Getting to know the party

Last week was great. I am beginning to really get engaged with the political aspects of Congress and campaigning. The Congresswoman is really interested in women's outreach and motivating more women to run for office. As a result, I have been brought into the mix. So far my job has consisted of attending fancy lunches and hobnobbing with influential people. How did I get so lucky?

This past week I saw Dana Perino speak--President Bush's press secretary. She was incredible! Beautiful, witty, and brilliant.

Also, much to my delight, I am working on some higher education issues and getting a quick introduction to financial aid policy. It is both incredibly complicated and unquestionably the largest contribution the federal government makes to higher education. Lastly, Congress is beginning to stir with the discussion of No Child Left Behind reauthorization. At this point, it seems like it will be NCLB but rebranded as the Elementary and Secondary School Act reauthorization. And the administration thinks they are being tricky...

Perhaps the icing on the cake was acting as a staff escort on a capitol dome tour. We literally walked up 360 stairs into the dome and then above it and outside for sweeping views of all of Washington, D.C.. Unbelievable. While in the dome we were so close to the fresco of the Apotheosis of Washington that if I were a little taller I could have touched it. Gorgeous. I can't believe I work here.

On the sight seeing front I visited old town Alexandria, VA. It was a gorgeous fall day on the waterfront. In the late

1700's and into the 1800's merchant ships would dock here and just up the way a bit are old cobblestone streets with gas lamps and old row homes where the ship captains lived. Today these homes are still occupied and stand as million dollar historical landmarks. What an incredible place!