I'm glad we were here together

Time for massive, long-overdue updates (split into multiple posts, for your reading pleasure. thank me later.)

Let's begin with the high points of my final two weeks in DC, after that crazy weekend of no sleep oh so long ago.

Highlight #1: MUMFORD AND SONS!!
Went with a few other Fellows and friends to see Mumford and Sons perform at Merriweather Post Pavilion. Took us 3 hours to travel 30 miles on our way there... got caught in a torrential downpour... and it was all worth it. Standing on the lawn, eating our picnic dinner and listening to some of our favorite songs made it feel like summer had officially arrived!!

[side note: if you don't know Mumford and Sons, you probably should. Watch this or this for a small taste.]

Highlight #2: Family Reunion Weekend
Picked up my Mom in Baltimore one Friday and we took a mini road trip to her extended (and I do mean extended) family's annual reunion! First stop was near Philadelphia for a night's stay with my aunt and cousin, followed by yet another mini road trip the next day to Long Island. I haven't been able to make it to the reunion over the past few summers, so it was lots of fun to see all of the family I've been missing lately. One fun fact (of many) learned at the reunion: my great-great-aunt was actually at the Gettysburg Address. So legit. Mom and I stopped in the Inner Harbor of Baltimore on our way back to the airport for some genuine crab cakes, and they did not disappoint!

Surprise! UVa School of Medicine shirt from my awesome cousin Katie.

Beautiful lunchtime view in Baltimore.

Highlight #3: Final shifts in the ER

Now, this is sort of misleading. I was actually pretty bummed to be leaving my job in the ER. I had a fantastic time working there over the past nine months, and made some great friends along the way. But, all good things must come to an end (especially when I was in need of a pre-med school summer break!). So, I gradually said all my goodbyes and thank yous over my last few shifts. It was a bittersweet ending to an incredible learning experience. So long, scribbling!

Highlight #4: Quality time with friends

One of the best parts of my year in DC was the amazing friends I made along the way; so, of course my last few days in the District were spent seeing those friends. Whether it was a Mexican group dinner (with a fake happy birthday sung to David), happy hour, lunch date or movie night, I did my best to see everyone that I could. Dropped by the church office. Had one of the best meals of my life (seriously) at The Capital Grille with my awesome host family. One last fro-yo trip with my amazing mentor. Another delicious "last-time-in-DC" dinner with Wendy. (Basically, the theme of "good friends, good food, good times" continued.) Saying goodbye to all of the people I had come to love over my Fellows year made me realize what a community I was blessed with in DC. I am so grateful to all of the people who made my time there possible and made it fun - and I will miss them more than I can say.

Highlight #5: Monuments at night

I was determined to make it into the city at night to see the monuments - my final DC bucket list item to be crossed off. It was the perfect way to spend my last night in the District.

Since I was driving back the next day, I had to show some love for the peach state...

...but don't worry, Virginia. I'll be back soon!

So, after many, many highlights and many goodbyes, I finally loaded up my car and drove back to dear old Georgia to begin my summer vacation. It is hard to believe I moved to DC only nine months ago without knowing anyone - I learned so much more than I can explain during my short time there. It really did come to feel like home. And in the end, I couldn't sum it up any better than Forrest Gump...

"You know what? I'm glad we were here together in our nation's capital."

Lauren