Taking it all in 

While the homework load has significantly decreased over the last few months, stress and anxiety levels have moved right in to take their places.

Time with the internship is winding down quicker than we realize. This month will mark the shift in focus from job-searches, to seriously considering job-applications. It’s time to have a perfected resume, multiple cover letters, and compiling thoughts for interview preparations!

In the midst of these things, I’ve been working in the middle of D.C. And loving it. It’s a first for me; walking out the door and having the White House half a mile in one direction, with a plethora of shops, cafes, bars, hotels, apartment buildings, and parks all around. I’ve come to really appreciate that one-hour we have allotted for lunch, using it to stroll around and learn these city streets.

Over the weekend, we had our first real taste of spring. I took full advantage and hopped on the Metro to do some real exploring. For hours and hours I walked the streets, took pictures, stopped to read my book, and joined the masses sitting happily around the parks. Now, I can’t think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

One thing that draws me to the city is opportunity. There is such a wide range of jobs available, which is overwhelming and exciting. Clearly, D.C. sits in its own category, with that little subset of “government” jobs it has to choose from. That’s not exactly what I’m drawn to, but hey, it’s there. I love the variety and the options. I love that there are tons of alumni from my university that are always up for some networking. I love that there are events and conferences and history to soak up and be a part of left and right.

I also love getting off at different Metro stops to see a whole new array of places to eat and stop by for a Happy Hour on Friday, or a new bench to sit while you relax and soak it in.

It was just another weekend that made me appreciate where I am, where I can go, and what I’m doing. A rejuvenating outlook on new possibilities, that put a little dent in the stress of how I’ll get to the next step in my life.

Mile Markers 

Last weekend I ran in my fourth half-marathon race. This time around, I revisited the first race (i.e., the first half-marathon) I did last year.

I woke up to a perfect blue sky and gorgeous spring temperatures. Taking what I learned from the year before, I dressed appropriately (so I wouldn’t freeze), slept more, and didn’t show up too early. I also trained harder and smarter, really dedicating myself to the work it takes to be successful in running. My goal was to beat my time from last year; to prove to myself that I had learned and progressed.

A year ago, I ran through the course and really enjoyed (almost) every second of it. The only thing that bothered me? The mile markers. They sat at every mile, telling my over-analytical mind how far I had to go. My training had focused more on time, not distance. So this completely threw me off. Never did I consider thinking of it the other way around; how far I had already come.

On Saturday, as I passed each mile marker, it only meant one thing: progress. I was pushing through one mile at a time. I started off easy; I was absolutely loving the weather. My training, the runners around me, and music beats keeping me on pace. I knew the course ahead, I knew I would get tired, and I knew the end would be hard.

As I head into April, I can only think how fast my internship is all going, and all the mile markers I’ve already passed. I know what lies ahead: resume edits, cover letter writing, and nit-picking, job and apartment searching, and hopefully interviewing. I know I’ll get burned out, tired, and frustrated. However, I also know that I’m well-prepared, and I’ve worked hard to get here.

When I reached the half-marathon’s home stretch, the last mile, I felt completely drained and completely elated. The clock displayed a time two minutes faster than last year’s time, meaning I successfully reached my goal! I may have barely been able to walk after the finish line, but I was proud of myself.

With looming deadlines and end points filling the next three months, anxiety and stress are no strangers. But the finish line is slowly coming into sight, and it’s a comforting view!