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