American History Museum

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to visit the National Museum of American History with my parents! We only spent a couple of hours there, but we could have spent the entire day. There are a variety of exhibits and a variety of momentous things relevant to American History. The museum is home to the original Star-Spangled Banner- the flag that inspired our National Anthem. They have exciting items such as the Ruby Red Slippers worn by Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, Kermit the Frog, and much more. We took some time to look at the "America on the Move" exhibit. It takes you through the changing times of transportation in the US. It was very interesting to see the different forms of transportation that have been used over the years on display. Our favorite exhibits were "The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden" and " The First Ladies". They had artifacts on display, films to watch, and many different things to read about. My mom and I particularly enjoyed looking at the display with the first ladies inaugural dresses. It was really neat! They were both intriguing exhibits! I wish we would have had more time. I would love to visit again before the semester is over. There is just so much to see! It is by far my favorite museum in DC!
-Alissa

Smithsonian's National Zoo

This weekend, a close friend of mine from OSU came to visit me in D.C. We spent almost the entire Saturday at Smithsonian’s National Zoo, which is located in Adams Morgan. We saw lions, zebras, elephants, pandas, orangutans, and much more! While these animals were very popular with everybody else, my favorite exhibit was actually the small mammal exhibit. These animals were by far the most hyper animals in the zoo, believe it or not! Even the sloths (which I imagine would be boring creatures) were exciting to watch. The most memorable, however, was a tiny armadillo that would continuously scurry around in circles. Overall, we enjoyed our time at the zoo, and I plan to return once more before leaving D.C.

-Samanta

Author Jodi Picoult and Justice Sandra Day O’Connor

Over the past few weeks, I was able to attend two events that involved two women I greatly admire.

The first was Jodi Picoult, one of my favorite fictional authors. I bought tickets to her speaking engagement online, and made my way over to the Sidwell Friends School after work on March 4th. I got there early, and was rewarded with a seat in the front row! Unfortunately, photography was not permitted at the event, but I was able to witness Jodi read a passage from her new book, The Storyteller, and explain how she conducts her extensive research for each new story. Jodi also allotted some of her speaking time to a representative from the Department of Justice who helped her document the process of prosecuting a war criminal throughout the writing of her most recent novel. While I chose not to purchase a book and wait in line for the book signing, I enjoyed the speaking event immensely, and passed the knowledge and experience on to other Jodi Picoult fans in my life.

The second event I attended, this one on March 18th, involved former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. The event was scheduled for my first day back to work after Spring Break, so it was a great thing to look forward to! The crowd to see Sandra Day O’Connor was even larger than the one to see Jodi Picoult, and I had to wait in a line outside of the venue in the rain to pick up my ticket, but it was all worth it when Sandra Day O’Connor finally made her way to the stage just a few minutes late. While the focus of some of her speaking was on her new book, Out of Order, she spent the majority of her time elaborating on her law school experience, the obstacles she faced early in her career, and how she overcame them with time. As an aspiring law school student and attorney, this was very relevant to me, so I paid close attention. I was also very inspired by her account of her work since she retired from the Supreme Court, which involves efforts to engage more children in civics and the study of government. 

I think DC is the only place that would attract these two very different and very successful women to speak within a few weeks of each other. I’m very glad I was here for these two events this semester and was able to attend.

-Erika

Natural History Museum

  A couple of weeks ago I had a friend visiting, so we went spent time exploring the city! We toured the Capitol, so she could see the new Rosa Parks statue (that was just unveiled two weeks ago). We also spent a few hours in Georgetown. Such a neat area of the city! Our main part of the weekend was visiting historic sites and museums. We decided to visit the Natural History Museum. It's such a big place and there are so many exhibits to see! We spent the entire afternoon there and still didn't get to see everything. One of the most exciting exhibits in the museum is the Hope Diamond, which is on display in The Harry Winston Gallery. It is incredible! We also explored quite a few other exhibits, including: The David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins, The Sant Ocean Hall, and the Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals. My favorite exhibit in the museum was the 2011 Nature's Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards. It is a collection of 48 award-winning pictures of animals, plants, ocean life, and landscapes. It is such an interesting and educational place to go. I would recommend visiting the Natural History Museum!

-Alissa

The Newseum

Terrific view of the Capitol from the Newseum

Every great event in modern history has been captured in the news media. Whether print, television, or the Internet, the Newseum displays some of the most iconic moments throughout history and how those events were presented in the news. The 250,000 square foot Newseum sits prominently on Pennsylvania Avenue just minutes from the United States Capitol. With six floors of displays, one trip to the Newseum is simply not enough time to enjoy all the exhibits.

While the Newseum contains a large collection of news media, including historic newspapers, television broadcasts, and photographs, the Newseum also has a few major historical artifacts. The ground floor is home to a large section of the Berlin Wall and a few floors above sits a radio antenna from the World Trade Center. These two displays were by far the most powerful, and balanced well with some of the more fun and hands-on aspects of the Newseum.

One blog post simply cannot do the Newseum justice. The multitude of exhibits coupled with the extraordinary amount of historical news material makes the Newseum a must visit attraction while in DC. Although there is an admission price, tickets are good for two consecutive days and the student discount makes visiting the Newseum well worth the price. In the words of Ron Burgundy, stay classy and thanks for stopping by.

-TB

The Newseum

Not Your Average Sunday Stroll In The Park

One of the many great views from the Billy Goat Trail

After a few weeks of working hard, studying for class, and enduring the erratic DC weather, it was time to break that cycle and enjoy the great outdoors. While walking on the National Mall and seeing all the sights in DC has been enjoyable, it's just not quite the same as hiking in Mother Nature. Luckily for me, the Billy Goat Trail at the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (NHP) provided the adventure I desperately needed. Nestled along the Great Falls on the Maryland side of the Potomac River, the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal NHP offers many great hiking trails with wonderful views of the Great Falls and the rocky Maryland landscape.

For my trip to the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal NHP on this sun-kissed Sunday afternoon, adventure was the top priority, and the Billy Goat A trail was the route of choice. Known as the most strenuous hike the park has to offer, the 1.7 mile hiking trail certainly lived up to its billing. Right from the get-go, the Billy Goat A trail had plenty of obstacles to traverse. Trees and boulders littered the trail, making every step more challenging than the last. The majority of steps I took on the trail were not on flat ground, with many requiring the use of all fours as I attempted my best to emulate the curious climbing animal the trail is named after, the Billy Goat. And this was all within the first 10 minutes. The trail continued to grow steeper and more treacherous, with the apex of the hike being a 40 foot rock face. Impossible to traverse without using all fours, I slowly but surely climbed up the obstacle and continued my trek on the Billy Goat A trail. The rest of the hike involved more climbing, trekking, and bouldering, but nothing nearly as strenuous or dangerous as the rock face. Although the hike was physically taxing, the adventure and difficulty of the trail was well worth the many breathtaking views of the Potomac River.

The Billy Goat A Trail at the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal NHP

The flat walk back from the trail to welcome center was a welcome relief after the arduous 1.7 miles of the Billy Goat A trail. Although the hike was over and the realities of it being a Sunday afternoon kicked-in, I was already thinking ahead to the next time I would be able to enjoy all that the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal NHP has to offer. For those looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of Washington, DC, I would strongly recommend a trip to the great outdoors for your not so average Sunday stroll in the park.

-TB

Louisiana Alive! DC Mardi Gras

One of the many jazz bands performing at Louisiana Alive!

Last month, Washington, DC was infiltrated by Louisianians (quite the mouthful, I know) looking to start their Mardi Gras festivities early in the Nation's capital. What started as a way for the Louisiana Members of Congress to celebrate Mardi Gras while away from home, has turned into a massive party/celebration/marketing campaign/lobbying event for the state of Louisiana and its businesses.

Louisiana Alive! performers hanging from the ceiling

I was fortunate enough to take part in the Louisiana Alive! event as a part of the DC Mardi Gras weekend. Louisiana Alive! is an opportunity for businesses from the Pelican State to market themselves to Washington, DC, and especially Congress.  Taking place at the Washington Hilton (or the Hinckley Hilton for Washingtonians), the grand ballroom was decked out in lights and decorations setting the theme of Mardi Gras. The outer ring of the ball room was filled with business vendor booths, each attempting to outdo the others by handing out bigger and better beads. Cirque du Soleil-eque performers swung from ribbons hanging from the ceiling. In the center of the ballroom was a large dance floor and music stage. Sounds of "When The Saints Go Marching In" and other New Orleans jazz classics filled the room as various jazz bands performed throughout the evening.

Oysters freshly shipped from New Orleans

By far the best part of the event, however, was the authentic New Orleans cuisine. Attendees dined on fresh oysters from the Acme Oyster House in New Orleans, shucked right before your eyes! (For oyster lovers, these were by far the biggest and freshest oysters on the half shell I've ever tasted.) Other foods served included different kinds of gumbo, peel and eat shrimp, crawfish cheesecake, and bread pudding. (Am I making you hungry yet?)

Louisiana Alive! was a great event and a tremendous insight into the Mardi Gras culture of New Orleans. Although I have not yet traveled to New Orleans, I feel as though I received an authentic taste of the Big Easy through the events of DC Mardi Gras. If you ever have the opportunity to attend a DC Mardi Gras event, I would strongly encourage you to attend. And as they say in New Orleans, laissez les bons temps rouler!

-TB

Corcoran's Family Day

This past Saturday was the Corcoran Gallery of Art’s Family Day.  Working this event was a whirlwind and a blast.  From break dancing to face painting Saturday was not a day to be missed.  All the hard work we put into the event paid off in all the excitement of all the participants in that rock n’ roll filled day!!  Keep an eye out for next year’s Family Day!!

 

 

Above is a photo of the DJ Scratching Station at the event.

 

 

 

~Gabrielle

Pump Me Up: D.C. Subculture of the 1980’s

The Corcoran Gallery of Art currently has a Washington graffiti themed exhibition called  Pump Me Up: D.C. Subculture of the 1980’s on display.  The exhibition explores Washington D.C.’s ties to graffiti and Go-Go music, the two vibrant scenes that sprang up in the 80’s.  Author and graffiti writer Roger Gastman curated this exhibit.  If you are interested in this exhibit click on the link below to see the Roger Gastman curator’s talk.

 

http://getinvolved.corcoran.org/roger_gastman

 

~ Gabrielle

 

Salsa Dancing at Habana Village

This past Friday, Erika and I decided to attend a salsa dancing class at a Cuban restaurant located in Adams-Morgan. Habana Village offers group salsa lessons Thursday through Sunday, and we decided to go Friday in order to take advantage of the unusually warm weather that particular night. Habana Village offers two classes, beginner and advanced, that are simultaneously taught in the same room. The instructor began with some basic salsa moves to gauge which class would be more appropriate for the student. Once the two classes split, Erika and I decided to head to the beginner side only to be stopped by the instructor who encouraged us to remain on the advanced side. We were obviously flattered, seeing as this was our first salsa dancing experience ever. Men and women were divided into two separate rows, and we would face our partners. We would rotate partners every five minutes, giving us the opportunity to dance with everyone. There were a wide variety of ages and personalities in the class, from the very awkward to the very confident alpha-male. The instructor, an older Cuban man, was hilarious and very helpful. In his Cuban accent, he would urge the women to let the man lead, and he would encourage the men to be assertive. I learned a couple of moves and only stepped on a man’s feet twice (I consider that success in my book). After the lesson, Erika and I decided to have dinner downstairs in the restaurant. The food was amazing! Although my mother’s Brazilian rice is my favorite dish, the Cuban rice at this place was a close second. After the lesson, the room upstairs becomes a salsa dancing club where people can practice their new moves or where experienced dancers can show off their moves. We returned upstairs, but did not stay for a very long time. The room was packed, and the options for male partners weren’t that great. For example, I danced with a man who was three inches shorter than me and another man whom I am almost certain was older than my father. As Erika perfectly expressed: “I like that age, just not in that way.” We will certainly be returning for another night of salsa dancing, and we will definitely be bringing more people from our group.

--Samanta