1st week

Hey everyone,
So today I was able to push through and wrap up the week. It was pretty difficult just adapting to the time change here on the East Coast. As far as the week went in general, I had a solid experience. I was able to attend a briefing on Iran and the Green Movement as it continues to receive U.N. Security Council Sanctions and yet manages to receive backing from Turkey and Brazil for its highly coveted oil prospects. I aslo had an opportunity to tour the U.S. Capitol Builiding and soak in all of the details of anything ranging from Freedom to Father Serra's statue in Statuary Hall. I made my way to the House Gallery and got a good look at the entire lawmakers' perspective on the floor. On Wednesday, I had the great honor of listening to an hour long speech and question/answer period from Associate Supreme Court Madame Justice Sonia Sotomayor. She had an awesome take on finding new opportunities and bettering oneslf. I took copious notes. In the office, other than completing the typical intern filing tasks, computer work, mail sorting, and telephone calls, I got to write a case report on the Human Rights debate in Colombia where the Center Left Uribe/Santos Party has been accused of carrying out what many others believe to be paramilitary influenced killings of hundreds of innocent civilians. That was the first time when I got to put my IX research to work in the real world to influence national foreign policy objectives. On Friday, I attended a briefing on Israel and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Although it was informative, I must admit it was a bit slow. But, being able to hear from Israelis in person concerning their views of Prime Minister Netanyahu's proimises for change (similar to those made by our own President), was eye opening at the very least. So I would have to say that I am already making great strides in the office and hopefully in our nation's capital. I have kept myself busy every second of the work day whether that means asking around the office for additional work, or reading the Congressional Quarterly eagerly scouring the House hearings for something good, relevant to my international political intrigue. And I guess I can sum up the week with a note about my IB extended essay that I will be completing while I am here in D.C. My topic of interest is the Al-Qaeda network taking advantage of the transitional government in Mogadishu, Somalia. And knowing the Council on Foreign Relations is just around the corner and the House Committee for Foreign Affairs is literally on the same floor as my Congressman's office, I will have ample opportunities to get quality resources for my paper. As if that isn't enough, I was also able to run into a taxi driver who was born and raised in Ehtiopia. I asked him if he knew much about his neighboring country, Somalia, and, lone behold, he ended up knowing quite a bit. So, I asked for his contact information and I plan to give him and his family a ring to interview them about the Islamic unity that has led ot much of Al-Qaeda's power grab in Somalia.

This week certainly opened more doors for me. This is truly an adventure that I have just begun. Not only does my plate seem to be full, I am using my schooling and my passion for international relations to get a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the movers and shakers of American foreign policy.