Update...

I haven't had internet at home for a couple weeks now, so I can't really remember when I last checked the blog or posted to it. I try to refrain from doing much personal stuff while at work, but for so many reasons (aforementioned lack of internet at home; general lack of work to do, and complete lack of anything with a deadline attached; little to no oversight of what I'm doing while at work), I spent most of today e-mailing, reading news (well, kind of part of my job...kind of), doing some DM work, and now catching up with this wonderful site. I am completely intrigued by Em's account of Guatemala, and I can't wait to catch up with all of you in person this fall. It sounds like there will be endless lunch-time fodder, and we all know deep down that we'll be eating plenty of meals on Durand's porch regardless of whether we're living there.

DC on the whole has been really wonderful. I like the city a lot, though I hate humidity more and more with each passing day. Fortunately it's been pretty mild since I got here, but occasionally there are those nights when a three block walk leaves me drenched in sweat. Yum. Work is generally pretty boring. The one huge upside is that they don't seem to care how often I leave to attend hearings on the Hill, seminars put on by one of DC's million think-tanks, or other events that I can in some way argue contribute to my understanding of the issues I'm working on or my position as a well-informed citizen. In other words, I can go to anything I want. Luckily, I really like most of my co-workers. The other fellows are all sharp and fun to hang out with, and I'm bummed that most of them will be taking off in the next few weeks to have some time off before they head back to school in mid or late August.

I spent last weekend in the Twin Cities with my family. My uncle threw an engagement party for my sister and her fiancee in St. Paul, and we spent some time with his family in Minneapolis too. They dragged me to my first (and, god willing, last) bridal shower...yikes. When not with family I spent every waking moment reading the Deathly Hollows. I won't say anything beyond the fact that I loved it from start to finish and plan to read it again as soon as Sam is done (or perhaps sooner...).

It's a long summer, but somehow I already feel like it's nearing the end. I think it's because August is just a week away, meaning I only have another month before honors college. I haven't started any of my reading, and although I'm not really worried about it, it's just one more thing to toss onto the to-do list. With Sam and Jess both gearing up for grad school tests (GREs for the former, LSAT the latter), a small part of my mind is also much more acutely attentive to the decisions that await most of us in the coming year.