Landed a super cool internship for only super smart cool people like me:

It's time I publicly announced my upcoming internship in Washington D.C. for next semester (January-April). I have been hired as a research assistant at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. The Wilson Center is a prestigious research organization (rated among the top fifteen think tanks in the world) where permanent scholars and visiting scholars study various topics, mostly related to international relations. However, it has numerous departments varying in all different subject areas. Their mission, as noted by their website, is “to commemorate the ideals and concerns of Woodrow Wilson by: providing a link between the world of ideas and the world of policy; and fostering research, study, discussion, and collaboration among a full spectrum of individuals concerned with policy and scholarship in national and world affairs.”

See more here: http://www.wilsoncenter.org/

I will be working as a personal research assistant to two visiting fellows. When they hired me, they gave me a list of five scholars to choose from and naturally I selected the two women. They are both intelligent, distinguished, ambitious women with top credentials.

Alison Brysk. She is a professor of global governance and international studies at UC Santa Barbara. Her research specialities include human rights, law, foreign policy, and female empowerment. Her project at the Wilson Center to which I will be contributing is titled: "Women's Rights as Human Rights: Constructing Political Will."

More here: http://www.wilsoncenter.org/staff/alison-brysk


Erica Marat. She is an expert in security studies of Central Asia, with specific interests in military effectiveness, state-building, defense, nationalism and identity, and political Islam. She has traveled widely, attended graduate school in Central Asia, and currently teaches at Georgetown. Her projects is titled: "Reforming Police Forces in Postcommunist Countries: International Efforts, Domestic Heroes."

More here: http://www.wilsoncenter.org/staff/erica-marat

Finally, the Wilson Center itself. It is part of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center-- an impressive, expansive, stone complex near the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue. It's beautiful. Here are pictures:

More here: Google Plus Photos

Needless to say, but I'm excited. One step closer to being powerful and important. And one step closer to marrying my rich Senator of a husband.

My kind of man:

For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of seeing this. Watch.

Life Advice for a Budding Adult:

As I am a young adult in a stage of flux and decision-making, those older than me feel the need to bestow their sage words of life wisdom upon me. It's actually kind of nice, when it's not annoying. At school, I have attended numerous lectures on campus given by successful people who love to tell us youthful, inexperienced, ignorant college students how to "make it." Most of it goes in one ear and out the other because I am either already aware or because I am too overwhelmed.

However, recently one of my very favorite professors offered three things to do every day to be successful and happy in life. I love them. I am going to remember his words forever.

He said, every day to make sure to:

1. Engage the Lord.
2. Engage His children.
3. Engage your dreams.

I think that adequately sums up how to be happy and fulfilled. So thank you, Dr. Kirkham.