Michelle Kwan & A Nearly Embarrassing Moment with the Amish

*Quick disclaimer about the last blog post: I was on some crazy adrenaline high when I wrote that and realize that parts of it aren’t even complete sentences. I barely understood it when I reread it later. Many apologies. I promise I don’t use recreational drugs…often*

Well I’ve been living in the city for over a week now and have been on some fun adventures. The week was so jam packed it feels as if I’ve been here more like a month. For the first part of last week I was running around getting finger prints and background checks finished. If you’re looking for a trustworthy employee I’m your girl. I’ve been cleared by the ABI, FBI, and DC Metro Police. Hooray for clean records! 

Wednesday we had orientation and our first class. Unfortunately my Wednesday didn’t get off to the best start. My alarm clock picked that particular morning to malfunction and I woke up an hour and 45 min after my desired time. I had to jump up, splash some water on my face, put my dirty hair into a ponytail and get dressed in only a few minutes. This was highly unfortunate considering I would be meeting my supervisors for the first time that day. All I could think of was my mom saying “Don’t leave the house looking like a Wild Indian” (Excuse the politically incorrect phrase. We love all peoples at my house. Promise)  I threw some cheerios and a diet coke in my purse and pulled myself together as best as possible.

We normally meet for class at the National Association of Social Workers national headquarters here in DC.  Due to some logistical issues involving an award presentation we were bumped from our normal meeting space into the Board of Directors Conference room!  I had fun pretending to be a big shot at the 10 foot conference table until they told us we could not eat or drink in there. There went my breakfast of champions.  Additionally we were trapped in the room for the next two hours due to security issues related to the awards ceremony. There better have been someone super important in that building for me to get through a whole morning with no shower, breakfast or caffeine. Needless to say I wasn’t exactly at my best when I met my supervisor. Hopefully she believes in second chances and I can wow her with my dazzling personality tomorrow at my first day. I fully intend to be showered and well caffeinated for that encounter.  

Since my first day is tomorrow I’ve been acting like a typical tourist and trying to cram in as many monuments and museums as possible. So far I’ve seen the Lincoln, Korean, WWII and Washington Monuments. I’ve also been to the National Gallery of Art and the American History Museum. The American History museum has definitely been my favorite so far. I got to see the original Star Spangled Banner! It is quite huge and awe inspiring. I got chills looking at it. I also enjoyed the First Ladies exhibit. The inaugural ball gowns were interesting. I’m not going to name any names but some of the First Ladies were quite solid. I would be super self-conscious if my dress was on display next to Nancy Reagan’s. She is tiny! Was tiny? Did she die recently? Sorry, I can’t remember and my internet is being too sketchy to Google it successfully. 

I also almost had a disastrously embarrassing moment at the American History Museum. There was an Amish family exploring the colonial exhibit of all things and I mistook them for a group of era-specific tour guides. I was about to approach them and ask about the exhibit when I realized there were children dressed in traditional Amish clothing as well. I figured it was against child labor laws for little Jebediah to work at the museum and stopped myself from asking for a demonstration of early colonial life. 

The second most fun thing was ice skating outside of the National Art Gallery. It was my first time to ice skate outside! I channeled my inner Michelle Kwan and skated with reckless abandon for about 45 minutes. Obviously I didn’t plan ahead or stretch before hand and am paying the price now. I think that was the first time I’ve ever used those particular hamstring muscles and I’m pretty sure I pulled my hip flexer. Ouch! Next time I pretend to be Michelle Kwan or Kristi Yamaguchi I’ll remember to stretch first. 

I guess that’s about it for now. Fingers crossed for my first day tomorrow! 

**I wrote this yesterday but the internet was out so I couldn’t post it. I went to my first day of work today and it was great! I’ll write more about it later this week.**