Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Slightly surreal

My time here has been quite amazing and surreal lately. Last week was the Mark Twain Prize honoring Bill Cosby. Sunday night was the Artist Rehearsal Dinner at the Lincoln Theater. The dinner was on the stage with a platform built out into the seats. Some people that attended were obviously Bill Cosby, James DePriest, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Dick Gregory, Sinbad and Bill Russell, just to name a few. The night consisted of the artist toasting Cosby. However, the best part of the night was Wolf Blitzer telling me that I know how to throw a good party. I will never forget that moment. Ever.

On Monday was the Mark Twain Prize event. The event consisted of a dinner, the performance and a post-reception. The entire day was so busy and a blur with people changing guests' names and people deciding that day they wanted to go. I worked as a runner at the registration table, which can get a little crazy but overall went well. My other task was being a handler for Billy Taylor, a jazz pianist. I was to guide the 88-year-old man to the reception and his car. As he was leaving, he provided me with some wise words to always work with people and not against them. It was such an amazing night. You can check it out on PBS starting November 4.

I have taken advantage of any event that I can work at for the experience. On Saturday, I helped at an Austrailian Embassy post-reception for the opening of A Streetcar Named Desire. I had the chance to meet the cast including Cate Blanchett. I also worked a Halloween-themed reception for families after a National Symphony Orchestra performance.

I am currently planning some corporate dinners by myself! I had my first one tonight for Global Wireless. The evening consisted of a backstage tour, cocktails, dinner and a performance. I also have Hilton and Toyota in the next couple weeks. Also, I am helping with the Cast Party. I have been a part of all the decision making so I am excited to see it all come together in a few weeks!

My mom is coming on Thursday. We are going to go see Streetcar and definitely some shopping and wining (our favorite things).

*With my internship coming to an end soon, I am currently job searching. To those reading and know of any openings, I would greatly appreciate it!

Sunday, October 18, 2009

It's been awhile...

I cannot believe that I have been here for almost 2 months now! It just seems to be flying by. I am still seeing the sites around town. I went to Eastern Market and picked up some apples and flowers. There was a great flea market that I purchased some earrings and cannot wait to go back to. I also attended Crafty Bastards, a large craft fair in Adams Morgan. I visited Arlington Cemetery today which was a solemn experience but interesting nonetheless. It also had the most spectacular view of DC. I definitely need to make a list of things to do before my internship is over. Luckily, I will see some more things with my lovely visitors the next couple weeks.

This week is going to be busy preparing for the Mark Twain Prize honoring Bill Cosby. There is an artist rehearsal dinner on Sunday and the program is on Monday night. I am really excited for this large event. Also, at work, I have been touring event spaces for the Kennedy Center Honors and helping with the Halloween reception for the National Symphony Orchestra.

Here are some photos of the Ball from a few weeks ago. Just a little taste of what the style is like at the events.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

The Ball

I'm pretty much the worst blogger in the world posting every other week. But hey, at least I am still writing a post!

The past week was quite busy and filled with long hours to prepare for the National Symphony Orchestra Ball, which was last night. It was to kick off the season for the NSO and Kennedy Center. I helped with the seating chart and ticket packages. I also coordinated a flower recovery program, which local hospitals could come the night of the event to collect flowers from the arrangements that would have been thrown away otherwise.

Yesterday was so amazing to be part this large event. Everyone was decked out in tuxedos and ball gowns. The event space was incredible! Once I find some pictures, I will definitely put them up. A large white tent was rented and the colors were purple and gold. I was a runner at the registration table and then helped in the tent before dinner. And the most amazing part, especially since I was told that this never happens, I got to sit for the dinner with some of the other staff members. I was just in awe that I was eating dinner along with important donors and people of Washington. It was also amazing at the end when I got to take off my shoes and go to bed. The next event is the Mark Twain Prize honoring Bill Cosby at the end of October.

This week, I am going on a White House tour with the other interns. I have never been inside the White House so definitely had to take advantage of the sign up. I am going to look for Michelle and ask if she likes my style.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Just another week

I know it's been a while now.. so time to catch everyone up! My parents came to DC over Labor Day weekend, and it was a lot of fun. We visited the National Building Museum, which is a lot more interesting than it sounds. They had an exhibit on storefront churches in cities and also history of building DC. We also went to a winery in Virginia that was very fun. There are hundreds of wineries all over Virginia so I may have to check another one out.

I finally finished stuffing the invitations for Mark Twain Prize! There were around 3000 of them or so. I had some help from 2 volunteers. One lady has been volunteering at the Kennedy Center for over 20 years. The other gave me a present of the history of jazz so that I can know more if I attend performances. I hope to have more conversations with them soon. The honorees from the Kennedy Center Honors were announced this week and they included: Mel Brooks, Dave Brubeck, Grace Bumbrey, Robert De Niro and Bruce Springsteen.

The other interns started this week. It's been nice meeting them and some of us went to the last Jazz in the Garden where they serve sangria in pitchers. On Saturday, the Kennedy Center held their open house. I was in charge of artist hospitality, which had me running sandwiches and ice all over the building. I know where all the backstages are now blindly. The open house included French street performers that were really interesting. I saw an aerialist suspended from the roof that was quite spectacular. The next couple weeks will be spent preparing for the National Symphony Orchestra Ball on September 26. I'm excited to see this event come together and to work such a large and prestigious event.

There are a few things I am still trying to get use to. First are the buses. My most recent adventure was on Friday when it was pouring down rain. Not only was part of the roof leaking where I stood, but I also slipped and fell on top of a person. Second would be the surprising number of midriff shirts that I have seen. Definitely not a style people should be copying.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

First 9-5

I am almost done with my first week at the internship.This is my first 9-5ish work experience (and actually having weekends off). It has consisted of the usual introductions, tours and reading material. I feel quite official with my id badge though! And it will definitely pick up soon with the NSO Ball just around the corner.

Along with my new internship comes the new commute. It takes approximately 1 hour both ways to take the bus. Definitely a change from my 15 minutes in Omaha! I have started to use this time to listen to music, read the paper and my personal favorite, see what other people are wearing (or try to spot a cute boy, it's a toss up). Probably from my years in retail, I determine if I like their style and if I own that item from J.Crew. Speaking of which, I have not been in a J.Crew store for 3 weeks! It's as if I quit cold turkey from my last day, but we all know it won't last too long.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

The Beginning

Hello family, friends and random Internet wanderers!

I have now been in DC for a few days. In a nutshell, I have walked many miles for many hours. I'm pretty sure I lost all the weight from my many "see you soon" dinners. I got use to taking the route to work via Metro Bus. I feel quite official with my bus pass! I like to pretend that I know what I'm doing with my green tote in arm and iPod in ears, but I almost always pull out my trusty maps just to double check.

I'm still looking for a place to stay so if anyone know of anything... Living with my Aunt Kara and Uncle Dave has been great though! I have experienced many new things like tofu and a Bollywood dance performance (at the Atlas not the apartment). I'm pretty sure they still don't understand my dislike of tomatoes and nuts.

I start at the Kennedy Center on Monday. So I'm sure there will be a lot more to say then. I do know that I will be wearing one of my Jackie cardigans. I find it most fitting for the first day plus it's 'my style.'

Thank you everyone for your love and support!