The Newsie

Hola todos! It's my third week of D.C. life. I get up at 7 a.m., drink my coffee while watching the news, ride to work on the metro and read the newspaper while listening to my ipod, work all day witnessing and reporting the news, read various online news sources during my breaks, and then I come home and all I want to do is eat and sleep (simultaneously) because I'm so tired! I do this while watching my last bit of news for the day, of course (The Colbert Report).

So, my life is obviously all about current events...but I've also realized I act so much like an adult now. I feel like I'm just pretending all of the time, though. I feel like everyone around me is probably like-- what the heck is that teenager doing here and why does she have a press pass? Even though I am not a teenager...obviously. haha. I mean I'm going to be 21 in like 3 months! But people on Capitol Hill really cant tell that, can they? Nope. Oh well, I may be the youngest in the room...but that could be a good thing, too, I guess.

On the weekends my schedule has been pretty busy, as well. Don't worry Mom, I am not waisting my days sleeping. Last weekend I competed in a scavenger hunt with three of my other friends here: Stephanie (not my roommate), Lucy, and Mark. It was a lot of fun just running around the city for 3 hours, and we got to see some hurried sights on the way. We also saw a mass protest on the war (the first picture). That night we went to a National's game. We pulled it out in the last minute (I have adopted the Nat's for the time I am here).

I also went to an art museum--the National one. :-) I saw an exhibit from Edward Hopper. He did the famous painting of the corner bar late at night in the 50's. I know you all know which one I'm talking about. If not, go to www.nga.gov/hopper and look up "Nighthawks". I like some of his other pieces better, though. I haven't been to an art museum in a long time, and I realized I really like them. It's neat when you actually learn about a person's life and see their work at the same time.

On a note stemming from the fact that I like art museums now...I think I'm becoming a hippie. hahaha Just kidding, Shaws. I have been trying "hippieish" things lately though. We got up early (11:30) Saturday morning before the scavenger hunt and went to Adams Morgan for lunch. It's a part of town for college kids (I think), but it reminds me a lot of Broad Ripple (for you Hoosiers). So already hippie-like. But then we tried a middle eastern food called falafel, and we ate outside with people wearing really long skirts and sandals. So hippie. But it was really good! I know I will have to take some of you adventurous eaters to get some when you come see me (Stephy and Mom). I wont tell the rest of you what it is because then I know you won't eat it. It's all from a vegetable (slash legume), so don't think I'm disgusting and eat intestines or something.

(Side note: The two next pictures are of the capitol building. We took a tour of it with my Mass Communications group.)

Anyway-- This work week has been pretty typical. I was supposed to see Hillary Clinton at one of my hearings, but she only had a certain amount of time available, and the hearing was in recess during that time. One thing I've noticed about D.C.-- absolutely nothing starts on time. But no one really minds. So I like it because it's really laid back, and I'm kind of like that. :-)

Another thing I've noticed--people fulfill the roles they are placed in. Back at Xavier I was the late and untidy roommate compared to Steph, but here I am always on time, my part of the room is always clean (I make my bed daily!!), and I always know where I put things...because I have to take care of Johnna who is much more "laid back" than I am. haha. She's great. And I like being the responsible one for once! It's also weird because I am younger than Johnna and Steph is younger than I am. I guess maturity doesn't always come with age. (There are plenty of examples of that in this town.)

Something else really cool that I almost forgot to mention: My dear friend Jan Huffman, mother of Nash, whom I babysat for this summer, is really helping me out with her connections! She is on the board for the Indiana Down Syndrome Foundation, and she knows someone named Madeline Will whose son has Downs. She is divorced, but her ex-husband is George Will the famous opinions columnist. SO, she very kindly got the number from Madeline, called his office and explained the situation, and they are trying to set up a time for me to meet George Will! Isn't that so cool? Jan is one of the nicest people ever! I love you Jan! She is a former D.C. person, so she must know how important networking is. The pic is of Nash and me clowning around this summer. He's the cutest. (I've been meaning to send you those pictures, Jan...I will try to this week!)

So, that is my life. Please feel free to call me and talk about it more. I miss you guys a lot! Every single person! However, please note that I am now a grandma, and I try to go to bed at 11...so don't call too late.

Talk to you later. Loves!!

p.s. If you ever want to read my articles, e-mail me and I will try to make that happen. ;-)

Deciphering D.C.

Now I think I know the true meaning of "Thank God It's Friday." After never working more than around 6 hours in a day, a work week of 9 hour days has been a slight shock to me. And to think, this was only a four day week! Haha, I know, I'll get used to it.

Actually, I really like my job. I ride the metro every morning to the Union Station stop. It's about a 30 minute ride, but it's really not so bad. The first picture is of the inside of Union Station, and the second is my office building, which is about 2 blocks away from the metro. I told my parents-- it's really hard to picture where I am in the city since I only travel underground. I know where I am when I get out at most stops, but it's hard to piece them together. It bothers me a little because I'm somewhat of a directional person, but hopefully it will come with time.

When I get to work I check for my assignments, and then it's off to Capital Hill for the day. It's a 15-20 minute walk each way (in heels) and sometimes I make more than one trip per day, so I'm thinking my calf muscles are going to be massive by December. For those members of the Shaw family that caught those numbers...yes, my walking time is going to increase drastically, so you better get your shoes on now! :-)

So far at Capital Hill I've gone to hearings, a rally, and a speech. It's weird to see all of the people you see on TV in real life...and it's amazing how many hearings and meetings go on every single day on so many topics on Capital Hill. I kind of see now why it's so hard to get everything accomplished. There's so much to talk about and include in every decision.

I have a kind of cool story though-- The first day I got to go on my own to Capital Hill I had a hearing at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. The first hearing lasted until 1:00, so I had to decide whether or not to go back to the office for lunch. I started to go, but half way there I realized I probably wouldn't have time, and I should just eat in the basement cafeteria of one of the House buildings. So, I turned around and cut through the Capital building. I saw a bunch of police cars as I walked in, but didn't think much of it because there are tons of police around that place constantly. I continued my walk through the Capital, passing the visitors on tours, thanking God I didn't take a job with a congressman or senator because it would have been me doing that.

Then, all of the sudden a swarm of security was walking right toward me and shoving people off to the side of the walkway. "Just stand out of the way please," they were saying. "Stand out of the way and you'll get to see him!" I just stared at the security guard, but quickly moved out of the way wondering who it could be (obviously hoping for a certain someone). An then he walked right past me-- three feet away.

Okay, I'll tell you who it was...Dick Cheney. Sorry to disappoint those who were thinking I would say Bush, but it was still very exciting for me! He's shorter than he looks on TV, I must say. The next day I saw Nancy Pelosi speak, and today I had to go to a speech given by Richard Durbin. So I am getting my excitement in D.C. In fact, I read my school paper, the Newswire, today online, and they say I'm learning to "schmooze." It made me laugh.

I'm also touring the city as much as possible so that I'll know where to take everyone when they come to see me! Last weekend I visited the Natural History Smithsonian with some friends, went on a tour of Georgetown, and went shopping in a town called Chevy Chase-- just outside of D.C. near my apartment. (The picture of all the shells is from the Smithsonian, and the picture of the lion statues is from Judiciary Square--where all of the law offices are, and where Johnna works.)

Georgetown was my favorite by far. I love the atmosphere. However, the restaurants must make all of their money on tourists because they have awful service! We went to one called Cabana where the waiter told us he didn't really have time to get our food for us. It made for a good story though, and was so unbelievable that it was actually pretty funny.

I still like my roommates. I hang out with Johnna a lot. We also do things with Naty, Stephanie (not from the apartment) and all of the Mexican girls who are so much fun! The other night they made us a sour-salty cucumber dish that was really good. My roommate Stephanie is in my program and my class, so of course I see her a lot, too. I took pictures of all of them for you to see. Johnna is the one one the phone, Naty is the one with me, and Stephanie is the one with the glasses. (There are so many Stephanie's here--I think of my Xavier Stephy so much! :-))

I was happy to see that the Colts won their last game--but I confess I didn't watch much. I was also happy to talk some of my Xavier buddies this week. It made me feel like I was there again. :-)

I am definitely looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow morning, so it's adios for now. Thanks for reading again! I miss everyone tons! Lots of love.