“The king of it all, the belle of the ball - I promise I've always been like this.” –Guster-

 

A bulleted update. You love it.

 

·          I really wish I could find my mp3 player charger or that I had an iPod so I could borrow someone else’s charger.

 

·          I caught the Metro right before it left today & got home in record time without ever breaking a sweat.

 

·          My roommate spent today on the Hill. I spent today using rainbow markers & stencils to make signs for Family Week.
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·          D.C. is superclean because guys walk around with garbage grabby-things & pick up all the stray trash.

 

·          I have an odd mixture of envy & respect for women who can wear pumps in this city & not fall & die or be in constant pain.

 

·          The hand soap in my office smells like pot.
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·          It’s kind of ironic that all the employees of Vie de France, which is attached to my office building, are Hispanic.

 

·          Today I order pop but had to call it “soda” so the Hispanic Vie de France lady could understand me.

 

·          I’ve been eating pretty healthy today, except for today when I bought that cheese Danish. Oh, & an iced caramel mocha in the morning.
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·          “Superman” was supercheesy but it was kind of nice because come on, it’s dumb when comic book movies are all serious like they mean it.

 

·          I just downloaded iTunes & it’s rocking hardcore because I’m living in a dorm & can listen to everyone else’s shit.

 

·          There are some people who, even though you hardly know them, you smile when you think of, even when you’re just talking to them on AIM. You know?
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“I found out I am really no one.” –Bright Eyes-

 

Ari is making Indian food tonight, but it’s all vegetarian & I don’t much enjoy vegetables, so I don’t know if I’m going to go or if I’ll just make some Ramen…

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I hatehatehate drama SO FUCKING MUCH. I’m just so sick of issues & agendas following me everywhere. I thought people here might be more mature, but they’re all younger than I am, so it’s not happening. I tend to make people angry & somehow alienate myself, no matter what I do.

 

I was on the hottest Metro on G-d’s green earth today. I thought I might actually pass out, I was so warm. Also, it smelled like armpits and rain, because the Metro system flooded  last night during the storm, & some tiny Hispanic children were climbing all over everyone & everything & yelping in high-pitched Spanish voices, to make things even more unbearable.

((()))

 

My right ankle is massively swollen so that it actually looks like I have a singular cankle. I have no idea what happened, but it hurts kind of bad, & it looks absolutely disgusting. I think my body is allergic to D.C.

 

I’m really bummed right now. I like it here, & I’m still glad I came, but I’m really uncomfortable with everyone after certain incidents, & I’m just kind of… discouraged, I guess. Cheer me up, will you?

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I’m always the one who makes people uncomfortable. No one knows what to do with me, do they???

“I keep on forgetting myself…” -Third Eye Blind-

 

Here in D.C., I wake up & get dressed & actually try to look cute. It occurred to me this morning as I slid into a pink eyelet Gap dress that I’ve come a long way since my thrift-shirt era of fashion.

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David, our “advisor” (he’s 25), was supposed to provide brunch in his room at 1:00, but at 1:15 we called him & he was just finished buying groceries. So eight of us made a makeshift meal of our own, eating mini-muffins & Tostitos with green salsa while standing around our kitchen table. Also, speaking of our kitchen: we have bugs.

 

I’m going to Pentagon City with the girls today to shop. Somehow, I didn’t pack a black bra, so I need one of those. It feels very adult & metropolitan to take the Metro into Virginia & switch lines, riding escalators into the subway station & buying fare tickets. I even get a kick out of walking to work in the morning, dressed in my semi-professional gauchos & blazers, surrounded by men in ties & women in pumps.

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My roommates are wonderful, by the way. Caroline, the Brit, has never been to Target, so we’re making an excursion there this afternoon. Taryn had a discussion with a certain boy last night who basically told her not to get attached because we plans on being a big whore. Marla & I had a deep convo about trust & friendship on the walk home from Shabbat dinner.

 

I like it here & I’m happy right now. And isn’t that all that really matters?

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“Would you be the star in my storybook life?” -Blessid Union-

 

I know you’re all anxiously awaiting an update… don’t lie, you totally are.

 

I like it here. The Jews are surprisingly amazing. There are about 35 of us. I have four roommates (see photo) & everyone in the program is (so far) getting along well. I’m judgmental as hell, so of course I’ve already formed opinions on everyone, but I really do like all the other participants.

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My internship is going smashingly. Everyone in the Family Pride office is under the age of 30. There are 17 interns & we spend most of the day exchanging scathing wit & listening to ridiculously gay music (think Wham!). They’ve given me lots of work to do & I feel very professional.

 

The city’s gorgeous & so clean. Also, a lady asked me for directions the other day, which was the highlight of my freaking liiiife. Do I look enough like I belong here that someone would choose me to direct them?! (PS, I gave her the right information, too.)

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In other news, my feet are staging a revolt & detaching from my body. I have approximately eleven thousand blisters &, oh yeah, I forgot my fucking Tevas.

 

Apex (gay bar) tonight for Chuck’s birthday & hookah bar tomorrow? We’ll see. Who knows what the next few weeks have in store for me & the Jews?

 

Heads up: I may be posting a Protected soon… Drama’s already goin’ dowwwwwwn.

“I’m fighting for (this); my heart is a soldier.” –Juliana Theory-

 

I’m all packed, save a few stray articles of clothing that are in the dryer.

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I’m going to dinner at the Winking Lizard with Kevin, my mom, my Great-Aunt Lois & my grandparents, who haven’t seen me with short hair yet.

 

My flight leaves at 9:00 tomorrow morning & arrives in Baltimore at 10:17, at which point I’ll meet up with a girl named Sam from South Carolina (my new neighbor, inconsequentially), & we’ll take the Super Shuttle into D.C. together to meet our fellow program participants, “Real World”-style.

 

My final hurrah in CF was great. I had a hot fudge funnel cake at the Riverfront with Sam, Rob, Ryan & Clare & partied townie-style at the Clubhouse with the Usuals +1. 

((()))

 

Expect updates from the beautiful capital. Wish me luck & say a prayer… I can’t wait!!!

 

WASHINGTON BOUND IN 16 HOURS!

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“Here's to you & your poker face.” –Head Automica-

 

I had lunch at the Franklin Street Deli with Jackie, Rachel & Rachel’s friend Terri (sp?) yesterday & it was heavenly. My lunch was wonderful & furthermore, it was very nice to be 100% myself & tell dumb stories & feel normal. Also, Rachel gave me a keychain pen because she said she wanted to give me a “journalistic” going-away present.

 

Last night was Lisa’s birthday celebration () & heaven only knows why I stayed at the bars as long as I did. I had a good time & saw a couple old friends, but I could have gone home about 2 hours sooner than I actually did. Also: Steve. THANK YOU.

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Actual IM convo between me & my fave professor, who was having difficulties with her keyboard & her AIM capabilities:

Her: Wow irtcna’t bel2live you’u undersatnd me

Me: I get a lot of drunken IMs, so you’re not so hard to decipher.

Her: Gso easy onw me! i’m ngot dreunk i’m cnfused

Me: That doesn’t mean it’s any less funny.

Her: asnd to think i gave you an A!

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I’m a little sad right now. Been listening to Head Automatica's “Laughing at You,” which makes me super self-conscious for some reason. It would be awful to be the person everyone secretly hates. At least I know who hates me. But this song gives me a weird knot in my stomach, somehow, like maybe I’m way more transparent than I realize (which is bad because I realize I’m pretty damn see-through).

 

I can’t bring myself to freaking pack. I just don’t want to. Also, I need a bigger suitcase. Also, I’m starting to fuhreeeeak OUT. I saw this on my Facebook homepage today. Yikes!!!

      Upcoming Events

<<<	Machon Kaplan '06 is coming up Sunday, June 18 at 12:00am.>>>

“You told me that I was heartless but that’s what you got so wrong. At least I got away with murder & all you got was my heart.” –Juliana Theory-

 

The cookout was a good time, even if a bit under-populated. I appreciate people coming to say ‘bye… or at least just coming for the free food.

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There is nothing worse than appearing overeager. Seriously.

 

I LEAVE ON SUNDAY I’m afraid of: my roommates, my internship, navigating the city, everything. What if I’m the weird kid? Or the incompetent intern? Ohhhhh, shoot. I have so many complexes!

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My first column runs tomorrow (Wednesday) & I’m pretty proud of it. I revised it a few times, sure, but basically I just banged it out & turned it in. Column-writing is like blogging, where I just ramble & talk about my own life, but with a point made by the end.

 

Shoutout: HAPPY 21^st  BIRTHDAY to my girl, Lisa Marie, who’s been waiting a damn long time for this day to come!!! I wish I could’ve joined in the festivities.

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Breakdown of this week:

·          Wednesday:

§          Lunch with Rachel & Jackie

§          Major thrifting with Sam

§          Going to the Valley for Lisa’s birthday?

·          Thursday:

§          Lovedrug show (Brandon's last hurrah)

·          Friday:

§          Rockin' on the River (Claire, wanna join?)

§          Final Clubhouse visit ‘til August

·          Saturday:

§          Saying some goodbyes…

·          Sunday:

§          Leaving at 9:00 a.m.!!!

“Nothing tastes as sweet as what I can’t have.” –Teddy Geiger-

 

There’s something so innately disconcerting about the new “subliminal message” Sprite commercials. So you’re admitting that you’re subliminally assaulting my mental capacities? Creepy. And doesn't that fly in the face of the definition of "subliminal"? Creeeeeepy.

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John Eley gave me the nicest compliment last night, for no reason at all other than, I suppose, sincerity. He was the first boy-I’m-not-dating (read: Kevin) to have made me feel pretty in a very long time, & it was so refreshing.

 

Speaking of refreshing: Sam Sullivan is a lamp in the darkness. (Thankyouthankyouthankyou)

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Speaking of refreshing: I like boys who are disarming.

 

I started packing today & filled an entire suitcase. Good, right? Umm, wrong. I haven’t packed, like, 1/3 of my stuff & I’m already out of ½ of my space. Yikessss.

 

I spent $50 on food for this cookout tomorrow, so I sincerely hope someone shows. I guess it could be considered lame to throw your own going away soirée, but I’m not ashamed. I want to spend time with people! I want to eat hot dogs! Two perfectly valid reasons to organize a get-together. See you there?

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“Nothing’s gonna take me out.” –The Like-

 

Errr, I think I almost got abducted today. I pulled up next to a man walking down the street & asked him for directions to Kent Roosevelt HS, & he replied, “Oh, that’s where I’m going,” but I wasn’t about to let some spontaneous creepo hitch a ride with me.

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I’ve been editing a classmate’s research papers for our summer class & today, when our last class ended, he handed me a $15 Starbucks gift card & told me that even though he knew I didn’t expect compensation, he thought I deserved something since I was giving him my time to help him. How nice is that?!

 

I have a list about 2 miles long of things to do before I head off to D.C., including packing, but I don’t have an appropriate suitcase yet. I’m hoping to borrow one from a guy at work, but if that falls through, I’m screwed. How can I possibly do all this stuff in a one-week period?

((()))

 

 I went to Standing Rock today & visit my dad & Zach. I cried, of course… it’s so odd that a new summer has started & Zach isn’t chillin’ in the Admissions office, hitting on underage girls & rocking out to cheesy Bon Jovi. I left rocks at both gravesites & promised to return soon. I don’t know why cemeteries used to frighten me so much…

 

Date with Kevin, Irish Fest with Peebs, housewarming party for the boys, going-away barbecue with some of my faves, maybe lunch with Jennie, Lovedrug show on Thursday… I’m making ample time for friends this week, no matter what I have to do before I go. Squeezing a whole CF-summer into one week!!!

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