Week #2 = COMPLETE

What better way is there to settle into a new environment than to just take a dive right at the get-go?

Class started last week since we were off for Labor Day, the week before.  My particular Civic Engagement project is in full-swing.  Oh, and work consumes another 35-ish hours.  Am I complaining? - Heck no!  Just perfecting some time management skills.  I'm currently staring at a nearly empty basket of laundry (a fulfilling feeling).  Fridge is loaded (well, I could use another jug of orange juice).  Homework is now next on the list (oh, homework).

Let me chat a few about classes at TWC.  You cannot view the exact courses offered until the course guide comes out several weeks before the program begins.  But I'll share which topics we have currently this Fall.  There are courses in:

• American Politics
• Anthropology, the Arts, and the Humanities
• Business
• Communications
• Homeland or National Security
• Internatioanl Affairs and Foreign Policy
• Law and Criminal Justice
• Leadership
• Research
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

I'm a Communication minor.  Since there weren't any opportunities relating to the my major in the health field, I chose to dive into a Leadership course.  Perfect.  Our professor is my kind of style.  His syllabus is flooded with aspiring topics.  Even better:  our class sits around a conference table.  Great opportunity for encouraging discussion.

Civic Engagement. Define that phrase personally before reading further.

To be civically engaged to me is to be in-tune with local and/or national issues.  Pretty simple, yes?  This is a big motivator for me to stick my nose in the newspaper everyday (while indulging a cup 'o joe and to play the Daily Jumble Word Scramble Game - try it!).  It's even easier to do so with newspapers on the internet.  Call me old-fashioned but as I get older, I do find it more and more pivotal to be knowledgable about the community I'm living in, as well as our nation's concerns.

With that being said, TWC requires all interns to partake in a Civic Engagement project.  Mine is Childhood Hunger and Obesity.  Forgive me for not being able to recall the other possible options off the top of my head.  Our Childhood Hunger and Obesity had a successful first meet.  We hit on a lot of work our First Lady, Michelle Obama, is doing to encourage our youth to be active.  We discussed the wards of the D.C. area.  Certain wards have better access to healthier foods, grocery stores, etc.  Those below the poverty line obviously are limited if they're living where grocery stores are scarce and healthy foods tend to cost more.  What can we do?  That question was tossed around for two hours.  First, we can be educated about these concerns.  Second, we can provide direct service through voluteering.  Third, we can advocate - talk about this topic because it's obviously important.  About ten of us volunteered at a local elementary school to help create garden plots next to the school building.  The afternoon shift had recess activities to help the kids get moving.  They also had taste testing opportunities.

Unique Experiences for the Week:

Our Scienece, Technology, and Society program held our weekly programming at the Gangplank Marina.  Some of us were unware of what we would be experiencing and therefore, showed up at Half Shell's boat dock in our business attire.  Ooops.  Off we went on the Washington Channel and Potomac River anyway!  We fished, steered our 6mph boat, and dissected clams.  Hands-on education.  Always full of fun.  Check out some photos our program advisor snapped:  Gangplank Marina Adventure.

The interns of NHMA were fortunate with the opportunity to attend a Childhood Hunger and Obesity panel discussion with well-established Presidents and CEOs from Weight Watchers, the USDA, Action Against Hunger, and Share Our Strength.  Not to mention, Jennifer Hudson, was in attendance!  She is the representative for Weight Watchers.  It's even more inspiring to witness her weight loss success in person.  All of these organizations have partnered up to create the Lose For Good campaign.  Impressive initiative.  Take a peek here. Lots of great discussion and stories about school breakfast as well and the improvements being established for that program.

Oh, that homework.  Better get to that.

Questions? Comment here any time.  Please, don't hestitate.

Until next time...