With 12 days left before I leave the district of columbia, I have been reviewing the past year and a half and marveling at all that has happened. I feel like a totally different person than I was when I came out here. Up until last Feb I had had minimal disruptions in my academic life, was liked by all my advisers and professors, and felt pretty competent at what I did.
I took quite a blow when I didn't get an internship last year. I honestly believed I would get an internship, things had always worked out so well for me professionally. Not matching and then being passed over for two more internship spots right after really hit my confidence. But, I picked up the pieces and worked hard to find a place for me to be this year, and was rewarded with a spot at Children's National Medical Center in D.C. Little did I know, coming to D.C. was going to provide some of the toughest professional situations I have ever been in. What was left of my confidence was totally shattered and I found myself questioning my own instincts about everything. Around December, I seriously thought about quitting and moving back home. I was miserable for awhile. Luckily I had friends and family to support me, and get me through the tough times.
If nothing else, this year has taught me how much strength a person can have when given multiple hurdles to cross. I look back and can't believe what I have been through this year, and that I am standing on the other side ready to start a new chapter in my life. I made it through a nightmare in professional conduct, two hour drives to work in the morning, finding roommates and a place to live, re-applying for internships, questioning my own capabilities, planning and attending nine internship interviews, a broken heart (still not quite over that though), living without my kittens, sleeping on an air mattress for a year, a health scare, three feet of snow and a week off of work, an earthquake, looming financial ruin, and three people living in a two person apartment. Amazing!
Of course, it wasn't all bad, and there are a lot of things I am absolutely going to miss when I leave D.C. I met some amazing people, who accepted me and supported me right away without question. My paying job in neuropsychology was amazing and saved my life this year. What a great group of people and advisers. Other great things that happened included learning how to ride the metro, playing on a flag football team, meeting amazing friends and contacts, getting an incredible internship for next year, being able to hang out a lot with my best friend, buying my first car, lobbying on capitol hill, going on a tour of the White House gardens, having a great time when my family visited on Easter, seeing the 4th of July fireworks on the mall, and experiencing the kind of relationship that made me feel good about myself, however brief it was (minus ex-gf drama!).
I'd say the best thing about this year is looking back and realizing that everything does work out in the end. Even if something does not go as planned, something just as good or better is on the horizon not too far away. I realized how many good people there are in this world and am amazed that I continue to meet them. I am going to miss a lot of things in D.C., and am sad to leave all the great friends that I've made. Such is the life of a psychology graduate student, unfortunately, but the good thing is that it gives me a chance for a fresh start and to break ties with the parts of my life that didn't contribute to my happiness.
I'd love a chance to be able to see everyone at least once more before I leave D.C. Get a hold of me if you want to set something up. I'm going to miss you!!
Looking forward to the beach!!
