Long day...

K so first off I just want to show you something similar to the rat I encountered earlier this week. This one was dead, the way all should be, and I stumbled upon it at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum...
I wasn't too impressed with the Museum of Natural History...I'm more excited for the art museums or American history ones. I did however get to see the Hope Diamond, Mary Antoinette's earings, and crown jewels and other such treasures in the mineral wing. All I have to say is anyone man who really wants to win my heart and affection needs to visit that area, that is where they are going to find the rock that will break my arm. And I am being completely legitimate when I say I want a ring of those proportions. Afterwards, we went to the Old Pavilion at the Post Office. This is some old historic post office. The building is huge and looks like some cathedral or something, the inside kind of what I imagine or remember Gringotts bank like on Harry Potter. Dorky I know. The bottom floor is a food court, and is sketch town. I felt like I was in Tiajuana or something. The people yell at you from behind each counter what they sell and have to offer. Also, each place gives out samples and then proceeds to tell you each thing you can buy featuring the sample item and its correlating price. They were completely slutting themselves out and I was over all that really fast. There is a tower in this buildling that you can go up and look out over the city. It was really pretty up there. Here are two shots of the view...The first picture has part of the Department of Justice building in the foreground. This building is amazing, all those different parts that look like seperate buildings are all connected. Atleast I think that's what it is. Either way, the architecture is beautiful. Next we went to the International Spy Museum. This was so good. Family...if you think I was good at getting information before, just wait until you see the tips of the trade I picked up. Just a few things to help me perfect the art a little faster. Since we were near Pennsylvania Ave, we decided to drop in on George W. It was way different then I had pictured it in my mind, but I guess all things are different in my head. We live on this street, so we decided just to walk home. Basically we walked almost all of Pennsylvania Avenue and my feet hurt like they never have before. But I refuse to be the person wearing normal clothes and running shoes. I will continue wearing my sandals despite whatever orthopedic problems I obtain in the process. I was gone from 10:30 until about 5:30/6 just walking and standing and touring. I don't know how, but I did it. Also a quick story I wanted to mention about yesterday....we were all walking home from the metro after church and there is this one homeless man we passed. As we walked by I heard him say..."The new set of Barlow kids.." ...the Barlow Center being where we live. We were even a few blocks away from home still...just a little concerning that the local homeless community knows us already. Maybe it should be comforting.....George's pad.

Sunday best...

Today was our first Sunday in the singles ward here. In order to get to church it is a solid hour of walking/metro-ing the entire way. So when it comes down to it, church is a five hour ordeal. Not to toot my own horn, but if that isn't dedication...Tonight we went to the National Mall, which is where the Lincoln Memorial is, the reflection pool, World War II Memorial, Washington Monument, etc. After visiting those three things we went to a free concert put on by some symphony on the west lawn of the Capitol. It was gorgeous. By the time we got to the concert it was night time so everything was lit, but on the walk from old Abe to the Capitol, the sun was setting and everything was orange and purple. I LOVE it here! I am moving back when I am done with school. It has been decided. The group pictures I have on my camera aren't very good, so I will get them from someone else soon and post them.
This is the fountain of the World War II Memorial. You can see the Lincoln Memorial in the background. All around the fountain people were sticking their feet in and wading around...which really saves you from the heat.
Another view of the WWII, the pillars you see repeat themself on the other side. On one of the big arches it says Pacific, the other Atlantic. Then each of the smaller pillars has a states name. The view from our seats on the lawn of the Capitol, the Washington Monument is lit up in the background which is sweet.

Summer in the City...

I need to live in dry heat. I can't handle humidity...and from what I've heard this isn't even bad. I wore jeans today and by the time I'd get inside they were so stuck to my body I could not have peeled them off even if I tried. Several good thing happened today. First off, we went to pick up goods that Trader Joes does not offer...such as thick, not runny peanut butter, and caffeine. The grocery store is under the Watergate Hotel....it just felt odd buying my string cheese and non-organic peanut butter where some huge historical event occured. Anyways, tonight we went down to the Kennedy Center for the Arts, they offer free events on the weekends, so we went to go check a few out. First we went to dinner down by the water front, on the edge of the Potomic. It was really pretty. There were tons of boats all docked up against the edge of the walkway, alchohol flowing freely, music blasting, and a lot of dancing. There would be one boat against the edge, with about 9 more boats attached to it. That is my idea of a Saturday night, especially the alchohol and salsa dancing on the edge of a boat. Does it get any better? On the way back to the Kennedy Center, we happened to run into the Officer and Gentlemen from a few seasons ago of the Bachelor. That may have been the highlight of my night. Then we went to go see scenes from plays and musicals as performed and written by ex-prisoners. So good. We may have been the only white people in the room...and we may have had to leave early because some people didn't like hearing them talk about the dirty whoredoms performed. It was dirty though. There was another performance called Mimophobe or something ridiculous like that. For some reason the title incorrectly led us to believe there would be mimes...no. It was some reading of a play about a murder, a mistress, just lots of drama. The actors were good, but we left at intermission. So at the end of the day, I am left sticky and gross.

Welcome to D.C...

So big improvement from yesterday. I am no longer freaked out. I feel I am slowly gaining more street cred. Today I conquered parts of Georgetown, the Metro, and a little tiny bit of the White House area. The Metro is quite possibly my biggest feat. To quickly recap yesterday, I was feeling very defeated and unsure of my big move to D.C. but all of that is gone today. I am loving everything about it here and love being in the city. Continuing from yesterday, Rachel and Katelyn save Sara part 2...today we decided to drop my stuff off and check in first thing. We took the scenic route, I think on accident, into Georgetown. We went through Rock Canyon Park (I think that's what it is called) which is gorgeous, but sketchy all at the same time. A wonderful combination to say the least. I was greeted by the missionary couple that works here. So good. That is all I can really say. They are crazies, but a good breed of crazies...the kind I love and am related to. I can already tell I am going to enjoy them. We get sweet high tech keys that you just wave past some panel and it unlocks your door. But that technology is deceiving. I was faced with the harsh reality of dorm life once again. I thought I was done with it, but no. The first thing I noticed was the inspiring view from my window...


After sitting for a while and taking in the noises of the city around me, I heard the some distant screaming. At first I thought more people had arrived on the floor, but then I realized the doors are paper thin and the screaming would be louder. I looked out my window to find this super sketch alley...
Now that I've posted this picture it doesn't look as sketchy, but just trust me on this one. So when I tell you I've witnessed a murder outside my window, don't be too surprised. Also, here is a picture of my room somewhat unpacked...Now you can sleep soundly mom, knowing what my living situation is like...
Tonight a couple of us decided to make our first attempt at the Metro.....



We got of at some main stop to get our legit passes, then just went exploring...we had no idea where we were...we ended up somewhere down by the White House. We went to some sketch burger joint and got food to go....then we walked to some monument to eat out on the benches. It was nighttime and everything was lit so it looked really cool. I'm think it may have been Monument Grounds...We saw the capitol off in the distance. Everything was sweet. EXCEPTT....my first run in with a rat. Anyone who knows me knows that I freak when a lizard crosses my path. I was obviously naive in thinking I could miss the whole rat sit. in a city. But I still had my hopes. So we were walking down the street and pass a trash can, I hear rustling against the plastic like a bird is trying to get out of it or something. My first thought was, why the heck is there a pigeon in the trash. NO! IT WAS A RATTT! All of the sudden this nasty thing comes leaping out of the trash....it ran up the plastic bag! It proceeds to leap to the ground and then up the wall into the bushes. Of course i FREAKED...I booked it ahead of everyone. No one else really cared. I then just stood on the corner and kept having freakout/shiver things. I will never walk near a trash can again as long as I am here. I'm freaking out again now. Absolutely disgusting.

I fly like paper, get high like planes...

So after wasting an entire day on a plane, I am here! I've been an emotional roller coaster for the last day and a half, and now that I'm here in D.C. I'm freaking out even more. My cousins, Katelyn and Rachel, picked me up from the airport. I know that I have only been here one night but I'm so mixed up with direction and never get where I'm going. Usually I have a pretty good sense of direction so this is making me panic a little, I feel like I've lost one of my senses. After they picked me up, we went out to get Thai food in Bethesda...which obviously means nothing to me because I am losst...Then we picked up a few goods at Target for my apartment. I decided I'm calling it an apartment to trick myself out of the reality that I am living in a dorm again. Katelyn and Rachel have saved my life, going straight from the airport to D.C., knowing absolutely no one and having no sort of transition phase would have sent me into a nervy fit or something. I probably seem like some socially incompetent wierdo, but I can't help it...I'm overstimulated. If you're hot, you're hot. Tomorrow they're dropping me off at the Barlow Center...yes. I'm excited, but nervous. I am so naive here, I know nothing about city life or living on the streets. The reason I'm freaking out so bad is because tomorrow I'm on my own for reals. I feel like a fish out of water. Out of my element. Lost. Alone. Exciting, but scary as hell. Hopefully I survive tomorrow. When I think I have it rough I'll just imagine Emily changing planes in Amsterdam.

This is real, this is me...

As promised to my family, here is my blog for when I venture off into the unknown. Now you can effectively track my whereabouts and happenings in my life...assuming I write on here regularly. I can't promise anything great, but here you go. Enjoy, Bon Appetit!