this summer is my first summer in dc, and it's been a lot different than my previous summers in wisconsin and chicago. for starters, there's no water around here (unless you count the potomac river sewage as water?)!!! i have a completely different circle of friends, i live in a high rise apartment and i'm in school. boo!
dc isn't a mega city like chicago; it has a totally different flavor, much more of a businessy-workaholic feel to it. compared with the culture and life i experienced in chicago (or at least the different place i was in life when i lived there...working vs. studying) and the lakes and small towns i cherish in wisconsin, dc just doesn't compare.
i had really low expectations for this summer. at the beginning of the summer i thought i would be bored to tears, lonely without my friends from home, and i didn't really think i would find things to do in dc that i would enjoy very much.
but i have to say, God is really providing for me in ways i never expected. i am making friends with new people i never thought i would mesh with and i have been given opportunities to strengthen my other existing relationships. i have had time to read some good books, spend time with God in prayer and scripture and gotten to know people at church and school in more meaningful ways. i have had some incredible conversations with friends about faith, relationships and life in general and even struck up a few interesting ones on the metro. the past two weeks especially have been one blessing after another with Camilla and Sara visiting, my trip home, and the upcoming visit of Anne and Matt to dc, all unsolicited by me!
after telling everyone how much i dislike dc throughout this school year, i'm almost reluctant to say that that dc does have some things to offer that i enjoy. i took sailing lessons to ensure at least some proximity to the water, went hiking a couple times and did a few touristy things. camilla and i went to mount vernon and enjoyed kayaking on the potomac, and i'm pretty sure there are many many things left for me to see (trips to annapolis, colonial williamsburg and phillie, to name a few! haha, but none of those are in dc...whoops!).
even though i'm not yet in love with dc, i'm extremely grateful and blessed that God is definitely been present in my life here. i confident i'm where he wants me to be in this moment, and i'm learning more about myself and growing more in my relationship with him daily.
what more could i really ask for? you know, they say life is a journey!
Hello Brooke!
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say hi and let you know that I was reading along to see how your time was going in D.C. It sounds as though you aren't loving it like I did, but I think perhaps there are completely different circumstances at play. I hope you find time to visit the Art Museum and all of the monuments and museums because there are truly some amazing places to see.
I, too, am having an adjustment to a new city now that I live in St. Louis. It's a different world down here in the psuedo-South.
I'm glad to hear that you are well and understand how blessed we all are. Hopefully someday we'll run into each other in Chicago (or perhaps I'm due for a trip out east to visit some old friends and I'll see you there!)
Take Care!
Brandon