A Summer Trip to D.C.

Before my Utah Summer began, my mom asked if I would be willing to come a week earlier to accompany my little sister Melanie to Washington D.C. Since she offered to watch my kids as well, I couldn't really say no! haha. Luckily I still have a couple friends left in D.C. to hang with, since Melanie was going to visit her boyfriend (now FIANCE!) and didn't want me hanging around with them the whole time ha.

Some familiar sites. It was nice being back a few days.

Then I got to meet my future bro in law:

The next day I spent checking out some galleries I had been wanting to see on the mall--I also met up with Mel and Ben for lunch at Goodstuff yummm. Ben was kind enough to invite me on their private Capital tour, which I declined, since I used to be the one giving those tours!

 At the Hirshorn: I think my boys would have loved this "art" haha

 This one was cool. This is a 10:1 scale of the Osama bin Laden compound. I love the real plants showing how overgrown and abandoned it is. Also I saw so many people just walk through here and not read the art information. If they knew I think they would think it's cool too.

I also spent time in the National Gallery, and then headed to the National Portrait Gallery. I really wanted to see this new piece, which was cool!

 And then enjoyed some other really cool things in that museum. This Japanese artist had such cool pieces! Made from certain objects casting a shadow to make another image. So unique!

Then I met up with Sarah after she got off work and we had a great evening hanging out at the Navy Yard. And the next morning we met up with Chris Lyon for brunch at Farmers Fishers Bakers which was AMAZING

 To pass the time, I hit up the matinee of Hamilton, and it was even better the second time--probably because I had a better seat!

 Pretty sure I have already posted this picture from my DC days years ago. I love the Kennedy Center.

 After Hamilton, I took a bike share from the Kennedy Center around the Mall and over to Pitango Gelato. The afternoon was perfect weather--after that it became unbearably hot.

 We went to church with Ben the next morning (8am! Way too early for a singles ward...or any ward) But after we had Duck Donuts, so it was worth it ;) BEST DONUTS EVER

 We also stopped by the National Conservatory which was pretty...and hot and humid!

Then Ben and Mel went off to the Archives, and I went to the new Museum of the Bible with Chris Lyon and our friend Carolyn. That museum was really interesting, and had the coolest presentation that was the best synopsis of the Old Testament that I've ever seen. Apparently the museum is heavily funded by the Hobby Lobby guy.

 Then had a lovely night with friends again at Seventh Hill Pizza. Can you tell my trip was also food-fueled??

Before we flew out the next day I did some other things, which I really don't remember because that was the hottest day yet, Oh wait I remember! I got some souvenirs for the boys at the air and space museum and then sat in the American History museum for like a half hour until I wasn't sweaty anymore before touring the museum. Don't miss that east coast humidity!!

Anyway, it was a fun little trip! Now if I go back (don't know when) I would like it to include Victor and going to Annapolis! Good memories. 

D.C. MUST DO: the newseum

The Newseum is my favorite museum in Washington D.C. It's kitty corner to where I work at the Archives, and I wish I could go in there every time I work. But the thing is, the Newseum is not a Smithsonian, so it's not free. And I can't really afford to pay $20 every time I want to go in there.

But once in a while, the Newseum will have free days, and if they do, you should snatch up the opportunity to go. So a couple of weeks ago, we did. Victor had never been, so I was excited to finally go with him.

The whole museum is focused on the history of journalism and the news, as well as the concept of freedom of speech/press. My favorite parts are the Pulitzer Prize winning photographs, the huge section of the Berlin Wall, the September 11 exhibit, the First Amendment Exhibit, and the special exhibit for covering the Presidential Elections. So yeah, I have a lot of favorite parts of this museum.

 That's a map of the world that rates each country's freedom of press based on "free", "partly free", and "not free." It's pretty sad to see countries that used to be free go down to partly free and not free. Mexico is one of them from drug cartels controlling the media. Crazy.

So anyway, when you're in D.C., you really need to check out the Newseum. It's worth the money, I'd say, but it's even better when it's free :)

The 25-Year-Old Intern

Let me tell you some stuff about being a Congressional intern:

So I actually really like giving tours of the Capitol. I like seeing people’s enthusiasm about being here. I have been in D.C. for so long now, that the novelty has kind of worn off for me. To show people the Capitol, a building that is such a powerful image of America, is really fun, and a reminder that I live in a sweet place. I also like knowing that I’m giving them a way better tour than those ornery red-jacketed tour guides, because I can show them random things and places that the general tours don’t get to see, and give them passes to see the Senate and the House galleries. Also, I’ve always been a trivia nerd and so naturally I love being able to spew off all the facts I can think of about the Capitol and Congress and have it be received so enthusiastically. Want a tour during the month of August? Call me.

I have a love/hate relationship with the telephone. 75% of the time I am speaking with constituents who take an active interest in what is going on in their country. They know what is being voted on that day, and they know the proper way to voice their opinion to their representatives. These people inspire me (whether or not I agree with their opinions). I really am not taking full advantage of being an American citizen. The fact that we can directly call our government and voice our opinion on how they should be voting is a wonderful thing. We should all be more diligent in knowing what issues are being discussed and voted on: not just the ones you see on tv. There is a lot more going on in our government that should interest us besides healthcare.

But the other 25% of the time, I am speaking with riduclousness. This could be people who are so angry about something and yell at me about it, and then hang up. Did that really make you feel better? You didn’t even ask me to pass on your comments to your representative. Nothing is going to change, and you’re still going to be mad. Ridiculous. This could also be people who demand answers or demand things that shouldn’t even be handled by their congressman and then get angry when there’s not much I can do for them. Seriously, know the proper chain of authority before you be calling D.C. OR, it could be the real crazies. People who may not even be from the district I work for who call to say that Obama is a psychotic druggie, or that conservatives are from another planet who need to return home, blah blah blah. You get the idea. Sometimes these calls are amusing though, (like the conspiracy theorists), unless they’re mad at me; because obviously it must be my fault that Obama is a psychotic druggie--my bad. Ridiculous.

In the first two weeks of my internship, I was able to attend many lectures given in a Congressional Intern Lecture Series. Those were for the most part really interesting and I have been able to listen to some really interesting speakers: from the Secretary of the Smithsonian, the Attorney General during the Reagan Administration, a former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, to the Chief White House Correspondent for NBC News. But I’ve realized when I attend the lectures that I am an OLD intern. Most of the people surrounding me were born in the 90s---I am not just guessing: when NBC news guy was talking he asked who doesn't remember the election of 1996. The majority of the room raised their hands. I actually do remember it. Maybe I’m being dramatic, but it still is SO weird to me that children of the 90s are now almost done with college. It makes me feel old.

Back to the “novelty” of working here: while there are parts of the Capitol that I had been to many times before as a tourist, it is pretty cool to be able to explore parts I had never seen before, and where tourists aren’t generally allowed. I get to walk around the building when there are no crowds of tourists in sight, and it’s pretty sweet. That building really is an incredible structure, and I love it. I love what it represents, and even though it’s filled with imperfect stubborn people who sometimes act like children and don’t agree, they are still fighting for the same cause: for the people of the country.

 And just as a couple of side notes, I now more fully understand why people become addicts of Diet Coke or other caffeinated deliciousness (my preference: Dr. Pepper): because the 3 o’clock hour is brutal sometimes, and naptime never sounded so good. And also, my commute may be longer than others who live closer, but I’m sure it is not nearly as pretty. I take the train, btw, and I have always loved train rides for whatever reason, and the fact that I am not sitting in my car stuck in the hell that is also known as the I-95 makes the extra time and cost worth it.

D.C. MUST DO

Sooo....

First of all, I don't know what is happening to the summer. It is flying by. Like, I feel like I just blogged, but it was actually over a week ago. It needs to slow down!

Second of all, you may not know this, but as of next week, I will be working full time for a Congressman. It's only temporary, and I still have mixed feelings about working on Capitol Hill. Let's hope it goes well.

It's off to a good start though, because last week, I was invited to go on a Capitol Building dome tour before I start working. And, let me just say, it was SO COOL. Better than the Washington Monument, better than the Capitol tour, and better than the White House tour. You have to arrange to go with your Congressman (and I think he has to accompany you? or just meet you there and vouch for you or something), so, if you are going to be going to D.C., call them up!

First, you go up to the middle balcony part---there's probably an official name for it, but I don't remember.

That's the view of the little pink circle things (I'm sure that's the official name for them) from the inside and the outside of the dome. Some of them even open up. 

Then you go up up up to the upper balcony and get an incredible view. The people below become incredibly tiny. 

Then, you get to go outside, and get a complete panoramic view of the District, Maryland, and Virginia.  And just as a side comment: DARN you, construction at the National Mall, for ruining my photos. 

And in case you were dying to know what the roof of the Capitol looks like, today is your lucky day!

So yeah, like I said, it's worth it.

little pick-me-ups: d.c. edition

Today one of the security guards at the National Archives totally made my day.

He said to me, "whenever you come here, this place is a nicer and happier place."

When I said, "thank you so much,  have a good day!," he said back, "well you have a better one."


How incredibly nice!!!

Honestly, I go through most days not really thinking of the strangers around me. When I get around crowds, I usually resort to assuming that people have no common sense. And a lot of times, I'm right, but I should still be nice, like my security guard friend.

So add that to my resolutions list: make a greater effort to be more friendly and outgoing to strangers. Try to be their little pick-me-up.

d.c. from my phone

I've been spending a lot more time in the archives lately doing research for ancestry.com. It's been fun exploring the city a bit by myself. And I also enjoy making new friends, like the security guards at the archives. They recognize me now. That makes me feel special. 

These are a lot of other pics I've taken with my phone. That one at the bottom? Yeah, that's a guy's bum. 

 I really am liking this place. It would be nice to live in D.C. proper, instead of the janky place we are at now. But surprisingly, this town is growing on me too.