Bizarre Bazaar!

Hey world,

And when I say world I mean it!!!! Using google blogs means I know who (not actually specific people but I probably know who you are hopefully) is reading my blog and where they're reading my blog. So I shout out and salute those in the US! UK! India! and anywhere else you may be reading this! I love your support!

I've come to the conclusion that this semester will be, in simple terms, awesome. The advantages of being in DC become more and more apparent to me every day, having an internship and participating in a super cool program helps a little too. You guys will definitely want to stay tuned to this girl's bloggity because I'm going to be meeting some very important people over the semester (not the President of Burundi but pretty close), visiting some breathtaking places (the Middle East and the Mediterranean), and interning somewhere (over the rainbow justkiddingbutwhoknows).

Today was the Washington Semester Internship Bazaar. I've honestly never done anything like this in my life. For those of you new to the professional world and to those who are familiar, the bazaar was sort of like the equivalent to those college fairs we had when we were in high school. I do acknowledge that some people may not have had that opportunity so let me fill you in. It's basically a bunch of tables lined up with representatives from their respective organizations. This time, I guess you would call it sort of like networking. You go around introducing yourself (elevator speech) and handing out resumes and basically making yourself seem awesome and relevant to the organizations. I have a few more interviews thanks to this bazaar. I had one today. I have one tomorrow. Have I mentioned I was already sort of offered two internships already...well you know now. But I'm having a problem. First I'm going to talk about something else first.

Over the past few days I've felt pretty down about myself because I'm surrounded by some amazing people and I'm not talking about Barack Obama. I'm talking about the peers in my program. A lot of these people are pretty on top of their lives, having interned with a congressman/woman or senator, working at other non-profits, etc. I haven't done that besides you know teaching sexual and reproductive health programs in India. I would love to work for a congressperson (*gender neutral). In fact, I sent in an application to Elizabeth Esty, Democrat congresswoman from my district in CT. But, as my roommate told me, a lot of those jobs are literally answering phones and getting people food, she would know because she had to do that. I'd like to think that all the things on my resume have value, I just need to show that to people. I also have some awesome leadership skills, let's be honest here. Well, I sort of know what I need to do to get more involved in political things now. I believe that this semester will help greatly. This post may be a little long but this is my blog so I do what I want.

Okay let's get to my problem. I don't know what I want from an internship. You're probably like, you're being ridiculous BD. Of course you know what you want! Wrong. It's great to have been offered two already but I still don't know if it's the right fit. It's very hard to describe. I'm trying to think of my future. I'm trying to wage what I want to gain from an internship and what I want to do at the internship. It's hard to tell what I'll end up doing at any place. A bigger name doesn't mean better.  I don't know if I should apply to more (even though some of these organizations want so many things when you apply) or if I should just stop and let the wind blow me wherever. I'm also competing with these people in my program. I love you all but move out of the way. Some of us need to start somewhere...

So that's what has been going on in my mind. In other news, the inauguration is next week and I have it off. If I were you I would expect pictures...lots of pictures. Thanks for reading my global citizens.

Love

BD in DC

PS: PREPARE FOR OBAMA'S INAUGURATION!!!!!

Oooo pretty! This is where I'm staying while I'm here in DC.

This squirrel can get closer to Barack Obama than I ever could. #jealousofasquirrel

 The back of the White House

 The front!

Hey look! It's me in front of the White House and some girl in a pink sweatshirt. I know, it's an unattractive picture but hey I'm sure I will be able to perfect it again and again and again. Guess what I did today! You can probably tell from these pics. It got all West Wing up in here! I visited the White House. No I did not go inside but I saw the front and the back. I also saw some protesters! What would a trip to the White House be without it. So here are some pics from that!

They were protesting against the Burmese government. I wish I knew more background but that's all I know, sorry. I love protesters and I love protesting. I especially love taking pictures of people protesting. When you're in such an emotional state and completely and utterly entranced by the task at hand and so devoted to a cause it's an amazing experience. I highly recommend it. I participated in a massive environmental protest a few years ago with PowerShift. It changed my life...

I also visited one of the Smithsonian art museums, I couldn't tell you which right now but I'll find out. It was free of course so what's not to like! There was an exhibit that was essentially 40 under 40 (40 pieces are artwork from people under the age of 40 or something like that). There were some pretty nifty and creative pieces in there. In fact, a lot of them were textile related (another one of my passions in life). I swear if I could just weave forever I would. Anyways, there was an interactive piece, a room so to speak of enlightenment. Most of us in the group of girls I spent my day with waited to become enlightened, as we called it. Well let's just say my enlightenment was ruined by like 7 people opening the door. They really need an 'occupied' sign. Sheesh. The end for now.

Love

BD in DC

Skidmore, I love you but...

West Wing Quote of the Day (much funnier if you watch it)
Donna: "Mexico collapsed over the weekend."
Josh: "No, actually, just this morning"
Donna: "How does a country collapse on a Monday morning?"


That quote may or may not justify my entire immigration policy and politics class. Oh well.

Well today was a gloriously gloomy day in DC (pretty misty if I do say so myself). I did not do much to tell you the truth and I honestly don't know why I'm even making a post. Oh well.

Today I bought my books for the semester, one of which I'm really excited about. It's called Half the Sky and it's written by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sherly WuDunn. It's about turning oppression into opportunity for women (or so the cover says). It's also a PBS documentary series. Let me just tell you that the AU book store is two floors (sorry SkidShop they have you there) and I wish I could read all of the books regarding government, international politics, policy, conflict, and the like. What I'm really trying to get at is...there is a lot of variety here obviously in their political science program. However, as much as I would love to take all those classes with all those sweet books, I probably would not give up what I have in the Gov Department at Skidmore. They are just a bunch of such lovable people (including those who shall not be named *cough cough a certain expert on the EU cough cough*).

It was also today that I realized how truly sheltered Skidmore is. Let's be honest here. Skidmore is a small private liberal arts college full of peace loving, tree hugging, skinny jeaned hipsters/nerds/potheads and the occasional athlete. Most share the same political or rather personal view of the world. (This is just a stereotypical overview. There are OF COURSE a variety of people at Skidmore and I am in so many different social groups and I am thankful to all of them). So today while I was getting my ID card on the main campus, which is huge to me, I passed many different dorms. In which, there were a variety of different political viewpoints hanging from the windows. Do I need to be clearer? Okay there were multiple (or maybe just one) Romney/Ryan poster. I know what you're thinking. BD don't you know there are Republicans in the world! OF COURSE I DO. But Skidmore is sheltered in it's own littler bubble of liberality. There are even conservatives at Skidmore but they would be too scared to put such a poster in their window. You know being at Skid you can almost forget that there are people in the world that don't share your own opinion. Yet, I experience different opinions on the daily with my father (yes I've had to listen to Limbaugh).

Putting all these things aside, I know this semester will be life changing. I'm going through so many different emotions right now like... I'm so inexperienced compared to some of these people (job wise), what am I doing with my life (Grad school or Law school or no school), what do I want from my internship, to be social or antisocial, when will my passport get here etc. Those are just my unfiltered thoughts. It's like freshmen year all over again except we've all already gone through it so not everyone is as open and socially awkward. Oh well.

{Just as a note, I'm critically examining AU and comparing them to Skidmore so when I do go back and hopefully rejoin Senate I can bring about some more change. Like for example, a take out option from the dining hall. Today I went to get dinner and took it back to my room. All you have to do is get the container when you swipe in, leave your ID at the swipe counter, get your food, and as you leave pick up your ID. I don't know how we could do it but I'd like to know if the student body would be interested in something like that, granted we could work it out. Who knows? }

Tenley Girl Takes DC

So people of the free world (well free world in a a figurative sense as I am now a peace and conflict student and this is just not the case) I've decided to blog. I am partaking in the Washington Semester with American University this spring! I'm on the Peace and Conflict Resolution tract and in late March I will be traveling to 4 amazing places for 21 days: Jordan, Cyprus, Turkey, and Greece. Another part of this program involves an internship but I haven't gotten that far yet so don't criticize me. I've had three phone interviews and a few more coming up (I'm pretty hopeful about those). Anyways, I'll keep you posted on that soon. Fingers crossed! 

For now I'll give you just a little background on myself. I'm studying International Affairs and Government at the ole ball and chain Skiddy, which I love and will dearly miss this semester except for the fact that there is a Whole Foods and a Panera within walking distance to me now. If you've never shopped at Whole Foods I understand because it can be pricey. That being said, it's worth it. For someone like me with a food allergy (to dairy and NO lactaid pills do not work) it makes it easier to find s'wonderful treats (aka dark chocolate and vegan goodies). In other news, I enjoy sarcasm, a good book, politics, The West Wing, and traveling the globe. 

In this blog, which I will try to update biweekly or so, I will include updates on my new life in DC, my learnings on peace and conflict, my Mediterranean and Middle Eastern travels, and all things me. You may even encounter funny quotes from the West Wing. Tonight's quote is "Charlie, please don't say the word erotic in the Oval Office" and it is said by Mrs. Landingham. Enough about the West Wing. Although everyone should watch it. 

So to those global citizens out there reading this (whether you are a friend, stranger, or foe) I welcome you to my journey. I hope you enjoy the ride as much as I will. How can you not when you live right by a Whole Foods!

Love

BD in DC