Typical Day

A typical day in Richmond goes something like this:
Wake up around 6:45
Go to breakfast (most people go to Starbucks for coffee) and then the Capitol (our page room is actually in the General Assembly Building but we say Capitol anyways)
We go to the Page room, we have to be there by 8:15 and then around 8:15 we have roll call. Basically during roll call our supervisors make sure we don't have any dust on our blazers and we look presentable.
Then we wait to either be assigned a job, or we report to the jobs that were on our schedule. For example, if I have to work the third floor reception desk at 2:30, I'll wait in the Page room, run errands, eat lunch and then go do my job. People also have floor duty, which is where we sit in the Senate Chamber while the Senators are in session, and we'll get them lunch and run errands for them
At 5 we go back to the hotel.
From 5-7 we have dinner. Most people go to Wendy's because it's fast and cheap, but we also go the Trevis which is the restaurant in the hotel, Kobe's a japanese steak house, or Pe King's which is a Chinese restaurant.
7-9 is study hall. We have tutors and we're allowed to use our computers (that rhymed!) and we're responsible for getting our work done.
9-10:30 we can hang out in the meeting room, which is basically a hotel room with snacks that are all 25 cents, and everyone can just chill out. Boys and girls can be in the meeting room at the same time, and our house parents check on us often.
At 10:30 we have to be in our rooms, our house parents tape our doors so they'll know if we snuck out, and we can pretty much go to bed whenever we want.

I’m not good at blogging. Sorry, but just to fill you in, I’ve been in Richmond for three weeks now. Besides accidentally hanging up on someone over the phone, and calling Support Services Social Services, I’m doing really well. I never thought working could be so much fun. 

On Monday, the 24th guess who came to the Capitol? Tiki Barber. Yeah, that’s right. Tiki Barber, retired running back for the New York Giants. Guess who got to shake his hand and lead him in to the chamber? I did! Along with Tiki, were other gentlemen who were being inducted in to the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. That was easily the highlight of my day.

We got to go to the Library of Virginia, and we all got to hold a dictionary used by Patrick Henry, and see General Cornwallis’ surrender letter to George Washington.

Also, when people see us pages walking around, the often do double takes. Probably because most people aren’t used to seeing thirteen and fourteen year olds dressed neatly and be very polite, but we’re still kids. We still like to make jokes, we get in trouble (but now we’re really good at following the rules), we can be rowdy when we’re supposed to be quiet and we still need that extra push to do something. Just because we wear uniforms and are actually working, doesn’t mean we’re not like ordinary teenagers.

Oh yeah, just because I’m away from school, doesn’t mean I’m free from homework. We have a two hour study hall each night with tutors incase we need help. I can’t slack off in my work. I’m responsible for getting my assignments to my teachers just like you are. 

I can’t believe I only have four more weeks here. It seems like just yesterday I was sitting in the Senate chamber for orientation, shaking with nervousness and excitement. I’m going to enjoy every minute of everyday. Since good things are worth enjoying. 

Day 1

Sunday was one of the most nerve wracking days of my life. From the time I woke up, from the time my mom and I were in the car on the way to the Capitol, my hands could not stop shaking and my stomach kept on coming up to my throat and plummeting back down without warning. We had to dress casually and formal at the same time, and if you know me really well, I don’t do formal. I did look nice though, I didn’t wear Converse, I wore flats and instead of a t-shirt, I was wearing a nice sweater and silk black top. All the Senate Pages were in the Chamber and when my mom and I walked in, there were already about twenty kids with their parents sitting around the room. I had no idea where I was supposed to sit, so I chose a chair at the front, and I’ll admit, I didn’t even look at the boy sitting right next to me. We went over rules for what seemed like an hour and a half. There are so many rules, I’m scared I’m going to break one without knowing it. After we went over the rules, we had to stand up and introduce ourselves when they called our names, and that’s how I found out who my room mate was, but I’ll talk about her later. After the introduction we went down to some separate rooms to have lunch. Annie’s family and mine sat together and we got to know each other. We both like food so we get along fine. Everyone went on a tour of the capitol and general Assembly building, and before I knew it, everyone is going back to the hotel and my mom is hugging me goodbye. Back at the hotel we all met our house parents, Mr. and Mrs. Snow. They’re very nice and make sure we follow the rules. The first night we had to go over rules for the hotel and work, which took a long time but oh well. That night we all ordered pizza and introduced ourselves without the grown ups help. The first night was hard. I was in a new place with someone I barely knew who was nice, but it was still awkward. However, I'm still really excited about working as a Senate Page.  

Finally Here

After about three hours of packing and a two hour long drive, I'm finally here in Richmond. It's dark out but the lights of each building are beautiful. I'm nervous for tomorrow, which is when I meet all the kids who are doing the page program too. All together there are eighty kids, so we're all feeling the same way, which is comforting. I have butterflies in my stomach. I feel like I did the night before kindergarden. I'm scared, nervous, excited all at the same time. But mostly excited.

Goodbye, Gunston!

I'm not leaving permanently, just to clear things up. I'm going to Richmond for seven weeks to be a page for the Virginia State Senate. I still have to do school work, but from 8-5 I'll be making copies, getting copies and listening to our state senators debate about important issues. Wish me luck!