It's Greek to me.

Very proud of my Greek salad today. It is so yummy! Even a dressing from scratch.

Back to the "baby hill"

This last Saturday I flew home to Fayetteville. I surprised all of my friends who were having a girls weekend reunion. It was by far the best surprise I've ever pulled off.

Although I was super excited to get home, I was also really sad to leave D.C. That city is wonderful and I'm so blessed to have been given the opportunity to live there. I will be back, mark my works. Just let me get my degree and save some money and I will return to our nations Capitol.

In my last week in D.C. I met up with my good friend from college in Bethesda. This little boy and I flirted the entire way there. He is precious. He even told me to sit back down when I got up for my stop!



Last year I attended the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act in D.C. at the White House. This year- the ADA became legal! We celebrated on the Hill with appearances from Representative Hoyer, Senator Tom Harkin-leader in the ADA process and Senator Mark Pryor.



Minority Whip Steny Hoyer.





Iowa Senator Tom Harkin whom I love and adore. Below is our picture from last year at the White House celebration.

A day in pictures.

A compilation of pictures from a day in my life.



This little guy was exhausted from his day of metro rides and the D.C. zoo. His poor mama sounded tired too. She had been carrying him all day!





I cooked some bacon the other day. It was supposed to be the "healthy kind." That's a lot of grease for a supposedly dietary bacon. That's sort of an oxymoron.





If you know me, you know I love politics and the news. And when those two are combined, I fall head over heels. I grew up watching Tim Russert. We didn't have cable, so while other kids watched cartoons on Sunday mornings, I watched "meet the press." Tim Russert is a legend-not just as a wonderful tv personality but as a dad, husband, son and American. All who watched him felt close to him. This is how his office looked the day he had the sudden heart attack that took his life. The Newseum has this special section for him open right now.





Just the scenery I pass everyday on the walk to work. How lucky am I? I secretly hope Michelle and the girls will just come out one day and say hello. That's a fat chance.

-c

Pentagon Memorial-how I got lost

So-I've never been awesome at directions. I'm good with landmarks like...where's the nearest Quick Trip or is it out south? So tonight I decided the last place I wanted to see before going back home in a few weeks (eek :)) is the Pentagon Memorial. The planner that I am looked up the metro ride, where to walk, which line to take etc. So I get there.


Follow my walking directions...but the memorial looks outrageously far away. After I ask many a man in uniform, none of them know where this memorial is! I'm like "really?"

Thank goodness for the man with the big gun and armored outfit. He actually laughed.

Here's to the real stuff from the night. The Pentagon Memorial. Very eerie after the attack on Norway.












There was a bench for each of the 184 people who died at the Pentagon. These are the benches-it has a fountain underneath each bench. The area is so calming, yet reminds us each of those who gave their lives that fateful day.

Finally! Some MOVEment.

This Wednesday, Congressman Burgess introduced the National Neurological Disease Surveillance System Act, also known as H.R. 2595.  This is something my mom worked tirelessly on during the 111th Congress.  Sadly, her efforts and the efforts of so many people were put to a stop when my Senator, Senator Coburn or as many call him "Dr. No" put the bill to a halt. 

Not this year, though, Dr. No.  We are going full force...and I have all the hope that we will get something accomplished this year!

H.R. 2595 would create a centralized data collection system at the CDC and it will collect data about neurological diseases-like MS.   Very exciting stuff! Just hoping we can get something through,

Hoping to go to the Pentagon memorial tonight and the newseum this weekend.  D.C., you have been good to me!

Below are some pictures from the briefing I worked on last week. 

Speaking on the importance of MS Research

With Congressman Carnahan and Burgess along with other MS Public Policy intern Carrie

Homemade dinner-two nights in a row!

Veggie and mushroom pasta with chicken! Just added chicken and oregano seasoning. Oh, and a white balsamic vinegar with olive oil. That's my new basic ingredient- which is sort of a bad thing.




Well it was so beautiful to look at, now...



Well that was a yummy dinner.

"working together"

The headline around the nation for the past month.

Lobstah love

This was an amazing lunch. A lobster roll from the lobster food truck. Definitely worth the wait in the blistery heat and the line that circled around the block.

My obsession

I am totally and completely in love with Greek salads. I had another one this weekend and just decided that "hey, I can probably make that!" So-I did!

Here's the final product!



I'm having it for lunch tomorrow, too!! Yummy!

Where did time go?

I haven't had the chance to talk about the wonderful time I had when my mom, Merydith and Max came to visit! I'll let the pictures do the talking..











Ford's theater where Lincoln was assassinated.




4th of July parade on Constitution Avenue. Pretty patriotic!




Fireworks at Washington Harbor.



D.C. will eventually be my home- one day. Love this town. Also- here are some pictures of the Washington Cathedral.











Oh, yeah...did I mention I met Newt?

Nationals Game

Out at the Washington Nationals game with the office.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Pilates, Skyping, Kayaking, Shopping

Last Thursday night, I got to skype my family! It was so nice to see my sweet mama and sister.

She even let me take a picture of her...a rare occassion! Then I asked my grandparents if they would come on camera, too!

Grandpa Tom tried to get low enough for the camera, and consequently fell on Grandma Lois.Married 62 years and they still laugh at each other. My cousin Stuart was in town from Houston, TX. so I got to see my Aunt Vicki, Uncle Gary and my Aunt Susan.

My family has a really good system of communicating. We communicate pretty well...and I think a lot of that has to do with writing. My Dad and Mom both always write me letters at school and now, they are writing me letters here in D.C.! These are just the letters from my first week in the nations Capitol.


On Friday my office went to help set up the Bike MS in Virginia. It was ridiculously hot! I knew I was from Oklahoma, though, when I started talking about the chigger bites I was getting from being out in the grass. "What's a chigger bite? Where are they?" said one of the chapter workers. That's when I had to explain that you won't actually see the aftermath of a chigger bite until you get home and can't stop itching!

Friday night, Sammy, Randy, John and I went to Adams Morgan. It was fun and I think the guys had a really great time. We ate at this place called giant pizza, where you get literally a giant pizza for $5. It was packed. But, the best part about Friday night was that Randy and John wore the exact. same. outfit. I couldn't get them to pose for a picture, so I had to take an action shot in the metro.

Blue button down polo, khaki shorts with a chocolate brown belt, and sperrys. Classic.



This weekend Sammy and I went kayaking. I was exhausted afterwards and slept from about 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. It wasn't even sunny! I'm a wimp... Sundayt Anna Paige and I went to St. Peters Church right behind the Capitol. It was awesome...there were families all over.

Got my father's day cards and presents! Woohoo! I am getting out of my procrastination mode...

Have a great week!

So Many Things...

Sweet Chloe Mae Simpson's birthday was Tuesday! We got her these precious TOM's! Paisley is going to look great on her!



http://www.toms.com/youth/tiny/small-paisley-tiny-toms-classics
Monday night John, Randy, Stephanie and I went to this place called 51st just a block or two from our dorm. Get this! This place had 50 cent tacos after you bought a drink - either beer or any kind of drink. Then, the whole restaurant plays TRIVIA!!! Our team was called the Okies...but after we started losing, we called ourselves the Texans. Even a better on Monday.... this man!
We were both walking to the metro and I commented on how pretty his flower were. I could smell the lillies :) - mind you all the flowers were in a box. So, when I commented on these, he said " Would you like some?" Of course!

Tuesday was the best day! I listenend in on a lot of conference calls, got some really good ideas about how I can make objectives about what I want to get out of the internship...I GOT MY OWN OFFICE. Then I read an article in the Express about this new pilates place called FUSE Pilates.

http://fusepilates.com/Such a God thing. Went in, running late, obviously. At the end of the class I introduce myself to the instructor who happens to be the owner. I proceed to tell her how I have MS, so I may not be able to balance like everyone else. Come to find out---she has MS too! That's why she started the company! Hey, God!

Today, I spoke with a lot of health LA's about getting support for a bill before it gets introduced. Congressman Burgess wants support befoore he introduces it- which I totally understand. Plus, for it to be a bipartisan piece of legislation it is smart to get the GOP on board first, then the Dems who are most likely to get onboard, anyways. It was so awesome when I finally (after listening to voice mails....) talked to a Health LA and she said, "Yes, my boss is totally behind that! My mom is on the neurology board so I totally understand!" Awesome!

The Foggy Bottom farmers market is right outside our dorm so I just happened to stroll through---and get some fresh, organic and non pesticided fruits! Cherries, strawberries and apples!


These are the cherries I bought today! Edited on Instagram on my Iphone.

Please pray for Max's soul...
C

A television show about cupcakes?

Do you watch D.C. Cupcakes on TLC? I went to the infamous Georgetown cupcakes on Thursday!

There was so much to choose from...







But it came down to Red Velvet and Milk Chocolate birthday cake
Cupcake. Because, it's still the Gemini time frame, right? Therefore, I still celebrate!

First Week of Public Policy

I just came home from my first week of my internship at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Public Policy Office. It has been a thrill to learn all that I have this week. Even with Memorial Day, I still crammed my brain with information about Medicare, Medicaid, the Debt Ceiling, Healthcare reform, Caregivers, Neurological Bills...this is the stuff I crave! To describe just how much of a political junkie I am, I've starting carrying in my bag a list of the 112th Congressional Directory. I'm so cool, right?

Tuesday I really dove right into the mix. I work with some really great people, all of which have either a Masters in Public Policy or a Law degree. Needless to say, I come into the office every morning with a list of questions, eagerly waiting to hear what these women (there are men who work in the office, but they are out of pocket this week...) have to say. I looked into articles pertaining to the federal budget and how the cuts to bring down the debt will compromise healthcare i.e. medicaid. About 30% of the MS population relies on Medicare so I researched what the actual differences are between the two very similar words. Medicaid is a federal-state program where the Fed's match X amount of dollars. Medicare is just a federal program.

Why should YOU be concerned with this issue? How can you help? Why, so glad you asked that! If the federal budget is slashed like some of Congress want to do, then Medicaid will be the first to go since it is a large part of the budget. This means the program will soley rely on state funding, which is limited already, and those peoples who only have Medicaid as their health plan will be up a creek without a paddle. Big time. You can help by calling your US Rep, your US Senator. Tell them that you don't want these big cuts to take away from the health system in this country. Tell them you want a mix of budgeting between different things. You are the constituents, they need to listen to you...and if they don't, vote 'em out!

Wednesday was hectic and I got stuck on one side of town because of a custormer service issue I was having...a slow day at the office, thankfully.

Thursday I went to some health care meetings about bills that aren't even on the floor. Which, to be honest, was really boring. I don't know why other organizations are having meetings about bills that haven't even reached the point of discussion. Thankfully, the girls at the office informed me about the bills that the other organizations were talking about and how these bills are relative to MS Society. Also, I made 'Dear Colleague' phone calls on a bill going before the appropriations committee next week. That was awesome! I got to talk to Health LA's for Senators from all over. Very cool!

Today I went to The Hill for a meeting on health care and how states are dealing with "dually eligible" Americans. When a person is eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, they are dubbed "dully eligible." Therefore, some people need both to get all their medical needs covered.

Message from this week...get involved, know what issues concern you and call your Rep's and Senator's so they can know what matters to their constituents!