Thursday, January 22, 2009

The Inauguration, DC Day #5

Hope was in the air as we awoke to one of the biggest days of our lives. Being that it was only 5:45, getting ready in 30 minutes was quiet the struggle. Bundled up and ready to go we headed out into the still starry morning. When we reached the metro we found thousands of people pushing and shoving all trying to get to the same place as us. The metro ride was hot. After four stops we were claustrophobic, and ready to get off. Because everyone was using the metro, we had to stop twice as much due to train traffic. 45 minutes later we had had it. Somebody had the genius idea to sing. Sundays concert was still in our minds so we sang, “Lean On Me.” The whole metro car started to sing and we repeated verses over and over, just so we could keep singing. We continued to do the “National Anthem,” “America The Beautiful,” an attempt at the “Eye of the Tiger,” and a good-bye song to Bush. When we finally arrived at Federal Triangle, no one wanted to get off. We were having so much fun the prospect of enduring the cold for another four hours, wasn’t that inviting. But of course we did, and went to find John and the others.

Outside, there were literally millions of people. From the capitol all the way to the Lincoln Memorial people were squished together like ants. Once we found John, and lost Sue; Sophie, Logan, Kendal and I huddled together for warmth, waiting for the Inauguration to start. When it finally did we were icicles and had lost interest in the people who were going to talk before Obama. After Aretha, and after Yo Yo Ma, Obama was presented. He was sworn in by one of the members of the Supreme Court, and then he gave his speech.

He talked of justice, peace and equality. Of helping out beyond our borders; to boost our image around the world. He acknowledged the problems we were facing, saying that it was no easy task, that we would have to work together to complete it. He was brutally honest, he was inspiring and most of all he made everyone watching, either there or on TV, proud to be an American again.

After that the day was a blur. Everyone was amazed, and speechless. It was like a dream. It seemed like only yesterday was November 4th; only yesterday we were saying how we should go to Washington DC for the Inauguration. And now here we are, and we can finally say “Barack Obama” is our president!

Crowds, Shouts, and Boy Scouts, DC Day #4

 

We awoke to Lynn’s soothing voice “wake up girls.” We stretched, yawned and jumped up when she told us it was 9:00. It was two hours later than we usually woke up, but due to the fact hat we had had a strenuous day before, we were still exhausted. Heather served us tea and cheerios, and once we had showered, Mary, Sarah, Jacob, and I headed out the snowy door to the metro stop.

The metro took us to Union Station where we were bombarded with the biting cold. After walking past multiple anti abortion posters we finally came to the capitol were we were scheduled to meet David and the rest of the Teton-Landis family. We couldn’t find them immediately, so we waited around till Harrison and Erin found us. As soon as they found us, the Teton-Landis’s did too.

Together we spotted Lois Capps and went over to say hi. She was very kind a nd gracious, and was excited for the interview we were going to do later. After a short interview with a Santa Barbara District Supervisor, the whole SB crowd took a picture together. It was great to see some people form back home. But it also reminded me that we only had two more days of work before we returned to SB.

Once that was over we went to the building next door where we found huge lines that were, like us, waiting to get an audience with congress members. We decided that we needed to get our community service done, being that it was Martin Luther King Day, so we called and said we wouldn’t be able to make it to the interview with Lois.

A short metro ride away we arrived at the Robert F Kennedy Memorial Stadium where we would be making care packages for the Iraq War veterans. After we skarfed down a few hot dogs, and once we had got into the stadium, we joined the thousands of other people in the assembly line. We went a few times around the line, putting toiletries, calling cards and other necessities into small bags. We then went to section A where everyone was writing letter to the soldiers over seas. I wrote about the gratitude we had for them, and thanked them so much for their loyalty and commitment to America.

It was very moving to see how many people showed up to help and support the troops. Mary and I did a few interviews outside and got some great “yes we can’s.” My favorite one was this woman who was originally form California and who took each word of “yes we can” and analyzed it. “Yes” was important because it was yes instead of no. “We” was important because it was we instead of I, and it brought us together. And “can” was operative word, because it meant that the sky is the limit.

The day had been a big success, but the best part had yet to come. When we returned home to Falls Church, we found out that the local boy-scouts were having a gathering there that night. As we started blogging boys started meandering into the auditorium. When it was time to have our meeting with them, Lisa and Sue made the girls go put on a little more concealing clothes, because we were going to be hanging with “a bunch of teenage boys.” We put turtlenecks over our tank tops and headed for the circle. Once settled we asked each other questions about what it was like to be a Boy Scout, and vice-versa with being a reporter. It was interesting and I learned a lot about the life of a scout. Once we politely declined their invitation to come in the inter-galactic space shuttle, we said good-bye and headed to bed.

All in all it was a great day and I cannot wait for tomorrow. Tomorrow is one of the most defining days in American history and I am so lucky to experience it and be apart of it.

 

The City of Bright Lights, DC Day #3

We woke up having no idea who was going to the concert and who was going to say their prayers. It was 7:00, and after a quick shower I found out that I was in the concert group and we were leaving immediately make sure we got seats for the 2:30 show. We bundled up and went outside bracing ourselves for another cold day.

We were surprised when we arrived at the mall and there wasn’t that big of a line to get in. One we were in, then we discovered all the people. It was only 9:30 and already there were probably over 3 thousand people there. We got seats fairy close and before we knew it we were totally blocked in. Getting to the bathrooms took hours, literally, and trying to get food was a joke.

They say time flies when your having fun, and five hours went like that. Before we knew it Bruce Springsteen was on stage singing “The Rising.” It was amazing, enticing and it was unforgettable. The whole crowd was completely spellbound. Whenever they filmed Obama, who was sitting in the front row with his family, the whole crowd would cheer.

After an epic “shout” by Garth Brooks, one that got the whole crowd jumping up and down, there were only a few more songs before Obama gave his speech. When he got up I had to cover my ears the crowd was so loud. Honestly, before today I could not even conceive a noise so loud. He talked of justice, peace and the big job that he had ahead of him. I almost could not take in the words he was saying, just being in his presence rendered me speechless.

For me it almost wasn’t even the fact that we were listening to U2, Beyonce, and Stevie Wonder, It was the fact that we were able to be a part of such and amazing concert. Just being able to say that we were there. We were 400 feet form Obama!

When the concert was over we waited a few minutes so that the 1.4 million people that were there wouldn’t trample us. We then went to the Mandarin Oriental where we have a small hotel charger, and Christian, Mary and I prepared for the Latino Ball that we would be attending at 8:00. We said goodbye to the rest and with Lynn and Brian p. as our chaperones we headed to Union Station.

When we arrived Mark Connolly, the man who was our connection to the ball and also got our press passes, met us outside and then took us to his office where we could get ready. To our disappointment we would not be able to interview J-Lo, or Mark Anthony, but we could try to ask some questions to the other celebrities that would be there. So after an awesome interview with Edward James Olmos, we interviewed tons of other people form all over the world.

It was amazing to see that although this was a Latino Ball people form all the different corners of the globe showed up and participated. On our way out we got a few quick questions with Heraldo Rivera, a famous reporter for Fox News. He gave us advice on how to be better reporters, to read, and later he told us to fallow our dreams. He was super sweet and was an awesome end to the evening. 

Behind The Scenes of “We Are One,” DC: Day #2

 

The day started out slow. John had told us the night before not to be surprised if this was a “getting situated day,” a.k.a don’t be disappointed if you don’t get the “big” interviews. So our hopes weren’t high as Christian, Marandah and I set off for the Lincoln Memorial. Marandah's grandfather is the technical director of the “We are One” concert. He was our connection and had set up an interview with George Stevens Jr., the director of the show.

 We met Jacob and Sarah at the Starbucks near the Foggy Bottom station. Together we walked to the Lincoln Memorial, about 9 blocks, and started some interviews. It was a perfect spot for short interviews because we had the Memorial behind us and the Reflecting Pool connecting us to the Washington Monument in front of us. It was gorgeous and wasn’t long before it was time to go meet up with Marandah’s grandfather.

John Fields led us into his workspace and showed us his main job. He is the person who when the director calls the different camera shots, actually presses the buttons to make it happen. In the tight, little room we had the opportunity to see John Mellencamp play live on the stage only a few hundred feet away. We would have gone outside, but do to the 23-degree weather, we were slightly hesitant. John was super sweet and after we did out interview with his boss, Mr. Stevens, he got us each passes to the press lunch. The interview went well and the lunch was great.

As the day went by I actually got to see Christian and Marandah get their questions down. After the first 5 interviews they were confident, and present with the interviewee. As we finished lunch and some were taking a pee break Jacob and I heard Bruce Springsteen practicing in the tent next to us. With that we had our cameras out and were ready for when he came out to practice on the actual stage. He have us a quick “yes we can” and then he was off. We tried to get another one from Pete Seeger, but to no avail. The 7th graders weren’t as excited about Pete, due to the fact that before we told them they had no idea who he was. Me being a huge fan, I was disappointed but just being in a10 feet proximity of him, made my day.

First Springsteen did a song, which we had front row seats to, and then Seeger came and joined him. Together the played on of my all time favorite songs, this land is your land. It was so beautiful; there is no other way to describe it. I could have left then, I was so full of joy and fulfillment.

We spent 30 or so minutes back in the trailer with Mr. Field and came out just before U2 was going to play. WE sat down in the 3rd row along with most of the other staff for the event, but as soon as the music stated we had to go to the front of the stage and dance. It was so moving to be so close to such a legend. Being that the big speakers were the front of the stage, the music was loud! There really was no fighting it; you had to move your body. In between song the 3 of us yelled up to Bono “yes we can.” He smiled big and yelled into the mike “yes we could.” It was amazing. It just shows what an effect Obama has on people. It was very inspiring.

We ran down hoping to get one more yes we can out of Bono as he left the stage. But in Teen Press fashion the camera died just as he came down the ramp. Bono recognized us as the kids who had yelled at him and came over to us, despite what the press manger had told him. He gave Marandah and Christian a big hug and posed forth camera. Luckily Lisa, Marandah’s mom got a great picture of the three of them. So that day Christian went form not having a clue who the “bono guy” was to seeing him live, and getting a hug. It was so great, and Marandah was speechless for about 2 minutes afterwards.

We said our thanks you’s and goodbyes and headed back to the church completely amazed with what had just happened. I honestly cannot think of anyone bigger in the music industry that I would like to interview. Again I am reminded of just how lucky we are. A metro ticket and a cab ride away the church awaited with steamy pasta waiting inside. I still can’t believe that we interviewed Pete Seeger, Bruce Springsteen, and Bono today!

Saturday, January 17, 2009

DC: Day #1

As we opened the church door we were blasted with Washington DC’s 13 degree weather. Getting dressed that morning we had no idea what we were in for and we knew it from the moment our gloved hands turned the handle.

First off that day was to do an introduction explaining where we were and what we were going to be up to for the next few days. We filmed it in front of Falls Church, our home, but it was slightly unsuccessful due to the fact that when we breathed in our whole body would freeze. Walking in the bone-chilling cold to the metro station was surprisingly entertaining, since we were constantly trying to keep our self warm, but to no avail. The day started strong when we got an interview with Eugene, a metro guard/ticket master. He had been working there for twenty plus years and was happy to help us get situated.

As the morning preceded we needed a short escape form the cold and Starbucks was the prime spot. A venti latte did the trick and we were removing layers within minutes. A call with Salude’s secretary and a few scones later, it was time to face the cold again.

From there we headed to Union Station where we were greeted with the beautiful pillars and architecture of their newly remodeled building. After more establishing shots and a few short interviews, Mark and Lucy Connolly escorted us to a private room where they gave us the “down low” of the building’s history. After mine and Sophie’s “frostbite” died down, Lucy told us about the Latino ball and how J-Leno and Mark Anthony were going to be attending. Lucy gave us her business card and told us she would call on Sunday to tell us when J-Lo would be in!

After the tour ended and we got a bite to eat it was time to head to the Capital where we would get another tour. On the way Harrison was challenged to jump the blockade posts that littered the streets, and of course he could not refuse. With Sophia’s amazing camera skills we managed to catch on video, Harrison running, jumping and then eating the concrete. Eventually he got it and managed to clear a pole without anything broken.

Finally we made it to the capital, and we had thought the Union Station architecture was amazing. We couldn’t take our eyes of the gigantic dome, topped with the statue of freedom. With a private tour taking us to the inside of the dome, we were able to get an amazing perspective of the Capital.

From there we moved to my favorite part of the day: Ben’s Chili Bowl. From the moment we walked in we were immersed in the busy, community-oriented culture that had inhabited it since Obama had gone there the previous week. As the others ordered Harrison, Sophie and I started a few interviews. Our first one Sophia had set up after the woman had let us all sign her “memory journal.” During the interview she told us of how she was keeping the journal because she always wanted to remember this historic time in history. After her, we had many short “yes we can” interviews and then it was time to eat.

I had chili cheese fries with John. They were delicious, and I gave them two extra points because I loved the atmosphere of the place so much. The finale came afterwards as Sophie and Sophia stood up on chairs in the middle of the restaurant and asked everyone if on the count of three they would say “yes we can.” The chef turned off the music and when three came everyone in unison boomed Obama’s slogan. It was amazing, a moment that I’ll never forget; a reminder of how lucky we are to experience this amazing turning point. So now it is time for bed and even though today was truly wonderful, I know that tomorrow will have some wonderful surprises in store for us.

 

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Only twelve more hours!

I haven't slept in days due to the anticipation of what tomorrow will bring. From endless calls to Inaugural Balls, we've been over our heads in work for about a month. I know DC is going to be amazing, and whether it is doing interviews at the hospital or making gift baskets for veterans, I know that we won't have one moment of free time. 
It seems like just yesterday that Sophia, John and I were saying how we should try and go to Washington DC for the Inauguration. Well I guess that dreams have turned to reality because yesterday afternoon we received a call which planted hopes in scoring an interview with Barack Obama himself. Nothing is written in stone, but when this happened I realized that I am going to see the Inauguration! We are living history right now, and I am so grateful for this opportunity. I cannot wait to see what the next week will have in store for us.