Entries by McCormick, Heather

Having spent six weeks back in relative normality, I felt I could venture back to the realms of reflection just one last time.
Since returning from Washington D.C., I have been asked several hundred times what I learnt whilst I was there. Of course, I am able to churn out a well rehearsed answer in most instances but when it comes down to it, what did this summer really teach me?

The following is my attempt to capture some lessons that I learnt.
1) Service and leadership go hand in hand. Often the best way to learn is by doing. Of what use is knowledge if we can’t apply it, test and challenge it?
2) Difference is a good thing that we can all learn from.
3) A sense of humour goes a VERY long way. If you don’t laugh, it’s quite possible you’ll cry.
4) You find exceptional friendship in the most unexpected people…just wait till you meet the class of 2008…then you’ll understand.
5) Keeping your feet on the ground, your head screwed on and having a humble heart will serve you very well in whatever profession you choose.
6) Self critical analysis and the ability to identify your personal weaknesses and admit when you’ve made a mistake are valuable skills.
7) When you get a job, work for something you believe in and don’t sell your soul for lots of money, it is worth far more than that.
Everyone wants change, but what sort of change do you want?
9) If you’re going to be critical, it must be constructive and you must present an alternative
10) Think before you speak. Less is often more. And listen twice as much as you speak. Remember, you’ve been given two ears but just one mouth.
11) Be willing to take risks and try new things, not seeing it as potential to fail but as potential to grow.
12) Dream big and pursue crazy ideas with a team of people committed to your vision. Persevere and follow through so that you deliver those dreams and make them a reality.

Well, reading over that, it sounds like 12 steps to a successful life. Trust me, it’s not. But these are some valuable lessons that I believe we can each learn from.

The Washington Ireland Program has taught me so much about myself, about how teams operate, about service, leadership, politics, culture, society and justice.
But, I long to learn more. I hope this is just the beginning and I hope that we can continue to grow and learn together. Life is more than just learning lessons, we must seek to embody and live out the lessons that we learn.

After several painful weeks apart, the class of 2008 reunited in Dublin’s fair city, where apparently the girls are so pretty…..
After service, sleepless nights and several hours of serious feedback, I felt like I was back in Washington D.C…..But I wasn’t, I just felt that way.
Thursday the 4th was a particular highlight for me. Not only was I able to celebrate a depressing birthday (22 years old is neither here nor there) with a good friend (who had an equally depressing reality of turning twenty- something), during the day we were able to partner with Global Action Plan (GAP) as part of the regeneration project for Ballymun. We had a fantastic day working in the local schools cultivating biodiversity gardens to enhance the flora and fauna population of greater Ballymun… essentially that means we were digging and weeding, but the way they presented it made it sound pretty important.
We were able to get quite a lot done in just a day and had a great working relationship with GAP staff. We were really looking forward to another day of getting our hands dirty and getting stuck in to more worthwhile work when Ballymun decided to literally flood, therefore meaning we were unable to continue our public service for the second day, much to the disappointment of our team…well most of our team.
So on reflection (a now natural reaction to absolutely anything I do, which the program subconsciously instils in you…beware) you could say we didn’t do an awful lot. I mean one day of public service is more a token gesture than anything else. And yes, to some extent I agree. But may I add that the act of service often sparks something within us. It gives us a desire to want to serve more. The satisfaction of getting the butterfly garden all weeded out and ready to attract masses of butterflies to the school made me want to do more. We delivered something tangible and it felt good. So my encouragement to the team would be that our one day public service in Dublin would once again inspire you to engage with your local community and see what way you can help to serve their needs. I hope that serving helps change our attitudes and our outlook on life. We are truly privileged and have so very much to offer society, I encourage you to do just that, offer yourself to serve society in whatever form that may be.
I’ll say it again, I hope these are beginnings rather than endings and I look forward to hearing and being a part of all the ways the class of 2008 serve communities and society at large.

The night at the Irish Embassy was a particularly memorable part of my summer. Having spent the day fine tuning my speech for the Embassy event in the office with Aileen, Megan and Jonathan, I felt over-prepared and at the same time very unprepared for what lay ahead.

On arrival we were greeted by Tim Doyle and staff from the Embassy. A prolonged photo shoot followed on from this, so here’s hoping there are one or two good ones from the thousands taken!!

I was also delighted to note that the keen early arrivals were in fact my work placement supervisor, Tim Briceland-Betts and my delightful host mom, Colet. I felt a bit special. (Judy, I hope you don’t mind my use of your word)The drinks started flowing and finger food came close behind but I avoided both until I got my speech out of the way. I was also just delighted and very overwhelmed that all my work colleagues came along to the Embassy and it really touched me to see that we had made a firm connection over the past 8 weeks.

And then the time came. John Callaghan set the standard so high and yet eased everybody in to a wonderfully relaxed and fun environment. I’m not going to lie, it was HOT in there and with lots of people crowded in, one may have the tendency to become a little more nervous. But not John, he was so cool, calm and collected and really helped me to enjoy the evening. And even though I’d heard his speech about ten times it really didn’t loose its sparkle-so hats off to you. Chris Joyce spoke with clarity and passion about his work placement with Congressman Peter King and the Irish- American connections. He spoke of hope for a positive, shared future between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Next came Maria who was just fabulous, so very composed and beautiful, and that’s not just her speech. She shared her personal story of a change in direction on her career path thanks to the influence of the Washington Ireland Program and her experience of public service. And then came the lovely Mary Munroe. Her gentle voice spoke of genuine love for the South African members of our team and they way in which the diversity of the team really enriched her summer experience. Mary continues to inspire and challenge me with her honesty and reflective mind.

And finally it was my turn. John introduced me as “certainly not saving the best till last but that they shouldn’t be disappointed”…o well…at least there wasn’t too much pressure!!
I was very nervous, my knees were shaking like they did when I had my foot on the clutch for my driving test. But soon I settled into things and delivered my speech as best I could. Perhaps I could get used to doing speeches…perhaps not. Either way, my audience were wonderful and made me feel relaxed and as if I had something to say.
So without keeping you in suspense for much longer it is probably best I just leave you with my speech. So here it is; be inspired dear friends to go serve first.

** Ladies and gentleman, it is a great honour and privilege to share this wonderful evening with you.

One of my many mantras for our summer in D.C. is found in the gospel of Matthew. (no, it’s not you Matthew Thompson ....although you are a learned literary scholar on our team) These are in fact the wise words of Jesus, spoken to his disciples. He said this,
“Whoever wants to become great among you, must become a servant.”
I believe this is a fundamental message for the Washington Ireland Program.

This summer, I wanted to better understand what service and leadership really entailed. The program promised to teach me such things. This much I have learnt.
Black power suits and killer heels don’t make you a leader.
Fancy words and lots of money don’t make you a leader either.
Thank goodness, because I’m fed up of melting in black suits and shoes that make my swollen feet hurt. I don’t have many fancy words to hide behind and I have most certainly spent the last dollars of my weekly stipend!

So, having dispelled some commonly held myths surrounding leadership, I wish to share with you my current understanding of what leadership really is.
In serving people, we learn what leadership is. In serving people, we learn to lead.

I believe service and leadership develop meaning when we see them in action. Over the past eight weeks, I have encountered moments of sincere service and genuine leadership in action. I want to share some of these experiences with you this evening.

I have seen service in the kindness, generosity and hospitality of the American people. I can honestly say on behalf of the team that we have been overwhelmed. Our host families bent over backwards to ensure we settled in to American life, with BBQ’s, bug spray, and bottled water to boost us through the summer months. Our internship supervisors worked tirelessly to integrate us into the work environment. We have also had several outstanding speakers take the time to teach us about American politics, history and culture and we have benefited greatly from their insights.

For the past two days, we have also done some serving of our own. We partnered with Habitat for Humanity on a building project in D.C. During this time, I saw leadership in action in the way our project leader Andy has served Habitat for Humanity. I was refreshed and excited to see Andy committed to serving the housing needs of a local community and at his ability to impart his expertise upon us, so we too could serve alongside him.

From these experiences, I have come to understand that we learn leadership through serving. I assure you that in serving you build character, strength, vision and hope, and that is what Ireland needs, young leaders who understand the centrality of service for progress in the north and couth of Ireland.

So let us continue in this spirit of service.
Let us take these lessons and action them in the island of Ireland.

We have been given a great opportunity this summer, but the greater opportunity lies ahead of us. Will you join me in serving first and leaving greatness in our wake?**

This day was slightly surreal. The night before, an email had been sent out from the WIP office to inform us that the wonderful Aoibhin O’Hare, world’s best Clintern, had managed to secure us a moment with none other than Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. Crazy….I know! Having heard Harold Ikles speak about working on Hillary’s campaign on Monday, the fact that we were getting to meet her just blew my mind slightly. Leaving work with my makeup perfected (only for a few moments until I got outside and the sweats began) I marched on over to the Russell Building on Capitol Hill and the excitement in my tummy started to bubble. I literally couldn’t believe this was happening. We sat outside the building, melting away in our black power suits, and then finally we were summoned through the senate side security. We took the elevator to the fourth floor and lined up against the wall outside her office. A few photos later the moment came for us to line up on the stairs beside her office and await her arrival. And then, almost without warning (except for a small applause and getting the nod from Big Bob), she appeared round the corner. She put her hands together and after a moment of delay, we did likewise. (Who really does know what to do when you meet someone like Hillary Clinton? I didn’t really know) She spoke candidly to us, with a genuine heart for the people of Northern Ireland and Ireland. Being just a metre away from a person you’ve tracked for months through the media is just unreal. I don’t think any of us could really believe our luck. (Except maybe Peter who went on to meet Barack Obama after!!) But business doesn’t stop for the worlds most powerful, and in an instant she was gone, back to work, to vote, to invest and to make changes. I do believe her to be a wonderful, hard-working woman, and an example to many. It was truly an honor to share those moments with her.

Floating away on cloud number nine with mushy feelings inside made me think the day couldn’t get better, but it just so happens it can. Elaine and I shared a cup of tea and a cookie in the basement of the Russell building at “Cups” and chatted about everything, as we are in the habit of doing. Before we knew it, it was time to head to the Washington Ireland Program 9th Annual Congressional Forum, where five of our interns were giving their speeches. I didn’t have many expectations for this event, what with meeting Hillary in the afternoon, but it turns out I should have. It was just incredible. Luke, Catherine, Fiona, Laura and Lauren each did exceptionally well in delivering their speeches. Each spoke with conviction in their own voice and did the program proud that evening. And when the bell rang at the end of the votes, the congressmen (and woman-thanks to Carolyn McCarthy for representing) started pouring in by the bucket load. Amongst them James Walsh, Peter King, Patrick Kennedy, Donald Payne, Patrick Murphy and Joseph Crowley all spoke warmly about their connections to Ireland. In particular, the words of Patrick Murphy and Carolyn McCarthy inspired me. They spoke of really believing in a great change and being part of making it happen. They made me believe that I could contribute something lasting to my country and that I should start today. Keep dreaming and believing, and act on those dreams and beliefs to create something that lasts.

I think a special word of appreciation is due to Mr Kieran O’Connor and others who put so much work into making the Congressional Forum what it was. It was most certainly a night that I will remember and I believe that the rest of the team will find it hard to forget.

Well well, hard to believe we’ve passed the half way mark, and what a remarkable first half we’ve had. Instead of recap on the events, I will consider the impact of such events upon myself.

I am different. The Washington Ireland Program made a bit of a big deal about selling yourself as different and unique, and if I’m honest I really struggled to consider myself this way. Why? Because I didn’t really see myself as all that different or unique compared to those around me. Most of my life I have been surrounded by like minded people and often I am accused of not living in the real world but in a world of candy floss, cotton wool and idealism. WIP has made me realise I, Heather Rachael McCormick, am a rare breed. I hold minority views, I’m sensitive, I find many things offensive to the ear, so much so that people have taken to warning me in advance or apologising after such “offences” occur. I’ve learnt that in all things I must be able to laugh, if not I know for a fact I would probably cry. I have felt accepted for who I am, knowing that I’m different from others, but none the less respected for what I believe.

I must listen. Having two ears and one mouth means one should listen twice as much as one should talk. Over the past few weeks I feel I’ve done a lot of listening. I have benefited from hearing others opinions and viewpoints on many different issues. I continue to form my thoughts and reserve comment on many things. I figure that it’s not always necessary to say something for the sake of it and there are times I get frustrated when it seems people just talk to fill the silence. I prefer talking in smaller numbers I think. Often I don’t feel appropriate articulating my opinions in a big group. But I feel that with listening to others articulate their opinions, it has helped me to better formulate my own and consider the best way of presenting what I believe.

I stand firm in what I believe in. I have a strong faith and follow a servant hearted leader named Jesus. I understand his ways are not everyone’s preference, but they are certainly mine. My faith gives me love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control….but not all the time!!! These things don’t come from within me, I don’t have any of these things naturally, for me these things come from my relationship with Jesus, who is all these things. My prayers and the prayers of those I know have certainly carried me through the past month and I know I wouldn’t be who I am or have been able to achieve what I have without them. So in bon jovi’s words, I’m livin’ on a prayer… or several, as the case may be.

Fourth of July… best day ever!! Perhaps an 8am start on your day off doesn’t seem like the most attractive option, but when you’re heading to play ultimate Frisbee with the best team ever, it becomes thee most attractive. It was an impressive turn out of fine sportsmen (and women…thanks to Elaine, Zelda, Sarah and Laura) for such a fine morning activity. The game was heated-in every sense, but Bob (or was it Jonathan, I can’t remember) led our team with audacity and athleticism. Although we conceded to a draw just to keep it all friendly, I’m pretty sure we clinched the victory by a good two points clear. (I have Aidan’s support on that one.) Following a photo shoot in the stands and discovering that we weren’t actually allowed to play on the field we just played on, we swiftly headed back to the Van Heuvelen residence. Amazing eggs which Colm whipped up, bagels and fresh fruit filled our hungry tums, followed by a team recital of the Declaration of Independence. This was most certainly one of my brightest mornings in D.C.
And things just got better. We headed to an amazing “cookout” at Tim and Cathy Lynch’s home. Yet again, I never fail to be amazed by the overwhelming generosity and hospitality extended towards those from the Washington Ireland Program by American families. A little (or a lot) rain couldn’t dampen our spirits in the afternoon, and with determination we forged our way to the foggy bottom metro stop and joined the pilgrimage to the Lincoln Memorial steps. We sat in the rain, belted out Northern Irish football chants, posed for photos and generally celebrated U.S. independence in a rather over excited, youthful way. I felt privileged to be here, to share in this important day of remembering history. And then the fireworks commenced, shortly after 9 o’clock, against a backdrop of the tallest masonry building in the world… the Washington monument of course and a 2000ft long duck pond… more commonly referred to as the reflecting pool. I watched in wonder, wowed by it all. The whole day was just such a privilege, a blessing and a memory made.

On Thursday night, a few of us got together for an informal discussion on our views of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. John Callaghan had been brave enough to move forward with this idea, following on from Monday’s discussion regarding the future of Northern Ireland and Ireland. My thoughts on the evening are brief, but I believe them to be worthy of comment.
That evening there was a real sense of community and a desire to understand and hear each person out. I think the fact that everybody ended up making some comment proves that the environment was conducive to openness. Being honest and vulnerable often leads to a profound respect for where people come from. There is no point in pretending to be someone you are not, because eventually you will get found out. Being sensitive to the diverse backgrounds, experiences and viewpoints that exist is absolutely crucial, and evidently we can learn much and enrich our own understanding by hearing the views and experiences of others. We must be willing to learn, willing to understand and willing to develop and potentially change our mindset. I believe much can be achieved when we stop and listen, and for me, listening to each individual story that evening, was a great achievement for WIP.

These were the wise words which emerged from a fortune cookie I cracked open with my host family last Friday night. It made me think how true it is, that in giving, we receive.
My host family, Roger and Colet Mitchell and their twin girls Chelsey and Paige have given so much to myself and Elaine over the past month, it has been entirely overwhelming.
They have given us such a warm welcome and a genuine interest in who we are.
Roger has given me his Republican views to chew over at dinner time and plenty of google map chat. Colet has given me ice cream cake by the bucket load, delightful cool water from her machine and some swanky afternoons at the country club. Chelsey has given me her bathroom (little does she know it because she’s in New York) and Paige has given me her waffles in the morning time.
Their kindness and hospitality has been outstanding, I simply couldn’t have hoped for a better host family. Their generosity to us and commitment to the program is something which inspires me. Year after year they open up their home to the “Irish interns,” and it is all out of the goodness of their heart. Their giving to us makes me want to give to others. I can never repay their kindness, I can only struggle to express my appreciation but even that seems pretty lame. And yet I have hope in the manifesto of a little school boy named Trevor McKinney (in the film Pay it Forward). He came up with a great plan to change the world by paying forward an act of kindness to three people, who in turn would pay it forward to three others. His words summate my thoughts.

When someone does you a big favor, don't pay it back … Pay It Forward.”

I could never repay the Mitchells for their kindness to me, but I endeavor to pay forward their hospitality if I ever get the chance.
For it is in giving to others, in giving our love and our lives, that we will see the greatest change in society and the greatest change in ourselves.

Team work is always a challenge but we overcame individual challenges in the context of the team.
Conflict is part of the journey to resolution, but we resolved our problems without it.
Cooperation and a sense of humor helps get things done and my team are a testament to that.
These are the lessons that I learnt from Hemlock Experiential Learning Centre.
Tucked away in the heart of the Virginian woods, this team development activity centre provided a picturesque natural paradise in which we learnt a little about ourselves and alot about our team.
One zip line, walk of life, blind fold maze and a mental tree stump puzzle later, I have a few thoughts to share.
1) A sense of humor helps get things done, as Gary said on Monday. Being able to laugh whilst in the process of completing a task is important and boosts team morale.
2) You don’t always need a master plan. Over analyzing can prevent you from ever starting a task and often trial and error works-even if it’s not the most efficient. In each one of our tasks we were willing to jump on board and give it a go, especially because a lot of the time we were unsure what approach to take until we tried a few out.
3) Ten leaders can’t lead a team of ten. In our group, Thulani was able to provide leadership and direction in most of the tasks. But as much as we needed his direction, he needed us to follow his direction, and suggest alternatives, if something wasn’t working. So a leader can only lead if people choose to follow his direction
4) Communication is key and if you have something good to say, SAY IT! Often there’s too much talking but sometimes there’s not enough. If you have a good idea (like “holding stumps”) then it’s important to tell the team what you think. I am not one to encourage a talk shop, but I think it is important to have a team environment which welcomes the communication of useful ideas.
5) You don’t always have to stick together. We choose to spread out for the blind folded maze challenge and it meant we were able to locate the flags and bell sooner and guide others to where the bell was.
6) Conflict and confrontation are not constructive if it doesn’t help get things done. We didn’t really have any serious confrontation and we were able to complete all the tasks. Of course there was frustration when we were struggling with a task but it was a shared frustration and we were all open and willing to try any viable idea.
7) Sometimes you have to do uncomfortable things to complete a task. Zelda and Cherry overcame their fears on the zip line. And poor Sarah had some close encounters! My time on a tree stump with Gary and Ian was also rather close but I was willing to take one for the team because I knew it needed to be done.
You can do anything you put your mind to…well maybe not anything, but definitely a lot of things. Our group facilitator was a really encouraging, positive, go getter American. Such an approach to life is inspiring and she made me think that it’s important to really want to achieve something in your mind, and then allow your mind to lead you through whichever activity or task you have to complete.
9) A team can help you conquer an individual challenge- The walk of life taught me that you do have to rely on others and be willing to get close to them and trust them and literally cling to them at certain times. There was much sweat and laughter on this particular task- essential ingredients for team bonding.
10) Throwing away vital resources is not recommended…..Jonathan- you plank!!

“Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not; a sense of humor to console him for what he is.” Francis Bacon
To the hemlock dream team, (McKegney, Clare, Peter, Ian, Zelda, Cherry, Thulani, Jonathan and Ian) thank you for consoling me for who I am, with your good humor.

On Monday we spent the day hearing stories of the struggles of South Africa and the incredible acts of positive change that each SAWIPPER has pursued. In the afternoon we spent time on an exercise regarding illegal immigrants. This started me thinking….a dangerous thing.

Already I have observed in myself and the team that we all have our own perspectives and opinions on just about every issue. Personally I’m still working out what I think about such things, I suppose that’s why I’m here. Someone once recommended considering why people are the way they are and say the things they say by considering the five E’s; their emotions, education, experiences, environment and ego. These are the things which shape our perceptions, our values and opinions.

In discussing diversity within our team and more generally our acceptance and reaction to difference in relation to immigrants, the words of Simone Weil, a wonderful French philosopher, Christian mystic and social activist, sprung to mind.

"Human beings are so made that the ones who do the crushing feel nothing; it is the person crushed who feels what is happening. Unless one has placed oneself on the side of the oppressed, to feel with them, one cannot understand."

In diversity I urge myself to feel something, to seek to understand by placing myself on the side of the oppressed, and of “the other”. Much as I hate to think of myself this way, I am passively on the side of the crushing oppressor, maintaining current injustice by my lack of action.
And what will it take to awaken me from my passive stupor?
Again I look to Simone Weil, who herself from a privileged background, choose to identify and work with the oppressed factory workers in France. A tangible experience and exposure to difference and to the plight of the poor and needy, the lonely and oppressed, will help us to understand, to get a feel for the things we long to change.

If we really are a people who want to bring change, we must understand what it is that we want to change, and currently I don’t. I don’t really know any illegal immigrants, any prostitutes, drug addicts or homeless people. As a team we see ourselves as different from each other, and we are, but we also have many commonalities. We must broaden our mind to see the stark differences that exist in society. I tend only to know people who are like me because it makes me feel comfortable. But cleaving to sameness just reinforces my ignorance to difference.

I want to identify with people who are different, particularly with those who suffer injustice. I want others to do likewise, to identify with suffering so that we know what it is we want to stand against, so that together we can bring change for them and in the process, to our selfish selves.

So in thinking about illegal immigrants, may I ask how many illegal immigrants you know? How many personal stories of theirs you have stopped to consider.
Maybe, just maybe, it’s worth asking them. Worth feeling something of their condition.
Or in the words of Atticus Finch, who inspired me during the drudgery of G.C.S.E. English Literature readings,

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”

And yes, it will undoubtedly feel uncomfortable, particularly if you have to actually climb inside someone else’s skin, (sounds a bit gross) but this METAPHOR serves to highlight that we have to be willing to step out of what is familiar to us.

If you really want to bring about change, I have learnt that you have to be willing to change yourself, to open your mind to difference, diversity and the unfamiliar. I urge you to join me on this journey of discovering and experiencing real difference, the kind we’ve never wanted to see or be exposed to.

So today was varied. I spent time at the office and then had the opportunity to attend a seminar on ethics in juvenile justice. What I didn’t quite realise was that it was lawyer’s ethics in defending juvenile delinquents. It was like I’d arrived in a tutorial not only without doing the reading, but in a class I didn’t even take. Needless to say, it was a steep learning curve, but very much worthwhile. Chris Henning from Georgetown University Law School led the discussion, but I pretty much just listened- a great skill to develop in these awkward and uncomfortable situations!!
That evening I had the privilege to attend a seminar on pacifism and non-violence by Colman McCarthy with my fellow interns. He was a challenging man, who inspired and encouraged me to think through my own beliefs and why I am who I am.
I will leave you with the inspiring words of Mother Teresa, taken from her meditations in “A simple path.”

Anyway

People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centred.
Love them anyway.
If you do good, people may accuse you of selfish motives.
Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you may win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Honesty and transparency make you vulnerable.
Be honest and transparent anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
People who really want help may attack you if you help them.
Help them anyway.
Give the world the best you have and you may get hurt.
Give the world your best anyway.
Mother Teresa

Although I wasn’t strictly working all 12 hours, waking up at 6.30am was difficult and getting home by 6.30pm was just a joke. But that’s the price you pay to make a good impression and turn up a good half an hour before anyone expects you at the first day of your internship. It was great to meet everyone in the office, they are all so friendly and helpful and it’s great to know I have five other interns by my side in the office. I spent some time reading through the current legislative agenda at the Child Welfare League of America and they are involved in some great and really positive policy initiatives. I can’t wait to really get stuck in and fully immerse myself in the federal policy process. In the afternoon I got to attend a briefing hosted by the Rebecca Project for Human Rights on a new family treatment model for mothers with drug addictions. This was a deeply moving and interesting first experience of real business on Capitol Hill.

Instead of giving you a blow by blow account, I’m aiming for an abridged version, a synopsis of all activities, the trials and the triumphs that have occurred in my first week in washington d.c. If however you would like the blow by blow, I have that version available by email, or you can order my book on Amazon. (you can’t actually because I don’t have a book on Amazon but I should once you read this masterpiece. However, you can email me and I’ll send you the long version…. It’s really long though, really it is!!)

After a 16 hour traveling day, with only an hour of sleep the night before, being greeted at the Ronald Reagan Airport in D.C. on Saturday evening, was somewhat overwhelming. I couldn’t really process the dazzling American smiles and welcome signs that the host families possessed, let alone the people who wanted to take pictures!!

The first week has been operation overload, we have done everything (not strictly speaking everything but we’ve done an awful lot!!)
The Host family BBQ on Sunday was a great way to get to know the families and spend time with the team. And may it be said from the outset, Americans know how to do food, and lots of it. Kurt and Deb put on an amazing spread and it was a really great afternoon.

Meeting outside the White House on Monday morning was a bit of a treat. The day was packed with antics in the board room, delicious monkey bread (thank you Lenor) (also please ask me for a recipe once I get one-it’s like a cinnamon scone mixed with caramel and doughnuts!!) and inspiration words from Kevin O’Sullivan. It was then I think it finally sunk in that my summer adventure in D.C. had commenced. The afternoon saw us walk to the Newsuem in dress code one, not cool, seriously not cool- in fact very, very hot and sweaty!! It just so happens that we arrived in D.C. in the midst of a heatwave, my hair and my wardrobe were simply not prepared. Curls have all of a sudden become an attractive style to embrace during my summer in the sunny, sticky Washington. Also, your feet really do swell, I thought it was just a rumour, the souls of my feet and Catherine Green can tell you all about that.

Tuesday consisted of an amazing workshop on leadership style that Michael Galligan Stierle from ACCU did with us. I see RED in all things, I’m really really RED. Essentially it means I’m relational and I’m all about the people. It was great to see the diversity in the group already come to light, it’s certainly going to be a great summer!! That afternoon, we had the privilege of being taken on Oakley’s Death Tour of the momuments and memorials of D.C. We visited Arlington Cemetery, the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam memorial, Korean memorial and finally Roosevelts memorial. It was incredible, and I was sure to take plenty of touristy snaps, despite the scorching heat, which had me sweating from every single pore in my body!!

On Wednesday, we were able to walk the corridors of the Library of Congress, and encounter living history in different letters and documents we got to see from the archives.

Thursday gave us the chance to experience two sides of the city. We spent the morning singing, dancing and acting crazy with the kids at J.O. Wilson. Just a few blocks from the white marble of Washington D.C., J.O. Wilson School doesn’t attract as many tourists. But just wait till you open the door, the kids we met were more than worth the visit. This brightened my day and gave me fresh perspective on why I am here and who I am. Juxtapose J.O. Wilson with publicity shots on the Steps of Capitol Hill with Senator Leahy, and it really makes you think about your motivations and your dreams and the contrasts that exist the world over. We had the privilege of hearing from Senator Leahy, he spoke with honesty and a genuine heart about his times in Ireland and his love for our country. From here, three interns from the Hill whisked us all over the buildings and it felt good to click my heels through the corridors of Capitol Hill.

Unlucky Friday the 13th proved that superstition is a load of rubbish. The first four members of the team, Andy, Gary, Sarah and Elaine, delivered their speeches on the thirteenth floor at the National Press Club. They all did incredibly well and I was so proud of each and every one of them. They remained calm and collected and delivered incredibly powerful speeches. This event was kindly hosted by the N.I. Bureau, and it turns out I played hockey with the deputy director who introduced the luncheon- small world really. Fancy dress on Friday night was so much fun and yet again, Lenor excelled herself in the bakery department- she makes thee most amazing brownies, muffins, cookies- you name it, I’m sorry sister Sazzy but she really does!! The cindarella dress served it’s purpose and arriving with Cruella devil (aka Elaine) made quite an impression!!

Saturday equals shopping and sleeping. This was a lovely leisurely day, which I spent with Lauren, Elaine and Fiona. We headed out to Montgomery Mall-amazing!! And then we visited poor Catherine (plus bigfoot) in Bethesda Suburban Hospital. (Note to self: ordering taxi’s in America is a complicated process- I must work on my skills so it doesn’t take 20 minutes on the phone.)

Sunday was slightly surreal, we went to Church in a cinema at Union Station, where they took the offering in popcorn boxes and gave us free doughnuts on the way in. The message was taken from Ephesians 4, which talks about the Church being one united body, which requires all the different component parts. And I think the lesson stands for our WIP team, we are one team, working together, but we all have our individual part to play and our unique gifts and abilities to bring to the team. Sunday night consisted of basketball, burgers and brownies at chez Chesney.

Having persevered to the end of week one, (and I promise this is the shortened version), please stay tuned for the next edition.