Briana Britton

Hola España!

2011-09-21T09:58:00.003-04:00

From Florence, we flew into Malaga and stayed for a couple nights before moving on to Granada, my study abroad city for the next 4 months. I had very mixed feelings about being in Granada and experiencing for the first time. Later, with my study abroad program, I found all the good places to dine, shop, and see, but my parents and I were clueless when we first arrived, so I got a skewed idea about Granada. We had really weird tapas, got overcharged, and a waiter even took money off our table. We were so frustrated that we began to eat food we could get from the grocery store because we knew it was cheap, good, and we wouldn't get ripped off! Fortunately, I am having a much better and much different experience, but I'm very disappointed that my parents weren't able to see the cute side streets, try the yummy (and reasonably priced) gelato, and find the place where the FREE TAPAS reign supreme. All I remember from that experience was anxiety about staying in such a hostile and unfriendly place and worried about spending those 5 days alone in Barcelona before my program started. (Don't worry, I will have much more entries later about all the good and enjoyable times I'm experiencing here in Granada).

One great highlight was the Alhambra. The Alhambra is a compilation of sorts; of a fort, of a palace, and of lush gardens. I am taking a class on Islamic Art & Architecture, and I'm hoping that soon I will be able to write more about the Alhambra. But nonetheless, it is beautiful. It was a hot sticky day when my parents and I visited, and I felt really annoyed and grumpy and cranky that I chose the worst location to study. So unfortunately that mood affected my first experience at the Alhambra, but I've since returned twice in much better spirits.

i left my heart in italia

2011-09-18T12:12:00.010-04:00

We stayed in Rome, our first stop, for 4 days. Every day we were there was magic: I remember feeling intense emotion at seeing the Trevi Fountain, Patheon, and Colosseum for the first time, and the weather was hot which made the experience that much more intense. Our hotel, Hotel Nardizzi was a very cute bed and breakfast that consisted of one floor of a large building that included another hotel, private apartments, and a Vietnamese Evangelical Methodist church, I believe. It caught me by surprise when seeing Asian people speaking fluent Italian. Our location was great, and I felt it was a good home-base for all our tourist adventures and excursion into the city.

In Rome we saw: the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, the Colosseum, the Palacio, Roman Forum, the Vatican, the Tiber, and the Bocca della Verita. My life felt like something out of a movie. I am so fortunate to have seen Rome, thank you Mom and Bill for the amazing trip!

Once our time in Rome was finished, we took the train out to the Cinque Terre, a beautiful series of 5 small villages/towns built into the mountainside on the Mediterranean coast. Our first day we were zonked from the intense exercises of lugging, throwing, rolling, dragging, lifting, shoving, and guarding our heavy luggage. But our hotel, Hotel Marina, made us feel at ease and comfortable. The hotel was probably our best buy when we were in Italy and Spain; the whole hotel was thoughtfully laid out with crafty (but not tacky) details on the walls, mirrors, windows etc. Our room was a bright but warm peach color, there were beach bags and beach towels waiting for us to take them to the sea and a whole selection of swim toys and floaties on the fourth level of the terrace to borrow as well. The hotel gave us an incredible breakfast with a wide selection of croissants, toasts, nutella and spreads, ready-order omelets and waffles, an array of juices and fruits to try, a cappuccino and espresso machine, the list is endless. We would fill up on breakfast to last us until the afternoon pasta meal with a large assortment of salads, pastas of all kinds with different sauces, ready-order pasta, breads, espresso machine and flat or fizzy water machine too! We were spending 3 or 5 euros on a bottles of water daily, and it was great to have access to crispy clean water that I could fill up for free!

I realize my conversation has been focused around food, but that is a large part of the Italian experience I would say. But the Cinque Terre is an incredible, hidden gem that has chosen to be tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the large city but also has better public transportation than all of California.

We did "the hike" of Cinque Terre in which we started in the village of our hotel, Monterosso, and hiked through the other four to Vernazza, Corniglia, Monarolo, and Riomaggiore Now, the term "hike" hardly describes our adventure in mountain climbing. Fortunately our hike started off hard and became easier, but the first leg was so difficult! The sun beat down on us while we were on the dusty trail, but the view of the seemingly endless cool Mediterranean before us kept us feeling a bit more comfortable. When we stopped in Vernazza, we got Cafe Zeros (frozen espresso flavored slushies) and relaxed and walked around on the little pier by the sunbathers and swimmers. After a nice break, we pushed on. Each town was very cute, but I were happy that we stayed in Monterosso. The last leg of the hike is called Via Dell Amore, which is a nice paved walk. Everywhere around the walk were locks. Locks of love. Any metal loop on a gate or fence was primed for two lovers to -click- lock their love.

From The Cinque Terrre, we moved on to Florence in which we saw the Ponte Vecchio and Michelangelo's David and along the way, we stopped in Pisa. This was my second time to the Cinque Terre, Pisa, and to Florence. And I was having nostalgic memories of what it was like to be at Pisa, when I was 7 years old. But as I reflect back on it now, I realize that my childhood memory of Pisa has been erased and written over by my most recent memory when I visited Pisa just weeks ago.

Once I stepped out of our hotel after cleaning up and rinsing off the dirt of the day of traveling, I felt like I was back in Rome. The two cities are very similar in the sense of the layout and feeling on the streets, yet Rome has far more historical sites of interest. I was really glad that we ended our Italian part of our trip in Florence. We got to see Il Duomo and just generally soak in the sights. I'm sure this blog entry about Florence would be more exciting had I not been in Italy for a few weeks. Seeing Michelangelo's David was a very emotional experience, similar to seeing the Trevi Fountain. I have had on my vanity for over 10 years a little marble statue of David that I would see on a regular basis; and I feel like Florence and Italy in itself is such a large part of my childhood because they are some of the most vivid memories I have.

I look forward to going back to Italy soon.

and so it begins...

2011-09-17T05:40:00.003-04:00

Wow! It has been a whirlwind adventure traveling through Italy and Spain these past two and a half weeks. My mom, Bill, and I flew into Rome on August 14th. I had intense culture shock when I got off the plane; I was panicking in my head. Had I been only scheduled to be in Europe for 2 weeks, like my parents with me, I'm sure my reaction would have been very different. Though since I knew I was in for the long haul of 4 months in Spain, I was hit hard. I kept trying to find some sort of familiarity, I would see young guys wearing Abercrombie or some tee shirt that was written in English, and I would feel more at ease knowing that there were Americans here too, but I just as soon as I walked past them, they were clearing speaking Italian. That was crushing to have a sense of security only to have it taken away.

Once we lugged my 85 lb. bag along with 2 carry-ons to last me through 3 seasons in Spain through the airplane terminals and train station, we took an (overpriced) taxi and arrived tired at Hotel Nardizzi but we were excited to see Rome. We powered through that day; my body hurt more than ever. I didn't get enough sleep on the plane - I was just too excited to sleep.
Any street was a sightseeing attraction in itself, we would wiggle through tight alleyways hoping we were going in the right direction, and as soon as we lost hope and we assumed we were lost, there it would be rising before us, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon. Our first day in Rome we set out to find the Trevi Fountain, and when I arrived, I had a warm sense of youthful nostalgia although this was my first time being in Rome. One of my favorite movies as a child was the Lizzie McGuire Movie in which an American girl goes on a high school graduation trip to Rome and is mistaken for an Italian superstar in which she must impersonate to save this Italian superstar’s reputation. I distinctly remember the scenes that took place in front of the Trevi. In my mind as a 9 year old, I thought that one day something magical and wondrous would happen to me too if only I was in Rome, and when I was at the Trevi Fountain that day, all that emotion of hope, youth, excitement, possibility and wonder flooded back to me. All the loud tourists, souvenir salesmen, and over priced gelato stands began to fade into a blurry back ground, and it was just me and Rome.

I had an overwhelming sense of “I have arrived”. I have arrived to Europe about to begin a study abroad experience that was a culmination of almost one year of detailed planning and decision making, I have arrived at the conclusion that medicine and becoming a doctor is my life’s passion after a 5 week intensive internship in an OB/GYN clinic in the inner city of San Jose that ended just before my abroad experience, I have arrived at the pinnacle of student success after almost 2 decades of hard work; I was about to embark on one of the most exciting adventures a young person can experience – studying in a foreign country, I have arrived at the capital of my Italian roots feeling more connected to my Italian heritage than ever, I have arrived.

DAY 3

2009-09-24T02:01:00.002-04:00

I was so tired today! But Anna (a new friend of mine who lives next door to me) and I went to Safeway to buy some yummy, delicious fruit and trail mix - but this was after our 30+ minute barge to find this copy store that carries a reader that I need for my Political Science 2 class (which was EIGHTY DOLLARSSSS!!!) Man, books are expensivo, but on average, I would say that readers will set you back about $20, $30, MAYBE $50... but never would I imagine it to be $80... oh goodness... I feel my hard earned Seascape Resort money going to bound copy paper! yiiiikes. (but I guess that my hard-earned money is going into my education and brain, therefore is a wise investment, but you get what I mean!)

I've been eating too much! This whole summer I've been really good about working out with my mom and eating healthy even while I was working at the restaurant, but now - it's a whole new ball game! eating has become a great social thing, and now I go eat "breakfast", "lunch", and "dinner" at their respective times during the day even if i'm not hungry and feeling a bit pudgy. I heard that Santa Clara is one of the most fit universities in the country, but I checked out the gym, and honestly, the weight room was nothing to really brag about. The equipment felt rickety and TOTALLY like a Catholic high school facility (if you've gone through Catholic school, I think you would know what I mean). So the gym is kinda awkward and I'm not really fully acquainted with it yet.

Homework is a funny thing - one day I'm feeling completely ahead and can sit back and meet new people, and the next I feel loaded and a little behind! isn't that weird? (well.. I actually have only had two days of school, so maybe I"m not permitted to make those sort of generalizations yet).

So RUSH for sororities and fraternities is coming up, and over the summer I was pretty positive that I was going to go for it, but now I'm not so sure. The girls who have their Alpha Phi, Delta Gamma, Kappa Kappa Gamma, etc. shirts on seem pretty homogenous in personality, and I'm not sure I share the same social and professional goals as them. I've heard that rushing is a pretty good way to meet people, but it also sounds like a lot of pressure that is not associated to education or my future career when I should be focusing on my studies at this time in my life.

I'm really liking my chemistry class and professor - he reminds me of a Mr. Mimmack who is really in tune to his audience and teaches really well. My English teacher is - wow- passionate, to put it lightly; I'm looking forward to going to her class tomorrow, she's a kick. My Spanish teacher is really cool too, she reminds me of a Snra. Maciel, animated, uses basic Spanish so we can all understand, and really nice. And my Poli Sci professor seems a little nervous; yesterday was his first day at Santa Clara, so nerves got the best of him, but I think he'll turn out to be a good teacher.

Until later,
Briana

Day 2 of classes

2009-09-22T18:11:00.003-04:00

Ok, so now I think i was a little harsh on the library - I think that yesterday's experience was probably an anomaly with the noise level because today's experience was MUCH more peaceful.

mmm! I'm SO excited for the Kid Cudi and Milkman concert next Saturday! I got a floor spot for only $8! I'm sooooo stoked! :)

i'll keep you more posted....

SANTA CLARAAAAA!!!!

2009-09-22T00:56:00.001-04:00

So today is my first day of classes, and they all went really well! I (for better or worse...) have an 8 am Spanish 2 class. So far, I really like my professora - she's cute, a little bit fabulous, and seems like a good teacher. Our worksheets have fun little fonts and I hope for this class to be somewhat of a simpler class, but of course it'll still be a challenge and have work to complete.

My second class is at 9 am, my Chemistry class with Professor Fedder, the Pre-Health advisor/guru, which is pretty cool. oh! and that reminds me - I checked out the Club Fair last night and signed up for a whole bunch of different clubs. My favorites include Associated Students of Santa Clara University, the Pre-Health Club, a club who does immersion trips to Central America and set up clinic for a month; the Santa Clara EMT (how cool is that!?), and a whole bunch more (some i signed up for just to take some free candy or free candied apples or something!)

I got back from the gym a few hours ago, and it was soooo nice to just be able to work out and get some energy back. I've been eating pretty poorly these past few days like lots of sweets and snacking on the peanut butter in my room, but after I work out, I don't really want to put those bad things in my body. Sweets and junk food feel like toxins that take away from all the hard work I had done. but one of my saving graces is that I've only eaten salad when I go to grab food at Benson Memorial - which is good.

From 12-3 today I worked in the Library on my Chemistry 11 homework, but I was really annoyed at the set-up, something that I've never analyzed on school tours or orientation. There are no little nooks or cozy spots where I can safely study with no noise. ALLLLLL the places where there are desks and tables have customer-service-like desks, so people are constantly running around asking about how to get online or where to find something, and it gets very interruptive after a while .... and I haven't located anywhere that is totally private and quiet - I mean, San Jose State, Stanford, Cabrillo, UCSC, and basically ALL over college libraries have somewhere that's pretty private and silent. Perhaps I still haven't found it..... arrrghhh...

I'm enjoying meeting these new people on my floor and in my dorm, but there's still more time before we all get tight; we're still in the stage that's a little awkward.... :)

until next tiiiiiiiiime,

BRIANA

SANTA CLARAAAAA!!!!

2009-09-21T23:48:00.002-04:00

Guam: Day One

2009-05-21T01:45:00.002-04:00

How backwards does this sound - definitely not a logical flight -

SFO - Tokyo 11hours
Tokyo - Osaka (which is further east of Tokyo) 2 hours
Osaka - Guam 4 hours.

yuck! right? I got in nice and safe at 2 am Guam time (9 am Cali time). From the door of my house to the door of my dad's house was about 25 hours. That's a LONG time!

So far I have spent today with Sheila (my dad's wife) driving around the island and checking out their coffee shops they own, Java Hut. They're all very cute and it was just enjoyable to see Guam again. I'm glad that I'm coming out here when I'm older so I can get a better perspective of the island and really understand it better. My dad has the rest of the afternoon off today, so we were thinking of paying a visit to one of my dad's friends, Lt. Governor Mike Cruz. Part of the reason for me to come out here to Guam is to not only work on my relationship with my father but to also check out what its like to be a doctor. As I have not yet begun college, all career options are on the table and I'm toying with the idea of premed for college. I have always enjoyed and done well in the sciences so it feels natural to go premed, but I just so much enjoyed my time in DC that I would still love to be a poli sci major. At this time, my opinion is that there are more options for upward mobility in a field like medicine where politics is a little more limited if you are not elected. And getting into politics later in life is completely plausible where as changing careers to become a doctor is less likely.
I have yet to see Troy and Aaron, and I still have not met little Aika yet. I'm enjoying the time I have with my father and nervous as to how dynamics will change when there are three other little children around.
I'll post later!

entrepreneur ?

2009-04-07T00:31:00.002-04:00

New idea - I've started a little tutoring business, "The Educational Edge". I've created a website, flyer, bookmarks, and business cards all in one day! I'm hoping my brother will be able to help me with contacts when my niece goes to Holy Cross. Want to check out my website? www.educationaledge.weebly.com it's kinda cool! I'm proud of my little creations. I'll keep you posted on my new adventure!

East Palo Alto Academy & Santa Clara University

2009-04-04T23:19:00.003-04:00

So March 2nd was my first day working at the East Palo Alto Academy. I was with 1st and 2nd graders - not too tough right? Well, the school educates inner city kids who come from less privileged lives. My kids are so mature in that they know more about their environment; they even correctly guessed my age (when I was in 1st grade, I would have said someone who looks like me would be 35 or something).
My 1st & 2nd graders were a tough group - it was easy for them to get off task and become distracted because there is always a sub on Fridays. On Friday, I worked in the kindergarten class with the substitute - whoa, were they a hand full! I guess the class is actually pretty mellow when the teacher is present Monday-Thursday, but when Friday rolls around, they go bonkers! I was to be there as a support staff, and I have no idea how the sub could handle that class ever on her own.
I will keep working at the East Palo Alto Academy twice a week and will keep you updated!

Today my mom and I attended Santa Clara University's "Scholars Day" where we were fed a delicious breakfast and high-class catered lunch on a gorgeous sunny patio. We attended a class on psychology and exercise, met the dean of the College of Arts and Science, had a photo scavenger hunt (really fun!), received a great goodie bag of "SCU" stuff and all around am EXCITED TO BECOME A BRONCO!!!!!!!!

there you have it- a legit decision - SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY for me!!!!!!

check back soon :)

home from washington: week 2

2009-03-29T02:19:00.002-04:00

My internship in Washington, DC was amazing - it was like life in the fast lane; Washington is the center of the universe, and it was hard for me to transition back to the laid-back-Cali lifestyle I have here at home. One of my main reasons for taking a year off was to really understand why I was going to college, since nowadays college is the new high school and grad school is the new college. But, back on topic - why was I going to put myself in debt to get a higher education if I had no specific direction yet? Well - from my time in Washington, I have come to understand I would not only love to work in public policy, but I think I could be pretty good at it. As an elected official, you have to be nice (check), attentive (check), listen to others (check), take initiative (check), and have conviction and confidence in your opinion (working on that one...).
So, essentially, I have tried out the most entry-level job in public policy and I like what I experienced and how "The Hill" and Washington work. Next... education:
In the coming months, I will be volunteering at the East Palo Alto Academy, a Stanford New School. Essentially this school is a demonstration school, or rather a good place for new teachers coming out of Stanford's Education Department to get their feet wet, and this school seems to be greatly benefiting the local area. Although I have not started my volunteering yet, I'm excited! I received a quick tour of the school (which consists of little portables) and am already thinking about all the cute little kids I'll be able to interact with, the Spanish I can practice, and the help I can offer and maybe, just maybe, make a difference in someone's life. (yeah... i know that sounds pretty corny, but hey - why not? LOL). I'm going to start my volunteer job this week on Thursday, wish me luck!

Last week the UC schools had their spring break, and I was able to see all my buds from UCSB, UCSC, and Cal - it was great catching up with my girls again. Yesterday, a friend had a barbecue at his house and a whole bunch of extended friends were there - wow have we all changed in one year! There were new tattoos to show off, new relationships to tell of, crazy party stories, basically everyone had changed their presentation of themselves and they all seemed more comfortable in their skin. I was never close with these kids in high school and sometimes intimidated to be in a social setting with them, but I noticed myself, that I had changed too - I could slip into easy conversation with them - getting out of high school changes you.
Some of my friends - Miraya, Nikki, Christina, Victoria, and I went to Ms. Miranda's (AP English teacher's) class to talk to them about our first year out of high school. It was great for me to be able to reflect on what I had done since June - attended Stanford, got my first part-time job, worked for the U.S. Congress..... I think that's pretty cool.

the picture is of my high school friends and me in the 3rd Quad at Soquel when we visited teachers and Ms. Miranda.

homeeeeeeee

2009-03-19T22:55:00.002-04:00

I returned home on Sunday with a terrible cold! I have spent my last few days getting better and figuring out what I'll be doing while I'm here in California.
I must admit, I do miss the fast-lane life that Washington is. There isn't much going on at home. The life of politics is very glamorous and kind of sucks you in.

Although I originally intended for this blog to be a means for communication while I was in Washington, but I will continue blogging while during my gap year. I'll keep you posted - check back soon.

bri

i forgot to tell you!

2009-03-08T11:57:00.002-04:00

last Sunday, an intern-friend from santa cruz, another intern in her office and I went to the zoo! it was so cold, but really fun nonetheless. The pandas were so cute, I loved seeing the elephants and especially this cute red panda, but it was also sad to know that once I'm done walking by, the animal still has to stay in captivity and wait for another ugly human to coo, wave, and point at it. I really enjoyed seeing a hippo, capybara, and zebra, and I would have never had the opportunity to see them in their own environment, but I don't like how they have to live there forever. The pandas looked very content munching on bamboo, but the capybaras and elephants gave you this longing look of "please, you know I'm not happy here... stop staring at me.." Perhaps the zoo could rotate the animals (I know.. the whole domesticated thing, they wouldn't last in the wild after captivity, it would be hard to catch new animals, cost more money, blah blah blah....) I guess that's not realistic, but I wish there would be a way for people to enjoy seeing these amazing and rare animals without one individual member of the species having to suffer.

Okay, so I sounded kind of depressed about the zoo - but it was really enjoyable. That whole sad-fest above was just me feeling guilty. But what was so amazing about that day was going to St. Matthew's Cathedral in DC. Wow- it was so gorgeous! Katerina, Andrew, and I stood in the second row and was able to admire the glittering gold and perfect mosaics. My eyes would follow the cathedral's walls covered in frescos, detailed flowers, and smooth marbles up to the very top.

What I also found interesting about the mass was the difference in traditions. Katerina, a girl I used to dance ballet with years ago who also has an internship on the hill in Mike Honda's office, also goes to church in the Santa Cruz area and also St. Joseph's once in a while. The two of us would raise to our waist to offer back peace to the priest when no one else would, and we also would hold our hands out during the Lord's prayer when no one else would either. It was kind of awkward being the anomaly, especially with the whole congregation behind us, but it was chill; prayer is prayer. I hardly think our creator really cares when we raise our hands. The other kid's name who came with us is Andrew, he works as an intern in Mike Honda's office too, but he's from Texas.

Got to go... talk to you laterrrrr
to my California people. see you in about 6 days!

starting to pack...

2009-03-08T11:51:00.004-04:00

Today I shipped a box home (which was way more expensive than I expected!), but the point is that this means I'm officially going home. Today, I'm starting laundry and tucking some things in my suitcase. I've had the feeling that - you know, I have a whole week - not the case. Although I leave Saturday night, I am leaving from Dulles, about a 30 minute drive, and you have to get there early for security, and I guess Dulles is really confusing because of the gate situation of busing from terminals - uck, that sounds confusing. Although I've been working a fully week the past 2 weeks, I'm decided to take my usual day off even though it would be my last. Strand is going to take me to school that day for a little good-bye to all the H-B kids.

On one hand, I'm very excited to see all my family, my dog, to sleep in my own bed and just be home. But once that honeymoon period of "omg, briana, tell me about DC" of about a week is over, I'm going to be anxious to move onto my new adventure, which I hope should be set up soon after I get back.

later, until next post,
briana

OMG - AMAZING!

2009-03-08T00:10:00.003-05:00

I would have posted this earlier, but I've been so busy.

On Tuesday I was fortunate (again) to win the drawing in the office to win the Gallery Pass to the House Floor. Speaking was Prime Minister Gordon Brown addressing a joint congress. On the floor I saw Sen. Feinstein, Sen. Kerry, Congressman Kennedy and tons of other Congressmen. The speech was moving, dramatic, and quite frankly, amazing. Stepping into the elevator, I physically brushed past Congressman Kennedy. On the coolness scale from 1-10, that experience was definitely a 9.5 or 10... but it gets better. ......

On my way back to Longworth (the office where I work), Erica, a new intern, was coming in my direction towards the Capitol. She was going to drop off Oceans 21 (Sam's ocean's bill) and their cosponsors' signatures to the Democratic Cloakroom, which is really hard to find, so I offered to go with her. Waiting for the elevator, guess who walks out?

VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDENNNN. As he steps out of the elevator, he watches his step, and as he looks up, he TOTALLY looks at me and smiles! It was AMAZING and Erica even saw it!!!!!!

I was hyperventilating in the elevator.

amazing

And Thursday we got to take pictures with the Congressman! See the photooooo

Only One More Week in DC! :(

2009-03-03T19:10:00.003-05:00

Eleven days left...

I'm going to miss you
Strand-Sylvester Family
Kendra, Ellie, Amanda, Dawn, Erica, Dan, and Mia (in no specific order)
Rochelle, Tee Tom Tucker, Mentzer, Jessica,Marc, Dan, India, Debbie, and of course SAM! :)
my Congressional ID
Longworth!
Cannon
Rayburn
Capitol
DC
CVC
snow, cold
metro
Courthouse
Clarendon
Arlington
H-B Woodlawn
H-B kidzzzzz
2601 N. 24th Street
20515
1126 Longworth HOB
cutting in line at the cafeteria b/c I work for congress
not having to take off my coat for security
dropping co-sponsors at the Democratic Cloakroom
locking eyes with JOE BIDENNNNNNN
seeing Gordon Brown

Life up until week 8

2009-02-28T15:35:00.000-05:00

As an intern on Capitol Hill for Congressman Sam Farr, I am experiencing a completely new and sometimes intimidating life-style, and it has been quite a change from my northern California life. My positive attitude and outgoing personality have enabled me to enjoy my time meeting fellow ambitious interns and influential legislators while pursuing my goals of working in public service. Additionally, living in D.C. has given me an opportunity to be more independent.

After attending the Leon Panetta Institute's Lecture Series at California State University Monterey Bay for two years, I was eager to attend any and all briefing held here on “The Hill”. I have attended briefings and followed up with reports to our office’s Legislative Assistants (L.A.s) on such topics as AIDS, animal welfare, sexual assault in the military, women in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and foreign affairs. What I enjoy most about the briefings are the 1-2 hour crash-course lessons on an issue; I am constantly eager to learn more, in and out of the classroom.

Attending briefings is also helpful when I respond to constituents’ phone calls and written correspondence regarding legislation. For example, I attended a briefing on world hunger where I learned about PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), which I was able to mention in my constituent letter about the Mexico City Policy lifted by President Obama. The Mexico City Policy was enacted by President Reagan to disallow the U.S. Government to fund any global family planning organization that in anyway supports women in the decision to receive an abortion.

I take advantage of the opportunity to respond to constituents’ communications and view it as another chance to learn more. I enjoy spending time researching the important details of an issue in order to better understand the topic and write an appropriate and useful response for constituents’ issues. When corresponding, I write on behalf of my Congressman, Mr. Farr; I feel this introduction to political writing will serve me well in college as I am considering a political science major.

I had no idea that an internship would provide me with such a learning experience; it has shown me how to live on my own and be independent, take public transportation, and hold (an entry level) professional job. Since my stay, I have further developed my ability to handle myself in a professional manner, how to research more efficiently from my training through the Congressional Research Service, and how to prepare concise and informative reports from briefings.

I feel like I have grown so much since I arrived in Washington. I helped organize our office’s Congressional briefing for Peace Corps Week when Harris Wofford, Tim Shriver, and three Members of Congress spoke to Congressional staffers to encourage the passage of Congressman Farr’s H.R. 1066, which will double the size of the Peace Corps. Since the briefing, 83 Members have co-signed the legislation.

Congressman Farr’s strong advocacy for the Peace Corps which stems from his time volunteering in Colombia inspired me to consider the Peace Corps for myself. As an applicant to the NSLI international studies program through the U.S. State Department, I was recently notified I am one of the applicants selected for an interview. The NSLI program sends students to foreign countries to learn rarely taught languages that will help me broaden my perspective.

I want the ability to communicate with a wider range of people for not only social purposes but for a future career in public or foreign policy. Becoming fluent in another language would give me more opportunity to meet people or travel, and it would make me a more desirable employee for the careers I will pursue. Working in a Congressional office, I see our foreign affairs Legislative Assistant taking the most interesting calls and attending countless engaging meetings that affect our nation and the world. One day, I would like to be back on “The Hill” working in foreign affairs utilizing my new language skills.

No matter the subject, the U.S. will always communicate with other countries– the world is and will always be interconnected. When I have the ability to speak with a representative from a foreign country in their native language, I have the chance to bridge gaps between the U.S. and a foreign country so the world may come closer to being more united as one. The United States can never escape the fact that it depends and thrives on international communications, trade, and other social exchanges and the more prepared I can be to communicate with people around the world, the better prepared I will be to serve my country in foreign affairs.

From a young high school graduate, I feel like I have bloomed into an independent “Hill” staffer. When the California district office staffers came to DC during recess, I managed the office on my own for a day while the DC staffers showed the California staffers around the city. That was a turning point for me; I had matured enough and felt confident in myself enough to keep the office on “The Hill” alive without ‘adult’ supervision and so found the responsible adult in myself.

Charlottesville, Virginia w/ GIANNA & DIANE

2009-02-21T15:47:00.000-05:00

This weekend, I had to get out of DC. I was wonderfully welcomed by Gianna and her parents to stay with them in Charlottesville. (Diane, Gianna's mom, is a close friend of my mother's). I feel so relaxed when I'm here - no more hustle and bustle of being in DC. Gianna has been very generous letting me borrow her clothes - I feel like a girl again! I've put on make-up, fabulous jeans, boots, and a great pea coat. Because I am only on the East for a limited time, I didn't pack much of my regular clothes; I brought lots of slacks, sweaters, and blazers. It is nice to just dress up for the fun of it.

Last night Chelsea (Gianna's friend) and I went to dinner with Gary (Gianna's father) because he was eager to make sure he saw me before I left; Gianna was going to come, but she had to work that night. We went to this awesome place - The X Lounge, then later to a pretty cool tea house.

Tonight, Gianna has planned a fun night for us girls. She invited her closest buds to hot tub at Keswick (the country club of which they belong to), grab dinner, maybe Applebee's or something, then to see a movie after.

I take the train back to DC tomorrow at 2:30. Hopefully it is on-time, unlike the hour & 45 min delay to get here.... (the train ride is only 2 hours... and I had to wait an hour and 45 mins! soooo frustrating....)

An Overview.......

2009-02-21T15:34:00.000-05:00

Only my third week in the job, I received a ticket to the Inauguration of Barack Obama! The event was sometimes hectic with the huge crowds, but it is a story I will be able to tell my grandchildren - I was present at the inauguration of the first black president. The weekend before, some friends and I went to the Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool to see the "We are One" Concert - wow, there were so many famous people performing and speaking!
A few weeks ago, I with the other interns had lunch with the Congressman in the Member's Dining Room - this was so cool! All I could imagine was who, in the past 200 years, had dined in the same room, and who sat in my seat before. Sam is really nice, the whole lunch, he wanted to know about our lives and future goals; he's very kind and selfless. In the office, we interns have started a weekly "intern bake-off". We bring in goodies (I brought brownies, another cupcakes) and the staffers vote on who has the "Best Presentation" and who's has the "Best Taste".
On the weekends, I roam around the National Mall peaking into all the amazing (and free!) Smithsonians. Even though I will always be a Californian at heart, I have started getting used to the cold, and it doesn't bother me as much; I like dressing up for the weather now. I also have been loving the snow! It sometimes snows on my way to work.
Last week, as an employee of the House of Representatives, I have access to all the reading rooms of the Library of Congress. Wow - it is amazing! I felt so honored and humbled to be in the large rooms; the air was full of inspiration and truth. I hope to go back soon before I return home to California.
I'm feeling a little homesick, but I sure am LOVING the experience here in Washington, D.C.

NEW YORK CITY!

2009-02-18T23:34:00.000-05:00

Last weekend I had the opportunity to go to New York City with my friend Strand to see our mutual friends Jenn, Kat, and Peter who are from New Jersey and Long Island (respectively). I have not laughed that hard in a while!

Here's the breakdown of the weekend:

Friday: DAY ONE

2 pm: 4.5 hour bus ride to NY

jumping/screaming/tearing up seeing Jenn when we got off the bus

New York City subway to Times Square

Times Square (soooo crazy and lots of good photos!)

biggest Toys 'R' Us ever with the ferris wheel

subway to Korea town (like Chinatown)

YUMMY Korean BBQ - awww soooo yummy. Jenn taught us how to eat, essentially

Red Mango froyo - just like old times in Palo Alto

ride back to New Jersey to see where Jenn lives

sleep

Saturday; DAY TWO

8:30 drive to Jenn's tutoring

Strand and I hung out at Dunkin Donuts - yummy too!

half hour bus ride into "The City"

subway to SoHo

run around fabulous SoHo stores

met up with my pseudo-cousin Nolan Lindeke at NYU!!!

hung out in Washington Square until Kat and Peter arrived

mocked Peter for not wearing a jacket or coat... oh, Peter..... (he lives on Long Island)

subway to MoMa to find it was too expensive to go in (really, $12? the museums here in DC are free!)

got CHICKEN and RICE!!! Soooo yummyyyyy mmm..... but not very good for you....

walked up to see the NBC RAIBOW ROOM

discovered Rockefeller Plaza where The Today Show is filmed and where 30 Rock is set

taxi to Magnolia Bakery to buy delicious cupcakes where the following funny conversation too place:

"Peter, get your shoes off the table!"

"What? No, no... you see, I'm cleaning the crumbs off the table"

"With your shoes?"

"Umm... Yeah."

took tons of photos!

Peter had to go...

Jenn, Kat, Strand and I checked out some cute shops in the area including Betsey Johnson (a VERY feminine store that's painted pink) and we dragged Strand in

walked towards Central Park, Jenn had to go

walked through Central Park with Kat and Strand - lot's of photos!

subway to Bleeker Street; spent about 1.5 wandering trying to find it

finally found the secret/trendy Marc Jacob's "dollar" store - bought TWO pairs of cords for $5 EACH :)

dinner at a fabulous little Italian restuarant

back to Kat's house on Long Island

9 pm: went out to see Peter and some of his friends

12:30: Wendy's for another meal

back to Kat's, loved her dog April

Sunday: DAY THREE

10:30: IHOP with Kat, her Dad and stepmom, Strand, and me. Yummy breakfast!

back to Kat's to pick up our stuff

12: Starbucks

1 pm: good bye to Kat.....

1:58 pm: train leaves from Hicksville to Penn Station

3pm: bus back to Arlington.

Monday: slept until noon! Relaxed the rest of the day

Tuesday: worked in the office; casual wear - very laid back

Wednesday: only person in the office! I held down the fort :)

Thursday...... has yet to come, but I leave for Charlottesville at 6:30 pm from Union Station!

My Fifth Week :)

2009-02-12T21:35:00.000-05:00

Wow; on Friday, I got to go to the Library of Congress, and I don't mean looking at all the pretty gold and frescos of the Main Hall - I mean IN the Library of Congress - walking around, touching books, being a scholar. This was an amazing experience, and I hope to go back before my time in Washington is over.

Other exciting news - I'm going to New York! I've never been to The City, and I plan on doing all the touristy things offered to me. You bet - I'm going to be that annoying Asian snapping photos or the ugly Americans buying silly New York snow globes - oh, it's on. I feel very lucking in that I have personal New York tour guides - Jenn, Katerina, and Peter, friends from Stanford. We're only going to have about one full day to explore The City, but who knows, the future may bring me back to New York; I'm still only newly 18.

Also... yesterday i got to have lunch with Congressman Sam Farr in the member's Dining room with the other interns - how cool is that? Wow - I could only imagine how many important, famous policymakers had sat in the very seat where I was having lunch. That will definitely be an experience I will not forget! Sam is really nice, and the whole lunch conversation was aimed at him wanting to know about us; of course he threw a few tidbits about himself, but I like how he is not self-centered even though he has a staff of 14 and an even larger entourage... That's really cool; all Representatives should be like that. :)

What I've Learned in 3 Weeks:

2009-01-25T17:50:00.001-05:00

batching

what an LA is (Legislative Assistant)

which LA gets which newspapers

Debbie & Jessica do not take newspapers

everyone's names

most of the LAs issues

what to do in the morning at the office

we have a really big office

the difference between a "lobbyist" and an "advocate"

how to sort mail

how to use a scanner

constituent mail is separate, but not if it comes from an organization

how to use a faxer

"fax" is short for facsimile

paper needs to be struck

how to strike paper

how to buck forward things

what buck forwarding means

how inside mail differs from outside mail

how to look up Representatives

where the Cloakroom is

how to make coffee

the three HOB's (House Office Buildings): Longworth, Cannon, Rayburn

The Washington Post goes on the coffee table

interns still get some respect

Farr's wife is really nice

when making coffee, it is always better to make it stronger (it can be diluted)

how to ride the metro

Dupont Circle is on the Red Line

how to eat Ethiopian food

Silver seating actually isn't seating, and it isn't as close as I thought

Rodin sculptures at in DC too!

D.C. has periods in between it

Five Guys is the East-coast version of In-n-Out

it is hard to plan with 4 ppl's schedules

batching is the bane of human existence

mail is one of the best human inventions

I like Ethiopian food

GYPSI has something to do with Medicare

HR 603 has something to do with horses

Panetta is a bigger deal than I originally thought he was

Farr is a bigger deal than I originally thought he was

Longworth has the best food

where the Fairchild Building is

chilli is not always a good food option

don't microwave bio-degradable containers

The Capitol is eco-friendly in the dining commons

pencil skirts are hard to walk in

I really like flashlights

I'm turning into a DC person: I hated it when tourists stood on the left side of the escalator

Courthouse is far away from Capitol South

having a House of Representatives badge is cool

having a House of Representatives badge that doesn't say "INTERN" is cooler

I have the "prettiest smile in Washington"... ("and no, I did not have to go to smiling school")

I think Congressman Farr is pretty down-to-earth and cool

I don't know how to read the clocks

blow drying my hair is always important

food is expensive

transportation is expensive

living is expensive

internships are not paid.

lots of people can fit near the Lincoln Memorial... especially if there are tons of famous people speaking and performing.

the Reflecting Pool makes crowd forming kind of difficult

Shepard Fairey is sick

M Street is the main street in Georgetown

Georgetown is awesome

Georgetown public library is really pretty

knowing how to walk long distances is a plus

comfy shoes are not optional; they are required

there are many people on The Hill that look mega nice, but they are probably LAs who have been dressing nice for a while.

don't buy stuff at the Capitol if you don't have to

candy is good. (given)

batching had a lot more facets than I originally expected

Staffers must have to put up with annoying interns getting trained A LOT

tunnels are easy to get lost in

remember where you came from

remember what floor you were on when you took the elevator

people on The Hill and in DC are really nice and helpful

DC is referred to as "The District" - which is pretty bamf.

OFA meant "Obama for America" and now it is changing to "Organizing for America"

SFBO means "Students for Barack Obama"

I like Staff Appreciation Days

I don't know how to get to my 9 am tour training tomorrow at Congressional Visitors Center Auditorium

Inauguration

2009-01-22T20:00:00.001-05:00

The inauguration for Obama was amazing! Yet, the crowds were terrible to maneuver and there was lots of frustrated people around which detracted from the nostalgia of the event. I did have a ticket, but it didn't get me too close to the front (but A LOT closer than any one without a ticket).

This work week, for me was only two days long! I'm so glad that I get to start my weekend and finish up things I've been meaning to do. The last few days I've been feeling pretty pessimistic about my job. I'm not really liking waking up early to walk in 20 degree weather to take a bus to the metro, take the metro about 10 stops. The evening is worse - I hate walking home in the dark!

I'm excited that my third week is done, but I still have not made it to Charlottesville nor New York, like how I hoped. I can't believe I only have 2/3 left of my time here in Washington :(

I feel like I still have questions in the office, and I'm still in a little bit of the "training" mode. Yet, on the other hand, I feel like a metro lemming getting on the same Orange Line metro to do the same work....

I think things will turn up and my outlook will be better once I actually get some sleep! I feel like I've been running on fumes since the Obama gallery opening (VIP), Inaugural Concert, and Inauguration!

Sick :(

2009-01-12T16:25:00.000-05:00

I've been sick for the weekend, which meant I had to miss work today. I haven't been in the office for 4 days - I feel like I've missed so much!

Tomorrow I go back to Longworth! (The House Office Building where Congressman Farr is in)

Bri

First Week Done!

2009-01-10T14:19:00.000-05:00

This week has been amazing; to say the least! I am really enjoying my experience here in DC and Arlington.

What's in store for my second week?

bri

Day three: a little more normal

2009-01-07T20:45:00.000-05:00

Day three:

I learned "batching", or entering constituent mail/faxes; this process takes an hour or two to complete, but I'm still loving my job and my time in DC!

I love eating in the cafeteria under the Longworth House Office Building - it is completely green eco-friendly. The food is amazingly good, but not cheap. :)

bri

House of Reps Swearing-In

2009-01-06T22:29:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was my first day on The Hill, and it was pretty hectic. I liked the people I worked on, but I had an emotional good bye with my mother... :(

But, today, my second day, I won the front row ticket for the Swearing-In of the House of Representatives! Our office had 1 ticket and about 10 staffers and interns' names in a drawing; I was so surprised when the rectangular, bright orange ticket was given to me at my front desk. Essentially, all those tickets were for the friends and families of Congress-people; I felt a little out of place, but I still took full advantage of my opportunity. I was scared to be seen as pretentious, so I was really confused when I should sit or stand when a speaker would say something profound or exciting.

I have just moved into my friend's house in Virginia, and I'm so tired - I would love to further explain my days and will keep you posted.

bri

December 24th

2008-12-24T19:52:00.000-05:00

Christmas is almost here, and I leave in about a week! I'm very excited, and at the same time anxious, to leave....

I'll keep you posted

bri

one month until I leave!

2008-12-05T20:29:00.000-05:00

In exactly 4 weeks I will begin my work with Congressman Sam Farr. Excited yes, but I am getting nervous for the new experience; follow along while I document new adventures including all the new people I meet.

Until next time,

Briana