Chapped Cheeks, Majestic Columns, and Important Documents

Wow! I just spent three chilly nights in our nation's capital, Washington, DC. The drive up was short, compared to other drives I have made before. I got lost for a little while in Georgetown trying to locate my hotel, but I finally noticed the very small sign and settled in for the night. Saturday morning I meandered down Pennsylvania avenue and met up with David Luria, a professional photographer, for a half day lesson on how to best portray Washington in photographs. He took me to several of the famous monuments and memorials and critiqued my photos after he had provided some instruction. With a growing interest in photography, this was my favorite thing that I did the whole weekend. Since I did this at the beginning of my first day, I was able to practice all my new skills for the remaining time in DC. As David stated, "There are no bad cameras...only bad photographers."

So what did I see? I started off with the White House and it's high iron fence and snipers on the roof. I walked around and viewed it from the front and back. Not as impressive as I thought it would be to view, but impressive to think of all the former presidents that once occupied it, starting with John Adams. Since I did not request a pass from my senator or house representative in advance, I was not able to tour the White House. So, I settled for the visitor center which serves as a museum. After grabbing lunch at Union Station, which is beautiful and remarkable, I headed toward the capital. As I approached this iconic American symbol, I imagined what it must be like as our national legislators gather together and represent our democratic form of government. Did you know that there are electric subway cars that connect parts of the building or that no other building in DC can rise above the Capital Dome? Standing on the steps of the Capital, I had a grand view of the National Mall. With the hard to miss Washington Monument as my guide, I headed down toward the Lincoln Memorial. I stopped first at the World War II Memorial, the city's newest memorial. This had a little more meaning to me as I had just listened to stories last week from one of my patients as he recalled events of the war. He fought on the front lines and survived, but he watched many of his fellow soldiers die. Next, I saw the Korean War Memorial. This very realistic representation of the servicemen cautiously walking through the marshes, makes you feel like you are joining them for their dangerous mission. Next, I moved onto the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial. As I walked along the wall amidst other people, there was not a sound. Many were searching for family members names. What a powerful wall. I also found the Three Servicemen Statue and the Vietnam Women's Memorial to be very moving. Finally, I reached the end of the mall and the Lincoln Memorial. Reading "Four Score and Seven Years Ago..." etched into the wall, I couldn't help but feel as if Lincoln himself was watching me. His statue is so life like. I as walked down the memorial steps, I couldn't help but think of Martin Luther King, Jr delivering his "I have a dream..." speech from those very steps on which I stood. Now facing east, the view of the Washington Monument and the Capital was spectacular. Feeling quite satisfied with what I had seen, and feeling quite tired from all of my walking, I headed to Georgetown for some dinner. The streets were hoppin' with people everywhere. There are tons of shops and restaurants. It was all I could do to eat and go get in bed.

Sunday was spent at a more leisurely pace. With temperatures in the teens and the wind whipping, I decided it was time to conquer the subway system. I will have to admit this terrified me. Do I need to stay on this one or get on blue line...or was that the orange line...maybe it's the green line. Which direction am I going? Needless to say, I quickly figured it out, with the help of some locals. I traveled all over the city and stayed warmed. My first stop was the National Archives. Who would have thought I would have such an emotional experience looking at three of America's most cherished documents. While nearly faded and almost unreadable, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights were stirring. The emotion that I felt looking at those documents was nothing compared to what I was about to experience at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Seeing the graphic images of brutality and death, and thinking about how some of the victims had no idea of their approaching fate, was draining. I then hopped the metro and went to Arlington National Cemetery. Walking past the endless rows of headstones, you realize as you read them how young some of these men were. You also realized how many people sacrificed their lives for our freedom. I visited JFK's grave sight adorned with an eternal flame. Excerpts from his speeches are inscribed on a fountain wall. It really is beautiful. I ended the night on a happy note. I went to the Kennedy Center for a concert. I didn't realize that the Kennedy Center is a national memorial or that it is one of the nation's busiest cultural centers. The theaters are grand, as well as the Grand Foyer, which is one of the largest rooms in the world. At 630 feet in length, you could lay the Washington Monument on its side with room to spare. Anyway, the concert was great as was the venue.

Monday morning I walked into Georgetown for breakfast and reflected on all that I had seen.
I had such a great time this weekend. There is so much more to see in DC and now that I have accepted a position in Baltimore, Maryland, I will have more opportunities to return to DC. It is a great city full of history and amazing architecture. The memorials and museums are easy to locate and the best part is that they are free. As I was walking back to my hotel, I saw a man, let's say relieving himself, right there on the side of the road. I suppose my cultural experience was complete now.

Before I forget, a hand update. I have therapy 3 times a week and can now make a fist. I still can't bare weight on it though and my grip is pretty weak. I go back Feb 5th for a check up.
Will keep you posted.

Flying and Crying

I now have my cast off and have begun rehab. It is amazing what 6 weeks in a cast can do to your hand. My first session was tough. It didn't help that when I sat down with my therapist that another therapy asked, "Do you like pain?" Apparently Linda has a reputation for cranking people's hands. I had no idea it would be so painful. My therapist kept telling me to breath. I really wanted to cry but I didn't want to be a sissy. I suppose the pain was worth it. I went from barely being able to bend my fingers to almost making a fist. Of course my fingers continue to get stiff and I have to keep moving them. I have to actually think about using my right hand now as I have become accustomed to using only my left hand. Life is getting easier. Hallelujah! I can button my pants, pull my hair back, wear more of my clothes, tie my shoes, and cook, among other things. Although, I still can't use a knife too well. I know this will take a while, but I can't wait to return to all the things that I love doing. To my fellow OT's...I have a greater appreciation for you!!


I finally got out and explored. This weekend I went to Sylvan Heights, a Waterfowl and Eco-Center. It is dedicated to the conservation of the world's waterfowl. It has over 1000 birds representing more than 170 species, including many rare and endangered species. Now, I know that this does not sound like the most exciting thing that I have done, but it actually ended being pretty interesting. I listened to a lecture by a British guy whose father bought a couple of islands in South America for the purpose of conservation. He describe how over-fishing is affecting the whole ecosystem. The park is designed so that you actually are able to get up close and personal. It is sectioned off by the continents that the birds originated and once you close each gate, you are under a massasive net with the birds, some flying around. My favorites were the grey parrot that whistled the Andy Griffith theme song, the white parrots that danced and said hello, and the kookaburras whose laughing was so contagious that I couldn't help but join in and giggle too. I never knew there were so many birds. The personality of some of these birds was evident from the boastful chest to the pecking at my jewelry. The colors of these birds were amazing, such as the Mandarin duck, which originates from Japan. It was at one time given as a gift to newlyweds.


The Eco-Center is apparently a big deal, with biologist and avian researches coming from all over the world for conservation projects. It also breeds and raises the birds for major zoos and biological institutions. I really enjoyed myself. After leaving the Eco-Center, I drove to the square in Tarboro and walked along the sidewalks and looked at the large, grand, historic homes.

Next weekend I am heading to Washington, DC to soak up all the history and sights that it has to offer. I should have a lot to share on my next blog.

NEW YEAR...NEW BEGINNINGS

Wow. Another year has flown by. Christmas has come and gone. While 2007 may have ended a little rocky, the memories that I created this past year, will last me a lifetime. I am another year older now and quickly leaving my twenties behind. But if the rest of my thirties are half as good as my first year, I am hopeful and excited about what is to come. I anticipate that this new year will be full of transition and changes. Not because I will be moving every three months, but because I have decided to quit traveling at the end of this year. Where will I decide to roost? I have no clue...I'm kinda hoping it will come to me.


With the holidays and traveling home, that has not left much time for exploring. Since I have no new adventures to share, I thought I would recap my favorite moments of 2007 and revisit some of my favorite photos.


2007 started off with my first true "out of the country" experience. I counted down to the new year in a pub in Scotland. This is where I first realized that some men can make a skirt look good. I also realized that I have a deep passion for traveling and seeing new places. Now if I could just win that lottery. When I returned back to reality in South Carolina, it was there that I discovered another passion. I love working with voice disorders and head and neck cancer patients. I finally have some direction. Went snow skiing for my first time in NC and loved it.

Took an assignment in Oregon and made a cross country drive by myself. I was fascinated by the Indians in New Mexico and was left with my mouth gaping wide open as I stared into the Grand Canyon. I imagined the life of a movie star as I explored Hollywood and Malibu, and I was amazed at the beauty of the scenery as I left Northern California and entered Southern Oregon. I kayaked through small canyons and held on for dear life through rapids. I fell in love with nature and sleeping under the stars. I crawled through caves and hiked to the summit of mountains. I played in snow and marveled at waterfalls cascading over mountain sides. I felt small as I stared up at the Redwoods and saw the most beautiful coastline that I had ever seen. I learned to salsa. I enjoyed fine wines and beautiful views of vineyards in the valley. I completed "Harvest Bootcamp" and relaxed on a blanket while listening to great music. I fished in beautiful rivers. I saw the Golden Gate Bridge and dined in the top of the Space Needle. I made a cross country drive back home with my dad...a memory that will always stand out in my mind. We saw snow capped mountains, canyons, buffalo, and moose. We gazed at Mt. Rushmore and were left perplexed by the Corn Palace. But the greatest thing we saw was home.


Fast forward to Thanksgiving and visiting with family and friends. All it took was one little fall and landing in an awkward position. So, here I am, about to turn thirty one. I have a cast on my arm because I broke my hand and my focus is now on getting adequate calcium. My worries have now shifted to how to open bottles and button my pants. I started a new assignment in North Carolina and found myself challenged to perform my job with one hand. I soon acclimated and now have become quite ambidextrous. I lost my grandmother and faced another reality that time and life don't stop. It keeps going and you have to go with it. Which brings us back to my initial subject...the new year. Did I make some resolution to exercise more? No. Although I am trying to eat less foods with preservatives. What I did resolve to do is best summed up by Max Lucado: "Love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek his grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest."