Last night, I stayed with Kelly Ann S. in her hotel room. It was lovely and fun and it's so great to see Kelly so genuinely happy and excited. There is something impressive to be said for an organization getting new employees off on a foot so right as this: expensive hotel stays and meeting with high-ups and bonding with the other interns -- it is truly a wonderful sight to behold.

This morning, I woke up to say goodbye and see her off, and lounged around the hotel room for a while. As I was getting ready to get in the shower, watching a segment on the Today Show about the code orange alert, a man's voice came over the PA system in the hotel. Its first words were, "Attention, hotel guests." Of course, my immediate reaction was, "Wow, I didn't know they had PA systems in hotels... that's so weird... wait, stop thinking about that, because a bomb has just gone off in DC. You are in Alexandria right now. Start thinking calmly about what you're going to do." Its second words were, "We will be testing the fire alarm system this morning."

I felt that was a sign that I needed fresh melon, waffles, hashbrowns and coffee, so I treated myself to the continental buffet in the lobby of the hotel and started reading Kelly's copy of The Sweet Potato Queens' Book of Love, something I'd never have picked up myself but was finding immensely enjoyable. And then, to top it off, I heard "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," the official H & K wedding song of the universe, on the restaurant radio station. A good start, yes yes.