Okay friends, I know, I am SO horrible at blogging! But I have been so crazy busy with everything this summer has to offer that I've also barely gotten any sleep.
So here's a brief recap of the past few weeks:
1. My office has been amazing. Seriously, so great. I could not have asked for a better experience in a congressional office. The staff have been friendly, informative, and invested in the success of everyone around them. The Senator is kind and really cares about his constiuents and the issues that face them. Unfortunately, my last day in this incredible place is Thursday.
2. These crazy Arkansans are super nice! I've really enjoyed getting to know them and being adopted into the Arkansas family here. (Even if I still don't necessarily understand the hype about the Razorbacks...)
3. Congressional Softball is a blast. I've been to a couple games, including the Golden Razorback game (the two Arkansas senators against each other) and have had so much fun both times. For the record, we did win the Golden Razorback.
4. Friends. I have made some of the most incredible friends this summer. Friends that will likely be around for a life time.
5. D.C. is full of amazing things to do and so much fun to be had. I have never felt bored this entire summer.
6. This policy recommendation is about ready to start going into chaos mode, so I'm holding on to my last few days of sanity before we spend 4 straight days working on it and putting the entire document together.
7. We spent the last weekend at a lake house in Maryland boating and jet skiing and laying in the sun... It was a much needed break from the busyness of the city and a wonderful weekend full of fun and relaxation.
8. I've met so many incredible individuals that are working hard to change the outcomes for our nations children. It amazes me how full of passion this city is and how many people are here not for their own goals, but to help others.
9. This city is insanely expensive, and I'm looking forward to the day that my life returns to it's normal cost. ;)
10. I absolutely positively do not want to leave this amazing place. I have truly fallen in love with every aspect of legislation and Capitol Hill life. I definitely see myself coming back and enjoying this city on a more permanent basis.
That's all for today folks! For those of you that have been following this pathetic attempt at keeping a blog, you're very kind and I thank you for your support in this journey! Hopefully I'll get a few more posts in before I head back to Virginia Beach on August 1st!
Cheers!
Ashleigh
Monday, July 15, 2013
Sunday, June 16, 2013
A Weekend in Danville...
Frist off, let me apologize for making some of you very excited for a second post and then dropping the ball this week. This past week has been absolutely CRAZY. I barely got a chance to sleep or eat, let a lone sit on facebook or blog. So, to go back in time a little bit (since I started late), I'll tell you about our first weekend together in this program.
The first weekend, we were 16 individuals who had spent varying times in the Foster Care system. 8 boys, 8 girls, a whole lot of trauma. We joked about how we would make a hilarious reality TV show, and I think even pretended to be completely normal people for a while. Truth is, we're not. We've been through some things that the average child would never even think about, and we've lost things an average person couldn't even fathom losing. I say that not to say that we are better than anyone or more hurt than anyone, but to bring perspective to our group of 16. The stories of our pasts would break your heart. Hearing the stories in Danville, broke mine.
We got on a bus and drove to a gorgeous home located in Danville, Pennsylvania. It is not only insanely large and full of hidden passages, but it also is a historical landmark, as the basement of the home was part of the underground railroad. It was a beautiful house for everyone to see, but for most of our group of 16, it was the biggest house they'd ever seen, let a lone set foot in. We started off the weekend by cutting a piece of string, and telling the group a fact about ourselves as many times as the string wrapped around our finger. The weekend naturally progressed to us telling each other our stories, or as much of it as we wanted to share. We all may be foster kids, but all of our stories are different. But even though our stories are different, we all have something we want to change in the system, and we all want to make change for the future generations of foster kids. That is the link for us. The reason that personalities that would usually clash work to get along. The reason that you tell your story to a room full of essentially strangers. And the reason we all came to D.C. in the first place.
So the retreat was a great time to get to know each other and to relax and have some fun before the chaos of the city hit on Monday and I think everyone had a great time. On the way back to D.C. we stopped in Hershey, Pennsylvania to check out the outlet mall and the amusement park. What started as an amazing day and an amazing weekend ended with a sting, though. The 15-passenger van was broken into while people were at the amusement park, and the thieves took everything. Everything from i-Pads and electronics, to sentimental items that were irreplaceable. As unfortunate as this would be to any person, to a foster kid, it was especially difficult. Some of the stolen items were the last thing they had from a family member that had passed away or who they had been separated from and some of the items had been purchased after years of saving and may have been the one nice thing they were proud to own. Fortunately, I was not a victim to the break in, but I am very proud of our group for having each others back. For lending items to others that were missing them, and listening when they wanted to scream. It was a roadblock. But hey, we're foster kids. Beieve it or not, we can overcome anything. Resilience is our speciality.
The first weekend, we were 16 individuals who had spent varying times in the Foster Care system. 8 boys, 8 girls, a whole lot of trauma. We joked about how we would make a hilarious reality TV show, and I think even pretended to be completely normal people for a while. Truth is, we're not. We've been through some things that the average child would never even think about, and we've lost things an average person couldn't even fathom losing. I say that not to say that we are better than anyone or more hurt than anyone, but to bring perspective to our group of 16. The stories of our pasts would break your heart. Hearing the stories in Danville, broke mine.
We got on a bus and drove to a gorgeous home located in Danville, Pennsylvania. It is not only insanely large and full of hidden passages, but it also is a historical landmark, as the basement of the home was part of the underground railroad. It was a beautiful house for everyone to see, but for most of our group of 16, it was the biggest house they'd ever seen, let a lone set foot in. We started off the weekend by cutting a piece of string, and telling the group a fact about ourselves as many times as the string wrapped around our finger. The weekend naturally progressed to us telling each other our stories, or as much of it as we wanted to share. We all may be foster kids, but all of our stories are different. But even though our stories are different, we all have something we want to change in the system, and we all want to make change for the future generations of foster kids. That is the link for us. The reason that personalities that would usually clash work to get along. The reason that you tell your story to a room full of essentially strangers. And the reason we all came to D.C. in the first place.
So the retreat was a great time to get to know each other and to relax and have some fun before the chaos of the city hit on Monday and I think everyone had a great time. On the way back to D.C. we stopped in Hershey, Pennsylvania to check out the outlet mall and the amusement park. What started as an amazing day and an amazing weekend ended with a sting, though. The 15-passenger van was broken into while people were at the amusement park, and the thieves took everything. Everything from i-Pads and electronics, to sentimental items that were irreplaceable. As unfortunate as this would be to any person, to a foster kid, it was especially difficult. Some of the stolen items were the last thing they had from a family member that had passed away or who they had been separated from and some of the items had been purchased after years of saving and may have been the one nice thing they were proud to own. Fortunately, I was not a victim to the break in, but I am very proud of our group for having each others back. For lending items to others that were missing them, and listening when they wanted to scream. It was a roadblock. But hey, we're foster kids. Beieve it or not, we can overcome anything. Resilience is our speciality.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Welcome!
Welcome to my latest and greatest blog, everyone! I thought that it would be a good idea to start blogging about my adventures in D.C. so that I wouldn't have to keep telling all my friends and family the same stories over and over again. I'm already two weeks into my summer adventure, so I'll have to write a couple blogs about the first two weeks this week and hopefully catch up by next weekend.
First off, let me start by saying that Capitol Hill is in my blood. I had no idea I would come out here and fall in love with this city and this career. I feel like I have found my perfect job. Even though I am just an intern, I really enjoy every task and am excited to continue to gain experience and insight from the amazing people that work on the Hill. For those of you that do not know, I work for Senator Boozman (a republican Senator from Arkansas). My internship is a little special, however, because it is through an organization called the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, which is a non-profit that advises Congress on Child Welfare Policy. Their staff is incredible and my fellow interns are also amazing people. In order to be eligible for this program, we all had to have been in the foster care system for two years which gives us experience to back up our policy recommendations.
So far I have made many amazing memories and a have a heart full of excitement and love for this place. Words can't really describe how good it feels to feel like you are at home when you've only lived in D.C. for two weeks. I still have much to learn about living here, but the city has welcomed me with open arms, and I couldn't be more grateful. Unfortunately, it is getting late and I should head to bed, but check back for another post tomorrow!
Thanks for reading, and as always feel free to ask questions or leave comments!
Blessings,
Ashleigh
First off, let me start by saying that Capitol Hill is in my blood. I had no idea I would come out here and fall in love with this city and this career. I feel like I have found my perfect job. Even though I am just an intern, I really enjoy every task and am excited to continue to gain experience and insight from the amazing people that work on the Hill. For those of you that do not know, I work for Senator Boozman (a republican Senator from Arkansas). My internship is a little special, however, because it is through an organization called the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, which is a non-profit that advises Congress on Child Welfare Policy. Their staff is incredible and my fellow interns are also amazing people. In order to be eligible for this program, we all had to have been in the foster care system for two years which gives us experience to back up our policy recommendations.
So far I have made many amazing memories and a have a heart full of excitement and love for this place. Words can't really describe how good it feels to feel like you are at home when you've only lived in D.C. for two weeks. I still have much to learn about living here, but the city has welcomed me with open arms, and I couldn't be more grateful. Unfortunately, it is getting late and I should head to bed, but check back for another post tomorrow!
Thanks for reading, and as always feel free to ask questions or leave comments!
Blessings,
Ashleigh
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