the finale.

Last night.

It's funny to think that just four months ago I was sitting in my room in San Diego, surrounded by a sea of clothes as I attempted to pack with shaky hands. Now the environment looks familiar. I packed my two suitcases and mummified two boxes with tape to ship home. The rooms are empty. The goodbyes have begun. The kitchen cupboards are bare.

It's really done and by 3:15 p.m. tomorrow I will be boarding a plane for California. I survived Washington D.C. and I'm amazed at how far I've come.

My last day was spent with my journalism classmates, eating doughnuts, watching Casablanca and sharing good memories. These include: feeling so scared when we got here, laughing about our first days at our internships, jumping in the snow during the blizzard, watching the State of the Union address in a pub, learning about vocation and calling, studying in the Library of Congress, interviewing celebrities and walking to the Lincoln memorial on a windy day.

This has been the ideal study abroad experience for me. So many things confirmed and so much encouragement towards my future. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Tomorrow, I'm saying final goodbyes to roommates and friends here before eating lunch one last time with my professor. And to end with a cliche, the journey ends here but another is beginning.

Thanks for reading my rants, praises and thoughts this semester. The bundled up journalist is shedding her layers for warmer temperatures...

culture shocked in america.

Eight days and counting. Until I say goodbye to reading outside the Capitol building, eating red velvet cupcakes in Georgetown and having picnics on the National Mall. Washington D.C. has turned out to be such a different study abroad experience. I came here dreading what I "thought" Washington D.C. was all about: politics, power and white men in polished business suits. Yes, D.C. has its fair share of those three but there is more beyond the White House. Honest.

There's the Washingtonians, the locals who call D.C. their permanent home and care about cultivating community beyond the disconnect of outsiders. There's U Street, a crazy hipster area where the usual garb is dreads and torn jeans. There's the churches, that pray for the people in this city and the leaders who reside just blocks away. There's the person giving up a seat for the old man on the bus and the policymaker volunteering at the homeless shelter.

I thought that studying abroad in "America" would be a missed opportunity. I considered all my friends who would post Facebook photos of them bungee jumping in South Africa or standing outside Big Ben. But you know what? I've experienced culture shock here in ways I couldn't initially comprehend. I couldn't understand how people could be starving a block away from the World Bank or how others slept on the street underneath a sign pointing to the direction of the White House. Within minutes of the power and politics and white men in business suits, you find HIV rates comparing to Africa. How is this possible? What could I do?

I have one week left and I still feel like I haven't figured out this odd city. The citizens here do not have voting rights yet they pay taxes. When you meet people on the street, the first question out of their mouth is "where are you from?" Washington D.C. is a novelty for sure.

Eight days and counting. It's going to be culture shock going back.

the late night paper.

There's nothing better than turning in a paper to a professor, freshly printed just minutes before.

You're out of breath from running to the office and slightly shaking (the typical after-effect of three cups of coffee). You slept three hours. You're wearing a white v neck and sweats. You're hair is pulled up in a bun. You're wearing glasses to hide those red eyes. The owners of 7-11 knows your by name by now.

You've pulled another late night study session and somehow you've survived, yet again.

Every semester I tell myself I'm not going to give in and get started early but something always comes up--whether it's a new episode of Glee or a trip out to get cupcakes. The case is, I had two large papers due this week and more coming. The first assignment was a 18-page paper detailing the transformation of blogging as journalism. The second assignment was a 8-page single-spaced portfolio documenting my internship experience. I have yet to revamp papers on the four models of journalism and service learning. I still need to start my "Big Idea" paper. As for this study session, the experience was mildly typical.

The group of students here at the Washington Journalism center packed into the classroom for the entire weekend to start writing and writing and writing. We began to keep a tally on the board of the following topics: number of YouTube videos watched, number of trips to 7-11, number of bathroom breaks, number of gangster dance parties, number of legal stimulants consumed. The day the paper was due, I noticed another addition to the whiteboard: number of hours spent sleeping in the classroom. Turns out one student spent the night after falling asleep at his computer.

Even though I'm suffering from what I like to call a "paper hangover," I'm somehow managing to focus this week in between a video project I have to complete about the city and community service. Yesterday was a great break. I served at Martha's Table, a non profit that's fighting against poverty. They offer educational programs, a thrift store and feed so many homeless people in Washington D.C. For the majority of my time there, I cut up apples and oranges for a fruit salad that was mixed with a concoction of cream cheese, maple syrup and some water. My roommate and I then ate lunch at Busboys & Poets (our favorite trendy eatery/coffee shop/bookstore/venue) and walked to Mid City Cafe where we sipped lattes above an antique store.

It's at the less than two weeks mark now. Plans for the summer are already shaping up. I got a call yesterday saying I got the internship with the San Diego Union Tribune and will be the editor of the new magazine at my college. Can't wait. Now just to get through the next late nights...


Here's a picture from our lovely picnic in the park. Spring is here!!

The last month: A story of cherry blossoms, front page bylines and goodbyes

I'll go ahead and start by saying, 'Yes I am still alive.'

After almost a month's delay of blogging, I am back and ready to document my study abroad experience, even though the clock is quickly ticking until I board a plane and head back to sunny San Diego. So in as little tangents as possible (I promise), I give you a quick update of my study abroad experience in Washington D.C. from this last month with the help of numbered points (such a fan of these).

1. I finished my internship. In what felt like some strange dream, my editor walked me down to the lobby of my office for the last time to wish me off and thank me for my hard work. I completed a nine-week long internship at a daily newspaper in Washington D.C. and somehow survived. With over 20 published clips in my portfolio (with a couple being published this weekend), I realized I had experienced what only few get to experience.

Just in the last month alone, I could not fathom the places I went and the people I talked to. I had covered an arraignment for two of D.C.'s most deadliest murderers. I had interviewed actress Rosario Dawson and chatted with her in the ladies bathroom. I had talked to a mourning father who contacted the president in hopes that his son's murder who find justice. I had talked with politicians about legislation, to Virginia wine experts, to the researcher behind the new Eisenhower memorial, to protestors, to lawyers, to rockers that devoured a three pound cake for a fundraiser. I made front page with an article on D.C. tourists.

It's funny to think that just last semester I was considering changing my major and dreading this study abroad experience. Now, I was a reporter and I was loving it.

2. I went out of state twice. I traveled to New York (right) with my roommates and Baltimore to spend the weekend with my professor. My roommates and I accomplished New York in one day, leaving on a sketchy Chinatown bus a 3 a.m. and leaving at 10 p.m. We hit Central Park for breakfast, saw Chicago on Broadway, cruised through Times Sqaure, hit Rockefeller Center, ate a New York hot dog and pizza and ate at Magnolia Bakery. In Baltimore (below picture), I walked down to the pier, went to the National Aquarium, climbed up a light house, visited Edgar Allen Poe's grave, ate my first crab cake and attended my first-ever Eastern Orthodox church service. I headed up to Baltimore again just two weeks ago for an Orioles baseball game and devoured fresh BBQ for what felt like months.

3. I celebrated the resurrection of Christ. Easter weekend looked to be fairly lonely as the majority of my roommates left to visit their families while I remained stuck on the east coast. To entertain myself (and accomplish homework), I studied in a fantastic ways. I read in the shadow of The Capitol, studied in the Library of Congress and sat in local coffee shops. I went shopping with my roommate and walked almost four miles from Georgetown to the Washington monument to catch the Cherry Blossom fireworks (which we missed). I went to Easter service at Ebenezer's Community church and cooked a large Easter dinner with students here at the program. God is so good and has blessed me with a wonderful community here.

4. I found out I got R.A. I am going to be a freshman R.A. next year in the Trinity dorms! I am shaking in anticipation to already get the year started and meet my freshman girls. Carrie Kunzmann is going to be my RAR (R.A.'s roommate) and it turns out a couple people from my AC group will be living in the dorms. This includes Matt Atha (on my staff) and Sean Rollolazo (a Trinity RAR). There's so much more to experience and it's good to know that the adventure does not end here. Not to mention, I'm set to experience Walkabout which will definitely keep me in shape. Other plans for next year are still up in the air. The journalism department at my school is launching a new magazine and online publication that I hope to be involved in. I should be finding out in the next few weeks what position I may hold.

5. I realized the end is drawing near. As of today, I officially have 15 days until I leave. It came so fast and I'm wondering how I'm going to fit everything in before I go. I have a lengthy term paper due on Monday, some more community service to complete, much packing to do and lots of things to still see and experience. I'm looking for an internship this summer and hoping ot pick up my old job. Lots of 'maybes' floating around but one thing is for sure, I'm going to miss this place!

I've loved living in the city and really letting God lead this semester. He has opened many doors and will continue to do so. I'm still not absolutely sure what exact career I will be picking up after I graduate but I know that journalism is something I want to do. Please be praying for these last weeks as I wrap things up and figure out how to ship boxes.

This has been an experience of a lifetime.

virginia really is for lovers.

Old Town Alexandria. Home to Mount Vernon, trendy boutiques, cobblestone streets, red and black trolleys, a view of the Potomac river and decadent restaurants. As you pass by the colonial style houses, you can't help but imagine what type of people walked these streets. George Washington lived here once. Did he sit on the edge of the Potomac river pondering new legislation? Did he ride his horse down the streets, white wig flowing in the wind?

There was a quiet power about this place.

Despite the occasional rain and some flooded streets (of course where the Starbucks was), the town was still illuminated by history. Upon arrival, we stopped by the Visitor's center before heading to Gadby's Tavern for lunch. The restaurant has hosted George Washington in the past and the day we arrived marked the anniversary of Thomas Jefferson's visit. The waitors wore petticoats and served cornbread muffins. Nothing too fancy to eat, just a chicken sandwich but the hand-cut fries were American if anything.

A quick stroll a couple of blocks landed us at a stationary store called Paper Source where we spent too many hours sifting through the shop's odds and ends (including stick-on mustaches). Next door, many cheesy tourist gifts glowed through the window, beckoning us towards their plastic deals. The gift shop got a little ridiculous as we edged the back of the store, with finds such as a Hillary Clinton toilet bowl brush. We then discovered the Lavender Moon Cupcakery where I had my very first Hummingbird cupcake. Imagine a banana and pineapple cupcake with walnuts, topped with maple cream cheese frosting. Yum.

I must admit, I got a little homesick when I spotted a red and black trolley making its way across the street. I didn't ride the trolleys much at APU last semester but after a quick ride around the block in one of these, it made me wish radio played Christian Talk Radio and want to thank the driver loudly as I walked off.

But the true highlight of the day was the Potomac river. People say here that some who visit Washington D.C. get "Potomac Fever." In other words, they don't want to leave. I can feel my temperature rising already. How could you not with a view like this?

a fashion date with the first lady

I sat in the last row. The front lobby of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History looked different from the last time I visited. Business suits and Gucci bags replaced crying babies and khaki pants. The lobby had converted into a press room, with a large stage and four chairs. In walked the director of the museum, the secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and then designer Jason Wu.

And then she walked in.

Michelle Obama, the first lady of the United States, wife to the president and the latest fashion icon since Jackie Kennedy.

I couldn't help but let out an inaudible gasp and grab the leg of the woman sitting next to me. "That's her," I whispered. "I can't believe it."

I was helping cover the presentation of the inaugural gown of the first lady. For those who have never visited the museum before, this is a common event. Each first lady donates at least one dress to the exhibition, which features dresses dating back to Martha Washington. The presentation ceremony is a big deal and how I ended up there, I'm not quite sure.

I was set to interview the curator of the exhibition when she offered to let me see the exhibit before the public. I entered with the intentions of writing a separate story and after a brief discussion with my editor, I was set to join the entertainment columnist at the event. And wow, I don't think I'll forget it. In as quick as an hour, I passed through security, chatted with the editor and sat through speeches by both the designer and the first lady. The gown she wore stood somber yet elegant to the side of the stage, a masterpiece. I could almost see the crystals stitched on the dress sparkle.

What a wonderful journalism day.

D.C. isn't always so Bon Appetit

If you knew my family, it would be no surprise that the first thing I talk about after a couple weeks of posting is food. And what better way to lead than with a photo of Julia Child brandishing what appears to be the knives of all knives.

Last weekend my roommates and I made the trip out to the Smithsonian Museum of American History. Soon enough, I found myself gazing into the original kitchen of Julia Child (there's an entire exhibit) and joining a crowd that watched replays of old Julia Child episodes with eyes bigger than our stomachs. Beyond Child's renown love for butter, I believe there's another aspect of bravery that I admire her for. She took on challenges--new recipes, the french language, deboning a duck--with as much confidence as a woman with a large knife could muster.

And so, that's how I've felt these last couple of weeks--a struggle to brandish my own small butter knife in a business world of machetes and cleavers.

The last two weeks I became an expert on topics I never knew about: adult ice skating, homebuyer assistance programs, foreclosure auctions and grand cycling tours. I've had to research to build confidence. I've had to decode acronyms. I've had to pray to God that I could decipher documents. It's a thrilling feeling when you find the answers to your long list of questions but the beginning always feels like a new recipe (in Bulgarian rather than French). You have no idea what you're doing but by the end of the last sentence and once you hit "send," you learned something. You're always learning.

I think that's the part of this experience that keeps me going under the pressure. I have an uncanny desire to learn and to be a part of something foreign to me. You're knife becomes sharper when the questions you ask become more specific. At the foreclosure auction I ended up covering, I felt like a pro as I discussed homebuyer programs with realtors. I had become just as hyped about HFAs and how the VHDA was providing SPARC while the DDOT was helping employees (basically the conversation was mostly capital letters). The same happened with the grand cycling tour story which took me to the Italian embassy to chat with the Mayor of D.C. at a huge gala. By the end I wanted to jump on a bike and compete myself (I just learned how to ride a bike a couple years ago).

I'm never knowing what my internship or my time in D.C. will take me. I've been trying to fill my free time with short adventures (which can be hard to do when you would rather sleep than walk a mile). In the past two weeks I cruised around the Library of Congress and got a research card. I saw the Hope Diamond at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum. I attended a feminist book talk at the Busboys and Poets coffee shop. I celebrated Valentines Day by eating a bananas ice cream dish with my roommates. I interviewed the CEO of a nonprofit against poverty. I gazed at rows and rows of fish at the Chesapeake fish market. I worshiped in the Lincoln theater. I listened to an interview with my professor and Denzel Washington for a class assignment. I watched the remains of the snowpocalypse slowly melt away. I ate tacos with crime reporters at the National Press Club. I got my shoe stuck in an escalator. I walked past the Capitol building for the twentieth time and still felt amazed.

I'm still deciphering the "Cookbook for D.C. Interns" but with each experience and editor critique, I can feel my confidence getting a little sharper. Now, if only to master national politics...

An ode to snow

The snow has stopped and the sun has finally made its way back from wherever it was hiding...Florida? Farewell Snowpocalypse of 2010, you made grocery shopping a game of survival of the fittest and tested my patience at the Metros. But all in all, thank you for giving me my first snow day. I leave you with this wonderful view of the Capitol and the snow protesters that have assembled there. I blame cabin fever for this stunt.

The Semester of the "Snowpocalypse"

Remember when I put up that picture last week of the alley behind my apartment? Well, it's snowed a lot since then. And I mean 20 inches with more to come. Here's what it looked like this afternoon (left).

The news has dubbed the unwelcomed fluff the "Snowpocalypse" and it's said to be one of the worst blizzards Washington D.C. has ever experienced. Funny websites such as this one have also erupted that give you an idea of what people are feeling here...all aside, people are freaking out and with good reason. Metro lines are closed, trees are falling under the weight of the snow and the threat of possible electricity problems are rumored.

So how would one start a glorious winter day such as this one? Perhaps, brew a cup of coffee or stay in bed protesting the cold? Well not me unfortunately. I woke up at 6 am and marched to Union station (a half mile walk) to interview people stranded at the train station for the Washington Examiner newspaper, where I'm currently interning. The walk was like something out of I am Legend. No one was out and it was difficult to distinguish between the street and the sidewalk. I walked in the middle of the road, the only clear place where I could step without getting snow in my rain boots. I got stopped once by a passing vehicle who was concerned as to why I would be outside in the midsts of the Snowmageddon (this was runner up to Snowpocalypse, I like it better). I wasn't sure why I was out either or why I volunteered in the first place but the experience was still rewarding. I interviewed two people, including a man from London who was waiting to travel to NYC to see his daughter. Here's the article, note the "Examiner intern Kaitlin Schluter contributed to this report."

And so begins the list of bylines by reporter Kaitlin Schluter (I hope). My internship started last Tuesday and within the first day I was writing and sent out covering stories. My editor thankfully allows me to pitch story ideas like crazy and a couple have been picked up. I covered a coalition in the Georgetown area who are fighting to bring streetcars to their district and am currently researching a bill that will grant trainers of guide dog the same rights as the physically disabled with a service animal. Daily I contribute a brief and have been adding the "Heart of the City" brief which gets your name on it (twice now!). Thursday I was asked to write a sidebar about etiquette that got published with the cover story.

The internship has been going well but I would be lying if I denied how stressful it gets. I keep hearing stories from my journalism program about students who reach an emotional breakdown at least once a semester. That was almost my first day. I was handed a brief and a story to cover due that day within the first hour that I entered the newsroom. I freaked out a little, but enough to leave me feeling physically ill from the stress. Not to mention I stayed up til two in the morning writing an article to file the next morning. But don't worry, things have gotten better and I'm in for a very exciting internship experience.

I'm a bundled up journalist, officially.

Let the snow begin.

I woke up this morning and opened the blinds to see this: some wet thing called snow.
Rumors of snow have been spreading among town, leaving me shaking in my shouldn't-have-bought-in-California boots. And sure enough, snow prevailed three days before my internship starts.

I'm crossing my fingers that the snow melts in time for my trek to work, at least before I'm sent out in the storm to cover a story. It doesn't look too likely for now but I didn't let the snow ruin my relaxing Saturday. The morning was spent getting bundled up and taking many pictures on the way to Eastern market for a bag of oranges and bananas (I told you I'm obsessed with this market). Later I made a batch of peanut butter cookies-as you should on any chilly day-and spent the night watching Disturbia.

But as for this week, here's a couple of highlights: 1. I turned in my first blog assignment! Our program hosts a blog called InkTank that provides commentaries on news and D.C. life. For my class, we must post a certain amount of blogs throughout the semester regarding news or the D.C. experience. Take a read. 2. I served at Martha's Table again, a food kitchen for the homeless in D.C. We served meals at the same location but this time I was able to speak with some of locals and hear their stories. It's amazing how powerful a warm cup of a soup maybe on a cold night. 3. I visited the newsroom of the Washington Examiner where I will be working for the next three months. The environment is pretty intimidating, to be honest. Very professional, very serious journalism, very "business suit"...but all the more exciting. I have a desk by a window and the editor is a great guy who misses mexican food as much as I do. I'm going to learn so much there! 4. I discovered the wonderful Capitol Hill Bookstore where stacks of books line the walls and floors. This place is packed, many books stuffed into tall bookcases. I knocked over half of section "B" unfortunately but did manage to find a book amid the chaos. I got Lovely Bones for $4, quite a find. 5. I received advice for my internship. Okay so maybe this isn't as much of a highlight, especially when we heard that all student have an emotional breakdown at least once. But the discussion did clear up a couple of my fears for this whole experience which I still can't believe has yet to begin.

The last two weeks (already!) have been somewhat of a honeymoon period and now as I enter what I came here to do, I'm getting nervous. How am I going to come up with story ideas in a town I've only lived in for two weeks? How am I going to write an article a day on deadline? How am I going to feel confident in the newsroom? A lot of questions are passing through my mind but after much encouragement and prayer, I'm ready to take on the internship with humility and a willingness to be stretched.

Goodbye relaxing two weeks, you have been swell. Here's one last thing to leave you with: the video result from my scavenger hunt challenge. We ended up in last place for the competition but still had a great time and good workout (much walking). The hunt took three days but placed me in some very exciting places. (Note: Music didn't work when placed on site)

Thanks for reading, more to come.

the DC food edition

I have officially been living in Washington D.C. for a week and two days. I have learned much, what with the basics of Metro etiquette and where to find a cheap cup of coffee, but I am still adjusting to this unique city. I will never get over the sudden rush of adrenaline I feel when I pass by the Capitol building on my way to get a quart of milk. So while most of my friends at school have been studying, I have been still "getting used to the city" which consists of exploring, some fascinating culture lectures and service learning in the community (more details about that to come soon).

But amid all of the experiences I have had so far, food is a category all its own. I've already told you about Ben's Chili Bowl (which I've been to twice now) but let me introduce you to some other D.C. cuisine:

1. Five Guys:
The east coast's equivalent to IN-N-OUT, or at least, the next best thing. So no, you will not find Neapolitan milkshakes or animal style fries at this joint but you can order as many burger toppings as you want with no extra charge (including hot sauce and green peppers). And the fries are delicious! Don't forget to grab a plate of peanuts to eat with your meal, the restaurant offers them free to munch on.

2. Kyoto Sushi:
Just up the street by the Federal building, where senators do senator-like business. The place has affordable sushi and even a happy hour where sushi is a dollar each. This too may be a weekly stop for a quick Philadelphia roll (pictured above) that consists of Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese and Avocado YUM!

3. Eastern Market Bakery:
Gourmet cupcakes are a big thing hitting the baked goods runways that present some delicious art. I got a red velvet cupcake today with cream cheese frosting. Yeah, I was drooling too. Not too bad of a price compared with other cupcake eateries like Baked and Wired that I plan to visit soon. I also was tempted and bought garlic bread and blueberry scones.

ANNNNNNND!!!!!

4. Ebenezer's Coffee House:
A wonderful blend of fair-trade coffee, good prices, a urban atmosphere and faith. The coffee shop is a venture through National Community Church, which meets on the bottom floor, that offers an array of warm drinks and entertainment. I've never met a coffee shop that is so overtly Christian (minus the one on my college campus) that is always full of customers. I'm impressed and plan to study here/drink here/go to open mic here/possibly live here during this semester.

And finally, let me end with an ode to my mini-van who for the last five years has remained my partner-in-crime for so many great adventures, with the exception of this grand adventure in Washington D.C. Today a group of us toured Downtown D.C. and the National Mall when much to my surprise, there was my red Nissan Quest mini-van parked in front of a department building. It's been a little more than a week since I last drove my van. Since, getting groceries is now a way to burn calories and I've never walked this much in my life.
Much to say, being reunited was sweet, sweet bliss.

let me explain WJC, or at least try

So to those who keep asking what college I am attending, let me attempt to explain the unique structure of the Washington Journalism Center (WJC) with the use of numbered points...

1. I am not attending a specific college. WJC is a study abroad program that runs through BestSemester, a Christian study abroad organization that hosts students from various college within its Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (APU is a member). Therefore, the program has its own professor (Terry Mattingly who is a journalism genius) and an internship advisor (Greg Perreault who is also a journalism genius).

2. l live in the Dellenbeck Center. This center is where the main headquarters for BestSemester is located. So those who are in charge of coordinating the Uganda trip or the infamous Australia trip work here. Next to these offices are our apartments, lounges, a workout room and study rooms. Both the WJC students and those participating in the American Studies program live here.

3. I take classes in the "Greenhouse." The lovely brick house you see with the green door is two doors down from my apartment, less than a minute walk. They call it the "Greenhouse" and there's a cool/urban lounge upstairs with free coffee and tea. Our classroom is under the building (a short walk under those black stairs). I am taking three classes plus an internship that doesn't start until February. The class system, as I found out today in my first class session, is very different from the norm. I take one class at a time and only have class Monday and Friday with the internship in between. In total, there are 15 WJC students who take the same classes.

4. There's a coffee shop next door. This last point doesn't need further clarification because if you know me, you will understand. Let's just say when this semester ends, I will have lived next to a coffee shop for almost an entire year. At APU, Starbucks was a simple leap over the alley wall to tempt my wallet and calm my insanity. Now, Jacob's coffee shop completes my idea of an ideal neighborhood.

I hope that clears some things up and if not, don't worry. I'm still trying to figure things out.

Quick update! Since the last post, Sunday was filled with relaxation before heading to church at Grace Presbyterian Church of Washington D.C. in Chinatown (Yeah D.C. has one but there's not as many restaurants as San Francisco). The church meets at this old looking church that's massive (right). Our group later stopped for some "Fro-yo" at Tangy Sweet. Pomegranate yogurt with Cap'n crunch cereal never tasted so good. Today was spent taking my first classes and learning more about this exciting field of journalism.

Now I leave you with some beautiful images from today's D.C. adventure. A group of us took a monument tour today to see the Washington monument, cruise through the FDR memorial and walk along the Potomac river to the Thomas Jefferson memorial with the beautiful sunset behind us. I love this city, I mentioned that already...right?

baby apples and popes

A new, and quite delightful, discovery: baby apples.

Or at least, that's what I like to call them. For a pricey $7 a pound, one may relish in a bite of these succulent cuties but for $0, you can relish in the role of a tourist and take pictures of them instead. I chose the latter. I found these at the Eastern market, a local farmer's market that runs on Saturdays and Sundays. Think urban swap meet. There's veggies, fresh flowers, local artists, baked goods and crafts. My finds for the day? A container of homemade Cilantro Lime hummus and a package of dried apples. Much success.

I later ventured alone to the grocery store for a much needed box of cereal and ran into a political adviser for the Pentagon who gave me his card to schedule a private tour. The people here are friendly and eager to talk, to say the least.

Our scavenger hunt continued to the museum of Pope John Paul II which was hidden near a forest across from Catholic University. I would transfer based on architecture alone. I made at least two Harry Potter references today...can you guess why? The buildings are very Hogwarts-esque. After some browsing and fun pictures with the pope statue, we headed to the far south of town to find Gravelly Point Park near the Reagan National Airport. The airplanes fly so low that you feel it's going to hit you! In total, I think I walked eight miles today in leather boots that I will never allow to tempt me on "comfortable walking days." I was miserable but exercised, to say the least.

The city air is brisk but some snow patches still remain. For us Californians, it's still a thrill. Pictured here is Amy Seed, a sophomore from Biola University. More to come from the exciting city life. Off to find a church tomorrow morning and then off to the Senate building!

entering the world of a washingtonian

I'm finally here (as of yesterday) and I am surprised to announce that I am in love with D.C. Maybe a part of that contributes to the fact that no snow is on the ground (except for a few patches) and I walked outside in a light jacket this morning without feeling death. Another part is that I feel in my element...for some reason I love the city atmosphere, from the busy sidewalks to the local coffee shops. It's only been two days but so much has already happened.

So for a quick brief: the plane ride here was a lot smoother than I expected. I left at 5 a.m. for the airport and landed around 3:30 p.m. (D.C. time, which is 12:30 in Cali). From the start, I met helpful people including a couple from North Carolina who owned a seafood restaurant and took a liking to me on the plane. They gave me their contact information if I visited NC and helped me find my luggage. I took a shuttle to my apartment, which is located ten minutes from the Capitol building (you can see it from our rooftop!) and climbed four floors to get to my apartment that overlooks an urban residential area. The picture to the right is across the street, very San Francisco-esque housing and all different!

I live with four other girls, three of which are involved in the American Studies program (which shares our living areas/building) and another that is involved in my program. They are all fantastic, sweet girls who have so much in store for them this semester. The journalism student (Heather) is interning with me but with the editorial department and another (Grace) with media relations at World Vision! Just a taste of some of the opportunities here!

After a welcome dinner, I kept in mind the advice to try to get out into the city and decided to take a trip to Target. Now at home, this may be an easy task. Without a car and in a new city, it's a whole other adventure. After a fifteen minute walk, two transfers on the metro and another ten minute walk...we got to Target and back in two hours. Another group got to one in three hours. Even the mundane here becomes an adventure and I love the thrill of it all!

Here's what the metro stations look like underground. You feel like you're in a different world and there's rules to learn in this world. One: One the escalator, DO NOT STAND ON THE LEFT! People will get mad and push you out of the way! Stand on the right to leave the left side open for people in a hurry. Everyone seemed to know this rule except me and I got a few impatient grunts. Two: Always have your metro pass out, you need if to access entrance to and out of the station. People are in a hurry here and get easily impatient with tourists.

The next morning was spent getting to now my other 15 classmates, with a brief lecture on how our program started. We were then assigned a scavenger hunt assignment that will last over the course of this weekend. Instead of taking photos though, we will be documenting our journey with video and posting to youtube for a competition to win coffee gift cards. Today we found, with much success even though we left our directions and addresses at home, the Watergate office building and a famous restaurant in town. We were not able to find the actual door where the Watergate scandal took place but delighted in the view of George Washington University and the Washington monument. Everywhere you walk in the city, there is some surprise to be found.

We ventured to another spot on our list, Ben's Chili Bowl. This place only offers free meals to Bill Cosby, a frequent customer and recently President Barack Obama who made a surpise visit. I order Ben's Orginial Half-Smoke which is essentially a massive chili dog with a side of potatoe chips. SO DELICIOUS! As we ate, the manager relayed to us the history of the place and how the secret service contacted him to save a seat for the then president-elect. He then introduced us to a busboy at the place who is a human calculator, really he solved problems like 17 times 30 divided by 4 in his head. There are so many interesting people here.

Our group then ended the night deciding to walk to the Capitol which was illuminated (look below!). There was no one out and it was so peaceful. We also walked to the Supreme Court before heading back to our apartments to share stories with other students and catch up with e-mails and facebook.

Tomorrow is more scavenger hunting but not before a morning trip to the Coffee shop next door, Jacob's. More to come, thanks for reading!

oh the places I"m going

It's official. My life is packed into two suitcases, a backpack and a purse. I leave for the airport at 4:45 am (yikes!) tomorrow and fly for D.C. at 7:35 am. My first official hurdle is to come-figuring out how to balance carrying all that luggage on my own and figuring out how to get to the apartment on my own. I'm nervous but anxious to meet my new roommates and jump into the new environment.

Goodbye California, hello White House.

saying goodbye isn't easy...it's a blessing

Goodbye.

The farewell has never held warm connotations but as D.C. approaches, I've learned that goodbye can be the best greeting to a new semester of change.

I spent the weekend at Azusa Pacific University, much to the dismay of my family who lectured that driving two and a half hours to L.A. was a waste of time and gas. Well, it wasn't a waste at all and I think it was the perfect touch to beginning this journey. The two days were spent eating at favorite Azusa venues (Classic Coffee, the Corner Diner, & the Subway next door), hanging in my old Mod, catching up/laughing/dancing/hugging with friends, going to Santa Monica Pier and Diddy Reese for dessert, getting slurpees at midnight, saying farewell to High Sierra students, going to chapel, eating on the Cougar Walk, and taking a last Starbucks trip. It was packed, but with each goodbye and last embrace I couldn't help but feel blessed rather than sad at the mention of "goodbye."

Out of all the things I felt I could miss out on this semester, the community of APU was at the top of the list. I love my college and the comfortable feeling I get once I see the 'A' on the mountain. My community in this past semester has consisted of: my roommates, M-Court, the staff of The Clause newspaper, members of the Alpha program and my wonderful D-Group. Within those two days, I somehow got to see one-if not all-of the people who make up these unique communities and I was greeted with words of encouragement and prayers.

So thank you to all I saw. Thank you for your encouragement and I thank God that you are in my life. I feel so ready for this new chapter in my life. I feel blessed.

Tomorrow is my last day in California and the packing begins. It's almost here!

studying abroad in america

Five days.

The countdown starts now for D.C. but my body and stomach have succumbed to countdowns of their own intentions. My body screams, "only five more days with your flip-flops" while my stomach competes with "you have five more days to devour as much IN-N-Out as possible."

I leave for D.C. soon and although I have been planning to enter this grand adventure since before I applied to college, the reality of it is just hitting me now. My room is littered with packed and unpacked boxes and my closet has never welcomed so many long sleeve shirts. I am leaving. And the countdown is ever ticking.

For those of you who were unaware, I will not be returning to Azusa Pacific for the spring (as much as it pains me to leave my little Mod and friends). While other friends pack their bags to study abroad to Oxford and even Australia...I am taking a different approach.

I am studying abroad to, well, America.

The fact is, studying abroad is big on my campus and I always felt a twinge of awkwardness when asked where I would be going. "So where? South Africa?" they would ask. "Well actually, I'm going to the east coast...it's practically the same difference." Yes, I did enter college with the expectation that I would soon be strolling the streets of Thailand or sitting in old historic churches in Spain but that wasn't God's plan for me this semester and that's what I'm hoping to figure out.

The program is a collaboration of media classes, an internship with the Washington Examiner (who offered me a position last week!), service learning in local neighborhoods and a look at the connection of faith and journalism. I'll be living in an apartment located ten minutes from the Capitol with four other girls and I'll have to rely on public transportation (which in D.C. is like learning another language). I'll be living in a city thriving in history and taking trips here and there to discover the touristy and local hangouts. I'm excited....and nervous...and praying for patience. As I've explained to some, this is the semester that I pray will show me where God wants to use journalism in my life and if the plan is something else...well I might have to figure out some new classes. But for now, I'm sure this is the right step toward finding my passions.

I'll be updating this throughout the semester and can use all of the encouragement you can offer! Thanks to everyone for the support :)

More to come, thanks for reading...

Sidenote: As for the title of this blog, I will be perpetually "bundled up" for the entirety of this semester because A) I'm from San Diego and B) I'm a wimp when it comes to cold weather. For those unfamiliar with the phrase, try typing it into Google images and see what comes up. I did and here's what I found (below)...just insert my face and that's what'll I 'll look like everyday. And that's all the California banter I promise (for now).