Friday, May 30, 2014

A Memorial Day to Remember

Washington, D.C., was a wonderful place to spend Memorial Day, as we could visit all the sites that honor the nation's fallen, as well as the museums that describe their service.


First and foremost, we visited Mr. Lincoln. I still have not made it to the White House, yet I feel that, having taken a moment with America's 16th president, I have truly "been to Washington." (This is not from lack of trying, by the way! I keep heading in the direction of the White House and getting distracted by puzzling statues of angry Frenchmen and nude Greeks. Today I actually thought I had reached it from the back, but it turned out to be the equally imposing Department of the Treasury.)
My roommate stands beside the Korean War Memorial.
Next, we visited all of the war memorials near the National Mall, which was quite sobering. I was impressed at each memorial's ability to convey simultaneously the sheer magnitude of what this country did and the sacrifice of individuals. Then again, perhaps I was thinking about the veterans I know personally. I was blessed to grow up in an area where I could be personally acquainted with so many who have served in the armed forces and hear their experiences.
FDR and me-I think I look rather good as First Lady.
 We also visited the memorials to Franklin D. Roosevelt (which is a huge memorial - you actually walk through it and see quotes and statues from each of his three terms as you walk), Martin Luther King Jr., and Thomas Jefferson. Each one was truly a work of art.
I was especially impressed with the shrine to Jefferson - his defense of public education, religious liberty and God-given natural rights was engraved on the wall. I learned about how much he valued education, calling truth a "light" that enables citizens to make clearer judgments. I reflected that this is how we view truth in a gospel context, that pursuit of learning is valuable for its own sake because, by its light, we "see" ourselves and the world more clearly.

*My roommate shares a birthday with Thomas Jefferson.



We*dropped by the American Indian Smithsonian Museum for lunch because I had been assured by multiple people that they had the best food on the National Mall. All I have to say to that is, they're setting the bar a little low! I suppose these Easterners have never had real Indian Fry Bread or authentic enchiladas, poor dears. Also, I must confide that if you want to learn about Indians, the exhibits you will find out West are far superior.
The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, on the other hand, is everything it promises to be. This turned out to be another excellent choice for Memorial Day, as we saw and explored the planes and ships that American forces have used in the last century's wars.
 Feeling a little down after all this conflict; however, we turned our gazes heavenward to the skies...(and explored the space shuttles and other space equipment)...

And then went home and made chocolate chip cookies for dinner.

Thursday, May 29, 2014

A Sunday at Arlington National Cemetery

First off, thank you to all who have served and are serving this country in the armed forces in any capacity! I know it is no longer Memorial Day, but, like Mother's Day or Christmas, gratitude for one's freedom is something that can and should be expressed whenever possible.
I spent my Memorial Day weekend doing what seemed most natural for the holiday: on Sunday, I visited Arlington National Cemetery with a friend.



A particular highlight for me was going into General Robert E. Lee's house. Hearing the story of his integrity and belief in his cause - however wrong history has proved it - was inspiring, and I think most people now recognize this and honor his courage. It reminded me of a quote by Winston Churchill:
This was the actual bed in the bedroom belonging to the Lees.
"You will make all kinds of mistakes, but so long as you are true - and also fierce - you cannot hurt the world or even seriously distress her."
We also went to the Confederate Soldier's Memorial. I have a number of relatives who fought for their cause, and my roommate is a staunch Virginia woman, so we were interested to see it.

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Unexpected Pleasures

I  believe that while traveling, it is best to be open to new people, unexpected adventures and public transportation. This policy led to some unexpected activities this week:
  • I and a fellow intern was sent to wander the Capitol Building for about two hours on Tuesday (I should clarify-this was not meaningless wandering. We just had to check in at a number of different offices to get accredited) to obtain press accreditation for the Capitol Building. Then, we received a text from our supervisor, who told us to get Library of Congress cards. This enabled me to peruse Thomas Jefferson's library collection, an exhibit on Persian books and the Middle East/Africa reading room at the Library of Congress. I am pleased to report that the reading room is a beautiful library with shelves of books and stepladders that reminded me of "Beauty and the Beast."

  • On Friday, I had an adventure that was too fortuitous to keep to myself: I finished up at my internship and decided to see the Kennedy Center of Performing Arts before taking the Metro home. As I left the building, a woman with a teenage daughter stopped me. She asked me if I wanted to go to the Bolshoi Ballet. I was somewhat confused. She explained that she had three tickets to the ballet in 20 minutes, but her husband was out of town and her other daughter was too sick to come. She decided to look for someone there alone who looked like a pleasant ballet-goer, and I fit the bill!                                                                                                       The ballet was crisp and magnificent, the costumes and set were magical, and the music was gorgeous. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with the woman and her daughter besides. My ticket, I discovered, cost $99, and all showings had been sold out for weeks. And so, friends, I saw the Bolshoi Ballet--Russia's premiere touring group--perform "Giselle" at the Kennedy Center, sitting on the fourth row on the floor, at no charge!
  • On Saturday, I decided to try and reach the Washington, D.C. Temple (which is actually a good way out of the city, in Maryland, no less) via public transportation (on weekdays there's a shuttle from the Metro stop). I had been warned that this was unwise, but sometimes I like to learn from experience. In this case, my experience involved almost three hours of negotiating two trains, two buses, asking for directions four times, and walking the last quarter mile. I have never before been so glad to spot the tell-tale Angel Moroni as I approached!                        The Lord was with me, though, as I arrived precisely on time for my appointment at the baptistry. Afterward, I spent a lovely evening with some friends who are here for graduate school. (They also gave me a ride home.)
  • Attendance was sparse in church today because of the holiday, but all the new members had a chance for introductions in Sunday School. One man stood up and explained that he was from Cairo, Egypt, and this was his first time at church. Naturally, I introduced myself after the meeting, and he told me he had been trying to learn about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for a year now. He said that the missionaries had not been able to find him any Arabic materials, which was a challenge. I had brought my Arabic copy of the Book of Mormon to church, so I offered to let him borrow it. He enthusiastically accepted, promising not to move my bookmark. The sister missionaries excitedly told me that they had been trying to find Arabic materials for weeks, and that this was a thrilling development. My roommate and I are tentatively planning to have him and missionaries over for dinner on Saturday, and we'll see how much progress he has made with the Book of Mormon!

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Lions and Tigers and Lemurs

My first Saturday in the Washington, D.C./Virginia area was an adventure, and therefore, a success. I met a fellow intern at church last Sunday, and we decided to go to the National Zoo while the weather was lovely and cool.
The National Zoo a marvelous place because (1) the animals are easy to see, (2) the exhibit for otters and sea lions is the best I've seen anywhere, and (3) it's free! If all the federal government's un-Constitutional expenditures involved panda bears, no one would mind!

We saw:
  • Lions
  • Tigers
  • Panda bears (one of only three zoos in the U.S.)
  • A knowing chameleon
After the zoo, we met a few people on the National Mall and then ended up at an Asian Heritage Festival. We chatted with the belly dancers for a bit, and I (with great difficulty!) resisted buying even a single scarf, tunic, wrap skirt, or fluttery dress.
With the goal of finding a restroom open in the evening, we entered the American Indian Museum. As the security guard checked our backpacks, (I'm glad I decided not to bring my Leatherman at the last minute) he said, "You girls are just in time for the concert."
"That's why we're here," I replied, and we spent a happy evening at a concert for hula and Hawaiian music!
My good fortune continued today. The Mt. Vernon Stake of Zion received a visit from Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles! My roommates and I went 1.5 hours early to hear from a prophet. We received counsel to put our affairs in order and remember to be willing to live and serve for as long as we are in this special area, which I felt was especially applicable to me.
However, Elder Ballard devoted roughly two-thirds of his talk to "those young men and women of the stake who are not married." He did not use the exact phrase "call to repentance" or "get married ye fools," but the message was clear.

Friday, May 16, 2014

Arnold the turkey

I've often heard that if you dress correctly and look confident enough, you can go anywhere. Well friends, on Monday morning I looked stunning in my professional attire with new shoes to match, but when I began walking toward the entrance to the Pentagon, a security guard called me back.
"Where do you think you're goin', sweetheart?" he asked, not unkindly.
"To the metro station?" I said.
"Way-ell, you just turn yourself around right there and take a left,"  he said.

This week I began both my instruction with the National Journalism Center (without whose generous help this program could continue) and my summer internship with The American Spectator. Their mascot is seen below:


 I still reserve the right to miss my feline friends, but I was pleased to see that even in the big city I can enjoy a little wildlife. This bird was chosen for The American Spectator (a political commentary magazine with web presence) was chosen in honor of Benjamin Franklin's original suggestion for a national mascot.
Speaking of Dr. Franklin, I discovered on Monday that the program headquarters are just blocks away from the national post office. I had a little time to spare before FHE (an interfaith panel where three Jews from the area discussed their faith with us--fascinating!), and so I said hello.
On my way, I passed a rehearsal for a memorial service. I stopped--along with many others--and listened to a rendition of "Amazing Grace" among other numbers on a nice grouping of bagpipes, percussion and brass.
On Wednesday, our internship group (about 35 college students, mostly from east of the Mississippi) met at the Capitol building, and we took a tour of the House of Representatives Press Gallery. Next, we scattered to visit our district's representative. My representative's staff (he was in Arizona--the irony!) was very kind and offered me a tour of the office and all the business cards I could carry.

The American Spectator put me to work at once, and they have already published posts 1 and 2. I will be learning a very different writing style this summer.
Thus far, my only real reservation about this organization is that they have never named the turkey! I asked the office manager if we could remedy the situation (It was the afternoon of my second day, probably high time they knew their intern does things such as name stuffed turkeys!), and he said I could.
I am accepting suggestions, but how does everyone like Arnold?

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Lucy Goes to Washington

I will write this post quickly, as I must be on my way and ready for adventure tomorrow morning, but I wanted to share that back---by request---is Lucy's travel blog of adventure in strange lands. In this case, the strange lands in question are Washington, DC and Virginia. So far as my observation is concerned, they are sufficiently different from my usual haunts in Utah and Arizona as to warrant special attention.
First, I want to show you the charming townhouse in Alexandria, Virginia, where I will be living. I so enjoy this colonial-style architecture.
The house even features that most blessed of architectural ideals--a window seat!



This is the view from my window, as I live on the top floor. I have a ridiculously large room, with a walk-in closet that I don't know what to do with. I am going to become quite spoiled, but I'll just enjoy it while I have it.


This afternoon I took a walk in search of the grocery store. I didn't find it, but what I did find is far more romantic: a rundown cemetery in the middle of a residential area! What I could read of the gravestones showed most were from the 1800s, but one memorialized a Revolutionary War soldier. What a treasure! I shall have to keep it in mind for a service project; however, as it was in a sad state of disrepair.
Finally, I just want to say--thank goodness for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is so wonderful that when one leaves one's known world behind, for a strange city without a friend or family, somewhere there is a church building to go to, a Relief Society president to arrange a ride to said church building, and a ward clerk to transfer your records into said strange city, not to mention a whole group of people who suddenly become interested in your welfare.

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