Friday, August 11, 2023
By:
For those of you that are Taylor Swift fans, you hopefully recognize the title to be from “Come Back, Be Here”. This song describes how I feel about all of the interns. I can’t believe it’s already over. It’s been almost a week since we’ve left and though I’m excited to be back at home with my family, there’s a part of me that misses the city life. There’s just something about being able to walk a few blocks and end up at the Lincoln Memorial or the Kennedy Center. Definitely can’t do that in Iowa. But, instead of lamenting about what I’ll miss about this summer, I thought I’d quickly recap my week and then share some of my favorite memories with each intern.
Most of my week was spent last minute preparing for the final presentation. Monday night I left the house for dinner with Tiffany and then met up with the rest of the group at the National Mall for a final game of spikeball. Me and Hannah took on Clay and Jaden and I’m not exactly sure who won (or if we even kept score?) but I know I had a blast. Tuesday a few of us decided to splurge on a fancy supper at North Italia. Jenna, Julia, Hannah, Janessa and I left with our bellies full and smiles on our faces. Me and Janessa then tried to see if we could find the rocket outside but unfortunately DC was too hazy:( We then had our last intern potluck but dessert edition! Everything was amazing, even the cake Jaden brought was tasty, an impressive accomplishment given his history.
Wednesday was when the scaries kicked in. Again, I spent the morning working and rehearsing my presentation. Then we all headed to the Wharf to play some bean bags (no I will not call it corn hole). Unfortunately for me and Gizem / Ruthie, Clay got us both times with a killer final shot that ended the game. Tough loss but it’s fine I’m fine.
Thursday we had the official rehearsal for the presentations. After that, Clay, Janessa, her friend Megan and I made our way to the Air and Space Museum where I lost my marbles yet again. I’m so glad I finally made it there but I’m sad we couldn’t stay longer. It closed at 5:30 and we had to hustle back in order to make it in time for our group dinner at Tonic, the place where it all started. Oh my goodness now I miss Hannah again. We then packed up all of the stuff we wanted to leave behind for next year’s interns and it was very sad. Like, “See you Again” by Charlie Puth sad.
Friday, well you already know it was presentations. I was shaking so bad I don’t remember a thing. BUT, I did it and so did everyone else. We all did amazing and it was so cool to see what people have been up to all summer. I genuinely enjoyed watching each and every one of them and am so proud of everyone for all of their hard work<3
That night, Gizem took me on a final tour of Georgetown. We walked through the campus and I tried to climb this really cool-looking tree but unfortunately it got the best of me. Oh well. I’ll be back. Then the festivitites began. Everyone came over to me and Gizem’s room where we played some games and then we all circled up and shared our favorite memories from the internship. It was a lot of emotions for a very small space. But all in all, a wholesome end to a wholesome summer.
Speaking of a wholesome summer, I just want to share a quick favorite memory for every intern for future me to look back on and remember how lucky I am for getting to meet these guys.
Tiffany- Dancing at the Lincoln Memorial and “I can’t feel my legs. Or arms.”
Jenna- Trying to bring back the nae nae and the rained out military band concert
Devin- Beating you at your own game (all hail the azul champion) and our Four Loko Shenanigans
Daniil- The first time we went to the national mall and I asked “what’s a fun fact about yourself” and you simply said “knives!”
Clay- When I made the mistake of thinking I could keep up with you on dollar beer night
Janessa- Teaching you how to use chopsticks, that fateful Saturday where you almost met Jesus, and meeting our friend Colfy that very first day:)
Julia- Hearing you sing for the first time at the cabaret, lmk when the album drops
Eva- Our little group walk to the spot by the Kennedy Center and watching Magic Mike XXL
Jaden- Comedy club and the last night here when you saved my butt from getting locked out cannot say thank you enough
Colin- picking out a pair of sensible heels and spilling the tea ofc, keep me in the loop ok
Ruthie- that first time you came over to my room and before that when we got empanadas from the farmers market
MJ- tracking down Danny Devito’s one true love and baking some things (worked out splendidly by the way)
Melissa- Barbinheimmer when you brought the tequila and a fantastic time:)
Emily- That one day where we waited forever at APC and then took ourselves out to Tonic but got interviewed about stuff we were not mentally prepared for
Hannah- Watching forbidden planet, that’s when we first bonded with our midwestern dad jokes and I realized I met my other half
Gizem- Watching Too Hot to Handle with you and Augozi and our final goodbye including the Georgetown trip
I left Saturday evening after a tearful goodbye with Gizem. Then I actually ran into Janessa at the airport because her flight was delayed. I made it home around 9pm and was almost tackled in the airport thanks to my sister. Like I said, I’m very happy to be back.
I cannot emphasize enough how grateful I am to have met these people. To all of you interns, thank you for the amazing summer and I’m gonna miss you all. To all of the people at SPS responsible for bringing us here, thank you for everything. To anyone reading this thinking about applying, do it. You won’t regret it.
I can’t say until next time this time which is so sad oh my goodness.
To anyone reading, it’s been a pleasure.
With happiness and ham,
Brynn Schierenbeck