Blog Post

While attending a lecture on the compositional history of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue at the Library of Congress, I overheard two elderly women speaking to each other about the first time they heard the piece. As I eavesdropped on their discussion of the sound of vinyl records and the act of paying money for a physical copy of recorded music, I thought of two things. First, I became painfully aware that I was the youngest audience member in the room by at least two decades. Second, I thought back on my first time hearing the piece. For my ego’s sake, I shelved the first, somewhat unnerving thought, and gave my attention to the second.

I heard the piece for the first time when I was four years old. I was on a United Airlines flight from Sydney, Australia, where my family and I were living at the time, traveling to San Francisco, where we were going to visit my grandparents. As I sat in my economy class seat waiting for the flight to take off, the sounds of Rhapsody in Blue came over the speakers to accompany the safety presentation. What United Airlines lacks in customer service, meal quality and bathroom cleanliness, they more than make up for in playlist selection. From that moment on, Rhapsody in Blue was etched in my mind as an object of wonder and awe.

As I listened to the lecture and learned about the piece’s history, I reflected on my personal connection to Rhapsody in Blue. For me, the jazzy, modern, sounds of the composition have represented America ever since I boarded that plane. The piece’s unwavering boldness, incredible variety, and endless flexibility have always seemed perfectly fitted to my ideals about America. 

Walking home from the lecture, I caught a glimpse of the Washington Monument before passing the Supreme Court and the Capitol Dome, all iconic symbols of America. American symbols are everywhere in Washington, and I thought about their importance for a brief moment, but none of these structures moved me to patriotism. Perhaps this is a character flaw on my part. No matter. I put in my headphones and listened to the piece of music I first heard on an uncomfortable international flight, and felt an enormous sense of pride for my country. 

The Meaning of Freedom

Freedom is a strong word. The word itself cannot be tied down to one idea or belief. Americans, especially, find that word sentimental; freedom is the seed of this nation.

My family and I came to this country as refugees from a civil war in 1995. My parents did not know English, they did not know anybody in America, and they left with only what they could carry. The greatest thing they brought was hope. We hoped for freedom of opportunity. So it should be no surprise that I do not take the founding of this country lightly, or that I become exponentially more sentimental when discussing it. That is precisely the feeling I find myself experiencing during many of our study tours, but even more so this past weekend when WAIP visited Philadelphia.

Our tour guide, Helen McKenna, in Independence Hall

During our time there, we went on a tour of Independence Hall. Our tour guide, Helen McKenna, was superb and did a wonderful job instilling thoughtful questions into our minds, as well as providing us information, stories, and fun facts. On the courtroom side of the Hall (not pictured), Helen made us participate in an interactive poll; stand to x side of the room if you believe laws restrict your freedom, and stand to y side of the room if you believe laws protect your freedom. We were able to discuss and argue our positions, though few did, and change sides if we wished. She then guided us to think about how different the room looks (how many people are on what side) depending on any occurring events in the region, i.e. the Pope's visit. Then, she led us to the other side of the Hall where our founding fathers so heroically stood to discuss the future of this nation and the document we all know as the Constitution of the United States of America. The room was full of inspirational energy. Once again, I found myself thinking about the journey my family made, and the unimaginable struggles countless people around this world are facing in order to protect and defend their freedom. She shared with us pictures of people who courageously fought for freedom: Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglas, and Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Then, Helen shared some words with us that are etched into my mind forever; at the end of one of her tours, just as she was concluding with ours, a man from South African Apartheid told her, "The winds of freedom blew all the way from your country to mine. That's why I'm here today," and handed her a coin.

I still get emotional thinking about this moment, about what those words meant to me and how I identified with them. In the turmoil we face every day it is important to remind ourselves of the struggles before us to truly enjoy the view we have. There is no greater responsibility we have in this country than freedom. So, what does that mean to you?

the winds of freedom blew all the way from
your country to mine...

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Sarina

Popemania

Even though Washington D.C. gets visits from heads of state on a regular occurrence some visitors still can create a stir.  Late this last September, the head of the Holy Sea, his holiness, Pope Francis came to the United States, the first papal address to Congress in 20+ years.  The scene was intense, with an address to a joint session of Congress, and a speech televised to the public outside.  I was part of this crowd, part of an invite only crowd that had the opportunity to be part of the event, and receive a special address from the pope himself.  The invitations were given to members of the Senate and House of Representatives for their use, one of the students in our cohort worked in Senator Sherrod Brown’s office and were able to secure extra tickets that had gone unclaimed.  He alerted the group via the text the day before the morning event.  My supervisor was completely open to me having the experience to be part of a papal visit and released me from work obligations, minutes after emailing her.  The event was extremely crowded, even after we cleared security over 2 hours before the speech!  It was a busy morning.

When in Rome...

If I can say nothing else of Washington DC, it is that I am living in a city saturated with nerds. Granted, this particular breed of nerd happens to get the benefit of calling themselves “experts” or “wonks.” I, of course, have no qualms regarding my card carrying status as a member of the District of Columbia Nerd Club. As such, I accept the responsibility of attending large nerdy gatherings.

This week, I made it to a night at a beautiful historic Chinatown synagogue with one of the more controversial figures in modern economic history. As Chairman of the Federal Reserve during the financial crisis of 2008, Ben Bernanke is, in the course of any discussion on the topic, going to draw some controversy. Despite any such controversy, Mr. Bernanke is King Nerd to a nerd working on a degree in economics. And, just when you thought I had said the word enough, I further nerded upon the discovery that a ticket to join my fellow nerds at the nerd gathering came with an AUTOGRAPHED copy of his brand new book, The Courage to Act. Obviously I couldn’t be more excited to read it, but amid policy papers and study tours, how is a nerd to find the time?

Perhaps it can be my silver lining of the much-feared “life after DC.”

-Samuel Runta

Do Your Thing!

In typical Taurus fashion, convenience is a part of who I am. And in a city with immense international importance, convenience is everywhere. You can take a cab. Ride the metro. If you're a fan of transportation, you could even hunt down a trolley. But getting around doesn't matter if there's nowhere of interest to get. Fortunately, DC has plenty to offer.

The many diverse restaurants in and around Chinatown and Eastern Market call to you. You can hear them howling, tempting you to spend, spend, spend. And giving in tastes so good you won't even mind.

The monuments in this city are grand, grandiose, breathtaking, heartbreaking, and all of them have been worth my time. The Holocaust Museum and Museum of the American Indian in particular captured my focus and kept it long after I left.

Shopping in DC is almost too easy. If you make a trip to Georgetown, you'll run into your typical college-area shops, but you'll pass everything from the district's small boutiques to the large department stores around Metro Center as well. There's something comforting about being surrounded by potential, even when you're keeping your eyes firmly on the ground and barely hanging onto the last shreds of your self control.

If you're a political junkie like I am, it really doesn't get better than DC. You can't swing a wet stick without hitting someone or something important. But, really, whatever it is you're looking for in DC, chances are it's right around the corner.

-Christian Lesnek

DC Sunsets

Sunsets are a weird time for me.  I have always been told that they are the most beautiful time of the day.  Admittedly, I cannot help but feel momentarily at ease as the warm colors of a clear sunset paint themselves across the sky.  But, throughout my life, my sunset experiences have mostly been dominated by a much different emotion: anxiety.  In the winter, I long for the days when darkness is fought off by warm summer air.  I feel my best when I am in the sun and, therefore, sunsets have come to represent the departure of perhaps my most loyal ally.  So, naturally, as I first watched that elegant and familiar painting stretch out behind the capitol, I could not help but think that it was really freaking early.

It gets dark early here.  It got dark early when we first got here, and it gets dark even earlier now.  I can deal with it, but I cannot deny that this unwelcome darkness can easily be viewed as an anxiety-fueled metaphor.  I am graduating in a few months, and the sun is setting on college and perhaps even the cosmic concept of youth- Here I am, still a hyperbole-prone adolescent, forced to think about the adulthood that is tomorrow.

WAIP has helped me to cope with this sunset.  It has served as a dusk filled with career advice, support, and a healthy dose of reality.  Of course, the obvious: my internship has been an excellent experience, policy salons have provided appreciated insights, and dressing professionally has allowed me to flaunt unabashedly.  But lesser known twilight has contributed to my dusk: my speed networking soulmate who told me I did not have to figure out my life until I am 26 (thank you,) the community of support and fun that has been built in our cozy dorm/house hybrid, and the random person who asked me for directions the other day ("do I really look like I know what I'm doing" I think to myself as I strut away.)

I do not have it all figured out right now, and I will not have it all figured out by the end of the semester.  But the cheeky combination of the expected and unexpected that comprises this program makes me confident that one day it will all come together.  So, now when I see those warm reds and yellows stretch out behind the Capitol, I still feel a familiar twinge- but I also notice a lot of pretty colors.  And for that, I thank WAIP.   

120 Miles of Bliss

It is nearing month two of my adventure in D.C., and as I sit here wondering what my favorite part has been, I realize the answer is more simple than I predicted it would be. Although I have thoroughly enjoyed my internship at the National Council of Nonprofits, the ever-so-fascinating tours of D.C.'s greatest landmarks, and the free meals while filling my brain with the best networking advice out there, it is the morning and evening commutes that are my favorite parts of the day, and ultimately my most cherished experience thus far in D.C.

As the weather has cooled down, it has become possible to walk the 2 mile trip to and from work each day without breaking into a seriously gruesome sweat. I decided to walk each day as I am eager to avoid the chaos of the Metro, burn off some of the weekly free pizza, and see this beautiful city in full force, and I now appreciate my walks more than I ever anticipated.

Every day I take note of the people I am passing and the sights I am seeing. In the 120 miles I've walked so far, I have passed important business men and women (and am always envying the women's professional wardrobes), government employers, tourists from all over the world, and of course many 8th graders on their school trips. Each day, my life is put into perspective as I pass the same man and his adorable Jack Russell laying on a bench outside of the Newseum with a sign that reads "needs contact lenses" and his prescription amount. I also, being the Mid-Westerner I am, say hi each day to the same men who stand outside of a restaurant on a corner waiting to open the doors for people. Not only do I love the variety of people I encounter, but how lucky am I to get to walk beside the Capitol Building, the National Archives, Ford's Theatre and more.

Although I have suffered severe blisters and clumsy injuries on these commutes (one of which led me to the nurse's office at the Capitol Building - another truly awesome experience), I look forward to my walk each and every day. It is a time to reflect, be inspired by the people around me, and truly appreciate my life in our amazing capital. And one of these days, I am going to do my best give the man on the bench the contacts he needs (and of course - treats for his dog).



-Virginia Turner

"Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what's for lunch"- Orson Welles

"First we eat, then we do everything else". -M.F.K. Fisher

To me, food is the very essence of life and culture, and the cuisine of a certain location can describe much about the culture. However, when living on an intern budget, it can be difficult to enjoy a good meal without breaking the bank. Here are my top five places to dine out while here in DC on a budget.

5. Hill Country Barbecue Market, DC

On a late Saturday night, Matt, Ana, Luke and I we managed to stumble into this BBQ joint. While I was personally not a fan of the overbearing country music, Hill Country Barbecue did a stellar job when it came to food. Matt, Ana, and I shared the Pittmaster ($28), which came with 1/4 lb Brisket, a pork spare rib, 1/4 chicken, hot links, and two sides. (We got the mashed potatoes and mac n' cheese). This was a great deal for a whole lot of delicious, well prepared meat.

4. Grand Trunk

I was lucky to grow up with a mother who cooked amazing Indian food often and instilled a passion for cooking and eating at an early age. So, I must say I am a harsher critic when I go to Indian restaurants. However, close your eyes. Imagine you have Tom Haverford (Parks and Recreation), P Diddy, and Kanye West come together to create a new, hip, vibrant Indian restaurant. That is the perfect way to describe Grand Trunk. When I visited with my mentor Scott Greytak, I got the Naan chicken burger along with the garlic fries. While I was skeptical at first, the food passed my standards, and was an extremely filling meal. Even better-almost everything is less than $10.

3. Honorable mention- Sonny's Cheesesteaks

While not technically a DC experience, if you manage to visit Philadelphia during your WAIP experience, you absolutely must visit Sonny's Cheesesteaks. On our WAIP Philly trip, I tried the Bacon Cheeseteak ($11) with wiz and onions (the authentic Philly way). Yet, I must warn you, ordering a cheeseteak is not as easy as it is to order other food. visitphilly.com offers the following explanation.

"Locals have become so adept at this practice that they basically have it down to three words: saying “one whiz with” to the person behind the counter means that you would like one cheesesteak [denoted by the “one”] with Cheez Whiz as your choice of cheese [denoted by the “whiz”] and with fried onions [denoted by the “with”]. Similarly, saying “one provolone without” would secure you a single cheesesteak [one] made with provolone cheese [provolone] and without fried onions [without]. Or saying “two american with” would get you two cheesesteaks both with american cheese and fried onions."

Once you have that warm, delicious, mouth-watering, food-coma-inducing cheesesteak in your hand, the world just seems to move a little slower. In that moment, it was simply me, and that beautiful cheesesteak. As my palate does enjoy a little more spice, I sprinkled a little hot sauce on top, and it made the flavors even more vibrant.

PC @wethewaipers

2. Taylors Gourmet Sandwiches

I'm a pretty simple man. Honestly, I really dislike paying for something that I can do, and I've been making sandwiches my entire life. But there is something about Taylor's Sandwiches that has a flavor that you just can't quite put your finger on. I visited there one Sunday afternoon for lunch, and tried the "South": a hand breaded chicken cutlet with basil pesto, roma tomatoes and lemon basil goat cheese. Quite frankly, I have never had a sandwich that delicious. The way it was created had such a delicate balance between all flavors; and, for $7.49, I was highly pleased.

1. District Taco

District. Taco. Of our entire time here in DC, no restaurant has bonded us as a cohort as this one. No restaurant has aroused such passion from us. The iconic DC restaurant that started as a food truck in 2009 has now exploded with six locations in the DC/Virginia area. Although the tacos themselves are excellent (3 tacos for $8), I am personally a huge fan of the Nachos Borrachos (also only $8). Additionally, District Taco has a wide assortment of salsas for every palate, ranging from a mild Tomatillio to an extreme Habanero (available by request only).

To eat is to love. To love is to live.

-Farhad Choksy

Democracy in the House...Literally

Who thought putting 9 policy/political junkies in the same house would be a good idea?

My time at The Ohio State so far has been spent with mostly engineers and pre-med majors, so I was surprised, to say the very least, that every night in the WAIP house would be filled with political debates and screaming. I have to say, though I adore my friends back on campus, these nights have been the most intense and mind-opening conversations I have had. They always pop up when you least expect it.

For example:

Last weekend everyone seemed to be out of town, leaving 5 WAIPers, Luke, Christian, Matt, Farhad and myself, in the house. On that lazy Sunday, we decided to watch a movie, simple task, right? WRONG! No one could agree on a genre of movie, let alone a specific movie to watch. After 30 minutes of arguing, we decided to let democracy decide, and when I say democracy I mean the whole sha-bang. Votes were cast, veto’s were issued, coalitions were formed, backs were stabbed, cheesecake was bargained and one WAIPer even declared himself Speaker of the House.

Now that I’ve made it so interesting, I’m sure you’re DYING to know how everything turned out. Well, sadly, the Speaker’s movies disappeared by the second round, but I can proudly say one of mine reigned supreme! After about 2 hours of arguing, voting and arguing some more we watched the movie (The Loft), which actually turned out to be great. So, I guess the lesson to be learned here is democracy always wins! ….and never elect Christian as Speaker of the House. 

-Anastasia Martinez