Monday, June 10, 2024
By:
My second week, filled with fun and unforgettable events, has given me a new perspective. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be part of this internship, as it has further reaffirmed my belief that people remember you for how you make them feel. The warm and kind nature of my fellow interns has shown me that close connections can be forged in short periods, and I am truly missing them as I travel back home to California this week for Father’s Day and Eid. From Physics Lectures to Dinner Cruises, each event has taught me something and strengthened my bond with my cohort.
Before my departure, quite a bit of fun went down in Week 2 of the SPS internship. Starting the week off with a calm game night, My roommate Johnny suggested we begin with Go Fish, which resulted in more laughing and dumb jokes than any actual card playing. Having a chill night before heading into the ACP-DC office bright and early that Wednesday morning was fun. The one day I decided to dress casually, I had completely forgotten about the John Mather Lecture that would take place that night, so I had to rush home and change, making it with just a few minutes to spare. It was an honor to listen to the two NASA scientists talk about the future of Space Telescopes. The following day, however, was by far the most fun event that had been planned for us: THE DINNER CRUISE!! Everyone showed up looking their best (Reidyn barely made it), and we were excited to see what the night had in store for us. Between the amazing food, beautiful views, and super chill DJ, the night was a 10/10. It was also great to network and talk with different AIP leadership, some lovely people I feel lucky to work with.
Being able to travel home has been bittersweet as I feel lucky to have the flexibility to travel home and work, but I also wonder what’s happening back in DC. With only 10 weeks to share with them, every day is a chance for new experiences and friends, and I feel like I’m doing a disservice to myself by missing that. Whatever, I don’t want to spend this blog entry complaining; it was my choice, and I am happy to be home (I am counting down the days back to DC).
Mujtaba Khalid