Resident by Weekday, Tourist by Weekend

As the days of work go by I catch myself wanting to say so much about them, but by the time I get home, eat, call home etc... I am just ready for bed. So I have decided I think I will update about my adventures once a week.. for now anyways. I keep a weekly summary wrote down so I don't forget the important, funny, and knowledgeable things that happen. And now, week 3 of being in Virginia and week 2 on the job.

On Friday the 22nd the office went out to lunch together as a celebration of a girl graduating, her birthday and getting hired for a full time job. We went to eat Thia, which I have never had before. It was different, but I can't say that I didn't like it. I don't care for tofu though but at least I tried it. While at lunch my boss/supervisor, Chas, announced that he received a job promotion with DoDEA and will be moving to work in PR in Japan. His wife is from there so it was all part of their plan, but I am not taking it well. See, Chas came to DoDEA on the same internship program as me. He is legally blind, but never let's that affect him at work. Chas has been my comfort and has always been there when I am confused or in need of help. I know he understands all the things I go through physically and mentally and since day one he has helped me adjust and gave me new perspective on how all the health problems are not that bad. I am nervous for him to leave. He is the one who hired me, but I know he needs to move on and I know I will be fine.

After work Friday, I came home and cleaned my room and bathroom. I went to do some laundry and the dryer didn't work. Of course, just my luck... the first time I use it, it won't come home. I felt horrible for it breaking on me, but I helped my uncle make a clothes line to hang up my wet bedding. Turns out the motor was burnt up and would cost $400 to fix it. Today, we are still waiting to get another dryer.

For Memorial Day weekend I met both neighbors, Sally and Chris, one for lunch and one for dinner. I also went to Arlington Cemetery again to see all the graves with American Flags by them. Before I left to catch a bus to head to the metro I looked up when the next bus came. It said 12pm. I looked at the clock on my TV and it said it was 1130. I knew I could make the bus so I finished getting ready, said my goodbyes and walked to the bus stop. 12pm came and went as I looked at my phone it said 1pm...... The clock on my TV is set for the time at home. The next bus didn't come until 1:15pm.. I waited 30 minutes. Again, just my luck.

After visiting the cemetery I tried to find a shopping center because it was starting to rain. Not wanting to stray too far from the metro in fear I would get lost. I didn't end up finding it. I was on George Washington University and I had no clue which direction to walk towards. I got back on the metro and headed home. Getting off the metro I walked 2 miles home since it was nice outside. I returned a call from my cousin, Amy, which made the trail pass by quick.

Monday we had the day off for Memorial Day and it rained pretty much the whole day so I stayed in, watched TV, called home, was lazy and enjoyed my day off.

On Tuesday, I kept working on the Teacher of the Year (TOY) project, 4 days now. We had a staff meeting which passes the day away pretty fast. At the end of the day, Chas and I critiqued what I had done with the TOY project. He said I was very sophisticated with editing and had natural talent at it. He was very impressed with the information I brought into the internship. One of my coworkers, Shayla, invited me to go to the Zoo with her and her nine year old son on June 12. I think I am going because it will give me something to do and someone to walk around with. On my way home from work I stopped at 7 Eleven to buy some double stuffed oreo's (my comfort food) but they didn't have any.

On Wednesday I almost had the TOY project done! I learned a lot of new things that day too like: Avid, Avid Unity, Tape decks, how we send footage to the Pentagon, How to slate footage, "approved" TV footage like: color correction, adjusting size, and sound bites. Two crew members from the Pentagon Channel came to our studio to film an interview for a new policy within DoDEA.

Frank, the top man in the office of DoDEA, came to me and pitched an idea to do a video of interns who came on the program I did who are working with DoDEA. He said it was optional and but for future interns and other employers. I immediately took him up on his offer and am now starting to work on that.

I also started "News in a Minute" which is exactly what it says. My first topic is BRAC or Base Realignment and Closure. It is an update on how BRAC is affecting the moving of DoDEA due to 9/11 and stricter security.

Thursday and Friday were slow days since Chas was gone for most of it and so was Brad, another guy who has been assisting me in projects. I mostly worked on my script for "News in a Minute" and a draft for the Intern video. It was Chas's last day, Thursday, for two weeks (he is attending a training for his promotion). Friday, I went out on my own for lunch. I walked to the mall and got a bagel and brownie from Panera.

Yesterday, I went on my scheduled tour of the Capitol. I got to experience delays in the metro and my 15 minute ride turned into 40 minutes. I made it the the Capitol without any problems at all. The tour was short and I didn't get to see a lot of the rooms-- only 3 in fact, but I learned a lot still and can still say I have been in there.

As of today, I have been pretty lazy again. My aunt and uncle were suppose to be off to London for 8 days yesterday but had a few complications and are running a day late. I spent this morning helping them find hotel information and contacting people meeting them over there and setting up their tracfone. I checked my banking account online and discovered I earned my first pay check a few days ago. $470. Not bad for working less than half a pay period :)

Again, I don't know if the big city is for me but at least I can say I tried it and enjoyed it while I was here.

Arlington Cemetery on Memorial Day

Washington Monument with Marine One

Back of U.S. Capitol

U.S. Capitol with reflecting Pool

A Foot in the Door

There are four unknown soldiers in the Unknown Soldiers Tomb.

Placing flags before Memorial Day at a gravesite is known as "Flags In". The flags are centered and a foot away from the tomb.

Slugging: is to randomly jump in a car headed in your direction to work. It's a free ride and it happens because the driver must have 3 people in the car in order to exit to the Pentagon during hours. However, you are riding with a stranger but its hundreds of peoples transportation to and from work.

After WWII, American Soldiers went to to Japan and taught them our way of technology. Once we left, they put their culture on it and focus on quality instead of quanity---> maybe that's why they are so far advanced compared to us?

Last Tuesday was my first day out by myself. My destination: Holocaust Museum.

I walked ten minutes to the bus stop and made it on and off the bus with no problems. My stop was at the Ballston Mall. From there I had to walk about five minutes to the MetroRail (underground train). Work is really close to the bus stop and the MetroRail so I thought if I headed in the direction of work I was going the right way. WRONG! Instead of walking to work I was suppose to turn left at the mall. I walked about four blocks and turned right! I ended up at the Metro Station stop that is AFTER the stop I get on! Although I was so confused as to why I was getting on the opposite side of the train and why the entrance looked different I pursued to get on. I quickly figured out what I did wrong.. that won't happen again!

I remember when my mom was here and the first time we went to the ride the MetroRail people were frantically running to catch the train. I specifically said to her, "I will never be one of those people who run after a train."

Again, WRONG! That day I ended up on the wrong side of the tracks and I sprinted up the escalator and back down the other side and barely made it on. I was one of those people.

I wandered my way to the Holocaust Museum without much trouble. To be honest I was so afraid I was going to end up lost and I am sure people could recognize the look on my face when I was looking for signs pointing where to go. The museum was amazing. A middle school was touring so they were a pain but the meaning and knowledge I learned from the museum will remain with me forever. For once I made the connection of what I had heard in school all these years and put it with visuals and stories. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take pictures in the museum so I only leave with mental images.

After the museum I wondered my way back to the metro. I was headed to the Washington Monument for an up close view when I realized my camera didn't even work! I turned around and headed for a soda and hot dog. However, soda's were $2 and hot dogs were $4 so I settled for a soda and went to catch the train.

I made it to the train with no problems and as I enter I read a sign that says "No food, drink, pets, flammables etc. If caught you will be fined and arrested." Ha, I was not going to get arrested for having a soda and I wasn't about to dare to try my luck so I threw the rest away.

I made it back home and from the Metro I decided to walk 2 miles to get home. Sounds like a lot but it's really not that bad. I went to McDonalds for dinner on my way and ate alone.. all alone. First time I have ever done that. I usually go through the drive through when I am alone. But others were doing it too.

Thursday, I ran into a friend on facebook who is stationed out here with the Navy. He hadn't seen people he knew in 4 months and well I don't know anyone. We met up and I ended up in the "neighborhood that's not safe" thanks to him. I was a little concerned riding the train back alone late at night, but I made it back and had the chance to see the bridge and Capitol lit up.

Sunday, I decided to leave the house to on my last day before work started. I decided to go look around Ballston Mall. Okay, the mall is mostly nail, hair, and food places but it does have some places to shop. Again, out of my comfort zone because I never shop alone but I did alright. I again walked 2 miles to get home and stopped at McDonalds again for dinner.

A homeless lady was there and as I bit into my Chicken Club Sandwich she bent down to watch me through her purse strap draped on the table. Sure she had food. A kids meal sized burger and drink, but I couldn't finish mine when I knew I could afford mine and she begged until the cashiers gave hers to her.

Monday, I started my new job and boy was I scared and like 30 early! I was so early I walked around the block one and a half times to waste time. I finally went to the fourth floor to meet my boss to head to the 6th, but when I tried the door it was locked. Panicked that someone would open the door and be like who are you? I ran for the elevator.

My boss said that if no one was in the office then just head upstairs myself and so I did. I got to the 6th floor and rang the buzzer like I was suppose to. No one came. Finally some ladies got off the elevator and unlocked the door and just walked in and left me standing there. Finally, one asked if I needed help.

I went into a conference room with 3 other interns all on different floors. We all filled out some paper work, a lot that was way over our heads and we had no idea what we were doing. We got to one form titled "Disabilities". The girl next to me turn to the lady checking us in and said, "Disabilities? I don't have a disability. What kind of paper work is this!?" The lady laughed and said, "It's procedure, we have too. I didn't mean to make you feel disabled." The girl laughed and said, "Yeah, I was gonna said I am not challenged."

Looking at the form there was a place to circle for asthma, seizures, and heart conditions. I sat there. A few tear drops ran down my face unsure if I should circle or not and waiting for the girl to get distracted and not see me circle them.

After paper work we had to stand, raise our right hand, face the American Flag and read the oath. The same oath soldiers read when they enlist. I never thought I would ever get to read that oath. I was wrong.

I was escorted up to my office. Oh, you have to have a special badge to unlock the doors. All doors, including the bathroom... that's why I couldn't get in.

I met everyone at work, got my desk/computer in my shared cubicle and prepared for work. Monday was slow. Projects were due and everyone was busy and I don't have my software in yet so I can't start working. But ended up working 10 hours instead of 8.

Today I timed the bus to get to work at 7:54 which is perfect time. I walked in like I knew what I was doing. Checked my government e-mail and researched some links. I had to fill out some more paper work because work will pay my bus fare to and from work. Saving me $53 a month.

I established goals with my boss and learned all the places I get to tour for free that a normal person visiting here cannot. They are getting me into the Pentagon, Pentagon Channel (Pentagon's Newsroom), Capitol Hill to meet Missouri Senate and House of Reps, and Walter Reed Hospital.

I worked in the studio some today learning tripods and cameras. Learned somethings the school has never taught me and somethings that I would of never learned if I didn't come here. I also learned a lot of "behind the scenes" technical work the the website and got to help create a new link for web users and create the icon. Again, there is so much information that I am sure I will not remember, but will be valuable in the long run.

Work is good. In the past two days I have earned $228. I know I wouldn't of made that at home. I do miss home. More than anyone could ever understand. I haven't had enough time to figure out if the area is something I could do all the time or not yet. And I am not sure if I could live out here for good, but this is already become an experience I will not forget. It is one of those chances in life you take just to know and so you don't end up later in life thinking "what if."

Newest Virginia Resident

Over 20 people are buried in Arlington Cemetery a DAY.

By 2050 the Arlington Cemetery will be full.

A smarttrip card really does get you on every form of transportation available here.

Back during the draft, you could not join if you had flat feet or missing more than 3 teeth.

After flying from Kansas City to North Carolina and then switching planes and landing in Maryland to drive to Arlington, Virginia I am finally here.

Right now I feel like my biggest obstacle is my living conditions. Don't get me wrong, I am very grateful for my room and they are family. But here is the catch. They are my great aunt and uncle that I have never met before. I am excited to learn the history and knowledge of the wars. But afraid of imposing and being a bothersome.

My uncle (Jack) was drafted and in the first platoon that attacked Normandy. He is full of knowledge and history about the Wars and the history of Arlington/Washington D.C.

My aunt well she has been very open, but is also what scares me the most. She has dementia and constantly forgets who or why I am here and repeats a lot of her stories. I feel like I am intruding on her and her house.

Since being here I have officially seen the U.S. Capital, The White House, Lincoln Memorial (but not very much and from a distance), Arlington Cemetery along with the Unknown Soldiers tomb, The Reflection Pool, The Washington Monument and The Smithsonian Castle.

Although I have seen them all I plan on touring them all to gain more information and be able to say I know more instead of just saying I have seem them. Yesterday, my mom and I went to the Arlington Cemetery and we thought we had seen it all. The Unknown Soldiers tomb, changing of the guards and J.F. K grave but once we left we realized there was much more that we did not see. I plan on going back and getting a real tour as well as going back on Memorial Day to see every tomb with an American flag by it.

And it is true... The White House really does have snipers on top!

I have just seen the outside of everything but want to see the insides. Almost everything here is free to tour and since I am here I might as well use my time to tour.

As for work.. I start in a week. Saturday night my mom and I met my boss for dinner. He showed us around the office I will be working in and showed some sample work. I am nervous to start but I know I will learn a lot. With that said, let me explain what I will be doing. I will be working for the Department of Defense Education Activities. This is a government job set up for when families get deployed. Soldiers have the chance to take their families with them and their children have the opportunity to get a U.S. education. The education is provided on-line and their school work follows them. At my job, we film, edit and post on the Internet, talk shows, PSA's, etc to get the students more engaged with the school and to learn more about options and what is going on in the U.S. Each employee rotates jobs so I will be directing, filming and editing while here.

My boss seems super nice and very eager to teach me new things. I will be using top of the line equipment and having a lot of one-on-one time. I will also get the chance to meet high ranking people like Colin Powell and also get a personal tour of the Pentagon.

This morning my mom left to head back home. When I woke up she was gone. We thought that would be easier on me. I had a hard time dealing with her not being here when I woke up. I am now by myself; in a world that I am still not very familiar with, with family I still do not know and still here not knowing anyone else. My mom was my comfort and now she is gone. I have to face this all by myself and start learning how to be on my own more than just gone to college.

I am very afraid of the next 13 weeks, but I know that I will gain a lot of knowledge, experience and memories if I do not shut myself out from the opportunities.

The United States Capital

Arlington Cemetery

The Unknown Soldiers Tomb

The White House (with a sniper on top)

A week before take off

Never have I had a week so packed with tasks that I had to get done. The day after getting home from school I have found myself running ragged trying to get everything accomplished before Friday. I officially have 48 hours before I board my plane. 

The week was full of packing, purchasing and driving.

 I was able to see a majority of my family, on my mom's side, Friday and Saturday at a family dinner. 

Monday, I drove to Research Hospital in Kansas City to see the heart doctor. I had to have an "echo" (like a ultra sound on my heart) done at 11 and then a follow up with the doctor at 2. Everything came back good and I finally got the chance to ask if there was an alternative to taking a pill 3 times a day. The response I got back.... "You can try not to take it." Well I have and all that has gotten me was unconcious on a floor somewhere. After admitting that to the doctor he said there was nothing I could do and that I would remain on the medicine. 

I was kind of expecting that so I wasn't too upset, but it still hurt to hear it. 

Monday night I went out to dinner with my Dad. We went to Pizza Hut and for once in my life I actually heard him say he was proud and excited for me. Usually I just get "that's what you are going to school for" or "why do you want to do that?" Later after coming home I started packing. I filled two suitcases full and then gave up for the night.

Tuesday morning my new phone came in the mail! I am finally up to date and have a touch screen cell phone with internet! <--- and the internet works! I also get free ringtones! Later that day I went to Lee's Summit Hospital for a neurology appointment. For the most part it went well, I received a shot on the right back side of my head to numb nerve damage and relieve headaches. They usually hurt but this time wasn't too bad. After coming home I went out to dinner with my dad (Jerry) and grandma where I said my goodbyes to her. 

Today, I could only sleep for 5 hours at night because of a test that I had at Lee's Summit Hospital. I said a few concerns at the neurologists and she sent me for an EEG. We are now waiting the results. I had to be there at 10 this morning and since I couldn't sleep a lot I wrote my newspaper stories at 7am for the back to school issue. I had to be back at Research Hospital by 1 to meet with the lung doctor. Everything there was fine and he apologized for me not being able to to join the military (I had him talk to the Air Force Recruiter awhile back ago) but said he thinks this is my one opportunity and wished me luck. I came home and did a little shopping for jeans and then went to the bank. After coming home I packed some more and filled another suitcase. 

Things are slowly coming together. Sometimes I think a little too fast!

Tomorrow I have a few things on my agenda. I need to go to the orthodontist to see what I am to do while being gone for 3 months. I am getting my hair cut and my nails done as well. And of course lunch with my Aunt. By the end of the night I hope to have everything all packed and pretty much ready to go. 

Friday, I head to the city and catch my plane at 6pm!

I am still scared to death about what is about to happen. It is hard for me to realize that soon I will wake up to no one i know or have a clue as to where to go. I am very appreciative of the blessings I have received from my family and the "checking in" texts from my friends at school. A person can really tell who their true friends are when your in a life changing moment and they message just to see if you are holding on ok. I can tell through the words and messages that they do care and even if I wanted to back out between them all they will make sure I am there. I couldn't be anymore grateful for their advice and I hope to do my best to make them proud. 

Well it's here and I have to accept it. I'm hanging on, but getting scared. The next time I write I will be a resident of Arlington, Virginia! 

The beginning

Today I decided that I would start a blog. I have never seen myself as a blogger, but with the experience I am about to have I want to share every moment of it. What better way to do so then to write it online, right?

For the next three months I will be living in Arlington, Virginia in the metro working for the Department of Defense. 

Since my sophomore year of high school I have wanted nothing more than to join the military and be one the front line filming or writing about what is going on. I took the ASVAB test my junior year and received a pre-acceptance letter to the Air Force Academy, pending I could meet the physical requirements. 

The summer of my senior year I passed out one day randomly and from there the testing to see what was wrong began. By 6 months I found out I had asthma, nerve damage to my brain from hitting my head on a concrete floor when I passed out and low blood pressure (which causes me to pass out). 

All the doctor's appointments stopped me from attending the academy, but it did not stop me from trying to enlist for active duty.

The key word there is trying... I went on to college at Northwest Missouri State University and the summer after my freshman year I went to the Air Force office to try and enlist. I was immediately told "no" after I said I had asthma. Inhalers are not allowed to be used in boot camp. I struggled with accepting that because never did I need an inhaler. I had to take the asthma test in order for insurance to pay for the heart testing. I was crushed but I never gave up. 

I went back to school for my sophomore year in the fall of 2008. By the end of the semester I had a plan of what I was going to do with my life. I was going to get back in shape all next semester and try to enlist in the Army this summer.

Over Christmas break (2008) I went into the Army office and discussed the possibilities of me enlisting. Everything was looking well. The benefits were nice and the job opportunities were amazing. After about an hour of talking the question about medical problems came up. They were willing to let me slide with having asthma because I knew I could go without an inhaler, but I would have to prove it and was willing to . 

So why am I not enlisted in the Army? I take medicine 3 times a day to keep me from passing out. Boot camp does not allow anyone to take medicine while in boot camp and in order for me to go I would have to go at least 6 weeks without the medicine. Crushed, I was determined to get off the medicine to be able to enlist. 

I would go a few days of not taking it and then I would start getting light headed. I knew I had to take the medicine no matter how much I didn't want to. I tried getting both the asthma and heart doctor to say I didn't have anything wrong with me so I could enlist, but who in their right mind would do that when I obviously do have something wrong. 

The military is all I have ever wanted to do. I usually never give up on anything I want, so after coming back to school I even tried to join ROTC (thinking I could trick the system). They told me "no" as well due to medical reasons. 

I came across the opportunity to submit my resume to the government for internship opportunities. I honestly never thought I would receive offers. I figure I would submit it and never hear anything and was on the edge of giving up after hearing nothing for almost 2 months. 

Unexpected, I received a phone call during spring break from an Army base in Germany. Right after I checked my e-mail that had two more offers and a few weeks later I had two more phone calls. 

I interviewed with the Department of Defense Education Activities in Virgina over the phone during spring break and hadn't heard anything back. I was asked to go to St. Louis, Mo. to work and almost accepted but I turned it down to stay in summer school. The internship wasn't what I truly wanted to do. I would be filing papers most of the time and I really wanted interaction with the government.

The day after I declined St. Louis I received a call from Virginia asking me to join the team for the summer. After a long discussion with my parents and finding a place to stay and money to help out I accepted the position.

On the 8th of May I will be in Virginia and will be working there until the 15th of Aug. I am scared out of mind of what to expect. I am so afraid I won't know what I am doing or I will get lost. I am leaving everything I know (family, friends, life...) to move to where I know I don't know anyone or anything. 

In the 3 weeks I have had to prepare I have thought about not going. It has been an emotional roller coaster. Finally, I have realized that this is my only shot. I can never be enlisted in the Air Force or Army. I can never be on the front line fighting for the country that has provided me so much in life. But I can work for the military by helping the government. I am located just minutes away from the White House and Pentagon. I am not just a tourist.. I am an employee.

This is my one shot and I know I have to take.