Journey East. First Stop: Washington, D.C.

"To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel
is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time,
to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted."
~Bill Bryson

As a graduation gift to myself, two weeks ago yesterday, I set off on a journey to the East. Washington, D.C. (northern Virginia) and New York City (Brooklyn) were my two stops. I know I haven't blogged about my graduation yet, but I'm still waiting for some pictures (hint hint to the maternal peeps --both of you-- in the family). But I'll post that soon, I hope. For now, I'm going to go ahead and let you in on the highlights of my trip.

First stop: D.C./Northern Virginia.

First off, can I just say that every single freeway we went on was under construction to some degree?!? Seriously.

KDJ told me that it's the result of President Obama giving funds to all of the states for some sort of something or other legislation thingy having to do with the recession. Can you tell I'm totally up on my politics and government affairs?

Apparently, the stipulation for receiving this government money was that the states have to use it by a certain deadline, like the end of this year or the end of the summer, to create more jobs and help jumpstart the economy, I think. (Wow... I totally hate that I'm completely opening myself up to scrutiny for not knowing anything about current government events... because I know I sound completely clueless... I guess, I am.) So that's why there is tons of construction going on simultaneously on all freeways.

The funny thing is, although I noticed the construction (I mean, how could you miss the orange cones everywhere??), it didn't bother me that traffic was slower due to it because I had no idea how long it should have taken to get from point A to point B without construction traffic. You know that blissful oblivion that sets in when you're on vacation and have no deadline or time constraints to work with? Yeah, it was nice. For me, anyway. KDJ may have thought differently...

While I was there, KDJ and I met up to eat lunch with Kelli in D.C., just down the street from the Washington National Cathedral.

I had never been to the National Cathedral before, so it was the first "tourist" stop on my trip. I have to admit, it reminded me of the photos and videos of Westminster Abbey that I've seen recently. (Yeah, remember how I loved everything about the royal wedding of Wills and Kate?)

It's seeing buildings like these that make me wish I were a better photographer! But at least you get the idea. I'm also so amazed at designers and architects who can make their visions come to life in such a magnificent edifice.

And the clouds were just perfect that day.

And just so you believe me... I was actually there. (Oh, KDJ likes to take candid shots, so that's why I look like I'm waving to you. haha)

After our walk around the Cathedral, we went to the Washington LDS Temple. You know, from one magnificent edifice to another.

If you have ever been to the D.C. Temple, you know what a striking sight it is, especially as you are winding your way through the beautiful green trees surround you and all of a sudden (seriously) this gigantic magnificent temple just pops up out of nowhere! It's really incredible. I know I sound dramatic, but it's true. It's really beautiful. We did a session in the temple and then walked around afterward.

P.S. I don't have any photos of KDJ because my camera battery died and all these photos were on her camera and she neglected to send me the ones of her. Reh.

P.P.S. She gave in. :) Oh, the power of persuasion.

On Sunday, we attended the fairly-newly-formed Potomac Ward, which is a mid-singles ward. This means it is specifically geared toward LDS singles aged 31-55. I really enjoyed the talks, being around other single people my age, and the spirit that was there. Seems like a great ward.

On a random side note, all throughout the trip to visit KDJ, we learned the 195 countries of the world and were able to master naming (and spelling) them all in less than 12 minutes.

This was quite a feat. I mean, come on, tell me that you knew there was a country named São Tomé and Príncipe. Or Timor-Leste (also known as East Timor)? Or how about Kiribati? Or do you remember that Vatican City is its own country? The countries of Africa, alone, will stump you. And you can't tell me it's not an accomplishment to learn how to spell all the -stan countries. You know: Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Fun stuff. If you want to try your hand at becoming a geography master, just check out this quiz on Jet Punk.

I have to admit that it's really fun to know all of them and know where they are because now when I hear things on the news about people from these countries, I can somehow picture it. You know, like I have a connection to them now.

Now, that I'm a master (there's no being humble with this feat), I'm working on the capitals of all these countries. That's a bit harder... I'll keep you posted. :)

Anyway, back to my trip...

On Monday, I went to work with KDJ, and then ventured off on my own to Mount Vernon, George Washington's estate and gardens along the Potomac. Navigating Virginia roads was not as hard as I thought it might be until the way back when I missed my turn since the street on which I was supposed to turn was named something different on one side of the intersection than it was on the other. It was a really relaxing way to spend the day, just walking around the estate.

We were not allowed to take photographs inside the home itself, but all the outside buildings were pretty interesting, as well.

Green everywhere

George Washington's tomb

All in all, it was a great day. They rave about their Virginia Peanut and Chestnut soup, so I stopped into the restaurant. They were out of it. Really? How do you run out of the one food that you advertise as your specialty? I guess I'll just have to go back someday. The tour guides repeatedly mentioned that George Washington would always want for a guest to return again for a follow-up visit, so we should consider doing the same. Well, I guess I'll have to... so I can have some of that peanut soup!

We also stopped in to see my cousin Soren, Mandy, and little Emily. I'd never actually met Mandy, even though she and Soren have been married for three years. And it was a treat to meet Emily.

Our friend Jenn and her husband Randy live fairly closeby, as well, so we stopped in to have Family Home Evening, dessert, and a healthy dose of catching up. I love Jenn and am so glad we got to see her, her home, and her family. Sadly, no pictures were taken. Too much fun and talking ensued to remember the camera.

As you can see it was a great trip. I was sad to have it end, but I had a train ticket to my second stop... New York City. That will have to wait for another post.
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Pinterest and Other Posts Up My Sleeve.

"The purpose of our lives is to be happy."
~Dalai Lama

So, I know it's been a little while since I posted and you can be assured that I have several posts up my sleeves. A post about graduation (!) and family in town will have to wait just a bit because I'm waiting to download some pictures from my sister, which shouldn't be too far off, since I'm SITTING IN HER LIVING ROOM! Fun stuff since she lives in New York. So yes, that also means I have a post (or two or three) about an east coast trip up my sleeve.

But for now, I just want to say how much I love Pinterest! I know I've mentioned it before once or twice, but by way of reminder, Pinterest a social catalog service. What does that mean?

Think of it as a virtual pinboard — a place where you can post collections of things you love, and "follow" collections created by people with great taste. It's a great place to keep ideas for Christmas gifts, or birthday party themes, wedding ideas, clothing, or home decorating organized. Or simply use it to archive all the pretty, fun things you find online. Here's a peak at my current boards...

Find my pinboards here, and jump on the bandwagon and start your own!
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A Day Off.

"One travels more usefully when alone, because he reflects more."
~Thomas Jefferson

A couple months ago, I decided that I needed a day off from work, so I scheduled one for the day after Easter, 25 April. The tulips at Thanksgiving Point were calling my name and I also wanted to see the Carl Bloch exhibit at The BYU Museum of Art. Oh... and I desperately needed a pedicure. No one seemed available to spend the day with me, so I enjoyed the activities all by myself, which was actually quite nice.

I started my day with a workout and then drove down to Lehi to the Thanksgiving Point gardens. The sky was threatening to rain.

But luckily, though rain did fall along my drive, the hour and a half walking around the gardens was raindrop free. And it was beautiful. Dontcha think?

And others weren't

Some things were in bloom

And here's proof I was actually there.

Oh, and the art exhibit was just exquisite. The Brigham Young University Museum of Art had an exhibition of the art of Carl Bloch. On display were five large altarpieces, four of which were on loan from Lutheran churches in Denmark and Sweden. Along with the altarpieces, there were more than thirty other religious and genre works.

I have come to be quite familiar much of Carl Bloch's work, as a Latter-day Saint, and am quite fond of him. There is nothing quite like seeing the work of an artist in person. The colors, the cracking paint, the expressions captured were truly a sight to behold. The Savior is depicted so beautifully and so emotionally. The exhibit was beautiful.

Here are a few of my favorites.

Christ Healing the Sick at Bethesda
Carl Bloch, 1883

Christ and the Young Child
Carl Bloch, 1873

Sermon on the Mount
Carl Bloch, 1890

Just beautiful.

And my toes? I'll spare you a picture, but they were pretty nice too. Overall, a really great day off.

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Good Morning.

"The moment when you first wake up in the morning is the most wonderful of the twenty-four hours. No matter how weary or dreary you may feel, you possess the certainty that, during the day that lies before you, absolutely anything may happen. And the fact that it practically always doesn't, matters not a jot. The possibility is always there."
~Monica Baldwin

It must be said that I'm much more of a night person than a morning person. But I've always wanted to be a morning person. Certainly, I've had my moments, and getting a full 8 hours of sleep each night encourages early morning rising.

But every once in a great while, I will wake up, with no apparent wakeup call, at some early hour and be wide awake. Now, if that hour happens to be 3am, you had better believe I'm doing everything in my power to go back to sleep. But every so often I wake up about an hour or two early than the time for which my alarm is set, and I'm content to be awake.

That was this morning. Rolled over at 5:55am and was WIDE awake, and perfectly content to be so. I must admit, however, when this happens I really believe that there is some greater power wanting me to be up. You know, like there is some significant reason that I should awake, long before my alarm goes off, long before anyone will ever speak to me. You know, some profound reason.

Well this morning, I'm not certain what that profound reason is, but I've enjoyed the last hour listening to the birds chirping outside, feeling rather at peace, and daydreaming about my life. Hopefully that's what the powers that be had in mind when they woke me up.

Photo found here.

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Why I blog.

"The art of art, the glory of expression and the sunshine of the light of letters, is simplicity."
~Walt Whitman

Lately, I have had several conversations with people about why I blog.

1. I blog for the memories it allows me to relive.
2. I blog to discover a deeper understanding of myself.
3. I blog because I like to see pictures of the things I love.
4. I blog because I enjoy it.
5. I blog to keep in touch and share my life with others.
6. I blog to get feedback from others. I can't help it. I enjoy conversation. I just want to know what other people think.
7. I blog to keep thinking and reflecting about life, so I can become a better person.
8. I blog to be heard.
9. I blog to get to know others.
10. I blog to connect with the world.
11. I blog to procrastinate other important things on my To Do list.
12. I blog because I can.

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People under-rate surfaces.

"Most of the common infections -- colds, flu, diarrhea -- you get environmentally transmitted either in the air or on surfaces you touch. I think people under-rate surfaces."
~Dr. Charles Gerba

Just a teaser from my trip to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point.

Sorry, I just thought that quote was hilarious. Don't underestimate surfaces...

So I've avoided talking about how I'm sick on this here blog because, well, who really wants to hear about that? But today, I just can't not mention it. I'm sick. Started as a sore throat, in which my throat felt like the receiving end of a dart/javelin/ice pick/knife throwing contest with thousands of contestants. Then came the runny nose and sneezing. Then the congested nose and sinuses. (I know you're loving this.) Then the congested chest and pressure filled head. Then the ears.

Oh the ears. The poor ears. Last night, they had just about enough and succumbed to the severe pain that infection brings. Ugh. So this morning, I marched myself to the Dr.'s office (okay, drove not marched) and that merciful Dr. gave me some Amoxicillin. Well, the Dr. didn't give it to me, the pharmacist did. But the Dr. did irrigate and flush out my ear. Okay, she didn't do that either... her nurse did. But the Dr. DID write me a prescription for pinky medi. Okay, no she didn't. They called in (faxed) the prescription because apparently they don't actually write out prescriptions anymore. (Who knew?) And it was for capsules of Amoxicillin, not the pink-liquid-bubble-gum-flavored version that I so loved as a child. (I had it a lot as a youngin'.)

But what she did do was look at my ears and gave me sympathy. She told me that my canals were all windy (not to say that they're breezy, but windy, as in they wind down and around out of sight) which makes it difficult (read: impossible) to see the whole eardrum. Oh, and that, apparently, is also is what makes me susceptible to these darn ear infections. (Yeah. Knew that. Hence, my love of pinky medi.) Nice doctor, though. (And that prescription was only $4. Can you believe it?! Nice.)

Funny story though... when I was a teenager, I got an ear infection (yes, I'm prone to them -- not just when I was a little child) and requested that my Amoxicillin come in the comforting liquid form, which I affectionately dubbed "pinky medi" as a child. Well, let me tell you... either they don't put the bubble gum flavoring in it when you're older than 12 or I was sorely mistaken about its sweet deliciousness because that stuff was nasty! Never again. I'll swallow all the pills you give me.

And thank you, Doctor, for giving them to me. My ears will be pleased. Right now they're still screaming at me (ouch) but they'll be singing your praises by morning. I hope.

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Wed.

"If you find someone you love in your life, then hang on to that love."
~Princess Diana

William and Kate's wedding was just stunningly elegant. I loved everything I saw. I have to admit I've been looking forward to this for awhile. Remember how excited I was when their engagement was officially announced?

Well, the months of anticipation has truly paid off. Kate looked absolutely beautiful. I seriously can't stop looking at pictures and videos. So I'm posting a few of my favorites so that I can look back and remember. She was just so elegant and regal. The few public intimate exchanges between the two of them were just wonderful to see. I loved the double kiss. And I loved the looks they exchanged in Westminster Abbey.

Okay, so that was more than a few. But it was worth it, wasn't it? Even if you're seeing them all again... worth it.
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