Friday afternoon I went with the D.C. Ombudsman office to a nursing home site visit. The visit was very touching to me, and heartbreaking. The things going on there and way residents were sitting around was horrible. And I say this from my own perspective as we walked through the building, not the Ombudsman's opinions. I could see things clear as day. It really makes me appreciate the facilities I work with at home and the care that is given there. On a lighter side, I don't think I have ever been to this large of nursing home- 296 beds!! The place was huge!
After the site visit, I met up with Courtney (my freshman roomie) and her family for dinner in Chinatown. Then we went to the White House since Courtney didn't get to go there on the tour they were on earlier....haha...long story short we got there and took a couple of pictures and then the secret service was swarming and kicked us off Pennsylvania Avenue and the park behind it. Sirens were screeching and as we stood across the street from the park they began blocking the road....5 or 6 firetrucks, EMS supply trucks, Ambulances, and TONS of police cars just shut things down. Oh ya, and we can't forget about the huge group of roller bladers who went by and a police SUV literally was inches from hitting one guy...he had to catch himself on the hood of the SUV so he didn't completely fall down. Now THAT was a close call! We stood there for about 50 minutes watching and waiting for someone to come in or go out but nothing ever happened. The firemen were even all out of the trucks in their full gear for some reason. Then randomly after 50 minutes it was like "Ok, you can go back in now to the park...
"
After the White House we said our goodbyes and I headed home. I traveled through Dupont Circle and stopped to listen to the musicians playing for a bit. Later that evening Holly and I went out for a couple of drinks in Adam's Morgan...then main reason I wanted to go was for the JUMBO slices of pizza!
Saturday was somewhat of a lazy day. I slept in and did laundry for the most part. I also did a lot of computer updating work for various things, and a little research for an project at work. Then around 4pm we headed out to the Nationals Game at RFK Stadium. It was a very slow moving game, plus the Nationals were losing. A lot of us left after about 5 innings.
In this first picture, the sky looked so fake...can you say "Truman Show??". I seriously had to stop and think if we were in a dome or if it was real!
Rachel and I...
The stadium....pre-game (nobody is even here yet!)
The best for last......me and Geico the Gecko. :)
After we got home a few of us headed down to Georgetown. We ended up at Mr. Smith's...an awesome bar that had a live piano man. He was taking tips and requests of songs that had the entire bar singing! Fun times. After awhile I ended up in the courtyard of the apartments talking with some others from the program. It was such a nice night out...night that soon turned to morning.
The girls and I on our way out...
Sunday morning a few of us went to brunch at Martin's Tavern....yes, the place that JFK proposed to Jackie. We didn't sit in the same booth though because we wanted the outdoor seating. After brunch I headed down to explore the National Mall area and check a few more things off of my list of things to accomplish. I went to the Sculpture Gardens, Botanical Park and the Botanical Gardens (indoor), as well as various other little gardens hidden through the Mall. I also went to the US Navy Memorial. It was a nice afternoon. Below are various pictures of me with the pretty flowers, and just the pretty flowers. YES- I took all the photos of the flowers...I am so proud how well they turned out!
look at the bee...
I love this fountain...
Sculpture Garden
Pretty...
Outside the Native American History Museum (I think)
One of my favorites...the colors were amazing...
Weird catcus.
Couldn't find the sign for these, but I am almost sure it is the same flower I have pictures of from St. Kitts a couple years ago.
Another bee....
Daisy...
Cool....Purple..my FAVORITE!
Wiith all the Catcus plants!
I swear...this is my Sadie dog! She must have lost the weight mom wants her to and she is filthy (because she just spent an entire week at the lake for the 4th of July) :)
Alright that's all folks. It is 12:30am and I have to work in the morning at 8:30. Not to mention that I have to leave for Maryland at 4pm for a family council meeting/trainng in the evening...BUT...I get to ride in a real car again! A friend is picking me up at the metro in Maryland and driving me to the meeting. :)
Until next time....
Stephanie
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