New Chapter

After 4 great (and sometimes not so great) years at EMILY's List, I have made one of the most important decisions of my career. I'm moving on to go to work at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). The idea of taking on something so big and SO different from what I have been doing for the past 4 years is daunting, but I'm harkening back to the days when I would move cross country to go work on this campaign, or that campaign, and remembering that sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith. What makes it most difficult are the relationships I have built here at EMILY's List. It really is a family, and leaving seems a bit like when I left home 8 years ago, terrified and excited all at the same time. I think the biggest thing I have realized is that I can still be dedicated to the mission of electing women without being at EMILY's List every day. I know that the people who have worked hard to help me grow and learn have done their jobs and that ultimately I will be successful in this, even if there are a few bumps along the way.

Sometimes, if you don't have kids....

You just have to put a hilarious picture of your cat on your blog

Or maybe two.

The safest day of my life

OK, so after nearly 8 years of working in politics, I FINALLY got up the nerve to ask one of the elected women to have my photo with her.

Here I am with Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. Not only was getting this picture cool, but let's be clear: Standing next to one of the most protected people in Washington is not a bad way to ensure your own well-being.

As a side note: Also at this dinner: Madeleine Albright, Senator Barbara Mikulski, and Actress Tyne Daly.

Change is here!

After Christmas, it was full steam ahead back to work on the next big project: the EMILY's List Inauguration luncheon. For most of you, you are intimately aware of just how much I really don't like putting on events, even the ones that seem a bit glamourous. This one was no exception. As I kept saying to my overworked, exhausted staff: The best thing about this event is it's happening in two weeks. The worst thing about this event is that it's happening in two weeks. Despite the tight timeline, we still managed to pull off what I am happy to say was the best event I have been a part of. Our speakers (Nancy Pelosi, Sec. of Labor Hilda Solis, Sec. of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, COngresswoman Gwen Moore, Senator Kay Hagan, Senator Jeanne Shaheen and NC Governor Bev Perdue) were each amazing and have the opportunity to speak with them each individually reaffirmed my belief that having these women in government keep the issues that I, and so many other Americans care about at the forefront. It was so obvious that each of these women were so grateful to the people who had entrusted them as their representatives and how seriously they take that job. You can watch the whole lunch here : (be sure to notice my C-Span debut at the end) http://www.c-span.org/Watch/watch.aspx?MediaId=HP-A-14304

After the lunch, to say I was spent would be and understatement, so I gave up my inauguration ticket in favor of having a front row seat to history on my couch. I have to say that while this election cycle was full of ups and downs for me personally, that I was without reservation optimistic about the possiblity that lies ahead of us. I don't know that anyone can dig us out of the mess we find ourselves in, but I think that we're off to a good start. Hearing the stories of the women I helped to elect and the inauguration address of our new President, I cannot help but feel renewed. I remember why I found this business my true calling. Why I believe, when so many others don't, that government can and should work for the citizens, all of the citizens, not just the privilaged few. Why I believe that most of the people we elect are good people with noble ambition, and that the few who are not cannot become the voice for all. Today there is promise and a sense that together we can accomplish what seems impossible.

Christmas in Kansas

Not wanting to tempt fate and lose for the second year in a row, Pat and I decided to fly home on Christmas eve instead of Christmas Day. Even with a stop over in Chicago, we were on time arriving into KC, where we begain our 7 day (5 for Pat) stay.

Starting a new tradition (at least we hope so), instead of traditional christmas dinner on the 25th, we had a KC classic, BBQ.

One of my favorite gifts of the holiday was a new, smaller camera that I can take with me. I'll use a lot of photos in this post, because I was a little click happy with my new toy.

Christmas in Philadelphia

Instead of gifts for each other this year, Pat and I decided to New York for the day right before we left town for Christmas. There's nothing like walking around the city on a crisp winter day...seeing Rockefeller Center, the shop windows, hot chocolate. Unfortunately, we were outsmarted by mother nature and the day before we were scheduled to go, New York got a massive snowstorm. So, not wanting to waste a day with no school and no work, off to Philadelphia we went. Our first stop was the Philadelphia Art Museum, where we took in the great impressionist collection, and toured the modern art exhibit. We liked the prior...not as much the latter. Next stop was the "must do" while in Philly....cheesesteak. Instead of our usual stop on South Street, we decided to go native and head to South Philly to try a real cheesesteak at Ginos. Next time, we'll try Pat's and then we can cast our vote in the neverending Ginos vs. Pats battle.