Picture
Alas, at the end of this week I will head home to the cold and very snowy city of Syracuse, NY  and leave DC behind. The experience has been more than I could have ever imagined. Whether in the classroom, my internship, or out and about, lessons were learned and perspective was gained.

While taking classes here in DC,  I have had the pleasure of meeting new people with varying experiences and backgrounds. I am happy to have met so many people who helped positively shape my stay.

Looking back to this semester, who could have ever guessed I would be able  to be a part of two internships. My time at the Center for American Progress, although brief, has been most memorable. I enjoy so muc learning about different policy and contributing in whatever ways I can in terms of research.  I will be sad to go, but so incredibly happy for the experience.

On the last Saturday  night I spent  here  in DC  I  convinced my friends Catherine and Shannon to bundle up and head out to the National Mall for our last memorial night walk before we headed out. Shortly after leaving, we realized how truly cold  it was and decided we would only be visiting the Lincoln memorial.  Shivering, but  on a  mission, we arrived.  After taking pictures, and asking one of the few people their to take out picture we were just about set to head back to our apartment. At this time, a  couple approached us asking to have their picture taken. My roommate Catherine, gladly accepted, after a few shots she went to give back the camera.  Before she had the chance to give the camera back the man quickly said, " wait, I'm going to propose." The look on all of our faces was priceless.  As he kneeled on one knee Catherine got a lot of awesome shots of their special moments, right there on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. It was a lovely Saturday night, that I will definitely always remember.

DC was a blast, but it  time  to move on to the the next phase. It is in one way the end of things, but also the beginning of things in so many other  ways. 

p.s. I aim to maintain my  blog as long as permitted, plus  I  have to explain how my tour at the White House goes this  coming Friday!






 
Being in the Thanksgiving Spirit it would only be appropriate that I express what I am most grateful for. I titled this blog post, “ The Top Ten Things I am Selfishly Grateful for While here in D.C.,” because I will be citing what I am most grateful for that make life easier, not the necessities, but the little luxuries D.C. has offer. I will do so with the slightest mix of seriousness, satire, and humor.

1. The "Good Days" on the Metro.
The metro offers its fair share of benefits, like not needing to pay for gas or insurance. I am specifically grateful for the days where there was little to no time to wait for a metro car. The days where there are seats aplenty and minimal a weird person. The days where your conductor says, "Thank you for riding metro rail and you think, “thank you, thank you metro rail.”

2. An Infinite Number of Panel Discussions on a Weekly Basis
If you think for one moment while here in DC, "I am bored," you are lying! I am grateful for the stimulating and educational conversations that are always in infinite supply. The topics are endless, and the conversations almost always lively. If you want to go to one every day of the week, totally possible- been there done that.

 3. Hors d'oeuvres
Coupling with panel discussions I of course have to express my deep gratefulness for the hors d'oeuvres. Thanks to many an event I now have a pallet for cheese, crackers, and chicken kabob skewers. For a student these hors d'oeuvres have taken the place of many a dinner - and for that I am grateful.

 4. Is this a Street Corner or the Metropolitan Opera House?
Being in DC there are certain musical street performers that I truly look forward to listening to. Whether it be the violinist playing classical, or the man playing Amazing Grace on the Steel Drum- I love it all. However, I am most grateful for my favorite musical performer. He is a small Latin man who plays the Spanish guitar beautifully and looks absolutely miserable.  If you want to see his face completely light up give him a donation for the musical favor he is doing you, you will never regret it. I am so grateful for him and will miss him dearly.

5. The Daily, “Good Morning" Yell
At 8:30am every morning, a homeless man would greet me as well as everyone else on their morning commute with a big, “GOOD MORNING." I am so grateful for his warm and friendly presence.  Although life had not been easy for this disabled man, he took the time to brighten everyone's day. I cannot help but smile when I see him. I do not see the man anymore, as I commute, as the weather is colder but before, when I saw him every morning he greeted me with, “Good Morning Smiley!"- and I am grateful for that.

 6. Lunch Break at the White House- Because I Can
Weather permitting, I would either eat lunch or take a walk to the White House during my lunch breaks. Even moving internships mid semester, I just moved even closer to the White House than I was before.  The area is super pretty and interesting, just thinking about the history of the place made me so happy. Never mind the million tourists, and obscure protesters, I have been grateful to soak it all in.

 7. Thai Food Delivery
Delicious Thai Food delivered right to my apartment door. Done. Grateful. Always.

 8. Yoga Pants!....Never
I am grateful for the forced yet much appreciated and needed requirement to look professional and polished at all times. Looking back at last semester it was a special occasion if I wore my nice jeans. Looking professional every day is a good lesson in the importance of appearance. Look better, do better....at least until I get back to school.

 9. Excel is my Friend
Excel is daunting for someone who has had very minimal experience with the program. If you want to make something of yourself in this world become proficient in it! I have a long way to go before I say I am en expert, but I have some experience  with it now, and I am grateful.

 10. Mentors
To end more seriously, I would like to express how grateful I am for the many people who have extended their time and expertise in helping me along the way. Thank you to both peers and teachers.
 
Picture
As I was thinking about what to write about this week, I first struggled. I could not remember what I had specifically done this past week, although I knew it was a busy one. As  I focused on the blur that was this past week I realized I had been  to a lot of events, in fact  I had been to an event everyday this week, sometimes twice in one day. I realized I needed to document this in my latest blog post- to not only  share my experiences with others, but preserve my memories.  Here are the events I attended this past week:

Monday
How to Make Blogging Pay @ The National Press Club
In a spur of the moment decision I attended an event at the National Press Club. My friend and I arrived pretty early and chose a seat in the front row.  The discussion that proceeded was one of the most lively, heated, and crazy panel discussions I have ever been apart of. The  conversation quickly turned to the collapse of journalism, which sparked outrage by those journalists present. I found this panel  memorable because it made me aware of the sad truth  about the sad  difficulties our generation faces. Old trademark professions, such as journalism are no longer the same, and we must expand our skill set and knowledge to be successful professionally

Tuesday
Twosomes & Two Parties - Talking Pairs:  Mark Chester and Norm Ornstein @Busboys and Poets

On Tuesday I had the pleasure of enjoying a great dinner with a great discussion  that included author,  Norm Ornstein. Norm wrote a book that I was assigned to read in my policy class.  I enjoyed hearing his brash statements about the Republican party in person.  To my surprise the down fall of  journalism occurred again in conversation!  I came away from the event still thinking and stuffed with delicious sweet potato fries and cherry pie.

Wednesday
Lunch with Senator Joseph Tydings@ The Washington Internship Institute
Former Senator Joseph Tydings  was a close friend to  the late President Kennedy. For a little over an hour I was delighted to hear about  his past adventures on the campaign trail. I could have listened to his stories all afternoon . His excitement and first hand accounts made for a lovely lunch with a remarkable man

Thursday
From Foreclosure to Fair Lending: The Pursuit of Equitable Credit Show Embed Code Widespread @ The Center for American Progress
At an event offered at the place of my internship I learned of the harsh world surrounding 
discriminatory and unethical lending. The discussion got heated an passionate as this issue is prevalent and effects individuals deeply. Those affected spoke out.  I was genuinely scared, hurt, and concerned as this issue is massive in its negative consequences. I was glad CAP  brought attention to it.


"Event" @ Georgetown University
Alright, on Thursday I was suppose to attend an event that my supervisor invited me too. The night ended with me getting hopelessly lost and on the campus of  Georgetown University. Finding myself in this situation I toured the school with my friend,  grabbed a delicious snickers latte, and enjoyed the change in plans. Attitude is everything people, just go with it. As I said to Shannon,  "We are lost...Surprise!"

Friday
Brown Bag @ The Center For American Progress
I will keep this brief as  I have previously explained several brown bags. This one was especially special because I received some advice that resonated with some deep inner thoughts of mine. The advice was, "Working on a campaign is getting your masters in Political Communications." Those were some some pretty powerful words for a student on the fence about Grad School.  I have a lot to think about  in the next coming years.

I hope you enjoyed my weeks activity. I certainly learned a lot now that I look back at it.


 
Picture
Last Tuesday can be remembered  as the day I played hooky from class, but gave my teacher a clear heads up that  I would not be present. In one exciting day I experienced, two Supreme Court Cases, the House and The Senate in Session , the DC botanical gardens, and a guest speaker. I self- proclaimed the day, "Ferris Buellers's day off: DC edition," as our  day's activities were only appropriate to what you do in DC when you do not attend class. The day was long but the memories were worth it.

The time we 8:34 am and it was the coldest day that has occurred since I have been here in D.C.  My friend Shannon and I waited an hour and a half in the freezing cold to see two Supreme Court Cases. The guards cut off the line of people admitted into the cases just two people behind us.  We were so happy and thankful not only that we made the cut but because the two people behind us, happened to be a ridiculously adorable elderly couple from Arizona. Once inside we were sat promptly behind a massive marble pillar. At that point in time I could only see Justice Sotomayor.  I was so excited be inside I did even mind I could not see everyone, I greatly respect and admire Justice Sotomayor anyway! So, behind the massive white pillar was where we sat for the first case about guns. Side note, it was still really cold even inside. For the second case I asked politely if we could move seats. You are actually not supposed to move seats but the guard let us move from behind the pillar, making it possible for Shannon and I to see all of the Justices at the same time! The second case was about drugs and was just as confusing as the first. The Justices even said, "This is confusing." I took a US Constitutional History Class two semesters prior, so to see all the Justices in person was a big deal. Afterwards, we did a quick walk through of the building.  Upon exciting the building Shannon, my friend David, and I realized we would definitely not make it to our first class. In a spur of the moment spontaneous decision we decided to view the House and Senate gallery.

 Thinking back about our experience at the Capitol, and really the whole day, I can shortly describe the experience in three words: cold, exciting, and security check points. First, to enter the Capitol we had to dispense of all our food and drinks, this involved Shannon and I gulping our water bottles, and quickly eating what snacks we had in front of the Capitol guards (I really think they found us amusing). Once in, and through the preliminary check points we discovered that both the Senate and House were in session. At this point, the day could not get  any better, or patriotic!  Although the topics of discussions were not especially riveting, it was still  a great sight to see. The whole process of getting into the galleries took much longer than expected (apparently my umbrella is very dangerous). We knew if we left in a half hour or so we could try to arrive for the last hour of our last class. On the way back to the metro we did the last spontaneous activity of the day and quickly walked through the D.C. botanical gardens. It was beautiful AND warm!

We arrived to class just in time to hear a guest speaker discuss the Affordable Care Act.  Something I am so happy I did not miss as she provided a lot of information and answered some great questions. It was a very eventful day, waiting in the freezing cold was worth it! In the words of  Ferris in a statement that encompasses  my experiences here ,"The question isn't what are we going to do. The question is what aren't we going to do."


 
Picture
Time is passing by entirely too fast  in D.C. This past week I would have to say that I wasted no time in taking advantage of  what the city has to offer.  Not only was it a busy week with events, but it was also Veterans day weekend. DC is definitely the place to commemorate the holiday. I channeled my inner tourist once again in visiting Arlington Cemetery and the National American History Museum.  
 
With my internship at The Center for American Progress it comes
with the opportunity to attend awesome events, something I wanted to make sure to take full advantage of while here. This past week I attended both a brown bag with a Senior Cap Fellow Sam Fulwood, and a lecture on immigration and youth. Brown bags are casual lunches where interns can interact with professionals regarding their experiences. The environment is ideal for questions and conversation. This was my second brownbag  at CAP, the first brown bag with
CAP's Public Lands team. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It was easy to stay engaged with such a transparent and interesting speaker. The brown bag reminded me of an informational interview, just with twenty or so more people participating.  I have already RSVP'd for next week’s upcoming brown bag. 

Another event presented by CAP that I attended was a lecture on Immigration and youth, which took place at the NYU (DC campus.) This event stood out to me because it was not just strictly academic, I was a mix of both personal storytelling and data an analysis. Hearing the first hand testaments from actual undocumented people, coinciding with the emphasis for a pathway to citizenship was especially memorable.

An additional event outside of my internship was at the Brooking Institution. On the panel was my professor, Dr. Hudak. The topic was projections for the 2014 Elections. I was very much looking forward attending an event and Brookings. The topic was both relevant of my current interests and I was able to see my Professor speak impressively on a panel.  The place was crowded and diverse,  I almost wished everyone had to wear nametags with their affiliation. I was very pleased with the Brookings Institution- their professionalism and importance as a think tank.

As mentioned prior, this Veterans day weekend I was able to visit  Arlington Cemetery and the National American History museum. The Cemetery was especially moving. During the changing of the guards  ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Veterans participating in honor flight were in attendance as well.  I will admit my eyes watered as I heard  the taps playing and the Veterans looking on.  I would like to express my deep appreciation for all Veterans, past, present , and future. On Sunday I attended the National American History Museum. Selfishly, I really just wanted to see the exhibit with the first ladies  inaugural dresses but I was impressed by so much more. Between Dorothy's red ruby slippers, Kermit the Frog,  Abraham Lincolns top hat, or the flag that inspired the star spangled banner- I am not really sure where I acted the most nerdy. My dear friend Shannon was very enthusiastic about Harry Potters' robe from first year. :) I really appreciated the place. I
can check that off my endless list of places to go while here in D.C.

This past week was a crazy busy one, but I know I have to continue making an effort to use all available resources.  I only have a little more than a  month to go here, and I cannot wait to share whatever may come next in this ever busy city.




 
Picture
In an effort to share my academic experiences in addition to my personal ones, I wanted to take a portion of my blog to discuss gun policy in America. In light of recent shootings, I decided to write an academic paper for one of my classes regarding gun control. As the week progressed, and yet another shooting occurred (this time in New Jersey ) I thought it was important, as well as relevant to share a portion of my academic paper with others. It begins:

Historically, Americans have witnessed and dealt with tragedies such as Sandy Hook, Columbine, Fort Hood, Virginia Tech, Aurora, and the D.C. Navy Yard shootings (just to name a few). The debate on gun control needs to be seriously dealt with before further misfortunes occur. With so many tragedies, it becomes necessary that reforms regarding gun control on a national scale should be implemented. Real change regarding gun policy in the United States can be achieved by revising failed legislation such as the Manchin-Toomey Amendment, halting harmful rhetoric from both conservatives and liberals, and finally more mental health awareness and resources on a national scale.

Instead of copy and pasting my  academic paper verbatim I wanted to briefly describe my assertions in reference to gun control.  First, I critiqued a piece of legislation that was  not passed due to gridlock and bipartisanship in Congress (The Manchin-Toomey Amendment). I proposed that similar legislation be pushed forward in an additional effort to pass any sort of comprehensive gun control bill. This can be done through my second point- reducing the harmful rhetoric of politicians that contribute to the lack of legislation that is passed. With the pressure of voters, and those affected by gun tragedies this could be a viable option. The voters are getting sick of the  government's "tricks" Lastly, improving mental health awareness and treatment is the key to gun violence prevention, in my opinion.

A startling truth is that young Americans are becoming desensitized to gun violence. The shootings that occur, although absolutely horrifying, are not surprising—this should be a wakeup call. American gun
culture needs to change. Gun violence should not be a cultural norm.  I believe that legislation on a national level needs to be enacted in an effort to prevent the preventable, and save the innocent. Government officials bury your hatchets and work towards the greater good of the American public’s safety. 

This blog may not be my most upbeat and exciting, but it is an extremely significant ad relevant issue that needs to be dealt with sooner than later. To transition entirely, it was Halloween weekend! One of the better costumes I have had was as a secret service agent (pictured above). The surrounding environment along  with our creativity brought a lot of smiles. I realize this blog post was  very diverse in its topics but I hope you enjoyed  in my sharing of my academic  AND personal experiences.

 
Picture
At the end of my stay in D.C. I will be able to say I was never bored. Events that have occurred this past week have been both pleasant and very surprising. Two serendipitous and exciting events have occurred. One event I have been holding off to share with the cyber world until the very right time. I am glad to finally be able to explain what has been happening to me in D.C. these past couple of weeks. So without further delay I will now explain how I have started a new internship and attended the White House Garden Tour.

Before I talk about my new internship I would like to just
  disclaim that in no way,  shape, or form is my new internship placement due to a negative experience or my own actions at my last internship. I am still on great terms with the wonderful staff, and look forward to their correspondence. At a later time, I may go into details of the situation, but for now I believe the main point of this discussion is to discuss my new internship position at the Center for American Progress (CAP)! Through a whirlwind process I was interviewed and accepted an internship position within a week.  According to CAP’s website the organization, “is an independent nonpartisan educational institute dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through progressive ideas and action.” I will be in a part of the center known as the “war room.”  My task will be focused around communication and research. I am so looking forward to sharing more about the internship. Who knew I would get two experiences s out of one semester!?  Today was the first day and it was super exciting and overwhelming at the same time. I do not mean overwhelming in a bad way. I just want to help out with so many things, it is wonderfully overwhelming. I am looking forward to the future!

Through unforeseen events I was able to attend the White House Garden Tour this past weekend.  I often visit the White House during lunch breaks, as it is close to my old and new internship. However, on Sunday I was to go behind the gate and tour the White House grounds!  It felt surreal; walking where you know so many past presidents have walked before.  I was able to see Sasha and Malia’s swing set, the White House vegetable garden, the White House beehive, and just be really close to the White House in general.  Although I did not see the First Lady or First dog, I am still extremely happy with my experience, 

Unforeseeable events occur, and it is our attitudes that will create the experiences we gain.  I had no idea that I would be able to pursue a different internship. The moral of these past few weeks has been to stay patient, optimistic, and willing.  It is understandable how easy it can be to give in to pessimistic behavior and negative thoughts, but attitude is completely everything.  I would not have predicted that the importance of a good attitude would be something I gained in DC. I believe the best attitude is careful blend of realism, optimism, and patience. To this point that attitude has done wonders for me.


 
PictureMy visit to the National Zoo this week!
In an effort to attend more events in D.C I attended a foreign
policy panel series put on by the World Affairs Council. The topic of the talk was, “The Future of Puerto Rico: Statehood, Status Quo, or Independence? “  Speakers Included:  Manuel Rivera, Jeffrey L. Farrow, Juan Dalmau Ramirez, and moderator Phillip C. French.
All of the speakers were highly reputable, and were both intelligent and informative regarding their opinion on the subject at hand. Additionally, the event brought about some personal reflection of my own culture and experiences.

Truthfully, I am not as well informed about the status of Puerto Rico as I should be.  Juan Dalmau Ramirez spoke first. He is an attorney, as well as candidate for Governor of Puerto Rico. He stressed that 54% of Puerto Rican registered voters rejected Puerto Rico’s territorial status, asserting there is, “no consent by the governed.” He was a strong spoken leader and I was interested in his points.

The next speaker was Jeffrey L. Farrow, a consultant on government affairs in Washington D.C. and chairman of the Oliver Group Inc. He formerly worked for the Clinton administration, serving as principle coordinator of policy concerning Puerto Rico until 2001. Personally, I thought he was the most informed of the three speakers. His proficiency in history and policy seemed to exceed the others.  I believe this is due to his professional experiences in D.C. some interesting points in discussion included: 

 -The history of Puerto Rico and its territorial status.

-The current unequal treatment of Puerto Rico 

-His personal experiences regarding the issue

A lasting sentiment of his discussion asserted that Puerto Rico is a possession and not a part of
 the United States. That statement woke me up regarding the seriousness of the
issue

The last speaker was attorney Manuel Rivera. He stressed the negative effects that America has had on Puerto Rico’s economy and infrastructure.  Attorney Rivera was very informed with statistics, and humor. He made some interesting points to contribute to the discussion, but it was clear he thought the affect America has
had on Puerto Rico has ben detrimental. Furthermore,  he contributed to the discussion by citing that “colonialism is a business." This statement further increased the spirit of the discussion, and brought up some
interesting questions.

So, for what reasons (besides going to DC event on an interesting topic) did I attend?   My ethnicity has something to do it. My father is a hundred percent Italian and my mother is a hundred percent Puerto Rican.  My mother has made the honest effort to immerse her children in her culture. I confess I am not fluent in Spanish, but I  believe  my culture goes so much beyond that. This event was a  personal effort to increase my awareness of Puerto Rico, currently and beyond. I value my culture, and want to preserve what I know. A fear of mine is not being able to pass on my culture. My grandparents are one hundred percent, off the boat , true Puerto Ricans. I
love them and never want to lose their traditions and culture. Without be too cheesy, I will say that I will always be proud to be Boricua.  Events like this one help enhance my  knowledge.

Overall, the event was engaging, important, and worthwhile. I was happy to attend!

On a completely separate note,  the government is no longer shut down and I went to the National Zoo! Enjoy my lovely picture of a cheetah.


 






 
Picture
Informational interviews are invaluable experiences that aid you in the direction of your desired professional career. As a student, I have learned some of the most useful advice in my undergraduate
career during an informational interview. I would like to take you through a total of fifteen informational interview questions that I have personally asked and received solid and worthwhile feedback, along with some helpful advice and commentary regarding my
experiences. The key to the informational interview is to not waste your interviewee’s time, while simultaneously making them most of
yours.

Sometimes the hardest part is finding someone to interview.  Reach out to your professors, supervisors, or your school’s alumni office to find someone in the field you are interested in. When contact information is obtained, email said person in a short and succinct email expressing your interest in an informational interview.
Your contact will decide if the interview will take place in person or over the phone.  Personally, I believe it is best to conduct an informational interview in person, but if they can only do it
over the phone, accept it!  This week I enjoyed some espresso at a lovely little coffee shop, as shown in my picture. Conducting an informational interview over coffee can create a comfortable and conversational environment.

When conducting your interview Start with the technical questions, Note. Do not ask what the title is for your
interview if that information is readily available. Do your research!  Think of it like stalking someone on Facebook, but this time it is actually worth your time and more socially  acceptable. You want to come off as knowledgeable, if you have no idea who this person is; you are both wasting each other’s time. 
Your first questions should sound something like these:

1.  How did this job come to your attention, and why did you wish to pursue it?
2. What precisely do you do? What are the duties/functions/responsibilities of your job?
3.What is a typical day like?  What are your normal hours?
4. How does your time use vary? Are there busy and slow times?
5. What are the educational requirements for this job?
6. What kind of work/internship experience would employers look for in a job applicant?

These first questions will give you a very solid foundation of knowledge surrounding the person you are interviewing. From here slightly more detailed and personal can be asked. The subsequent questions are where the really memorable moments of your interview will l stem from. They include:

7.  What do you like the most/least about your job?
8. What do you wish you'd known before you entered this field?
9. Could you call your most rewarding or favorite memory in your career?
10.  Where do you see yourself professionally in the future?
11.  What advice do you have for a student aiming for a career in this field?

These questions will make your interviewee think a little harder. In my experience the individuals start reflecting the more they answer the question.  You may have asked a question that even your interview didn’t know the answer to. It is a natural tendency to want to talk about yourself, and these questions really
encourage that.  I have had some really memorable experience with questions number nine and ten. When I asked question nine to the Directorof Special Events at American Cancer Society, she answered back with such a heartfelt, personal story, that I started  tearing up, over the phone. It was a heartfelt interview. Question number ten, I asked to a congressional staffer. She hesitated a moment before she answered, then went on to state how a career instantly popped into her mind of working with a Political Action Committee. She had been thinking about it for a while but, when she talked about that possibility a new awoken passion was in her eyes. (I think I inspired her next career move) But actually, these questions are sometimes a learning experience for both partiesinvolved.

The final round of questions I like to put a mix of both practical and fun questions to wrap things up. They
are:

12. What entry level positions are there in this field that a recent graduate might consider?
13. What do you wish you had known before you entered this career?
14. What is your favorite way of networking?
15. Do you know of other people whom I might talk to in this area of interest?

Some of the questions you may want to ask I have not listed.  Listen attentively to your interviewee,
the best questions you will come up with will be a product of the answers you receive. Consider these bonus
questions!

Another note that I would like to make about informational interviews is that they do not always have to be
formal.  Most of the informational interviews I have conducted have been spontaneous.  You naturally will come across people that you find interesting and want to learn more about.  

When you wrap things up with your interview be super and genuinely thankful. This person gave up precious moments of their life to talk to you. What you will hopefully find is that these people are more than
not, willing to help you. You have nothing to lose, only to gain.


 
Picture
When I look back at my experience in Washington DC I
will proudly be able to say that I lived here in a historical time (not exactly the best of times) but still a very historical and culturally significant time. I am alluding to the events that occurred on Tuesday September, 24 -the day that the government shut down. Although the last government shutdown did not occur that terribly long time ago, it is still very substantial. Being in DC during this time has given me a very interesting perspective. I would like to share my observations of the government through the lens of a student and citizen, specifically, a non-federal employee living in the DC area.  Looking back at my time here I want to be able to remember my thoughts and experiences regarding this not so great, but still thought-provoking
event.

First, I would like to share that a week before the shutdown I was confident in predicting that our government leaders would not turn their back to the American people. Therefore, a government shutdown would not occur. However, the night before the event, pessimism set in and I was convinced the government would in fact shut down. I personally blame party polarization and immature leaders with a personal agenda. When the shutdown officially happened I definitely was not sure what exactly was going to follow immediately.  I soon learned that federal employees would be deemed essential or non-essential and many would be furloughed.  On a personal level, I acknowledge that the shutdown has not (or at least not yet) directly affected me. Thankfully, the only inconvenience I have had to cope with is the inability to attend the National Zoo.  Despite the lack the shutdown affects me, I am still upset about it. I am truly concerned for those who are being negatively impacted financially.

 The commentary surrounding the shutdown hs proven especcialy fascinating. It has been very interesting to not only hear the perspectives of my classmates regarding the shutdown, but also friends and family from around the U.S. When people hear the word “shut down” I imagine people think that DC is in blackout mode, the streets are deserted, and there are tumbleweeds rolling down Pennsylvania Ave.  I understand how his experience can be confusing.  I myself am still trying to figure out the entire scope of the situation. If people here in America are considerably confused I cannot imagine what people in other countries are thinking. The misconceptions regarding the shutdown are only furthering anger towards the government.  Some transparency and clarity need to be rectified in this situation, at least for the American people

The whole process of the government shutting down has been pretty disenchanting for me, especially as a Millennial. If the government was having a hard time keeping in touch with young people before, a bunch of old men bickering over American's livelihood have definitely not improved that relationship. As someone who is interested in campaigns I can only imagine what tactics campaign managers are going to use to convince the American people to vote for their candidate again. Recently, I inquired to a congressional staffer (that I have the privilege to correspond with) of her opinions on the shutdown. She was extremely frank, asserting that that this was in no way acceptable behavior by the U.S. government. She herself was deemed non-essential and predicted that this could be over the 17th, when Congress has to deal with the debtceiling. I admired her frankness, but her apparent disappointment and frustrations were definitely a hard thing to hear form such an insider.

So as I write this while watching the sun  set over the pentagon,  I can only imagine what is to
come next. I hope that there will soon be resolve. I feel as though the American people are frustrated,
and I know that my generation, the millennials, will not soon forget the dysfunction and
detached relationship we currently have with ourgovernment.