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[15 Aug 2004|01:25am] |
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I'm going to update and spare the details. It just takes too long.
Friday the 6th - I went to a Crosby, Stills, and Nash concert and I had a good time and it was a good experience. Steven Stills and Graham Nash performed most of the night with no shoes and no socks on. They are so cool and laid back ; it is awesome. Well my mom and I went and I loved it, and got to hear my favorite song by them, Southern Cross. A lot of their new songs where played which was cool, but no Suite: Judy Blue Eyes. I was expecting that though.
Saturday the 7th - Didn't do much except back for DC. or put off packing for DC. That night my dad, sister, and I went to Sidetracks with the aunts, uncles, and couple cousins in Fairfield then to Aunt Nancy's house for dessert. Twas a nice night, as always when the family gets together.
Sunday the 8th - My cousin Michelle's baby shower. We had wraps and salads and it was yummy. I got to help with the gift unwrapping and stacking deal, comes with the title Cousin. After that we left a little early and went home to leave for DC. We brought my cousin Krissy back with us to DC because she lives in Alexandria, VA, right outside of DC. So Gail, Erik, Matt, my mom, Amanda, and I were in the car for the 6/7 hour drive. We had a DVD player to pass the time but the boys picked the movies. We got to pick em on the way home though ^^. So we got to the city around 10:30 at night or so and Mike picked up Krissy at our hotel, the Courtyard Marriott on Connecticut Ave. So we had a little bit of home with us, or under us if that makes sense.
So we headed out down the street in search of a place to have dinner and we ended up at this bar and most of us had cheeseburgers. I had a bacon cheeseburger and it wasn't half bad. On the way back to the hotel we decided to walk down some streets near by and we saw these beautiful houses with pretty gardens and ivy, and they were important places. Like embassies. But it was scurrry though because it was around midnight and there were no street lights. So we walked back to the hotel and went to sleep.
Monday the 9th - We woke up early around 7ish and got ready for a busy day of walking the streets of DC. We ate breakfast at this buffet place down the street which became our breakfast place every morning, and it was yummy. Like most food and the chocolate milk from Heaven. Well we actually took a trolley tour, but still did lots of walking, where there were 17 stops and you can get off and on at them when you want to. So we got on at Dupont Circle, which was the neighborhood our hotel was located in and the first stop we got off at was the National Cathedral (the 6th biggest church in the US.) And yes it was huge. We spent around an hour to two there and it was beautiful. Took 83 years to complete if I remember correctly.
Well after that we got back on the trolley and got off at the Mall area and took a shuttle to Arlington Cemetery. It was scorching by the way. And the cemetery is beautiful, even though it is a cemetery. All the gravestones line up in perfect lines, diagonally front ways and back ways and sideways and everyway.
So we took another trolley to the Kennedy's graves and then saw the changing of the guards at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier(s). Wow, I have mucho respect for those guards. They have to do everything perfectly, from the number of steps they take to having the correct timing for everything. They can't turn their heads or swat away flys or mess up. I was amazed at the perfection.
So after that we saw the memorials for the Challenger and Columbia flights, and the mast of the USS Maine. We got back on the trolley and passed the Arlington House, deciding not to go in it. I wanted to though.
Once we left the Cemetery and got back to the Mall we saw the FDR Monument (my first time and it was very pretty with waterfalls and everything,) the Korean Memorial (beautiful), the Lincoln Memorial (beautiful), the Washington Monument across the Reflecting Pool (beautiful), and the Vietnam Memorial. It is a beautiful monument but it was "under construction" and was covered up so we couldn't see all of it. It was a dissapointment for Gail and the boys because Mike was in Vietnam. I was dissapointed too, but there was nothing we could do.
After the monuments and the refreshing ice cream, we got back on the trolley and just enjoyed our ride back to the hotel. We passed a bunch of interesting places like the Old Post Office, Union Station, The Capitol, White House, and lots of other places too. It was around dinner time by then so we went and had food at Anna Maria's, a restraunt down the street from the hotel. After that we went back to the hotel and relaxed.
Tuesday the 10th - We museumed it up. So we woke up early yet again and caught the Metro, which became our friend quickly andeventually. It was both. So we went to the National Museum of Natural History and it was pretty boring except the Jewels and Gems section, where the Hope Diamond was lodged. I'm glad I can say I saw it but it wasn't that special. Oh yea, there was nifty Monopoly board made out of gold and jewels and Amanda and I just had to take pictures. And we did.
Afterwards Gail, Erik, and Matt went to the Space Museum while my mom, Amanda, and I went to the National Archives. The main and one of the only exhibits there was the Bill of Rights, Constitution, and Declaration of Independance. So we waited in line for a bit and then got to see these important part of American history artifacts. Took pictures but doubt they came out because the flash wasn't aloud to be used.
So after this we all met back up again and then we hit up a on-the-side-of-the-road merchandise stand. Amanda and I each got a Washington DC hoodie for 20 bucks. It's warm too. I also bought a bundle of postcards and a "I heart DC shirt" which I feel bad about because I didn't get Mallory one. Then we walked through a little sculpture garden and saw this cool fountain which I learned is turned into an ice skating rink in the winter. How spiffy.
Then we walked around a bit to the Bureau of Engraving and learned that if we wanted to see how money was made, we would have had to reserve a spot 30 days in advance and have had a background check done on us. So we were out of luck there.
The Zubers really wanted to see the White House, so we got on the Metro and off at McPherson's Square. Construction was being done infront of the WH, so we had to walk around to the back. Amanda and I were talking about how we probably weren't going to see anything because bushes (haha bushes) would be in our way, but then out of no where we were walking down the street and the White House appeared. The back of the White House. We had photo ops and took em, and then left. We actually got to see the back of the WH pretty good though, even though there was a fence in the way.
Well after that escapade we were walking back to the Metro when the adults decided to take a peek inside the Hotel Washington which was down the street. We ended up going to the rooftop terrace restraunt and had little appetizers. Amanda and I sat together and the rest sat at a different table. It was pretty expensive so Amanda and I got 6 buck chicken tender things, one of the cheapest foods on the menu. We had a beautiful view of Washington and the top of the White House. Two "snipers" or whatever they are called where on the WH roof to keep it safe, and we could see 'em. And we could also see plenty of American Flags. Around 40. We counted.
Afterwards when we were leaving we learned that staying at the Hotel Washington would have been like 3 dollars more than our hotel. And it was much much prettier and closer to everything. Next time.
So after that we got on the Metro to Kings Street I believe, and my Aunt Laureen and cousin Mike (Krissy's husband) picked us up because we were having dinner at Krissy's. So we drove to her house in Alexandria. Amanda and I ended up going with Krissy to get the crabs we were having for dinner, and we got to drive back into DC and actually onto the streets we had just been walking that day. We also passed the Pentagon.
So we had steak and crabs for dinner, and it was realllly good and realllly messy. I hadn't had crabs since the last time I was on DC, and I had forgotten how messy it actually was. But yummy. For dessert we had ice cream sundaes xD, with M & Ms. ^^.
Erik had my Aunt Laureen as a teacher like 3 years ago, so it musta been sort of awkward for him to have dinner with her. I think he enjoyed it though. They talked and everybody was merry. Then we left later that night and got back on the Metro to China Town then switched to the Red Line and got back to Dupont Circle. Which has the loooongest escalator ride, but that's awesome. We accidently got out of the wrong exit so we had to walk down a couple extra blocks, but it was interesting seeing what stores were around. We passed like 3 Starbucks just walking back to our hotel. I didn't mind that at all though. So then we went to sleep after another busy day.
Wednesday the 11th - Woke up early to meet my Aunt Valerie and Aunt Laureen at the WW II monument. It just opened this year and it was very beautiful and I'm glad they finally made a WW II monument. It was overdue. So we walked around and took pictures, the usual. A lot of veterans where there, I could tell. Like I can tell the tourists from residents.
After that we found out where the Spy Museum was and walked to it. It was a cool museum and we spent nearly 3 hours in it for the little price of 13 dollars. I was Angelina Falcone, age 21 from Italy. Don't ask. So we saw a lot of neat stuff about spies and I learned a lot. I thought it was a pretty cool museum and it just opened about 2 years ago too. So it was nice and new. In the gift shop Amanda and I bought stickers and postcards to put in our scrapbooks when we make 'em for DC, and my mom bought a book about how to be a spy (which I'm reading) and the Worst Case Scenerio handbook.
After that we went to Ford's Theatre down the street and it is still a working theatre. Nobody can sit in Lincoln's box though. Well this lady narrated what happened that night of April 15th, and I had goosebumps. Afterwards we got to go downstairs and see artifacts, like the gun used and the clothing Lincoln was wearing. Sort of grusum, eh? We also saw the House Where Lincoln Died which was across the street. Then we went to the Hard Rock Cafe which was unlifting, considering the depressing places we had just been.
I had never been to a HRC before, but it is awesome. Signed stuff was on the walls by people like Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, the members of Zeppelin and the Doors and many many more people and things. I had a good time and the atmosphere was nice and the food was good and it was lovely. The lovely part was when it started hailing and thundering and lightninging and pouring minutes after we made it inside. So we had found refuge.
After dinner we hit up that gift shop, and I got a 20 dollar shirt but it's really pretty. Amanda got a shirt too and the Zubers got a few things.
So then we took the Metro again to the monuments and saw them at night. They are beautiful during the day and like astounding at night. We walked to the WWII one first and saw that and then walked along the Reflecting Pool to the Lincoln Memorial hoping not to step in geese poo. Everybody was tired and lazy though. I was the only one who actually walked to the top of the Lincoln Monument once we got there and I took pictures. We then walked over to the Korean Monument which is eery and also comforting, if you can believe it. There is a wall carved with faces, and the statues of the men walking through the "swamp land" or where ever they are reflect on the wall and it looks really beautiful. You can't just see the monuments during the day, because when you see them at night you get a totally different affect.
After viewing the monuments we would have had to walk about a half a mile back to the Metro Station but this nice coach bus driver drove us there on the air conditioned coach bus with comfy cushioned seats. That was a wonderful thing. So we took the Metro back to the hotel and just relaxed and watched TV and I talked to Mallory on the phone as I forgot to mention I did every night because she always called.
Thursday the 12th - Day of resting, relaxation, and shopping. First of all I had to mail my 8 postcards I wrote out the night before, so Amanda and I walked to the post office down the street. Then I was on a muffin hunt. And I found a cranberry orange one at the Starbucks. I also had a strawberries and cream drink thing, and it was a lovely breakfast with just me and Amanda. She had a danish. Lalala. Then one word - Georgetown. So we splurged and took a taxi there and went shopping. There was this cool store with like hand-made items in it and the guy was like wrapping these scarves around me and Amanda lol and trying to pursuade us to buy 'em. We didn't. And they were selling bongs in there too which I found interesting. So we walked around and looked at all the cool shops and then had homemade ice cream and it was delicious. We walked around some more and then Amanda and I went in the 3 story American Eagle and both emerged with a 5 dollar skirt and 5 dollar shirt each.
We also walked down some side streets of Georgetown where the houses are located. They are AMAZINGLY pretty and small. And expensive. One 1/4 the size of my house would go for about half a million dollars. Mostly politicians and business men/woman live there. Well the houses are very skinny and pretty. To paint your house there you have to get permission.
Well soon it began to rain so we went down these escalators into this mall. Which was somewhat underground and the prettiest mall I had ever been in. There were fountains and hanging plants and murals and everything. I took many a pictures.
So let's see what I bought there. Two bamboo type rice lanterns for my room when I redo it for 5 dollars each. Amanda got two too. And then I got a shirt at H & M (awesome store) for about 7 dollars and a necklace for Ali for toe bucks. There was a leak in the ceiling and it was so cool because it was literally raining inside. Like misting type rain. But it looked really awesome.
So after all the shopping we got a taxi back to the hotel and ordered in pizza for the night and just relaxed like usual.
Friday the 13th (which I didn't realize 'til it was nearly over) - Our last day in Washington. We spent the morning packing and checked out by noon. Then we went and found J & R's to get my dad cigars but they didn't have any of the ones he wanted, so we hit the road. During the car ride Amanda had to sit in the back with Matt because I won the flipping of the coin. Haha for her. Well we watched Donnie Darko and Office Space and some family guy and I was happy. Except for how nobody wanted to stay in Philly for the night (because John Mayer was doing an in-store performance and signing today there.) Oh well. I can't have everything ya know. So we continued the journey and got caught up in traffic and finally got into CT. Where we had a couple hours of traffic alone. We finally got home around 6:30 or so. Amanda and the Zubers went home and I just caught up on things and unpacked.
Today I did laundry because everything of mine had gotten soaked on the roof of the car. I also went to the Guitar Center, Dick's, Costco, and Walmart. PLR was at the Guitar Center. I got to try out some guitars; it was cool. Dicks had those folding lawn chair put-in-the-bag thingys for 4 dollars. Costco had food and MUFFINS. Walmart had the photo developing center for my seven disposable cameras. Now those pictures are gonna be expensive.
Now I must go, I've been writing for over an hour and John Mayer is on my mind. Tonight is the night, the concert. I already have that excited feeling you get when you are waiting for Christmas morning and are lying in bed, or when you are about to go some place exciting, as I am. So good night, I need rest. But I'm not tired. But I must sleep. I'm gonna have fun tonight. Even though it's gonna rain, I have seats. Sucks for lawn. They will truly be Covered In Rain. xox
So maybe I didn't spare all the details, only some ^^.
I like to eat an orange
With my friend George Malakornge
I like to eat an orange
With my friend George Malakornge
So juicy sweet, so good to eat,
An orange with George Malakornge
I love John Mayer :)
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