hand written

Today at work was a bit overwhelming because my supervisor was gone. She left me a list of tasks to complete. I really didn't even know how to do a few of the tasks and was getting frustrated...and then I opened up a wish child's folder and found a hand written note thanking make-a-wish for his amazing trip. I read it and almost teared up. It kept me going and motivated me to figure out how to do the tasks I was unsure about.This is the note that he sent telling about his amazing experiences.

Tonight I went to Eclipse! The third movie in the Twilight Saga! It was amazing!!!!

My friend Ryan is flying in tomorrow night and I am so excited to see one of my friends!

the path..

I read the coolest quote yesterday.

"The path you're on looks different when you turn around."

Today was my second day at floc. I helped to arrange everything necessary for the summer tutoring program to begin tonight and then the best part yet - I got to tutor my little guy! It was so much fun. He was very responsive and loved to draw everything. We read Corduroy. I have not read that book forever, but still remember it being a favorite.

Off to plan wishes tomorrow :)

Ohhhh what a day

Today was the first day of my second internship. I began working at For Love of Children in Adams Morgan. I am doing administrative work and community outreach. The staff is very friendly, especially my supervisor, Elizabeth. I made phone calls to the parents who have children in the tutoring program reminding them that tomorrow starts the summer tutoring program. Then Elizabeth began training me on how to test children who want to receive the free tutoring service. I am not done with training, but they did let me sit in on a testing and observe. The boy just completed the 5th grade. After testing, we found he was only at a second grade level. It makes me really sad to think that we have a great education system in America, but thousands of students are behind. I will begin tutoring tomorrow night and I am very excited!

On another note....another metro accident had me stuck in the city for over 2 hours. Someone jumped in front of a train causing disruptions on the red line. I literally sat at Cleveland Park Metro stop for over a half an hour and then they updated us saying that we would be sharing the track and there were several trains ahead of us. I got off metro, took the bus and then walked the rest of the way home. This is what metro looked like.

Yes, there are thousands of people standing on the platform.

It is so hot and humid in this city. It is overcrowded with tourists. There are strollers everywhere in this city. Why would you bring your 3 year old to DC when it is 100 degrees? Seriously.

Old Town

Woke up and went to church, went to Chinatown, and then headed over to Rosslyn, Virginia to meet up with my friend Jordan. We decided to go to Old Town Alexandria and walk around and grab a bite to eat. We sat on the dock near the Potomac and watched the boats.

Later that night we went to the Pentagon Memorial. I had never been. It was really neat. Each person that was killed has their own bench with a reflecting pool beneath it. The Pentagon is the building in the back.

Rehoboth Beach!

Today I went to Rehoboth Beach with my friends, Stacy and April. Stacy's dad lives in the DC area and drove us.

We stopped in Annapolis for lunch and ate by the bay. Walked around to a few shops and got a delicious Carmel apple. It is a very colonial town with lots of history. And a naval port...lots of navy boys walking around :) Then we were beach bound! But, before we could get there, we had to go across the Bay Bridge, which is 3.2 miles long! It was so neat to drive over water for so long! Rehoboth Beach was beautiful! It was Okoboji x20! Tons of different shops, stores, places to eat, and best of all the beach! We had to try Thresman's World Famous Fries. They are fried 2x in peanut oil and then salted and topped with vinegar! No ketchup allowed! They were delicious. The Boardwalk was adorable and filled with tourists like ourselves. We laid out, got in the ocean, and walked along the beach.

It was an amazing day.

bananas

This post is dedicated to my dear friend, Danielle Cole who is studying abroad in Costa Rica.

I was packing a banana for a snack tomorrow to eat while I am at the beach (yes, I am going to the beach tomorrow! in Delaware..) and the label said it was from Costa Rica!
It made me think of you, Danielle! I am sure you are having lots of fun! I can't wait to hear all about your stories. Miss you.

i met my first wish child!

Today at work I met my first wish child! He was a cutie who just completed 3rd grade. His dream is to go to Atlantis (a resort) and go down the BIG water slide.

I also had to finalize everything for the little girl who wanted a pink computer. We got her everything you can possibly imagine you would need for a computer...and it is all in pink..even her printer. She will be so excited when her wish granting volunteers surprise her at the hospital on Saturday.Here is the front page of her packet of information we give her about her new computer. I designed this for her...in Spanish.

Laura (the other MAW intern) and I had to travel to a "junk yard" today to pick up a steering wheel for a boy who wants a bat mobile bed. His wish was to have his room redesigned in batman. His bed is going to be the bat mobile car, including an actual steering wheel with a key (his special requests)

Today I went grocery shopping and was hoping eggs would be on sale. I have yet to find a dozen eggs that are under $3.69. I will keep looking...

Have a good one!

more wishgranting

I am trying to take interesting pictures this summer. This is my feet on the metro bus with my TOMS shoes. This evening, I went to Twilight Tattoo with Jake and we sat on the bus forever on our way home. Twilight Tattoo is a military pageant/band festival/sing-a-long. It is also very patriotic. It is held at an army base in DC. Here is a picture of the college in the background with the military performance.

At work today I helped with POTUS wishes. They are children coming to DC to see the President. I made their itineraries and plugged in their information. One little girl wanted to see Obama and play her violin for him. How cute.

However my favorite wish of the day was...

Wish: To ride a bike with Lance Armstrong

Why: Because he had cancer, just like me, and he inspires me.

homework and training

Today I worked on homework for my summer class. I also had training for the tutoring program that I am participating in over the next six weeks. I had orientation last week for it. I told them (For the Love of Children) that if they ever need extra help on Mondays or Tuesdays I would be able to help out. They e-mailed on Thursday and asked if I would be interested in a part-time internship! crazy...huh? So, now I will be working two part-time internships. Ohhhhh, and I just found out that my request for a White House Tour was accepted. I will be going to Obama's home on July 6th.

I also decided today how nice it is to have someone drive you around. I know some people don't like public transportation, but I love the fact that I can read a book while I am traveling from point A to point B. Don't get me wrong, I don't care for the buses but metro is seriously amazing.

Here is a picture from the top of the escalator.

the weekend plus monday

on saturday i went to eastern market and then met up with Jake and Jordan at Starbucks. I got a really neat braclet made by this chinese man at eastern market.

on sunday i went to church and then laid out at the pool..it was wonderful!! then jake, jordan and i went to georgetown and watched "DC's Fastest Bartender Competition" ...interesting to say the least

today i woke up and headed to Pentagon city mall..shopped a little, got a massage, and then went to Bethesda and walked around. i had a cupcake from the famous Georgetown Cupcake. It was the best cupcake i have ever had. no joke. i know i take a lot of pictures of food, but there are so mannny places that are well known for their desserts. i know it is a lot of calories..but i walk everywhere so its all good! :) plus all profits for this cupcake go directly towards susan g. komen for the cure

F is for Friday, Food, & Friends

I went to work today and made itineraries for wish kids and then called tourist places to send pamphlets to MAW. We send them out to the wish families who are planning on coming to the city.

After work I went out to eat in Alexandria with April, Brad, and Stacy. It was a southern style restaurant.

We decided to play the night by ear so then we went to the monuments. Here a few pictures of our fun night!!!

There was a newlywed couple taking pictures at the Lincoln Memorial. So cute!

The pink computer..

No, this isn't a wish child. But it is a cutie that followed me at a store I was at tonight.

Today at work I worked on thank-you letters for people who graciously gave gifts for two wish kids. I then started a packet for a girl whose wish is to have a pink laptop computer. Fun, right? However...she speaks Spanish so her packet/itinerary must be in Spanish..I took two years in HS...I will figure it out :) Sad part about this whole computer thing is that the computer she is receiving was supposed to be another little girl's but she died before they gave it to her. It has never been opened, so it isn't re gifting. I am going to upload games, and pictures, and put iTunes on it for her. She will receive it on Saturday before her chemo treatment.

I also got to submit a "celebrity wish request" for a little boy who wants to meet Johnny Depp. I will let you know when his people talk to our people :)

We have two wish coordinators in our chapter. Together they have over 300 wishes that need to be granted within the next couple of months...sad. Everytime I open up folders it is a child who is suffering from cancer, a brain tumor, etc. Be thankful for your health.

We also had a "rush wish" submitted today. That means that the child needs to have their wish done ASAP. The wishgranter volunteers were meeting with the child tonight and planning will take place all day tomorrow.

I live 3.2 miles from where I work. Today it took me an hour to get home. There was a huge accident on Connecticut Ave and traffic was jammed. I finally got off the bus and just walked the rest of the way home.

Tonight, Jake and I went to the Adams-Morgan neighbor and grabbed some food. I was craving breakfast for dinner so we ate at The Diner and I had delicious pancakes. We walked around and went into a few shops and people watched.

This is a picture of the Duke Ellington Bridge in Adams Morgan.

Mom, can you make sure that Koezen's see this picture...it is an apartment complex

best wishes,

ang

What I do..

So, my wonderful mother (who is celebrating her 26th wedding anniversary with my father today) told me that I need to explain what it is "i do" at MAW (Make-A-Wish)

Last night, I had to assist with a refreshers training for MAW. I was in charge of setting up everyone's binders, pens, itineriaries, pins, and Barbies. Yes, Barbies. Mattel donated/designed the cutest MAW Barbie. She is in a bright pink dress and is given to the wish children. The wish volunteers give the Barbies and other toys as "enhancement" gifts while the child is waiting to go on their wish. I also had to take pictures of the group for chapter publicity.

Today was a GREAT day! I got to make the itinerary of a 10 year old girl who has brain cancer. I receive the case and see what their wish is and then I make a decorative itinerary listing all important information and things for the family to do, see, places to eat, etc. She really wanted to go to Disney World and see dolphins!

After that is completed I make their "special wish bag." It consists of the itinerary, plane confirmation, rent-a-car info, travelers checks, MAW pens, MAW paper, MAW tattoos, MAW football, MAW everything...as well as some snacks.

Many of these children's parents are split-up, divorced, or MIA as one case said...I talked to my mom about it and she said that statistics show parents who have children with illnesses and more likely to be separated. So...with that being said say a prayer for these little kiddos. Not only are they suffering from a life-threatening illness...a lot of the times they only have one parent around. That isn't the case all the time but they still can use your prayers!

After work today I went and volunteered preparing mailings to USA supporters of SOS Children’s Villages. Here is a picture of some of the letters I helped prepare.

I have decided that I am volunteering my whole summer. Next week, I start mentoring a child in the Adams-Morgan School District. I can't wait.

On another note, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY mom and dad! I love you both so much and admire both of you. I couldn't have asked for two better parents. Love you!

Best wishes,

ang

Great Day

I woke up and went to church and then April and Stacy (interns at USDA and council) and myself went to Silver Spring for an afternoon outing. We walked around and grabbed some food and then ice cream at Cold Stone.

There is this water fountain area where everyone flocks to. The kids just run through these sprinklers and have so much fun! Have a great week!

Saturday in DC

Hello all! Today I went with Dru and Lorianne (interns) to downtown DC. We went to DuPont Circle and walked around and stopped at this famous cupcake place called, Hello Cupcakes!

I got a "Princess" which is a vanilla cupcake with raspberry frosting and sprinkles. It was very delicious!

Then we went to a "beading" store. There were thousands of beads to pick from. We decided we would make a bracelet. I will post pictures of the results.

Otherwise, it was a good day. I sipped on some strawberry lemonade (so good) while walking around in the humidity of DC.

First day of internship

Today was my first day of my internship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. It was so exciting when I walked in the door and saw the sign that said Make-A-Wish! Then as you continue through the building there are huge poster size frames with pictures of kids and what their wish was. It is so neat.

The other intern that I am working is Laura. She is from Virginia and is possibly my twin. We were finishing each other's sentences. So excited for what is to come!

Here is a picture of me on my first day .. enjoy!

Fro-zen-yo

Yesterday, I went down to Chinatown and did a little bit of shopping at H&M and then discovered the coolest thing ever!

It is a self-serve yogurt shop called Fro-zen-yo. You grab your cup and fill it up with which ever flavors you desire.

I got cheescake, cookies and cream, and red velvet cake. There is a buffet of different toppings that you can choose from including fresh fruit, gummy worms, and oreas.

Grand Total of $2.75
I will become a frequent customer by the end of the summer.

all that i'm after is a life full of laughter

If this picture doesn't make you laugh...I don't know what will.

I arrived in DC last night at 10:00 PM and was greeted by Jake Johnson, a former PA. We took metro home and then took a taxi the last mile. I woke up today, hung around, worked out, went and saw my old boss from last summer and then studied for my night view.

Molly, my boss from last summer asked if I would be willing to do a night view tour tonight. I agreed and had the BEST time. My group was a high school group from Minnesota. Their leader, Vince, was so friendly and had just returned from a tour in Iraq. Great kids who were very interested in everything I had to say. My bus driver was...ehhh... lets just say not the greatest, but I managed. Good thing I have my father's sense of direction ;)

DC is as beautiful as it was last summer. And as humid.

There are so many people living in the house right now. I am trying to learn names but I think it will take a while. My roommates are from Arizona and Colorado.

Best wishes,

Angela

my momma

I love her. She is my number one fan and my number one supporter. I don't know what I would do without her.

We went to The Chocolate Season today in Algona and had strawberry crumb cake and a chocolate muffin...so yummy!!!

My Daddy

My dad is the greatest guy ever. He can carry on a conversation with anyone at any time. He loves animals and treats them like royalty. He is always thinking about the next generation. I can't even count how many trees he has planted in his life time. This Saturday, when I leave my daddy will turn 54! I was looking through old pictures and found this one of him and I on the day I was born. You can just see in his face how proud he is of me.
My dad has the best smile and best laugh in the world. I love him so much and thank God for him everyday.

PS I think I look a lot like my dad in this picture, maybe I am more Wasko than Kerkvliet...