Washington DC Day 2

Today was a long, busy day, but quite adventurous for me. I only went to one class of the conference, but for good reason. The classes today were in 3 hour blocks with an hour and a half lunch in between. I went to the AM class and absolutely loved it! It may be my favorite class of the conference, but it's only my first one! It was about open-ended art activities and there were so many great ideas, it was a little overwhelming. It was great to see what can be done with simple materials like paper and tape or foil and a pipe cleaner.
Lunch time was absolutely crazy! Everyone was looking for someplace to eat and the lines were really long. It still plains me to see the prices of food, so standing in a long line for food at a ridiculous price wasn't very appealing to me. So, we decided to head off to the holocaust museum hoping there would be food near there. Nope. Good thing I was beyond the point of hunger pains and somehow managed to go through the whole museum without much complaint. That didn't stop me from checking out Yelp while I was in there waiting for my coworker to look at stuff. Yelp is my best friend here. Seriously. I can look up the cheapest places to eat that have good reviews, which was super helpful. I found a bar and grill called the bottom line to eat at. I almost took a picture of my food but it was gone before I got the chance. ;) It was heaven on a plate, which is ironic because I was in a bar. That was the first bar I've been to in my life. I thought it was super ironic that I changed my clothes there to go to the temple from there.

The holocaust museum wasn't quite the experience I expected based on what people told me about it, but it was really interesting. I'm currently reading the book called The Book Thief which takes place in Germany at that time, so it was kind of cool to see the connections with that. I had several "wow" experiences on this trip so far and a few of them happened in this museum. First was seeing a tower of pictures of Jews taken by a Jewish couple that went up into a Skylight. The museum was somewhat dark, so approaching this really hit me. To think that most, if not all, of those in the pictures died is heartbreaking. Then there were the shoes. On another floor, there were hundreds of pairs of shoes of the actual holocaust victims. You could smell them and it only added to the sickening feeling I had inside of me regarding all that I was learning about the holocaust. Another wow moment was hearing and warning the holocaust survivors tell their stories. It really made it come alive. The purpose of the museum is to make people think and have a desire to prevent something like the holocaust happening again. As unlikely as it seems, if you really think about it, things similar are happening today, except only in different ways. It's good to be aware and do what we can to not let it happen anymore.

From dinner at the bar, I hailed my very first taxi on my own. It costs a lot to go across town in a taxi, especially during rush hour, but I'd rather do that than drive in that craziness. If I had cash, it would have been cheaper because the driver was nice and said I could pay him less, but I don't have cash on me (yet). Better late than never. Then I had my first experience going on he metro. Kind of another wow experience, but I know that if any of you saw me you would have laughed. I get so scared/nervous when I do things like that for the first time by myself. I am not a city girl and today that was obvious. I barely made it onto the metro I wanted. What I didn't know was that another one would come in 2 minutes and that it would arrive at my desired destination a lot faster than I thought it would. So, I ended up stressing out for no reason, as usual. On the bright side, I got to talk to my mom on the phone for a little bit while I waited for an hour for the temple shuttle to come. I did some family name sealing, which didn't take long, so I had time to look around the temple and have yet nobler wow experience. It is one of the most beautiful temples I've ever seen. It's huge and on the inside made me think of the White House or something, but 10 times better. When I went outside, it as only. Few minutes before someone got dropped off by the shuttle so I didn't get a great picture of the temple, but I got some closer up. I'm glad I went back when I did because I decided to get off at Union Station. It is really big and has awesome architecture. It was dark so it was a little creepy to be out there by myself, probably not safe either. I took lots of pictures then did my best to quickly walk back to my hotel without getting mugged or something.

Alright, time for bed for me.

Before I forget to mention it, pretty much ant government building I enter I feel like I'm at the airport because I gave to go through a security scan just like I do there. We even had to do it to go the the cafe at the holocaust museum.

Sent from my iPhone

Wow. I'm in DC!

Wow, I still can't believe I'm here. I feel a little out of my element here. This hotel is amazing! This is the first hotel I've been to that doesn't have complimentary breakfast, but has room service instead. I'm glad that this is an all expenses paid trip because, man, everything here is super expensive. A bowl of regular oatmeal is $9 and cereal is $8. The hotel alone each night is $255 and we are here four nights. The money they gave me will go fast if I'm not careful. Funny thing is that somehow my work only paid for one night leaving each of us a tab of over $750. Um, yeah, I don't have anything close to that in my account right now. We may be on the street tomorrow night if they can't work it out. We will call them tomorrow, for sure.

One of the first things I did after checking out my room is I talked to the concierge. Who the heck is that? I had no idea either until I was referred to him to answer all my questions about DC and seeing the sites. He is from New York and his accent and vocabulary is amazing. He kept calling me "doll" and when he gave me directions to a place he said it was "6 bucks that way." I had to mentally translate what he was saying sometimes and I couldn't believe I was actually hearing all that NY lingo. It was awesome. He was very helpful, though. He also told me that we are staying in the more upscale part of the city so things here will be more expensive and with a laugh he said, "Nothing here is complimentary, doll!" Another first was seeing an actual bell hop with one of those rolling carts full of luggage like you see on the movies.

I went for a quick walk outside and you can see the Capitol building up the street. At least I think that's what it is because this hotel is on Capitol Hill. I'm excited to go to classes and learn things I'm really interested in and to fit in some site seeing as much as I can. I'm planning to go to the holocaust museum and the DC temple tomorrow. :)

Oh yeah, I also rode in my first taxi. Man, that is expensive!

Here are some pics from the day, if this actually works.

Thoughts

It's hard to believe it's October. A chill in the air, ice on my windows, inflatable Halloween decorations on my neighbor's lawn... it's official. I feel like I'm still in denial that summer is over, but I'm still going to work anyway.

As much as I HATE the cold, with it's arrival, I've thought back on past years and the many great adventures and fun memories I've made with friends and family during this time of year. I can't help but smile and look forward to the approaching holidays. I can't wait to go home to CA to see my family. Oh how I miss them (not to mention the warm So. Cal weather) during this time of year!

I can't complain too much though. Life is actually pretty good. This blog would be way too long and boring if I recounted everything exciting I've done these past couple of months, but I can share some things I've done.

I've been incredibly busy with starting work again. It's still hard to believe that I have my own class now. I'm loving my staff and the other teachers I work with. I have a large room and most everything is the way that I want it. I still have some work to do on it, but it's been put aside to do the more pressing things, such as paperwork and lesson plans, etc. I feel like I'm finally getting the hang of it, although I feel like I'm always forgetting something and have way more things to do than I have time to do. Fortunately, I have a great assistant and classroom aide that help a lot. I'm getting better at balancing work with social and church, which is hard. I still have stressful dreams at night about the kids and being a supervisor, which aren't so cool, but even that is lessening.

I have 2 classes, each with 15 little three year-olds. The AM class is very emotional and have a harder time listening, etc than the PM class because they are a little younger. My PM class has a few that just turned four and thus they are a little more mature. Both classes have the most adorable kids. Everyday I have moments with them that remind me of why I love my job so much. I am blessed to have those kinds of moments everyday despite the craziness and stress I feel. My mom was awesome enough to donate some toys for my classroom to help me out, too. :)

My classroom theme is monkeys, specifically SUPER MONKEYS. My mom donated some stuffed monkeys that I put capes on and the kids love them. Super Sammy is our class mascot who helps the kids remember the rules. My brother donated his build-a-bear monkey named Louie. When a kid is feeling sad or crying, I give him Louie for some Loves. "Louie Loves" or "Loves from Louie." When I say that, the kids know what it means and it has worked so far to help them feel better.

Outside of work, I am still in the Relief Society presidency in my singles ward. Now that work's started again, it's been a greater challenge for me to do everything that I need to do for my calling, but I am able to do it with the Lord's help. I'm learning a lot from this calling about myself and how to make time to serve even when I'm busy and stressed. It's been good for me.

I'm sad to report that Amanda has left Utah and returned home to California. But, I'm happy to report that it's because she's decided to serve a mission for the church! I am so excited for her! Before she left she went rappelling with me and a few of my friends. I really miss having her here in UT though!

That's Amanda... how cool is she?

My greatest accomplishment this summer was doing so much family history work. I found lots of information and names of people that needed temple work. I had the opportunity to ask the closest living relatives to some of the ones that needed temple work done for them and many gave me positive responses! I'm still working on getting the temple ordinances done and I still have more information to find and it's exciting. I also took the time to go up north a little ways to visit the homes and ranch that were owned by some of my ancestors on my mom's side.

Probably the most exciting thing happening currently is going to BYU Football games with friends using the passes that I intended to use with Amanda.

First game thunderstorm waiting for it to pass

At the game against the U- Most. Frustrating. Game. Ever.

Today was the first day of General Conference. I know that those 15 men are prophets, seers, and revelators. I know that they are in tune with what is happening in the world to day and to the Spirit to know what is needed to be said to help us. Recently the church has talked a lot more about missionary work and members playing a bigger part in that work. They had a special broadcast in June about it and my stake had a seventy come this past week to train us on it for a couple hours. The Lord is hastening His work and it's exciting! My challenge now is to figure out what my part is in all of this and conference today helped tremendously. I also thought it incredible that many of the speakers spoke on things that hit dead on the topics I know are applicable and really being discussed right now by people in and out of the church, such as women and the priesthood and depression. I love this church and I am very excited to listen to 4 more hours of conference!

YOLO

You only live once, right? Well, I have some friends here who have got me into doing something crazy, but absolutely awesome and that is rappelling. It all started when my friend Tyler invited me to go on a trip to southern UT with him and some of his friends. Since I'd never rappelled before in my life, he figured we should have a practice run up Rock Canyon. And the rest is history. I've gone rappelling a total of 4 times this month. The first three were about 90 foot rappels (I think) and the last one was a two stage 197 ft rappel. My favorite by far was rappelling down Battle Creek Falls. That was a dream come true in so many ways. I've always had the urge to slide down that waterfall as if it were a water slide, so this was as close to that I could get. However, the next rappel we went down Lisa Falls and on the second section I took the joyful opportunity to literally slide down the waterfall. Now I really have fulfilled that dream.

No matter how many rappels I go on, the scariest part is just going over the edge. After that it's a piece of cake, almost. There are definitely surprises and tricky parts, but that's what makes it fun. I'm getting a little more courage to go faster and jump a little, but it's still super scary for me sometimes. :) The other fun part about these adventures is the bouldering and climbing that's involved. I am more cautious that most so I go a lot slower sometimes just because it's kind of scary, but at the same time I love it!! Here are pictures from my latest adventures. My next adventure is back at Lisa Falls but repelling an approx. 200 ft cliff to the right of the falls. So scary, but awesome!

First rappel ledge in Rock Canyon

Using my camp stove for the first time!

Little did we know how much more swimming we would do...

Going down the sneak slot to Upper Black Box

2nd time rappelling!

Got a hug from the smelly mud monster!

This is where I SHOULD have put away my camera

Battle Creek Falls-1st dry rappel ledge

Yeah, you can't really see me, but that's because I'm IN the waterfall

First time belaying!

Tayla went a mission less than a week after doing this! So cool!

Lisa Falls

Some other fun things I did this summer:

Watched Stadium of Fire with friends in an awesome spot

Went to ID for the first and second times- one of my best friends got married

Boating at the lake with the ward and hung out with these cool friends. :)

My Garden

Up to Speed

I've been on quite a few adventures since I last posted. Let me bring you up to speed with a bunch of pictures. :)

Komen Foundation breast cancer 5K walk in honor of my Grandma Kelly who was a survivor.

Babysitting class pet Gandolf AKA Fishy McFishfish

Cinco de Mayo ward party--Fish pinata

Stewart Falls

Beyond Stewart falls-drank FRESH mountain spring water. Absolutely the best!

Falls above and beyond Stewart falls

Bird got in my way on my way to St. George...

Birds in Provo got revenge...

St. George temple with my family

Watched Mary Poppins at the Tuachan

Lisa Falls

Springdale Falls (Top secret location)

Bells Canyon

Music & Spoken Word (with a couple of non-members)

Waterfall Canyon

Reunion with best friends for Lynnae's birthday

Playing water polo at the Provo Rec Center

Painted 3 rooms for my friend in Idaho

First time to Idaho with Laura and her fiance

Shoshone Falls in Idaho

My mom bought me a tent!

Ward Manti trip- got the keys to the trailer and made ourselves at home

Manti Pageant with the ward

Red Pine Lakes

Red Pine Lakes

Rode a horse for longer than 2 minutes (it went very slow)

I also planted a garden in my yard, but I will post pictures of that later. 

Recently I've been doing a lot of family history in my free time as well. I've found a lot of names to do work for, I just have to contact closest living relatives for permission.

As a last note, I seriously think this is true in my case: