Fall(-ing) for the first time and Chronicles of Pakistan

Happy Halloween Blog Readers!

This morning I commemorated this holiday by running through the congressional cemetery. It houses one of the scariest things to many Americans, Congress. Once again, like always, so much has happened since my last post!

Two weeks ago, I went to Shenandoah National Park with three of my friends from my program, The Washington Center. We awoke at 6am to take the metro and then a bus to my friend Kateri’s aunt’s house to borrow her car. Then, we proceeded on our adventure to the Western side of North Virginia (in DC lingo: NOVA) I experienced my first time driving on the DC beltway, and my first time driving in nearly 2 months. The highway was beautiful, aka much prettier than I-10 and I-55, and my many trips driving back and forth from Texas. Sorry Louisiana and east Texas. Our first stop was the battlefield of Manassas/ Bull Run. It was beautiful and we pretended we were watching the battle. Next, we drove to the park, and stopped at the visitors’ center where the rangers gave us suggestions. We resisted the urge to stop at every single overlook, because there is probably about one per mile and they are all beautiful. My friends laughed at me as I gawked over every single beautiful tree and wanted to find the perfect ones to take pictures of (they are all from places that actually have fall). We ate lunch at a beautiful lodge overlooking the valley, and then continued our journey and hiked to some waterfalls. After we spent another hour, ooh and ahh-ing, we finished our drive of about 55 miles along Skyline Drive. We continued on to an apple orchard in the middle of nowhere Virginia and bought some apples and pumpkins. Then we finished our journey, returning to Maryland to bring the car back around 9. We got back to the RAF, which I like to call the rat, where we live around 10. It was an exhausting but lovely day.

Beautiful Picture of Shenendoah 

Shenendoah 

My favorite pumpkin!

Some of the delegates from Ford Scholars

Bull Run/Mananas Battlefield 

Giving a speech at MUN

This past week I competed in National Model United Nations-DC, with my classmates from Ford Global Scholars. My partner, Monique and I, represented the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the International Conference on Population and Development after 2014. We spent the weekend giving speeches, listening to other countries; there were around 95, and forming alliances during informal caucuses to successfully write resolutions. We wrote a resolution that passed, which was mainly about human rights and using urban planning for successfully developing communities’ infrastructures. It was exhausting but very fun and we made lots of new friends from around the country. We also got distinguished delegation, which is the second highest award, and the highest The Washington Center had ever received. So with that, this quote about somes up my thoughts for the week. Next on the radar, NYC  and my half marathon.

Ode to the Women of the Senate

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/10/16/collins-government-shutdown-women-senate-deal/2994803/

Today as the clock struck noon, a fellow intern and I trekked over to the Senate Floor in hopes of seeing a vote to reopen the government. Unfortunately that has yet to happen, but instead we were delightfully surprised with some inspiring floor speeches from senators across the aisle. After Senators Reid and McConnell gave their opening statements, there was leftover time and senators began giving impromptu speeches. They spoke of their efforts to reopen the government and the turmoil it has caused throughout America. I watched Senator McCain walk in and give Senator Klobuchar a hug across the aisle. Then as Senators Pryor, Manchin, McCain, King, (all men) spoke it became increasingly apparent the crucial role women had played in the attempt to reopen the government. Senator Collins (R-Maine) spearheaded the effort and Senators Ayotte (R- NH) and Murkowski (R-AK) were the first to reach out and help. Then, the efforts reached across the aisle to Senators Heitkamp (D-ND) and Klobuchar (R-MN), these are all women… They quickly included men from both parties and one independent, but women still made up half of this coalition of 14 senators to reopen the government.

The women of the 113th Senate

Most women senators juggle so many roles of mother, wife, and senator, while facing more scrutiny about looks and their personal life than their male counterparts. 1992 was the first year there were more than two women at the same time in the senate. A mere 21 years ago. We now have 20 women: 16 democrats and 4 republicans, who began their own caucus to talk about issues over lunches, who repeatedly have met to find bipartisan solutions to problems, and who consistently support one another.  I do not brand myself a feminist, but I do believe there is something we can all learn from this teamwork. Whether it is that women appreciate their service more because they were just newly given the opportunities, I’m not sure, but hopefully this bipartisanship will continue extending to their male counterparts and across the aisle. I have been lucky to work for two amazing women senators, who serve as role models every day.

A few of my favorite women in power

"What I find is with all due deference to our male colleagues, that women's styles tend to be more collaborative.”- Senator Susan Collins

Because I Knew You, I Have Been Changed for Good

I believe that everyone has a story. That listening is more important than talking (even though I’m not the best at that) and more important than just listening is learning. I believe that everyone enters our lives for a reason, for a purpose. When we listen we learn things we could never imagine and appreciate what we have in our lives that much more and hopefully are impacted enough to start addressing societal ills in whatever way we can.

It was great seeing Hugh Jackman, meeting him and his wife, the Tuohys from the Blind Side, the Vp of Ford, executives from Southwest Airlines, 3M, BB&T, Senators Klobuchar, Nelson, and Grassley. Seriously, this week was really great.

But my favorite parts of this week were not meeting celebrities and hearing their adoption stories. My favorite parts were spending time with the Foster Youth Interns, Senator Landrieu, and the organization and teenage boy that won Angel Awards from Louisiana. On Monday, at the advocacy fair for our legislation: Children in Families First, (visit our website childreninfamiliesfirst.org and like us on Facebook please!), I was able to meet angels in adoption award recipients from around the country. All of whom have done something influential for adoption in foster care. I met Elijah Evans, a 15 year old from Lafayette, La, who started an organization to help foster kids get Christmas presents and has raised over $15,000. Here is an article about him (http://theadvocate.com/home/7110959-125/abused-as-a-child-adopted) Moments such as seeing my Senator cry in a meeting with her angel when talking about foster care are the ones I cherish. I was also able to talk to one of the foster interns from the summer, Alan, who is getting his masters from Pepperdine. My mom also came in for the Angels Gala. It’s these moments that make an impact on my life more than any fancy event.

Here are some pictures from the week:

Lunch with the VP of Ford

Some of the inspirational Foster Youth Interns I met this summer at the reception at the Senator's house

Ford Global Scholars with our advisor and the VP of Ford

Senator Landrieu and some of her amazing staff

Me and Senator Klobuchar at the TWC Gala

One of the best FYIs, Lexie 

My mom and I at the Angels Gala

“I’ve heard it said that people come into our lives, for a reason, bringing something we must learn, and we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them, and we help them in return.”- Wicked

Lockdown, Shutdown, and Everything in Between

I’ve failed at blogging lately. I realized that it’s been almost a month since I updated my readers on my life! In preparation for this blog, I had to even look back through my pictures to remember everything that has happened!

So let’s see, I went to my first Nats game, to a festival with 20 countries, a Turkish festival, a Jamaican festival, a neighborhood festival in Noma, and my mom came to visit and we went to the book festival. That’s a short recap. Now for the big highlights.

The government shut down (if you don’t know that, than you’re probably living under a rock ;), then there was a crazy car chase and shooting outside my window, then someone set himself on fire. Seriously crazy things are happening in DC. And the shooting was probably one of the scariest moments of my life. Terribly sad, but it is over now.

Yes, I’m still working and am not shutdown. CHIFF was introduced, that was exciting. Everyone should go to childrenandfamiliesfirst.org and check it out. I still read lots of articles on adoption, the good, the great, the bad, and the ugly. Mostly good though.

Right now, I am in the midst of 3 fancy events in one week! Last night was The Washington Center’s gala and it was awesome. As a part of the Ford Global Scholars program, I was required to go and talk with donors and participants in the gala. Lucky for me, one of my favorite senators, Senator Klobuchar was receiving an award. She happens to be one of the principal co-sponsors on our CHIFF legislation and a really cool person. So, of course I stalked her and got a picture with her after the gala was over. Also, we were able to have lunch with Ziad Ojakli who is a lobbyist for Ford and used to work in the bush administration. Luckily, I was able to sit next to him at the luncheon and talk to him about his career path. He was a really cool person and had a really interesting life.  Right now, I am helping the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute with their annual Angels in Adoption gala. It’s a really cool event where senators and representatives come together and nominate people in their district who have done big things in adoption in their communities. There are so many inspiring people who are getting awards and I can’t wait for the event! 

20 Reasons I love DC (and why you should too)

"Washington is a city of Northern Charm and Southern Efficiency."- John F. Kennedy

(I have to say I'd reverse that comment (southern charm, northern efficiency)

 

1.       There is a festival or event for absolutely any occasion… I kind of expected this to only be true in the summer, but I was wrong! From a Turkish festival to random concerts on the capitol lawn, if you can’t find something to do you’re not trying.

2.       There is actually a season called fall, where the weather changes.  I had heard of it but one morning a couple of weeks ago, I woke up and it was about 45 degrees. I thought, what? This is winter. Nope, there is actually a place where the leaves change color.

3.       Where else can you see monuments with oversized humans daily?

4.       There is something called a mall, and it’s not for shopping.

5.       You’re likely to hear just as many people speaking languages you’ve never heard of as you are people speaking English.

6.       There are about twenty different neighborhoods with individual personalities. Some of them you never want to go to, but most of them you do.

7.       The metro and bus system. Although it can be highly unreliable, most of the time it works decently and it’s nice not to have to look for a parking spot.

8.       Congress. This is a controversial one. But, today I was on the elevator with this super friendly old man who was a representative and I had to include it. Ultimately, it’s why I’m here anyways.

9.       The endless amounts of running trails and roads. Although the mall never gets old, it’s neat to get to go so many different places and have trails.

10.   Diversity. Once again, there are so many interesting people from around the world.

11.   Lots of random kinds of good food. Except Mexican, that one has yet to be discovered here.

12.   People. No, everyone does not have an inflated ego. In my experience most people don’t and want to be your friend.

13.   Free Everything. DC might be one of the most expensive places to live but at least most of the site-seeing is free and there are endless events.

14.    Stories and Jobs. Many people have interesting stories and jobs doing things you’ve never heard of, which is always interesting.

15.   Progressive-ness. DC is in a constant state of change with neighborhoods evolving.

16.   Bike paths and friendly-ness towards pedestrians. Although I’ve had a few close encounters with cars, it’s pretty nice to be able to walk to work and the grocery store… except when you have to carry heavy grocery bags home.

17.   Embassies. Embassy Row is so cool and I love walking past embassies of countries I’ve never heard of.

18.   Young People. I’m pretty sure the average age is in the twenties. I guess that wouldn’t be cool if you were older but it’s good for people my age.

19.   Proximity to other cool places, like Alexandria, Mount Vernon, and Shenandoah Park.

20.   It’s the capitol of America. I feel like that should be enough right there.

Actual update on my life coming soon...

It’s the Small Things: Stuck, Alopecia, and Another Week in the Senate

“With every challenge, comes an opportunity to find promise and possibility in the face of adversity.”- Hilary Clinton, Speech to the Senate after her nomination for Secretary of State

While I know, not everyone agrees with Former Secretary Clinton, nor do I on some issues, her speech to the Senate in 2009 was exceptional. She continues on to say While we see the “ills that plague us more clearly than the possibilities in front of us...” We don’t often pay attention to the “innovations that can be fostered, or the people that can be empowered.”

Often, during my time in DC, I’ve experienced small things that have made a big impact on me. I get excited about events that some people take part in every day. But the small things have yet to become old, and I never want to lose sight of the fact that I get many opportunities that others would love, even if they are sometimes mundane to me. On Tuesday, I went to dinner with the other NAAF (National Alopecia Areata Foundation) legislative liaisons. About 15 people affected by Alopecia came to DC to lobby for increased NIH funding and other issues. Did you know that cancer patients have their wigs covered by Medicaid but those affected by Alopecia do not? Issues such as that one are brought to life. I came full circle after having started lobbying for NAAF when I was 8. So, it was a special day.

On Thursday, (today) I was able to attend an event with the senator that is a congressional suit drive for underprivileged women. When the senator arrived, we greeted her and she proceeded to tell people, (including the VP of Fedex) how I was a great intern who has lobbied her for the past 12 years…. It was pretty cool. If only she could tell all of my future potential employers.

I have also been visiting every office in the House and Senate to deliver DVDs. There is a movie called STUCK, produced by the Both Ends Burning, a Non-Profit. It chronicles families as the go through the adoption process and try to adopt children internationally. Unfortunately, it takes an average of three years and over $30,000 to adopt internationally. That’s where our legislation, CHIFF, comes in. It helps to ease prior restrictions and operates on the premise that every child deserves a family. While it has been somewhat frustrating to go to every single office, it has also been rewarding. I pretty much thought that no one would watch the movie since people on the hill barely have time to eat lunch. However, I was surprised and elated when I returned to my office to my boss telling me three offices had already decided to co-sponsor CHIFF after watching the movie. So, it made all of my long hours (that are still ongoing) and blisters worth it. I decided to email the producer of the movie:

Hi Mr. Juntunen,

I am an intern in Senator Landrieu’s office who has been delivering all of the Stuck DVDs to the Senate and the House. While it has been time-consuming and I have many blisters, it has also been very rewarding. So far, I have delivered them to all of the senate offices and about 70 house offices. I have seen Stuck twice and shown it to my whole family. I have no direct connection to adoption, except that one of my friends was adopted from Cambodia. After hearing the foster care interns from CCAI speak this summer I became more passionate about changing the foster care and adoption system for the better, domestically and internationally.

That being said, I returned to the office after finishing the deliveries in the Senate this morning and Whitney told me that at least three offices had already reached out to her after watching Stuck and were talking to their bosses about cosponsoring CHIFF.  So, I just wanted to say thanks for making this movie and for making a difference!

He then called my office and talked to me and told me how he was opening an office in DC, wanted me to work there, and next time he came to DC was buying me lunch. He also said that he rarely gets emails like this and had forwarded it to his whole board and wanted me to be on his website. So, while we can’t immediately change the world we can work towards it.

I'm Back!!

I’m back!

After a brief DC hiatus, which included a trip home, to Texas, then back home I’m back in the district. Per usual, there have been many adventures thus far. I moved into my new apartment, down the street from where I lived this summer, on Wednesday ( a week and a half ago) morning. I was the first one of my roommates to move in and kind of nervous because they didn’t tell us any of their names so we couldn’t even facebook stalk them. Then I went to run some errands but left my number on the table and my roommate called me so we met up and went to Target.  On Wednesday night we had orientation for our housing, then on Thursday we had a main orientation. But we had free time during the afternoons so we did some grocery shopping and site seeing.

My roommates are from New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Mexico. They’re really nice and on Friday, I got home and my roommate from New Jersey (Mayar) had cooked dinner for everyone. It was a good surprise after a long week J

So, I finished my second-first week in the Senate on Friday. It’s much quieter because the senate is in recess but will get really busy again tomorrow. On Mondays, I have programming, which consists of speakers and workshops, so I don’t go into work. On Thursdays, I have class downtown, so it makes for a busy day of work and then going straight to class.  During class, we discuss our plans for Model United Nations. We found out the countries we are representing: Pakistan and the Philippines, so it will be a lot of work getting ready for the conference, which is at the end of October.

To sum up the last 2 weeks that I’ve been in DC, I’ve gone to Eastern Market with a bunch of people in my program, shopping with my friend from Brazil, to a concert on the Capitol lawn, to the Zoo, and to a concert in Maryland. Yesterday, I was also able to go to a running group and run 12 miles through Arlington and DC, past some embassies, through Rock Creek Park, Arlington Cemetery and the National Cathedral.

With my friend Mariana at the zoo

Breakfast at Eastern Market

In keeping with my tradition of sharing quotes and thoughts at the end of my blogs, this morning Max Lucado spoke at my church. His message was on his new book, You’ll Get Through This.  I’m not going through hard times right now but I think this quote is applicable and good to remember when we all go through hard times.

“You’ll get through this. It won’t be painless or quick. But God will use this mess for good. Don’t be foolish or naïve. But don’t despair either. With God’s help, you’ll get through this.”