OUT ON THE HILL is the official blog of the Victory Congressional Interns. Views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of LGBTQ+ Victory Institute. Learn more about the internship at victoryinstitute.org/vci.
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While I find the 9-5 routine quite mundane, the metro ride home at the end of each day quickly reminded me of the importance of time, slipping away from my fingertips unnoticed. By the time I return to the apartment after work, it’s 5:45 PM. After handling chores such as packing lunch or ironing my work clothes, it’s suddenly 9:15 PM. When we visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Lei reminded us that we were halfway through this 8-week experience. And, as I finish this blog post on the night of July 21st, my calendar notifies me of my flight home next week—July 28th, 5:45 PM. In the blink of an eye, my final days in DC are upon me.
Having moved six times across five states and the Atlantic Ocean in the last twenty years, my mother taught me a valuable lesson: there were never any endings. I was never to use the term “goodbye” as it marked the death of the roots I had formed within a place and the bonds I formed with its people. Instead, I must realize the moment with “వెళ్లి వస్తాను [veḷli vastānu],” the Telugu term for “let’s meet again/we will return,” despite the dissonance of such a positive connotation of an event imbued with sadness and reflection. Leaving should never signify the end or losing all I hold dear; instead, it’s the trust I hold in each city to maintain its promise that I can always return and find a place in its heart.
As I carry with me the hope of returning to all the places I have been and could be, I would like to revisit the top 10 moments of joy that have become my anchor this semester (and quite genuinely altered my brain chemistry).
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- June 4th- I was asked to hold a sign and stand as an “activist” behind various Congresswomen at the DWC-led Right to Contraception Act press conference. Every so often, Congresswomen such as Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Whip Katherine Clark would turn around to thank us for our work. This was my second day of work.
- June 8th- Attending the Palestine Protest on the same day as my first Pride allowed me to engage with how the DC community united in solidarity and joy to stand for what’s right.
- June 13th- I will never digest attending the Equality PAC Gala and being able to meet influential members such as Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Actor Ted Danson, and Drag Queen Nina West who spoke on LGBTQI+ rights and allyship.
- June 21st- As I engaged in my favorite pastime of attending free movie events around DC, I met a wonderful lady named Ariana while watching the movie Elemental at the Kennedy Center. Not only did she offer me her blanket, witnessing me sitting alone, but she also engaged in conversation and gave me advice on living in DC.
- June 22nd- Despite experiencing the scorching heat of DC, the Smithsonian Solstice Night was incredible as I experienced the city come to life through the art and history it possessed. From miserably failing at the ping pong game at the Art & Industries building’s Cosmic Arcade Party to dancing to Bollywood at the Enid A. Haupt Garden festival, I will never forget exploring all of DC’s museums with the VCIs.
- July 4th– This was the day that my friend and I wanted to attend the Capitol concert, but we were told to take shelter from an oncoming storm upon arrival. However, we were denied by Capitol Police at the shelter as we did not receive security clearance, causing us to sprint half a mile to the nearest metro station. As we sat inside the Federal Center SW station, eating grapes and contemplating our impeccable timing, our decision to experience the fireworks at the Lincoln Memorial instead was the right choice. Not only did we have the perfect view, but I was still able to experience the fireworks with the people I love.
- July 14th- Honestly, this day consisted of me doing all the activities that I loved. I visited the Dumbarton Oaks Garden with my roommate, explored a cute coffee shop in Georgetown, read outside as the breeze cooled me down in the summer heat, worked in another cute coffee shop in Dupont, and ended with a funny PowerPoint night with the VCIs.
- July 20th- While at UVA, most of my friends were fans of Studio Ghibli, a franchise I had only lightly explored. One rainy day after exploring the city, my friend suggested we watch a couple of movies at her apartment. As we reconnected over our lives and careers that day, I was also able to immerse myself in my friends’ interests, hoping to continue exploring such a wonderful series.
- July 22nd– Even though I had to stay an extra two hours after work to meet with DWC’s chair Lois Frankel, I would honestly have never expected to experience a Congresswoman jamming to “Like a Girl” by Lizzo while brainstorming a new podcast with Congresswoman she would title “Hot Mommas in the House.” I even got to take candy and a postcard of her painting back home.
- July 23rd- We rushed into the Capitol to host a DWC meeting with Ambassador Geeta Rao Gupta, but I did not realize that I would run into over four Congresswoman on the way in the span of five minutes. I also did not realize Rep. Ted Lieu would ask me to take a picture for him with fellow Congresspeople nor that I would have the chance to sit at a table with Speaker Emerita Pelosi as she discusses women’s issues with Ambassador Gupta.
Some honorary moments include: being able to read or talk with the VCIs around the National Mall and Tidal Basin whenever possible; stopping at cafes on the weekend to treat myself after a long week; taking hot girl walks without feeling unsafe in the city; and visiting the museums as many times as I would like.
These experiences have woven themselves into the fabric of my summer, creating places I now long to revisit. Moreover, spending the summer in a new city away from home was only bearable with the support of 15 other interns. Together, we have painted memories that will long after our time here ends. Although bittersweet, the VCI experience has become a pivotal moment. Until next time DC!
