Just 4 months ago, my supervisor sent an email to the 2nd district staff introducing me to the “Fattah family” as she affectionately called it. What I didn’t know is that she knew something that I didn’t…this is truly like a family. As this week winds down and my journey in this office comes to an end, I reflect on my experiences and I try not to cry. I walk through the halls of Rayburn smiling because I am so thankful for this opportunity. I am thankful for the foundation that this experience has built for me, I am thankful for all the doors that have opened as a result of this experience, I am thankful to have had the opportunity to be surrounded by such a wonderful staff and I am thankful for all the support and encouragement that I have received from everyone. Debra (supervisor) told me that I would not leave this office the same way that I came in and she was right.
I am really going to miss eveyone...
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
First day of my last week...
So, on January 9, 2010, I was packing up my fiance's car. We got everything in the car and then realized that we didn't have the car seat in the car. My fiance looks at me and says, "well, I guess this means we can't take Khalil."
Yes, exactly!! complete panic in my eyes and I began to tear up like the time my brother took my cassette from me when I was like 2 years-old and dangled it in my face like I was some donkey chasing a carrot...yes, he got a laugh out of anything!! Anyway...I responded, "what you mean we can't take Khalil, he has to come! I can't go away and not see him!"
So I ran upstairs and told my mom, which only made me cry harder because she said, "well Haniyyah, he's right! You got too much s#*t!"
I was devastated so you know what I did? I took some of that s#*t outta there! What did you think I was going to do?
Any now look, I am 3 days away from from the end of this journey...but the beginning of a new one. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be because my son understands. I told him last night before he went to bed,
"Mommy won't be here in the morning because I have to go back to school. Why do I have to go back to school?"
He said, "you gotta go back to school to do your homework."
This experience has been more than words can say. My supervisor told me today that she appreciates me and that I am the perfect example of an ideal intern. You don't even know how that makes me feel. I have been balancing school, internship, fiance and mother, all while traveling back to Philadelphia WHENEVER I can!! So you'll have to excuse me if I pat myself on the back...as a matter of fact, I am giving myself a whole hug!!
Like Obama said, "YES YOU CAN"...and you can. I am soooooooooooo motivated, I can't be stopped!
Well, I could go and on. Looking forward to tomorrow!
Yes, exactly!! complete panic in my eyes and I began to tear up like the time my brother took my cassette from me when I was like 2 years-old and dangled it in my face like I was some donkey chasing a carrot...yes, he got a laugh out of anything!! Anyway...I responded, "what you mean we can't take Khalil, he has to come! I can't go away and not see him!"
So I ran upstairs and told my mom, which only made me cry harder because she said, "well Haniyyah, he's right! You got too much s#*t!"
I was devastated so you know what I did? I took some of that s#*t outta there! What did you think I was going to do?
Any now look, I am 3 days away from from the end of this journey...but the beginning of a new one. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be because my son understands. I told him last night before he went to bed,
"Mommy won't be here in the morning because I have to go back to school. Why do I have to go back to school?"
He said, "you gotta go back to school to do your homework."
This experience has been more than words can say. My supervisor told me today that she appreciates me and that I am the perfect example of an ideal intern. You don't even know how that makes me feel. I have been balancing school, internship, fiance and mother, all while traveling back to Philadelphia WHENEVER I can!! So you'll have to excuse me if I pat myself on the back...as a matter of fact, I am giving myself a whole hug!!
Like Obama said, "YES YOU CAN"...and you can. I am soooooooooooo motivated, I can't be stopped!
Well, I could go and on. Looking forward to tomorrow!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
The Clock doesn't STOP!
Time is winding down. I will be done with my internship program as of May 6, 2010. I cannot believe it. It seems like I just got here. As I reflect on my time here, I sometimes wonder what I would have been doing with my life if I was not here. But then at times I really I can't imagine what I would be doing if I wasn't here.
I had the honor to attend the memorial service of Dr. Dorothy Height. I continue to remind myself that I was in DC for a reason and at the right time. I mean history was made with the passing of health care reform all while I was working on Capitol Hill. From the constituent phone calls, to the hearings, the press releases, the protesters!
I wake up every morning and I walk through the Capitol to go to work, I walk through the halls of the Capitol and admire the floors, and the portraits and the detail in the architecture all built by MY people. I close my eyes and I thank GOD every single chance I have because I know that I could not have done this without him. I would not have had the strength to leave my son, my fiancee.
I hold my head high when I walk the streets and see the looks on some people's faces and I know that they are wondering how I got here, where I live at, where I come from, who do she think she is...and I smile. I smile because I know who I am, where I come from, where I'm going and I am doing everything to get there!!!
I finished with classes yesterday and I am positive that I did well. It was not an option to do anything less. I am surrounded by strong, accomplished, GOD fearing women in my office who are always encouraging, pushing, praying and leading. I know that this experience is only the beginning, a stepping stone to greater things and I am sooooooo looking forward to what's to come.
Time waits for no one...and neither do I. TTYL.
I had the honor to attend the memorial service of Dr. Dorothy Height. I continue to remind myself that I was in DC for a reason and at the right time. I mean history was made with the passing of health care reform all while I was working on Capitol Hill. From the constituent phone calls, to the hearings, the press releases, the protesters!
I wake up every morning and I walk through the Capitol to go to work, I walk through the halls of the Capitol and admire the floors, and the portraits and the detail in the architecture all built by MY people. I close my eyes and I thank GOD every single chance I have because I know that I could not have done this without him. I would not have had the strength to leave my son, my fiancee.
I hold my head high when I walk the streets and see the looks on some people's faces and I know that they are wondering how I got here, where I live at, where I come from, who do she think she is...and I smile. I smile because I know who I am, where I come from, where I'm going and I am doing everything to get there!!!
I finished with classes yesterday and I am positive that I did well. It was not an option to do anything less. I am surrounded by strong, accomplished, GOD fearing women in my office who are always encouraging, pushing, praying and leading. I know that this experience is only the beginning, a stepping stone to greater things and I am sooooooo looking forward to what's to come.
Time waits for no one...and neither do I. TTYL.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
I told you I claimed it...and it is so
So, there have been so many blessings since the last time we spoke. I hope you're ready for a long story:
The interview with Philadelphia Mayor's Internship went GREAT. My first interview was with the Office of the City Council. I interviewed with the Deputy City Representative. It was more like a coversation rather than an interview. We had similar goals and accomplishments in common. She said I would be a perfect fit for the position and that they would be glad to have me. However, she can only request to have me as an intern in the department/office. The actual internship coordinnator offers me the position...so I come highly recommended! lol
My second interview was with The Mayor's Office of Community Service. I was really excited about this particular interview because this was my top choice. This experience in DC has really encouraged me to become civically engaged because I have worked and witnessed the effects giving back can have in the community...our community. It can't change everything but it damn sure helps!
So I have been exploring several internship opportunities because I have to have a plan for the summer. I cannot go back to my job full-time because I don't want to get distracted from what my ultimate goal is: finish school, become an editor, do some speechwriting, wake up in the morning, open my front door, put on my glasses (no I don't wear glasses but I look pretty studious in them. lol), pick my paper up off my doorstep, walk back in the house, sit at my turquoise Mac...I'm thinking the iMac size because I am an editor, I need to be able to see everything! Anyway, after I sit at my desk cause I work from home, I turn the page to my column...aaahhh, doesn't get any better. Oh! My husband and my kids are there too. Yes, my kids, I should have 2 all together by this
point.
Okay back to the internships. So last week I had 2 interviews. One with the Criminal Justice Department- In Out Program via Temple University and the other one with Healthpartners, both for Communications internships. They too, went wonderful. Why Healthparters you ask? Well. I'm glad you asked me that question... ok so you didn't but listen anyway! My professional background is within the healthcare industry so I have always been interested in how I can combine my journalism and healthcare experience; this was the perfect opportunity.
So I have been praying alot, just because. We just moved into a house too. So God is good!
I hadn't heard from the Mayor's Internship in about 2 weeks. I received a follow-up email about a week ago basically saying that they were still waiting for some information from the departments I intrviewed with. I said its cool, can't rush.
I was at my office today and I get a call from the In-Out intern program, they tell me they want to invite me back for a second interview Wednesday. I'm like bet. Already! That's what I'm talking about.
Then I get home from work, and I have an email from the Mayor's internhip. Here it what it said
Haniyyah --
The Mayor’s Internship Program is pleased to offer you an internship with the City of Philadelphia! However, you were ranked as the first choice by more than one department you interviewed with. As such, we are giving you the option of choosing which department you would like to work with over the summer. The departments are:
The Office of the City Representative
The Mayor's Office of Community Services
The Department of Behavioral Health/Mental Retardation Services
Please notify us by Tuesday, April 20, 2010 as to which department you have chosen and to formally accept the internship offer.
Thank you and congratulations!
I dare somebody to tell me that He ain't real!!! I'm going to laugh right in your face!!! So, now I have to pray that I make the right decision. Pray with me ya'll!!!
P.S. - Ya'll must've forgot...I'm On Point, Sharp with an "e" on the end!! lol, ha ha ha ha ha ha (in my Dr. Evil voice)
The interview with Philadelphia Mayor's Internship went GREAT. My first interview was with the Office of the City Council. I interviewed with the Deputy City Representative. It was more like a coversation rather than an interview. We had similar goals and accomplishments in common. She said I would be a perfect fit for the position and that they would be glad to have me. However, she can only request to have me as an intern in the department/office. The actual internship coordinnator offers me the position...so I come highly recommended! lol
My second interview was with The Mayor's Office of Community Service. I was really excited about this particular interview because this was my top choice. This experience in DC has really encouraged me to become civically engaged because I have worked and witnessed the effects giving back can have in the community...our community. It can't change everything but it damn sure helps!
So I have been exploring several internship opportunities because I have to have a plan for the summer. I cannot go back to my job full-time because I don't want to get distracted from what my ultimate goal is: finish school, become an editor, do some speechwriting, wake up in the morning, open my front door, put on my glasses (no I don't wear glasses but I look pretty studious in them. lol), pick my paper up off my doorstep, walk back in the house, sit at my turquoise Mac...I'm thinking the iMac size because I am an editor, I need to be able to see everything! Anyway, after I sit at my desk cause I work from home, I turn the page to my column...aaahhh, doesn't get any better. Oh! My husband and my kids are there too. Yes, my kids, I should have 2 all together by this
point.
Okay back to the internships. So last week I had 2 interviews. One with the Criminal Justice Department- In Out Program via Temple University and the other one with Healthpartners, both for Communications internships. They too, went wonderful. Why Healthparters you ask? Well. I'm glad you asked me that question... ok so you didn't but listen anyway! My professional background is within the healthcare industry so I have always been interested in how I can combine my journalism and healthcare experience; this was the perfect opportunity.
So I have been praying alot, just because. We just moved into a house too. So God is good!
I hadn't heard from the Mayor's Internship in about 2 weeks. I received a follow-up email about a week ago basically saying that they were still waiting for some information from the departments I intrviewed with. I said its cool, can't rush.
I was at my office today and I get a call from the In-Out intern program, they tell me they want to invite me back for a second interview Wednesday. I'm like bet. Already! That's what I'm talking about.
Then I get home from work, and I have an email from the Mayor's internhip. Here it what it said
Haniyyah --
The Mayor’s Internship Program is pleased to offer you an internship with the City of Philadelphia! However, you were ranked as the first choice by more than one department you interviewed with. As such, we are giving you the option of choosing which department you would like to work with over the summer. The departments are:
The Office of the City Representative
The Mayor's Office of Community Services
The Department of Behavioral Health/Mental Retardation Services
Please notify us by Tuesday, April 20, 2010 as to which department you have chosen and to formally accept the internship offer.
Thank you and congratulations!
I dare somebody to tell me that He ain't real!!! I'm going to laugh right in your face!!! So, now I have to pray that I make the right decision. Pray with me ya'll!!!
P.S. - Ya'll must've forgot...I'm On Point, Sharp with an "e" on the end!! lol, ha ha ha ha ha ha (in my Dr. Evil voice)
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
What HE has for me is for me...
So I'm on my way back to Philly. I have an interview tomorrow with the Philadelphia Mayor's office. I am excited. Its just another step in the right direction. Its not a paid internship but if I was majoring in journalism for the money, I should have switched a long time ago. I am just happy writng and taking on new projects. EVERYTHING is a learning experience and there is nothing I can't do. I have already claimed this opportunity so it is mine.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Long time no see!!
Hello Family,
Well its been entirely too long since I last posted something. I know I know I should have been keeping you all up to date on my life... so since we last spoke, I have been in Washington,DC participating in the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Emrging Leaders Internship Program. I am working in Congressman Chaka Fattah's office. OMG!! I know, amazing right!!???
I have been working with the communications director, going to hearings with the Congressman (yes acting as his personal assistant) networking with people who I never imagined being surrounded by and just walking on the Hill like I own it. I mean I do...a little bit. lol
I am taking on a couple of new projects in my life that you should all be looking for in the VERY near future. Ya girl is back!! and I'm here to stay!!!
Well its been entirely too long since I last posted something. I know I know I should have been keeping you all up to date on my life... so since we last spoke, I have been in Washington,DC participating in the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Emrging Leaders Internship Program. I am working in Congressman Chaka Fattah's office. OMG!! I know, amazing right!!???
I have been working with the communications director, going to hearings with the Congressman (yes acting as his personal assistant) networking with people who I never imagined being surrounded by and just walking on the Hill like I own it. I mean I do...a little bit. lol
I am taking on a couple of new projects in my life that you should all be looking for in the VERY near future. Ya girl is back!! and I'm here to stay!!!
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