This Internship Thang...

Hey friends. So here I am at my internship. It has been an interesting start, and I'm still sort of figuring out how I feel about everything. Monday was a really long day because I had my internship and then my class! But it was all very exciting. I have been pretty exhausted the entire time I've been here... we had to wake up pretty early for orientation stuff, and over the weekend I had some trouble sleeping probably just because it is a new bed, etc. (A pretty comfortable bed, though!) Anyway, TWC made it clear that being on time to your internship the first day was actually deemed as late. So, after rushing out of the apartment and trying not to vom all over the metro because I was so nervous, I wound up getting there so early that no one was even there yet. Most of the interns I talked to had the same experience so I didn't feel too bad about it, but it was amusing just standing outside the door waiting. My boss John showed up at about 8:50 and we just sat down and talked a lot about how the office works, what I'll be getting from the experience, and met the other people in the office. I felt bad because my sinuses were really acting up and lack of sleep made me pretty much a walking zombie, but I tried my best to stay attentive. The office is really tiny, just me, John, and three other people. They are all very nice and have emphasized that they want to include me so that I'm not just "the intern." John gave me a lot of reading to do on Impact Aid so I can really learn what it is about and how it works. For those of you who don't know I chose to place at a non-profit called NAFIS (National Association of Federally Impacted Schools). I'm still figuring it all out myself, but basically they work to get money for specific school districts that don't recieve proper tax funding. More specifically, Native American reservations, military bases, and low-income housing areas. Since these are usually federal grounds and don't pay taxes, the schools really need Impact Aid to make sure that they can function properly and keep up with government standards like No Child Left Behind. So, it is pretty interesting. Most of you already know I'm really passionate about education and I've been to a Native American reservation and have seen how much the children really need good schools. Yesterday I got to talk to the President of the board of the organization and he told me all about the problems that a lot of the military bases have. There is a lot going on, I'm not sure if you all want to hear it.. but the war is really stressful for army families, obviously, but Impact Aid really helps them continue couseling services. And most of the districts we work with all really need Impact Aid for reconstruction since most of the buildings haven't been renovated or fixed for as far back as 1994 and sometimes even longer. I talked to him about how I want to teach, but I feel like NCLB is holding teachers to unrealistic expectations in terms of test scores and how I generally hate test-taking. He seems to think NCLB is going to change very soon, I do hope so. But did you know that NCLB has been up for reauthorization for about two years now? What is the delay? It has only been about three days here, but I feel like I am learning a lot already. This is an awkward week though, because everyone in the office went to a conference and I'm pretty much here on my own manning the phones. After Monday everyone besides one of my co-workers, Tony, left for the conference, and then even he left this morning. I'm off Friday though! I'm going to take advantage of that tourist-wise.

Yesterday Tony took me along with him to Capital Hill. I was so excited and I think he was really confused as to why, but he does this all the time so it is nothing new to him. My office is a block from the capital building and it is really cool getting off the metro every morning and seeing it. To get to "The Hill" (we went to the House side... I'm still figuring out all of this government business) we had to walk right by the Capital and Library of Congress. Pretty cool stuff. I think I definitely came off as an idiot because I was asking SO many questions about everything, but hopefully he didn't mind. Anyway, the whole lobbying process isn't as glam as you all made it sound, but I appreciate everyone encouraging this experience and being excited with me. So how it works is you basically walk into different offices and talk with different representatives of congress or the house or whatever (I told you, I'm still figuring it out). But the offices are very tiny, and I kid you not, everyone is no more than 5 years older than me. It is crazy. We had three meetings to "lobby" and how it worked is we sat down at a table with someone and Tony told them about Impact Aid and what we do and why we are important. Everyone we spoke to was a young woman no older than 30. So they go back to their bosses and Impact Aid gets a mention and if we ever need them to vote for a specific bill or something we go back and talk to them again. I was the awkward and mute intern, but it will be cool if they actually let me talk to someone about Impact Aid and why it is important by the end. I think I could be good at it. But I'm not going to lie, I was really tired and might have been dozing off a little... I hope no one noticed. Once I adjust to this whole 9am-5pm business I hope I gain some more energy. It is really hard waking up so early! I feel a little isolated being in the office alone, and I really haven't met a lot of people yet since everyone has their own apartment and their own busy schedlues... but it is only the first week and I'm sure that once I start going out and having a social life things will be fine. And obviously I will get a better grasp on the internship once everyone in my office comes back. But for now... "Impact Aid associataion, this is Ariel, how can I help you?" ;-) hehe.

Last but not least, I do need to talk about my class. Because I already know it is going to change my life! It is with a Professor named Colman McCarthy and you all need to go out and read some of his stuff. He basically started "Peace Studies" and he was so convincing even in one class that I wanted to go up and give him a hug after. I'll admit his thinking isn't for everyone, but my class is all about non-violence and conflict resolution on a personal and worldly level which I think is interesting. I'll keep you guys posted but one of the books I am leafing through right now is called "I'd Rather Teach Peace," but just google his name or something. He said he spoke at Dickinson once and they sent a limo to pick him up, I quote, "that was probably your tuition money!" I wouldn't be too surprised... anyway friends, I have a lot ahead of me to learn and experience, I'm hoping for the best! This first week is going to be laid back, but I'm realizing that a pace-change in my life is necessary. This is no New York City, that is for sure. Miss you all, please update me all on your lives ... I am pretty internet accessible during the day :)