The First Two Weeks

Wow...I can't believe I've been here two weeks! So much has happened but then again its gone by fast. I've been slowly realizing I should keep a real blog, even though I resist it because I hate fads... it makes sense because I'm trying to keep several people up on my life and can easier tell the people I'm close to what's going on. I'm far behind in correspondance with almost everybody so if you don't know what's been going on...here's a summary:

At the State Dept:
I've been playing two basic roles: heading up the Latin American portion of the Office for International religious freedom, and assisting the Ambassador with whatever projects he is currently working on.
This has meant alot of my time has gone toward preparing briefing papers for the Ambassador before his meetings, going to meetings with people from various countries where there isn't religious freedom and taking notes on their testimonies so those can be used in our reports and all the U.S. contact with those countries can include pressure to increase religious freedom... I've also been working alot on Vietnam, because right now we are preparing an ultimatum for them that they have to release the pastors they have imprisoned and open the churches they have closed or else face economic sanctions. They are promising to do whatever we ask, but we have to get everything in the form of a binding agreement. this means I've been researching and gathering specifics about instances of religious persecution in Vietnam that have to stop as well as doing legislative research for the economic sanctions we will impose if they do not follow through. It's exciting work in that it's really accomplishing something! I've enjoyed my work alot.
This week I also start some part time work for the Heritage Foundation, assisting their head Latin American analyst with research projects. I am exciting about this opportunity to build a relationship with and work under someone I respect as one of the world's best conservative experts on Latin American issues. I know I will learn alot.

On the relationship/living situation front:
Everything with Lisa, my "housemate" has been working out fine. She's in her early fourties and works for a newspaper full-time. We get along fine though we are both very busy and don't see a ton of eachother. I am trying to build a relationship whenever I have the opportunity because I feel like the Lord wants to use me in her life. She considers herself a Christian but is mainly ritualistic about religion and doesn't seem to have a concept about relationship with Jesus.
I am getting along great with my coworkers at the State Dept. I really like the kind of people that are attracted to the work of the IRF office. Not all are Christians, but the non-Christians are largely open seekers and no one is anti-Christian, which most of the rest of the State Dept is.
Other than that, I've been pretty much a loner thus far. Since I love independence, that hasn't bothered me terribly. I miss everybody and have had a few lonely nights, but have been more emotionally stable than I expected! Of course, phone calls and emails have helped alot!

On the Life in D.C. Front:
All anyone asks me is if I've seen the president yet! The answers is finally YES! =) I caught part of the inaugural parade downtown yesterday, as found myself one of the few non Bush-haters in the crowd. Of course since only 9% of D.C. voted for Bush, that is not surprising. It was exciting to see the president anyway.
I have also heard speak and shook hands with Collin Powell, as he was on his way out of the office heading up the State Dept this week. I hope to see Condi Rice next week, she'll be coming in as soon as the Senate confirms here. It's proved to be an exciting time to be at the State Dept with all the changes occuring...I love watching the dynamics.
I've spent my weekends thus far mostly in museums...which I love of course! Just being in D.C. is such a blessing. Every morning on my way to work I watch the sunrise over the Washington Monument... and I keep telling myself not to take that for granted--even as I'm rushing along and freezing cold... Though I'm finding some things about city-life rather new and strange, I am thrilled to live so close to such wealths of historical information and locations.
I feel so much at the "center" of things here. Monday is the big march for life. The ambassador was confused and thought it was today so he dragged (drug?) me downtown today only to discover he was confused and it's not 'til monday! it'll be neat to be in town for that anyway.
Tomorrow the whole Asbury team arrives for the conference I went to last year. I do not know any of the students going very well, but I am very excited to see Dr neff and pick his brain about grad school questions.
Speaking of which...the other front of my life, Grad School, is going well thus far. As most of you know, I just have one online class: International politics. It's a lot more challenging than I was expecting but pretty good so far...I'm being forced to figure out what I believe about things i've never even thought about but I am also learning alot.
So that's a basic summary of the past two weeks! I'll try to put an entry here daily and then I'll email any additional thoughts that only apply to you... I really don't want this to seem impersonal and I'm only giving the site to those I am closest to because I want to be able to share my heart....and I'll warn you that aloneness has made me prone to philosophizing so feel free to skim!
Miss you!
Marc/Marco/Marcus/#2/Martha/me