3 Kentucky Girls in DC

Becoming a decision writer just further proves I have a severe mental impairment. I lack concentration and I have difficulty with pace and persistence. Today's class was grueling. I cannot concentrate when the instructor and at least 5 classmates are talking. I read one sentence 5 times. Today was the worst day yet. Only 4 more days to go. I hope I make it.

It was so hot (98) on Saturday. We went to Chinatown. There wasn't much of China there, however, we did see a movie there. If you get a chance, see Mama Mia. It is an excellent movie. People were clapping and cheering during the movie it was so good. This movie made you want to jump up, dance and sing. Very uplifting movie. Well worth the $8.50 matinee price I paid to see it.

Then we went to the Vietnam Memorial. I am not a big history person and was not prepared to be impressed my what I saw. However, when we got there, a volunteer was telling what each part of the memorial stood for and how he had fought in that war. He told us how he watched men die. Men that were his friends and how he asked himself each day why he had been spared. This memorial truly came to life with his testimony. Then I was truly impressed by the awesomeness of the memorial. I was happy to get to shake his hand and thank him for his service.

Here we are: 3 Kentucky girls in DC at the World War II Memorial. This too was an awesome work of art. The fountains at this display were great. However, I would have love to take a swim right about then. We were so hot and tired by then and we still had to find the metro station. Finally, we got there and got back to our stop near our hotel. Fortunately, our favorite restaurant (Chevy's) is right as you get off. We all went in and got something to drink. We were so thirsty. Margaritas for Marcia and I and Sprite with pineapple juice for Shawna. We had a light meal and then went back to the hotel for a much needed shower and then fell into bed exhausted.

Sunday, we got up to do it again. We went to the Natural History Museum. I wasn't prepared to like that either. I tell you I am not much into old dead stuff but the HOPE DIAMOND was beautiful. Well worth the trip. Then Shawna took it easy on us old girls and let us go back to the hotel for a brief afternoon nap before we went to old town (Alexandria, VA).

Shawna had never been to Old Town so I was happy she was getting to see something new. I was happy to see Shawna come to visit (I think she saved me from packing up and going home early) but I knew she had seen much of what we went to on Saturday before. So I was really glad she enjoyed Old Town. It is such a pretty little town. The water front is beautiful with all the sailboat and everything. Lots of restaurants and shops. Wish we had got there early enough to go into some of the shops, but unfortunately they were closed. Shawna wanted to go to the Christmas shop and get an ornament for her Christmas tree. We had dinner at the Chart House. A real fancy smancy place. Shawna and I even tried caviar. Neither one of us liked it. It tastes like sardines. Now I know you are going to ask how do I know what sardines taste like. Well, that is probably another story entirely but Granny Iva loved sardines in mustard sauce and she was good at talking her granddaughter into trying new things. Not a favorite but Granny tried.

Alexandria VA - Old Towne

I have made it a whole week here in Arlington. I have rode the metro, shuttles and now a trolley. Marcia, Chad, Rainbow, and I (yes, her name is really Rainbow) went to Old Towne tonight. We took the metro to Alexandria and then rode a trolley to the waterfront where we had dinner at Busby's Pizza. It was fabulous. We really enjoyed the pizza and the conversation. Chad and Rainbow are attorneys that are in our Decision Writer class. Rainbow is from Wilmore KY but is working in the Dayton OH ODAR office. She usually acts as our tour guide. She has been to DC before and she understands how the metro works. She is great with directions, unlike me. She has been very helpful to Marcia, Chad and I. Chad is originally from Arkansas but is now working in the St. Louis ODAR as a new decision writer. Chad and Rainbow are both in there early 30's but have been great about letting Marcia and I hang out with them. Marcia and I think they should get together. They are both young and single.

We had originally set out to go to Alexandria VA to watch the fireworks as it is there independence day. However, the fireworks were suppose to begin at 9:30 and we didn't finish dinner until 9:40. By then, the fireworks were over. We were all a little disappointed but we had a good time any way. I was disappointed that I didn't get any pictures of the waterfront but I think Marcia and I can make our way back there without help from Rainbow. It is a straight shot on the Metro to there. Also, Christy has told us the Charter House is a good place to eat and it is directly on the water front. Alexandria was beautiful. Just like and old town. There were musician playing on the sidewalk and all sorts of other festivities going on. I can't wait to go back. Hopefully I will have pictures to share then.