THE FIRST DAY on which we move in

Mom and I had been in DC for two days, bumming around, seeing the sights, and visiting friends. Today, my "vacation" ended and intern life began. Move in day in the J. building reminded me of my first day of college. It wasn't as nerve-wrecking as I had anticipated (insert huge sigh of relief).

We got here first. My roommate Renee was flying from St. Louis to Baltimore and then taking a shuttle. She arrived a few hours after us. Checking in was pretty routine. I was given my room assignment and keys and info packett and shown up to the apartment. I say apartment because there is no WAY this place constitutes a dorm room. Not a chance. We have a living room, bathroom, bedroom, two closets, and small kitchen. We don't have a stove or oven but we do have a washing machine. Figures. Looks like we'll have to get creative with the cooking. They gave us a full size fridge and a small toaster oven. We shall see what can be made of the situation.

Mom and I went to Union Station (right next door) and ate at Corner Bakery and then mom took off for the hotel (she leaves early tomorrow morning. I tried not to get weepy---but nerves were setting in full force and I can't say I wasn't itching to go back with her.

I went back up to the room and waited for Renee--who I still hadn't met in person until today. She turned out to be absolutely charming--THANK GOD! We are extremely similar and both like coffee, walks, and old movies. She's very easygoing and easy to talk to.

At 5:30 it was time to go downstairs for a mandatory pizza and housing meeting. The pizza was pretty fantastic--I must find out where they got it. It was scrummy!!

The meeting went pretty ordinarily. We went around the room and introduced ourselves. There are something like 65 people living in this building and 54 of us work for H. Everyone is super friendly, but they always are on the first day--for that I am always thankful.

There are a lot of econ people here, and many from up North. Many people are from St. Louis, like my lovely roomie, or from Michigan. I seem to be the only Texan in the building. I plan to milk that one for all it's worth :D

They mostly went over rules and regulations and then set us free.

Renee and I decided to do some exploring, and on our way we ran into a few other interns. Adam is working in my department (Government Relations) and Barett is working in....um....I don't remember. It's difficult to keep names and departments straight, but I'll get there eventually. The guys were friendly, and very quick witted. We ended up stumbling upon several dry cleaners, conveniance stores, bars, and an ice cream place (where, of course, we indulged THOROUGHLY). Eventually we wandered back to the dorm and chatted with some of the other interns in the common room before going to bed. Now, unfortunately, I must end. Renee and I are going to the DC Zoo tomorrow morning and I am wiped out. I have been walking so much in the last couple days, I better have thighs of steel by the time I leave.

CIAO!!!