Enjoyed doing homework so much. Or had Georgetown Cupcakes. That has all changed now!

I kid you not; I actually like doing all of the work for the class that I'm required to take at TWC this semester. I say "required" because if it was up to me, I hands down would not opt into taking a class during my time in D.C. However, The Washington Center entails much more than simply working at an internship each day. To be honest, I wasn't exactly aware of the workload I'd be undertaking as part of TWC between the required class and associated work, assignments for my program, and extensive time spent on a Civic Engagement Project. That being said, I don't mind it. I actually enjoy the work because I'm learning a lot, particularly in my class.

I usually have pretty long days at my internship... long as in the amount of actual real work that I do, not long as in "OMG my day is never-ending cause I sit here and like OMG do nothing and I'm so BORED." That's not me AT ALL. And normally, the last thing I want to do when I get home from a long day is think critically and analytically and academically and be all smart and stuff. Usually I want to curl up with a cup of coffee and watch "That 70s Show." Wednesdays don't really afford me that luxury. Why? Class.

However, I say "class" in the most uplifting and appreciative tone possible. See, I actually really like my class. It's called "Campaigning for a Cause: How Advocacy Groups Change the World." We meet once a week from 6:30-9:30 (though our professor usually lets us out around 9:15 when he really sees us fading!). The class is taught by Professor Robert SanGeorge, a professor at American University and The Washington Center. If you are at all interested in the academic side of social media - much like I am - this man is the man to know. If you're at all interested in advocacy or promoting non-profits and NGOs - much like I am - he's also the man to know for that.

Professor SanGeorge has done so many crazy cool things, from working for the World Wildlife Fund to working for the United Nations. He's lived in Geneva, New York, D.C., and probably other places he's yet to mention. Because he has such impressive and extensive background in the field of advocacy and campaigning, he teaches the class with such a passion and fervor for each and every lesson. I'm always engaged during class and don't mind the 3-hour time block spent in the cramped classroom of the RAF (our class is jam PACKED and the first day we didn't have enough seats in the classroom!). I think that being part of a class that you're completely into, can relate to, and are actually learning from definitely makes a difference.

What are some of the things I'm learning? We started off the semester talking about Malcolm Gladwell's (writer for "The New Yorker") "Small Change: Why the Revolution will not be Tweeted" article, which just so happens to be the inspiration behind my thesis. It talks about social media usage and its link to participation in offline/high-risk activist movements. In week two we went on to talk about surveying the public, how America actually has FOUR middle classes - not one, and the changing landscape of religion in America (did you know Atheism is the nation's fastest growing religion right now?). Week three got even more interesting when we read an article called "Is Google making us stupid?," which talks about Google and the development of the Internet and how it has changed the way humans think. This was one of my favorite lectures, because it's something I've often thought about. I loved that I'm discussing things in class that are so relevant to my life. Then last class we discussed public opinion and how being MISinformed as compared to UNinformed actually changes the way we think politically, and alters the way we vote. Class keeps getting better and better!

Cupcakes from Hillary

Now, I also mentioned that I'd never had Georgetown Cupcakes before... until today! You may be wondering what's so special about these cupcakes. The store is featured on the TLC show "D.C. Cupcakes," so they're pretty well-known and sought after. In fact, the lines to get these sweet treats are usually pretty long. My roommates and I, however, were smart about this. We ordered online and actually had a code to get free shipping to have the cupcakes sent right to our apartments, foregoing the Metro ride and the long lines. #win

Our dozen pretty Georgetown Cupcakes!

When we ordered the cupcakes, we each got to pick the three flavors we wanted. I was in charge of ordering... the pressure! But I pulled it off and everyone got the correct cupcakes. When I ordered, I had the option of sending a free message card with the desserts. Naturally, I wanted to be as weird as possible so I sent the following message to my roomies: "You are all pretty ladies and Hillary Clinton loves you!"

Posting that picture up on Instagram confused everyone! "Hillary Clinton sent you cupcakes!? How!? Why??" I should have told all my friends we were best friends with Hil, no big deal...

Anyway, the cupcakes were... *starts drooling* DELISH. Über delish. They were definitely super sweet, but I enjoyed every bite! My roommates and I will most likely be ordering more or venturing out to Georgetown Cupcakes before we leave to try some more of their flavors.

My roommate Katie Baker with her three cupcakes, ready to dig in!

No shame! This is me eating the Vegan Apple Cupcake; definitely my favorite!

Stay tuned for more about my weekends here in DC! I promise, they don't disappoint!