Adventures in the East

Actually, the adventures were not really adventures at all, since I had either visited or lived in these places many times. Nevertheless, I learned a lot had F-U-N. Here's a look at my last two weeks.

Right after school let out, I jetted to Washington, D.C., where the best friend Amber picked me up and we promptly headed to get end-of-school pedicures. On Monday I started a teacher workshop at Mount Vernon (George Washington's home) about the Constitution. I know. I'm a nerd.

Me in George's house. Notice: we took pictures in the house. Teachers get all sort of cool priveleges, such as wiping dirty desks, grading boring papers, doing lunch duty, and, of course, being the only group in Mount Vernon and being allowed to take pictures. The last privelege was actually very cool.

A reception on George's back patio with gorgeous views of the Potomac River.

A river cruise on the Potomac. I met some great people at this workshop and we had a lot of fun.

The whole group in front of the house. Teachers are the dorkiest people I know. Seriously.

And then for F-U-N. While I was in DC, I turned 25. Amber took me to my favorite workout class and then we had cheesecake. A few days later Amber dragged me to the airport to pick someone up really late at night. I admit that I was being a little bratty because I was so tired. ...And then to my surprise I see two blonde girls who look very familiar to me! Liz and Alisa - twins, who are two of our very best friends, had come to DC to surprise me and have a girls weekend. Here is a very surprised me. I had no idea and Amber (and many others of her cohorts) deserve an Academy Award for their fine lying -- acting.

Alisa and I in front of Abe. If you haven't read the Gettysburg Address in awhile, do. It's wonderful.

I love this picture. This is a crazy used bookstore in Capitol Hill.

My favorite girls at the World War II memorial.

Does Liz look pregnant in any of these pictures? No. But she is! Congratulations, again, Liz!

Another notable activity in DC was a "So You Think You Can Dance" party with Tricia, Katie and other fun friends from my old ward (but I have no pictures). After a week in DC I took the train to NYC, where I participated in a workshop about the Civil War in a global context. Of course, at night, I had to see my favorite NY people.

Amber came up for a few days and we played with another favorite roommate, Caitlin (the very one who will be moving to Chicago in two months!!). This is us around Times Square.

Charlee came up with Am and we met up in the Village.

This is us eating some crazy good cookies and waiting in line to see "The 39 Steps," a very hilarious Hitchcock play.
After gallavanting around two of my favorite cities, I returned to Chicago and to Matt, who aren't so bad either.