My week!

This week was very interesting and busy at work. I got to do a lot of different activities with different members of our staff and another Congressman’s office. I am getting the hang of things around the office, and the hill. The voting process that the congressmen/women participate in is still very confusing but I am determined to figure it out!
My favorite part of my job has become the constituent phone calls that we receive and getting to talk to all the different people from around the district. I had a man call me this week who was a farmer in Big Spring, and he was calling regarding crop insurance subsidies. I love when farmers call because I can always strike up a friendly conversation because I mention that my dad is a farmer and then we get in to where I’m from and everything that goes with it. My favorite part of this conversation was when I told the man that I was from a small town around Lubbock and he asked as if I was a “Red Raider”, so I responded with “Yes sir I am” and I have never encountered a more ecstatic alumni; we went on to talk about Texas Tech and how much it has changed since he had been there, and he closed out the conversation with a quote that I will remember forever, he said; “Now Angie, thank you for your time and you keep that University in tip top shape, and remember, everyone loves those Red Raider girls!” This made my day and made me so proud to be a Red Raider all over again! The crop insurance issue has been huge in our office and I have logged many calls from constituents that are genuinely concerned about the future of agriculture in our area.
Also, Congressman Neugebauer hosts a dinner every month after the first round of votes at 6:30pm and I was asked to help with this. I got to spend some time with our Legislative Director out and about in DC one afternoon getting food and groceries for the event. After riding the metro underground all the time and not getting to see things you pass as you ride, it was nice to be in a car and have someone explain what everything was. She was very nice, and it was a great day to get out of the office and get to be a part of that event. Yesterday (Thursday Jan. 21) I was asked my Congressman Mike Connoway’s office to help with the Texas delegation lunch. I quickly accepted and assisted his Scheduler in getting the food from a local restaurant “Tortilla Coast,” and deliver it to a meeting room in the Capitol. I got to meet many of the Congressmen that represent Texas, along with Senator John Cornyn, needless to say I was very excited and I really enjoyed getting to meet all of them. The remainder of the day I logged constituent mail in to our IQ computer system so our new Legislative Correspondent could write letters regarding their concerns. Again, it is so interesting to read and hear what people in our district are concerned about.
The Tech house has been good this week, although I did make things quite interesting Wednesday night. I fell asleep around 10pm eastern time because I was completely exhausted. I received a phone call around 11:30pm eastern time from a friend in Lubbock (because they still don’t understand we are an hour ahead) and I woke up thinking that I was late for work. I sprung out of bed so fast and was freaking out on the phone with my friend and at the time I didn’t realize how confused she was. So, as I was getting out of bed I noticed neither of my roommates was in their bed so I thought that they didn’t wake me up in time for work, at this point I am in complete panic mode! As I was running towards the shower I heard one of my roommates ask me if I was ok, so I stopped and asked what time it was and she informed me that I had only been asleep for an hour and it was still night time! I could NOT believe that this happened so I called my friend back and I think she thought I had completely lost my mind, and we laughed for about 30 minutes! I think I must have been extremely tired, and needless to say it took me a little while to fall back asleep and I double checked my phone when my alarm went off at 7am!
Yesterday, I found out that my parents are making their first visit to DC February 11 and I absolutely can not wait to see them! We are planning on staying in DC for a few nights and then taking a train to New York City and watching a Broadway play and sight seeing for a few days before I have to return to work! They are going to love it here, and I can not wait to see a Broadway production again! This weekend my goal is to take a day trip out to Mt. Vernon and experience all that I can of that, and catch up on some much needed sleep!
Everything is still wonderful, and I am growing fonder of the city every day!