Trip to Washington, D.C.

This past Monday (April 18) I went on a field trip organized by the Political Science Students Association to Washington, D.C. We visited the Supreme Court and the Pentagon, which were both very interesting places.

I fell asleep on the bus on the way to D.C. because I woke up at 5:30 a.m. We got there around 9:30 a.m., which is pretty good considering we were travelling in rush-hour traffic.

Our first stop was the United States Supreme Court. There were two separate lines: one to go and sit for 3 minutes and another line to sit for the whole hearing which was an hour. Marisa, my friend from Ecuador, and I decided to go in the three minute line.

One of the security guards looked exactly like Mike Tyson, only without the tattoo. After passing through all the security checkpoints, we finally made it inside.

It was very polished and ornate. The ceiling was wonderfully detailed in what seemed like plaster reliefs shaped like flowers. It was more intimate than I thought it would be. There were no balconies for viewing the proceedings; everyone was on the same floor. The justices were up on a slight platform, and I'm grateful for that, because those viewing the proceedings for three minutes were seated in the back. Those viewing the entire hour-long proceeding were seated in church-like pews. The lawyer arguing before the Court looked very unprepared and idiotic. He argued that the Court said one thing and Justice Scalia told him something like, "Actually, I believe we said the opposite." It was really interesting, but I really wouldn't have wanted to remain there for the entire hour.

After leaving the Supreme Court, eleven of us, including a professor, went to Tortilla Coast and had a delicious meal, as well as interesting and thought-provoking conversation. After that, we went to the Capitol to meet the rest of the students. While waiting, we took in the spectacular views of the mall and the rotunda of the Capitol.

Our next stop was the Pentagon. After passing through the numerous security checkpoints we were led to a room where we met our tour guides, all four of them. The Pentagon wasn't like I thought it would be. They have what looks like a mall inside and I would have thought I was in a mall if I had not have known for sure I was in the Pentagon. We got to visit the inside courtyard and were told interesting facts. We also visited the exact place where the Pentagon was hit by the hijacked plane on September 11, 2001. Our guides explained to us exactly how it was hit, and corrected the false information we had heard before.

All in all, it was an enjoyable day.

I would have posted pictures, but we were told not to bring any cameras.

Alpha Retreat in Lynchburg This Past Weekend

This past weekend I went on an Alpha retreat to Lynchburg, Virginia with the United Methodist church affiliated with the college.

It was exactly what I needed; a chance to get away, relax, and be happy. The weather and the mountains were absolutely gorgeous. The trees all had new, lush, green leaves on them. The air was clean and refreshing.

I went on the retreat with Liz (a friend of mine here at school), Pastor Ed (the youth minister at the United Methodist Church associated with the college), and Daniel (Ed's younger brother). We stayed in the church of Pastor Ed's in-laws. His in-laws are such wonderful and kind people. Ed's father-in-law is the minister of the church we stayed in. The church has its own gym with full-size basketball court and two kitchens. On Saturday, we moved into the church, and played some basketball. Later that day, we went on a scavenger hunt on the river walk in Lynchburg, Virginia (you can view the pictures below). The river walk and scavenger hunt were a lot of fun. The retreat was relaxing and refreshing; I couldn't have asked for anything more.

Out of all the pictures I took in Lynchburg, this is my favorite. I absolutely love the blue sky and the beautiful pink flowers against it.


This is a picture I took of the river fountain and a few buildings in downtown Lynchburg, Virginia.

This is a picture of a dam along the river walk. It was very beautiful and the roar of the falling water was deafening.

Here is a picture of the Virginia state tree, the dogwood.

This is an enormous, ancient tree on the river walk in Lynchburg, Virginia. It has an interesting root system that cascades down the hill like a waterfall. Over the years, many people have carved messages into the tree.

This is an old train tunnel that people pass through on the river walk in historic Lynchburg, Virginia. When inside, one wonders how a train actually fit in it.

This is a picture of the vegetation and rocks that can be seen on the river walk in Lynchburg, Virginia. There were droplets of water running down the rocks, and in some instances, they were a natural waterfall, providing the soothing sound of falling water.

Economics Test Results; Fall and January Scheduling; Weekend Retreat

I got my results from the Microeconomics exam I took on Tuesday. I was so relieved to find out that I got an A, but just barely. I got a 91%, which was the highest grade in the class (again), and the only A. I've heard from a friend that has already taken this course that the third, and final, exam is easier than the second one, which is a relief.

Today I have to begin picking out the classes I wish to take here in the fall and in January. So far, many people have told me that the choices for classes are abysmal. I sure hope that I can find, as well as get into, classes that I really want and enjoy. I think that it will take me an eternity to pick out classes and make sure that there won't be a time conflict between them. I have to have all this done by Tuesday, because that's when I meet with my adviser and I only have 20 minutes to do so.

This weekend I am going on a retreat with the Methodist church affiliated with the college. I am pretty excited about it. From what I hear, we will be doing many fun activities. It has been a while since I have seen these people, so I look forward to spending time with them again. I think we are going west to the mountains. Hopefully it will remind me of home; there are no hills or mountains in Ashland.

A Great Day Today; A Generous Donation; Hoping for a Good Day Tomorrow

Today was an extremely good day.

I didn't read the required assignment for one of my classes today. The professor came in and said that we would have until Friday to read it.

After getting off work at 5 p.m., I went to check my mail. I had received a card from my preacher and his wife. As I was walking down the sidewalk, I began to open the card. Inside was a check which I assumed was for five or ten dollars. To my amazement, the check was for $500.00. Yes, FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS! I almost fainted. I'm still not quite sure why they would send me that much money. It isn't my birthday and there's not a major holiday. I am very grateful, but still can't quite believe that they would give me so much money. I plan on putting it in the bank and maybe buying a more professional camera with it.

I am hoping for a good day tomorrow. I don't have Spanish tomorrow morning which is wonderful. After working for two hours, I have to attend the Phi Beta Kappa Freshmen Award Luncheon. I am a little nervous about it. I tried on the clothes I plan on wearing tomorrow, and don't believe they look nice on me. I hope when I put them on tomorrow my opinion will have changed.

Another Microeconomics Exam

Well today I had another Microeconomics exam worth 30% of my final grade. At first I found it very difficult to concentrate on the exam and thought I was going to fail because I was so nervous and anxious. After awhile I could finally concentrate and began to answer the questions quickly and concisely. I wasn't as prepared for this one, and it was more difficult. I know I didn't do as well as I did last time (I got a 99%), but I hope I still get an A.

Dutch

This is one of my cats at home. His name is Dutch, and he is a grey, tiger-striped tabby. He is a wonderful cat, and will tolerate just about anything. I couldn't believe he sat so still, even when the flash of my camera went off right in his face.

We have many cats at my house. The inside ones are indoor/outdoor, and we have seven of them. Outside, I would estimate that we have around thirty cats.

Top Thrill Dragster Roller Coaster

With a record-breaking height of 420 feet and a record-breaking speed of 120 m.p.h., Top Thrill Dragster delivers a wild ride to vistors to Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio.

It almost looks like a rocket.


Look at that drop! It is enough to take your breath away; literally!

Another drop and twist ahead!

I think this picture gives some perspective as to the sheer enormity of the roller coaster.

(I received these photos in a forwarded e-mail, so I'm not sure who to give credit to. They are NOT mine.)

My Old Barn

This is a picture of my barn which was built in 1883.

The numbers at the top, near the peak of the roof, are barely recognizable because a farmer poked the "3" out with a pitch fork many years ago.