Facebook can really ruin someone's day. Especially when you log in to find out yet ANOTHER one of your friends is getting married and you are still hopelessly single.
This should really not be a big deal. We're only 20! Why is everyone getting married!? Personally, I'd rather have my freedom. Between my two jobs I doubt I even have time for a boyfriend.
Ok, so maybe I am just a wee bit jealous.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Today I saw Obama.
I was on my way to pick up my regular 5$ foot-long from Subway when I noticed quite a commotion outside of the DNC headquarters. I decided it was worth stopping to see who was inside since the last time there were that many press people outside it was for Charlie Rangel and I missed getting to see him tell Hillary to end her campaign. So I thought this time I would stick around to see who everyone was waiting for. About 30 minutes later, Senator Obama himself was seen exiting the building. I don't know if I expected him to be different than he was on TV but there he was, smiling at the cameras and the small crowd of starry-eyed interns and hill staffers. I think I might be in love.
Other than that today was rather uneventful. I had to work tonight at Starbucks and I got to learn how to make espresso-drinks which was fun (although now I smell like a giant coffee bean). Also, I found out some great news on the supplemental we've been working on. We don't really expect it to make it through to the final bill though since Bush seems intent on veto-ing any domestic spending but hopefully we'll get some money after all the effort we put in.
I wish that the Roll Call website allowed non-members to access articles so I could post a link to this amazing article I read today in the Heard on the Hill section (the gossip section, for those of you unfamiliar with Roll Call). Basically, it was mocking Congress for a recent bill they passed on ending interstate monkey trafficking because of the number of people who had reported monkey bites (But don't worry, according to a quote in HoH, you only have a 1 in 84 million chance of getting bit by a monkey today). I just don't understand how they can easily pass a bill on monkey trafficking but there seems to be no solution in sight for the ever-increasing gas prices, the GI bill, or the broken housing market. I guess Mike was right, this really is the "silly season" of Congress.
Other than that today was rather uneventful. I had to work tonight at Starbucks and I got to learn how to make espresso-drinks which was fun (although now I smell like a giant coffee bean). Also, I found out some great news on the supplemental we've been working on. We don't really expect it to make it through to the final bill though since Bush seems intent on veto-ing any domestic spending but hopefully we'll get some money after all the effort we put in.
I wish that the Roll Call website allowed non-members to access articles so I could post a link to this amazing article I read today in the Heard on the Hill section (the gossip section, for those of you unfamiliar with Roll Call). Basically, it was mocking Congress for a recent bill they passed on ending interstate monkey trafficking because of the number of people who had reported monkey bites (But don't worry, according to a quote in HoH, you only have a 1 in 84 million chance of getting bit by a monkey today). I just don't understand how they can easily pass a bill on monkey trafficking but there seems to be no solution in sight for the ever-increasing gas prices, the GI bill, or the broken housing market. I guess Mike was right, this really is the "silly season" of Congress.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Running with Rainbows
Yes, I know this title is horribly corny. But I refuse to apologize. Today I discovered this amazing new website, Map My Run, and I decided that I would go for a run today around the Mall and some of the monuments. It was actually a nice run but I got worried once it started to rain. It seemed weird to me that it would be raining though because it was still so sunny outside. I turned to look behind me to see if there were storm clouds and instead I saw 3 rainbows arched across the sky, stretched from the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument. It was AMAZING.
Then I got lost and ran for a bit along the Potomac and just enjoyed the day. After the rain it got really cool and so the rest of my run was really relaxing. I think I forget about how much I like to be outdoors until I actually push myself to do it and then I always wonder why I don't go out more. But now with this website I might try to run more often since I can map things out and then keep a record of them online.
Yesterday I met up with my friend Julia S. from Drew and her friend Lauren and we went to this Spanish restaurant in Chinatown. The food was really good (tapas!) but extremely tiny and so, unsatisfied, we headed over to Starbucks for coffee cake. I wish I would have remembered to bring my partner card though so I could have gotten free coffee. But since I have only been working at Starbucks for 2 days and technically don't have a partner number I don't know if it would have worked. Did anyone know that the name Starbucks came from the name of the first mate in Moby Dick (Starbuck)? And actually the "mermaid" is a Siren. Oh the random things you learn in Barista training.
As for my internship, I am actually starting to enjoy it tremendously. It's not something I can see myself doing for the rest of my life but now that I am starting to understand how all of this stuff can impact the University I am getting more into it. Plus, I've been given more responsibility and today Mike looked over my notes and said I did a great job which made me happy.
The bible study here is going well. We have a few people who are thinking of joining because they have some questions which is really exciting. The theology class is...going. I think that it's too much for me to wrap my head around sometimes but I really want to understand what different groups of Christians believe and what all the arguments are out there. I suppose though, in the end, what is really important to keep in mind is that "There is one body and one Spirit, [...] one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. " (Ephesians 4:4-6).
Side Note: Today I Stumble Upon!-ed the now abandoned Washingtonienne blog and thought about actually purchasing the book. Is it sad that I care more about some Staff Assistant's exploits with congressman than Scott McClellan's latest tell-all on the Bush Administration?
Then I got lost and ran for a bit along the Potomac and just enjoyed the day. After the rain it got really cool and so the rest of my run was really relaxing. I think I forget about how much I like to be outdoors until I actually push myself to do it and then I always wonder why I don't go out more. But now with this website I might try to run more often since I can map things out and then keep a record of them online.
Yesterday I met up with my friend Julia S. from Drew and her friend Lauren and we went to this Spanish restaurant in Chinatown. The food was really good (tapas!) but extremely tiny and so, unsatisfied, we headed over to Starbucks for coffee cake. I wish I would have remembered to bring my partner card though so I could have gotten free coffee. But since I have only been working at Starbucks for 2 days and technically don't have a partner number I don't know if it would have worked. Did anyone know that the name Starbucks came from the name of the first mate in Moby Dick (Starbuck)? And actually the "mermaid" is a Siren. Oh the random things you learn in Barista training.
As for my internship, I am actually starting to enjoy it tremendously. It's not something I can see myself doing for the rest of my life but now that I am starting to understand how all of this stuff can impact the University I am getting more into it. Plus, I've been given more responsibility and today Mike looked over my notes and said I did a great job which made me happy.
The bible study here is going well. We have a few people who are thinking of joining because they have some questions which is really exciting. The theology class is...going. I think that it's too much for me to wrap my head around sometimes but I really want to understand what different groups of Christians believe and what all the arguments are out there. I suppose though, in the end, what is really important to keep in mind is that "There is one body and one Spirit, [...] one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. " (Ephesians 4:4-6).
Side Note: Today I Stumble Upon!-ed the now abandoned Washingtonienne blog and thought about actually purchasing the book. Is it sad that I care more about some Staff Assistant's exploits with congressman than Scott McClellan's latest tell-all on the Bush Administration?
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Reflections on D.C.
My PSIP coordinator sent everyone an email on how important it is to reflect on the experiences we are having during our internships in D.C, so this is my attempt at capturing two weeks of highs and lows.
I guess the first thing I need to talk about is my internship. I love the people in my office. They are all very helpful and fun people to be around. While I spend most of my time locked up in coalition meetings (where everything discussed is "off the record"), I am usually provided with breakfast or lunch. Considering I am living on limited funds right now, those free meals are amazing.
The one thing I don't like about me office is that I feel like I'm not really doing... anything. I mean besides attending the meetings, I typically just sit in my office and read newspapers (Roll Call, Politico, Washington Post, The Chronicle). Normally I wouldn't complain about having to do nothing, but the thing is I'm not getting paid. I am paying to be here in D.C. for a learning experience. And I feel like right now I am not learning anything. I'm not really sure how to ask them to give me more work.
So there is my reflection on my current job.
PSIP so far has been an interesting experience. I can say that I get along with everyone here but I feel like there are definitely some cliques already forming, between the people who work ON the Hill, and those who work for non-profits/think tanks/lobbying agencies. Everyone who works for congressmen seem to think they are the shit and no one else's job matters much. And for some reason unknown to me (and my roommate) there are girls on either side of our room that don't seem to like us very much. Haven't quite figured that one out.
I think the experience I am going to get the most out of isn't even going to be my internship. I think in some ways I am growing more in my relationship with God than I could have at LT. Here it is a struggle to stand up for what I believe in because I am not surrounded by my friends in Ann Arbor. I am constantly having to question why I believe something and how I am going to live out my faith or if I am going to be honest about what I believe. So while it's been difficult it's also been exciting to know that I WANT to do this because I think it's right, and not because I want to fit in with the crowd.
My friend Mike from New Life sent me a link to this church out here in DC (which is a lot like New Life). I went there last weekend and although it was kind of weird to go to church in a theater I really liked the service. I also joined a class on Theology and I am definitely excited to gain knowledge on the differences in Christian thought. I actually took this quiz, which theologian are you?, and the results were interesting. If you are reading this, take it and post what answer you got. I think it can tell a lot about what type of church you went to growing up (I got Martin Luther and Anselm).
So I guess, as a quick recap, I am still unsure of what I want to get out of this summer. Hopefully a good job review from my bosses, the chance to network with other interns, and to grow in my faith. Oh, and also to get a part-time job at Starbucks because I currently only have $40 to my name.
P.S. If you're reading this, I applaud you for making it through that entire stream of consciousness.
I guess the first thing I need to talk about is my internship. I love the people in my office. They are all very helpful and fun people to be around. While I spend most of my time locked up in coalition meetings (where everything discussed is "off the record"), I am usually provided with breakfast or lunch. Considering I am living on limited funds right now, those free meals are amazing.
The one thing I don't like about me office is that I feel like I'm not really doing... anything. I mean besides attending the meetings, I typically just sit in my office and read newspapers (Roll Call, Politico, Washington Post, The Chronicle). Normally I wouldn't complain about having to do nothing, but the thing is I'm not getting paid. I am paying to be here in D.C. for a learning experience. And I feel like right now I am not learning anything. I'm not really sure how to ask them to give me more work.
So there is my reflection on my current job.
PSIP so far has been an interesting experience. I can say that I get along with everyone here but I feel like there are definitely some cliques already forming, between the people who work ON the Hill, and those who work for non-profits/think tanks/lobbying agencies. Everyone who works for congressmen seem to think they are the shit and no one else's job matters much. And for some reason unknown to me (and my roommate) there are girls on either side of our room that don't seem to like us very much. Haven't quite figured that one out.
I think the experience I am going to get the most out of isn't even going to be my internship. I think in some ways I am growing more in my relationship with God than I could have at LT. Here it is a struggle to stand up for what I believe in because I am not surrounded by my friends in Ann Arbor. I am constantly having to question why I believe something and how I am going to live out my faith or if I am going to be honest about what I believe. So while it's been difficult it's also been exciting to know that I WANT to do this because I think it's right, and not because I want to fit in with the crowd.
My friend Mike from New Life sent me a link to this church out here in DC (which is a lot like New Life). I went there last weekend and although it was kind of weird to go to church in a theater I really liked the service. I also joined a class on Theology and I am definitely excited to gain knowledge on the differences in Christian thought. I actually took this quiz, which theologian are you?, and the results were interesting. If you are reading this, take it and post what answer you got. I think it can tell a lot about what type of church you went to growing up (I got Martin Luther and Anselm).
So I guess, as a quick recap, I am still unsure of what I want to get out of this summer. Hopefully a good job review from my bosses, the chance to network with other interns, and to grow in my faith. Oh, and also to get a part-time job at Starbucks because I currently only have $40 to my name.
P.S. If you're reading this, I applaud you for making it through that entire stream of consciousness.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)