W is for White House; Green Room Greatness

Walking in after security

One of the perks of being a DOEd Intern is that you get to do cool stuff.  I'm not just talking about the everyday tasks and interactions with ED officials, but also the special tours and places we get to see.  On Friday, I got to go somewhere I have been wanting to go for a long time: the White House! I was so excited to finally see the inside of the place we always see on the news.  I was even more excited to learn more about our nation's presidents, first ladies, and families (pets, too!).

The beautiful White House!

Walking into the White House, however is no easy task.  Our IDs were checked twice, we were sniffed by drug dogs, and finally went through airport-like metal detectors/screening.  It was intense, but incredibly worth it.  The only disappointment about the tour was that we were not allowed to take pictures inside of the White House.  But the extravagant decorations and uniqueness of every room was easily etched in my memory as I asked Secret Service officers to tell me about the rooms they were guarding.

Our tour was so quick!

From a President's daughter's high school prom in the East Room, to the first lady's get togethers in the Red Room, I was amazed by what all goes on in these seemingly timeless rooms.  In the Green Room, I was even permitted to touch the silk wallpaper with the back of my hand!  It was so soft and different than anything I've ever seen.  We viewed the library and other rooms that had portraits commemorating first ladies and Presidents.  We even got to see an incredibly famous portrait of John F. Kennedy, which was completed after his assassination with the help of his son's frame as a model.  Walking past the red-carpeted staircase leading to the President's residential quarters, we were offered a recipe card for White House Chef, Cris Comerford's Grilled Garden Veggie Pizza.  

After posing for some photos in front of the white house, we were escorted to the gates.  This entire tour took only 15 minutes! It was so quick, yet so incredibly memorable.  And just to think that during this summer I had the opportunity to visit each of the 3 branches of government! Aside from completing all of the work I had to do during my internship, this tour was the perfect ending to my internship at DOEd.