Adventures in Deya-sitting: Part I

So while Elysa is busy preparing for the bar, my sister, Deya, flew up to Washington, DC for a whirl-wind weekend visit. It worked out nicely because Deya's husband, Chris, is off in Nevada working for the Golf Channel this weekend. So we figured it would be pretty cool to hang out as brother and sister because, hey, when might we ever have this opportunity again (like Law School is ever going to let me)?

After getting in Friday night and setting up camp at the new apartment, I realized that I had forgotten Deya wouldn't be bringing a hairdryer. 45 minutes later, I finally got the air mattress inflated. I am happy to report the only hyper-ventilating that occurred was Deya panicking that I would hyper-ventilate.

Also, since we haven't moved up there yet, we found ourselves "Camping in the City," at least according to Deya. With one futon, one air mattress, three pillows and some bottled water, we set up camp in out otherwise unfurnished apartment.

Adventures in Deya-sitting: Part II

Saturday morning, after a trip to Panera for breakfast, we got started with a tour of the Library of Congress, the largest library in the world. It is amazing to think that one of the ancient wonders of the world, the Library at Alexandria, has been reincarnated and now sits in America (and happens to sit across the Potomac from an Alexandria). There is a public tour that lasts about 45 minutes that takes place in the Jefferson building, oldest of the three buildings (each are a city block in size). The architecture and decoration is as ornate as any building in the states; truly it is a temple of knowledge, guarded, in fact by numerous statues and paintings of Minerva.


Also on display are some portions of the largest "rare book" collection, among which we saw was a Gutenberg Bible, "America's Birth Certificate" (the oldest known map, 1507, to recognize and record the American Continents as separate from East Asia, writings of John Smith (of Jamestown/Pocahantes infamy), and portions of Thomas Jefferson private collection. Mr. Jefferson (as he is know in Charlottesville- a.k.a. Mr. Jefferson's town) sold his personal library to the governement after the British burning the Capitol building during the War of 1812, which housed the Library back then. It didn't hurt that Mr. Jefferson was also deeply in debt at the time (actually, all of the time).



Sorry to delve into the nuances of Founding Fathers politics and history, but if you will indulge for one more quick aside (on this topic at least). One of those books from Thomas Jefferson collection was "A Treatise of a Defense of the Consitution of the United States" by John Adams, politcal foe. Adams wrote the book while in London as the US's first ambassador to Britian as a way to promote the strength of the US's political future among the English. He wrote the whole book, having only read a copy of the US Constitution absent heated debate that took place in Philadelphia and newspapers in America. Jefferson, at that time, was also living in Europe serving as US Ambassador to France. It is interesting to think that John Adams personally sent that copy (possibly, this is my surmising) to Thomas Jefferson across the Atlantic, two brillant jugernaughts debating the merits of a new form of governance. It would be that document, the US Constitution that drove two political allies in the Revolution to become bitter rivals during the Presidency of George Washington. Maybe this book was the first wedge in that friendship. Personally, that book was pretty cool!

Adventures in Deya-sitting: Part III

After leaving the Library of Congress, we headed north, passing the Capitol and Supreme Court, stopping long enough to snap a few pictures. One series in particular was Deya's request. She wanted to me to show documentation that she was perfectly healthy climbing all over DC. You may judge for yourself.





We continued North to Union Station, grabbing a bite of lunch before jumping back on the Metro to head to Arlington Cemetery. Arlington Cemetery occupies 300+ acres across the Potomac from the Lincoln Memorial. Originally the home and property of General Robert E. Lee, the site is now the resting place for over 300,000 individuals who have served in the US Military. It is a sacred monument to so many who have and continue to serve the citizens of the United States. I highly recommend taking the opportunity to pay your personal respects to generations of Americans who fought for your freedom. A very powerful and hallowed place.
After Arlington Cemertery, it was after five and we decided to head back to camp to rest. After an hour of rest, we ventured out on foot, walking to a local dinning favorite, El Pollo Rico. Continuing towards Clarendon (a shopping district) we poked around The Container Store before grabbing some dessert at The Cheesecake Factory. Can you guess what we may have eaten?

Adventures in Deya-sitting: Part IV

Sunday found us eating breakfast at Cosi and jumping on the Metro to head back into DC. First stop: Foggy Bottom- GWU. Deya decided she wanted to see where I would be going to Law School. After trying a few locked doors, we found an open one and walked through the law school, looking in the library, various study rooms and classrooms, the commons area and the open air quad. We decided that I would need to take a picture in front of the library and that I might as well do it when there was no one around.

After the law school, we went in search of another special request of Deya's: she wanted to see the GW Hippopotamus. I will let you explore the following link to learn why we have a bronze hippo on campus, but here is Deya with the hippo.


We jumped back on the Metro and continued on to Metro Center, our second stop. Deya wanted to see where Elysa would be working, so we stopped by the BakerBotts office. On the way we, discovered that the city had branded Deya as one of its own. We figure that Deya has successfully survived and passed "Camping in the City." Note the skid marks!

Adventures in Deya-sitting: Part V

Another short trip on the Metro took us to the Smithsonian stop, where we went to the Holocaust Museum. The Holocaust museum is quite a powerful witness to the atrocities hate and bigotry can cause. Upon entering the beginning of the exhibit, you read the following statement from Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower: The things I saw beggar description. I made the visit deliberately, in order to be in a position to give firsthand evidence of these things if ever, in the future, there develops a tendency to charge these allegations merely to propaganda. I was surprised at the foresight Eisenhower had to recognize that the Holocaust would ever be denied. New additions included an exhibit at the end dedicated to the current circumstances in Darfur, Sudan.

After the museum, we were hungry and our time was winding down, so we headed back to the apartment for some grub and rest. By the time we refueled and rested, it was time to pack up (what little we had). We stopped by Chris and Amber's place for a short visit as Deya and Amber hadn't seen each other since Chris and Amber's wedding.

Unfortunately, our weekend ended as quickly as it began. But we (at least I did) had a good time. Who knows if we will ever have the chance again to just pal around, but it was sure good to hang out with my sister again!

Going, going... Gone! Part II

Today was my last day at SNL Financial. After almost three years, I am saying goodbye with mixed emotions: Sad to leave so many wonderful but excited for the next chapter in my life!


Truly the best part of the company is the people. I have met some truly amazing individuals there. A few bizarre ones too, but there is something to be said about working at a company in Central Virginia.

To everyone I know at SNL: Thank you for three great years!

Going, going... GONE!

It is gone. We are little sad, but wish the Focus a great home in Michigan (where we think it will end up).

We posted the car at 8:00 AM last Saturday on Craig's List. In 24 hours, we had 6 separate inquires. The first people to see, bought it; we closed this afternoon!