Focusing on the journey, and enjoying it!

Monday

There are a lot of Indian restaurants to try on Brick Lane, all claiming that they are the best curry you’ve ever tasted. For us, Aladin was the one that lived up to those expectations. Aladin Brick Lane has been praised by HRH Prince Charles and listed on BBC's list of 'World's Best Curry Houses'. Aladin Brick Lane is a popular Indian restaurant on London's Brick Lane curry mile. When we walked in, we were seated right away. As soon as we were seated and took a look at the menu, we were definitely overwhelmed with choices. Each of us really enjoyed our food; really delicious and creative. The whole restaurant had a great atmosphere; dim lighting, simple and elegant décor, good music, buzzing and full of people having great conversations.

Tuesday 

The first part of my workday Tuesday was sitting in on the Home Affairs Committee. The subject was “The New Landscape of Policing” with the witness, Paul Stephenson, Commissioner of the Metro Police. The National Crime Agency; outlining its guidelines, restrictions, and clearly identifying its responsibilities, was the overriding concern of the meeting. Later in the day I sat in the House of Commons Chamber for the Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Justice, Jonathan Djanogly. It was a great opportunity for me to see the Ministry of Justice’s players in actions, especially Jonathan since he is Justine’s MP for this Parliament internship program. In brief, questions were on immigration and asylum, foreign national prisoners, the Chief Coroner, super injunctions, drug rehabilitation, and the big one, the Legal Aid Sentencing Punishment Bill. The bill was set to come before the House on Wednesday 29 June 2011, the next day!

In the late afternoon, I attended a significant reception, in terms of looking forward to 2012, with David. The reception was an Olympic ‘One Year to Go’ event on the House of Commons Terrace. I got the chance to meet Jonathan Edwards, British Olympic gold medalist for the triple high jump.

Tuesday evening I attended the Conservative MP Staff Reception in Shoreditch. Now, the neighborhood and streets surrounding Shoreditch make made think it wasn’t going to be all that nice however I was mistaken once we entered the Town Hall venue. It’s evident that this place is the center of community life in Shoreditch. Shoreditch Town Hall embodies Victorian and Edwardian splendor.

Mingling and laughing with others Conservative MP staff members was fantastic. I really enjoyed sharing my experience and hearing others’ that night. The best part of the night? I met David Cameron. Yes, the Right and Honorable David Cameron, the Prime Minister of the UK Parliament. Before speaking to the whole congregation he walked around the floor of the party introducing himself and taking pictures. He approached my friend Ruan and some other chaps. Shook my hand and patted me on the shoulder. Almost melted. When I shook his hand I said “Hi, I’m Sarah Morris. I work for David Amess MP.” He then asked me where I was from and I said, “I’m from Philadelphia.” He said “Philadelphia! Wonderful place! And David, great man! It’s a pleasure to have you here!”

Wednesday

Wednesday morning, we had our weekly seminar with Lord Cormack. This week it was held in Room G of the House of Lords. Rooms in the House of Lords are always entrancing; each lavishly decorated, beautifully furnished and red as the dominant color. The lecture topic this week was England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Learning about the history of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland specifically was new for most of us since we focus mainly on England when we think about Westminster’s history. Lord Cormac is so smart! He knows dates, names, locations…everything! And with such ease! I took lots of notes that seminar.

David was invited to attend a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace with the Queen on Wednesday. No I was not there but he asked me that stand in his place for him at a few receptions. One was an EDF Energy presentation and the other a Save Our Pubs and Clubs promotion. What is interesting about the second one is that while I enjoyed the reception, I do not agree with the pursuit to amend of the smoking ban in the UK.

Before meeting friends at Sports after work, I sat in on an APPHG committee meeting. This cross-party group of members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords as well as the other individuals invited to speak on the panel, produced such a quality debate. I was incredibly impressed. The subject was “Bishops in the Reformed House of Lords.” The House of Lords Reform Draft Bill and White Paper proposes to retain the right of Bishops to sit in Parliament but with a reduced number of 12 from 26. With a smaller chamber of 300 peers, another HOL reform proposition, that would represent a proportional increase from 3% to 4%. The bill also proposes that the Archbishops of Canterbury & York and the Bishops of London, Durham and Winchester will continue to be member of the House of Lords, and it gives the Church new powers to decide which of the remaining 7 of the 12 Bishops will sit in the chamber. Although they would have the same speaking and voting right as other members of the reformed House of Lords, the Bishops would continue to sit in Parliament on a different basis from other members.

Those opposed to this believe that these proposals in effect create a new largely independent and largely unaccountable, bloc for the Church of England in Parliament. One man said it is “Prejudice upon bias times three having the bishops in the House of Lords members of a particular faith, a particular sect of that faith and of a particular sex.” Another man who is a philosopher professor in England said, “Calling these people “experts in truth” is ludicrous.” The opposed stated there is no question that the authentic views of these bishops is welcomed yet they are hesitant about having one faith in the monopoly and decreasing the positive representation that the House of Lords has been progressive in establishing.

Supporters of Bishops of the Church of England’s presence the House of Lords believe these “ecclesiastical leaders” are the best suited for “informed and fair scrutiny”. Having the Bishops in the House of Lords helps “those of all faiths in England feel security” because truth has “private and public significance”. Christina, a speaker on the panel, added how the bishops are able to “speak independently and objectively” and that the Church of England is made “more humble” by their role in the HOL. Furthermore, Christina said the Bishops of the Church of England clergy are in touch with the people, creating a broader reach.

When I met up with friends at Sports after work, I got to meet a Gareth, who coincidentally, was on the panel for the APPHG committee meeting. I was so glad that I got the chance to talk one on one with him about the debate and committee findings. Justine and I also met the head doorkeeper for the House of Commons that night, Edward the Steward. What a sweet man!

Thursday

With the House sitting earlier on Thursday, I decided to sit in the Chamber that morning. Oral questions were to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Just to name a few, questions were on recycling, farm inspection, labeling the origin of meat, mitigating food prices (especially among recent spikes), the reservoir safety act, and the DEFRA’s biodiversity act.

Speaker made a statement in the House of Commons announcing Robert Rodges as the successor to Sir Malcolm Jack, Clerk of the House. Jack will be retiring at the end of September after 44 years of service. Mr. Speaker also read aloud a letter that was received from the Duke of Edinburgh. It was a response to the House of Commons and House of

Lords letter to him offering their blessings and congratulations on his ninetieth birthday. The Urgent Questions that followed the Speaker’s business statements were on the government’s decision to allow Rupert Murdoch to take over BSkyB.

All of the week’s happenings made for a busy, exciting, informative and unique workweek. Another bonus, this week turned out to be about sunshine about 75 percent of the time. Yippie!

Updates on the weekend's adventures to come tomorrow!

"Never let today's happiness be ruined by despair."