It’s All About Time Management!

No matter what your interests may be, there are so many things to do in DC. Whether you are a political junkie, love to read, or are a straight-up “go getter”, DC is a great place to be. However, before you rush to join in on extracurricular activates, remember this: TWC work is extremely important!!

It is easy to forget while you’re working in such an amazing city that you are also a student. I sure know that I did forget this sometimes (or maybe a lot). It is important that while in DC you make the most of your time. Go and establish those connections, meet that interesting author on a subject that only you enjoy, but remember, as part of TWC you must wear two hats. It is so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and forget about your obligations (i.e. portfolio, journals, etc.). So make sure that you devote ample time to getting these things out of the way.

The most important part to completing everything to manage your time effectively. Here are a few tips that might help.

1. Make a work schedule—and stick to it. Designate particular days as “TWC work days.” Does not have to be an entire day; it could be just two hours three times during the week. However, do not designate days that you know you will likely go out (i.e. no Friday or Saturday nights).

2. Do work with your roommates. It is more enjoyable to work together—at least for me—than it is to work by yourself sometimes. Plus, seeing other people doing work may be just the right motivation.

3. Start EARLY!!! I cannot stress this point enough. Although the work is not that difficult, it is rather time consuming. Attack each assignment as soon as you get it and, before you know it, you will be done.

Hope this helps.

Rain, Rain Go Away…

If there is only one thing that you remember about DC, remember this: During the months of April and May, never leave home without an umbrella. People say that it always rains in the Pacific Northwest; I guess these people have never spent a spring in the District. I wish someone had given me this piece of advice prior to my arrival in DC. I would have saved money on replacing suits. Nothing ruins a nice suit quicker than an afternoon shower.

The worst part is that DC rain will catch you completely off-guard. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT be fooled by the morning sunshine….it’s a trick. I cannot tell you how many times I have laughed at the paranoid people carrying around umbrellas on picturesque spring days. Guess the joke was on me, since those folks were the ones who remained dry during the 7:30 shower.

Don't be the guy walking into the office with the dripping suit!! It's the worst.

So be smart and heed this nugget of wisdom. When you’re packing your bag, make sure you make room for your favorite umbrella. You do not want to end up like me, outside caught in the rain.

(Photo courtesy of http://readingharry.com/category/photophrase-of-the-day/)

Top 5 Must Visit Places….

There are a million cool places in DC; however there are only a hand full of places that must be visited whenever one travels to the District—especially if you are going to be in DC for a prolonged period of time. These places aren’t in order, but each is unique and most certainly worth the time.

Supreme Court of the United States- You do not have to be a legal scholar to enjoy the live action of the highest court in the land. Not to mention, the justices are hilarious. Be sure to get there early, really early. You would think folks were waiting for Redskins tickets.

Bangkok Bistro- The best Thai food in DC, hands down!!!

National Cathedral- It’s a trek to get there, but once you’re there, you will realize that the walk was worth it. The gothic architecture is amazing.

Ben’s Chili Bowl- I do not think the chili is as great as people say. However, the crew is amazing, and no trip to DC is complete without a stop by Ben’s.

Kramerbooks & Afterwords: Bookstore and Cafe- Beer + Books = Bliss

When you are make your list of destinations, make sure you add these wonderful places. Trust me, you will not be sorry!

Network, Network, Network!!!

I cannot stress enough the importance of networking. For years I have been told that networking is a critical part of climbing up the social and professional ladder. Nowhere is the more true than in the nation’s capital. Since I have been in DC, I have learned first hand the importance of shaking hands and making connections (with the right people, of course). DC is a small city, which makes networking that more important—especially if you are hoping to land a job here afterwards. Plus, practice makes perfect.

A strong network goes a long way.

No matter where you want to end up, DC is a great place to start building your professional network. You never know when a friend in a Congress member’s office might come in handy. Moreover, it never hurts to have a ton of people in your address book; it makes you feel important. You should strive to be like the people in those Verizon commercial. Take it from them; having the one of the strongest networks is great thing.

As an added bonus, most of the prime networking events feature free food and drinks. Just the other day, my friend, Dofo, and I were able to network with Mayor and his staff at a fundraiser. A few handshakes and a few free cocktails led to possible campaign jobs in the fall. You just never know what can happen if you meet the right people.

So go practice your introduction, get your suits and business cards ready, and build up your network one Washingtonian at a time!

(Photo courtesy of http://www.rics.org/Aboutus/Howwework/Industryalliances/Spotlight.htm)

Ain't no BBQ like a TWC BBQ

Spring is in the air!!!! What better way to kick it off than to fire up the grill? This past weekend, since the weather was fantastic, a few of the guys at the Grove decided to grill it up on the patio.

Amazing People + Amazing Food = Great Time.

Iron Chef Mike

Jacob & Keith living the good life

I even broke my vow against eating beef in order to partake in the festivities. A nice burger, along with an ice-cold brew, is the best way to cap of a week. To top it off, there was no rain!!! Mother Nature has a funny way of ruining my good days with unexpected showers. Luck must have been our side, since there was not a single drop!!!

Hopefully this isn’t the last time my good old friends fire up!!

Not So Ordinary People

It’s hard to believe that I have been in DC for since January. Since I started TWC, I have had my fair share of amazing experiences. I had the opportunity to do things that many individuals only dream of doing. Just the other day, I was walking from my office, all of sudden, Henry Paulson shows up. For those of us who are not economics junkies, Henry Paulson is the most recent Secretary of The Treasury. The chance to speak to Henry Paulson, or any person in government, is an opportunity that so many people—especially those political junkies—would die for. However, while meeting government officials is pretty cool, the best people to meet are the folks in TWC.

No joke, the guys and gals in TWC are some of the most amazing people out there. Since I’ve been in DC, I have met people from all around the country with so many amazing life experiences. Coming from the Northeast, I never envisioned interacting with someone from Wyoming or Montana, yet alone, forming a legitimate friendship. Coming from the Northeast, I had no idea about life in the states between the Coasts; I couldn’t even tell you where Indiana was on a map. However, since I have been here, I have gained a whole new outlook on life. It is so interesting to hear the perspectives that individuals outside of NYC or LA have on life, and I feel that my conservations with folks from Arkansas or Texas have allowed to grow tremendously. Living with such a diverse group of people has helped me shatter many, if not all, of the views I had coming into the program. I just wish that some of these would move to Jersey, so that they can keep me from falling back into my old ways of thinking.

Some of TWC's finest

Go New York, Go New York Go!!!

Man, listen up. DC is a great city. It has its own attitude, and the people here are all about making moves. I like DC...I really do. However, I must say that when it comes to cities, there is only one: The Big Apple, babbby!!! I am not saying that there not other cities in the country; there definitely are. Chicago, city. Los Angeles, city. However, it stops there. Sorry, I forgot Boston. Boston is definitely a city. While places like Boise, ID, Cleveland, OH, and Birmingham, AL are technically “cities”, they can not hold a candle to the big three (or four). Rightfully so, these cities do not fall into the big city category.

Look at all those smiling faces!

Thank God for tall buildings!!

NY's finest

I did not realize how much I took NYC for granted until I came to DC. I can get anything in NYC; not to say that DC has nothing to offer, as it certainly has its fair share of quality places. But, it's the little things that get to me. It might sound funny, but I have been craving turkey chili. Sadly, when I ask for turkey chili in the District, people look at me like I have two heads. Com’ on people, turkey chili is a necessity; just like Starbucks. Speaking of Starbucks, the Starbucks shops throughout the District close rather early. So, if you’re need of your café mocha or caramel macchiato with extra caramel, do not expect to get one past 8pm.

Since we’re on the subject of cities, let me give my list of five things that separate real cities (i.e. NYC, LA, CHI-town, and maybe Boston) from the pretenders (i.e. everywhere else):

1. Real cities never sleep: If everything in your city shuts down before 2am, it’s not a real city.

2. People know where your city is: If you have to tell someone what city you’re from and they ask what state that city is in, then your city is not a real city.

3. People from real cities believe that their city is the only place in the country that really matters: If you don’t believe this, your city is not a real city.

4. Real cities have their own special something( NYC=Times Square, LA: Sunset Strip, Chi-town: cool architecture): If your city does not have something that sets it apart from every other place in the country, then it is not a real city.

Times Square!!!

5. Real cities have their the own language: People from LA speak differently than people from NYC, and the same goes for CHI-town. If your city does not have a distinctive accent or vocabulary, then, again, it is not a real city.