D.C. History vs. Jim Henson Muppets... which one would you prefer?

So, I suppose while visiting D.C., our nation's capitol, full of history, political agendas, bill passing and vetoing, look-which-republican-is-gay scandals, 27-year nuclear war protests, and high-tech espionage (I'm sure someone in the White House heard when I pointed to Hoover's picture on the wall and said: "Isn't this the one who wore dresses?" I think it was Hoover... I'm fuzzy now.), one should probably gaze up into Abe's stone eyes and think of little else than how much they might owe the man for freeing slaves (well, not all of us--but those with a drop of African blood, yes) or solemnly pass stone statues erected in tribute to those who fought in Korea in the 50s with gratitude. Any patriotic American would do such things and should walk away from the district feeling like a proud American, and I did. I'm proud to be an American (please sing the rest of the song here). I am also a proud American who walked around the sweltering D.C. heat humming: Manamana do do dododo. Confused (all ye non-Muppet followers), click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC9FtLQJoGM. [Picture: The Rose Garden (named not for the roses, but for a first lady) the windows you see look into the Oval Office.)]

Yes... I went to D.C. with two goals: 1) see my sisterand 2) see the Smithsonian Institute exhibit honoring Jim Henson's Muppets. (I'll let you decide which order those goals should actually be in.) We tackled one goal right away and went to see the Muppet exhibit and it was truly remarkable. I've been to plenty of museums before and not once have I ever stopped at each little display and read every single word like I did here. There's something about the creativity behind the Muppets, about seeing Jim Henson's scratch paper, handwriting, and sketches, that was truly awe inspiring. I left that place wanting to go back through again and again and again. I left that place wanting to create magic. I can't gush enough about it. Everything else (well, with the exception of seeing the "real" West Wing and the closed, locked door of the Situation Room, and the Press Corps room) pales in comparison. I couldn't take pictures of the Muppets. I know, sadness. I did try to be a rebel and snapped one picture (see right). My sister said the security guard followed us all around the exhibit after that--I was too engrossed in everything Henson so I didn't notice. Oh well.

The rest of D.C. was great. We saw the Lincoln Memorial, the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the Washington Monument, the White House, the West Wing, Chinatown, and lots of other little things around town. We rode the Metro everywhere, which was a lot of fun. And then I picked up some disease (cold, I hope) and was out of commission all of Monday, which we had planned to visit the University of Maryland to get a picture of a statue of Jim Henson and Kermit--alas. Oh well, there's always November.

I will leave you with this quote:

"As children, we all live in a world of imagination, of fantasy, and for some of us that world of make-believe continues into adulthood." ~Jim Henson (1936-1990)

I really want this print--so if you can find it let me know.

Orientations

So, it's been a busy week. And I like it! It's so nice to be doing something most days. Something that doesn't revolve around shopping, although... I have managed to spend money at least once a day. I can't help myself. It's an addiction, I openly admit it. Or perhaps that is just the American way. So... on Tuesday I had orientation to the English Department--typical get-acquainted-with-your-new-school stuff, but it was great in that I got to meet the eleven people that I'll be studying with. Although, I did only meet a handful of them that first day. Anyway, we met our professors and sorta did a round robin and introduced ourselves to one another. So far people are pretty "chill" as they say up here. However, I'm still in the observation phase, which I've realized I do with most people. I watch them. Not stalker like or anything, but I'm pretty observant of how they are with other people and how they act in general. I try to read between the lines and what not. You learn a lot about a person by just watching them. I wonder what people pick up off me. Or maybe I'm just mysterious and have everyone's minds boggled. I try to be friendly to everyone.

Anyway, the second orientation was for my job with the Writing Center, which I'll do about eight hours a week, unless I cut Wednesday nights, which I might end up doing. We talked about going out after class, to a bar or something for a drink, and I won't be able to do that if I need to run to work from 6-8 or however long it was. So, I'm still going to think about it. We'll see. This orientation was good and new for me, since I've never worked at a writing center. I'm looking forward to working with students one-on-one--I enjoy doing that.

After orientation we headed "downtown" which is like two-three blocks away from the building where I'll have most of my classes (and consists of a small block-long strip of restaurants and pubs) and had a drink and just got to know each other better. We stayed for a while actually, but it was really nice. I'm not much of a drinker (never have been) and told one of the girls that I'd probably end up an alckie by the end of the program. I know, I know... I don't have to drink when I go out, but... :). I'll be driving most of the time anyway so I don't think it'll be much of a problem.

I had an interview yesterday for the online writing program and I really hope that I get a few hours with them. It sounds like good fun (and a lot of work, so we'll see). I also received a call to see if I was interested in working a few hours at the library (turned them down) and an email about a full-time editing position at this placed called Measured Progress. I don't know what I'm going to do about that yet though. I don't think I want a full-time (ie: real) job. I like having lots of little things all over the place. It would be nice not to work at all, but then I'd probably go crazy. So... yeah, not sure what to do about that. All I know is that I'm ready for school to start. I'm ready... ready, ready, ready.

Nostalgic moment: I popped in one of my old Yanni CDs a second ago. Wow... memories.

I need to go to bed now. I get up in 4 hours to fly to D.C. to see my sister! :) Exciting. So... no posts for a few days, but loads of updates after I go to D.C. and see the best exhibit ever at the Smithsonian Institution! I know... I know... childhood will never escape me.