! More
later on my Seattle adventure and graduate school excitment!
T
Wish me luck! S
frequent flier miles and traveling to Seattle for a graduate school
preview days program...these airplanes are great places to catch up on
posts! So thursday I left for DC with literally 115lbs of luggage. Now for a
normal travel experience where someone is picking you up from the
airport that much luggage is no problem...but that was the farthest
from my experience. I landed in Baltimore and knew I needed to catch a
shuttle to the Amtrak station. So I did that with only minor
problems...I get to the Amtrak station and buy a ticket on the Marc
because it was $44 cheaper! Waiting for the train I met a nice lady who wasn't scowling at me for
packing my entire life in 4 bags! Finally I got a chance to sit down
and attach my rolley bags together creating this monster of a bag. So
now I didn't have to pull two and have two on my shoulders which was
really starting to be awkward! Getting onto the train was funny
because I had to go around this sharp corner to find an empty place
with my bodybag like contraption! At this point all I could do was
laugh, and thank the Lord that I could somewhat manage myself! Departing the train I needed to find the red line metro, buy a ticket,
get through the turnstiles, and make it onto a metro train. I had
never done any of that in DC before, heck I had never been to DC nor
had I ever met my roommate or really knew where I was going! So I
just smiled, apologized to all the kind, very nicely dressed people
(oh did I mention...it was rush hour) and mastered my independent
woman gig! The only hiccup I had was getting all of my stuff thru the
turnstiles while inserting a tickets and then pulling it out, while
walking thru. I literally got stuck in between the little doors that
open and close! So..I forced them open with my sheer adrenaline that
was absolutely flowing at that moment, played it cool and survived! The metro ride wasn't bad except for the merciless stares due to the
absurdity of my packing abilities! I got on the right train, made it
to the Cleveland park stop and managed to drag my belongings with the
last bit of strength I had left off the train only to find that the
escalator was out of service! So I toughed it up and started dragging
all of my luggage up two flights of stairs! I got up the first stair
and thought I was gonna throw my back out so I devised a new plan. I
sat my carry on bags a few stairs up, turned and with all my might
heaved everything up. I did this a few more times, all the while
thinking this is what I deserved for packing for 6 weeks for 3
different climates and bringing 11 pairs of shoes...I was being
smited! Finally this really nice man saw my struggles and probably thought if
he didn't help me I might keel over and die so we both lifted the bags
and made it, alive, up the stairs. Meeting my roommate was kinda nerve racking especially because I'm
sure I looked like a crazy person! Margie is so so sweet, and
considerate! She has red curly hair like me, and her apartment is
phenomenal! The front door has a doorman, the lobby looks like
something from an Audrey Hepburn move adorned in crystal, and gold
with regal mirrors and flower arrangements! There is a sitting room, a
members only lounge and of course a state of the art health club and
spa! Ok so for real...I never want to leave! Think old glamour, a 5
min walk to restaurants and an organic supermarket, and wood floors!
What more does a girl need in her life! Seriously its amazing! I am so
blessed to have found this opportunity! Friday was my first day at the internship working with the Association
of Catholic Colleges and Universities! I made it to Dupont Circle
found the building, got my badge and started what I hope to be one of
the most informative and worthwhile experiences to date! I began work
almost right away thinking about my professional and personal goals
while at the ACCU! I also began writing an article for their quarterly
newsletter which is sent to 3000 people, made website notations of out
of date information, and researched the Center for Earth and
Jurisprudence. All in all, it was a perfect first day, including the
delicious lunch my supervisor took me to at a delightful Turkish
restaurant! After work I decided to take an adventure of my own to a Verizon
Store! I mapped it out, and started walking! I only made one wrong
turn and found the store thanks to my trusty crackberry! Then I rushed
home, changed and headed out again to see Avatar...for the first
time...cuz I'm super lame! So far DC is everything and more than I expected it to be! I am super
excited to explore the city, meet new people and learn! So that's all for now! I am waiting in the Chicago airport and might
get bumped which means a free roundtrip voucher from United! More
later on my Seattle adventure and graduate school excitment!
T
Wish me luck! S
Sam! I loved this post! I could just picture all of your moments of frustration but moving on with your bursts of "independent woman syndrome"! I laughed out loud as I can only imagine the stares you were getting from your obnoxious amount of luggage. DC is not ready for a girl like you! I'm so glad to hear that you made it everywhere you needed to with minimal amounts of conflicts. I hope this job brings you many great opportunities and perhaps DC is where you are supposed to be! Not going to lie, I did tear up a little at the end upon reading how happy you were with everything and how excited you are about this new adventure in your life. We are getting so old and these experiences are the beginnings of real life :) I'm so proud of you for taking on this adventure and I cannot wait to hear all about the rest of it!! I love you Samantha!
ReplyDeleteYou are one brave chick, Sammy! Your preparedness and confidence will carry you far. Continue to go with it! So glad you got your Avatar fix in, as well :)
ReplyDelete