In Love With Switzerland

The National Georgraphic Museum routinely partners with different countries and has a travel event. In the past we have been for Durban in South Africa (Taking Durban to the World) and Tanzania (Discover Tanzania). They serve drinks and snacks before the talk. After, there is more food and drinks and we usually leave with a goody bag. 

After the Tanzania event, we got wonderful passport holders. 

The Switzerland event was okay, but the food was delicious, as usual. And we got Lindt, Cheese and a Swiss Army Knife in our goody bags! Along with an NG magazine, as they usually include. :)

Red Cross Headquarters

Red Cross Men and Women Killed in Service Memorial

After the taping of Jeopardy, Kristina and I walked to Buredo. On our way there, I noticed a statue of 4 people that looked interesting, so I wanted to go closer and have a look. It was the Red Cross Men and Women Killed in Service Memorial. We were at the Red Cross Headquarters. I always knew vaguely where it was, but I had never seen it. 

We walked through the Red Cross buildings and saw the Armenian Earthquake Statue that was presented as a thank you to American Red Cross. 

Both of them are beautiful, and my photos don't capture them will in the failing light. 

Armenian Earthquake Statue 

Jeopardy! Taping in DC!

Kristina had tickets for the taping of Jeopardy at the DAR Constitution Hall, and so this is what we did for our April date :). For the 4PM taping that we went for, they taped 2 quarterfinals of Teen Jeopardy.

We got lucky with our place in the line to get into DAR and got seated in the third row from the stage!! We did't have to wait too long after we were seated, before the taping began. The contestants for the first show were already on stage and a lady was with them. Every time there was a break she went and talked to them and seemed really enthusiastic. We guessed that she was there to keep their spirits up and to calm nerves. 

Alex Trebek answered audience questions during commercial breaks and was a good entertainer :) 

The taping was a lot of fun and I am glad I had the chance to go. Eugene is unlike to have such opportunities, so it is best to make the most of it while we are here. Glad I decided to leave work early and go :)

After the taping, we walked to Buredo for dinner of sushi burritos! They were delicious, and I want to go back. I didn't take photos of the food though. Boo. 

On our walk there, we passed the white house. I love how the shorted route to just walking to dinner in DC can involve passing the white house :)

Washington Monument, White House, General Jackson Statue

General Jackson Statue

Prairie Dogs at the National Zoo

This Saturday we wanted to go for a walk. Having recently realised that the zoo is just over a mile from our place, we went there. It was crowded! 

We looked at a bunch of the animals, but it was our first time spotting the Prairie Dogs. They are fun to watch. Popping out of their holes, to pick and quickly nibble at blades of grass :)

Lancaster for a Day!

During our previous 2 trips to Lancaster, we weren't able to go to the Clock Museum. I wanted to go see it before we left DC. So, we decided to go there for a day. Naz wanted to come to DC that weekend. So, she took a train to Lancaster and we picked her up from the station there and we all went to the Clock Museum. It was interesting and beautiful! :) 

Advertising Clock of late 19th century - In addition to the ads on the dial and reverse-painted glass, the three drums t the base of the clock carry three ads each. When the clock is running, they rotate every five minutes, showing a total of nine ads every fifteen minutes.

Tank Time, 2016 - Randall Cleaver, Takoma Park, MD
This unique novelty clock is made up of mostly "found" items: Iron tank found in a trash pike in Philadelphia, Speaker horn from an antiques mall around Harrisburg, PA, Bar stool legs from a stood the artist used at his work bench, Outdoor light case in a trash find from Philadelphia, Drip coffee pot parts from the artist's Philadelphia friend who was moving, Aluminium baking sheet from artist's wife's mother, Copper sheet and copper pipe from artist's general stockpile, Chiming clock movement, pendulum movement, calendar movement all purchased new. 

These creepy looking clocks told time with their eyes. Look closer.

After the museum, we went to Katie's Kitchen for Amish food and to buy their peanut butter for Saurabh. He loves it! Unfortunately, they didn't have any that day to sell and Saurabh was out of luck. Guess he won't be getting that peanut butter again. At least we got some with the rolls of bread with our meal. 

After lunch, there was an American Doll store that Naz saw signs for, so we followed them and went in. It was my first introduction to the American Doll (though, they only sold replicas) and all her outfts and things!

One floor up, at this store was the "nursery". A staff member there was dressed in scrubs and when we went up there, we were able to hold dolls that were the size of new borns and weighted so they felt like a real baby! The dolls LOOKED LIKE REAL BABIES!

There were a couple that looked insanely like a real baby! SOOO CREEPY!! jeepers!

After the American Doll store we just drove around aimlessly through the Amish country. We stumbled upon one covered bridge, saw a bunch of Amish, and a saw one Amish boy on this funny looking wagon for kids being pulled by what looked like miniature houses down the slope of the front yard of a house. We have no idea what that was! (We were driving, we we weren't able to take a photo) 

Chickery and March Date with KZH

Kristina and I went to Chickery for dinner. I got the Chickery Box (1 Chicken Feather, 1 Chicken Finger, 1 Side, 1/2 Naked Salad, 1 Dipping Sauce).​ ​The rotisserie chicken was over by the time we got there, so I had to have the fried option. It was delicious, though.

Chickery Box

I really liked this bulb

I don't know what I was doing with my hand

Kogod Courtyard

Kogod Courtyard 

For the first time today, I visited the Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard between the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, for my interview for the DC EcoWomen internship. The courtyard is gorgeous! 

Tables and chairs for people to use

It is one of DC's largest indoor public spaces. I absolutely love the glass curved ceilings. The water scrims (designed by Kathryn Gustafson) gives an outdoor effect to this indoor space, and I think it is lovely. It is a great please to me, have an early dinner, and just hang out and talk. I hope to be able to viti is again before we leave DC

I love the ceilng

Water Scrims

An Idyllic Sunday Morning...

It was 7 AM, when I woke up this morning. The road was damp and silent. As I lay in bed, I listened to the nest call of the Mourning Dove. The peacefulness of this early hour got me out of bed, into my jeans, sweater, and jacket, and out of the house. Sipping on a thick latte, I explored the trails in White Haven and Glover-Archbold Parks. The sound of this tiny waterfall stopped me and made me pause, listen, and smile. Sometimes, this is all you need your Sunday morning to be...

White Haven Trails

I love cardinals! The red. I tried to get a photo. There is one in there. Really.

See, when I zoomed in!

I Love These Bells!

After we went to the Franciscan Monastery and the Basilica, we drove past this church, Ukranian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family. I really liked these bells, so we stopped to take photos :)

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

I had heard so much about the Basilica. We finally made it here after our visit to the Franciscan Monastery. The Basilica is really impressive from outside and lovely as you approach. 

The Entrance is Gorgeous

Inside, the mosaic work on the ceilings is gorgeous and we really liked them. 

Nave and Mosaic Ceilings

Organ and Mosaic Ceiling

They have a massive organ in the nave. Probably the largest one I've seen.

Organ

However, in comparison to the National Cathedral, the Basilica does not hold much light. The beauty of the carving of the limestone inside and and on the outside of the cathedral looks so impressive in general, but especially compared to the marble interior and exterior of the Basilica. I love my cathedral ♡ :)