Mt Vernon

 This is and will probably remain one of our favorite places to visit. I love learning about George Washington.  His influence on the United States is overwhelming. You know when you go on those church history tours and those places you visit feel so important and special. Well, that is how I felt on Mt. Vernon.

Some things I learned:
George Washington had no children other than his two step-children.
He was buried on his property (the picture of door that David is standing in front of) and later moved to a different part of his property to a different memorial/cave thing.
He released all of the slaves he "owned" in his will. And for the time period he treated them quite well.
He died of a rather simple disease of the throat and it was sudden. He died a day and half after getting it.
Enjoyed inventions such as a swivel chair that he took everywhere he went.

The only regret is that we missed the slave memorial on the property. We are going back in a month or so when the weather has changed and I'll be sure to include that memorial. We went out there 3 weeks ago and here are a some pictures.

 Walnut tree that was really old I think early 1800's. I love trees. They had a bunch in the front that were 1700's.

 

Those are keys in David's in hands...It's his new thing. That is George and Martha's original burial place.

The back...not sure how I didn't get a picture of the front.

View of the Potomac. Across the river is a National Forest so that this view would be preserved.

David and I would have to agree Mr. Washington....

Job Interview

I interviewed at this awesome gym in Bethesda, MD. Oh how I wish in so many ways that we were staying here for a few years because I know I could have gotten the job if I wasn't leaving in a few months. The gym was very similar to Energy Explosion (my job in Utah) and so was the boss in that he was chill and practiced what he believes and teaches. Perfect for me! Freedom to plan my workout but resources and experience around me for when I need help or have a question. Plus, the pay was great! They had this really cool equipment called Keiser Air Resistance...I won't try to explain it but just know that it was cool.

I really am missing having a job. I am missing interactions with clients and motivation they give me. In a way I hate this in between stage where I would love to get experience and prepare to one day open my own gym. But I also realize that this stage is just part of our lives for now. I am also told to enjoy it because it just gets crazier from here on out.

Here are some pretty pictures, just because.

 Oh these are my new favs... I want!

Life....

Yesterday I was playing in some pick up games down at George Washington University. I got asked a few times if I went to Yale because my BYU shirt looks like Yale logo. I laughed and joked about it with David and he said, "You could've gone to Yale." And I said, "Yeah if I redid my life and had a GPA worth mentioning..." and some more that sounds awfully depressing to write. Basically if I would've have cared more and worked. At all. I can't tell if this discussion is exciting or depressing. How cool is it that if I wanted to do something like that I could have?! I have options in life. Or how sad is that, that I wasted so much time?
I really am happy where I am now but I can't help but think....

 I am impressed with people that display a lot of discipline and look at the big picture, more-than-the-coming-week picture and do well in school or in a skill. We went for a walk passed the White House last night and I again my thoughts went that direction. For the most part those people that own businesses or live in the White House are just people that have worked really hard. 

DC 3rd Ward, It's the best

I think my favorite thing about DC so far is the ward we are in.  Every Sunday I get so excited to go to church. This is where I wish I were a better writer so that I could describe it....so that means you have to come see for yourselves!
You get there for Sacrament meeting and the Elders this adorable elderly lady greet you at the door.
There are 8 Elders and a few couple missionaries assigned to our ward alone!
This ward is definitely diverse and no cares what you look like, they just want to be your friend, feel welcome, and feel The Spirit.
I sometimes smell cigarette smoke very strongly. Makes me think of that quote by President Kimball essentially saying that he loves the smell of cigarette smoke in Sacrament meeting because it is someone trying to change.
Everyone that talks or conducts says, "Good afternoon." And everyone in the congregation says it back! It's simple but wonderful.
After the meeting ends Brother Pimosi (sp?) gets up to welcome and invite visitors to introduce themselves. Brother Pimosi has this great big booming charismatic voice. He is from D.R. of Congo and he has this beautiful french accent. Imagine the most friendly, big, charismatic, and funny man and that is him. Every ward needs a Brother Pimosi.
The classes are filled with people excited to learn, unafraid to ask questions, and many say what they are thinking. It's back to the basics of the Gospel.
Members are involved in each others lives and not scared to ask for help.
Parties thrown for baptisms, members farewells...basically they get together whenever they can.
They have a tutor program for anyone of any age where they get dinner and to learn to read or something they want to work on. And it's not just for the members.

I know it is going to be hard to leave this ward. I am definitely work on being more welcoming and comfortable with others in our future wards.

Moving to Washington D.C.

David and I moved to DC almost a month ago...whew time flies. The major things that have changed for us: Walking everywhere- We rode in our friends truck on Sunday and man did it feel weird to be in a car for the first time in three weeks! 

Metro and buses- They have changed how I think of distances. If we want to go to a place 2.8 miles away it's a 45 minute metro ride instead of 15 minutes in the car. 

Church- We ride a bus to church and it takes almost an hour! I know I have been spoiled growing up a whopping 4.13 minute walk away from our church.

Food (my favorite)- We walk to the grocery store and the ones close are Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and CVS. CVS is expensive and only has chips and crap. The first two are expensive and mostly organic! We have organic mustard and hand soap! Oh and you pay for the grocery bags. Oh and they are paper. Oh and don't walk home in the rain because paper bags....well you know, don't last in water. I learned that one the hard way this week. 

Gym-George Washington University allows us to work out at their gym so I job there in about 10 minutes. I love running (which usually find boring and painful) here because it's interesting. I try to do a weekly run down The Mall, Washington Memorial and the Lincoln Monument. I love to run the Lincoln Memorial stairs and feel like rocky...minus the jumping at the top. I'm way too self-conscious to do that! And I just joined LA boxing. I love love love boxing. 

Family-none. Weird! I have never been very far from family and I miss them but at the same time enjoy a little change up. 

Mountains- I never know which direction I am going. I am picking up on the grid system they have here though.

Here are some pictures so far.

Just off the plane and waiting for the metro with ALL of our luggage.

 Our old-school-pull-down-from-the-wall bed.

 David's work! The Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building

 Across the street....I should take a picture of our building too huh.

Since I can't find a job

Today I went to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. It got me thinking again about starting a blog since I can't find a job I might as well work my brain. Over the last couple weeks I have had a lot of ideas bouncing around and to be frank I don't want to put them on Facebook. I want to bounce ideas around about religion, nutrition, history, exercise (possibly anything that comes to mind) and also post pictures of experiences and places I go. Be patient with my writing skills.