Busy, Busy

First of all, I am really and truly going to try to blog more. I have way too much to catch all you faithful readers up on to only blog once a week!

Second, it has been a pretty wonderful week. Let's have a recap, shall we?

Last Thursday night: met my mentor at the Fellow mentor dinner [we are all assigned mentors from the church community to be a little extra guidance over the Fellows year]. Basically, I think my mentor is the coolest thing since sliced bread. We have so many things in common it is a little scary, and she is just so down to earth and hilarious. We are going to have a great year together!

Friday: Job orientation with the company I am working for. Guys. My only real, paid job has been at summer camp - this world of non-compete contracts, tax forms and payroll offices is totally new to me. I feel like I am learning a ton about business in general through all of this. Which is exciting, no?

Friday night: I finally got to see Wendy-san! I am SO very glad she is up in DC for the year - it is such a blessing to have a familiar face in a new town. We had dinner and explored the Adams Morgan neighborhood in DC [younger, intern type crowd].

Saturday: Met up with our friend Emily who is also in DC for the year [the bulldogs are taking over up here!!] to cheer on the Dawgs against Arkansas. Sadly, we lost the game... but it was a close one and you can't deny that it was entertaining! I may or may not have been a little hoarse after the game.

Sunday: Church, Children's church, lunch with my mentor and her super cool family, helped with the youth group mall scavenger hunt and found a fun local pub for dinner. Whew.

Monday: First real live graduate class I got to attend - "Reading the Word and the World". We listened to Lady Gaga, guys. It'll be an interesting one for sure! Went to see "Going the Distance" with some of the girls Monday afternoon - much more funny than I thought it would be! Round table dinner, prayer and discussion Monday night.

Tuesday: All day job orientation at the hospital where I am working. Did I mention I'm learning a ton about the business world??

Tuesday night: GLEE!!! Some of the Fellows got together to watch the premiere and eat some delicious queso. Yum. Spent the night with Steph afterwards so that I could...

Wednesday: ...be a tourist! I rode the metro into the city with all the commuters and spent the day on the National Mall. Although my trip to the Capitol Building was thwarted by the President's motorcade strolling around the city (ya know, no big...) I did make it to the Library of Congress, American History museum and the National Gallery. Which means I saw: the rough draft of the Declaration of Independence, Dorothy's red shoes and the only Da Vinci painting in the U.S. All in a day's work, my friends!

A few tourist-y shots:

Thursday: Errand running and homework day. Got my hospital badge, read a ton and made flashcards for work abbrevs. [SOB = shortness of breath, in case you were wondering].

Friday: Morning class, lunch out with a few Fellows, and a fun evening out in Arlington.

Today: Beautiful Saturday. More school work and work prepping. My first shift is on Tuesday! Celebrating two Fellows' birthdays tonight and watching the Georgia game with Wendy.

Whew. That is all.

Love from the big city,

Lauren

P.S. I got a third interview - this one at U. Pitt! Cross your fingers! :-)