This week in Washington, I’ve gotten squished in Metro doors and developed a foolproof distraction game while on the train to work to take my mind off the smell and creepy stares of men. I have also neglected to talk about why I am actually here: my internship.

1: Getting smushed. This was the single most funny and mortifying moment of my entire life thus far. I was getting on my usual stop for work Monday morning. The Metro was packed beyond belief and I wasn’t running late, just hurrying so that I could catch it. The annoying voice that comes over the speakers in the car was already saying in a monotone, “Step back, doors closing,” so I got one foot in the door and tried to push all the people crowding around the opening. As I tried to get past the annoyed people standing around, the doors closed on my chest. My life flashed before my eyes. In my head, I kept thinking, “Not today, Devil, not today,” as I tried to pull free of the doors. But, once the conductor realized a door was open because of yours truly, the doors reopened, and I shoved my way through the crowd. Some were laughing and some were worried, but I didn’t see one concerned person try to help me. Once the train started moving, I began to laugh to hide the repeating “you’re an idiot” voice inside my head. But I didn’t die, so it’s all good.

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2: My foolproof game. I have developed a pretty cool, non-creepy game for the Metro. When it’s not too crowded, I generally count how many people are wearing headphones and the number of newspapers and tablets being read. Today I counted around 20 headphones, three Washington Posts and eight iPads. It gets even better when you have to sit next to a 60-year-old woman reading “50 Shades of Grey” in big font on her tablet or a guy who looks like a body builder listening to of Mariah Carey. So next time you’re on public transit, try it out. Just don’t get caught staring.

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3: The Internship. I am working on Capitol Hill with a program called The Congressional Award. The Award is an activity where young people between the ages of 14 and 23 can complete different tasks to receive a bronze, silver or gold medal presented to them by a member of Congress for their state. The program elements are volunteerism, personal development, physical fitness and expedition. Once a student completes a certain amount of hours per area, he or she can receive the award. Amusingly enough, some of the students even make me feel inadequate; I have seen kids who are only 15 and have completed over 700 hours of community service, and I have barely done 50. If you are looking to learn more about the Congressional Award, here is the link to the website. I would encourage anyone under the age of 23 to sign up, plus, we need more people from Tennessee.

Well, that’s it for now. Let’s hope I don’t get stuck in any more Metro doors.

Much Love,

Celeste