I wrote the beginning before the start of the semester...
As I write this, I am on the train on my way back to Baltimore. While I’m excited to be back and see all of my friends, I’m a bit sad to leave home. It’s kind of crazy to think that there is very little time left that I will spend at home. I mean, considering I get a job when I graduate I will have vacations but never a whole month of relaxation. Luckily, I was able to spend most of my intersession relaxing. I did accomplish some things, and in fact secured an internship for the spring. I will be working in a Congressman’s office on Capitol Hill. After writing quite a few cover letters and even some networking letters, I feel much more prepared for the future than when I had left school in December. Now, I just have to wait it out until its closer to the time when I can actually start working. It’s a bit frustrating when I see postings for really great jobs, but they are all for hire immediately. Patience is a virtue, and I need to employ it more often.
Now that I'm here...
Well, things have just taken off with a world wind. It seems like my schedule is booked every single day whether it be because of a friend's birthday or the Student Activities Friday Night Fair. I have in fact, started my jobs so I commute to D.C. on Fridays which is quite fun. While commuting isn't necessarily the most joyous experience in one's life, one can easily take solace in the shared nature of it. I'm already starting to recognize the people on the train and feel sort of kin to those I pass as I walk from Union to the Hill. The actual substance of my work has been interesting as well. I get to take calls from constituents and write down their opinions. Let me say as someone who doesn't like answering phones, if you want to work on the Hill you have to get over that feeling immediately. Right away I was put to the test. They explained the situation to me and how to work the system that I would record the constituent's message in, but what do you do when someone actually calls? Will I have to defend my views on health care or explain how I feel about jobs in Wisconsin...when I don't know a whole lot about Wisconsin. Well, luckily, most people that call just want to leave a message. Sometimes they are very sweet and are supportive of the work of my boss and sometimes they want to complain and announce that they will not be voting for him. Occasionally, you get someone who wants to talk and talk and talk. After initially being nervous, I decided I truly enjoyed this. It's fun to hear the different perspectives and know that this is how government works. Soon, I will be advancing to letter writing and other activities. I can't wait!
One last political thing, I would like to mention before I wrap this blog up. Yesterday, Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times spoke at Hopkins as part of the Foreign Affairs Symposium. Despite the snow, a bunch of us braved the weather to go see him speak. In fact, most of the people I recognized at the event were those who regularly read the NY Times Opinion section. I thought his speech was very engaging. I have to be honest, I typically have a policy that if dislike the way an event is going I shouldn't force myself to stay. As such, I have walked out of many speakers before because well, they just didn't grab my attention. In accordance with this policy, I was prepared, sitting in an aisle seat, just in case. Luckily, I found his speech to be really really great. Not only was it worth sitting through, but it was almost worth buying a book. If the line wasn't extremely long, I would have really enjoyed a signed copy. He began by saying that the last time he visited was Hopkins was with his son for a college tour. "How do you like Hopkins?" he asked. *Soft cheers*. "Okay, I"m going to assume you guys weren't ready...how do you like Hopkins?" *Loud cheers and applause*. That is how he began, and from then on he remained funny, heartfelt, and inspiring. The underlying message of the entire speech was that gender inequality is the issue of the century. All of the stories he told us had something to do with women and girls being persecuted, and what one can do about them. He discussed gender mutilation and a girl who survived to become one of the premier surgeons working to correct the violence. He spoke about educationand a young African girl who grew up to go to Connecticut College. After discussing about eight different stories, he wrapped the speech up by saying that we should all work to find a cause larger than ourselves. It is only with this understanding that there is a greater meaning to life that people can achieve happiness. The sentiments were lovely, but I wasn't entirely surprised as many of his columns maintain this same focus. How can we find this cause? By going outside our comfort zones and most of all, by traveling.
Well, that's the latest update from snowy Baltimore. It's supposed to snow again on Saturday so hopefully I'll have a chance to go out and play. Until next time...
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