•Starting to read Mockingjay on the bus ride to Seatle while Brenda started Catching Fire.
•Mr. Dillahunt suddenly handing me $120 in cash while at McD's in north bend.....very random!....and somewhat awkward. Lol
•Watching everybody get into line and getting their plane tickets, while Brenda, Juan, Danika, and I stood aside because we had a different flight.
•Brenda, Danika, and I riding the people mover back and forth and Mr. Appelgate laughing at us.
•3 hours at the Seattle airport because of flight delay. (during which time, I think Appelgate noticed my scars.)
•praying as the plane took off.
•Waking up after about an hours sleep, and looking out the plane window just as the sun is starting to rise. Quite possibly the most beautiful thing I've seen.
•Hour and a half wait at the Boston airport.
•Falling asleep on the plane from Boston to DC and waking up to see DC out my window.
•Walking through the Old Post Office with our suitcases.
•going to a bunch of memorials as soon as we left the old post office. Lincoln memorial was my favorite. :)
•Brenda and I wondering the Smithsonian of Natural History and exiting the wrong side....so we had to walk around the whole dang building to get to the group's meeting spot! Lol
•Mr. Dillahunt told us we would have to be riding the metro all week instead of the buses everyone was taking. so that very first night I got to ride the metro for the first time ever!
•When we got on the metro, the seat next to Dillahunt was open. "Come on carmi, i don't bite," he said. So I took the seat next to him. He flicked me on my back. -_-
•Finally getting to the hotel! We were sooooooooo tired!!!
•brenda, Danika, and I were roomies. As soon as we got to our room, Brenda and I got in pjs, Danika went to some of the other girls' room. Brenda chose to wear some shorts short for pjs that night....To her luck, she answered the door when Dillahunt came by to do room check! Haha she was so weirded out, she didn't open the door for room all week after that.
•During this same occasion, Mr. Dillahunt gave us cookies that the hotel had provided for us, it was a cookie per person. He also said he'd be back in a bit, since Danika wasn't in the room when he stopped by. He then came back 5minutes later to check if danika was back, which she was, and he handed me another three cookies. "oh you already gave us cookies," I told him. "oh I did?....well take another!" he said.
•taking the metro to Arlington Cemetary the next morning...and getting there way before the rest of the group.
•Getting on the metro, then catching a cab go Mt. Vernon...and beating the group there again, even thought we drive right past the buses on the way there.
•Every one waiting in line to get a tour of George Washington's house, while we roamed the plantation, because our tour was for another 2hours. (my ankle started bugging me during this time.)
•Danika, Brenda, Juan, and I laying out on George Washington's soaking in the sun! First real sunny day I'd felt since fall!
•Appelgate finally finding us, and taking a tour of the Washington house. And Appelgate pointing out that the beds were rather small for a full grown man...don't know why that caught his attention but alright. Lol
•Taking a taxi back into the city, and arriving at King Street Blue before everyone...again. So we went in and ordered. I got some nachos. It was during this meal that I realized how much I actually liked Appelgate. I'd had him as a teacher in 8th grade, but I never tried getting along with him like I did with my other teachers. But while the 5 of us ate, we talked and he asked us questions like "if you could only listen to one band, who would it be?" or "if you could only watch one show, what would it be?" but of course, the best part was when he became Uncle Appelgate (later to be Uncle Pederman). "you know what is something really fun to do when you're around people you don't know?...just make stuff up!" he said, one point after the waitress had just walked away. "So hears our story. Today is my birthday, and I'm your guy's favorite uncle and you brought me out to eat!" we all laughed.
•Walking down a few blocks to wait for our Ghost Story Tour to start. We went into a candy shop while we waited, and I bought a bunch of pop rocks. Then as Brenda and I were talking to Appelgate and Skeen, we were informed of videos on YouTube known as The Housel by the middle school teachers.
•The entire travel group was split in two, and each half went with their tour guide. Ours was friendly, but the best at seeking the 'scary' story, but nice nonetheless.
•Everyone getting back on the bus, except for Brenda, Juan, danika, Charlie, Helen, frank, gabe, and I because Dillahunt was gonna take us to see the White House. Apparently, they had gone the day before, but we missed it because we arrived an hours after them. Charlie had gotten pink eye, and had to be taken to the hospital to get eye drops...Helen, gabe, and frank just tagged along. Lol.
•Dillahunt kept chuckling at me because I was walking a bit behind the group. He thought it was because I was tired, and I was considering it was like 10pm, but it was mainly because my ankle was killing me...but I didn't want I say anything.
•Getting to the white house, and taking a bunch of pictures! :)
•Mr. Dillahunt putting his arm around me, just as we were getting to the hotel, and asking if had been tired since we left, after noticing I had been getting slower. I just said yes; didn't want him to know my ankle was hurting.
•Taking the bus for the one hour ride to the Naval Academy, during which time, Brenda and I decided to look up The Housel on my phone...and discovered middle school teachers have way too much time on their hands. Because of these videos, Appelgate became Pederman, and Skeen became Vandalay. ^_^
•Getting back into the city and taking a tour of Fords Theater. After which every went separate ways to buy some lunch. Tawnee and Tricia ended up joining Brenda and I at McD's and then we all went to spend the last half out at the 3story Forever 21 down the block.
•Everyone meeting up and walking down the the Smithsonian of American History. Brenda, Juan and I wondered jt together. but ooooh dear goodness, we were tired! And my ankle wasn't helping. :P
•Exiting the museum after enough time, and sitting outside in the sun, on the stairs around the fountain outside with the people who had already exited, waiting for everyone else.
•Eating fries, fruit punch, and ice cream at Ollie's Trolly.
•Brenda posing in the oval office setting at the wax museum. She got really comfortable on that desk!! Lol
•walking by the Smithsonian of American Art and saying I wish I could go there. "really!?" Pederman said, surprised. "...yes." I replied. "you like art?!" he seemed very surprised by this for some reason. "oh wait, of course you do, you're a photographer!" he finally concluded.
•Going to the Spy Museum and loosing Brenda once we got in, so I wondered alone through it. During this time, I realized that no matter how far I go, and what I'm doing, I can't escape my ghosts. One point, as I was getting to the end of the museum tour, I suddenly felt an emptiness, and I felt like I was short of oxygen. I went through one door, followed the guided path and through another door, only to end up in the original hall. Suddenly, I felt a slight desperation, and a need to get out. I quickly found the exit door, and almost ran out, into the gift shop. I can't explain it...idk why this happened. But I didnt like it.
•Walking to the capital building and getting to tour it. Then taking the underground tunnel that connects to the Library of Congress.
•The Library of Congress. So beautiful.
•Sitting at one of the tables outside the library and talking with Dillahunt.
•getting on the busses and going to the Jefferson memorial. Oh the setting is just amazing, right on the river, looking out and seeing the Washington monument, just as the sun is starting to lower in the sky (not quite sunset, but no longer the afternoon bright sky). I took a couple pictures, then I sat at the edge of the monument 'sidewalk' looking out. And letting my emotions sink in, allowing a tear to leave me.
•Getting on the busses again and going to the Kennedy Center to watch a play. We arrived a bit early, so we all went out to the terrace and hung out and enjoyed the beautiful view. At this point, emotions were getting the best of me. I wondered a bit away a from the group and just stared out, not wanting to cry, but tears forming anyways.
•Mrs. and Mr. Skeen, Pederman, Brenda, and Juan coming over to where I was standing, so Brenda, Juan, mrs Skeen, and I could take a pictures together. Pederman held the camera up ready to shoot, and said "alright, everyone smile! Pretend like your happy to be here!" we all laughed and smiled for the picture. "Good job at pretending to be happy," Pederman said. I think I saw him glance at me.
•Watching the play Shear Madness. Oh goodness that was funny!!!!! And one of the actors was pretty attractive. ;) lol
•going to the air and space museum.
•Brenda checking the ATM to see how much money she had....then came the creation of her infamous '$97 song'
•going to the Newseum. :)
•Looking at the Pulitzer display @ the Newseum. Then me and ms jones realizing that everyone had left to the presentation they had set up for our group, and had been left behind. We wondered a bit, went to the gift shop and looked around. Then we went in to see a 4D video, which was pretty cool!
•Brenda and Ms Jones doing a fake news report! (Ms. Jones' infamous line: "mmm. I love me those hotdogs!")
•Going to the National Archives, and getting in trouble by security for chewing gum.
•Going to the MLK Memorial. Then walking over to the FDR memorial.
•While sitting at the FDR with Brenda, Sam, and Jessica, talking with Dillahunt and confessing that I flinch every time he comes near because I feel like he's going to thump my forehead! Lol
•Going to eat at a Mexican restaurant and getting served pink lemonade! :)
•Finally getting to go shopping at Pentagon City Mall!!!
•Three guys trying to hit on me and Brenda as we were leaving Forever 21. Brenda is so sweet and innocent, she has no idea what was going on.
•The girl working at gap saying she loved my shoes. (yellow oxfords.) not sure why I remember this. O_o
•Going to the Washington monument the next day, and freezing because the wind was cooold!
•The Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Not the most exciting, but interesting still.
•The Holocaust Museum.
•Entering the room filled with shoes taken from camps. The musty smell, dim light...the darkness.
•Going through the section known as Daniel's Story. Opening the the box that contained plastic cookies...his sister's name written in fake icing shot a sting through my heart.
•Buying The Giver at the gift shop.
•Heading back to the hotel and getting ready for the dinner cruise.
•Complementing Dillahunt on his spiffy outfit. Haha
•having another moment while outside on the cruise boat.
•sitting and eating with Brenda, tori, Jessica, and gabby.
•Laughing at the middle schoolers, that were also on the boat, as they "danced"
•getting up to dance a song with Juan, then one of the middle school boys comes over and starts dancing with me. He was funny, so I let him. Then he came over and asked to take a picture with us, so we did.
•watching Pederman as he bobbed his head to the music, while other teachers just sat there, conversing.
•everybody singing along to We Are Young.
•Pederman and Skeen busting some moves as we slowly made our way off the boat.
•walking back to the metro station after the cruise, and getting caught in a "shove fight" between ms jones and Dillahunt (they just laughed as they pushed me back and forth and squished me between them. Haha) made sure not to get stuck between those two again!
•danike finding out the next morning that she would be flying alone with Pederman, and freaking out. Not only was it gonna be just them two, but they woould be leaving about 3hours before everyone, and would have to wait in Seattle for those three hours.
•taking our luggage down the next morning to the breakfast room. Our tour guides from the week saying their official farewells(although they still had a few hours with us)
•walking to the supreme court, which was closed unfortunately, and throwing a coin into the fountain outside.
•Dillahunt letting us all wonder the last few hours around the national mall. We went to the NATIONAL ART GALLERY!!!! :D
• Standing in front of Picasso, Monet, and Van Gogh paintings. Surreal. <3
•Buying a little sketch book and drawing pencils. :)
•Brenda and I trying to figure out the map and our phone gps as we try to get to the old post office to eat.
•joining a group of our people who were getting ready to head to the metro stop where everyone was suppose to meet.
•Getting to the airport and finding there was some trouble with our plane tickets.
•seeing mr. Dillahunt angry for the first time. :/
•Saying bye to Deb and the other tour guide, and telling Dillahunt we "were plotting to sneak onto a plane to Hawaii." he said to bring him back a pineapple....and to text him when we got to Chicago. Lol
•Juan, Brenda, and I waiting around for our plane, because we left about half an hour after every one else.
•Drawing the Mockingjay as we flew to Chicago.
•Arriving in Chicago, and sending a text to Dillahunt that said "we are currently about to board a plane to Hawaii. We will bring your pineapple."
•Arriving in Seattle and finding Mr and Mrs Skeen, and Pederman waiting for us with the school van, because the busses didn't want to wait. :P
•Everyone falling asleep during the van ride, except for Pederman, Mr Skeen and myself.....a bit awkward I admit.
•Arriving at school at the same time as the busses, @ about 2:45am.
•getting picked up by my dad, going home, and falling asleep.
A beautiful, once in a lifetime, experience. Something I'll never forget. <3
"Miracles come in moments.
Be ready and willing."
