Hold on for one second! There’s no way that this is week 10 of our internship experience in Washington, D.C. This is the end of the road for most of us at the RAF (insert sad emoticon). This weekend, we pack our bags and head back home or back to school. I just wanted to take the time to reflect on some things that have made my (SHORT) time here so very memorable.  

Every now and then, it's good to take a break. I invited one of my good friends to write about her experiences since she's been here in Washington. This blog post is authored by Marielle McCrum, student at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.   -MW  

A few posts ago I wrote about how I went fishing on the Anacostia River here in D.C. The moral of the story was that I had no idea I would ever go fishing while interning here! The same sort of thing happened again this past weekend, as three other friends and I traveled up to New York City to have the weekend of our lives.

Three times now, I have been called out randomly, on the street and the Metro.  Not because I’m tall or extremely good looking (I had too…) but because, apparently, I’m “stereotypical.”

Last Tuesday, my Science and Technology crew traveled to the Anacostia River here in D.C. to go fishing! Funny thing is, not many people knew we were going fishing once we had arrived at the Living Classrooms docking site. After an afternoon in the sun, it’s safe to say… I still can’t fish.  

Lately, my posts have been about general Washington-esque stuff. So, I'm going to devote some time to two weekend events that really have been the highlight of my time here so far.  

It’s not every day that one can have the opportunity to meet his elected representative or senator. However, get an internship through The Washington Center and you’ll be very pleased to know that one of our assignments is to meet (shake hands with) your hometown elected official. And this past Tuesday, I had the opportunity to meet my elected senator for over twelve years, Senator Debbie Stabenow.  

Dear Moms and Dads: If you’re like my father, then continue reading. What’s he like? Worried. Anxious. Sad. Worried. Excited. Nervous. Thankful. Proud. And lastly, worried. Dad, I promise you your little boy will be just fine in the “big city.”  

  Last week was the first full week of my new internship and all I can say right now is how grateful I am to have been placed in such a perfect organization. The office staff was so welcoming and the environment in which we work would please anyone. This is definitely going to be the best summer ever.  

When do you suppose you're not a tourist anymore? When you know where each Metro line goes? When you don’t stop at the top of the escalator? Or maybe when you pass by the White House without taking a picture? Either way, I don't want to be considered a tourist anymore...especially after this (amazing!) weekend.