Humidity sucks. Cars suck. EMBRACE THE SUCK.

Checked out Potomac CrossFit this morning and LOVED it. Tara was the kind of coach I like, but she's not there that often because she actually works in Manhattan during the week. Anyway, this was a big group for a Sunday morning free class, but I was pleasantly surprised that the coach noticed that I've done some WODs before. Now, I don't by any means call myself a CFer...but it was nice to have some experience under my belt.

Then I showed what it's done for me:

**WOD**
A) Warm-up
-- Run 400m
-- 25m butt-kicks, high knees, grapevine, shuffle, etc...alternating w/ 25m jog
B) 4 rounds, for time:
-- 200m run
-- 15 KB swings (35#)
-- 10 sit-ups
-- 10 box jumps (20")
Time: 12:48, rx

I'm pleased to announce that I am no longer completely petrified by box jumps, and I don't COMPLETELY suck at them anymore...so I guess everything comes in due time. 35# KB swings were apparently impressive for a girl (the CFer that WOD'd with us did 20, so maybe it is, or maybe she was exhausted from "Eva" yesterday)...and I was the fastest girl, not far behind a male CFer and two other guys.

So, why is all of this comparative info important, you ask?! Because it shows me that I'm doing something right. I can hold my own with female CFers and potential male CFers. I also did feel like I had "boundless energy" today, on day 7 of my personal paleo/Whole30 challenge. I assumed I'd just fall in line with all the other potential new CFers, but I didn't...I kicked this WOD's ass, despite crazy humidity and cars in the path of my 400m run. (You were starting to wonder where the title came from, weren't you?!)

Bottom line: I'm proud, and I need to check out District CrossFit, at Tara's recommendation, because I need to find a box that's convenient for me to attend all the time once I move. And that's that - decision made.

Also: Tara said "sometimes you have to EMBRACE THE SUCK," and if I could have signed on the dotted line right then, I would have. Just a thought for those at District. ;-)

**Note: No, Eric and Erich didn't finish. I think it was something about feeling dizzy...and the name thing was (probably) just a coincidence.

Goals: August

Alright, yes. I realize it's August 6th. I'm re-committing to being accountable here, though, and I'm on the paleo wagon, so there's really no trouble to speak of.

You heard right. Today was day 6 of my Whole30 (31?!), and it's going well. I've found that it's actually easier for me to stick with 100% paleo because there are no excuses and there's no arguing with myself about whether to stay on track...I just do it. So that's been a HUGE success this week.

What has not been a success: WODing. I had a major fail getting back on the wagon here in DC after CrossFitting with Nina all last week, but I'm attributing that to the 12-hour-plus days I had every day this week. No lie, I was at work or commuting for 11-12 hours daily, and then I had something to do after work on Mon, Wed, and Thurs. Craziness. Luckily, that's all behind me now, and I've got 1.5 weeks before Mom comes and I move. The good news I found amidst the craziness: I can stay paleo!

Anyway... I have been wanting to post the goals I set for August, so here ya go:
1) Complete a Whole30 Aug 1-31 at 100%, with the possibility of reverting to 80%+ afterward.
2) Explore DC CrossFit opportunities and decide on one for the school year.
3) Set training schedule (with #2 in mind) of lifting, cardio WODs, mobility WODs, and rest days. Include intramural soccer, if possible.
4) Focus on developing greater upper body strength (esp. shoulders) through PUs, HSPUs, and lifting. I hope my potential new CrossFit coaches will help me figure out how to do this.
5) Finish reading Mark Sisson's The Primal Blueprint.

I'm on my way to a great first Whole30, and tomorrow and Tuesday I've got some exploring to do (see #2, above). Also got in a WOD today, despite being exhausted from the week...

**WOD**
A) Warm-up
-- 20 min slow bike
-- Stretch
B) AMRAP: 15 mins
-- 5 DB shoulder press (30#)
-- 5 squats
-- 10 push-ups
-- 10 sit-ups
Completed: 11 rounds + 5 presses, 3 squats
C) 5 minute squat sit
D) Skill work
-- Push-ups to failure x 3 (22-26-23)
-- Tripods, 3 x 30sec

Ninja's CrossFit

If I could make a decision purely based on fitness/nutrition/physical wellbeing, I'd move home just to train with Nina. Dead serious. I like the variety and surprise of every day, and I definitely can't complain about the coaching skill, either.

Alas, I can't really take that route right now, so I will have to scope out the CrossFit situation in DC. Planning on checking out Potomac CrossFit next weekend when I'm back in town and then hoping to find something closer to my new apartment soon after moving mid-month.

Yesterday I got initiated into Ninja CrossFit (Yeah, I named it. Sorry, Ninz.) That WOD is something to the effect of:
-- 200m run (buy-in)
Then, 5 rounds of:
-- 50m OH lift (45#)
-- 5 tire flips
-- 50m sandbag run (15#)
-- 10 step-ups with sandbag (15#)
-- 5 tire flips
-- 100m run with vest (20#)
Time: 21:27
Was good times...cause I'd definitely been missing real CrossFit.

Today was another good one, with some technique work that I'll definitely be focusing on for the next little while. Since I felt good after yesterday, tried to be a little more aggressive today (...which didn't work out so well in one respect...). I've got the itch to go at it again tomorrow, but I'm going to watch the Cubbies get swept in the afternoon, so I'll have to fend for myself.

Anyway, here's today...

**WOD**
A) Strength & technique
-- Squat technique
-- HSPU (24" box), 3 sets to failure (15-21-17)
B) For time:
-- 10 pistols
-- 20 burpees
-- 100 jump rope
-- 50m sprint
-- 50 OH lunges (15#)
-- 50m sprint
-- 100 jump rope
-- 20 OH sit-ups (15#)
-- 10 pistols
Time: 8:37, w/ box pistols (N: 8:07, Rx)
C) Cool-down/strength
-- L-sits (stacked plates), 10 x 10sec
-- Ring PUs (knee), 3 x 10 reps (6-10-10)

Definitely LOTS to work on, but glad to be able to keep pace, at least. I've definitely got some new things to work on and goals in mind for the next time I'm back... Will be solidifying and getting those in print by the time I leave on Sunday.

Home soon.

Not much to report here today...getting things squared away to go home on Monday for a week. Looking forward to seeing family, some friends, and (of course) WODing with Nina and Julie! Then it'll be back to DC for a month of paleo, a week of class...and packing up to move!


**WOD**
A) Endurance: Run 1.5 miles
B) Strength
-- Lateral pull-downs, 10-10-10 @ 80 lbs
-- Lateral pull-downs, 5-5-5 @ 90 lbs
-- Pectoral flys, 10-10-10 @ 50 lbs

Back at it.

I was wrong about "Chelsea." No, really... I passed out afterward, sans dinner, then woke up in the middle of the night with legs that felt like Jello. Grabbed some thigh sleeves, passed out again, and upon waking in the morning decided that it was a good day for rest.

Proof that a rest day was a good decision: I ran for 5 mins to get to the post office so it wouldn't close before I got there, and my legs felt like bricks. (For the record, it did close before I got there. Serves me right for not just taking it easy.)

After a better night of sleep, I'm back at it today with a made-up WOD that reminded me about the pros and cons of working out on already-sore muscles. I wish I could have done this one outside (been WOD-ing at the elementary school playground, where there are lots of lines for SRs), but after walking back to the post office, I realized that the weather is trying to suffocate me and decided to WOD indoors.


**WOD 1**
A) Warm-up: Walk 1.25 miles, stretch (quad/hamstring focus)
B) AMRAP, 15 minutes
-- 10 burpees (jump @ top, push-up @ bottom)
-- 10 sit-ups
-- 20 mountain climbers (double)
-- 20 push-ups (knee)
Completed: 6 rounds + 8 burpees
C) Forearm plank hold (4 x 30 seconds)

**WOD 2**
Focused muscle endurance sets, with apps:
-- Push-ups, 75 sec rest (16-16-17-17-19-19-16-16-15-16 = 167)
-- Sit-ups, 75 sec rest (26-22-28-26-24 = 126)
-- Squats, 60 sec rest (20-20-20-20-20 = 100) Started this one over with a goal of 250 consecutive, and now it's too easy. :-(

"I feel bad, like I'm interrupting your workout."

...Uh, yeah, moron. That's exactly what you're doing.

Yeah, so this guy got in the middle of my "Chelsea" this evening...twice. Because apparently he didn't understand my look of death at the 8-minute mark, he decided to do it again at the 23rd minute. (I was grateful that he was quicker that time but still annoyed.) For once, I was actually only using one machine and just enough floor space (against the wall, even) to do push-ups, and he had to choose my machine and space. Ugh. Such is the life of an I-want-to-but-can't-really-commit-quite-yet-so-I-just-try-to-mimic-CrossFit-as-best-I-can gym-goer, I guess. Make do without the proper equipment, then try your best to not confuse the crap out of everybody else in the gym. Ugh...what a life.

Alright, rant over.

I liked "Chelsea," but I think I would have liked her better and found her to be more of a challenge if not for the above two problems.

In other news, I applied for a new apartment today, so I should be moving into DC-proper in 29 days. Thrilling and a relief, for sure, to have it done...but I just can't be excited here because I'm still annoyed over said workout. Soooooo, I'll just give you the stats and be done with this post.

(Hope you enjoyed hearing me talk to myself, btw...)


**WOD**
A) Run 400m
B) "Chelsea" (modified): EMOM, 30 mins
(every minute, on the minute, perform a round)
-- 5 pull-ups (angle and equipment setup made these somewhat like ring rows)
-- 10 push-ups (knee)
-- 15 air squats
C) Stretch, stairs (5 floors - OMG, quads!), re-stretch
Completed: 31 sets, but with unintentional rests at 8 & 23 mins. Averaged around 40sec/set.

Screw it.

No, really. Screw this. This is stupid.

I'm not going to force myself to eat crap that, in turn, makes me feel like crap...just because I spent money how many months ago. Really, that makes no sense! In the words of my economics professor (who knew I actually learned something in that class?!), it's a "sunk cost." I spent the money. It's gone either way. I can't make up for it now. So I should move on and make the best choice for myself now, without regard for that. So that's what I'm doing.

The fridge and pantry are getting cleaned out this weekend, sans guilt. I feel just as guilty eating the crap as I do throwing it away, so out it goes. I'm having trouble finding a place to donate the stuff, so if I can find one by weekend's end, it'll go there...otherwise, it's hitting the trash bin. (It's a shame, really, with all the homelessness in DC, but I don't know what else to do...) Sayonara, brown rice!!

PS -- Did I also mention that I bought this shirt as a reward?
Why? Well...for finally being sensible!

**WOD**
-- TBD...gotta actually get some school stuff done for once.

JoLeah.

So today I was uploading the last few of my pictures from DC, including the ones from THE lobby day, and I got to thinking about a young woman named JoLeah.

Now, I'm not sure what you should all know about JoLeah to understand this story, but she's essentially the same age as me, is from Texas and went to Texas A&M. She graduated, I believe, the same semester I did and was working for Invisible Children as a Regional Assistant for How It Ends. In actuality, this job meant she set up the summer and fall Roadie tours and helped to plan our lobbying initiative called How It Ends. Anyway...


So here I am, in the middle of one of the most memorable days of my life. I just got out of a meeting with Senator Feingold's office, and I'm going down to the cafeteria on the ground level (not the basement or the lobby level...the one in-between) of the Hart Senate Office Building. This is seriously EPIC...and I do not just throw that word around. I grab some fries and a veggie burger, and I end up offering a seat at my table to a kind-looking young woman who I know is with Invisible Children. I catch her nametag--"JoLeah Stiles." I recognize that name as one of those famous IC names, but we haven't met.

Then we get to talking, and this girl is simply amazing...inspiring, really. At some point, I get her to tell me about herself and how she got into working with IC and what she's been doing and the whole deal. Immediately, I'm just a bit jealous. I so wish I had the opportunity to do all this with my life.

Then she asks me what I'm studying and such, how I found myself in DC, etc. After talking for, oh, probably 15 minutes, she knows all about my love for DC, desire to work for a nonprofit, love for IC, and want to make a difference in the world...and I feel like I have known this girl FOREVER. All the things I can't tell my family or friends out of fear of them disliking my ideas, I have told her.

Then comes the amazing part. JoLeah is telling me to apply for the Roadie internship. She wants me to become a bigger part of IC. She wants me to move to DC. She wants me to follow my dreams. Basically all the things I know will probably cause some rockiness at home...those are the things she wants me to do. JUMP FIRST, FEAR LATER is, after all, the IC motto.

After 15 minutes, I felt like I had known JoLeah forever. She inspired me. She wanted me to make myself better. We had never met before, but I felt like this girl changed the direction of my life. All the things I WANTED to do...well, somehow now I felt like I had permission to do them.


So now I'm doing a whole lot of planning back at home. Studying for and scheduling the GRE, planning on making my third trip out to DC within a 9-month period, looking at graduate schools...all of the things I need to do to make a big move.

And I can't say it's all because of JoLeah, but she certainly had a part in it. When I was leaving my hostel the morning we started lobbying, a very good friend of mine sent me a text message saying, "Listen to what Someone is telling you today." I very firmly believe that Someone (and that's Someone in particular) was talking to me through JoLeah that day.

To JoLeah: We've only talked a couple times since, but I feel like we've known each other a lifetime. Keep fighting the good fight. Would love to meet up again someday...until then, stay amazing.

August 4 - A Renewed Commitment

Alrighty, so... I've been back from DC for 40 days.

I miss it. And yes, I counted the days.

I'm still trying to think about all the things I learned, all the things I experienced, and all of the people I met in DC. And all of the people I missed back home. I still get a nervous feeling in my stomach when I think about how I missed the people here while I was there for that week.

But then there's the pull factor...and it's pulling harder than ever. Two of my best friends are following their dreams to California this week. (Yes, Shawn Schmalken...I said two of my BEST friends.) I can honestly say I never thought that Nina and I would become such good friends when we started student teaching together, but I love that girl, and I miss her terribly even though she's only been gone four days. And then there's Shawn, and, well, he's just amazing. I'm so tired of having to hear from people that they're not incredible when I tell them they are, so let's just go with it this time, okay?! IC saw something special in that young man, and I see it, too. Go for it...between now and December learn everything you can about nonprofits and cherish every moment...you have no idea how much others are jealous of the opportunity you have. Just do it. When you get back, we have a nonprofit of our own to develop.

So I have to visit SoCal soon.

But back to DC... Now don't get me wrong. There are a million people here I love more than they know, and I get anxious just thinking about having to leave them. But there are fewer and fewer people here as time goes on. When it comes down to it, I'm tired of watching everyone else go for their dreams while I continue to run in place. A song by Shinedown ("Second Chance") has spoken to me lately...I've tried to tell my parents and everyone here why this is so important to me, and now I have to take my chance. So despite everything and everyone that I love here, I have to go because there's no way around it...the path for me to get what I want is not here in Milwaukee.

All that said, I'm working on my commitments with MMUN and getting their delegate guides ready and staffing the conference in February, and I'm studying for the GRE starting this week. As soon as the GRE is done next month, I'm turning to visiting grad schools and filling out applications.

I will not let my options crash down around me, and I will not let life pass me by.

Yes, I am going to keep up with this blog... Why? Because it's kinda grown on me. It saw me through more incredible times in DC than I can count, and I'm heading back. I can feel it.


Final thoughts:
--My fortune cookie tonight read as follows: "Smile often and see what happens." I can't tell you how quickly I smiled and thought of Trent and Nina...love you both. Remember, smiling is the only disease to spread.
--Shawn, I believe in you. Do not EVER forget that. And I'll see you soon. Remember what I said when you offered to help me with the wedding invites? I meant it. <3
--Nina, I miss ya already. If you need absolutely anything, I'll always just be a call away. I know how the teaching gig goes, and I'll be out to visit and fill what little spare time you have as soon as I can. Love ya, girl.

"Well, John, do you think we can sign onto their bill?!"

I'll just cut to the chase--

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! He said yes!

Story time:
This morning we went to Senator Kohl's constituent breakfast, and we got to talk to him personally. He asked if we were in town visiting, and we explained that we were here to lobby for Invisible Children, etc. We talked to him for several minutes, even though his staffers were trying to pull him away. They did take him in for pictures, and when we went in for our picture, he asked if we had talked to anyone on his staff, and of course we had. We pointed out the guy who we talked to (John), who happened to be standing in the room. So Senator Kohl goes, "Well, John, do you think we can sign onto their bill?" And his response was, "I think we can!" with a big smile! (Yes, this from the same guy who was so crabby yesterday...I think he was impressed that we came back.) So hopefully...he's not on the THOMAS database yet, but FIVE OTHER Senators are! (H.R. 2478 and S.1067) Did I forget to mention that TWENTY-EIGHT Representatives were added yesterday as well?!

Incredible.

So then we wanted to say thank you to Senator Feingold if he was available, but he wasn't, so we talked to Peter (whose job I still wanted) again, and he gave us an update on the additional cosponsors since yesterday. THEN Lyndsey, one of the girls in our group, ran into Senator Feingold on the street, and so she did get to say thank you! EXCITING!



In other news, I also went to Union Station, the National Postal Museum (which was actually interesting, contrary to what one might think), and the National Museum of African Art (which was VERY cool) and the adjacent garden. Oh, and I had lunch at Cosi's...a DC tradition. Was a great day...many highs.



I can't tell you, honestly, how great the trip has been. I so love it here, and coming for this event was surely the best impromptu decision I've ever made.

Can't wait to return.

I'll post another blog of quotes and such from the trip when I get home, but there will be many. Stephen Lewis (UN Special Envoy) was HILARIOUS, as was Tom Shadyac (Hollywood director of Ace Ventura, etc, whose movies I don't actually like). And of course, pictures to come on Facebook. <3

DC Local?!

This morning I woke up SUPER dizzy...it was very odd and not very comforting. I drank a LOT of water, though, and I feel better now. (Don't worry, mom. I'm drinking lots of water and being aware of my surroundings. And thanks, Jen, I'm staying safe.) Anyway...

Once I got my wits about me I pull out stuff to get ready for the day, and I ended up meeting some really cool girls from NY in the bathroom, of all places. Apparently I have a tendency to meet really cool people in weird places. I let the one girl borrow my hairspray after I heard her ask someone else, and she said that would never have happened where she lives...people are rude there. (Must be like Chicago.) Then she kept singing "I Just Can't Wait to be King" from the Lion King soundtrack. (I told you, she was a cool girl.) It was hilarious, but then I listened to the lyrics, and they were pretty telling of this trip:

No one saying do this,
No one saying be there,
No one saying stop that,
No one saying see here,
Free to run around all day,
Free to do it all my way!

Also, I learned something new today: In my study, approximately 90% of foreigners have milk in their coffee. (Said study was done during breakfast, of course.)

So I got out this morning, and after going to CVS (the ONLY time I've been hit up for money, so far!) I went to the National Archives. Was great. All the signs say the wait is going to be like an hour to even get in, and I waited like 20 mins, max. So I get in and I saw all kinds of things, including a short film that was oddly inspiring. I want to research something at the National Archives just because I can! (I may actually do that--just something simple--on Wednesday just because.) Of course I look at more things and read everything. So then I get to the part where you can see the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Now you have to imagine ME doing this. Of course, I am super excited. The guard lets me in specially because he says,
"The single visitors I just let go right up to the floor." (He was very cool and let me up through his special rope guide dealy. So there I am, beyond excited to see the founding documents that changed the course of history. My excitement comes crashing down when this mom goes to her son, "Look, the Declaration of Independence! Can you believe this was written in 1779?" INSANE! Of course, I want it to be my job to correct her...but I refrain. That kid's going to be screwed up.

So I eventually leave there and go up to Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street. It's supposedly Bill Cosby's favorite place, and it was quite good (though spicy). It was the most crowded restaurant I've ever been in, though!!! I'd recommend it.

Then I take the Metro back down to the White House Visitor Center. Okay, so, it's nice that it's there and all, but I thought it was lame. I'd much rather just stand in front of the White House and look at it than have the video show me rooms and look at plaques. I'll just say I was underwhelmed and expected better. So needless to say, I left there pretty quickly.

Then I went to the National Gallery of Art--first the sculpture garden and then the East Gallery. This was a LONG walk because I didn't get back on the Metro. (It's not like there's a stop close the the Visitor's Center anyway.) Saw some very cool art, some of which I will upload pictures of later. Now, by this time it's like 6pm and I've been walking for like 9 hours. So I go back to the hostel for...actually, I can't remember why. I think I just went back there after I got frustrated with Cosi's. (It was still open...I called and asked. But the street door--they're in a building suite--was locked. Strange.) I sit down on my bed for like 2 mins and crashed. Woke up like 2 hours later and decided it was really time for dinner now, since it was like 8pm. So I called Oodles Noodles, this sushi and asian noodle place I had heard about, and they were open til 10. (Remember, everything closes early here, so I've learned to call ahead for hours.)

So I find it (with the help of my sister and the internet because this place wasn't on my map), and it was awesome. Great sushi, great noodles (which I actually have leftovers of...mmmmmm!), and a FABULOUS drink. Yes, a drink. I SO deserved it. Rum, cherry liqueur, cranberry, and orange juices. Bacardi Tu Tu Cherry...mmmmmmmm! Oh, and it turns out the name of the place is actually Noori, but I liked "Oodles Noodles" better. :-)

Other notes from the day:
1. I forgot that I don't like the tap water here. Oodles Noodles had good water, though, too.
2. I cannot go like an hour without someone asking me for directions or the like. Apparently I walk around here like I know where I'm going or something. :-) I love it when I can answer confidently. <3
3. The high school girls I met today called me a "lady." That was odd. I am not that old, nor that much older than she is.

Think that's about it...still loving it. HOW IT ENDS starts tomorrow. I am SO PSYCHED!!!

Airports and First Hours in DC

Oh, what a day!

My flight this morning was…interesting. Was supposed to leave Milwaukee on a 7am flight to Chicago, then take a 10:20 flight to DC-Reagan. No big deal, right?! Of course it was! Needless to say, this did not happen. After standing in line for over FORTY (yes, 40!) mins with my mom who wanted to make sure I got my luggage onto my flight without having to check it and trying to self-check-in, I finally made it to the counter when the woman told me my flight was delayed until 9:25. (This I already knew.) I asked her—very politely, mind you—if I could get rerouted through their 8:35 flight to Chicago (which would clearly still get me into Chicago well before the “7:00” flight would have landed at 10:10). She promptly snapped back that it was already overbooked. My fault? Clearly not.

The next flight leaving Milwaukee for Chicago wasn’t until after noon, so she tells me I can take the bus. Said bus leaves in TWELVE minutes. I ask what the cost difference is and she says I have to pay for the bus! Excuse me?! It’s not even raining and there are no late arrivals, so I have no idea why my plane is delayed, but now I have to pay for a bus?! I think not. After more questioning, she says they can either pay for the bus for me ($26) or refund my flight. In that case, yes, I will pay for the bus and get my refund. I agree to pay for the bus, so she prints off some kind of ticket I have to send in to American Airlines to get the refund. Fine. Then she searches high and low for at least 3-4 minues for some special envelope I have to send said ticket in. Okay, got it…and I’ve got like 3 mins left to get to said bus. So she shows another delightfully hilarious girl and me where the bus stops. After going all over the place, we get to the bus stop, and, no lie, pretty much immediately the bus pulls up, takes tickets, and we drive away. That was lucky. (The next bus doesn’t leave for an hour.)

The bus driver says the lady is full of crap…the bus takes longer than she says, so the delightfully hilarious girl is going to miss her next flight to Richmond, though she has now had two chances to make it. Luckily, I should still make my flight.

Bus ride was uneventful. Chicago was…well, rude. Because basically, it’s Chicago. I do not enjoy it there. Pretty much I read Army Wives and watched people run through the airport.

So finally they start calling people to board flights. They go through the zones, and they finally get to mine and I give my ticket to the woman, and she starts to give it back to me, and then she goes, “Oh, there’s a problem.” Extremely uncool. Turns out, the woman in Milwaukee (who seemed a little off to begin with) didn’t notify anyone that I was taking the bus, so they marked me as a no-show. This then cancelled my reservation on the flight to DC! So I explain everything that has happened and she rebooks me on the flight to DC. Fine. Then she has to redo my reservations to come back because those got cancelled as well!!! She says it should all be okay, but I should make sure to check online tonight. Now that my flight is completely rebooked, I can leave to DC.

The kid next to me on the plane was bugging me, but other than that it was fine. No one seemed to realize, though, that some people need to get off the plane in a hurry—namely, me. Found a restroom, got to the shuttle, met some really cool people here for a charter school conference, and all was good. I’ve made it to DC, and boy did I forget how much I love it here!!!

So the people on the shuttle…I ran into them again! What are the odds?! I’m just walking down 11th Street NW, minding my own business but aware of my surroundings, when all of a sudden I hear this voice… “Hey! Hey! Um…Invisible Children girl!” I realized the shouter was talking to me! See, they asked if I was here for the charter school conference, too, and I said no and told them why I’m here – to lobby Congress for Invisible Children. So yeah, in a city this big with this many people, I was shocked.

Went to the Smithsonian Museum of American History today after walking past the Archives, which were PACKED!!! I hope to go there first thing tomorrow, then to a few other things to be told later. Anyway, the museum was very cool, but I only saw a small portion of it. My favorite part was about the military history of the US…it was touching. Also very interesting and unique Presidential artifacts.

Then was trying to go to Ben’s Chili Bowl for dinner but decided to see what was actually in the Old Post Office Pavilion. Turns out, you can actually go up inside of it, all the way to the top where the bells are!!! SO cool. Then grabbed a bite to eat in their food court dealy and hiked (only like 5-6 blocks) back up toward the hostel, stopping at a couple stores along the way. Good stuff.



Things I remembered within the first 6 hours I’ve been here:
1. Everything closes early.
2. There is a Starbucks on every corner. Literally.
3. Just how much I really love this city. <3


New things I learned about DC within the first 6 hours of this trip:
1. I HIGHLY, HIGHLY prefer to stay downtown. HIGHLY.
2. When the museums close, everyone goes to H&M and Barnes and Noble.
3. Even “extended summer hours” end early.
4. You can meet really cool people on shuttles.
5. Summer is really different from winter. Fewer deadbeats in summer, many MANY more tourists (all people in shorts), and lots of music on the streets.
6. This hostel is a BAZILLION times better than the last one.
7. People at this hostel like to stay in, even in the middle of the day. LAME.