My workplace - couldn’t imagine a better one!

To be honest, I couldn’t imagine a better workplace… No actually I could, just on the beach near the ocean, but this one also very great and unique. 

So I work in Hawaii State Capitol in the Office of Minority Leader Representative Gene Ward.

The Capitol is open literally and figuratively: there is no security on the entrance; everybody who is interested can just come without showing an ID and no passing security check. There is also Public access room open from 8 am – 7 pm Monday – Friday, it has working places, a computer, a library and assistants which would be happy to tell you about legislative process and explain you how you can participate in it.

And the building has open architecture structure – it doesn't have a roof, so you can just go out from the office room and get some fresh air and observe a blue sky to refresh your mind. And of course it is smoke free.

Unlike other state capitols modeled after the United States Capitol, the Hawaii State Capitol's distinct architectural features symbolize various natural aspects of Hawaii. Among them:

• The building is surrounded by a reflecting pool, symbolizing the Pacific Ocean.
• The two legislative chambers are cone-shaped, symbolizing volcanoes that formed the Hawaiian Islands.
• The columns around the perimeter of the building have shapes resembling royal palm trees.
• The Capitol is built with an open-air design, allowing sun, wind, and rain to enter; the central rotunda opens to the sky.
• When standing in the center of the structure, the chandeliers from both legislative chambers, which represent the sun and moon, can be seen through the glass walls.

We had a Capitol tour last week and had an access to all places including Governor Office place, so enjoy the photos…

Next time I'll tell you more about legislative processes here.
Aloha

Volcano and palms of the Capitol

Open roof

Level of House representatives

Governor office

Executive chambers

With my supervisor and fellow from Armenia

Месяц в законодательных органах США - презентация программы стажировок

Оголошення українською мовою

Американская Программа стажировок в законодательной сфере (Legislative Fellows Program - LFP) приглашает потенциальных участников на презентацию в Донецке, которая состоится в понедельник, 14 октября 2013 г.

Если вы работаете или имеете предыдущий опыт работы в государственных учреждениях, законодательных органах или неправительственных организациях, а также свободно владеете английским языком, то Вас заинтересует эта уникальная возможность профессионального развития.

Meanwhile in Donetsk: Whistleblowers, Security and Liberty - Amclub Meeting

Members of American Club at the Center for Political Studies in Donetsk, Ukraine met with Eric A. Johnson, Counselor for Public Affairs at the US Embassy in Kyiv.

The topic of discussion was "Whistleblowers, Security and Liberty" - as suggested by the Club's participants on the previous meeting. Government Shutdown was also brought up.

Extreme beginning...

So, Fellowship started. And started it with adventures…

First we had an emergency landing in London during our flight from Munich to Washington cause there some problems with hydraulic system.

When we came here we discovered that government shut down, because they didn’t agree about budget for the next year. Of course it’s really big issue for Americans: most government establishment are not working, people stays without job, some people even go to job without confidence will they get paid later or not.  We even experience it by ourselves when we went to see some sightseeing – all museums and federal memorials were closed.

And when we just went out from sightseeing and photosession, there were a shooting, so we were really lucky to get out from there just 5 minutes before this.

So it was really extreme beginning. Let’s see what is waiting for me on my fellowship place…

And I still didn’t tell you where is my fellowship is going to be. It’s Office of Minority Leader Representative Gene Ward in Honolulu, Hawaii. And today is my first working day. And I’m very excited about that!  

So Aloha everybody! I’ll keep you updated about my experience. 

Government Shutdown has reached Ukraine - OW reception cancelled