Last day and final update

let me start off by apologizing for the lateness in this post .... i did learn something new.... never ever drop off you film at a mom and pop store with that being said let the final post begin



Well this is my final update and it has been one hell of a ride. Let me start off by saying that my last day was spent very wisely. I couldn't’t leave D.C. without doing a little sight seeing; my visits included the WWII memorial and the Washington Monument. Among other things, the day was one of the hottest down in D.C but I took every minute to take in the sights and sounds as if it was the last time that I would ever see our nation’s capital.
(below are pictures of me in front of the washington monumnet and the WWII memorial

As for my final update I have learned a lot from my professional life to my personal life. First I now know that I have to pursue a higher degree beyond my bachelor’s. Thanks to my exceptional supervisors at my internship placement, I know that I am on the right track to start a career in emergency management; all I need is to work hard and concentrate. I also found out that my information technology background did come in handy, especially in the area of social networking. In addition to my internship, I also realized that I have other attributes that will sever me well in my field, such as how my internship supervisor had a unique way of solving problems and understanding situations. Also I have found out where I need to improve—which, as anyone reading this blog can figure out, would be in my writing ability ... well now I definitely know that is something I have to work on

My personal life also improved from the unique experiences at my internship.
While at my internship, I slowly began to realize how short and precious our lives are—and not just to be satisfied with the status quo. During the course of my internship, I ended a three and a half year relationship that had been dragging me down for a while. However, this opened my eyes to the fact that one woman was there for me the entire time—an old girlfriend whom I had met during my sophomore year at Cal U and who was with me for some of the trying times of my internship. As a result of these interactions, we rekindled our old feelings that were never really set aside and began a new relationship, which has been going so well that we are already talking about marriage; this isn’t a big step, being that we have known each other for five years. I will spare you the details, but rest assured that all this would not have been possible if I hadn’t had an eye-opening experience due, in part, to this internship.

This experience overall has prepared me to assume a leadership position and fulfill my obligations in life.

Final pieces of advice

Did you ever hear the age old wise tale; don’t wait for tomorrow what you can do today?
Well its true especially down here, last night I worked for seven hours to get all of my crap done it was exhausting and my mind is blown. I sat in the same spot and didn’t move I am so tired. I guess that’s what they say about learning it the hard way. Oh well I was never one for take the easy road. I am very excited about going to site seeing my last week down here and I promise that I will post those pics. But for today I am going to work on my portfolio and get that ready to hand in tomorrow. So until my next post have a great day.

Ya I knew it was going to happen

July 29


Welcome to my day from heck, here it is in a nut shell I hope you all enjoy.
My day started off at 5am; I took a walk down to the first floor of my apartment building and decided to use the gym, for an early morning workout. After which I felt great like I could take on the world. I walked into the office around 7:30, which was very early for me; since I am not required to be there before 9:30. Hence, here is where the story begins. The work assignments I had for the day were intense, but I took on the challenges and came though swing. At around 2:30 one of my supervisors walked in and gave me weird look and said a certain phrase. The one when you hear someone udders it, It’s never a good thing. “Promise you wont be upset”, but we having be working on the wrong parts of the communications plan and they are all due today. Do you thing you can do a weeks worth of work in 2 ½ hr.” at that point my right eye started to twinge. And I started to break out in a cold sweat. So I sat down and told myself that I could do this. Before I began working I went and got a drink went to the bathroom and stretched my legs and began to type at break neck speed. With sweat pouring off of my brow I managed to redo a weeks worth of work in just under 2 ½ hrs. As I printed out the reports and took them to her. I noticed a strange look on her face and with that strange look on she udder that certain phrase “Promise you wont be upset,” but I miss read the due date and they are all due on the 31st . Look on the brightside at least you have them all done. At that point I looked at her and said “I won’t be in until noon tomorrow.” She then looked at me with a smile and said “I guess I could look the other way on this one”

What a week Part II

July21

****This post is a little more personal in nature, but nevertheless relevant to my experience and time down here****. Well we are coming up on the three quarters mark down here and I can’t speak for everyone but it’s a safe bet to say that I think we are all looking forward to going home. I’ve run into most of the other Cal U interns and we are all pretty much enjoying the time down here in our beautiful capitol mostly everyone of us has experienced something that has changed us in one way or another. I can tell you that mine has changed me in ways that I am just now starting to realize. Primary my outlook for my career in Emergency Management has changed, a higher degree is no longer an option it is a necessity!!! Mostly everyone I work with has a graduate degree or higher. So I am now in the process of looking into grad schools as well as funding to do so. The biggest change that I have gone thought is with my personal life. Being this far from home has given me a new respect from where I come from and my family which I have taken for granted for too long. Also this experience has allowed me to get back in touch with someone very special to me, she has been there for me throughout the ups and downs of my experience down here and pretty much for the last three years of my life. But it was just recently that I have seen it for what it, for once I am looking forward towards my future instead of looking at the past. Needless to say what I have taken away from my experiences down here is take nothing for granted and I will forever remember that.

What a week Part 1

July18-21

Let me start off by apologizing about the hiatus in posting, I have had a busy two weeks. Initial I had been in and out of the hospital for the past two weekends. For a supposed blood clot in my legs…. Don’t worry everyone it just and old injury that well isn’t so old anymore. I will know more once I get back to good old PA and Get an MRI done. next one thing that I did learn about my internship, intern or not my placement was really worried about me. When I got back for the ER the second time that wanted to know if I want to work from my apartment for a couple days. Which I thought was very thoughtful; Aside from the hospital situation I had an awaking thanks in part to this opportunity. I came to a realization that I have to start getting all aspects of my life on track besides my career. If it wasn’t for the long lunches with my supervisor “Auntie Debbie” as she called herself would have never come to that realization. Stay turned for part 2

My Midterm Evaluation

Well, as I had recently stated, I have reached the midpoint of my internship and I have some good news. I just got my midterm internship evaluation and, well, it was better than I expected. I had received an overall score of 3.6 on a scale of 1 – 4, 4 being the best. My supervisor told me that there should be no reason why I shouldn’t be able to hit that 3.8-4.0 range by the end of my internship. She told me that most of the reason why I was at 3.6 was that most of the grading criteria that I am to be graded on I actually haven’t experience yet ... like how I handle pressure and that sort of stuff. She told me that in the second half of my internship there will be that kind of test coming down the pike, so stay alert. I told her that I am ready for it. As always, stay tuned as I will bring that to you as it happens. Stay well everyone.

Midterm Update

July 10

Well I have officially reached the middle of my tenure down here in the D.C area. It has been a very interesting ride to say the least. During my stay I have seen so much, learned so much and changed my outlook on things. One of those things that I have seen is that the Pentagon while also being the nerve center of our defenses is also a one stop shopping area. During one of my informational interviews I had the privilege of interviewing one if the chiefs of emergency management for the pentagon protection force. As he put it “there is no reason to be in the dog house with your wife while you are working here we have everything in here from a CVS to florist.” That was putting it mildly was so awe struck. I felt like a freshman walking onto campus for the first time. What I have learned. If I want a job at the Pentagon, It’s going to be a long road getting from here to there. From, what I had gotten out of the interview is that I am going to have done something that I always wanted to do but never had the driving force to do as… Yep…. I am going to do the impossible get into shape and try to get into R.O.T.C when I get into grad school then hopeful with any luck come out as a Second Lieutenant. Then serve four years. Well we shall see where that leads. I will keep you all posted on that aspect.

Fourth of July fallout

July 6th

Well I am glad I got out of dodge for the 4th. First off let me say that if it wasn’t for the fact that this opportunity has freed my mind I would have had a great time with my college sweetheart with whom I recently got back together with. It was a great time spending the fourth with her and her family, swimming all day camping out all night and just relaxing on the 5th. However I found out that I was the only one out of my closer circle of friends that had a decent holiday. Let me start off by saying when I got back on the 6th I found out that one of my roommates and a sprained wrist one had food poising. The next laughable event was seeing that one of our classmates tore his rotate cuff after playing football. He slipped on a bunch of ice that someone had dumped out of a cooler that was the funny part. The last big fallout from the weekend festivities was that the power in our apartment was out for most of the 5th. Just one last reason that I was glad I had gotten out of dodge. Well until next time stay turned.

I am getting out of Dodge!!!

July 1st

When I was at work one day in June, I asked my co-workers, "What you are doing for the 4th of July?" My supervisor said, "Are you kidding? I have lived here for 20 years I am getting the hell out of here." I thought to myself, "wow, okay," but as I took a couple seconds to reflect, Charlotte who is going to be our ON duty officer, said if wasn’t for working she would leave too!!! Then I said, "Well in that case, I will be leaving on the 1st." Which leads me today. I am getting ready to pack as I type. I am going home for the 4th. I plan on spend my 4th up in Erie, PA with a special someone. I will write more about her later but needless to say, I do need a vacation. Well, I hate to cut this short but I have to get packing if I want to beat the holiday rush… see you all on the other side. Have a great holiday!!!

Hey Bob, Do You Want to go Sky Diving?

June 30th

Well, you know the old saying all work and no play… Well, it's true. I had just got done talking to my roommates, and after all we have been though down here, we thought, "You know, we should have fun." Let start this story off by saying you only live once. That being said, let the story begin. So, I am sitting in the in the living room trying to relax when my roommates are talking very loud, and I said, "Guys, whats up? I am tring to relax." Tek stops and looks at me and says, "Dude, when are you bringing your car down here?" I told him after the 4th of July. He looked back and said, "Let me ask you a question… now we are being serious… "Do you want to go sky diving?" I stopped look at him dumbfounded and said, "You know, yes why not, you only live once." So, Tek and Patrick have looked into it and I guess that we are going some time at the end of July. I promise that I will post a pic if we indeed go.

Well, Has it Been a Month Already?

June 26th

Well, I have survived one whole month down here in Arlington, and you know what? I could actually live here permanently. I could do without all the walking, but then I wouldn’t have lost at least twenty pounds. To give you a little window into my world: My commute is less than two blocks, my apartment is less than three blocks from a metro stop, I am four blocks from a whole food store, and I am a block away from the police station and a subway shopJ. I have experienced a lot down here: The metro accident at D.C, a shooting, and a guy getting smacked by a car right in front of me and walking away from it. To quote a friend, “You know for all of us interns being down here, our chance(s?) of going home in one piece are slowly diminishing throughout out the summer.” I, for one, hope to make it back in one piece. I mean, my life is finally getting straightened out. This experience has taught me the most important lesson: self reliance. As I look back, I can’t help but look how far I have come and eagerly look forward to still what’s ahead.

Don’t worry, We are all OK!!

The following is from an article on the CNN website:

"WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A rush-hour collision Monday between two Metro trains north of downtown Washington, D.C., killed at least six people and injured scores, Mayor Adrian Fenty said.

He called it the deadliest crash in the history of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, known as Metro. One of the dead was the female operator of one of the trains, Metro officials said."

Just to let you all know, it is a miracle that none of the TWC Interns were injured in that metro accident. We all (700 of us) had been to a mandatory TWC workshop at 4:50 and most of our interns use the red line. I had to walk to my night class and was in my class when I got a text from the Arlington Alert system since I am the intern for the OEM Office. My heart just sunk about a little before five. I had walked with one of my friends from Lock Haven University to the red line metro stop, the train line that had the accident. I was in class, so I couldn’t find out if he was okay; I later found out that he was. But anyway, our Professor could care less about the incident. He said, and I quote, “that happens sometime." He had no compassion for what we were going though. Almost all of our cell phones were blowing up with family and friends asking if we were okay. Meanwhile, the professor had this look on his face as if he was being unconvinced by the whole ordeal. But anyway, I would like to include in my blog the official e-mail from the Washington Center as proof that we are all okay:

TWC Interns,

The Washington DC metro experienced a terrible accident this evening. Many of you may have been impacted or have colleagues or friends who have been impacted by this accident. To that end, the Office of Student Life at the Washington Center would like to verify that all of our interns are safe and accounted for. Our thoughts are with the individuals who were hurt or lost their lives this evening on the red line.

Thank you,

Student Life

A Week in Recap

A Week in Review

As I begin this blog, I can't help but remember a couple of things that I was told at the beginning of my internship. First, our internship coordination Karen told us that this will be a life altering experience, and it has been. Let me start off by telling you that not only has this experience cleared my mind, it has also put me in touch with a part of myself that I thought I lost a long time ago. This experience has improved my relationship with my mother, my stress level is almost non-existent, I have begun to lose weight, and as I told someone very special to me, “I feel as if a fog has been lifted from my mind.” The second item that I remember was from my first day. The President of The Washington Center said, “This is a city where hard work is recognized,” and that is true indeed. As I found out at the end of last week, I can’t go in to very much detail, but I received a sort of raise… mind you this is an unpaid internship. But anyway, this summer is shaping up to be something very amazing. I will bring it to you as it unfolds.

Free your mind so you behind can follow

June 16:

Well, I have learned a valuable lesson … the hard way. Before you go anywhere away from home, make sure you have a very good pair of shoes. With that said, I would like to give you an update on my experience thus far. On Monday, we had what they call a "Presidential Lecture". Our guest speaker was Ralph Nader. Now, hold on before you stop reading this blog. The lecture was actually very informative and insightful. Now, I identify myself as having a centered political view: Conservative on some things and liberal on others. During the lecture I thought, "oh no," this going to a smear speech, but it wasn’t. I thought he'd tried to persuade us in anyway, but quite the contrary, he challenged us. He challenged our generation to get involved, and told us that we have power and better start exercising it. He told us not to take hearsay and accept it as fact. RESEARCH!!! Research both sides of the issue: Conservative and Liberal. RESEARCH the candidate’s voting on issues before you vote. Don’t be like sheep that are lead around. Stand up and use your right effectively.

Another thing that he touched on (I am sorry if this offends anybody, but it is the truth). When it comes to voting, most people are ignorant and vote one way because, "My parents and their parents voted that way." But, these people never once look into the issues. They never once sit in front of a computer, for even five minutes, to really look into the issues. But before this turns into another rant, I would like to say that, in a unique way, he is right and that took me completely by surprise.

I also noticed something that upset me very much. As he was speaking, I kind of noticed a defined distinction among the rest of the students. Some of them weren’t paying attention, and I did notice something in common between the ones that were listening and the ones who weren’t and it wasn’t party affiliations. It was more insidious then that; it was the difference between the haves and have-nots. This really infuriates me, and the only thing I can do about it is ask that anyone given an opportunity such as this, regardless of socioeconomic status, come in with an open mind. I have two pieces of advice that were given to me before I came down here that I would like to share with you: “Close your mouth and open your ears wide” and “Free your mind so you behind can follow.” You can thank one of my paramedic supervisors for the latter one.

Until I write again, have a safe and great day!!!

I just moved to a new town and it’s straight up gangster

June 12
My Supervisor found this on YouTube thought that I would share it with all of you.

For all of you who want to know how we are living down here in the D.C area check out this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T1RMuoQnKo

Wow they have got it going on … And other realizations

June 8

Well today started off very well, I attended my first staff O.E.M staff meeting and let me tell you Pennsylvania has got nothing on what Arlington does when it come to Emergency Preparedness. I have never seen people from different groups actually working together: public, for- profit, non- profit and politicians actually somewhat working for the people instead of for there own instinctual needs of greed.

This was very refreshing. Pennsylvania could learn a lot from the level of cooperation and coordination that Arlington County’s OEM has achieved and we need to let our politicians know it. Here is my advice to you: read, research, and ask. The most powerful question we as United States citizens have is the question, “Why?” Vote for politicians who can answer it. That is our power.

To tie this whole blog together and this is tie to the college-age readers of this blog:
“… Understand that friends come and go,but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography in lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young. Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. … Travel.” - Baz Luhrmann- Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)

The Slip ‘n Slides of life …. So you think you can dance

June 4

This week has been one heck of a ride, to say it has been an interesting is putting it mildly. I will begin by saying that I finally have my placement; it’s with the Arlington County Office of Emergency Management. Arlington County O.E.M is one of only a few nationwide that is fully NIMS compliant, which they hold as very big accomplishment. For those who are O.E.M challenged, NIMS Stands for (National Incident Management System). When I told my roommates about my placement they were initially very happy, however, when I told them it was two blocks away from the apartment their moody changed. My roommate Tek said it best, “I am not talking to you.” He eventually got over it when dinner time rolled around.

With any good news comes a celebration, it was Friday night and we had all decided early on that every week we would take in a different cuisine. This week was Tek Choice so he chose Moroccan. A word from the wise if you ever deicide to eat Moroccan and I suggest you do, come hungry because it will fill you up!!!
(Below are some pictures of our dinner we all got the same. Chicken Couscous Couscous)

However, if you do decide to go out for Moroccan don’t be surprised if a belly dance grabs you up while you are eating your dinner. As evendent by the pictures below. (top left me, middle Tek, bottom Patrick)

Overall it has been a very good week i will be sure to inform all on how my internship goes on Tuesday.

That’s why you don’t take coffee on the Metro and other pieces of D.C Advice

June 1, 2009

Well today started off slowly. I still don’t have an official internship. While my roommates left around 8 to head out to their placements I had the privilege of sleeping until noon before heading to a medical symposium on personalized medical treatments. Most of us thought it was very boring. The First sign was when the guy next to me started snoring. Luckily no one noticed that or so I thought. This leads me to my first piece of advice “Don’t fall asleep during a lecture or you will be caught”. Unfortunately, the guy who noticed him was the speaker. I have never seen anybody turn that white when they were confronted about something they did. I am talking ghost white. After the Lecture I learned another very important piece of information; when the crosswalk sign says don’t walk…don’t walk. I kid you not I saw an Individual get smacked by a car, get flipped up, land right on his feet and walk way. The homeless person on the corner said it best, “if ya cross when it says don’t cross sometime you make it, sometimes you don’t. I guess he was one of the lucky ones.” Ya but trust me he will be feeling it in the morning. The last piece of advice I have to offer is there is a reason why they say don’t carry food or drinks on the metro. (For all of you that don’t know what a metro is it’s a subway) my roommate found that out the hard way. He boarded the metro with a cup of coffee and when the metro started off he thought he could sneak a drink. However, the metro quickly stopped shortly after starting .which caused him to fly forward nearly spilling the coffee all over and old woman. She seemed very upset. Overall in has been a very good day with the promise of a better tomorrow. I will keep you posted.

Just Touched Down in D.C Town .. The first few days

May 28
Well I have just experienced my first few days in D.C … WOW!!! After moving in to my Apartment and getting to know my Roommates Tak, Patrick and Chang I have been having a wonderful time. I am still waiting to hear back for the EPA to make sure I indeed have the internship, from what I Hear from my Advisors I do. But anyway let me tell you what I have experienced so far. If you ever get an internship in our lovely capitol make sure that you are some what in shape or you will be forced into shape :P. I have never walked that much in one day in my life. I counted at least 5-10 miles ….. “I have blisters and me blisters.” Also for any other single guys reading this blog be sure your in great shape for as my roommate said, “There is an unusually high proportion of beautiful women in Washington D.C and I can’t help but turn around and look at them as they walk past me.” (that is not an over statement I have walked into him numerous times and also agree with him)

May 29
My second day was less strenuous only walking about 5 miles, however if any one remembers there U.S history and Geography, D.C was build on mostly swap land and better yet in surround by 3 bodies of water even though I walked only 5 miles on my second day , it was an equivalent of walking in the Sahara Dessert in business attire. Any way I did have some sort of fun the second day, while in route to the Department of Interior my roommates and I had taken a wrong turn and ended up walking in front of the White House a truly awesome site, unfortunately we stop by a Secret Service Agent when my Roommate my roommate reached in his pocket to pull out a banana he had brought with him for breakfast. After the officer pointed us in the right direction and we continued our journey to the DOI my roommate stop and made a remark “ I bet that officer is thinking an Asian guy, Black guy and a White guy walking down Pennsylvania Ave. That ain’t right we better get the Asian and the black the white guy we can pick up later.” Now I have got two marks against me. he said, “Walking with you two and my first name sound like a terrorist name.” I said to him, “It could always be worse, you could get caught drinking coffee on the metro and have to walk every where.”

A Little about me

Hi all,My name is Robert Lisovich and I am majoring in Criminal Justice and Geographic Information Science with an Emergency Management concentration at California University of Pennsylvania. I am a very active student in clubs and honor societies. I am currently serving as President of Interfraternity Council, President of Order of Omega honor society for social Greeks, President of PI Gamma Mu- International Honor Society For Social Sciences and last but not least Vice- President of Delta Alpha Pi Honor society. I am also a brother of Alpha Kappa Lambda Fraternity.I am 26 yrs old from Charleroi, PA. I have taken this opportunity at The Washington Center to Broaden my horizons, expand my cultural boundaries, and to jump start my career. While in Washington I hope to network with my fellow students, as well as businesses and politicians that will help propel me forward in my career. Though this blog I will offer you a window into work and life in our nation’s capitol. I am very excited and hope that this will be a great summer and will start off the beginning of my prosperous future.