Travel Tuesday- Washington DC Edition

Ever since I read every single one of the Dan Brown books (don't judge me) I've had my little heart set on visiting Washington DC. 

So much history! So much awesome. (two perfect reasons, right?)

I have yet to see all the sights/sites(?) (LIKE ABE LINCOLN)... so its a good thing that I'll be back at the end of September!

I'm not sure if this counts as sight-seeing, but our lovely friends/hosts took us to dinner at a Mexican restaurant at National Harbor and it was FANTASTIC. 

I was pretty skeptical about Mexican food in the DC area being from south Texas (tex-mex snob!)....so bravo Rosa Mexicano! I highly recommend a trip if you are visiting National Harbor.

Also, they have a Peeps store. 

this is not a photo of the peeps store

Now, I keep saying that I was in DC knowing very well that I was in Virginia and Maryland and wherever and that DC does NOT actually span the entire area- bare with me. 

We ACTUALLY went to DC because I wanted to be touristy, but let me tell you, parking is a nightmare!!! I got a little bit grumpy, but by the time we found a spot it was literally on the street directly in front of the Smithsonian (and free!!) and I was a happy happy camper.

The only part of the Smithsonian we had time to see was the Natural Science museum which was way cool. 

We made a beeline for the shiny things, of course...

I would impress you with my knowledge of rocks, but that would be boring via blog-land so I'll spare you.

Oh, and we saw the Hope diamond!!! Very cool. The picture however did Not turn out cool because of the glass and lights and reflections and well...its in a museum. 

I love museums.

The coolest "sightseeing" adventure for me was definitely visiting the Arlington National Cemetery.

I absolutely love history, and even would consider myself a history buff if it weren't for my inability to remember dates and names even if my life depended on it.... but the people, documents, patriotism, wars, love, families, events, memorials....they are all wrapped up in this place.

Little white stones as far as you can see in any direction...those are all somebody's someone that meant the world to them and everyone else in their lives and its just an overwhelming and humbling place to be if you let your mind wander. That was kind of a run on sentence.

Even more meaningful is how Drew's job fits into all of that history. It was one thing to 'know' what his job was, but it was an entirely different experience to witness in context.

Maybe I'll get him on here one day to tell you about it, because he describes it far better than I ever could. So I'll just leave you with this photo.

:)

I'm currently in Waco saying my goodbyes to the faculty and to Baylor...super sentimental! 

Happy beginning of school to my teacher/student friends and readers!

I hope you all have a great start to a wonderful and blessed year. 

One last question- Have you been to DC? Tell me something that I must see or do that I can add to my list for my next visit!!

Music City

Hello friends!

First of all, I've been absolutely floored by all of your support with my England story and this Wind Ensemble tour! You guys are seriously the best, and I had no idea what a wonderfully community I was getting myself into when Sarah introduced me to blogging just  a few months ago! Thank you thank you :)

Time for a Wind Ensemble tour update! Life has been a little crazy-I almost wish I could share our hourly itinerary with you, but that would be a little TMI.

Right now we are on our lovely bus (that is currently getting stone-age speed wifi because most people gave up or are sleeping) leaving Nashville and headed to Atlanta!

Nashville was GREAT. I tweeted (posted a tweet..?) about our concert last night and got a retweet by the Nashville Symphony....so I'm pretty much famous.

We spend the morning rehearsing at the Schermerhorn Symphony center in Nashville which is amazing and beautiful and holy cow what an honor to play in that facility!! After our rehearsal we spent a little time with Giancarlo Guerrero who is the conductor of the Nashville Symphony and a Baylor grad! What an humble and incredibly inspiring person! We were all glowing with pride at the way he spoke so fondly of his time and Baylor, and he was so generous to share his experiences and encouragement with us.

I'm dying to post more photos, just so you know, but the wifi is being mega sucky...

Drew and I in Nashville. I liked this wall so I made him stop and take a photo. Isn't he cute?? :)

Performing at the Schermerhorn was a fantastic experience. I think we were all honored to play in the hall- you guys, it is seriously one of the best acoustically (and beautifully!) designed performance halls in the country! Very cool. I'm going to try to post a bunch of instagram photos here at the end of the post...

Cool Story: Drew's friends that live in Nashville got to come see him at the concert! And I got to meet them! They are such a beautiful and talented couple- I've heard so much about them that it was about time I got to hug them in person! ALSO, important, they are both Nashville musicians! Be sure to check out Daniella's new single "He Sighed"-- I promise you will fall in love with her!

Now, completely UN-tour related!!

A HUGE thank you to Laura at Girl in Flight, who recently mentioned me as one of her favorite blogs! I am so honored by her kind words and I encourage you to check her out! She lives in England and I'm totally hoping to meet her when I move there in September!! (can we make this happen??)

And one final announcement- I'm stoked to be a part of a KitchenAid giveaway starting TOMORROW with Emily at Newlywed Moments and friends! Be sure to come back tomorrow or visit her blog to enter for  your FREE KitchenAid!! Seriously, how awesome is that??

**and now, a billion instagram photos that my lovely friend Catherine gave me permission to steal**