Independence in the Capitol

What an interesting couple of weeks I've had. Well, not really but enough to share at least. My new job is

progressing really well and I now have a set schedule that will last me through the rest of the summer. I must say that being a salaried employee kind of rocks in some ways. Of course, I'm still learning the ropes (and my undergrad student employees' names) but it's all coming together. I also picked up the paperwork for my
TA position at the beautiful McKeldin library on campus. Plus the overload form that I still need to have an advisor sign. I also took a lovely picture with Testudo in the hopes that he will bring me luck in the coming year. And for those of you who aren't aware, Testudo is the UMD Terrapin. During the school year, students leave offerings all around the statues of him that are scattered across campus. Not sure if it works but I'm willing to give it a try! I was on campus for the Big 10 celebration but unfortunately, it was about 95 degrees outside so I didn't stick around long enough to have ice cream or get a tee shirt. I was basically a Kat puddle by the time I made it into work. I am exceedingly grateful for the central air systems in all the buildings (and especially my bedroom) down here. And one of the student workers also told me that swimming in the fountain on the mall on campus is totally allowed, they apparently clean and treat the water regularly! Good to know in case I ever get desperate for a cooling off!

My lovely cousins have also been driving me a little nuts with all of their cooped up energy during the day so I created/used some activities for us to all work out together and get their butts off the couches for an hour or so. Instead of just sprinting or biking or jogging, I had them do a couple of team building, shooting, passing, and running drills that made it more interactive and fun. They seemed to really enjoy it, so I told them that we will make it a regular thing on the days I'm not working. Healthy and fit, I'm loving it! Oh, and I should probably mention that I did bribe them with smoothies, contingent upon them not complaining about any of the physical activities they had to do. And it totally worked ;)
Today, I went into DC to witness my first ever Independence Day celebration in the capitol and was quickly overrun by the sheer number of people in the city with me. Needless to say, I was a little perturbed. Crowds and I do not mix well. That is not to say that I can't navigate them but they irritate me and I don't like to. The sidewalk up and down Constitution Ave must have been 5 people at least for the entire route. After about 15 minutes of attempted to watch the parade, I decide that I don't like parades enough to stand there in 80 degree sun surrounded by strangers for another hour. Instead, I went exploring and took some beautiful pictures of a city that I haven't seen in a couple years. It is still as beautiful and artistic as ever. If I could build a house in the middle of the National Mall and live there, I would. Surrounded by all the knowledge and learning, I would be very happy indeed!


In my wanderings, I had the opportunity to see some of the museums, well I didn't actually go in, but I walked around and took a bunch of pictures. I was fortunate enough to see the new fountain outside the National Gallery of Art (which is a lesser version of the one outside the Louvre) and the spectacular display outside the Newseum of newspapers from around the world that their staff apparently prints off every morning! It was hot but breezy so I didn't stay more than a couple of hours. I also spent some time on a bench in the shade just people watching. And seeing as it was a rather large, I shared it with a family that happened to need a cool place to sit and picnic. Shout out to the Underwoods from Missouri! You all were so nice and friendly. I like when that happens. Although it did serve to make me a little homesick, but that's okay. Family vacations in the summer is what my childhood was all about and I love to see that people are still making the trip to our beautiful capitol to appreciate the wonder of it.

What I'm reading: Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
Progress: About halfway (I feel like I say that a lot)
Thoughts so far: What a complex puzzle! I am loving the mystery of this entangled plot! Stopped time, a paradise that isn't what it seems to be, and characters that you can't trust. The twists and turns are keeping me enthralled. Keep it coming.