Never a Dull Moment

Whether it is a monument, local food joint, fun museum, or historic landmark no one should ever utter, “I am bored, there is nothing to do,” in Washington D.C. Now, maybe if someone has lived here their entire lives that statement might be applicable, but for someone visiting or staying in D.C. for less than six months those words should never pass your lips. I have seen and experienced some of the most amazing sites and attractions DC has to offer.

This week’s journey began with Ben’s Chili Bowl, and yes the rumors are true. It is a life-altering experience. I have very particular requirements for chili; it must be thick and spicy, and cannot contain noodles of any variety or have a bell pepper taste. Score for Ben’s Chili Bowl – four out of four! Have the original half-smoke Ben’s is FAMOUS for and you will not be disappointed, seriously. Important caveat, if you do not like spicy foods this may not be the option for you.

Next stop, National Archives. The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights - need I say more? The National Archives Rotunda is a dimly lit room and barren of any overt ornamental distractions, providing a very intimate atmosphere for viewing such dramatic documents. Beyond the Rotunda is a vast collection of historical materials, too numerous to detail in a blog. One noteworthy exception is the exhibit “What’s Cooking, Uncle Sam?” a complete historical analysis of government intervention in the American diet. It’s really exceptional.

Couple of pointers: try to go on a weekday, aim for mid-morning or mid-afternoon, don’t drag along a camera (photographs are not allowed), and most importantly check out “What’s Cooking Uncle Sam?” Here is the website for more information: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/whats-cooking/

My week ended at a hearing in the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, an area very near and dear to my heart, on S. 1262, Native CLASS (Culture, Language, and Access for Success in Schools) Act. It was remarkable to sit in this hearing. I definitely recommend attending an open hearing if you happen to find yourself in DC and love to see the inner workings of politics. It is an experience you will never forget.

~Brenda

Trials and Tribulations at the Office, A Visit from My Mom, and…THOSE ARE THE BIGGEST, CUTEST, FLUFFIEST BUNNIES I HAVE EVER SEEN! -- by Alec Frazier

My work at the office this week was much of the same as it has already been. The DC Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped is not a shining jewel of professionalism: we joke, we tell stories, we can occasionally be crass and a little bit on the nose and before we open to the public, the occasional curse word can sometimes be heard. So one can understand how it is difficult to establish boundary between my workplace’s pervasive semi-professionalism and full on non-professionalism.

On Tuesday, one of my coworkers discovered that his Gmail account had been hacked into, which caused him to be a little bit more irritable on Wednesday. On my lunch break, I attempted to play a song for another coworker and when the first coworker told me rather abruptly to turn it off, I made a small scene about how I did not believe that his attitude in general that day had been warranted. This coworker is not my supervisor but he told me to leave for the day and after discussing things with my supervisor and Michael Murray at the AAPD, I realized that he was probably still reacting to his e-mail being hacked, and that I was not being punished. The next day the coworker and I spoke with my supervisor at everything was made right. The coworker even invited me out to dinner and dessert, his treat.

Famous Wally Amos Hugs Mayor Vincent C. Gray

On Friday, Wally Amos, the author, public speaker, literacy advocate, and founder of Famous Amos Cookies held his 75^th birthday at the DC Public Library where I work. The mayor was also in attendance, as were some other celebrities…

Alec Frazier Holding Willie, While His Mom Danielle Fuld and Her Friend Karen Zeiders Pet Shakes

Also in attendance were Willie and Shakes, famous therapy bunnies who travel around the district spreading goodwill and cuteness. And let me tell you, these 20-25 pound balls of love do their job. They are very calming. They have even written a book and several columns for a local newspaper, which is very fitting considering that their full names are William and Shakespeare. They are not rabbits. They are not hares. They. Are. Bunnies! That is, if you can find the bunny amidst all of the fluff…

Alec and His Mom Hug at the Smithsonian Folk Life Festival

That day, my mom Danielle Fuld and her friend Karen Zeiders had arrived during the Wally Amos festivities and she took me out to lunch after I took her on a tour of my office. That night, I went out to dinner at Carmine’s with Karen, my mom, and my mentor Mat McCullough. The next day, we went to the Smithsonian folk life Festival, the National Gallery of Art, and the National Museum of American History. I love my mom!

I hope you all have a good Independence Day, and take care during your internships to visit the National Archives and Records Administration, where you can see the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights.

Six- A restful number

Wow, I’m now officially on the other side of my internship. I love it here in DC, and every day, I see some thing new and amazing. My life keeps changing, and thankfully, my back finally wants to cooperate with me. I got to go to the Kennedy Center this week, to see the debut of a Cal alumni as the new assistant conductor for the NSO. I’m also going back to the Kennedy Center this week, to see Wicked for my birthday, July 6th. I’ll be the big one-nine, man, I can hardly believe it. Life changes so quickly, I don’t think I had ever considered that I’d be here in DC, but here I am. Work is going well, though I must saym it’s been a true challenge adjusting to work, but I think I’m finally wrapping my head around the workplace and the responsibilities placed upon me. It was a lot of fun meeting all the Cal alumni down at the Kennedy Center, and post performance. It just goes to show you, wherever a Bear goes, he’s never alone. With the fourth of July coming up, I must say I’m excited to see the fireworks, as I hear there’s no better place than DC. Now that I think about it, I was in New York for the New Year’s ball dropping too, what luck! As far as work goes, I’m working on an In The Driver’s Seat guide, designed to help youth with disabilities in their transition from high school to work, or college, etc.etc. I’m also sitting down for informational interviews with different professionals across the DC area. As someone who has some big career aspirations (Law school , yeah!), but has never really considered them beyond where I want to go to school, I think I’m learning a lot. There is a future beyond my studies, and a long one at that. I was also shocked to have learned just how much ground was laid for us in the past. People with disabilities have gone through so much in the past to make things possible for us as they are today. Things change, and times do too. Cheers to another month in DC, and hopefully my back cooperates enough for me to explore DC.

Being a Tourist

The three-day weekend has given me the excuse to do some of the things being in D.C. obligates. Mainly eating lots of food, walking endlessly, fighting Metro crowds, and, always, touring with friends.

After work on Friday, I ditched business clothes and headed to the Nationals game with a roommate and her visiting brother. I have two confessions: one, I was rooting for the Pirates, and, two, I wasn’t overly surprised when they lost. Besides, with a score of two-to-one, it’s hard to be downcast.

Saturday was devoted to visiting Ben’s Chili Bowl, which serves amazing food and is home to a powerful history. Open for fifty-eight years, Ben’s has witnessed many changes in U Street, from being part of what was termed Black Broadway to being in the center of the Race Riots. Bill Cosby and President Obama are amongst its most famous diners, but, judging by the line, there are many, many more.

Sunday consisted of a trip to Georgetown. It’s only fair to compare, so eventually we will get to the famed Georgetown Cupcakes. This weekend, though, we were sidetracked by Sprinkles, the cupcake shop closer to us on m Street. Cupcakes make a fabulous lunch, just in case you’ve never been blessed to experience it. Then, we dropped into the Old Stone House. Built in 1765, prior to the Revolutionary War, it is credited with being the oldest building standing in D.C. It is three floors, connected by slightly unnerving staircases, with about six rooms displayed. After reading the descriptions, we headed back to M Street. The interesting thing about Georgetown is that name-brand designer stores are situated right next to T-shirt shops. It provides a neat feel to have so many different options. We stopped by a spice and tea shop, which captivated us for almost an hour with its scents, descriptions, and suggestions. From spices to garnish ice cream to teas with rose petals and cinnamon, the shop was absolutely amazing. And as for today, a few of us our heading out of the city to check out Old Town Alexandria, Virginia.

Aside from the time to do some vast exploring, and eating, one of the nicest parts of this weekend has been all of the families that have come to visit fellow interns. Though mine is not here, there has been plenty of adopting. My personal favorite was definitely swapping stories over ice cream with intern Emily’s beautiful sister, Michelle. Being one myself, there is nothing like a little sister to select the best episodes to share. All of the families have made celebrating the Fourth unbelievably entertaining.

Meeting Judy Heumann, Getting Ready for the 4th of July, and a few Nats Games

This past week at work was a slow but exciting one. It was slow because I'm waiting to get feedback from all my coworkers on all my projects, therefore, there is not much for me to work on at the moment. However, I know that will change very soon. It was exciting on the other hand however, because I got to participate in a meeting with Judy Heumann. This meeting was about traveling to foreign countries and how to make that better for people with disabilities. It was a great experience to meet such an influential person in the disability rights community. I hope to someday do more work with her. Outside of work we were able to have a great experience thanks to Verizon wireless and AAPD. A group of the interns were invited to a doubleheader between the Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates. What made this experience even more exciting was that we got to experience it from a luxury box. I've never had the opportunity to go to a game in such style. It was also a great opportunity to network with people from Verizon. With the July 4 holiday coming up we're planning on having an intern BBQ and experiencing the fireworks on the Mall. It'll be great to have a three-day weekend to catch up on some things and to prepare for the next week of work. Happy Fourth of July everyone.


Posted by Matthew Shapiro

6th Week, 6th Blog

Baring myself to someone I just met in seconds walking down the cold hallway, my heart pounded like a train and my breath panicked as I sloped in the leather seat facing the door.

It was not the doctor who made me feel uncomfortable, but the mannerism in which this specific appointment was set up. The first questions were basic, name, birthday and place of birth, but continuing the hunt they got more dangerous and intrusive. Excruciating fangs buried deep in my flesh answering questions of personal sentiment.

Looking away at the light blue wall, hung a Picasso of a painting. The doctor’s purple water bottle would have been wonderful eye play, but I was not a cozy, cuddly bear, but instead a stealthy wolf in the moonlight pondering her next move.

Not only am I bleeding at the bone this one dreadful hour, but this person I am enclosing this deep information to, I will never see again. It’s like writing a poem, a song, a play, falling in love and then never touching that sacred soul again.

HESCO barriers and constantine wire separated where I was positioned on tower guard to MSR Tampa, a main supply road in Iraq.

An Iraqi village was on the other side of MSR Tampa. Poverty scurried the land. People slept on roofs and on the streets digging in garbage cans searching for things to eat as bullet shells scuffed their feet.

Green sandbags piled up so I could reach the mount of the machine gun. There I stood guard, in my velcro flak vest, bulletproof armor as I watched convoys roll the dice playing Russian roulette with their lives.

Fireworks lit up the sky. The shrieking sounds exploded in my ears banging like a drum. Bang, bang, booms were the bombs pouring down like rain in Seattle. They were heavy on my heart and mind, but as a soldier it is my ethos to march, to fight, and protect.

This post is for my battle buddies who I deployed with to Iraq, especially Terry, Beau, Izzy, Christine and Willy. Each of you are like a finger of my hand gripping at life and squeezing it’s juices. I love and miss you guys. You will always be in my heart.

-Krista Dora

Week 6

My sixth week in DC has definitely been fun filled and exciting. First, the bill that I was working on passed in the House of Representatives. I was actually sitting in the house gallery when the members were voting on amendments to the bill. Unfortunately, before the bill itself came to a vote, which takes place after all the amendments are voted on, individuals in the gallery started to protest. Because of this protest, capitol police closed the gallery and I did not get to watch the final vote on the bill. What I found most interesting about the whole experience was when the individuals started to protest, the house members started booing. At first I was really confused, but I figured that the reason the house members started to boo is to drown out the protest.

The second exciting event that happened this week was I went to see the musical Wicked at the Kennedy Center. According to the sales associate at the box office, I literally purchased the last two affordable tickets. Additionally, the seats were amazing; we sat in row S just left of center stage. Although I had seen Wicked once before in Hollywood, this performance was outstanding. It was nice to see a musical for the second time because you know the music and I was able to seeing things I missed when I saw it in the past. If you have not seen this musical, I highly recommend it.