Whirlwind
So much has happened since August 11th! The very next day, I was laid off, along with one of the coolest people I’ve ever worked with. In the interest of uncomplicated parting, I will note briefly that I’ve seen several rounds of layoffs in my time in DC, and so I knew what to expect. That adage about “breakups” never being amicable does not apply in this case, as I truly feel I’ve been given an opportunity for rest and reflection on what I want to be doing next in my career. I had reached the point where I was ready for a new challenge, and with this development I’ve been afforded time to spend with family and friends, to travel up and down the East Coast (and see the first leaves begin to turn red in New England! Autumn, hello.), write, read and meditate.
I’m proud of the work I was able to do in the last three years and so grateful for the lasting friendships that resulted from the workplace, and especially for all that I’ve learned. Working for a policy organization in almost any capacity is like going to grad school in a way: you are immersed in the details and for communications staff, you not only learn it but learn how to “teach” it to the general public. I’m psyched to see what I’ll be learning next. For now, I’m taking the time to explore topics in depth that have long piqued my interest.
A side note: several weeks ago I was a lucky guest of the Senate Judiciary Committee, thanks to my friend Julia, at one of the Elena Kagan confirmation hearings. This particular afternoon, we were seated behind Lilly Ledbetter, and when when Senator Leahy (Vermont, by the way, is amazing) asked, “Would everyone please stand to be sworn in,” we stood up too.
Photo courtesy of CSPAN.org
Oops. Many people in the gallery burst into laughter, but Julia and I were first as we immediately realized our mistake. That’s me to the left of Ms. Ledbetter’s head (in the blue), and Julia to the right, both of us giggling uncontrollably. At least we were on our best behavior for the rest of the hearing.
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