While Mark was in California enjoying the lovely San Diego weather
while attending JPC, I had the opportunity to spend some time in Indianapolis enjoying the lovely company
of Adel while we spent a few days together stocking her freezer! Fun, fun
for everyone! :-D And while the weather in Indy was not as delightful as in San Diego, the company couldn't have been better.
Essentially, Adel and I had a marathon cooking
fest to stock her freezer with tummy friendly foods that could be easily
reheated. Our first day was spent planning and shopping, and then the next few
days were cooking and storing! What fun! We cooked until we were tired,
and then sat around, chatted, and enjoyed one another's company. Mark's father was intrigued by what was going on, particularly since the house was so full of food...but none of it was for dinner :-) Thanks for being such a good sport while we made a huge mess of the kitchen!
I must say, it was like cooking in a fairy land...every morning, the dishes were wonderfully washed from the day before. It was so, so kind of Mike to do that for us before he went to work. I felt a little like a bum since I got to sleep in until, like, 10 every morning, then get up and cook to my hearts content while making a huge mess in the process, end the evening generally with dinner, ice cream, and a movie with Marks parents, then go off to sleep...and magically the kitchen would be all sparkly the next day ready for us to do it all over again!
And truly, we
made. So much food. Lasagna, twice baked potatoes, stuffed chicken
breasts, breaded chicken fillets, spaghetti sauce, taco meat, rice pilaf, biscuits,
meatball soup, stew, meat loaf, banana bread, muffins, granola bars, all of it packaged into
easily reheat able meals of two and labeled with cooking instructions.
It was a complete blast! Truly, I can't remember all that we made, but Adel and Mike said that it was yummy and that is what was important.
We finished just in time for Mark to come back from California, and we drove back to WL together! Thanks for letting me come and stay while Mark was gone Mom! It was so much fun! :-D
Thursday, November 1, 2012
San Diego, JPC, and the USS Midway
Mark had the opportunity to attend JPC in the beautiful Sand Diego, California. He had a very good time seeing friends and meeting people, and getting to hear about different work that is going on in his field. He got a chance to attend more sessions at this conference than previously, as he presented at an earlier session unlike Nashville :-) And, what a better location! Mark said the weather could not have been more perfect. He also said he had a lot of fun playing with friends from the lab after the conference sessions in the day. A particular highlight was also going to dinner with the Headmen family who had stopped at JPC on their way back from China Lake Naval Base after interning there for the summer.
Another super fun thing Mark got to do was attend the annual party sponsored by Moog. This year they rented the USS Midway (converted to a museum and memorial in 2004). The main hangar that runs the length of the ship beneath the flight deck and the flight deck with all of the cool historical aircraft turned into one big party consisting of food, drink, music, and nerdy aerospace engineers. :) Super fun! I wish I could have been there too! Maybe next time :-)
Mark missed out on the tours that they were giving about the ship before the party, so he returned the next day during normal business hours to tour the rest of the ship. I can't tell if Mark was more excited to be there, or to be able to tell his dad about being there. Mark's father loves military history, particularly WWII, and that is something Mark loves sharing with him. It was so cool! Aircraft carriers are like small cities that float in the ocean. The carrier not only displayed information from a rich military history throughout the ship, but exhibits were also presented about what life was like aboard Midway. Mark told me allll about the kitchen (or I should say kitchen-s) was I totally blown away by the sheer amount of food that was prepared and consumed. Crazy!
Another super fun thing Mark got to do was attend the annual party sponsored by Moog. This year they rented the USS Midway (converted to a museum and memorial in 2004). The main hangar that runs the length of the ship beneath the flight deck and the flight deck with all of the cool historical aircraft turned into one big party consisting of food, drink, music, and nerdy aerospace engineers. :) Super fun! I wish I could have been there too! Maybe next time :-)
Mark missed out on the tours that they were giving about the ship before the party, so he returned the next day during normal business hours to tour the rest of the ship. I can't tell if Mark was more excited to be there, or to be able to tell his dad about being there. Mark's father loves military history, particularly WWII, and that is something Mark loves sharing with him. It was so cool! Aircraft carriers are like small cities that float in the ocean. The carrier not only displayed information from a rich military history throughout the ship, but exhibits were also presented about what life was like aboard Midway. Mark told me allll about the kitchen (or I should say kitchen-s) was I totally blown away by the sheer amount of food that was prepared and consumed. Crazy!
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Magnetron Sputter Deposition System
Working with Dr. Allain and his research group after I graduated was an incredibly wonderful experience. After we lost Jaden, it was really hard for me to go back to work there, which was strange to me. There were so many emotions and memories I hadn't realized I had built there with Jaden while he was inside my tummy, and everyone had been so supportive and helpful, especially when we went to the hospital and after we lost Jaden, that every time I went into the building even, I started to cry. And if I talked to a co-worker, fuhgetaboutit, as soon as they stepped outside or I left the room, I was fighting tears. It was a very new thing, and I didn't quite know what to make of it.
I decided I needed some more time to emotionally heal, and Dr. Allain was amazingly understanding. I will never forget his understanding and kindness towards me and Mark during my time at Purdue.
The project I had been working on was completed by the other wonderful group members, and Bryan was kind enough to show me the final project one afternoon when I went in to clean up my things.
Here she is!
The top port is a special sample holder that can rotate to ensure uniform coating of the samples. It was supposed to (more on this later) lower inline with the center of the chamber to allow the samples to be loaded and unloaded in-situ so they could be coated, irradiated, and evaluated without breaking vacuum and compromising the sample surface. The bottom ports are where the sputter guns are located. They are on the bottom so that gravity is working against them, and the material that is going to be deposited has to be attracted to the sample, and therefore won't just fall in clumps onto the sample. The goal with a system like this is to get uniform thin film coating on a sample surface. There are three sputter ports, and so you could even deposit multiple materials at once to get mixed deposition.
Here you can see the purple/blue glow of the sputter guns when they are on! aren't they BEAUTIFUL!! :-D They are plasma guns, how it works is the chamber is evacuated and then filled with argon, which is the gas that is used to make plasma. The plasma is used to sputter the target material (the coating material) off the target, and then the bias on the sample draws the sputtered material up, toward the sample. Rotation of the sample holder helps to get uniform coating.
UNFORTUNATELY.... I learned there were problems with the sample holder that were really really bad to use like it had been designed for. Apparently, there had been parts of the holder left off the technical drawing that were not accounted for in our chamber design (cords or something), and so when everything got installed...it didn't fit right. It didn't fit! We spent some serious $$$ on this chamber (particularly the holder), and it didn't fit! When Bryan told me about that, my heart about dropped out of my stomach. I can't even imagine what it must have been like when they took it out of the box and tried to install it, and it didn't fit. It blows my mind. I feel terrible to not have been there to try and fix this, but so many of us had looked at the drawings, had them modeled on the computer, discussed them at group meetings before anything was ordered, in an effort to make everything work right...and...it didn't fit.
*sigh* I still have not gotten over this.
I never got to hear the end of this story, but I hope with all my heart that it ended happily. Bryan and Miguel said not to worry about it, they had some ideas on how to fix it, and they are way more capable than I am at just about everything, so I am sure it ended well.
I still can't believe it didn't fit. :-( C'est la vie with research :-( It can break your heart!
I decided I needed some more time to emotionally heal, and Dr. Allain was amazingly understanding. I will never forget his understanding and kindness towards me and Mark during my time at Purdue.
The project I had been working on was completed by the other wonderful group members, and Bryan was kind enough to show me the final project one afternoon when I went in to clean up my things.
Here she is!
UNFORTUNATELY.... I learned there were problems with the sample holder that were really really bad to use like it had been designed for. Apparently, there had been parts of the holder left off the technical drawing that were not accounted for in our chamber design (cords or something), and so when everything got installed...it didn't fit right. It didn't fit! We spent some serious $$$ on this chamber (particularly the holder), and it didn't fit! When Bryan told me about that, my heart about dropped out of my stomach. I can't even imagine what it must have been like when they took it out of the box and tried to install it, and it didn't fit. It blows my mind. I feel terrible to not have been there to try and fix this, but so many of us had looked at the drawings, had them modeled on the computer, discussed them at group meetings before anything was ordered, in an effort to make everything work right...and...it didn't fit.
*sigh* I still have not gotten over this.
I never got to hear the end of this story, but I hope with all my heart that it ended happily. Bryan and Miguel said not to worry about it, they had some ideas on how to fix it, and they are way more capable than I am at just about everything, so I am sure it ended well.
I still can't believe it didn't fit. :-( C'est la vie with research :-( It can break your heart!
Monday, October 29, 2012
Black Apple Dolls
My wonderfully talented friend Joni taught me all about black apple dolls. We had a craft making adventure day and made some dollies! I am enchanted with how they turned out, and may have gotten carried away making clothes and accessories. Their little faces are painted on, Joni was such a champ at making the perfect little eyebrows, she helped me paint on mine :-) Thanks Joni! It was so much fun!
Family Cakes
Here are a few of the cakes that I have made recently (sort of) for family. Congratulations all of you!
Sam's Eagle Court of Honor:
Trevor's Graduation and Farewell and Eagle Court of Honor:
Happy Birthday Bianca!
Becky's Graduation Cake:
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Jasher and Jenny
WHO--RAY!!!! WHOOOOO-RAAAAAAAY!!! :-D
We were SO excited to get to see Jasher and Jenny again!! This was hands down my favorite part of the weekend :-) (No offense to seeing Huntsville and DC). We were so glad that they allowed us to come and stay with them, since basically Mark just called up Jasher and invited ourselves for a visit when we got the idea of the road trip :-). After we found out that they would be there and it was possible for us to visit, we planned the trip for over the weekend so we could hang out with the Fowles. They are such a wonderful couple!
While we were there, they took us to the Children's Museum! Oh how I LOVE children's museums! And it was even better to go there with friends :-) It was so fun especially to watch Jasher and Mark getting all competitive at the different activities. :-)
One of our favorite areas was the building with blocks area! Jasher and Mark embarked on a tower building contest to see who could make the tallest tower. My tower was very sturdy, built Jenga style, but short. Jenny's tower was built kinda like a log cabin, but kilter-skilter, and also a little on the short side. Jasher and Mark's building styles were more elaborate...and definitely more tall :-)
Then they got the idea to couple-combine the towers to see who would be the tallest...
Here is the lovely Jenny, modeling the log cabin building technique...
Here is Jasher adding to the Jasher-Jenny complex :-)
Finished product! Way to go!!
Here is a look down the center of Marks tower - super tall and super sturdy! Way to go handsome Mark!!
It was pretty awesome :-) Jasher at one point said, "Wait! Were competting against two engineers! This is a biased competition!" Our tower was pretty sturdy, but top heavy. The Fowles complex was a tidge on the wobbly side, and not quite as tall as Jasher would have liked, so he strategically added a few stacks of blocks on one corner to beat Marks tower, and we snapped a picture quick before it toppled :-) Then we got to knock down our tower! It was SO fun to play with blocks!
There were also these hydrological press toys that you could push against, and someone weak could win against someone strong. We played on these for a good long while too :-)
Go Jenny go! :-D
Awww...! And here is my Handsome Mark, playing in the tinfoil area, with a rose for me!
So sweet! He deserved a kiss :)
There was also this really cool dancing dust mote thing. I am pretty sure magic was involved in making it dance. We stood and watched for quite some time. Here is a video!
On the way home we got some DELICIOUS BBQ and spent the rest of the evening at home with the Fowles, visiting and catching up on old times. I got to help Jenny wrap christmas presents, and Mark and Jasher got to play Wii tennis and bowling and other things, it was so much fun!
The next day we got to go with them to Stake Conference. It was really great to get to spend the sabbath with people we care about. A member of Jashers stake presidency shared stories and learning experiences he had as a boy from Christmas. The stories and talk reminded me of the way President Monson teaches and tells stories and life experiences. It was a really great conference and we were glad we could attend.
Afterwards Jenny's broher brought over even MORE amazing BBQ that he had smoked. Oh. My. Goodness. It was mind bogglingly good. I love meat---SO MUCH! He also made all these magical sauces to put on the meat and the slaw, it was so tasty. It was hard to choose a favorite, but I am pretty sure that I liked the vineagar sauce the best. I am SO EXCITED to live in a part of the country with such yummy meat. Truly, my heart and stomach can hardly wait.
We were sad to have to head out on the last leg of our journey, but we were so glad that we got to spend a few days with our friends! Jenny packed us wonderful snacks. (We will definitely have to come and visit again soon! Thank you so much for letting us stay with you Jasher and Jenny! Love you guys!
We were SO excited to get to see Jasher and Jenny again!! This was hands down my favorite part of the weekend :-) (No offense to seeing Huntsville and DC). We were so glad that they allowed us to come and stay with them, since basically Mark just called up Jasher and invited ourselves for a visit when we got the idea of the road trip :-). After we found out that they would be there and it was possible for us to visit, we planned the trip for over the weekend so we could hang out with the Fowles. They are such a wonderful couple!
While we were there, they took us to the Children's Museum! Oh how I LOVE children's museums! And it was even better to go there with friends :-) It was so fun especially to watch Jasher and Mark getting all competitive at the different activities. :-)
One of our favorite areas was the building with blocks area! Jasher and Mark embarked on a tower building contest to see who could make the tallest tower. My tower was very sturdy, built Jenga style, but short. Jenny's tower was built kinda like a log cabin, but kilter-skilter, and also a little on the short side. Jasher and Mark's building styles were more elaborate...and definitely more tall :-)
Then they got the idea to couple-combine the towers to see who would be the tallest...
Here is a look down the center of Marks tower - super tall and super sturdy! Way to go handsome Mark!!
Here is the combined Pfeil complex! Look at that BEAST! :-) Thing aint goin' NOwhere!
There were also these hydrological press toys that you could push against, and someone weak could win against someone strong. We played on these for a good long while too :-)
Awww...! And here is my Handsome Mark, playing in the tinfoil area, with a rose for me!
There was also this really cool dancing dust mote thing. I am pretty sure magic was involved in making it dance. We stood and watched for quite some time. Here is a video!
On the way home we got some DELICIOUS BBQ and spent the rest of the evening at home with the Fowles, visiting and catching up on old times. I got to help Jenny wrap christmas presents, and Mark and Jasher got to play Wii tennis and bowling and other things, it was so much fun!
The next day we got to go with them to Stake Conference. It was really great to get to spend the sabbath with people we care about. A member of Jashers stake presidency shared stories and learning experiences he had as a boy from Christmas. The stories and talk reminded me of the way President Monson teaches and tells stories and life experiences. It was a really great conference and we were glad we could attend.
Afterwards Jenny's broher brought over even MORE amazing BBQ that he had smoked. Oh. My. Goodness. It was mind bogglingly good. I love meat---SO MUCH! He also made all these magical sauces to put on the meat and the slaw, it was so tasty. It was hard to choose a favorite, but I am pretty sure that I liked the vineagar sauce the best. I am SO EXCITED to live in a part of the country with such yummy meat. Truly, my heart and stomach can hardly wait.
We were sad to have to head out on the last leg of our journey, but we were so glad that we got to spend a few days with our friends! Jenny packed us wonderful snacks. (We will definitely have to come and visit again soon! Thank you so much for letting us stay with you Jasher and Jenny! Love you guys!
Road Trip 2011!
Yay for roadtrips!! :-D This was hands down my favorite roadtrip to date, and I suspect it is because we were not moving anyplace, so our car was not loaded down with supplies and belongings. In fact, we didn't take our car at all! We took a rental and it was fabulous.
This road trip was inspired by Mark applying for the (and being accepted into) the SMART fellowship program. This is a program where you are sponsored by a DOD facility to study for a PhD, and the student agrees to intern every summer at that facility and then work at that facility after graduation 1 year for every year of support. Since this is a pretty big commitment - on the order of 7 years - we decided it would be nice to meet the people that mark could potentially be working with and see the facilities and the town. There were 2 DOD locations we were considering -- one in Huntsville, AL and the other in Washington, DC. So! We decided to take a little roadtrip - down to AL, over to NC, then up to MD and back home again!
First stop: Huntsville!
What to say about Huntsville!? I must admit, that I was quite hesitant about the prospect of living in Alabama when Mark first proposed this as a place he wanted to work. (I blame it on movies...I know, I know...embarrassing). But! As it turns out...we were enchanted with Huntsville. Its a bigger city than Lafayette (thank goodness!) but not as big as Chicago or Indy, which would have been too big. The roads are nice and wide (thank you city planning!) and the town overall was just really nice. Mark was impressed with the rich rocket heritage they have in the area as it is the birth place of NASA with the work of Wernher von Braun and his team. It was definitely super cool. Maybe more importantly, Mark also liked the people that he would be working with, and the prospect of the types of work he would be doing there. So! All in all, it was a very successful and reassuring visit and we were glad that we were able to make it together before having to make any decisions.
Second stop: Jasher and Jenny!
So much fun... this requires its own separate blog! In regards to the road trip, I will just say, surprisingly, there is no direct interstate connection from AL to NC, unless you go up through another state (Georgia maybe?) Anyway, we took a little windy highway through the Smokey Mountains to get to Charlotte NC, and it was really fun. And...the smallest bit creepy. The thing that was strange was that all the leaves on the plants and the vines and the trees were gone. Now, yes, I do realize that leaves falling off everything is TOTALLY NORMAL for the winter... but it was just a different kind of dead forest than Mark or I were used to seeing. There were vines and undergrowth covering EVERYTHING, but it was all...dead. I don't think I have ever seen dead widespread vines like that. I was like a jungle...but dead. Like a big, heavy, blanket of deadness draped over the trees and everything. I kept thinking, "so this is it...this is what happened to Rip van Winkle..."
But, you can't judge a place by winter, you just can't! :-) We were really impressed with all the little rafting and camping places that we saw along the way, it looked like there were lots and lots of fun things to do outdoors, and that is something that Mark and I both enjoy and have missed living in IN :-)
Third stop: DC!
After a COMPLETLY lovely weekend with Jasher and Jenny, we drove on up to DC. It was a really fun drive! I had never been through that part of the country, and I was struck by how often we crossed into a new state. TOTALLY AWESOME! It felt like were were making such progress in our road trip! Striking difference than driving through TX and NM when you will drive for DAYS is seems and are STILL in the same state. *sigh*
We were fortunate enough to have been invited to stay with the family of one of the people in the group Mark was interviewing with, and they were members! They had suspected that we were members since Mark had put on his resume his two year mission trip to Ecuador. It was so lovely to meet them and to stay with them in their home with their three great kids. They let us stay in their mother-in-law suite and encouraged us to go out and visit DC the night after mark interviewed, and gave us a wonderful perspective of what it was like to raise a family in the DC area. I will admit...it was too big for my taste. I started to cry/hyperventilate in the traffic. I don't do well in high stress car situations, I am such a pain as a passenger, and I felt bad for poor Mark who had to drive. It did not bode well for living near Marks work, and we were not too excited about the idea of a several hour commute to work. It made me appreciate more all the sacrifices my Dad makes so that we could live near family while he worked in Los Alamos.
That night, we decided to take their advice and go sight seeing in the city. So glad we did! Since mark was interviewing until pretty late, we took the subway into the city and took a night bus tour of the mall. It was so fun!
We got to see the US Capitol, Kennedy Center, Library of Congress, Supreme Court, House and Senate Office Buildings, Federal Triangle, Pennsylvania Avenue, The White House, Capitol Reflecting Pool, Georgetown and Iwo Jima Memorial.
We got to get off and walk around to visit: The Jefferson, Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean and FDR Memorials. They were AMAZING. Here are some photos!
The Jefferson memorial was by FAR my favorite to visit. When we were there, it was starting to rain, and for a while Mark and I were the only people in there. It was almost a sacred place, it is hard to describe, but the spirit was really strong.
On the walls of the memorial are engraved words penned by Thomas Jefferson, and they are beautiful. When I read them, I got goose bumps.
God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever. Commerce between master and slave is despotism. Nothing is more certainly written in the book of fate than these people are to be free. Establish the law for educating the common people. This it is the business of the state to effect and on a general plan."
— Thomas Jefferson
How can any American deny that our forefathers believed in God and Liberty from the overpowering hand of government when their words, and God's name, are etched in our memorials and government buildings?
Several walls had inscriptions penned by Jefferson or taken from the declaration of independence, and they were all wonderful.
It was SO great to have the opportunity to visit so many memorials and monuments. We were sad that we didn't have time to visit more, but we are so grateful for what we did get to see!
I wish that all Americans could have the opportunity to visit these memorials. I have to admit, I had no idea what it would be like, and I hope that we can take our kids there some day. So great!
The trip back to IN was breathtaking. The rolling hills and farm land and little towns of Penselvania were so picturesque. So so pretty. I am so amazed by how much variety there is in this nation of ours, and I feel blessed to have the opportunity to visit the areas that we have.
This road trip was inspired by Mark applying for the (and being accepted into) the SMART fellowship program. This is a program where you are sponsored by a DOD facility to study for a PhD, and the student agrees to intern every summer at that facility and then work at that facility after graduation 1 year for every year of support. Since this is a pretty big commitment - on the order of 7 years - we decided it would be nice to meet the people that mark could potentially be working with and see the facilities and the town. There were 2 DOD locations we were considering -- one in Huntsville, AL and the other in Washington, DC. So! We decided to take a little roadtrip - down to AL, over to NC, then up to MD and back home again!
First stop: Huntsville!
What to say about Huntsville!? I must admit, that I was quite hesitant about the prospect of living in Alabama when Mark first proposed this as a place he wanted to work. (I blame it on movies...I know, I know...embarrassing). But! As it turns out...we were enchanted with Huntsville. Its a bigger city than Lafayette (thank goodness!) but not as big as Chicago or Indy, which would have been too big. The roads are nice and wide (thank you city planning!) and the town overall was just really nice. Mark was impressed with the rich rocket heritage they have in the area as it is the birth place of NASA with the work of Wernher von Braun and his team. It was definitely super cool. Maybe more importantly, Mark also liked the people that he would be working with, and the prospect of the types of work he would be doing there. So! All in all, it was a very successful and reassuring visit and we were glad that we were able to make it together before having to make any decisions.
Second stop: Jasher and Jenny!
So much fun... this requires its own separate blog! In regards to the road trip, I will just say, surprisingly, there is no direct interstate connection from AL to NC, unless you go up through another state (Georgia maybe?) Anyway, we took a little windy highway through the Smokey Mountains to get to Charlotte NC, and it was really fun. And...the smallest bit creepy. The thing that was strange was that all the leaves on the plants and the vines and the trees were gone. Now, yes, I do realize that leaves falling off everything is TOTALLY NORMAL for the winter... but it was just a different kind of dead forest than Mark or I were used to seeing. There were vines and undergrowth covering EVERYTHING, but it was all...dead. I don't think I have ever seen dead widespread vines like that. I was like a jungle...but dead. Like a big, heavy, blanket of deadness draped over the trees and everything. I kept thinking, "so this is it...this is what happened to Rip van Winkle..."
But, you can't judge a place by winter, you just can't! :-) We were really impressed with all the little rafting and camping places that we saw along the way, it looked like there were lots and lots of fun things to do outdoors, and that is something that Mark and I both enjoy and have missed living in IN :-)
Third stop: DC!
After a COMPLETLY lovely weekend with Jasher and Jenny, we drove on up to DC. It was a really fun drive! I had never been through that part of the country, and I was struck by how often we crossed into a new state. TOTALLY AWESOME! It felt like were were making such progress in our road trip! Striking difference than driving through TX and NM when you will drive for DAYS is seems and are STILL in the same state. *sigh*
We were fortunate enough to have been invited to stay with the family of one of the people in the group Mark was interviewing with, and they were members! They had suspected that we were members since Mark had put on his resume his two year mission trip to Ecuador. It was so lovely to meet them and to stay with them in their home with their three great kids. They let us stay in their mother-in-law suite and encouraged us to go out and visit DC the night after mark interviewed, and gave us a wonderful perspective of what it was like to raise a family in the DC area. I will admit...it was too big for my taste. I started to cry/hyperventilate in the traffic. I don't do well in high stress car situations, I am such a pain as a passenger, and I felt bad for poor Mark who had to drive. It did not bode well for living near Marks work, and we were not too excited about the idea of a several hour commute to work. It made me appreciate more all the sacrifices my Dad makes so that we could live near family while he worked in Los Alamos.
That night, we decided to take their advice and go sight seeing in the city. So glad we did! Since mark was interviewing until pretty late, we took the subway into the city and took a night bus tour of the mall. It was so fun!
We got to see the US Capitol, Kennedy Center, Library of Congress, Supreme Court, House and Senate Office Buildings, Federal Triangle, Pennsylvania Avenue, The White House, Capitol Reflecting Pool, Georgetown and Iwo Jima Memorial.
We got to get off and walk around to visit: The Jefferson, Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean and FDR Memorials. They were AMAZING. Here are some photos!
The Jefferson memorial was by FAR my favorite to visit. When we were there, it was starting to rain, and for a while Mark and I were the only people in there. It was almost a sacred place, it is hard to describe, but the spirit was really strong.
On the walls of the memorial are engraved words penned by Thomas Jefferson, and they are beautiful. When I read them, I got goose bumps.
God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever. Commerce between master and slave is despotism. Nothing is more certainly written in the book of fate than these people are to be free. Establish the law for educating the common people. This it is the business of the state to effect and on a general plan."
— Thomas Jefferson
How can any American deny that our forefathers believed in God and Liberty from the overpowering hand of government when their words, and God's name, are etched in our memorials and government buildings?
Several walls had inscriptions penned by Jefferson or taken from the declaration of independence, and they were all wonderful.
Here is handsome Mark on the steps outside the Jefferson Memorial!
It was SO great to have the opportunity to visit so many memorials and monuments. We were sad that we didn't have time to visit more, but we are so grateful for what we did get to see!
I wish that all Americans could have the opportunity to visit these memorials. I have to admit, I had no idea what it would be like, and I hope that we can take our kids there some day. So great!
The trip back to IN was breathtaking. The rolling hills and farm land and little towns of Penselvania were so picturesque. So so pretty. I am so amazed by how much variety there is in this nation of ours, and I feel blessed to have the opportunity to visit the areas that we have.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Leah!
My first (and consequently only) roommate in college was a wonderful girl named Leah. She is awesome, and I am so glad we were able to become friends. She is from LA and we were assigned as roommates since we both decided to do luck-of-the-draw when we went to the dorms. Man, those people who match individuals up based on interests for roommate pairs did an awesome job. When we were unpacking our stuff, I was loading my books into the bookshelf on one side of the room, and she was loading some of the same books into her bookshelf on the other side of the room. We had also both signed up for the same class! Now, you might not think this was significant as college freshmen tend to take similar basic courses. However. This was not a core class. It was an elective. And out of the thousands of students that enrolled that semester, only 12 were in this particular class...and one of them happened to be my room mate. AWESOME!
Anyway, I bring this up now because my wonderful roommate leah did us the honor of stopping by and visiting on her way out to a new job in Boston. Leah is so awesome. She has some true wanderlust in her blood and is crazy brave and adventuresome. She is a great example of loving life for the journey and accepting any challenges that come her way in stride. I loved being her room mate and getting to spend time talking with her. We even did institute choir together, even though leah is not a member of the church. I loved it when Leah would come home with me to have dinner with my family. Ah, good times and great memories.
Anyway! Thanks for stopping by Leah and good luck in your new job!
Anyway, I bring this up now because my wonderful roommate leah did us the honor of stopping by and visiting on her way out to a new job in Boston. Leah is so awesome. She has some true wanderlust in her blood and is crazy brave and adventuresome. She is a great example of loving life for the journey and accepting any challenges that come her way in stride. I loved being her room mate and getting to spend time talking with her. We even did institute choir together, even though leah is not a member of the church. I loved it when Leah would come home with me to have dinner with my family. Ah, good times and great memories.
Anyway! Thanks for stopping by Leah and good luck in your new job!
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