Washington, District of California

Number of weeks I've been in DC: 7
Number of weeks I've actually loved DC: 1/7 week (today)
Number of weeks I have left to love DC: 3



Have you ever told yourself "I'm going to the gym today" and then you don't? Then you say, "Oh, I'll go tomorrow after I _______ (insert lame excuse)" and of course you still don't go. Then you keep making excuses ("I'm on my period", "I'm going to play beer pong tonight, there is no point in going now", "curvy is the new skinny"), and next thing you know, it's summer and then you realize you should've gone to the gym because hanging out on the beach in your bikini with a beer belly is NOT cool.

That's how I feel about my time here in District of California Columbia. I regret not making better use of my time here. I've been making excuses the last seven weeks. I mean, I've done my share of touristy things, but I really haven't taken full advantage of being in Washington, DC, the freaken capital of the United States. This is a prime opportunity for me to build my networking pool, develop my political consciousness, meet some Washingtonians, take advantage of all the free museums, and the list goes on. I need to get out of the UCDC center aka California comfort zone, and get out and explore.

There used to be two reason I didn't like DC:
1. the weather (it can be rainy and cold one day and 90 degrees with 100% humidity the next)
2. the arrogant people

I've been doing a lot of thinking the last couple days and I realized those are all pretty stupid reasons not to like DC. For reason 1, I have just been spoiled by California weather, nothing will ever get better than Cali weather. For reason 2, the people here aren't arrogant, they are passionate (well, there are a handful of Georgetown douches). I realized today that I really do like this little town. It is full of young adults who are passionate about something. They come here temporarily hoping to make change and bring awareness. The town never grows complacent. Since I hate feeling stupid and left out I am constantly researching and reading so I won't look stupid when someone asks me "how do you think the Sino-Russian relationship will unfold in terms of the geopolitical uncertainty we are in." (yes, I was asked this before)

As an International Studies major, I can definitely say I've learned more about international relations and public policy the last seven weeks thn I have my last four years at UCI. Sorry Mom, there goes your $35,106. I don't know if it was me, or the California education system, or the sucky classes at UCI, but it wasn't until I came to DC did I feel like I was learning. Never have I met some many White people who are better than me in Chinese and know more about Asian culture and policies.

As my career as a college undergraduate comes to an end soon, I've been looking for jobs everywhere and I am really considering coming back to DC to work. I kind of want to work on the Hill. Who knows what the future has in store for me.