Day Two

I woke up, my first reaction, "We're on time!" After breakfast, we were shipped back over to the Cole Field House at University of Maryland to watch Colin Powell and Desmond Tutu. Colin Powell's speech was momentous. A mixed speech about why he chose Barack Obama as his candidate, breaking the race barrier, his previous experiences (particularly his military service history), and how we can be a successful leader as well. I give it a thumbs-up. It was engaging and educational.And what really touched me was the fact that his speech wasn't read off a paper, in fact, he had no written document whatsoever, he just spoke to us from his heart. Archbishop Tutu was hysterical, he was a small man, only a little bigger than the podium, but just as funny none the less. He convinced us that we are all a VSP, or very special person. After the speeches, we were late again. We headed off to the Lincoln Memorial for the celebration, or so I thought. What really happened was that we were dumped in the national mall to watch the celebration on a huge television propped up in the center of the square. But, by this time, we were only able to see about three songs before the celebration ended. Next, we went to the Hilton Washington (about 1,500 of us), into a beautiful ballroom where we had a great dinner and watched Reduced Shakespeare, a three stooges type play making fun and exploring American history, and Capital Steps, a political satire group. I don't think I've laughed so hard in my life. If you ever have the chance, you should them, especially the Reduced Shakespeare. We finally made it back to the hotel at 11:30pm for some shut-eye.

What is going on?

Day one was hysteria, check in, fill out these forms, go to this room for policy and procedures, get you information and groups, and recieve your items. After everything and everyone was accounted for we were told to wait in the lobby for the five buses that were arriving at six to take us all until dinner. The buses didn't arrive until seven. Our speakers for the evening, Doris Kearns Goodwin and Lisa Ling, were said to have pushed their speaking times back so we wouldn't miss a thing. And so we were all hauled to join a thousand others to have a measley dinner at the University of Maryland where they were not prepared for us. But, after everyone was finished, we headed to Cole Field House to join six thousand other to watch the speakers. As we arrived, Lisa Ling was answering the last question. Disappointed, I lean over to the boy sitting next to me, who had been there before we arrived and asked, "Did Doris Goodwin speak already?" He replied, "Yeah, she was great." Not knowing if he was being sarcastic, I obviously did not know him well enough to make this kind of judgement, I said, "Are you kidding?" He wasn't, that was it. And you know what they say, first impressions are everything, and this conference wasn't winning any points. Not only that, but after, it took two hours just to get all seven thousand of us out of the building and on to 200+ buses that weren't ready. I finally was able to sleep at two, very excited for the six o
clock wake-up in the morning.

Finally

Finally, the schedule has been posted for my conference. They broke us up into groups according to which hotel, forty-two hotels in all, we're staying at. Personally, I am part of the Lyndon Johnson group. Today, after having introductory activites and dinner, I will be listening to former Presidential Historian and Pulitizer Prize winner, Doris Kearns Goodwin. Then, I will stay in my seat for Lisa Ling, a young journalist who is a special correspondent for the "Oprah Winfrey Show" and the "National Geographic" channel. These are going to be some late nights, up until at least eleven and then activities start at 6:30 each morning. Sorry for sounding like a wuss, I just like my sleep. I'm sure the fun is going to be worth it, though. Speaking of fun, yesterday was a blast. After being delayed for about an hour, I was finally able to make it to Washington, or Baltimore at least. My uncle and I went to the aquarium, which was very cool, and then went to P.F. Chang's for dinner and I nearly gave myself a sugar coma. (No one has really stuffed themselves until you've had the Great Wall of China, a six layer chocolate cake.) After we went to his place, (It's very nice mom, I know you're wondering) and played James Bond and watched Ice Age until dawn. The plan for today, before I go to the conference, is to visit some museum in the morning, if Uncle Greg ever gets up, and then meet my friend at American University for a tour in the afternoon. I'll let you know.

Airport

Can I tell you how much I love airport wifi? It saves me from the boredom of just sitting here from 9:30-10:50 all by myself. Well, I'm all packed, (I better be, I guess, if I'm already at the airport.) and when driving down it came close to twenty below. (Good thing we stopped at IHOP for hot cocoa and a waffle. I don't know if I'd be alive to tell the story if I didn't get that hot cup.) My first thought, "Only in Maine can we get this cold, right?" That would be a big fat no. So my biggest worry now, will I turn into an ice cube at the inauguration. My friends at intellicast say Tuesday in Washington will have a high of thirty-three degrees and a low of twenty-seven. But whose to say? Currently it's twelve degrees in the capital city, but it feels like negative three because windchill. (This is Fahrenheit for all you Canadians reading.) Well I have a coat, mittens, a hat, and leggings for underneath khakis. (It's a relaxed professional day, or so it says in my guide.) We'll I'm off, an hour flight is no big. I'll let you know. (In case you haven't caught the drift, I making this my new "signature" sign off phrase.)

Just to name a few...

I'm so excited! Not only do I get to hear acclaimed speakers at the conference, but, little did I know, the inauguration would be packed with famous performances as well! About twenty-two musicians total, ranging from jazz to opera, will be performing at the inauguration or events celebrating the inauguration at the surronding memorials. Some of the artists performing at the inauguration will be, drum roll please, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Garth Brooks, Josh Groban, John Legend, John Mellencamp, Usher, Shakira, "The Boss" Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor (Oh, man! My mother is going to love this!), and Stevie Wonder, just to name a few. Also, Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah and Denzel Washington will read historical passages, while Reverend V. Gene Robinson will give the invocation. Talk about lengendary! This doesn't come close to topping the excitement the the actual inauguration ceramony, but it is up there. Not only that, but Daughtry will be performing for the inaugural gala at the Smithsonion for us. Still no sign on the schedule yet, but I'm picking up details hear and there. I'll let you know.

My Plan of Attack For Washington

Before anyone reports me to the federal agents, my title is referring to my agenda in Washington. My itinerary tells me I leave Friday, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't excited to miss school. The actual conference I plan on attending doesn't start until Saturday, so I am free to have a day in D.C. visiting colleges and the sites with my uncle. I've already been recommended plenty of museums and I am visiting a friend at American University. Luckily, my father travels out Tuesday and plans to bring my dress then, so I won't have to worry about one of the highlights of my trip being ruined. (Don't get me wrong, the inauguration will be up there, but nothing gets a girl as excited as putting her in a gorgeous dress and telling her she gets to a historic ball. :) Especially when you have a sister like mine who could shop everyday and still never tire of it. ) After our day in the Capital City, the conference begins. Rumors have it, there will be over 7,500 students going to the conference! Spread out among over 10 or more hotels, or something like that. Personally, I will be staying near Reagan Airport. No real schedule has been made for the conference, but I'm sure it'll be good what with a former Secretary of State and Vice President speaking. I'll let you know.