Final Post

This week, this week... Is the last week I will be here in Washington D.C. The holiday season is a relishable time to be wrapping up. I get to attend five, yes FIVE, cinco, cinq, cinque, fünf Christmas parties. Please try to control your jealousy. First off was my boss's cookie party, then a Coca-Cola party, then the big mCapitol party, tonight is the Recording Industry Association of America's party and tomorrow I will round out with the mCapitol office party. Party, party time. Let me just tell you why these parties are sweet, in case you are unblissfully unaware. They are sweet because they provide endless amounts of cute bite-size morsels, all at no charge to Gina Marie Christensen Messamer. I have been eating a lot of mashed potatoes at my apartment lately, and whoooeee does some variety taste splendid.

For the mCapitol party, I worked the coat check. I enjoy that because I also write out name tags, so I get to check out who who shows up. A more enterprising person would probably exchange scads of business cards at these events, but that's not my bag. I'm just there to hang out. Networking stresses me. As the party died down, the other coach check intern exile and I snuck inside to hang out with the real employees. It's fun to talk to the people in my office now that I know everyone better.

I am in a super mood at this instant. Last night I turned in my final paper and gave my final presentation for my Political Psychology class. The Peaceful Solutions class has also drawn to a close. We took a class photo and wise Colman McCarthy said in closing that when he gets discouraged about things sucking in the world, he just looks at the bulletin board where all this class photos are displayed and it encourages him instantly.

My roommate Michelle and me with Colman McCarthy, living legend

Anyway, since everything is finishing up, I'm almost carefree right now. Except for cleaning out my apartment. Barf.

I feel like I should have some deep, introspective comments to share now, looking back on my semester and the copious amounts of knowledge that have wandered into my brain during my stay here. Well ladies and gentlemen, it was very fun. I definitely overuse the word fun, but you know what, biiiiite me!! It was fun! It is also an extremely comprehensive semester. I got two classes that I loved that I learned a ton from and actually enjoyed attending. I became more socially aware. I got to hear a great variety of "How I Made It" stories from successful Washingtonians through The Washington Center programming events. I made new friends, I socialized with my new friends. I gained an understanding of how lobbying works and how a lobbying office works. I learned that I don't want to be a lobbyist. I learned that I love big cities for all the interesting activities they offer at a very low cost.

I would definitely recommend it. For me, it was as close as I will come to a semester "abroad." When you take yourself out of your normal environment, you have to learn and adjust. Experiential learning is the bomb. Not as painful as sitting in lectures all week and taking multiple choice tests.

PEACE OUT!!

gina marie