12 Miles Strong

     Well my family officially got here yesterday!! We walked around last night and went out to eat at a nearby pizza place.

     Today we toured the White House in the morning and walked around the area near it. This afternoon we went to Arlington Cemetery. We watched the Changing of the Guard ceremony and saw the Kennedy family graves as well as touring other parts. We ate at Hard Rock Cafe and walked back to our apartment as the sun was setting in DC. We walked a total of 12 miles today and can now join the next marathon walking group :)

Em

Sun Setting

Kennedy Graves

Changing of the Guard

At the White House

Arlington Cemetery 

The Dalai Lama and Aging

     Today the Dalai Lama was at the Capitol for various meetings! A few of the other interns just got a picture of his back but it was still pretty cool knowing he was in the building. Yesterday I rode the Senate Subway with Senator Carper from Delaware and he was chatting with me about my life, getting jobs in DC, and other things. It was pretty cool talking to him. Otherwise the week has been pretty normal. I've just been running errands to the Capitol and other buildings, answering phones, taking news clips, and archiving. I attended an Aging Committee hearing discussing senior citizens in poverty. Tomorrow the family comes for a week so I am definitely looking forward to that. :)

Em

Famous by Association

     Last week I attended a Judiciary hearing on the wireless market and how mobile devices have grown into a large industry. The US uses 5x more mobile devices as Europe. I also attended a hearing about making college more accessible for disabled citizens. It was really interesting hearing from students about how colleges have made it easier for disabled citizens to attend and what more can be done. I also saw Ben Affleck last week too!! This makes me famous by association! He was testifying for Foreign Relations committee and I took a picture of him coming out of the hearing.

     Today we did not work because of a mass amount of snow. Hopefully tomorrow it is nicer and by the end of the week it is supposed to be 50 degrees!!

Em

Ben Affleck!

Air and Space

     This past weekend the weather has been really nice! It's been like 60 degrees for the past 4 days. The Senate has been in recess this past week so the office has been pretty slow. Over the weekend I went to the Air and Space museum. It has been so nice out.

Em

Three Day Weekend

     Well last week I went to a hearing about Bangladesh and their workers' rights. They have really horrible rights...as in like none. On Wednesday I gave my first tour to a couple on their honeymoon. Thursday we had a snow day so I did not have to work!! Friday we started two hours late!

     Today I went for a walk and went to the Natural History and American History Smithsonian Museums as well as the Smithsonian Sculpture garden. Tomorrow I do not have to work because it is President's Day. I've been keeping busy with watching the Olympics.

Em

Sculpture

Giraffe 

Michelle Obama's 2nd Inauguration dress

Estherville Meteorite

The White House

     This week has been a little slow. On Tuesday I watched the Senate vote on the Farm Bill and it passed. Today I went on a tour of the White House! I even got to see the Obama Family dogs and a recipe from the White House kitchen. No pictures were allowed inside though. I had the pleasure of being stalled at security because their spelling of my last name did not match my ID. I had to have my background check again and be re-cleared through security. I did find that one of the White House workers is originally from Iowa. 

     The Olympics have started so now I will be watching those constantly :)

Em

Obama family dogs

Obama family dogs

At the White House

Weekend

     This weekend it was 50 degrees on Saturday and 60 degrees today!! I went on a walk/run both days and watched people play soccer on the National Mall. Today my roommates and I went to an art gallery in Dupont Circle and then we went to Buffalo Wild Wings and watched the pregame show for the Superbowl. One of my roommates is from Seattle so she was super excited for the game! 

     I have a few committee meetings coming up this week and on Friday I have a tour at the White House!!!

Em

Afternoon walk

Ghandi Statue

Building in Dupont Circle

Morning Run

Fountain