Monument Hunting

This last week I tried to visit the Iwo Jima memorial in Arlington National Cemetery. You know, the statue of the 5 soldiers hoisting the American flag. I actually tried to listen to a book about it once on CD as I traveled to and from work. The first chapter was interesting but the reader was putting me dangerously to sleep. I decided it was not worth my life and gave up after several attempts. The only thing I really remember from it was that it occurred on a volcano.

As you may have noticed, I wrote that I tried to visit the memorial. It was a chilly night and my small group decided not to take the trusty Metro. We drove instead, taking the trusty, heated car. The good news is we found it. It looked like this:

(Thanks Google Images!)

The bad news is we could not figure out how to get the car to it. It was a beautiful sight from the freeway though! Instead of patiently figuring it out, we just kept driving. You're bound to run into a monument at some point when you're in DC right? RIGHT!! We discovered this beauty:

(Thanks Google Images!)

The Air Force Memorial! It is SO HUGE! According to one of the people in our group, it supposedly represents three jets taking off. We even got to get out of the car and see it up close. (Not that you really need to.) The view from there was gorgeous too! We could see most of the major monuments from the platform. Really cool.

Afterward we walked around Old Town Alexandria and drank hot chocolate. I think this sums it up:

(Thanks Google Images!)

The moral of this story: you should all come visit me because we are bound to find SOMETHING to do!

Puffin Billy

I spent my day with a friend I met about a year ago. His name is Puffin Billy and we met when I decided I wanted to play the harmonica. I found him on Youtube and I just know you guys would love him too. Without further ado:



It was this video that made me first realize Billy and I would be bosom buddies. How can you not love that eyebrow action?




Billy showed me this little number for the first time tonight. I think I'll ask him to play it at my wedding someday.

Unfortunately my harmonica playing skills are nowhere near Billy's, but he has taught me everything I know. I hope you enjoyed meeting him! Back to practicing!

Happy Veteran's Day!

I went to Arlington National Cemetery to honor our vets this week. (Having national holidays off is an excellent perk to working in DC.) I want you all to see what I saw, which may be difficult since I don't have a camera, but Google Images and I will do our best.


My intention was to attend the wreathing ceremony conducted by Vice President Biden, but I realized that 45 minutes early is, apparently, not early enough. I was bummed about not being able to attend, because only ONE section of the cemetery was open while the VP was present. It was the Iraq/Afghanistan Section. Boy was I glad I missed the ceremony and went there instead!


Passing through the never-ending rows of headstones was humbling. Reality hit a little harder with each step as I passed the newly-created graves that had not yet been tucked-in tight with sod; as if they were children put to bed without their blankets. There was one grave that hit me HARD. His name was Scott. Scott was born only two years before me and died just a few months ago while I was on Spring Break visiting my family. Below his name was engraved Beloved Son, Husband, and Father. Just below that, on the grass, was an awkward arrangement made of fallen leaves and a stick; evidence of a grieving child. I was glad to be wearing sunglasses to hide my tears.


I wish you all could see the families who were there to visit someone specific. My favorite family was a couple in their 50s (?). They were camped-out in their red lawn chairs facing one of the many plain, white headstones. Neither of them said more than a word or two or even diverted their eyes to much else. They just sat in their solemnity, eyes forward. As I passed by, I noticed the individual to which they were paying tribute had died earlier this year and was only a few years older than myself. It was beautiful to see their tender love and respect, yet heart-wrenching to witness their sorrow.

As I wandered through the hundreds of thousands of graves, I couldn't help but think about why so many men and women had to die. I came up with multiple answers, but they all ultimately came back to one thing, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This nation was founded and has been protected so that the Gospel could be restored again and have a place to thrive. Our country has had to interfere with other nations' conflict so that the Gospel could continue to roll forth throughout the world.

I think John F. Kennedy said it all:

The energy, the faith, the devotion
which we bring to this endeavor
will light our country
and all who serve it,
and the glow from that fire
can truly light the world.

I am truly grateful to those who have sacrificed so much for this great cause. Both those who are selfless enough to risk their lives, and those who are selfless enough to let their loved ones risk their lives. Thank you Veterans!!

My Good Friend Norman

I went to an exhibit featuring Norman Rockwell at the Smithsonian American Art Museum today. It was delightful! Norman Rockwell truly had a gift for telling stories by capturing expression. As a result of this gift, he stirs all sorts of emotions in his audience. Not only is it fun to see the expressions captured in his paintings, but also to see the expressions of those viewing his works. Of all the paintings they had on display (which I am guessing is only a small collection), I have decided to share my favorites with you. Just remember, I am not an art critic, I am a 24 year old girl who loves to laugh and dream. We'll save the best for last, shall we? (All of the images in this blog post have come from Google Images.)

7. The JuryI just love the variety of expression and body language. My favorite is the female juror. You can just see the frustration she is creating in that room, yet she is standing firm.

6. Peach Crop

One word: Romantic. I must tell you the story behind this one: The young man is a medical student, working to earn his last year's tuition on a peach orchard, while his wealthy, beautiful, socialite fiancee is away in the city. In this scene the sharecropper's daughter has injured herself and the young man comes to her rescue only to realize she has stolen his heart. I feel like Anne of Green Gables when I think about it, putting myself in the place of that poor, distressed damsel.

5. Window Washer
How can you not chuckle at this one? I would love to be on the receiving end of that wink. I like to think they have met before, but she wants a guy with more class. Luckily for her, he's persistent, and they'll eventually end up together. Doesn't it seem like a scene from Thoroughly Modern Millie?

4. The Flirts
I absolutely love this one. I didn't just chuckle at this one. I full-out laughed. I just love the expressions of the two men in the truck. I think she made their day, and I'll bet they made hers too; she's just not willing to show it.

3. Three Gossips
This painting is hilarious to me. I wish I knew the details of the background better. Apparently Norman had a difficult time finding models who were goofy-looking enough. He eventually settled on a male model who posed for all three of the women. Apparently Norman thoroughly enjoyed watching his friend prancing around the studio dressed as a woman. The best part though, is the expression of the woman standing next to me. I don't know if I can put it into words: confusion, repulsion, weirded-out? I don't think she had read the background of it yet.

2. Boy Reading Adventure Story
I do this when I read. I have lived on prairies while Captain Jack tried to steal my heart; I have worked in potato fields in Poland while hiding from Nazis; I have lived in a bright pink house and harvested honey with black women; I have ridden down a hill in a Red Flyer with my good buddy Hobbes; I have been the Italian heiress of my deceased mother's fortune; I have rejected the proposal of Mr. Collins, but not without laughing; I have attended Hogwarts; I have escaped from the Chateau d'If, I have survived in the wilderness with nothing but a hatchet; I once made a sponge cake with real sponges on accident; I have survived the Fire Swamp and R.O.U.S.s with my true love.

1. Going and Coming
Oh the expression! I love to see the changes in everyone's (except for Grandma's) expressions. This one strikes home. Family vacations always seem like a good idea, but they are exhausting on so many levels!

After going through this exhibit and reading all the personal stories from Norman Rockwell's life, I truly feel as though I have made a dear friend. I just kept thinking how much he would have loved to see the many expressions of his admirers: reminiscent, jolly, proud, touched, content, weirded-out, sympathetic, analytical, patriotic. It was as if you could see the child within each individual by the looks on their faces. The expression I repeatedly found coming to my face was pure delight with a full, toothy smile.

The Big City

This is what I see every day on my commute to work. My favorite part of the day is my commute because I love to people-watch. It fascinates me to see their shoes. Some people take their shoes very seriously around here and would not be caught dead in anything that is not designer. On the other hand, there are those who are not willing to sacrifice their feet for style; they have flip flops or tennis shoes on their feet, high-heels in their hand.


I recently moved to Maryland, and I LOVE it! Besides the bagel shop and the vegetarian, kosher pizzeria down the street, there are also lots of bike trails! I have not explored them yet, but I am excited to do so. I hear the DC temple is only 10-15 minutes away on bike!


I love the weather here! It has been nice and sunny until recently. I've learned if a storm has a name, it means business. It's fun to hear it outside, and I actually do like to walk in it if I have an umbrella. The only exception is the day I was walking to the metro in my cute rain coat and matching umbrella. I was walking down the street looking very movie-esk and minding my own business when a car drove by and splashed me! I was SOAKED! It was one of those moments you think only happens in the movies. The only thing that was missing was the paparazzi. It was absurd and I don't think I will imagine being a movie star for a while.

Parallel Parking

(Thanks Google Images!)

Parallel parking has been my biggest impediment in the driving world. It was the only day I received a "C" in driver's ed. I recently have made huge bounds of progress in overcoming this obstacle. I discovered a secret, it's much easier to back in than to pull in- remember that all you future drivers, as I somehow missed it for eight long years of never getting the close spot because it was between two cars. With this newly-found secret tucked away in my pocket, I have begun battle with the parking gods. Just yesterday, Emily and I were driving around Washington D.C., and, wouldn't you know it, we were looking for a parking spot. We found one, oh yes we found one, right between two other cars. I with my, oh-so-confident bring-it-on attitude, proceded to back in, traffic whirring on the other side of us. After a few attempts of getting nowhere, I finally gave up with a sigh of exasperation. I had failed. The parking gods had gained a point over me, and we were forced to park elsewhere.

As the hours passed, we were again scavenging for a parking spot. Yet again there were several gaping holes between cars, but none in the clear. I finally picked one with an "Are you sure we can fit in there?" from Emily. With a confident, "oh yeah," I proceeded to back in, frantic to gain my point back from the parking gods. Alas, I hung my head in defeat. Score one more for the parking gods. "Wait!" I heard from the seat next to me, "he's going to help you get in!" I rose my head in desperation, only to find the man with the white trusty steed (van) parked behind us coming to our rescue! Once I conquered the 20 point parking job, our knight in shining armor walked away with his prize (don't get any ideas, it was only a thank you and a smile) and we jubilantly shouted for joy, ignoring the thought running through in the backs of our heads, "How in the world are we going to get back out?!" Score one for us!

Leap of Faith

(The above did not not occur in Virginia)

I like to call this stage of my life "Leap of Faith". As some of you may know, I have decided to move to Virginia after getting my Master's Degree in Social Work. I lept on July 9th and landed on July 11th. That's right! I have arrived! After much job searching, I found a job in Richmond. Unfortunately I don't have any clients yet, but I am trying to be patient. I will be doing in-home counseling with children and their families. This basically means that I will come to them instead of them going to an office. The job will also provide me with clinical supervision to work toward my clinical license-which basically allows me to be a counselor and makes me more marketable.

Meanwhile, back at the (Levi and Emily) Jaynes residence, this is what I have learned about Virginia:

• It is humid here.


• There are large bugs here. (According to Levi, only the small spiders in the forest are poisonous. Good to know.) My favorite bugs so far are fireflies.
  


• Bambi lives here! I saw him and his mother outside Emily's kitchen window! (Although, I happen to know that a deer was recently hit on the road, and I haven't seen Bambi or his mother since.....)
  


• The people here could not be nicer!


• It's always best to ride in a clean taxi, not a dirty one. (Words of advice from a cab driver washing his taxi as I walked by in Arlington.

• Virginia IS part of the South, and its residents are quick to point that out, although I'm not sure they have to. There is a fabulous accent here which I hope to master.

• I think you could live here your whole life and still not see all the historical war sites-they're everywhere!

• Apparently Virginia is for lovers, but I have yet to find one for myself.

I am so excited about this new adventure, and I invite all of you to please, please come join me!!!!!