Week 3: Sunrises and sunsets

Mon., June 21, 2010: I was up before the sun today. My roommate, Tammy, and I went down to the George Washington Memorial Parkway hike and bike trail at 5:30am. The trail lies along the Potomac river. Many people use the trail to bike to work in DC. It was a cool morning and absolutely beautiful!! Tammy set off to run while I walked along the path. After warming up my ankle a bit, I decided to give jogging a whirl (doc said that was a-ok!). I actually jogged an entire mile. My ankle didn't give me any problems at all. It felt great to be jogging again, even if just for a short distance. Oh how I miss my running days! It was wonderful to greet the sun. I regret not taking my camera with me to capture the sunrise.

You can find out more about the trail by visiting http://dc.about.com/od/nationalparks/a/GWParkway.htm

Tues., June 22, 2010: I now have my very own library card here in Alexandria and paid a visit to the Sherwood Library. How is it that all libraries seem to have the same aroma? I felt like I was walking into the Coke Library in San Antonio.

I also paid a quick visit to the Masonic Temple in Alexandria. It sits on a magnificent hill off of Duke Street. I didn't make it inside, but it was beautiful to see at night.

My roommate, Heidi, is very talented! One of her many talents is that of scarf-making. And she gave me this beautiful scarf she hand-made. It's super warm and is made with some of my favorite colors: purple and green!

Wed., June 23, 2010: A dear friend of mine, Susan, lives here in DC (thanks to Facebook we learned that we're both here in DC)! I hadn't seen Susan in 5 years. When I got back from my mission in Chile, she was heading out on her mission to Germany. Since then, she married Dustin and the two are expecting their first little one on July 5th! I attended their baby shower. Susan and Dustin were both glowing! It was wonderful to see them so happy and surrounded by their family and friends. The venue was gorgeous: Meridian Hill Park. The park is located in the middle of the city; it's a welcomed oasis from the hustle and bustle. Even the knats congregate (in the thousands).

The other great moment of the evening was (a) finding parking and (b) SUCCESSFULLY parallel parking on the FIRST TRY! I was praying the whole time that I would be able to park my car in the (what seemed to me) little space along the street. Prayers are answered!! :) I get lots of practice parallel parking here. I'll be a pro by summer's end!

Thurs., June 24, 2010: Dinner with my aunt, uncle, Hanna, and Amy. I LOVE spending time with my extended family here in DC! It's always one of the highlights of my week!

Fri., June 25, 2010: Jazz in the Park! One of my friends, Amanda, got a group together to enjoy Jazz in the Park at the National Gallery of Arts' Sculpture Gardens. There are two gardens, one of which is across from the National Archives. In the center of the gardens is a very large reflection pool. The band was set up at one end of the pool and the garden and its surrounding areas were blanketed with people and picnic baskets. A great band performed. We just sat out for 2 1/2 hours soaking up the music and the last of the sun rays.













The family sitting next to us had a darling little kiddo who was a hoot to watch! He danced his little heart out, wooing everyone around him. Here he is with a dance partner he recruited.

From there, I passed by the National Archives and then headed over to the Navy Memorial. At every turn in DC you'll find a memorial, stuate, or plaque that reminds passers-by that freedom comes at a price that has been paid by many who have gone before us. I am grateful to the many men and women of the armed services who have given their lives to protect our freedoms.

Here is a bronze sculpture by Robert Summers, a tribute to the Coast Guard (at the Navy Memorial). Semper Paratus--"Always Ready." Thank you, Dad, for your service in the Coast Guard!

Sat., June 26, 2010: A trip to Eastern Market! This place is a MUST SEE if you're in DC! It was first built in 1873 and was renovated in 2009. It's basically an indoor/outdoor farmers market with fresh produce, meats, cheeses, flowers, and artisan masterpieces! I was delighted to walk by an artist's booth and see his rendition of the flag of Texas framed and ready for purchase!! It just warmed my heart! For jewelry lovers, you would be in heaven.

Check out Eastern Market's official website: http://www.easternmarket-dc.org/

The best part about the adventure was that two friends and I began the trip to the market in my car. After getting very lost, we made our way to the Crystal City Metro stop. We parked there and then took the metro in. Here's a picture of one of the many mosaics that appear under the bridge we passed to get to the metro. Why haven't I bit the bullet yet and bought a GPS??...

My grandma called me to see if I might help her figure out how to scan a picture, save it, and email it to a friend. Combining my less than stellar technology skills with trying to trouble shoot the problem over the phone, I was pretty confident that I wasn't going to be much help. But, together we successfully completed the task!! Go Grandma, Go! It was a moment of great victory and satisfaction for both of us. I love my grandma!

Sun., June 27, 2010: I attended the LDS Potomac Ward's Patriotic Musical Fireside tonight. An ensemble and choir performed several patriotic hymns. The congregation stood to sing the National Anthem and The Battle Hymns of the Republic. I love that we stood to sing those hymns as that's the only way they should be sung! A woman also performed two solos. Her voice was radiant! I could have listened to her all night. She sang "Give me your tired, your poor." The words come from The New Colossus, a poem by Emma Lazarus that is found in the Statue of Liberty. Irving Berlin put the latter part of the poem to music. Here's a link to the poem and a bit about it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_Colossus.

If you'd like to listen to the song, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g-Wm7ZJhfs.

I ended the evening by catching the last of the sunset along the Potomac that passes right in front of the church. I ran into a guy who had also been at the musical fireside. Turns out he speaks 4 languages, is an ESL teacher, and has taught EFL overseas. He had a lot of questions about deafness and signed language. It was AWESOME to share some insights and help debunk some of the myths about deafness and signed language. He had really great, well thought out questions. It seems there is an over-representation of ESL/EFL teachers in the area--which is AWESOME!

Week 2: Tales of cattails and electric powered devices

Highlights of week 2 in "northern Virginia" (see, I'm already noticing the nuances in how groups of people in the greater DC area distinguish themselves geographically):

Mon., June 14th:
Downgraded from robocop boot to my smaller (less noticeable) aircast. I must say that parting from robocop boot was a little sad... It was a great conversation starter. And it also masked the fact that my left calf is now only 2/3 the size of my right calf. Seriously.

Tues., June 15th:
Mowed our yard with an electric mower. For all my Texas gas and oil loving friends, an electric mower is a lawn mower with a plug. You read that right. A lawnmower with a plug. I thought my roommate was kidding when she told me the lawnmower plugs in. You actually plug it into 15 extension cords (because that's how many are required in order for the mower to reach and make it across your lawn) and it's powered by your ordinary outlet. CRAZY! I didn't know such a thing existed. Being the very well trained lawn mower-er that I am (thanks Dad), I checked everywhere for the oil dipstick. Not to be found anywhere. It's truly an electric lawnmower. My mowing mantra: "Don't run over the cord! Don't run over the cord! DON'T RUN OVER THE CORD!" Success in mowing! Wish I could say the same for trying to edge. The edger is also electric. Let's just say that I'm surprised I didn't kill the bird that was following behind me and eating the worms and grubs that were exposed after I mowed the jungle...I mean our lawn. :) My foot, however, didn't escape unscathed. It had a rather painful run-in with Mr. Electric Edger.













A link to my thesis was sent across THE listserv for language policy gurus and applied linguists. SO EXCITING!

Wed., June 16th: Experienced what it happens when a 5 lane highway lovingly referred to as the "Beltway" by folks who live both inside and outside the "beltway" suddenly becomes a ONE lane highway within a matter of 1,000 feet. Ok, so maybe more like 2,000 feet. I always hoped to know what that would be like. Now I do. :)

Thurs., June 17th: While my ankle and foot have taken their fair share of twists, turns, and beatings this summer, they also were introduced to Nordstrom Rack and slipped into size 13 and 14 shoes!! I thought I had died and gone to heaven when I came across rows of size 12, 13, and 14 shoes. I also felt very grateful that my feet stopped growing when they hit size 12. I feel for women who wear size 13 and 14 shoes. Pobrecitas!













I also had dinner with my cousin Hanna, Aunt Adrian, and Uncle Joe. My aunt grilled the BEST steaks I have ever eaten in my entire life. Hands down. No offense to everyone else who has ever cooked delicious steaks, but seriously--it was perfect! My aunt and Hanna both introduced me to Central Market east coast style: Wegman's. When I got back to my car, a lady bug was waiting to greet me. :)













Fri., June 18th:
Back to Rosslyn park. It was another perfectly perfect evening! 2 hours sitting on the grass enjoying the beautiful park. Then 90 min. of Mrs. Doubtfire. Good times!











Sat., June 19th:
Much anticipated stroll (and even a few jogging steps) along the Potomac. Picturesque. Heidi, one of two of my awesome roommates, came with me. I think if I said, "It's SO BEAUTIFUL HERE!" one more time, she would have taped her ears shut. :) Who knew that cattail leaves are smooth? Probably a 5th grader. Which proves I'm NOT smarter than a 5th grader. I was so ready to find the closest marina and beg someone to let me join them on their sailboat.













Sun., June 20th: HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!
It's Father's Day and I readily admit I felt a twinge of homesickness. It hit me earlier this week that for the first time in 6 years I won't be home on Father's Day. That's the saddest part about this summer: not being home for special days like today. I'm grateful, though, for technology that allows us to keep in touch. I wish the picture of my dad and me was from today, but it's from a few years back. One of my favorite pictures of all times!










Enjoyed breakfast with my two roommates and our landlord who was in town for the weekend. Thanks to Carrie (the landlord) for organizing the breakfast. Given that it was a Sunday morning and none of us were presentable to the public, I took a picture of the feast. Yes. A true sign of friendship (and civility). Tammy made some killer oatmeal banana pancakes. YUMMY!

Week .5 and 1: Settling in

Tuesday, June 1, 2010 (6 year anniversary since I left Chile and returned home from my full-time mission):
Dad replaced my vehicle's registration sticker.
Drove to Little Rock, Arkansas.
Stayed at the Legacy Hotel; it was built over a century ago.

Wed., June 2, 2010:
Drove through Memphis and Nashville, TN.
Stopped at the LDS temples (on my bucket list). Mom said, "They're like postage stamps they're so small!" And our friend Nancy Harris pointed out the Texas sized buzzard on Moroni's trumpet. Oh we so took a picture!
Had dinner with some of our favorite people in the world: Chanda, Shaleen, and the Harris's.












Thurs., June 3, 2010:
Passed more 18 wheelers than I've ever seen in my entire life.
Drove through a thunderstorm just outside of the DC area. Google maps took us along a scenic tour to get into town. We drove on the Constitution Route. I have no idea what that is, but it sounds important. :) We passed beautifully manicured farms from the 1700s.

Fri., June 4, 2010:
Drove to Easton, PA.
Had dinner with my Mom's cousins, Bill Cody and Dan Quigley.
Visited St. Joseph's cemetery, finally discovered the meaning of "headstone", and drove down Canal Street--the street where our ancestors' bar used to be. Yep, that's right. I come from a family of saloon keepers. :) I'm Irish, you know.












Sat., June 5, 2010:
Visited the house where my maternal grandfather was born and raised in Easton, PA. Dan Quigley, my mom's cousin, lives in the house. It's been in our family since 1911. I found my way into the basement. There's a room that used to store coal back in the day. An oil tank now sits in the room. And check out the really antiquated typewriter I also found in the basement. All I have to say is there is NO WAY I could have written my thesis had I only had access to a typewriter.
My mom showed me around St. Joseph's cemetery where many of our ancestors are buried. It was really moving to see how much my mom knows about our ancestors.
Attended mass with mom, Dan, and June at St. Joseph's (now Our Lady of Mercy) where my grandfather attended church when he was growing up.
Visited St. Bernard's church in Phillipsburg, NJ, where my great-great grandfather was married on April 28, 1868.






















Sun., June 6, 2010:
Attended church right on the Potomac. I was sitting in Sunday School and looked out the window. What did I see? Not popcorn popping on the apricot tree, although that would make for an awesome story. Rather, the POTOMAC!!
Birthday party to celebrate Uncle Joe's birthday.

Mon., June 7, 2010:
Dinner with Aunt Adrian, Uncle Joe, and company.

Tues., June 8, 2010:
Institute.

Wed., June 9, 2010:
Attended the DC temple for the first time. My parents were married there 32 years ago. Very moving and powerful experience. If you haven't drive around the beltway at night to see the DC temple, it's a MUST SEE! It seems like an optical illusion: the temple takes up the entire skyline.

Thurs., June 10, 2010:
Enjoyed freshly baked beets and sweet potatoes with my roommate. YUM!

Fri., June 11, 2010:
Watched an outdoor movie in Rosslyn Park in Arlington, VA with two amazing girls--both of whom are pursuing or have completed MAs in TESL! How is it that the first people I meet here in DC are ESL/EFL teachers?!?! Seriously!

Sat., June 12, 2010:
So there are LDS listservs here in the DC area where people post different events, activities, and things for sale. It's kind of like a Mormon Craigslist. I saw a post that there was a group of LDS singles getting together to watch the USA v. England World Cup game outside at the Dupont Circle park in DC. I showed up and there was just one other person there. Gregg. But we had a jolly good time. Turns out Gregg is a graduate student fellow at the Heritage Foundation!! I (quite literally) choked on the water I was drinking when he told me. We made friends with some die-hard USA soccer fans: Tanner (holding the flag) and Patrick (in his revolutionary war attire).

Made friends with our neighbors from El Salvador. And enjoyed watching the lightning bugs. They are EVERYWHERE! So beautiful!















Sun., June 13, 2010:
Attended a musical fireside put on by the Bells at Mount Vernon and The Mormon Choir of Washington.
Joined the world of blogging.