Only 3 Weeks Left?!?!

It almost doesn't seem possible that I have lived in D.C. for exactly 2 months now! That being said, I only have 3 weeks left as a resident of Capitol Hill. Before I moved up here, I made a list (which I've frequently made additions to as the summer has progressed) of things that I wanted to do/places I wanted to visit/restaurants I wanted to try/etc. I've fulfilled quite a few things, but still have quite a few left to do.

Here is a condensed version of that list for anyone who might be interested in what I've been up to aside from my internship. Also, if anyone has any suggestions for things that aren't on my list that I should do or see before I leave, please feel free to share your ideas! :)

Fulfilled:
• Go to a Nationals game (Nats vs. Pirates 5/19/09)
• Go to a real Irish Pub w/ a live band and dancing (The Old Brogue in Great Falls=great fun!)

• Visit the Library of Congress

• Visit the National Harbor
• Visit the Museum of American History

• Visit the Supreme Court and sit in on a ruling

• Visit the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum

• Go see Night at the Museum II at the Air & Space Museum IMAX theater

• Visit the National Zoo (x2)
• Visit the U.S. Botanic Gardens
• Visit the WWII, Lincoln, Washington, Vietnam, and Jefferson memorials/monuments at night

• Attend a service and intern Bible study at Capitol Hill Baptist Church

• Attend National Community Church services at the Union Station Phoenix Theatre

• Enjoy coffee at Ebenezer's Coffeehouse (they brew fair-trade coffee, the atmosphere is very chill, it's only a 2 minute walk from my building, AND all of the proceeds go toward church missions....can't beat that!)

• Attend a service at the National Presbyterian Church

• Go kayaking in Maryland

• Dancing at Third Edition
• Visit Eastern Market (x3)
• Go shopping in Georgetown
• Walk around Georgetown University’s campus
• Get cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcakes (sooo yummy!)
• Go to “A Capitol Fourth Celebration” concert on the Capitol lawn (Barry Manilow!!! need I say more?!?!)

• Visit the National Gallery of Art

Restaurants I've Been To:

• Rosa Mexicano

• Ardeo

• The Dubliner
• White Tiger
• Union Pub
• Kelly’s Irish Times

• Eat First in Chinatown

• Jaipur Royal Indian Cuisine in Fairfax (delicious and the decor was all PINK!!!)

• Peacock Café in Georgetown

• The Reliable Source at The National Press Club

• Banana Cafe

• Armand's

• Market Lunch (for the infamous "blue buck" pancakes!)

• Mediterra

• Clyde's of Chevy Chase

• Cafe Luna

• The Cheesecake Factory (kahlua cheesecake=AMAZING!)

• Chadwick’s by Georgetown Waterfront

• Station Grill at Union Station

• Rock Bottom Brewery in Ballston

• Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe in Dupont (cool atmosphere with tasty coffee drinks)

Things I Still Need to Accomplish:

• Go to the Newseum

• See a show at the Shakespeare Theatre
• Go see “Spring Awakening” at the Kennedy Center

• Visit Old Town Alexandria

• Take a Ghost & Graveyard tour in Old Town Alexandria

• Spend an evening at a piano bar

• Find a fun karaoke bar and sing there! :)
• Go to Screen on the Green

• Go out in Clarendon

• Visit the Museum of Natural History (it's been several years since I've been there)

• Go hiking/have a picnic at Great Falls Park

• Take a day trip to Baltimore to see an O's game and visit the Inner Harbor (one of my fave places to visit!)

• Visit Annapolis

• Put my detective skills to good use at "Spy at Night" at the International Spy Museum

Dine at:

• La Loma Mexican restaurant
• Kenlaya Thai Cuisine
• Mehak Indian Cuisine

• Thai Coast

• Cactus Cantina

• Old Ebbitt Grill

• Busboys & Poets

• Teaism

• Tortilla Coast

• Nirvana

All in all, I feel that I've had a wonderful city-life experience with a decent mix of touristy adventures combined with a taste of what it feels like to be an actual resident of the nation's capital. Now, I just have to make sure that I squeeze in as many things from my list as I can before August 9th!

Have a wonderful weekend ya'll! :)

“Saving Freedom” From The Hands of Big Government

In the aftermath of our country’s largest government bailout, the concept of big government is an evident reality to many Americans.  In his new book, “Saving Freedom,” Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) sends out a “cry for help” by offering advice and a call to action for his fellow Americans to join the fight against big government.

On Wednesday evening, DeMint promoted his book by addressing a crowd at The National Press Club.  Attributing the title of his book to an inspiration from the award-winning film, Saving Private Ryan, the senator emphasized the importance of ensuring that our freedom is maintained.  “It’s key for younger generations to understand where our freedom comes from.”

DeMint claimed that many Senators today are failing to uphold the oath that they affirmed upon taking office, in which they each swore to ”support and defend the Constitution of the United States.” He pointed out that the founding fathers intended the document to limit government, but that intention is being compromised by the government’s “death grip” on healthcare, transportation, energy, and other prominent issues. “You’re delusional if you think we’re following the Constitution,” he said.

The senator also pointed to religion as a driving force for freedom. “Democracy doesn’t work without Judeo-Christian values.” He explained that the values of early America created the principles of freedom that our country is built upon. “We don’t want a government that is trying to purge religion.”

Again making reference to a Hollywood classic, the senator stressed the important role of every American in preserving the freedom of our country.  For the younger audience members, he briefly recounted the plot of It’s A Wonderful Life, in which James Stewart’s character, George Bailey, believes the world would be better off without him.  Then, his guardian angel shows him the negative effects his town would suffer without him in it, and helps him realize that he has indeed touched lives and made a difference in his community. 

 

Similarly, DeMint believes that individual Americans have a responsibility to get involved in the government process.  “We can’t look at the problems in Washington and say ‘someone needs to fix it.’ It starts with the individuals.”

 

The senator recently attempted to put those words into action when he became the first Republican to support S. 604, The Federal Reserve Sunshine Act of 2009.  S. 604 is the companion to H.R. 1207, legislation introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Ron Paul, calling for an audit of the U.S. Federal Reserve.  However, on Monday, Democratic leaders in the Senate blocked DeMint’s proposed amendment to the annual spending bill based on procedural grounds.

 

Despite this bump in the road, he is not backing down from his fight against big government.  He acknowledged that U.S. spending is following an unsustainable course that requires action.  “I do think it’s the eleventh hour….and if we continue to vote with our hearts instead of our brains this November, we’re going to lose our country.”