Macy's and Misty!

Reporter Allison Seymour discusses the artist Mali Music and being an underground artist. 

Misty Copeland introduces the next act on stage.

                                    The crowd watches the  Ballou High School Marching Band

                                  before counting down the unveiling. 

The crowd gathers around the stage waiting for the special guest, Santa Claus.

Macy's warmed Washington, DC's cold 

weather with the Holiday Window Unveiling. Families gathered around the Macy stage holding holiday balloons and dancing to the music of  Bystorm/RCA recording artist, Mali Music and contestant from season 6 of "The Voice," Ddendyl.  The hosts included FOX 5 Reporter Allison Seymour and American Ballet Theatre Soloist, Misty Copeland.  


 

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Chatting 101: Intern Lunch with CEO Michael Elliot

This morning, all of the ONE Campaign interns were invited to an intern lunch with the CEO, Michael Elliot. The lunch was insightful and Mr. Elliot discussed some of the things college professors may not hone in on when talking about success in your career. Elliot's mentions three important things that seem to be overlooked, but they make a big difference in your career choices. He said, sweat the small stuff, luck is important and remember to pay the rent/mortgage.

Sweating the small stuff is understanding the little things that will be important to you in the workplace. The small things include the size of your workplace(large or small company), the timing of your commute, work attire and what you want your office to look like. These so called "small things" could make or break a job choice. It's almost the same things you think about when choosing a college. It's similar to wanting a small classroom setting, choosing live close to campus and wanting to be at a campus, which has activities nearby. It's the exact things that make you choose one college over the other. These small things that people overlook can be the reason they may loathe their job or they feel as though they don't fit it.

Secondly, luck also known as coincidence. My supervisor discussed this with me yesterday. How it was luck when I asked about her job. Sometimes you meet the right person and they can open your eyes to a world wind of opportunities. My proffesor told me you have to be ready when you see an opportunity. Mr. Elliot added, that not only luck would get you to your next opportunity, but also being prepared. This personally resonated with me because there are plenty of times there's an opportunity being offered, but the timing of not having your life in order can stifle it. You can be so close, but you're missing other experiences that will make you the perfect fit for a job. Be prepared for the next opportunities you want and own your opportunities and be exceptional in the job you currently have. That's when luck happens, when you're ready to receive your next task in life because you are prepared to tackle it based on your past experiences.

Lastly, pay your rent/mortgage. This one is in my opinion most important because you always need to have your priorities in order. You can not fall behind in this area because it may put a hold or a burden on other tasks. But I also believe you shouldn't let the lack of money influence your dreams so much until they never become a reality.

Love 
The "Learning After College" Phoenix

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Returning To D.C.

Hello Everyone,

As you guys may know, I'm a Florida A&M University alumna. Upon graduation, I've applied to full-time jobs, paid internships and fellowships. I enjoyed living in D.C. last summer and I can finally say I will be returning to the city this year. I have just accepted the communications internship with The ONE Campaign. I wasn't expecting this organization to pick me because I was a little discouraged about other internships/jobs turning me down. I'm really excited to intern for The ONE Campaign and I look forward to helping this world become a better place through education and awareness.

I'm hoping to grow as a person and to make lifelong connections. The hardest trial in life, especially in the age of technology is to be present. I vow to be present and open myself to all opportunities even the ones I feel I may not be ready to receive. The world does not wait to give you opportunities when you are ready. No one is ever truly ready, but they become comfortable and they understand the challenge. With understanding a challenge you must be able to find courage and be brave to accept a challenge. I encourage everyone today to take a leap of faith and apply positive energy and beliefs to actions that you would normally stray from because that represents growth. You have to push yourself in a direction that you have never been.

As the rapper/singer Drake says, "When's the last time you did something for the first time?"

*Also if anyone knows of places in D.C. for rent near McPherson Square, let me know.*

Love,
The "Back to D.C. Living" Phoenix

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Lincoln Memorial, MLK Memorial, Korean War Memorial

Food Allergies and DC Living

It's my last week on DC; I leave on Friday to head back to Orlando, Fl. I find it interesting the level of food allergy awareness in this city, it's intriguing. I have noticed organic dry cleaners everywhere and gluten free seems to pop up on every food menu. 

While dinning at a Cuban restaurant the waiter ask does anyone have food allergies. I am always hesitate when eating at restaurant because the choices tend to dwindle when you're basically allergic to everything and your allergy test is five pages long including trees on the list. I end up eating salads and I watch others eat flavorful meals with sauces. 

It seems as though the food industry is changing and allergies are becoming an epidemic in a lot of children. One in 13 children have a food allergy and the numbers are rising according to an NPR's Buffalo Station. There are numerous vegan restaurants and I found an organic chinese food place near Woodley Park Metro. 

There is hope for people with severe food allergies and that we can eat like everyone else and order foods that are tasteful with desserts that taste yummy without wheat. A vegan/vegetarian place in Columbia Heights has delicious cupcakes that didn't make me breakout in and turn my stomach in knots with harsh pain. I've blogged about this place before, Sticky Fingers bakery. 

If you're planning a trip to DC and you're worried about food allergies or seasonal allergies. Yes, I have those too. It will not be a hassle. As, I said I have seasonal allergies with a list of trees I'm allerguc to and grass. I had one day when my nose was running and itchy and it wasn't as bad as watery eyes when I was younger. One day out of two months I was here, I'll call it success.

If you have questions about eczema or food allergies do not hesitate on contacting me. I'm twenty-two years old and I've manever some lifestyles changes that will help.

Love,

 The "Allergic"Phoenix                                

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DC Summer: We're Going To The Zoo

It's been awhile since I've went to the zoo. It's been years to be exact and the only time I remember was in elementary. A starfish was the only animal I remember touching. It's was pink, rough, sticky like suction cups but beautiful. So I woke up this morning and said it's free so why not and besides this was apart of my exploration phase of the summer.

DC's Redline takes you directly to the Woodley Park Zoo in Washington, DC. It's about a ten minute walk from Woodley Park Metro Stop and it's acoss from 7-eleven  store. I advise you to buy water and snacks from 7-eleven because the zoo is expensive.

If you are parents you will drop a pretty penny for ice cream, hamburgers or wraps for you dehydrated and hungry child. I broke down and bought an icea cream for $4.25 and that was painful as I swiped my card. The zoo is fairly large and it's free admission but if you would like to purchase a map then it's $2.00. Not bad for that price especially if you don't want to wonder and you know what animals you want to see.

After I purchased the map I wondered why I paid for it because there are sign everywhere pointing in various directions to see specific animals. But I'll look at the purchase as a souvenir even though I only look at the map when it was time to leave. I could't remember which way I came, maybe it was the dehydration. Overall I had fun looking at the animals.

Tips
1. Bring food/coolers into the zoo to save money
2. Buy a map just in case.
3. Wear walking shoes
4. Go to the zoo when it's not as hot in humid. Animals are sleep on hot and humid days.

Pictures

Love,

 The "Zooleger"Phoenix                                

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Intern Weekend: Krav Maga

On Thursday, my day off as I was heading back to Maryland a women handed my a flyier. Usually when I'm in Tallahassee I throw them away because it's never something off my interest. But this was self-defense and kicking boxing. My mom's voice entered my head you need to learn self-defense. It was a open house workshop. I had nothing to lose and I could meet new people. Krav Maga is located in Chinatown right next to the MetroStation. 

If you're in the DC area and you'll only be here for the summer take the classes. They're only $20 for one month. It's a student summer special. You can take classes up to three times a week. That's 12 classes(one-hour sessions) for $20. It's a good deal. A great way to learn how to protect yourself and stay in shape.

This was my first time kickboxing. I'm sorry I have no pictures (tears) of me kickboxing. I'll ask someone to take them when I start classes. There were three sessions at the open house: kicking boxing, women's self defense and self-defense against weapons. 

The kick-boxing session was with DJ Stephens. He's highly energetic and played club music while we kick-boxed. It's good because it gives you energy and changes your state of mind as you punch the bag, squat and do push-ups.

The second session was women's self-defense with Carol Middleton who is the director. Middleton has been a guest in TV shows such as Good Morning America and the Today Show. We talked about prevention and the importance of deescalating an argument. 

Prevention

1. Walk with confidence and awareness
2. Wear you purse across your body opposed to on the shoulders

Deescalating

1. Talk calmly
2. Do not tell the person they're wrong
3. Provide suggestions to make the situation better

*There's an acronym but I don't remember it at this time*

The last was self-defense against weapons. Guns, knives and sticks were apart of the demonstration. We only practiced with knives. It was a lot of fun because Krav Maga takes your initial instincts and changes them into a way to protect yourself. I'm really excited to go back and because the class is interactive you'll remember the moves.

Love 
The "Self-defensing" Phoenix    

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Pre-Movie Conversations: Strangers

So I was waiting to see a movie after interning. I sat in Haagen Dazs as it rained and it was pouring. Trains were delayed and the movie started at 5:10 and it was 5:30. I sat there hoping the rain would stop and a questioned pierced my ears, "Are you Ethiopian?" the stranger asked. I turned around thinking I think I looked African wearing my headscarve, which I don't wear while interning. He was fair-skinned complexioned with a long neck. He talked with such excitement, like a little kid. I was taken back by the questioned and thought maybe this was how he made a connection with women. No one has ever asked me if I was African but I have heard you look Haitian or Dominican. We had an interesting conversation about him not having African-American friends. I thought of the movie Little Senegal about the relationship between Africans and African-American and how they disrespected each other. He said his name was Mike and that he's been living in Maryland for two years now.

 He said, "They listen to that garbage, you call that music." 

He spoke to me like I wasn't African-American but he was insulting my heritage. His ancestors are mine. 

How can he look down us? I asked which genre of music "Was it Hip-Hop, R&B, Rap? They're are different." 

He looked at me baffled and said, "They're the same."

 He said, "Well maybe they're[African-Americans] different because my culture is older; it goes back thousands of years." 

I wondered did he think about slavery. Or did he think about a nation of people being mentally and physically stripped for 400 years of their culture. Did he ever think of that. Malcolm was right when he said we are generation X. We are not connected to Africa because some of us know nothing about the continent. 

He wasn't opened to learn yet he acted as though I wasn't in the stereotypical category. 

He said, "My friends look at me strange if I talk to an African-American woman." 

Then he said, "Can you be my friend?"

It was weird he seemed pushy as he moved on to another subject saying he liked my bag and pulling my arm as he said, "Come on let's get ice-cream!"I thought I don't know you why are you so pushy and how can you act like you know me. 

It was almost as though he erased our previous conversation about him insulting my culture and covered it with something pleasant like ice-cream. You cannot do that. 

He said, "I don't want to talk about this anymore."
 I said, "Do you not want to talk about this because it's getting too deep."

He asked for my number and I took his but I had an uneasy feeling. He was still a curious, but pushy stranger.

Love 
The "I'm of African Descent" Phoenix

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