Leadership Institute

I went to a conference at the Leadership Institute today.  It was really interesting and informative.  The conference was about getting a job on Capitol Hill and had multiple guest speakers, each with a different topic.  They all had a lot of unique ideas about how to make your resume stand out, how to differentiate yourself at an interview, and how to network.

The Leadership Institute is an organization that teaches people how to make it into politics.  The institution holds classes that anyone can attend from college students to experienced workers, but it is conservatively focused.  All the schools they hold have different topics, such as the one I went to about how to get a job on Capitol Hill, but some of the other schools also include how to handle yourself in public speaking, blogging, and campaign managing.  Usually the schools provide meals and some include housing for those who need it. 

The Leadership Schools cost money, but my internship supervisor told me about the school and got me in the program for free.  That is one of the things that I really love about my internship I get to do projects, but my supervisor always informs me of conferences, luncheons, and other socializing events on the hill.  It really is a unique experience.

That is one thing I would say about interning here in DC; make sure you get an internship that works for you.  My internship is working with a woman in a small business she started herself.  But even though I work at a small company I have been able to receive a lot more attention and opportunities than other people do at their internships.  I think that has a lot to do with the fact that I do work in a small company.  So just to let you know, don’t think you have to go to a big company to get a great experience, you can get just as great of an experience at a smaller firm.  Do what you think will be best for you.              

Back in DC

Back in DC and back to school.  Last week was a nice break, but now it’s time to get back to work.  It is really hard to believe, but I only have one week left here.  This semester flew by.  Now one more week to study for finals, finish a research paper, and say goodbye to all the people I met here.  One week is not nearly long enough.

On a fun note, though, WASSA is doing an end of the year dance, which is nice because it allows everyone to have one last bang before we have to go home.  The dance is done every year, so everyone who has gone to the Washington Semester before me experienced it. It is really helpful when organizing the event that it is done every year.  All our other WASSA events we had to figure everything out by ourselves, but this one we have an idea of what to expect, which is very helpful.

So to do list: study, write my paper, plan dance, and ENJOY MY LAST WEEK!

I’m glad I’m back; it’s nice, but now time to get to work.  

Thanksgiving

Home for the holidays.  I took a flight out from Reagan National Airport.  I must say, while I do my far share of complaining about the metro, (the cost, inefficiency, ect.) it is convenient to hop on for a ride at eight o’clock on a Saturday morning.  The flight itself was short.  I hopped on the flight (oh yeah, really peaceful going through airport security) and slept for the hour and forty minutes it took to get home.

Then I stepped back in Illinois.  My parents came, picked me up, and drove me home.  Funny, the drive from the airport to my home took longer than the flight from DC. 

When I got home, I walked into a house full of baked goods.  My mom made chocolate cake, three different types of tarts, and three kinds of muffins.  Yeah, if I was hoping to watch what I was eating, it walked out the door as soon as I got home. 

Being home is really nice though.  It is so relaxing.  What I love the most is being able to drive.  Even if I had a car in DC, driving would have been much different than it is in rural Illinois.  But now, back in Illinois, I can hop in my car, turn on the radio, and just drive.

Thanksgiving was good to.  I went to both my mom’s and my dad’s family, so in one day I had two Thanksgiving dinners.  It was really nice to see my family after so long.  I got to talk to everyone and answer the same question over and over again, “How are things in DC?”  (Just to answer: “it is doing fine, I really love the city.”)       

But, now, it’s time to go back to DC.  It’s my last night at home and I have to wake up super early in the morning, fly back, and get back to school and working.  Well, I guess a relaxing week must end one day, and that day is tomorrow, seven days later, who would have known?  Back to the old grindstone.  

Classes

So my first day of class was so overwhelming.  I received my first syllabus (all eleven pages of it), my nine book booklist, and my first assignment: to come up with and research the topic I want to write a 35-60 page paper on.  Oh, and I had to make up my mind in five days.  I thought, "yeah, I'm hopping on a plane and going back to Illinois, because I can't handle this." And then I remembered that it was my choice to come here and my pride forced me to suck it up.

The research project is optional for a lot of schools, including mine.  (Yeah, I'm one of the fools doing it voluntarily.)  What it asks is for students to conduct original research using resources unique to DC, such as interviewing lobbyist or congressional staff members.  Things that we couldn't do at our home schools.  I thought this sounded like a great opportunity, so I agreed to do it, but its going to be a lot of work.

Anyway, so I found out all the work I had to do and it seemed like a lot.  Then classes started, which I know I run the risk of sounding like a nerd when I say this, but they were actually pretty cool.  Yesterday I had two guest speakers, who were both really awesome.  The coolest part is that everything the speakers say is "off the record" so it really feels like your getting the inside scoop.  It was a pretty good intro to DC living.

And then today was cool to because we went to the newseum.  For class.  The newseum is really awesome and I would totally recommend it.  It is a museum of news.  But wait, before you judge me and think I'm lame, let me explain it.  It has everything.  From history to current events.  And it talks about every event in the US's past.  The best part is this one room lined with old newspapers ranging from before the revolutionary war to today.  And I mean the real newspapers, what they looked like back when they were published.  Ok maybe I am a nerd.  But still, it was a really cool museum and that was what we got to do for class.

So maybe I can handle this.  Maybe class won't be that bad and I can do it.  Well let's see.  I will wait it out and give it a chance.

But if I could give advise to anyone going into this program (at least as much advice as someone's who's been here a week can give) it would be to wait it out.  When you get here, it will be overwhelming and it will seem like a lot to handle, but stick it out.  Don't assume that you can't do it, just make sure you stay on top of everything you have to do.  And have fun.  That's what I'm trying to do.

First Week

Hello everyone.

I am a senior from Monmouth College in Illinois.  I'm interested in political campaigning and I hope to some day run a political campaign of my own.  That is why I choose to come to DC during the midterm elections and participate in the American Politics section at American.

I chose to live in WISH housing, which in near Capitol Hill.  Seriously, the capitol is right outside my door, about a block down.  The idea is pretty cool, jogging to the Washington monument everyday (well, let's see how long that lasts).  It is cool, but I'm from a super small town in rural midwest, so this was a major culture shock.  It's much different from what I'm used to.  The metro, the busses, the traffic lights.  All very different.  (And the stoplights here aren't only for the cars, people have traffic lights to!)

But have no fear small towners, you can adjust.  Just learn how to shift.  It will feel like it takes a long time to get anywhere and the cost of living is higher, but there is a flip side: FREE ENTERTAINMENT!!!  There is so much to see here (at times it can get very overwhelming), but it is super nice to take a walk and decide to go see the original U.S. constitution, to spend a day at ONE of the Smithsonian museums, or just to stop by a Chicago style pizza joint and enjoy a little slice of home.

And in all honestly I can't do much complaining, hey I live in a three story town house (fully stocked from pots and pans to a TV, thank you WISH housing) a block away from the heart of the city, I'm young, and I am in DC during the midterm election season.

That being said, this is a blog, and as I understand it, that means that I get to write about my time here. This includes all the papers, the mishaps (always make sure you get on the right metro, don't think just because you've been riding for a week you're an expert.  They have signs for a reason), and those awesome times when I have to stand back and just say, yeah this is awesome and I'm a part of it.  I get to write about all that.  So here it is, my time in DC at American.

Here we go....

Harry Potter 7.1!!!

So, did you all see Harry Potter?  I did.  Midnight showing.  Yup, I’m that big of a nerd.  Last night I went down to Chinatown where the theatre is in DC.  First, I got something to eat, then walked across the street to the theatre.  I thought there would be a line, but it wasn’t too bad.  Then I got into the theatre, one of five showing the movie, and there was not a seat open.  I ended up having to sit in the front row, which was not comfortable.

Then, I sat. And waited for an hour and half for the movie to start.  But, then the movie finally started, and it was worth it.  I don’t want to ruin it for those of you who only watch the movies and don’t read the books, thus don’t know how it ends.  But it was really good. Trust me go, it will be worth it. 

Unfortunately, though, going to the midnight showing on a weekday meant I didn’t get to take the metro back.  So it was a delightful 30-minute walk back to the Capitol at 2:30 in the morning. 

Oh, but don’t get the wrong idea.  You really shouldn’t be walking around the city by yourself.  I wasn’t.  Come on, I didn’t go to the movie by myself.  I mean I may love Harry Potter, but I’m not a total nerd.  

White House Christmas Tree

Every year the White House does a Christmas tree lighting ceremony and the public can get tickets.  In order to get tickets you have to sign up for a lottery online.  There are two different types of tickets you can get.  There is a seating section and a standing section.  When you sign up for the lottery, you can try and sign up for five tickets at the most. 

I, of course, signed up for the lottery. And I tried to get five tickets.  I signed up and waited.  Well the wait is now over and come December 9^th, I will be going to the White House to see the Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

The tickets I got are in the standing, not seated section, which is to bad, but it’s still cool.  The standing section is close, but it does not have a view of the stage.  However there are screens sets up to view the stage.  And I will still be able to see the tree light up on the White House lawn.  Plus I get to take 4 of my friends.

But wait, that’s not all, my roommate got five tickets to, so she gets to bring four more people.  This is will the perfect way to wrap up the semester, going and doing something fun (and cold) with all of us.  Something that is unique to DC.  An event that all of us who meet here can all enjoy together before we go home to our separate lives.  

Supreme Court Justices

Went to the Supreme Court today. I know what you’re thinking; “again?”  No silly, not to see another case.  I went today to meet a Supreme Court Justice.  My class met with Justice Alito. 

We got there pretty early, so we had time to wonder around the Supreme Court and see the building before we all made our way into a small, extremely hot room.  Then the Justice came in. 

It was really cool to meet a justice.  I know the court doesn’t get as much attention as the other branches of Government, but honestly, there are only nine of them.  Nine and they are in office until retirement. 

Justice Alito was really nice.  He was laid back and told our class what it was like to work as a justice.  He told us about how even though the court may not be in session, it does not mean they are not working.  Actually it is the times they are not in the public view that they do the most work because they must read briefings and prepare for court.  Justice Alito told our class that while court ends in April, May and June are usually the busiest times of the year, because the Justices are trying to wrap up and come to conclusions on cases. 

After speaking with us for a short time, Justice Alito allowed for us to ask him questions.  He answered several questions from our class and then he let us take pictures with him before he left.

It was an awesome experience to go to the Supreme Court and have the change to sit in on a case, but meeting a Justice was humbling.  

My Sister's Visit

My sister was here this past weekend.  It was really fun.  She came on Thursday and we walked from Chinatown down to my house.  I showed her around Capital Hill, which is beautiful at night. 

I had my internship on Friday, so she saw all the sights and monuments on her own.  Then I took her to Good Stuff for dinner.  Good Stuff is a burger joint, but it’s not a typical burger joint.  The burgers are specialty burgers, which my sister was not prepared for.  She was so overwhelmed; she ended up ordering a salad.  Typical small town girl in a big city just can’t handle the pressure of ordering a crazy burger.  (I hope you enjoy that Cassie.)

Then on Saturday we went to Old Town in Alexandria.  We walked around and saw a few neat shops.  There was a really cool used bookstore I liked.  I also took her down to the waterfront and we got homemade ice cream.  Then we got dinner down in Alexandria in an Italian restaurant.     

She left on Sunday though, unfortunately early in the morning.  I had to wake up super early and see her off at Union Station.  But it’s not too bad, because I will get to see my whole family when I go home next weekend.  I like DC, but I can’t wait to go home for Thanksgiving. 

Supreme Court Visit

I went to see the Supreme Court on Wednesday.  It was really cool.  Literally, cold.  We had to get up super early and dress up.  Then I walked the two blocks to the Supreme Court and had to wait outside in line.  And wait I did.  I got there at 6 in the morning.  They moved us into a stricter line at 7:00 and then at 7:30, gave us all tickets.  Yup, I waited in line for an hour and a half to get into the Supreme Court.  Waiting in line would not of been bad was I wearing clothes (we had to dress up, so no warm clothes for me) and the weather was not so cool outside.

Once, I had my ticket though, we walked to a local coffee shop, the Firehook, to grab breakfast and coffee.  (Side note-Firehook is really good and well reasonably priced, if your looking for coffee of a good breakfast place, this would be it).  Also, the coffee shop had the most important quality: it was warm. But alas, come 8:15, I had to head back into the cool, cool weather and wait in line again.

Finally, it came to the time when we were let into the building.  Let in only to go through two more security detectors.  Finally I got inside the Supreme Court courtroom.  It was worth it.  Well, originally I was stuck in a seat in the back and couldn’t see anything, but once I was able to move to a better seat, it was worth it. 

The case I saw was on taxation of the railroads in Alabama.  If you ever have the chance, I suggest you go to the Supreme Court.  It is really neat to see how the justices interact with each other.  They will ask the lawyer arguing the case all types of questions and talk to each other through the questions they ask. 

I suggest going.  It was a unique experience and it is amazing to see how the laws of our country are being defended, upheld, and dismissed.  Just make sure you get there early.  You don’t want to wait outside for two hours and not be allowed in.  You have to be one of the first 50 people.  Good luck.       

DC luck

Ah, so I just finished the rough draft of my research paper.  I feel so relived.

What is really amazing about DC is the way things can happed here.  My research project is in regards to Head Start.  Yesterday, my class had a guest speaker who mentioned in passing that he was the coordinator of a Head Start program.  So I emailed him and asked if I could meet up and ask him a few questions.  Today he responded and I was able to interview him, just in time to add his information to my rough draft.     

It is strange, but it seems like DC is very much of the whole, being in the right place at the right time.  And I love that I can randomly run into someone who can answer exactly what I am looking for. 

DC is definitely the city of luck.  And if you have it, you can really get a lot done.  But then again, what is luck but the ability to exploit accidents?

Ok, so the rough draft is done, but alas, it is pretty rough.  So I guess I should get back to the editing process.  So much fun.  Really though, I do think this is the best part. 

Just had to tell you all about my little bit of luck.  Now back to the grindstone.  

Conservative Women's Luncheon November

The most wonderful time of the month.  Yes it was again the time of the Conservative Women’s Network Luncheon.  I am not even kidding; this luncheon is my favorite by far.  And it’s not only because the food is amazing, which it is.

The Conservative Women’s Luncheon is held once a month at the Heritage Foundation and sponsored by the Clair Booth Luce foundation.  The women I intern for invites me, which is how I always am able to go. 

 

This month’s luncheon was a panel discussion about the election and women’s roles within it.  The panel discussed current issues and addressed if and how much of an effect they would have on the upcoming 2012 election.

The first speaker began with a few statistics, which I was surprised about.  She explained how women in this election flipped significantly, from voting heavily democratic to republican.

The second speaker address the role healthcare played in the election and furthered the previous speakers comments, building by stating that not only had women flipped, but elderly women have moved substantially from the democratic ticket to become republican voters.  She commented the reason for this switch being the healthcare bill and elderly women realizing the great impact it will have on them.

The discussion also led to women leaders, those who were elected and those not.  This part of the discussion focused on what the election of new women in Congress and governor positions will mean in terms of women playing a more prominent role in our government. 

The luncheon was very interesting and informative.  I must tell you, it is a good way to spend a Friday lunch break: hearing amazing women discuss important issues, followed by delicious food.  

King's St.

So if you are looking for a fun, easy, one day trip. I suggest taking the metro to King’s Street to Virginia’s “old town.”  There is a waterfront and lots of little shops and restaurants to window shop at or grab a delicious bit to eat. 

I went there and we went to this really good oyster restaurant, which had, of course good oysters, but other kinds of good fish as well.  They also had this cool promotion that many of the restaurants in DC have going on.  All you have to do is agree to have a portion of your bill go to a local charity and you get a cookbook with a recipe from every participating restaurant.  The recipes look so good and if I can make the food half as good as the oyster bar made it, I will be happy.

We also walked down to the waterfront and got homemade ice cream, which was amazing.  The waterfront was beautiful too.  You could see the skyline and there were street performers who created much entertainment. 

The waterfront is about a 20-block walk from the metro, which is not bad when talking your leisurely time to walk down, enjoying all the shops, but if you want a quick way back, you are in luck.  There is a free trolley that goes every fifteen minutes from the waterfront up to the metro.     

It is a nice way to spend a leisurely, easy day.  So if you looking to sightsee, I suggest King’s St.