Edit

I forgot to mention the paleo-anthropology! I got to hear Lee Berger speak earlier this week on his findings in South Africa. It was amazing. He has worked in the area for 17 years, and was still able to find a sight, the only sight so far, that held (or could hold more) the almost full skeleton of a child, female, and male hominid. It's going to be in NG Magazine soon, so... yeah.

Also, today I got to go up and visit one of the other interns that's working in the magazine division in page maps. I got to go to what is called a "final" where a photographer that has been working on assignment and it's basically their best photos from the assignment. It was AWESOME. I can't even describe it. So I basically saw all the photos that will be considered for a feature on wild and scenic rivers in a YEAR. Seriously, this place is awesome.

The First Four Weeks: Banff, Putney, and Paleo-anthroplogy! Oh My!

I know I said that I would write on this thing, but seriously, when I get home at night around seven (after working all day and then working out at the Y) writing down what’s been going on just isn’t very appealing. But here is the first month update!

In my first month, here is what I’ve gotten an chance to see/do:

- See John Fahey (President of NGS) speak about the internal future of NGS

- The first Saturday I was in town I went out on Friday night, to the National Portrait Gallery on Saturday (really really cool Elvis exhibit- started a blog post about it, but just couldn’t finish it), went to the Smithsonian American History Museum, and tried to hit up the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, followed immediately by some time with Auburn friends: DC edition.

- Went to Perry’s famous Drag Queen Brunch. Seriously- totally worth it.

- Have taken the full set of Total Research classes through the NGS Library (dork, I know)

- Have met with the people from Putney Student Travel and NGS Student Expeditions (interview on Sunday with them for a possible job this summer as a leader or instructor for various programs! Maybe my dream of traveling while someone else pays for it will finally come true!)

- Have had an intern lunch with the vice president of the Education Programs department here at NGS. He’s awesome, and super passionate about geography education. Could seriously sit and talk with him all day

- Went to a meeting about what’s coming out from the NG Kids Books division in the next two years, and I kind of wish I was still a kid or worked in that division

- Helped with a Webinar for Hill Day (March 3… more info to come)

- Got a tour of the NG Maps department- really wish I still knew how to do cartography and could have qualified for that internship. I heart maps

- Volunteered at the NGS showings of the Banff Film Festival World Tour- I saw four of the five nights worth of films for free, realized that that world still appeals to me, and just made my wander lust worse.

- I have fallen twice on ice here… I forgot how terrible east coast ice is. East Coast winter is definitely winning the battle.

I think that’s everything. I realize that not much of it is detailed, but if you want to know, just ask. This is about all I can muster right now, but I actually am going to try and be better about updates in the future. Promise.