Hey girl, do you work for the government? Because you… SHUT.
IT. DOWN.
We can’t stop? Oh, but, WE DID STOP.
I have been working at the senator’s office despite the
shutdown. Most of the staffers have been furloughed, however, many still come
into the office. Everyone in this office is very committed to what they do and
spirits have remained high, with people bringing food and goodies in for each
other. The other day, the senator invited us to a wine and cheese break to
thank us for all of our hard work. To
give you an idea of what a big deal this was, since I have started working here
I have not seen or interacted with the senator. He’s usually in and out for
votes, and his office is on the first floor, whereas the intern den is
upstairs.
It’s been a unique experience to work during this historical
time. Now I can always say I was on the hill during the notorious shutdown of
2013. Also, there was a woman who ran her car into the gates of the white house
and then into the gates of MY senate office building. There were shots fired, and sadly she was
killed by the police. Everyone on the capital had to go into lockdown mode. I
was not in the office that day, and I stayed home the next day until they
actually figured out what happened. So, like I said, this is a very unique
experience working at this time.
All around the city there is free food or discounts for government employees! And in some cases, a price increase for members of Congress!
Last week I got to summarize a house bill for animal welfare
and I recommended that the senator introduce a senate version of the bill. My supervisor
really liked my report and said he was going to give it to the senator! This
made me feel indispensable, because not many people on the hill are overly interested
in animal welfare legislation. This gives me more opportunities to do
projects, because I’m not competing with the other interns over doing those
types of projects.
The other day Hunter and I celebrated our TWO YEAR
anniversary! We went out to a fancy restaurant, Rasika, last night and ordered
everything. He gave me a card he made that made me cry. And I gave him a deck
of cards, and written on each card was a different thing I love about him.
<3
I am going home this weekend and will be carving pumpkins
and going apple-picking! Hunter is also coming to join in on the fall-family-
fun. :D
MIDTERMS HAVE BEEN HORRIBLE.
That’s mostly why I haven’t posted in a while. Anyway…
Hunter’s parents recently went on a week-long cruise that
left out of Baltimore, so they were in DC for two weekends, before and after
their cruise. We had so much fun – the first weekend we went to Eastern Market
and bought straw fedoras, and then went to this place called ArtJamz in Dupont, where you
have access to an art studio and can paint whatever you want, and they serve
alcohol. FABULOUS.
Then on the second
weekend, Hunter and I road-tripped to Bmore, and we all went to the National
Aquarium there. It was quite expensive, but absolutely amazing. I could have
spent all day there, just watching the octopus, or the sharks, or the DOLPHINS.
THAT’S RIGHT, THERE WAS A WHOLE BUILDING FOR THE DOLPHINS. We watched them have
“recess” where they proceeded to throw all of their toys out of their tank.
They looked like they were happy, but I admit, I felt a little guilty… Are
dolphins supposed to be in tanks? I have been meaning to see the documentary “Blackfish”
about how orcas are not supposed to be confined in places like Sea World (and
thus, they go insane and kill their trainers). I need to see that documentary
and look into dolphin development/intelligence. I know that they are one of the
most intelligent types of animals, behind chimpanzees.
Jacqueline and Brian are like my second parents, so it’s
always such a pleasure to spend time with them. They even take my side if
Hunter and I have a disagreement! Haha!
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