Before I get into things, I have to confess that I'm so unbelievably tired that I just ate Chic-Fil-A instead of coming home and fixing food. But at this point, I don't really care.
Day three of interning was, of course & as expected, AMAZING! I seriously have the best internship. I already kind of feel a part of the Museum Services family. I would totally love to run a museum or be apart of museum services forever. But then again, only at USHMM, nowhere else. I've already met so many amazing people and the list keeps growing.
FYI, there is a Museum Services staff from GATLINBURG. His name is Matt Fisher (maybe someone out there knows him). I explained to him exactly where I live. Not Knoxville, not the TN-KY line. I said: I live down the Valley going towards Knoxville, and he said ohhh yeah, like you're going towards Laf. So freaking cool. And he was super nice as well, but I'm getting used to that.
Training today involved groups. USHMM has a reservation link on their website so that bigger groups can make sure they can get in to see the PE (Permanent Exhibition). Group reservations are already booked up for the rest of the year, so you can kind of understand how popular the museum is. Groups can make reservations a year in advance, and the slots fill up pretty quickly.
Groups use the back entrance of the museum, so we were technically "15 Street" today, but we're not totally comfortable running the show by ourselves, so they had us shadowing museum staff. Basically, 15 Street touches base with the chaperone, gets a head count of chaperones and kids, then gets one chaperone to stand at the end of security, hand out a question card, then direct the kids to either a female student or male student holding an ID card of someone's Holocaust story, then they head down the stairs where the second chaperone is lining the kids up on the steps 2-4 across (depending on group size). After everyone is thru, we go downstairs, take them to the groups elevator lobby, give them a brief orientation, then send them up to the PE.
Another position we will be working is "15 Alpha" or "14 Alpha" which means we don't make contact with the chaperones. We are only out there to help security. We tell people to start taking things out of their pockets, get their bags ready to go thru the scanner, take phones out and put them in the bowl or bag, etc. There are two entrances to the museum, 15th St and 14th St, so you're alpha position is according to that.
We also learned how to run films today. We give a intro, show the film, conclusion, done. First we toured the Wexner Center, which is an exhibit on how to take the lessons learned in the PE and apply them to what is going on today. It covers two past genocides, Rwanda and Bosnia, and Darfur, which is currently going on. As we were walking down from the Wexner Center for film training, things were hectic. We didn't realize it at the time but a 10-91 had been called. A 10-91 is an unattended bag. It wasn't a big deal; some kid had just left his bag laying on the floor without realizing it. But we still had to clear everyone out of the main lobby over to the side or down the stairs. It was kind of chaotic. Especially because groups wanted to find one another and that wasn't possible at the time.
As we went up to "rove" and close the floors, we could clearly smell fire on the 2nd floor. Some lovely children had used their museum guides to light some candles in the Hall of Remembrance. That started an entirely new ordeal because the guard and some MS staff had to confront the school leader and deal with that. It was kind of crazy to see a 10-91 and that all in the same day!
I think that pretty much hits the high notes for the day. Tomorrow morning is more training, but tomorrow afternoon we officially start working alone. We won't technically be alone because now that the interns have arrived, there are more staff, so we can team up in needed areas. BUT we are not longer in training! There will still be some days where an intern is running coach check alone or is Alpha 14/15 alone or another position. Things are bound to get interesting.
More tomorrow!
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Internship: Day 2
This may be a poorly written and very short blog post because I am literally about to fall over asleep.
Today's training was just as fun and exciting as yesterday. I had no issues on the subway (YAY!!), and I got to work around 8:30, so I just hung out with the other interns until 8:45. At 8:45, we headed down to the CO's office and signed it, and he was in charge of our training for the morning. I think it is so cool that the head honchos of visitor services still help out on the floor.
The info desk is basically the heart of the museum. It is usually the first place people stop because the museum itself is so disorienting, and they want some kind of direction on what to do first. We field all kinds of questions, ranging from bathroom locations to Holocaust questions. We basically make sure everything is stocked up because the info desk has tonnnns of brochures. The museum doesn't open until 10, so from 8:45 til then we go get the supplies and restock. Once busy season hits (which is apparently Friday), we will go help hand out passes at the front door. I will have to cover the pass system later because it's complicated and I'm tired.
After info desk training, we covered safety, security, and evacuation. We learned the different codes to call (10-80 for a sick person, 10-91 for abandoned bag, etc.), and we finally got our RADIOS!!! I feel official now. We walked around the building to cover everything with the evac procedures. Also, Wily, the CO who did our info desk training, took us to the control room since we had extra time. It was super high tech. They can zoom ridiculously far in with those cameras. It's kind of scary but comforting at the same time.
We got lunch early, so all of us interns killed time in the museum bookstore. I feel like I kind of freaked them out with my book obsession- I think the people who are close to me understand it, but they didn't take me seriously when I said "I have a problem. Please don't let me buy anything." I only came out with three books, so I feel pretty dang good about myself. I'm still eyeing that encyclopedia of the ghettos and camps though. I got an award from LMU yesterday which included 200 bucks so I feel like it's okay to buy it. But I'm trying not to be super impulsive. I'll keep you updated.
Following lunch was hospitality training with Art, the smoothest employee at the museum. He is so precious. I just love him. He is very funny and likes to joke around a lot; a certain degree of humor is necessary when dealing with such a heavy subject. He shared stories of things we may run into, then we got to hang out until we were divided up between the floors to close the museum down.
"Rovers" walk around the floor (rove: get it?) and let people know when it gets closer to closing time that they only have so many minutes left to view the rest of the exhibit. We have to check the films and make sure they are clear, clear the bathrooms, and move people along. Then at 5:20 the permanent exhibition is officially closed so we can start politely asking people to make their way to the nearest exit. This is when people realize how slow they can actually walk, so we just walk right behind them to keep them moving. After the building is cleared, we're all free to go. The process is a bit more lengthy than what I described, but it's something that has to be shown in order for anyone to understand it, so there's no sense in me wasting all of our time.
Overall, today was yet another amazing day at the USHMM. I am so lucky to have been given this internship. The people I work with are so friendly and helpful, and the group of interns are all so down to earth and easy to get along with. The super fun stuff begins tomorrow because we get to learn how to check big groups in and basically do crowd control outside while they filter through the museum.
Good night!
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
AHHHH!!!
If my title doesn't say it all, let me explain in further detail: I have the best freaking internship in the country; possibly even the world. The staff at USHMM are sooo laid back and carefree. I was so nervous going into it because I thought everyone would be grilling me about the dos and donts of the job, but it wasn't like that at all. Let me start from the beginning.
First off, I had a hard time getting to sleep last night, of course. I was so excited; it was like a kid on Christmas Eve. I had butterflies, and I'd get fidgety then doze off only to wake back up and start the cycle over again. However, I finally fell asleep because I woke up to my alarm going off.
It is probably a ten minute walk between here and the metro. Once I got on I sat down and started reading my book. However, the train went out of service on the next stop (probably 2 minutes down the line) so EVERYONE had to get off the train and wait for the next one to come through. It was nerve wracking. Of course, the next train was super packed once we all piled on. This time, I wasn't able to get a seat. I was crammed right by the door by a guy blaring his Cascada music (Everytime we touch I get this feeling.. blah blah blah.. I swear I can fly). But whatever, to each his own. The train driver was getting very upset because there was literally NO WHERE for people to go, but people still insisted on cramming themselves into the train at each consecutive stop. Finally she just started telling passengers on the platform to not even try to get on. Once we came to the Metro Center stop, which is where I get off, things had become less crowded. However, up to that point, I was squeezed between four men in their business suits. I honestly am not sure if they even knew I was there. I was still just reading away.
The day went pretty smoothly from here on out, except for my walk home, which I will cover later. When I got to the museum, I had to wait to be checked in. While I was waiting, I realized I forgot to bring my lunch. That sucked, but it all worked out because they had extra food left over from a conference they had earlier so I was able to eat. The representative, Luke, who is basically over us during the internship is so amazingly cool. It's not even like he's my boss. He is so friendly and so hilarious. I can say that for everyone we came in contact with. We were kind of on show the entire day because we are the only "real" interns in the building. Every person we passed in a burgundy blazer had to introduce him/herself and we had to do the same. We first received a general intro into what to expect, then we were given a guided tour through the permanent exhibition, which is a three story chronological history of the Holocaust.
After lunch, we learned how to operate the elevators. Basically, we greet people as they come into the permanent exhibition, tell them to get an ID card, and point them into the elevators. Then we have to give a short "general info" briefing. "Welcome to the USHMM. Thank you for visiting us today. The ID card you have shares the personal story of someone victimized by the Nazis. Please read one page per floor, starting with floor four and moving down to flour two. As you go up, turn your attention to the screen in the back of the elevator for a short video. And please remember, no photography or cell phone use is allowed in the exhibition." ISN'T THAT COOL?!?!?! Don't sit there and act like you wouldn't enjoy doing that.
Next, we covered coat check. There's nothing great to say here- sometimes we have to man the desk where people hang their coats. Take their coat, give them a number, they bring the number back and get the coat. Other things can also be checked here, and the same process basically applies to everything. The guy covering coat check was super nice, which was to be expected since everyone is nice there, and it looks as if coat check is the one place you can (politely) get snippy with guests. Not that I ever would, but it's nice to know you don't have to smile and take their harassment about not wanting to hang their coat up or wait in line. So ha! "Coat check is a service provided by the museum at no charge to you, so please form a line, and I will begin assisting the first visitor."
Coat check was over at 5, and the museum closes at 5:30, so the remainder of the time was spent going over everything we had covered today, questions, etc. We had to wait around and funnel everyone out at 5:30. As we were leaving, the bomb sniffing dog made an appearance, so of course I got caught up giving her lovings. All of us interns fawned over her for like 15 minutes at least. Her name is Pep. Tomorrow Haley will be the dog on duty.
All of us interns catch a metro at the Smithsonian stop, so we all walked together down there. Everyone separated at that point to catch their different trains. The ride home was busy since everyone was getting off work, but I read the entire time so I didn't really mind. However, once I got off at Silver Spring, things turned sour. It was pouring the rain. I didn't even know it was supposed to rain today, so I was definitely unprepared. I had flimsy little ballet flats on (I bought them at Steve & Barry's if that gives you any idea of how old they are), and they do not work well in the rain. Also, Silver Spring gathers water everywhere, so I basically walked in puddles my entire way home. At one point, the wind was so strong that it literally knocked me over... not embarrassing at all. My khaki pants looked more like chocolate brown pants when I arrived home, and my toboggan was completely soaked. A quick run through the dryer fixed that though.
All in all, my day was amazing. The sour spots were completely overshadowed by the fact that I have the best internship anyone has ever had.. ever. Seriously: EVER!!!!
First off, I had a hard time getting to sleep last night, of course. I was so excited; it was like a kid on Christmas Eve. I had butterflies, and I'd get fidgety then doze off only to wake back up and start the cycle over again. However, I finally fell asleep because I woke up to my alarm going off.
It is probably a ten minute walk between here and the metro. Once I got on I sat down and started reading my book. However, the train went out of service on the next stop (probably 2 minutes down the line) so EVERYONE had to get off the train and wait for the next one to come through. It was nerve wracking. Of course, the next train was super packed once we all piled on. This time, I wasn't able to get a seat. I was crammed right by the door by a guy blaring his Cascada music (Everytime we touch I get this feeling.. blah blah blah.. I swear I can fly). But whatever, to each his own. The train driver was getting very upset because there was literally NO WHERE for people to go, but people still insisted on cramming themselves into the train at each consecutive stop. Finally she just started telling passengers on the platform to not even try to get on. Once we came to the Metro Center stop, which is where I get off, things had become less crowded. However, up to that point, I was squeezed between four men in their business suits. I honestly am not sure if they even knew I was there. I was still just reading away.
The day went pretty smoothly from here on out, except for my walk home, which I will cover later. When I got to the museum, I had to wait to be checked in. While I was waiting, I realized I forgot to bring my lunch. That sucked, but it all worked out because they had extra food left over from a conference they had earlier so I was able to eat. The representative, Luke, who is basically over us during the internship is so amazingly cool. It's not even like he's my boss. He is so friendly and so hilarious. I can say that for everyone we came in contact with. We were kind of on show the entire day because we are the only "real" interns in the building. Every person we passed in a burgundy blazer had to introduce him/herself and we had to do the same. We first received a general intro into what to expect, then we were given a guided tour through the permanent exhibition, which is a three story chronological history of the Holocaust.
After lunch, we learned how to operate the elevators. Basically, we greet people as they come into the permanent exhibition, tell them to get an ID card, and point them into the elevators. Then we have to give a short "general info" briefing. "Welcome to the USHMM. Thank you for visiting us today. The ID card you have shares the personal story of someone victimized by the Nazis. Please read one page per floor, starting with floor four and moving down to flour two. As you go up, turn your attention to the screen in the back of the elevator for a short video. And please remember, no photography or cell phone use is allowed in the exhibition." ISN'T THAT COOL?!?!?! Don't sit there and act like you wouldn't enjoy doing that.
Next, we covered coat check. There's nothing great to say here- sometimes we have to man the desk where people hang their coats. Take their coat, give them a number, they bring the number back and get the coat. Other things can also be checked here, and the same process basically applies to everything. The guy covering coat check was super nice, which was to be expected since everyone is nice there, and it looks as if coat check is the one place you can (politely) get snippy with guests. Not that I ever would, but it's nice to know you don't have to smile and take their harassment about not wanting to hang their coat up or wait in line. So ha! "Coat check is a service provided by the museum at no charge to you, so please form a line, and I will begin assisting the first visitor."
Coat check was over at 5, and the museum closes at 5:30, so the remainder of the time was spent going over everything we had covered today, questions, etc. We had to wait around and funnel everyone out at 5:30. As we were leaving, the bomb sniffing dog made an appearance, so of course I got caught up giving her lovings. All of us interns fawned over her for like 15 minutes at least. Her name is Pep. Tomorrow Haley will be the dog on duty.
All of us interns catch a metro at the Smithsonian stop, so we all walked together down there. Everyone separated at that point to catch their different trains. The ride home was busy since everyone was getting off work, but I read the entire time so I didn't really mind. However, once I got off at Silver Spring, things turned sour. It was pouring the rain. I didn't even know it was supposed to rain today, so I was definitely unprepared. I had flimsy little ballet flats on (I bought them at Steve & Barry's if that gives you any idea of how old they are), and they do not work well in the rain. Also, Silver Spring gathers water everywhere, so I basically walked in puddles my entire way home. At one point, the wind was so strong that it literally knocked me over... not embarrassing at all. My khaki pants looked more like chocolate brown pants when I arrived home, and my toboggan was completely soaked. A quick run through the dryer fixed that though.
All in all, my day was amazing. The sour spots were completely overshadowed by the fact that I have the best internship anyone has ever had.. ever. Seriously: EVER!!!!
Monday, February 25, 2013
City Life: Day 2
Y'all, I had the most exciting day ever... I laid in bed until 3:30 then went to the library!
Last night, I decided it would be best to figure out where I'm going to get all the books for my term papers since I obviously can't order them through Interlibrary Loan as I'm used to doing. I found a list of universities/colleges around DC and was able to find all my books in one library! This is exciting news- y'all may not understand, but it is..trust me.
The books I need are located at American University, which is about 13 metro stops away, so not a bad commute at all. They are open until midnight, so one day I am just going to go exploring and get everything done. I had serious plans to do that today, but I had other things I needed to do.
By other things, I mean watch the three episodes of Grey's Anatomy that I've missed. After that was done I really felt like I should get up and do something with my life instead of laying around being lazy. I had some documents that needed to be filled out and signed before my internship tomorrow, and the library is about a five minute walk, so I headed on over there.
I was really quite surprised by the library. First, it was completely full of people. I'm not used to residents actually utilizing the public library. Second, while walking, I met the cutest, most adorable, friendliest puppies ever. I saw the woman walking one of them, but I didn't know the other one belonged to her as well. As soon as I saw it, I sat down right in the road to give it some loving, which prompted her to walk up and explain it was her dog, which gave the leashed dog the opportunity to lick me right up the face as well. Of course, I didn't mind because I miss my two babies so, so, so, so, so much (which I explained to her).
I have two papers due tomorrow, and I suppose I have put off writing them long enough. Tomorrow I will have much more to say!
Sarah
Last night, I decided it would be best to figure out where I'm going to get all the books for my term papers since I obviously can't order them through Interlibrary Loan as I'm used to doing. I found a list of universities/colleges around DC and was able to find all my books in one library! This is exciting news- y'all may not understand, but it is..trust me.
The books I need are located at American University, which is about 13 metro stops away, so not a bad commute at all. They are open until midnight, so one day I am just going to go exploring and get everything done. I had serious plans to do that today, but I had other things I needed to do.
By other things, I mean watch the three episodes of Grey's Anatomy that I've missed. After that was done I really felt like I should get up and do something with my life instead of laying around being lazy. I had some documents that needed to be filled out and signed before my internship tomorrow, and the library is about a five minute walk, so I headed on over there.
I was really quite surprised by the library. First, it was completely full of people. I'm not used to residents actually utilizing the public library. Second, while walking, I met the cutest, most adorable, friendliest puppies ever. I saw the woman walking one of them, but I didn't know the other one belonged to her as well. As soon as I saw it, I sat down right in the road to give it some loving, which prompted her to walk up and explain it was her dog, which gave the leashed dog the opportunity to lick me right up the face as well. Of course, I didn't mind because I miss my two babies so, so, so, so, so much (which I explained to her).
I have two papers due tomorrow, and I suppose I have put off writing them long enough. Tomorrow I will have much more to say!
Sarah
Sunday, February 24, 2013
The Beginning of my DC Journey. . .
Greetings from DC!
So, I'm no blogger, but my friend Victoria suggested that I start a blog to avoid having to answer the same question one million times. I'm sure my mother will still require a daily phone update, but nevertheless, here I am, on blogspot, with a blog title denoting my love for travel.
For those who don't know, I'm in DC interning at the Holocaust Museum until May 2. I am actually living in Silver Spring, MD, which is about 35 minutes outside of DC by metro. Mom, Ally, and I figured out the metro system today, and I bought my rechargeable fare card! I felt like such a city goer, walking around in my toboggan swiping my card while everyone else had their paper tickets that have to be thrown away at the end of the day.
I am living in a house with three other roommates. So far, they seem nice. They are a little older than me, and I am a loner by nature, but I think it will work out just fine. However, one is a vegan so she probably freaked out when she opened the fridge to see my fish sticks, chicken fried rice, and corn dogs right beside her frozen green beans. They also probably think I am about 12 years old based on what they see on my shelf of the fridge and on my side of the cabinet- yoo hoos, Dora the Explorer fruit snacks (the best kind!), Ramen noodles, etc. etc.
Today, we went into DC and figured out my route to work because my mother could not foresee leaving me alone here to figure it out by myself. I do not know what she will do when I don't require her to move me in places anymore. But I'm grateful because the extra support is nice to have. I went in the USHMM gift shop today and scoped out their book collection-- I am thinking my going away/graduation present to myself will be the TWO VOLUME encyclopedia on the Nazi concentration camp system. It only comes in at a meager $295.00. Maybe I can swing it when they plug my discount in. Fingers crossed because I'm not leaving this place without it!
All in all, life in DC is perfect at this point. I start work Tuesday, and tomorrow will be spent finding every used book store and library between here and the end of the metro line.
I will keep everyone posted!
Sarah
So, I'm no blogger, but my friend Victoria suggested that I start a blog to avoid having to answer the same question one million times. I'm sure my mother will still require a daily phone update, but nevertheless, here I am, on blogspot, with a blog title denoting my love for travel.
For those who don't know, I'm in DC interning at the Holocaust Museum until May 2. I am actually living in Silver Spring, MD, which is about 35 minutes outside of DC by metro. Mom, Ally, and I figured out the metro system today, and I bought my rechargeable fare card! I felt like such a city goer, walking around in my toboggan swiping my card while everyone else had their paper tickets that have to be thrown away at the end of the day.
I am living in a house with three other roommates. So far, they seem nice. They are a little older than me, and I am a loner by nature, but I think it will work out just fine. However, one is a vegan so she probably freaked out when she opened the fridge to see my fish sticks, chicken fried rice, and corn dogs right beside her frozen green beans. They also probably think I am about 12 years old based on what they see on my shelf of the fridge and on my side of the cabinet- yoo hoos, Dora the Explorer fruit snacks (the best kind!), Ramen noodles, etc. etc.
Today, we went into DC and figured out my route to work because my mother could not foresee leaving me alone here to figure it out by myself. I do not know what she will do when I don't require her to move me in places anymore. But I'm grateful because the extra support is nice to have. I went in the USHMM gift shop today and scoped out their book collection-- I am thinking my going away/graduation present to myself will be the TWO VOLUME encyclopedia on the Nazi concentration camp system. It only comes in at a meager $295.00. Maybe I can swing it when they plug my discount in. Fingers crossed because I'm not leaving this place without it!
All in all, life in DC is perfect at this point. I start work Tuesday, and tomorrow will be spent finding every used book store and library between here and the end of the metro line.
I will keep everyone posted!
Sarah
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