Entries by Enright Ward, Cliona

In true Cliona fashion, I find myself writing my web log back to front, inside out and on the final leg of our epic summer tour. It isn’t from lack of trying, each time I find myself with a few spare moments in front of the computer I sit, I think, I agonize, and inevitably call a loved one in search of inspiration… Finding myself tragically uninspired by the news of rainy home or elsewhere, and with my limited quota of non-WIP moments expired; I skulk away from the computer, defeated. Since our Blogging Seminar I have struggled with this concept of a need for reflection, contemplation, even soul searching, I think it’s hard to do that whilst here. I’d imagine I’ll do copious amounts of reflecting when Lynch’s Centra, the Post Office, and the Pier comprise the background of my daily walks, not the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and stunning views of the Capitol, that’s when I’ll contemplate, that’s when I’ll realise what this summer has meant…

For now I find myself lacking the appropriate levels of profundity for a soul excavating blog, but with the excellent fortune of having some computer hours to spare during Host Family Weekend. For today, the topic will be Politics.

As a naïve Leaving Cert student, I decided that the best route into my desired career in Journalism (available at UCC) was to study English and Politics. I adore English, and the move to University level book-reading, movie-watching and coffee-drinking (all of which are conducive to the study of ‘English’) was an easy transition. For Politics, however, it was not such smooth sailing. Who would have thought that studying the evolution of political parties and comparing them to one another would not have been an exhilarating topic for study? I breathed a great sigh of relief as I finished my final undergraduate exam, and walked free of ever having to actively study politics again, or so I thought…

Since my arrival in the United States there is one topic you cannot escape, and you most certainly can’t stay away from it in the nation’s capital, and that’s Politics. I’ve been told the Presidential primaries were compelling, but they took place during my political revolt (and my final exams and WIP preparation) so needless to say I didn’t pay very close attention. Unbeknownst to me, these primaries captured a nation, and now even those who couldn’t tell their ass from their elephants are glued to the coverage. No matter how hard I tried to escape it, in the break room, on the Internet, even in the Front Page the word ‘Campaign’ is inescapable. Try as I might to resist it, I have found myself falling deeply in love with politics again… No longer does the term US Politics mean for me crusty history lessons or DeTocqueville, instead it plays out much like a cheap (but compelling) soap opera, the candidates are unlikely, historic and fascinating, the stakes are high, the issues are hot, there have been back from the dead revivals, and an overwhelming feeling of uncertainty as to how things will all pan out. This is a fascinating time to be in Washington D.C. and I so grateful that I have been chosen to be here.

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!!!