Washington Adventures : The day they didn't let us in the National Archives because of pocket knifes.

Yesterday I got 2 packages. Mom sent 2 really cool shirts for Abbi and me. Estevan sent me his favorite sweater, my favorite tea from home, and three letters. Going to pick up the packages packages today made me so happy I cried. I am such a big baby sitting here in this sweater missing home so much, when in reality I have only been gone four weeks. I love getting and sending mail while I am here, it makes me feel a little closer to home.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Abbi and I got to participate in some really neat work. We got to spend more time with a veterinarian and even put on scrubs, which made us both feel very official!

We got off early Thursday and went to the National Archives to see our country's most precious documents. After waiting in line outside (in the rain) we finally make it inside and are about to go through security. Abbi looks at me and says, "I just realized I have my pocket knife". Because qe had came from work ,and most self-respecting West Texans take their pocket knife to work, Daniel also had his. I told her not to try and seek it in just ask them to hold it for you while we go in. Turns out they didn't like that very much and asked us to leave. A much more friendlier security guard outside helped us out with the knife situation and got us back inside. Just more proof that every day here brings some sort of crazy adventure.

I could not take any pictures inside the Archives, but it is truly an amazing place! The rotunda where the documents are kept is dark and cold to help preserve the ink better. Seeing the constitution was probably my favorite. Another really neat thing was the 2 giant murals hanging on the wall with a 2 scenes of many of the founding fathers. I really loved those paintings!

Friday we did not have to work and Abbi and I ventured into the city to go to the neweum. Which is a museum about the news. Before we got there we ran across a small farmers market with some really great treats! We also went to the old post office building which has a 12 story tall bell tower that you can go up. I did not like the ride up to the top but I did enjoy the view. In DC you are constantly surrounded by buildings you forget something as neat as Thomas Jefferson's memorial is just a couple blocks aways. It was a really good view of the city and we got to see the official bells of congress.

I am not sure how popular the newseum is in DC but it has to be my favorite place in the city so far. One of the first things we saw was a very large section of the Berlin Wall. They have an entire section with signs and videos from Berlin in that time period. I did not know much about the wall but learning the story was so fascinating.

They also had an FBI section with all the popular news stories in the past 60 years or so that pertained to the FBI. One of the things that really stood out to me what the first interview with Bin Laden in 1998. What a horrible person to do such terrible things to people. In the FBI section they also had a war on terror exhibit. They had a lot of pieces pulled out of the wreckage on display. I have a couple of pictures from it. They have a ladies wallet and credit cards that was on one of the flights. It was incredibly sad and very moving.

They had a large part of the museum dedicated to a temporary JFK exhibit. How JFK was the first president born in the 20th century and how the media influenced his term. I not only saw so much stuff from when he was president but also learned a lot about his presidency and the time period he served in.

They had a whole room with news articles dating back to the 1400s when a king lost his dog and put an add to help find him in the paper. They had a copy of the paper with the entire constitution printed in it from when it was ratified. There must have been 600 papers in that room, every major news story was covered. You could look at and read through each article. It was impressive.

Another very moving exhibit is how the media respond to 9/11. They had one of the signal towers from the building on display at the museum. Also they had a very very large wall with over 150 front pages from all over the world the days after 9/11. The pain from that day does not get old. I like the term "never forget" because even though 9/11 is horrific it brings us together as a nation.

Tomorrow the Brock's and Aaron, Abbi's boyfriend, are coming to visit. I am really looking forward to a little West Texas TLC. We have big plans for spending the 4th in the district (which includes matching outfits). I am looking forward to an exciting week.

Even though I miss home and am counting down the days until I get back, I cannot believe I am living here this summer. What a once in a lifetime opportunity to see and do the things I am doing. I am so glad to share all my stories on here with my favorite people. Miss you all!!