Oh, D.C.!

Jefferson Memorial at Sunset

Another week has gone by and I am still exploring the touristy areas.... even though I plan to frequent some of these monuments more often than not. I mean, look at the Jefferson Memorial.... It's beautiful!

I did go to a Nationals baseball game where they creamed the Chicago Cubs. I was mainly interested in the beautiful milkshakes, fries and burgers like a true American.

Coming to D.C. is never complete without a tour of the Capitol building. 

Mural inside the Dome

Statue of Brigham Young in the Capitol

Probably the most powerful desk I will ever sit at. Thanks random Cali congressional intern. 

Oh, DC!

a piece of (cup)cake

So after my first week as a Washingtonian, I have decided on one thing...cupcakes.

My roommate, Emma, and I at Georgetown Cupcake

But there are a few other things that I love about living in D.C., like the National Mall and the Smithsonian...

Museum of Natural History in the Smithsonian

Washington Monument

The Hope Diamond

On Friday, I explored a little bit with some friends. We went through some fun museums and saw some iconic sites. After a long day of walking we went to a free Jazz concert near the Museum of National History where they even gave me a little taste of the south with some New Orleans blues!

People gather around the reflection pool at the jazz concert.

On Saturday I went to Arlington in the morning. Of course we watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and saw the eternal flame at JFK's grave. The mood in Arlington is somber, but I felt so much appreciation and humility for the sacrifices the men and women who are buried there made. 

Gravestones at Arlington

Changing of the Guard

And then there was Mt. Vernon. The estate of America's very own George and Martha Washington.

Mt. Vernon

Sitting on the banks of the Potomac is the Washington's pride and joy. This extensive piece of land was their safe haven. It was always filled with visitors and guests and was always under expansion. I was fascinated by the extremely bright colors (teal, pink, green & blue) in the rooms and loved the actual key to the Bastille that has always been mounted on the wall after it was found in the prison's rubble and gifted to the Washingtons (suggesting liberty and justice) from the Marquis de Lafayette.

After our lunch at the Mt. Vernon Inn (consisting of Peanut Soup and Salad), we ventured to the gravesites of President and Mrs. Washington. There, they did a laying of the wreath ceremony that called for volunteers from the U.S. military members in the crowd. 

We spent a lot of time going through the museums and exhibits where they even had a set of Pres. Washington's dentures (fact: not made of wood). One of my favorite things about the day was spending it with my good Jerusalem buddy, Caleb who now lives in D.C. after graduating from BYU last April. It was so fun to see him again and I hope to have many more adventures with him.

Caleb (still rocking his mustache)

On Sunday, a few people from the Barlow Center (where all the BYU interns live) and I went to the Kennedy Center's National Symphony Orchestra Labor Day Concert. It was spectacular! It was supposed to be on the Capitol Building steps (which would have made for a better picture) but because of weather, it was moved into the theater last minute. They chose a fewgreat American pieces including all of the theme songs for each branch of the military and the famous music and reading of the baseball poem "Casey at the Bat." The second half of the show featured a young singer/songwriter/pianist, Tony DeSare, who sang just like Sinatra. He was a true performer and even sang an incredible rendition of Prince's "Kiss."