My favorite part of the day, of course, was seeing the Giant Pandas … I’ve been collecting pandas for years, but I’ve never seen a live one! They were so adorable, I just wanted to hug one of them (but something tells me that would be a bad idea).

And of course the monkeys and the big cats were a lot of fun too. I love the zoo!

Marcus seemed to have a good time too, and when we got to the elephants, he just had one thing to say:

“Man, I really miss Africa right now.” LOL!

Turns out the conference I was assigned to cover was a chance for the presidential candidates to speak to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute in an attempt to win the Latino vote in next year’s primary elections. All of the candidates were invited, but only a few came. Among them were Sen. Joe Biden, Rep. Kucinich and … drum roll please …

Hillary Clinton!

I’d never actually heard Hillary speak before, not even on TV. And she didn’t disappoint. Incredibly charismatic, and with a lot of good things to say. But one thing surprised me. She relied a lot on citing the successes of the Bill era. On one hand, that makes a lot of sense because that era rocked, but on the other hand it surprised me that she’d rely so heavily on the achievements of her husband and her experiences as first lady, rather than trying to push her own merits.

But either way, she inspired me.

“I fear that the American Dream is receding for too many Americans,” Clinton said. “It is time for us to make it clear that we will not let the American Dream die in the 21st century.”

I went down to Lafayette Square today to cover the anti-war demonstration and March on Washington. What an incredible experience. One of the things I found most striking about the entire event was the diverse crowd — there were young people and old people, veterans and families, hippies and businessmen. I think the mix says a lot about the position held by the people of this country on the issue of war.

Like I said, it’s one thing to see footage and pictures of the 1960s-era anti-war protests; it’s quite another to witness history in the making. Today was definitely a Washington Experience, and just another reminder of how much I love this city.

All we are saying is give peace a chance.

“The revolution will not be televised … but it will be uploaded!”

The Nats played the Giants … and after Barry Bonds broke the all-time career home run record, hitting his 756th off the Nats on Aug. 7 in San Francisco, the stands were full of fans eager to get a glimpse. But Mr. Bonds apparently couldn’t be bothered to show up tonight. Well boo to him.

After the game, Corey and I squeezed into the sardine can that was the metro station, and while waiting for the train we ran into this Yankees fan. After they jokingly traded barbs for a while, they agreed to a picture . . . and then the Yankee actually convinced Corey to don a N.Y. hat. Blasphemy!

Even though the Nats lost 2-3, my first Washington baseball experience was great. I’m just glad I now have a reason to “root, root, root for the home team!”

Little-known fact: The Exorcist was the first scary movie I watched as a kid that didn’t give me nightmares.

So Georgetown, full of swanky shops, swarming streets and spooky steps … and don’t forget my favorite:

Fake purses! I bought my very first off-the-cart bag, and I couldn’t be more proud.

It’s actually funny how many people ask me if it’s real. Maybe one day I’ll strike it rich and I’ll be able to afford real Chanel purses and a brownstone in Georgetown.

Well, a girl can dream.

Last week I got to cover a press conference at the National Press Club. Not that the content of the event was that great (the release of a poll that surveyed voters on the likeability and electability of the presidential candidates), but being in the swanky NPC gave me goose bumps. For the first time, I felt like “real reporter,” and I have to say, it felt good. But it doesn’t stop there.

Today we were sent downtown to cover a conference at which Helen Thomas, of “Bush is the worst president in all of American history” fame, spoke about the downfall of the press in the lead-up to the declaration of war in Iraq. While her speech was moving, albeit predictable (she has given the same speech time and again), what stood out most for me were the moments just before she took the stage. All of us good reporting students showed up early, and when Ms. Thomas entered the room, we swarmed.

This picture of our group of young female aspiring journalists (and Caine), literally sitting at the feet of a living legend like Helen Thomas . . . so telling of my experience in Washington so far. This town is like a cup o’ plenty for young journalists.

I’ve hit the jackpot.

And I can’t wait to make it official next month when I move in. While I was in town doing the apartment search, I got the chance to look around the city, and I know I’m going to love it here. I spent an afternoon on the National Mall, walking between monuments and exploring the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

History at my fingertips!

Much to my dismay, my favorite Smithsonian — the Museum of American History — is closed for renovations. Good thing I’m moving here and will be able to check it out when it reopens in 2008.

All in all, I’m jittery about my move. The city has so much to offer and I want to soak it all up.

Oh yeah, and I’m excited to start school again. Who thought I’d ever say that?