I'm a Big Girl Now

I'm almost thirty, so I guess it's about time I felt like a grown-up (even if I still have to talk to my mommy everyday)!

I was so proud of myself yesterday - I took the Metro into the city, had lunch, found the National Portrait Gallery (only having to look at the map once before I left my apt) and explored on my own.  Then, today, I DROVE into the city, parked at Union Station and explored the area.  I feel so independent and grown-up in the big city!

We Are One - The Concert at the Lincoln Memorial

Yesterday, Danielle, Greg and I journeyed to the Mall for the big Inaugural Concert.  There were so many people and the greatest influx hadn't even come in yet!  We got down there right as the first speaker, Denzel Washington, was taking the stage.  They were turning people away from the Lincoln Memorial, so we gathered with the rest at the base of the Washington Monument and watched it on a Jumbotron.  There were so many people, it was hard to see and hard to hear, but at least we were there!

We heard Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Mary J. Blige, James Taylor, Jennifer Nettles, John Legend and Josh Groban perform and Denzel, Tom Hanks, Steve Carrell, Queen Latifah and MLK III speak.  After about an hour, we decided to head back to the burbs before everybody else and get some drinks.

Here are some pics of the crowds....

Danielle and Greg

John Legend and James Taylor

John Mellencamp

My newest adventure has begun!!

Last week, I started my new adventure in the Nation's capital - Washington, DC!!  And what a time to start!  Me and millions of other people coming into the city at one time!

Mom rode up here with Mobi and me and helped us get settled in on Sunday.  Then we explored on Monday - White House, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, WWII Memorial, and the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.  

I think our favorite part was the Star Spangled Banner exhibit in the Museum of American History - awesome, literally!  We couldn't talk to each other the entire way through the exhibit because we both had huge lumps in our throats and were afraid we'd cry if we dared talk!  It really made me so proud to be an American and grateful for this beautiful country we live in.  (Sorry for the cheese!)  Oh yeah - and while we were shopping at H&M, the Presidential Motorcade came through!!  We have no idea which President was in there, if any, but it was still pretty cool! 

I started orientation at Children's National on Tuesday and mom left on Wednesday.  Before she left we had dinner with my friends Danielle (from high school) and Joseph (from elementary school) at the Fish Market in Old Town Alexandria.  I'm so glad I have those two friends here!

Here are some shots we took of the sites and of my apartment - on the 21st story!!!

ps....this is the world's worst invention - a washer/dryer combo!  it takes 4 HOURS to do ONE load of laundry and it doesn't even dry the clothes completely!!  AAGGGHHHH!!!!!