I'm here!!!

Hello all!
Happy birthday to me, I am in our nation's capitol! What a crazy long day it has been! It started by flying out of DIA this morning around 11:30am (our time) and getting here at 5pm (DC time...I lose 2 hours). Because of all the new flying regs, I had to pay a whopping $50 for one of my bags that was only 8 pounds over the 50lb. limit. I could have pulled out 8lbs, I suppose, but what an incredible pain. At least Frontier still lets you check two bags.
I had a very hard time leaving Mom this morning when she took me to the airport. She is so sweet, and seeing her get all choked up at my departure just made it harder to go. But, then I met up with my fellow intern, and we had a pretty bumpy flight to DC. The first thing I noticed getting off the plane was the overwhelming humidity. I felt like I was drinking the air rather than breathing it! But we took a cab to the Johnson Building and got all checked in. On the way, I saw the Washington Memorial and the Capitol Building. The rooms are incredibly nice, with a TV, kitchen, Internet, etc. It is also 2 blocks away from the Senate Office building! What a stroke of luck to find this place.
As soon as we got here, we went out to get food. After walking almost 3 miles in the intense humidity to a Safeway store, we came home to find that there is a grocery delivery service at a local store. Oy.
But, after unpacking, grabbing dinner and beginning to settle in, I am feeling alright about everything. Already, I am realizing all the skills I have learned (mostly from France!) about surviving on my own. I feel totally at ease striking out and finding what I need in a totally new place. I am so grateful to have lived the life I have and been surrounded by people and environments that have taught me how to take care of myself, no matter what the world throws at me. So, with that, I think I will take a shower and crash.
Oh, and as much as I wish I had taken this picture, I haven't had a real chance to take any yet. We'll see what tomorrow brings!