So far, so good!
I started the day by going out to breakfast with Alexa, which was fun! We went to K St Bagel (SO GOOD!) and enjoyed fresh hot bagels!
After breakfast, I went to my first class of Junior year: Broadcast News Writing (SMPA 135 for the GW kids). I have very high expectations for this class. I am very excited to be taking a class that has everything to do with where I would like to take my career. While it's not exactly sports based, it should be really interesting and exciting to learn about writing for broadcast. The professor seems very knowledgeable and willing to help. He also appears to be very focused on improvement, which is definitely a plus in my book. Because the course only has fifteen people, I definitely think he'll be able to give everybody the individual attention they deserve.
After journalism, I went to History of Modern Israel. The cross-cut of people in the course was not what I was expecting (honestly, I expected more Jews to be in the class); however, I think this diversity will only create for more interesting in-class discussions. The class should be really interesting; especially learning about the Zionist movement before the creation of the State of Israel, something I have always wanted to learn more about.
I worked an evening tour and made some nice tips and now it's off to bed!
Overall, I had a great first day of classes and I'm excited about the rest of the semester!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Birthday / End of Summer
To start, I would like to thank everybody that made my birthday the incredible day that it was, INCLUDING all 15 people on my two tour groups. From giving tours to dining at Vapiano to partying all night, it was overall a great birthday, and I couldn't have asked for more.
In any case, I now find myself with just three days before classes start. WHERE DID THE SUMMER GO?! I suppose I have done a fair amount over the past four months. I went home to California, showed Alexis just how incredible the Bay is, spent some quality time (maybe a little too much) with my parents, worked a couple jobs, saw extended family in Chicago, found a job in DC, went to Philadelphia and New York twice, and slept in at least nine different locations.
This summer, I learned that while I love my parents to death, living with them is just not the same after having lived on my own for two years. After I graduate, I would love to live closer to them and have the opportunity to see them more than four or five times a year. Unfortunately, that's not an option right now, but I in no way regret coming to school on the East Coast.
I also learned (maybe "realized" is the better word here) that DC is my home. No matter how I feel about it, it's the truth. I've discussed this fact here multiple times, but it continues to ring true. My life is here now, and quite frankly, I could not be happier about that. I have made a pretty incredible life for myself. I have some of the best friends in the world, I attend an outstanding university that always manages to find ways to piss me off yet teach me to appreciate what I have, and I live in one of the craziest cities in the world (in a good way). There are few words to describe DC, and its sheer uniqueness is one of my favorite aspects of this dynamic metropolis.
Lastly, I learned that nothing is ever perfect. However, at some point, we have to realize this fact and do our absolute best to make the most of every opportunity. The minute we stop "seizing the moment," if you will, we start to lose meaning, and the second we lose meaning, we lose everything.
So friends, as we end our summers, I say this: "seize, seize, seize." The Hebrew on my page reads (translated): "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And when I am for myself, what am 'I'? And if not now, when?" (Avoth 1:14). Find your own meaning in these words and see what you discover in life. Keep looking for that silver lining, and pursue what makes you happy.
Peace, love, and happiness.
In any case, I now find myself with just three days before classes start. WHERE DID THE SUMMER GO?! I suppose I have done a fair amount over the past four months. I went home to California, showed Alexis just how incredible the Bay is, spent some quality time (maybe a little too much) with my parents, worked a couple jobs, saw extended family in Chicago, found a job in DC, went to Philadelphia and New York twice, and slept in at least nine different locations.
This summer, I learned that while I love my parents to death, living with them is just not the same after having lived on my own for two years. After I graduate, I would love to live closer to them and have the opportunity to see them more than four or five times a year. Unfortunately, that's not an option right now, but I in no way regret coming to school on the East Coast.
I also learned (maybe "realized" is the better word here) that DC is my home. No matter how I feel about it, it's the truth. I've discussed this fact here multiple times, but it continues to ring true. My life is here now, and quite frankly, I could not be happier about that. I have made a pretty incredible life for myself. I have some of the best friends in the world, I attend an outstanding university that always manages to find ways to piss me off yet teach me to appreciate what I have, and I live in one of the craziest cities in the world (in a good way). There are few words to describe DC, and its sheer uniqueness is one of my favorite aspects of this dynamic metropolis.
Lastly, I learned that nothing is ever perfect. However, at some point, we have to realize this fact and do our absolute best to make the most of every opportunity. The minute we stop "seizing the moment," if you will, we start to lose meaning, and the second we lose meaning, we lose everything.
So friends, as we end our summers, I say this: "seize, seize, seize." The Hebrew on my page reads (translated): "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And when I am for myself, what am 'I'? And if not now, when?" (Avoth 1:14). Find your own meaning in these words and see what you discover in life. Keep looking for that silver lining, and pursue what makes you happy.
Peace, love, and happiness.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Bay City Ball
A blog I found courtesy of espn.com. Chris Quick integrates humor, statistics, and an unadulterated love of the Giants in his writings. I will definitely keep track of this one.
http://www.baycityball.com/
http://www.baycityball.com/
Good Crazy
First a recap of the my last week:
Sunday, the 15th, I saw my lovely sister Rachel, and we headed to Dupont for gelato at Dolcezza.
Monday, my friend Rachel moved into Amsterdam earlier than expected, so I helped her with that and took over what would become Robin's room.
Tuesday, I headed to Philadelphia to see the Giants take on the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. While the Giants led early, the Phillies won 9-3 (the game was closer than the score indicates). Unfortunately for the Giants, this loss began what would become a 2-4 road trip against the Phillies and Cardinals. On the upside, I saw a family friend of ours who goes to school at the University of Pennsylvania and let me crash on his couch for the night.
Wednesday, I returned to DC and helped another friend of mine move into her fall housing assignment. Afterward, she fed pizza to her moving army courtesy of her parents. I was obviously very appreciative of the free food :)
Saturday, I woke up early to help freshmen move into Thurston. They were all adorable, so ready to start college, but scared by the entire process. I remember feeling those emotions just two short years ago. It's strange to think about how much I have changed since my 18th birthday.
Yesterday, I worked in the morning and found myself in Virginia by afternoon. What I thought was going to be a short grocery shopping trip to the local Trader Joe's with my friend Lauren who had just returned to DC became an epic journey to Virginia with her brother and roommate. On the way, we stocked up at Target and Shoppers Food Warehouse, one of the largest grocery stores I have ever seen.
Today, I slept in! I met with Rabbi Yoni to discuss High Holiday services (I have somehow become the student coordinator) and went to Eli's with Robin, Lauren, and Lauren's roommates for some nice Kosher meat. YUM!
Sunday, the 15th, I saw my lovely sister Rachel, and we headed to Dupont for gelato at Dolcezza.
Monday, my friend Rachel moved into Amsterdam earlier than expected, so I helped her with that and took over what would become Robin's room.
Tuesday, I headed to Philadelphia to see the Giants take on the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. While the Giants led early, the Phillies won 9-3 (the game was closer than the score indicates). Unfortunately for the Giants, this loss began what would become a 2-4 road trip against the Phillies and Cardinals. On the upside, I saw a family friend of ours who goes to school at the University of Pennsylvania and let me crash on his couch for the night.
Wednesday, I returned to DC and helped another friend of mine move into her fall housing assignment. Afterward, she fed pizza to her moving army courtesy of her parents. I was obviously very appreciative of the free food :)
Thursday, I worked my first double ever.
Friday, I moved downstairs from Rachel's room on the second floor, and all of my stuff was in one place for the first time since May. I was ECSTATIC to see all of my boxes covering the living room :) It didn't look QUITE this bad, but I realized just how much crap I had left over the summer. Maybe it's time to purge through my stuff?
Yesterday, I worked in the morning and found myself in Virginia by afternoon. What I thought was going to be a short grocery shopping trip to the local Trader Joe's with my friend Lauren who had just returned to DC became an epic journey to Virginia with her brother and roommate. On the way, we stocked up at Target and Shoppers Food Warehouse, one of the largest grocery stores I have ever seen.
Today, I slept in! I met with Rabbi Yoni to discuss High Holiday services (I have somehow become the student coordinator) and went to Eli's with Robin, Lauren, and Lauren's roommates for some nice Kosher meat. YUM!
Plans for the rest of the week: work, birthday, and prepping for classes!
Peace, love, and happiness.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
A Tribute to Bobby Thomson
I may not have been alive in 1951, but what happened on October 3 at the Polo Grounds in New York City will forever live on in infamy. Russ Hodges call, "THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT," will forever ring in my ears and send chills down my body. Forever, Bobby Thomson will be remembered for the shot heard 'round the world.
http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/news/story?id=5471194
http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/news/story?id=5471194
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Heading Out Again
I'm off to Philadelphia for the day to see my beloved San Francisco Giants in action against the Phillies!
Fear not -- I will be back in Washington, DC tomorrow morning.
Peace, love, and happiness.
Fear not -- I will be back in Washington, DC tomorrow morning.
Peace, love, and happiness.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Remembering Lily
"The tears dry, without you.
Life goes on, but I'm gone.
Without you."
-- Rent (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrE7mh7Emj4)
Lily,
You were an amazing dog and an even better friend. You will always be in my heart, and I will never forget the incredible times we had together, from chasing your toys in the backyard to pouncing through the snow in Lake Tahoe. They say that a dog is a man's best friend, but they're wrong. YOU are my best friend.
Love you forever,
Sam
Life goes on, but I'm gone.
Without you."
-- Rent (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrE7mh7Emj4)
Lily,
You were an amazing dog and an even better friend. You will always be in my heart, and I will never forget the incredible times we had together, from chasing your toys in the backyard to pouncing through the snow in Lake Tahoe. They say that a dog is a man's best friend, but they're wrong. YOU are my best friend.
Love you forever,
Sam
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