In Transit

Had my photo class today--not really feeling like I am learning a lot so I am dropping the class. Afterwards bought a tasty lemon bar, went back to the house, finished packing and proceeded to Dulles to fly back to California.

The highlights of the plane ride were:

1. Spilling a glass of water on my lap.
2. Waking up to the screams of an obnoxious child which then prompted another child to start screaming (this continued off and on for the duration of the 6 hour flight)
3. Spilling a soda down the length of my pants...

I am now thankfully bathed and pajamaed at my grandparents' house in LA.

2nd Day

Went to work again...my Mom picked me up and we drove to Alexandria for our dancing class. We arrived with 2 hours to spare so we window shopped in town and then ate at Gadsby's for dinner with Shawn Walters. We sampled the peanut soup (ummm gross...who wants to eat liquified peanut butter by itself?) and split the chicken dinner.

The dance class was bigger this time with 20 people--about half were the same people from last week and then lots of new people (new to me, old to dancing). The dances we did were a lot more complicated and difficult to remember. The other attendees are quite colorful personalities.

1st Day of Internship

Yesterday was the first day of my internship at the event planning/management company Capitol Services Inc. Nothing really exciting to report other than it rained a lot and I love rain!

For dinner my mom and I made a delicious dinner. Matzo ball soup with whole wheat noodles, carrots, celery, and chicken broth, a huge salad, fresh baked bread with butter, cheese and apples and asparagus! Yum Yum!

Shift

Today was a change in that it was rainy and cold for part of the day, in contrast to the sweltering heat that has persisted since we arrived. Basic synopsis of the day...

1. Toured the Renwick Museum (the highlight was the "Ghost Clock")

2. Walked around Washington Monument but sadly did not have a ticket to go up it.

3. Ate lunch at the Native American Museum where they serve "authentic" American Indian food

4. Scratched the surface of the Holocaust Museum (ran out of time--we must go back)

5. Went to 5pm service at Christ Church in Alexandria (this was George Washington's and Robert E Lee's church). We sat in George's pew (most other American presidents as well as Winston Churchill have also sat in this pew on visits) The pew itself is unique in that the Washington's bought it to be exclusively for their family when they attended church and it has a small latch door to step into it and it is a square so people can sit facing either the alter OR the back of the church!

6. Caught up with Carly Silverwood at Georgetown and had Thai food at Bangkok Joe's.

TaTa for Now!

Saturday

Got out of the house early to go to the National Book Festival on the Mall (same location the Science Festival will be). Spent multiple hours there listening to various authors speak.

My favorite talks were:
-Laura Bush (she read an excerpt from her memoir about her experience on 9/11 and it was very moving)
-Suzanne Collins (author of the Hunger Games Trilogy--notable fact: she is also a Make It or Break It fan!)
-Julia Glass (had never heard of her but she was amazingly articulate/a great speaker)
-Elizabeth Kostova (I have one of her books at home and now very much look forward to reading it, as well as, her other book The Historian)

We met up with Trevor Cleary, a family friend, and he showed us around Annapolis (where he is attending the Naval Academy) and we went out to dinner.

TaTa for Now!

Friday...

So once again I have fallen behind and I am to lazy to upload pictures but I will give concise recaps of my last few days...

Friday:
Went to the Woodrow Wilson's house
Visited the Textile Museum
Toured Soldier's House--Abraham Lincoln's retreat/house
Had a massage at the Red Door Spa
Ate a delicious dinner in which I sauteed/baked these lima beans we bought at the farmers' market

TaTa for Now!

To Infinity and Beyond

Today madre y yo went to the Library of Congress and the National Gallery--check out this sweet tunnel in the National Gallery

Butterfly Fly Away

The Opera Ceiling...Pretty

I'm always a day behind...

On Wednesday Ruth, my Mom and I went to the Opera at the Kennedy Center. We left with plenty of time thinking we would have a drink on the roof. Getting into DC was slow, there was terrible traffic and the road we thought we would take was closed. Eventually we got downtown and began riding our way to the Kennedy Center. Approaching the building (finally!) we saw a long line of cars snaking down a ramp which appeared to be the entrance to the underground parking garage. As we turned to join the line we saw another sign labeled "Parking" further down the road. In a moment of confusion we thought it would be wiser to stick in the line we were in and stay with "the crowd who must know what they are doing". BUT NOOOOOO! We pull forward slightly and see as we come around the curve we have somehow gotten back on the freeway and tall cement walls fence us in on both sides. We hope to back up the 5 feet separating us from our destination but cars have already lined up behind us. There is no where to go--LITERALLY! the traffic was not moving. Long story short we were forced back over the bridge that connects downtown DC with Virginia and had to re-circle the city...in traffic. It was excruciating.

Well

Yesterday my Mom and I headed back downtown to visit more museums! (in fact the same museums just MORE). Our first stop took us to the Natural History Museum where we went inside a butterfly enclosure. They were absolutely stunning with iridescent wings in bright shades. I made friends with a beautiful blue butterfly who landed on my chest and just stayed there for about 25 minutes.

Following the butterflies we returned to the Newseum where we explored their marvelous exhibits--its a REALLY REALLY good museum--very interactive and fascinating. There is a permanent exhibit of all the Pulitzer Prize winning photographs, some heart wrenching, others heart warming. I found the one documenting the Ethiopian famine and Rwanda especially poignant. There was one image of an emaciated child (only about 3) crying crouched beside his dead mother--now completely alone in the world. Anyhow it obviously made me very sad but has inspired me to appreciate every blessing I take for granted.

When the Newseum closed (we still didn't finish there) we walked to the Portrait Gallery where we saw a lot of paintings of important Americans as well as an exhibition of Norman Rockwells. I love the stories and warm fuzzy feeling that Rockwell paintings contain!

Our night was not over yet as we then headed to Gatsby's Tavern in Old Alexandria for British colonial dance class (the type of dancing done in Jane Austen's time). The dance class was held in an assembly room where George Washington once danced and was really fun. I loved it and my mom and I are going back next Tuesday (lessons are every Tuesday and free). There is a masquerade ball coming up but I don't think I can go--

Front Page News

Went to the Newseum, a museum on the News, and spent the whole day looking at old papers dating back to the 1500s--so interesting! A DC must! Then went to dinner with Marianne Zumberge's sister Allie and her husband Mo.

TaTa for Now!

No more bacon EVER

I asked my parents for a pet pig...they said no.

TaTa for Now!

La Casa del padre del pais-Mt. Vernon

Basically toured the house, walked the grounds, chased after canon balls, explored the museum and wandered through the colonial fair. Saw a sword swallower/fire eater--it was amazing and utterly disgusting at the same time.

Back in Washington madre, padre y you went out to dinner at a place called Firefly off Dupont Circle.

TaTa for Now!

It's Alive!

Night at the Museum

Saturday was the long awaited party at the Natural History Museum thrown by Life Technologies and my Dad for the Science Festival. The reception was held in the rotunda of the museum around the giant elephant and catered by famous chef Jose Andres (who specializes in Molecular Gastronomy). My favorite of his offerings was a popcorn creation called Dragon's Breath. A condensed piece was submerged in Liquid Nitrogen and then you would eat it cold causing steam to blow out your nose and mouth. Following the reception was a performance by the Myth Busters. I talked quite a bit to the one with the beret...he's quite an interesting character....

Prior to the party my Mom and I went ti the silver smithing studio.



TaTa for Now!

Off to Old Alexandria!

Went to Alexandria today to visit Shawn Walters and Hillary Halter's aunt. We walked around the quaint town and had lunch at a Thai restaurant. Later in the evening my Mom and I went to eat at Gadsby's Tavern, a historic site, where George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both ate. The baked brie with spiced apples and raspberries was delicious!

TaTa for Now!

Sooo I keep falling behind

Yesterday my mom and I had our second silver smithing class where we practiced soldering. I made a really pretty bracelet and ring and am looking forward to future experimentation. After class we went to the Hillwood Hous, the estate/museum of the Post cereal heiress, where we toured the house, examined her numerous Russian and French treasures and walked the grounds. My favorite part of the grounds was the Japanese garden.

TaTa for Now!

The Last Two Days

1. Ate at the senate cafeteria
2. Went to the American History Smithsonian
3. Met up with the Svendsens
4. Had my first silver smithing class
5. Visited the town of Frederick

Wa Wa Washington

My Dad was on the news today for the science festival so my mom and I went to the studio to watch him. Our next goal was to buy some DC guide books to orient ourselves so we set out to find a bookstore. This morning I was very pleased with my outfit coordination because the leather accents on my sweater, my skinny leather belt, and a strap of leather/buckle on my shoes were all the same tobacco toned leather. I guess I suffered for my fashion as it turns out my shoes and feet do not like each other...I have monster blisters. I asked for bandaids in Borders but they were ineffective--someone needs to invent something to prevent evil shoes from inflicting damage on innocent feet.

Anyway we got the books, went out to lunch at a really cool restaurant called the Iron Gate (the building is a converted barn and the booths are all old stalls) and then visited the Smithsonian Museum of American History where I visited the Abraham Lincoln exhibit and Julia Child's kitchen.

TaTa for Now!

Phillip Lim is Bananas

MK & A & T

Shenea Grimes wearing a MacAllister headband

Not Dunn Yet

Had my first photography class at Washington School of Photography. All of the other students are adults :( After class my mom, dad and I drove down to Virginia to visit with the Dunn family. Emily Dunn and I are good friends from the American School in London. She leaves on Tuesday for college (St. Andrew's in Scotland). We chit chatted and then went out to dinner!

I am currently reading The Hunger Games--it is really corny and seems to be written for the young adult set but enjoyable none the less.

TaTa for Now!

More

Went out to breakfast with my mom and walked through Central Park. Got the car and headed to Philadelphia to see the lovely Hillary Halter at University of Pennsylvania. Toured the campus and then went into the city to visit the historical sights. Saw the liberty bell and Independence Hall. We rounded off our evening with sidewalk dining at a French bistro and a stroll around Penn's campus.

TaTa for Now!

WOHHOOO

SO the past few days have been a blast! I am so exhausted right now I can not elaborate but yesterday I went to a lake in CT with the Olsens and went water skiing and swung off a rock on a rope. The day prior we visited the Baumgartners. Today my mom and I came to New York for Fashion's Night Out. It was very fun and very jam packed.

First we went to Cynthia Rowley where I got a pink strip in my hair. Also in the Village was the Teen Vogue block party where I met Shenae Grimes from 90210 and Erika, the other of PS I Made This. I got a big goody back of swag, lots of Mark Makeup and stuff. Then onto Elizabeth and James where I talked to Mary Kate and Ashley for about 5 minutes (they now own a my peacock headband, "The Quincy")

After that I went to Phillip Lim where I met Phillip and talked to him for a bit. I really wish I had a 3.1 purse I could have had him sign.

Finally I met Andrew Bevan aka "Teen Vogue's Style Blogger" and we talked for about 15-20 minutes. He was really nice and hopefully someday (very soon) I will work with him at Teen Vogue. Today I interviewed there for a spring internship--so hopefully!

TaTa for Now!

Day 5

We said goodbye to the Wrights today-muy triste! and drove to Newport, Rhode Island. There my mom and I walked around town and had lunch at the Castle Inn Hotel overlooking the bay and ocean. We then toured one of the mansions, The Elms, and walked the grounds and the close by Cliff Walk.

Tonight we are staying with our family friends the Vyes.

TaTa for Now!

Day 4

Began the day with Jack (obviously) and then headed to Falmouth where we rented bikes and rode down a scenic path that followed the coast. We stopped for a swim and then continued onto Wood's Hole where we snuck past a security into an AMAZING neighborhood with huge grand homes.

On the way back to the Wright's house my mom and I stooped for Smitty's homemade ice cream and witnessed a frappe machine catch in fire. The evening ended with (of course) more Jack--this time the final two episodes EVER. An era has ended. No more Jack..... :(

Day 3

Today my sister and I watched the season finale of Make It or Break It--pretty much the best television show in the world. We then went to meet up with some family friends the Hoits. We visited their historic home, ate lunch at the quaint Chatham Beach and Tennis Club (braving extremely high winds), walked on the beach (with Great Whites off shore), returned to their house and swam for a few hours.

On the way back to the Wright's house we stopped on Main St. in Chatham to got ice cream. I did not buy any but I had a few bites of my family's scoops--including my Dad's.......In my Dad's pistachio we found a large animal tooth (probably either a rat's or cat's)--IT WAS DISGUSTING!

TaTa for Now!

Oh By The Way

Where in the world was Hurricane Earl? We waited expectantly yesterday to only be met by a light rainfall and some wind. Totally overhyped and exaggerated...

TaTa for Now!

The 2nd 24 Hours

Woke up, had a lovely pancake breakfast, watched 24 till around 2:30, went to the beach in Osterville (the water was really delightful) went to dinner, went on a walk out on a picturesque pier and am now watching more 24.

TaTa for Now!

The Beginning...

In my mind my gap year started yesterday. My family and I packed up our things (amazing how I managed to consolidate the "essentials" of my life into two suitcases and a tote bag and yet I have piles of stuff waiting for my return at home...and this is operating on the notion that 9 pairs of shoes, 13 headbands and plethora of redundant items of clothing are in fact essential...but back to the point) and headed to the airport. We took a rather painless 5 and some hour flight from San Diego to Boston where I passed my time taking complete advantage of my personal Jet Blue TV screen--I watched some high quality material including Sex and the City 2, Iron Man 2 and Say Yes to the Dress. As predicted our plane landed, we de-boarded and went to our hotel in Cambridge where we turned in for the night.

Today we woke up, watched the news reports on Hurricane Earl which was scheduled to touch down on the Cape (our destination for that evening) between 8pm-10pm. We meet Quincy in her college dorm and went to a class with her--From Quarks to Consciousness. It was a rather notable lecture in that the professor imploded a large steel drum and then exploded a water bottle containing liquid nitrogen propelling a trash can which was covering the bottle "for safety reasons around 30 feet into the air, hitting the ceiling of the lecture hall and leaving a crack to commemorate its voyage.

Following our intellectual stimulation we went onto our next activity tantalizing out taste buds with delicious Wagamamma faire (ramen soup, curry, etc)

This is getting to long so....then my mom and I went to the Old State House in downtown Boston and learned about the Boston Massacre, We exited the museum to a light rain--first sign of the hurricane? hmmmm

Next commenced some stress, drama, drama, etc. and a fellow subway rider, a busty black lady, told me to relax and attempted to lead me in breathing exercise. Moving on, retrieve Quincy from sailing, begin early drive to Wright's house on Cape for fear of closed bridge due to high wind speeds. No high wind speeds, No problem.

See an ice cream sandwich store in the town of Sandwich--almost die in pursuit of ice cream,

Arrive at the Wrights, begin immediate briefings on 24 and all things Jack. Eat dinner, proceed to watch 24. Take break to consume ice cream, watch more 24, take a break to play Celebrities, watch more 24.

Thus begins my gap year!!!

TaTa for Now!