E.J. Dionne

I got to attend another event hosted by Campus Progress at K St. and 5th St.'s Busboy and Poets presenting E.J. Dionne.

My first ever memory with the name E.J. Dionne was when my 12th grade AP Government teacher, Mr. Shaw introduced Dionne's book "Why Americans Hate Politics". I remember dreading to read that book especially during my winter break - long droning paragraphs with a topic I wasn't truly invested in during that time. My friend, Christian and I would consistantly complain about this book as we constinuously forced our minds to focus and read. Now, it's a whole other story. Funny, how much the situation has changed ever since we entered our college lives...

David & Goliath

Dropping Knowledge.

Today an opportunity came knocking at my doorstep. I got the chance to attend the 2009 Campus Progress Conference here in D.C., and during the whole conference different sparks started to go off in my head about how I can improve my life, my campus, and the world in general. I have to admit, I really did not understand what I was getting myself into when I decided to sign up for this conference - I seriously thought "Perfect, another day of not going to work... :)". If any of you get the opportunity to attend this conference in Washington, then take full advantage.

The conference is definitely dedicated in supporting our younger generation to make the changes that our communities need. We discussed major issues such as climate control, universal health care, college affordability, human rights, civil rights, foreign policy, etc. There were prominent politically influencing speakers such as John Podesta, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, Van Jones, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and President Bill Clinton. [Of course, there was a fair share of celebrities as well such as, John Oliver from the Daily Show and Joel Madden from the band Good Charlotte, who both to some degree emphasized on the issues at hand.]

I personally got to attend the climate control and the foreign policy sessions. I figured that the climate control was something that I wanted to understand more and the foreign policy session is something that relates to what I was studying in school. Both these sessions have significant meaning for what I believe in how we can affect and implement different changes to our society and world. One of the panelist explained that the issues we have today is us challenging what others believe in to leave a better impact for our future. He used David and Goliath as a parallel to explain the different issues that we must face. For now, even if the issues are scientifically and logically proven to be true, people are still in denial of what is happening to our communities. Even if there is only a small coalition of people who have the same beliefs, we will be able to overcome the difficult obstacles we are faced with today.

I believe that from the impact of this conference my spark and drive to pursue foreign and public policy has come back to me with a great force and impact. I feel further encouraged and motivated to really pursue what I have been working and aiming for for the past 4 years of my life. I feel that I am going to work for the government during some portion of my life. YAY! I have something look forward to again when it comes to pursuing a career.


Do the happy dance.

Art of Sandwiches

Simple pleasures.

My second week in Washington D.C., and I'm still loving it.
I'm excited because July has finally arrived! This would be my second 4th of July weekend that I am spending in our nation's capital, and I'm ecstatic more than ever before. 4th of July is one of my most favorite holidays because of the simple family traditions we do at home to celebrate. I'm definitely going to be missing my mom's bomb homemade steak and salsa meal while watching the fireworks that go off right below the Heights at Shepard of the Hills Church; our balcony provides the perfect view of fantastic sparkly fireworks. This year, looks like I'm celebrating with Lincoln and Obama! :)

Like I stated before, with all the walking that has to be done within D.C., I definitely feel myself losing some weight. Luckily, compared to what I expected, the weather is actually cooler than I expected during this time of the year, but *knock on wood. I'm the type of person who can just be sitting and start to sweat in humid weather. I have decided against getting a gym pass membership, instead I'll simply walk large amounts everyday. YAY.

I believe that my experience in Washington is my prep period transitioning into my 4th year. As many people know, I have lived my entire college career until next year in Mesa Court. Lucky for me, I'm finally leaving Mesa and moving into Newport North! As of now, the apartment lifestyle in D.C. makes me reminisce about my freshmen year in the dorms in Prado, where my suitemates and I used to make simple sandwiches because we were so sick of eating in Commons. I love sandwiches! For now, I truly enjoy eating my sandwiches on whole wheat break with spinach, swirly colby jack cheese, fried egg or extra thin sliced oven roasted turkey meat, and tomatoes - yummy in my tummy! I will update more on what my next favorite creation is once I'm sick of these sandwiches.

Oh! I learned something amazingly sweet today - in Washington D.C., there is NO sales tax on chocolate! mwhahahaha!

Talk to you later.