Chasing After the Dream in DC

Throughout our daily lives, each day brings forth another day to teach us new skills and knowledge. This past week has been challenging, but rewarding. My task for my internship included calling all 542 Congressmen and women to update our files. I am slowly learning how to communicate clearly through the phone.  Unfortunately, while working on the computer, the computer crashed with the “black screen of death” before my eyes. Luckily, I did not give up and I continued to finish my task. On the bright side, one of the bosses surprised me with tickets to the Nationals game. During the WII orientation, I remembered telling the class that: “Never had I ever been to a MLB baseball game”.

On September 15, 2013, I finally attended my first baseball game against the Phillies. I witnessed my first home run in person and the National won. The final score was 11-2. Even though I am not a big baseball fan  (except the fact I love Derek Jeter and also Matt Harvey), I enjoyed the experience of being a part of the all time American experience of watching a baseball game in the ballpark.  It’s time for me to cross off “watching a baseball game” in my bucket list of things to do while in Washington DC.

After the game, I decided to go by the church right by my internship. Little did I realized, St Peters Catholic Church on Capitol Hill was one of the churches damaged by the 2011 earthquake. As I continuously contemplate by looking back at my experiences this week during mass, I realized that the road to Capitol Hill will be a long journey. During the week, I went into the NRCC to speak with somebody regarding campaigning training. Unfortunately, I was turned down because I do not have any campaign experience. The lady over there told me, “You are not ready to run, because politics is about serving others and it’s not about fame”.

I have a reason why I want to run for office and it is because I want to serve others by making a difference in this world. No matter what, the decisions politicians make affect everything throughout our lives, such as taxes, gun laws, student loans, etc. Throughout my life, I learned to become humble by putting the needs of others first before my own. We need more women in higher political positions, because there continues to be a misrepresentation of women in office. Women are the minority, but we make up half of the population.

I will continue to be resilient by going after my own dreams without allowing the word “NO” to stop my pursuit towards running for office. I am going to continue to stretch my arms forward towards embracing the vast opportunities that will be a waiting for me in Washington, DC.

 Till next time, this is how Lisa sees it!

"“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”"