Orientation

So today I attended the orientation for the NC Internship program. I was able to meet my supervisors, in person, for the first time and I was able to meet many of the interns that will also be working throughout the state this summer. I love meeting new people so as soon as I saw to college age women walking in the parking lot towards the Natural Sciences museum, where the orientation was held, I immediately introduced themselves. By the time we arrived at the registration table I had found out that they both attended UNC (one undergrad, the other law school) and I found out that one of them actually went to the same high school as me. Then when I entered the auditorium we had this wonderful networking game which provided me the excuse to meet many other people. It was really neat to hear what other types of internships these people will be participating in. One man is a computer science major and mapping flood regions for the state. Another woman is developing a class for courts of clerks to take to supplement the manual they already receive. Some people are working for the Natural Resources and Energy Development Agency, others for the National Guard, others for the Court of Appeals and others for the Department of Corrections. A common thread among all of them was there interest in what they would be doing.
There were many speakers at the orientation including the Lt. Governor (Walter Dalton) and the NC Insurance Commissioner (Wayne Goodwin). Each speaker reminded of us of how proud we should be that us 100 interns were selected from 714 applicants. They thanked us for volunteering our summers to be public servants to the good people of N.C. They encouraged us to make the most of this wonderful opportunity and to be curious and as questions. Some people may have thought it was cheesy, but it reminded me of how blessed I am to have an internship and to make the most of this wonderful experiment.
So after the internship I drove to Greenville and moved in the rest of my stuff into the apartment. Rachel, the woman I share a bathroom with, was there and thankfully helped me move it in. We spent a lot of time talking as we drove to the prison (so I could see how long it would take to get there) and to the grocery store. We talked about the similarities and differences between ECU and UNC and all the stuff college kids talk about like majors, career plans, the good places to eat, etc.
We arrived home and I attempted to make black beans and rice. I'm still not sure if they were good or not because I was so hungry by the time they were finished. I had plenty of leftovers so we'll see how they taste tomorrow. That was my first meal I cooked in this apartment. I thought it would be awful washing the dishes and all but it was quite relaxing. I read once of a monk who used his time in the kitchen to pray and meditate on how good God is. The kitchen he served in became his sanctuary. With that mindset cooking and cleaning will never be a chore. I hope I can keep that in mind.
So this entry was very list-like but I'm so tired I didn't really know what else to say. I have to leave for work tomorrow by 7 so I should probably end this soon. I'm excited for work tomorrow. I love beginning new jobs! It will be so much to take in, but I have the whole summer to take it all in.
Until tomorrow!