Washington DC Singles Ward

Perhaps my expectations were too high...but my first week in the ward left much to be desired.  It seemed like every utterance in sacrament meeting or the classes was a legal discourse.  I wanted to feel the spirit and be uplifted, not convinced of one's personal point of view.  For this and other reasons, I left with a bad taste in my mouth.

However, in the last two weeks things have gotten much better.  Maybe I've adjusted to the humidity or perhaps that first Sunday was just attorney week and nobody told me.  Regardless, testimony meeting was particularly uplifting today.  Several of the members in the ward are recent converts to the gospel and a few shared very powerful testimonies.  

Following up on these positive experiences I thought I might even try my luck with ward choir...  Well, you can't win them all right?  As knowledgeable and talented as people generally are in DC, many of them are still tone deaf.  I guess the church really is the same no matter where you go...

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Quite Possibly the Dumbest Movie I've Ever Seen

...and if not, it's a close second to The Stupids.

No wonder it was the only movie left in the DVD section of the public library. But hey, it was free, so why complain?  After a long day of trying to get a visa to enter Taiwan for one of our project managers in Equatorial Guinea, this movie was exactly what I needed.  My brain was in dire need of some mindless dribble and my pants were in desperate need of some sewing.  It wasn't quite the video representation of the books I remember reading back in junior high, but then again, can we ever really trust our fluxuous memory of adolescence?...  

At least I'm glad my roommate fell asleep before the skydiving whale scene so I could laugh without feeling ashamed.  I guess there really is a time and a place for everything. 

No Place Like Home

This past Saturday I visited the US History Smithsonian Museum.  This was the first of many such museums on my summer to-do list.  While wandering around on the third floor, I stumbled upon Dorothy's ruby red shoes.  Amusing no?

The absence of almost all responsibility during the evenings has left me some time to reflect.  Yes, Washington DC has a lot to see and do.  But, in the end, there really is no place like home.  I'm not sure what's so appealing about Dorothy's Kansas...but Salt Lake is surely a delightful little city.

Arlington President Obama Speech - Part I

Is there possibly a better way of spending Memorial Day than listening to the president of the United States present his address in the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater?  Hmm...I think not.  We had to get up a little early, but the experience was incredible.  Several dignitaries attended the event, perhaps the most notable being Bob Dole.  The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and President Obama spoke at the event.  These fantastic speeches were complemented by outstanding performances from the US National Band.  

After the event we wandered around Arlington National Cemetary.  We were able to locate a few notable gravesites including JFK and his wife.  I was amazed at how large the area is.  The gravestones stretch out as far as you can see.  There is a very special spirit there.  Absolutely astounding.

Arlington President Obama Speech - Part II

Part II of President Obama's Speech

Bus Ride to Arlington Amphitheather

The gravestones stretch on forever.  This is only one side of the bus...

US Capitol Building

It looks like this whole video thing is actually going to work.  Enjoy this little trip around the US Capitol Building steps.

Tour of the Consulate Apartments (Part II)

I think I've mastered the stupid wireless network here at the apartments, enough so that I can now post these videos...I guess...we'll see if this actually works.  Enjoy this complementary tour of the Consulate Apartments.

www.dclibrary.org

I'm saved!  I've located the public library system.  I've been going nuts without my books/books on CD.  I tried to immediately get a library card from them, but they said they need proof of permanent residence.  Urgh...  They'll let me by with a letter from my office, but I won't be able to get that until Tuesday.  Sad.

Life in DC is Expensive

This pair of shorts costs $150.00?!!!  Are you joshing me?  Can you imagine what they would cost if someone hadn't cut off the rest of the legs?  Holy cow.

Tess of the D'Urbervilles

Is that little red spot above our shower head something we should report to building security?...

Running in DC

Have you gone running around the monuments in DC?  Everyone else has.  If you're there between five and seven, you're likely to get caught in a stampede of overzealous congressmen getting in their after work workout.  But could you really pick a better place to run?  Everywhere you look there's something to distract you from the pain.  Definitely put this one on your to-do list.

Suits

I'm constantly amazed at how much there is to see in DC.  Every time you turn a corner, you see something new.  It's no wonder that even the guys in suits take pictures.

Space Mountain Comes to DC

Sorry about the videos.  I still haven't made an attempt to battle with Blogspot again.  So...here's the next best thing.  When I first saw the metro system in DC it appeared oddly familiar.  It took me a while to pinpoint the memory to Space Mountain at Disneyland.  Take a look and decide for yourself.  I should add that the humidity, smell and sound all match the California equivalent.  The only thing its missing is seat belts.

I'm usually not an accident prone person.  Therefore, I think the metro is out to get me.  Three lessons when riding the metro.

1. When riding the escalator down to the platform: walk to the right, stand to the left.  If you don't follow this, you're likely to be run down my some rabid DCian trying to catch a train.
2. Make sure your laces are tied before getting on the escalator.  It's quite possible that they could get stuck in the plates when they go under the floor at the bottom.
3. The metro doesn't have push button doors like Trax.  When it says, "Doors opening" the doors will open.  When it says, "Doors closing" the doors really are going to close...even if you're halfway through.  This means that you might just get your arm caught in the door.

So speaking from experience, if you don't do these three things, you should make it to your destination.  I can't promise that you will get a seat, or that you won't be a puddle of gooey sweat when you get off, but at least you'll get there in one piece.

Welcome to the Consulate Apartments

Contrary to the predictions of many frightened passengers on my flight into DC, we did survive the turbulence and land at about 9:30 pm at Reagan National Airport. I took several photos while traveling to DC, but I'll post those later.  I still haven't quite recovered from all the writing I had to do for finals this semester so I'll let the video do the talking for now.

...

30 minutes later.  So...blogspot is stupid.  The video is taking an absurd amount of time to upload here, so I've moved it over to Facebook for now.  I'll put it here when I can get a reliable connection.  Let me know if you can't access it.

...

20 minutes later.  So...Facebook is stupid.  It uploaded the whole thing and then died.  Stay tuned.  For now, pretend I posted an enthralling walk through video of my apartment.

For all those of you that have been waiting on the edge of your seat...I present...my front room.  Enjoy.