An Era Comes to an End

So I am officially back in Lima, OH (biggest city near Ada and Ohio Northern University). I went from being in the political capitol of the nation with a million and one free things to do every day to essentially the middle of a cornfield in 10 hours. That was 10 hours in a car. But let me go back a few days here...

So Sunday I got an email that Jared was coming home from Cuba early. Things took a turn for the worst in Cuba and they wanted to get out ASAP. So he was coming back to the USA and asked if I wanted him to come to DC and visit while I was still there, which was really a stupid question because of course I did!!! Jared got in to Reagan National Airport late Tuesday night, making me extremely happy.

Wednesday I went in for my last day at Women for Women International. It was bittersweet because I felt valuable there but the mindless work was getting to me. I always accomplished the tasks they gave me well and in a timely manner and I know they appreciated it. My parents raised me to always do a job I could be proud of, and I always did. But after 10 weeks I wasn't sure how much more envelope stuffing/package sending/database cleaning I could take. My last day was nice. I got my projects finished up and was able to say goodbye to everyone before I left. I even got a card from my bosses. All in all my experience taught me what really goes on behind the scenes at a non-profit and how hard and tedious it really is. It gave me a great respect for the people that work there day after day, year after year. It also taught me that fundraising isn't something that I particularly enjoy doing. After all is said in done I'm really glad I did it because it gave me a lot of good life experience and I met a lot of really cool people.

Thursday Jared and I went to the National Archives and the Library of Congress and then I had my last class. I was giving a presentation on African American Views of American Foreign Policy and it went REALLY well. The professor was impressed at our research and our presentation so I'm planning on passing that class. When I got home though, Jared wasn't feeling good. At all. Friday we actually ended up spending 9 hours in George Washington University Hospital just to find out Cuba gave him an ameobic parasite. Fun stuff, huh? Needless to say he didn't get to tour the city like he wanted, but we got lots of good bonding time in.

Saturday Dad and Kelsey went on a tour of George Washington University (ironic, no?) and then we headed for home. Dad drove us back to Medina and then Jared and I drove to his house in Lima.

Now it's back to ONU after Thanksgiving to finish up my degree. On May 20th, 2007 at 2pm I will officially graduate from college. :) Then it's a summer of something and hopefully off to France for 7 months to teach. So that's that! Keep in touch everyone and hopefully I'll be accepted to teach in France and I'll start this up again then. Until 2007... Chiao!

Well here I am with one week left here in Washington DC. It's been good, but I'm ready to go back to school I think. ( I know how wrong that sounds. ) I don't have internet in my apartment anymore so I'm in our clubroom on the 14th floor with internet. Here's some quick pictures of the past week or so.

Our Trick-or-Treating stash. Only about 12 kids showed up, but they polished off the candy!
Last Sunday was the Marine Corps Marathon. I went to check it out and it was like the biggest cross country meet ever, but way better!! And the number of runners was amazing!!! I stood at the finish line for 30 minutes and the number of people crossing the finish line never ever dwindled. And the fans... they estimate that over 100,000 people show up in DC to cheer on their runners and the Marines get live bands along the route and everything. Very inspirational.
Jason's Halloween costume. He's a Republican... it's been a rough year. Jason and I went to do a haunted tour and funeral recreation in Old Town Alexandria. Then we went out to a bluegrass bar just to top the night off. It was actually really really fun.
This Saturday I went to Eastern Market, which is FABULOUS. For you Clevelanders it's like West Side Market but more historic and they have handcrafts and stuff too. Here's some pictures of the goods.
That's all Cauliflower. All three types. Crazy, huh?

This is Old Town Alexandria's finest historic house. It was actually built by hand way back when... lots of history but whatever, it's cool.
The docks on the Potomac at Alexandria. I was able to just kind of chill out for a while. I love the water.
Well that's it! Enjoy the pics!