Supreme Court and Capital Buildings

I was able to sit in on a trial hearing!

Isabela S. Kobs

Secret Service Training Facility

Wish I could show you more pictures and say more but than I would have to kill you...:D

Isabela S. Kobs

Ford's Theater

Isabela S. Kobs

WWII, Korean, Vietnam, Lincoln, and Jefferson Memorials

Isabela S. Kobs

U.S Marshal Service Headquarters

Some of the vehicles used by the U.S. Marshal Service!

Isabela S. Kobs

It's About Time!

Hi everyone! So, it's been a while since I have been on here. So sorry! Things have been very busy here in D.C.! So, where did I leave off!?!? It appears I left off with "One Heart Bulgaria." I am still working closely with this organization and have been in close contact with the director. At this moment, there is so much that is being done for this organization that it is tough to explain in writing. So, if anyone is interested in the organization I am working with and want to learn more just give me a buzz!

About two weeks ago two of my cousins flew in from Chicago to visit. It was great to see them! I have not seen them since I was a little girl and to be honest I really didn't remember them! My other cousin who lives in D.C. joined us as well. Apparently I have not met him either! We spent a great majority of the weekend together walking around D.C., catching up on family news, getting to know each other and trying to put our family tree together! It was incredible! Anyways, this upcoming weekend my parents and our family friend will be flying in for a visit. I am so excited and nervous! I want everything to go perfect for them and I want them to enjoy themselves. This will be their first time ever in D.C.!

Things have been going well for me. Very busy and at certain times a little overwhelming. My internship has been going great! I work with great people! I actually had the chance to do some investigation work! What a rush!! This experience has certainly allowed me to learn a lot about myself and has allowed me to grow not only as a student but as a person. I challenged myself by stepping out of my comfort zone and participating in this program and because of this, I have had many great opportunities provided to me. Despite the many opportunities I am still keeping all of my options open. I still don't know where I will be and what I will be doing after graduation, but what  I do know is that with my family and God beside me I can be anything I want to be and do anything my heart desires!

Hope you all have a great day! I will be keeping this updated from here on out!!!

Isabela S. Kobs

Providing Support and Hope

 Hi everyone! Hope everyone is doing well! I heard everyone back home got hit with snow...so sorry to hear that! Hang in there! Spring will be upon us soon:) Just writing to inform you all of some exciting news! This past week I decided to help a organization called "One Heart Bulgaria." which is a non-profit humanitarian organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for Bulgarian orphans. For those of you who do not know already, I was an orphan in Bulgaria for about five years before being adopted by an amazing hardworking family! Something I will never forget! They are my heroes! 

The reason why I am telling you all of this is because this organization that I will be working with could possibly have the power to reunite me with one of my caretakers from Bulgaria. How incredible would that be!? This was amazing news to receive and I was so excited to inform my family of it. I guess miracles do happen when you least expect it! Amazing things are happing here in D.C.!

I am looking forward to being a part of this amazing organization! I want to give these orphans of Bulgaria hope and the second chance at life! I will do this! That is a promise! 

Isabela S. Kobs

3rd Week

Hi everyone! So I know I said that I was going to keep this up every day...well...I lied. Things have been so crazy and I have been occupied with work and classes. So sorry! Anyways, work is getting better! I am starting to get a feel for things at the Department of Justice (Interpol). My work load is picking up and I am beginning to enjoy it more and more each and every day! My class work is beginning to pick up as well so my stress levels have increased greatly but I am making sure that I am still taking care of myself by eating right and working out.

I wish I had more exciting news to relay to you all. A lot of my exciting news comes from my job and of course I can't talk about it! ugh! I sure hope everyone back at Saint Mary's is doing well! Missing everyone as always. Will be home in no time!

This week I also had the chance to catch up with a few professors and friends from back home: Thank you for the calls, Professor Robeson, Dr. Klosky, Dr. Fox, Donny Nelson, Jackie Baker, and Lisa Jonsgaard. It was great to hear from them all!

Soon I am sure I will have exciting news to tell especially once I begin to explore D.C. again! I sure am hoping my family can visit still...missing them like crazy! My family surprised me with a Valentine's package this week and it almost made me tear up! They sure know me well!

Hope everyone has a great weekend! My weekend will be spent running and doing homework. Love you all!! Oh, and the Packers are WORLD CHAMPS!!! Still can't get over it!

Isabela S. Kobs

WORLD CHAMPS!

Hi everyone! Just wanted you all to know that the PACKERS ARE WORLD CHAMPS! What a night and what a season! Definitely a memorable night and one I will always remember! I guess you can also say that tonight was somewhat of a lonely night. I watched the Packer game by myself which was fine with me considering that there were hardly any Packer fans around. But what made it all better was the varies calls and texts I received from family, friends, and professors. Even the non Packer fans provided me with support and love tonight.

I found myself to be pretty emotional tonight and it wasn't just because of the Packers. I realized tonight just how lucky I really am. I have the greatest family and friends in the world. Did't realize how much I was missing everyone until tonight. You all are my inspiration and strength. Thank you for all of your love and support throughout the years! Will be home in no time!

This week is going to be another busy week for me. I beginning my second week with Interpol. I am hoping this week goes smoother. I expect it will considering I have new motivation! I will make sure I write more often now that I am finally getting settled here in D.C.

Have a great week everyone!

Isabela S. Kobs

1st Week

Hi everyone! It has been awhile since I have written to you all and I do apologize. As you all know I have finally started working at Interpol and this is mainly the reason why I have not been able to write to you all. Work has occupied most of my time and so has my courses but I am making time for myself and my running despite my crazy work schedule.

Working at Interpol has worn me out to the bitter core. The reality of the working world has finally set in! I am enjoying my work despite the stress and long hours though. I would love to tell you all about it but due to government policies I am unable to do so. 

I wish I had more to say but right now my life consists of work, meetings, and classes. My work and courses will consume much of my weekend time. I will be working tonight and tomorrow so I can take time off on Sunday to watch my Packer play some football! I am pretty sure this is what my weekends are going to consist of until I get a better feel for my job and the work I am doing on the side. But I will manage. I have been taught well.

Wishing everyone a great weekend and GO PACK GO!

Isabela S. Kobs

First day as an ADULT

The moment I have been waiting for if finally here! Tomorrow morning I begin my internship with the Department of Justice (Interpol)! My stomach is doing flips and my heart is doing this weird beating sound! I'm excite and nervous! But I know I am ready to go! Saint Mary's and its staff has prepared me for this and so has my family!

My mom and dad have been my biggest supporters since...well...forever! They are my rock and my motivators. My mom has always told me to do things that make me happy and to do them for the soul purpose of me and for nobody else. This has always been a problem for because everything I do I do with my family in mind. Just seeing my parents work ethic and their success has motivated  me to want to work harder and has motivated me to want to become a better person. I have always told my mom that everything I do I do for them....mainly because I believe I owe that to them. My parents have spent their entire lives making sacrifices for me..Its time I return the favor.

I know I still have a long way to go in regard to reaching that pedal stole my parents are at. I just pray to God that one day I can be half of what they are. I would love to have my mothers strength! She is the strongest person I have ever meet! I would also love to have my father humor. He can make anybody laugh at an given moment. I would also love have my parents wisdom. They both are well educated individuals and are very smart. Did I mention that they both have big hearts as well!?! I am doing what I am doing today because of my family...end of story:)

Enough for tonight. Should hit the hay. Up early to run and then heading to the Interpol office!

Love you all! Mom, Dad, Alex, and Lucy:)

Isabela S. Kobs

First Trinity Lutheran

Today I finally had the chance to attend my first church service in Washington D.C.! I would have attended last week but I somehow got lost on the way to the church! Therefore, missing the service! I can see myself doing this on my wedding day! I felt just terrible. Anyways, I went to my first church service today and it was simply amazing! The people were great! The sermon was amazing! And the music was amazing! Defiantly going next week! The church is called "First Trinity Lutheran." To learn more please go to: http://www.firsttrinitydc.org/

Gods work being shown threw his people....as I was walking into the church I made my way to the back thinking no one will see me. Wrong! I somehow caught the pastors eye! He introduced himself and the other pastors to me and than invited me to have lunch with him and some of the other members after the service! Of course I excepted. We went to a very nice restaurant downtown D.C.. Wish I could remember the name! And I was very glad to have worn my suit! Because it was fancy! What made this even better was that during lunch I found out that Pastor Tom is a big PACKER FAN! Made my day!

Papers and more papers to do tonight! First assignments are due tomorrow morning!
Missing everyone as always!

Isabela S. Kobs

Cleared

Very happy to inform you all that I have been cleared to work for the Department of Justice (Interpol)! I officially start on Monday. I have been placed with a division within the Department of Justice but due to security  requirements and policies I will not be able to discuss my work with anyone. Anyways, I am very excited to start! This has been a dream of mine for a long time and I cannot believe it'ts coming true!

I am very happy and proud to be sharing this experience with my family and friends. You all have been so supportive and loving. I would not be doing what I am doing if it was not for you all! Thank you!

I would like to give a shout out to my advisor, Dr. Klosky! Dr. Klosky has been my Criminal Justice advisor at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota since who knowns when!. She has stuck by my side through the good times and the bad times. Thats what I love about her the most! She puts her students first and will do anything for them! Dr. Klosky, thank you for being there for me....thank you for putting up with my crap:)....and most of all....thank you for believing in me!

It's funny how you tend to reflect on the past once you leave the place you love and respect and you leave those who have inspired you to be all that you can be! Dr. Mary Catherine Fox, Brother Stephen, Donny Nelson, Dr. Klosky, and Joe Dulak. Since freshman year these individuals have seen the best of me and the worst of me...and....still...they stuck by my side and brought out the best in me. Thank you and miss you all! Keep teaching minds and keep touching hearts!

Thats all for tonight! Have to get back to homework! Mom, Dad, Alex, and Lucy...miss you like crazy!

Isabela S. Kobs

Protesting

Here are a few pictures of a protest that I came across while walking downtown D.C.. I believe they were protesting anti-abortion. What a sight to see!!! I'm sure it won't be my last protest I come across though. D.C. is known for this!

Isabela S. Kobs

Exploring Continues

These pictures were taking on my way to the Holocaust Museum. 

Isabela S. Kobs

State of the Union address

I have to say that it was pretty neat being in our Nations Capitol as our President gave his speech.  I thought it was even more impressive listening to my roommate's (Anna) remarks. She is so knowledgeable about these kinds of things and she pretty much knew who everyone was and what they stood for. You go girl!

‎"Become a teacher, your country needs you."

Holocaust Museum

Monday I had the opportunity to do something that I have always wanted to do! And that was to attend the Holocaust Museum. My brother (Alex) had the opportunity to visit the museum when he was out in D.C. last year and he said he loved it! Side note: Alex, I miss you and I hope things are going well for you at school!

Once I arrived to the Holocaust Museum my body was taken over by emotion. You could hear a pin drop inside of the museum. To be honest though, I really don't want to say much about the museum mainly because words cannot begin to describe what I saw and how I felt that day. The Holocaust Museum needs to be experienced first hand in order to get the full meaning and understanding of the Holocaust and the events that took place during that time.

I was unable to take any pictures within the Holocaust Museum so I took a picture of the Identification Card which was handed to us when we walking into the exhibit.  The Identification Card provided information on an individual who was a victim of the Holocaust. You follow this card and read their story as you move through out the museum. Once you hit the end of the exhibit, then thats when you find out if whether or not that individual survived the Holocaust. Pretty powerful stuff I would say.

The rest of the day was spent on catching up with the roommates and their adventures. Two of my roommates began their internship already and it was really interesting listening to them describe their internships. They both said that a lot of it was somewhat overwhelming and stressful. Anna and I both reassured them that things will settle down once they got a few more days of experience underneath them. I guess its easy for Anna and I to say that considering that we both have not yet started our internships! I still have not been giving the all clear and Anna begins hers next week. I guess you could say that Anna and I have had a lot of time to bond!

There will not be a lot of exploring this week. I have dedicated this week for getting homework assignments done and figuring out the WC system in regard to my courses. Hopefully If I do this I can have the weekend to go exploring and have some fun! But I do have to remember that I am here in D.C.for one thing and one thing only, and thats to get an education and to learn from the best of the best. Thats my number one priority!

Everyone stay warm! Miss you all and God Bless!

Isabela S. Kobs

Super bowl Bound

What a weekend!!! I'ts been a couple of days since I have splattered words on this blog! So here we go! Friday was an exceptional day for me because I had the opportunity to see my internship site and I also had the chance to meet some of the agents and staff. I loved every minute of it! I could definitely see myself doing this job! I would love to go into more details on the job itself but I am not sure how much I can say about it as of now.

So after finishing up my meet with Interpol and my meetings with the Washington Center it was time to once again go exploring! The rest of the day was spent walking around D.C. looking at the many memorials and scenes that the city has to offer. That night my friend Tiearra and I decided to order in some food! We didn't want to go out because it was 25 degree out! Haha! We order from a restaurant called "Eli's!" It was AMAZING! Definitely going to have mom, dad, and Mary Beth try it once they come out to visit! The rest of the night and pretty much the rest of the weekend was spent watching movies and catching up with the roommates! They are pretty sweet!

On Saturday I received two packages from my parents! One package was filled with the rest of my suites and some Packer gear and the other package was filled with my Packer bedding! Mom and dad, you are the best! What I loved most about this was that my roommates knew I was a Packer fan but I am not sure they knew how big of a fan I really was! Once I put my Packer bedding on my bed and showed my roommates...well...I think you can just about imagine their looks on their faces! It was priceless!

Sunday came around and all I could think about was football and the Green Bay Packers! I was pacing back and forth in our apartment the whole morning! My roommates were in for a big surprise! Today was the day that they got to see the real IZZY KOBS at work! Although I can say that my roommates were really good sports throughout the whole entire game! They even watched the game with me and they cheered for the Pack! I think it was many in part because they did not want a crabby roommate for the week! Thank you, Nore, Anna, and Alice!

After the big win! I received many phone calls and texts from family and friends! I especially loved the call from my mom and dad! Dad was still trying to convince me that with 35 seconds on the clock the Bears still had time to pull it off! I was getting so mad!lol Mom did the right thing by taking the phone away from him and her and I did a count down together and then we cheered like CRAZY! Love you two! For all the others who called and texted me...THANK YOU! I felt like I was at home! I appreciated hearing from all of you! Even the non Packer fans!

Thats all for now! Time to hit the Packer bedding! Big day tomorrow! Going to visit the Holocaust Museum and going to do more exploring. The official start date for my internship is Tuesday! Missing you all as always! Take care and God Bless!

Isabela S. Kobs

Internship Site

For those who do not know already I will be interning with the Department of Justice (Interpol) for the 2011 spring semester. To learn more about the department I will be working with please visit: http://www.justice.gov/usncb/.


Isabela S. Kobs

Exploring Continued

Isabela S. Kobs

Exploring

Isabela S. Kobs