About Cornelia Donders

Spring!

Finally! I’m hesitating to say it out loud, but I think that winter is finally over. Yes! The last couple of months were extremely cold, and therefore it was really no fun to be outside of the house. Temperatures were sometimes as low as -22 Celsius Degree (-7 Fahrenheit), and I was really not used to that. But it seems that I don’t have to worry about that anymore! My mom visited me last month, and I gave her my winter coat and all my cardigans and sweaters so she could bring them back home. Goodbye winter, Hello spring!

I already love this early spring in DC. The temperatures are rising and the first cherry blossoms have arrived. They are absolutely gorgeous! Jealous former residents beg me for pictures, but not all the blossoms arrived yet, so they have to wait just a little longer, which is hard, because I myself can hardly wait either. Next weekend the Cherry blossom Festival will take place. It is timed perfectly, because I think the entire city of DC will finally be pink by then. I feel blessed to be part of all of this!

What I also love about spring is that more and more people spend time outside of their houses. DuPont Circle changes from a deserted looking park into a lively spot where people hang out, read books and have a pick-nick Terraces are filled with people who want to catch some sunlight. Until now I really thought terraces were very European, but spring in DC proved me wrong.

Last Sunday I went out for a walk with fellow residents. We walked from our home to the Lincoln Memorial, and played beach-volleyball all afternoon at some courts located between the Lincoln Memorial and Kenendy Center. It was one of my favorite moments in DC so far. I felt so happy being on that volleyball court with my friends, enjoying the good weather, playing a sport I love while we were being spoiled with a view over the Potomac River on the one side, and the Washington Memorial on the other. We all loved it so much, volleyball will become part of our weekly routine from now on. Isn’t that great?

All I ask is for spring to stay with us. Please do!

I’ve learned that if you ever need help here at ISH-DC, one doesn’t have to look hard to find it.

My first cry for help was last month, and it was quite an embarrassing story to recollect.  On Saturday night, I walked to a sandwich shop to order something to-go, and since I only brought my wallet and keys, I had put both of these items in a plastic bag which the sandwich shop provided me.  Then, I walked home, opened the door, and proceeded to the TV room to sit and enjoy my dinner.  After I finished, I cleaned everything, and without thinking, accidentally threw away both my wallet and keys.

Forwarding to the next day, I discovered that I couldn’t find my wallet, and it suddenly dawned on me what had happened!  I had thrown my wallet out with my trash!  I screamed nooo as I frantically ran downstairs to the TV room, but I found out the trash had already been cleared.

Without thinking, I changed clothes, went outside to the dumpster, took a long, deep breath, and yes, I climbed into one of the dumpsters outside.  I never knew that I would EVER have to do this in my life. However, the point of this completely repugnant story is that there were ISH-DC residents crazy enough to help me out.  My fellow residents handed out disposable gloves, translated a description of my wallet in Spanish to the cleaning lady, and found my wallet!  I’m happy I got my money back, but I’m even happier that there were people who voluntarily helped me with desperate situation.

And then there was another incident that happened yesterday.  One of my most valuable possessions is a gold cross necklace.  I had lost it, and the moment I found out it was gone, I became very sad.  While I still haven’t found it, and it hurts every time I think about it, one thing that made me happy was all the support my fellow residents gave me.  One person told me at dinner that she would pray for me.  Another housemate looked everywhere in the TV room while I was having my front desk shift.  And a third person told me not to lose hope.

All these sweet comments, these thoughts, these interests and prayers: they help a lot. I am sad I lost something so important, but my sadness immediately fades away thinking about all the support my fellow residents are giving me.  Since we are from all around the world, we are always helping each other here at ISH-DC.  Obviously, my dumpster story is one-of-a-kind, but we are always there to help each other if we can.  For example, I see English speakers helping out housemates with grammar, other roommates help by carrying luggage of new residents, and this morning I caught a housemate making a sandwich for her sick roommate.  I love that you’ll never ever need to worry if you live here and I only wish to be half as helpful and nice as you all are to me.

My 4-month stay at ISH started quite interesting and will always remain unforgettable. So much happened in the first couple of days, it makes me feel I’ve been living here for months: but it’s been only three weeks so far.

The first person I met when I arrived was my fellow Dutch housemate. He is now one of my very good friends. It felt so great to be welcomed by someone who already knew the cultural differences between DC and our small country back home.  My friend could tell me everything I wanted to know.  I felt welcome right away, and I had no difficulties adjusting at all.  I call ISH home.

What I most certainly like about living at ISH is the people.  From Dutch friends previously living at the house I already knew that I would meet new friends for life.  The fact this already happened in the first two weeks makes me probably the happiest person alive.  Literally all people living at the house are wonderful and interesting.

I cherish my mornings at the breakfast table.  I read the Washington Post and The New York Times and I discuss some politics, (international) news, or cultural backgrounds with housemates joining me at the table.  I already learned a lot about other countries, and I’m happy most people are interested in The Netherlands too.  Back home my breakfast lasts approximately fifteen minutes.  At ISH about an hour.

Before I leave for work, I usually grab a muffin to-go.  The food at ISH is very good.  It is so good, that the need for exercise is HIGH.  Thank God my work provides a fantastic gym, where I work out before I go upstairs for basically the rest of the day.  I’m an intern at the Dutch news and our days are usually long and hectic.  I love my work, so I don’t mind the pressure.

At the end of the day, I walk back home to ISH to join my friends for a delicious dinner.  We ask each other politely how our days at work or the university were, and we again discuss all kinds of issues.  People usually ask me what’s in the news and why the Netherlands are interested in some typical American stories.

So that’s basically what my days at ISH look like.  In the weekends however, I either stay at home enjoying the comfort of the Great Hall or the TV Room, or I take a small trip to somewhere.  Last weekend I visited Philadelphia for example, together with a Mexican, Finnish and German friend.  It was an unforgettable experience.

I can’t wait to foresee what will happen in the nearby future. Time flies!  I try to enjoy every single minute of my stay here in DC.  Therefore, this weekend is gonna be Museum Weekend!  I haven’t been to a museum since I’m here, so I guess the time has come.  Any advice?