Weekend Adventures

There is so much to do in Washington, DC, but most of the monuments and museums close at 5:30. We have so much we want to do and see but couldn't really do it. Thankfully, we met some really great people at the Barlow Center and were able to spend time with them on Friday night. Four of my roommates and I each knew someone at the Barlow Center so we all ventured over there. My friend, Drew, told us about a party that was located in my ward boundaries. We all met and merged friends and headed to the party. Afterward, everyone came over for brownies. It was a good time. Here is the practice picture...but I couldn't find the large group picture? Hmmm... This is Carolyn, Andrew, Susie, Meggie, and Sage.
Saturday afternoon, a few of us went to the American History Museum. I haven't been to any of the other Smithsonian Museum's, but I just know this will be my favorite. I love the American President exhibit and the First Ladies Dress exhibit. I really love this museum. Don't worry. I've been twice.

This is a picture taken in the exhibit. The flash is on, so you can't really see the background. It is a backdrop of a speech given by FDR (or maybe it was JFK...)




Saturday night, we were all sitting around the apartment and decided to go on an adventure. We quickly hopped on the metro and took off to Friendship Heights to find what we thought was the closest Cheesecake Factory...well...we traveled 1 hour each way by metro. When we got home, we were very surprised to find out that there was one within a miles distance. Oh well, it was so fun. Such a funny experience. We discussed books and other random things the whole way. It's good to feel educated. I live with such incredible people. I'm sure I will learn a lot from them this semester--I already have.

"It's Not That Bad," It's SO great!

When we received our placements to Student Teach on Tuesday, I was so incredibly worried. I was assigned to teach at World History Bell Multicultural School. Colleen, my roommate, offered to trade me. It was the most charitable act. I still cannot believe she was so selfless and kind to trade placement at a school she was really excited about. She says she is more comfortable teaching World History than Government, but I really just think she is a good person. I am so grateful to her.

I will be student teaching at Duke Ellington School of the Arts. It is a performing arts school where students "major" in Museum Studies, Dance, Vocal Performance, Literary Studies, Instrumental Music, Theater, Technical Design/Production, and Visual Arts. These kids are extremely talented and their major is of utmost importance to them.

Students apply to attend Duke Ellington. If they live outside the District, they must pay $10,000 in tuition charges. We ride the Metro, beginning in Crystal City and ending at the Foggy Bottom stop and jumping on the bus for the rest of the trip. We actually haven't tried this way yet...but the way we have been going is taking us up to an hour and a half each way, so we are going to recalculate.

I'm thinking of learning how to do this all myself--but as for now, our apartment is blessed to have Meggie. She is an extreme planner...and we LOVE her for that. We especially love how she stands up and rushes to the door before the metro stops...and then waits for us all as we leisurely take our time.

Some really funny things have happened already. As I mentioned earlier, I am teaching DC History and US Government. In our class, we were talking about jail. We tend to talk about jail and Obama a lot. Anyways, there is this hilarious boy who we will call Marcus. We began to discuss how high security prisons take away many rights that include TV or exercising and he said, "What they gon do, strip you nekked and kick you in a hole?" Well that was hilarious. But what was even more hilarious was when he said, "I was walking the otha day and I hit my head on a trash can. I got so mad at the trash can that I just started kicking it..." he got really into it and kept on and on. It was hilarious. Wow. So funny. We ended up relating that to possible hidden bombs at the innaguration and what will be done to stop that. Hilarious. The funniest thing of the day though was when Ms. Chandler, my mentor teacher, when discussing prisons explained that as a citizen of the District, prisoners can be shipped anywhere. She then gave the example of a person who was sent to South Dakota and was the only African American person there (her voice was even naturally lowered which added to the dramatic effect). There were lot's of "nooo" and "uuh-ummm girl" and gasps. I said, "hey, it's not that bad." Everyone started cracking up. My students are hilarious. I love them so much. It was great.

Thanks for the Gloves--It's Cold

My first full week in DC has officially come to a close. To be honest, it crept by, but it was really amazing. We visited a lot of really majestic places and I have spent time with many great friends. I've never realized how inquisitive I am. Meggie and I have played a card game called "5 Kings" together a lot (hey meggie, who always wins? don't worry. I won't publicly announce the winner and cause shame to any individual) especially when we were the first here. Anyways, the point of you telling me this is that we always reference US History for Dummies while the other person is shuffling and dealing. We've learned a lot. I love it.

Lincoln Memorial

Those of you who know me well know that I love government and I love anything having to do with the Civil War or Civil Rights Movements. This spot is where Martin Luther King, Jr. stood to give his "I Have a Dream" Speech. Can you imagine? The cheers of 250,000 civil rights supporters on August 28, 1963, united in a cause to let freedom ring. Wow.

"Let freedom ring. And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring—when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children—black men and white men, Jews, Gentiles, Protestants, and Catholics--will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"
Lincoln Memorial
Wendy said his hands in sign language form his initials, "A. L."
Korean War Memorial
I am reading a book called To Destroy You is No Loss about a war torn Cambodia when the Communist Khmer Rouge takes over. It has really made me contemplate the cause of freedom and what is worth fighting for. I'm grateful to be an American. We have been truly blessed for the sacrifice of so many noble and brave individuals.
Supreme Courthouse
The first complete roommate picture!!! Susie, Carolyn, Meggie, Colleen, myself, Marisha, Wendy, and Kristen. Yes, that is correct. Roommates--as in, we live together, in ONE apartment, with ONE refrigerator, ONE bathroom, ONE key. It's a happy family. Oh, and I lied about the bathroom...and the key. We have 2.5 bathrooms and 5 keys. Just saying...

Washington Memorial
I'm not sure who thought of this pose, but yes...our feet are on the memorial. Thank you for paying your taxes so we could take a picture standing on the Washington Memorial.

It's kind of funny looking at it sideways too. Please give your attention to the man. Ah, dangit. My computer won't let me upload? At this time, please turn your laptop sideways and look at it. It looks like we are doing wall sits and the man is floating on his way down from doing a toe touch or something.

At the home of President Bush: The White House
Directly Across the Street from Georgetown
The cutest little town houses at Georgetown. I would really, really love to live here (or somewhere similar) one day.
Georgetown University
Speaking of universities, in my DC history class, I learned that DC residents can attend any state university and pay in-state tuition. I had no idea! The government also gives them $10,000 yearly.
Watergate Hotel
Randilyn, Meggie, and I outside the infamous Watergate Hotel. Thank you, President Nixon. Without you, we just wouldn't know what to do if a president resigned. Randilyn has invited me to do so much! She got me in with the "insiders," AKA, the Saturday Ultimate Frisbee Crew. I'm so glad she is here :)

If you were wondering, DC is not 2.4 square miles total...

Today was our first day in Washington, DC. After grocery shopping (thanks to our roommates dad this was possible without a taxi), we ventured out to the city. Meggie lived in Spain and quickly taught me how to use the Metro from her experiences. Here are some pictures of our exciting trip!

--While it USED to be dubbed as the "murder capital" of the US (I'm pretty sure Albany, GA was second in line), that has since changed. DC is 68.3 square miles. For some reason, I thought a teacher told me it was 2.4 miles large? Hmm...

- For you geography buffs, the climate of DC is considered Humid Subtropical, and while that sounds warm and delightful, it gets quite cold here (which is why I will wear those new gloves that my mom gave me for Christmas).

--DC Public Schools has one of the highest-cost yet lowest-performing school systems in the country, both in terms of infrastructure and student achievement.

(Thank you Wikipedia and Meggie)

Federal Triangle. Formed by 15th Street, Constitution Avenue, and Pennsylvania Avenue. Lots of cool government buildings are here (with lots of security) like the Kennedy Department of Justice Building, Ronald Reagan Building, and the National Archives Building, amongst many others.

This is just to show the Obama Inaugural set-up which is already taking place. Bleachers are everywhere!!

This is the US Department of the Treasury. Meggie had a great idea to show a dollar bill. Thinker she is. I was proud that I knew it was Alexander Hamilton was the man depicted in the statue. He was the first Secretary of the National Treasury and favored a national bank.

Washington Monument. I LOVE this picture. It was a really beautiful sunset.

White House. Future home of Chance Basinger ;) The guy I sat next to on the airplane might be contracting the changes that will be made from the transition between President Bush and Obama. He said he would give me a good tour if it happened. He was very generous and even offered to have some friends from the ward over to use his four wheelers and large home. We had a five hour discussion on economics, politics, DC, and other fun experiences. He even showed me a powerpoint of a presentation he will be giving to a government class soon! haha :) I learned a lot.

The Washington Monument

The Capital Building. No flags up. No tax dollars at work. Phew.

The White House. A bit blurry.

It was quite the trip!!! I'm so glad we ventured out. I feel like I can handle things now because everything is not so unexpected. This will be great. I'm so glad Meggie is here so I'm not all alone! Reference her blog for more :) (margaretjayne.blogspot.com)

More adventures to come! Hopefully I will:

1. Be wearing gloves.

2. Not loudly say things such as, "I learned Washington, DC is 2.4 square miles," in large public places.

3. LEARN and appreciate everything!!

My New Pad

This is our new home!!!! On the left is our kitchen. There are LOTS of cabinets, which will be really great because eight of us will be living there. Unfortunately, we do not have eight fridges. Might be a problem. Straight ahead (get it...I'm trying to be a hostess and show you my home). As I was saying, this is our front room. We have four couches!! Come on over!

This is my dear roommate, Meggie. We met three summers ago as EFY counselors and now we are roommates. This picture was taken at 3AM. We were exploring. We also had a fun little experience trying to close our door. (And I still have been unsuccessful in actually using the key to get into my apt. It's tricky!)

Below is our bedroom. It is so unlike Provo bedrooms I have had. Large and spacious. Every thing is new. Another thing I have never seen in Provo. And I'm not scared to sleep on my mattress. That's another plus.

This completes your tour. Please come again. Goodbye.

I Learned from Her...

--I have learned to work hard and not complain.
--I have learned to love.
--I have gained self-worth as she compliments me undeservingly.
--I have learned to serve unselfishly.
--I have learned to laugh. I love her laugh.
--I have learned to respect others.
--I have learned to cook, clean, and be creative.
--I am who I am because of my mom.



She sent me this video. I wonder if she realizes it reminds me of her.

Leaving BYU, I will miss...

Friends. BYU. Spring tulips. falling asleep studying in the grass. being productive in the library. Petitions Office. good guys who treat me so well. Coworkers. Zupa's. 63rd ward. smiles. crunching snow. people working to be better. ambition. learning. roommates. the atmosphere. the MOA cafe. power naps in library cubical. BYU carrot cake. EFY kids in summertime. scruff on the guys on non-test taking days. marshmallow coats. dance-off's vs. W10 through the window across the street. EFY reunions. learning to serve from my roommates. relating secular knowledge to gospel principles. having church on campus (ok...maybe not). the student section at BYU football games. Salt Lake. being so close to the temple. Brigham City getaways. no drinking. grandma's peaches. "when courting..." catchphrase. peanut butter trails ice cream. roommate reunions. running into old friends late in the library. married people. always something to do. Jamba. flowers. Costa Vida. stress. the testing center. devotional. the list continues...

What do you love most about BYU?