Happy Anniversary/Reunion

It’s amazing. This weekend marks my 10-year anniversary in D.C. I can still remember how excited, naïve, happy, and scared I was when I first arrived in Foggy Bottom. I never imagined that I’d still be here.

I never imagined many of the turns my life has taken. But all those turns have made me who I am. As I told a former co-worker this afternoon, I rate my life a 9.5 out of 10. The only reason I’m not a 10 is that I haven’t gotten into the shape I want and I don’t have a beau. Otherwise, I feel like I am finally in control of my destiny because I’m starting to truly know and accept myself. Time and experience have been a great teacher and healer for me.

I enjoyed showing off my 28-year-old self to my classmates at my 10th high school reunion. The reunion was very strange but I am glad I went. The folks I really wanted to see didn’t show but I got to catch up with at least two people from the lunch circle (my date and "Rubber/Eraser"). Mostly, the guys had more/less hair and were chubbier than I remember. Although some of the women were a bit worse for the wear (sunblock is key!), most of my female classmates looked the same—just a bit more stylish and taller from heels. Almost everyone is married and I got to fawn over two sets of baby pictures. There were several people I did not remember at all. Honestly, there is a lot of high school and even college that I don’t remember. No, it’s not the weed (unlike certain friends, I didn’t smoke) or selective amnesia. For some reason it’s just a blur. An enjoyable blur.

I felt out of place for most of the night as my lunch bunch and I huddled at a table snacking, drinking "reunion" cocktails (open bar!) and examining the new arrivals. Yes, many of the folks (including my group) did revert to the cliques and attitudes of high school. It seems like many of my classmates stayed in touch throughout college and beyond. It is odd that they are still close. Towards the end of the night, I decided to make the most of it and convinced my friend to join me in chatting with a few of the folks I couldn’t imagine not saying hi too, including the dork who didn’t want to be my date to the dance, my longtime crush, and the guy I used to joke with throughout junior and high school (there was a lot of alphabetical seating…).

So it was as they said. It was awkward at times but given that I kept my expectations low, I had a good time. It was also good that I went with my standby, a comfy dress and flats that allowed me to relax.

Class of 1999: It was interesting to see how far we’ve all come. I’ll be back in another 10. I can only pray that everyone is still alive and well in 2019.

College Reunion

On Saturday, I attended my 5-year college reunion party. I had a good time, though I only knew a handful of the folks in the crowd. But it was good to reconnect with the few old dormmates and classmates I remember. It is so odd to think that 5 years have passed since college. A few of my old friends are married and have moved away. I don't know what I have to report in regards to my five years. I'm older and wiser, but I haven't quite achieved all that I set out to do five year ago. I'm very happy that I decided to give the Hill a try, but I wonder how this choice is impeding my other key goals of experiencing other cities and countries sooner rather than later.

I think the weirdness of my college reunion foreshadows the weirdness of my upcoming 10-year high school reunion. Fortunately, for the high school one, I'll remember a greater percentage of my classmates. There are a few people in particular that I can't wait to see again—given that they seem to have dropped off the map. I'm certain that I won't be married by next fall, so as I did at all my high school dances, I'll probably drag along a friend from the Co'98.

Of course, I want to make an appearance in an awesome outfit to let folks know that I'm still around and on the "right" track. Most importantly, I want to see how folks have changed since high school, i.e., who got married/divorce, has kids, got plastic surgery, gained/lost 100 pounds, came out of the closet, etc. It should be entertaining, and very awesome to toast, with my old lunch crew, to another 10 years of "finding ourselves" and following our dreams.

Goodbye, GW Hippo

I am very upset that my alma mater is getting rid of the Hippo as the unofficial mascot. I love the Hippo! In fact, the namesake of this blog is partly based on my fondness for GW's bronze riverhorse.

Sure, I was very skeptical and even angry when the hippo first came to campus. It seemed like another SJT diversionary tactic to defer University funds and student attention away from improving academic programs (rumor was that a drunk SJT paid over $80k for the statue). But over time, I grew to love the Hippo. I relished rubbing its nose for good luck before an exam or posing next to it after both my undergrad and grad graduation ceremonies.

Indeed, say it ain't so!

Wanted: Language Exchange Partner

During my last Spanish language class, I realized that I need to practice my conversation skills. I repeatedly faltered in comprehending my teacher and in readily responding to his questions. I guess my weekly, informal Spanish phone calls with Floyd just aren't enough. My teacher recommended that we all practice with native speakers and even noted that getting an language exchange partner helped him learned English.

So that's what I'm gonna do. I've already talked to a few of my native and non-native Spanish speaking friends about setting up sessions over beer or coffee. But I don't feel ready to embarrass myself in front of them with my lack of vocabulary and comprehension. Sure, practice makes perfect and my friends will be understanding because they like me. But, I'm thinking of getting a stranger to be my partner and have a real language exchange--30 minutes for English and 30 minutes for Spanish.

Hopefully, it will help me become more comfortable with the language and be able to follow conversations given by people with different dialects and accents. Until then, I'll just be stuck watching the novellas and only half-understanding what is going on.

So many things on my mind

Spanish
I spent most of the weekend studying Spanish. I'm on track to finish my Spanish books by the end of the month. Plus, I've started the habit of forming sentences and recalling words as they relate to my daily life. My Spanish vocabulary is rudimentary at best, but I'm learning. Floyd gave me a quick Spanish lesson on Saturday, which is was significant deed. He never wanted to speak to me in Spanish when we were dating because I'd always just give him a blank stare. How times have changed.

I plan on joining a Spanish Language group to practice my conversation skills. I also need to start watching novellas again and listening to Spanish music to give myself more varied exposure.

I still haven't signed up for a Spanish class. Mainly, I need to see if the accredited Saturday class I want to take would count as college intermediate level. I'd prefer a Saturday class given that I'm still hoping for a Hill job and don't think that it would be possible to be a new staffer and also take the alternative 3 hour Wednesday class offered by the USDA. The evenings are when all the receptions and happy hours take place, and I want to be able to take full advantage of them to meet more people. So if it turns out that the Saturday class is not the right level, I don't really know what I will do. But then, if I don't get a Hill job this whole issue will be moot.

The Hill
More calls into offices have been made for me during the past week. It is comforting, humbling and scary to have folks vouch for me. I don't want to disappoint anyone and I want to be sure that I'm able to pay them back when the time comes. I just need to focus on the first step, landing an interview, and relegate payback and thank you notes to after I've received and accepted an offer.

On a side note, an alumnus that I talked to about hill employment recommended that I read Chris Matthew's Hardball for insight into what really happens on the Hill. I have requested the book from a neighboring library, but in the meantime, I'm reading Life's a Campaign. It is very engaging and keeps me mindful of the "games people play" on the Hill and many other sectors for that matter. But as was pointed out, I think that I should reread The Prince.

Peace Corps Medical Review
I have three appointments scheduled this week to fill out my medical forms. I'm seeing an eye doctor tonight, an internist on Wednesday and a woman's health practitioner on Friday. I'm not looking forward to having every part of my body poked and answering personal questions, but I need to make sure that I'm in good health so that I can serve in the Peace Corps without any problems (especially if the nearest hospital is hundreds of miles away).

Spanish Language Regrets

Yesterday, I signed a Peace Corps contract that stated that I would take additional Spanish classes before my departure date in 2009. I took two semesters of Spanish during one of the summers I stayed on campus, which was very helpful for my nomination. But in order to get an invitation to Latin America, I need a full second year of Spanish.

Given how much those summer classes cost (GWU's rate is just over $1k per credit hour which is about $3k per Spanish class), I wish that I had taken them more seriously. But I was young and foolish. I didn't realize that summer school meant that I would have to work 8 hours on campus and then spend another 3 hours in class. It was a bummer (but a great summer!) but somehow I managed to pass both classes.

I don't remember much Spanish so I must relearn it asap. I'm hoping to take Spanish 3 and 4 starting in April at ILI or USDA or starting this summer at a local university/college that costs significantly less than GW (Why is GWU so expensive?). In order to prepare myself, I will devote March to reviewing my Spanish 1 and 2 notes, attending a few Spanish Meetup group meetings, taking free Spanish classes at GW, and hounding my Spanish-speaking friends for quick lessons.

I do regret not taking Spanish in high school and college. I was so enamored with Latin that I took it from 8^th grade until college. I loved the language and I loved the teachers. Oddly, I chose not to place out of the college Latin 1 and 2. So I spent those semesters reviewing the basics and learning a lot more about the formation of sentences and words. Latin 3 was a lot of fun. The professor was very kooky and we did lots of translation, which I love. I enjoyed Latin so much that for a while I seriously considered minoring in the Classics.

I don't regret spending so much time taking Latin. I just wished that I had stayed mindful that I would probably need to know a few modern languages (like Spanish) to achieve my personal and professional goals.

You only turn 21 once!

I took a walk down memory lane last Friday. I volunteered, more like sat around, at the Alumni Reunion Kickoff party on the Quad and met up with FOM, a college buddy who I haven't seen in at least a year.  We had a drink at Lindy's Red Lion—the site of my first legal drink.

I remember renting (free!) movies at Tower and ordering pizza on my 21st birthday.  Very lame, yes, but I had just finished a stressful exam and wanted to give myself the night off before ramping up for another marathon day and night of studying.  That's the problem with early May birthdays: they run right into reading and exam periods.  Every year, I'd spend my birthday taking an exam or frantically trying to finish a term paper.

Thankfully, one of my roommates didn't have an exam the following day and suggested that we go out for a drink.  We started with cider and beer, and soon graduated to shots in Georgetown.  Hey, you only turn 21 once!  I enjoyed mooching free drinks from the bartenders that night (the bartenders at the Rhino bar were the nicest). 

Hours later, I returned to the dorm without having consumed 21 shots, but with the happy realization that I wasn't so drunk that I'd miss the next morning's study session.

Something happens here...

After reading the City Paper article and DCist entry on GWU, I feel compelled to come forth and defend my alma mater.  There is a lot of ridiculousness at GWU, but there are just as many good things going on.

Yes, it is shocking how much the university costs, and it is dismaying that the sticker price might dissuade would-be Colonials from considering the school.  But I must note that you are paying for a growing university in a middle of a great, and very expensive, powerhouse, of a city.  Plus, the university offers merit and need-based aid to help students and parents foot the bill. 

It is quite possible that I would have had more challenging academic classes if I had enrolled at Georgetown.  If nothing else, I was amazed by their library during a summer of thesis research.  Yet, I fear what sort of person I might have become if I had immersed myself in the Georgetown culture. 

It is certain that I would have had a lot more spending money if I had gone to school in Georgia.  But, I don't think that I would be the sort of person I am today if I had decided to follow the route of so many of my peers who enjoyed full or partial rides to UGA or Emory. 

Besides, being away from home, out of the suburbs, and in a grand political city, was exactly what I was looking for—and willing to pay for.  GW was a very welcoming and comfortable place.  It was simply a good fit.  I applied early decision (the only school I applied to...)--and don't regret the six years that I spent living and learning in Foggy Bottom.

By the way, I loved Colonial Inauguration.  And I think that it is worth the money spent.  I met new people (that I never saw again...) and believe that the event helped me garner a sense of Colonial pride and ease before I even attended my first class.

As a tour guide, I was an eager school advocate, but I know that by senior year, I regularly complained about the out-of-touch administration.  Yet, I think that I spent even more time defending the school against unfair rants from students who were still sour that they didn't get accepted into Georgetown and were too busy mirroring their parent's "keeping up with the Jone's" mentality to really take advantage of the amazing educational and cultural experience that is GWU & DC. 

University life is what you make it.

So, to all those annoying GWU students who continue to complain about the university: stop bitching and just transfer or, better yet, work to make the university better.

I'm choosing to do the later and I plan on defending the university for as long as I live.

“Hey, what year did you graduate?”

Yesterday, I went to an alumni happy hour in Georgetown. I had a surprisingly good time even though I went alone. It helped that the place wasn't filled with recent graduates like at the last event I attended with FOM.

I think that I'll become more active in my alumni association. I still feel a very strong bond with my university and want to help, in whatever way (aside from financially, at least for now…), my school, its students, and also myself excel. I think that I'm most interested in meeting up with graduates from my own undergraduate class and graduates from earlier years to see what career paths they chose and what lessons they learned along the way.

Ah, that reminds me that my ten year high school reunion is getting closer. I think that it would be a lot of fun to see some of my old classmates and hopefully reconnect with a few high school friends that I've lost touch with but still think about... The key for any reunion is looking hot and that would necessitate a mini-shopping spree and full beauty treatment—which would be a lot of fun.