REAL life.

DC moments from the past few weeks:

The National Mall: I enjoyed another great DC moment watching the fireworks from the National Mall on the 4th of July. Around 7:30-8pm the green space started filling up with people trying to score a place to sit. It was crowded and hot, yet the atmosphere of the day was relaxed, because it was a holiday, and people were just spending time with family and friends.

My mom flew across the continent to visit me this weekend, and we spent a lot of time today on the National Mall seeing the sites, and taking pictures in front of all the monuments. The novelty of seeing all the touristy things has worn off a bit, but I still think that the National Mall is one of my favorite places about the city. I have really enjoyed going for runs there-I can't get enough of it.

A picture of me with my mom in front of the White House.

US Foreign Policy Class: Another example would be my class, U.S. Foreign Policy last Tuesday night. There's about 15 students in the class, and we all are assigned to write a Policy Paper on a topic of our choice and present our ideas in class. Last week a few students presented their papers, and following that was a short discussion on their ideas. I really enjoy the class setting, because not one student is from the same University, and I have learned to appreciate the productivity that comes with different perspectives. (I also like representing the outside Canadian perspective, which is more distinct from the general American perspective than I realized.)

Meeting real-life diplomats:
The Canadian Program Manager at TWC was gracious enough to put together a round-table event for all the Canadian students to go to the Embassy and meet with Foreign Service Officers about working for the federal government. There were about 15 students and we met 4 Foreign Service Officers and had a very casual, open discussions about the realities of working for the federal government. They were gracious enough to take time and explain the question I think all undergrads think about-how do I transfer from being a student to a professional? How can I market myself? I set up a meeting with another Foreign Service Officer when I first arrived here in Washington, but this meeting was extremely constructive, and confirmed my ideas and interests in Foreign Service work. The more they explained what the job is like, and what type of person can be successful in the department, the more I realized it's something I would really like to pursue. It's completely different talking to people explain their jobs rather than reading online job postings.Working as a diplomat is not only a job, but a lifestyle. The people I met are rotational officers, meaning they move every four years or so to a different Embassy around the world, depending on where they have applied. Obviously, there are huge sacrifices that they make personally because of this, and one of the ladies explained that it's definitely harder for women to be a Foreign Officer. The career is still working on an old-school model of the husband working as a diplomat, with his wife staying at home with the children that way the family can move to accommodate the husbands career. The modern realities of women developing careers alongside their significant others is way beyond that.

Meeting a real life congressman:

Sitting with Dr. Paul and his wife, who happened to be in the office that afternoon.

I'm wearing heels in this picture, so my height is a little deceiving.

An inspirational quote in Ron Paul's office that

seems fitting for how he's led his career in public office.

"What is the use of being elected or re-elected unless you stand for something?"
 
One of my goals this summer was to meet Congressman Ron Paul. My brother Nathanael is a big supporter, and because of his interests I have learned to appreciate Dr. Paul's libertarian views especially in the political climate in Washington right now.

Ron Paul's desk.

I'm at that awkward time of my summer in Washington. It feels like finals, because I'm under the crunch for finishing up my class work, and the lovely TWC portfolio which consists of all the work I've done this summer. I'm ready to finish up all these tasks that have been set before me at the beginning of the summer, but I'm not quite ready to say goodbye to the city, and the friends I have made. I feel almost as if I've found this small piece of heaven. I don't know if I'll ever be able to head off to another city for the summer, enroll in a great program I've found here, made great friends. All this coming to an end is a bit sombreing.

I enjoy writing this blog, because it gives me time to contemplate and reflect on moments that I've experienced that I could not have experienced anywhere else. (I suppose that's the joy of traveling that I cannot get enough of.) I'll share some of them with you. Last weekend I ended up going to a friends rooftop party at the building across from my apartment. It was nighttime, and I was being introduced to many new friends, enjoying good conversation and taking in the hot east-coast air and the glittery sky-line.

There's always more I could be writing and reflecting on, but I think I'll end it there. Here's to the last few days in July!