Saying Goodbye to the City

Tonight is my last night in DC. It is a very bitter sweet feeling.

I cannot wait to get head back down to South Florida to see family, friends, and Brooke most importantly, but I will miss living in the nations capital. The place has it's perks; having to leave work early due to the fact that Hillary Clinton is hosting an event in your office, any restaurant imaginable, history of our nation, museums, the list goes on and on... But I think the end of my internship has come at a good time! Plus, look at what I have to come home to... 

 

Brooke is excited to see me too, I know it!

Let me start of, I can not be more grateful for receiving this internship. The staff at Heart of America was beyond great, and the mission of the organization is incredible. I am going to miss thee people and what they do, but who knows, maybe I'll be back one day!

Bri and I took a few pictures my last day, before the balloons they got me, the presents, the cards and two cakes! It was  nice surprise, everyone met in Angie's (the President's) office and I walked in and there were these wonderful people bearing their gifts. 

Here is Bri, the intern that I sat about 2 inches away from in our closet size space!!

 Just reading about dolphins...

 We were given too much free time on my last day

So here is a funny story. This office space is John Flynn's, he is VP of READesign (very important man in HOA-but very friendly) He was in a meeting out of the office, and has the BEST space in all of HOA. So Bri forced me into taking a picture at his desk, through the glass window, and who comes back from their meeting early? JOHN FLYNN VP OF READesign!! I was humiliated, but then we laughed it off and he told me I looked like I was actually doing something for once...he was kidding...I hope. 

Now backtracking a bit-sorry for not posting at all lately. Blogging clearly isn't my thing and I don't think I'll be doing too much of it, if any at all, after I'm back in FL.

We made a trip to Arlington and it was very reverent.

 It was a quiet trip. 

This was the changing of the guard. Very neat to see, made us proud. 

I had the opportunity to go to a trip to a school for another DC United Book Distribution where we pair up with the DC soccer team and give out books. I had a blast working with the kids!

 They absolutely loved their books. Each student received 5 books to take home. 

This little man was awesome! We got in trouble kicking the soccer ball in class..oops 

Lindsay is in town-for two seconds!

Lindsay has family in VA but I got to see her for a brief amount of time one day. We went to check out some monuments...

Always nice to have familiar faces with you! Just wish I could've seen this one a little longer...

Not too long ago my friend came to visit, Michelle. I showed her all around DC and I would say we fit a lot in during the short amount of time she was here. I took her to Jazz in the Park. Every Friday during late spring through summer, citizens of DC come to the Sculpture Garden and kick off their shoes, sit around the fountain, and stick their feet in the water (if there is room-it fills up fast). There is a Jazz band, they serve sangria, it is just overall a great time!  

Things like this in the city I will miss!

As well as walking by the capital during my lunch break...

After we left there, we headed into Georgtown. I had to take her to DC Cupcakes (Georgetown Cupcakes). She enjoyed hem, how could you not? We were headed to a town called Rosslynn to watch a free movie on a field, Caddyshack is what was playing. On our way there we crossed over a bridge, this is what was beneath, it made me want to dive right in and jump on a boat!

No particular destination, just paddling on down...

The following day we headed back to Old Alexandria; one of my favorite places. We walked the streets grabbed some custard and headed down to the river.

I had just mentioned twice that day how I have been giving a lot of thought to being a firefighter in Jax Beach and possibly working on the fireboats...is this a sign?!

We ended the night with the monuments. As I have said before, it is by far the best way to see them. Another part of DC I will truly miss.

 We spent the next day walking the National Mall and seeing everyone get ready for "Capital on the 4th" (4th of July).

There was a whole side of the mall sectioned off for information on the Peace Corps, you know we headed down there!

We were on our way to head back to AU and all of the sudden we got caught in THE worst storm. Lightning struck out everywhere, torrential downpour, wind was howling-it was awful. We ran until we got to the cover of the National Health and Human Service Office overhang-thank you human services! 

 It was bad.

The following morning was the fourth and started out a nice day!

 We decided to get Korean BBQ (not very American on the 4th-oops). I thought it was delicious, Michelle didn't like it too much.

 First crazy outfit of the day...

 She should sell those headbands... 

 We got there very early to ensure our spots, and thank God!

It was PACKED!

 Joe De Messina performed as well as Steve Martin, Josh Groban, the Navy Orchestra an many others. They were all great performances. 

 Unfortunately the weather wasn't great. It sprinkled on and off, it was muggy out and the smoke from the fireworks just sat in the air not making it the most enjoyable fireworks scene I've ever had, but having them next to the Washington Monument did help make up for that fact. 

It was most definitely a Fourth of July I'll never forget.

This whole DC experience has been amazing. Words cannot express how grateful I am to be here. I have several people to thank... The Lord for blessing me with more than I deserve. The staff at HOA. My incredible advisor Kim Diamon for getting me here. My Parents and family for being so supportive as well as my grandparents! Joni Eden who has always been supportive and given me insight. My Uncle Davey for all you have done and continue to do. Ms. Brien and Ms. Radovic at UNF for making this such a smooth transition. And many others. 

I have incredible people in my life and I couldn't be more grateful!