Fun and Games outside of Work!

Throughout the first two weeks of the internship there were many fun times had in and outside of the office, but in this blog I want to highlight some of the fun times outside of the office. Family dinners are one thing that I mentioned before, but one of my favorite meals of the summer was when we were getting ready to send off our friend Clint. The night before he left us to go to the Peace Corps we all went out to a Peruvian Restaurant. Since most of us had never experienced this cuisine, Clint and his friend Mason handled ordering for the group. My favorite part of the whole meal was COW HEART!!! While some people are all about animal rights and not hurting animals, I have to say I was very appreciative of the cow's heart that I ate! It was the best cut of steak I had ever had!

Well moving on past the delicious Peruvian dinner, there was good food to be had at our dorms too! One of my favorite meals that we cooked in our dorm was pork chops with naan bread, macaroni, and salad on the side. Marc Fishman (aka Head Chef) was very gracious and cooked a number of meals for me and others who were just so lucky to get in on his cooking. The picture above shows part of the splendor that we made within our dorms.

Outside of food one of the more fun events that took place was going Kayaking! One delightful day a group of us interns decided to hit the Patomac River to go kayaking. Since we had all been to DC there had not been much physical activity taking place, so a day on the water was nice for us all! I had the delight of pairing up with Danielle and we had a grand old time paddling about the river. Since we all wanted to get tan (minus Joan) we decided sunscreen wasn't necessary. Needless to say....we pretty much all got sufficiently burned on the trip. To finish out a great time kayaking I was stoked by a few lovely ladies in bikinis who decided my backside was a good photo opportunity....!

In general life with the interns was something that always presented a laugh when needed, but also provided some sanity to our busy schedule at work!

First few weeks in DC!

During the first week or two in DC there was a lot of fun to be had meeting new people, reestablishing friendships, and getting into our element for life in DC. When I first got to DC I was greeted by none other than Clint Armistead. Clint is a fun-loving and down to earth guy who can't help but smile and bring a smile to the faces of people around him. So for me, getting off the plane and seeing Clint was a treat within itself! While we were at the airport we waited for Jenny Zhong to arrive too and then we headed to the George Washington (GW) dorms. Upon arriving at GW we got our keys and things and quickly got all our junk into our building.

When I first stepped into my dorm room all I can recall very vividly that I heard a banjo being played. Since the banjo isn't a common instrument I figured it was music playing, but the Clint exclaimed, "Mark, Daniel is here!!!" At that moment the banjo stopped and curly-haired redhead came our of another room in our dorm. Needless to say, Mark was another one of those guys who you can't help but smile when you see. With a banjo strapped to his back, Mark came out and greeted me.

After meeting my roommate I was introduced to all the pretty ladies across the hall: Laura, Jenny, and Joan. That first night we all went out to Charlie Cheng's to get Chinese food and we all ended up ordering family style so we could all share our meal as one big FAMILY!

Continuing on with the positive atmosphere we set forth on the first day, we decided to have a homemade dinner at the dorms which was a mexican style meal. We made beef burritos and had lettuce and chips and salsa on the side. If this delicious meal wasn't good enough....we had a cake to complement it for dinner! Mark, my roommate, had just turned 21 the week we all arrived so we had dinner and a cake in his honor. When we started eating the cake, Clint, decided that we should finish the WHOLE thing. After eating half the cake as a group everyone but Clint and I were full, so we each took our respective 1/4 of the cake and started to go to town. All I can say after that is that Clint had a bit of trouble trying to manhandle such a massive amount of dessert.

That first week in DC was full of fun and games as we got settled into our dorms and settled in at work. Above are two photos that are from our family dinner and the cake eating contest that Clint and I went through.

Washington DC Internship

(These two photos are taken via Jerry Holy's camera by some hot rando.)

The past two months I have been in Washington DC as an intern for Special Olympics Project UNIFY. What you may ask is Special Olympics Project UNIFY...well this Special Olympics program is based off of the ideals of Educating, Motivating, and Activating young people through Special Olympics. Whether it be changing perspectives about people with intellectual disabilities or providing leadership positions for young adults, Project UNIFY gets youth and adults working together with the goal of creating an accepting relationship between "all" people.

This summer I was blessed to be a part of a 9 person internship team that was based out of Washington DC. This group of 9 became my family away from home and they all helped me to further establish who I am as a young man. I wanted to give a shout out to the whole Special Olympics Project UNIFY family of interns: Danielle, Laura, Brianna, Jerry, Brad, Jenny, Samantha, and Joan. The last two months have been full of learning experiences that have helped me to better define what I want to do in my future in work and in play.

Besides the great group of interns, there was an amazing staff that helped to provide a professional but fun working atmosphere at the office. Whether it was Madam Jo Jo, Oscar, or Andrea, the three main support staff, or the numerous others that helped make our stay in DC a good experience, everyday was full of positive learning experiences!

I look forward to working with and hearing about all the work that this group of individuals will continue to do in the future. In the meantime...I wanted to spend the next few days recounting the fun that I have had, so for the next week or so I am going to do my best to blog about the hustle and bustle that went on this summer during my internship.

As a closure for this blog I am including two pictures of the interns that will help illustrate what a beautiful group of people I have been working with!

Senior Fun Day

A time old tradition for seniors in high school is to have a senior skip day. This unofficial holiday is a designated day, by students, where all the seniors decide to not attend school. While this has been something that seniors have done for a long time, the tradition has changed a bit for a number of high schools. In order to keep students safe and out of trouble, Senior Fun Day has been implemented into the high school schedule. This day is designed to let seniors have their day outside of class, but it is organized in a way that all the seniors can bond together and have fun. While some people still decide to skip Senior Fun Day, I had a good time socializing with many of the seniors as well as a select few of awesome teachers! Our day included eating, playing, eating, playing, and a little more eating and playing. While our time away from school was about four hours, the time flew by because we were all enjoying ourselves. Besides the normal football, frisbee, soccer, and other sporting games that were played, there was also a sumo wresting station and a bungee race. In the first picture the individual in red is a male, and then one in blue is a female. While the idea of flattening a female friend is something guys may think of, there is no time better to do it than when surrounded by a foot of padding. These sumo wrestling suits provided seniors the opportunity to strengthen many friendships. Also the bungee race was exciting because it involved racing as well as being whipped backwards at the end of the race. Also the facial expressions were priceless from everyone that did the bungee race. Overall Senior Fun Day marked the end of what is known and a start to a new beginning.

Prom!

At the end of the year there have been many fun activities that have been taking place. For many, however, prom is the grandest event of them all. From delicious dinner and desserts, to fancy clothing, hair and nails, there is a classy look that goes along with prom. For many of us male high schoolers there are not many opportunities to dress in a tuxedo and have a pretty lady by our sides, but prom is a time where people dress to impress and put on a good showing. This year I was honored to go to dinner with individuals from the Partners Club. Just like any other event that the Partners Club has, there was a lot of fun and laughter throughout out dinner. While we didn't go to the classiest of restaurants, the Golden Coral was a nice place to enjoy a good meal with friends. With prom being one of a few commencement activities for seniors, I was glad to spend time with people who have meant a lot to me over the last four years. Between food, laughter, good looks, and dancing, prom was an event that I will remember for a long time. These three pictures are just a sampling of the elegant outfits and filled-out smiles that were present within our group. For a night filled with class and friends, I feel I can speak for the lot of us and say that a good time was had by all!

Funny Faces

There comes a time at the end of senior year in High School where students begin to check out of their daily routines and start to daydream about the future; many people call this Senioritis. Symptoms include, but are not limited to: laziness, skipping class, not doing homework, and wearing sweats all the time. Along with the these wonderful traits of a Senioritis come an increasing need to relax and have a laugh with friends. In the pictures above there are a few images of me and Nathaniel Knapp in our final weeks of High School. Since we have both been very active through academics, sports, and clubs, there has often been stress within our lives. The realization, however, that free education is coming to a close and we are going to have to start caring about grades more, because we are paying for classes, is something we are finally realizing. This realization that our lives are taking a major shift has caused the two of us to take a step back from the rigorous schedules we have, to enjoy some extra fun. As pictures are worth 1000 words, we have both taken a liking in taking funny pictures. As I have blogged before about the innocence of children, again the characteristics of not having a care in the world and being able to enjoy life, are things that these images portray. While the last four years have been full of some stressful times, the final days of High School have been great for reminiscing about the fun we've had throughout the years. These last four years have been a great time in my life and I can't wait for the opportunities that are to arise after High School.

Childhood Innocense

Every month I have the opportunity to hang out with a group of kids while their parents are off having a nice, peaceful getaway. Through my church, Trinity Presbyterian, we offer a "Date Night," where parents can drop off their children and get some time alone. While watching the kids, I can't help but admire the innocence that they all possess. In the first picture one of the boys is beaming with pleasure after he was spun up in a swing by his fellow buddies and then let go to spin about. The smile on his face speaks volumes to how much fun he was truly having. The next image represents the typical, "little rascal" tactics of young children. Both the boys in the second picture are filling shoes with rocks and getting a bit messy. While they were all supposed to keep there shoes on...I couldn't help but admire how adorable they looked while putting rocks in their shoes. The last picture was taken just after eight o'clock and you can tell that the little girl looks a bit on the sleepy side. While she is looking a bit tired, it was nice to see the simplicity of the lives of her and the other babies that we were watching. Although the job of raising kids is one that many adults get tired of at times, it is hard to dismiss the innocent personalities they convey.

Partners Club Track

Throughout my four years at East High School I have been privileged to be a part of a group of people who know how to have a fun time through all aspects of life. This group I am referring to is the Partners Club. Over the years I have been able to befriend many people through this club and have made friendships that will last a lifetime. One of our primary activities as a club is sports training and competition. In the past month and a half the Partners Club has been training for track and field. We compete in the 4 x 100 meter relay, 100 m dash, shot putt, and long jump. While our training program is not as much of a time commitment as many, we get down to business and train hard when we need to, but we also know how to kick back and have some fun! In these three photos you can see the smiles that are present on all the faces of the athletes. Smiling is one thing that runs rampant throughout all of our activities in Partners Club. One of my favorite people to take pictures of is Linda Willie, who is in the first picture. I have been able to work with Linda for the past two years and I would say she is one of the happiest people I know! With a smile like hers you can't help but smile yourself. Throughout all the training, competing, and partying, Partners Club has been one of the most educational and inspirational groups I have ever been a part of and I thank all those who have been involved in the club through the years!

Abstract Nature

Throughout our day to day lives there are often things that are overlooked in nature that provide beauty. This beauty is something that can be seen if one takes a step back, bends down to look from a different angle, or gets a bird's eye view of a situation. In the two photos above the pictures are taken of water and snow on the windshield of my car. When magnified, the droplets of water in the lower right-hand corner of the first image display reflections of me taking this photo. The idea on focusing in on something small like a rain drop displays something that often goes without being seen. For me the second image depicts the universe, with asteroids moving about through space. While others may look at these pictures and have a different interpretation, the possibilities are endless when looking at nature in a new way. While the idea of looking at something from a different vantage point is something that seems easy, there are many things that go unseen due to the hustle and bustle of our daily routines. Whether it be looking at rain and snow on your windshield, or looking through a waterfall, I challenge everyone to go out in nature and find something majestic that you may not have seen before.

Young Athletes Program

The Special Olympics Young Athletes Program offers elementary school students the opportunity to participate in sports activities in order to get them involved with other classmates their age. This program helps to start relationships between students with and without intellectual disabilities at a young age, in order to start friendships that will last a lifetime. Since our society often is unaware about the "abilities" of individuals with intellectual disabilities, it is important to break stereotypes at a young age and promote the equality of all peoples. In these three photos you can see one event that was held to promote the Young Athletes Program. These photos illustrate the fun that is had when students with intellectual disabilities have the option to train and compete in sports. Through my work with these students, I see the abilities that are represented in others, rather than their inabilities that are often pin-pointed by others. The ability to laugh, smile, and treat others with respect is something that I feel each of these children possess and if that is a "disability," than I think it is something that shouldn't be scoffed at by others. Through the work of the Special Olympics organization and volunteers, there are programs like the Young Athletes Program that harness the abilities of other and help to break down stereotypes behind "disabilities."

Coca Cola

Coca Cola has become a drink that many Americans drink on a daily basis. This delicious beverage, however, is one that some skeptics say causes obesity in the United States and around the world. While drinking Coke may seem like a hazard to your health based off of reviews from health officials, but the truth of the matter is that the health risk isn't Coca Cola, rather it is the consumer. A Coke a day wouldn't cause a person to become overweight or obese, while drinking a 32oz soda and not exercising may be a serious risk to one's health. While some people still scoff at the negative aspects of Coke, there are many people, like myself, that think Coca Cola is a delightful drink. Over the years the Coca Cola Company and the Bottling Companies have realized the negative publicity that has come about due to the sugar contents and the caffeine that is in Coke, for this reason there are drinks like Coke Zero, Diet Coke, and Caffeine free Diet Coke that provide "more healthy" ways to drink Coke products. In the images above you can see how the Coca Cola industry has been a long lasting part of American History. Not only does the Coca Cola Company provide a great drink for many people, they also support the community in a variety of different ways. Two such examples are the support that is given to the Olympics and the Special Olympics and the Coca Cola Scholars Foundation that provides scholarships to high school seniors who are leaders throughout the country. So whether it be supporting the economy, giving back to the community, or providing a tasty drink, the Coca Cola Company plays a large role in America today.

Fencing

During the final semester of school there are always times of stress and feeling of being overloaded with meaningless assignments. While this time of year can be depressing, there is a time within the final quarter where students within the School Within A School (SWS) program, at East High School, get the chance to add a little fun into the monotonous schedule that they have been attentive to all year long. This is the week of exit exams, commonly known as the HSGQE testing. For all the juniors and seniors who have passed this set of testing there are three consecutive half-days where students can sleep in until 9 or 10 in the morning, while for underclassmen and those upperclassmen who have failed to pass the test, they get to enjoy three morning of testing. Whether taking the exit exams or sleeping in, the individuals of SWS get to participate in week-long intensive classes that include: fencing, juggling, cake decorating, ghost hunting, and a variety of other activities. During this years intensives week I was able to take a fencing class. Throughout the class I learned the fundamentals of fencing and by the end of the week our class was able to have a competition amongst ourselves. The two pictures in this blog show a traditional setup for a match, which includes the equipment for the individuals and the scoring device. While weapons are not normally allowed in school, fencing was a permissible activity for those who were lucky enough to sign up for the class. Speed, agility, and accuracy are all part of the game, but above all the ability to use the fundamentals and be patient is something that is vital to taking down your opponent with ease. This class proved to be not only a fun time away from the typical schedule I have throughout the school year, but it also provided an opportunity for me to learn a new skill and venture into the unknown!

Breakup

Snow, Rain, Sun, and Darkness....it's all a part of the breakup season. While many states call it spring, here in Alaska we don't have the typical warmer weather with blossoming trees and flower. In Alaska we have melting snow, falling snow, rain, and the occasional sunny and warm days. Although there is never a time when the weather can be predicted to the "T", there is always a possibility that the weatherman is correct, so be prepared for anything ranging from warmth and sunshine to freezing temperatures and snow. Above are three pictures that represent one of those delightful days in mid-may. Waking up in the morning I was surprised to see giant snowflakes fall outside my window, by mid-afternoon there was sun beaming through my classroom window, and by the time I was ready to go to bed the sun was finally extinguished for the night. This time of year is one that brings joy to many because of the hopes for sun and warm weather, but for others it is a time of displeasure from the constant change in weather from sun to snow to rain to snow exc. Even though breakup is a time of uncertainty, there is life that starts to flutter in from the south, like geese and ducks. There is also the smell of soggy feces is rampant throughout the city from the smelly treats that were left behind by irresponsible dog owners and geese throughout the past months. All the unpredictable weather and happenings of breakup bring a sense of spontaneity into the lives of many. This time is one that will soon be over and what will the next season be...? CONSTRUCTION SEASON!

Alaskan Sledding

Being born and raised in Alaska there are a number of things that I have been able to experience that many "typical" Americans never have the opportunity to live through. Snow is one thing that some states never seem to see, but this winter we have seen that the unexpected can happen and snow can be seen throughout all the 50 states. While snow is something that may have fallen in a number of places where it isn't normally seen, the chance to go snowmachining is something that many people could not do on the snow that fell. The term snowmachining is one that makes my smile, because when talking to people from the continental US there are often confused looks on people when using such a term as snowmachining. Some people may shrug it off and not inquire about it, while others reply with a confused remark and awkward facial expression. Living in Alaska we often use the term snowmachining, but others know the sport as snowmobiling. While this may be true, still other Alaskans call this sort of recreation sledding. No matter what your terminology may be, the activity of going out in the outdoors and shredding some powder is something that I wish everyone could experience. The photo above is of a newer model machine and to me it looks like some sort of bug. While the front end may look a little weird, in all reality these machines can do some major damage if not handled with care. Whether it be snowmobiling, snowmachining, or sledding, all these words really boil down to the same thing....fun!

Symbols of Our Nation's Capital

When preparing to go to our Nation's Capital last month I was excited to see the big sites and have a fun visit. Although I knew I was in for a good time, I didn't expect that I would be going to a warm and beautiful place. Coming from Alaska I didn't expect extremely cold weather, but I definitely didn't expect temperatures reaching up into the lower 60's. Upon my arrival to DC, at about 10 pm, the temperature was a balmy 47 degrees. Since I was coming from Alaska where it was -10 degrees, I felt like I had been dropped off in the tropics rather than Washington DC. While the first evening in DC was nice, the next day I was in for treat because the temperatures reached 61 degrees. In the photos you see above I wanted to depict a few of the common tourist traps for people from out of town. Me, being a first timer to DC, wanted to see all of the big sites and have a grand old time. Seeing the house of the president, and a variety of other national monuments, ended up being a very pleasing day for me and my companions.

A Different Perspective on DC

Since this blog is a photo blog I wanted to capture Washington DC in a more abnormal view than the typical depictions that one sees online. Above are two photos taken on the Mall in DC. Because you the reader may have never been to DC I should explain that the Mall is not the normal sort of shopping center you are thinking of, rather it is a large, elongated, rectangular set of pathways that contain a variety of monuments and memorials that encompass American history. Of the two images displayed, the first is of the Washington Monument. To be honest this picture was sort of a double take because I had already moved on to the next stop on my list when I realized that the Monument was being framed by a tree. Luckily I had my camera and I snapped a shot of the Monument being propped up by this expansive tree. The next photo is one that is one of the World War II memorial. While this memorial isn't one that brings joy to one's heart, this image can be used to show the light that can be found in times of darkness. By looking up through one of the sections of the memorial I noticed that the sun and clouds could be seen through three sections of the building, and the light showed a shadow on the brick wall. This picture reminds me of the common saying "there's a light at the end of the tunnel" and it shows that there can be joy in a time of desperation. While both these images show common tourist attractions, they also show a new composition of what is the normal view of these places.

Spirit Fingers

As a child I can remember many times where I was able to just forget about the world around me and have fun. This picture captures that feeling of fun for me because these two individuals are high school students who are painting their hands during school. The purpose of the finger painting was to promote the acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities. In the photo all the different colors of the rainbow are present and the colors seem to represent the diversity of mankind. Aside from the childlike feeling that painting gives, the power of "changing the world" by harnessing diversity is something that can be portrayed in this picture. While there are many different colors represented, they all come together to make the hands stick out. The shadows in the background also have meaning to me because they are of one color, showing the blending of all the different colors that are represented. While the painted hands and shadows don't directly relate to the diversity of mankind, this picture shows the uniqueness that each color possesses as well as displaying the similar meld that can be made when they all come together. In supporting a cause such as the Special Olympics, the idea of painting and having fun is a great way to show the way a diverse group can come together and have a good time!

Spread the Word to End the Word

Over the last four years I have been actively working with the Special Olympics organization. My first interactions with this nonprofit were through the school program Partners Club, which is a club where students with and without intellectual disabilities can come together for sports training and competition. Through my years in high school I started as the vice president of this club and I have been the president for the three years since. Through all the different sporting events and other activities we have done through the club I have been inspired to become an advocate for people with intellectual disabilities. As an advocate for these individuals and the Special Olympics movement, I have been able to travel throughout the US as a part of a National Youth Activation Committee. One of the things that I have been able to promote is a campaign to "End the R-Word." This R-Word that I speak of is the word "retard" or "retarded." While many people use these words as the butt to a joke, they may not realize the effects that their choice of words has on people with intellectual disabilities. The reality is that these individuals do not choose to be born "different" than everyone else, so why would anyone think of discriminating against people who have been born with such a birth defect? For this reason of people using such hateful language, I have taken the initiative to "Spread the Word to End the Word," and promote the acceptance of all different peoples. The pictures above are of a pledge banner that was made at my school to show the pledges that people made to stop using this word and "change the conversation." I urge each and every person that may read this to think before you speak and join me in changing the R-Word to RESPECT!

Morning Majesty

In the morning I am not normally a person who you would like to be around. This is not to say that I am a boring person or I am not someone who can hold a conversation, but in the morning I resemble characteristics of an ogre more than of a human being. Although you may think of the movie Shrek when I say ogre, I mean more of the nasty and scary types of ogers, not you friendly Shrek type. Needless to say, the beautiful backdrop of the Anchorage Bowl is one that can take your breath away. The two photos above are ones that are taken from the parking lot at my high school. While the morning is typically a bad time for me, when the sky is blue and the mountains are outlined by the rising sun, it is hard for me to be the grump that I normally am at this time. Although I have lived in the state of Alaska all my life, I still find the beauty of the mountains and the cool morning breeze to be things that bring me comfort. To start off the day with a majestic setting like the one above is something I wish everyone could experience from day to day. While waking to this scenery is a treat, I still manage to be an ornery young man in the morning. This imagery shows me that pictures mean more than words, so why ruin the peacefulness of the mountains in the morning, when you could be quiet and just sit back, drink coffee, read the paper, and relax?

Skiers Gone Spunky

The sport of cross country skiing is often thought to be a sport of precision and grace. Unlike the popular opinion, there are many occasions when skiers are not so...proper. From the images above you can see how despite the image of beauty on skies, the reality is that they are truly competitors on and off the course. Whether it be skiing 50 kilometers or eating a banana cream pie as fast as possible, there are no limits to the enthusiasm that skiers poses. The feeling of winning a race is like none other that an athlete can experience, but winning a pie eating contest is yet another victory that can bring a smile to the face!

Skiing and Snowboarding with Partners Club

Growing up in Alaska there are many beautiful sites to see and things to do throughout the year. One of these exciting winter activities is downhill skiing and snowboarding. I am lucky enough to have the opportunity to coach these two sports through the Partners Club, which is a club where students with and without intellectual disabilities can come together for sports training and competition. Throughout the winter months I help individuals from the club learn how or further their skills in both skiing and snowboarding. This opportunity of coaching these athletes not only helps me to become a better leader, but it also gives me the opportunity to learn new things. One of the students in the club with who has an intellectual disability was able to teach me, a longtime skier, how to snowboard. Being able to step back and be taught rather then be the teacher helped me to look at this event as a way to not only help others, but learn something myself. As a hole this experience is one of service learning, where I not only get to give to others, but I acquire a new skill at the same time. These two photos help to capture the friendships between both the skiers and the snowboarders within our club.