the first week

Washington, D.C., is a beautiful, wonderful place.  Truly.  I love it.  I love it.  I love waking up each morning and running along the Potomac and by some of our greatest National Monuments.  I love riding the metro to work.  I love the people here.  I love walking past the Capitol and, you know, just the other typical buildings.  I love walking around the Senate buildings. I love having questions and questions on end and learning so much just by working.  I love the inside of the Capitol building.  And I love giving tours of it because I get to meet new people and interact with them and spend more time in the Capitol. 

Seriously, I don't know if I have ever had so many questions in my life.  I just feel like I am learning from everything that I see, hear, and do.  As I walk through the Capitol I make connections with my Art History, American Government, and Christian History classes.  And as I sit at work, it feels like there is this huge bath of knowledge just sitting there for me to ingest, and I feel like I can't get it in soon enough.  The best way to explain it is this--imagine a starving James that walks up to a buffet of new, but slightly familiar foods.  That's how it is for me.  There is so much that I know a bit about, but much, much more for me to . . . devour.  I am so excited for these next few months.

Something I really love about work is that I get to read the newspaper and keep up-to-date with everything.  We watched a lot of the speeches from the RNC--my favorite was Condoleezza Rice's speech.  She is one of my heroes.

We are actively pursuing fun outside of work as well.  Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights were spent at the Barlow for FHE/institute (yes, I'm going to INSTITUTE) and a hefty reading assignment.  But, Tuesday night was quite the adventure.

We found out about a free outdoor movie and decided that, of course, we had to go.  To make a long story short, what should have been about a 30 minute trip ended up taking us about 1 1/2 hours.  But, it was an adventure, we shared some good talks on a dirty "baby-making" bench, and made it in time for the famous last 40 minutes of Dirty Dancing.  And there was free popcorn.  And Christmas lights.  So I was a happy camper.

Today was also busy.  It started off with Carly and me going to the gym early in the morning.  We hadn't been there before, though, so we got a little lost.  Finally, after about 15 minutes of wandering, we walked into one of the GWU buildings to ask for help.  As soon as we walked up to the desk with our sheepish smiles, one of the men looked at Carly and said:

"Uh-oh girl, what you did?"

We laughed and explained our dilemma, and they pointed us in the right direction.   After the gym we went to breakfast at Lindy's Red Lion.

Class went well today--I think I'm really going to like it.  I will learn a lot about how to be involved and how to understand politics.  After class I ate a bit of cereal and then we headed out. We went to the Old Post Office, an outdoor jazz concert (it wasn't actually jazz), and some exploring.

Riding up to the clock tower in the Old Post Office

Museum of Natural History

"Jazz" Concert

(We dipped our feet in the pond)

After our time in central D.C., we went to Georgetown for dinner, exploring, and dessert.

We came back and watched Big Fish in the basement (while I worked on this for you).  One of my favorites, and I haven't seen it quite a while.  I think you might like the movie, mom.  My favorite part is a scene where the main character is standing in a field of potted daffodils that he collected from five states . . . . . . .my dream.

Anyway, that's it.  That's the summary of my week.  I cannot believe that it's only been a week.  I feel like I have been here for ages.  (In a good way.)  I'm going to go to bed now so that I can get up early to go on a long run.  Yaaaayyy.

{Love you lots.}

the roommate.

Mom, I know you wanted details on my dear roommate, so here is the official rundown: 

Name:   Carly {nomiddlename} Madsen
Height: 5'04"
DOB:       11/11
Major:   Political Science

I knew from the moment that Carly pulled out a 4-page to-do list that we were a match made in heaven.  I was so happy to have found someone who I knew would want to go do adventures with me so quickly.  We have actually been asked several times if we knew each other before the program, and we already have our evening activities scheduled out for the week.

Some of our similarities: We both love lists, and both love doing things.  Not huge fans of EFY/overzealousity.  She used to not be able to swallow pills.  Both working on the Hill.  Frugal.  Both don't {dosomethingthatI'mnotgoingtosay} much in foreign places.  Both like shoes, but not high heels.  We like funny people/things.  We both love Kid History.  Both struggle with escalators.  Like similar music.  Clean freaks/OCD.  Both ended relationships partially because of D.C.  Both kinda speak Spanish.  We can't whistle.  Our throats make the same weird sounds . . .and we both can't burp.  Etc., etc.

I figured that might not be enough for your liking, so I pulled a little questionnaire from Google.
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Carly Simon. It's because I'm quite vain. Nah, I'm kidding :)

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Sunday.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
 Yes, yes I do.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
It depends on the brand. Ham is usually the safest. I have a real issue with turkey that has a weird texture.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Not that anyone knows about ;)

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Probably not.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
...see above answers.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yes.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Most definitely.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Too many: Cap'n Crunch with Berries, Fruity (and Cocoa) Pebbles (only the generic brand), Special K (also generic version), 

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
If they are new, yes. If they are super old and beaten, no.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Of course.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
I'm not the biggest fan of ice cream to be honest. I prefer frozen custard or frozen yogurt. I like the consistency better. And I usually like flavors like strawberry, raspberry, peach, etc.

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Probably what they're wearing--if they're a girl. For guys my age...if they are attractive or not.

15. RED OR PINK?
RED.

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
Pass.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
Dead? Probably my grandpa. Living? My buddy Jeff. He's serving in Barcelona. He's hilarious.

18. WHAT IS THE PAUL MCKENNA TECHNIQUE THAT YOU NEED TO WORK ON THE MOST?
Who the heck is Paul Mckenna??

19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
I'm not wearing any.

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
A burrito with chips and salsa from this little restaurant at L'Enfant Plaza.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Anna breathing.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Red.

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
Gasoline. It reminds me of Lake Powell. New books/paper. Reminds me of work. Fresh laundry. My grandma's perfume.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
My dad.

25. MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY OR BEACH HOUSE?
Beach house.

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
It depends: if it's college, I like watching basketball (live), and football (on TV). The Olympics: beach volleyball, gymnastics, and swimming.

27. HAIR COLOR?
Light brownish. Pretty similar to Anna's.

28. EYE COLOR?
Brown.

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Nope. 20/20.

30. FAVORITE FOOD?
Chinese, chicken salad sandwiches, and donuts.

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Usually happy endings.

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
"Just Go with It".

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Striped purple, green, yellow.

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summer when I'm by water. Winter when there's pretty snow everywhere and I don't have to drive.

35. HUGS OR KISSES?
From boys? Kisses, duh. From everyone else: hugs.

36. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Donuts.

37. STRENGTH TRAINING OR CARDIO?
Cardio. Though I hate it.

38. COMPUTER OR TELEVISION?
Probably computer. You can watch TV on it anyway.

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
The Book of Mormon. And I'll start "America: The Owner's Manual" soon for class (though I've read it before).

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
I don't have one.

42. FAVORITE SOUND?
My own voice. Haha.

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Beatles.

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
New York.

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
I'm a professional whistler.

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
American Fork Hospital.

47. WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW?
Washington, D. C.

48. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR HOUSE?
Red brick.

49. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR CAR?
Beige.

50. DO YOU LIKE ANSWERING 50 QUESTIONS?
Always.

a good one

D&C 78:17-18

"Ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you:

"And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along."


 

hustling in humidity

I wish that I could say my first taxi ride was adventuresome as James' in Jordan, but unfortunately my driver Mohmeed was not too chatty.  It was fine though because as soon as I got in, I felt like I was in Spain again, and so my mind was racing with memories and new thoughts (none of which would have made much sense to Mohmeed).  A lot of these memories came from the climate here--it was kind of rainy and the air was very thick.  Also, it smelled like cigarettes so, honestly, had you told me I was in Spain I might have believed you.

Anyway, yesterday feels like a huge blur . . . I think I was kind of out of it the entire day.  After going to Trader Joe's and unpacking, Carly (my new roommate) and I decided to venture out into the world of D.C. to find Target.  Luckily the metro system is really similar to the Tube, so we were able to make it without any trouble.  After going to Trader Joe's I thought I might have to live off of only organic food for the next 3 months, so it was great to know that normal food/items are accessible.  And as we were standing in the checkout line, this cute little girl (~7 years old) turned to us and said, "How are you pretty ladies doing tonight?"  And then she started chatting.  And then her parents realized what was happening and told her to tell us to have a good evening.

But.  The best part about the entire Target trip: HONEY BUNCHES OF OATS COSTS LESS THAN $3.00!!!  

My life was made.  Bad news was the umbrellas did not have price tags on them, so I found out at the checkout that the one I picked was too expensive and decided to ditch it and just save that search for another day.

We had to lug a large load back home, so we were really ready for bed once we got home.  

Today was fabulous.  (Besides the fact that one of my nail polish bottles fell and shattered and spilled all over our bathroom and so we had to clean it up and now I have to find a new bottle of that color.)  Church is in this beautiful quaint old building and when we sing hymns it seriously sounds like a musical number from General Conference.  I'm stoked for the next  14 Sundays solely for that.  And our ward seems great and the lessons were great and it was just a beautiful Sabbath day.  And afterward, they had a "Munch and Mingle" which was wonderful because I was quite hungry. . . . turns out I like Gogurt.  (Never had it before, but that's all they had.)

me, Kelsey, Carly, Ky, Andrea, Amanda

After church, talking to Amanda, and taking a nap (are you proud?), we went to a concert at the Kennedy Center:

Ma, you woulda loved it.  A'capella U.S. Men's Army Choir.  Sweet, sweet voices singing sweet, sweet songs.  After the concert we went and explored for a bit.  (And I discovered that my hair is definitely curly.  There is no way that you will see my straight hair for the next few months.)  

[Also, as a side note, I never thought I would ever say this, but I have not even had time to eat--and it's only the first two days!  It's a strange new experience.]

To sum it up . . . .

I love Washington, D.C.

All settled in.

Well, I have been going all day, running on nothing but pretzels and 3 hours of sleep so . . . I am really ready to go to bed.  (Honestly, I feel the same as when Meg and I got into London.)  But, I know you wanted the picture of my room and everything, so here ya go:

I will write more tomorrow when my brain is actually functioning.  Love you.

Off again.

For the next 15 weeks I will be living in Washington, D.C.  It hasn't quite hit me yet, and I don't know if it will ever actually sink in.  Everything in life feels so temporary right now.  And although December seems like far away, I know that I will be finished and home and moving back to Provo before I can even blink.

However, this post is mainly for people who do not know why I am going to D.C.  (Or that didn't even know that I was going.)

{Small disclosure--all of these posts are typically addressed to my sweet mother.  (If you couldn't already tell by the title of this blog.)  She is the reason why I (and all of my siblings) am who/where/what I am today,  so it is only fitting that she gets a full documentation of my experiences.  Also, her ultimate dream is to be a fly on the wall around each of her children, so this is the closest I can get to that for her.  That being said, if I ever write something that doesn't make sense, it's probably just because I'm addressing a conversation that mom and I had.}

Here are the few reasons why I am going to Washington this fall:

• I love adventures.
• I will be interning in Senator Mike Lee's office.
• Autumn is my favorite season, and I've heard that it is magnificent back East.
• I want to better understand how the government functions.
• I have never been to D.C., let alone anywhere in the U.S. east of Ohio (minus Disneyworld when I was 4).
• I love fall.
• I hear that it's a lot easier to run in D.C. due to the massive amount of oxygen in the air.
• I love learning through experience.
• Carli Schneider told me I'd be an idiot not to go.
• I have heard nothing but wonderful things about D.C.
• I cannot wait to go to all of the free museums and events.
• Did I mention that I love this season?
• Oh yeah, and there will be this little thing going on called the Presidential Election. 

Although I am sad to see the end of a wonderful summer, and although it feels really weird to not be returning to Provo . . . I am ridiculously excited.  It is going to be an amazing experience.  A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  And I'm planning on making every day an adventure.  So, if you are at all interested in hearing how things go (and seeing a lot of pictures of the trees) then just follow along this cute little blog.  

{happy to have you.}