Winding down
As my time is winding down here in DC, I thought I should post some more pictures of my experience here. Of course I have taken hundreds of pictures here in the last 3 months, but here are some highlights. I hope you all like them.
I can't believe that I'll be home in less than 2 weeks. It's pretty crazy to imagine what my life will be like when I'm back home, but I can't wait to be back. I know there will be things about this place that I will miss, but home sounds so good.
View from the National Aquarium in Baltimore
cobblestone street near my house, over 200 years old
Valor- at base of Memorial Bridge
bridge overlooking georgetown
view from park in northern VA
The District of Columbia
I've spent over a month now, in Washington. Below I have posted some of my experiences here thus far.
As you can see, I have done some sight seeing. That has actually been one of my favorite things. I love the history that I am surrounded with. I take public transportation almost every day. The metro on my way to work is above ground and goes over the Potomac River from Northern Virginia into D.C. On this portion of my ride, I have a view of the Washington monument, the US Capitol Building, and the Jefferson Memorial. It is abosolutely amazing. On my way home from work, I take the Metro to the Pentagon and wait for my bus to come. I still really can't believe that I'm at the Pentagon at least 3 days each week. I've also been able to visit some of the Smithsonian museums while I've been here, which has been great. The admission is free and there is always so much to see. I haven't even skimmed the surface.
I took the train up to New York to visit Shanya for a long weekend. It was so nice to take a very short trip and be in the city with one of my best friends. I was able to take a day by myself and walk around the city. The Brooklyn Bridge, Battery Park, and World Trade were a few of my stops.
I've connected with a few old friends from highschool (a couple live in D.C.) which has been great. It's so funny to see how much we have all changed, and yet, how little we have changed at the same time.
There are a couple of other travel nurses that live in my apartment complex and I'm starting to spend some time with them, which has been refreshing. It is nice to have someone to do things with on my days off. Even just to go grocery shopping with. I know that sounds silly, but the simple things in life are what matter. I went to Baltimore today and Joyce (traveler friend) and I picked up a couple of her friends from Chicago. We spent the day in the inner harbor and took a harbor cruise. Saw a couple of neat sites like Fort McHenry, which inspired Francis Scott Key to draft the Star Spangled Banner, and the only Civil War ship that is still afloat.
I also have had the awesome opportunity to spend the Fourth of July here in the nation's capital. We figured the mall area would be so crowded, so Joyce and I went after work to the waterfront area in Georgetown. We had dinner at this great restaurant overlooking the water and the Kennedy Center, and we could see the fireworks from there. It was fantastic and beautiful.
God has defintely been showing me alot of things about myself. I know that even in the past few months (in San Diego and in D.C.) living by myself in "far off places" has left me with alot of time for reflection. I've asked myself many questions about life, love, purpose, service, and so many other things. I feel like each day I have new emotions, new feelings and new thoughts. My time alone has at times been very non-productive and lonely. And at times it has been what it really should be. I've been going to National Community Church and met some people there as well. I'm now looking for a small group to get involved in. The teaching is pretty solid and the worship is good. The other night after the service, a couple of girls held a concert there which was awesome. I thoroughly enjoyed the music and was definitely impacted by the message of the lyrics I was listening to. It's nights like that when I am reminded of how exactly God is blessing me and encouraging me here in my walk. I think I am really grasping on to those moments here. Those seemingly few moments of peace in knowing that I am where God wants me to be. That He can and will use me here. My prayer is that I won't be so resistent to Him changing me and so resistent to simply trusting His will in my life.
So there is a little (ok, not so little) blurb and insite into my life in these past few weeks. I hope you enjoy the pictures, and as always you are more than welcome to come and visit. I'd love the company! I hope this post finds you all happy and loving life. God bless you all!
Monet at the National Art Museum
Fourth of July in Georgetown, D.C.
Traveler friend Joyce and Myself in Baltimore
Shanya and Stacks in D.C.
Union Station (National Community Church meets in the theaters here)
