A 40's Style Day

It’s another hot, sultry day in the Beltway. I am slowly adapting to it. I think it’s better that I am forced to go outside BEFORE 12 noon because I have a real “job” (re: internship) this summer. Yes, it’s an exciting one. I get to do the lovely commute, smashed into a Metro car with men and women reading/listening to music/whacking you with their backpack because they lack social commuting skills. I have a better understanding of what sardines feel like…especially on those hot days when everyone is sweaty! The commute isn’t that bad, if anything it gives me cheap entertainment ($4.40/day RT!) twice a day.

My internship is in the USDA-FAS-OCBD-TSCB-RPSB. If you can figure that out you are automatically qualified for a GS-14/15 level position with the government! The office I’m in is pretty fantastic. People are friendly, understand agriculture AND understand global issues. Three things I value and love that can coexist. It’s a hectic office that fights with constant bureaucratic changes (systems/positions/etc.) and crazy, developing governments. You’re a champion if you can deal with that and at the end of the day go home rather than to a shrink. If anything, this internship makes me feel good about the portion of my tax dollars which go towards our initiatives.

Which leads me to MY initiative, Africa. I call it my “lost continent” because over the last five years it was the one place I rarely looked to when it came to business. Reason being, it’s primarily made-up of developing countries with poor government, regulation and banking systems. Three things you look for in a country before going in and trying to do business. I am now taking another look. Seeing as I am not in sales mode I can take my time to study the continent and it’s pieces. One consistently comes to mind when thinking about – fascinating. Sorry for you people who are obsessed over its culture. Yes, that’s pretty darn cool. But I’m obsessed over the politics and policy. Their business attitude it far different from Latin America and Asia…. it’s exciting. Now if there is achievement off of their attitudes that will be amazing. Not unthinkable but amazing nonetheless. I won’t go on any further because I’m sure this is boring. But I do say, take a second look at the continent. It just may surprise you. And seeing IT IS World Cup time and woah… S. Africa IS hosting, you may as well take a gander.

Speaking of soccer. I’m playing it. Yes, my 2010 sport is soccer. (I may have mentioned this but I’m somewhat lazy and not looking back at my old posts.) I have only received one head-on injury from it – a very bruised wrist. It hurts but it’s a good pain. GO USA!!!

Meet Me in St.... errr... DC

I absolutely loved Meet Me in St. Louis growing up. Loved, loved, LOVED it. Mostly because I was obsessed with Judy Garland but also I was fascinated with how they "handled" the heat during the turn of the century (circa 1904). To this day I don't know how women were able to wear dresses/petticoats/stockings/etc. when it was above 75 degrees. At that point I'm sure I'd have had the "vapors" about a million times over. Didn't they know about heat stroke?!

Well, I complain about this because today in DC it hit high 90s (re: 99 degrees). I about fainted on the Metro because the car I was in was lacking AC. Though, with all of this complaining I must bite my tongue seeing I go from a house with central air to an office with central air to a car (boyfriends) with a working AC. It's only for one mile am I sweating it out in my work clothes. So I realize, yes, I am very spoiled. Though, if I had the choice my version of a nice hot summer day would be 80 degrees, NO humidity and a lake with public access at every corner.

I think back with awe on how my ancestors crossed the prairie on AC-less trains I will wake up as an appreciative lady tomorrow and smile when the meteorologist announces another steamy day.



Perhaps in 1904 they were smart... they at least had a trolley above ground allowing natural air-flow unlike 2010 where we are stuck in a small box of a car underground withb a broken AC. Hrmmm...