DC-27

AJ's birthday was this past weekend and we decided to take full advantage of our close proximity to DC and LIVE IT UP at our nation's capital in celebration. And that is how we found ourselves at...the Newseum. (My original plan was tickets to the Nationals game, but finances prevented such an excursion. And crisis averted! Longest playoff game ever and the home team lost? Pass. Who didn't lose? The Dodgers.) Thus, we found ourselves soaking up all the journalistic exhibits the Newseum had to offer. It was my first time and is one of AJ's favorite places from his internship days in DC, and it did not disappoint. At $23, tickets are pricey, but I downloaded the Gold Star app, which offers discounted tickets for events all over the country, and scored us some for $5 off. (I hate/love this about myself.) Either way, well worth it. We only had a few hours and I could have spent forever in the last exhibit alone, which was all of the Pulitzer-Prize winning photos, along with detailed written and video explanations from the photographers. I remembered poring over Time-Life books at my Grandma and Grandpa Urmston's house, and many of those photos were here, so it was a moment of nostalgia as well. There was also an incredibly moving exhibit on 9/11, as well as one focused upon the Civil Rights Movement, a map analysis of the freedoms (or lack thereof) of the press around the world, a feature on journalists who have given their lives for the story...too many exhibits to detail but all important and impactful. I'm looking forward to going again.

Life in Chicago, 1982

Our worlds collide: first editions 

Goodman, Chaney, and Schwerner

Daniel Pearl's passport and translation book

Journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty

Flag that flew over the Pentagon on September 11th

Joy

Winning the bronze, Barcelona Olympics

While there, we met up with some friends from Utah, my Provo roommate Stephanie and her guy. This is proof that, if you visit DC, we will drive two hours to see you. Because we love you. Post-museum, we hit up Potbelly's for AJ's favorite sammy, the White House, Washington Monument, Vietnam Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial. I've been to the Lincoln Memorial a few times, and it never ceases to amaze me; at night, it's on another level. Abe just glows from within, and his larger-than-life words of the Gettysburg Address and Second Inaugural Address are so powerful, especially when surrounded by others who are also taking in his prose. A few passages that stood out:

Both parties deprecated war, but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish, and the war came.

Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes.

Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."

The third is especially poignant, as last week we attended a lecture by John Meacham, author of Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power. An engaging and intelligent historian (redundant!), he discussed the fact that, while the debt of gratitude we owe to our third president is deep and great, and the role Jefferson played in the founding of America is one of the most important, the fact that he brushed away the issue of slavery to be dealt with at a later time is one of his greatest faults. To visit the Lincoln Memorial and be reminded how our 16th president worked to resolve the issue from his position of leadership was empowering. One thing that Meacham advised to the audience was, rather than looking up to people of the past in a reverential manner, or looking down on them in a critical and judging way, we should "look them in the eye"; for this is the way we can see them for who they are, and take the lessons we learn from their inaction and be active participants in making our world today better.

After the National Mall, we headed to Toki Underground, a ramen spot that came highly recommended by our dear friend Lee. I'm sorry, it's a 3 hour wait? Perfect, we'll be back in a month. We caught a few innings of the aforementioned Nationals game while waiting, then made our way to &pizza on H St. (not a typo, actual name). Yesyesyesyesyes. From the interior to the workers to the pies, we loved it all. AJ had the Farmer's Daughter: spicy tomato, housemade mozzarella, hot sausage, spinach, farm eggs, parmesan reggiano, and red pepper chili oil; while I had the Kiss & Fire: spicy tomato, quattro formaggi blend, ricotta spread, meatballs, local mushroom blend, and strawberry balsamic. I also tried their housemade pear and fig soda...and the anise root beer...as well as the citrus fizz and mango tangerine. IT WAS HOUSEMADE, I HAD TO! I highly recommend the place: casual, affordable, eclectic, great food. I'm always impressed when just one item can take a dish to the next level; for me, it was the strawberry balsamic. Most of the time, fruity balsamics are way too sweet and syrupy, but this was like homemade strawberry jam with the vinegary tang of the balsamic; the perfect complement to the spicy tomato sauce and heat of the meatballs.

For dessert, AJ surprised me with "sweets for the stomach AND the mind." (His words, obviously.) DuPont Circle is home to the BEST spot, Kramer Books & Afterwords. The bookshop is open until 1 am, they've got a live DJ on the ones and twos, and there's a cafe/bar. Books piled everywhere, classic neon sign in the window, amaretto-soaked brownie sundae....le siiiigh...My own private Idaho. I hunkered down and read a couple chapters of Lena Dunham's newest (quick review: I liked what I read, but I wasn't $28 hardcover blown away. I'll probably just read it a few chapters at a time at Barnes & Noble and eventually buy a used copy, while eagerly awaiting the fourth season of Girls.) Bonus: AJ bought me a graphic guide to feminism. BOW DOWN.

Sunday dawned and AJ entered his 27th year. Good food, Face Time with the family, naps, General Conference, football, love, dancing in front of the mirror in his new threads with his Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and my first attempt at a mint chocolate chip ice cream cake. Happy birthday baby, I can't wait for infinity more birthdays with you. Thank you to everyone who wished him well from near and far. It means everything to us.