Week 1

Week one has been exciting and nerve-wracking. From a social perspective things worked out great--all my roommates and I get along really well. Our biggest problem is that we are all overly indecisive, and choosing where we wanted to eat this first week the few times we went out became somewhat difficult. But we have slowly adopted a process through which we just pick at random, either with a numbers game or just by selecting the first thing we see. It's a blessing that having so many options is our only real problem.

As far as adjusting to the fast pace of Washington, it is coming along. I come from a fairly rural but suburban area of New Hampshire, so adjustments were made as I have begun my life here in Washington. Crowds, strict schedules, suits and ties, have all become a part of my daily life. Being a person who packs his day with activity and is consequently habitually late made me nervous going into the first few days. But through the practice of overcompensation I have managed to be about one hour early for the first few scheduled events. I am now in a better in between place, arriving at work about 15 minutes early.

Washington is much different from life back at school. Both have stimulating options, but being in the capital the bar is raised significantly. In my first day about town, I found myself daydreaming about D.C. and my future here, only to find that I had missed my stop. After getting off the Metro I saw a sign that pointed in the direction of The White House. Stumbling upon such a significant symbol may be common for locals, but to me it was huge. I figured there was no better way to acquaint myself with the capital then to go visit "the neighbors." So I just kept walking until I stumbled upon the White House. Its presence was truly something to behold, although it was smaller than I had pictured in my head.

"The Neighbors"

It seems that no matter where you are there is something to see or do--some kind of building of grandeur, or museum of significance, or historic symbol. I could easily get use to this kind of stimulation. Washington D.C. is truly unlike anywhere else I have ever been.

Until next week...