Farewell, everything fab that’s DC!
I know I’m always going to look back on this summer and
remember it as one of the happiest few weeks of my life (and most days of my
life are categorized under “happy days” anyway!) but I’d point out they’re
generally not in a consecutive order, so this is really something =)
And why was this summer so great? I’ll list three reasons.
Yes, only three. But with sub-reasons of course :P
1. I had
the world’s greatest roommate. My friends will tell you that I never have
trouble striking up a conversation anytime about anything under the sky,
but I’ll be honest, there are very few people with whom I’ve enjoyed
sharing so many thoughts, opinions and random concerns as I did with this
one person. If I had one thing to say, she’d have two, sometimes even more
responses to offer – all profound, insightful and above all, honest words.
I believe we’ve covered every topic ranging from Public Policy and
Criminal Law to genetic v pyschological explanation for homosexuality to my Big Fat Caribbean Beach Wedding, all at 3AM! haha :P I cannot quantify the “growth” I’ve
experienced in my perception and maturity just by being around her!
And so I can never say this enough : Thank you for the incredible experience, Roomie! =)
2. Washington
DC. It’s a warm, wonderful city, full
of just as many old people as there are young people (and just as many in
between). I’d been here before, twice, and I liked it then, but I absolutely
love it now. I love it because it has so much to offer, no matter what
you’re in the mood for. It has a rhythmic yet adjustable pace – from crazy
Saturday night parties to Monday afternoon Congressional hearings open to
public to Tuesday night poetry slams to Friday evening romantic jazz in
the middle of a garden of bizarre sculptures. And museums and galleries
and memorials and exhibitions of course. And book readings. And
just.so.much.more. I’d really, really like to live and work here some day.
*sun in my eyes!
My favorite
spots/activities –
i) Café hopping in Dupont Circle,
Adams Morgan, World Bank/Foggy Bottom, around the National Mall…yes, I checked
out too many cafes I think. Great place to meet different people while (trying)
to get some work done! Haha ;) I’ll definitely miss the political conversations
that just never go out of style in DC.
I’d recommend – Kramerbooks & Afterwards in Dupont, Tryst in Adams Morgan,
Little Corner Bakery in Foggy Bottom, and Busboys and Poets on U
Street.
ii) Georgetown.
All of it. M St,
Wisc Ave..
everything. I’ll miss Ice Berry
fro-yo, the big ass Barnes and Noble with the best deals ever, and Pottery
Barn. And that little Obama-Pajama store haha. I finally eneded up buying a
pair, and a “Geeks for Obama” pin for my bag! Whee! ;-)
iii) Museums, Galleries, Memorials. (This
is a fairly obvious one). Lincoln memorial makes me cry for some reason. I feel
so small and insignificant standing there, looking out on the Reflective Pond.
Favorites – Nat’l Portraits Gallery, Nat’l Museum
of American History, Nat’l Archives
*Lincoln signing the charter for Nat'l Academy of Sciences (NAS)
iv) Live Music – Kramerbooks,
Sculpture garden, Kennedy Center
(I went to a Moroccan tribal performance and ended up feeling so homesick. The
beats and style was pretty much like that of Emirati/Khaleeji dances I grew up
watching!)
*sculpture garden
v) Being a part of the 4th
of July Parade. Now that was quite the experience. Walking around Con Ave
holding a huge flag (while carefully monitoring the horse ahead of us, which according
to its rider, needed to ‘go’. Err yeah.)
*parade flag
vi) First baseball game. Okay that’s
not a DC thing I guess, but the stadium was gorgeous and I had a great deal of
fun so I had to mention it here! (The DC nationals are an awful, awful team)
vii) Living with the MIT-Washington
program interns which meant interesting conversations with like-minded and
sometimes not-so-like minded (read Repub, lol) people.
viii) Cheap Pakistan
Food!!! I discovered this really authentic (together with the “Bhatti Saab” shout-outs) Pakistani restaurant on Penn Ave. Chappli Kababs, Biryani, Nehari
and Karrhai Chicken, each for under $8 per (very generous) serving. Ahhh.
ix)
Grocery Shopping! I made the switch to Trader Joe's. I think their produce had me sold. Good produce = Happy Laila :D
*happiness that money can buy
3. I know
I mentioned this several times already, but here it is once again, just
because I value it so much.
Quality conversations. With friends and
strangers alike.
I think I’m leaving here more centered, more perceptive and
definitely more aware of everything, including my own self. It’s oddly
overwhelming.
On a side note, my research paper is coming along very well, thank
you for asking :P
Boy I thought writing all this down a few hours before I
leave would make me feel better and content, but I think I’m still saddened by
the seemingly abrupt end of the summer. I can feel the bittersweet nostalgia
creep in already. (I think I’ll blame the sad Coldplay song (the Scientist) playing
in the background for my mood.)
Okay, back to packing then…followed by an 8 hour drive up to
Cambridge!
Farewell, everything fab that’s DC!