Adaptation

Today I had a realization: I don't like change as much as I wish I did. When we heard we had the opportunity to move to DC I said, "Let's do it! What an adventure!" However, if I was to describe it more accurately I would have said, "Let's do it! Let's live in a small dorm room in a freezing and expensive city, walk nearly everywhere, share a kitchen with 20 single guys (think freshman dorm), and while we're at it, Ben won't enjoy his internship and I'll go without work! Now that's an adventure!"

I think some of those statements are a bit radical, but they describe a few of my (and maybe Ben's) attitudes in the past few weeks. I know many would say, "Are you crazy? You're living in the middle of one of the greatest cities in America?" and if you did you would be right. I wish I could say that I moved here and right from the beginning I loved it. That I was captivated immediately by the museums, history, and shopping. But that's not true. The adjustment has been harder than expected. In the past few weeks we've had things turn out differently than anticipated, and that's called for change. Or maybe the word would be adaptation.

But yesterday and today it was a relief to note that I'm starting to adapt. And Ben too. We went to the Eastern Market yesterday to enjoy delicious Blueberry Buckwheat pancakes for breakfast. I bought a fun pair of knit gloves from Ecuador. We walked to the Library of Congress and got library cards, then explored the National Botanic Gardens. And then the highlight of the day was we went to the temple with our little branch. Out of about 70 active members, there were 22 in our session. They are so faithful. And I felt such a confirmation that we need to be in that branch, even though it's been an adjustment to attend in Spanish.

Then this morning we waited at 8:15am in 25 degree weather for the bus to take us to church, but the bus didn't come. Oh well :) So we trudged to the subway, where I realized I'd left the bread (that I'd promised to bring for the ward luncheon) at home. So Ben valiantly ran back to our apartment and came back just in time to catch our train. We arrived at church late, but with enough time so Ben could play the piano for the choir to practice. He's been such a trooper playing the piano for the branch, and I love him for it.

I tried to hide the bread in the kitchen, but after the meetings I found that the priests had used part of it for the sacrament. We had a good laugh about it. I guess I should feel honored they chose our bread. Thankfully there was plenty of food, it was delicious, and we had a great time talking with the members. After, we did some single young adult visits in a car (what a joy to ride in a car again!) with some members and took the subway home. It was a long day, but it kind of feels like the mission again. Tiring, but equally rewarding. And tomorrow Ben will begin another week of his internship that's he's beginning to enjoy.

So back to the idea of adaptation. It takes time. It's a process. The things that bother me don't go away, it's just that I don't let them bother me anymore. I'm beginning to focus on the good. Like what a beautiful and amazing city we're living in, what a great husband I have, and what wonderful memories we're making.

Speaking of being sick...

Last week when Ben and I were sick we couldn't help but feel like the Mad Madam Mim. We got a good laugh out of this clip.



What a great movie.

A View from L Street

How are we doing? We're doing great! Mostly because we got a pillowtop to fix the hard dorm mattresses and crack in between our beds, but other things are going great too :) I got a job with a temporary nursing agency today and begin in February working in the local hospitals. Ben's enjoying his internship... although it is with the government. Need we say more? But all of this is a great experience. We're learning and growing and... we're in DC! Here are some photos to update you.

On the Mall

Up inside the Washington Monument

Inside Ford's Theater, where Abraham Lincoln was shot

Enjoying our new pillowtop on our twin mattresses. Best purchase ever.

The second highest view in DC, the Old Post Office

Ben playing with the camera

I think he's pretty good at it

My 26th Birthday

My birthday was Monday, but all weekend I had a terrible cough and fever. Finally I thought I was getting better to celebrate my birthday until Monday came and... Ben woke up with a fever of 101.5. So we slept and rested almost all day, although I was able to persuade Ben to take me out for lunch at a Thai restaurant here in the city. The payoff was this Saturday. Ben got up early and made me crepes for breakfast.

Ben's first day

Today was Ben's first day of his internship. This is what he looked like when he left this morning. Isn't he so cute? I just think he looked so great and I'm so excited for him. As I mentioned before, he's interning at Citizenship and Immigration Services, under the Department of Homeland Security. He'll be doing video production. He's such a good husband; I couldn't have married anyone more perfect for myself. So there he is, my hero. In a suit instead of a cape (although below you can see him in his alter-ego outfit).

Isn't he amazing?

We're in Washington! DC, not the state of course :)

Hello everyone! We're in Washington DC and having the time of our lives. Here's an update on the last three days.

Friday, January 7th: We woke up at 3:30am to finish packing and clean up the house, then Ben's brother Landon drove us to the airport. We flew to Denver then had a 3 hour layover while we waited to fly to Washington. While in Denver, my cousin Krissy DeBry called to let me know that she'd like to pick us up from the airport and that she and her husband Syn wanted to take us to dinner. We were really excited. I hadn't seen Krissy in maybe 15 years but she looks just the same- so kind and pretty. She took us to our apartment to drop off our bags then took us out to dinner downtown at a Creole restaurant. It was so fun to talk. Krissy is working as a lawyer here in the city and Syn works with a financial company. They have 3 kids that we have yet to meet. We were tired and in travel clothes, but we had a great time. I had such a fun time reconnecting with my cousin. That night, we spent our first night on the Men's floor of the Barlow Center, the church's central building in DC. It functions as offices, dorms, an institute building, etc. Anyway, we didn't sign up in time to get a married room so we pushed two single beds together and tried to avoid the crack in between all night.

Ben modeling our new bed

Our closets. The door to the bathroom is on the left.
Our dorm is very roomy and we really like it.

Saturday, January 8th: We awoke to find snow outside and decided to go and get needed items (food, toilet paper, shampoo, etc.). We live in the west end near Georgetown, in an area called Foggy Bottom. Our home is about a 4 minute walk from the Metro. It's beautiful here- very historic. It took us a 45 minute Metro ride to get to Target, then we went grocery shopping at Safeway in the basement of the Watergate complex. That's right... the Watergate complex. The deli man even pointed out the famous apartment to us. All the food is much more expensive than in Utah. Poor Ben is shell-shocked. We've begun to eat like missionaries again. Tortillas, sour cream and beans for every meal. Not really, but our diet is definitely controlled by what is on sale. Or cheap.

Later in the day we finished unpacking then walked toward Georgetown. There is a famous cupcake shop there named "Baked and Wired" so we stopped to get cupcakes for later. They may have cost $3.50 a piece but it was worth it. We then walked along the boardwalk of the Potomac river until we got to the Kennedy Center. By then I was pretty cold so we stayed inside and watched one of the free concerts they have every night at 6pm. It was a quartet from George Mason University that played beautifully. So beautifully we may have taken a nap :)

Anyway, we finished Saturday by walking back home (it freezes your ears off if you don't wear a hat), cooking dinner in our community kitchen (turns out it isn't so bad to share with guys because their diet consists of peanut butter and jelly, cereal, and microwaved burritos), and trying to figure out the bus route for church the next day. We fell asleep to the sound of a large group of singles playing games outside our door. I think we'll get used to it :)

Ben by some buildings in Georgetown.
This is about a minute walk from our dorm.

Sunday, January 9th: We awoke early to leave for church an hour before the meetings. Mostly because we had never taken the bus and still don't know the routes. The bus is cheaper than the subway, but you have to be willing to wait in the biting cold until the bus arrives. So we did that and realized you really do always have to carry a hat and gloves in the winter in DC. It took about 45 minutes to get to the church which is in Columbia Heights, near Target actually. It is an old baptist church that the church bought and put their sign on. Before Ben and I came to DC we decided we wanted to go to the Spanish branch. We called the branch president to ask if we could help and he was so excited to find out Ben played the piano. So Ben played the music in sacrament today and everyone was so excited that he'll be able to accompany the choir for branch conference in a few weeks.

Latins are so great and they are pretty much the same everywhere. They sing off tune, but with all their hearts. They greet you with such excitement when they first meet you. They love to tell you their full name (all 4 names actually) as fast as they can. But they're wonderful. Most are from El Salvador, which makes me feel right at home. During Sunday School, the branch president, who is a gringo living in the suburbs, called us into his office. He called Ben as the piano player for sacrament then gave us a joint calling to work with the young adults. We're to develop activities, FHE's, firesides, etc. to get them excited and help reactivate those who are inactive. And if they happen to get married to each other in the process, even better! :) We're excited about it.

After church we decided to take the Subway home, but the train we took broke down on the platform. So we walked the rest of the way, about 7 blocks. When the wind isn't blowing it's not too bad but when it blows.... whooo! Hold onto your hat! After taking a nap today we got to know some of the people doing internships with Ben and watched the CES fireside downstairs. And here we are letting all of you know that we're doing great! We're loving it and enjoying the experience. Tomorrow we'll walk to the White House, about 5 minutes from here, and the mall. Then Ben begins his internship Tuesday. It's such a blessing to be here and we feel this is such a tender mercy of the Lord.

Our First Christmas Together

Okay, I'm doing this late but I have to write about our first Christmas together. Christmas is such a great time of year, but it's even better as you're getting ready to celebrate with the love of your life. For the first time ever. And it turned out to be such a good Christmas. We got to see so many friends and spend time with our families. I loved it.

Here's a little calendar of the things we did:
December 3rd: We bought our first Christmas tree and decorated our apartment together. Ben documented most of it with our new camera then edited to make a video Christmas card.
December 10th: We ate Costa Vida at my work holiday party while watching my co-workers bowl at Fat Cats. Later we drove to Landon & Liesl's for the annual "Tea and Crumpets" party with the Wheelwrights, a family close to Ben's family. We had great appetizers and sang Christmas songs around the piano. Oh and who can forget caramel brownies with peppermint ice cream?
December 11th: Ben's great aunt Esther treats his family to dinner at the Lion House on Temple Square each year. We had a delicious dinner with Jane, Chelsea, Esther, and Ben's cousin Alex and her fiance, then walked around to see the lights. What a great tradition.
December 18th: My aunt Pat used to hold a Christmas party each year which has now been adopted by my cousin Circe. I hadn't been to the party for three years due to work and my mission, but it was so great to see my DeBry cousins.
December 19th: We woke up at 6:30am on a Sunday, braved a closed down freeway, long lines in rain and cold, all to see.... David Archuleta. Oh yeah, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir too :) We were lucky enough to get tickets to the Christmas Music and the Spoken Word and then got to watch the mini-concert after the taping. It was phenomenal- so beautiful and well done. It was worth the sacrifice.
That night we had a family party with my parents and brothers and sisters. Mark and Julia both came down with their families and we had a great time devouring the awesome food my mom makes, writing predictions, and opening presents from each other and my mom. Here are some fun photos.

Malinda, Mark & Makayla

Ben & I enjoying the appetizers

With my great mom

My dad and Grandma Freda

Laura and Eleanor. I think / hope she was just yawning.

On the 23rd we drove up to Ogden to visit Ben's dad and grandparents. It was so fun to see the small Christmas houses lit up in the park in Ogden, then eat stew and look at pictures with his Grandma. We then drove to stay the night with Jane in Mountain Green, although we didn't fall asleep until 2am because we couldn't stop talking. That may be a record for Jane :)
The 24th was wonderful. We woke up to a great breakfast (provided by Jane) with breakfast casserole, a berry drink, egg nog, and hot chocolate. Landon, Liesl, and Andelin even drove up to spend the morning. We played games, talked to Sammy in Guatemala, then opened gifts. Sammy even sent authentic headbands for all the girls. We then stayed the afternoon to play games with Jane and Chelsea (Ticket to Ride was a winner) then enjoy a Christmas ham. We drove home about 8pm to our little apartment to spend Christmas together.
Let me explain a little about our preparations for Christmas. I love to Christmas shop. Actually, I love to shop period, but Christmas is a great excuse. This year I decided to get Ben a lot of his clothes for his internship in Washington. I got collared shirts, dress pants, a good winter coat, new shoes, socks, etc. I started shopping in November and I was so excited. Ben, on the other hand, has a different approach to Christmas shopping. Mostly because he's in school and doesn't have time to think about Christmas until after finals. But who can blame him? I was the same when I was a student.

Trying to take pictures Christmas morning. Ben was not cooperating :)

But the preparation didn't matter, because Christmas morning was wonderful. We opened gifts from each other, then I made German pancakes. Later in the day we visited Laura and Gordon's family, watched the Christmas story together, and took naps. So basically, we did nothing. And it was a great day.