& I Owe It All To You.

All good things must come to an end. With the conclusion of my Capitol Hill Diaries, I would like to once again express my sincere gratitude to everyone who helped me and supported me throughout this incredible journey. This has easily been the greatest summer of my life. I learned so much about myself, and I experienced more in these past nine weeks then I could have ever imagined. So, to everyone who believed in me, had faith in me, and wished me luck and success, I cannot thank you enough. May God continue to bless you as much as he has blessed me.

Official head-shot next to Congressman Barrow's plaque.

More specifically, I would like to thank the University of Georgia, the Honors Program, and my program adviser--Maria de Rocher--for assisting me financially throughout my endeavor. I encourage all University of Georgia honors students to apply to the Honors in Washington program. If you should need any help at all, please feel free to reach out to me. I have been the recipient of some wonderful advice and guidance from so many University of Georgia alumni; thus, I owe it to them and to future Honors students to pay it forward in any capacity.

And finally, to my home away from home--the beautiful and enchanted Washington D.C. Leaving a city I had grown to love and adore so much was not easy. But, as always, this is not a goodbye but rather a see you later. I'm already researching different internship opportunities up in D.C. for the summer of 2014! A tad bit premature? Sure. But in D.C, only the strong and the prepared survive. To get a head start, you have to start early. 

Until we meet again....

Taryn Patrice Winston

University of Georgia, Fall 2014

Honors in Washington Alumna, Summer 2013

Oh, I almost forgot: The Honors Program has selected me to be their in the Honors Program newsletter to represent all of the Washington interns! I am super excited and blessed that I was the one chosen. I'll be sure to give one last update as soon as it comes out.

I've Had The Time Of My Life...

Hey y'all, and greetings from Georgia! 

 I adore my family. #homesweethome

I must say, after nine weeks of being away from home, it sure does feel good to be back. I'm currently chilling at home with my family and watching this Hard Knocks marathon with my love--my nephew, Trey! But I sure am going to miss life on the Hill. Waking up Monday morning with no place to go sure will be strange. I guess I better enjoy this free time before it's back to the Athens grind. 

The end of my time in D.C. also means that I am nearing the end of this diary. First of all, I appreciate everyone who has supported me and kept up with all of experiences. I have gotten numerous emails and words of encouragement from so many family members and friends; I cannot say thank you enough for your support. It means the world. To wrap up all of the wonderful memories I made, I decided to come up with this list of awards for the top experiences I had. Of course, it's almost impossible to capture everything I loved/learned in D.C. in just a short list. But I did my best!

And the awards go to....

• Favorite Moment: I had so many memorable moments in D.C, so it's hard to settle on just one. But nothing can quite top June 26th--the day the Supreme Court struck down Don't Ask, Don't Tell. This ruling is probably the closest thing to a landmark civil rights decision that my generation has witnessed. And to witness it firsthand made it that much sweeter. I'll never forget the moment when the victorious petitioners in the Prop 8 case--along with their attorneys--made their way down the courthouse steps to a crowd of supporters. I am incredibly grateful that my office allowed me and the other interns to be a part of history.

• Least Favorite Moment: Remember when I said the Metro almost always had my back? Well, there's an emphasis on the almost for a reason! My least favorite moment had to be when I got stuck on the metro after work one evening. A trip back to my apartment from the Capitol usually only takes me 20 minutes; but with this delay, it took me an hour and thirty minutes! To say I was NOT happy would be an understatement. But hey, I guess you can't have too many good memories without having some bad ones as well! It's all a part of the D.C. experience.

• Most Unique Place I Visited in D.C: I'd have to go with the Eastern Market on this one. Before I even got to D.C, I had no idea that such a place existed! When I visited Eastern Market for the first time with my friend Kayla, I was in awe of the amount of vendors and artists. Additionally, almost everything was handmade and authentic. Not to mention the fresh fruits and vegetables Eastern Market had as well. I enjoyed getting to speak with some of the artists and vendors, some of whom had been selling in Eastern Market for over ten years! I found a couple of nice gifts for myself and my family in the market too.

• Coolest Thing I Saw in D.C: Vice President Biden, of course! Perhaps the thing that made his appearance so memorable to me was the fact that it was so unexpected. One minute, I'm sitting in the Senate Gallery explaining to our constituents the ins and outs of the Senate. And the next, the Vice President walks out and swears in the new Senator from New Jersey! It all happened so fast. I wish I could have gotten a picture--no cameras are allowed in the chambers--but that is an image that will be forever embedded in my mind!  

• Most Interesting Person I Met: My Honors in Washington mentor, Aqsa. It was so nice getting to meet and speak with someone who had been in my very shoes just a short while ago. She gave me a lot of insight on law school and life in D.C. in general. I wish I had gotten to spend more time with her, but I definitely anticipate future visits the next time I'm in D.C. She's a pretty busy person, so I'm grateful she made the time to speak with me at all.

• Funniest Person I Met: One of my tougher awards, but I got to give it to Janae! I'm so lucky I got a chance to meet this girl and spend so much time with her. She is hilarious, y'all! I mean, she would have me in tears when we'd be working. I hated having to say goodbye to her so early, but best believe I will be visiting her at Georgia Southern come the beginning of this school year. An honorary award has to go to my partner in crime, Adam, as well. Our love/hate, crazy relationship kept me alive and upbeat at work. I sure am going to miss my little Dallas boy!

• Most Famous Person I Met: It was an honor and privilege to get to meet Congressman John Lewis. The last remaining member of the Civil Rights' Big Six, John Lewis is a living legend. Democrats and Republicans alike have an incredible amount of respect for him, which speaks volume about the kind of man he is. I found the Congressman to be soft-spoken, kind, and extremely generous with his time. Getting the opportunity to hear him speak and shake his hand is a memory that will be with me forever.

• Most Beautiful Place in D.C: Georgetown! From the second I set foot into Georgetown, I knew it was a place I could potentially call home in the future. I love everything about it! It's lively and colorful yet quiet and off the beaten path. It's expensive and elegant, yet cozy and quaint. Of course, the shopping is on point and the food is to die for! I mean, both the Kennedy's and the Clinton's chose to call Georgetown home so you know this neighborhood must be great. I'm already staking out my future territory now; watch out world!

• Best Part About Being A Congressional Intern: While the free receptions were definitely a plus, I think the best part about being an intern was getting the chance to attend congressional hearings. It was pretty special getting to witness lawmakers coming together and discussing legislation that could potentially become a law. Personally, I found the SAFE Act markup--concerning immigration and border security--to be the most fascinating and intense. Overall, the access to the Capitol in general as an intern was pretty astonishing. As long as we had our intern badge, we could go any and everywhere! Pretty neat, huh?

• What I'll Miss The Most About D.C: The people in my office. I could have never imagined that I could grow so close to so many people in such a short period of time. I absolutely ADORED all of the other interns I worked with--Adam, Janae, Beatrice, Heather, Chinasa, and Hannah. But I am going to miss the entire office so much. Not only are the brilliant and hardworking, but they also know how to have a good time! I can't wait to visit them sometime in the future. Who knows....maybe I'll get the chance to work on the Congressman's reelection campaign?!

• What I Won't Miss At All About D.C: This is an easy one....the cost of living! Like a lot of big cities, D.C. is an expensive place to live! Between housing, food, and transportation, this summer was definitely not kind to my wallet. Fortunately, the stipend that UGA Honors so graciously provided for me covered a lot of my expenses. I would recommend that anyone pondering a summer internship in D.C. find a program that will pay for some of your larger expenses (ex. housing, transportation, etc.). As for the rest of the things I indulged in, I have no regrets. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity! But be prepared to drop some serious dough if you live in D.C. for an extended period of time.

• Best Food I Had While in D.C: Georgetown Cupcakes. Hands down, this was the best cupcake I've had in my life. I don't know what it is about the ingredients they used! Of course, I have to give a special shout-out to Ben's Chili Bowl as well. If you ever go to D.C., both of these places are a must!  

• Weirdest Thing I Did While In D.C: I never thought I would pet a chincilla or a baby rabbit in the Capitol, but that's exactly what I did at one of the several receptions I went to! And how could I forget about my picture with my love, Elmo? The reception was a lot of fun; the food and drinks were on point! The icing on the cake was the bonding time I had with my fellow interns. I don't know if I'll ever get the chance to hold a hare again, but I'm glad I got one last opportunity!

• Favorite Monument in D.C: I'm going to give the award to the Jefferson Monument for a couple of different reasons. For one thing, the Jefferson was easily the least crowded of all the major monuments. This, of course, could be due to the fact that I went at night and the monument is a little more secluded from mainstream D.C. Second, the Jefferson Monument has the most beautiful view overlooking the water. And lastly, it's simplicity and breathtaking architecture is superior to all the other monuments I saw.

• Greatest Pinch Me! Moment: It's not everyday that you get to treated to free drinks and delicious food in the exclusive Diamond Club at the Nationals Park. Thus, the Congressional Baseball reception--as well as the game--takes the cake for being the greatest pinch me! moment. And when I say we got the royal treatment, I mean just that! Not only was everything free, but we had a terrific view of the game where we got to watch the Democrats beat up on those poor Republicans! Plus, we got a ton of free stuff as well. It'll probably be a long time before I'm ever invited to the Diamond Club again; that's what makes this so sweet!

• Something I Wish I Did But I Didn't Have Time To Do: I absolutely hate that I wasn't able to visit Mount Vernon--the plantation where President George Washington grew up. Unfortunately, being that I was at work from 9-5 P.M. each day, I didn't have time to do everything that I wanted. Additionally, I wish I could have spent more time on Georgetown's campus (especially since I want to go to law school there). I guess that leaves more new things to do next time I'm in D.C. 

• What I Missed Most About Home (Family Not Included): This one has several answers. It's so nice to have all of my favorite television channels back, especially NFL Network! Finally I can catch up on my Packers and see how training camp is going. I missed being five minutes away from Chick-Fil-A and Waffle House. I missed having my own room with my own bathroom. And finally, I missed having my own room and my own space! Man, it's good to be home.

• Best Thing I Learned/Took Away From My Internship: Be flexible, hard-working, and willing to take on anything at anytime. Interns have a range of different responsibilities. One minute, you could be loading lists into Excel; and the next, you could be giving a tour of the Capitol to one of your constituents. The work varies, but I learned to be flexible and willing to switch tasks at any moment. Additionally, I had to be reliable and hardworking so that the staff always knew that they could count on me.

• Best Piece of Advice I Can Offer: You can sleep when you're at home; enjoy D.C. to the fullest! But really, I can't stress this enough. There's is too much to do in D.C. to be bored. Further, don't do the same things you can do in Athens or at home. Challenge yourself a little and explore areas you wouldn't otherwise get to see. I visited a range of different places, from Columbia Heights to Georgetown to Dupont Circle. While I can't say that I did everything I wanted, I can say that I left D.C. with absolutely no regrets whatsoever. 

Needless to say, throughout the good, the bad, and the downright weird, I had the time of my life....

Not A Goodbye, But A See You Later

I promised myself I wouldn't cry. And I didn't. I knew this day would come sooner or later. The day I would have to say goodbye to a city I've grown to love and cherish, and people I've become so close with. Still, acknowledgement and acceptance doesn't make reality any easier. It still hasn't hit me that I just finished up my last day in D.C. for the summer. While I'm anxious to go home and spend some well-needed quality time with my family, I can't help but feel that a piece of my heart will forever belong to Washington, D.C. 

When I woke up Friday morning, I promised myself that I would cherish every single one of my lasts. I took my sweet time walking to the Foggy Bottom metro station for the last time. I stood, rather than walked, up the escalator stairs at the Capitol South metro station. I took the longest possible walk from the station to Rayburn. No matter what job or opportunity I come across next, nothing can beat the view of this internship. Finally, I stepped through the metal detectors one last time--naturally I set it off on my last day--and made my usual morning route to the bathroom and even snapped a few selfies. Hey, it's my last day! No judgement!

 Not always the most reliable, but the Metro (usually) had my back!

 But really, who has a better view on their walk to work? 

Congressional Bathroom pictures. Couldn't leave without snapping a few.

Since the House was out of session, Friday was a relatively relaxed day in the office. All of the staff spent a couple hours in our reception area talking and reminiscing. Since it was Adam's and my last day, our staff went out to Wendy's and picked up lunch for all of us. Honestly, I cannot tell y'all how much I am going to miss these people--each and every one of them! Around 2 P.M, it was time for Adam to say his goodbyes as he had to leave early and catch his flight back to Texas. Gosh, what can I even say about this boy? We may have a crazy brother/sister, love/hate relationship; but there is no one else I'd rather share this experience with than him. I am going to miss him so much. Seeing that I'm a sentimental sap, I had to force myself not to cry when I gave him one last hug and watched him walk out the front door. But, it's not a goodbye. It's a see you later.

 In our humble abode for the last time. Working hard or hardly working?

 Texas! I'm going to miss the boy so much!

The rest of the day went fairly predictably. Besides a few last minute tasks, I really didn't have too many responsibilities. And then, 5 P.M struck--it was time to say my final goodbyes. First up was Hill, our legislative director. Hill gave me a warm hug and told me to contact him if I ever needed anything. I sure am going to miss Hill's calm southern drawl and friendly personality. Then came Jessie, our scheduler. I absolutely adore Jessie! She's fun and energetic, but organized and focused at the same time. Hopefully, we can get together in Atlanta the next time she's back in town! Unfortunately, Jonathan--our legislative assistant--and Richard---our communications director--had to dip out early so my goodbyes with them were short and sweet. Last but certainly not least were my two favorite staffers, Asa and Vanna. After saying goodbye to those two, I was on the verge of tears. But, it's not a goodbye. It's a see you later. 

Congressman Barrow's office. 

Feeling like a Congresswoman at this desk. 

And again, just chilling in the boss man's office. No big deal.

As a young black female interning on the Hill, it's difficult finding a role model. Someone you know understands you and everything you face on a daily basis. Someone you can look up to and model yourself after. And that is exactly what Vanna--our legislative correspondent-was to me. Not only is the woman beautiful and smart, but she's also hardworking and willing to pay it forward to younger girls such as myself. I cannot thank her enough for everything that she did for me. While I'm sad to leave her, I know that our friendship will continue to grow stronger. 

The lovely Vanna and I. 

And where do I even begin with Asa? One of the funniest and friendliest people I've ever met, Asa--our staff assistant--and I became fast friends in office. His willingness to help me and patience to teach me meant a great deal. Additionally, he was always fair in his expectations for myself and the rest of the interns. Of course, he always kept me laughing and smiling. It's nice coming into an environment knowing no one and walking away from it with someone you can call a true friend. That's exactly what Asa has become to me. I can't wait to see his crazy self in Athens for the LSU game. Until then, we have all our great stories to hold us over!

Asa and I. I'm going to miss his crazy self!

After walking out of the Rayburn House Office Building for the last time, I headed over to the National Art Gallery's Sculpture Garden for Jazz in the Garden, where I met up with the rest of (B)UGA for our farewell get-together. The usual crew consisted of Liz, Andrea', Kizmik, Eli, and Kizmik's friend Tieesha (no Femi again, sadly). It was hot and crowded outside, but we still had a fabulous time indulging in fellowship and refreshing sangria. Afterwards, we headed over to U-Street and had a delicious dinner at the highly regarded Busboys & Poets. When we're all together, we always have a great time! It was a wonderful ending to an already great last day in the city.

Jazz in the Garden with my Dawgs!

Dinner at Busboys & Poets! #delicious #endingwithabang

But my Friday wasn't over quite yet. When I got home from dinner around 11 P.M, my roommate and I decided to take a quick taxi ride up to the Jefferson Memorial. I was exhausted and I contemplated not going. But boy oh boy, I'm sure glad I did. The Jefferson Memorial is breathtaking; it is easily one of the more beautiful monuments. After spending a good while shooting the breeze and discussing our last days on the Jefferson steps, we headed back over to Foggy Bottom and called it a night.

 The Jefferson Memorial is easily the most beautiful of them all. Look at that view!

Wise words by our third President, Thomas Jefferson.

Elizabeth and I in front of good ole' Thomas. 

So glad I got to spend the summer with this amazing girl! 

Well folks, my time in D.C. has come to a close. Saturday morning, my father and my Uncle Mario are coming to help me move out of City Hall/George Washington University once and for all. After a brief stop at my grandparent's house in Richmond, my father and I will drive down to Charlotte and spend some much needed time together. Sunday morning, we'll hit the road again and I'll be home in no time. This isn't my last post (I anticipate my final one to be Sunday evening). Nevertheless, this is the end of a major chapter in my life. I did it! I conquered D.C. and made it out alive. And while I'm leaving and I'm not quite sure when I'll be back, I do know one thing: this is not a goodbye; rather, it's a see you later. 

Thanks for the memories, D.C. 

The Home Stretch

It's finally starting to hit me. In less than three days, I'll be parting ways with this beautiful city I've come to know and adore. I don't want to say goodbye. And amazing days like Wednesday make it that much harder. True, I won't miss waking up in the wee hours of the morning and getting dolled up for the day. But it's a small price to pay for all of the unique opportunities my internship has provided me. I am too blessed to be anything but grateful for everything that has come my way. My last Wednesday was just another reminder of that. 

For the most party, work today was pretty steady. But quite frankly, the days always go by quickly when you have share an office with someone like Adam! I cannot tell y'all how much I'm going to miss that crazy kid; we've grown so close in just the past couple of weeks alone. Our shenanigans kept the time moving and it was the afternoon before I even knew it! And boy oh boy, did I have quite the afternoon. I received the unbelievable opportunity to attend the Congressional Caucus on Black Men and Boy's groundbreaking meeting. The caucus' opening speaker was none other than Tracy Martin, father of the late Trayvon Martin. The meeting was incredibly powerful from start to finish. Allow me to describe the full hearing in further detail:

• The Congressional Caucus on Black Men and Boys was established in March of 2013 by members of the Congressional Black Caucus. The caucus was formed to highlight issues that impact and influence the condition of black males. Today's meeting specifically discussed the importance of early education and job training for African American children. 

• I believe I speak for the majority when I say that Tracy Martin was incredibly poised and dignified in his opening remarks. His grief and anguish did not go unnoticed, yet he remained composed throughout the entire hearing. He touched upon the newly formed Trayvon Martin Foundation aimed at helping other African American boys as well as eliminating careless laws such as Stand Your Ground. Martin was accompanied by his attorney, Benjamin Crump. 

 Tracy Martin and his attorney Benjamin Crump to his left.

Tracy Martin and his attorney entering the Rayburn hearing room.

• Members of Congress who presided over the inaugural hearing included Representative Frederica Wilson of Florida, Representative Maxine Waters of California, Representative Danny Davis of Illinois, and D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton just to name a few. My favorite comments made by Delegate Norton were made at the very beginning of the hearing, when she expressed: Our nation and our African American community need to bring our black men and boys to center stage. With this inaugural hearing, our new Caucus on Black Men and Boys begins our mission to take on the challenges facing our men and boys, and to ask our fellow Americans and African Americans to do the same.

• Testimony at the hearing was first given by David Johns, the Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans. Johns spoke about the importance of early education. Learning begins at birth; and since African American children aren't receiving access to early educational programs, they are at a disadvantage from the get-go. As Johns so brilliantly laid it out: Early education can be the difference between black children going to the White House or the jailhouse. 

• Further, Johns expressed the need to increase funding for programs such as Head Start and Early Head Start--which provide childcare for low-income families--as well as volunteer home visits for young expecting mothers. Johns ended his testimony by urging African American males to disprove the silly myth that more black men are in jail than in college. Johns scoffed at the myth and said it was no more than a pitiful excuse to not waste time or resources on troubled young black boys. 

• Dr. Michael Dyson offered his testimony next. Dyson, an author and professor at Georgetown University, was INCREDIBLE! His remarks were some of the best I've ever heard, hands down. Dyson talked about the injustice African American men face everyday because they constantly live in suspicion. Young black boys cannot dress freely because they'll be accused of being thugs or gangsters. As a result, black boys are overly-criminalized and targeted, especially involving nonviolent drug crimes. Why is this, especially if white teens use drugs more frequently than black teens? Because, Dyson answers, white kids are not profiled or  suspected. 

• African American boys aren't the only individuals being profiled. Dr. Dyson argued that had Rachel Jeantel been a young white woman, her testimony would have been perceived as being more credible and thus the outcome of the trial would have been a lot different. Instead, Jeantel was perceived as being a liar and ignorant. As a result, black women live under incredible suspicion as well. 

• The most powerful part of Dr. Dyson's testimony came towards the very end. Dyson criticized the GOP for blaming African American culture and black-on-black crime for the woes of the African American man. While some aspects of our culture do reinforce negative stereotypes, Dyson quoted Jay-Z and Tupac lyrics that directly spoke out about the injustices young black men face--because they themselves have faced it. As for black-on-black crime, we've BEEN discussing this! The truth is, Dyson says, no one cares about black-on-black crime. Cameras flocked to Newtown and Aurora when tragedy strikes, but never to the streets of Chicago. And sure, black-on-black crime is a serious problem our community must address. But guess what? So is white-on-white crime, Dyson continues. 

• And finally, Dr. Dyson's powerful conclusion. President Obama first spoke about how his son could have been Trayvon. In his address to the public, the President revised his remarks and said that he could have been Trayvon thirty-five years ago. Dr. Dyson went even further and stated that the President could have been Trayvon Martin NOW. Dyson pointed to the numerous times the President himself has been profiled or suspected, most notably when people demanded to see his birth certificate because they didn't believe he was born in the United States. Thus, the President should continue to use the bully pulpit to speak about his experiences as an African American in society. Not doing so, Dyson said, would be like Michael Jordan coming to the White House and not talking about basketball. Young black teens are children of God first and foremost, and they should be loved above all else. 

Unfortunately, I was unable to stay for the entire hearing. But from what I gathered while I was there, the Congressional Caucus of Black Men and Boys has the potential to accomplish great feats within the African American community. It was easily one of the most powerful things I've ever witnessed, and I'm so thankful that I got to see it firsthand.

Wednesday continued to get even better later that evening. Around 5 P.M, I walked over to the other side of the Hill to Union Station to help out with the annual University of Georgia in D.C. Reception. In total, over 400 alumni attended the magnificent event. The venue was breathtaking; UGA definitely showed out and caught the attention of folks everywhere! Some of the guests included Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, as well as my boss--Congressman John Barrow! But the star of the reception was easily the newly inaugurated President, Jere Morehead. Earlier that day, I received the wonderful opportunity to meet President Morehead when he visited Congressman Barrow's office for a few short minutes. Of course, I had to say hello one more time! This time, however, a few of us even managed to snag a picture with him! President Morehead is an exceptional man, and I am so excited to see the direction he takes the University of Georgia.

The beautiful Union Station--our venue for the UGA in D.C. reception!

 Calling all the Dawgs! UGA showed out in Union Station! #turningheads #dawgsontop

 It was an incredible honor to meet President Morehead. I look forward to working with him in the future!

Overall, the UGA in D.C. reception was a success! I got to network and mingle with a lot of distinguished alumni. Plus, I got to hang out with a lot of my friends in D.C. for the last time. For volunteering, each of us received a Georgia goody bag and an iPad case--if only I had an iPad! I even made some possible connections for next summer. Hey, you always have to stay ahead of the game when you're in D.C! I didn't get back to my apartment till late Wednesday night, so I'm pretty worn out. But now that I'm officially in the home stretch of my summer, taking advantage of every opportunity is a must. Guess that means I won't be getting much rest tomorrow, either.

 Finally, we have a picture! I love Cody! #honorskids

And I finally got to see this beautiful girl!

Our Georgia goody bag for volunteering! Free stuff is always a good thing.

 Goodnight beautiful people! Rest easy.

My Take: The 2014 Georgia Senate Race

DISCLAIMER: My own personal views DO NOT reflect the views of Congressman John Barrow nor the views of any of his staff. These are my personal opinions that I would like to share with y'all. Additionally, if you are to leave any comments, please make them respectful or else I will delete them. Successful debates consist of respectful disagreement--key word being respectful. Thank you. 

Not to the surprise of many, Michelle Nunn (Democratic Party) officially launched her campaign for Georgia's open Senate seat in 2014.  Earlier this year, current Georgia Senator Saxby Chambliss announced that he would not seek re-election and opted to retire instead. The timing of Chambliss' decision couldn't have come at a more interesting time. While Georgia is still a red state, it is certainly not a Republican stranglehold. In fact, changing demographics and a steady rise in African American and Latino populations have some political scientists declaring Georgia as a purple state--or in essence, a swing state. With Georgia Democrats feeling much more optimistic, this upcoming Senate race is sure to be an interesting one.

For those of you who aren't familiar with Michelle Nunn, allow me to informally introduce you to her. Nunn is a Georgia native and the current CEO of Points of Light, a non-profit organization. She attended University of Virginia and Harvard where she earned her Master's in public administration. Yet perhaps most importantly, she is the daughter of former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn. Sam Nunn, also a Democrat, was widely renowned for his expertise on foreign policy and national defense. This strong family tie makes the Senate race even more intriguing. Sam Nunn was and is still to this day a beloved Georgian. Consequently, his daughter is sure to benefit from his legacy. 

Michelle Nunn, Democratic candidate for the Senate.

For anyone who has taken basic undergraduate political science, you probably have learned about the incumbency advantage and open seats, etc. So, you should know that it is much easier for a newcomer to get elected when there is an open seat--especially if that newcomer is from the other party. Additionally, to launch a successful campaign, a candidate must possess: strong name recognition, the ability to effectively fund-raise, political experience, endorsements, etc. And of course, running against a weaker opponent helps as well. So, let us look at Michelle Nunn's chances of getting elected by stacking her up against the listed criteria:

• Strong Name Recognition: This is an obvious one. Nunn probably has as strong of a name as you could possibly have. Look for her to work her familial connections like crazy. I wouldn't be surprised to see Sam Nunn playing an active role in the campaign. Certainly, her father will serve as a great resource as well.  

• Ability to Effective Fund-raise: Again, this shouldn't be a problem for Nunn. It goes hand-in-hand with her familial ties; former Sam Nunn supporters are sure to contribute to his daughter. Additionally, Michelle Nunn's work in the Georgia community through her nonprofit organization gives her a lot recognition and resources. She is very well-known in Georgia, which should translate to a lot of monetary contributions.

• Political Experience: Here's where Michelle Nunn could falter a little bit. While I'm sure she has learned a lot from her father's Senate career, Nunn herself has never held political office. This could be an issue for a lot of Georgia voters. I expect her Republican challengers to exploit her lack of political experience by calling her unqualified.

• Endorsements: This is another questionable factor for Michelle Nunn. She'll obviously have the support of her father and his supporters. However, ironically, it could be political endorsements that cost Nunn election. Her relationship and praise of President Obama may not sit well with moderate, Republican-leaning swing voters who view the President as being too liberal.

As far as Michelle Nunn's opponents go, they are certainly anything but weak. Current Georgia Representative Jack Kingston (GA-1) appears to be the frontrunner for Republicans. Though Kingston is a staunch conservative, he is more closely aligned with the current ideological makeup of Georgia than his fellow GOP challengers. Representative Paul Broun (GA-10) and Phil Gingrey (GA-11) may be a little too conservative for the entire state of Georgia, which is leaning to the center more than ever. Former Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel could also pose a legitimate threat. But for now, Kingston is clearly the Republican frontrunner. While he may not have as strong of a name as Nunn, he clearly has more political experience. His ability to effectively fundraise and appeal to voters statewide remains to be seen.

Could 2014 be the year that Georgia turns purple? Personally, I think it's a little too soon. Just a year ago, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney carried the state fairly easily. Additionally, Republicans still hold every single statewide position in Georgia. Thus, I don't think this is the year that Democrats take one back. But as I previously stated, Georgia's demographics are rapidly changing and pushing the state leftward. Come the 2016 Presidential Election, I believe that Georgia will be a little more inclined to elect a Democrat to office. And by 2018, I wouldn't be surprised if Georgia transforms into a critical battleground state.

Nevertheless, a Democratic candidate like Michelle Nunn certainly makes the race a whole lot more intriguing. Get your popcorn ready, Georgia. This should be a good one!

Take Me Out To The Ballgame!

Happy Monday, y'all! I hope everyone had a relatively easy start to their week. With so many people finishing up summer classes and preparing to head on back to Athens (or wherever), I think it's safe to say that the summer is coming to a close. It certainly feels that way to me! Today was my very last Monday in D.C. I get a little sentimental when I think about leaving all of the amazing people I've met in Congressman Barrow's office. Two months ago, I would have never imagined that I would fall in love with the staff as much as I did. And to think, today is only Monday! The waterworks will be in full effect on Friday, I'm sure of it. Sappiness has always been my weakness.

Today was a pretty busy day in the office. Time flew by; before I knew it, it was 6 P.M. and time to head on over to the Nationals Park for the second straight day. The occasion Monday night was the UGA Honors Alumni Baseball Game! Maria, our lovely Honors in Washington program director, invited a bunch of Honors alum currently in D.C. as well as other Honors students to a FREE Nationals game! My roommate and I headed over to the Park straight after work. Since the game was at night, it thankfully wasn't nearly as hot as Sunday! We arrived at the Roosevelt Conference Room--where the UGA Honors reception was held--and mingled with some of the interns and alumni. Once the game kicked off at 7 P.M., we all made our way down to our (shaded) seats and watched the game. Even though the Nationals lost to the Pirates, we all still had a great time! 

Roosevelt Room chilling with UGA Honors! #royaltreatment

 I've fallen in love with Nationals Park! It's so nice!

 Never had a #mancrushmonday, but today I found mine. Bryce Harper is one good-looking man, haha! 

And again! Y'all excuse me for my mad crushing!

 Me and the beautiful Dani! #BUGAinDC

 I hate that you can hardly see us! Elizabeth and me at the game!

Dark but you get the point. I sure do love my summer roommate!

My roommate and I didn't get back to our apartment until 10 P.M. Needless to say, I am exhausted right now! I know this post was relatively short, but my goal is to post one each day this week leading up to my final day in D.C. If I wait too long, I'll have so much to talk about that I won't even remember everything! Tomorrow should be another fabulous day as well. I've normally never been one to go out on weekdays; but hey, it's the final one! I got to live it up! 

Have a blessed night y'all.

The Beginning Of The End

I am currently wrapping up my LAST Sunday and LAST weekend in D.C. It still hasn't hit me yet; in six days, I'll be saying my goodbye and heading back down to the south. While I am super excited to reunite with my family and friends, I am going to miss D.C. so much. I've fallen in love with everything here (except for the high prices and the insane summer heat). And there's truly never a dull moment; if you're bored living in D.C., it's your own fault! Thus, I wanted to make sure my last weekend was the most epic one yet! Sure, I cheated myself out of a couple hours of sleep and I definitely wasn't kind to my wallet. But was it worth it? 100 percent.

My weekend kicked off early Saturday morning. After a 9 A.M. wake up call and a light breakfast, I was out the door and headed to the Metro. My first destination of the day was Ford Theater--famously known for being the theater in which President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. Ford's Theater is now a museum dedicated to Lincoln's presidency and legacy while telling the tale of his assassination. Seeing that President Lincoln is my second favorite president of all-time (President Kennedy still gets the nod with President Clinton running a close third), I was in heaven! I spent a good two hours looking around, and an additional hour spending time in the actual theater itself. This, of course, included the time I spent across the street at the Peterson House--the house where Lincoln was pronounced dead. I even found some great little goodies for my nephew; he's a history lover just like his Auntie! 

 Where Lincoln's Legacy Lives.

Pretty crazy that the President died in this very house.

 The ACTUAL pillow under Lincoln's head when he was being cared for. Blood stains are still on it! WOW!

Saturday afternoon was all about the Eastern Market. Now, I know I've complained about the heat before, but Saturday was by far the hottest day I've experienced here thus far! I handled the heat as best as I could, but one hour at the market was my limit. Once I returned back to my apartment, I rested up and took a quick shower before I met up with my friend Kayla for dinner! We went to a place in Foggy Bottom called Tonic. Our small and quaint dinner turned into a nice little dinner party when a couple other friends joined us! The food was good, and the conversation was even better. Once I got back to my apartment, my roommate and I headed over to Georgetown to meet up with all of the UGA Honors in Washington kids for one final get-together! It was a lot of fun; I'm so thankful I got to be part of a program with so many amazing people. Even some Georgetown students joined us! It was an absolute perfect ending to my day, and an epic way to spend my last Saturday in D.C. I sure am going to miss those! 

 Seeing all these peaches in Eastern Market made me think of home. #GeorgiaGirl

I love my roommate! Celebrating our final Saturday in D.C. Clearly, we we're having a good time!

Honors in Washington 2013 (plus a few others from UGA)!

  

Waking up early Sunday morning after only a few hours of sleep was a struggle! But for family, I'd do anything--especially if it involves brunch and baseball. Around 11 A.M, my older cousin Charisse--who attends Georgetown Medical School and lives in the D.C. area--came to pick me up from my apartment so that we could go to brunch and the Nationals Game. To make the day even better, my Uncle Mario and Aunt Munsey came up from Richmond to join us! We had a great brunch at a place called Cheesetique (where my cousin works part-time). Finally, we got to Nationals Park just in time for the game. Once again, it was another hot day in D.C. The Nationals got hammered by the Dodgers, 9-2, much to the dismay of my family. But I'm a Georgia girl so naturally, I was quite content. Go Braves, duh! 

Nationals Park on the hot, sunny Sunday! 

President's Race had your girl rolling! Too funny!

And just like that, my final weekend in D.C. is over. Time really does fly by when you're having fun. I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend my last free days, first with my Honors family and then my actual family! D.C. has become my second home, and leaving home is always difficult. But in my heart, I know I'll be back to spend another epic weekend (or weekends) in this amazing city.

Take care and be blessed, y'all.

On Top Of The World

WOW! Today has been such an amazing Tuesday! Literally, I'm almost at a loss for words to describe to y'all the rush of energy and happiness I felt this afternoon. What started off as a relatively slow first day back in session turned out to be one of the best days I've had on the Hill thus far. I'd rather not waste your time describing it to you in words; I'd much rather show you instead. Our destination? The top of the Capitol Building! The tour was all made possible by some wonderful people in our office, Jonathan and the lovely Vanna. Vanna along with myself two other interns--Adam and Heather--made the trip over to the Capitol together to begin our journey to the top! Now, mind you, ALL of us are afraid of heights. And my fear got a little worse once our tour guide described just how high we were going to go. But this was simply too big of an opportunity for me to pass up. 

Our journey begins! See those stairs? Yeah, those were NOTHING compared to the stairs we'd have to climb a little later. Talk about S-T-E-E-P! 

 And more stairs! In total, the trip to the top took about twenty minutes, including a few stops in between. 

Heather snap-chatting; Vanna starting to panic; Adam chilling. #Typical 

Haaaa! Oh, hey Adam! On our way to the dome. 

Almost there! This was when I started to freak out, ha! Check out that insane view. We were SO high!

 The Apotheosis of Washington at the top of the dome. So close I could almost touch it. Well, not really but we were still close! 

Barrow office reppin'. Adam is clearly too enamored by the view. 

 Mama, I made it! Supreme Court and Library of Congress on the top; National Mall and the Washington Monument on the bottom. Y'all really can't tell me nothing! 

The only place in Washington D.C. you can get this kind of view. 

Well, hey there Rayburn! Home to the best office, Congressman Barrow's! 

My closest-office partner. My betting buddy. Been at it since May and now we're here, haha! Yeah, we make a good team. #Texas #UGA #bestinternsever 

Barrow interns on top! 

 Me, Vanna, and Adam after I scared the heck out of Vanna, haaaa! 

God was looking out for me when they put me in an office with this lovely lady! 

Strong, black, southern women. Ain't nothing better! I love Vanna! 

 Fake candid! Me pretending to be deep in thought while overlooking the view, haha! 

I won't lie to y'all, the journey up to the very top was scary! I almost didn't think I'd be able to continue; the stairs were incredibly steep and the tunnels on our way up were painfully hot. But it was all worth it the minute I stepped outside and saw the D.C. view. Seriously, how many people can say they've been to the very top of the Capitol? I am so blessed to have received this amazing opportunity. I will remember this day for the rest of my life! 

But wait, there's more! After we got off work, all of the interns and myself headed over to a fabulous reception celebrating the island of Guam. As usual, the food and drinks were free and delicious! Not to mention the fact that we just so happened to meet the First Lady of Guam herself. No big deal, really. It's days like these that make me so thankful to be here in D.C. Tons of people applied for Honors in Washington, and thousands of qualified students want to intern on Capitol Hill, and I'm one of the lucky few whose dream became a reality. I'm so sad that my time here is almost over, but I am so appreciative of incredible opportunities like this one!

Love y'all. Have a great night!