06.16.2024 Flea Market Days
Today our target was the Georgetown flea market, my personal favorite because of its artist thrift vibes. Perla and I got up early and went straight over. Although we didn't buy anything due to limited suitcase space, we had a blast looking at vintage Harley-Davidson jackets and vintage decor for our non-existent future apartments. Afterwards, we walked around Georgetown and got boba. We went back to our respective places, and I spent the rest of the day preparing for the busy week ahead and finishing up my journals. Although, not much happens on Sundays, it is being to feel like my "new normal." Washington, D.C. is finally starting to feel like home, which is a scary feeling knowing we are almost halfway through the program.
06.19.2024 Juneteenth
Wednesday marked the third year of Juneteenth being a national holiday. After much thought, our group decided the best way to celebrate this holiday was to support a small black business and hang out together. So, we began the day by going to Anacostia, where a Juneteenth celebration was being held. There, we got to see the community in action and learn from multiple organizations how we can do our part as residents in D.C.
Afterward, we headed back to the National Mall, where we found that most of the events would be held at night. We took an Uber over to Henry’s Soul Food Café, a small mom-and-pop establishment that, as soon as you walked in, you knew the food would be incredible. My plate consisted of fried chicken, cornbread, and mac and cheese. It was truly an amazing meal. We ate at a park nearby and rested from the heat. In the afternoon, Perla and I met up at Qdoba once again, as is our tradition, and we hung out for the rest of the night.
By the World War II Memorial Plaza, there was a Juneteenth dance being held, and we got to witness a culture different from ours being celebrated and acknowledged. We went on a walk and visited the White House. It was great to enjoy the night and the fact that we are here enjoying our internships and planning for our upcoming semester at MSU.
06.20.2024 Day on the Hill
Today was a packed day. Specifically speaking, Esmeralda was part of a panel today where she talked about her experience with the Pell Grant, being the only person of color to represent us as students, and the struggles we have faced. Alongside a couple other CHCI interns and Juan Diego, I had the opportunity to go and take notes for my office. Through the panel, I learned about the intricacies of the Pell Grant and the possible ways it can be fixed. It was really cool to see her experience recognized and her voice heard.
Afterwards, we had the opportunity to speak to the panelists and others who attended the briefing. Juan Diego decided to stay on the Hill, and after a series of challenges, I was able to get him a visitor pass and had the opportunity to give him a tour of the Hill from my perspective as an intern. We then went to Stephanie’s office, one of our CHCI cohort members. There we met her staff and other interns, who were really nice and welcoming. Afterwards, I headed back to my office and closed up all my work, officially wrapping up the week on the Hill.
06.21.2024 WFH means do more walking
Working from home has always proven to be a challenge for me. There are moments when I am grateful because I get to sleep in and wear comfortable clothes; however, I would rather be in an office environment and with my coworkers. Today proved to be a good thing. I stayed home; it was supposedly the hottest day, and I got to work from home in the comfort of our central A.C. After work, I joined Perla and her roommates at the Kennedy Center, where we got to watch Elemental in their outdoor theater in celebration for World Refugee Day. We set up our picnic blankets and waited with the rest of the crowd for the sun to go down and the movie to begin. The view was incredible; we were right by the water and had a view of all the planes landing at DCA. The movie was great; I cried by the end, along with a good chunk of the crowd. It was a perfect way to start the weekend.
06.22.2024 Once in a Summer Moon
On Saturday, I got to complete one of the items on my bucket list: a night at the museum. Today started off nice and relaxing, unlike the rest of the day. In the afternoon, Bryan Joan, Esmeralda, Gizel, and I went to eat at the Western Market. We ate some delicious chicken sandwiches with lemonades from Andy’s pizza. We caught up after a long week and then planned the events for the rest of the afternoon. At 7 p.m., Esmeralda and I headed over to the Regeton party in the National American History Museum. Soon afterwards, Perla and her roommates joined us. I also said hi to some of the staff from my office who were there too. We stayed until closing because it truly was a blast. The music was straight from my playlist, and we were in a museum not made for us, as Latinos, yet we were being heard and making history.
By the end, the rest of the crew joined us, and we had even more fun. After closing, we got the DJ to play more music by chanting "Sí Se Puede!" It was truly a fun experience that I will forever remember. Afterwards, we walked along the National Mall and went over to the Smithsonian Castle, where there was another DJ. The music there was not really what we liked, and at this point it was getting late, so we went back to the apartments. It was so cool to see all the museums open late and people having a blast looking at history; it felt like all of D.C. had come out to have fun welcoming in the summer.
