Bringing in 2011

2010 might have been one of my best years ever. If you are not interested in what those last 365 days were for me, you do not have to read. However, if you are interested, you must have way too much on your hand.

I am hoping that 2011 will be better. I think everyone hopes that the next year will better than the last. Personally, I did not think that 2010 was going to be that good when it started. However, I was greatly mistaken. First off, January 2010 was my first internship that I really enjoyed. During January last year I was given the opportunity to intern in Congressman Chris Lee's district office (R, NY-26). I learned a lot and I would guess that is what got me really going in the political world. If I could have had more time there I would have taken it. Sadly, all good things must come to an end.

February was just as good. While I was interning in Congressman Lee's office, I was watching speeches from CPAC 2009. While I was on their website I saw that one could volunteer to help out at CPAC. I filled out the application, got an interview, and got the volunteer position. Early that month I headed down to DC for one of the best week's I have ever had. Granted this was the first time I have ever traveled by myself, so that was pretty interesting. I really did not know what to expect from CPAC. I met a ton of great people and a ton of like-minded people. I got a chance to meet the likes of Mitt Romney, Wayne LaPierre (NRA Chairman), Rep. John Boehner, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Vice President Cheney, Ann Coulter, and so many more. If you have not seen my Facebook pictures of CPAC, you should. I came out of CPAC with reaffirmed political convictions and wanting to do more in the political arena. I also came out of CPAC thinking I could take on anyone in a debate. I still think that.

Going back to Keuka to finish up the semester I was looking forward to try and help the Yates County Republicans. I contacted them and started meeting with them. The Yates County Republicans invited me an d some of my other Republican friends from Keuka to their annual Republican dinner. It was a great time and we got to meet Tom Reed, who was planning on running for NY-29 Congressional District. (Mr. Reed was just elected to Congress). At this point I knew I needed to help out with politics and get more involved.

I talked to my advisor and the other political science teachers to figure out what I can do during my upcoming Senior year. I was suggested to do the Washington, D.C. semester internship program. I was sold on doing that. I applied to the program and got in. Now the key was to find an internship. I enjoyed my time at CPAC so much I contacted the American Conservative Union (ACU) who runs CPAC and asked them if they have interns. They said, "of course" and asked me to send my resume and a writing sample. A few weeks later I was accepted to the internship position at the ACU.

The summer went by fast while I was gearing up to head to DC for the fall semester. When I got to DC I was so excited. I think during the first couple of days I walked 50 plus miles and saw every major monument/memorial. Just being in DC was awesome. Interning with the ACU was just as awesome. I learned so much from working at the ACU and I learned so much just being in DC. The pace of life is so much faster in DC than it is in Rochester. I got used to dressing up every day. I got used to walking everywhere and taking public transit. I got used to reading newspapers every morning and drinking more than one cup of coffee. I got used to going out for happy hours and not talking about sports, but politics instead. I got used to seeing the Capitol building every day on my morning walk. I got used to seeing Congressmen and Congresswomen on the streets. I got used to seeing the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress out my window every day. I got used to waking up at 6:30 am and going to bed by 10 pm (except on the weekends). Being in Rochester sucks.

I think the highlights of DC were as followed: my housemates, working at the ACU and meeting the people that I worked with, meeting Newt Gingrich, being so close to the Capitol building, eating at various "famous" places, and just living in our nation's capitol. I would highly recommend anyone to go to DC for an extended period of time and really experience life.

I got home with a few days left in 2010. I contacted Congressman Tom Reed's district office (R, NY-29) and asked if I would be able to intern there during January. They said I can so I will be working there starting on the 6th. I am really looking forward to that. Also, in the last few days of 2010, I got my wisdom teeth pulled which might have been the worst experience in my life. But I am doing significantly better now.

It is now 2011. I am really looking forward to this year. Why? Well, I am looking forward to interning in Congressman Reed's office, going back to CPAC in February, graduating in May, and hopefully finding a job. There will most likely be other surprises along the way and I will keep everyone updated. There will probably be more blog posts too. I am hoping that 2011 will be just as good as 2010.