DC Holiday

When I lived in NY my favorite thing about the neighbors were that they were from England. Every vacation they took was a holiday. "We are going on a holiday." I love that phrase. I would like to incorporate it into my every day life if I could. I have actually tried but other Americans just look at me like, "What?!" Sigh. If only I were English. Or at least had the accent... Anyways... More on our DC holiday (eh.. eh... you like that!? ;)

Alli and I slept in. Pretty late actually. And I can't tell you how fabulous it was.

The first thing that we did actually was meet up with some people I taught... FOR LUNCH! (See how amazing that even just sounds.) Mike and Mariann woke up early and went to the Air & Space Museum.

I got to visit Kay and her husband Jordan and their little guy Charles (whom I met for the first time!) I had such a good time catching up with them. Kay and I were very close on my mission. I think my whole family will always feel close to her because while I was teaching Kay in Arlington is when Alisha got married. Kay was actually going to Utah for a bit and she stopped by the wedding reception and stood in line and when she got to Alisha she called me. She said, "Sister Jarrett, I have a surprise for you..." and she handed the phone to Alisha. I remember my mouth just hanging open because I was so surprised and I had started to say, "No, I can't talk to her. But nothing came out. She made it possible for me to talk to Alisha on her wedding night and it was very special! I think we actually just cried for 2 minutes and then hung up because I felt bad about breaking the rules and talking to her when I knew I shouldn't be. But it really was such a blessing. Anyway, I love Kay and she will always be like a sister to me. We went through a lot together. We taught Kay for 9 months. She set a baptism date, had her interview and I got transferred 2 days before her baptism and wasn't able to go back. That was one of the most depressing things EVER! I hate that I can't see her and talk to her more but I am so glad that she is doing well and that she has a wonderful husband and son. She deserves all the best.

Thanks for the incredible lunch Kay and for being the wonderful person and example you are!


I was able to visit one other special friend while I was out there. I dropped everyone off at Arlington Cemetery and Iwo Jima and went to visit Grace. She actually didn't know I was out there so I just called and said, "Hey I was curious what your address is because I wanted to send you a surprise." And boy was she surprised! It was so much fun! She is doing well and it was wonderful to hear her bear her testimony to me. She has been through a lot this past year and it seems the church is the only thing holding her together and giving her faith to move forward. She is a strong woman and another special friend in my life. Her story is much like Kay's in that we tracted into her, taught her for 9 months, set her baptism date, had her interview and the day before her baptism, I was transferred. (Her and Kay had the same baptism date.) I feel like I was in Arlington for these two and ... mission accomplished. (Hahaha - that could be taken literally!)

I MISS MY MISSION BECAUSE I GOT TO SERVE WITH THE BEST PEOPLE EVER! LOOK AT THESE TWO. HOW BLESSED WAS I TO GET TO KNOW THEM!?

Touring the Capitol

Today was quite the amazing day.
We visited the United States holocaust Memorial Museum which, every time I visit it just makes me have this somber feeling of incomprehension, sorrow, faith and gratitude. The exhibits are so powerful and the photos and videos make the people come to life as if it were happening today somewhere away from home. I highly suggest that everyone visit this at some point in their life.


One of the more unique exhibits in the museum is Daniel's Story. It's an exhibit that takes you through the diary of a young boy and through his eyes you see the changes that took place from his once happy life to a life of hiding and to a concentration camp. I think the exhibit is geared towards helping young kids learn about the holocaust in a less graphic way but it is still one of my favorite exhibits.
The other is the exhibits of the hair and of the shoes that were collected from a number of victims. At the museum you learn of the weight of hair and the number of shoes and it's so incomprehensible. It is one of those things you have to see to believe. But it definitely isn't easy to see.




This quote reads, "The things I saw beggar description... The visual evidence and the verbal testimony of starvation, cruelty and bestiality were so overpowering... I made the visit deliberately, in order to be in a position to give first-hand evidence of these things if ever, in the future, there develops a tendency to charge these allegations to propaganda." -Dwight Eisenhower
I suppose that it is important since some people today are teaching it never happened. Yet, there is evidence...

After the Holocaust Museum we visited the national Museum of American History.

We saw Abe Lincoln's top hat and a whole exhibit dedicated to him actually. But it was great because we learned that he was like everyone's favorite president. Well 3/5 of us!...
We saw Dorothy's red slippers and the boat "The Philadelphia," Kermit the Frog, and the original American Flag that inspired the Star Spangled Banner. However, one of the funnest things that we did was wind surf. Inside. Yes. It was pretty interesting and everyone agreed that I was a natural. (Seriously, I was the best at it...)




You may remember from Julia & Julia...
Julia Child's kitchen:
On to the Monuments!!!


The Washington Monument

I liked the view so much I asked everyone to take a picture with me here. (It's so "Bones." I kept looking for David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel but didn't see them anywhere!)



Lincoln Memorial



Of all the times I had visited the Lincoln Memorial before this, I NEVER knew that the sculpter put Robert E. Lee's profile into the memorial. Isn't it crazy!?



VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL




It was a fabulous day and this was our view as we walked back to the car:

District of Columbia Day 2

We thought that we could walk a little over three miles in an hour... with flip-flops and backpacks while trying to maintain the "not-a-tourist" look. This is what happened after a little over 2 miles.
"TAXI!!!!!"

1st Stop - Burger King. That didn't really warrant any pictures. It was just breakfast.
Next stop - The metro. Just want to point out that after speed walking as far as we did in the humidity... I already look like a tourist. That is the only reason why I am including this pic. Besides the sun in her eyes, Alli's hair always looks perfect.

The Spy Museum.
It really is as interesting as people say it is.


Lunch -

A man that I taught on my mission, Brother Lovitt, met up with us and had a whole agenda planned for our day. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING BROTHER LOVITT!
Mariann didn't know where to begin. She had never eaten a hamburger that was the size of her head before. (Her first time out of Utah...)

Touring the Capitol Building -

He didn't quite know what to do with his Tour Pass... lol. ;)
I had been through the Capitol Building before but I think it's fun to do over and over again. It's such beautiful architecture and the place just has so much history and significance.



We stopped at China Town and got ready for our night on the town.

Ending the night with Blues Alley Jazz Club -
We saw Eddie Daniels and his band, which was pretty amazing. I had never seen Jazz in real life but it sure was a treat. The musicians were so talented and so passionate. It was fun to watch them play because they were just so into the music.
The dinner was really yummy (and expensive). We had fabulous appetizers and although we were stuffed afterwards - the main course still came out. I had filet mignon.




I honestly don't think I can say if this guy ever opened his eyes during the entire performance. He was SO INTO the music!


I was so excited for the day to be over. It had been amazing but I was tired.