Well I have just recently returned from the American Association of University Women's National Women Student Leaders Conference. For all of you confused, the AAUW is a feminist organization composed primarily of older women who have graduated from college (the average member is around 60). The organization is dedicated to equity through education and has just recently tried to start reaching out to younger members. One way they have done this is by hosting the conference. The other is by forming a National Student Advisory Council which I am on. As a member of the council, they paid for me to come to Providence, Rhode Island and not only participate in the NWSLC but also participate in a panel/workshop at the National Convention which was held simultaneously with the Conference. It was really a very rewarding experience in which I got to meet other women my age but also network with women older and wiser than myself.

Of course the highlight of the Conference was meeting the matriarch of the feminist movement Ms. Gloria Steinem. She was receiving an award from the AAUW Educational Foundation at a dinner on Monday night. Before the dinner, she did a booksigning which is where I got to meet her. My friend and I almost missed it however because we got the times confused. Luckily we made it right at the beginning and the line wasn't very long. As soon as I saw Gloria, I started to cry. I was just so overwhelmed that this person I had admired and respected for so long was only a few feet away. Then I promptly started to freak out because I realized I was going to have to say something to her. By the time I actually got up to her I was really crying and really freaking out. I was crying so much that she stood up and hugged me and told me it was okay. I told her I had been worrying about what to say for weeks but all I could think to say at that moment was thank you. I also told her how much I admired her and how I promised my mentor I would ask for her contact information so I could write her for advice. Then Gloria Steinem, one of the most powerful women in the world, gave me her personal email address! I couldn't believe it. Of course now I actually have to think up something to write!

The Mall

I'd just like to say for the record that we were not "dehydrated" after Vintage Virginia, we were "tipsy."

We just got back from what's turning into a weekly tradition (aka we've done it two Friday nights in a row). Last week, we walked to the Washington Monument from our house which took about 2 1/2 hours and was great. This week we took the metro to the Washington and walked to the Lincoln Memorial and the FDR Memorial. It was very muggy tonight because it had just rained. (See Nicholas's previous post.) We still had a wonderful time and both admited to getting pretty emotional when reading all of FDR's quotes. I know it's dorky but atleast we're better than the obnoxious high school kids that bounce around their like it's Gadzooks, looking for something to buy.

When I'm not getting teary over marble, I'm completely and utterly freaking out about the quickly approaching nuptials. My new way to deal with planning/stress is assign my parents endlesses little tasks which they seem to be handling very well. As soon as the wedding is, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is even sooner. The release of the new book also happens to coincide with my meeting Gloria Steinem. It all might just be more than I can handle.

The Weather Here

I have to say that I don't understand the weather here in DC. It's pretty hot here now, but for the last two days we've had monsoon rains in the afternoon. And it's not just the classic Atlanta afternoon thunderstorm (the ones I used to pray for as a lifeguard), it's a regular downpour, with dangerous winds and everything.

My week has gone pretty well. I've been busy at work, but yesterday we went to a Maggiano's Restaurant and they fed us family style for two hours. Despite the fact that I went to bed early, I still felt tired from all of the eating. Anyone who complains about being a summer associate has problems.

This weekend Sarah and I are going to go to the Smithsonian Museum of American History to see the reconstructed Julia Child's kitchen they have set up there. I've already been once, but it's really cool and Sarah should definitely see it. It's also Flag Day this weekend, so I think they're doing something big there.

It's Your Birthday, It's Your Birthday, You Got a Cake, With Your Name on It, and a Candle

I had a pretty good birthday weekend. It started with a welcome party for all the summer associates at a partner's house. It was a pretty amazing house, with all sorts of modern art (Sarah was especially impressed with the Lichtenstein in the study) and sports memoribilia (I was especially impressed by the Michigan Jersey signed by the Fab Five). The food was great and we both enjoyed ourselves.

On Sunday we went to Vintage Virginia, which is the Virginia wine festival where the Virginia wineries share their fermented grape-juice. Some of it was pretty foul, but there was enough good to make it worthwhile. Despite the fact that it was really muddy and I walked around all day with my jeans rolled up to me knees like Huck Finn, we had a great time. Needless to say, we were very dehydrated when we got home. Later that night we went to Annie and Kyle's house and shared a birthday cake that Sarah bought at Eastern Market. (Good times, good times.)

Yesterday at work the other summer associates had a surprise birthday celebration for two other summers and me, who have birthdays either on the 8th or the 9th. Last night, Sarah, Annie, Kyle, and I saw Finding Nemo, which was absolutely amazing. Pixar always manages to have one really blow-you-out-of-the-theater scene in every movie they do (the door assembly line from Monsters, Inc. comes to mind), but I think this one had three. The inside-the-whale scene in this movie was just amazing, but I thought that the jellyfish scene and the "E-A-C" scene were pretty awesome, too. Best line of the movie goes to the young fish early in the movie who yells, "I'm obnoxious!" If you haven't seen the movie, you can't truly appreciate it, so what's stopping you?

We are getting into the first truly hot days of summer here in DC and I believe the firm's business casual policy is a stroke of genius. I can't imagine wearing a suit in this swamp.

In other news, I made Sauteed Tilapia filets tonight which were pretty good. I'd never even heard of Tilapia until the guy at the market sold it to me because I was too flustered to say no, but the magic of the Internet made me a regular Tilapia expert. My next cooking adventure is going to be Pasta Primavera, I'll let you know how that goes.

Yes, the past few days at NOW have been really cool. The first day I called celebrities (or atleast that celebrities "people" ) and tried to get them to donate signed CDs/books/art to the auction NOW is having at their upcoming National Conference. So far I've talked to Norah Jones's management and procured a signed poster from the Guerilla Girls. Currently, I am putting together a master list of all the organizations seen as NOW allies. It is just as fun as it sounds. Today, we took a field trip to a Senate Approbriations subcommittee meeting chaired by none other than the great (or AWFUL) Senior Senator from KY Mr. Mitch McConnell. I should stop doing a random assortment of things and start working on PAC stuff when my supervisor gets back on Monday.

On a side note, walking out the front door and seeing the Capitol on my way to the subway NEVER gets old.

Where We Live, At Least For Right Now

As promised many days ago, here are some pictures of our apartment.

Sarah has enjoyed her first three days at NOW. She works with a girl who was on the first Sorority Life show..exciting stuff.