"I [left] on a jet plane...

...[and I] know when I'll be back again."

So, I successfully made it to the Nation's capitol. In the past few days, I have already had quite a bit of fun, but am utterly exhausted. Darn time change.

I flew out of Sioux Falls at 7 on Sunday morning, which meant I left the farm at 5:45am. Ugh. After a short stint in Cincinati, I made it to Dulles, found my luggage, managed to book a Super Shuttle, and got to Georgetown University, where I am staying this summer. However, I didn't get dropped at Kennedy Hall, instead I got left at the Main Gate. After informing the driver that this was indeed Georgetown (which he kept assuring me it was) and that this was not where I had asked to be dropped off, I hitched up my 3 suitcases and computer bag and ventured across campus to find Kennedy. Luckily I found it without much trouble and promptly checked in, called Nick as he is in DC as well, and took a nap. Nick and I went out yesterday afternoon for coffee, sat around on campus and then decided to go to Chinatown to see "Ocean's 13." As he wanted me to become more familiar with the area, we crossed the bridge into Rosslyn and walked to the Metro. The movie was good and even better because Nick bought my ticket in exchange for me buying pop and popcorn. We then trekked back to GU (Nick walked me back even though it meant that he was going considerably out of his way) and I hit the hay.

Today was filled with a ton of training in professional dress in the not-even-as-hot-as-it-will-get-in-DC-heat. Ugh. At least my blazer covered up all the sweat. We decided to treat ourselves to a "night out" and hit up Chipotle, the riverfront, and a bar. However, I am so dehydrated (read: I haven't peed ALL DAY), that my one beer got me pretty buzzed. I was also able to educate the rest of my staff about the beauty that is a red beer with olives. Only one had ever heard of putting tomato juice in her beer and no one had ever heard of olives--not even the bartender. It is a severely midwestern thing, and since I am the only person from the midwest (in fact, there is 1 girl from Seattle and we are the furthest west; our next competition is a girl from Ohio) I was the only one to know of this little secret. I feel I did the world a huge service today. I am getting used to being the novelty as I came from a small town without a mall or stoplight and just got a national chain restaurant 2 years ago, and grew up 20 minutes from town and lived on a gravel road. They can't fathom this and it entertains me.

But sleep also entertains me. And despite the fact that is is not even 10pm at home, I am heading to bed because I am worn out. I'll keep posting to update my progress as I am here. Hope all is well for you!