Day 12

Today's been a long day, so I'll probably be keeping this blog post shorter than the norm; I love bullet points.

• We visited the Newseum, which really brought back memories from last year and my time with the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America. I took pictures by the same features of the exhibits, and watched the same documentaries in the museum, but it was interesting seeing the news and reading the history of the news with fresh eyes. For example, there was a huge focus on the press of 9/11 and post-9/11 after effects, however, I don't remember there being such a huge emphasis last year. And the 4D video was much cooler than I remembered!

Adam and I recreate Muhammad Ali

• Apparently I look like I'm 12 or under. The Newseum staff let me eat a kid's meal.

$6 for pasta, a roll, and a drink? Unheard of in an overpriced museum setting!

• I then toured the National Gallery of Art with Cristina, Richards, and Hana. I went to the George Bellows documentary, saw Rodin's and Degas' sculptures, Calder's hanging sculptures, etc. I only really had time to really absorb the art from one floor, but I enjoyed myself very much. 
• Afterwards, we went to the Capitol. Took a photo with Richard Burr, the Republican Senator from North Carolina. Took tours of the Capitol. Visited the Senate and the House galleries. (Which, by the way, were interesting because of the recent hubbub about the healthcare bill. http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/11/politics/house-health-care/index.html?hpt=hp_t2)
• I had a conference call with The Echo Foundation--I'm really looking forward to work with them again this year. But there's so much to do, not enough time!
• I really like Pita bread. 
• LPOTD 2. 

There was a part of the Newseum in which we could upload photos of ourselves and tell the world where we were from. Lorik thinks this photo is a good representation of himself.

"These bugs, they're all over me. Just like the girls." - Lorik

Day 11 - Miscellaneous Journeys

It's been a long but eventful day.

We kicked off the day by going to The Washington Center (http://www.twc.edu/), where we met Tony Cerise and Dr. Andrea Baron to discuss various topics. The Washington Center is a non-profit organization that offers internship opportunities to students who are interested in working in Washington DC. The topics that we discussed were ones that I was particularly interested in--and ones that I did my senior exit project and International Baccalaureate Extended Essays on. These were also the main topics of my research for the National Forensic League Public Forum debate topic of 2011, and the center of the curriculum I wrote and published through The Echo Foundation. (http://www.echofoundation.org/Current%20Projects/Civics/CG%20FINAL%2011.17.11.pdf).

We discussed what democracy was, and the key characteristics that defined the ideals of democracy. We also discussed the role of the United States acting unilaterally to spread democratic ideals in emerging democracies (ie. the role of the United States in the Arab Spring), as well as the ethics behind multilateral organizations like the European Union or the United Nations interfering with humanitarian aid, and thus violating state sovereignty. Roma and I had a few moments when we definitely appreciated the experience we had from Lincoln-Douglas and Public Forum debate.

I thought it was really interesting how there were many different perspectives reflected from representatives from different countries. For example, while discussing the conflict between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, representatives from each of the countries were able to calmly discuss their views on the violence that occurred, despite the tensions in the countries' relationship.

The Washington Center

Tony Cerise

Dr. Andrea Baron

We also looked at some political advertising of the two main candidates for the upcoming 2012 Presidential Election--Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. This is by far my favorite advertisement, though. Thank you, Jay Leno. http://mashable.com/2012/05/22/call-me-maybe-obama/

Afterwards, we stopped by the Union Station in Washington DC for lunch. The abundance of "Au Bon Pain"'s and chomping on a baguette reminded me so much of the Washington Workshops I did last year. I miss everyone so much! Speaking of which, one of my best friends from that program, Lylla , has been accepted to a very prestigious international study program for her university experience. I'm so proud.

Then the group moved onto the Holocaust Museum. Honestly, going to this museum makes me really upset. I don't like to talk to people in the museum, and I don't like to walk with people through the exhibit. Perhaps I'm just being moody, but I almost feel disrespectful if I smile in the memorial. I think it's really important that we remember what happened so that it never happens again, but seeing the piles of children's shoes and the locks of hair really gets to me.

And coincidentally, the "passport" that I received at the beginning of the tour had the information for a girl named Sarah. Sarah was born in June of 1930, and was planning on studying piano in a conservatory. That would have placed her around my age during the time of the Holocaust. The similarities, though coincidental, were a little shocking. She didn't survive the Holocaust.

The Holocaust Museum

The rest of the day just passed by in a blur. I went to Cosi again, and had the best Raspberry Mojito Lemonade I've ever had. Laid around with Molly, Sigvard, Lorik, and Jeanne. Got caught in the rain.

One of the highlights was definitely running in the rain though. My ankle has been feeling better, but I just wanted to jog, and went on a run through Washington DC with Ludwig and Wouder-Jan late at night. We ran to the Washington Memorial, to the Lincoln Memorial, through the States' Fountain, and through the Vietnam War Memorial. It probably wasn't the best idea, because by the end I might have been limping a little slash a lot, but it was so worth it. I'll just take a Tylenol later. The view during the run was beautiful, and we sang the Beatles, Mumford and Sons, Carly Rae Jepsen, and national anthems the entire run.

10th Floor View from GW University Dorms

And a new tradition. LPOTD, meaning Lorik's Photo of the Day. Here's photo 1, with a sweet quote.

"I could kill you right now and feel nothing." - Lorik