Summer Fun!

Here are my July happenings!

After the 4th of July and moving houses at the beginning of the month things started to slow down.

This month I had the very cool opportunity to help out at the White House Kitchen Garden! We heard the Michelle needed some help pulling weeds and picking veggies so we came to the rescue :)  It was such a cool experience to spend a morning at the White House and help out. Thanks to NPS for coordinating the fun event!

This month I also got to help lead a large service project at the 1st Division Monument, which is in President's Park. I had a great time helping others make a difference and help the park. Facilitating service projects is always a rewarding experience.

Then, as the summer heat began, the Water Lily and Lotus' at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens began to bloom. I helped coordinate the volunteers for the big festival and got to enjoy the blooming flowers myself.

I don't know I've mentioned it before, but I've been working on big project to present to senior management of the National Park Service regarding engaging youth, the flaws of the internship and youth programs, and some solutions that could help create a better experience for all. This project is self-initiated, along with a few other interns, and involves lots of conference calls, researching and reading data and reports, and meetings. It will hopefully help to create some momentum to change some things!

Then, just this past weekend I went to New York City, just for fun! My friend Anne Marie was already planning to go to NYC to visit her brothers, Eric and Danny, and so I decided to tag along, taking the bus from DC. It was great to take a vacation that was solely for myself and for complete fun! We explored the city and did so many fun things! Just a few of the places we visited include the MET, Central Park, Times Square, the NYC Library and Bryant Park, the 9/11 Memorial, walking the Brooklyn Bridge, up the Empire State Building, Washington Square, the High Line, and walking many of the neighborhoods such as Chinatown, Little Italy, and Greenwich Village.

It was great to be able to hang out with Anne Marie and to see a new city! While there we also got to see our high school friend, Camille! It was great to catch up! The only other time I was in NYC was two years ago with Mom for just a few hours, as we were driving through on our epic road trip. I had such a fun time, thanks to Anne Marie, Eric, Danny, and all the great places we visited in NYC!

As the month comes to a close so birthday messages are in order to my Great Aunt Laverne, Kayla, Aunt Nicole, Ruthie, and my friend Michael! Wishing you all another year of happiness!

PS - My new house has two adorable cats, Chester and Sunshine. They often join me for breakfast :)