Big Lights will Inspire you

Now I can cross visiting New York City off my list. Check :) My roommate Sam, lives in New Jersey about 30 minutes from the city so we stayed at her house for our "Spring Break"- which was really just a Saturday, Sunday and Monday. For a girl from a metropolitan area of 228,261 to visit a city of 8,175,133 was crazy, there is quite a large difference in size and population. Lucky for me I am used to walking a lot in DC, because we walked from one side of Manhattan to the other, we walked the Brooklyn Bridge, took the ferry to Staten Island and relaxed in Central Park. The term concrete Jungle is a fair term to use, but one I had never really grasped until visiting NYC. Washington DC, is a large city, but with DC there is grass, trees and parks- NYC doesn't really have any of that. Despite the differences of NYC to DC and SD, I still loved it. I loved the atmosphere, the ability to walk everywhere, the fashion, and the views. The biggest pet peeve I had of the city is all the people trying to sell things and get your money, as well as the outrageous prices for food. New York has so much to offer from the Shops, to Ground Zero,  the Views, the Parks-the ones it has, the UN building, the Statue of Liberty, and the food.

Time Square :) gotta love the millions of tourists and the bright signs

 Yours truly in Time Square

Me and the Cookie Monster

 Rockefeller Plaza- One of the only free things in NYC

 The large Black tower on the left- thats Trump Tower

 St. Patrick's cathedral

 The Building for the best known Newspaper in the US

 The Empire State Building

9/ll Steel- A memorial Across from Ground Zero

The Freedom Tower being built on Ground Zero. The Silver building to the left of the Freedom Tower is the 7th World Trade Center building. It was opened in 2006. 

 A picture of what Ground Zero will look like when the Memorial water basin is complete

 A view of how tall the Freedom tower currently is in the NYC skyline. When finished it will stand at 1776 ft, symbolic due to the fact that it will be the same height as the original 1 World Trade Center, and to the fact that in 1776 was the year the declaration of Independence was signed.

The Statue of Liberty :)

Ellis Island

The Brooklyn Bridge

 Me with NYC in the Background on the bridge

 Sam and I on the Subway

 Me in front of the United Nations Building. 

For those, like myself who watch Project Runway :) Bam

Wow, I love NYC- Can't Wait to go back someday :)

When Mom came to visit

My mom came to DC a couple of weeks ago. Of course she came during my busiest work week ever. My supervisor was gone on vacation, so i took over her job as well as doing what i normally do. However, it was that week that our CFO- chief financial advisor decided that his time at the RNC was done, so I had to do more work in regards to that. However, I loved having my mom visit, Im glad to know that no matter where I live my mom will come visit.  Unfortunately for Mom, that week the weather was only in the 50's and it rained a bit. However, she seemed to enjoy herself.

A lovely picture of the capital

A cool photo of the stairs in the Supreme Court- I think?

Arlin Franken's name on the Vietnam Wall

A photo from Mom's visit to Arlington

This photo goes with the one below :)

Silly mom thinks she is funny

Mom's friend Sandy from the military days drove 4 hours to come hang for a day. It was a blast. Mom loved having her around. 

Me at the Lincoln Monument with the Washington Monument in the background- the  reflection pond is currently under construction :(

 Mom and the Washington Monument

 Mom loved the cherry blossoms :)

 Gotta love cupcakes :)

Thanks for visiting Mom :) loved having you here

It's not just about the Politics

There are many things that I have learned in the couple of months that I have been in DC, and not all of them deal with politics. Yes, I wanted to go on this semester because I enjoy politics, but what I have taken most out of it is the experience. I have heard for a good portion of my life that it's not about what you know, but who you know. Time and time again I have seen that motto/thought in action. I have received a couple of job offers, which is great, however I still have a year of school to go. Those offers I received where not just because I am the most up and coming republican youngster- not that i don't think that sometimes :), but because I have established the connections and have people that vouch for me and give me a foot in the door. The experience itself has been wonderful, I am learning a lot, and meeting influential people. And for those wondering one of those great offers brings me slightly closer to the great state of South Dakota and about 20 minutes from the greatest baseball team ever, the Minnesota Twins. I do not know where God will take me when I graduate but I am confident that he will watch over me and guide me to where he wants me to be.

A couple of weeks back my friends and I visited the Navy Yard here in DC. Here is the Display Ship Barry.

On the ship it had patches from other American Navy Ships and Submarines. The USS Georgia is the one my father was on.

Here is Sam and I behind a manual gun, I moved it with a hand pedal and Sam operated the sight and gun.

 Here I am with a smaller manual gun. I can't believe they let you play with these :)

The Navy Yard in DC is home to one of my favorite TV shows- NCIS

And here is a sneak peak at my next post

Mom came and visited yay!