"Girl America"

as performed by Mat Kearney


...Though her age reads she's just a young girl
The age behind her eyes show the PAIN that she's swirled...
A natural born LEADER even when her peers diss her...

My girl America's CRYING when she's lying on her bed at night
I can see that she's SCREAMING when she's DREAMING for her FREEDOM
My girl America's DYING while she's trying just to STOP THIS FIGHT
Don't stop BELIEVING, my girl America...

...She knows THERE'S MORE because there is A VOICE SHE CAN'T IGNORE
'Cause it was founded in the FOUNDATIONS, from the day of her creation...
But still most of her FRIENDS DON'T CARE as they glare...
It's not the CIRCUMSTANCES that determine who you're gonna be
But how you deal with these problems and pains that come your way
It's for you that I PRAY with HOPE for a brighter day
And so I say, your DELIVERANCE is coming

My girl America's CRYING when she's lying on her bed at night
I can see that she's SCREAMING when she's DREAMING for her FREEDOM
My girl America's DYING while she's trying just to STOP THIS FIGHT
Don't stop BELIEVING, my girl America...

...And I see each TEAR and every scar
The hands that have held you where you are...

My girl America's CRYING when she's lying on her bed at night
I can see that she's SCREAMING when she's DREAMING for her FREEDOM
My girl America's DYING while she's trying just to STOP THIS FIGHT
Don't stop BELIEVING, my girl America...

JoLeah.

So today I was uploading the last few of my pictures from DC, including the ones from THE lobby day, and I got to thinking about a young woman named JoLeah.

Now, I'm not sure what you should all know about JoLeah to understand this story, but she's essentially the same age as me, is from Texas and went to Texas A&M. She graduated, I believe, the same semester I did and was working for Invisible Children as a Regional Assistant for How It Ends. In actuality, this job meant she set up the summer and fall Roadie tours and helped to plan our lobbying initiative called How It Ends. Anyway...


So here I am, in the middle of one of the most memorable days of my life. I just got out of a meeting with Senator Feingold's office, and I'm going down to the cafeteria on the ground level (not the basement or the lobby level...the one in-between) of the Hart Senate Office Building. This is seriously EPIC...and I do not just throw that word around. I grab some fries and a veggie burger, and I end up offering a seat at my table to a kind-looking young woman who I know is with Invisible Children. I catch her nametag--"JoLeah Stiles." I recognize that name as one of those famous IC names, but we haven't met.

Then we get to talking, and this girl is simply amazing...inspiring, really. At some point, I get her to tell me about herself and how she got into working with IC and what she's been doing and the whole deal. Immediately, I'm just a bit jealous. I so wish I had the opportunity to do all this with my life.

Then she asks me what I'm studying and such, how I found myself in DC, etc. After talking for, oh, probably 15 minutes, she knows all about my love for DC, desire to work for a nonprofit, love for IC, and want to make a difference in the world...and I feel like I have known this girl FOREVER. All the things I can't tell my family or friends out of fear of them disliking my ideas, I have told her.

Then comes the amazing part. JoLeah is telling me to apply for the Roadie internship. She wants me to become a bigger part of IC. She wants me to move to DC. She wants me to follow my dreams. Basically all the things I know will probably cause some rockiness at home...those are the things she wants me to do. JUMP FIRST, FEAR LATER is, after all, the IC motto.

After 15 minutes, I felt like I had known JoLeah forever. She inspired me. She wanted me to make myself better. We had never met before, but I felt like this girl changed the direction of my life. All the things I WANTED to do...well, somehow now I felt like I had permission to do them.


So now I'm doing a whole lot of planning back at home. Studying for and scheduling the GRE, planning on making my third trip out to DC within a 9-month period, looking at graduate schools...all of the things I need to do to make a big move.

And I can't say it's all because of JoLeah, but she certainly had a part in it. When I was leaving my hostel the morning we started lobbying, a very good friend of mine sent me a text message saying, "Listen to what Someone is telling you today." I very firmly believe that Someone (and that's Someone in particular) was talking to me through JoLeah that day.

To JoLeah: We've only talked a couple times since, but I feel like we've known each other a lifetime. Keep fighting the good fight. Would love to meet up again someday...until then, stay amazing.

Happening Upon Things...

So lately I've been happening upon things.

This weekend I was at Target browsing through the jewelry section, and I saw this necklace I would never, ever wear. So then why did I turn it over?! I have no idea. But I did, and it read "Hold onto your dreams." Then I realized it was a locket, and on the inside it read "Fortune favors the brave." Put that together, and what a quote.

Then I pay attention to the radio at work, for once, and it's playing Nickelback's new song, "If Today Were Your Last Day," which has lyrics like: "My best friend gave me the best advice: He said each day's a gift and not a given right, leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind and try to take the path less traveled by...If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late would you...donate every dime you had, if today was your last day? Against the grain should be a way of life...every second counts 'cause there's no second try, so live like you're never living twice...You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars regardless of who you are. So do whatever it takes 'cause you can't rewind a moment in this life. Let nothing stand in your way..." Hella strong lyrics.

Oh, and then did I mention that I happened upon something that I wrote in DC, when I was sitting in the Hart Senate Office building:

6-23-09
Sometimes people say things to you that sound really odd, but they're really important in the end.
This morning, Lara told me to listen to "Someone taking to me today." Later on, I had a thought: "I belong here." People keep mistaking me for a local. I "look like I DO work here." Apparently I did well in the meetings, and my leadership is appreciated, at least by some. I "should apply to become a Roadie," and I should come out to DC. I keep getting all of this advice, and all from people I barely know. (Granted, they are MY people.) I love it. I love being HERE.
I almost wish the logical part of my mind would turn off sometimes. The part that remembers logistical things like parking and rent and jobs can be such a pest sometimes. I'm seeing my dream, and I just want to follow it.
I'm going to follow-up with some of the people I've met here and see where it leads. Jessica secured an internship with the State department all on her own and came out this fall. Peter Quaranto has a job as the Legislative Advisor for African Affairs, and I'm not sure how he got that position, but I WANT it. John seemed bored with his job, but I'm curious how he got it anyway. I'd love something with some research, some talking about important ideas, and some change-making involved. Maybe that involves a non-profit, maybe the government; either way, I will find out. There is no reason why I can't try things out. Perhaps my next step will be looking into those internships in Senate or House offices. Of maybe state-level offices? Maybe I'll take the GRE and see where it takes me. There are many possibilities, and I HAVE to find out what they are.
I love it here, and I'm coming back soon.

WOW...crazy, crazy stuff. Somebody up there is talking to me. Just have to figure out what He's saying for sure...

August 4 - A Renewed Commitment

Alrighty, so... I've been back from DC for 40 days.

I miss it. And yes, I counted the days.

I'm still trying to think about all the things I learned, all the things I experienced, and all of the people I met in DC. And all of the people I missed back home. I still get a nervous feeling in my stomach when I think about how I missed the people here while I was there for that week.

But then there's the pull factor...and it's pulling harder than ever. Two of my best friends are following their dreams to California this week. (Yes, Shawn Schmalken...I said two of my BEST friends.) I can honestly say I never thought that Nina and I would become such good friends when we started student teaching together, but I love that girl, and I miss her terribly even though she's only been gone four days. And then there's Shawn, and, well, he's just amazing. I'm so tired of having to hear from people that they're not incredible when I tell them they are, so let's just go with it this time, okay?! IC saw something special in that young man, and I see it, too. Go for it...between now and December learn everything you can about nonprofits and cherish every moment...you have no idea how much others are jealous of the opportunity you have. Just do it. When you get back, we have a nonprofit of our own to develop.

So I have to visit SoCal soon.

But back to DC... Now don't get me wrong. There are a million people here I love more than they know, and I get anxious just thinking about having to leave them. But there are fewer and fewer people here as time goes on. When it comes down to it, I'm tired of watching everyone else go for their dreams while I continue to run in place. A song by Shinedown ("Second Chance") has spoken to me lately...I've tried to tell my parents and everyone here why this is so important to me, and now I have to take my chance. So despite everything and everyone that I love here, I have to go because there's no way around it...the path for me to get what I want is not here in Milwaukee.

All that said, I'm working on my commitments with MMUN and getting their delegate guides ready and staffing the conference in February, and I'm studying for the GRE starting this week. As soon as the GRE is done next month, I'm turning to visiting grad schools and filling out applications.

I will not let my options crash down around me, and I will not let life pass me by.

Yes, I am going to keep up with this blog... Why? Because it's kinda grown on me. It saw me through more incredible times in DC than I can count, and I'm heading back. I can feel it.


Final thoughts:
--My fortune cookie tonight read as follows: "Smile often and see what happens." I can't tell you how quickly I smiled and thought of Trent and Nina...love you both. Remember, smiling is the only disease to spread.
--Shawn, I believe in you. Do not EVER forget that. And I'll see you soon. Remember what I said when you offered to help me with the wedding invites? I meant it. <3
--Nina, I miss ya already. If you need absolutely anything, I'll always just be a call away. I know how the teaching gig goes, and I'll be out to visit and fill what little spare time you have as soon as I can. Love ya, girl.

Do yourself a favor...don't fly on American Airlines.

Not too much to write today...just lots of travel.

Was woken up this morning (the only morning I've been able to sleep in, and I was only trying to sleep until 9) by some very rude girls in the hostel. So that was lovely. Anyway, got up, got ready, got breakfast...the usual.

Checked on flights...everything appeared to be fine. Heck, even gates were posted. All was well. Got picked up by the shuttle right on time, and the driver was okay until he decided to tell us we had to fit in 5 more people even though we already had 9 people in the van plus the driver. Apparently none of us had a sense of humor.

Got to the airport, and the man at the outside check in sent me inside, saying they wanted me to check in at the inside counter for some reason, but he didn't know what that was. (I had a fairly good idea, but I didn't want to explain all that to him.) So I went inside, waited a good 20 minutes in line (again), and I still don't know why I had to check in inside...the man never did tell me that.

So I got my tickets, went down, waited around, boarded the plane...all no problem. The ride was quite turbulent, but even that was fine. The guy next to me on this flight was a veteran of First Persian Gulf, and he was very interesting, so that was nice. We talked some and I even slept for like 1/2 an hour, which I can't usually do on planes. (Darn headaches.)

So turbulent flight aside, things are going well. This, of course, is where things go bad.

I get to Chicago, and we are put at the smallest, most cramped gate ever. Mind you, it only has like 10 seats. So I decide I'm going to have lunch at the Chili's restaurant across the way so I can have a seat. Fine. I get done and they've changed our gate, thank goodness. (I have a THREE HOUR layover.) I go to the new gate, watch some CNN, get really sleepy, etc.

Then they tell us that our plane is delayed 10-15 minutes because the last plane was a little delayed, so they just have to do the safety check and we'll be off. Fine...I can handle 10-15 mins. After TWENTY minutes, they start boarding us, and I think we ended up starting to taxi out about 30 mins late, which puts us at about 6:20. Fine, I can deal with this.

Then we realize we are NINTH in line to take off!!! Nothing we can do about it, of course, so we wait. And wait. And wait. Next thing you know, the captain comes on saying we're 3rd in line now. Fine. Then we don't move an inch for like 10 mins. Suddenly, the captain comes on again...a plane HIT A BIRD ON THE RUNWAY, so they have to make sure it's clear of any foreign objects (i.e. bird claws). LOL.

FINALLY, we take off about a few mins after 7. By this time, the flight attendant has been rude to a pregnant woman who just asked for water because we had been sitting on the plane for an hour by this time.

We landed before 7:30. Yes, the flight was all of like 20 minutes. We sat on the plane, on the ground, for about FOUR TIMES AS LONG AS THE FLIGHT!!! The bus was looking really good at some points, but I guess at least we made it.

So now I'm home, and of course I came home to a disaster of a bedroom because of the water the night before I left. That was nice to remember when I came downstairs. Oh well...forces me to reorganize and maybe weed out some things. It is good to be home, though, even though I miss DC and all the people. I missed my friends and especially my FAMILY!!!


So I definitely won't fly American again, and I may think twice about flying between Milwaukee and Chicago again. (If you want to know the whole story, check out the first blog about my trip TO DC, "Airports and First Hours in DC." You will quickly understand why I refuse to fly American after my first experience with them.)





Oh, and that blog of top moments and key quotes is coming...just as soon as I sleep enough to make my brain work again...and unpack my paperwork. <3

"Well, John, do you think we can sign onto their bill?!"

I'll just cut to the chase--

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! He said yes!

Story time:
This morning we went to Senator Kohl's constituent breakfast, and we got to talk to him personally. He asked if we were in town visiting, and we explained that we were here to lobby for Invisible Children, etc. We talked to him for several minutes, even though his staffers were trying to pull him away. They did take him in for pictures, and when we went in for our picture, he asked if we had talked to anyone on his staff, and of course we had. We pointed out the guy who we talked to (John), who happened to be standing in the room. So Senator Kohl goes, "Well, John, do you think we can sign onto their bill?" And his response was, "I think we can!" with a big smile! (Yes, this from the same guy who was so crabby yesterday...I think he was impressed that we came back.) So hopefully...he's not on the THOMAS database yet, but FIVE OTHER Senators are! (H.R. 2478 and S.1067) Did I forget to mention that TWENTY-EIGHT Representatives were added yesterday as well?!

Incredible.

So then we wanted to say thank you to Senator Feingold if he was available, but he wasn't, so we talked to Peter (whose job I still wanted) again, and he gave us an update on the additional cosponsors since yesterday. THEN Lyndsey, one of the girls in our group, ran into Senator Feingold on the street, and so she did get to say thank you! EXCITING!



In other news, I also went to Union Station, the National Postal Museum (which was actually interesting, contrary to what one might think), and the National Museum of African Art (which was VERY cool) and the adjacent garden. Oh, and I had lunch at Cosi's...a DC tradition. Was a great day...many highs.



I can't tell you, honestly, how great the trip has been. I so love it here, and coming for this event was surely the best impromptu decision I've ever made.

Can't wait to return.

I'll post another blog of quotes and such from the trip when I get home, but there will be many. Stephen Lewis (UN Special Envoy) was HILARIOUS, as was Tom Shadyac (Hollywood director of Ace Ventura, etc, whose movies I don't actually like). And of course, pictures to come on Facebook. <3

"And a shout out to my fellow Wisconsinites!"

Today was...oh my. I can't really put it into words. Probably top few days of my life.

We met on the park just above Capitol Hill this morning, and the one-and-only Russ Feingold addressed the group. It was great. He recognized the 30 of us from Wisconsin, which was really nice. Actually, all week people have been saying it's really cool to be from Wisconsin since we've got Senator Feingold to stand up for us, both on this issue and in general. (He's the one who introduced the bill that we're lobbying for in the Senate, so without him we wouldn't have anything specific to lobby for.)

Then we got ready for meetings and such in our group, and of course everyone came to me with questions. One man, Brian, used to be a lobbyist by profession. He asked me how I got to be "in charge" of Wisconsin, and I told him I honestly didn't know. I mean, I know I have experience working with people in the high school age group, where many of these people are classified, but I honestly don't know how or why I am truly leading this.

So our first meeting is scheduled to be with Senator Kohl's office at 10. We go in early and they ask for a business card, so I give them mine (odd...just ran that off...) and we waited. Now you have to picture 30 people (mostly between like 17 and 22 or so) crammed into this little office. Needless to say, if even three of us talked, the office was loud, so some people went into the hall until we'd get called. Well, it turns out the guy who we were supposed to meet with was stuck on the bus because he took it into work instead of the Metro because the lines were still down after the crash yesterday. So she asked if we could reschedule, and after a little figuring on my part, we decided on 2:30. Great.

We chilled out in the basement (ground level, actually...the basement was a separate floor below the ground level, which was below the first floor...it was odd) of the Hart Senate Office Building until the meeting with Senator Feingold's office which was at noon. We had some really interesting conversations, and I never would have expected some of these things to come from the mouths of high school students. Apparently I've underestimated them. These have been some of the most intelligent people I've met.

Senator Feingold's meeting was great. We met with his Legislative Assistant for African Affairs, who was very, very cool. I actually almost told him I wanted his job, but then I decided that was a very bad idea. Basically in that meeting we just told them we were very proud to have Senator Feingold representing us, why this issue matters to us, and to keep up the good work. No big deal...good start.

Then we all talked some more and I got to meet a girl named JoLeah, who I had lunch with. (Well actually, she had lunch and I watched, then I had lunch and she watched, lol.) We were talking about taking risks and coming out to DC, careers, and her experience as a Roadie for IC. (For those who don't know, those are the people who go around the US in vans doing the movie screenings at different locations every day or two. Incredible.) She had so much good advice and was so sincere and caring. She kept telling me to decide what I want to do and do it. She said (for about the 50th time that day) that I look like I should work on Capitol Hill, would be really good at it, and also should be a Roadie. I have no idea how those two things would go together, but she was such a sweetheart and it was amazing to have someone I literally just met be so caring and supportive. Really, these are MY PEOPLE.

So then we meet with Senator Kohl's office. While we're waiting, I see Senator Kohl get off the elevator, and I SWEAR he was walking around with his eyes closed. Anyway, after I tell the couple people who were there early with me that it was him, they decide that we should go into his office and find out if he could sit in on the meeting or at least stop in quickly. They said it depended on his other meetings, which were scheduled back-to-back. Fine; that's what we expected. His staffer (legislative correspondent) seemed...I don't know...bored and generally not happy with his job. But we met with him, and he said he'd pass on our message. As we were leaving Hobie (bless him) asked if there was any possible way we could meet with the Senator himself tonight or tomorrow. She said he actually had time tomorrow morning and we could have breakfast with him!!! So we're scheduled to have breakfast with him tomorrow at 9am. EXCITING!

Then we had a little more time to kill until the meeting at 5:15 with Congressman Sensenbrenner's office. (Please note my feeling about him: UGH.) I did a few things to kill the time, then went over to his office building early. Good thing I did...it was poorly numbered. I don't know why people can't just number rooms the right way, but I digress. We assembled the group and met with a representative from his office. The Congressman was supposed to meet with us as well (I didn't know they even worked that late!!!), but he had to go over to the Senate building to deal with some amendments, apparently. So we met with him, and he was very attentive. He had some odd/tricky questions, but we could answer them all, which was good. He gave us some positive remarks about supporting the bill, so it seems that even that meeting went well.

Then went back to hostel, changed, went to the closing concert/rally. It was great, but it's sad to see everyone go. Honestly, this event was probably one of the best, if not the single best thing I've ever done. There are amazing people here and throughout the country and world, and I can't wait to keep in touch and meet more of them.

So I get back to the hostel after walking like 12 blocks each way to the rally (because really, some Metro stops are pointless and inconveniently placed), and I was great. Then I got a phone call from The Shawn Schmalken, someone I met here. Was bad news about one of the girls that he met here who was staying where I am. Just brought the day down.

So tomorrow holds the meeting with Senator Kohl and hopefully good news about Liz. But let me reiterate one thing: This was, quite possibly, the best and most worthwhile thing I've done in my entire life.




Oh, and did I forget to mention that we've added at least four cosponsors to the bill since this morning?! :-D