Surreality

So I have 9 days left... that's cool... and surreal... but reality. It feels weird to have so little time left. I have 6 days of work left and am very excited to be done.

Last week our field trip was to the Newseum, which was, as always, amazing. However, prior to being able to explore the museum, we had to listen to the Public Relations professor talk...about the importance of the press... because I totally don't know that...whatever. Today we went to the Cato Institute and listed to Tucker Carlson. It was interesting. But the food was good and he was witty. I did learn, however, what "Connecticut" looks like :)

This past weekend was Easter. On Saturday, I planted a tree for the end of my community service with a friend. It was fun, even if it was outside. In the afternoon, we face painted at an Easter Egg Roll at our apartment complex. It was also fun. Sunday, I went to the Sunrise Easter Service at Arlington National Cemetery. It was super cool. After the service, I got to see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, also super cool. Pictures to come, eventually. For dinner, Meredith and two of her friends came over and had dinner with me, one of my roommates, and one of my other friends. We had Thai. It was good.

That's about it... for now!

Happy April!

So, it's April! That means less than 3 weeks!!! I have only 12 days of work left and 2/3 field trips left! This semester has gone super fast but I'm really excited to go home.

As time goes on, there is less to talk about; work is work and I've done the touristy stuff. I have started/almost finished my community service. Last weekend, I volunteered at the family days event with the Cherry Blossom Festival:

It was at the National Building Museum and this is the middle atrium area. They had a stage on one end and tables on the other end. I was working with the sales people. It was fun; I've never worked with sales but it was kinda exciting.

Yesterday, I volunteered with Meredith and Mallori at the Kite Festival. It was less fun because we didn't really have jobs...or directions of any kind. It was actually poorly organized...but here is a picture:

Next Saturday, I am planting a tree with one of my friends, to finish up my hours, and in the afternoon I am painting faces at an Easter thing my program puts on for the kids at our apartment complex.

But of course, I have not just been volunteering and working. I had Friday the 23rd off and went to Old Town Alexandria. It was so pretty. Because I was the only one with the day off, I went alone. I took a lot of pictures:

 This is an old theater.

 The city square...quite deserted.

 The visitors' center and a free bathroom.

 The Carlyle House and Historic Park. Important for some reason... I took a picture of the plaque but didn't read it...

 I am actually not really sure what this is...

 Houses!

A restaurant on the riverfront behind the old torpedo factory.

My lunch at Hard Times Cafe. Cincinnati Chili Mac and cornbread. It was super delicious but kind of depressing. And that ended my day off!

The next day, Saturday the 24th, was the faculty reception and a play at Ford's Theater. The faculty rep from Augie also took us out to dinner. The faculty stuff was fun but the play was better. We saw 1776 and it was amazing! I was actually not sure how much I would like it but was pleasantly surprised.

 Ford's Theater box where Lincoln was shot.

Thursday, before my day off, Meredith and I went to the Tidal Basin to look at the Cherry Blossoms. They peaked that day.

It was very pretty and I was so glad I could see them!

Wednesday the 28th we had a build your own field trip day. Meredith, Mallori, Megan, and I went to the zoo.

 One of the cheetahs.

 The orangutans on their rope lines across the zoo.

 RED PANDAS!!!! My favorite.

 More red pandas!

 More red pandas!

Normal old pandas... so not as cute as the red pandas.


 I think that's it... for now!