On a more serious note, in the past few weeks, I've noticed a trend in individuals asking me to "trust the process" and "give it to God." As a man of faith, to me that translates to, "trust in the powers that be." Coming from my personal background, I really struggle sometimes when it comes to "not worrying." I pretty much always try to play out every possible scenario in all situations. Not because I'm obsessive (okay, maybe just a tad) or because I am a perfectionist (no one would EVER say that!), but because I like to play out the absolute worst possible outcome so I am prepared for the worst. Does it usually end up being worst case scenario? Absolutely not. But at least when I do that; and it DOESN'T end up worst case, I can see everything through an extremely positive lens.
It's one of MANY coping mechanisms I acquired from my younger years.
You might be asking how the last couple thoughts relate to each other. Well, fear not for I am getting to the point; I just have a splendid roundabout way of doing so 😂. Flight complications I have encountered in the past 18 hours really have forced me to let everything go and just "trust in the process and the powers that be. Why? because I was all but making myself sick yesterday when all I could think about was how badly I wanted to be home cuddling with my Cookie Monster and relaxing on the chaise that my friend graciously handed down to me almost a year ago.
It's really easy to get caught up in the moment. We have to remember to take a breath every once in awhile. This is something I'm learning. It isn't easy for me, that's for sure. I'll will also put money on it that it isn't easy for a lot of y'all reading either... don't lie to yourselves ☺
Anywho, if you thought the last post was going to be a long one, you can only imagine what this one will entail--it's me, a super extra individual--reflecting on my final week in our Nation's Capital! You're 6 paragraphs in and I haven't even given you the highlights yet!
On that note, before I lose y'all, I'd better get a move on with the past week's highlights and accomplishments (in no particular order):
- We attended and held our White House Briefing (you can see the same remarks from our Congressional briefing HERE)
- We got (not 1, but) 2 White House/Eisenhower Executive Office Building tours!
- We got to attend and received shout-outs at the Ways and Means Family First Prevention Services Act hearing
- We attended our own first Hill Lobby Day to discuss and promote our Policy Recommendations to congress
- I had some much needed bonding time with three of my fellow cohorts and ended the night watching Aaah Real Monsters
- I attended the Museum of the Bible
- I had to say goodbye to 9 other individuals who I grew extremely fond of, regardless any differences we may have shared.
- We had our ceremonial dinner for completing the FYI Program
- I got the LGBTQ+ tie clip I wanted to get for the congressional briefing as a parting gift from CCAI!
- We were presented with our certificates for completing the program
- My flight was delayed to where I ended up in Boise one day later than anticipated due to weather.
- We had a LinkedIn and resume writing workshop (it's going to be so good once I update everything!)
- I completed my Internship with the Senate Finance Committee (Minority)
- Senator Wyden sent a sign-on letter to the Appropriators of the house regarding the Aderholt Amendment. Guess what? I HELPED GET THOSE SIGNATURES :-D
- Shipping items home ended up costing $25 less than I had anticipated!
- We got Paper Plate Awards!
Per usual, I'm certain I could have added additional highlights, but I don't want to bore you to death!
This past week and entire summer has been a blur. It's crazy to think that just two months ago we were all arriving to D.C. (most of us for the first time ever). There's absolutely no way I could have ever imagined or told anyone what this summer would've entailed.
There were ups, there were downs. There were mis-communications and triumphs. At the end of the day though, this was a remarkable and unforgettable experience. We now join just over 200 alumnus of the FYI Program who have been on the Hill and have provided recommendations to Congress.
I have always been an individual with strong opinions, morals, values and beliefs. However, I've always struggled to find my voice. Always allowing others to make decisions for me for a multitude of reasons; whether it be someone in an authoritative position of power or my asking someone to make a decision for me because I didn't want the responsibility of making my own decision, in fear or making the wrong one. A lot of times I didn't make a decision at all--that within itself is also a decision!
This internship helped me to change that. It helped me to grow into myself.
By becoming in-tune with my thoughts and listening to my own internal voice of reason combined with other's voices and thoughts on various situations, I was able to overcome just about every obstacle presented to me.
I believe that all to often, we as people get so used to how WE personally do things. Then when something changes, we get uncomfortable and act out due to the uneasiness and lack of comfort.
I urge everyone; the next time you find yourself on autopilot, try something new within your routine. Tackle something in a way different than you're used to. See it through a different lens even. Then, you might be able to see that each and every one of us really aren't all that different from each other! The final destination in our road trip is typically all the same. But instead of a caravan only taking one route, some of us take the interstate, some take the scenic byway and some of us prefer the back roads altogether.
Okay, I'm through lecturing now!
On May 29th, I posted a few questions I wanted to reflect upon at the conclusion of my internship. Those questions were:
- How are people in the Eastern part of the US? Attitudes? Friendliness?
- What were my feelings being around people who share the same ethnicity(ies) as myself? Did I notice any bias or pre-existing judgement from my upbringing in such a majority white state?
- What was my favorite thing to experience within D.C. and/or east coast culture?
- How did I adjust? Was it easier or harder than expected?
- What is my "expectation" of a typical day for a D.C. resident? Did it stack up?
Here are those answers:
- People on the East Coast are fast. They tend to be pretty progressive. I've heard many people say that East-Coasters were mean. I didn't see it like that. Everyone is on a mission and they execute the mission. They do not waste any time. Time is of essence. I personally think that it is just that we are so used to being relaxed in the Western part of the U.S. that many people are not prepared for the extremely fast paced lifestyle that takes place.
- I think I definitely possessed some biases, but what it boiled down to at the end of the day was that I saw them as people, regardless of race or ethnicity. I was more focused on getting to know people and feel out the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) area than color. If anything, I felt more comfortable; like I belonged rather than that I was judging.
- I truly think my favorite thing to experience was how fast paced the lifestyle was. The last few weeks we were there, I actually found myself getting annoyed at people who walked slow or held up pedestrian foot traffic. ESPECIALLY the lines to get in and out of the metro station.
- I haven't felt more comfortable anywhere else I've been in the U.S. I just wish everything wasn't so damn expensive!
- I didn't really set much of an expectation because I didn't want to disappoint myself. How I can speak to that question however, is that it was extremely intense! Most days I woke up between 6 and 6:30 AM and went hard until 10 or 11PM. There was never enough time in the day! Not to mention, if you have to go anywhere, you're probably walking (if you're cheap like me and want the exercise anyways).
Anyways folks, there you have it! It was such a great summer and I'm so happy to have gotten the experience! I am also excited to return home and re-adjust to a slower lifestyle again! I can truly see myself moving to the DMV area one day though! Watch out Capitol Hill, I'll be there one day for good!
Thank you so much for your interest in reading this blog!
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