Sister and I



If Leprechauns gave presents for St. Patrick's Day, I recieved the best of all! My little sister came to visit me - we had the best time ever.

She is one of the coolest individuals that I have ever come across - I love her so much!

I recently recieved my tour training for the U.S. Capitol and have officially given my first tour this morning! Here are some pictures from the event (by the way, the weather was gorgeous here! Almost 80 degrees):

This is Condoleeza Rice, Secretary of State - one of the most amazing women in the world.
Except, when I saw her, she was wearing a black suit. Oh my gosh, I saw Condoleeza Rice!!! AHHHH. That is crazy! Unbelievable!

She was attending a hearing right down the hall from my office with the Appropriations Committee which my Congressman is a part. While she was leaving I was encouraged to pretned like I was headed toward the bathroom. She was walking straight toward me (as were her Secret Service Officers)!

I am simply elated.

It's been a while . . .

Well, there's much to update about! Exciting stuff has happened and I plan to tell you all about it. Read on!


This is a ticket. This ticket permitted one entrance to go see this man speak:

That was my ticket. And I saw that man! Wooo!

That man is Silvio Berlusconi, he is the Prime Minister of Italy. Isn't that so cool? My office has been so amazing! PM Berlusconi was in WA DC to visit Pres. Bush. For diplomatic reasons PM Berlusconi addressed the both houses of Congress and I was there! Oh my gosh! So cool! While he spoke for most of the time in Italian, it was still an amazing opportunity.

During the joint session of Congress, there were various Congressman I was able to see: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Denny Hastert, Dick Cheney, Orrin Hatch, Rob Biship, etc. It was absolutely amazing.

i monisonson uson. i conanonton wonaiton tono bone wonitonhon yonou gonuyonson agonainon. i lonovone yonou gonuyonson! ohon! bonyon tonhone wonayon, ifon i donononton tonalonkon tono wonhonoevoneron i honavonenonton tonalonkonedon tono inon tonhone lonasonton conouponlone ofon donayonson - i amon gonoinongon tono bone onone unonhonaponponyon lonadonyon! honinonton, honinonton asonhonloneyon! conhonronisontonyon gonetonson sonomone sonlonaconkon boneconausone sonhone'son inon anontonhoneron conounontonronyon!

More than 15,000 people in the Washington metropolitan area are homeless. [. . .] Nearly half are families, more than a third a children.

Having been in DC for almost a month now has opened my eyes to so much. The beauty and history of the area astounds me. I am in awe every day. Walking through the halls of Congress (and underneath!), past the Supreme Court building, and reading inside the Library of Congress almost feels surreal.
Aside from the beauty and the power in this city, there is such desparation. Every busride, walk down the street where I live, and look outside of my apartment window illustrates this desparation and great need. I actually live in one of the nicer areas in the metropolitan area.

What can I do? A college student with limited funds, a normal individual with limited time, a human being with limited selflessness?

These thoughts have been culminating since I've been here. What do I do? How is it that I am so selfish? How is it that I can simply pass by an individual in desparate need of food? How is it that I have slowly hardened my heart toward my fellow human beings?

While the impoverished in DC have immediately caught my attention, there are so many more in much more need abroad. While some may argue that those that are homeless in the U.S. are at fault for their condition, there is no argument like this that can be made for those living in Asia or Africa. Am I, as a fellow human being, to disregard their needs? What can I do? How can I be used?

My heart hurts.

"Severe Storm Slams the Northeast US"



To my fellow Utahns: people don't know what snow is until they've been in our shoes.

So there's a foot (if that much) of snow on the ground and people call it a severe snow storm. There's been rumor that the transit system could close down - thus causing the entire city to shut down - which will lead to complete chaos and cause the capitol of our nation to revert back to reliable transportation - horse and buggy.

Regardless of rumors - I must say that it certainly is beautiful out here with the snow. Surprisingly, it really has been somewhat warm. We are expecting more snow as the hours come. I don't want to go to work on Tuesday, so I'm really hoping that the chunky fog will continue to float down onto the streets of the city. Fingers crossed!