Never Good Enough?

Last week during the Democratic National Convention I tweeted: “we can only put cracks in the glass ceiling, because if they break it then fems have to find something new to be mad about” (@jessica_elise)

I’m sure several “new-age” feminists who follow me on Twitter rolled their eyes as they scrolled past my snarky tweet. But, after reading this Politico article, I don’t think I’m wrong.

This columnist is disappointed in the lack of millennials excitement over Hillary’s historical nomination. She acts as though we don’t care because we didn’t have to live through the struggles of the past. From a historical perspective, I think it’s cool to see people like the 102 year-old DNC delegate who cast her state’s votes for Hillary. She was 6 when women even got the right to vote. Things like that are pretty cool!

However, I am frustrated with this article because growing up, it’s been forced down our throats that girls and boys are the same and can do whatever they want. Our generation is the most accepting of gays and transgenders and mixed races relationships. We don’t bat eyelashes in situations that would have been scandal 50 years ago. But we’re supposed to all cry and care about Hillary Clinton being nominated?

The article says “Any parent of girls today can attest to the flood of girls-can-do messages: the pink engineering toys, the entrepreneurial Disney princesses, the minifig Lego girl scientists.” Acceptance and equality and political correctness has been taught to us since a very young age. But apparently we don’t appreciate this moment? I’m confused what our society is striving towards. Do we want girls to keep complaining or do we want girls to be empowered?

Yes, Hillary Clinton’s nomination was historical. But to millennials, female success should be commonplace, and I think that, for feminists, that should be an seen as a success, right? I understand she thinks we won’t fight as much for female equality, but she should understand that it really should be worth noting that our generation accepts women in leadership positions much more easily. I think it’s a positive view of the future, not negative. However, I shouldn’t really be shocked that now some feminists believe this isn’t good enough.

I apologize to this reporter for not having enough fireworks and doing enough cartwheels for Hillary’s nomination, but in 2016, this isn’t the most exciting. Let’s stop talking about the glass ceiling and start looking through it and looking towards the future.

 

 

Tips for Interning in Washington, D.C.

Ah, May. The month Hillterns descend upon the nation’s capital with bright eyes and big dreams. Last summer I had the amazing opportunity to spend two months interning for the College Republican National Committee, situated right in the middle of things on K Street. While I’m thrilled to be interning back at home this summer, I’ll miss the hustle and bustle of D.C. There’s a sense of importance in the air, although that might just be the Potomac. I’ve compiled a list of some things I didn’t know before I started my internship, as well as some fun things to do when you aren’t working:

1.The Metro 

Coming from the Midwest, I’ve never really used public transportation like the Metro before. As an intern with no car, the Metro became my absolute best friend. It can certainly be pricey to maintain the card, but it’s a necessity. Number one thing I learned, walk on the left and ride on the right of the escalators. After only a week, I wanted to kill the tourists who rode the escalators on the left. Like I know you’re itching to see the White House but I’m late to work so kindly go to the right. If you follow this rule, you’ll be consider a D.C. pro, you’re welcome.

(The K St Exit was always so busy!)

 
2. Networking

Never ever never turn down an opportunity to network. During the summer, there are millions of opportunities for interns to network. Not only does this mean free food and usually an open bar (and unpaid interns can hardly turn that down!), the organization holding the event usually sends some important people. Before you get to the city, make sure you print business cards. I’m not joking. I handed these out like candy last summer and received many back. You’re living in D.C., so take advantage of the people you could meet! Not to mention, build good relationships with your bosses for those handy letters of recommendations you’ll be wanting (shout out to you Carolina!).

3. Be a tourist 

Obviously everyone wants to look like a native, but carve out time on your weekends to explore the city. I’m a history nerd so I thrived on seeing the monuments and going to museums. I spent a handful of Sunday’s wandering around the city in awe of the history. You’ll have time to kill so maybe spend it learning a thing or two!

(The amount of strangers I asked to take my picture in front of monuments is probably embarrassing)

4. Nationals Games

I’m not a huge baseball fan but there’s something about the Washington Nationals that I loved. Maybe it was the hotdogs outside the stadium or maybe it was the President races, but despite the reason, I highly recommend getting to a game! Even if you don’t like baseball, at least you get to look at Bryce Harper for a few hours. Just be warned, the Metro is an absolute zoo afterwards.

(You can’t beat these seats! Hi Bryce!)

5. Safety

My parents were real worried about dropping their baby off in a city alone. They armed me with pepper spray (fun fact, pepper spray is actually illegal in D.C.) and prayed they taught me some common sense. Lucky for them I never had any issues however D.C. can be sketchy in places. If you’re on the Hill, the Metro can be a far walk. I spent quite a few nights drinking at Hawk ‘n’ Dove and I always called an Uber to get back to American University where I was staying. Uber is one of the best ways to get around the city so I highly recommend downloading the app before you get to the city.

6. Money

D.C. absolutely wiped my bank account clean last summer. Food and drinks can be extremely expensive if you aren’t paying attention. If you’re able to, buy bulk groceries and try to meal plan for the week. If you’ve already bought food to eat, you’ll find it easier to resist the happy hour deal at the local sushi bar. Although food trucks line the streets, packing your lunch will save you so much money in the long haul. I tried to save during the week so I could splurge on the weekends and it seemed to work well so maybe it’ll work for you too! Here’s pictures of some amazing D.C. food!

(Cafe Divan, Wisconsin Ave, Georgetown)

(Buredo, 14th Street, yes, that really is a sushi burrito!)

Final Quick Thoughts

• Baked and Wired is better than Georgetown Cupcake and has a significantly shorter line
• Research free things to do, D.C. is full of them!
• Get other interns to make a softball or kickball team to play in the National Mall League
• U Street has great bars, but Dupont Circle will also show you a good time
• I’m convinced brunch in D.C. is ten times better than brunch anywhere else
• Make sure you have enough time to see all of the Smithsonians, I personally loved the American Art Museum!
• The National Botanic Garden is a sanctuary in the city, be sure to check it out!
• Paddle boarding on the Potomac was way fun and decently inexpensive!
• Podcasts are a great way to pass time on the Metro because you can download them before and won’t require Internet (which is terrible underground)

(Paddle boarding on the Potomac)

 

(The National Botanical Garden, National Mall)

I hope you found this information useful! Make the most out of your summer in the capital because it’s sure to be one of the best you’ll ever have! If you have any advice I missed, leave a comment because I’d love to hear them.

Best wishes in the wonderful Washington, D.C, I wish I could be there!

xoxo, Jessica

 

Thank You, Slippery Rock

In a few short days I’ll be a college graduate. I’ll walk across a stage and get handed a couple thousand dollar piece of paper that says “hey this girl is smart, hire her!”

4 years ago I didn’t know what to expect (4 years ago I also drank Blue Wave and thought it was good so honestly, I really shouldn’t trust anything Freshman Year Jess thought). But here I am, days away from being an alum of Slippery Rock University. It’s almost surreal. What would my life have been like at any other school? My close friends and I came for lacrosse but to be honest, we stayed for each other. Western PA isn’t the most hoppin’ place in the world, let’s be real here. This wasn’t our favorite place but we had our favorite people by our side and that made walking to class in the rain almost every day worth it.

I am beyond grateful for the opportunities and experiences I was able to be part of these past four years. I think that’s the best part about a small school, involvement. I don’t think I would have been as successful at any other university. I held an executive position in Student Government and College Republicans as well as being a Division II athlete (I use the word athlete loosely). My life was busy and hectic but I loved every second of it. I had an internship after every year of school and I think I am prepared for graduate school and the real world, and really, what more can you ask for from a university?

I may have drank one too many Brewery beers and spent too much money on Coffaro’s Pizza, but I wouldn’t change a thing about my time at Slippery Rock. This sleepy little town gave me my best friends, a “rock solid” education, and some of the best years I’ll ever know. Basically, what I’m trying to say is, thank you, Slippery Rock. 

Every (Voting) Day Should Feel This Good

It’s finally Primary Day Pennsylvania!

A few months ago I had to change my voter registration to PA from OH and I was not thrilled about it. I’m very proud of my Ohio vote since “whoever wins Ohio wins the White House.” However, I’m working on a campaign (PA House 10th District, vote Aaron Bernstine!) and to legally get signatures to get him on the ballot, I had to become a PA voter. I thought to myself “ugh Pennsylvania hasn’t mattered in an election year in decades”

But guess what, PENNSYLVANIA MATTERS THIS YEAR!!! 

Honestly, I’m beyond thrilled that the GOP nomination hasn’t been wrapped up like it usually is at this point in the race. As you can guess from my last post, I proudly cast my vote for Ohio Governor John Kasich. There has been a lot of buzz the past couple of days about why PA is so important so I’m going to explain that real quick:

Voting in a primary is voting for delegates to the convention. In most states the delegates are “bound” to the winner of the state. However PA has a “loophole” ballot and the winner of the state gets 17 bound delegates but every congressional district has 3 unbound delegates. This means 54 delegates could be elected today that can be wild cards at the convention. Many delegates say they’ll vote for the candidate who wins the state, but they aren’t required to do so.  (For more info on this read this Politico article that I used!)

Anyway, this morning I went to the Slippery Rock Borough polling location and got the cool little “I voted” sticker that I’ll wear proudly all day (I wonder if my coach will be mad if I wear it on my jersey during today’s game…) My presidential candidate of choice was Ohio Governor John Kasich and I couldn’t be more proud to vote for someone I truly believe in!

(Naturally I had a voting day outfit! The link to my Vineyard Vines GOP shirt is here)

A New Journey

In just 24 short days I’ll be a college graduate. For some, this comes with a dose of reality. However, I’m not scared or anxious or any of the other feelings some college grads feel. I’m excited and I’m ready.

I started this blog as a way to share this journey from college to graduate school and everything in between. I start an internship downtown only a few days after graduation and I’ll be moving into an apartment and living on my own in August. I start at THE Ohio State University just a few weeks later. Not to mention we’re in the middle of a major presidential election. You’ll come to find out I’m a huge political nerd and I’ll be giving you all a taste of my opinions.

I have no idea where this blog will take me. Maybe it’ll suck, but maybe it’ll be really cool and I become one of those famous bloggers who get paid to advertise clothing and detox teas or a famous millennial political commentator who is asked to appear on FOX News and CNN (alright, leave me alone, a girl can dream!). Stick with me as I get a handle on how this whole thing even works. The posts will probably get nicer and prettier as I go and actually learn what I’m doing.

I’m excited to start this and I hope you think my life is actually interesting enough to take time and read!

xoxo

J.