Have you ever been swept away?
Swept away in the moment, in life, in pursuing your dreams, on an adventure, a trip, anything?
Because if not, I highly recommend doing it. At least once in your life. Or daily.
I'm not going to apologize for the strange long term absence. Because lordy, it's been a while. And I won't apologize, because sometimes getting swept up in life is worth missing out on the norm, worth just trying to live.
However, I would love to share what I've been doing.
In January, I took an Internship with the Wyoming State Legislature. It was a brand new internship program that I ran the pilot program for, and it was fantastic, and the only reason it happened is because I was pushed past my comfort level.
I will say the best piece of advice I can give you right now is don't say no. If someone tells you to apply for an internship, a fellowship, a program. Just do it. The worst is that they tell you no, you have to keep living like you are now. The best? They take you.
That's what happened to me, and I spent two wonderful months being the policy research intern for the Labor, Health, and Social Services Committee. Now I know that policy isn't everyone's cup of tea, and out in our neck of the woods it isn't exactly common, but I think that's the point I'm getting at. Even if your passion, the thing that drives you isn't common or isn't easy to find way to get experience in, keep looking. Talk to a professor, your adviser, or the department that it would relate to, because they love love love to help students get involved.
Here I am above, with the State Capitol behind me, sorry its a little fuzzy!
When the legislature finished, so did my school load (I may have my final project that I still have to work on... sshh!) and I wasn't sure what the next step was for me. That moment when we were wrapping up, I was tipped off to a position that was open that might need an intern. So I applied, and ended up getting the position.
Within one week I had a flight booked, within two I had flown out. That is how fast life happens, within a day of the idea I had an interview, and less than a week later I was offered the position. Now I'm sitting here writing this post from my apartment which is down the street from the Library of Congress, which is a few buildings up Senator Enzi's office, where I'm working.
It's been just about three months since I found out I was interning in Cheyenne, and now I'm in DC just in time for the Cherry Blossom festival, which has always been on my bucket list. So please, please, get swept away. Get caught up in life, say yes to crazy offers, and follow your heart. Whether it's flying halfway across the country, or going on a walk across town with a friend to find new hideaways you've never seen before, just let life guide you.
