On a normal afternoon...

One of my favorite parts of the day is my lunchtime walk to Starbucks. I pass by Capitol Hill and the Library of Congress. On days when I feel like I need more fresh air, I will weave through the neighborhoods and soak in some sunshine.

It is the perfect time to ensure some quiet space for myself, and it is often a time of reflection about the things I am learning in DC. One day last week left me with something special to think about after an encounter in my coffee shop.

As I waited in line I noticed a man and woman in uniform ahead of me. I have such a deep love and respect for our military that I immediately said hello and thanked them for their service. They were both very kind, though I’m sure also surprised a complete stranger would approach them. As I talked with them more, I learned they were being deployed. Both of my parents work for USAA, and I have grown up with an insight into the sacrifice our servicemen and women and their families make for our country each and every day. I tried to bless them the only way I knew how…I bought their Starbucks.

The gesture is so small in comparison to the hardship and service that man and woman will endure for the sake of our Country. And yet, I hope these small gestures are taking place all over America. My encounter with them reminded me that my reality – a free and safe home of liberty and possibility is only a dream to others. I get to live my dream in DC because of the man and woman I met in Starbucks – and the countless other men and women that serve with them.

I hope you have your own encounter with one of America’s finest today. Take a moment to say thanks; I hope we all remember to pause and pray for these amazing Americans and the contributions they make to the United States and the World.

Several months ago, the NRSC asked for volunteers to go to Maine and help promote Republicans on the ballot for the Senate seat. I was fortunate enough to be able to go and the opportunity was one that I will remember for a lifetime because I learned so much in such a short amount of time. My fellow intern Anna was also able to go and the RNC was generous in giving us the week off of our internship to get some real campaign experience.

Getting candidates on the ballot requires a lot of going door to door asking for signatures and support from registered Republicans. This volunteer effort was massive, and our goal was huge for such a small time frame. (We had about two weeks to gather thousands of signatures.) The group of volunteers we met was motivated and excited to help the Party in Maine. I met constituents from Maine and all over the rest of the country. We rotated groups every day, and it was amazing to learn from the more experienced volunteers. Everyone seemed to be in love what they were doing and threw themselves in whatever role needed to be filled, whether it was out on the street or inside of the headquarters.

This was the first time I had ever done any real grassroots campaign work. The week entailed 12+ hours/day of door-to-door, a lot of walking, and a surprising amount of running away from dogs. (haha) It was exhausting. But it was also rewarding. I met so many wonderful people! Several nice couples were so gracious that they invited us in for tea or dinner, or just to warm up a bit. (This Texas girl was so NOT prepared for all that snow!!!) We had to respectfully decline so we could continue our walk of the neighborhoods, but I loved that we were sent off with thanks for what we were doing and their articulated passion for the principles and policy the Republican Party promotes. It was interesting to connect with Republicans from such a different part of the country. No matter the distance, age or gender, there was always one theme that kept repeating itself: a love of state and country.

I tried to snap a couple of pictures to remind myself of the beauty of Maine. I would love to see the state in summertime. Here are a couple of moments I want to always cherish:

And Room Service pretty much made the morning :-)

The internships with TWC offer opportunities and open doors you may never get to experience otherwise. Take advantage of them! You never know where they might take you!

When I thought about what I wanted to blog about and the substance I wanted to provide to you dear readers, the one thing that I always knew I wanted to be was honest and share parts of TWC experience you won’t get anywhere else. So let me follow through with that and tell you something important: in this program hard days will come.

I will never forget about the third or fourth week into the program, all of the students at the RAF (Residential and Academic Facility) seemed to be walking in a sort of funk. All of the girls in my apartment and friends at my internship shared stories of feeling “out of it, weird.” I think reality just began to hit us all. The fun, new city excitement began to wear off and all of us seemed to settle in a quiet, let-me-figure-out-how-to-deal-with-this haze. The rigorous program, internship responsibility, and demanding coursework are enough to engage anyone in a way that challenges and stretches you really quick. Most of us are far from friends, family, and all things comforting and familiar; along with adjusting to new schedules and living spaces, we are also learning to function and succeed without our safety nets.

How do you normally cope with challenges?

I think this is an important question to know the answer to as you prepare yourself for the program. How do you deal with stress? What support system will you have in place to keep you from looking for relief in unhealthy ways?

I felt the challenge of being away from my normal support system several months into the program. My sister got engaged about a month ago! It was thrilling, wonderful news, and yet I felt very aware of where I felt like I was missing an important family event. My family is my world, and being so far removed from my dear sister at such an exciting time for her was certainly hard for me to cope with. In the end, I had to remember that the Lord knew where I would be when everything happened at home. The Lord knew I would feel alone and He was giving me the opportunity to turn to Him in the middle of the stress and sadness.

I wish I could say I always turn to my relationship with the Lord when the hard days come. Let me be really clear and honest here: I don’t. But through this whole experience of living away from family and friends, I’ve learned that while taking my anxiety to God doesn’t necessarily fix anything; I have been able to continue through the hard days with more hope for the future and strength in Christ when I do.

You don’t live in a bubble while you are at TWC. Life continues at home and for yourself. You will still have to deal with your home institution, course credits, relationships (!), roommates and figuring out who YOU are.

How you deal with the hard days may look different for you than they do for me. My hope in sharing this part of the journey with you is that you will think about what you WANT it to look like for you.

{How true Daddy's words were when he said: all children must look after their own upbringing. Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands.} –Anne Frank

One of the things I love most about Washington, D.C. is that there is ALWAYS something going on. I didn’t realize how many events, brunches, lunches, interview and panel discussions took place around the city until I began to really branch out in the middle of this semester. I normally find out about these events through my internship, TWC, and a weekly e-mail I receive through http://dc.linktank.com/ In most cases, all you have to do is RSVP and you can attend for free! My supervisor has been very supportive of my desire to go and hear the special speakers and educational presentations. It has been awesome to have an internship gives me the flexibility to attend these events throughout the day or during lunch. Future interns: don’t be shy in asking your supervisor if you can attend an event during the day. A lot of the other interns at TWC have told me their supervisors understand they want to experience as much as they can during their time in D.C.

Last week I attended a lunch hosted by the CATO Institute with Tucker Carlson speaking about “Succeeding in the World of Media and Policy.” This was one of the most memorable lunches I have been to so far. Here’s a little background so you can understand why:

When I first came to DC, I thought that I wanted to pursue a career in policy or politics. As I have gotten to absorb what life in the Capitol looks like, and experience the reality of that kind of career, I have found that my passion most specifically lies in media and journalism. Immersing myself in the coverage of events and policy has shown me that I have a natural attraction to story and narrative. I am drawn to the process of uncovering fact and ultimately being honest about the discourse that leads to the determination of truth. I am not so inclined to the politics of political science as I had originally thought.

Tucker Carlson explained that he believed that the best journalists are the kind of people who know how to truly listen. They are the kind of people that are passionate about story and understand that it is not hard to get people to tell theirs – It’s really not that difficult to get people to talk about themselves. It is the job of the journalist to be quiet and listen, to hear the themes and story within each narrative. Wow. Does that not describe what I love the most about life or what? The stories are hidden within the heart of the interviewee. What an exciting job to hunt for those things and string the facts together. I am smiling just thinking about how I feel especially gifted to do that kind of work. Have I truly found my place? If it weren’t for my experience at TWC and my internship, I don’t think I would have discovered these passions and talents.

I also attended an event sponsored by POLITICO that hosted House Majority Leader Eric Cantor. I can’t express how much I enjoy these discussions and encounters with organizations that cover all types of news!!

I have to say that visiting the Newseum several times also awaked my desire to have a part in the coverage of all types of news. There is not a place in the city I have found to be more fascinating or inspiring. There is something special about the role journalists play in our republic – they are the watchdogs, educators, and fact finders that help inform our voting pubic in a way no one else can.

You may come to this program thinking you want to take your career or talents in a certain direction. And you may come here and realize that is exactly what you want to do with your life! But I want all of the future interns with TWC to know that it’s okay if you change your mind. You may come through this program and realize that what sounded great in college is not what you want to do in real life. You may discover an entirely different passion or aspect of work that inspires you more. That’s okay! I think that is one of the best things this program has to offer – real life experience in an environment where you really don’t have anything to lose. You really have everything to gain.

Easter Sunday

I was ambivalent about spending Easter in Washington, D.C. While the city is beautiful this time of year, and I knew the day would be absolutely lovely, I couldn’t help but think about what I would be missing with my family. Easter is such a special day to me… Without Christ’s resurrection, my faith would be futile. Easter Sunday is a reminder of the unfailing hope I have in Christ, and the new life He has given me.

Celebrating Easter Sunday with my family has always been beautiful. My extended family normally meets after Church and grills fajitas, fellowships with one another, and sings in worship as my uncle and brother play acoustics. I cherish the memories we make as we celebrate our faith together. This would be my first Easter celebrating outside of our tradition.

My friend Katy was in a similar situation. Both of us had enjoyed the pleasure of our parents coming to visit the week before, so the prospect of spending the weekend alone felt especially gloomy. My parents had come all the way from San Antonio, TX during their vacation to see me!

I was blessed that Katy and I both found it to be a perfect weekend for me to come and visit her in Philadelphia.

Oh, quick tip for all of you future interns! Check out www.megabus.com. You can get super cheap tickets to places beyond the DC area including Philly, New York, and Boston!

The weekend wasn’t full of site-seeing and tourism. It was instead full of laughter, deep conversation, and reflection about Jesus and where God is in our stories and futures. We visited the farmer’s market and local mall, cooked a feast, sipped on wine, and shared our hearts with one another. It was low-key, comfortable, and exactly what my heart needed. It was as if God prepared the weekend especially for our fellowship together. One of my favorite parts of the trip was getting to see where Katy works at Swarthmore. The grounds were beautiful and we soaked in the gorgeous weather as we took a walk around the campus and through the gardens. The Holy Spirit seemed to breathe new life in my spirit as the wind blew through the trees and provided a soundtrack of rustling bushes and floral trees brushing against each other in their movement. 

I felt a peace that I have missed in the business of D.C.

We attended Church Sunday morning and prepared an amazing breakfast before I had to leave to come back to the Capitol.

I am so grateful to Katy for opening up her cozy space and offering so much of herself as we talked and spent time around the city.

I left feeling thoughtful about the places the Lord has shown up to take care of me throughout all of my time at TWC. He has shown up BIG. And He has also shown up in quiet whispers, in quiet gardens, in quiet rooms, in quiet songs.

My Grammy and Poppy sent me an Easter package… it felt special to be remembered. In the entire weekend, I can see where God was showing me that He remembers me. Even when my schedule feels busy, in the days I don’t take as much time as I should in His Word, in the moments I feel like all of the hard work isn’t worth it…He sees and cares for me.

And maybe that is part of the beauty of Easter. It doesn’t matter if it is spent in D.C. alone, with friends, with family, egg hunting, Easter bunnies, or even going to church. What really matters is that we take the time to remember HIM, to remember where Jesus loved us so much that He died for us & rose again, defeating death, and now also lives in US.

Christ is Risen! And I have new Life in Him, indeed.

CPAC Reflections

While the Conservative Political Action Conference has come and passed, I am excited to finally sit down to reflect and share what those several days felt like to me.

My fellow Communications Intern Anna and I gladly volunteered to help staff the RNC’s booth at the conference. Our supervisors were generous in allowing us to stay after our shifts and attend the conference as students. Neither of us had been to CPAC before, so we were anxious to experience CPAC in the middle of the election year media blitz.

What immediately impacted me as I walked into the grand Marriott Hotel was the buzz and excitement that seemed to hum through the crowds of conservatives and members of the media. There were conservatives from every band of the spectrum. There were Tea Party Members, Ron Paul, Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich, and Mitt Romney supporters. The candidate buttons and signs added to the color and market-place atmosphere. Conservative organizations I had and hadn’t heard of before were everywhere passing out free bumper stickers, flyers, bags and buttons. I was surprised by the number of young students attending - this must have been due to the tremendous discount for student tickets; it was refreshing to meet and chat with other students my age who were interested in conservative principles and values.

After purchasing our tickets (which did take a while considering there was an enthusiastic turn-out), Anna and I met with the RNC staff at the table downstairs and began setting up and passing out the latest RNC research, literature, and souvenir-type items. Much to my surprise, this was one of the most rewarding aspects of my time at CPAC. Volunteering at the booth gave me the opportunity to meet wonderful people from all over the country! It was such a pleasure to share with others about the RNC and hear about what brought them to CPAC. Making connections with these people made me realize that part – an important part of politics – is developing an understanding of what moves and resonates with different people throughout the country. I was fascinated to hear about what motivated these men and women to interrupt their schedules across the country, make the trek to DC, and hear from the CPAC speakers. No doubt they sought to educate themselves on ways their voice could make a difference. It was an honor to show them how they could help by supporting the RNC and volunteering around America. It was fun and rewarding when my efforts were met with a warm smile and a “Sign me up!”

And then… yes, there was the ACTUAL conference. I’m sure most of you who follow politics watched coverage of the keynote speakers and major events. So here I will offer my unique perspective of my impressions.

Speaker highlights for me…

-Sen. Marco Rubio

-Rep. Michele Bachmann

-Gov. Rick Perry: He’s my Governor and I was proud to meet so many fellow Texans in the ballroom that day. There really is something special about meeting people from your home state when you are far away from it – instant connection. I felt at home listening to his Texas drawl and couldn’t help but smile throughout his remarks.

-Speaker John Boehner: He had an impressive and commanding presence.

-Kirk Cameron: C’mon…it’s Kirk Cameron… pretty fun to see him no matter where you are!

-Lt. Col. Oliver North: I have tremendous respect for him and his service to our country. It was an honor to see him present the American Heroes Award.

-Herman Cain

-Gov. Mike Huckabee: He comes across like your favorite next door neighbor. Crowd loved him!

-Sen. Rick Santorum

-Ann Coulter

-Gov. Mitt Romney

-Laura Ingram

-Speaker Newt Gingrich

-Andrew Breitbart: I have never experienced a speaker with that much passionate energy and fierce convictions in his beliefs. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends and the whole community that feels the loss of his courageous voice.

-MEP Daniel Hannan: Whoa. I need a whole new blog to talk about that speech. Google it!

-Sen. John Cornyn: Another proud Texan. Enough said.

-Sarah Palin! She’s a Rock Star. The energy that filled the room on her arrival was unlike anything I had yet to experience.

All that said, I feel like I keep reflecting back to the people at CPAC who impacted my experience. The countless exchanges I had with the other CPAC booths, volunteers, and attendees left me truly touched by the genuine love and care for our country that was the ultimate center of the conference. These Americans came to DC because they are passionate about what the United States is and stands for. While we may all have a certain perspective on how we can best keep our country free, safe, prosperous, noble, and strong, gatherings like CPAC are what our Democratic Republic is all about. I am still sitting full in heart and grateful for being able to experience this amazing and dynamic aspect of the democratic process.

Wow. Life feels so busy and full! I feel like I have lived an entire year in just two weeks. I know I promised to blog about CPAC, and that is coming, I promise! I wanted to first talk about this past week and the awesome weekend I had running around the city!

This past week brought us Valentine’s Day… My family showed me lots of love by sending me flowers and a box full of my favorite things! It was a much needed surprise as I have been missing them all so incredibly much.

Another part of what made this weekend so amazing was my friend Katy, who came to visit me from where she works in Philadelphia. It was the best weekend I’ve had yet! Her visit reminded me to continue to stay connected with my heart as I meet new people... and miss my family back home. We went all over the city. One day we visited the WWII Memorial, and the Washington Monument. At the WWII Memorial, we talked to a man who explained the symbolism and different aspects of the monument to us. He was helpful, enthusiastic, and so willing to teach us what he knew. I thought I would love DC because of all of the interesting history and places to go. But really, I'm loving it because of the people...because I'm finding connection in unexpected places.

We also went to the Museum of Art. I got to see works by several of my favorite artists including Degas and Monet. It was difficult to try to see everything. We eventually decided to hit our absolute ‘must-sees’ and I will have to go back through another day. There was so much beauty to be discovered it was overwhelming.

One of my favorite places was the Newseum. It is completely worth the $20 admission. I am an admitted media and news junkie, so this place was full of so many things that spoke to me. One of the most moving exhibits is about 9/11. I watched as a girl wrote a note telling her father she missed and loved him. It was absolutely heartbreaking to walk through the journalism covering that day, but it is impossible to walk among fellow Americans through that place without feeling united in love for our country and the people we remember that make it exceptional.

My heart so enjoyed fellowship with my friend and the conversations we had over the weekend. It was wonderful to see a familiar face sipping coffee across from me. She is so beautiful with such a lovely soul; it was a privilege to entertain her in this great city!

Life continues to be fun with my roommates and my internship!

It also feels busy, and so different from home. I think that’s part of what makes TWC such a valuable experience… Being outside of your comfort zone reveals who you really are and what you stand for. It also makes you value the friends and loved ones back at home who have helped shape you into that person.

Hello again, Readers! I can't believe another week has passed.

This week was filled mostly with my internship and preparing for our first guests in my C-SPAN class about the Presidency. While I love the rush and adrenaline of a busy schedule, one of the things that I am already learning is how to better manage my time. Keep visiting the site and I'll work on posting more often here on out!

I thought this would be a great week to share a little bit about my internship. I intern at the Republican National Committee (RNC) in a section of the Communications Department called the War Room. The moment I walked in I knew I was right where I belonged...televisions and computers are everywhere; every news channel is accessible in a moment. Most of my time is spent keeping on top of the news, researching what Representatives and candidates say and advocate for, and collecting lists of the breaking news stories of the day. It has been a perfect fit for me. I feel so blessed to enjoy the work I do as an intern! I am excited to do what I do. The RNC takes tremendous care of their interns. We do something fun or interesting together as a group at least once a week, which has become a great time to connect with the interns in other departments and learn more about the other workings within the organization. I have great respect for everyone I have met at the RNC; they have all been welcoming and eager to teach me new things. My supervisor assigns me new projects every day, so I never find myself with a lack of things to do. I love being busy and catching things the moment they happen; the fast pace and sheer quantity of information at my fingertips is amazing to experience every day.

Highlights of the week:

Exploring DuPont Circle over the weekend

Going shopping in the largest mall I have ever seen!

Going to Church at Capitol Hill Baptist with my new friend, Anna. (Yes, that's her name too!)

Visiting a Russian grocery store

Seeing Fox News Commentators in the lobby of the C-SPAN building!

Having lunch with the other interns & RNC Chairman, Reince Priebus.

Basketball game at American University where I had to snap a picture of a patriotic elephant...

This week, we also worked on our Individual Development Plans for TWC. It was quite a bit of work, but thinking about my future goals and action steps was rewarding. I am eager to see how many of my goals I will meet while working in the program and at the RNC. If the IDP sounds intimidating, don't worry! TWC explains exactly what they are looking for, so the hardest part really is the internal reflection.

I love this city. It is so wonderful to get everywhere so easily. There is something special about the buzz, potential and possibility here that gives me the drive to wake up so early every morning and persevere through my studies in the evening. I am having an absolute wonderful time getting to know my roommates Sayya, Monika, and Sarah. We come from all differnt backgrounds, countries, religions and beliefs, but we have come to respect each other and enjoy sharing this journey and our growth together.

Every day I walk by the Capitol and the Library of Congress. I am reminded in those moments that I am truly living a dream. It has been a more difficult week missing my family and friends, but I am thankful for the support of my fellow interns, TWC Staff, and Schreiner University, where I attend in Kerrville. I feel blessed to have met Anna; going to church always feels like going home, whether I have ever been to that building or not. It is comforting to have a friend here that shares that same love of God and fellowship.

I'll post about my adventures at CPAC next time! Until then, stay warm!

Sometimes I am taken away by how extravagant my God is. I have felt called for almost all of my life to come and work in Washington, DC but I never dreamed I would ever have the means or opportunity to make that happen. But God had a plan, and provided the perfect opportunity through TWC. I hope this blog will be helpful for other students in your decision to experience life here and live out your own calling.

A little about me...I was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. Thanks to a Father who is passionate about history and politics, and a Mother with a willingness & patience to listen to me talk for hours, I grew up discussing current events and the values and principles that make our country so exceptional. I love the USA, and a lot of what motivated me to come here was a desire to find out how things really work here in DC. I ultimately traveled to our Capitol because my family & close friends cultivated my desire to think critically for myself and know what I stand for. TWC's Political Leadership Program was a perfect fit me, and as it turns out, my internship at the Republican National Committee.

As I am from a large city in Texas, I have never had to use public transportation. While it seems a little silly after being here a week, I was worried I would not be able to figure out my way or get where I needed to go without a car. I have a propensity for getting lost, but thankfully the Metro is very navigable. The RAs at TWC's Residential and Academic Facility (RAF) took us on a quick explanatory tour of the Metro before our first day, and they were very helpful in getting us settled in to our new living space. ....And by the way, the RAF is a great place to live! It is close to the Metro, grocery store and pharmacy, and feels very comfortable and safe. Another wonderful part of living at the RAF is getting to know all of the other interns that live here. I have two suite-mates and one roommate...they are from all over the country and the world. I'm sure you will hear more about them as I give you a little taste of my life here every week. I have a feeling the people and connections I make during my semester here will be rewarding and special.

Our Living Space

New Roommates and Friends

Orientation at TWC was thorough and detailed on our first two days. This will not be a tourist-y 15 weeks...it is already full of substantial academic and professional development. My internship has me busy four and half days a week, and TWC classes and programming fill up the rest of my time. Thankfully, there is at least a little time on the weekends to do a little sight-seeing!

Taking a tour of the Capitol

Happy Chinese New Year! – In Chinatown

The hardest part of moving here is missing my family and friends back home. (Although keeping my luggage bags under 50lbs was a close second!) Thankfully, modern technology allows us to Skype and talk over the phone... and see my dog Liberty! =) I am blessed that my family has supported and sacrificed to help make this happen.

I am looking forward to sharing more about my internship, classes, Civic Engagement Project, and other adventures in DC throughout the next 15 weeks...If you are thinking about applying for TWC program, feel free to leave questions or comments and I will try to respond to you quickly. This is an exciting and important semester to be here with the nearing election and business of 2012... Here we go!