Monday, December 27, 2010

There's No Place Like Home

Excuse the cheesy title but here I am back in Kansas. It's difficult to adjust to being back here after living in DC for the past 4 months.

Don't get me wrong I love my hometown and my family and my dog and seeing the stars in the middle of the country and the sunrising over my beautiful country church like this...

But I also miss seeing this beautiful building every morning walking to work...


hanging out with these great friends in a beautiful city...



and being only a couple of hours away from this...


I surprisingly miss the controversial news stories and the opportunities to see big name politicians and walk around inside the Capitol building marveling at the fabulous art. I miss Thai food..nom nom nom...and the vibe of Eastern Market. I miss riding the Metro and people watching. I miss being part of the political process and talking to Kansans as they call in with their concerns, though many people in my town have expressed their various opinions about representatives and senators and how they're doing their job. It's funny how there are things that the general public doesn't understand about the political process. Things that I probably didn't understand either before my experience. I miss the quick pace of the city, just as much as I missed the open spaces and calmness of the country when I was there. I'm torn between going back and staying here.

I am looking forward to getting back to Lawrence and finishing up my college career. My degree is only four short classes away. I'm going to love every minute of it and the memories I will make with the friends I have been away from the past four months. I am already planning get togethers with my friends when I get back! Life is good, I will always have a spot in my heart to miss a place I love and of course people I love. I've just got to learn to enjoy the moment as it happens and not wish I was constantly in some other location.

Words of Wisdom: "There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you have altered." - Nelson Mandela

Monday, November 15, 2010

Where is the time going?


Oh my goodness! I've only got about four weeks left for my internship and this is only my third blog post. Oops!

In the past few weeks, I've seen almost all the museums that really interest me, seen the monuments multiple times, turned another year older, become an expert or atleast I can intelligently discuss the legislative process, attended an election watch party where big names such as John Boehner and Mitch McConnell were present, celebrated my boss' win as Kansas next Senator, explored the city with a few of my best friends, made new friends in two new roommates and numerous people I have met, blended into routines that make me a local and fallen more in love with this city.





Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Three Weeks Down Already!


When I went to work this morning, one of my co-workers pointed out that if I were doing a summer internship, I would be halfway done already. Thankfully I have until December until I am finished. In the past three weeks, I have learned my way through the Capitol and have managed to make it around without getting lost too much, I've discovered how to successfully navigate through the Metro, and I've pretty much fallen in love with DC. I miss Kansas with its wide open spaces and lovely people so much, but DC is so charming and historic it has stolen my heart! I have been pleasantly surprised by how friendly people here are. And I'm sure if you're getting ready to live here or even visit you've been told that its very expensive to live here...that is sooooo true! PB&J's and fresh fruit from Eastern Market are my main meals because it's cheap and easy.


In more exciting news than what I've been chowing down on, I went to the Glenn Beck rally that has caused much controversey in the news lately. It was interesting and while I agreed with most things being said more than I disagreed, it was a bit extreme at some points. Other exciting news: I have some really amazing roommates, one is from England and the other is from Austria. They are both lovely and it is fun to cook with them! We also discuss the many differences between our countries especially differences in education and healthcare systems. Who would have thought I'd be having an international experience still in the U.S. My weeks are filled with spending time at the Capitol getting the opportunity to help Kansans and find out about issues that really matter to them and meeting Kansans as they come into the office for a visit!

If theres anything extra you would like me to post about just let me know! I'm doing so much I never know what is interesting and what could be left out! I could definitely talk about food and the exhibits I see all day long!

Words of Wisdom: For disappearing acts, it's hard to beat what happens to the eight hours supposedly left after eight of sleep and eight of work. ~Doug Larson

And just for kicks and giggles: How long a minute is, depends on which side of the bathroom door you're on.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Simone Goes to Washington

Oh my goodness! I can't believe I leave for DC in less than 3 days! And I start my internship in Congressman Jerry Moran's office in a week! When I got accepted for this in March, it seemed like I had all the time in the world to prepare for my move to DC. Now I need those past 5 months back!

I think everything is in order though. Flight to DC: check. Someplace to go when I first get there: check. Apartment: check. Instructions for the first day: check. Suitcase packed with my life for the next 5 months: eeerrr, about that. How does one go about packing suits and normal clothes and shoes for 4.5 months of their life. In a climate that I'm unfamiliar with. For 2.5 seasons. My suitcase is loaded to the brim with most everything but its over the weight limit. This is the point in my life where I'm really beginning to fret and wonder what the heck was I thinking. Moving to DC? To do an internship representing one of my favorite places in the world, in a subject that is NOT my major? And packing enough clothes to get me through without looking like the Kansas bum? It will all be okay, right?

So here I am, blogging about this small packing disaster, trying to figure out what I can leave behind for the adventure I'm about to embark on. I would've added pictures but no one really wants to see the mounds of clothes, boxes and books that have taken over my parents basement. It kind of makes me cringe.

Wish me luck as I prepare to go back in!

Words of Wisdom: "If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness and fears."
- Glenn Clark