Kite Festival

The KITE FESTIVAL was amazing!  I was hoping that it was going to be just like the kite festivals in Afghanistan with kite battles and competition, but it wasn't quite like that. Although it was amazing with hundreds of kites flying over the mall.  Before yesterday I had never really flown a kite, I basically became a pro yesterday after making a fool of myself because my kite crashed into a group of people and I almost ran into a garbage truck trying to make my kite fly.  I went with my ward, Kimball, and John.  The Kite Festival is in honor of the beginning of the Cherry Blossom Festival, which is beautiful with pink flowers blooming everywhere.  

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!  I went to mass at the National Cathedral on Easter with my cousin Kellen, Megan, Liz, and Kimball.  It was beautiful and early in the morning.  I was tired the rest of the day and accidentally feel asleep a few times during my church. 

My long lost cousin Kellen came to visit from New York.  I haven't seen him since before my mission.  We had a fabulous weekend.  We went to a jazz concert in the southeast area of D.C., we were the only white people at the concert.  It was awesome.  We also went into the Library of Congress and were allowed to go into the restricted area because of my job, which was exciting.  I took Kellen to my favorite area, Dupont Circle and went to my favorite bookstore, Krammer's. We went to the National Portrait Gallery to see the Stephen Colbert painting in between the women's and men's bathroom.  The weekend turned out to be a fabulous one.  I hope that you all had a fabulous Easter.

Utah People Working Together

"Utah, what a great place to be..."  This past weekend I was in Salt Lake.  I love it there so much!  I went home for Jeff and Whitney's wedding, which was on Tuesday.

My favorite part of Utah are the people.  While in Utah, I was able to see my Grandma Bev who is just fabulous.  She made my cousins and me french toast with bacon fat for breakfast, it was awesome. I saw my parents, which is always exciting.  I loved seeing Chase, I can annoy him in under twenty seconds; which is one of the reasons why I love him so much.  I had food club with some college friends.  I saw Andrew and Laura's new baby, Brayden, he is huge and so cute.  I hung out with Mitch, which was just wonderful.

This past weekend, I also skied with Mitch.  I was amazed by how much powder there still is in Utah.  Every time I ski, I have to remind myself that the likelyhood of me dying is very slim.  I get so scared skiing, I have no idea why; I have been skiing since I was little.  So when I ski, I ski so slow.  Good thing the people I ski with are patient with me.

The wedding was on Tuesday, Whitney looked beautiful and in love.  Jeff and Whit had their reception at Red Butte Gardens, which was perfect for Whit and Jeff; since Jeff is the biggest Ute fan in the entire world.  

I was sad to leave Utah on Tuesday night as I took the red-eye back to D.C.  I was  so tired yesterday at work, I even fell asleep at my desk.  Hopefully no one saw me.  

Basically I love UTAH!

Happy Birthday Kimball!

Life is good in the District, I have been working overtime so that I can come to Utah tomorrow.  I am so excited to see everyone!  

This past weekend, I went with two of my roommates and Kimball to Arlington Cemetery.  The last time I went to Arlington, Jenna and I were so lost that we didn't see most of the cemetery, even though we told ourselves we did.  The sun was shinning at Arlington and it ended up being a wonderful day.  Later that day I made smores with my friend Liz in her fireplace.  I felt just like we were in the Mountains, yea right.  

I think the highlight of my week was today when I saw Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.  I tried to wave at Obama, but he didn't see me.   

So today is Kimball's birthday, therefore I felt it completely necessary to have a picture to honor his birth.  Happy Birthday Kimball!

 

Lisa and Mount Vernon

This past week has been just great.  I have to mention how fabulous my Monday was, I was a missionary again, my greatest desire....j/k.  No seriously I went with the sisters on splits and I had multiple flashbacks of my mission and I felt great joy!

To continue with this week, my friend Lisa, who is from Bountiful, was in town on Friday night. We went to the Portrait Gallery and I met this awesome old woman just eating her food in the gallery, just kidding...she's not real.  

On Saturday I went to Mount Vernon for the third time, Lisa really wanted to go there.  It's a good thing that I have a season's pass.  Let me just say that it was quite an adventure to get to Mount Vernon which involved:  a long metro ride, a woman from Louisiana named Melody, one bus ride, a fake bus ride, a veterinarian clinic, and a nice woman who loves dogs.  After two and a half hours we finally arrived at Mount Vernon and I had met an amazing woman who wants me to marry her son.  I might have to pass.

My Favorite Places in D.C.

1. The Jefferson Monument...I have only been to this monument at night, but I have never seen something more beautiful at night without mountains. My first friday in D.C., my good friend Bobby was trying to drive me home and we got lost. We ended up at the Jefferson and decided to take advantage of the situation, it was a great introduction into D.C.

2. Mount Vernon...I have spent two days at Mount Vernon, which is in Virginia about 30 minutes away from D.C. I spent President's Day there with Bobby, who has been a life saver for me out here.

3. The National Cathedral...which is about a thirty minute walk from my house. It is the most amazing cathedral that I have seen in America. It reminds me of my time in Europe and of my mission in Lithuania.

4. Kramerbooks...this store is in Dupont Circle (three metro stops away from my house). This bookstore was recommend to me by a dear friend, and I have spent countless hours there with great friends. (www.kramers.com)

5. The Capitol...this is where I spend most of time and part of my job is to give tours, I love giving tours!

The D.C. Experience

I just moved to Washington D.C. about two months ago to do an internship up on Capital Hill.  I am having a great time and I am slowly but surely getting acquainted with the city.  Every once in while I miss my metro stop because I am to interested in reading my book and a couple of times I have just gone the wrong way. 

I am living with three new friends and enjoying every second.  One of my roommates, Boggs, loves to run with me and loves to be active with me every second of our free time.  Which is just what I need to make any experience complete.

I am brand new at blogging, but decided to start a blog to keep my parents updated on my life.  I love D.C., but nothing compares with the beauty of Utah.