So I will post another picture soon. My trip was good but very tiring and busy. Tuesday we went on a tour of the Pentagon which was very cool. It was interesting. It looks like a mall inside - no joke, with stores and everything. We also has a ceremony at the EPA and few people spoke including the Surgeon General so all in all it was worth it to go and a good trip.

Now I am back in NYC, flaming garbage can and all. I am busy at work, finishing those report cards, going a little nuts (a little more nuts), moving right along, trying to figure out life like usual. :)

So I am back now...
The first image being back in New York is seeing the police trying to put out a garbage can that was on fire in Penn Station. Is that normal? I think it is a great image for people to get when they first arrive in New York. Oh, welcome to the city, you can't get off the train because some idiot decided to ignite a garbage can!

So today I went down to breakfast and found some other people looking lost and such so I asked and they were also from our group. I had breakfast with some really nice people from Salt Lake City, Utah and the other people are from Alabama, upstate NY, and PA so its kind of an interesting mix. Most of the people who came have never been to Washington before so it is also interesting to hear their perspective on everything. They also were telling me where they were from they made a really big deal about the contest and were interviewed by local news and honored by the mayor and stuff which just doesn't happen in a city like New York. Also, I am the youngest adult here. (ha ha I know what you are thinking) and I got some interesting "You're the teacher?" reactions from people which I think I was prepared for. Also there are kids who answer their teachers, "yes ma'am" ??? That doesn't happen in NY does it? It's kind of cool.
Today was a crazy day of touring all you can see in one day. I need to go back to some of these places and y'all know how much I love museums. The minerals and gems at the Smithsonian is unbelievable. I really likee looking at all the different crystal formations of minerals and I know so little about it. It is a part of science I really never learned before. We never learned earth science in school because I took some other science instead so I feel like I really want to learn it. All and all it's been an interesting experience so far. Tomorrow is when all the ceremonies and stuff are.
The thing is, when we get back to the hotel it is 8 and I am a little bored because there is no one here with me. It's a really nice room, but I think I said before, what is the point if there is no one to share it with? Does that make sense. I mean I value time alone and I know I will get back to the city and be like I wish I was alone, but certain times it is not all that to be all by yourself. Does this make sense. I think this might be why these blogs are ending up so long. My computer is really not working as it should but when I finally get online it is pretty much okay.

So right now I am typing from a hotel room in Washington DC It's a really nice room, nice hotel. Apparently they have had the presidents inaugural ball here every inauguration since Roosevelt which is kind of cool.

I was actually a fun day because I got here a day early than the program actually starts and Es decided to come down to DC for the day also so we went touring and stuff. We went to the National galleries, the National Archive, the Spy Museum and the portrait gallery. It was cool there were a few exhibits which were good like one on Josephine Baker who we read about also at the spy museum.

What was funny last night was when Es decided to come she looked up both trains and flights and it was cheaper to fly for the day! Then she ended up randomly in the seat next to me. Pretty funny. So it was a good day. It is actually much warmer here than it is in New York. After Es left I went back to the hotel. There is nothing to do here but watch tv. I have been trying to do some work on my computer but my computer has been a bit wonky and it took ages for me to get online at all....so I don't know if I am actually going to get any work done. I will probably go to sleep soon because we are supposed to meet up for breakfast at 8 and then go to Arlington Cemetary the thing is I have heard from no one on this trip yet. I know other people got in today but I dont know anyone but I think its a little weird that the organizers didn't leave us messages or anything.

Also it says to "dress casual" tomorrow and "a little more dressy" the next day. What does that mean? So I basically brought a whole lot of black because you can't go wrong in black. I might look a little morbid though. We shall see.

Anyways, about all the stuff I said I didn't understand before, I still don't understand. I think that everytime I take a risk and put myself out there or really stand up for things it backfires at me. I think that is happening again. I really don't know. I think it is good that I am away for a few days and occupied with other things than the usual.