Sleepless in your Seat (at work)

Dr. Spalding will remind you again, again again AND again that getting a good night's sleep in crucial to staying healthy and strong. While she is correct (as always!) there are always a few nights when work, papers, readings and a 30 Rock marathon tell you that staying up is the healthy, or perhaps necessary thing to do. If a 3 hours-or-less of sleep night happens to you, keep these drinks and snack in mind to help you stay alter and active at work the next day:

• Green tea: As someone who is not a big coffee drinker, I get my morning start up from a cup of green tea. It has just enough caffeine to wake you up for your commute, and something about drinking tea over coffee just makes me feel calmer and healthier e (must be all the advertising about green tea's antioxidants getting to me).

• Chocolate covered coffee beans: While a cup of coffee is an obvious go-to, chocolate covered coffee beans are a delicious way to get a double dose of caffeine. Additionally, studies have shown that chewing on a snack keeps workers more focused and alert. Keep some in your drawer at work for when you feel your eyes getting heavy.
  
  
• Go for a walk: If you feel body shutting down, get up and walk around for a few minutes: Think of a reason to run up stairs and talk to your supervisor, or volunteer to make a signature run for a letter (if you work on the Hill). Staying sedentary always makes you more tired, so getting up and moving is crucial to making it through a sleepy day.
  

Living on an Intern's Budget

For those of us who don't have the luxury of getting paid while in D.C., money can be tough at times. Here are few money saving tips to keep your bank account from hating you:

• Trader Joe's- While our good man Joe tends charge more for baking products like sugar, flour and chocolate chips (crucial ingredients in the survival of our apartment), things like cereal, milk, eggs and frozen food tend to cost less than a Safeway, CVS or Whole Foods. While I will admit the cereal selection is more limited than other store, $1.99 for some Joe-Os instead of $5.99 for some Cheerios adds up to big savings after three months.
  
  
• Try the Circulator- Metro rides can get expensive. The Circulator is only $1 no matter where you're going and took me all the way from Georgetown to Union Station. However, be wary riding it home after work- traffic is terrible and it could take you a couple hours.
  
  
• Pack a lunch- Even in the Senate Cafeteria where they don't charge tax, buying lunch everyday will inevitably take a toll on your wallet. Try and pack lunch 3-4 days a week and you'll end up saving a ton. Also, if you do work in the Senate, be wary of the salad bar! They weight your food and it can end up costing you $25 for a iceberg lettuces salad.
  
  
• Drink the coffee/tea at work- While we may all have a soft spot for Starbucks, its definitely not the most economical way to take in our daily dose of caffeine. Most offices will make a pot- or three, or four- of coffee each morning. Save your $5 and grab a cup of joe from the office kitchen.

A Big Ol' Bite of D.C.

Between work, school, homework, work and school, finding time to go out for a nice meal can be difficult on the D.C. program. Nonetheless, there a few place you must try before leaving the city.

1. Founding Farmers.
Founding Farmers is known for their farm-fresh, brunches, lunches and dinner. The restaurant sources all their delicious products from American farms, ranches and fisheries. Some must try menu items include: the fried green tomatoes, the corn bread, ribs and the B Baby's Beignets. Be sure to make reservations a few weeks in advance because Founding Farmers fills up fast.

2. Pho DC

In the cold of winter, nothing warms you up faster than a bowl of pho. Located just off of the Gallery PI Metro Station, Pho DC is a great place for any of your Vietnamese favorites including pho, fresh spring rolls and an assortment of tropical drinks. If you're closer to Georgetown and looking for pho, check out Miss Saigon.

3. The Tombs

A favorite of Georgetown students, The Tombs is located deep in Georgetown- so prepare for a long walk, or rent a zip car. Aside from your typical sandwiches and soups, Tombs has great stews, pasta and quesdillas. It's really a one stop shop for anything you might be craving.

4. Ethiopian food

While I regretfully admit that I never had a chance to chow down for a night of Ethiopian feasting, from what I hear it's absolutely to die for. I won't suggest a specific restaurant since I don't know of any, but I hear U Street has an abundance Ethiopian places... for more info contact Mackenzie at escanlan13@cmc.edu :)

Our House, in the Middle of DC

I know I speak for a majority of my class when I say that finding housing is one of the more daunting aspects of coming to DC. While working in the most powerful city in the world and sharing office space with the most influential people in our country were indeed intimidating, the thought of not having the Dean of Housing place me in a suite north quad room (pun, obviously, intended) was down right terrifying. Three weeks before arriving, my roommates and I were fairly certain we’d be

a) living in a tent (Occupy DC?) or

b) snuggling with Alias, a middle aged man who agreed to rent us his apartment if we pretended to be his cousins, joined his start-up online social network, and let him sleep on the couch (yes, this offer was actually made to us).

However, as difficult as it seems, with just a few helpful hints you’ll find a two bed room (with walk in closest), two bath, full furnished apartment that includes maid service, a gym, a pool, and a printing computer lab all for just under the price of CMC housing… or at least we did. Here are some tips to remember and options to explore:

· Live in the NW quadrant, this is generally going to be the safest/most convenient place to live. A large majority of internships will be in this area, and you’re late-night commutes from class won’t take too long.

· Make sure you’re near a metro stop. If an advertiser says a place is “close” to the metro, make sure to check distance on googlemaps- there are different definitions for "close" for desperate renters and those trying to make it to work on time.

· Start looking on craigslist and rental sites early- you’re probably not going to find a place in late spring or early summer, however, you’ll get practice writing emails and looking at leases.

· Consider a corporate rental. That’s what we did and got a great deal (see the brag list above). Ours place is located in Foggy Bottom so there are a lot of GW students in the building creating a young atmosphere. There’s a dry cleaners on the first floor, a Trader Joe’s and CVS across the street and all the shopping and cupcakes of Georgetown right next door. Check out Bridgestreet for more information.

· Don’t be afraid to bug people for information. Advertisements will rarely tell the full story. Furthermore, accept the fact that people are going to laugh at you. A four month rental for a group of college students is a ridiculous request that few people will be willing to fill.

· Maker sure to ask past DCers or any advice, or see if they can put you in contact with a resource.

With all this being said, GOOD LUCK! And please, let me know if you have any questions.

Alum Event Extravaganza!

Yesterday, one of the most loved CMC personalities, John Faranda, hosted an alumni event at the D.C. class room. In true Ath fashion, cheese, crackers and wine were served as current and past students had a chance to catch up, meet, and mingle. Though most of us lingered on past memories of CMC, Mr. Faranda showed us a slide show of the possible suture of our beloved school. I had a chance to chat with some alumni and hear their thoughts on the past, present and future of our school.

What do you miss most about the school?

• "The professors! You never realize what a privilege it is to be surrounded by such an amazing faculty."

• "Collins and the hub. I wish my parents still paid for my meals"

• "Toga party.... am I allowed to say that?"

• "The classes, definitely."

• "Living next door to all of my friends."

What class do you regret not taking while at CMC?

• "Pitney's Congress class. Everyone who took it still raves about how great it was to this day."

• "I don't know about classes, but I know I wish I went to the Ath more often."

Do you think campus life has changed at CMC since your time there?

• "As long as people still work hard and play hard... then no."

What should be CMC's top priority for the future?

• "More events where they bring alumni back!... I miss campus."

• "While I was there I always wanted them to let me bring my dog in the dorms.... that's not gonna happen is it?"

• "The library NEEDS to be open 24/7! I mean seriously, who studies before 11pm?"

Do you miss the D.C. Program?

• "YES. I miss all the people, the professors and my internship.What I would give to be back."

• "Well I did initially... until I realized work is a lot easier when it's followed by happy hour instead of homework."

• "Oh yes. And it prepared me well. Grad school and work would have seemed impossible to accomplish if it wasn't for my experience on the program."

Mt. Vernon, Party Buses and Creme Brulee

What do Mt. Vernon, party buses and creme brulee have in common? They're all a part of the amazing field trip planned for the group by Dr. Elizabeth Spalding. It takes a great organizer to entertain a group of strictly-professional twenty-somethings... but the sing-a-long bus ride was proof that a good time was had by all. Can I get a toot, toot?














Students sit on George Washington's fence



The group in front of the Potomac


Fall leaves


Enjoying the party bus

In the Shadow of a Senator- A Day with Senator Merkley

Here in D.C., and around the U.S. interns are used to being in the shadows. This is not to say we aren’t doing substantive or important work, but rather that we recognize our transient nature, and that for some, this means credit is not always given credit where credit is due.

Thus far I have had an absolutely wonderful internship experience at Senator Merkley’s office: I’ve fallen in love with a new policy area, my LC and LA have incorporated me into the team and make sure I have exciting project each week, and I’ve had lunches with the Senator and all the upper level staff. Furthermore, last Wednesday I had a chance to shadow the Senator for the whole day.

While most Americans are under the misconceptions that Senators are lazy, do-nothings who socialize all day, if you’ve taken Professor Pitney’s Congress class you know how busy they really are. On Wednesday, I began my day with the Senator at 8:30, because that is when I come into work. He however, had already been working for hours, going to meetings, researching legislation and taking phone calls. In my nine hours with the Senator, we attended seven meetings, were on the floor once for a speech and once to preside, gave a press conference, met with various staff members and attended committee hearings. We never even had time for lunch. I’d always seen the Senator running in and out of the office, but I never truly appreciated the rigors of his schedule until I spent the day running in my heels, trying to keep up with him.

The coolest parts of the day were getting to speak with the Senator about current issues, his time on the Hill and the work that he’s done in the past. Senator Merkley is unique in that he, as a college student, interned for Senator Hatfield, whose seat he now holds. Because of this he has a special appreciation and understanding of the work us interns do. Few get a chance to spend an entire day with their boss, nonetheless a Senator. It is an experience I will always cherish. As an intern in D.C. you’re going to work hard, toil over projects you love, run errands you hate, and stand in awe of the individuals in whose shadows you stand.

*Also, it was fun to have my name on CSPAN/ entered into the congressional record when the Senator asked for unanimous consent to allow me to have floor privileges for the day.