The Ultimate White House Insider is going back to … the White House!

Yes, I’m heading back to Washington on February 5 for a trip to the Oval Office – my first time there since January 19, 2001, when I said my goodbyes to President Clinton.  Can’t wait to see the changes there, and, of course, can’t WAIT to see President Obama!

Why am I going?  Well, since last September I’ve been working with the White House to arrange a visit for the Park View Little League world championship team.  This is a great group of boys from Chula Vista, a suburb of San Diego just north of where I live in Baja.  A friend asked me to get involved after they won, and the Vice President told them the President would enjoy meeting them.  Since I still had a White House phone book, I knew how to reach the right office, and I still speak White House, so that was helpful.

It’s been a very interesting experience, working on this trip from the visitor side, when all my experience was on the inside side, making the arrangements for the celebrity or worthwhile cause du jour.  The White House Office of Public Engagement has been gracious, kind, professional, and fun to work with.  The White House Visitors Office will set up the tour (just as we always did), and then the boys will meet the President and have a picture taken they’ll treasure all their lives.

I’m trying to imagine what it will feel like to be on that tour.  To walk those rooms that were almost like home to me for eight amazing years, now as an outsider come to visit.  It’s creeping into my dreams these days, as I get ready to pack up the winter clothes and head East for the first time in a year.

I’ve been back to the White House several times since all us Clintonites left in 2001, once as the guest of the George Bushes, for the unveiling of the Bill and Hillary Clinton portraits, and once 18 months ago, just to say hello to old friends who still work there.  But going on a tour, instead of GIVING the tour, may feel very strange.  Maybe the Secret Service tour officers will let me tell some of my funny stories that are not part of the “official” history of the White House.  I’m pretty sure they won’t let me wander on back to “my” office in the East Wing, but maybe the current Director will welcome me for a brief visit.

I can’t wait to see how everything looks.  I noticed on my last visit that the House looked exceptionally beautiful.  Laura Bush was a very good steward of America’s House.  I’m sure the Obamas are too.