For the first time in a while, I have a big personal update to share. This southern girl is moving a few states north!! Yes, in a few short months, I’ll be packing up and moving to Washington D.C. to intern with the Family Research Council for the fall semester. I applied for this internship on a whim last fall, and now, through a series of unlikely events, I’ve been offered it and I’ve taken a leap and accepted. The Family Research Council operates under Focus on the Family and works to advance family-oriented causes in public policy. They take a new class of interns every semester, and those interns are placed throughout the organization’s various departments based on aptitudes and interests. Interns also live together in apartment housing provided by the program, so hopefully we’ll all like each other quickly!
Since accepting this internship, many people have asked if I’m excited. The short answer is yes, but it’s also complicated. I applied in an attempt to give myself a wide array of options, and I’m now looking forward to having the chance to do something that’s so outside the box for me. As much as I love Birmingham, I did grow up here and didn’t travel far for college. I’ve felt kind of stuck over the last several months. It’ll be very good for me to go somewhere that’s so different and interact with completely new people. But at the same time, it’s unnerving to think of being thrown into the unfamiliar, of having to learn my way around a city like D.C., and of not knowing anyone. In many ways, it’d be nice to just be settled for a while and not pick up and move. But on the whole, it’s a new adventure and there wasn’t a good reason for me to pass it by. Yes, the metro system will be daunting, I’ll probably hate the crowds, and it’s a pretty horrifying and embarrassing time in American politics. But I’m also hopeful of new friendships, excited for the nearness to so many historical sites, and definitely want to make it up to New York for a Broadway show or two. And despite the sad state of the country, I’m grateful for the chance to have a small part in defending the truth publicly through this organization.
So, who’s been to D.C. in the last few years? What famous historical things there aren’t free but worth seeing? What restaurants do I need to look out for? What’s the best route to New York from D.C.? I am all ears.
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6 comments
HOW EXCITING!!!! Congrats on the internship and what an experience it will be! I left everything familiar (where I was born, raised, went to college. They were all within a 30 mile radius) when I moved to Texas (with one friend) and while it was probably the most terrifying thing I have ever done, it was one of the best and can't imagine my life without that leap. The Lord used it (and continues to do so) in incredible ways. I have no doubt He will do the same in your life!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jamie! That's seriously so encouraging to hear! This is definitely a big step so it's good to hear you survived a similar experience ;) I'm looking forward to seeing how God will use it for sure!
DeleteCongratulations!!! What an adventure! I can totally imagine the mixed feelings you would have! Trusting Him and His equipping you for this next season, Crysttal
ReplyDeleteThank you, Crystal! "Mixed feelings" is definitely a good way to describe it, but yes, I'm doing my best to trust that He will equip and guide as needed :)
DeleteThat's so awesome! I love DC - it's a vibrant and beautiful city. I think, architecturally, it's one of the prettiest I've seen in the US. I've been several times and I'm headed back there soon. :)
ReplyDeleteThe metro isn't complicated - and it's clean! There's an app for it so you can start getting familiar with the different lines and transfer points.
As for restaurants, these are my current 4 favorites there - Good Stuff (awesome homemade ice cream shakes!), We the Pizza, Zaytinya (Mediterranean/Turkish food - it's amazing!!), and Le Pain Quotidien (an organic/kind-of-hipster French/European bistro). There's a place called Cosi that's also good - it's very similar to Panera - they offer soups, sandwiches, and salads.
I don't know about historical sites that aren't free close by. But Mount Vernon isn't too far away and I *think* you can take a boat down there from Alexandria. (one of the suburbs of DC that's still on the Metro line) If you like music, the Kennedy Center has free first-come-first-served concerts in their lobby with up and coming artists every day.
I hope you have a fabulous time there - and I hope you post about some of your adventures - I'd love to hear about them!
Thanks so much for all the tips, Emily! It's been a while since I've been to Washington D.C., but I'm very excited to be going back and that I'll have time to explore in depth. There's so much to see and do there and I'm looking forward to taking it all in. And I'll definitely be sharing about it here! I'm sure there will be plenty to tell! :)
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