Whenever I hear news that is shocking or I am physically startled, I let out an uncontrollable dramatic gasp. This week I gasped a lot. I'm pretty sure people in my office think I'm crazy by now. But it was a crazy week: the horrible DC metro crash, big news stories relayed to me via CNN text update as soon as they happened, and my sister's emergency surgery. May this next week be less eventful.
I made my debut on AEI's softball team on Tuesday night and had a great time, even though I made no real contribution other than my gender. Each team in the league is supposed to have a certain number of girls on the field at all times, which translated into constant playing time for me. Note that I haven't played any version of the game since my 7-year-old teeball days, and I went into the game thinking that you get people out by throwing the ball at them (turns out that's kickball). I did manage to hit the ball on my first try all three times at bat, though - I just didn't make it to any bases. But fortunately many of the other players are damn good, and the Brooks Brothers (where the sisters at?) walked away with an impressive 20-6 victory. Our next game is this week and my new goal in life is to make it to first base.
In regards to exploring more of the District, on Friday night I went with some friends to the sculpture garden for their weekly free jazz concert. It was a lovely evening, and we sat in the grass drinking sangria and listening to jazz sort of since we were far away due to the massive crowd. Just as we left it started torrentially pouring and hailing, and after chilling under a deserted tent we somehow managed to get a ride in a cop car to the metro. We felt pretty BA. May any future rides in cop cars I take be under such amicable circumstances.
On Saturday I continued my one museum per weekend trend and went to the Natural History museum. Highlights included the giant squid, dinosaurs, and the Harry Winston gallery, home of the Hope Diamond. I also went to a great IMAX show - Deep Sea. I didn't stay very long because it was outrageously crowded, and I'm thinking hot Saturdays just aren't the best time to go museuming. I'll stay away next weekend for sure since I'm guessing DC is popular among the tourist crowd for July 4.
Today I took my second field trip with the kids. What was supposed to be a pool day turned into a movie day since rain was in the forecast. We saw Up, although I didn't really get to see too much due to the exploits of rambunctious 5-13ers. But it was fun and I'm enjoying spending my Sundays this way. As for Up, I'm planning to go back sans small children - what I saw I really liked.
I'm continuing to enjoy being at AEI and learning about a diverse array of topics. This week it was geoengineering, organ donation and Zahra Rahnavard. Next week I'm scheduled to attend a conference on presidential succession...oh me, oh my!
I can't believe four weeks are already gone and it's about to be July. I suppose I'm at an age now where everything feels like it goes by fast, and the summer especially so. Now only six weeks to go of DC rumination and exploration and two weeks left as a 20-year-old. When asked which age they would like to return to many women say 20, so I'll cherish the next two weeks even though I believe the best is yet to come.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Just call me Lindsay Lohan
Part of the reason I decided to continue blogging from DC was to have a record of what I thought about the city. It's a place that I've thought for long I may like to live one day, and I chose to spend my summer here to get a good idea of what this city is all about and to see if I fit into the puzzle.
After three weeks that have passed very quickly, DC continues to befuddle me. It's easily defined as our nation's capital, the city where the president lives and where the big laws are passed, but other than that I'm still lacking a clear vision of what really makes up this place. I mentioned my confusion with the southern efficiency/northern charm quote in an earlier post and I'm no closer to figuring that out. As a Louisianan I see charm and inefficiency in the South - perhaps the quote is intentionally confusing to reflect the confusingness that is DC, sly JFK. Or perhaps it is more about perspective.
What I think I've deduced is that DC is more an amalgamation of cultures than holder of its own. Apart from the kids I worked with today, most everyone I have met here is a transplant. In a way this city is a microcosm of the U.S.: People from everywhere take up close quarters and share the ideas and ways of the places they come from. I've experienced that just with the other interns at AEI.
The beguiling nature of this city also translates to its weather. Some days this past week have been extremely hot, humid and sunny; others cloudy and chilly. Rain starts and stops at a moment's notice, making for a very frustrating start for the AEI softball team (I've decided to start playing next week to show off my mad skills), and also producing wardrobe selection confusion.
I'm catching up on my chillaxing time right now, having had a pretty busy, but fun, week. Notable excursion: Friday night we went to a Washington Nationals baseball game - aka the worst team in the Major League. One guy in our group caught a foul ball, which wasn't saying much since there were plenty to be had. I'm no baseball expert, but even I could tell they were pretty bad. The Nats and the Toronto Blue Jays were tied 1-1 at the end of the ninth, and I stayed until the eleventh, right after which there was an amazing play that won the game for the Nats - major shucks. It was a fun night, though; I liked sitting outside on the humid night and we got great seats since the stadium was half-full. As my favorite part of USC football games is the fake car race (and Traveler, of course!) the best part of the Nats game was the U.S. presidents race - people dressed up as Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson and T. Roosevelt raced around the field. There's some DC culture right there.
In AEI news, the office was abuzz this week about the situation in Iran; it dominated lunchtime discussion and work assignments. I'm curious to follow the developments and hopeful that some justice will happen for the people there.
Yesterday I braved extreme heat (made a major faux pas and wore jeans) to visit the American History Museum but didn't stay too long because the crowds were redonk. I'll have to go back and see the First Ladies exhibit, my favorite, right. The tourists have started swarming in and I often have to weave through large groups on my way to work in the morning.
Today I started volunteering with Horton's Kids, an organization that works with children in a less privaleged DC community. They do tutoring for the kids during the school year and summer camp and field trips during the summer. I had a great time on a field trip at a park, and I'm planning to go on as many Sundays as I can while I'm here. Today the kids guessed I was 36 years old and told me I'd look like Lindsay Lohan if I had a little more freckles. I'll spend some more time in the sun and own it proudly.
After three weeks that have passed very quickly, DC continues to befuddle me. It's easily defined as our nation's capital, the city where the president lives and where the big laws are passed, but other than that I'm still lacking a clear vision of what really makes up this place. I mentioned my confusion with the southern efficiency/northern charm quote in an earlier post and I'm no closer to figuring that out. As a Louisianan I see charm and inefficiency in the South - perhaps the quote is intentionally confusing to reflect the confusingness that is DC, sly JFK. Or perhaps it is more about perspective.
What I think I've deduced is that DC is more an amalgamation of cultures than holder of its own. Apart from the kids I worked with today, most everyone I have met here is a transplant. In a way this city is a microcosm of the U.S.: People from everywhere take up close quarters and share the ideas and ways of the places they come from. I've experienced that just with the other interns at AEI.
The beguiling nature of this city also translates to its weather. Some days this past week have been extremely hot, humid and sunny; others cloudy and chilly. Rain starts and stops at a moment's notice, making for a very frustrating start for the AEI softball team (I've decided to start playing next week to show off my mad skills), and also producing wardrobe selection confusion.
I'm catching up on my chillaxing time right now, having had a pretty busy, but fun, week. Notable excursion: Friday night we went to a Washington Nationals baseball game - aka the worst team in the Major League. One guy in our group caught a foul ball, which wasn't saying much since there were plenty to be had. I'm no baseball expert, but even I could tell they were pretty bad. The Nats and the Toronto Blue Jays were tied 1-1 at the end of the ninth, and I stayed until the eleventh, right after which there was an amazing play that won the game for the Nats - major shucks. It was a fun night, though; I liked sitting outside on the humid night and we got great seats since the stadium was half-full. As my favorite part of USC football games is the fake car race (and Traveler, of course!) the best part of the Nats game was the U.S. presidents race - people dressed up as Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson and T. Roosevelt raced around the field. There's some DC culture right there.
In AEI news, the office was abuzz this week about the situation in Iran; it dominated lunchtime discussion and work assignments. I'm curious to follow the developments and hopeful that some justice will happen for the people there.
Yesterday I braved extreme heat (made a major faux pas and wore jeans) to visit the American History Museum but didn't stay too long because the crowds were redonk. I'll have to go back and see the First Ladies exhibit, my favorite, right. The tourists have started swarming in and I often have to weave through large groups on my way to work in the morning.
Today I started volunteering with Horton's Kids, an organization that works with children in a less privaleged DC community. They do tutoring for the kids during the school year and summer camp and field trips during the summer. I had a great time on a field trip at a park, and I'm planning to go on as many Sundays as I can while I'm here. Today the kids guessed I was 36 years old and told me I'd look like Lindsay Lohan if I had a little more freckles. I'll spend some more time in the sun and own it proudly.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Ahhh to be young again...
It's a slow day at work and I'm on a post-sugar cookie high. Thought I'd use my time to share instead of scouring the New York Times website again for stories of strange and interesting.
You can never go home again, and you can never relive your freshman year of college...except if you're a summer resident at one of GW's dorms. I'm one for nostalgia, just not this kind:
1. Early a.m. fire alarms because someone burned something in the provided microwave - although it is always somehwhat entertaining to see how everyone reacts. And there's an opportunity to learn new things: Last time I learned (via an overheard cell phone conversation) that investment bankers work on Sundays and every day into the wee hours of the morning. No thanks.
2. Damage - the glass front doors to my building are currently smashed out. What's up with the violence, yo?
3. Locking yourself out. This happened to me yesterday, and it will probably happen again. It's a loonnng walk to get that replacement key, but it's just part of the experience.
4. Weird smells. Nuff' said.
5. Randomness. Last week I desperately needed to take a shower after going running, but the women's bathroom was locked on my floor...and on the next floor. I was sweaty sweaty and decided to take a chance in the men's, knowing full well that if caught people would think I was a creeper. My pink toenails would have given me away in a second, but I don't think anyone saw me - I hope!
Considering, though, I have it good - another intern told me today that her room at a student boarding house came with a "pet rat." When she moved in her roommate suggested that they use books to cover the vent that the little creature scurries from.
You can never go home again, and you can never relive your freshman year of college...except if you're a summer resident at one of GW's dorms. I'm one for nostalgia, just not this kind:
1. Early a.m. fire alarms because someone burned something in the provided microwave - although it is always somehwhat entertaining to see how everyone reacts. And there's an opportunity to learn new things: Last time I learned (via an overheard cell phone conversation) that investment bankers work on Sundays and every day into the wee hours of the morning. No thanks.
2. Damage - the glass front doors to my building are currently smashed out. What's up with the violence, yo?
3. Locking yourself out. This happened to me yesterday, and it will probably happen again. It's a loonnng walk to get that replacement key, but it's just part of the experience.
4. Weird smells. Nuff' said.
5. Randomness. Last week I desperately needed to take a shower after going running, but the women's bathroom was locked on my floor...and on the next floor. I was sweaty sweaty and decided to take a chance in the men's, knowing full well that if caught people would think I was a creeper. My pink toenails would have given me away in a second, but I don't think anyone saw me - I hope!
Considering, though, I have it good - another intern told me today that her room at a student boarding house came with a "pet rat." When she moved in her roommate suggested that they use books to cover the vent that the little creature scurries from.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Vienna waits for youuu
I'm not in Vienna, not even close - there is a metro stop called Vienna and I've had the song stuck in my head for days. Since I have a single room here I've been able to perfect my Billy Joel singing abilities. It is a lovely song, indeed. I just hope my hallmates think so too - or that these walls are thick!
Week two down, and I'm not getting lost so much anymore. I'm more comfortable now with the city overall and am starting to feel like an actual resident of the District, as the cool kids call it. I've mastered the metro - minus an incident last night that involved me having no idea how to refill my metro card and that ended with me singing "I've got the golden ticket" as we just made our train. We've even managed to find a few places that allow younger clientele, and it's been nice to go out a little, but I'm honestly OK taking a break after all my pubbing in Scotland.
I haven't decided yet if I think this city is for me long-term, but I really enjoyed this past week. Work is continuing to go well, and it's gonna heat up after Wednesday when my supervisor bids AEI adieu. It's been a really great experience to be surrounded by so many intelligent people with a spectrum of opinions, but sometimes I feel as though my brain is in overdrive. Friday, for instance, my scholar hosted a conference on changing election demographics in the 2008 election that I found really interesting (even though I was the hated person holding up the time cards for the speakers). That was followed by intense intellectual discussion among the interns at lunch and then by a staff forum on changing demographics in the Muslim world. Whew!
Week two also brought some crazy weather. On Tuesday I was awoken at 6 am by extremely loud thunder and I lay awake watching the lighting and rain outside my window. Louisiana has some pretty great storms, but I haven't experienced one in years - I enjoyed it. Round two happened that evening: I took the metro to the Capitol stop to attend a meeting and was met by pounding rain and HAIL at the exit. I couldn't find where I needed to go and got completely soaked. That said, I hope it happens again.
Yesterday I visited the Newseum and enjoyed it immensely - it's the only museum I think I've managed to spend three hours in ever (I was the person that dashed through the Louvre in 45 minutes). It has been a long time coming for me and that building: I attended a journalism conference in DC my senior year of high school that was sponsored by the Newseum's founders. They took us to what was the building site at the time and I told myself then that I would be back to see the finished product. Worth the wait - they have some pretty great exhibits. I especially liked the gallery of Pulitzer-winning photographs and the interactive exhibit where you can watch clips from big news moments in history; I could have sat there for hours. I also attended a lecture by a journalist who has written stories from Pakistan and Iran. Very cool place for a journalism enthusiast such as myself. One interesting tidbit: the museum sits on Pennsylvania Avenue right by the Capitol and has a huge stone slab on its front with the First Amendment to remind the Congressmen and women who drive by on their way to work everyday.
Today I did two things that I really enjoyed - I met some people at the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival at the National Mall (nothing is better than a jazz version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" while soaking up the sun) and then went to a slam poetry performance. The Kennedy Center has free performances every night at 6 pm, and tonight it was a group of high school students from Chicago presenting their original works. They were awesome.
Something I'm confused about: JFK said that Washington is a city of southern efficiency and northern charm. Shouldn't it be the other way around? But I've got more time here in this fabulous city to figure that out.
Stay cool cause I won't be able to - it's getting freaking hot!
Week two down, and I'm not getting lost so much anymore. I'm more comfortable now with the city overall and am starting to feel like an actual resident of the District, as the cool kids call it. I've mastered the metro - minus an incident last night that involved me having no idea how to refill my metro card and that ended with me singing "I've got the golden ticket" as we just made our train. We've even managed to find a few places that allow younger clientele, and it's been nice to go out a little, but I'm honestly OK taking a break after all my pubbing in Scotland.
I haven't decided yet if I think this city is for me long-term, but I really enjoyed this past week. Work is continuing to go well, and it's gonna heat up after Wednesday when my supervisor bids AEI adieu. It's been a really great experience to be surrounded by so many intelligent people with a spectrum of opinions, but sometimes I feel as though my brain is in overdrive. Friday, for instance, my scholar hosted a conference on changing election demographics in the 2008 election that I found really interesting (even though I was the hated person holding up the time cards for the speakers). That was followed by intense intellectual discussion among the interns at lunch and then by a staff forum on changing demographics in the Muslim world. Whew!
Week two also brought some crazy weather. On Tuesday I was awoken at 6 am by extremely loud thunder and I lay awake watching the lighting and rain outside my window. Louisiana has some pretty great storms, but I haven't experienced one in years - I enjoyed it. Round two happened that evening: I took the metro to the Capitol stop to attend a meeting and was met by pounding rain and HAIL at the exit. I couldn't find where I needed to go and got completely soaked. That said, I hope it happens again.
Yesterday I visited the Newseum and enjoyed it immensely - it's the only museum I think I've managed to spend three hours in ever (I was the person that dashed through the Louvre in 45 minutes). It has been a long time coming for me and that building: I attended a journalism conference in DC my senior year of high school that was sponsored by the Newseum's founders. They took us to what was the building site at the time and I told myself then that I would be back to see the finished product. Worth the wait - they have some pretty great exhibits. I especially liked the gallery of Pulitzer-winning photographs and the interactive exhibit where you can watch clips from big news moments in history; I could have sat there for hours. I also attended a lecture by a journalist who has written stories from Pakistan and Iran. Very cool place for a journalism enthusiast such as myself. One interesting tidbit: the museum sits on Pennsylvania Avenue right by the Capitol and has a huge stone slab on its front with the First Amendment to remind the Congressmen and women who drive by on their way to work everyday.
Today I did two things that I really enjoyed - I met some people at the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival at the National Mall (nothing is better than a jazz version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" while soaking up the sun) and then went to a slam poetry performance. The Kennedy Center has free performances every night at 6 pm, and tonight it was a group of high school students from Chicago presenting their original works. They were awesome.
Something I'm confused about: JFK said that Washington is a city of southern efficiency and northern charm. Shouldn't it be the other way around? But I've got more time here in this fabulous city to figure that out.
Stay cool cause I won't be able to - it's getting freaking hot!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Thank goodness I brought an umbrella, now I just need a good map...
A week into living in Washington DC, I’ve been lost more times than I can count. You would think that since the streets are arranged in ascending numbers and letters I would stand a chance, but even such sensible logic can’t help the extreme directionally challenged. My biggest problem is that I often have gut feelings about which way is the right way to go, but such feelings are always wrong.
Getting lost can be a good thing when you’re trying to explore a new city, just not when walking home from the metro stop late at night or carrying heavy bags of groceries. But I’m getting craftier: Today I got off at the stop for the National Shrine to go to mass, had absolutely no idea how to get there, and then stealthily followed a guy carrying a Bible right up to the doors of the church. Whatever works, right?
Apart from constantly getting lost, I’ve settled into life in DC pretty easily. I have enjoyed my walks to and from work, except when it has rained – I often wondered this past week if I were back in Scotland. But now the weather is just how I like it: sunny, sunny, sunny and hot, hot, hot. And getting hotter!
My walks take me past the White House, and while I haven’t laid eyes on Mr. President yet, I’m pretty sure I saw David Axelrod one morning (or maybe it was wishful thinking, having watched the NBC special about the Obama White House the night before). I’ll update again if I have any more “celebrity” sightings – they’re my celebrities anyway! I was pretty excited.
My internship is going well; It has been fun getting to know the other interns and the kitchens are well-stocked with tons of drinks and AEI’s homemade cookies to break up what can feel like pretty long days. I think I have a better understanding now of what a think tank is (or at least what AEI is): The scholars, who are the very well educated top dogs, research and write about different areas of public policy. Then, their findings make their way into the public sphere and often into the hands of people who actually draft policy. AEI lets its scholars have free reign to work on topics that interest them, and to present whatever conclusions they want to make. Our HR rep told us at orientation that AEI has its fair share of liberals, conservatives, and “raging moderates.” It’s definitely been interesting so far and an overall nice place to work. We had our company picnic this afternoon, complete with a dessert contest - I didn’t participate, I just “judged.”
I’ve been having fun traipsing through DC in my free time and just getting to know the city. After an a.m. fire alarm went off at the dorm yesterday (woo hoo for microwave fires!), I walked from GW to the National Mall and visited the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian. I have to say I was a bit disappointed – I’m not a museum person anyway, but this one just seemed to be lacking overall. I may just be jaded, though, because there is nothing quite like experiencing the culture firsthand. I’m planning to hit up the American History Museum, the Natural History Museum , and the Newseum (all about journalism and the news) in the coming weeks.
One other thing: July 15 can’t come soon enough! We youngsters have managed to find some places to go out, but this town just isn’t that friendly to the under-21 crowd. I’m hoping my GRE score will make up for it, though (aka I haven’t started studying yet). I will be one appreciative 21-year-old, that’s for sure. Luckily there are enough restaurants to try, places to walk to, and free concerts to get me there.
Guten nacht from the District of Crime and here’s hoping I don’t show up here.
Getting lost can be a good thing when you’re trying to explore a new city, just not when walking home from the metro stop late at night or carrying heavy bags of groceries. But I’m getting craftier: Today I got off at the stop for the National Shrine to go to mass, had absolutely no idea how to get there, and then stealthily followed a guy carrying a Bible right up to the doors of the church. Whatever works, right?
Apart from constantly getting lost, I’ve settled into life in DC pretty easily. I have enjoyed my walks to and from work, except when it has rained – I often wondered this past week if I were back in Scotland. But now the weather is just how I like it: sunny, sunny, sunny and hot, hot, hot. And getting hotter!
My walks take me past the White House, and while I haven’t laid eyes on Mr. President yet, I’m pretty sure I saw David Axelrod one morning (or maybe it was wishful thinking, having watched the NBC special about the Obama White House the night before). I’ll update again if I have any more “celebrity” sightings – they’re my celebrities anyway! I was pretty excited.
My internship is going well; It has been fun getting to know the other interns and the kitchens are well-stocked with tons of drinks and AEI’s homemade cookies to break up what can feel like pretty long days. I think I have a better understanding now of what a think tank is (or at least what AEI is): The scholars, who are the very well educated top dogs, research and write about different areas of public policy. Then, their findings make their way into the public sphere and often into the hands of people who actually draft policy. AEI lets its scholars have free reign to work on topics that interest them, and to present whatever conclusions they want to make. Our HR rep told us at orientation that AEI has its fair share of liberals, conservatives, and “raging moderates.” It’s definitely been interesting so far and an overall nice place to work. We had our company picnic this afternoon, complete with a dessert contest - I didn’t participate, I just “judged.”
I’ve been having fun traipsing through DC in my free time and just getting to know the city. After an a.m. fire alarm went off at the dorm yesterday (woo hoo for microwave fires!), I walked from GW to the National Mall and visited the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian. I have to say I was a bit disappointed – I’m not a museum person anyway, but this one just seemed to be lacking overall. I may just be jaded, though, because there is nothing quite like experiencing the culture firsthand. I’m planning to hit up the American History Museum, the Natural History Museum , and the Newseum (all about journalism and the news) in the coming weeks.
One other thing: July 15 can’t come soon enough! We youngsters have managed to find some places to go out, but this town just isn’t that friendly to the under-21 crowd. I’m hoping my GRE score will make up for it, though (aka I haven’t started studying yet). I will be one appreciative 21-year-old, that’s for sure. Luckily there are enough restaurants to try, places to walk to, and free concerts to get me there.
Guten nacht from the District of Crime and here’s hoping I don’t show up here.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Just for shiggles
I raved about AEI's lunch fare in my last post, and I thought it would be fun to share this week's menu with my readers:
Appetizer
Sweet Shrimp Tempura with Vegetables and Thai Ginger Sauce
Hot Entrée
Grilled Teriyaki Tenderloin of Beef with Japanese Coconut Fried Rice and Lemongrass Port Sauce
Cold Entrée
Pennsylvania Cobb Salad with Grilled Paillard of Turkey, Apple Wood Smoked Bacon, Tomatoes, Hard Cooked Eggs, Avocado, Onions, Fresh Basil and Roquefort Cheese
Tuesday, June 2
Appetizer
Rice Crepes Filled with Spinach, Chicken, Golden Chanterelle, Shallots and Fresh Herbs
Hot Entrée
Pan-Roasted Alaskan Wild Striped Bass with Tomatoes, Truffle, Bouillabaisse and Spring Assorted Vegetables
Cold Entrée
Asian Mixed Green Salad with Grilled Black Angus Beef, Vine-Ripened Tomatoes, Vidalia Onions, Cucumbers and Sesame Yuzu Vinaigrette
Appetizer
Vietnamese Barbeque Pork Loin Kabobs with Eggplant, Shiitake with Sweet and Spicy Cucumber Relish
Hot Entrée
Grilled A.E.I. Organic Chicken Breast with Corn, Cilantro and Black Bean Salsa served with Asparagus and Risotto Cakes
Cold Entrée
Salad of Pan-Roasted South Pacific Salmon with Red Bell Peppers, Artichokes, Tomatoes and Kalamata Olives tossed with Lemon Thyme Vinaigrette
Appetizer
Pan-Seared Asian Ahi Tuna Burger with Wasabi Aioli and Fries
Hot Entrée
Linguini with Gulf Prawns and Red King Crab Legs, Sautéed Blue Foot Mushrooms and Green Peas in a Delicious Lightly Spiced Basil and Brandy Sauce
Cold Entrée
Kaiso Salad with Chinese Black Peppered Chicken, Ginger, Cucumbers, Carrots, Scallions, Green Cabbage, Papaya and Fresh Red Chilies tossed with Citrus Sesame Dressing
Buffet-Style Luncheon Served
I feel a little silly, but I know I'd eat this up if I were reading!
OK, enough puns and enough about food - I won't talk too much more about my gastronomical adventures. On a non-foodie note, tonight I took an evening stroll to the National Mall and had some nice face time with Honest Abe. Dusk here is lovely right now; it's delightfully warm and just humid enough. My research assistant reminded me today that it's a farce, but for now I stroll.
Monday, June 1
Appetizer
Sweet Shrimp Tempura with Vegetables and Thai Ginger Sauce
Hot Entrée
Grilled Teriyaki Tenderloin of Beef with Japanese Coconut Fried Rice and Lemongrass Port Sauce
Cold Entrée
Pennsylvania Cobb Salad with Grilled Paillard of Turkey, Apple Wood Smoked Bacon, Tomatoes, Hard Cooked Eggs, Avocado, Onions, Fresh Basil and Roquefort Cheese
Tuesday, June 2
Appetizer
Rice Crepes Filled with Spinach, Chicken, Golden Chanterelle, Shallots and Fresh Herbs
Hot Entrée
Pan-Roasted Alaskan Wild Striped Bass with Tomatoes, Truffle, Bouillabaisse and Spring Assorted Vegetables
Cold Entrée
Asian Mixed Green Salad with Grilled Black Angus Beef, Vine-Ripened Tomatoes, Vidalia Onions, Cucumbers and Sesame Yuzu Vinaigrette
Wednesday, June 3
Appetizer
Vietnamese Barbeque Pork Loin Kabobs with Eggplant, Shiitake with Sweet and Spicy Cucumber Relish
Hot Entrée
Grilled A.E.I. Organic Chicken Breast with Corn, Cilantro and Black Bean Salsa served with Asparagus and Risotto Cakes
Cold Entrée
Salad of Pan-Roasted South Pacific Salmon with Red Bell Peppers, Artichokes, Tomatoes and Kalamata Olives tossed with Lemon Thyme Vinaigrette
Thursday, June 4
Appetizer
Pan-Seared Asian Ahi Tuna Burger with Wasabi Aioli and Fries
Hot Entrée
Linguini with Gulf Prawns and Red King Crab Legs, Sautéed Blue Foot Mushrooms and Green Peas in a Delicious Lightly Spiced Basil and Brandy Sauce
Cold Entrée
Kaiso Salad with Chinese Black Peppered Chicken, Ginger, Cucumbers, Carrots, Scallions, Green Cabbage, Papaya and Fresh Red Chilies tossed with Citrus Sesame Dressing
Friday, June 5
Buffet-Style Luncheon Served
I feel a little silly, but I know I'd eat this up if I were reading!
OK, enough puns and enough about food - I won't talk too much more about my gastronomical adventures. On a non-foodie note, tonight I took an evening stroll to the National Mall and had some nice face time with Honest Abe. Dusk here is lovely right now; it's delightfully warm and just humid enough. My research assistant reminded me today that it's a farce, but for now I stroll.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
DCeeeeee
Helloooo from Washington DC!
I have some good news: there is a 24-hour 7-Eleven on the ground floor of my building! I shall not go hungry, or without slurpies!
I was very excited to see my favorite convenience store after a tiresome day of travel yesterday - BR to DC involved two takeoffs, two landings, a looonggg cab ride into the city, and a fairly hectic check-in process with two gargantuan bags. But now I is here, coming at you from my fabulous (ok maybe not so fabulous) dorm room at GW. I don't think the building has been renovated since it was built likely in the 1920s, but I have everything I need and I'm quite content.
The J-O-B started today, and after encountering one of DC's most eloquent truck drivers ("You don't even need to work, you a honey!) and getting a bit lost (shocker), I found the tall AEI building. But all in all the stroll was quite nice - it was actually cool this morning and I tried to savor it, as I know it will be hot as hades soon. I people watched as I walked - this city is bursting with young people in power suits off to their jobs in the political world.
I really enjoyed my day at AEI, especially lunchtime; it's an hour-long full table service affair and the food is very, very good. Today we had various types of sushi for an appetizer followed by some sort of teryaki beef and coconut rice. Mmmmm - and everything tastes better when it's free!
Apart from describing the food, I won't be able to do much blobbing about my internship; our HR supervisor listed it as a big no-no in our orientation today. What I can say is that my scholar seems very nice and the projects I'll be working on are interesting and right up my alley. As a bonus, my supervisor (every intern is assigned to an AEI scholar as well as his or her research assistant) is leaving for good in two and a half weeks, and I will be essentially taking over his job, office and all. Seems a little daunting now, but hopefully I'll learn the ropes quickly.
I haven't had much time to sightsee, but I did go by the White House today. It seemed smaller than the last time I saw it, but I've probably just gotten bigger. I'm planning to hit up some of the monuments and museums this weekend.
I'll update again when there's more to say, but for now this working girl says good night from the executive city. Oh and get ready, I have tons of googled DC nicknames up my sleeve!
I have some good news: there is a 24-hour 7-Eleven on the ground floor of my building! I shall not go hungry, or without slurpies!
I was very excited to see my favorite convenience store after a tiresome day of travel yesterday - BR to DC involved two takeoffs, two landings, a looonggg cab ride into the city, and a fairly hectic check-in process with two gargantuan bags. But now I is here, coming at you from my fabulous (ok maybe not so fabulous) dorm room at GW. I don't think the building has been renovated since it was built likely in the 1920s, but I have everything I need and I'm quite content.
The J-O-B started today, and after encountering one of DC's most eloquent truck drivers ("You don't even need to work, you a honey!) and getting a bit lost (shocker), I found the tall AEI building. But all in all the stroll was quite nice - it was actually cool this morning and I tried to savor it, as I know it will be hot as hades soon. I people watched as I walked - this city is bursting with young people in power suits off to their jobs in the political world.
I really enjoyed my day at AEI, especially lunchtime; it's an hour-long full table service affair and the food is very, very good. Today we had various types of sushi for an appetizer followed by some sort of teryaki beef and coconut rice. Mmmmm - and everything tastes better when it's free!
Apart from describing the food, I won't be able to do much blobbing about my internship; our HR supervisor listed it as a big no-no in our orientation today. What I can say is that my scholar seems very nice and the projects I'll be working on are interesting and right up my alley. As a bonus, my supervisor (every intern is assigned to an AEI scholar as well as his or her research assistant) is leaving for good in two and a half weeks, and I will be essentially taking over his job, office and all. Seems a little daunting now, but hopefully I'll learn the ropes quickly.
I haven't had much time to sightsee, but I did go by the White House today. It seemed smaller than the last time I saw it, but I've probably just gotten bigger. I'm planning to hit up some of the monuments and museums this weekend.
I'll update again when there's more to say, but for now this working girl says good night from the executive city. Oh and get ready, I have tons of googled DC nicknames up my sleeve!
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