Washington: Day 3 and Day 4

So, I just came to post about the first day of our April vacation (Aaron and I are off 9 days!! Woot, woot! Boy do we have some plans!) and I saw this post waiting in draft... I cannot believe I forgot to post about my last (and best) day in DC.

So, after a long delay, my last day in DC. (Steph, I am so sorry!! You kept asking for the "rest of the pictures" and I didn't know what you were talking about. I thought I covered everything!!)

On Wednesday Hilary and I decided to go to a morning conference and then blow off the rest of the day. So, after a $20 breakfast buffet, (gotta love spending the company money) a boring conference, and our first shot at learning the subway system, Hilary and I were off to the zoo.

In the Subway station

We started out at the zoo,and then made our way back to downtown. We ended up having to go back to our rooms to nap, but later that night, we did it up right and went to the White House (I didn't see my man though) the Monument, and the World War II Memorial. I really wish I had better pictures but, like a dumb-dumb, I decided to experiment with my camera and thought Washington, DC (as I have so many opportunities to go there!!) was the perfect place to do it.

The beautiful Cherry Blossoms of DC!

Hil & I hiding amongst the bamboo, can you see us?

I need to have one of these.

My future house ;)

Me, at the WWII Memorial, I was in a rare mood and here I was "droppin' it like it's hot."

We had a fabulous Day!
We left early for the airport the next morning. I missed Aaron and my babies, and I was getting wicked sick!

Washington, DC: Day 2

I miss Aaron. He's at home, sick. I hate being so far away when he isn't feeling well.

So, just an update on my trip; today was pretty uneventful. I went to 9.5 hours of conferences, but still got the opportunity to go shopping, walk around D.C., and go to two of my favorite stores: H&M and Urban Outfitters. I went crazy while shopping and I should have left my cash at the hotel.

There was one conference I went to (there are several sessions that go on simultaneously and you can choose where you want to go) that I found to be interesting. It was entitled "Breaking the Silence" and discussed treatment interventions that are sensitive to the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender, Questioning) population. It was an awesome, pertinent, and profound conference.

Here are some pics from today. Tomorrow we are skipping part of the seminar to go to the zoo.

Hilary and I, just outside of Chinatown.

I had to take a picture of this, one of Aaron's sponsors.

There is this strange walkway outside our hotel. It is beautiful- but there is no explanation for the purpose of it. Isn't it strange that I want some sort of explanation for beauty?

Washington, DC: Day 1

So, it's going to cost me $29.98 to blog for the next three days. Well, I'm lying. It's not going to cost me, it's going to cost Child and Family Services. I need to be able to access my email and the only way I can do that is to buy the Internet for 3 days.

Aaron took the day off from school today... he wasn't feeling too well and I think he really wanted to bring me to the airport himself. I was glad to have the company before I left for my trip. I spent a good part of the day packing, running errands, and being Aaron's "snugglebug." After I was all packed up and lugged my suitcase downstairs, I think Rocko was none-too-happy that I was leaving :(

I am here safely. It's a little lonely but with me is a really great friend, Hilary. We are already annoying people because there are some really uptight therapists here, and we like to have a good time. When it's time to work we'll roll up our sleeves, but, when it's our private time we're all about having fun. It's not like we are obnoxious, we just don't want to be talking adolescent treatment 24/7. We are in DC people! Live a little!

The flight was okay, but not the best of flights. There was some turbulence and I hate to fly, so I watched my life pass before me with every little bump and sway. I also hate using the bathrooms in an airplane. I have bathroom anxiety to begin with, so to think my life could possibly end while crouching over a toilet in a 2X2 airplane bathroom is a HUGE fear. Thankfully the flight was only an hour and a half from Manchester to DC, so I only had to use the latrine once.

We landed safely, managed to get to baggage claim, and take a taxi to our hotel. Now, you have to realize how much of an accomplishment this is for me. I have been sheltered- my entire life- by my brother, sister, and now, Aaron. I never have to drive or think about maps, highway systems or the like. Truthfully, I just say where I want to go and it gets done with no expectation that I need to make any effort to do it myself. In theory it is nice, I know I am spoiled. But in reality, it has set me up to be in a position where I feel like I can't do it. Today I did! I felt so self-sufficient and self-reliant.

This is my room. I love it, except the blankets, which are down. I am allergic to (everything) down. I'll peel them back and be sure to take my medication. I brought plenty because I know the cherry blossoms are out.

My room, as you can see, has a view over the courtyard. I am on the sixth floor so I can discreetly spy on people below me. I am loving this.

Tomorrow is my first day of the conference. I am going to head off to bed.

Aaron, you would laugh as some things never change. Here I am, laying in bed wearing my sweatpants watching TruTV. You would like it here right now, the weather is beautiful and I can't stop thinking about how much you would love to be riding your bike in this weather. Also, there were so many "I-spy" opportunities between landing and walking to find a place to eat. I wish you were here, and I miss you. B&B!