Hello one and all!
Now that I have overcome technology I have the happy misfortune of being the last person to weblog meaning that I am inflicted with unoriginality and also that all the good jokes have been taken... dammit!
Well, I don't really think that it is appropriate to summarise my experiences thus far, since you can read those on any other blog, instead I'll tell you about the moment which has meant the most to me! I believe my most memorable moment so far has been visiting the Capitol... We waited outside in the searing heat (while my plastic shoes melted into my feet) for so long that I lost sight of where I was. We were solely concerned with staving off sunstroke and our principle concern was who could hold onto the tiny fan that JC jnr had brought the longest. As we started moving toward the steps my thoughts consisted of phrases like "FINALLY!!!" (sorry MT) and I really hadn't thought much about the fact that we were about to meet one of the most powerful, influential men in America, Senator Patrick Leahy. When we arrived on the steps and fell into formation (with military precision) it all hit me... I realised that I was actually there, standing in the footsteps of great men and women, and more importantly all the WIPpers which had gone before me. The painful shoes, heavy suit and unbearable heat suddenly melted away as I looked out over Washington DC, my surrogate home for the coming weeks, and thought of all the possibilities and opportunities which lay ahead. I've never had an epiphany, nor do I think that this moment can be classified as such, but it was a humbling moment of realisation of how lucky I am to be here, to stand amoungst this wonderful group of people and call myself a WIPper.
Emerson once wrote “America is another name for opportunity” and, though I am taking this a little bit out of context, for me and the class of '08 this statement rings true, this whole experience is an opportunity, an opportunity to change, to evolve or to develop greater understanding of ourselves and each other, and I cannot wait to see what lies ahead! Stay tuned to find out!!!
