Wrapping things up

So my time in DC is coming to a close. I have been busy saying good bye to people, figuring out how I am going to get back up to Jersey and just getting organized for the craziness that will be my senior year. I have had such a good time down here and have learned so much (don't worry there will be a few more posts so this isn't my good bye post yet). But my bestie Lauren as left me all alone here at Africa Action which makes me sad but I will live, I suppose. My roommate Kani leaves me tomorrow which is equally distressing. Yesterday my supervisor Rickie took me out to eat at a gorgeous restaurant on the Potomac I got to see the infamous Watergate, Georgetown Harbor and the Kennedy Center. I hadn't had the chance to explore that area of the city yet and it was so much fun to do it with Rickie (I hope I am as interesting as her when I am older - a former nun, former race car driver, all around badass woman)

Here are some excellent articles for those who have been following my news postings

Nigeria's latest AIDS policies:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/08/17/nigeria.hiv.marriage/index.html

More from Nigeria:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8208932.stm

And I thought this was amazing
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/8193615.stm

ANNNNDDDD my favorite issue, the DRC
http://www.nation.co.ke/News/africa/-/1066/641538/-/137lonsz/-/

Much Anticipated DC Pictures

Darfur Rally in NYC

Sorry it has been awhile

Sorry that it has been such a long time since I last posted, it has been a crazy couple of weeks here in DC. After getting back from rafting in PA I noticed that my right leg kept cramping up and my knee kept locking. I went to a doctor and I had strained a muscle and was ordered to stay off of it, so I while I have still been training I am not training as hard as I could be. It has gotten much better though but now I am fighting a cold! Summer colds I think are the worst. Anyways the first weekend of Aug I was back in NYC this time for the All Points West festival. For those who know me, I LOVE live music. Some of my favorite bands played, but it poured and poured. So it turned into a huge mud pit (cue Woodstock 1999) - which actually made it even funner. My friend Joe and I just wore our plastic ponchos and hunkered down for the long haul of being wet. The sun finally came out and by the time Jay-Z came on the sky was clear and beautiful. I was able to see Vampire Weekend, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Jay-Z, We are Scientists, Black Keys and Coldplay!! So much fun. I also was able to a lot of my friends which I have really missed. It is hard to believe that this time next year we are all going to be on different paths and not together. I don't want to think about it yet!!!





















Got back to DC that Monday, my friend Joe came down with me to visit DC. We went to screen on the green that night with a lot of friends and the next day played tourist. Later in the week my friend Meloday came into town and we did Jazz in the Park and hung out with friends in the city.

There is some other exciting things that are happening at our place of work..... you will have to wait and see what it is though.....

Some headlines for you all!

Amazing article:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8161199.stm

More on the Congo situation:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/25/world/africa/25briefs-Congo.html?ref=africa

Charles Taylor:
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/07/27/world/AP-EU-War-Crimes-Taylor.html

And for anyone who uses oil:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/26/AR2009072602499.html

A crazy week ahead....

So after an exhausting and fun weekend in NYC I am back here in DC. I had a blast this last weekend - got into Manhattan around 10 headed into South Orange where I went out to good old Cryans with everyone in town. The next day I was able to just relax and go into the city and meet up with people. Rafting down the Delaware on Saturday was exactly what I needed. We were aptly named the Hag Yacht - all of us straight girls with our fearless leader Ryan paddling our way for 6 hours down the river. I got lots of sun and fortunately didn't burn that much. I got back in last night around 5 and headed over to a fellow intern, Meryl's house. I ate lots of good vegan food and met new people.

This next week is going to be crazy though - I have a bunch of deadlines both at the office, for my credit and with speech. I am still squeezing in Screen on the Green tonight. They are showing Dog Day Afternoon - so if anyone is around DC and wants to come just give me a call!!

I will be putting pictures up of the rafting soon!

Also...

Our Executive Director Gerald LeMelle was interviewed on CNN regarding Obama's recent trip to Ghana.

http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2009/07/14/inside.africa.obama.ghana.bk.b.cnn?iref=videosearch