Thanks for the memories...

Much thanks to all who keep checking back for my conclusion to my wondrous time in Washington, DC.

I have been home for about two months now and miss DC everyday. I turn on CNN and log on the political blogs I visited regularly while in DC to feel the connection I long for. I overuse the phrases, "While I was in DC, I did (BLANK) this way," or "This one time in DC..."

All of this solidifies that DC was the right study abroad experience for me. I learned so much professionally, politically and personally.

Recently, I printed out about 400 of the pictures I took while in DC. For my final 6 weeks of summer, I will be scrap-booking so I can forever remember my experience and share it with others.

Thanks to everyone who read this blog faithfully. Bye for now!

Best,

Krisse

The Gannon Family goes to Washington...

Another reason why I have been so busy to post is the visitors i received from a little town in California known as San Pedro and a well known town in Illinois, Chicago. It was the whole family, mom, dad, Nana, Ryan.....and even Michael (big deal during baseball season and all)!

It was a great trip. This was out first full family vacation in a long time and it was really nice to make some great memories in a city I have come to love.

The main mission of the trip was a Christmas card picture. I think that mission was achieved! You will all see the finished product this December...

Highlights of the trip:

• showing the family around the Capitol (my home turf) and knowing what i was talking about
• being driven around by a Virginia state trooper with a cool hat thanks to a random connection my Dad made at a conference. Trooper Dean made it really easy to see the things off the beaten path like the National Cathedral, Iwo Jima Memorial and the Pentagon
• seeing an actual space ship at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum Annex
• Knowing where I was going and Michael not (great power trip)
• great dinners at restaurants I have been dying to try

• having the whole family together
• seeing Marine One randomly land on the White House lawn as we were walking back from the monuments
• Sharing all of these amazing memories with Nana

• THE COOLEST opportunity was our private tour of the Secret Service headquarters (an unmarked building in DC). There we saw Obama's motorcade vehicles including the Beast (his limo), Bush's limo and all of the support vehicles. We got a great history of the department and learned a LOT about what actually goes into securing the president. Quote from Obama's driver, "He is the most intelligent, humble and 'cool' president. Exactly what you would imagine."

The Dome Tour

(the view from the very top)

Here is the start of a recap of my past three weeks in DC.


This next adventure all started because Congress was out of session for a week. This means all of the staffers come to work in jeans and there really isn’t much going on. Basically, since the recess occurred right after the Stimulus was passed, everyone in the office used the time to catch up on emails and letters and go home early….all much needed after the craziness that is a major piece of legislation being passed (another story for another time)

One afternoon my scheduler asked if I had any plans the following afternoon. He got the interns…A TOUR OF THE CAPITAL DOME. This is where I am lucky that I am not afraid of heights.

As you may know, there is this HUGE dome that tops the Capital. It is so tall you can fit the Statue of Liberty (off her platform) inside the Rotunda of the Capital. Believe me, I have done my fair share of Capital Tours and each time I do I can’t get close enough to the artwork of the dome.

(our trek up the dome)

All we were told was to bring a coat (it’s still winter here), not to wear heels, and a camera is a must. This is a very unique opportunity since only 8 people are allowed on this tour every hour. (8 is the largest amount Capital Police can safely handle in an emergency situation.) A Member of Congress them self has to request the tour, but the loophole is a Chief of Staff can when Congress is not in session. (this is how we lucked out!)

So for the tour you walk in between the metal outer shell of the dome and the inner shell which is what you see when inside the rotunda. There are 2 circular balconies inside the rotunda as you make the climb, giving an awe inspiring view of the artwork of the rotunda.

The best part of the tour was at the very top you get to go outside. (See picture) You stand on this balcony with 360 degree view of DC. Since the Capital was designed as the center of the city with streets branching out from it, you can see the layout of the city quite well. You can basically see everything in DC. It was SO COOL. It was very windy (hence the horrible hair in the pics), but this same wind made it possible for spectacular views. It is definitely something I will remember as a highlight from my trip since it put a lot of things in perspective….

(me at the top)

The day I learned that Gettysburg was in Pennsylvania...

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Unfortunately, school has finally caught up with me and I have had two weeks to read a whole book and write a paper on it along with another 7-page paper...surprising to learn that i am not only here to have fun!

Back to my adventures.
I went to go to Gettysburg! It was amazing. I think i have a little bit of a war nerd in me and I have always wanted to visit a battlefield. It is up there on my list with visiting a plantation, visiting "small town America", and seeing a real main street!

Anyways, we got to Gettysburg, about an hour and a half drive from DC, on a field trip-sque thing organized by the UCDC center. Once we got there we watched a movie to give us some background on the three-day battle and turning point. I was proudly able to confirm the two facts I remembered from the 12 times i have learned about the civil war through school, that the union won and that the turn of the battle was at little round top.

(me on top of little round top over-looking the rocky battlefield)

After our video, we got back on the bus and along with us came this retired navy guy to narrate a 2-hour bus tour around the battlefields. We went in chronological order for each of the three days and got out at various spots to see it first hand.

My Takeaways from the day:

• I am thankful for the freedom i have that was fought for on these fields
• they fought on open land that was someone's town. Both sides pretty much just happened to run into each other there
• it does not really make sense the tragedy until you see where the confederates tried, unsuccessfully, to attack the union the last day and the cannon warfare.
• the devastation to the town and area is worse than the war. The town of Gettysburg took in most of the wounded soldiers after the war. The town also was flooded by families looking to find their dead loved ones. We must stop and think about the innocent people war affects
  

Overall it was a great trip and I recommend it for everyone!

(me on another part of the battlefield)

another day on the Hill...

Today I had my first bomb threat. I now feel like a seasoned Capital Hill staffer. All of a sudden around 10:30 a bell went off. Immediately following, a voice came on the loud speaker saying there was a specious package in the vicinity and to stay in your office. I thought, okay it's probably in the Capital or something. OH NO! The voice continues saying the package is located near the south bank elevators on the 3rd floor of Hart building and to avoid that area.

It then hit me...DF’s office is on the 3rd floor of Hart. That doesn't sound good. Of course like good interns, we stuck our head out of the side door that looks out to the south bank of elevators. Our office manager immediately told us to get back inside.

Of course the threat just turned out to be a bag someone left as they were getting on the elevators and all was well.



LATER THAT DAY:
That afternoon was the moment I had been waiting for that entire week. No it wasn't 5pm and time for the weekend...it was 2:30 and the intelligence confirmation hearing for Leon Panetta, Obama’s nominee for the head of the CIA. DF is the chairwoman for the committee and I was very excited to see her in action.

Along with some other interns, I got to the hearing and sat front row behind Mr. Panetta. (we were definitely on CSPAN and in some pictures) What was said at the hearing is of less importance than my takeaway of the general atmosphere.
(picture from the front page of the Washington Times...look to the far right...I am the second person from the edge!)

The way committees work in general:

1. The chairwoman/man says an opening statement
2. followed by a statement by the vice-chair, and in the case of the 111th congress, the highest ranking republican in the committee
3. After that the "witness", Panetta here, gives his opening statement
4. Then every member on the committee has a certain amount of time to ask the witness questions. It starts with the chair and vice-chair and then goes in some kind of order to the remaining members. If the member is not present when it is their designated time, they forfeit their right to ask questions. The questioning can go for more than one round if deemed needed by the chair.
   

Partisanship was obvious in this situation. The Republican senators seemed annoyed that they were not confirming someone nominated from their own party. They asked questions that were unnecessary and designed to make a point and really not question to see if Panetta would be a good choice for the head of the CIA. They picked out every word he said and went in depth about what the closure of Guantanamo Bay Prison and Obama’s pledge to not use torture techniques will do for the United States war on terror. To be fair, the Democratic senators were not much better. All stated their support for him at the forefront and then went to ask pretty pointless questions (in my opinion). I felt like all of the Senators had all the answers to these questions from their previous meetings with Panetta and this hearing was more of a formality to put those conversations some what on the record.

However jaded I sound right now, being present for that hearing was really cool. It was another example of the democratic practice. The Senate alone has the right to confirm all appointments made by the President. This helps to ensure the right people lead our country and also check the power of the President.

(picture of the hearing I took)

Lunch with DF

Today I had "Lunch with the Senator". It is one of the main perks about being an intern for Senator Feinstein. For logging about 36 hours a week for no pay, Senator Feinstein provides us with lunch and we get to ask her questions. It is a very cool event. We were originally promised burritos. Our hopes were dashed when today we were told we were getting sandwiches....and the disappointment on each California kids' face was priceless. Think about it. We are all transplants living in a place with HORRIBLE Mexican food. Now I am on my own to resume my quest for a decent salsa...

It all worked out for the better, of course, because we were all too nervous to eat our sandwiches in front of her any ways. It was not out of fear....more out of pure "OMG, she is really sitting right there asking me my name...wait..what is my name?!?!"

(all of us interns after the Senator Left)

We went around the table and introduced ourselves. The all of the interns got to ask her a question. Most asked about her positions on certain issues, but I figured all of those things could be looked up. I asked her, "Senator, what was the best piece of advice you received in your early career that helped you in your transition into a male-dominated working world?"

As I paraphrase her response: She said it wasn't necessary advice she was told, but something she learned. She said she learned that she needed to specialize her interests to give her something she was credible to talk about. Especially in a world dominated by men, this made her someone people wanted to talk to about issues. She took up crime, which made her tough and as she said "everybody wants to be tough on crime".

Every time I have an interaction with DF (the office nickname), or see her interactions with others, makes me realize how amazing she is and how much more I admire her. This is a 75 year old woman who works longer days than me and knows how she stands on every issue with facts and figures to back them up. People do not push Dianne Feinstein around! I would not call myself a feminist in any sense. Obviously, I want women to be equal to men, but I am not a women elitist. ANYWAYS, Senator Feinstein makes me proud to be a strong woman. For example: the other day she had a meeting with all the Sheriffs of California. All of these men in uniform surround the table and there is DF sitting at the head in a pink jacket with all of these large men looking and listening intensely to her every word.

Other things DF talked about:

• She thinks the tide of public opinion against Proposition 8 will change as people who oppose it see the joy and happiness gay couples enjoy in their life because they are "allowed" to marry. She also thinks it was never an issue people should have voted on in the first place. In her words, "People can not decide rights...that is what the Constitution and subsequent laws are for."
  
• Whoever runs for the next Governor of California needs to bas their platform on how they are going to fix the financial situation of the state...if they don't, we will not get out of this situation
• She became a Senator to ensure the freedoms that she was born with as an American...she loves that she gets to use her power in order to help others and that is her first priority
  
• America is an amazing place...in her words, "Yes, we have our warts"....but America is the most wondrous place
• Everyone NEEDS to see Slumdog Millionaire
  
• Schwarzenegger did a good job with the environment in his term, but has done a horribly irresponsible job with the economy especially in borrowing with bonds and with the future profits of the lottery

DF also is having a intern field trip organized to Antietam, a civil war battlefield in Maryland. She feels that since most interns come from California, we do not have a grasp on the intensity of the Civil War and all that was fought there. To her, being near the South is a very important resource for us to get perspective on what our country has gone though. She wants us to take a day from work and see an open field where over 20,000 young men died in one September day....I really respect this about her.

I left lunch with an increased morale and excited to go back to the grind working for the real definition of a "REAL. STRONG. WOMEN." and just everything I hope to be when I am 75 (without the whole US Senator thing)

Steelers WIN!!

Okay, I'm not that big of a football fan so this game really didn't mean that much. However, I will PROUDLY say I was rooting for the Steelers (all because of you Adam..well and also since the Cardinals benched Leinart). To me this game was all about it being my first real party (not that kind of a party....like a football game party) at my own place. For those who know me, being a hostess is a real love. I like to put up a front so people don't know about it and have high expectations but I am secretly very domestic......(SHHHHH!)

Me and my roommates had over some friends from Michigan to watch the game. We made it easy and cheap by buying some frozen food from safeway. I also made homemade guacamole for the occasion because I am always trying to culture the midwesters to the joys of being from California....just as they do to me. As I hear, Michigan is cold, even though they stink Detroit fans are very loyal to their sport teams, University of Michigan hates Ohio State, and Ann Arbor is basically the best place to go to school. And as I tell them, Southern California is better than nor cal, ucla is an extension of CAL, our produce last longer, it really is sunny majority of the time, we have real Mexican food, and its okay to be completely jealous of the perfect lives we live.

Anyways....it was really nice to "entertain" in my own place. I completely became my mother (in the best way possible of course) and everyone had a good time. I was happy that the Steelers pulled it out in the end and was only impressed by the Bob Dylan/Will.I.Am Pepsi commercial (posted below). I was very disappointed in the rest of the commercials...

Strange feelings from the night:

• That the Super Bowl began at 6 o'clock at night when it was dark and not in the afternoon...WEIRD. I am used to it being: A) warm and B) day light when enjoying a nice BBQ
  
• I have work in the morning. Double weird. I finally now understand why my parents like to leave early from family parties when they have work the next day....it is A LOT to mentally handle

Also here is a treat. Below is my favorite commercial from the night. Enjoy!

Let it snow....

FIRST SNOW!! This was my first time ever seeing snow physically fall (don’t laugh). Too bad this didn’t happen on a weekend, instead I had to learn quick how to commute in it.

(took this on my commute home today)

This is what I learned about snow today:

• Do not wear uggs when walking in snow…no traction
• However ugly, hats are a girl’s best friend
• The salt is there to HELP
• Snow does melt once on your clothes
• A little more convenient than rain
• AND SNOW IS BEAUTIFUL…stop and enjoy it

Cough Cough

I’m sick. All of my fun has caught up to me. I think the 8 hours in 15-degree weather did it in for me! It was all for you, Barack Obama.

The one good thing about being sick, I am finally able to get this blog up and running.

The Youth Ball

Tuesday night I was fortunate enough to attend the MTV Youth Ball. This was an official Ball hosted by the Presidential Inaugural committee. Even though I was exhausted, I kept my post up against the railing to the left side of the stage and had a perfect view for when Barack and Michelle came out to their first dance! I was beautiful.

I know it’s chessy, but their chemistry was true. They were both taking in the whole experience and having fun with it and each other. Best quote of the night: when after finished dancing, President Obama says…and I quote “Now that’s what we call ‘old school’”. Priceless!

(how cute...right?)

Also..check out my TV debut. To quote Ryan, "Its the first time a Gannon has be on tv without using the term Knucklehead."

http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/333666/amen-live.jhtml#type=32&id=1603133

I Barack Hussein Obama do solemnly swear...

Inauguration was cold but historic and completely worth it. A takeaway for how I physically felt that day: I do not think I have ever been so cold in my life nor among so many people.


(me, amanda, and her sister at inauguration)

Time line of the day:

*I woke up at 3:30 am with only about an hour of sleep. At this point, my body was running on pure adrenaline since I had no idea what that day had in store for me.
*We finally got out the door around 4:30 am. I was dressed in thermal leggings, jeans, then waterproof sweats over, 2 pairs of socks and then uggs, a long-sleeved shirt, puffy snowboarding jacket, and then my heavy winter coat, snow gloves, a scarf AND a hat.
*I tried to smash everything I needed into my pockets so I didn’t need a purse. We also brought with us a blanket just incase we could sit down for a few (we didn’t) and some water and granola bars if we got hungry or thirsty (it was too cold and we didn’t). I felt like the Michelin man.

So we left also armed with a map of the best route to get to the Capital since half of the streets in DC were shut down. The streets had an eerie quiet. There were sporadic groups of people making their way to the Capital. There were also groups of about 3 to 4 National Guard troops on practically every other corner and army trucks blocking off streets. You felt like the city was on lock-down. Then you had had to remind yourself that this was a celebration!

Once we got to the mall is where the confusion and chaos started. We ended up walking too far into the non-ticketed section and then were fenced from going further. After finally finding a National Guardsman to ask directions, we made our way out. It was about 5 am by this time and there were groups of hundreds of people EVERYWHERE you looked. It is impossible to try and describe.

After asking for more directions a bunch of times we made it to our ticketed gates. Now we only had about 2 ½ hours to wait until they opened those gates for us to go through security and then we could go inside and wait another 3 hours.

(our final location)

After 2 ½ hours of telling myself phrases like “no, you are NOT cold, Krisse” and “this IS history you are experiencing”, the line slowly started moving through security. We got through and rushed to find the best location. Frankly, we weren’t looking for the best view of the platform, we had learned from the concert, seeing a jumbotron was your most realistic bet. We were about 5 or 6 people deep right behind the last seated crowd. It kind of felt like we were the “common folk” gated off from those people with seats who didn’t have to wait in line since 5 AM. Barbaric nature at it’s finest! Anyways, as you can see in the pictures, we technically could see the platform that would hold Obama, even if he would only be a dot on it and have tree branches covering most of it!

That’s another thing. Everywhere at all the various events, bare tree branches blocked my view of jumbo trons and viewing stands. If Berkeley has taught me anything….chop those trees down!

(trees everywhere!)

Once inside, time went by fast. I began talking to all the people around me about their personal inauguration stories. I met a barber from Ohio, a woman from Michigan, and a couple from New Orleans. Like I mentioned about the concert, there was a real sense of community at the inauguration. Everyone was cold and miserable, but at the same time wanted to get to know each other. It was not the time to be sheltered or isolated, it was a time to rejoice in America and your neighbor.

The actual inauguration went by super fast. I especially enjoyed, obviously, watching President Obama give his inauguration address. A few times, I would zone out because I would be thinking about how cold my hands were outside of my gloves (with heat packs!) clutching my metal camera, but then President Obama would grab you back in with a plan for his next four years and you would fall back into listening.

(picture of the jumbo tron)

It was also inspiring to experience the speech with an older African American woman who came a long way that week and in her lifetime to see that speech. As she muttered “yes” to what he was saying, I realized that even though I thought this moment meant a lot to me, Obama’s swearing in gave this woman SO MUCH MORE.

All in all, I am so fortunate to be able to attend the inauguration. Along with being one of the most painful experiences in my life, it was also one that I will remember forever. No matter your political affiliation, there have only been 56 inaugurations ever, and I was at one. That is so cool!
(I'm happy to be there...even if my face is saying "I'm so cold!!")


***CHECK OUT MY PICTURES... Click this link: http://gallery.me.com/kgannon/100019****

Concerts of all Concerts

Today is the kickoff to Inauguration weekend. I went to the concert of a lifetime. There was an estimated 700,000 people there filling up the area around the reflection pool and then all the way up to the Washington Monument. We had a pretty good spot about halfway down the pool right below a speaker and Jumbo-tron.

(look at all the people, and that was just in front of us...there were at least double this behind us)

I had such a great time. The atmosphere was electrifying. Everyone was there to celebrate Barack Obama. It was about 30 degrees, but being packed together kept you warm. People were definitely very relaxed, sitting on blankets getting to know the other people around you. Everyone was there for a good time and we definitely got that!

The line up was a once in a lifetime. Everyone from Bruce Springsteen to Beyonce preformed to celebrate. My favorite moment came with Garth Brooks first sang American Pie and then sang “Shout” in which everyone broke out Wedding Crashers style jumping in the air singing.

(me and my roommates at the concert)

**More pictures will be lumped with my other inauguration pictures in the following post**

First Week of my Internship

So it is the end of my first week of interning for Senator Dianne Feinstein. It has been a lot of what I expected but also some eye opening experiences. The biggest eye opener is how big the office is and what really goes in to day-to-day operations. Since Senator Feinstein is the senior Senator from the largest state she has the biggest office on the Hill. There are about 45 employees and her office is two stories!

My day is organized so I help both with administrative tasks such as phones and answering scheduling requests and the other half helping the transportation Legislative Assistant. The transportation LA both develops transportation policy for the Senator while also analyzing the current legislation on the floor. In addition to helping do research, I answer constituent letter that are concerned about transportation issues.

It amazes me that each letter sent to the Senator gets a careful response. There is not a stock letter sent to each person writing in about an issue, but an individual response based on their concerns. This is one of my favorite things about the Federal government. As much as it may seem that they do not care about your concerns or thoughts, they really are taken down and into consideration. Yes, the Senator has more foresight to see if your thoughts are a reality when coupled with a million other problems related to that problem, but at least they are considered. Ordinary people really are involved.

If it hasn’t been evident from the other post, I love Capital Hill! It is a mesmerizing place with so much history, tradition and inspiring events going on that I am constantly amazed by what happens daily. A nice thing about having a group of about 15 interns, is when there is down time we are able to go off and experience a debate on the floor or a confirmation hearing.

It is crazy to see politicians walking along the same hallway or talking on the Senate Floor. On Thursday, we went and saw the Senate farewell speeches for Joe Biden and Hilary Clinton. It was the human side of the farewells that was inspiring. Seeing Senator Barbara Boxer crying because of Biden’s remarks about his family and seeing Republicans also in attendance to pay tribute to the work both Biden and Clinton had done for the Senate helped to bring down these great figures to a human level.

End of my first week

I have used this past week to unpack and get adjusted to the city. It was nice not having to rush right into work, but first get acquainted with the city before the craziness of Inauguration begins. I have spent the last few days being a complete tourist. We did the Capital tour then walked to the White House. Saw the Washington Monument and World War II memorial another day and then walked along the reflecting pool to the Lincoln Memorial. We also went to the National Air and Space Museum.

(my first meal I cooked in my apartment. It was pasta..fancy, I know)

While walking all over the city, I realized a lot of things I love about DC.

1. The layout of DC is innovative and the best I have ever seen. The fact that from the Washington Monument you can see the White House in one direction, the Capital in another and the Lincoln Memorial in another is breathtaking. From all points in the city, I feel like you can see other historical monuments, things explaining a little bit more about the history of the US.
2. I love the metro system. It is efficient and can take you most places. It runs on time and I don’t understand why one would not take it.
3. I love that most museums are free in the City. They want you to visit them and learn from the exhibits. Since funded by the government, it is not about making money, but making sure people learn. There is something most corporations can learn from.

**Make sure to check out my photos from this week. On http://gallery.me.com/kgannon#100017.

Just finished my first full day in DC. After getting orientation out of the way early in the morning, it was time for one of those big group sightseeing adventures. I’m not going to lie, I was a little apprehensive about participating since I had only had about 4 hours of sleep and still needed to do a million things to finish getting settled in my new city. But I ended up going and am glad I did.

Today turned out to be exactly what I needed to jumpstart my next four months in Washington, DC. The premise for the trip was a visit to the National Archives, which houses all of the important documents in our nation’s history including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. I hopped onto my first metro train and made my way with 70 strangers to see these historical documents.

Visiting the National Archives was definitely a great way to start my stay. Being able to see in person the documents that shaped what our government continues to do today made me realize that over 200 years ago a group of men sat down and came up with what would be needed for a successful government. They created a democracy away from the crown in which people were their own rulers. In this new democracy people have true representation along with a say in what their government and elected officials do for them, not just for the privileged. This last point is why I came to Washington, DC in the first place and why I see public service as important direction of my life. You are the connection to actually use your governmental resources to help people.

Every once in a while, all Americans need to step back and remember that the success of the United States of America is miraculous and should not be taken for granted. Now with our 44th President and 111th session of Congress, our country has seen a lot, but one thing has not changed. We still govern under the same guiding principles created by our founding fathers far before they could imagine problems that divide us today such as a war over oil, abortion and same sex marriage.

From the National Archives, a group of us decided to walk to the Capital and wander around there also visiting the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court, and the surrounding office buildings. It was amazing not only to see buildings shown nightly on CNN up close, but also to witness once again a place of so much history.

This day was the best possible way to begin my trip. I got to see the beginning of our nation’s history as well as the centerpiece of our country, the Capital. Having this foundation really did help give me perspective of the city, our country and a great point of view to begin my internship.