First month in DC

It's been almost a month since I've moved down to DC, and I'm really starting to get adjusted to living and working in the city. Finding an apartment was stressful to say the least, and I'm living for the most part on microwavable dinners and cereal (will have to start cooking one of these days...), but I'm getting more and more familiar with DC and loving the free time on my weekends to go exploring.

My work at the CityBridge Foundation continues to get more and more interesting. Right now I'm helping to conduct research on how to turn around the worst-performing schools in the district, and yesterday I conducted my first research interview with a leader in charter school development. I am amazed and awed by how charged the education atmosphere is in Washington DC right now - especially because Michelle Rhee has pushed through such a revolutionary new teacher's contract, it seems like everyone in education reform is looking to DC. It's exciting to think that DC really could become a model for urban school reform around the country!

Outside of work, I've gotten to see the monuments (the last time I did that was on an 8th grade field trip almost 9 years ago - it's hard to believe how fast time passes). Probably the best part of the national mall for me was the Library of Congress. It was amazing - they have this whole section where they replicate Thomas Jefferson's library (including a lot of his originals) and you can walk around and see all the different titles of the books that he read. You can also get a library card there and then go read in their huge and gorgeous reading room. It's a book nerd's dream come true. I'm totally going back to get a library card.

I've also been trying to find ways to meet more people - which has somehow led a couple of Princeton friends and I to join a summer kickball league...thankfully, it doesn't seem like athletic skill is necessary for joining. I'm also trying to find a place where I can take some tap dancing classes - does anyone in or from the DC area know of a good dance studio?

It's great to read about what everyone else doing!

Running around

Though I still haven't started up my fellowship at the Foundation Center, I have been getting ready to move into New York. The apartment hunt proved a frustrating ordeal, but my roommates and I finally signed a lease yesterday! I know that signing a lease for an apartment is something that people do everyday, but I couldn't help but feel that it was a big step in my post-college life. After finding the place, I also spent some time doing reconnaissance around the area-- scoping out grocery stores, gyms, pharmacies, tasty looking ice cream and frozen yogurt places (no bent spoon, alas). My roommates and I will be moving in this weekend.

On Saturday morning, I ran my first New York Road Runners race, which I think was also an important step in becoming a New Yorker for me! I just joined the NYAC running club, and I ran the Queens 1/2 Marathon. It was so incredibly hot! The race started at 7 am, and everyone was already dripping sweat just standing at the starting line. Ridiculous heat and humidity aside, the race was a ton of fun. I ended up winning (well, top female that is), and I was 21st overall out of nearly 4,000 runners. I'm am linking to a picture of me crossing the finish line. Please disregard the fact that I am DRENCHED in sweat. NY fans are also so great, and so many people were cheering along the race course. The course wound around the World's Fair site at Flushing Meadows and the Unisphere, the Queens Zoo, CitiField, and the USTA Tennis center, so I got to see a lot of Queens's iconic landmarks.

Phew, with all this to do who has time to work? Just kidding! I'm really excited to start up next week.

Small moments

The highlight of my time at NAC (New Alternatives for Children) happened yesterday afternoon. Last minute, I was asked to watch a 10-month-old baby while his family had a meeting with a social worker here at the agency. I found my way to the "Lamb Room," a small playroom, and met the adorable little chunk! We played for an hour, and when the meeting went over, I stayed for another hour with him. (My schedule is not yet packed since I'm still learning the ropes!) He started getting fussy, so I sat him on my lap, and then he lay down. Soon he was asleep and snoring LOUDLY! It was adorable. I sloooowly inched myself back so I could prop myself up on the wall, and he didn't budge. I rubbed his back while he snoozed. It was a little moment but it was so peaceful!

Orienting Myself

I moved to New York City about 2 and half weeks ago and so far, I have loved every minute of it. On the weekends, I have had the time to explore both my neighborhood of Harlem and areas of the city that are new to me. For example, I very recently stumbled upon the South Street Seaport, a place filled with great shops, but more importantly a great view of the Brooklyn Bridge. I am hoping that these random walks will eventually allow me to build a better mental map of the city.



Working at Prep for Prep so far has been great. As a post-placement counselor, I will be in charge of meeting with Prep students on a one-on-one basis to ensure that they are succeeding in their new schools. Because the vast majority of the students are on summer break at the moment, I have not yet had the opportunity to interact with many students. Instead, all of us new post-placement counselors have been immersed in extensive training. I feel so fortunate that my organization has taken the time to teach me as much as possible before I actually hit the ground running. I am hopeful that all this preparation will allow me to better understand and relate to some of the youth I will be working with very soon.

Marguerite and Jennie meet Danny

Firm believers in strength in numbers, Jennie and I met at Starbucks at 8:45 so we could grab coffees and walk into orientation at the District Attorney in Manhattan. I think it's safe to assume that orientation involves a TON of acronyms that your supervisors assume you understand. (No, we did not feel comfortable asking what PPO, HMO, or 457 stood for, especially since everyone else in the room seemed to be nodding knowingly.) Most importantly, who was this "Danny" that the HR representative kept mentioning? Set free from the morning orientation, Jennie and I were sent to take id photos for our badges (fyi: yellow lighting and a bewildered look made for a BAD badge picture; I look like I'm in a lineup). Next came the fun part. Jennie and I got to meet the other paralegals in our division (Major Economic Crimes) over lunch. They could not have been nicer and assured us that a lot of what we needed to know, we would learn on the job (not from info-packed orientation sessions). After lunch, we set off for our final training session of the day- computer training. Louise, the tech teacher, also began with a bunch of acronyms, but thankfully she told us not to fret if we didn't get them all on the first day. "I mean, I remember my first day thinking 'Who is Danny?'" she said. "Well, who is this Danny?" I thought to myself before looking down at the cover sheet of my orientation folder. It read, "Welcome to DANY." Of course, the District Attorney of New York. One acronym down, so many more to go.

The First Project

Work at the office is progressing slowly. Data entry work is not the most exciting aspect of the job, but I enjoy learning new tricks on Excel. I think some parts of any job will seem boring, but what will make the difference is how you approach them. For example, by learning about formulas on Excel, I was able to create a budget worksheet for my expenses. Of course, when I mentioned my excel acomplishments- small ones, I admit- she looked sardonically and said, "Really?"

Work at the clinic is awesome. At the moment, I am working on a back-to-school campaign aimed at educating parents about the school year. I made a brochure of information that contained valuable tips about back-to-school. While researching the subject, I learned about what can lessen anxiety about returning to school, and I realized that this information is valuable not only for a child and parent but also a new employee. Getting organized, starting a bed time, and meeting with supervisors can ease the transition from college to the workforce.

Yesterday, I had my first conversation with a friend about the post-college experience. We talked about how at times, it seems you need money in order to have a social life. Happy hours, dinners, and movies all cost money, and even though that seems obvious, in college these things were often free. Budgeting, like every P55 fellow knows, is essential, but even more essential is making room for seeing friends and making new ones. Running clubs are free and there are sometimes public pools that are free. Being a P55 fellow is not just about public service but also about being creative one a tight budget.

Settled in DC

I have successfully settled myself in DC. I have an apartment, a bike, and a computer - seems like all the necessary essentials. Sara came through, and gave some of us a run of good spots in the city, and an update on the new Princeton Alumni Corps. It's pretty incredible how young the demographic is here. (Especially in the summertime with all of the internships to be had). I have figured out the metro system, and purchased a SmarTrip card, (which makes a huge difference), but have also come to love the bus system for my job. Metro's Next Bus feature makes it really easy to get to the bus stop within minutes of the bus, and trip planner tells you all the necessary steps you need to take. I really think that not having a car is going to be pretty feasible.

Week Three

This is my third week at the Heads Up! Pediatric Literacy Program in New York City and I love it so far. This fellowship has me going to ten different hospitals/clinics in four of NYC's five boroughs. Now that I have visited most of them at least once I have figured out a few things:

(1) The cheapest, largest-selection NYC grocery stores - that I've found at least - are in the Bronx.
(2) The best fruit-seller on the Upper East Side is located at 70th and 1st.
(3) If the lock on your apartment door sticks it will open if you jiggle the key before you try to turn it.
(4) Blocking in some time for "subway mistakes" is a good idea if it's your first time going somewhere. This is especially true if you are changing lines. 10 minutes is typically enough.
(5) If your supervisor always seems busy try arranging a standing meeting every 1-3 weeks.
(6) If there was another fellow in your position before you s/he can be a GREAT resource. My transition has gone smoothly because of how helpful Mary was in orienting me!

First week in DC

I started work at EDF (Environmental Defense Fund) last Thursday, right after moving in on Wednesday in 104 degrees! It would have been nice to have some more time to settle in, but the two-day week was a good idea in general. I got a lot of administrative and setup things out of the way. My first real week is going well so far and I've launched into my first project which has to do with comparing lists of SVHC (substance of very high concern) in the EU with chemicals manufactured and imported in the US (scary conclusions).

This past weekend gave me some good ideas for tips for people just moving in:
1) Locate your fuse box and buy fuses if there aren't some already (If you blow a fuse that your refrigerator is plugged into, use extension cords to plug it into a functional outlet)
2) Ask your landlord for a mail and laundry key. I didn't get one right away because I hadn't thought of it. Not a big deal, but useful.
3) Meet your neighbors! So helpful.

Just building some character

Today was my very first day working at the Character Education Partnership in D.C. and it was awesome! Everyone is so friendly and helpful and they've really made an effort to make me feel at home. Our executive director, who's on vacation this week, even called to personally welcome me to the office, which just goes to show how wonderful the organization is.

As for D.C., I absolutely love it so far though I've definitely gotten lost trying to find fairly basic places my fair share of times. My normal plan of attack is to get out of a metro, really any metro, and just start walking until I see something I recognize. These adventures have typically ended with me in one of the nation's capital's many CVS pharmacies, buying Band-Aids for my blisters and asking any random passers-by where the nearest metro is so I can get back home and vow never to wander again. I can't even disguise my touristy-ness with the fact that I actually do work her because I haven't yet bought the nice metro Smartcard or whatever it's called so anyone behind me on their way to work/home is forced to watch and wait as I struggle to make my creased Metrocard flat enough for the scanner to read it and let me through.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to working at CEP and to hearing about all the other fellows' adventures!! Hope everyone has a great first month!

Wind-swept thoughts

Like Mark, I'm also in Chicago; unlike Mark, I haven't yet attended a Cubs game. And in fact, I may never. Old habits - baseball-rootin' habits, to be precise - die hard.

But my time in this windy city (since last Tuesday, although I've been out a number of other times) has been... so far, so good. I'm subletting a place in the Ukrainian Village (I believe they call it the 'Ukie') with a couple of former fellows; come August, two current fellows (there's just no way to make that alliterative, is there?) Mike Malecek and Andrew Kinaci will take their place. I've been out to the Millennium Park a few times - most recently to check out a sequence of free concerts on Saturday. Sheryl Crow esque rock to alt-country to classical (Sibelius' 2nd)? Why, yes, that sounds amazing.

Work (at Advance Illinois) started today; it was a whirlwind of meeting people, bantering with the IT guy as he took 2.5 hours to set up my computer, and then settling down to, well, Do Work. And the Work... well, it was Good.

One piece of work-related advice I believe I've already picked up - do not be afraid to ask questions. I have this unfortunate tendency to keep my mouth shut, out of fear of looking like an idiot. Ironically, this tendency can lead to me looking like an idiot later on. So, I've decided to "opt out" of that particular development. Today, it began with the question, "What is a 'literature review'?" A minute later I had my answer and new direction.

As with the others, I'm looking forward to hearing about others' experiences.

Beginning my 4th week in Chicago

I have been in Chicago for about 3 weeks now. I love it so far, but getting here wasn't necessarily easy.

On June 20th, I parked a tiny Honda Civic in front of the Manhattan apartment I was moving out of. With all of my worldly possessions stuffed into trashbags on the curb, I was playing a mental game of Tetris when an Upper East Side woman let her 2 dogs relieve themselves all over my belongings. Thank God for double bagging.

Luckily, I was able to get everything I own into the car, and I made the the 13 hour drive to Chicago. Moving in has been a never-ending process, but I've been able to enjoy a bit of what Chicago has to offer in the summer too. I attended the Taste of Chicago 3 times, went to my first Cubs game, and saw a performance at the Steppenwolf. I signed up for a Community Supported Agriculture farm share that sends me a box of farm fresh vegetables every week. I live 2 blocks away from North Avenue Beach, so I've been able to get some sun and volleyball into my weekends as well.

I'm beginning my third week at the Constitutional Rights Foundation. We are expanding our program to include Latin American countries, so I am attending a conference in Myrtle Beach, SC at the end of the month to try and solidify that arrangement. Overall, life an work are going well here in Chicago. I look forward to hearing more from other fellows as they get settled!

Until next time,

Mark

After the first week

I arrived in New York City luckily with a great contact. She let me stay at her place while I looked for an apartment. If I have any advice for the future P55ers, it is to have a good amount of money saved before you arrive to the city. Costs for a deposit and first months rent can add up and unless you have that money saved you cannot move forward.

I found an apartment in Astoria and loved the location because it was close to work. It was not the best apartment I had seen, but it suited my needs. Make sure you know what your needs are before you start looking for an apartment. What is a priority for you? Is it the nice view or the proximity to work? Is it the big kitchen or the low rent? What about the neighborhood? What do other tenants say about the apartment building and the tenant. These are all things that one should consider. It is not only about searching but also looking for what you want.

My first week at work was good. For me, no one really sits down and tells you what to do so it is good to get in contact with the previous fellow before you start to get a refresher on current projects. I talked to Navin and he told me about the projects he was working on, which made it easier for me to move forward on the job.

I love my time in the clinic called Settlement Health. Working with patients reminds me of my time as a volunteer at a hospital in Texas. My supervisor there Beth is great and often checks in with me to make sure things are going well. She is going to provide me with some books to read about children with mental illnesses. I try to keep the positive energy going despite the confusion and minor setbacks and it has made all the difference.

Today, I started my second week and I feel comfortable here. I asked a coworker to lunch and she said yes! Just be open and friendly and things will start to happen.