And one last thing…

Today was my last day with Masons. To borrow their phrase of mourning: Sorrow! Sorrow! Sorrow!

This has been an incredible, unique and memorable experience, not just for the actual work, but really because of the people I met. Both on tours, but perhaps more importantly, at work. The House of the Temple  has a really amazing staff, and I will miss being a part of that–and hope my next jobs and internships are just as good!

Today we had the annual Christmas lunch at the glorious St. Regis hotel.

The glorious St. Regis

 Besides the beautiful venue, great menu and great company, there was the added bonus of one of Grand Commander’s famous off-the-cuff speeches. Today he spoke about how everything changes, nothing is constant, and how eventful the past year has been. I’ve only been here for the last four-ish months and I can think of a few once-in-a-lifetime things that happened for the Scottish Rite and the Temple (like the funeral last week). So I think everyone knew what he meant.

And he continued, talking about how fortunate he felt to work with such an amazing staff. And it’s true; I’ve never been anywhere where people were all treated so equally, whether you’re the executive director or the driver. There are people who have been working at the Temple for over 20 years. So that must tell you something. And I feel very fortunate to have been a part of it.

But enough mushy stuff. After the eating and the talking, there was Christmas carol singing. Yep! Masons singing Christmas carols! Everyone participated and it was a very silly and very lovely thing.

Chip has been promising to take us to the “secret” parts of the building for some time, and today was our day. After lunch, he, Kathleen, Katie and I returned to the Temple and went upstairs to the organ level and then to the very highest level of the roof and walked around and took pictures. I guess you could say now I know some Mason “secrets”…but I think I have to keep those to myself! Well, here’s some photographic proof, anyway.

Walking around the columns on the first roof level (terrace I suppose it could be called?)Interns extraordinaire

 

Window-snakes: chaos, ignorance, yadda yadda

 

 

 

Secret staircase

 

Lucky July 1914

 

On the roof overlooking DC. Whoop!

Wishing everybody a very happy Christmas and New Year’s, and see you next semester!