This week I had the chance to road trip up to Washington, D.C. with two of the coolest girls you could ever hope to meet. My last visit to the nation’s capital was over a year ago, so I was thrilled to be back in town. With the rainy and dreary weather on hand, I began to doubt that the sun shined anymore in D.C., but weather aside, I could not have had a better time.
To kick our D.C. adventure off, Monday (day 1), on the mall checking out the National Gallery. After grabbing some scrumptious eats at a local pub, I would wager we spent the better portion of the next four hours meandering through the Gallery’s grand halls. Playing critic all afternoon really took it’s toll, so we hit the Metro back to Virginia for a Middle Eastern dinner. On the way home I made the comment that the Metro tunnel reminded me of something straight out of Star Wars.
Apparently, I wasn’t alone in this observation, so we decided to wrap up our night by sprawling out on the couch to watch Star Wars: Episode 4, a capital idea!
On Tuesday we ventured through the dreary weather for my meeting at American University (AU). After taking an quick informal tour of the campus, we parted ways. The girls went to check out the National Cathedral while I sat down with members of AU’s School of Communication (SOC). During our discussion I learned all the ins and outs of the film degrees, scholarships, and even scored tips on finding local residence. Next, my SOC representative explained AU’s Center for Environmental Filmmaking, an organization designed for students just like me who want to travel and show the world a side of nature they’ve never seen before. As if I wasn’t sold enough on D.C. and AU beforehand!
Additionally, D.C. is home to Discovery Channel Head Quarters, National Geographic, and Animal Planet, each of which provide internships for AU SOC students. I can’t imagine a more ideal internship for my situation then working with Discovery Channel, which currently has over 20 AU SOC alumni on staff. I walked away from AU with the confidence that I will be returning to D.C. soon to embark on my next step in education.
Afterward, I met up with the girls at the cathedral for a choral worship session. We then proceeded down the street to the Cactus Cantina to celebrate! Fiesta!!! If you’ve never experienced the Cantina, trust me, it’s MUY BIEN! We wrapped the party up with a late night run to Silver Diner. Even though my jukebox request for “I Will Survive” never came through, enjoying my chunky monkey milkshake over some classic conversation was the perfect way to end the day.
On my last night in D.C., I met up with another friend for an amazing Capitol Hill burger followed by a monument tour. Apparently in May D.C. becomes field trip central, so it was a challenge to do any reflecting amidst the cacophony of middle school chaos. Still, we managed to bounce some deep thoughts around. It’s just the beauty of the monuments.
My favorite monument, FDR, has over 20 powerful quotes that are truly timeless. Whether applying to war, peace, or the depression, Roosevelt offers brilliant insight that we could easily follow today. I remember being moved by this monument one cold February night one year ago. These quotes still sent chills through my body today.
“I see one-third of a nation ill-housed, ill-clad, and ill-nourished. The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” Second Inaugural Address, Washington, D.C., January 20, 1937. (Redistribution of Wealth, Unemployment, Health Care)
“Men and nature must work hand in hand. The throwing out of balance of the resources of nature throws out of balance also the lives of men.” Message to Congress on the Use of Our Natural Resources, Washington, D.C., January 24, 1935. (Gulf Oil Spill)
And then there’s my personal favorite from FDR’s wife, Eleanor, which we can apply to any modern conflict.
“The structure of world peace cannot be the work of one man, or one party, or one nation. It must be a peace which rests on the cooperative effort of the whole world.” Address before Congress on the Yalta Conference, Washington, D.C., March 1, 1945.
After walking what had to have been miles upon miles, it was time to say farewell to the city and catch the Metro out. It’s easy to say goodbye when you know you’ll be back soon.
Today as we drove home, I felt incredibly encouraged and inspired by my time spent in Washington. I’m not sure if I could have had a better time.
I know that it will be a real challenge in my life to step away from Nashville to begin my life as a young professional, but I feel deep down that this is the right path. I’m not exactly sure where this path will lead me, but I feel like the first stop is in our nation’s capital. With a supporting family, great friends, and a God who’s looking out for me, I’m very confident that the future is bright.
This week was truly a capital adventure!
