One week, one word - Palin =)

The first week is over. It has been a busy but exciting seven days since I moved into the intern house and began my new job. I have learned a few things already in my time here, and would like to share them with you.

1) Driving in D.C. and Virginia is an entirely different world than automobile transportation in Arkansas. These people honk as though it's a way of life.
2) One way streets should not be taken lightly. You cannot beat them. They will always win.
3) In Alaska, apparently people call them nylons. Where I'm from, we call 'em pantyhose. Weird.
4) As much as I thought I never had a Southern accent, I have been complimented on it more than once. What's the lesson in that, you ask? Well, that I do, after all, sound uneducated.
5) Not having the internet is like not having sanity. Seriously, what did I do before internet? Oh, I was like 7. I played with My Little Pony's.
6) Sarah Palin is a champion. Period.
7) Asking God to bless what I choose to do is very different than choosing to do what God will bless. (Thanks Pastor Kenny)
8) Boys in the Northeast don't know much about manners. I have met a select few though, and I appreciate them greatly.
9) Making my bed up every morning along with picking up clothes is not the painstakingly torturous punishment I once believed it to be.
10) When you step outside of your box, your comfort zone, it's amazing how small you can feel. You are just one among the crowd. No one special. There are many smarter, prettier and cooler than you. But in this mass chaos, I have sought God and had to define myself through Him. It's been the best week of my life.

Along with the ten "ah hah" moments I've had this week, I've also gotten to do some pretty cool things.
Wednesday, a few of us went to the McCain/Palin rally. 23,ooo people, a 4 mile long line, and one rockstar of a future veep makes for an awesome experience. Fred Thompson was also there. No one cared though, because everyone just chanted "Sarah, sarah, sarah" through the whole rally. Sarah was there and so was an elephant costumed individual dressed just like her. Scary, but funny. I ran into some friends who have been involved with LTIA and very beneficial to our program, Job and Mari Serebrov. It was great to see them.

On Saturday, a couple of us went to the Values Voter Summit. VVS is a conservative, Christian conference which brought in all kinds of speakers and organizations. Newt Gingrich, Phyllis Schlafly, and Lou Dobbs were among the lineup. I was able to volunteer at a booth with Don Feder and his film, "Demographic Winter." It was a great networking experience. Come to find out, a whole lot of people in D.C. know about our great Congressman, John Boozman. Everyone agrees that he is great.

I've made some great friends already, love what I do everyday, and just praising God for giving me this opportunity. He has already sent a girl my way, in which I have a great opportunity to be a blessing and testimony to. Pray for that situation.

Church this morning was amazing. Pastor Kenny spoke about getting in THE way, so God can guide and direct your path. It was a blessing. Crossroads has felt like home to me since I've been here. That church is filled with love and people who have already taken me under their wing. I thank God for them.

This week is going to be a great one. I will be attending an LI school, High Dollar Fundraising. This weekend, Aubrie and I will be going to Concerned Women for America's Leadership Conference. We are able to go by special invite and will also be attending their formal banquet. I cannot wait!!!

Sorry this has gotten so long, I just felt like I hadn't written anything in so long. Thank you all for remembering me in your prayers while I am here. I miss and love you all =)

(Russ and Nina Bell, our house parents) (Me & Aubs @ Values Voter Summit)

10 hours, 3 states, and a few forgotten items later...

I arrived in Indiana! It was an uneventful drive, filled with signs of silly names of cities, lots of stops at gas stations, and the healthful practice of eating to stay awake. Come to find out, I gained an unprecendented 5 pounds in 10 hours. Hard to do... and I'm kidding, by the way.
I got here on Tuesday evening, and have just been hanging out with my friends (who I met in DC at LTIA this summer). Christie, Chelsea, Sarah, Justin, and Jesse have become five of my very dearest friends, so I figured I'd show them off in photograph above =) These 5, their friends, and their families have welcomed me with open arms into the great town of Plainfield, Indiana for the second time this summer.

I head out tomorrow morning (Friday, Sept. 5) to complete my road raging, snack eating, time consuming, slightly boring journey to our Nation's Capital!

Once I get into the area, I will be staying at a hotel in Arlington on Friday night with my new roommate Aubrie and her mom. On Saturday, we will wake up, stress out, and finally move into the Sacher intern house! Hopefully, I'll have room to store my 7 boxes, 3 plastic bags, and 2 suitcases of clothes =) If not, there will be a garage sale happening in Arlington, Virginia on Saturday morning...you are all invited.

Sunday morning, I will be going to Crossroads Baptist Church, the same church I'll be going to every Sunday and Wednesday during my internship. I found out that this Sunday is their anniversary service and is supposed to be a very special day...I'm excited to be there!

Monday marks the beginning of my internship. There will be training and orientation on Monday, and then on Tuesday, we get to work. Here goes the greatest personal stretching experience of my life!

A dear friend of mine asked me yesterday what things was I feeling about being gone for 3 months and doing this internship in D.C. Here was my response:
Excitement, Curiosity, Anxiety, Thankfulness, Joy, Opportunistic, Giddyness, and Overwhelmed...to name a few. I'm sure in the days to come, I will experience many more emotions. Any of you who have known me for at least 5 days, know that this is true =)

Headed to D.C. soon...

This is the first of many posts in my new blog =) I hope you all don't get too bored with my ramblings of current happenings in my life.

On August 6th, after a crazy couple of weeks of my post graduate plans quickly changing, I headed off to DC for 10 days of training with the Leadership Institute in hopes of becoming a field rep. Basically, that meant I was going to get sent to any random region in the USA and would be setting up self standing conservative groups on campuses.

However, after the first day of training, I was asked to join the team at LI in Arlington, VA as an intern for the fall semester. I really thought and prayed hard about it. To me, it seemed to just fit perfectly with me. I have always wanted to spend extended time in the DC area, doing something I love. So after a couple of days and lots of talks, I accepted the position!

Here is where I stand as of now...

I will be in Fayetteville until September 2nd, at which time I will pack up my little red Honda and begin my journey across the nation. I will be makin a 3 day pitstop in Plainfield, Indiana, where I will be visiting my dear friends. On Friday, September 5th, I will journey on to Arlington, meet up with my new roomie Aubrie (pictured above), and be spending the night in hotel of choice.

Saturday morning is move in day to the intern house!!!! (which is also pictured above) There will be 12 interns living in this house together, with 2 house parents. The Sacher Intern House is several blocks down the street from the Leadership Institute, so we will be able to walk to work!

The internship begins that next Monday, Sept. 8th at 8:30 am! I will be the intern for the Office of the President, Morton Blackwell. I will write more specifics about what I'll be doing when I know more! I am so excited and this is going to be such a great opportunity and experience.

I will keep you all updated and would love for you all to comment!