WASSA Flagfootball

Hello everyone!  So I, as mentioned, am the event planner for WASSA and we have an event coming up this weekend.  It's a flag football event and any Tenley student can sign up.  I'm really excited for this event because I feel that it'll be a lot of fun.

One of the other members of our group is in charge of this event, so that is really nice that other people can take leadership roles and I can just deal with the background stuff while this other girls handles everything up front.  It's really helpful to me that I can take a breather.

To get people to come to the event, we passed out sign up sheets for people to sign up for a team, each team being a different color, and then the people playing will wear the color shirt of the team they signed up for.  WASSA students will be the refs and keep score.

The event is on a Saturday, so it will definitely be a great way to get out and take a break from homework.

So, if you're a Tenley student, you should sign up and come out this Saturday to flag football because you'll have an awesome time.

See ya there.

DC Grocery Shopping

Some of you may wonder why it is that I eat out so often, thus being able to provide the thorough list from my previous post.  Well the reason for that is simple; DC grocery shopping is a nightmare.

Being from a small town, this is how I am used to grocery shopping: I wait till all the food in my house is gone and then I make a long list of everything I could possibly need for as long as I think it will last.  Then I get in my car and DRIVE to the grocery store.  Get my food, check out, and the cashier puts my purchases into plastic bags, which I then load into my car, drive home and unload.  This seemed like a simple and usual task for me.

Not so in DC, because DC is a city.  Grocery shopping here is very different.  I dread the day I run out of milk or bread because that means that I have to get on the metro and take at least a twenty minute ride to the nearest store.  I pick up a few things that I am able to carry and get in the checkout line.  While I am waiting I think (and trust me there is plenty of time to think because the wait is always long), and I think, "man I hope I remembered to bring reusable bags."  Why do I have to think about this?  Because if I did not bring reusable bags I have to either attempt to pack everything I just picked up into my purse or purchase a disposable bag.  Yes, you have to buy a plastic bag here.

While this may seem like a journey in itself, it is nothing.  No, the true journey is the metro ride back, where you hope that there is an empty seat and you don't have to carry your bag all the way back on the metro.  No your lucky if you get to put your heavy bag on your lap, hoping that your milk lasts the twenty minute ride back.

Once you get off the metro, lucky you, you get to walk ten minutes from the station back to your house, and pray that you don't have eggs, because you know those bags you got.  The bags you had to pay for. Yeah, those will, not may, WILL break on your walk back.  For it is not truly a DC grocery shopping trip until that happens.

So pay attention to my last post, eating out, the way to go.  So much less stress and it tastes to good.  Order good portions and your leftovers can second for groceries.  Because everything I just told you is true, and that is DC shopping.

DC Food

Ok, so I know that writing an entire blog about food, does make me sound like a fatty, but I can't help it there are so many places that deserve shout-outs, and if your coming here, you should know about them.


1. Taylor Gourmet:  This is a deli place and it is fabulous.  Located in several places throughout the DC area, the food is reasonably priced (for DC) and the sandwiches are huge. I got a 12 inch and it was enough food for four meals.  But this isn't just quantity, we're talking quality as well.  I used to be a picky eater, but with this sandwich, load it all on, the tomatoes, the onions, the vinegar oil.  Everything, totally worth it.  And this is so not one of your over the counter, throw at you sandwich, they cut their own meat and make the sandwich tailored to you.    


2.  If a good old fashion burger is what you're looking for, you have a few options.  If classic is what your looking for, I suggest Five Guys, which is, yes fast food and a chain, but it is cheap and tastes like a real burger, yes, a real, made from meat burger.  And you get to pick your own toppings, which are real as well.  Trust me, worth it.  Oh, but a bit of advice, do not, and I repeat do not order a large order of fries.  I ordered a large fry and three people tried to split it, we didn't make a dent in them.  Save your money and order a small.
a) Another good burger joint is Good Stuff (Capital Hill).  Now this is not for classical burger taste.  This is a burger with a modern twist, so definitely fit more for those adventurous types.  And if you go, order fries, they are not what you typically expect, but you need to try them at least once.   


3.  Milkshakes.  Now I have a sweet-tooth like nobody's business, so trust me I know my milkshakes.  Z-Burger at Tenley Campus is amazing.  It is just a little burger joint, but they have the craziest varieties of shakes.  I had a rocky road milkshake and I'm pretty sure I was drinking heaven in a glass.


4.  All college students need to know about a good pizza joint.  Armand's Pizza (located in Tenley and Capital Hill) is definitely the way to go.  It is thick crust, Chicago style pizza, with still a reasonable price.  You can get a classic cheese and meat, but they also have crazy varieties as well, if you're feeling adventurous.  


5.  If non American food is what your looking for, I suggest Mings in Chinatown.  I went there and had really good sushi.  Now I am no sushi expert (it was actually my first time) but the people I went with said it was good and they were no first-timers.  So this joint I think is good for all around, whether you are a beginner and want to try some basic sushi or whether you are looking to spice it up a bit more.  

6. Dr. Granville Moore's Brickyard on H street is great for some chill atmosphere.  I had their muscles and they were so good.  There have several different flavors, so I suggest getting a crazy kind that you've never heard of before because you won't be disappointed.  However, the serving sizes are huge.  Two people can defiantly split one serving and in DC you can't take seafood home with you, so don't plan on getting more than you can eat.  It's all or nothing.

7. If cheap Indian food is to your liking I will suggest Mayur Kabab House on K street.  The food is really good and spicy and inexpensive.  It cost $10 for the buffet, which includes two types of meat, two types of veggies and bread.  This is a lot of food.  Two people could split this no question.      

Ok, now that I have completely eliminated all doubt that I am obsessed with food and fattiness, I will let you go.  But trust me, I will keep you posted on the best places to eat in DC, because if you're anything like me, a good meal can make or break your love affair with a place.  Trust me DC eating will not disappoint.

2nd Free Lunch

So I went to another luncheon today through my internship, which was cool because it was free and had the most delicious chocolate chip cookies and deli sandwiches.

But more important than that was the discussion.  The luncheon was about the Tea Party and their effect (whether it was positive or negative) on the Republican party.  The topic was really interesting and there consisted of a panel of three individuals.  The first speaker, Matt Louis, was interesting and he spoke from the viewpoint that the tea party created many possible concerns for the Republican Party.  Some of his concerns included a lack of respect among the tea party for government organizations; the idea that some tea party goers are more concerned with fiscal conservation and less focused on social conservation; that they created an anti-intellectual movement; and conservative feminism, which is putting women on the front line, but having women play the "victim card" rather then a strong conservative card.

The next two speakers where very different from the first one, claiming that the tea party is the new movement, the new members of the organization and the Republican party much be accepting to these individuals and allow them to step up into the party.  The second speaker highlighted a large issue in the current midterm elections, stating that in the current elections, tea party candidates who lost in the primary supported the winning Republican candidate, yet in every election in which a tea party member won over a Republican, the Republican candidate was trying to defeat the tea party member.  He concluded his speech with the fact that tea party members are the new Republicans and current partly members cannot hope to get the tea party vote, while simultaneously not let them "disrupt the club."

The third panelist summed up the topic, claiming that the tea party movement was the third wave of the Republican party, adding a new dimension to it.  He added that the tea party is working to elect a new administration, not happy with the current one, yet he warned that if the tea party elects a stagnate Republican party, the tea party would rebel against then and go after them just as hard as they are going against the current administration.  

The panel was then opened for questions and the audience was able to have their (at times unhappy) opinions shared.  The panel did a good job of collectively answering all the questions asked.  At the end of the luncheon, the leadership institute gave away one free schooling pass and everyone received a discount on their lessons.

This was an interesting luncheon to go to because it not only focused on a current issue, but as a student, it was unique to see how people within the system felt about the issue and how they hoped to understand and react to it.

I know this blog was really heavy, but the panel was good and it covered an interesting topic.  As stated before, I suggest going to everything you can, whenever you have the opportunity to.  You may get more than a free lunch...

Congressional Hearings

For class today we had to go to a congressional hearing.  I went to one on Filibuster reform.  It was really interesting.  And it was super easy to go.  All I had to do was look up what hearings where going on that day and find one that was interesting to me at a time that worked for me.  I then walked one block up the street (yeah living on Capital Hill), went through the basic security check that it seems one has to go through in ever DC building, and walk up to the third floor.

It would seem that it would take more to get the chance to see a Congressional hearing, but really it wasn't bad at all.  My professor told me that there would be a super long line, so I got there an hour early and I ended up sitting out there for an hour.  Alone.

But once it was time to go in, it was worth the wait.  I walked into a room with huge windows covered with light blue curtains and gold trimming around the walls.  There was a stage set for the panel and a smaller table for the witnesses.  I made my way to the audience chairs and must I say that for audience chairs, they were mighty comfortable.

I looked around and saw all the cameras and hoped that I wouldn't get captured on one of them and shown on the most popular CSPAN.

It does make me laugh thinking about it, as I remember the staff putting out the Congressmen's water-glasses and opening their water bottles for them, so the seal would be broken already when they went to drink from them.

The hearing itself was really interesting.  It was formal, but had a light feeling.  There was an into from the chairman, then the two Senators presenting bills spoke, then everyone on the panel had a chance to voice their opinions.  Finally witnesses where asked to give testimony and then answer questions from the panel.  Everyone was allowed five minutes to state their case, which may not seem like a long time, but boy could they get their opinions in.

If your ever in the DC area and have some time I highly suggest going to a hearing.  I know that it may sound boring, but you learn a lot and it is very easy to go.  You get to see Senators up close and personal, hear what they really think (of issues and each other), and learn about issues that could become new laws.  Overall a well worth it experience.

Congressional Love

So DC weather is just fab.  This morning it was beautiful, on my walk to class; all I needed was a light cardigan and I was perfect.  Then an hour later on the walk back, I was really hot, so when I changed to go back to campus, I decided to wear a skirt and light top, no jacket.  Which I must say was a perfect fit for the weather, until I had to walk back to the metro about two hours later.  No, the perfect summer outfit I was wearing (with no jacket, real shoes, or umbrella) was no mach for the cool, cool rainy weather that I endured on my trek back to Capitol Hill.  That was just lovely, thank you DC.

But clothes and weather aside, I have been having a good past week. My American Politics class was able to meet several very interesting speakers, including Congressmen.  Yesterday and today we were able to meet Representatives, one Democratic and one Republican.

Of course these two had very different views on almost everything, but one thing that they both agree upon, was above all else, attitude and ethics.  I thought this was very interesting.  Both mentioned that there has been an unpleasant tension and unworkable atmosphere in this Congress.

What I found the most interesting about this was the fact that both parties, the majority and minority, both not only noticed and acknowledged this uncomfortable setting, but both want it to change so that Congress can begin to work together again.  Both guest speakers also mentioned how compromise is needed in order to run a government effectively and pass any type of legislation.

This was the most interesting because while the economy was what both mentioned as the biggest issue to be tackled, and neither agreed on how to tackle that issue, what they seemed the most concerned about was this issue of respect for fellow members of Congress.  And on that issue, they both claimed the same way to fix it: compromise.

So, what lesson have I learned from my guest speakers, to listen to others.  To understand other's views.  And to realize that many, just many, there are bigger issues in DC than the weather.  Maybe if we stop focusing on our own misfortune, we can ban together and find a solution to our similar problems.  Ones that actually need to be focused on.
 

Luau

Wassa had it's first event  on Sunday.  It was suppose to be a luau, but it of course had to rain on Sunday, so we had to take it all inside.  This meant that all the decorations we planned on putting up had to get the ax and we had an hour to turn a classroom into a Hawaiian setting.  Thanks to the other (and more creative) members of WASSA it ended up looking pretty good.  It had a really fun atmosphere.  

The cafeteria even helped us with the event and coordinated Hawaiian food and decorations in the caf.  It was pretty cool and nice of them.  And of course their decorations where much nicer than our posters and lights hanging on the wall, but it was fine.  The caf did look really good and they passed out Hawaiian leis, which really gave the Hawaiian mood.  They also had really good food, which I thoroughly and gluttonously enjoyed.

The event itself was pretty good itself.  Considering the fact that no one knew where it was being held at (because of the inside change) the turnout was pretty good.  The time frame we had set up was a little to long though, so by the end it was pretty dead, but in the middle we did have quite a few people who came to check it out.

In order to let people know about the event since it was moved we went dorm storming.  What this means is that we went around to all the dorm rooms, knocked on them and told everyone what was going on.  It was a very sophisticated process.  It was really beneficial though, because it enabled us to promote our next event, which will be flag football.  

For our first event, it went well.  We learned what works and what doesn't.  And now everyone is ready for our next event and it will be even better.  Flag football here we come.

Nationals Game

For WISH housing, our coordinator set up for us to all go to a Nationals game, and like in a previous post, I expressed my love for baseball.  And the best part is that it was free!  Like a said in my last post free stuff is always better.  It was a really nice event to put on.  It got us all to get together and get to know each other.    

Getting to the game was eventful as well.  Trying to herd seven people together on a Friday night, is difficult and then ensure that no one is completely sure of where they are going and you will have a great time trying to make a bus.  By the time we found the bus stop it was approaching the stop and we were like, "oh no," and decided that we had to run the last block to make it.  But we made it, so it was ok.  And then, when we got to the stadium me and one of the girls I was with got separated and it took us a good ten minutes to find our seats.  (By the way, if you are lost in a stadium, just hope you find your way because every employee we asked for directions from told us to go different ways.  All wrong.)

The game was good too.  We were sitting on the opposite side of the stadium this time, so it was neat to see the field from another angle.  But the Nationals lost this time, which was too bad, especially because everyone I was with was rooting for the Marlins.  Actually the game was pretty close, other than the two runs the Nationals gave away at in the beginning of the first inning.  At the end of the game the Marlins made a few errors, so that was good to watch and point out to my company.

It was really cute though, because there was this family in front of us and one little boy had his 6th birthday, so all his little friends were lined up in the seat in front of us.  Like I said, all the people I was with were rooting for the other team, and one little boy turned around and told them they were cheering for the wrong team and they needed to stop.  

What was really cool was that at the end of game there were fireworks and apparently they do that every Friday.  I love fireworks, it's like I'm a little kid again and I'm back in my Grandma's backyard on the Fourth of July.  The fireworks were really good to, they were long and there were a ton of the big ones that just pop, which is what real fireworks are.    

On the way back, we decided that we didn't need to take the bus because we were only half a mile away.  Looking back now, it might not have been the best idea, but it wasn't bad.  Actually, it was pretty nice to go for a long walk after a baseball game.  A good end to the night.

Woman's Conservative Luncheon

My internship boss sent me an email inviting me to the September Woman's Conservative Luncheon at the Heritage Foundation.  I thought it seemed like a fun idea, so I RVSPed and went today.

I am so glad I did because it was really cool.  Amanda Carpenter was the speaker and she was so interesting.  She spoke about her career and how she worked her way through school and worked to become a journalist and eventually the Senior Communication Advisor and Speechwriter to Senator Jim Demint.  She was a really good speaker, very engaging and funny.

I got to the speech early and I had the chance to speak to Amanda for a short while and she was so nice and really personable.  (Advise when going somewhere, also go early, you never know who you'll have the chance to meet and talk to.)

After the speech though was a free lunch, which was sweet.  There was so much food.  I feasted on sandwiches, pasta, salads, and cookies.  (Don't judge me, I'm a college student in DC, I was eating for the day.)  It was actually a networking luncheon, so I met quiet a few women, which was very great because I enjoyed meeting these women.

New lesson I learned here in DC: have no fear.  Go to everything and do everything you are invited to.  Networking is well worth it and even if you don't meet anyone, free meal.  And in DC take all the free stuff you can get, especially food.

Going to social events were never my thing, I have always been a really shy person, but here, you have to be outgoing.  If you go to an event and sit in the corner, you never get anything out of them, you need to introduce yourself to everyone and find out who they are.

Well, that was my little preaching moment.  Back to normal.  I'll just say good speaker + free food= awesome time.    

More WASSA shenanigans

So in an attempt to do some good old fashion bonding time with our WASSA organization, we all went out for dinner after one of our meetings. Now most places on Tenley campus are good eateries, and most are pretty cheap too, so we figured we'll take a shot and go to a certain restaurant that shall remain nameless and that it would be pretty much the same thing.

Well, it was not.  We get there, and not a one of us had the sense to call ahead, so naturally our group of 15 had to split up (understandably) and go to two different tables. As we sat down and looked at the menu, we realized that this place might be little different when we looked at the menu and the prices were pretty steep from the food that was being served there.

But whatever, it won't be that bad, we'll just order, whatever, maybe the food was just really good here.  Was the food good there?  I don't know, we could have asked the other table that was split from us because they were served before us.  But that's not a big deal.  But then they were done eating and we still hadn't been served yet.  Forty-five minutes later, still nothing.    It wasn't until we started complaining and asking to speak with someone (well, not me, definitely let our supervisor fight that battle for me.  I just looked innocently from over my water glass) that our food was "on its way."  

Ten minutes after that, still no food.  No, it wasn't until we looked at each other and the one rebel of our group convinced us to be BAs and just leave.  Finally, we all were irritated enough to agree.  That is when our food came.  Of course. 

Was the food worth the wait?  Of course not!  We did get a discount though, thank you very much for those who spoke my mind for me.  At least we were all able to bond over the crummy service and come together against a common enemy.  And I learned one place that I will not be returning to.   

Electricity

So, putting ten girls into a house together with a fuse that can blow when a hair dryer is used causes great adventures.

The women in charge of our housing sends all of us an email warning us to make sure we know where the fuse box is and tells us to make sure that we aren't overusing the energy because it will, and yes she told us that hairdryers will, blow a fuse.  Did I heed that warning?  Of course not.  Did I look for the fuse box?  No.  Did I have electricity when I came home last might and tried to get ready for bed?  I think you can see where this is going.

Lesson learned, when you are warned about your house, make sure you listen, these people are here for a reason, to make sure you aren't in a situation like I was.

The really bad part about it is that I forgot, well didn't really think about the fact that our upstairs had no  electricity, but didn't worry about it because we have these nice huge windows that brighten my room and bathroom all day.  And since I spent most of the evening in my downstairs living room, it didn't occur to me that no electricity upstairs meant for a very dark shower.  So about a half hour ago I decided to find our fuse box and not be stupid.  The only clue I had was that it was behind a hidden door in my downstairs.  That helps.  Yes helps me look like a fool pushing on every wall in my downstairs hoping it would pop out.  So when my roommate came out and looked at me, I admit I most likely looked mildly foolish.  And what did she tell me?  Well, the fuse box that I had been looking for for the past 2 days was behind a bookshelf.  Of course she knew where it was and of course it didn't occur to me to ask her.  Ok, maybe I was foolish, not to look for it before hand, but behind a bookshelf?  I never would have guessed that.

So fuse box found.  All that was left was playing the game of "which switch do I flip now?" leaving me flipping one and then running up three flights of stairs to see if it worked.  Four attempts and one kick butt workout later, my roommates and I have awesome electricity.

You know, you truly take advantage of what you have until you can no longer plug in your computer and listen to music.  And straightening your hair, forget it.  Yeah, I used photobooth on my computer for that one (no mirrors downstairs).  Necessity is the mother of invention.      

But all is good now, we figured out our first living-on-our-own-have-to-maintain-a-house-and-not-blow- out-a-fuse adventure.  Now onto figure out how to make endnotes into numerical order instead of roman numeral.  Oh, Washington adventures, I feel like such an adult now.

Catching Up

Wow, so a lot has been going on, including a few technical difficulties, sorry in the delay of posts.   Anyway, so school is definitely getting under way and I need to remind myself that I am a student again and that summer is over, a sad fact of reality that I'm not ready to admit yet.  And writing this blog is me telling myself that I am doing some form of work, while actually not doing schoolwork.  All my textbooks showed up so I have to start actually reading them, no longer using the excuse of, I don't have them, oh well.  And the assignments that I've been putting off are actually becoming due, so I need to stop procrastinating.

But the good thing about all that, is that while school stuff is underway, so is the fun part.  WASSA is officially putting on its first event on Sunday the 13th and I get to plan it, with the help of everyone in the lovely organization.  Our event, like I mentioned earlier, is a luau and there will be Hawaiian food, courtesy of the cafeteria staff, and a volleyball tournament, not to mention lights, music, and a luau atmosphere.  It should be a fun time.  We also have a head start on a lot of other projects we are working on, such as a football tournament later in the month and promoting a bike tour.

However, my favorite part of things getting under way is the internship.  Now, my suggestion to you is to apply for everything, because you never know what will turn up. And follow up, even if you think that you  have the perfect one already, go to a few other interviews, just to practice, and maybe they will remember you in the future.  But really the internship is an awesome experience.  

For mine I am working on a fundraising project and I am at the entry level of researching prospective contributors.  Seriously, I had no idea what all that entailed until I had to do it.  I feel like I'm a spy, finding out anything and everything I can about people.  It may sound strange, but it is really cool.  That's the best part about an internship, because you think you want to do something and then you get into in and find out that that job is really all about, and hopefully you are pleasantly surprised.

But, alas, I suppose I should be getting around to being productive and doing schoolwork, but don't worry, I'm sure I'll have many more procrastinating moments, so the entries will keep coming.