I anticipate that this will be a bit of a lengthier post, so please go grab your drank, covfefe and/or snack so you can really enjoy and let what I'm about to say sink in 😆.
If you've been with me through this whole process (which if you haven't, you stop reading right now and read everything from start to finish... I promise you will not be disappointed.), you should know the drill by now... I usually post accomplishments and the reflection of events from the previous week or so. Without further ado:
(in no particular order)
- I got to meet Senator Wyden (D-OR)!!! I literally have the BEST supervisor ever!
- I visited the National Archives Museum
- I went on an Italian food tour and learned about the history of DuPont Circle
- I went to the D.C. Zoo!
- I went to "church" (A.K.A. Rock Creek Park)
- We had our briefing! (more to come on that later)
- Representative Aderholt (R-AL) "slipped" an amendment into a House Approprations Bill that would allow discrimination against LGBTQ+ foster youth and parents within the Child Welfare system
- I took a gander to Takoma Park
- President Trump nose-dived at the Helsinki summit with Putin
- I attended the Holocaust Museum
- I'm sure there is more, however, I don't remember it at this exact moment.
Oh, did I mention, there are only 6 more days until I head home? These past two month have been such a blur... like where has the time gone? We have our White House briefing on Monday and a few more events. After that, I'm headed back to Boise! 6 EFFING DAYS!
I am excited to return home, but I'm so nervous. I'll be going from being so busy ALWAYS, to not being busy at all. The level and quality of work I have been producing has been absolutely impressive and incredible. At times, I even wonder how I was even able to accomplish any of it! There have been days where I didn't want to get out of bed--I wanted to sleep in and get rest. There were times where I wanted to throw in the towel--but I didn't.
You want to know why?
It's because this is so much bigger than me. It's bigger than ALL OF US.
I told myself coming into this that no matter how difficult it got, I would always remember how life was in Naval Basic Training and the Naval Fleet. It would then remind me that it's all in how you perceive everything.and your attitude towards life and outcomes. With that in mind and also knowing there are nine other brilliant, amazing individuals sharing similar experiences as me, I was able to make it!
The briefing this past Tuesday was so surreal. Click HERE to see my segment of the brief. Click HERE to see our published work (my report is on page 38). When CCAI posts the entire briefing, I will be sure to provide that link as well; as I think each and EVERY Foster Youth Intern's story is equally as important. Never, in my entire life, have I felt what I felt that day. Not to mention there wasn't even enough room for everyone to fit! People were packed like sardines. It made it even that much more of a powerful experience.
I was scared shitless (excuse my language 😂) as my turn to speak approached. I was so worried I was going to mess up or get stage fright but I didn't. It was like God, my Mom, my Nana and Grandma were up there cheering me on and giving me the thumbs up. They were making sure that I was in good shape and everything went according to plan.
That being said, now everything I've worked so hard to accomplish is coming to an end, I almost feel empty--like the big "shebang" is over. So many questions have gone through my mind. What am I going to do next? How can I continue to advocate for the voiceless?
One thing I do know I will be doing is writing our Idaho senators about the Aderholt Amendment. Did I tell y'all about that whole ordeal? So, back in June I was asked if I wanted to speak at a Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) Advisory Council Meeting. I accepted.
In this meeting, I introduced myself and my background. I also explained what it was I was doing my policy report on (essentially LGBTQ+ rights). Mind you, Rep. Aderholt had just recently been appointed the chair of the Congressional Caucus on Adoption as well as a new member of CCAI's Advisory Council.
When I told my story, I received facial expressions and acknowledgments from every individual at the table--well, ALMOST every individual at the table. I do not recall any remarks from Rep. Aderholt. Actually, after my fellow cohort and I told our stories (I went first), Aderholt excused himself from the meeting.
THEN, CONVENIENTLY after our policy reports were sent to press, he slipped the Aderholt amendment into a house appropriations bill. Coincidence? I think not. It was--AT THAT MOMENT--personal. I am not finished addressing that issue. Not at all. Stay tuned for updates.
As I've mentioned about 400 times, this internship is swiftly concluding. I have so many things to figure out in the upcoming days. I'm stressing out financially, as it will be over 3 weeks before I am paid again once I return to work. I'm stressing out because I want so badly to remain involved in politics and be the change. I just don't know all of the outlets available in Idaho... I guess I have some research to do!
Anyways, I think I have written enough to bore everyone! I hope you enjoyed this post and there will be AT LEAST one more post before the conclusion of the internship (maybe two if I have the time). I wanted to give a really quick shout-out to J.R. for suggesting I write a blog of my experience this summer. Not only did you all get to benefit from it, but I, too get to look back at this years from now and reminisce on my experiences!
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