Newseum / Waiting for Superman

One of the best kept secrets in DC is the Newseum- a 7 story building on Pennsylvania Avenue dedicated to the history of news and journalism. We went for free with Ben's class on Friday (it's $22 per adult regularly), then returned Saturday since we had so much more we wanted to see. The exhibits are so well thought out and displayed. Many historical events are told from the eyes of journalists: 9/11, Katrina, the fall of the Berlin Wall, etc. They even had a gallery dedicated to Pulitzer
winning photographs.


We also got to see one of the antennas from the top of one of the twin towers, as well as large sections of the Berlin Wall. Anyway, it's definitely a must-see if you have $22 laying around and are going to be in DC. And if your husband is a broadcast journalism major. Then it's a "can't miss" :)


On a side note which has nothing to do with the Newseum, Ben and I watched a great documentary this weekend called "Waiting for Superman". It's about the state of public education in our country and very worthwhile. We just rented it off iTunes, although it may be available through Redbox. So if you're looking for a good movie that will make you think, we highly recommend this one.

DC Happenings

Lately we've got to do a lot of fun and interesting things around the city. The weather has also been warming up and I couldn't be more grateful. Allow me to fill you in on our happenings...

Grocery shopping in DC can be tricky. First, every store in DC charges 5 cents for each plastic bag you use. So we always have to remember to take our reusable bags. Second, there are only 2 small grocery stores near apartment; one is Trader Joe's and the other Safeway. The Trader Joe's is right across the street but we only buy certain things there since the food is organic (and usually expensive) and the selection small. That's why we usually walk the 4 blocks to the Safeway in the bottom of the Watergate complex. Before, we both had to go so that there was enough manpower to carry our food home. However last week we found this genius of invention (see photo) in our kitchen so I decided to go shopping alone. It was going great until I discovered there is no elevator access to Safeway. After hauling the cart backwards up 3 flights of stairs and nearly breaking one of the wheels, the food is home. Thank heavens :)





For my birthday this year, Ben bought me tickets to a dance concert at the Kennedy Center. The company was the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and I was very excited since I'd studied about them when I danced in high school. Anyway, they performed some AMAZING numbers and I loved it. After I just wanted to get up and dance! Behind us is the theater. Ben hates this picture (he says we look like dear in headlights) but it shows how pretty the theater is. What a great husband I have.




Friday was beautiful so after Ben got out of class we walked down 25th street, along the boardwalk of the Potomac River, and to the Lincoln Memorial. I think of all the sights in DC the Lincoln Memorial is one of my very favorites. I have such an fascination for him as a man, such an admiration for him as a president.

On a more somber note, we went to the Holocaust Museum on Saturday. We took our time to read the plaques, watch the movies, and see the exhibits and before we realized it, we'd been there 5 hours. It is so awful, so sad, so heavy, yet I felt it so important to remember. It made me examine myself, my prejudices, my stereotypes.
In high school I heard a quote that "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" (George Santayana). In a few places in the museum signs read, "It happened. Therefore it can happen again". Just some things to think about. I would definitely recommend it for anyone visiting DC, although you could see it in 2-3 hours or so.

"A Man's Museum"

Last Thursday, Ben had a man moment. As soon as we'd been in the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum only 5 minutes, he proudly stated "This is a man's museum". It must have something to do with testosterone levels. But in the end we both, male and female, had a great time.

In front of the Apollo 11 module.
It carried the first men who walked on the moon.

Ben inside the aircraft carrier. He loved it and I loved watching him love it.
"Honey, did you know this is a F-14 tomcat?!" Why no honey, I did not :)

In front of the Wright Brother's first flyer