Weekend Numero Dos in DC

This weekend was a lot of fun, but kept me very busy! Friday I met up with some of the girls at Metro Center to do some shopping at Forever 21. Now, I know that I am from Oklahoma, but this was the biggest Forever 21 I have ever seen in my life. Too big. We walked in and I thought, "wow-- this is too much to handle." Then I found out that there were two other floors. I didn't know what to do. By default and because it didn't look overwhelming, I started at the jewelery. Unfortunately, that section is just the same size as at any store. After that section, I was forced to face the horror. Forever 21, if you don't shop there, doesn't know how to organize their clothes. They attempt having "themes" in certain areas, but really-- it is all over the place. In a normal sized store, you have to be in the right mindset to shop there. If you aren't ready for it, you won't find anything because you won't know where to start. You can have to frames of mind: 1- "I know exactly what I am looking for." Or 2- "I don't care how much I have to try on, I just want really cute clothes to make me feel like I am cute and trendy and make myself seem like an awesome person."

Well, I didn't have either of these mindsets. I wandered around aimlessly. Up the Escalator. Down the Escalator. Around the corner. Under the iron beam (really). Did you know that Forever 21 makes children's clothing? Did you know they make maternity clothing? Yeah, I didn't either. And of course, in F-21 style, there are no signs to tell you this. You just walk into a doorway and BAM. Clothing for toddlers that belongs on the front of InStyle Magazine. It was crazy. I tried on the least amount I have ever tried on at a F-21. That is just how overwhelmed I was.
When we got back, I was in a really wierd mood. My mind was in shock. Denise (one of my roommates) and I went to get dinner, and I wanted to choose the place with the least options possible. I felt bad because she had recommended Whole Foods. I just couldn't handle that many options. Forever 21 had ruined options in my brain. We went to this italian restaurant down the road, and I had Spaghetti and Meatballs. It was really tasty and comforting. Later that night, over half of us (there are 55 total) went out. It was a lot of fun to dance around and have fun with my new friends. I followed the night by a beautiful round of sleeping in on Saturday morning.

After I woke up Saturday, 3 of the guys and I went to the National Museum of Natural History. We weren't really into the museum thing, and were pretty silent the whole time. It was neat stuff, but we were all worn out from the whole week. After that we hung out in Adam's Morgan a bit, and then headed home. We ended up losing one of the guys when we all stopped for a bathroom break at McDonalds. We thought he died; he thought we left him. It all ended up fine though! While walking back to the dorms, I was plotting getting food, when we ran into two girls who were doing just that. I joined them and we went to "Steak n' Egg." It was a really small breakfast diner. The kind that only have room to sit at the bar, where you can watch them cook. It was so delicious, and I really would not mind eating there every single day. No lie. But, then again, I love breakfast. Apparently they also have really good philly cheese steaks, which I will definitely be trying! When we returned to the dorms, I joined yet another group to go see the movie "Super 8." It was pretty good, but not life-changing like I expected. Then it was bed time fo' real.

Sunday I woke up late once again, and was loving it. I found out really sad news about a family friend's murder in Tulsa last week. We used to spend a lot of time with their family, because their son's were the same age as Blake and I. I remember baseball games and randomly visiting their house, and all around really good memories of them growing up. It is a sad loss, and another reminder that we are not guaranteed every day. To lift up my spirits, I joined 3 of the guys (I guess I was all about hanging out with the guys this weekend) on a journey to a Taco Bell. It was truly a journey- about 20 minutes on the metro. It was worth it though. It was in Union Station, which had more places to eat than any mall ever (reminiscent of my F-21 visit two days prior). I knew what I wanted though, and the Taco Bell was just what my tastebuds missed. :)
The rest of the day was spent relaxing and at an emotionally draining group meeting about self-awareness. Lots of self-reflection. We were drained. I went to get pad thai to-go, ate it in our room, and pretty much laid in bed the rest of the night. It felt lovely.

:)

Orientation, Workshops, and DC Adventures

The next few of my days in DC were filled with more orienation and workshops. Things regarding the school's services, policies, professional development, and conflict resolution. Much of it seemed repetitive and some I already knew from OU, but it wasn't too bad. One of the presenters was fun and had us watch The Office- how could I not enjoy that? Also, she and I are birthday twins! She makes the third person ever that I have met who has my birthday(I thought she was the second, but I forgot about a girl I met in college Freshman year--thanks facebook!). Over the weekend, more people arrived for our program, and we have yet another OU person! OU is taking over DC. :) And there is still just one from OSU.. victory! Friday night we ended the day of orientation with a barbecue, which was delicious. Summer would be entirely incomplete without some BBQ. Later that night, a lot of us travelled down to the National Mall to see the monuments at night. I have driven by them before at night, but this was much prettier! Surprisingly, the reflecting pool is gone. I am sure it will be back for July 4th- at least it better. I realized that I haven't ever actually seend the reflecting pool in person. I am not quite sure how I managed to do that- but it is a good little ways from the Washington Monument.

During this adventure, we all slowly broke apart. I was with mostly Oklahoma people, with one whom was made an honorary Oklahoman. After we hung out with Lincoln for a while, we decided to walk to a different metro stop and find some food on the way. THERE WAS NOTHING. We picked the wrong street, apparently. We went through GWU (which has apartment complex-style sororities/fraternities that looked legit), and asked someone where food was. They said, "7-11 behind me, TGI Fridays that way." So- TGI Fridays it was! After all, it was Friday! We got there and were immediately segregated into our own room all alone. It was fine, aside from the fact that there was an old picture (those oval kind with the rounded glass-like a tv almost) of a boy that was really creepy. It is unfortunate, because I am sure at one point that was a fabulous picture. But, it's eyes followed us, and it was just not okay. I sat facing it. At dinner, there was a sign for a free desert on your birthday if you text a number. I thought I might be able to swing that since I was just 24 hours away. So I did. Unfortunately, they sent one back saying something along the lines of, "Great! I know you are eating right now, and really want the desert right now, but you can't get it until we send you the coupon code on your birthday. That way, you can come back and eat here again for your birthday. Because I know you like to eat the same thing for dinner every night." Actually, that isn't what it said- but that is how I interpreted it. :) And you know what? I never got my text message on my birthday. Jerks. After dinner I didn't want to sleep, and neither did my friend from OSU. So he and I stayed up talking for a while about life and whatnot. Both of us are in the same boat about not wanting to make these big life decisions this next year. Womp womp.

Waking up Saturday came way too early. We had a group activity for the day. We thought it would be a scavenger hunt, but it was actually a day for us to explore the city and do the things we wanted to do in DC as a group. Our group went to Georgetown first. Boyfriend suggested a coffee shop, but unfortunately it was closed. When I told him, he was upset with DC for a quick moment, because things tend to open and close often. We walked around and found another coffee shop that also served breakfast/lunch sandwiches. They looked delicious! I had some fruit that I forced a friend to share with me because it was a very large serving. We then walked through the neighborhood to Georgetown University. The first thing we saw was a large building that we decided is a castle. We were all IN LOVE with this campus. It was gorgeous and huge. They had cemetaries even, which was kind of creepy but cool at the same time. We wondered how much money you had to donate to be buried there. ;) Really though, it was cool just how historical it was. They were having a Reunion that day, so it was fun to see the activities they had going on. We went to their gift store and I bought a t-shirt. I also asked Mom and Dad to put the house up for sale so that I could transfer schools. I love OU- but this place was truly that amazing! If only...

After that we headed down to Georgetown Cupcakes (the company of the show, DC Cupcakes, on TLC). On the way we stopped by North Face, and I found the greatest Raincoat ever. I want it, but didn't feel like spending 200 dollars on a raincoat. We shall see how much money I have left after summer ends, haha! When we arrived at the cupcake store, there was a line, but not too bad. We got there at the right time, because the line got much longer while we waited. I had a White Chocolate Raspberry, which was the special that day. It wasn't quite a Sara Sara cupcake, but it was still amazing! Definitely worth the wait! Our next stop was the White House. We tried to find a bus, but all the bus stops in Georgetown come without maps. A girl who runs track for Georgetown told us it wasn't a bad walk. After about 15 minutes and little progress, we finally found a map, a bus, and soon the White House. We took pictures outside and got to listen about a man rapping/singing about Jesus. He was actually a little creepy because after every sentence he let out a really creepy laugh. We then went to the White House gift shop. I was disappointed with the keychains, which i desperately needed for our dorm keys. Another girl found lanyards that say "White House Staff" on them, with a removable keychain part. So, I got one as well. We also got to take some great pictures at the store. I don't want to ruin them, so I will just let you see later.

After all of that, we were super tired. We headed back to campus and felt pretty dead. I laid down for a bit, but then went to hang out with boyfriend while I still could. He took me to a suburb area to a mall so I could go to an H&M. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS STORE. I could do very dangerous things there. I was good though, and only got 3 things. Well, they actually ended up being birthday presents, so it was even better! I will definitely have to find another H&M before I leave in July. I am not even kidding- it is my new favorite store and Oklahoma needs one stat. We then went to eat at (yet another) ethiopian restaurant. Bf is obsessed, but that is okay because I love it too! The area we went to was on U Street, and it was this really jazzy district and it was fun to be in. I want to go back, but bf warned me that it is next to the really bad part of town, so probably not. Then it was time to split ways so I could go figure out plans for the very beginning of my birthday!