Click here to read "Sen. Mark Kirk pushes banning federal funds to move Gitmo detainees to U.S."
Friday, January 28, 2011
It 'snow' big deal!
After visiting an exhibit at the Newseum where news comics mocked puns used in headlines for stories about snow storms, I found this impossible to resist. Wednesday night we got hit with a bit of snow here in DC, and everyone has been freaking out! Yes, it is a bit messy out here, but I'm from Chicago and let me tell you, there is NO need to panic. This is standard winter weather. This is what I expect! Honestly, I've been shocked at how nice the weather has been since I've moved here. Most days the temperature has been in the upper 30s, or even 40s and 50s! I even went grocery shopping yesterday! And if you read my previous post, that would be no easy task in weather as treacherous as some are making DC out to be. So settle down people, cause it 'snow' big deal! hehe
view from my apartment window (please notice the completely clear road)
A world without Wal-Mart
One of the biggest changes I've had to face since moving to Washington is grocery shopping.
Anyone who lives or has recently lived in Columbia, Missouri knows that when it comes to shopping, Wal-Mart is pretty much the go-to spot. Now, this is of course partly because we are all on college budgets and Wal-Mart has the cheapest stuff in town. But for the most part, we shop at Wal-Mart because there is not one, not two... but THREE Wal-Mart supercenters within about 10 minutes of the Mizzou campus, all open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And you can get EVERYTHING there.
So when I moved to Washington, naturally the first thing I wanted to do was hit up Wal-Mart and do a little grocery shopping. But Wal-Mart was nowhere to be found! There are a couple of Targets that can be reached by metro or car, if you have one (I do not), but they are never quite as stocked as my beloved Wal-Marts. The nearest Wal-Mart is in Maryland, and from what I'm told, in a sketchy part of town.
So now I'm developing a new routine. Unfortunately, I can no longer enjoy the wonder that is one-stop shopping...
For fresh fruits, veggies, meats, cheese and bakery items, there's DC's famous Eastern Market. It's essentially a farmer's market, and in the summer it operates outdoors. As a person of Wal-Mart, I was slightly thrown by the freshness and apparent quality of the items available hear. But even more so by the friendliness of the vendors and patrons. Many shoppers knew the vendors by name and spoke to them as friends rather than clerks. When I approached a fruits and veggies stand, the nicest little old lady was soon there by my side to retrieve all produce I asked for. She even snuck a free apple in my bag. I paid at an ancient, gold colored cash register. Pretty sure they don't take cards here. When I told the nice old lady to keep the change (it was only about 30 cents), she delightedly tossed an extra orange into my bag.
The experience left me with a smile on my face and full bag of yumminess.
The next stop was CVS. I hate CVS. Everyone is slow and grouchy, the lighting is dim and they rarely have milk. But it's about a 10 minute walk from my apartment and has a lot of things I need that I can't get anywhere remotely closer.
One thing there is never a scarcity of here in DC is a liquor store. Never a bad thing.
But if what you're looking for can't be found at any of these places, and often it can't (like right now, for example, I am on a desperate hunt for cookie dough and a gym bag...), you must make the tedious metro trek to Target. And if it's not there, you're SOL.
So in conclusion, I miss Wal-Mart. For all those who despise Wal-Mart for it's low wages and questionable business practices, I understand where you're coming from, but try living with the luxury that is one-stop shopping and then move to a big city where that wonder is cruelly ripped away. Then you'll be on my side.
Anyone who lives or has recently lived in Columbia, Missouri knows that when it comes to shopping, Wal-Mart is pretty much the go-to spot. Now, this is of course partly because we are all on college budgets and Wal-Mart has the cheapest stuff in town. But for the most part, we shop at Wal-Mart because there is not one, not two... but THREE Wal-Mart supercenters within about 10 minutes of the Mizzou campus, all open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And you can get EVERYTHING there.So when I moved to Washington, naturally the first thing I wanted to do was hit up Wal-Mart and do a little grocery shopping. But Wal-Mart was nowhere to be found! There are a couple of Targets that can be reached by metro or car, if you have one (I do not), but they are never quite as stocked as my beloved Wal-Marts. The nearest Wal-Mart is in Maryland, and from what I'm told, in a sketchy part of town.
So now I'm developing a new routine. Unfortunately, I can no longer enjoy the wonder that is one-stop shopping...
The experience left me with a smile on my face and full bag of yumminess.
The next stop was CVS. I hate CVS. Everyone is slow and grouchy, the lighting is dim and they rarely have milk. But it's about a 10 minute walk from my apartment and has a lot of things I need that I can't get anywhere remotely closer.
One thing there is never a scarcity of here in DC is a liquor store. Never a bad thing.
But if what you're looking for can't be found at any of these places, and often it can't (like right now, for example, I am on a desperate hunt for cookie dough and a gym bag...), you must make the tedious metro trek to Target. And if it's not there, you're SOL.
So in conclusion, I miss Wal-Mart. For all those who despise Wal-Mart for it's low wages and questionable business practices, I understand where you're coming from, but try living with the luxury that is one-stop shopping and then move to a big city where that wonder is cruelly ripped away. Then you'll be on my side.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
State of the Union
Nothing says diving right in to DC like attending the State of the Union address your second day on the job!
Rather than watching the SOTU from the comfort of my apartment, I trekked up the hill to the capitol in my suit and heels, press pass and trusty reporter's notebook in hand... and having absolutely no idea what awaited me. Literally all I knew was that I had to go to the capitol and the address began at 9 p.m.
As I approached that big white dome that is our capitol, I stuck to what I've found to work so far... put on a pretty smile and ask the guy with the big gun for help. Turns out I had to go through an underground tunnel, I felt so sneaky! I reached a security checkpoint with a bit of a line forming. But with a flash of my press pass, I got to skip right on by that line. "She's with the press, let her through," they said.
When I finally got to the press gallery, it was jam packed with reporters. It was nearly impossible to move, breathe or not sweat. I was definitely one of the younger people in the room. They showed us a short video about what to do in case of an emergency, then they began letting those with tickets onto the balcony.
Tickets. Crap.
I definitely didn't have one of those.
So I resigned myself to the fact that I'd probably be watching the SOTU from the gallery on a TV. I shoved my coat and bag in a cubby and sat down (near the balcony door, just in case) with my notebook, pen and iPhone. Just as the clock was about to hit 9, they announced there was standing room. I tucked my phone away in a cubby (no phones allowed!) and snagged myself a spot on the stairs, mentally preparing myself to stand over an hour in high heels.
I had never seen so many suits in my life. I was surprised to see how friendly people were being, even members from opposing parties. That's not to say everyone was friendly. I don't believe I saw Michele Bachmann smile once.
While to a lot of people I know a political speech sounds dull, but being there in person for the SOTU was exhilarating. People really got into it. I even hear whoops and verbal cheers at certain points, and a chill ran down my spine when the president walked in. The applause was overwhelming. Agree or disagree with his opinions, but the man can give a speech.
Definitely an unforgettable experience. Definitely worth standing for an hour in heels.
Rather than watching the SOTU from the comfort of my apartment, I trekked up the hill to the capitol in my suit and heels, press pass and trusty reporter's notebook in hand... and having absolutely no idea what awaited me. Literally all I knew was that I had to go to the capitol and the address began at 9 p.m.
As I approached that big white dome that is our capitol, I stuck to what I've found to work so far... put on a pretty smile and ask the guy with the big gun for help. Turns out I had to go through an underground tunnel, I felt so sneaky! I reached a security checkpoint with a bit of a line forming. But with a flash of my press pass, I got to skip right on by that line. "She's with the press, let her through," they said.
When I finally got to the press gallery, it was jam packed with reporters. It was nearly impossible to move, breathe or not sweat. I was definitely one of the younger people in the room. They showed us a short video about what to do in case of an emergency, then they began letting those with tickets onto the balcony.
Tickets. Crap.
I definitely didn't have one of those.
So I resigned myself to the fact that I'd probably be watching the SOTU from the gallery on a TV. I shoved my coat and bag in a cubby and sat down (near the balcony door, just in case) with my notebook, pen and iPhone. Just as the clock was about to hit 9, they announced there was standing room. I tucked my phone away in a cubby (no phones allowed!) and snagged myself a spot on the stairs, mentally preparing myself to stand over an hour in high heels.
I had never seen so many suits in my life. I was surprised to see how friendly people were being, even members from opposing parties. That's not to say everyone was friendly. I don't believe I saw Michele Bachmann smile once.
While to a lot of people I know a political speech sounds dull, but being there in person for the SOTU was exhilarating. People really got into it. I even hear whoops and verbal cheers at certain points, and a chill ran down my spine when the president walked in. The applause was overwhelming. Agree or disagree with his opinions, but the man can give a speech.
Definitely an unforgettable experience. Definitely worth standing for an hour in heels.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Day 2: taking on the hill... again
Today I attempted to take on a second visit to capitol hill. The abortion protesters had cleared and I was free to trounce in uninhibited to the Cannon House Office Building. Well, security was there of course. Also, Katie Couric.... or at least I think it was Katie Couric. She was heading out as I was heading in so it was hard to tell... but she is here in DC, so I'm going to assume it was her.
The next person I saw in the building, a bit on the opposite end of the spectrum from Katie Couric, was a middle-aged man, wearing much too tight skinny jeans, a cowboy hat and a t-shirt that read "Cops want to legalize pot." Safe to say, I'm running into some interesting people so far in DC.
I spent the rest of my morning stopping by representatives' offices, meeting people, press secretaries and even one representative himself, Randy Hultgren (R - Ill.). Now, according to this article on the Huffington Post (which was pointed out to me by my roommate, Kate), Washington DC is one of the rudest cities in America. I found the exact opposite to be true today. Everyone I met was incredibly friendly, from the representatives and their staff, to the cowboy pot cop, to the security guard who complimented me on my shoes. I've only been on the ground a couple days, but so far DC is a very friendly place to be.
The next person I saw in the building, a bit on the opposite end of the spectrum from Katie Couric, was a middle-aged man, wearing much too tight skinny jeans, a cowboy hat and a t-shirt that read "Cops want to legalize pot." Safe to say, I'm running into some interesting people so far in DC.
I spent the rest of my morning stopping by representatives' offices, meeting people, press secretaries and even one representative himself, Randy Hultgren (R - Ill.). Now, according to this article on the Huffington Post (which was pointed out to me by my roommate, Kate), Washington DC is one of the rudest cities in America. I found the exact opposite to be true today. Everyone I met was incredibly friendly, from the representatives and their staff, to the cowboy pot cop, to the security guard who complimented me on my shoes. I've only been on the ground a couple days, but so far DC is a very friendly place to be.
Day 1
Today was the first official day of my work with the Daily Herald.
Assignment number one: meet the men and women who represent the northwest suburbs of Chicago in our nation's capitol (a.k.a. Representatives and Senators).
Just oneeeeeeeeeee problem... today was the March for Life.
I made my way to the House and Senate office buildings on capitol hill, excited to greet the congressmen and women I would be covering for the next few months. Instead, I was greeted with thousands of protestors. They were everywhere. They were young and old... every age from elementary school to retirement home, and an especially large amount of high school and college-aged. They carried picket signs, posters, balloons... I even heard drums somewhere in the distance. But most importantly, they were blocking almost every entrance to the capitol office buildings.
I was able to beat the crowd to one building and make contact with the two women who represent my readership. But the six men on my list played hard to get.
So lessoned learned... when thousands of impassioned Americans wielding "Abortion Kills" signs storm capitol hill in below-freezing weather, your plans might just get thrown for a loop.
Assignment number one: meet the men and women who represent the northwest suburbs of Chicago in our nation's capitol (a.k.a. Representatives and Senators).
Just oneeeeeeeeeee problem... today was the March for Life.
I made my way to the House and Senate office buildings on capitol hill, excited to greet the congressmen and women I would be covering for the next few months. Instead, I was greeted with thousands of protestors. They were everywhere. They were young and old... every age from elementary school to retirement home, and an especially large amount of high school and college-aged. They carried picket signs, posters, balloons... I even heard drums somewhere in the distance. But most importantly, they were blocking almost every entrance to the capitol office buildings.
I was able to beat the crowd to one building and make contact with the two women who represent my readership. But the six men on my list played hard to get.
So lessoned learned... when thousands of impassioned Americans wielding "Abortion Kills" signs storm capitol hill in below-freezing weather, your plans might just get thrown for a loop.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Learning a New Language
They say the best way to learn a new language is to go to a country where the people speak it, dive in head first and immerse yourself in the culture.
Well that's pretty much the goal with my current project.
For the next three and a half months I will be working as a reporter in Washington, D.C. I speak English. I've lived in America all my life, I speak English very well. I'm talking about the language of American politics, and on a national scale.
I am a multimedia journalism student at the University of Missouri. While the experiences I've been offered there have been incredibly valuable, the opportunities for complex political reporting in a small town such as Columbia, Mo., are not nearly as many as in our nation's capital.
While in Washington I will be reporting for Chicago's Daily Herald. I hope this opportunity, which I have gained through the University of Missouri's Washington Program, will allow me to learn how to report the complex activities of our government in a way that is both interesting and compelling for the American public.
This blog will chronicle my adventures as a girl with small-town reporting experience taking on one of the most important and influential cities in the world.
Let's do this.
Well that's pretty much the goal with my current project.
For the next three and a half months I will be working as a reporter in Washington, D.C. I speak English. I've lived in America all my life, I speak English very well. I'm talking about the language of American politics, and on a national scale.
I am a multimedia journalism student at the University of Missouri. While the experiences I've been offered there have been incredibly valuable, the opportunities for complex political reporting in a small town such as Columbia, Mo., are not nearly as many as in our nation's capital.
While in Washington I will be reporting for Chicago's Daily Herald. I hope this opportunity, which I have gained through the University of Missouri's Washington Program, will allow me to learn how to report the complex activities of our government in a way that is both interesting and compelling for the American public.
This blog will chronicle my adventures as a girl with small-town reporting experience taking on one of the most important and influential cities in the world.
Let's do this.
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