Blog: The CHCI Experience
Inside the CHCI Experience
Share the excitement and personal growth of the 2011 summer interns who are blogging biweekly about their Washington, D.C. experience. Follow the blog to get the latest updates on what it's like working on Capitol Hill, commuting in Washington, D.C., networking events, and more.
For the third year, CHCI is hosting its summer congressional internship blog contest. Readers are encouraged to vote by clicking on the "Like" option under any blog. Winners will receive a roundtrip ticket from Southwest Airlines, the official airline of the Congressional Intern Program.
Week One: First week in Washington, DC | ||
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Claudia Valencia | ||
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June 15, 2010 | ||
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To all of you window shopping Fashionistas out there: Think you've encountered the best of the best fashion after window shopping down 5th Ave, Rodeo Drive, or Michigan Ave? Well, you ain't seen nothin yet! After walking into the wonderful world, or should I say exhibit, of the First Ladies of the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C., I can say I have come across the cream of the crop in fashion and window shopping. Forget all of those Dolce and Gabbana, Prada, and Marc Jacobs dresses - The spotlight here is on the dresses that have been worn and donated to the Smithsonian by various United States' first ladies. Nothing can compare to the stunning one-shouldered silk evening gown that Jacky Kennedy wore to the Kennedy administration's first state dinner. Or First Lady Michelle Obama's white one-shouldered, chiffon inaugural gown. Tons of eye-catching gowns left all of us women there wishing that we could try at least one of these dresses on. Walking down these halls felt as though I was walking through window shopping heaven! After spending my first week in Washington D.C., I can say that this is one moment that I cannot and will not forget. While I have stumbled upon a ton of fun things here in D.C., I have to say this was both an intriguing and educational first experience at the Smithsonian. This surely tops my list of things to remember as a CHCI summer 2010 intern! | ||
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Week One: First Week in Washington, DC | ||
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Samuel Gomez | ||
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June 15, 2010 | ||
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Walking backwards with both hands grasping Eduardo's shoulders, I guide him and nine others down the winding forest path. Ten pairs of eyes remain closed, their arms forming a chain which cautiously proceeds following the directions of my voice. It is the fourth day of our internship orientation week--a day which some in the program had awaited with nervous anticipation--the team building day at Upward Enterprises ropes course in Maryland, close to the Pennsylvania border. We arrive at our obstacle--a horizontal log about seven feet off the ground, held stationary by two tree trunks. The chain stops moving; their eyes remain closed. After a moment of confusion they line up under the obstacle and we formulate a plan. Just as we are about to begin, Billy, our facilitator for the course, cries, "stop!" "From this point on," he says, "everyone has to close their eyes!" My peers and I simply look at each other in amazement. How could he actually expect us to do this? Is it even possible to get ten people over a log seven feet in the air if none of us can see? Our plan is shot. We have no way to proceed other than blindly charging ahead. One by one, we somehow manage to get our peers over the obstacle. We open our eyes. Our group has no discernable organization yet we somehow managed to fulfill our goal. We glance around at each other in astonishment. At that moment, we realize how resourceful and determined we really are. At that moment, we realize that if we work together, we can overcome any obstacle. This is only the beginning. | ||
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