Iowa Group

CWF is in full swing, our first delegations arrived this afternoon. My group is from Fremont County Iowa and are full of energy! We had orientation today for the delegates as soon as they arrived. I then led a Citizenship Toolbox Workshop followed by my committee meeting. My committee is in charge of the event planning for the talent show that takes place at the end of the week. Wrapped up the evening with a delegation huddle. Excited to go to Mount Vernon tomorrow morning and nightview tomorrow evening!

Saturday

Went to Georgetown and walked along the boardwalk. It had a lot of cute shops and it was a beautiful morning. Went kayaking on the Potomac River - I had never gone kayaking before, but the group I went with had. Came back to center and prepared for today!! Our first week of delegates arrives today! My group is from Iowa and there are 35 of them! Excited and nervous at the same time.

Yesterday

Yesterday we did routes and commentary. One of our assignments we had to do was find our Senators office building and show proof that we visited. (This way when our groups have appointments we will know around the different buildings.)

Today we practiced commentary all day and routes. We had a new associate's luncheon with the president of council as well.

When we were at WWII memorial I saw 5 or 6 vets standing by the Missouri pillar. I went and talked to them and told them how I attend school at Northwest. They were very excited and one actually used to live about an hour away from Maryville. I walked away with tears in my eyes. This one old man's eyes were filled with tears and he explained to be how humbling this was to him. The other vet was sitting in a wheelchair holding a picture of him in the service. Each time I visit the memorials I am reminded of how fortunate we are. We take so much for granted. These cute, old men who served in WWII were so touched by this memorial. This is a life changing experience no doubt...

The Test

Today we took the test to be official DC tour guides - it was hard! Hoping for the best! Then we came back to the center and presented our workshops that we will be facilitating when groups arrive. Jordan and I are in charge of the talent show and teaching positive ways to promote yourself through social networking tools and interviews.

Obama

Woke up at 5:40 am this morning to get ready to go see President Obama speak at Arlington. Got on the bus at 6:38 and the metro at 7. Got to Arlington at about 7:45 and was past security by 8:30.

When we arrived at the amphitheater I asked a military person where a good seat was to sit and he told me to go on the left side and tell the next guy that he sent us.. so we got AMAZING seats! 12 rows from Obama! There was a 21 gun shot when he arrived in the cemetery. His speech was amazing and the whole thing felt like a dream.

On each grave at Arlington a flag is placed in front of the Tomb. So, imagine over 300,000 graves with flags. It was very overwhelming.

Had a BBQ back at center - back to work tomorrow! Happy Memorial Day!

Memorial Day Concert

Just had by far one of the best nights in DC. We went to the Memorial Day Concert at the Capitol. We sat on the Capitol and watched an amazing show honoring the armed forces. Symphonies, choirs, bands, and singers - it was amazing. A story was read by Katie Holmes and Denise Weiss about a young man and his unfortunate event that happened in Iraq. It had me crying. Collin Powell then came out along with many others. Tom Cruise was there and Katherine McPhee from American Idol as well as Trac Adkins. At the end they played all the armed forces songs and had people from each branch stand up. It was amazing to be surrounded by a sea of people and have a select few stand up. Going to see Obama speak tomorrow and can't wait! Life is so good!

Also, I went to church this morning at St. Matthew's Cathedral where JFK's funeral services were held.

Saturday

Slept in and did laundry. Studied for the test I will be taking on Tuesday - wish me luck, I need all I can get! Took a two hour nap... went to Chinatown and went shopping at H & M for first time! Laying on the couch watching a movie with others.

This morning we worked on our speeches we will be giving to the delegations and then all afternoon we had a scavenger hunt around DC! My feet are so sore! I can honestly say I think I walked at least 7 miles this afternoon.

Tonight some of us went to the Nationals vs. Orioles Baseball game. The stadium was huge and the atmosphere was fun! The metro was extremely crowded after..took about an hour and a half to get back to the center.

Hoping to sleep in tomorrow and catch up on a few things.

Cathedral

Today we went to the National Cathedral. It was beautiful and soooo big! We will be going there with our groups during weeks 3-7. After the Cathedral we practiced our commentary for the main memorials. It is a lot of work, but I truly enjoy doing it. Everything is worth it when you drive past the White House or the Capitol, which helps me to keep things in perspective. Tomorrow we are going on a scavenger hunt around the Smithsonian Museums and then a baseball game. Planning to go see OBAMA on Monday speak at Arlington for Memorial Day Services - so excited!!!

Busy, But Amazing Day!!

Today we went to Arlington National Cemetery, Iwo Jima, and WWII memorials. Watched changing of the guards at Arlington. Absolutely amazing to see how much "pagentry" goes into the whole show. Everything today reminded me of my dad and how much I know he would appreciate everything. (He is a history junkie) We came back to the center for lunch and than had an hour break. Went to the capitol (my favorite!!!!) followed by Library of Congress, Supreme Court Building and learned the routes for those. Then we went to TWILIGHT TATTOO!!!!! Which is amazing!! It is put on by the army and is a showcase of their band and military drill team. Walks you through the history of how the army has evolved and then brings out each states flag. Very patriotic and moving. I love DC - I love driving around and passing by the white house five to six times a day - it is amazing! Headed to the National Cathedral tomorrow morning

Mount Vernon

Today we traveled to Mount Vernon (George Washington's Estate) and toured. Worked on the routes we will be traveling with our group through the city. We also worked on commentary that we will be saying.

Monday, Monday

Today we went to DC Central Kitchen for a team building activity. The program was created by a man who saw how wasteful elegant restaurants are in the DC area. He started a program that picks up day old produce from these restaurants for people to prepare for those less fortunate in shelters. Volunteers help prepare the food, as well as people who have abused drugs or alcohol and have recently established a clean record with help. They are part of a 12 week program. They learn how to cook food as well as interview tips in hope of landing a job. It is a great program and I helped to make over 4000 meals for the hungry of DC!

Came back to the center and then worked on workshops and committees. Had house meeting to discuss policy. Headed to Mt. Vernon for tomorrow

Tidal Basin

On Saturday (our day off) we went paddle boating on the Tidal Basin. It was warm and great exercise. Was able to see the Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, and other buildings. A wedding party was taking pictures on the steps of the Jefferson. After paddle boating we went to the Holocaust Musuem, but it was sold out of tickets so we went to the American History Museum and saw the Star Spangled Banner. Walked around the National Mall for a bit after...

Today, Sunday we went to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, which is the 7th largest cathedral in the world. The cathedral was HUGE and the mass was beautiful. Took pictures there as well as American Catholic University. Following mass we went to the mall and did some shopping. Worked out and then studied...and still studying

First Aid - CPR - White House

Yesterday (Friday) we were all trained in Basic First Aid as well as CPR in case of any emergencies that would arise.

Rode the metro to downtown DC and walked around. Went to the White House - front and back side. We were at the front for about two minutes and all of a sudden secret service jumped up and chased everyone back. They kept saying we must immediately move. It was intense!! We thought Obama was possibly returning. We then walked to the back of the White House where there were tons of college graduates taking pictures with their cap and gowns on. (The one's who pay $60,000 to go to Georgetown University) The city is beautiful at night with all the lights.

Out and About

Most of our morning consisted of learning how to facilitate our delegation think tank simulations. We also discussed our key note speaker presentation. In the afternoon we there was a Council Associate Recognition Party. I got to speak with a lot of other people who work for the organization as well as dine on some very tasty food. It was fun to see how much time and effort people put into their jobs here and how much they love it. The PA's then met with the CEO of 4H, Don. He was friendly and just wanted to get to know us on a personal level. I also learned that my first three weeks of delegations will be groups from Iowa!!!!!

Tonight after supper Jordan, Darielle, and I went and explored DC some more. We took the metro down to DC and got off at Chinatown. We walked around and shopped a bit, walked past National Archives, Treasury Building, Supreme Court, and lots of other buildings of importance. We then decided to walk up to Capitol Hill. Seeing the capitol really makes you feel like you are in the center of DC (which you truly are) and part of the city. I am getting comfortable with riding the metro around and finding my way around the city.

Meetings, Meetings, Meetings

Today was a lot of meetings and training about how to lead the Congressional Issues Simulations that we will be putting on as part of the program. We also did personality profiles to help us identify our roles we serve as a team. I was found to be the energizer and the harmonizer. Jake, another PA, had the same results as me. It was interesting to see what everyone else was.

Worked out at the fitness center after work and then had supper on campus with Nekeisha and Mike Klumpp. Mike is here from Arkansas and has been here all week. Tomorrow he meets with lobbyists and senators at the capital to discuss the out pour of products from China with lead. He was so friendly and gave Nekeisha and I great suggestions for ice breakers to do with our group. He works at the University of Arkansas as the Head Professor of Personal and Youth Development. He is amazing guy who has a lot of ideas. I love having the opportunity to meet people from everywhere of the US and visit - it is great! I learned that one of our groups coming is from Puerto Rico this summer so that is really exciting.

5 Hours at Memorials/Monuments

Today we were introduced to the rest of the staff working for CWF as well as a tour of the campus. They are all extremely friendly and so excited to have the program assistants here. Things get bigger, yet smaller everyday. We went and toured Jefferson, Lincoln, Korean, Vietnam, as well as FDR memorials. Those are a main chunk of our actual "tour guide" title. We will give those on Monday nights. I am really excited to learn the commentary that goes along with the memorials. We are all studying away for our test that we take on the 26th. It is fun driving by buildings such as where Obama attended church services on the day of his inaguration, the Watergate Complex, and all the Embassys.

Jordan (from GA) and I are in charge of Promotions and Event Planning for our specific committee. Therefore, we are in charge of overseeing and executing the talent show and auditions. He is so friendly and has so much energy so I am definitely excited about that. Otherwise we went for a walk tonight to Bethesda, MD tonight - so many beautiful mansions! The gardens and landscaping in this whole area is absolutely unbelievable. I love it!

Day One

Last night I went on a night view tour of DC with Nick, Nekisha, and Katie. The memorials were beautiful and had the opportunity to meet people from TN, AK, AL, and VA. I had training all day for the CWF program. They discussed everything we would be doing to facilitate the program. It made me really excited and anxious for the next upcoming weeks! Still in the process of meeting everyone on the team and getting to know them. We are going to Bethesda, MD tonight to walk around and shop. Should be a good time

I'm Here!

I arrived in Washington DC at about 6 o'clock last night and arrived at the center I am staying at about 6:30. I was greeted by two people who have been living here since March. One is from Maine and the other is from Virginia. They are both very friendly guys who helped me carry my suitcases up the to second floor. The living arrangements are set up in "dorm style" ( I got lucky and have the largest room!!) It is extremely hot and humid. It was 86 degrees when I got off the plane. This morning I went on a jog with a girl from Minnesota around Chevy Chase and then had breakfast with two girls - one is from Ohio and the other is from Louisiana. I am definitely meeting people from all over the US! Today we are just hanging out and waiting for everyone else to move in. Tonight I am going to go on a night view tour of the monuments with Nick. I start training at 9:30 AM tomorrow!