Monday afternoon, I pushed through crowds of protestors, reporters, huge cameras and bystanders to catch a glimpse of the Republican nominee, Rick Santorum. It was my first visit to the Supreme Court, and I thought: If I can sneak into a hearing to sit next to Clooney, I sure as heck can do this. Cake.

So, I did. (The picture I took doesn’t look too shabby, either.)

As if Monday wasn’t exciting enough.

On my way back from running an errand to the cloak room of the United States Capitol on Tuesday, I encountered something quite serendipitous. I was on the phone with my mother as I waited for the underground shuttle to transport me to the Senate building when I spotted John McCain walking down a flight of stairs. I waved at him; He winked at me, so… I approached him!

My conversation with Senator McCain was one of the most genuine encounters I’ve ever had— Not because it’s “John McCain,” but because he spoke from a kind, sincere heart. After we talked for a minute or two about my whereabouts and how I attend the best university on earth, he told me about his grandfather.

I’m not sure if many know who Senator McCain’s grandfather is, but I’d encourage anyone to research what an impact he made on our country and Mississippi, collectively.

Cliche’ as it sounds, the past week has been surreal. As I bit my nails and paced around the Delta terminal on Tuesday afternoon, Garrett had finally arrived. We reunited, but it was nothing like the movies. We were both completely speechless at first like a bunch of kids! I couldn’t believe he was actually there in the flesh. No more Skype dates or hour long phone conversations. He would be with me for six whole days uninterrupted.

We metro-ed over to Dupont Circle and dropped off his things and headed over to Thai Chef for dinner. I wish I could go back to Tuesday night so much!

After date night, we walked around Dupont.

The following morning, I woke up early for work while Garrett explored Washington, DC. (If you call watching March Madness in a room all day exploration, you’re alright with me.) When I got off work, we ate at Zorba’s Cafe’, a Greek restaurant in Dupont.

Thursday was certainly the highlight of my week. As soon as I walked through security at the Dirksen Senate Building, the guards informed me that George Clooney would be attending a hearing in the building today. I laughed it off thinking he’d never do such a thing. Well, curiosity got the best of me and I Google’d just in case. Lo and behold— The Man would be attending a hearing regarding foreign relations with Sudan that morning.

A line wrapped around the fourth floor of Dirksen as girls young and old awaited America’s most beloved actor, but the hearing room was dubbed “full” by security. Disheartening? Yes, but that didn’t mean something couldn’t be done to get into the hearing.

I have a hard time with taking no for an answer, so I sashayed into the hearing room to the second row of seats. Yes, it is true— I snuck into a hearing. Who wouldn’t at a time like this?! Anyway, I had no idea I’d be sitting this close to Clooney, but I did. Here’s a bad quality picture, but hey- At least I got one!

George Clooney = Doesn’t happen every day.

My mom would be jealous.

The whole Clooney thing was exciting at all, but not half as cool as Garrett’s visit to the Capitol.

When one o’clock rolled around, Garrett arrived at my workplace for a tour of Capitol Hill. After introducing him to the Legislative Staff at Senator Wicker’s office, it was time for the grand tour of the U.S. Capitol. I even took him on the Speaker’s balcony!

Handsome.

After the tour, Garrett headed off to Union Pub where he watched March Madness games all day while I was glued to my seat at work! It’s okay, though. My roommate and Garrett totally hit it off while I was at work, and this is what I came home to:

Two silly’s goofin off. This picture makes my heart glad. Love em both.

The rest of the week was full of laughter, new friendships and fun St. Paddy’s Day festivities. Garrett and I spent the rest of our time together working out, watching March Madness, shopping and catching up on life.

Cupcakes are a popular commonality out here in DC, so I bought Garrett a cupcake. His choice: S’mores.

Yeah, I’m fairly certain he liked it.

After browing around and shopping at Chinatown, we were ready for a good meal, so I decided to cook Italian. We rode bikes to the grocery store and bought a few things. I wanted to make sure he got the full Italian meal experience, so dinner was completed with canoli’s from a local deli. I made antipasto as an appetizer and he LOVED it. I’m sure I’ll be making another one in the future!

The most dreadful part of the week was seeing him off at the airport last night. I did NOT want him to leave after such a fabulous week. I’m so happy he got the real DC experience! It was a great, great week. See you soon, Garrett!

I wouldn’t trade living and working in the Nation’s Capitol for anything… Except for my mother. She and I have been inseparable since the day I came into this world, and being apart from her for so long has been the most difficult aspect of my journey so far.

Anytime my mother had to go into work when I was a child, I’d pitch a fit crying, “Mommy! Don’t go!”

Whenever a babysitter arrived to the house I grew up in, the first thing that would come to mind is an unquestionably beautiful woman with curly black hair and a smile that lights up a room.

Well, I hadn’t felt that way in years until I left Jackson International Airport a few months ago when she waved goodbye to me, kissed me on the cheek, and drove away in her white sudan.

All I wanted to do was cry “mommy!!” and have her turn the car around and comfort me until I was ready to go, but I’m a big girl now, and it’s my job to be strong, too.

So, after a few months without spending nights watching E! Tv or cooking Italian food with Lisa, I made it without going completely crazy.

Since my mom’s birthday is tomorrow, I have decided to write her a letter through this blog. 

Dear mom,

You have been there for me through thick and thin. I’ll never forget, in all my curly blonde haired wonder, looking up to you as if you were a superhero. Guess what? I still do. Know why? Because you’re stronger than anyone I’ve ever known. Life has thrown you more curveballs than every sappy autobiography I’ve ever read, but you never faltered. Whenever those around you are weak, you’re strong and courageous. You’ve been a mother for 32 years and you’ve never failed one of us.

That is so rare.

You don’t get the recognition you deserve, but just know your hard work and strength has held our family together even through the toughest times. Very few children can look at their mother’s at 21 years old and realize all of the things they’ve done for them, but I can. You’re the most caring, loving, funniest woman I’ve ever met. You’ve never let me down, and you’ve always been there for the people you love with humour and a side of wise advice. I am beyond blessed to be your daughter, and I will ALWAYS thank God for choosing us as a team. You’ll always be my mother first, but I can’t help but consider you my best friend, too. Have a wonderful birthday, mom. I love you so much! 

My mother came to visit over the weekend with her sister, and we had the BEST time. The day she arrived, we went over to Georgetown and did a little bit of retail therapy. After that, we got dinner at a little Italian restaurant.

My cousin who graduated from Berkely College of Music decided to join us for dinner. His name is Teddy. He currently lives in Brooklyn, New York and works with an iTech company. Teddy and I went out for a few drinks in DuPont Circle after dinner, and had a wonderful time together catching up.

The next day, I took everyone around Washington, DC where they observed Smithsonians and several different monuments. The best part of the day was seeing my mom’s face light up when she saw the White House for the first time.

Our weekend wrapped up beautifully after the four of us and Jill got dinner at Alero. It was a lighthearted night, so seeing my mom leave DC wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. We’ll be sick of each other by the time summer ends, anyway, right?

Til next time,

-r

Last weekend called for an emergency trip to Lynchburg, Virginia with my roommate Sama. We were both in need of some R&R, homecooked food, and family time.

And that’s just what we got.

I had never spent much time with families from different ethnic backgrounds besides my family and other Americans before until last weekend.

I had the privilege of spending the weekend with Sama’s family, who are from Pakistan. Although her family isn’t uber-traditional, I noticed her mother reading the Koran a few times and her dad watched this really melodramatic sitcom in a language I couldn’t understand in the living room.

Her sisters were absolutely hilarious, and the food was Y-U-M. I asked her mother to adopt me while I’m in DC, but I’m not quite sure if she was too hyped about that idea.

After a comfortable weekend at Sama’s in Lynchburg, we took the train back to DC. The scenery on the way back was so green and lively. We passed farms and fields of rye grass. It was gorgeous.

The weekend came and went quickly, and it was a delight to escape from city madness for a few days.

-r

Whew! What an eventful past couple of weeks it has been. I am excited to have a breather to blog about my happenings in DC, so here goes.

The weekend after Julialake left, my precious gem of a friend Sicily Axton came to DC for a visit. She flew up on Thursday and stayed until Sunday. After hugs and a few shed tears, we reunited and took the metro back to my apartment. Sicily was stunned that I, out of all people, had the metro system figured out. (We both know how directionally challenged I can be.)

I fixed her favorite snack before she arrived. Here’s what a pretzolo looks like. (Fun fact: Sicily and I named this concoction a pretzolo. Maybe we should put a patent on it.)

When our pretzolo extravaganza ended, we decided to head over to Georgetown for a night of laughs, drinks, and Serendipity.

That’s right: We parked at the bar for $5 appetizers as entree’s. It was absolutely delectable! But it didn’t stop there. A few Blue Moons and nachos later, the waitor suggested we try Serendipity’s Famous Hot Chocolate.

The waitors and bartenders made a group effort to roll us out the front door of Serendipity. (Kidding.) I’d say it was a successful night.

The next morning, we took a day trip over to GEORGETOWN!!! Sicily and I were both enthralled by the town’s charm and lighthearted demeanor. Young professionals zipped up and down the streets in retro mopeds, and girls in their twenties pranced around town in their riding boots with shopping bags in hand galore.

Here’s a glimpse of Georgetown:

Needless to say, the two of us were in retail heaven.

After we spent a charming day in Georgetown shopping around and digging through vintage stores, we retired to the bus stop and headed back to Northeast I.

When the primping and dolling-up ended, Sicily, Bunmi and I headed over to Lima Dance Club. Needless to say, it was an experience we’d never forget. We all agreed it was something to cross off the bucket list, yet something we probably wouldn’t do again.

(Kinda creepy) Lima Dance Club: Check.

We danced from Lima back to our comfy beds on Northeast I Street and went to bed.

Pretty soon, the weekend ended and it was time for Sicily to fly away on a jet plane and that made me a very, very sad friend.

The following Monday, the two of us grabbed a coffee and Ebenezer’s coffee house, (a charming little coffee shop fit snugly in the hearts of Senate Square’s tenants and Capitol-Hillers.)

After our coffee date, I called Sicily a cab and saw her off. We had a magical weekend, yet I was overcome with sadness to see her go! Luckily, we get to spend another awesome summer together, though. Bye bye, Sic!

Until next time,

r

What an eventful week it has been. My homegirl Julialake flew to DC over the weekend for a visit. I had the privilege of showing her all the spots in DC I’ve learned since the move. We went to some of DC’s best hotspots, ate tasty food, browsed around in Georgetown, and danced all night long on U Street.

On Saturday afternoon, we met up with a friend of mine from high school, Elizabeth Henry. Elizabeth is a student at Yale who’s charmed many a Northeasterer with her Southern wit and charm. Henry is a mighty politico; oftentimes partaking in debates against the Yale Dems— successfully, I might add.

Needless to say, I am awfully proud of her for her bravery and willingness to stay true to herself. She is certainly defying the odds at a place where conservatism is scarce.

I took the girls to a little restaurant in Chinatown called Jackey Cafe.’ The hole in the wall is deceiving to most, but the little dive restaurant finished eighth place in the top 100 places to eat Chinese food in America. After scarfing down wonton soup and one too many crab rangoon, we browsed around DuPont Circle, got caught in a snowstorm, and saw Elizabeth off at the train station.

The following day, Julialake and I awoke only to see we had slept the day away and the time for her to head back to the South was swiftly approaching.

Although it pained me to see the little yellow taxi she left in turn into a mere fleck of color on the cobblestone street, I gathered my disheartened emotions and put them on the shelf for a rainy day. We laughed, caught up on life, and picked up where we left off. I’d say the weekend was a success, indeed.

Now, I’m about to retreat from my desk and head over to the main office where King Cake is being served.

Until next time,

-R

Hi, all. Sorry I haven’t posted in a few days. I have been incredibly busy with work, etc., but I have some great news and exciting stories to tell. I don’t even know where to begin. Ok, now I do. Go.

Last week, I attended a reception in honor of Madison County. The Madison County Chamber of Commerce held a reception in the Capitol Building, and let me tell ya: It was BEAUTIFUL. There were mounds of delicious hors de’ourves for guests and unlimited libations for all. Let’s just say I could get used to these receptions! I met some very well respected Mississippians such as Trent Lott and Congressman Nunnellee. They were all such sweethearts!

Here are a few photos that were taken at the event: Credits go to Chris Zarconi Photography.

These past two weeks have been the craziest, most hectic times of my life. I will explain why right now. Since the Senate is back in session, I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off. The business and common hustle and bustle of the past few weeks can really turn someone into a very negative nancy. It’s hard being around people outside the workplace who forget to smile when they walk by. I eventually started feeling it affect me. Then, I remembered where I come from, why I’m here, and how blessed I am to have this opportunity. Being far from the Bible Belt will really take a toll on someone’s strength to keep their relationship with Christ close. Since going to church, Sunday school, and bible studies are everything but common around here, it’s tough to hold oneself accountable when others aren’t constantly encouraging me to do so.

With that, I’ve been trying to pray to be strong and courageous. I’ve also prayed to keep my relationship with God close, because I know I’ve strayed from the path since I’ve lived in this big ole’ city.

I transcribed a speech wrote to a congregation in the small town of Corinth, Mississippi a few days ago. In his speech, he wrote about a Frenchman named Alexis de Tocqueville. de Tocqueville wrote a book that highlighted the unity and togetherness of Americans in each other. That small excerpt gave me such a reality check. I learned that leaning on others in Christ is so important. That simple thought sparked something in me, and it has helped me stay strong throughout the week.

A sweet woman pulled me aside and told me she was praying for me, because she could tell I wasn’t being myself this week. I don’t know why, but that simple statement invoked so much emotion in me, and I began to cry.

I couldn’t pinpoint why I hadn’t been feeling like the old me lately, and it’s because of simple,

This week has required me to be strong, because I’m missing some people that are very close to me. The only One who has been able to ease any pain I’ve experienced is God; others, only temporary. It helps to lean on others, and it’s important to be a good listener. I tend to be so forgetful at times, but He’s never left my side, and I know He never will.

Okay, that’s all I’ve got for today. I’m going to post some pictures from the past few adventures I’ve embarked upon over the past few days. Oh, and guess what? Julialake is coming to visit this Friday! Yippee!

-R