My last work day in D.C. is coming to an end slowly. These last few hours have proven to be a time of reflection over the past 3 months. I rushed to Washington immediately after graduation completely pumped to start my political career outside of the Columbia political scene - I was going national baby! It took three hours after moving into my new apartment for the magnitude of my changes to really sink in. I was eight hours from anyone who loved me, cared about me, and even knew my name and some how this was justified by the over powering compulsion I had to positively change the world. I wiped my tears after the first few days of mourning and managed to get out into the world long enough to secure a part-time job so I could afford to eat something besides saltine crackers and spaghetti-Os for the summer.
My first day of work at my internship was interesting for sure. I was assigned to the Finance and Development Department due to my previous experiences in finance - disappointing at first because I wanted the thrill of blogging about policy & informing the world! Well, life is never what you plan and soon I began brainstorming ways to get out of my niche of direct mailers and excel sheet master extraordinaire! All the while trying to peg the 11 other interns that worked with me and figure out what I could find in common with them-- I prayed for humor and thank God I was given humor! I have had the opportunity to dine with Senators, happy hour with Congressmen, and have cocktails & hors d'oeuvres with some of Washington's top political insiders - All paling in comparison to the wonderful friendships I have made with some of the finest young adults in America - ATR Freedom Fighters Summer 2010.
As you are all aware my search for purpose in D.C. politics ended up in film. With the support of my friends back home and friends in Washington this complete long shot of an idea has become a reality. I will never forget the encouragement from all of you this summer! It has literally changed the course of my life (and you had a bigger part in this than you may think). And my internship turned out to be perfect after all- No policy blogging like I had hope for- Instead, I was offered a unique position to network with individuals who have turned out to be some of the biggest driving forces behind giving my documentary the momentum and credibility needed to take off and get recognized.
The moral I've learned from this summer: Never curse your circumstance.
This day is almost through. I will metro back home for the last time an hour from now, all the more wiser than when I arrived here in May. I'll load my car, have one last hoorah in Georgetown, then leave early tomorrow morning for South Carolina.
I'm not through with Washington. I'll be back. Until then, I'll simple be a girl on the move.
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