First Step, Capital Hill- Second Step, White House

The building of buildings, second to the White House. 

Two weeks ago, a lowly intern was privileged to accompany the Board of Directors of the International Association of Chiefs of Police to the Capital Building to help discuss law enforcement's legislative agenda. 

Yes, even law enforcement has to fight to be included on congressional budgets.  The 2011  presidential budget and congressional budget are yet to be decided- and technically the 2011 year began--- uhhhh 5 months ago!

So we are on the verge of a GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN! Last seen when Bill Clinton was hanging out with interns. 

Essentially, this means no mail from USPS or work considered "non essential".  So I was fortunate enough to help set up for this day, and at the 11th hour I was invited to attend!!! Yes, not all interns are just on the "set up" committee.  In preparation for this day, and within all the excitement and last minute details that were to be accomplished, the only thought worth thinking in the midst of the excitement was:

What in the world will I wear? This isn't my first congressional event, and hopefully not my last, but all you need is one major impression (and I was NOT intending on going naked to make that impression). 

Conservative but cute, Mrs. O as my guide, and a best friend with a limitless wardrobe, I channelled my inner Jackie and this was the result:

This picture does not do the outfit justice.  It was not your average black suit dress, but a warm wool black and white suit with a fashionable coller (which I was instructed that it had to be displayed, and thus my hair was back) designed by the wonderful Ann Taylor.  Mrs. O would have approved.  Thank you to Ms. Sarah for the outfit and Kate Spade bag! 

What would you wear for a day on the hill? More soon!

Guatever!!!!

Did you know that mayans still exist? Seriously.

It brings me back to the days of sitting in history class, studying how the spaniards wiped out all of the Mayans, and at 25, I've only just discovered they still exist! Trust me, it was like Santa Claus all over again.

Guatemala: Though an exciting place to live (riding a bus can be like playing russian roulette), there is so much culture and color there. The architechture, somewhat influenced from Spain, was beautiful! To the left you see a traditional church in the town of Chimaltenengo. It lacks the grandiose butresses you would find on the Notre Dame, but has a lovely charm, no? Out in front is a boy playing soccer (futbol), there is a wonderful court yard that separates the church from an ornamated park, complete with locals selling their merchandise.

Though the architechture was one of the first things I noticed, I was there for a wedding!!! One of my best friends was getting married :) Amber and Wilfredo met and fell and love, and now they have they cutest child!

It all began a little something like this :) So we were there for a wedding, and though this departs from the theme of my previous political discussions, and despite the economic turmoil in Guatemala, I still can't believe mayan's exist!!! We got to visit some of the ruins, markets, and have the most wonderful wedding (boda :) )

Part of the Mayan Family my friend married into:

These cute girls were running around and peaking through the wedding. They wear typical mayan dress, with tons of colors. The back of their hair had braided colors in it. Absolutely lovely. Check out some more pictures of the trip:

The photo with the E's crossed out means one of two things: this particular photo I believe means no parking. However, there are signs with E's crossed out/pictures of a sombrero hat crossed out, which the Guatemalan's put on their building as a sign that they do not stand with the government. Similarly, there are sombrero's that are painted, or E's to show they are for the government. Interesting.... There are tons of lovely photos, when are you guys going to Guatemala?

Emerging from the Grave

Still with me?

Excellent! The world has surely missed me. I have however been gallavanting around, literally, trying to organize my next few steps in life.

Quick Update:
I've achieved a master's degree! I can not express or explain my feelings about this degree within a few short words, let alone a blog. At the end, I've emerged with new friends, a new degree, surely a few gray hairs, and hopefully for the better. I can update on the degree at a later date.

World travels? Since my last update I have gone to:
France
Poland
Hungary
Italy
Northern Ireland
Spain
Belgium
Luxembourg
Germany
and lastly: Guatemala

If you can believe it, Guatemala was one of the best discoveries I have made. I actually did not have the urge or thought to go to Guatemala. One of my best friends was there working when she fell in love and decided to get married. Hours after arriving back in the states I was zipping up bridesmaid's dresses and trying to decide if orange or yellow looked better. . . . . in my case, it was a lose/lose situation, however, I love her enough to wear yellow! My next post will be on Guatemala.

Since Guatemala (Sept 2010), I've been working and interning with the International Association of Chiefs of Police. In the spirit of being brief, more on that later as well :)

Coming up: Trip to Greece, Egypt, and Turkey

Yes, I've booked a trip to Egypt- but in lighter news, I hear they are closer to creating a constitution. It could be worse, could be Somalia. I anticipate Egypt will be closer to having a government in May, than Somalia will be this year. Stay tuned :)