USF in DC Blog Post 1

So, for the USF in DC program I need to do several posts specifically related to my experiences here with my internship and the program. This is the first one, and yes, it was supposed to be done yesterday. Sorry, Angela.

About me:
My name is Brittany, I've lived in way to many places to call one "home" so we'll just say I'm from the western United States. I'm a politics major at USF, previously a physics/mechanical engineering double major. I love to read books and play outside and eat really good food. In terms of what I hope to gain from this semester in DC, I feel like I've learned and seen so much already. Not only is this city the capital of our nation, but Washington is also a very distinct city with so much to see. Also, with my seminar for International Law and Organizations, we've been able to attend meetings and presentations that I am absolutely positive I wouldn't be able to see, or even enter the building, as a simple citizen of the United States. Which is a little sad, considering the whole democracy bit. I also believe there is much to gain from my internship at Novogradac & Company. I suppose in one phrase: I just want to learn more and see more. Vague, but I will certainly know if I've succeeded by the end of the semester.

Most surprising thing about DC so far:
I've spent the last three years or so in San Francisco, one of the most progressive and culturally sensitive cities in the United States. I didn't expect to be shocked by conservative politics, or different views, and I haven't been. However, I've learned that what we in San Francisco find deeply offensive or just "not right" is often perfectly acceptable here. For example, Andrea and I were discussing this with two of our friends from the East coast, specifically concerning the word "foreigner." In our seminars and elective classes, professors often refer to international students as "foreigners", such as to say, "Are any of the foreigners having trouble finding internships?" or "I apologize to all you foreign students who may not find the payroll tax interesting." These sentences are not rude or insensitive, but the use of the word "foreigner" immediately caught my attention. Andrea was the same, however our friends who had grown up on the East coast hadn't noticed.

Looking forward to/biggest fear:
I am definitely most looking forward to our travelling in Europe. There is so much that we'll get to see, and I honestly can't wait. As for my biggest fear, I graduate in December and need to find a job and place to live, so that is my fear I suppose. Yes, unrelated to being in DC, but definitely academically related.

Sightseeing:
Yes! We've been to quite a few places, but there is so much left to see. Highlights include Julia Child's kitchen at the American History Smithsonian, and the entirety of the Newseum, which I will certainly be returning to.

9/11 10th Anniversary

Since arriving in DC, there has been an  increasing amount of recognition and displays devoted to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, as tomorrow will be the 10-year anniversary. I had failed to understand the significance of the event upon arriving here--I figured that we have had nine anniversaries of the event, why should this year be special? To be honest, I recall, in the Smithsonian American History Museum, exclaiming, "What is with all of this 9/11 business? I don't want to think about it, can't we just move on?" But, the truth is, we can't just move on.

This country is different because of 9/11, and listening to the stories of those it impacted most makes this day's significance shockingly obvious. Earlier this week, in a short film produced by the Smithsonian, I heard stories of those who were trapped inside the building, those who just made it out in time, and the brave souls who risked, and lost, their lives for others. One woman who worked on an upper floor in the South Tower, described the sound of the first plane hitting the other tower. The ominous, otherworldly boom left her confused, she had no idea what had just happened, although decided it was in her best interest to evacuate her office and the building to see what had occurred. Shortly after she exited her building, Flight 175 hit the South Tower, within a floor or so of her workspace. 

Other impacts of the day were not so direct, but possibly more long-term. In the September 10th episode of "This American Life," an American-born Muslim mother tells the story of her daughter, Chloe, and the torture she experienced years after the attacks. Chloe was young, maybe 8 or 9, at the time the planes hit the towers. According to her mother, on the first anniversary of the event, Chloe's schoolteacher had the students read a book about 9/11, which included how Muslims are evil people and hate America and all it stands for. Chloe was ridiculed and taunted for months, and became so physically ill to be bedridden. At the time of the interview, the family had relocated three or four times and still experienced hatred and ostracism. When asked how she had coped with this, and still had such pride in the United States, Chloe's mother said she clutched to, and imposed on her children, very targeted reading. The family studied the treatment of the Japanese after WWII, for example, and how their poor treatment was, eventually, no longer accepted. She hopes the same will happen for her people.

With all this, I began to consider what my reaction and thoughts were regarding the event, especially concerning the heightened security and apparent bomb threats hanging over our heads this weekend. On most other occasions, I disregard such warnings, chalking them up to propaganda and the ignorant paranoia of the American public. I scoff at the TSA and rant about the injustice of their supposed "random" searches. However, I've decided this weekend to not ride the metro. Or go anywhere near the Mall or 9/11 recognition events. This is not only because I am a coward, but because I'm not a hero and I wouldn't be willing to die for this country. Don't take me wrong, I love so much of what the United States has to offer me, and all the opportunities I've been given. I have a privileged life, most of which can be credited to my upbringing and the rights and policies of the United States. 

My freedoms, though, have caused much suffering around the world. Yes, we were attacked 10 years ago and it was horrific and awful. None of those civilians deserved to die, and the suffering that exists still today, in the families of victims, is the result of hatred, violence and lack of knowledge that exists around the world, including in the United States, as exemplified by Chloe's story. However, over the history of our country's existence, especially as the global superpower, there have been a string of well-planned and intentional devastations of other nations and their cultures. Our foreign policy has been steeped in violence and one-ups-man-ship as of late, and when we could have been discussing and learning from each other, we more often use bombs. Our use of weapons and war are likely intended to bring closure, to make Americans feel safer. In reality, they open more doors to violence.

9/11 was not to be taken lightly. If the American government had come out and stated that there would be no retaliation, and that they were traveling to Afghanistan for "peace-talks", even I would have been furious and disheartened. But after thousands more deaths, of Americans and others, and little improvement, I've begun rethinking. When Osama bin Laden was shot down in May, I wonder how the American families of those who were killed actually felt. Maybe they did have relief. But, to be honest, I don't feel any safer, today, just because bin Laden no longer exists. He was an evil and horrible man, and his hatred was like a virus that spread through those who followed him, but there are others who will take his place. Until we have dialogue with those who abhor us, our culture, and our economic policy, we will always be in danger.

Here are two photos of the 9/11 Newseum exhibit:

Engine Parts of a Hijacked Plane

Headline of San Francisco Examiner 9/11/01

Thus It Begins: Arrival, Hurricane Irene, Adventures All the Time

Hello from our Nation's capital! Yes, yes, I have arrived, survived an earthquake and a hurricane, and even been lectured on the jazz music of the celestial bodies by a seemingly crazy homeless man, so I feel right at home. Don't worry, he was nice, and even effectively using an umbrella, which was kind of shocking.

In any case, after arriving, moving in, going to welcome events and listening to mom-types drop names of politicos like nobody's business, I embarked on a few adventures with new friends. The first of which was to gaze upon the most phallic monument ever constructed as a symbol of a nation (yes, I did say "ever constructed" and I know this may be a lie, but just go with it). We hopped on the metro (look to your right, there is a map!) and intended to arrive at the Washington Monument via a trip to the Black Fashion Museum (note: this museum does not exist, however the U Street stop of metro does look like a hotspot for Ethiopian food and fake hair stores, these probably should not be enjoyed simultaneously). In any case, the detour gave me more experience with the whole underground subway system thingy (METRO) and I've realized that whoever created it was either brilliant or overly obsessed with the lives of small insects.

I've also realized that I'm bad at blogs. They do not come naturally to me, so hopefully these will improve.

So far in DC I have seen:

• Washington Monument
• Library of Congress
• Smithsonian American History Museum
• Arlington National Cemetery
• Union Station
• the Capitol/Supreme Court/Others from afar
• An excessive amount of restaurants.

Noteworthy experiences:

Julia Child's Kitchen!

A Vietnam-era Living Room

I know, this is kind of a weird thing to like, but it felt like you were sitting in a living room, watching news about the war. And staring at the really ugly mid-century wallpaper. 

The Library of Congress--absolutely beautiful.

Cuba Libre Restaurant Week Brunch

One of the best meals I have ever had. Ever. As part of restaurant week, we each picked four items from the menu. My four items were:

1. Torta de Cangrejo Benedict: Jumbo lump crabmeat and potato cake, poached egg, avocado mash, Tomato Hollandaise sauce.
2. Sopa Levanta Muerto: "Raise the Dead" with this coastal seafood soup overflowing with crabmeat, Baja bay scallops, shrimp and mussels. Coconut milk fortified “Chino-Cubano” broth. Truffle oil.
3. Cobbano Salad: A Cuban twist on the traditional Cobb salad. Warm roasted pulled pork, sweet plantain salpicón, hearts of palm, organic grape tomatoes, avocado, bacon, Cabrales cheese, hard boiled egg and scallions. Watercress and baby spinach. Light mustard vinaigrette.
4. Guacamole Cubano: Avocado, golden pineapple, fresh lime juice, and extra virgin olive oil. Crispy plantain chips.

It was very hard for me not to write a page of commentary for each of these, as they were all amazing and very unique. I mention, though, that plantains are one of my favorite foods and THEY ARE EVERYWHERE HERE. This morning, I told Andrea I would be a plantain if I was a fruit, "Yes, Brittany, you would be the weird, rejected banana."

In any case, I think this is enough for this first attempt at a blog-post. Tomorrow we're going to the Holocaust museum and I need to figure out the outfit appropriate for weeping profusely as well as walking long distances. Good night!