Miss You Mucho

Hey there Imaniiiii!
I have to admit, I'm glad to have a blogpost from you; even if it's not written or anything. That video was too cute. All of my fall shows are about to start coming on - did you catch the new episode of Glee? LOVE. I've still gotta keep my eye on the prize though. Colleges aren't gonna wait until after the fall premieres for me to apply and research so I guess Hulu will be my best friend after all of the application/SAT shenanigans is over. It's a mixture of emotions really; I'm stressed, excited, happy, sad, ready, not ready.....it really depends on the day. Growing up isn't easy, but no one said it would be. At least I have a good example to look up to like you. It may have been 4 years ago, but there's no way I've forgotten how determined and focused you were. Miss & love you!!! Sending you smooches :*
-Niaaaaa

I miss you sissy!

We've got this kind of connection! It's great to have a sister :)

Sweet Thing

Dear Nia,

The title song is "Sweet Thing" by Rufus ft. Chaka Khan. I love this song, another one that I'd heard before but never really took notice of until I was in DC. It has a great groove. I'm sure you won't appreciate it but I like it.

Anyway, I'm back, boo-bear! I'm actually looking at you text in the living room as I type this. Well, I know I told you that I didn't go do Howard's campus but that's a lie. On my last day there, I made the decision to see the campus that my sister might be spending four years of her life on and I loved it!

Where you might be spending some time in the near future???

The Chapel

The yard

They had lots of cool, modern sculptures throughout the campus

For mommy. Every black, Greek organization had a tree.

More of these sculptures... I'm sure there's a story behind this. This was in front of the student union.

Like many parts of DC, you're on the water!

The Founder's Library. Probably the most famous building on campus.

I really enjoyed my little self-guided tour. The campus was quite dead, no students for mile but the people I did run into-- office workers, faculty, maintenance folks-- were really friendly. The campus is huge as far as I can tell. I think I probably only saw a quarter of it but I just wanted to take a sneak peek and scope out the area for you. I think you'd love it and I highly encourage you to apply!

Overall, I have to say that it was one of my favorite parts of DC to visit. It was definitely a good way to round out the end of the trip. What a wonderful city. I hope you get to spend some long-term time there in the future like I did. We have awesome, fun family members there. The food is great. There's public transportation. The people are super nice. Overall, it's a great place to be.

Also, I might have told a little white lie about not getting you anything in DC. Look in your closet.

Love ya!
Imani

U Don't Have To Call

True playa fo' real, ask my [baby] fo' real.... How's Usher for you? You were 7 when that song came out, youngin'. You don't know nothing about that.

Anyway, let me stop pretending to be cool. I just have awesome taste in music. I'm going to hit you up with another oldie but goodie on my next post but I wanted to be true to the rule of opening a music player and titling my post whatever song plays first.

In the same way that your summer will be over in less than a week, my internship will be done in less than a week as well! Five more days of work, counting today (Friday), a couple of days to pack, and then it is back to Georgia for me. I cannot believe how fast this summer has flown by.

Naturally, I'm disappointed but I really cannot wait to come home and hug and kiss you and mommy, dive into my own bed, sleep til 3, and paint my nails every color of the rainbow.

The SULU DC Showcase Cast! All Asian/Mostly Gay/All Awesome

This past weekend was a lot of fun for me. I don't think I did anything on Friday. I can't remember. I might as well be a paper napkin. I have no memory retention. Thank goodness for cameras. I wouldn't remember anything if it weren't for pictures. On Friday I went to an art showcase held by SULU DC and the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance. It was really cool. It was defintiely eye opening from a racial perspective. How often are you in a room where you're the minority and the majority isn't white. Still, I didn't feel uncomfortable or anything. Most of the struggles that Asian Americans deal with are familiar to my struggles as a person of color. It was nice to bond over that. Plus, I wasn't the only African-American there but I was definitely in the minority.

On Saturday I went to a French film! You know me and my foreign films. It was The Intouchables and it was really sweet. See the trailer above. I don't think I'd give it all the amazing accolades it has received. I've seen better films but it was really good. Certainly worth the adventure it took to get to Maryland to see it. Apparently the stop we needed to get off was closed for track work so we had to get off the train, get on a bus, and get dropped off at the station. At least the bus was free but it added about half an hour to our commute. Loryn, my coworker, and I wolfed down a quick dinner and missed the first two minutes of the movie but we made it. Sorry I don't have any pictures but we were in quite a hurry.

A portrait of John Brown from the portrait gallery. John Brown was an abolitionist. If that didn't make him awesome enough, this portrait certainly seals the deal.

The courtyard/fountain area of the Hirshorn. Modern enough for ya?

The fam :)

Sunday was a little more relaxed. Ivy, Rahsaan, the babies, and I went to the National Portrait Gallery and the Hirshorn Museum of Modern Art. I had a lot of fun. I got to hang with all of them plus Corey and his friend Eric yesterday. We had dinner at a delicious restaurant called Carmine's.

My view for the night. The people on the floor don't know what they're missing.

Monday was Monday but Tuesday I went to an open mic with my friend Anand at this restaurant/bookstore/open mic cafe called Busboys & Poets. It was awesome. I've never really cared for slam poetry or spoken word or whatever you want to call it but I loved that place. There's some real artistic talent here in the District. It really turned me on to poetry. I might give writing a try again when I get home and have a little extra time. The coolest part, next to the talent, was the venue. Anand and I were both running behind and apparently you need to get there pretty early because it's wildly popular and tickets sell out quick. Well, we got tickets the night before so we were fine in that respect but when I arrived, 20 minutes before the show started, there was no seating! I asked the usher what to do and she told me to sit on the stage, so I did. At first I was one of the only people up there but then Anand came and soon the stage filled up. I personally thought it was the best seat in the house. I was off to the side so I had a perfect view of the talent but could also gauge the audience's reactions which was super cool. It also resulted in some pretty fabulous photo opportunities.

so..... That's my life as of late. I'm leaving no stone unturned before I leave. BUT I have a feeling I'll be back soon...maybe with my lovely sister to visit the college of her dreams!

Love you, tootsiepop!

Imani

Ambitious Girl

ILL:


It's so hard to believe that my Summer is ending in 7 days. Do you know how short of a time that is? Ughhh. It's about to get serious. Senior year. Holy smokes. Ummmm there's not much to update you on. Went to Hilton Head for a couple of days (Sun.-Tues.) it was a great time, like always. Elizabeth, Kristen, and one of my other friends, Lydia, came to HH on Tuesday and we had a whole beach day and we went to eat at this place called One Hot Mama's and there was this great lunchtime special where you get one meat and three sides. I got pulled pork with Mac&cheese, green bean almondine, and French fries. It was delicious. Then after the beach we went to Hilton Head Ice Cream and I got brownie cheesecake and double chocolate. It was great too. Then we rode back to Statesboro. I just love being at the beach. It's so relaxing when you're not getting sand in your eye or getting sunburnt. Which has happened to me three different times this Summer. My forehead was peeling - blehhh. Then my arm was peeling and now my shoulder blade is. Mommy's solution? Put some Vaseline on it. That's her remedy for just about everything. Anyway, back to the fact that in less than one week I will be starting my last first day of High School. It doesn't seem real. I'm excited, I have a pretty easy semester, but after Christmas break, it's go time. I can't help thinking that in 2 months I will have my top 3 college choices and I'll know where I'm going for sure a few months after that! Time fliesssss.

 This is the good ol' home-cooked Sunday meal you're missing out on <3 I really enjoyed eating it. Even though I HATE when my food touches >:(

 Beachhhhhhh. So beautiful. Sorry it's not centered or anything. I took it while walking. I'm so thankful for all of our Summer memories at the beach. I really couldn't imagine living somewhere without a beach to escape to nearby!! Another benefit of living in the south in a state that sits on the coast. "Let the waves hit your feet and the sand be your seat"

Drivin!! My thigh looks huge, but I'm convinced it really isn't that big. Can you believe I am behind the wheel of a car? I didn't even see this one coming. I surprised everyone...even myself! Yay for milestones :D


I'm missing your presence. Mommy's no fun to fuss with cause she always wins...


'Tis all....until next time!
-NML

P.S. - Try using some songs I've actually heard of as the titles of your blog posts!

Almost Wordless Wednesdays .... Boogie on Reggae Woman

I am officially the queen of summer barbeques. I may not be going to the beach but I've been to a million and one cookouts in less than a month.

"Boogie on Reggae Woman" which is coincidentally playing right now on my Spotify was played at the last one I attended. Great song. You should download it.

Note our adorable cousin and my delicious homemade strawberry, peach, and kiwi popsicle. Feel envy.

LOOOOOVVVVVVEEEE,

imani

21 Questions

Oh.my.word. I just LOVE that 50 Cent song. One of the bestttttt. Here goes nothin....


Top of the mornin' to ya (because this post is coming to you at approx. 1:30 in da morning)! 


Nia here blogging back to ya with veryyyy little exciting news. I just finished looking through your recent uploads from your Summer in D.C album on Facebook with Mommy. We both misses you lots!! Let me start out by saying that if it everrrrr takes you that long to blog back. Ever again, I will shut this blog down! That was torture, not to mention very upsetting to those that follow the blog! SMH. Moving right along, tootsiepop is a cute nickname - I can live with it. No posting pictures of delectable-looking cupcakes. It's unfair to me! I want you to know how proud everyone was of you when they found out you met John Lewis.    Shaking hands is one thing, but sitting down and talking to him is another!! You're awesome, but don't let my compliments go to your head (: I'm glad you've made friends who all look pretty sane-ish from the pictures you've provided. I'm also glad that you have that amazing camera to document your Summer with! You taking pictures of all of these random people is so funny to me. Everybody looks so carefree. July 4th in DC had to have been a good time. You seem to be doing it all! Eating crab/pizza w. anchovies and partying it up with a good friend of Mommy & Aunt Mil's; talk about growing up and being adult-like. Looks like you owe me a dollar because I can in fact name what is in that yogurt: Yogurt Tart with mochi, dark and milk chocolate. BAM. That tightrope thing that the guys were doing is neat and you look funny in that pink hairnet thing.


I'm starting a new paragraph because we're done talking about you now! It's alllll about me.
Nothin's really been goin on, we went to visit Uncle Sonny - it was a good visit. 

I bought a bag of Hershey's Drops while we were in Myrtle Beach and made the mistake of leaving it in the car for less than 30 minutes. Well, in this wonderful South Georgia heat that chocolate was a goner by the time I got to it! I was sad until I thought about the fact that I could just freeze it and still eat it. Then I had the bright idea of taking advantage of the fact that it was melted.

Good use of pretzals and chocolate if I may say so myself!

Choir Anniversary was tonight....I made that bow tie!! I dug through Mom's fabric bin, got some fuse-able fleece interfacing and used her sewing machine to make it...didn't even have to buy anything! Can you believe it?! And it came out sooooooo good. For my first time actually making something to wear, it looks like a pro did it. I just followed the DIY instructions that I found on somebody's blog and bammmm. I feel like I looked pretty cute. I actually put some effort in for a change. thanks for lettin me borrow your Toms. Everybody loooooved them. Back to my bow tie though. Check it outtt; it has a neck band and everything! I feel so crafty. AND I had to buy those black pants especially for the occasion and of course they needed hemming...here's the kicker: guess who hemmed them by herself?! MEEEE. With Mommy's guidance and refusal to do it for me, I completed both of these little projects. Felt good! Pink phone, pink nails - with sparkles (I love it when Walgreens has nail polish on sale!), pink bow tie. I was cute. Tooting my own horn? Yes I am! Ummm that's it. OH! I was just watching Friday Night Lights on Netflix and I got all emotional because I keep forgetting that I am coming up on my very last high school football season and you know how near and dear to my heart it is. I love growing up and doing things on my own, but I'm going to miss the privilege of having someone do it for me! You're not gonna be here to see me off on my last first day of school. August 1st is right around the corner. I'm anxious, but it kinda makes me nauseous to think about sometimes! :o) Get back at me sooooon.
-Tootsiepop


P.s. - I went to the club with Taylor. NEVER AGAIN. My nerves can't take all of the excitement that my night consisted of when I was with her! At least I was in good hands though. That is a story for when you get home though. Below is our clubbin attire. By the time the night was over my high bun had turned to a low bun and my feet were screaming at me. Did I already say never again? Hahahahahhaha.

I'm done forreal this time. Love you, SugarBooger! To the moon and back...a trillion times.

I Enjoy Being A Girl

... from the movie musical "Flower Drum Song." Never seen it but love the tune!

Dear Tootsiepop,

I'm so sorry that I haven't updated. Life has just been so jam packed. By the way, Tootsiepop is your new unofficial nickname. The woman I used to share an office with, I will explain later, called someone that yesterday and I immediately thought of you. So there we go. Hey, tootsiepop. How it do?

Part of me feels obligated to do a full day by day recap of everything that has happened since I wrote last but I simply don't have the energy or memory capacity. Instead, I'll pick some favorite photos of the last two weeks-- I can't believe I haven't written in two weeks, that's a darned shame-- and tell you a story related to them!

I went to Georgetown Cupcakes!

That is a picture of me with my cookies n' cream and my lavender earl grey cupcakes. They were pretty good. They definitely could have been bigger for the price-- 2.75. I mentioned the cupcake truck didn't I? Those cupcakes are better. I did enjoy the unique lavender earl grey flavor though. God, look at my tooth. Remind mommy that I need braces. Thanks.

I met Congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis

I don't think much of an explanation is necessary for this. I met one of my heroes. Point blank period. One of the most glorious moments of my life. We talked for 45 minutes about education, life, my future plans-- it was fabulous in every way.

I sat in a giant lawn chair.

I'm sure you're thinking, "Imani, why is this significant?" Well, Tootsiepop, it is significant because if was a very John Hughe-eque thing to hang out on a summer night, talk, and be young. I loved it and these times are fleeting. I may as well cherish them.

Beat the heat and celebrated the Fourth in, arguably, the most American city in America

 July 4th in DC was great! Technically I didn't spend all of July 4th here. I was in Maryland for half the day but it worked out. In the morning I went to a parade, was drenched in sweat, smelled bad, stuck my feet in a probably very dirty fountain, and ate mediocre museum pizza. That afternoon and evening I showered, got dressed, and went to a fabulous sweat free bbq in the most ginormous house ever. There were salmon burgers and cake balls. nom.

Dancers at jazz in the garden. I feel like you ought to paint this....

 Jazz in the Garden is a DC standard. Locals and tourists alike flock to the gardens of the National Gallery of Art and sip sangria, toast friends, dance, relax, and chat to the sounds of DC's best jazz groups. It was lovely-- too hot but lovely. I hope to return this Friday. Did I mention they do this every Friday? This city knows how to have a good time.

Saw Erin!

 Erin, my friend from HS, was in town and we hooked up. She kept me very busy this weekend and I was glad. I got to see some sights in DC that I probably would have skipped if not for her interest-- jazz in the garden, Eastern Market, monuments at night.  It was good to see her too. It was nice to have a little taste of Statesboro here in DC.

Ate an entire crab... most of it was gone by the time this photo was taken. All that's left are fries and little bit 'o crab left in the bun.

 Do you know what a softshell crab is? Google it? I ate that. I am a beast and now fear no food. I ate crab lungs, guts, eyes....everything and they served it to me on a bun. Yep. I ain't shamed.

Ate anchovies

 I decided to follow my trend of eating crazy things and got a pizza with anchovies when I met my friend Amy Beth from Oxford for dinner one night. Also, not bad!

Ate Maryland Blue Crab

 How many ways can you eat a crab? More ways than I had ever done it, that's for sure. You know how we do in Georgia: get the crab leg, open it up, pull out the meat, dip in butter, eat. Things are bit different up here. The crabs are quite small, as you can see above. The best meat is in the body (center) part. They also don't use butter here. They use some weird but delicious sauce that no one seems to know the name of. I also had the sauce on my sandwich that one time I ate an entire crab, softshell and all. Yeah, I'm proud.

Ate the fro yo that started it all

 At least I think Pinkberry started it all, I really don't know. Nor do I care. I just wanted to post another photo about my new passion for adventurous eating. I'll give you one dollar if you can name the ingredients in my yogurt, Tootsiepop.

Was very much alone and felt alright.

So, living in a city is great. There is always something to do, public transportation makes moving around very easy, and the people watching opportunities cannot be beat (see below). College, depeneding on where you, go is very much the same. Naturally, in city and in college you don't get a lot of space or privacy. I took the opportunity this Monday to just walk around, take pictures (like the beauty above) and think. It was nice. Sometimes you just need to be you and no one else.

People-watching and tightrope walking

I saw some people doing this last summer in Princeton but these guys were way more impressive. The new trend is to tie belts between trees and tightrope walk. I'm sure there's a cool name for it but I have no idea what it might be It's called slacklining... thanks, Google. This kept me entertained for a good 30 minutes this afternoon.

Did service

I had a service project at this awesome food bank/food delivery/food preparation service. The organization fixes meals and provides fresh, delivered food to HIV-positive citizens and DC area citizens with cancer and other terminal diseases. It rocks. They have chefs that make these awesome frozen meas, way better than Stauffer's. We packed and labeled them for delivery. It was a lot of fun!

This still end up being super long but at least there are photos!

Love ya, tootsiepop :)

imani!

I Want it That Way!

Greetings, Inami (your name backwards)
You cheated on your song selection so I cheated on mine! Boyce Avenue, that amazing cover band covered the Backstreet Boys - I Want It That Way & it's amazing. Ahhh songs from childhood <3

1. Myrtle Beach was a great little 3 day get-away.
2. It's now July.
3. I could've SWORN I posted; turns out it was sitting in my drafts :p So I altered a few things.
4. My phone and I are getting along well besides the fact that I accidently deleted all of my pictures on it :'(
5. Thank you for calling me out on my not paragraph usage.
6. I really miss you a lot too.
7. Mommy & I + one hotel room + her extreme snoring probs/hot flashes = NOT a good mix.
8. That is a totally precious picture and I'm super duper jealous of you...you always find a gay bestfriend! You're sucha creep...JUST like meeeeee. I'm so proud!

Me and mom send our love!! She's been bragging to everyone that will listen about you, your internship, and you meeting John Lewis. Everybody's SO proud. Don't be surprised if when you get back there's a paparazzi waiting on ya.

One-armed-church-hug and a peck on the cheek,
Nia

Fidelity

 Dearest Nia Milbah,

I love Regina. Another song was originally playing when I started this post but Regina Spektor trumps everything.

Notes:

1. Congrats on the phone! I'm jealous, of course. Add me back on instagram @ilew1029 you're really fast.
2. I'm trying to be better with my camera-- proof below.
3. I have a mid-term tomorrow. Blech.
4. Use paragraphs to start new thoughts/aid the reader in following your train of thought; paragraphs are your friend. Also, make your pictures bigger :) I did it myself... don't make me come after your gigantic paragraphs next.
5. I LOVE YOU and miss you, a lot a lot.
6. It seems like everyone here is coupling up. See below. Those are two of my friends. I don't think they saw me do this but I am hoping they get together this summer. They'd be cute. Maybe I'll be next? Doubtful, no prospects thus far. Nevertheless, I love playing cupid and will have a grand time orchestrating this romance. Those are the hands of my gay husband, Zach. I can always find a gay bestie.

I took this from outside, kneeling on a chair and they still didn't notice us.

7. Off to bed with me, work in the AM :)
8. I like this blogging thing. 

Slobbery Smooches & Too Tight Hugs,

imani ~ O3:>

Brah Brah

Imani bani salami, fe-fi-pastrami orgami fo mahi mahi, IMAAAAANNNNNNIIIIII.....cute, huh? Thought of it all by myself! :o)


Soooooooooooo I was just telling Mommy how LAME/ratchet Plies is cause she asked if a lot of my friends were going to see him at Club 46 -_- And his song just happened to be the one that played when I shuffled my iTunes. Smh. Anyway, I'm so so so so so so so so sooooooo glad you finally blogged back! Partly because I wanted to be filled in on all your stuff and partly because I wanted to fill you in on my exciting news! But before I do so, let me respond to your somewhat hellacious week! As I was reading from Monday-Friday I found myself thinking hmmm this is quite like my week. So maybe I'm not making copies and eating cupcakes from cool cupcake trucks, but those girls at Kids Camp really did me in! Not to mention we had practice after a two hour lunch break on Mon. Tues. & Wed. & those practices were noooo joke. Especially after dealing with a buncha little rugrats with attitudes just as bad as mine! I got through it, but by Thursday I was worn out and come to think of it, we did feast on cupcakes...homemade by the other coach, Mrs. Herman. They were for Mrs. Altman's birthday! We had a surprise mini-party after the campers went home. We're done with cheerleading for the Summer. That's a yay! and a boo! for me cause I'll miss the girls, but we'll reunite as soon as school starts back in a little over a month! But we won't talk about that right now! I cut juice out of my diet except for a small glass here and there; you'd be proud we don't have ANY drinks besides water and milk in the house right now. I actually feel a lot better. I have to pee a lot....anywho, things have been pretty chill around here. I'm so glad that through all of the insanity of your week you managed to get past it all! Gospel music will work EVERY time. I love it. I'm still kinda stuck on the cupcake truck thing....That gives Howard about 50 bonus points. Have you been to or seen the campus? Gosh I'm just itching to get up that way so I can see everything. BTW STOP FORGETTING YOUR CAMERA >:( That sushi looks DELICIOSO though. You knowwww I'm not a walker. I'm not a fan, people say I walk too slow then when I walk fast I feel like a complete dork, but I feel like if I was walking in DC, I'd fit right in. Every one of your post makes me wanna go even more. Thinking back to my QUEST trip there, we did a good bit of walking, but everything was so interesting and fun, it didn't even phase me. Well you look cute in your little 'hey I'm in front of the White house picture!' I'm jealous. I wanna walk the same halls as Barack Obama *insert pouty face here* Okay I can't hold it in ANY longer! Exciting news is coming to you right NOW:

BAM! New phone!!! On a scale of one to ten I'm definitely over-the-top-this-can't-be-safe-how-excited-I-am-dangerously-excited Excited. I seriously do not know what to do with myself. Finally a not crappy phone!! So many capabilities and things I was missing out on! I swear I could've tackled that FedEx guy when he brought it to me. You know how I have a REALLY delayed reaction? Wellll not this time! I bet that FedEx guy had never seen anybody answer the door so fast in his life! I bet I scared him cause I was so excited/smiley. Htc Rezound. AMAZING phone. Came with Beats. Really awesome. Don't know how else to describe it. I love it. I really do. I was NOT expecting to be able to get this phone but it went on sale on the Verizon website and Mommy gave me the go-ahead so here we are. I can't wait to use more of the features. I have an Instagram now! Follow me @_missnewcutie <<< cute name, right? It'll do for now. Ummm the beats are freaking amazing. They're not as great as the over the head ones, but with me and my ear probs, these are EASILY the best in ear headphones I've ever used. Very comfortable and amazing sound quality. It sounds like angels are singing every song I listen to themselves. 

 Closer look.....forgot my Bible at home this morning. Darnit! Oh wait, there's an App for that :D Sorry, you already know all of these things since being teamsmartphone is nothing new to you, but I'm still basking in it! I'm really just blown away by all of the features...and I'm sure there are some I have yet to discover!

Finally got something done to my hair! Praise God cause I was lookin REAL rough...I mean the I'm-about-to-go-into-hiding rough. Got me some Micros, a new phone, and now I'm ready for Myrtle Beach on Wednesday with Ken, Sid, and Ri. Not to brag or anything, but I am HOT STUFF. Justtttt kidding.....or am I? Ummm my forehead looks really large, but hey, that's alright. Got my senior pictures in the mail :') They came out sooooo good!

I know you saw these...while I was taking them and after when the guy pulled them up on the computer, but I thought I'd refresh your memory! The watermarks are kinda throwin me off, butttt you get the point. When did I grow up?! Antyways, holla when you have time!!
Smooches,
NiaaaaaaMilbahhhhhhLewissssss 

Through the Wire

Nia Bee-ah Bo-bee-ah, banana fanna fo-fiya, fi-fi-mo-mia, Nia!

I miss you and I'm so very sorry about my lack of posts. This past week has been insane. I mean, INSANE. I've just been so busy having fun and dealing with the trials and tribulations of adulthood that I just haven't had the time to post. I won't let it happen again. Promise.

So here's the scoop. Let's take it day by day.

Monday: Monday was pretty busy for me. I made lots of copies of things. Remade some copies that I swear I made before. Packed my boss's office because she's leaving the organization for Ohio :( She will be missed. Ran errands, the usual. Came home, went straight to class. Had sushi from the sushi bar next to my apartment and I think I had ice cream at Thomas Sweet after but don't hold me to it. The days start to blur together because they are so jam packed.

This is the sushi... freshly made...

This is the ice cream/froyo... so it did happen!

Tuesday: For some odd reason I was feeling extremely emotional on Tuesday. More than the usual crying at the drop of a hat. I think I was worried because I had a conversation with one of my roommates about her internship duties and it sounded like she was doing more important things than making copies all day. I'm grateful to have something to do and be able to live here and work but I will admit that I was expecting a little bit more. Something that might utilize the Associates Degree from Oxford that I have or the Bachelor's Degree from Emory that I'm about to receive. Anyway, I was asked to do something tedious on Tuesday and ended up going into my office, closing the door, and crying. Never would I have thought that doing something too easy would bother me but it did. I couldn't stand the idea of making copies for the rest of the summer. It may seem like I'm overreacting but that mindless work can eat you alive. Plus, at my internship last summer I touched the copier once.

I pushed through the tears thanks to some good old gospel music. Luckily after lunch I spoke to another supervisor about the lovely "internship contract" that the program has us draft. The contract outlines the employee's and employer's expectations and facilitates a conversation between the two entities to ensure that those ideals are clear. My primary supervisor had been on vacay for a while so that afternoon, after my private meltdown, we drafted up some ideas and I finally felt like I would have more direction for the summer. It felt good!

Later that night, in lieu of class we had a speaker from the Heritage Foundation which is an "American conservative think tank"... I kid you not. You know I'm very liberal but I have several conservative friends so I can generally stomach criticisms about democratic policy and Obama-bashing. However, this guy was just too much. Long story made short: his data was skewed and probably incorrect, he gave vague responses to critiques, and he knew very little about the basic principles of economics. For example, he suggested we cut government spending and we give large corporations a tax break, but I wonder how we will reduce the deficit. Some people called him out on it and he just hemmed and hawed. All in all, I was sorely disappointed that our program chose to have him come and speak but most of my cohorts agreed with him. Oh yes, by the way, I'm surrounded by conservatives-- again. Statesboro all over again. I'm trying to take the high road and say that the experience is opening up my eyes to different views. And it is. At least these conservatives aren't only conservative because of their religious zeal, racism against Obama, or tea-party idealism.

This guy....

Wednesday: On Wednesday I found myself making more copies and thinking to myself, "didn't I just sign a contract explicitly stating my demands for the summer?" Then I remembered that I'm an intern, I'm not getting paid, sucked up my tears, called it professional development and moved on. God must have loved my new, positive outlook on life because not more than an hour later did I get my first big task! I was assigned to create a project plan for developing an alumni network for our program. It was pretty fabulous having something engaging to do rather than something mind-numbing. I also fetched cupcakes for a going away party for the boss that's leaving. Did you know they have cupcake trucks in DC, that just drive around and stop in random places so you can buy delicious, expensive, gourmet sweets? It's the best idea ever and my office orders them frequently. There are other food trucks too-- kebabs, mac n' cheese, Korean food, sandwiches, but I think we both know cupcakes reign supreme.

After leaving work I went to Mellow Mushroom in a DC neighborhood called Adams Morgan for an Emory Young Alumni event. I walked 30 minutes which was stupid. On a nice day it would have been lovely but since it was almost 100 degrees and so humid that I almost swam there it was the worst choice I made all week. My dress was completely soaked through by the time I arrived. Fortunately I was able to duck into a Smoothie King next door for a Pina Colada smoothie (delicious) and to cool off and recoup before the event began. I had to laugh because the guy handed me tall stack of paper towels when he handed me my drink. I was very thankful and happily used them to sop up the excess sweat. By the time I was back to normal I was starving.

Thankfully, there was free pizza and a cash bar on the rooftop for alumni guests only. It was such a pleasant experience and a good use of a free Wednesday evening. I didn't know most of the alumni because I've yet to graduate but I took advantage of a networking opportunity and left with two business cards and belly full of Kosmic Karma! I also saw a classmate from Oxford who graduated this May and a classmate from Emory who is graduating with me next May. I also met my Emory classmate's friends at another restaurant nearby afterwards. I didn't plan on staying long but we all clicked so much! We exchanged contact info so hopefully that won't be my last time seeing them. I was having such a good time talking and eating that I didn't take out my camera once-- for the alumni event or the new friends. I can't believe it. It might as well have not even happened. I only have my memories to keep me warm at night :P

Thursday: I knew Thursday was going to be ROUGH because I got in so late from the Mellow Mushroom event. Of course, I had to do my nightly manicure, shower, and night routine. I didn't climb into bed until almost 2AM and had to be up at 6AM for mentor breakfast. Thursday morning was ugly. I couldn't even get my contact lenses in so I wore my glasses and a cool dress for the 100 degree weather. I took the metro for the first time during rush hour which wasn't bad and enjoyed the breakfast thoroughly. Once again, no pictures even though I had my camera. *Sigh* Fortunately, I am contractually obligated, and interested on my own volition, to see my mentor at least two more times this summer. She invited me to her office and we might see a monument together. She works for National Geographic which is awesome because I had no idea it's one big non-profit organization. It should be the beginning of an interesting relationship.

Following the breakfast I trucked it to the DC Public Schools Board Office to observe a principal training session for my organization. It was great because I got to hear some  of the success stories for the organization! It made the endless copying I did seem less insignificant. It also included a free lunch which is always great!

Changing the world, one child at a time, DC's future principals.

After that I returned to the office for a little before heading home. I also ate two cupcakes. I had a cookies and cream at work and then took a red velvet to go but it didn't even make it in my apartment. I'm telling you Nia, cupcake trucks... choose Howard. DC is great. I'm eating a lot here but I move around so much that my clothes are actually more loose. You can't go wrong. YAY for public transportation and walking!

Friday: The last day of the week isn't supposed to be lame but it almost shaped up to be so for me. Work was quick-- I came in at 11AM and left at 3PM. What I was looking forward to were my plans for after work. I scheduled dinner with an associate/colleague/someone-who-doesn't-quite-deserve-the-title-of-friend to get dinner way earlier in the week. We settled on Friday evening but we couldn't decide on a place. Mostly because I didn't like the food from the place that was originally suggested by said associate. I suppose said associate figured that the rejection meant I didn't want to go out at all because said associate never suggested anything else. This couldn't be farther from the truth. I love trying new restaurants and I was looking forward to another networking opportunity. My motto for the summer and the rest of my professional life is "Get Sh!t Done" so I took the initiative to "get sh!t done" and to reach out again and suggest a different place. Success. We said we would "play" the meeting time "by ear" and confirm later in the day.

After work I popped into H&M with the other intern to buy a pencil skirt for work and after we were done I texted said associate and suggested a time. No response. I allowed an hour to pass. No response. Resent message. No response. An hour before suggested time, two hours before the first text message, I told said associate that I needed to know if I ought to head over or go out with my other friends who had also proposed something. No response.

I'm glad I was with my co-worker, I'm glad she planned on meeting some college friends at the same time, and I'm glad she invited me out earlier that morning because, Nia, I think I got stood up. Mid-way my dinner with the girls said associate texted me an excuse and said "reschedule?" I did not respond and still have not responded, just like said associate. I play no games.

Crab cake sandwich. It was so good.

Saturday: I went to the White House! It was both lame and cool at the same time. It sucked because you can't bring in a camera and you can't even take pictures with your cell phone inside. The only proof I have of my being there is below.  The amazing part is that it's the White House and Barack Obama was probably somewhere roaming those halls.

After the White House visit there was a BBQ for the interns and alumni of my program to raise money for a deserving education/literacy non-profit in the DC area that I get to decide (with 6 other people). The BBQ was fun but it was hot and I think the veggie burger I ate gave me tummy troubles. Still, I'm glad I went. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

What a week, huh? Told you so. Lots of ups and downs but I'm trying to stay in the moment and focus on the right now instead of the intangible future and the long-gone past. Right now, things are grand-- as they always should be.

Love you, pookie! What is up? What is up?

imani

p.s. I think it would be fun to go into pandora, spotify, itunes, etc. and hit shuffle and then use the title of whatever song comes on as the title for our upcoming blog posts. Got some old-school Kanye for you. Y'all don't know nothing about that.