Between having my best friend and roommate move back home and reunite with my hometown friends, too much time on my facebook homepage, and the simple fact that I'm about to start the last 6 month stretch of 48 months in Philadelphia (thats 12% left, but who's counting?), there have been lots of reasons to be a little homesick lately. Combine that with the fact that 4th year also means applying to internship programs across the country and you may just become a little bit future-minded.Although this is probably normal, it isn't all that helpful. Especially for taking advantage of this amazing city while I still can. As much as I am homesick, I really can truly appreciate where I am still, but sometimes I need to be reminded. I figured one great way to do this was to do some of the things I always said I wanted to get to, but never did. And despite the weather this weekend (sunny but windy and about 35 degrees), I finally did one of the many things I've been meaning to do for some time now. Visit Valley Forge National Historical Park.
While there, we toured recreated huts that the soldiers lived in in the Valley Forge Winter Encampment of 1977-78. We also went inside the house that George and Martha Washington (and 18 others!) lived in during that time (pictured above). That house had much of the original molding and structure from the time, which, needless to say, was pretty cool.
After that trip on Saturday, I went for a long run on Sunday over Strawberry mansion bridge and took the bus up to Fishtown for a party with 50-some people. During these events, I found myself looking around in awe and appreciation. Despite the fact that sometimes my head is so far into next year, its almost impossible to ignore the fact that this is a great city with a ton of great things to offer including great recreation, history, and great people.
If all goes well, I have just over 6 months left to really live here and make the most of it. Here are several things I plan to fit into that schedule before I make my exit:
*Go inside Independence National Historic Park (pathetic that I haven't, I know)
*Tour the Eastern State Penitentiary
*Hiking trip (Valley Forge and/or farther places... Delaware Water Gap, Appalachian Trail?)
More to come as I continue my research...
Carpe diem, yes?
