Spring Break Travels: Russia and Czech Republic

For spring break, I jumped on a great flight deal from DC to Moscow and decided to visit my dear friend Amy who works for the State Department in Moscow.  I also went to Prague, Czech Republic for a few days during the week.  This was the furthest east I had been in Europe and it was an eye-opening trip.  It was my first time leaving the United States in almost two years (since I returned from the Peace Corps in April 2011!)  It felt liberating to travel again, especially to an area that was so unknown to me.

Russia was cold (15-20F some days and windy) and appropriately very "Soviet" feeling; there were no tourists besides me.  Without my friend, it would have been very difficult to get around on my own.  I couldn't read the Russian alphabet, so it was hard to even sound-out words that I saw written.  We did a whirlwind tour of Moscow and saw all the main sights in just a few days: the Kremlin and its Armory full of Russian treasures and jewels, St. Basil's Cathedral and Red Square, Cafe Pushkin, a concert, hockey game, the Bolshoi Theater (we went to the ballet), and the Soviet version of "Epcot" - an exposition center that was built in the 1940s.  The exposition center is known as the Exhibition of National Economic Achievements and is an impressive monument to Soviet past.  There are various pavilions built in the Exhibition to showcase each of the Soviet republics (Belarus, Armenia, etc.) 

US Diplomats vs Russian Diplomats hockey game we attended.  Guess who won?? :)

At the Soviet Exhibition Center - each golden statue at the fountain represents a Soviet republic

Ballet at the Bolshoi Theater

This Russian babushka was sitting outside the metro playing music for coins.  It was International Women's Day (March 8) and someone must have given her the tulips in her bag to recognize it.  All the women had flowers

Walking around Moscow

Inside Russian Orthodox Cathedral at the Kremlin

Me in Red Square

St. Basil's Cathedral 

Prague was quite different from Moscow - I took a three hour flight to Czech Republic to see a friend from undergrad.  It was much warmer to begin with, most people spoke English, and there were many tourists.  It felt much more like Western Europe.  People call Prague "the poor man's Moscow" since it is a popular place for Muscovites to move due to its much lower cost of living.  Many multinational corporations are also based there since they can pay employees less and have less operating costs, relatively close to Western Europe.  I met several Prague residents who were originally from Ukraine, Germany, Poland, Spain, Canada and the US who were working or studying there.  It was a popular destination because of its low cost of living combined with a wealth of cultural activities and its Western European "feel."  Prague truly was a "fairy tale town," around every corner and on every hillside there was a different palace, synagogue, cathedral or church.  It was a very walkable city and I spent most of my two days there walking and sightseeing.

Prague

Prague's Vltava River

Looking west in Prague

Traditional Czech pastry.  The dough is rolled over hot coals to cook, then covered in sugar

Blowing bubbles in the Prague old town square

It was a wonderful week-long break, and now I'm back to the grind in DC.  This semester ends in two months; the end is in sight!  I'm not sure what my summer plans will be yet.  I've applied for a few internships (some abroad, some here in DC).  I hope to find out soon!

Obama's Second Inauguration

I got a golden ticket!  The US Presidential Inauguration Committee allocates tickets to each Congressional office to award to constituents based on a lottery system.  I applied for tickets through each of my Alaska representatives' offices, and was awarded two tickets to Obama's second Inauguration, held on January 21, 2013.  My friend Adrien (also from Alaska) and I attended, braving the cold and the crowds to witness history!

For President Obama's first Inauguration in 2009, I was in Miami, Florida about to depart for my Peace Corps service in Nicaragua.  Wow, how time has gone by!  I remember the excitement and the energy my fellow volunteers and I felt as we boarded the plane to leave the country, with Obama just being sworn in.  We were on a "service high," and ready to work for our country.  Four years later, the excitement has lessened, and my idealism has been tempered by the very real hardship I experienced in Peace Corps.  However, my admiration for President Obama continues and I was very excited to be able to attend the Inauguration.

Here in DC, I live very close to the National Mall and the US Capitol, so thankfully Adrien and I got to skip the horrendous commute.  We got in line at about 8 AM, and quickly went through security (there were airport TSA screeners).  The photo below shows the lines to enter the white tents where the metal detectors were located.  The attendees to this Inauguration estimated to be about half of those in 2009, drawing 1 million people to DC.

The ceremonies started around 11 AM.  Adrien and I were in the "yellow standing area" behind the Capitol reflecting pool.  People brought blankets, picnic food, and plenty of warm clothing because it was very cold!  (Of course, it was also very sunny with blue skies, so on TV, it looked like an amazing day.  I, on the other hand, couldn't feel my hands or feet most of the morning). Obama scarves, hats, gloves, pins, and t-shirts were everywhere.  Some attendees had also been to his Inauguration in 2009; others had traveled from far away to attend for the first time.  During the down time between when we entered the secure area to when the festivities began, we chatted with other people, jumped around to keep warm, and people-watched.  This kid in the photo below even decided to take a nap on the grass while we waited...  I liked his initiative.

The view of the crowds looking behind us toward the Washington Monument

The ceremony did not disappoint.  Although we had to rely on the jumbo TV screens to see exactly what was happening, it was exhilarating to be in the presence of so many amazing leaders and even celebrities.  Obama's speech was inspiring; I especially enjoyed his focus on climate change.

The view of the Capitol from where we stood

After the ceremony ended in the early afternoon, Adrien and I stumbled home through the crowds to take hot baths and nap.  The city was abuzz all evening; I live near the Washington Convention Center where the official Inaugural Ball was held, and all night long I could hear helicopters, sirens, and yelling out in the streets.  ATVs had replaced many vehicles in the streets around my house since traffic was in gridlock, blocking any other way of transporting VIPs and others who needed to get places quickly.  Happy Hours, special Inauguration brunches, and parties were held all over DC throughout the day.  While I spend the rest of Inauguration Day 2013 sleeping, I was content in the fact that I had actually been there that morning and witnessed this historic event.

Life Lessons from Pitbull

So, hopefully you're at least somewhat familiar with the Cuban-American rapper known as "Pitbull." He also goes by the aliases Mr. 305, Mr. Worldwide, and his given name, Armando Cristian Perez.  He is 31 years old and grew up in Miami, Florida, born to Cuban parents.  Pitbull's style of music is eclectic, and has been changing as he gains popularity and appeals to wider audiences: Latin rap, reggaeton, hip hop, electronic, house, and pop.  I started listening to his music in college, loving his reggaeton beats.  When I lived in Nicaragua during the Peace Corps, his music surrounded me, and my fellow volunteers and I turned into forever fans.  We continue to listen to his songs back in the USA, converting many others to Pitbull-worship as well.  His music is so happy and optimistic, you can tell he loves his life, despite his rough upbringing.

Now, there are many "haters" out there who would disrespect Pitbull and belittle his music and lifestyle.  Recently, Pitbull - who promotes a certain brand of energy strips sold in Walmart stores - agreed to visit whichever Walmart got the most "likes" on its Facebook page.  A writer at a Boston newspaper thought it would be funny to "exile" Pitbull to the most remote Walmart in the US, in Kodiak, Alaska.  Of course, since I'm from Alaska and a Pitbull fan, I took offense at this practical joke.  The whole scenario actually ended quite well, with both Pitbull and the Boston writer visiting the Kodiak Walmart, and having a great time.  Who knows what drove the writer's negative feelings toward Pitbull: jealousy, annoyance at his confidence and swagger?? We will never know, but we can rest assured nothing will slow Pitbull down.

I've wanted to write this blog for a while as a counter to the negative opinions I hear about Pitbull (see example at left).  Like most rap and reggaeton music, his songs can be degrading toward women at times.  However, I believe that Pitbull has his priorities in order, works hard, and respects his fans and the Latino population.  His unabashed pride in who he is and where he comes from is admirable and in many ways he is a great role model.  I have found Pitbull's music and his persona to be inspiring, and indeed he has taught me many life lessons.  Read and learn.


1. He remembers his roots; he doesn't change who he is.  Pitbull remains true to himself, being a voice for the Latino-Americans in the US.  Over the years he's been in the public eye, he hasn't significantly altered who he is or tried to hide his background.  He is proud to be Cuban-American, often raps in Spanish, and always remembers he is first and foremost from "the 305," Dade County in Miami.
2. He learns from his mistakes. Pitbull began rapping in high school after his mother kicked him out for dealing drugs. After this setback, he managed to graduate and began to focus on his career, hanging out in clubs and performing wherever he could. He never went back to drug dealing.
3. "Haters gonna hate." This popular saying is commonly spoken by Pitbull, who has his fair share of critics and "haters."  However, he has embraced this criticism and the idea that "haters gonna hate," realizing that it's very hard to change the mind of a negative person.  You have to learn to live with the negative feelings being projected upon you, and the best mechanism for dealing with it is to ignore it and move on.
4. Optimism is the best policy.  In his music and his life, Pitbull has overcome adversity to stay positive and optimistic.  I think this has led him to success, and it's an infectious quality that his fans appreciate.
5. He isn't afraid to dance.  More people should dance with abandon like Pitbull.  Just watch this video if you don't believe me.
6. Work hard, play hard.  Pitbull always talks about how he got himself to where he is today: through hard work and by never giving up.  He sets a good example to younger generations, yet also balances his life with enough fun to make it worthwhile.
7. He's not afraid of making fun of himself.  On Pitbull's Facebook page, he regularly posts internet jokes that are aimed at him: his lack of creativity in his rapping, his obsession with the female rear end, etc., but he turns the jokes around and finds humor in them as well.  He's not too self-absorbed to fail to laugh at himself, and he doesn't take himself too seriously.  I really admire that.
8. Family is important.  Like any good Latino, he always "shouts out" to his family in his songs, and you know that it is one of the most important things in his life.
9. He respects his mom and the ladies.  Pitbull often mentions his mother in his songs.  As a single mom, she struggled to make ends meet by working two jobs.  Pitbull shuttled from one run-down home to another, even spending time with a foster family in Georgia.  Rather than becoming hardened at bitter through this experience, he came out of it stronger and with a deep love and respect for single mothers and how hard women work to keep families together. The lyrics from his recent song with Jennifer Lopez say it best,"We're cheering to everything the women do...single ladies, single mothers, and those that are out there just working hard."

10. He believes in collaboration.  It's a running joke how much Pitbull collaborates and sings with other artists (see below):

 

Yet, his ability to work with dozens of artists across the musical spectrum is quite amazing.  He appeals to a variety of ethnicities and ages through his collaborations with artists like Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias, Shakira, Usher, Christina Aguilera, Akon, Alejandro Sanz, and The Wanted.

So, in conclusion, I hope you'll take a listen to a few of his songs.  One of my favorites is Echa Pa'alla which tells you to throw all of the negativity in your life away.  Rain Over Me with Marc Anthony is also a great song.

And I hope after listening and learning more about him, you'll jump on the Pitbull train with me, because hey, haters are gonna hate.

Hillary Clinton Comes to Georgetown!

Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton visited Georgetown University last week to speak about "Energy Diplomacy in the 21st Century."  I was one of the lucky few who stood in line and was able to see her speak.  Being from Alaska, the topic of energy is of particular importance to me.  It is surely one of the largest challenges and opportunities of the 21st century and beyond.

My ticket!

 Seeing Secretary Clinton in person was surreal.  She was my first "political celebrity," yet her voice, mannerisms, way of speaking, and even her hair was already familiar to me.  I greatly admire her leadership and what she has done at the US State Department since being appointed by President Obama in 2009.

Dean Carol Lancaster (Dean of Georgetown School of Foreign Service), and Secretary Clinton

Clinton’s speech came a year after the State Department established the Bureau of Energy Resources, which leads the State Department’s diplomatic efforts on energy. “In the coming weeks, I will be sending policy guidance to every U.S. embassy worldwide,” she said, “instructing them to elevate their reporting on energy issues and pursue more outreach to private sector energy partners."

Video of her speech on Energy Diplomacy and transcript is available here. If any other political celebs visit, I'll try and be first in line!

Welcome to DC!

Adios Alaska, hello Washington, DC!  I've officially transplanted myself to the east coast and have been living here for 6 weeks now.  Graduate school started a month ago, and I'm in the midst of writing papers and preparing for mid-term examinations.  I have a new roommate, apartment, and new friends, but I'm still the same old Penny (just slightly more stressed and busy).

Row Houses

If you were wondering, graduate school at Georgetown is no joke.  I knew going back to school would be difficult, but this is quite intense.  I've been trying to make a concerted effort not to "complain" about school or try and get sympathy from my social networks (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) (I mean, I chose to come here and I'm paying lots of money for it, so why complain?), so I'll try keep it brief here, too.  Basically, I feel like I could be studying or reading about 12 hours/day, and I would still have more work I could do.  One of the biggest hurdles I'm facing is actually remembering how to be an efficient student again: note-taking during class, reading comprehension, critical thinking, concentration under pressure, time management, eliminating distractions...  It's been four years since I left undergrad, so it's been a while...  And Georgetown is more intense than any other educational experience I've had before.  I feel challenged, but as I told my mom, "I'm treading water, I'm not drowning yet!"

Georgetown University (bears a resemblance to Hogwarts Castle, eh?)

My classmates are very interesting and diverse; arguably the best part of the program (besides its location in DC).  About 40% of my incoming class (there are a little over 90 of us), is international.  Students have come from Korea, Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel, Germany, France, Spain, Columbia, Australia, Singapore, China, Japan, Moldova, Dominican Republic....  Of course, there are students from all over the United States as well (even another girl who grew up in Alaska!)  It's amazing to hear the different accents, opinions, languages, and stories from this diverse group.  What is even more intriguing is that we all share certain things in common: interest in the international community, intercultural interaction, politics, and the improvement of our shared world.  We've been organizing barbeques, parties and happy hours; along with study groups, and study sessions.  This makes for some extreme bonding.  Although I've only known my classmates for a month, I feel very close to many of them.  I know this group of people will be very important for the rest of my life, professionally and personally.  It reminds me a lot of Peace Corps: a small group of people going through the exact same experience together for two years, sharing the same stresses and joys.

My program's student lounge

Working on our international economics course

I've been trying to get out as much as I can into DC and nearby areas when I can escape from studying.  The summer is winding down and the weather is beautiful now.  Apples, pumpkins, and yellow leaves are everywhere.  Young people are the majority in this city and there is always something going on: concerts, cultural events, poetry slams, international leaders speaking, film festivals, new Smithsonian exhibits, disc golf tournaments...  I'm in a bit of shock after two years in rural Nicaragua, and a year in dark, cold Alaska.

Farmer's Market

Georgetown Law School Library I often read in

Washington, DC is very diverse.  On my walk from my apartment to the metro, I pass through a largely African-American neighborhood with a soup kitchen and large homeless population, the "Chinatown" neighborhood with its endless dumpling and noodle restaurants, and the Georgetown Law School, which is full of very smart (mainly white) students.  It's quite the juxtaposition...  DC is so small and so diverse, you can walk a few blocks and be a world away from where you started.  Obscure cuisine like Ethiopian is "big" in DC, also brunch and "Happy Hour" (illegal back home in Alaska since it promotes drinking).  I'm enjoying observing a lot of what goes on around me; people watching provides endless entertainment. 

View of the US Capitol building from the top of my apartment complex

More to come soon (and hopefully better written and better organized).  I just wanted to jot down a few of my recent thoughts about DC and graduate school and share some photos.

No Love for Sitka??

This month, there was a buzz in my hometown of Sitka over an article in an Australian newspaper over a botched trip to Alaska.  The article, What's the Value of a Wasted Day in Alaska? tells the story of a group of Australian tourists who come to Southeast Alaska on a seven-day cruise, hoping to see the town of Skagway.  Instead, they are stuck in Sitka, on what they call "a wasted day."  After returning to Australia, they sued the travel agency that had stuck them on the cruise (although it was really their own fault for not reading the tour itinerary beforehand).  Each of the six tourists who sued were awarded $250 in damages.

I have quite a few problems with these Aussies and their argument that a day in Sitka, my beloved hometown, was "wasted."  They argued that Skagway was superior.  As the visitor guides tout, "a place where romance and excitement of yesteryear linger around every street corner...the sounds of bar-room pianos and boomtown crowds ring out into the night."  While that may have been true back in Gold Rush days, Skagway is now a town that exists to cater to summer tourists.  During the winter, it's population is miniscule. Most people who work at the saloons, gift shops, and plentiful jewelery and fur stores are from outside of Alaska, or even out of the country.  I'm sure it's a fun place to be; several of my college friends have worked for may summers in Skagway.  Pretty much every cruise ship that visits Southeast stops in Skagway since it has a deepwater port that can accomodate many ships and is the gateway to the mainland and the rest of Alaska (Denali National Park, Fairbanks, Anchorage...)  Sitka is quite different, and in my biased opinion, a better option if one wants the real Alaskan experience.

Sitka was the Capital of Russian America when they occupied Alaska, and was the site of the transfer ceremony when Russia sold Alaska to the US in 1867.  Sitka is like the Granada, Spain of Alaska; a place where different cultures melded and clashed.  While we don't have the Christians, Moors and Jewish history Granada does, historic battles over culture, religion and ownership of the land and resources between the Tlingit Natives and Russians occured throughout the town.  This has left behind a rich history to the area.  We are located on an island on the edge of the Pacific, a wonderful place for both salmon and halibut fishing.  Mt. Edgecumbe volcano looms just miles from town; hiking and kayaking is accesible and breathtaking; Russian and Tlingit dance groups perform daily; and our downtown shops are less focused on selling furs and jewelry to tourists than they are on supporting local families.  Sitka is the most pictureque town in Alaska, and there are abundant outdoor recreation opportunities.  Okay, okay, perhaps these disgruntled Australian tourists visited Sitka on a rainy day.  Yes, the weather here is not for the faint of heart or the easily depressed.  We get more rain than sun (around 90 inches and 232 precipitation days annually) and this can make the town dreary and sleepy.  I'll give those Australians the benefit of the doubt and muse that it must have been raining, since any person in their right mind who saw Sitka on a sunny day would definitely not be dissapointed.

I'll let some photos of Sitka speak for themselves. 

And now, here is a photo of Skagway.  Think any more cruise ships could fit in there??

I'll just let the photos speak for themselves.  I'm sure Skagway has its charms, but I would bet that you'd be more likely to have an authentic Alaskan experience in Sitka.  Australian tourists, feel free to come visit again.  I'll personally show you a great time in Sitka!

Graduate School and Debt - The Big Decision

I've been back in the United States for a year now. Wow!  The familiar weight of my iPhone is a constant presence in my hand or pocket, and my fingers can type a text message without my eyes' help anymore.  I've become accustomed to drinking tap water and not getting sick, I can sleep through the night without worrying about my house getting broken into, hot showers no longer feel like a luxury, and I'm beginning to lose my taste for beans.  My Spanish doesn't come as easily as it did, but I cultivate it through monthly calls with Nicaraguan friends on Skype.  I'm officially converting back into an American again... We all knew this day was coming.

When I first arrived home, it was initially hard to find a job.  For the summer, I worked as a sales associate at an outerwear store.  I was grateful to have something, but I was starting to freak out about my future.  Then an opportunity came up to work at an Alaskan foundation that grants millions to nonprofit organizations in our state every year.  I worked there as a temporary employee for four months, getting my feet back on the "professional ground" as it were, and remembering what it was like to be in an office and work at a computer every day.  After that, I moved to Alaska's capital city, Juneau to work as a Legislative Aide for the Alaska State Senate, a position I currently hold. 

Working for the Legislature has been a whirlwind experience.  This is my first experience with state government and policy making and I felt like I was trying to drink from a fire hose.  Every day brought new challenges and the short 90 day legislative session put everything in a time crunch.  Working late and on the weekends was normal for our office, so the fact that Alaska received record snowfall this winter didn't phase me much; I was inside for most of it. 

Despite these great jobs, my long-held goal of earning my Master's degree persists, and I applied to several schools to study international relations.  I have accepted admission at Georgetown University and will begin graduate studies in the Master of Science in Foreign Service program this fall.  While I'm excited to begin school and live in Washington DC, I waffled over the decision as I thought about the repercussions of taking out large student loans.

I applied to schools without thinking about the cost of attendance; I just wanted to see where I could get in.  Now that the decision is finally upon me, I'm realizing that taking out around $80K in loans is no joke.  I have no loans from undergraduate study, and I appreciate and enjoy the freedom this gives me in my life.  Having my Master's will undoubtedly open professional doors that would have been inaccessible otherwise, and allow me to earn more over my lifetime, but it also means that I will have to be working from the moment of graduation until they are paid off (possible 10+ years). 

As I contemplated this decision, I looked to many friends and family for advice.  Everyone told me something different.  "Debt is just part of life," some would tell me.  "Don't take out more loans than you can expect to make in your first year after graduation," was another piece of advice I often heard.  "Follow your heart!" my friends would say.  "Move to California with me!" one friend countered (I do have to say this was the most tempting option...) 

I stumbled across a great blog by a Harvard University Master's of Business Administration (MBA) graduate: www.nomoreharvarddebt.com  He chronicles his journey into over $100K of debt, and how even after making 21 payments of over $1000, he still owes over $90K due to accumulating interest.  He sees his life being eclipsed by a downward spiral of debt, but is smart enough to take drastic measures (selling off cars, motorcycles, getting roommates, living more frugally...) and pays off all his loans within seven months.  Of course, a lot of this is a no-brainer.  If paying off the debt is really a priority for someone, they can make it happen (of course, it helps to have a Harvard MBA and a well-paying job like the blogger does, too)  As a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, I already know how to live frugally, but this is harder to do in the US vs. a developing country.  I'm not a great budgeter, but I think that's because I've never really had to do so before.  I've always had "enough" money to get by and with merit scholarships paying for virtually all of my undergraduate education, I've been able to spend my summer earnings how I pleased.  I know I could work another year or two in the job I have now to save money for graduate school (it's a great job, really), but I'm ready to leave Alaska and advance my education, despite the inherent loans.

I ultimately decided that graduate school at Georgetown University is the best path for me right now.  I've visited the campus a few times, met and spoken with several professors and students, and am familiar with the DC area after living there for an internship in 2008.  I've decided to go for the debt, and I'm at peace with the decision.  Let's just hope all goes as planned (I remember when I joined Peace Corps in January 2009, I thought the recession would be long gone by the time I returned in 2011.  Not so...)

I'm excited to begin this new chapter in my life, although starting school again is intimidating.  I'm going to try and update my blog more often now that I'll be leaving Alaska and my life will probably (*hopefully*) get a little more interesting.  Who knows, maybe I'll start blogging about my own student loan debt, too... But for now, I'm just savoring the sweet feeling of having made my decision, and looking forward to an upcoming winter spent outside of Alaska.