Geeked out

I WENT TO THE AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM AND IT WAS MARVELOUS AND FANTASTIC AND I SAW THE APOLLO 11 CAPSULE (!!!!!!!!!!!!!) AND A MOON ROCK GUYS I TOUCHED THE BIG BEAUTIFUL MOON WHO IS MY SOUL SISTER WE'RE BASICALLY BFFS NOW.

This was a public service announcement. Brought to you by the letter M.

But for real, they had so many interesting things about flight and planes. I learned a lot about jets and planes, and then I got to play tour guide in the space part. I love space, did you catch that?
My friend Jayson teased me for beelining (bee-lining? belining? whatever) towards a huge globe that used to be owned by the CEO of PanAm. The globe goes up to the waist of an adult, and the CEO used to map out flights on that thing. It was lovely. I like globes and old things, okay?
It goes without saying that the space stuff was ah-mah-zing. We even went to a planetarium show about detecting planets. It was really neat because it related to the work I did in Germany and some of the classwork I did at BYU. Light profiles and variable stars and what-have-you.
DID I MENTION ABOUT THE PART ABOUT THE MOON ROCK CAUSE I FEEL LIKE MAYBE YOU FORGOT THAT BIT. I touched the moon, nbd. High point of my life, really.

who doesn't love the moon?!

Ugh....

      Remember how I'm supposed to take advantage of all my opportunities and live the high life?! That so didn't happen this weekend.
I watched 4 movies, moaned pitifully on my bed, and glared at my wall when sad thoughts came into my head.
      When I read old books about people who were solitary for long bouts of time, I wonder if I would have gone crazy or been okay. If this weekend was a measure, I prolly would have gone crazy. By Sunday night I was recreating those solo dance parties from Germany. And chastising myself Gollum-style. I guess crazy isn't far from me.
      On the up side, I read some, which is like a balm. Here's a great quote from one of the gentlest souls who ever lived. This is from the autobiography of Jacques Lusseyran, a French resistance fighter during WWII, who went blind when he was 8.
"Colors, shapes, even objects, the heaviest of them, all had a vibration. And today, every time I assume the attitude of tender attention, I find the same vibration once again. In those days, when people asked me what was my favorite color, I always answered "green." But I learned later that green was the color of hope."
     Lusseyran was captured during WWII and sent to a concentration camp. He talks about light and humanity and blindness and compassion in the most interesting and sincere ways. I love his book, And There Was Light. 

Things I love

1. this website. just found it. love it.
2. Gilgamesh and Enkidu
3. Temple trips! DC temple is loverly. I saw a couple get engaged! I love love.
4. talks with Tashsa. which always vault me down a path of semi-catharsis.
5. sleep. glorious, beautiful, warm, comfy sleeeeeep.

and this pic:

DC Adventures

Sprinkles is better than DC Cupcakes! I said it! 

    Almost a month without an update! How did my faithful 3 readers survive? Don't worry pearls of my hear, I haven't forgotten you. I just like sleeping more than I like blogging.
   You'll see that I am making the most of my time here... with cupcakes! My first Saturday and inauguration day found me at a lovely little shop in Georgetown called Sprinkles. Which sells delicious cupcakes... cause that's a thing now?
   Not that I'm complaining. They have a s'mores cupcake that's a little bit life changing. I loved it. Don't let people drag you to DC cupcakes... it may be famous cause it's on TV, but Sprinkles is so much better. Trust me. I've done the taste test. Also, Georgetown is adorable. It's a like a cookie cutter town on a Christmas card! I absolutely love it.

I really want to go to a Senate or House hearing one of these days! 

   My favorite part of my first weeks here was arriving to work an hour before I actually have to start. I would walk around the mall and see all the memorials and statues. I particularly love the WWII memorial, but the big famous ones are also lovely. I have all sorts of poetic-y and patriotic feelings whenever I walk around the mall and see the symbols of my great and favorite country. Never forget, my 3 readers: I may have traveled a lot, but I always loved and missed the US the most.
   So far I have only been to two museums. Such a tragedy! I did make it to the National Gallery, where they have a marvelous collection of... well... everything. I have yet to go into the impressionists wing. I just know the moment I step into it, I will be there for the whole day. I love me some impressionists.
AAAAAAAAND I ALSO FOUND OUT THEY HAVE SOME ORIGINAL TURNERS SO I HAVE TO GO SEE THOSE PRONTO.
Turner is the best. Full stop. If you disagree, I am judging you a little bit.

Welcome, indeed! 

 
    It's been a great first month. Learning my new job and the true nuts and bolts of how the government functions, as well as meeting other nice and fun people, seeing such amazing sights, and just soaking it all in is what makes my polymathic heart flutter! I hope I get to stay in DC.
    And when you come to visit me, we will go to Sprinkles. NOT DC cupcakes. And also the Air and Space Museum, because this nerd loves her space. And since you love me, you love it too.