Fitting in

When moving to a new place one is usually in awe of their surroundings. For example when going to college there is that feeling of “Oh my gosh I am actually here!” and the excitement to meet new people. Then one day you wake up and it is gone, you just don’t realize it. That is what I have just realized about living in D.C. Everyday on my commute to the Navy Yard I pass the capitol building, the Supreme Court, and the library of congress. Before I was always looking out the windowing taking it all in, now I just read or listen to my music. I realized that while I am still impressed with D.C. that feeling of awe and excitement has subsided.

Not a lot has changed in the last week or so. I am slowly but surely finishing USS Klakring’s ships history, I am finally in the late 90’s! Last week I attended training for a program called Palantir. Palantir is used mostly in intelligence agencies but there is a new non-profit called Envisioning History, Inc. that is looking to use it for story telling. Beginning with WWII. I was lucky enough to be asked to attend the training so I could help with the project. When it is all said and done it is going to be really neat and very useful for scholars and for classrooms. If anyone one would like more information please let me know and I will try to explain it better (it is complicated) and send you some information about the whole outlook.

Getting to the training was definitely an experience all its own. I took the orange line to the very last stop, Vienna. Then I waited for Alastair because we were going to share a cab. This, however, did not happen as there was an accident in the metro and this slowed his metro down. I found the cabs and ended up riding by myself, but once we got on the highway we found everything was at a standstill. I ended up being late to the training, but I wasn’t the only one. Unfortunately, Alastair never made it. The training was very interesting and I enjoyed learning the program.

The weekend came and went all to quickly. I had a four-day weekend because I had programming on Friday afternoon and then Monday was a holiday. My weekend was very relaxed. Friday I went out with Camilla and Jess, we ate at the restraint in the middle of Union Station. It was okay, but definitely over priced. Saturday I went to the Wheaton Mall to go to Old Navy. That mall was huge! I got lost several times. Sunday I spent lounging after going to the grocery store and Monday was spent trying to get caught up on homework.

This week has gone by relatively quickly due to the long weekend. I am excited for tomorrow, as it is the Navy’s birthday so the Command is having a big potluck and an early release for the occasion. While most of the staff is excited for the early release, the interns are more excited for the free food. As for the weekend, we will see what it brings!

Until next time!

Courtney