Weekend Adventures at the White House
By Yuqiong L., Current AALEAD Youth
Photos Courtesy of Tina Ngo, AALEAD Staff
At the end of last month, I went on the White House Spring Garden Tour and visited the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, the Rose Garden, the White House Kitchen Garden, and the South Lawn of the White House with two other Asian American LEAD (AALEAD) mentoring pairs. The gardens were very pretty and huge! I used to think the White House was small, but now, I know the White House isn’t small at all. The first thing I saw was the back of the White House and the podium where President Obama makes his speeches about important topics in the United States. It was awesome to see the gardens at the White House!
What I liked most about the White House gardens was the porcelain water, especially how it goes up in the fountains and the ducks that live in the pond. It’s so pretty and gorgeous! President Obama also planted vegetables in the White House Kitchen Garden so he can make salad. It was really fun to be out during that weekend since the weather was awesome and nice. I’m glad I got to spend the day with my mentor, Nancy, and the other mentors and mentees.
My experience with my mentor has been great so far. We have been matched for three months. Nancy is really nice, friendly and helpful. During this event with AALEAD’s Mentoring Program, I got to know her better and spend time with her. It was really hard for me to talk with Nancy at first because we just met. Lots of things were very different since I have had one other mentor before, but I am getting to know her better and better as time goes on. I also like that Nancy knows Cantonese because it helps my parents when they try to speak with her. Nancy always hangs out with me, and we have lots in common. She has taught me a lot about leadership skills and shared her own life with me. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to go on the White House Spring Garden Tour, hang out with my mentor, and meet some new AALEADers during this event. I am also thankful for both my former mentor and Nancy because without them, I wouldn’t be a great leader now.