Last Sunday evening on Aug 31, 2014, my friend in George Washington University (GWU) invited me to the Labor Day Concert in Kennedy Center. It was a great celebration for the hard working folks. To some extent, it was also a patriotic education for the youth, admiring those have made contributions to this country. I did not know why, but when the songs “National Anthem” and “God Bless America” sounded at my ear, my heart was filled with happiness and emotions.  

As a short term intern, I was able to enjoy an additional day at home on Monday September 1.  In China, we have a saying that working is most glorious.  After the wonderful performance, I kept thinking about a question—Am I really qualified to enjoy this holiday?  Can I proudly say I did not waste the past 7 weeks working at ICMA?

Colleagues in ICMA said I did a lot here. But I do not think so because I wish I could do more.  So far, I finished the China Session of “Research on Local Government Sustainability Initiatives,” which will be presented to the ICMA International Committee this September before the Annual Conference. In the report, I wrote a case study about a low carbon community in Yangzhou. I had an opportunity to visit the community when I was in China and so was happy to turn what I have seen into words. I have been working with the Anniversary Conference matters in the office. Since the 100 year is a big deal for ICMA, there are so many things to be taken care. As the time gets closer, it will be busier and busier. Fortunately, up to today, the prepared works are almost done. I hope all the participants will have a nice time in Charlotte.  

Actually, it turned out that August was my travelling month. I visited a few cities during the weekends: Philadelphia, New York, Boston and Chicago. All these trips left me impressive memories. In Philadelphia and Boston, I learnt a lot about US history. I have written something about Philadelphia in another blog, so I won’t talk about it here. My initiative to Boston is to visit the most privileged university, from which many of my professors graduated. I spent an afternoon sitting at the lawn before Harvard Law School and losing myself in contemplation. I never dared to dream of being admitted to Harvard, but even such an afternoon was an unexpected gift.  Walking from Cambridge to Boston Downtown, I was deeply attracted by the golden sunset view along the Charles River. It is too bad that I am not a painter, as I felt so sad that that I could not capture that moment in a drawing. .

Before I went to America, I have heard many stories, watched many movies and TV series about New York City, so Wall Street, the Empire, 5th Avenue, Central Park and many other spots, seemed familiar to me. However, when I got there, I still felt lost. I could not believe I was in NYC. It used to be so far away, but on that weekend, I was in the town. My friend studied in NYU knew the city well, and she was my guide, showing me the life of a Chinese student in NYC. At the end, I thought I could understand why so many people from the world become crazy about that city. NYC is more than the high buildings and crowded people. It is like a magician, you can get what you want here. Desires never end.

Scene in NYC

As for Chicago, I see it as the city with a “sea”. The beautiful Lake Michigan makes the windy city more charming in the summer time. Just walking the beaches, you can forget many things that are bothering you.  And I took a train back to DC, which took me almost 20 hours. I was not annoyed for the long time trip and delayed, instead, I enjoyed myself very much for the natural views outside the window, mountains, rivers and forest… Absolutely, the train trip was another unforgettable experience for me.

Taken in the train from Chicago to DC

Working in DC downtown, living in Maryland and travelling to a few cities is an impossible dream for many Chinese students, but it is my life here. Yes, the Labor Day has passed, but I think my work just begins. Besides completing the internship, I would like to share my experience with friends in China and hope I can bring some joys or helps to them!