Realization

It's nearly two in the morning here... tomorrow I have a test in a class called Política y Comunicación but that's besides the point, I've been studying now for quite a few hours, all in Spanish, and the realization has hit, I can understand this language. That in itself, is an amazing feet for myself, to be able to read and write in another language, is one of amazing proportions, at least for myself. My hard work has finally paid off, even though, I still feel like I should have studied harder, I feel I've done well.

My time here is beginging to move faster and faster, and the more and more I think about it, the less and less I want to leave, but I know I have to; I have to move on. Although I haven't been writing as much, and I haven't been studying as much as I should, the hardships I've had here have - like all of my experiences - taught me a lot. The difficulties of language, the difficulties of communication, of culture, of being far away from it all, have shown me something. The first thing I'd like to note is the acceptance of the Argentine people, and generally people of the world; as long as you're willing to accept them, there is always a place in their lives/cultures for you. Honestly, I couldn't have done this with out the people I've met along the way. The second is the pain of throwing your self into the unknown, although at first the pain is hard to bear, in the end the trees always bear fruits - sweet delicious fruits.

I'm currently contemplating traveling to Chile this weekend with my roommate, just for the fun of it, to know more about different places. I've also got a place in my heart for a family I once had there that I'd love to reconnect with, hopefully the plans will go through, and things will happen as they should.

Anyways, I must be off, a good nights sleep is always essential before a test of any kind.

Much Love from America Latina,

Drew

A Roof for my Country

It's been quite some time since I've made a post... nearly 6 months, but a lot has happened in that time.

First of all, I'm no longer in Washington DC, viewing the world from the top. I'm now in Córdoba, Argentina living and studying from an entire different perspective, that of the deep deep south, America's backyard...

Numerous things have happened in the fast few months, and I've learned a lot about who I am, who I want to be, and my capabilities as a person. From my first days here, playing Monopoly in Spanish with some french roommates to building a house for a family here in Argentina this past weekend.

I plan to re-incarnate my blog into something about my ever-changing life and experiences. This... is the beginning of of my experiences here in Argentina. For some reason, I feel the need to write again, I feel the need to let out my emotions, my experiences, and most of all, the lessons that I've learned along the way.

Thus, I've begun, please enjoy the ride and the stories to come.

/Drew

A Few Things

The end of my tenure in Washington, DC is coming to an end faster and faster each day; honestly, I'm ready to get home. I think I've learned my lessons here, I think I've taken from this place what I needed. Along the way, I've learned a lot about my self, a lot about who I am, and a lot about where I want to go in life. First things first, I do NOT want to work in an office, at a desk, staring at a computer, all day.

As time flies by and the days become shorter, I've realized something about this place; it's temporary. In almost ever sense, this place is temporary. No one lives here forever, they always come and go. Especially being an intern - I get this feeling. I know there are probably hundreds of people lined up behind me willing to do the same thing I am; and I know they will. I hope I've left at least a bit of my mark on this place, and I hope I've learned enough to make this worth while. I feel as if I could work my entire life here and have minor affects on this place, whereas if I were in SLC doing the same thing, my influence would be felt much more so. Don't get me wrong, I love every aspect of this town, but I feel its time to move on. I'd love to come back someday and work for a year or so, but that's for another day.

Last Friday at about one PM me and a friend decided it was a good idea to go to South Carolina for the weekend. Seven hours later we were on an epic journey to Myrtle Beach. My problem was I had no where to stay but I knew of a family there. I showed up, my friend left, I slept on the beach for a few hours, woke up, called my friend hoping I could at least meet up with them. I ended up staying in a super nice resort, getting super good food, on the beach, with some of the nicest people I've ever met, but only knew for a day. I really wish we had more people like the Heiners in the world. They’ve made me realize so much about myself and who I am, both through David, Becca, and the Family it’s self.

Anyways, my time is flying, I saw the Flaming Lips today and Ratatat a few days ago, there is so much more to experience, cheers and love for now.

Drew

Children of the World

*Update*: Here are some photos for those of you without Facebook:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36971994@N08/

For the last couple of weeks, my life has been thrown in a colorful blender of happiness, adventure, and sometimes sadness. I've been telling my self for sometime now that

"My life is an adventure, sometimes good, sometimes bad, but always interesting"

I can attest to this statement, and can confirm that it is indeed true. From my days in Thailand, to my current days in the District.. it never stops. Don’t get me wrong, it's defiantly a good thing, I wouldn't want it any other way honestly.

So, just a few weeks ago, I decided it was an awesome idea to go to Dublin for St. Patrick’s Day... so I did just that. Besides, I had some friends I wanted to see in London, so I got work off, did some smooth talking with my parents, and walah, I was there. St. Patrick’s Day began with five South Africans from London, two American girls, two Australians, and a bottle of Jack and Coke at nine in the morning; it all went down hill from there. We had the best day of our lives. We pub crawled from the oldest pub in Dublin, to our Hostel, to all over Dublin. We were set out to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day, the way the Irish do - or at least the tourist in Ireland at the time.

I was told that they don't really celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland... and I can tell you... this is not true. Whoever said this, you've got the wrong idea. I also had an epiphany along the way; I've decided that I want to experience all of the world’s events in their locals. I will do it, don't you worry, and it WILL be awesome. If you have Facebook, you can see my pictures there, or just ask me to send some to you.

While there, I was able to tour the Guinness Storehouse and the Jameson Distillery, both places with so much history and Irish culture. There really are drunk Irish people in the streets, everyday; and its legal (I think so anyways) to drink in the streets... which is kind of odd from an American standpoint.

I met so many random awesome people along the way, from Aussies, to Utahans, to South Africans, to Americans.

London was a trip as well. I met up with some friends I hadn't seen in nearly six years. I really want to go back to London and live there someday soon, its an incredible place; always an exciting night (in some cases into the morning). We made the great American culinary wonder of French Toast and just enjoyed ourselves, I will be back.

In the end, everything was insane, and I would do it all again in a heartbeat, and probably will someday.

Cheers from good Ol' DC,

 

Drew

Cleveland, Ohio

Here we go, its been a awhile since I've wrote anything, so I figure on the day of my departure to Cleveland, I should jot something down. DC is as awesome as ever, at times there isn't much to at work to do, but I suppose thats all apart of the game. I love the group of kids that I'm out here with, we all have a good time, just living our lifes, doing what we do.

Not to much new has really gone on... I've attended a few hearings on the Hill, a buddy of mine say President Obama... I've gone out a lot, thats pretty much it. However, I am headed towards Cleveland to go see some family I haven't seen in some time and just lay back. It should be fun, that will be an interesting experiance without my family.

Furthermore I've come to the conclusion that I don't want to go back to Utah just yet... so I've decided to spend next semester in Argentina, that shall be interesting, keep reading, I'm sure those adventures will be posted here, and I'm sure they'll be even more interesting. Also, I've come to the conclusion that Valentines Day is no fun when you don't have a Valentine, its been I think 4 or 5 years since this has happened to me, but my x-valentine is getting married, so I guess its a good thing that I don't have one right now. I could never get married at this age, I have no idea where I'm going in life right now, I couldn't sustain it, I'm just straight up too reckless. Meh, everyone lives a different life, mine is the way I make it.

Off to Cleveland,

Farewell.... for now.

Much Love,

\\Drew

Cut, Copy, Paste, Coffee, Repeat

So, the title of this blog essentially defines what my last week has been like. I'm not complaining, but I'm pretty sure I've lost quite a few brain cells... I've been compiling data into Excel Spreadsheets for quite sometime now. Its all in good fun, I suppose, and I just hope this is the beginning intern grunt work that goes on, and then later on (hopefully sooner then later) I can move into some serious work and projects. We can only hope right? Hey, atleast I'm here, and atleast I'm not on the hill doing one of their mind numbing internships (I've heard they're pretty bad, I have a friend that is Orin Hatch's personal assistant's personal assistant, I can't imagine how that might work out...).

On another side of the story... our heater broke... for the fourth time. Atleast I'm getting warm showers (if its cold, I opt out). The mornings are interesting... typically coffee is the only thing that keeps me warm, we'll see how it goes. Also, our microwave broke, its amazing how much you use that thing and don't realize it.

Oh, and I was covering the phones today so our receptionist could take a lunch break... and the white house called... and I hung up on them, haha, that was interesting aswell.

We may be going to Philadelphia this weekend, just for a day, I'll let you know if that happens, and I'm sure there will be pictures soon to follow. Anyways, enjoy the music I've posted, and keep reading, more adventures to come soon!

Oh, yeah, one last thing, if you ever have the desire to question everything have your x-girlfriend (whom you just broke up with less then a year ago) tell you she plans to get married by the end of the summer... all I have to say is, thank god its not me.

Also, I've posted my bio in my profile if your curious to see what I've done, thats also something that will make you question everything... write your own bio. I guess someday It'll be odd having someone else write one on me (assuming this happens).

As always,

Much Love,

\\Drew

Music!