Amirah Ahmad

I had never truly appreciated my home until June 1, 2015.

I live in the suburbs1. suburb: 郊区。of D.C., meaning the nation’s capital is half an hour away from my doorstep. Although I had visited Washington D.C. to admire the Smithsonian museums, gawk at the White House from afar, and sit on the National Mall for a pleasing picnic, I have just recently begun to explore all that is D.C.2. 虽然我去过华盛顿特区，参观了史密森尼博物馆，从远处痴痴地观望过白宫，也曾坐在国家广场上愉快地野餐，但我是最近才开始探索特区的种种的。Smithsonian museums: 史密森尼博物馆群，是美国唯一一所由美国政府资助、半官方性质的第三部门博物馆机构，拥有世界最大的博物馆系统和研究联合体；gawk at: 发呆地看着；the White House: 白宫，是美国总统的官邸和办公室；from afar: 从远处；the National Mall: 国家广场，是位于美国首都华盛顿特区的一处开放性国家公园，是美国国家庆典和仪式的首选场所，也是美国历史上重大示威游行、民权演说的重要场地。

We call ourselves “Hillterns.” Hillterns are students, typically in college, interning at Capitol Hill3. Capitol Hill: 美国国会山。. Capitol Hill is home to the United States Congress, meaning the Hill is the starting point of all legislation,4. Congress: 美国国会；legislation: 法律，立法。both national and international. The Hilltern network is massive5. massive: 规模巨大的。, with hundreds of students working for Congress members.I am one of those hundred.

The first day, like all first days at a new job, was extremely daunting6. daunting: 使人畏缩的，令人却步的。. I boarded the metro7. metro: 地铁。at 7:00 a.m. along with the other dozens of work-going citizens, with a newspaper in hand. I figured I should be using this time to brush up on8. brush up on: 重温，复习。current events.

美国华盛顿特区是美国的政治中心，位于特区的国会山、白宫和参众两院是美国权力的象征。这些机构提供了很多实习生项目，让学生们有机会切身了解美国的政治体系及其运作。虽然环境肃穆，但走进国会山，能够与政治大人物近距离接触，能够和总统一起看球赛，“山”上的实习生真可谓福利多多！

I arrived at Capitol Hill nearly an hour early, and had nothing to do until 8:45 a.m. which is when I would actually head over to my office.During that hour, I drank a coffee, went through security to enter the Capitol Hill, and wandered through the expansive halls, imagining I was walking where President Obama once walked.9. 在那一小时里，我喝了杯咖啡，通过安检进入了国会，漫步走过了宽敞的大厅，想象自己走在奥巴马总统曾经走过的地方。wander through:漫步走过；expansive: 广阔的。At 8:45 a.m. I finally went to my office, completely unaware of what to expect. I was greeted by the staff assistant, and sat down on the couch. The entire office was clad in Michigan souvenirs.10. clad: 被……覆盖的；Michigan: 密歇根州，位于美国中北部；souvenir:纪念品。Soda, chips, brochures from Michigan were hung on the walls,sitting on the shelves, and dispersed throughout.11. brochure: 小册子；disperse throughout:分散，散落。

Needless to say12. needless to say: 不用说。, I was interning for the Congresswoman from the state of Michigan.

A couple minutes later, the two other interns began to file in13. file in: 进入。along with the other staff in the office. Everyone was extremely friendly and welcoming,and I was glad my first day was heading in the right direction.

My first day on the job primarily consisted of getting my bearings of Capitol Hill, walking around the premises,14. get one’s bearings: 在陌生的环境中确定方向，知道自己该怎么做；premise: 办公场所。and meeting people I needed to meet. The next day, I was bombarded with15. be bombarded with: 被……炮轰。what my internship duties would actually consist of. I was responsible for handing out the morning newspaper to each staff member and turn on the TV’s in the office. Interns also give tours. I actually gave my first tour a couple days ago to a nice couple from Michigan. I walked them through the old Supreme Court Chamber, the old Senate Chamber, the ornate Rotunda, and through various rooms like the old House of Representatives meeting room.16. the Supreme Court Chamber: 最高法院会议厅；the Senate Chamber: 参议院会议厅；ornate: 华丽的；the Rotunda:（国会大厦里的）圆形大厅；the House of Representatives:众议院。