DC Wrap Up

I feel like I need to give a quick overview of the last three weeks I had in DC before I move on in my posts!


First, some of my best friends came to visit! We had the best time taking them around the city, going to visit museums, and showing them how we had spent our summer. They arrived on Wednesday and Thursday night was the Capital Club's Sinatra Soiree! The party was at the Building Museum (very cool building) and they had a great Sinatra cover band... it was so much fun to have my DC friends and my school friends all together! We had a great weekend with them, complete with a late-night visit to the Lincoln Memorial!


My friends left on Monday and Tuesday night several of us went to "An American Playlist" at the Kennedy Center! Going to something at the Kennedy Center was on my DC Bucket List so I was thrilled to be able to go to this concert-- especially since the performers included Smokey Robinson, The National Symphony Orchestra, and John Mayer! The concert was all about promoting music programs in schools and encouraging American children to invest in the arts.


On Thursday the Boy Scouts of America came to DC for the National Jamboree and so did my parents and sister (not for the Jamboree though)! Friday we toured around Capitol Hill and met Congressman Harper! It was so fun to introduce them to my boss and the people I worked with this summer. My family came for the hottest weekend DC had had that summer so we didn't spend much time outside on Friday! On Saturday we went to Great Falls (a beautiful part of the Potomac) and that night we went to see some of the monuments! I LOVE the monuments at night-- it's amazing to see them lit up and standing out against the dark sky. Sunday we ate brunch at the Chesapeake Room (restaurant review to come) and then Mom, Dad and Caroline departed on the train for BWI. I made my last trip to Eastern Market that afternoon and almost cried when I left!


The last week of work was a sad but a lot of fun! Work itself was busy then we had softball on Monday, a Nationals game Tuesday, and an SEC tailgate party Thursday! Chaille, Caroline, Lauren, Emily, and I went to the rooftop bar at the W Hotel for happy hour after work! The W is just a block over from the White House and you can see the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial so the roof has a beautiful view! We met some MSU Chi O alums for dinner after that and then made our way to the SEC party. We knew we were there when we saw guys with "frat swoop" haircuts in chacos, khaki shorts, button downs... it looked like game day! haha


Friday I went to the office to tell everyone goodbye and then took the train to BWI. I got home around dinner time and had my first night back at home. It's good to be back!

The Boys are Back in Town/Independence Day

If there is one thing I realized over the Fourth of July weekend it is that Independence Day in Washington, D.C. is celebrated like most religious holidays are celebrated in the South... you could hardly go anywhere without someone telling you "Hey! Happy Fourth!"... and that's just how I like it!

Two weekends ago, four of my good friends came in town for the 4th of July! Brett, Blake, Matt and Joe drove all Thursday night and got here on Friday the 2nd. I was so glad to have Friday off because I was able to hang out with them most of the day! I tagged along with them for a Capitol tour (given by Val and Nathan!) and we even got to meet Congressman Harper! That was an unexpected surprise and it got even better-- he gave us a personal tour! He took us to the floor of the House chamber, to a special chapel in the Capitol building and... (drum roll, please!) out to the Speaker's Balcony! 

Blake, Joe, Brett, Me, and Matt on the Speaker's Balcony!

The guys with Congressman Harper on the Speaker's Balcony

Looking out on DC from the Speaker's Balcony was one of the coolest things I've done in DC! Congressman Harper was so kind to take a special interest in us and give us such a neat opportunity!

The fun continued on Saturday with a morning trip to Arlington Cemetery. I guess visiting Arlington isn't necessarily "fun" but it was a beautiful day and a special weekend to visit a place set aside to honor the many men and women who have given their lives to allow us to celebrate our freedom. We went to the Tomb of the Unknowns and watched the changing of the guard there and toured Robert E. Lee's home! We ate lunch at the Old Ebbitt Grill and I had a delicious crab cake sandwich (not soft shell crab this time)! Our crew for the weekend (the guys, Cat Randall, Val and myself) spent all afternoon at the Nationals v. Mets game and just took it easy, enjoying the "Great American Pass-Time". I was glad we spent all afternoon there too, because after a close game and a late falter, the Nats came back with a bottom-of-the-ninth rally to win the game! It was really fun to celebrate a great comeback with the Nats fans who have been here through thick and thin.

The flag in front of Robert E. Lee's house being flown at half-mast in memory of Senator Byrd.

We all went to Capitol Hill Baptist for church (the guys are big Mark Dever fans) and got lunch at 7th Hill Pizza! We parted ways after lunch and I went back to Nationals Stadium with Lauren, Emily and Rae Anne for Party on the Potomac 4th of July party! We had a great time hanging out with friends, dancing, and watching fire works to celebrate Independence Day!