Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Routine and Adventure!
Routine
I am terribly sorry for the delay in my blogging. I imagined I would have more time to keep everyone back home up to date, but the thrill of DC has completely kept me occupied for the last month and a half. I have fully adjusted to the DC lifestyle... Work hard to play hard.
There is no greater time than right now to experience D.C! There is a new president, a new congress, a new cabinet, and the same party controls both the legislative and executive branch which enables a lot of government activity. Currently, am working on updating our media contacts for our press secretary. This has been a task. It is vital that the press secretary has all the necessary media contacts available to her in order to release any messages to media outlets or constituents. I am contacting most of the newspapers, television stations, and radio stations in Kansas. I am also contacting major national news networks such as CNN, Fox News, Associated Press, Washington Post, etc.
Playing Hard
After the work week, I get to enjoy my weekends. I really appreciate my weekends now that I work a 40 plus hour work week. Last I left off, I had received tickets to the presidential inauguration. D.C. was chaos inauguration weekend. Approximately 2 million people arrived in DC for the inauguration, the most ever in our nations history. I woke up early in the morning of inauguration day and was in line by 7. By this point, the line was already half a mile from the entrance. President Obama's inauguration day was also the coldest inauguration on record, and at seven in the morning, it was definitly believable! My roommates and I huddled together to keep each other warm. By ten-thirty the line had barely moved so we made a quick judgement call and ran back to the apartment to catch the inauguration on tv since it started at eleven. While I did not get to see the inauguration in person, I was still in D.C. during a very historical moment.
I have also had the opportunity spend time with my Sweetheart sisters. Claire Buffie, Miss Indiana Sweetheart as well as Miss Michigan Sweetheart and former Miss Kansas sister, Samantha Steckloff came to DC. On the weekend of Miss America, my roommates and I watched the America Pageant in the movie theater of a friend's apartment. We followed up the evening playing Wii and my new favorie card game nertz! This past weekend I enjoyed the KU vs K-State game at a K-State pub here in DC with fellow co-workers. There are only two other KU fans, and we are very outnumbered by K-Staters. On Sunday I left for Delaware and went to Rehobeth Beach and then to Ocean City in Maryland. In total, I spent about 10 hours driving the coasts of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia between Sunday and Monday. I crossed two major bridges. One bridge crossed the Chesapeake Bay by Annapolis and looked like a roller coaster. The second bridge crossed the mouth between the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay connecting Maryland and Virginia. This bridge took about thirty minutes to cross. The road would transition between bridges and under ocean tunnels. I am petrified of bridges so driving across this bridge was a monumental event for me.
I promise that for the rest of the duration of my stay, I will be more prompt in keeping you all up to date!
I miss you all.
Danielle
I am terribly sorry for the delay in my blogging. I imagined I would have more time to keep everyone back home up to date, but the thrill of DC has completely kept me occupied for the last month and a half. I have fully adjusted to the DC lifestyle... Work hard to play hard.
My weekdays are jam packed. I wake up each morning around seven to get ready for work. I enjoy my mile walk to work and arrive to Rayburn between eight and nine. I typically leave my internship around six, which makes for a long day, but I am enjoying my internship so much that my days really fly by. I bought a gym membership in the House gym. Over my lunch breaks I utilize that time to workout in order to keep my evenings free. I arrive home between six-thirty and seven, which leaves me a few hours of leisure before bed. I am taking a few online classes to keep up with school while I am in DC, so after making dinner my evenings consist of studying and hanging out with my roommates and friends I have made. I try to be in bed by eleven each night, but sometimes I am unable to make that eleven o'clock appointment.
The Internship
There is no greater time than right now to experience D.C! There is a new president, a new congress, a new cabinet, and the same party controls both the legislative and executive branch which enables a lot of government activity. Currently, am working on updating our media contacts for our press secretary. This has been a task. It is vital that the press secretary has all the necessary media contacts available to her in order to release any messages to media outlets or constituents. I am contacting most of the newspapers, television stations, and radio stations in Kansas. I am also contacting major national news networks such as CNN, Fox News, Associated Press, Washington Post, etc.
Another role I play in our office is answering constituent phone calls. Over the past month I have received many calls regarding the stimulus package, the Freedom of Choice Act, and H.R. 45 which involves gun rights. With the stimulus being pushed to be passed, I have received many calls from constituents voicing their opinions on how they would like the Congressman to cast his vote.
Three weeks ago, H.R. 1, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, more commonly known as the stimulus package, was passed through the house. After it past in the Senate two weeks ago, a conference was formed between both the House and the Senate to negotiate the differences of the bill in order for it to be re voted upon and signed into law by the president. On Friday, I was in DC when the single most expensive bill was voted into law by the Legislature. The bill is 1,071 pages, costing 787 billion dollars.
In order to respect the privacy of the constituents who have called into our office, I will not go into detail of the phone calls I have received, but I will say that this economic crisis is effecting many Kansans. I can only hope that the actions our government is taking is the answer to this recession. It is difficult to witness friends, neighbors, and even family losing their homes, jobs, insurance, and all else that follows.
I also attend briefings on behalf of Legislative Assistants on issues ranging from health care to terrorism. My favorite briefing thus far was on microfinance. Microfinance is the process of giving small loans to low income people, specifically those in third world countries. Microfinance provides a ladder for those in poverty to climb out of that poverty by starting their own businesses. Microfinance has provided an outlet for thieves, prostitutes, and even slaves create a stable steady income for a successful life.
Playing Hard
After the work week, I get to enjoy my weekends. I really appreciate my weekends now that I work a 40 plus hour work week. Last I left off, I had received tickets to the presidential inauguration. D.C. was chaos inauguration weekend. Approximately 2 million people arrived in DC for the inauguration, the most ever in our nations history. I woke up early in the morning of inauguration day and was in line by 7. By this point, the line was already half a mile from the entrance. President Obama's inauguration day was also the coldest inauguration on record, and at seven in the morning, it was definitly believable! My roommates and I huddled together to keep each other warm. By ten-thirty the line had barely moved so we made a quick judgement call and ran back to the apartment to catch the inauguration on tv since it started at eleven. While I did not get to see the inauguration in person, I was still in D.C. during a very historical moment.
I have also had the opportunity spend time with my Sweetheart sisters. Claire Buffie, Miss Indiana Sweetheart as well as Miss Michigan Sweetheart and former Miss Kansas sister, Samantha Steckloff came to DC. On the weekend of Miss America, my roommates and I watched the America Pageant in the movie theater of a friend's apartment. We followed up the evening playing Wii and my new favorie card game nertz! This past weekend I enjoyed the KU vs K-State game at a K-State pub here in DC with fellow co-workers. There are only two other KU fans, and we are very outnumbered by K-Staters. On Sunday I left for Delaware and went to Rehobeth Beach and then to Ocean City in Maryland. In total, I spent about 10 hours driving the coasts of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia between Sunday and Monday. I crossed two major bridges. One bridge crossed the Chesapeake Bay by Annapolis and looked like a roller coaster. The second bridge crossed the mouth between the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay connecting Maryland and Virginia. This bridge took about thirty minutes to cross. The road would transition between bridges and under ocean tunnels. I am petrified of bridges so driving across this bridge was a monumental event for me.
I promise that for the rest of the duration of my stay, I will be more prompt in keeping you all up to date!
I miss you all.
Danielle
Whatever you want in life, other people are going to want it too. Believe in yourself enough to accept the idea that you have an equal right to it
~Diane Sawyer
Saturday, January 10, 2009
The Time of My Life
The Opportunity
In November I was presented with the life changing opportunity to intern in Washington D.C. for Representative Jerry Moran. This next semester, I will be in our nation's capital serving at the side of Congressman Moran as he represents his constituents in Kansas. This is an experience that I will be able to utilize the rest of my professional life as I continue to strive to reach my life's goals. I will be updating my blog often so that my family, friends, and all those interested will be able to follow my journey.
How did I get here?
This summer I was presented a question that really made me reflect on who I am and who I want to become. The question was, "What do you want put on your tombstone?" I was startled by this question. The words on one's tombstone reflect one's legacy during their lifetime as well as what they have left after death. After taking a pause, I answered, "She lived." Well obviously you lived is what you are probably thinking. The meaning behind "She lived," is that many of us live our daily lives mechanically. It is easy to become comfortable in your surroundings and the shelter of your routine. The essence and presence of our life is easy to take for granted and once it is all over, you can not go back and change it. I have ONE life to live, and I am really going to LIVE it. Every new opportunity I am going to take. If one door closes, I will find a new door to open. That question and my answer has been stuck in my head ever since. It made me reevaluate who I am and the direction that I want my life to lead from now until death. I do not have a set road map, but I have goals and the drive to reach them.
Politics have always interested me and making a difference is a forefront in who I am. For the last year and a half I have interned with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. This internship opened my eyes to the possibilities of making a difference through the government. This past semester I asked my professor of any possible internships in Washington D.C. Through KDHE I was exposed to state level government, and I was now eager to gain the experience first hand the federal government. I applied for the internship and Tuesday November 25, I received a phone call from Congressman Moran's office as they offered me the position. I will be receiving Washburn credit which will be put towards my Political Science Minor as well as gaining a new perspective of what can be done for the people of Kansas and the United States of America at our nation's center. Furthermore, I am following my promise, to live.
Coming to DC
The past month has been hectic trying to juggle the holidays, work, and my moving accommodations. It all came together in the end and I arrived in D.C. this past Friday. I have so much to thank for the Miss America Organization for, but currently I am particularly grateful for the friendships and networking I have created from my involvement. Over Labor Day weekend, I had the honor to compete in the National Sweetheart Pageant. This pageant is created for the runners-up from the states across the U.S. Through this pageant I became friends with Jennifer Corey, Miss District of Columbia 1st Runner Up. I had told Jen of my potential plans of coming to D.C. and when the good news of my internship arrived, Jen was ready to welcome me with open arms. She met me at the Baltimore airport and was a great tour guide for my first day in D.C. I have never lived anywhere besides Topeka before, so living in a new city for the first time, especially D.C., is very overwhelming. Jen made the transition very comfortable and at the end of the night we sat in front of the television to watch Miss America Count Down to the Crown.
- On a side note: Emily I'm so glad you are ok and you look great!
I am living in an internship housing program here in D.C. called WISH. I live in a two bedroom apartment with total of five girls. The apartment is spacious, and is surprisingly a lot more so than I anticipated. My room consists of one other girl Erica, who is from North Dakota. She is interning with a non-profit organization promoting the research in diabetes. The three girls upstairs are Nikki, Lisa, and Kristen. Nikki is interning with North Dakota's Representative. Lisa is interning with a Senator from Montana, and Kristen who is from Minnesota is interning for a lobbying company. My apartment is six blocks from Capital Hill and the House building I will be working in. I did not bring my car so the only transportation I have is the Metro (Washington DC subway system) and my feet. It is actually exhilarating not being dependant on a vehicle as a means of transportation.
Saturday morning I woke up later than I would have liked, but it was sleep much needed. By one I was out the door to embark on site seeing and becoming acquainted with DC before I start my internship on Monday. I spent the next two hours looking at the Capital Building, the House Buildings, the Senate Buildings, and the Library of Congress (which made me think of the movie National Treasure). I also walked down Pennsylvania Ave and found local coffee shops that I will be making trips to in the morning, as well as restaurants, and other small shops. By this time, it began to rain on me so I hurried back to my apartment since I did not bring an umbrella.
I spent Sunday afternoon getting to know my roommates. I am thrilled to share an apartment with such bright, confident, and capable women. Each of them are unique, but we all have very similar personality traits and goals. Sunday evening I enjoyed dinner at a very nice restaurant called Hooks in Georgetown. I have been anticipating good seafood almost as much as I have been anticipating the internship. The salmon was to die for!
The Internship
Monday was the first day of my internship. I was surprised how easy it has been to get up early each morning, but I rather enjoy it. I leave my apartment every morning by 8:15. It is 1.1 miles to Rayburn (the House Building I work in). While the weather in DC is cold, it is much more peaceful walking to work than driving. The walk to and from work is one of the favorite parts of my day.
Congressman Moran's staff is really top of the line. Everyone introduced themselves to me as they trickled in the office and made me feel welcome with their Kansas hospitality. I started training for my responsibilities right away. There are two other interns besides myself. Tom is from Lawrence and is now living in Virginia as a recent college graduate. Ashely is attending American University here in DC and is from Washington, Kansas.
Day two in my internship I started working on a tedious project for our press secretary. I hope to continue to work on projects for her so that I am able to continue to learn what her job entails. A press secretary is a job that holds a high appeal for me, and whatever I am able to pick up now, would eventually be a strong asset for me in the future.
The BEST Day Ever
Today was a very exciting and fun filled day. First, I got to meet Congressman Moran. As he is a very busy man, this was the first time he had been in the office since my first day. He was just as nice as everyone had told me he was. While Congressman Moran is the Representative for the First Congressional District in Kansas, he still is very interested in the concerns of all the constituents in Kansas, something I really admire.
I was also asked by a member of the Kansas State Society to be Kansas' Cherry Blossom Princess for the Cherry Blossom Festival in DC at the end of March. I will represent Kansas in a weeks long worth of events, parade, and a ball. I will give a speech to the Kansas State Society. Jen had the opportunity to represent DC last year (as the privilege given to DC's 2nd Runner Up) and she informed me that she got to meet Nancy Pelosi as a part of the week. I am so grateful to have the chance to represent Kansas in our nation's capitol!
Finally, I recieved a ticket at the end of the day for.... HOLD YOUR BREATH.... PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA'S INAUGURATION!!!!! I will be on capitol grounds as he becomes Commander and Chief next Tuesday. I will take pictures.
I have not even been here for a week, and while I miss everyone back at home, this is the best time of my life.
With Love,
Dani
Quote of the Week
"You are built not to shrink down to less but to blossom into more."
-Oprah Winfrey
In November I was presented with the life changing opportunity to intern in Washington D.C. for Representative Jerry Moran. This next semester, I will be in our nation's capital serving at the side of Congressman Moran as he represents his constituents in Kansas. This is an experience that I will be able to utilize the rest of my professional life as I continue to strive to reach my life's goals. I will be updating my blog often so that my family, friends, and all those interested will be able to follow my journey.
How did I get here?
This summer I was presented a question that really made me reflect on who I am and who I want to become. The question was, "What do you want put on your tombstone?" I was startled by this question. The words on one's tombstone reflect one's legacy during their lifetime as well as what they have left after death. After taking a pause, I answered, "She lived." Well obviously you lived is what you are probably thinking. The meaning behind "She lived," is that many of us live our daily lives mechanically. It is easy to become comfortable in your surroundings and the shelter of your routine. The essence and presence of our life is easy to take for granted and once it is all over, you can not go back and change it. I have ONE life to live, and I am really going to LIVE it. Every new opportunity I am going to take. If one door closes, I will find a new door to open. That question and my answer has been stuck in my head ever since. It made me reevaluate who I am and the direction that I want my life to lead from now until death. I do not have a set road map, but I have goals and the drive to reach them.
Politics have always interested me and making a difference is a forefront in who I am. For the last year and a half I have interned with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. This internship opened my eyes to the possibilities of making a difference through the government. This past semester I asked my professor of any possible internships in Washington D.C. Through KDHE I was exposed to state level government, and I was now eager to gain the experience first hand the federal government. I applied for the internship and Tuesday November 25, I received a phone call from Congressman Moran's office as they offered me the position. I will be receiving Washburn credit which will be put towards my Political Science Minor as well as gaining a new perspective of what can be done for the people of Kansas and the United States of America at our nation's center. Furthermore, I am following my promise, to live.
Coming to DC
The past month has been hectic trying to juggle the holidays, work, and my moving accommodations. It all came together in the end and I arrived in D.C. this past Friday. I have so much to thank for the Miss America Organization for, but currently I am particularly grateful for the friendships and networking I have created from my involvement. Over Labor Day weekend, I had the honor to compete in the National Sweetheart Pageant. This pageant is created for the runners-up from the states across the U.S. Through this pageant I became friends with Jennifer Corey, Miss District of Columbia 1st Runner Up. I had told Jen of my potential plans of coming to D.C. and when the good news of my internship arrived, Jen was ready to welcome me with open arms. She met me at the Baltimore airport and was a great tour guide for my first day in D.C. I have never lived anywhere besides Topeka before, so living in a new city for the first time, especially D.C., is very overwhelming. Jen made the transition very comfortable and at the end of the night we sat in front of the television to watch Miss America Count Down to the Crown.
- On a side note: Emily I'm so glad you are ok and you look great!
I am living in an internship housing program here in D.C. called WISH. I live in a two bedroom apartment with total of five girls. The apartment is spacious, and is surprisingly a lot more so than I anticipated. My room consists of one other girl Erica, who is from North Dakota. She is interning with a non-profit organization promoting the research in diabetes. The three girls upstairs are Nikki, Lisa, and Kristen. Nikki is interning with North Dakota's Representative. Lisa is interning with a Senator from Montana, and Kristen who is from Minnesota is interning for a lobbying company. My apartment is six blocks from Capital Hill and the House building I will be working in. I did not bring my car so the only transportation I have is the Metro (Washington DC subway system) and my feet. It is actually exhilarating not being dependant on a vehicle as a means of transportation.
Saturday morning I woke up later than I would have liked, but it was sleep much needed. By one I was out the door to embark on site seeing and becoming acquainted with DC before I start my internship on Monday. I spent the next two hours looking at the Capital Building, the House Buildings, the Senate Buildings, and the Library of Congress (which made me think of the movie National Treasure). I also walked down Pennsylvania Ave and found local coffee shops that I will be making trips to in the morning, as well as restaurants, and other small shops. By this time, it began to rain on me so I hurried back to my apartment since I did not bring an umbrella.
I spent Sunday afternoon getting to know my roommates. I am thrilled to share an apartment with such bright, confident, and capable women. Each of them are unique, but we all have very similar personality traits and goals. Sunday evening I enjoyed dinner at a very nice restaurant called Hooks in Georgetown. I have been anticipating good seafood almost as much as I have been anticipating the internship. The salmon was to die for!
The Internship
Monday was the first day of my internship. I was surprised how easy it has been to get up early each morning, but I rather enjoy it. I leave my apartment every morning by 8:15. It is 1.1 miles to Rayburn (the House Building I work in). While the weather in DC is cold, it is much more peaceful walking to work than driving. The walk to and from work is one of the favorite parts of my day.
Congressman Moran's staff is really top of the line. Everyone introduced themselves to me as they trickled in the office and made me feel welcome with their Kansas hospitality. I started training for my responsibilities right away. There are two other interns besides myself. Tom is from Lawrence and is now living in Virginia as a recent college graduate. Ashely is attending American University here in DC and is from Washington, Kansas.
Day two in my internship I started working on a tedious project for our press secretary. I hope to continue to work on projects for her so that I am able to continue to learn what her job entails. A press secretary is a job that holds a high appeal for me, and whatever I am able to pick up now, would eventually be a strong asset for me in the future.
The BEST Day Ever
Today was a very exciting and fun filled day. First, I got to meet Congressman Moran. As he is a very busy man, this was the first time he had been in the office since my first day. He was just as nice as everyone had told me he was. While Congressman Moran is the Representative for the First Congressional District in Kansas, he still is very interested in the concerns of all the constituents in Kansas, something I really admire.
I was also asked by a member of the Kansas State Society to be Kansas' Cherry Blossom Princess for the Cherry Blossom Festival in DC at the end of March. I will represent Kansas in a weeks long worth of events, parade, and a ball. I will give a speech to the Kansas State Society. Jen had the opportunity to represent DC last year (as the privilege given to DC's 2nd Runner Up) and she informed me that she got to meet Nancy Pelosi as a part of the week. I am so grateful to have the chance to represent Kansas in our nation's capitol!
Finally, I recieved a ticket at the end of the day for.... HOLD YOUR BREATH.... PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA'S INAUGURATION!!!!! I will be on capitol grounds as he becomes Commander and Chief next Tuesday. I will take pictures.
I have not even been here for a week, and while I miss everyone back at home, this is the best time of my life.
With Love,
Dani
Quote of the Week
"You are built not to shrink down to less but to blossom into more."
-Oprah Winfrey
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