9:15am- attended a presentation by one of my personal heroes Jessica Jackley.

9:45am- noticed some people around me were not the general public, as they wore large badges, dressed in formal business clothing, and had large brochures.

10:15am- heard one of the event coordinators mention that there would be a student roundtable with Jessica Jackley for the select group of students that had been selected and flown in from around the country for this weekend long event.

10:16am- discreetly followed the herd of people in formal business attire to another building.

10:20am- casually investigated and found the room the roundtable would be in, and proceeded to slip in discreetly.

10:30am- through appearing confident and purposeful, managed to evade two event workers who were trying to root me out and, when Jessica arrived, successfully planted myself in a circle of 15 doctorate and masters students from around the country.

10:35am- no joke, because we were going in a circle with it, I formally introduced myself to Jessica Jackley and the group, and mentioned what I was studying and what I wanted to do. I have now been discovered (as if my jeans, sandals, and lack of badge didn’t already make me stick out like a sore thumb), but as the event is in progress, it is too late for them to kick me out. Proceed to have an hour conversation and dialogue with one of my heroes, and gain 5 sheets of notes for my future plans to help the world.

11:30am- everyone rushes out, leaving the room in a mess for the two event workers to clean up. The two event workers come to kick me out, but I immediately start cleaning the room, moving tables back, and throwing out trash. So, instead of kicking me out—-theythank me.

11:35am- slip out a back door, feeling like I just had one of the happiest hours of my college career.

11:40am- get strange and urgent text from boss. Am told I am to work an event on Monday morning and need training on Sunday, but am not told anything about said event.

11:45am- boyfriend and I grab Creole food and get into the Capitol building, ride an elevator full of politicians in suits (lets play the game of how many times per day Katie can stick out like a sore thumb) to the 22nd floor, and eat lunch overlooking all of Tallahassee through floor to-ceiling wrap around windows.

3pm- Boss approaches me. “I couldn’t tell you earlier for security reasons, but that event you’re working? The vice president is coming.” I assumed he meant the vp of FSU, so I just nodded. “He’s coming here.” “Uh-huh,” I nodded. “The vice president of the United States.” I laughed. “I’m serious.” I smile at the bad joke. “Katie, I don’t think you understand me, but I really need you to. This is important. The vice president of the United States is coming on Monday morning, we just got the call today, and I need you to usher the event.” Wait. WHAT?! Also, I am not an usher, just to throw that out there. I have never ushered, and ushering is not in my job description. So….it’s not like I’m the go-to usherer and this is some normal thing.

3:15pm- get a very intense e-mail explaining that secret service and White House representatives will be training me on Sunday on security and protocol, as well as details about the press, as the event will be photographed and possibly televised, and we need to look professional. “Remember, you are representing Housing, FSU, and the state of Florida. No need to get a ticket, your name is already on all the needed lists.” WHAT.

Spent the rest of the day very enjoyably and with people I love.

I just have one of those extremely satisfied feelings that come after a day well spent with no regrets.

Oh, and when I told my dad that I snuck into that event, he told me how proud he was of me for not being afraid to seize every opportunity. Awesome dads are awesome.

Oh, my life.