It's Cherry Blossom Season in DC!

       Visiting the Navy Yard Museum, eating fresh fish at the Wharf, slipping on sidewalk ice, joining a Civil Rights and Civil Liberties meeting, yoga class with my boss, getting lost on a run in my own neighborhood, checking out the Rock & Roll marathon fitness expo, spending a week with the wonderful women in my family… all events that have happened in the past couple of weeks.

Crime & Punishment Museum

       While Mom, Memaw, Aunt Rue and sister were visiting, we crammed every day with activities (after we slept in till noon, of course). We ventured out with some exotic foods: Salvadorian, Chinese, Indian. We got a considerable discount at the Indian restaurant after telling the waiter we were broke… which was very true. We had been paying for meals all week.
       We spent one day walking downtown to all the monument, we visited the Crime and Punishment Museum (gory but fun), we shopped at Tyson's Corner, and we had fun at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. With the historical tavern (where we feasted on lunch) and the immersive exhibits, the marine corps museum was the favorite.

Crime & Punishment Museum

       While my family was here, I realized that I've gotten comfortable with isolating myself. Lately, I crave alone time (and that's okay), but I'm only here for one more month! I'm still trying to balance rest and adventure. The longer I'm here, the less I want to get out and explore.
   
       On that note, Saturday afternoon I joined my fellow intern, Maria, and her friend, Kristine, to visit Eastern Market. After checking out the vendors, we walked down Barracks Row (a line of fun restaurants and shops by the Marine Barracks). There were a few marines standing outside the barracks so we asked about getting a little tour. It worked! One of the marines on duty got permission to walk us into the gates and give us a little history lesson.

Maria, myself, and Kristine at Navy Yard

      

     After that, we were off to the Navy Yard. It's cherry blossom season! So we spent the evening at the Wharf, blending in with the cherry blossom festivities. There was live music, food trucks, face painting, paddle-boating, craft making, and fireworks. A fireworks show on the Potomac… SO PATRIOTIC. 

paddle boats and cherry blossoms

       Easter Sunday was also wonderful with my adopted family at Waterfront Church. It has been a very contemplative lent season for me, making the day of Easter so much more exciting! Celebrating the risen Christ!
       My landlords invited me to their afternoon Easter party as well, and I had a blast. The grown-up egg hunt was hilarious. I loved watching the adults fight for easter eggs… and yes, I was fighting for them too. I even snuck out the back door to get a jump start on everyone else, but I still didn't the most eggs. I guess cheating to get ahead doesn't always work...
       Last week was a tough week on the hotline. One detainee, with whom I have talked many times, told me that I wouldn't make a good attorney because I didn't care. He was partially correct… I didn't care about what he had to say. He's a paranoid schizophrenic with no real purpose for calling the hotline, and I don't like having his crazy stories in my head. Nevertheless, I felt guilty after he called me out. I don't want to waste hotline time with certain calls, but I also want the detainees to know that I care about their situations. I had a couple more frustrating calls that week, but my supervisors (especially Karen) helped me through them. I'm still learning- even this late in the semester.
       Even with calls like these, the office has still become a really fun place to be. My supervisors keep the environment relaxed and educational. I've been super blessed with the knowledge I've acquired and the experience I've gained so far.

I have only a month left in DC! Gotta make it a good one.