Task of this weekend: Make a fake press pass.
Seriously, it can get anyone into anything... well journalists, that is.
So this week was a pretty exciting week. I went to the National Press Club, saw Senator Robert Byrd's casket go to the Senate floor, saw Elena Kagan's hearings (senators were questioning the witnesses), got to see a taping of ESPN's "Pardon the Interruption," and held an Emmy award.
I have the pictures and they are posted on Facebook. If you are my friend on Facebook, then check it out. If not, I apologize but I don't feel comfortable posting my own pictures on this blog. I don't really know why really. I guess I want to make this blog personal, yet I don't. I hope you can understand.
But anyways, the National Press Club was cool. I saw a lot of people and I didn't realize how many notable people walked the same floors I did. There were a ton of autographed pictures of celebrities and many distinguished awards. I saw the actual picture of Bill Clinton before he was going to address the public about the Monica Lewinsky scandal (the real stuff that happened). It was the first picture taken by a digital camera that won the Pultizer. I thought that was pretty exciting. I hope I didn't ruin the picture because I took a picture using flash.. oh well. It still looked fine after I took the picture.
I was also taking various pictures of the different rooms. Funny thing is, I asked this lady from the NPC who was giving out a tour to a couple wanting to give a presentation in one of the rooms, if I can take pictures, and she said "Yes." So obviously I did. Though, after taking about 70 pictures or so, another lady, who didn't look like she belonged to the NPC (due to her rugged appearance and to be honest, she didn't look like a journalist. I guess from being around so many different journalists from all walks of life, you just get these spidy senses, and clearly, she didn't fit the criteria.) but she told me that I can't take pictures. I told that some other woman told me that I could, but she just said I can't. I took pictures anyways. No way she could stop me or do anything... haha (Fight the power, damn it.)
The next day, I woke up early to go to Capitol Hill to see the Kagan hearings. Due to Senator Byrd's death, the hearings were postponed to 4pm instead of the usual 9am. So, I went to see Byrd's casket go up to the Senate floor, while many journalists, photographers, and some citizens looked on. I was able to see Byrd's colleagues at the bottom of the steps, while his family was on top of the steps. Military men marched to get the casket, and marched up to go inside. For AP Government and Politics my junior year of high school, I wrote a brief paper about him. Did you know when he was younger, he joined the KKK? And it was there, when he became a leader of the KKK, that he decided to join politics? He later regrets it, however. But he knew, that no matter what, he can't changed the past. In addition, he was longest serving member in Congress. He served in Congress for 51 years!
The crappy thing was that I stepped on nasty mud with my ballet flats on. Thankfully, the sun was blazing so that helped in drying it. After my shoe nearly dried, I went back to campus to eat something and replace my small bookbag for a purse. There was a sign that said you can't bring bookbags to the hearing, so I wanted to be safe than sorry.
The Kagan hearings was interesting. I was upset that she wasn't there but since they were towards the end of the full hearings, it was just witnesses testifying against or for her nomination. I got to see my senator, Arlen Specter speak. To be honest, he isn't an interesting question asker. And I'm still mad that he changed his political party. You can't just do that on a wim. Some of it, to tell you the truth, was kind of boring, but in a way, I still want to learn more about it all.
(Oh! The reason why I said I wanted to make a fake press pass is because the one guy in my program was about to wait on line with me to the Kagan hearings. But, because he had a press pass and his newspaper reserved a seat for him, he didn't need to wait on line. Instead, he sad with the other journalists while I sat on the back... trying to get a peak since I'm so small! But yeah. That is why I want to get a press pass from my internship, or make one of my own. I'm a journalist. I should be treated like one! haha)
Overall, the hearings were interesting. I had to leave after the first set of witnesses, however. I had my ethics final, and I wanted to be on time so I could utilize my time sufficiently. Thankfully, with ten minutes to spare, I arrived at my dorm. Got a drink and some snacks (brownies made by B-Hat and fruit snacks.) I thought the final was alright. It was waaay easier than the midterm, that's for sure. I'm really excited to see what I got. I mean, I did a terrible job on my midterm and since we had a time limit, I didn't finish so that impacted my grade. But I used my time wisely for the final (start on the bigger, more important stuff first! I started quickly on the identifications, then jumped around to an essay, etc.) So I was able to finish my final and checked everything over. Fingers crossed for a good score!
Friday, I went to see a taping of ESPN's "Pardon the Interruption." I haven't seen the show before and I actually never heard of it either. But I am really interested in ESPN. I like sports, but I'm not too into it. I enjoy a fierce swimming match or men's figure skating. I guess it all depends really. But I had a wonderful time there! I have pictures on Facebook as well. We had a tour of the building and we were able to meet a lot of the important ESPN people. We got to see how they edit some of the shows and the work that goes into it all. It was really cool. At the end, I asked one of the producers about internships and who I can contact concerning that. I got someone from ESPN's email so we'll see what happeneds!
As far as next summer goes, it's all cloudy right now. I have ideas on where I want to apply for internships/jobs. As much as I want to build a resume, I want to do so with places where I love and I am interested in. I don't want to stress myself out, but I want to be productive and be a beneficial contribution to the company. With my love for marching band, I STILL want to try out for the Cadets. Music & I are tiiight. I plan on volunteering with my high school marching band when I graduate college. That's how much I love marching band. I also know that YEA! also has internships so I wouldn't mind being a journlistic band geek. Though, I've been told to apply for a White House internship. I love Washington (and since I know my way around, I wouldn't mind it.) and plus, people have told me to run for office. No seriously. But I don't know. I think politics is interesting and in a way, I do want to understand more of it. I've also been thinking about other internships within Law enforcement: CIA and Interpol. With all this talk of Summer 2011, I should be thinking about now and what I should do.
But heck, thinking about the future is fun. At least I have my head above my shoulders, right?
I miss my friends and my family. For this fourth of July, I get to see my aunt, her husband, and my uncles that I haven't seen in years. It's going to be an excellent treat because we are going to a nice restaurant near the White House and we are going to see the fireworks as well. I'm excited! I'll be sure to take a lot of pictures as well!
Moravian's marching band is starting up soon. About 22 days after I get back home, I'll be going back to Moravian. In case you may know, I may be transferring. I'm not sure where, but I want to go somewhat far away. Perhaps the College of William and Mary. We'll see. I love Virginia and I love the South. People there are so hospitable! The only thing is, W&M doesn't really have a marching band. Wow, you can really see how much marching band has changed my life. I'm nervous about Moravian's band though. I'm not sure about the drum majors. I don't want to bad mouth anyone, I respect them and their amazing talent. But, I felt really secure with Andy and Pete. They were really good leaders and I really hope that the upcoming drum majors do a great job as well. I'm excited for my bass drum solos! haha Time to beat the crap out of my tiny drum again!
I can't wait to see my friends and family again. I'm sort of upset that B-Hat is always working at his job and I hardly get to see him. One of his friends from way back in the day is coming back to Stroudsburg for a week which is cool for him. I hope they both have fun. Maybe we can all make a trip somewhere or so. I still want to play a Six Flags trip with my friends too. I don't know when, but that would be splendid. I miss riding on roller coasters to tell you the truth. I know Williamsburg isn't that far away. I'm actually really tempted to go there.. No seriously.
Damn. 27 more days until my program is over. And about...25 more days that B-Hat (and maybe my family) comes to see me in Washington! Wowzers! I hope I can set up a fun, Washingtonian filled itinerary for them!
But that's all for now. I miss y'all! (You know who you are!) <3
