I apologize for not writing earlier. SO much has happened since I last posted.
The remainder of my first week in the office was a lot of the same - projects and whatnot. But, I love what I do! Over the weekend we went to Rosslyn to watch The Breakfast Club on the lawn which was a lot of fun. Then on Saturday I was able to visit Mt. Vernon with the other interns and staff - which was incredible! I had so much fun walking around the plantation and visiting Washington's Mansion. We had an interesting encounter with one of the actors on the plantation. He was an intriguing fellow from Scotland. :) After our visit on Saturday we took a walk in Old Town Alexandria.
On Sunday most of us interns went to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. It was Corpus Christi Sunday and they had a gorgeous procession. I loved Mass... after Mass we went to have lunch/dinner at the Capitol Brewery outside which concluded our weekend... so much fun!
My second week was very hectic (which is the reason I was unable to write to you all....). Monday and Tuesday I was in the office doing the same old same old :). Then Wednesday was.... fun... haha. I got to drive to work in the morning which is always interesting. DC traffic... I don't know how I would describe it. Let's just say - it's always an adventure. I stayed at work for half the day, then I drove to Winchester, VA to meet up with Kristan (my boss) in order to leave for NC to attend the National Right to Life Conference. Once I met up with Kristan we drove with her baby, Gunner and her mom for 6-7ish hours to Charlotte. The drive seemed to go by quicker than expected. We arrived at the Blake hotel around 9:30pm or so. The conference was excellent. I got to work the booth for Students for Life of America - and meet LOTS of new people from all over the US! I had the privilidge of having dinner with Fr. Frank Pavone and Wesley Smith the second night we were there. It was great... so wonderful to meet all these people that are making such an influence in the pro-life movement! For those of you who don't know - Fr. Frank Pavone is the Director of Priests for Life and Wesley Smith is big into Bioethics, Eugenics and Euthanasia. Two very prominent people in the pro-life movement. Throughout the conference I got to introduce some to SFLA, explain the organization and what we could offer students. We successfully found 10+ groups that needed help... which was very exciting! The third night we were there we had dinner with 20+ students from all over the US to discuss and network. It was a good time. Saturday we stayed for half the day and left around noon to head back to VA. The whole trip was incredible and an experience that I will fondly remember.
For the remainder of the weekend (aka - Sunday) I went with several of the interns to the International Spy Museum... I LOVED it! We did the brief tour and are considering going back for the interactive tour. After the Spy Museum we went to the Nationals Baseball game which was thuroughly enjoyable... I think the highlight for me was when Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt raced around the field. The game itself was moderately disappointing as the Nats lost to Toledo 9-4. However - the company of the staff and interns was great! I am loving the people here... we have all bonded so much and I truly enjoy spending time with all of them. After the Nats game, some of us went to Mass at St. Mary's in Chinatown. It was a very solumn Mass with no singing. It was peaceful and a good end to the day.
Yesterday was my first day back in the office since the NRL conference in NC. I did a lot of catching up and trying to do as much as possible. Then... as some of you may have heard - there was a very horrific, deadly metro crash. Praise God I was still at work when it happened. The crash was on the red line - the line I take every day to and from work. The crash happened at approximately 5 p.m. We found out in our office between 5:05 and 5:10. This crash is said to be the deadliest in DC metro history. You can read about it here. So, please, if you would - pray for all those involved and affected by the crash. The death toll is up to 7. The injured number is continually rising. I had a 2.5 hour commute this morning, as opposed to my normal 1 hour commute. I have never seen the metro so overloaded... It is such a sad day in DC. But, thank goodness for all the very dedicated metro workers. They have been working so hard and have made traveling go as smoothly as possible. I have also noticed that those commuting have seemed to embrace a more caring and sympathetic attitude during this tragic time. It will be a rough week in DC. Once again, please pray for the injured and all those involved.
I will try to keep on a weekly update - I hope all is well. Thank you for all your continued support. This internship is truly one of the best experiences of my life thus far. Take care.
For Life,
Sheri
