It's been almost a week since the end of my UN internship and I still barely have time to write an entry in my blog. As expected, a 2-months internship is hardly enough to complete one report and two research papers. I guess I should say goodbye to my remaining 2 weeks of real summer vacation!
My UN internship was a cornucopia of emotions -- a meshing of rapturous delight, frustration, pride, humility, sadness and happiness. We arrived awed, then departed skeptical. Came in optimistic, left somehow thwarted. It was a roller coaster ride of highs and lows. High in our eureka moments, but low when overworked and stymied. In spite of the radical shifts in our moods, I still wanted to get into the system. The sneak peak into the colossal bureaucracy had only enliven my desire to become an international civil servant.
What made the experience extraordinary were the friends and family who hopped on the roller coaster ride with us -- the co-interns we commiserated with over lunch and coffee breaks, family members who provided support, and the better-halves who received most of the brunt. Weekends became the highlight of the "play" component of our intern lives. Exploring the best gastronomic places became routine, stretching our palette from Asian to Latin American and to African cuisines. The long walks in Central Park, midtown and downtown Manhattan were more than pleasant, even when the 30-blocks strolls and the hot pavement had worn out our shoes quicker than we imagined. Free concerts were always worth the 1 hour commute from Secaucus to Manhattan.
The mix of feelings towards the end of my internship was even stranger. I was sad to see my friends leave (I stayed a week longer), though ecstatic and excited for Yas's arrival and my parents' visit. Although my final week was utterly stressful, it was wonderful to end it with my family watching my final presentation and the relaxing trip to Niagara Falls. Now that I'm back in Syracuse, it's good to just sit back, contemplate and reminisce the great two months of adventure in NYC.
Thanks so much to all my new friends (Annick, Samantha, Carla, Marianne, the yearbook committee), old friends (Jeff, Elaine, Mitul and Yaying), family (Dad, mom, ate claire, kuya troy, tita viging, tito lito, and marcel) and Yas for the fun-filled summer. UN would not have been this memorable an experience without you. To all my new friends: Annick, I'm sure we'll see each other often; Samantha, we'll visit you in DC next year; Carla, I'm not sure if we can visit you down under anytime soon, but I'm sure we'll be able to do so in the future; Marianne, hope to see you in ADB!
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Since I'm now an impoverished student and no longer able to buy a guitar, I decided to settle for a ukulele. That's actually a bit inaccurate. I did want to buy a ukulele because of its unique and rustic sound. While playing, it gives me the feel of warm beach sand and the gentle sound of crashing waves as they accompany the strumming of Jack Johnson and Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. Yes, warm beach sand under my feet. That feels good ...
